Blizzard announced Doctrine at the BlizzCon 2026 opening ceremony on 12 September. He is a Support hero with a vampire theme, an ally of Doomfist, and he works by manipulating lifeforce with a scepter, infusions and bat-like drones.

The useful bit: he is playable right now in a limited time Hero Trial that runs through 14 September, before he officially joins the roster when Season 5 starts on 6 October. If you want to try him without waiting three weeks, that window is small.

Season 5 also brings major reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, and the Sombra one is the bigger deal. She is moving out of Damage and into the Support role. That is not a numbers tweak, that is a character most people have a strong opinion about being rebuilt into something else entirely.

There is a new Escort map too, Watchpoint: Grimsvotn, an Icelandic volcano prison where Doomfist breaks Doctrine out. Season 5 closes The Reign of Talon, which Blizzard says is the first year long story arc in the game's history, and Blizzard has teased Hero 55 as a pointer to where 2027 goes. The next Overwatch Spotlight, with the plan for the year, lands in February 2027.

Blizzard is also handing out a Mythic Voucher to anyone who plays a game after the opening ceremony. It is redeemable for one complete Mythic bundle from Seasons 1 to 14, and you have until 5 October to earn and use it.