Overwatch’s Controversial Heroes Set for Major Reworks

In the last ten years, few heroes in Overwatch have sparked as much debate among players as Roadhog and Sombra. Roadhog’s Chain Hook has become notorious for its ability to eliminate squishier heroes almost instantly, leading to widespread frustration. Meanwhile, Sombra has consistently found herself among the most banned characters, largely due to her stealth and hacking abilities that can disrupt gameplay.

At BlizzCon 2026, it was revealed that significant changes are on the way for these two polarizing heroes. Sombra will be shifting from the damage role to the support category, marking a notable transition in her gameplay style.

Both heroes have undergone changes in the past. In 2023, Blizzard introduced a new ability for Roadhog called Pig Pen, but by 2025, they reverted to a more streamlined kit, removing that addition. Sombra’s abilities have also evolved; her invisibility and hacking mechanics have seen various adjustments, and a new ability called Virus was added in 2023. However, this rework has not been well-received by many players, leading to frequent bans in matches.

Now, Blizzard is taking even bolder steps. The rework for Roadhog aims to enhance his role as a team player, while Sombra’s transition to support is a rare move in Overwatch’s history. The only other heroes to switch roles have been Doomfist, who moved from damage to tank, and Symmetra, who transitioned from support to damage after several reworks.

These updates coincide with the introduction of a new hero, Doctrine, a vampiric-inspired support character set to join the roster in season 5. Doctrine will be the ninth of ten new heroes planned for Overwatch in 2026.

Overwatch is currently available as a free-to-play title on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.