Tracer received powerful new movement ability in Overwatch PTR update

While many in the Overwatch community rushed to play the new hero, Echo, a pretty sizable Tracer buff went relatively unnoticed – and it could be a game-changer.

The March 19 PTR update brought a couple of improvements to the training range and an option that makes it easier for Ana to apply Nano Boost to the correct teammate. It also buffed Tracer’s Blink by making it far more reliable- perhaps even more than it needed to be.

Houston Outlaws DPS Dante ‘Danteh’ Cruz showed off the power of this improved Blink by loading up a custom game on Temple of Anubis.

Blizzard Entertainment

Tracer players are going to be a nightmare for supports.

As it turned out, even the pro was surprised with what was now possible with Blink, being able to reach high ground locations that wouldn’t be possible on the live version of the game.

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While standing on the bridge where defenders normally set up on Point A, Danteh tried to Blink across to a spot much higher up.

“Okay, this one is somehow a good head above you,” he noted before successfully making it across the gap.

https://twitter.com/danteh/status/1240832504782884865

While on Route 66 streets phase, he discovered that it was possible to get to places that would never have been possible before.

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“That’s actually nasty,” he said. “There’s so many OP ones.”

Blizzard stated in the patch notes: “Improved the accuracy of Tracer’s blink movement such that Tracer will more likely end up where the crosshair is pointing.”

Blizzard Entertainment

Could these buffs have been added to help Tracer combat Echo?

In additional comments, the developers added: “Tracer cannot blink over an obstacle which she otherwise cannot jump over normally, with the jump originating from Tracer’s height at the start of the blink movement.”

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For Tracer players looking to infiltrate the backline, this Blink buff will make you even more dangerous, now with some advanced vertical maneuvering.

With Tracer’s skill cap already through the roof, this buff should raise it even further and could help make for some insane aerial plays, which could be a good thing considering the newest hero, Echo, will be in the sky often.