The Overwatch hotfix released on October 13, 2026, introduced balance changes for five heroes. Blizzard rolled out the update just one week after the launch of Season 5, titled “Reign of Talon Season 5: A Grim Doctrine.”
The patch adjusts damage, healing, ability durations, and survivability. Replay codes from the October 6 patch remain available, allowing players to revisit matches recorded before the latest changes.
In this Overwatch hotfix, Doctrine and Sombra received nerfs, while Roadhog and Kiriko were buffed. D.Mon rounds out the list with an armor reduction. The changes affect both recently reworked heroes and the roster’s newest Support.
Doctrine and Sombra nerfs target Support effectiveness
Both heroes entered Overwatch Season 5 with major changes. Doctrine joined the roster as a new Support, while Sombra moved from the Damage role to Support. One week later, Blizzard reduced parts of their kits.
Doctrine deals less damage, heals less, and has shorter drone uptime
Doctrine’s Eternal Scepter now deals 55 damage and 55 healing, down from 60 each. Invigorating Drones also lasts five seconds instead of six. These reductions affect the weapon’s output and shorten the drones’ active duration.
In the October 6 patch notes, Blizzard acknowledged that Doctrine had been outperforming other Supports despite a positive reception during his trial weekend. That update increased his Ultimate cost by 8% and adjusted several other parts of his kit.
Among the earlier changes, Deliverance had its effect durations reduced. Shrouded Momentum received a longer cooldown and less damage reduction. The latest nerfs continue that balance direction without introducing another rework.
Sombra’s Machine Pistol and Cyberspace deal less damage
Sombra also lost offensive power following her move to Support. Machine Pistol damage per projectile dropped from 7 to 6.5. Cyberspace’s initial explosion damage was halved from 40 to 20.
Cyberspace also received a one-second cooldown increase, going from 12 to 13 seconds. The ability creates a zone that heals allies and weakens enemies. The changes lower its immediate damage and how often it can be used, without changing its weakening effect.
Roadhog buffs increase damage and survivability
Roadhog received the most individual buffs in the update. The Tank had been reworked on October 6, gaining a two-burst firing pattern and Trash Compactor, an ability that absorbs incoming projectiles and returns an explosive shot.
Scrap Gun and Take a Breather get stronger
Scrap Gun’s center projectile damage increased from 34 to 40. This rewards shots that connect with the center projectile. No other Scrap Gun damage adjustments were listed in this hotfix.
Take a Breather received three buffs. Its cooldown fell from 2 to 1.25 seconds, damage reduction rose from 35% to 40%, and maximum duration increased from 2 to 2.5 seconds. Together, the changes let Roadhog use the ability again sooner and stay protected for longer.
The buffs restore some of the durability lost in the previous rework. However, the October 13 patch notes do not provide a specific developer explanation for each adjustment.
Kiriko gains health, while D.Mon loses armor
Kiriko’s base health increased from 225 to 250, a gain of 25 HP. The buff lets the Support absorb more damage before being eliminated. Her weapons and abilities were not changed in this update.
D.Mon received a defensive nerf instead. The Tank’s base armor dropped from 275 to 250. Blizzard did not provide a specific explanation for that change in the hotfix notes.
All changes in the October 13 Overwatch hotfix
Here is a breakdown of every adjustment, including the previous and updated values:
| Hero | Ability or stat | Before | After |
| Doctrine | Eternal Scepter: damage and healing | 60 | 55 |
| Doctrine | Invigorating Drones: duration | 6 sec | 5 sec |
| Sombra | Machine Pistol: damage | 7 | 6.5 |
| Sombra | Cyberspace: explosion damage | 40 | 20 |
| Sombra | Cyberspace: cooldown | 12 sec | 13 sec |
| Roadhog | Scrap Gun: center projectile damage | 34 | 40 |
| Roadhog | Take a Breather: cooldown | 2 sec | 1.25 sec |
| Roadhog | Take a Breather: damage reduction | 35% | 40% |
| Roadhog | Take a Breather: max duration | 2 sec | 2.5 sec |
| Kiriko | Base health | 225 | 250 |
| D.Mon | Base armor | 275 | 250 |
The hotfix follows a Season 5 launch that also introduced the Halloween event Mystery Madness: Graveyard Games, the new Grímsvötn Escort map, and the return of previous Battle Passes.
Halloween-themed maps are scheduled to remain available through November 3. Meanwhile, October 6 replay codes are still available for players who want to compare matches from before and after the balance changes.
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