Blizzard Entertainment has revealed Doctrine, a new vampiric support hero for Overwatch, alongside significant reworks of hero kits for Roadhog and Sombra. These changes and the introduction of a new map mark the upcoming Overwatch Season 5, scheduled to launch on October 6, 2026.
The announcement came during the BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony, where a cinematic trailer for Doctrine was presented. This support-type hero utilises vampiric powers to manoeuvre across the battlefield and aids teammates with healing delivered through robotic bat-shaped drones.
Details on hero reworks and new map
The Season 5 update includes a comprehensive rework of Sombra’s kit, repositioning her as a support hero to better assist allies. Roadhog also receives adjustments aimed at balancing his toolkit to alleviate some of the difficulty enemy players have experienced when facing him.
Alongside these hero changes, Blizzard has introduced Watchpoint: Grimsvotn, a fresh map set in Iceland, adding new terrain and environments for competitive matches. The update further features the return of Dokiwatch, although specific details around this event remain limited.
Availability and further information
Season 5 will commence on October 6, 2026, across all platforms where Overwatch is available. A limited-time Hero Trial for Doctrine has already gone live, enabling players to experience the new hero ahead of the full launch.
More insights into Doctrine and the update will be provided during the Overwatch Developer Livestream at BlizzCon 2026. These changes reflect Blizzard’s ongoing efforts to refresh the game’s roster and balance competitive gameplay.
