This news comes as a complete surprise to many: Heroes of the Storm, Blizzard’s “simple” MOBA, is making a comeback after a seven-year hiatus and is introducing a new hero, Xal’atath, right from the start.
The much-anticipated BlizzCon is currently underway in Anaheim, California. After a two-year break from their annual convention, Blizzard has unveiled several exciting announcements during the opening ceremony. One of the most unexpected reveals is the return of the free-to-play MOBA Heroes of the Storm after a long dormancy of seven years.
Despite its absence, many players still hold a special place in their hearts for Heroes of the Storm. Known for its easy-to-learn gameplay and roster of beloved Blizzard characters like Anduin, D.Va, and Kerrigan, the MOBA has always been seen as a more accessible option compared to other popular titles like League of Legends and DOTA 2.
However, Heroes of the Storm struggled to compete with the dominance of its competitors in the market, leading to a maintenance mode in 2018. During this period, there were no major updates or new heroes introduced, and the official esports league was disbanded. Despite this, the servers remained active.
Now, it’s evident that Blizzard hasn’t given up on Heroes of the Storm and has been working diligently to bring the MOBA back to life. To kick things off, a new playable character, the WoW rogue Xal’atath, will be joining the roster right from the beginning.
Starting as soon as next Monday, September 14, players can test Xal’atath in the game’s public test environment (PTR). Blizzard’s Johanna Faries also teased that another new hero will be added to the Heroes of the Storm lineup in the upcoming months. It appears that Blizzard is committed to revitalizing their MOBA.
We will continue to cover BlizzCon 2026 and provide updates as they unfold. If you’re curious about Blizzard’s upcoming games, expansions, and updates, be sure to check out the link above.
Which announcement from BlizzCon 2026 caught your attention the most? Is there anything else you were hoping to see? Share your thoughts in the comments!