A significant midseason patch has arrived for Overwatch bringing a wave of hero balancing, new cosmetic collaborations, and updated anti-sabotage measures. The update serves as the final major drop for Season 5 before the narrative shifts in February 2026.
Hero Balance Adjustments
The patch introduces several targeted adjustments to competitive play. Notable changes include:
- Junker Queen: Base health increased to 425 (or 500 in 6v6 modes), and the cooldown for Carnage reduced to 7 seconds.
- Mauga: Base armor increased to 150, with burning damage over time on Incendiary Chainguns raised to 20.
- Ana: Biotic Grenade explosion damage reduced from 90 to 60.
- Genji: Deflect duration shortened from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
- Reaper: Base health increased from 275 to 300.
- Jetpack Cat: Base health reduced to 200, with fuel regeneration rates decreased.
- Ramattra: Void Accelerator ammo capacity increased to 125.
New Events and Cosmetics
Blizzard has launched the Stellar Blade collaboration, featuring themed skins for Widowmaker, D.Va, Freja, Vendetta, and Soldier: 76. Additionally, the Necrotic Knight Mythic skin for Roadhog is now available, allowing players to customize the hero's appearance and ability effects through Mythic Prisms.
Several in-game events are active from November 3 through December 7, including the 'Taking Reign' event, which offers a Legendary Doomfist skin and Vendetta’s Mythic weapon. Players can also participate in the 'Excavation Initiative' to earn free loot boxes and a 'Black Friday Vault Sale' featuring returning skin bundles like the StarCraft Mega Bundle.
Gameplay Sabotage Detection
Blizzard has refined its detection systems to address disruptive behavior. The system now tracks players who intentionally fail to participate in team fights, repeatedly exit the map, or obstruct team objectives. Players reporting these behaviors will now receive a confirmation message within the client.