So we all know biotic energy is a thing, but what exactly is it and how does it work?
Simply put it’s either the energy or substance (not sure if its matter or energy) that is produced from living things. Rather than fully explain how it works I want to theorize how it interacts with the support’s healing.
Mercy - mercy most likely obtains the biotic energy from the air, and the staff simply channels it. There isn’t enough space for her to just have infinite reserves. The hole in this theory is that in spaces without a lot of life (like the desert or the moon) it would be a weaker heal, but adding that as a gameplay mechanic would be awful for the character, which is why it doesnt appear in game.
Moira - moira is the easiest to explain, smhe directly takes biotic energy from her enemies, stores it in her tank until she wants to use it. Since the biotic energy is fresh from the person it is much more effective in healing. She also saps away a little for herself too. Her ball is a bit harder to explain however. Perhaps the “energy” is actually matter and she gives it cohesive properties?
Lucio - the sound waves from lucio’s music push the biotic energy through the ears to act on the body from the inside. This explains his low healing since only a small amount can get through the ears. It also explains the range since the sound waves couldn’t push the energy muc h from far away.
Brigitte - I have two different theories on how brigitte’s passive healing works. The first is that her flail transforms kinetic energy into biotic energy somehow and releases it into the air. The other theory is that it doesnt do anything physical for the body. It merely raises morale (hence the name inspire) and gives a stronger will go the heroes, this would also explain the weak healing. As for her armor pack all I can think of is that its biotic infused armor or something
Zenyatta - as stated by the interaction between zenyatta and mercy, he does not use biotic energy to heal. Perhaps the iris is a real being and heals through the orbs.
Ana - biotic energy preserved in darts/vials. It heals less than moira cuz it’s not fresh, and heals more than mercy cuz it’s concentrated. Her nade might be biotic energy along with something that coats her team and conducts the energy more efficiently.
Soldier - his healing pack is pressurized, preserved, biotic energy.
Roadhog - he huffs pure biotic energy. While this is extremely effective in healing, it likely has major unseen side effects to it.