Blizzard's latest Overwatch update adjusts hero abilities, improves several underperforming characters, and tones down powerful picks ahead of the next season.

Overwatch is wrapping up another chapter of its major revamp, and Blizzard is introducing a substantial collection of hero adjustments in its latest midseason update. The patch focuses on balancing characters across different roles, improving underperforming abilities, and addressing heroes who have been particularly difficult to counter.

Several familiar faces are receiving welcome improvements. Illari gets faster weapon charging and stronger healing, while Reaper receives additional health. Mauga also gets some of his lost power back through increased armor and improved burning damage.

However, not everyone is getting good news. Jetpack Cat, Doctrine, and Genji are among the heroes receiving nerfs, while several ability adjustments aim to make encounters feel fairer and more predictable.

The update also introduces helpful interface improvements, giving players clearer information about which teammates are benefiting from certain support abilities.

Tank Heroes

D.Mon

• Power Barrier recovery increased from 0.2 to 0.3 seconds.
• Power Barrier now has a minimum deployment duration of 0.25 seconds.
• Propulsors impact damage reduced from 15 to 0.
• Overstrike major perk lifesteal reduced from 150% to 125%.

Junker Queen

• Base health increased from 375 to 425.
• 6v6 base health increased from 450 to 500.
• Carnage cooldown reduced from 9 to 7 seconds.
• Commanding Shout now includes a UI indicator showing nearby allies and teammates currently affected by the ability.

Mauga

Mauga is getting some much-needed attention after previous adjustments reduced his effectiveness. His improved durability and damage output should help him feel more impactful in team fights.

• Base armor increased from 125 to 150.
• Incendiary Chainguns burning damage over time increased from 15 to 20.

Ramattra

• Void Accelerator ammunition increased from 100 to 125.

Winston

• Revitalizing Barrier major perk healing reduced from 35 to 30 health per second.

Damage Heroes

Anran

Anran receives several improvements designed to make her damage abilities more reliable and her ultimate quicker to activate.

• Zhuque Fans damage increased from 22 to 24.
• Inferno Rush knockback removed.
• Inferno Rush can no longer hit the same target multiple times during one use.
• Vermillion Ascent ultimate casting time reduced from 1.2 to 1 second.

Echo

• Aerial Munitions minor perk now also refills ammunition when activated.

Emre

Blizzard continues refining Emre's presentation and abilities with several quality-of-life adjustments.

• Added a Rotation reticle setting for the default reticle.
• Removed the Thickness reticle setting for the default reticle.
• Fixed a visual inconsistency involving default reticle crosshairs and their Outline Thickness and Outline Shift values.
• Updated the default reticle preview to better match its in-game appearance.
• Cyber Frag detonation time reduced from 0.6 to 0.5 seconds.

Genji

• Deflect duration reduced from 2 to 1.5 seconds.

Hanzo

• Sonic Disruption major perk no longer overrides Sombra's hacked health packs.

Reaper

• Base health increased from 275 to 300.

Shion

Shion's ultimate receives a small timing adjustment, while Execution becomes more effective at close range without requiring a fully charged attack.

• Execution starting spread reduced from 8.5 to 5.7 degrees.
• Satsuriku Spree casting and movement time per volley reduced from 0.6 to 0.5 seconds.

Vendetta

• Palatine Fang overhead leap speed reduced from 11 to 9.5.
• Palatine Fang initial swing delay increased from 0.15 to 0.2 seconds.
• Whirlwind Dash's Raging Storm perk horizontal knockback reduced from 8 to 4.

Support Heroes

Ana

• Biotic Grenade explosion damage reduced from 90 to 60.

Baptiste

• Regenerative Burst now includes a UI indicator showing nearby allies and teammates currently benefiting from the ability.

Brigitte

• Inspire internal cooldown reduced from 1.25 to 1 second.
• Inspire instant healing increased from 12 to 15.

Doctrine

Doctrine has been performing particularly well during his debut season, prompting Blizzard to increase the cooldowns of two abilities.

• Shrouded Momentum cooldown increased from 8 to 10 seconds.
• Infuse cooldown increased from 8 to 9 seconds.

Illari

Illari receives two welcome improvements that should make her more dependable as a support character.

• Solar Rifle time to maximum charge reduced from 0.65 to 0.575 seconds.
• Healing Pylon healing per projectile increased from 40 to 50.

Jetpack Cat

Jetpack Cat has been a challenging target for opponents thanks to her mobility and survivability. Blizzard is reducing her health while adjusting her flight mechanics to create a more balanced experience.

• Base health reduced from 225 to 200.
• Frenetic Flight acceleration increased from 25 to 28 meters per second.
• Frenetic Flight fuel regeneration reduced from 25% to 20% per second.

Sombra

• EMP now overrides enemy hack effects on health packs.

This midseason update brings a healthy mix of improvements, reductions, and quality-of-life changes across the Overwatch roster. Illari, Mauga, Anran, and Reaper stand out among the characters receiving noticeable buffs, while Jetpack Cat and Doctrine face adjustments intended to bring their performance more in line with the rest of the roster.

The additional interface indicators for Junker Queen and Baptiste are also welcome improvements, making it easier for players to understand how their abilities affect teammates.

While the patch doesn't deliver sweeping character reworks, these targeted adjustments could make a meaningful difference to team compositions and match strategies as Overwatch moves toward its next season.