Blizzard Entertainment released Overwatch 2 update 1.000.101 (Version 4.36) on September 8, 2026. The patch introduces a significant split in hero tuning between the standard 5v5 format and 6v6 mode, while also restoring the Black Forest map to the active rotation following a bug fix.

Hero Balance and Gameplay Adjustments

The 4.36 update applies specific balance changes that differ based on the match format, reflecting the developer’s ongoing support for both 5v5 and 6v6 environments.

Tank Changes

• D.Mon: In 6v6 modes specifically, base armor has been reduced from 325 to 300.
• Mauga: Base armor is reduced from 150 to 125 across all standard modes.
• Winston: In 5v5 matches, the Barrier Projector cooldown is reduced to 10 seconds, but the barrier duration is now reduced to 7 seconds.

Support Changes

• Kiriko: The travel speed of Healing Ofuda projectiles has been reduced from 24 meters per second to 18 meters per second. This change requires players to lead their shots more significantly when healing distant allies.

Maps and Game Modes

The Black Forest map has been re-enabled in this update. It was previously removed from the map pool to address technical issues. Players can now find it in its respective rotations.

Changes have also been made to the Stadium subset of matches. Stadium Quick Play matches now grant Battlepass XP, allowing players to progress through seasonal rewards while participating in this specific mode.

Upcoming Events and System Updates

The update prepares the game for Junkrat’s Legendary Loot Hunt, which is scheduled to run from September 12 through September 29, 2026.

On the technical side, Blizzard has removed the “High Precision Mouse Input” setting from the options menu. Players on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One will see these changes reflected immediately in the live environment. Detailed documentation of these shifts is available through the official Blizzard Entertainment patch notes.

What This Changes for Players

The reduction in Kiriko’s projectile speed represents a substantial shift in her effective range, making her less reliable for reactive healing at long distances. Meanwhile, the Winston adjustments in 5v5 encourage more frequent barrier placement but offer a shorter window of protection per deployment. Tank players in 6v6 will need to account for D.Mon’s slightly lower durability during high-intensity team fights.