Overwatch Season 5: A Grim Doctrine is here, introducing a new major Support hero, role changes, hero records, a new Escort map, limited-time events, collaborations, and a massive selection of cosmetics. It’s a super-sized update that promises to shake up the competitive scene, and I’ve detailed everything you need to know below.
From when Overwatch Season 5 is coming out to which heroes have been reworked with this update, the full spread is broken down below. Learn about the new Doctrine hero, the limited-time events coming soon, and even a merchandise collaboration.
When Does Overwatch Season 5 Go Live?
You’ve not got long to wait.
Overwatch’s Season 5 update lands on October 6 – here are the specific launch times you need:
- PT – 11 AM
- CT – 1 PM
- ET – 2 PM
- GMT – 6 PM
- BST – 7 PM
- CEST – 8 PM
- CST – 2 AM (7th)
- JST – 3 AM (7th)
This is the time when Doctrine becomes playable, and the new content hits the platform.
Hero Changes in Overwatch Season 5
The talk of the town is the arrival of Doctrine, a new Support hero.
Bizarrely, Blizzard nerfed Doctrine just before the Season 5 update went live, cutting down attack speeds and tweaking the hero’s ult to address some balancing concerns right out of the gate.
But the update notes don’t end with that fact. Sombra has taken on a role swap going into Season 5, transitioning into the Support roster and moving away from Damage. Roadhog is also facing a major rework, and his new kit is sure to have an impact on the competitive scene.
New Mythic cosmetics are incoming as well, one of which is a long-awaited edition. This season, you’ll be able to secure two new Mythic cosmetics this season: Dragon Shaoxia Wuyang and Treblemaker Lucio.
Talking of skins, you’ll also find a battle pass loaded with them this season:
- Ghostly Belle Ashe
- Jack O’Ripper Soldier: 76
- Ghost Bride Mei
- Bat Empress Junker Queen
- Autumn Fox Zenyatta
- Skelly Bastion
- Witching Hour Brigitte
- Spectral Shroud Symmetra
- Crimson Regent Doctrine
- Ghost Voyager Venture
The hero changes and additions can be explored on the new map, Watchpoint: Grimsvotn, if Escort is your kind of thing. It’s Overwatch’s first new Escort map in a hot minute, so that’s nice.
Halloween Event Incoming
Season 5: A Grim Doctrine introduces the Mystery Madness: Graveyard Games event, which runs from October 6 to November 2. It’s a free-to-access event that boasts stacks of rewards that players can unlock for getting involved, including:
- Legendary Inflatable Reinhardt Skin
- 16 Loot Boxes
- 4 Player Icons
- 4 Sprays
- 4 Name Cards
- 1 Weapon Charm
- 1 Player Title
- 8 Voice Lines
Additionally, Blizzard has revealed the limited-time collaboration with Shadow Monarch, which also starts on October 6 and runs until October 19. When you head to the shop, you’ll find the following collaboration skins for Overwatch:
- Iron Reinhardt
- Igris Reaper
- Sung Jinwoo Genji
- Cha Hae-In Anran
- Choi Jong-In Lifeweaver
And if you like cosmetics, you’ll love to learn that Unvaulted Passes are surfacing in Season 5, allowing you to unlock stuff from past seasons that you might have missed.
Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord server if you’ll be playing Overwatch’s new Season 5 update.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Battlefield 6 is headed to Las Vegas and Area 51. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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