Blizzard has unveiled the first new hero in a long time for the MOBA Heroes of the Storm. Joining the roster of playable characters is Xal’atath, one of the main enemies in the current storyline of World of Warcraft. This will happen in an update on September 28th, but you can try it out on the public test server on September 14th.
Saratat will be a ranged assassin who excels at sustained zone pressure. Her playstyle is built around space control, intelligent positioning, and persistent combat. The longer the fight lasts, the more dangerous the heroine becomes.
Saratate’s main abilities:
- Void Volley (Passive) – Normal attacks accumulate void energy. Once enough energy is accumulated, Zaratat will release the energy at the target location, attacking enemies along its trajectory. The more heroes you hit in a match, the stronger your abilities become.
- Mark of Shadow (Q) – Xal’atath creates an explosion in a targeted area, revealing enemies trapped within it. Heroes caught in the middle are marked and targeted by the Heart of Darkness.
- void step (W) – The heroine teleports between enemies along a triangular trajectory and continues to inflict periodic attacks on them. Movement can be stopped early to change position. Using power as an unconditional method of salvation will not work.
- Ritual of the Heart of Darkness (E) – Xal’atath summons a heart of darkness that binds enemies and deals damage over time. If an enemy is marked by Shadow Mark, the artifact will chase them, then explode and deal heavy damage to the area.
- The void erupts (R, First Ultimate) – Saratate creates a beam of void energy that gradually increases in size, then sends it forward. Enemies along the way will take massive damage until they explode.
- The abyss descends (R, second ultimate move) – The heroine releases a group of abyssal creatures to chase the opponent. They travel towards the marked target, constantly dealing damage and restricting their movement. This ability is primarily designed for teamfights and putting pressure on weaker assassins.
Blizzard has yet to announce a full return of Heroes of the Storm support to previous levels. However, company president Joanna Faris thanked players for their interest in the game and hinted at another new hero coming in the future.
