Overwatch's Season 5 midseason update launched November 3, bringing hero balance changes that buff Junker Queen and nerf Jetpack Cat.
The update also brings a Stellar Blade crossover to Overwatch.
Junker Queen gets tougher; Jetpack Cat gets less forgiving
Junker Queen receives a straightforward combination of extra health and more frequent Carnage swings. Support changes pull in different directions: Illari gains faster rifle charging and stronger pylon healing, while Doctrine has to wait longer between key abilities.
| Hero | Midseason changes |
|---|---|
| Junker Queen | Base health rises from 375 to 425, or 450 to 500 in 6v6. Carnage cooldown drops from 9 to 7 seconds. |
| Jetpack Cat | Base health falls from 225 to 200. Frenetic Flight fuel regeneration drops from 25% to 20% per second. |
| Illari | Solar Rifle reaches maximum charge in 0.575 seconds instead of 0.65. Healing Pylon healing rises from 40 to 50 per projectile. |
| Doctrine | Shrouded Momentum cooldown increases from 8 to 10 seconds; Infuse increases from 8 to 9 seconds. |
Jetpack Cat does get something back: Frenetic Flight acceleration increases from 25 to 28 meters per second. That leaves her with faster acceleration but less health and slower fuel recovery, rather than a nerf to every part of her movement.
Emre's abilities receive a smaller timing adjustment, with Cyber Frag's detonation reduced from 0.6 to 0.5 seconds. His default reticle also gets setting, display, and preview fixes.
Junker Queen's Commanding Shout and Baptiste's Regenerative Burst gain UI elements showing allies within range and those currently affected.
Blizzard has also improved gameplay sabotage detection, targeting behavior such as repeatedly jumping off the map, intentionally avoiding team fights, and blocking team progress. Players reporting disruptive behavior will now receive a “Thank You” message.
Stellar Blade skins arrive alongside Roadhog's first Mythic
The Overwatch x EVE Protocol collaboration runs through November 17, reworking five heroes around Stellar Blade characters:
- Widowmaker as EVE
- D.Va as Lily
- Freja as Raven
- Vendetta as Tachy
- Soldier: 76 as Adam
D.Va's Lily costume is an Ultra skin, with a mech modeled after Stellar Blade's Providence boss. It includes custom kill effects, reactivity, and a unique “Hello” emote.
D.Va's Lily crossover skin
Roadhog gets his first Mythic skin, Necrotic Knight, with four customization levels unlocked using Mythic Prisms. Its options include Skull, Knight, and Plague Doctor-inspired helmets, additional color palettes, and spectral effects featuring skulls, claws, flames, and smoke.
Drives return December 3 through 7 with separate Competitive and Quick Play tracks. The Black Friday Vault Sale is already running through December 7, with returning cosmetics including the StarCraft Mega Bundle.
The OWCS World Finals take place in Guangzhou on December 2 through 6. For a closer look at the heroes before your next match, visit the Overwatch guide collection.
