PTR
Published on September 14, 2026
Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes - September 14, 2026
Our next Heroes of the Storm patch has just hit the Public Test Realm and will be available for playtesting.
JUMP TO:
Heroes:
New Hero: Xal'atath
Overview
Xal'atath has arrived in the Nexus!
Base Abilities
Shadow Mark [Q]
- Shoot a single Void Orb that deals 45 damage to enemies hit. Enemies hit by the center take an additional 90 damage.
- Enemy Heroes directly hit are Marked for 4 seconds.
- Marked Heroes are Revealed and draw the Dark Heart and Void Minions toward them.
Void Step [W]
- Cast to teleport Xal'atath 3 times in a triangular pattern.
- Each time Xal'atath teleports, her Basic Attacks deal +25% damage while the ability is active.
- Reactivate to end Void Step early and remain at the current location.
Dark Heart Ritual [E]
- Summon the Dark Heart, which pulses for 35 damage per second to nearby enemies for 8 seconds.
- The Dark Heart moves to Shadow Mark's impact location.
- The Dark Heart pursues Marked Heroes and detonates on impact, dealing 120 damage to nearby enemies and an additional 60 damage to the Marked target.
Void Volley [Trait]
- Void Volley is charged by Xal'atath's Basic Attacks. Unleash a barrage of Void Orbs at a target location, each dealing 99 damage on impact.
- **Quest:** Hit enemy Heroes with Void Volley. Each Hero hit grants 1 stack and increases all Void damage by .1%. Xal'atath loses all stacks when killed
- **Reward (30 Stacks):** Increase Void Volley's range by 2. Upon death, Xal'atath now only loses 6 stacks, but cannot fall below her current milestone minimum
- **Reward (55 Stacks):** Void Volley requires 1 fewer Basic Attack to charge Void Volley.
- **Mythic Reward (90 Stacks):** Increase Void Attack and Ability damage by 50%. Void Volley projectiles Pierce all targets.
Talents
Level 1
Anchored Core
- Increase Dark Heart's area by 50% and duration by 50%.
- Dark Heart's damage bounces 2 times from the primary target to nearby enemies, dealing 18 damage.
Cloak of Shadows
- Activating Void Step grants 50% Movement Speed and 25 Spell Armor for 2 seconds. This bonus refreshes each time Xal'atath teleports.
Toxic Mark
- Increase Shadow Mark's duration by 1 second.
- Damage over time dealt to Marked Heroes is increased to 1% of their maximum Health. Marked enemies have -15 Armor while Marked.
Level 4
Dark Barrier
- Each time Dark Heart damages an enemy, Xal'atath gains a Shield equal to 2% of her maximum Health, up to 10%.
Void Acolyte
- Completing Void Step fully charges Void Volley.
- The next Void Volley deals 50% increased damage and costs no Mana.
Cold Feet
- Increase Shadow Mark's duration by 1 second.
- Marked enemies are Slowed by 25%.
Level 7
Void Summoner
- Activating Void Step summons a single Void Minion in its center. Void Minions are attracted to Shadow Marked Heroes.
- Void Minion Basic Attacks deal 95 damage per hit. Void Minions lose Health over 30 seconds.
Void Adept
- **Quest:** Detonate the Dark Heart on Marked enemy Heroes to increase Shadow Mark's damage by 5 each time a target is hit, up to 100 additional damage.
Silence of the Lamb
- Activating Void Step summons a seal of Void magic on the ground. When the seal completes, it deals 99 damage to enemies inside and Silences them for 2 seconds.
Level 10
Void Eruption [R]
- Channel a single powerful Void Orb that grows over time until reaching maximum size after 2 seconds. Recast to launch the Orb early.
- Enemies that come into contact with the Orb take up to 175 damage and are Blinded for 1 second.
- When the Orb reaches the end of its path, it detonates in a large explosion, dealing up to 700 damage.
- The Orb deals contact damage every 0.125 seconds.
Void Convergence [R]
- After channeling for 2 seconds, summon a Void Portal that spawns up to 4 Void Minions to attack nearby enemies.
- Enemies near the Void Portal are Slowed by 25%.
- Void Minions are attracted to Shadow Marked Heroes.
- The Portal loses health over 20 seconds.
Level 13
Crushing Cascade
- Enemies hit by Void Volley are Slowed by 6% for 2 seconds per projectile, up to 50%.
Dark Heart's Protection
- Casting Dark Heart Silences enemies inside its radius for 1 second.
- Xal'atath and allied Heroes gain 30 Spell Armor while inside Dark Heart's radius.
Relentless Whispers
- While Void Step is active, Xal'atath's Basic Attack rate is increased by 200%.
Level 16
Pull of the Dark Heart
- Linked enemies are Slowed by 10% for each pulse, stacking up to 5 times and decaying over 2 seconds.
Marked Resilience
- Basic Attacks against Marked Heroes grant a 480 point Shield that rapidly decays.
Fractured Reality
- Increase Void Volley projectile damage by 25%.
- Void Volley projectiles leave a trail of fire along their path for 3 seconds, dealing 15 damage over time.
- The trail deals damage every 1 second.
Level 20
Harbinger's Consumption
- Xal'atath's Void Eruption splits into 3 orbiting Void Orbs.
- Cancelling the ability early causes the orbs to travel faster.
Rift Invasion
- Void Convergence's Portal no longer loses health over time and can spawn and sustain up to 6 Void Minions.
Dueling Orbs
- Gain 1 additional Shadow Mark charge.
Unstable Core
- When the Dark Heart expires or detonates on a Marked Hero, it leaves behind a pool of void flames for 5 seconds.
- Enemies in the flames take 15 damage over time.
- The flames deal damage every 1 second.
Paradox Loop
- After completing Void Step, Xal'atath immediately performs a second Void Step in the opposite direction. Added effects are triggered again.
General Updates
- Updated Homescreen and Startup Music.
Battlegrounds & Map Updates
- Garden of Terror
- Shambler Health and damage now begin 25% below their previous values and gradually return to their previous values over the course of the match.
Hero Balance Updates (7)
Base Abilities & Stats
Vindication [Q]
- Mana cost increased from 50 to 65.
Talent Changes
Level 13
Aldor Peacekeeper
- Damage reduction increased from 40% to 50%.
- Damage reduction duration increased from 3 seconds to 4 seconds.
Velen's Chosen
- Damage bonus per stack decreased from 10% to 8%.
Level 20
Seraphim
- Cooldown increased from 20 to 30 seconds.
Base Abilities & Stats
Blood Rage [W]
- Damage bonus per stack decreased from 0.25% to 0.2%.
- Blood Rage base damage per tick lowered from 8 to 7.
Talent Changes
Level 1
Fatal Wounds
- Damage bonus against low Health targets increased from 50% to 70%.
Level 13
Pulsing Pain
- Damage increased from 135 to 150.
Level 16
Lingering Ailment
- Armor reduction decreased from -35 to -25.
Talent Changes
Level 1
Unrivaled Strength
- Damage bonus reduced from 125% to 75%.
Level 4
In For The Kill
- Damage bonus increased from 70% to 100%.
Level 7
Oppressor
- Spell Power reduction decreased from 30% to 25%.
Level 13
Bloodcraze
- Heal duration increased from 3 seconds to 4 seconds. Total healing remains the same.
Double Up
- Armor duration increased from 3 seconds to 5 seconds.
Bug Fixes
Malfurion
- Fixed an issue where Entangling Roots would not continuously root enemies within its area.
Xul
- Fixed an issue where Xul's skeletons were sometimes not dealing damage.
Click here to discuss this post with other players in the official Heroes of the Storm forums.
