Overwatch Season 5 Midseason Patch: All Changes and Events

The Overwatch Season 5 midseason update, titled A Grim Doctrine, launched on November 3 with balance changes affecting 20 heroes, the Taking Reign event and a collaboration with Stellar Blade. According to Dot Esports, Ana and Doctrine received nerfs, while Shion and Mauga received buffs.

The patch also introduces changes to Stadium mode and a schedule featuring six events running through December 7.

What events are coming to Overwatch during Season 5?

The midseason update features six events: Taking Reign, EVE Protocol, Excavation Initiative, Junkrat’s Loot Hunt, accompanied by a Double XP weekend, OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally and Drives.

Taking Reign and Excavation Initiative run from November 3 through December 7, while the other events have separate schedules.

Taking Reign: November 3 – December 7
EVE Protocol: November 3–17
Excavation Initiative: November 3 – December 7
Junkrat’s Loot Hunt and Double XP weekend: November 19–23
OWCS World Finals Cheer Rally: November 24 – December 7
Drives: December 3–7

What rewards are included in the Taking Reign event pass?

Taking Reign features a free reward track that includes the Sigma skin. The Premium track adds the Doomfist skin and a weapon skin for Vendetta.

The event pass, which unlocks Premium rewards, costs 1,000 Overwatch Coins.

Which Stellar Blade skins are available in Overwatch?

The in-game shop has added five skins from the Stellar Blade collaboration:

Widowmaker as EVE
D.Va as Lily
Freja as Raven
Vendetta as Tachy
Soldier: 76 as Adam

D.Va's skin has Ultra rarity. The EVE Protocol event also offers free name cards. Both the skins and the event are available until November 17.

Which heroes were nerfed in the midseason patch?

According to the patch notes reported by Dot Esports, the following heroes received reductions:

Ana: Biotic Grenade explosion damage decreased from 90 to 60.
Doctrine: Infused Damage decreased from 90 to 80, while Infused Healing dropped from 120 to 110. Primary fire recovery increased from 0.6 to 0.65 seconds. Shrouded Momentum cooldown increased from 8 to 10 seconds, and Infuse cooldown increased from 8 to 9 seconds.
D.Mon: Overstrike lifesteal decreased from 150% to 125%. Propulsors impact damage dropped from 15 to 0, while Power Barrier recovery increased from 0.2 to 0.3 seconds.
Genji: Deflect duration decreased from 2 to 1.5 seconds.
Vendetta: Palatine Fang leap speed decreased from 11 to 9.5, while the initial strike delay increased from 0.15 to 0.2 seconds.
Winston: Revitalizing Barrier healing per second decreased from 35 to 30.

Which heroes received buffs?

The following heroes received improvements:

Mauga: Base armor increased from 125 to 150, while Incendiary Chainguns burn damage increased from 15 to 20.
Shion: Execution's initial spread decreased from 8.5 to 5.7 degrees, and Satsuriku Spree's burst interval decreased from 0.6 to 0.5 seconds.
Junker Queen: Base health increased from 375 to 425, or from 450 to 500 in 6v6. Carnage cooldown decreased from 9 to 7 seconds.
Brigitte: Inspire's internal cooldown decreased from 1.25 to 1 second, and its instant healing increased from 12 to 15.
Illari: Solar Rifle's maximum charge time decreased from 0.65 to 0.575 seconds. Healing Pylon healing increased from 40 to 50 per projectile.
Reaper: Base health increased from 275 to 300.
Ramattra: Void Accelerator ammunition increased from 100 to 125.
Emre: Cyber Frag detonation time decreased from 0.6 to 0.5 seconds.
Echo: The minor Aerial Munitions perk now also reloads ammunition when activated.

Which heroes received mixed changes or interface updates?

Some heroes received a combination of buffs and nerfs, while others received interface improvements:

Anran: Zhuque Fans damage increased from 22 to 24, and Vermillion Ascent cast time decreased from 1.2 to 1 second. Inferno Rush no longer knocks enemies back or hits the same target multiple times per use.
Jetpack Cat: Base health decreased from 225 to 200, and fuel regeneration dropped from 25% to 20% per second. Frenetic Flight acceleration increased from 25 to 28 meters per second.
Sombra: Hotfix duration decreased from 12 to 10 seconds, and Cyberspace's weakening effect dropped from 50% to 40%. EMP now overrides enemy hack effects on health packs.
Hanzo: The major Sonic Disruption perk can no longer override health packs hacked by Sombra.
Baptiste and Junker Queen: Regenerative Burst and Commanding Shout now display indicators showing which allies are within range and which have already been affected.

What changed in Overwatch Stadium?

Stadium received adjustments to abilities belonging to five heroes:

Winston: Tesla Field damage decreased to 30 per second, down from 40.
Cassidy: Barrage Blastin' damage reduction decreased to 50%, down from 60%, while Silver Bullet damage increased from 50 to 60.
Genji: Swift Strike damage per Wyrm's Maw stack increased from 10% to 15%.
Sojourn: Hard Stuck damage reduction decreased to 10%, down from 25%.
Vendetta: Apex Bloodlust lifesteal decreased from 4% to 3%. Rampant Onslaught now requires three eliminations per stack, up from two.

Which midseason patch change will have the biggest impact on your playstyle? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media.

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