Overwatch Unleashes Jetpack Cat And Five New Heroes

Blizzard Entertainment is making waves again in the world of multiplayer shooters, and this time, it’s with a hero that’s been a decade in the making. On February 10, 2026, Overwatch will welcome Fika—better known to fans as Jetpack Cat—alongside four other new heroes, marking the start of a new era for the game. For longtime players and newcomers alike, this is a momentous update that blends nostalgia, innovation, and a dash of feline mischief.

According to esports.gg, the arrival of Fika the Jetpack Cat comes as part of the Overwatch Spotlight event, which unveiled the first batch of 2026’s planned hero releases. Fika is not alone: Domina, Mizuki, Emre, and Anran will all join the roster simultaneously, making this the largest single influx of new heroes since Overwatch’s debut. These five are just the beginning—Blizzard has announced that a total of 10 new heroes will join the game over the course of 2026, with one additional hero arriving each season after this initial launch.

But let’s talk about the real star of the show: Jetpack Cat. This support hero has been the subject of internal debate and fan speculation for years. As GameSpot reported, the concept dates back to at least 2017, when then-game director Jeff Kaplan described a scrapped idea of a jetpack-wearing cat that “laid in it, like a cat does,” occasionally pawing at the controls. The idea, Kaplan admitted, was “probably too far.” Yet here we are, nearly a decade later, and the dream has finally become reality.

So, what can players expect from Fika? The answer: a lot of utility, a healthy dose of whimsy, and some truly unique gameplay mechanics. Fika’s kit is built around her Jetpack passive, which grants her permanent flight—a first for Overwatch support heroes. As Engadget details, this allows Fika to soar above the battlefield, offering new tactical possibilities for both offense and defense. Her subrole as a tactician means she can accrue excess ultimate charge, which carries over after using her ultimate ability.

Fika’s primary weapon, Biotic Pawjectiles, fires mid-range projectiles that heal allies and damage enemies—a classic Overwatch blend of support and offense. Her active abilities are just as distinctive. Frenetic Flight lets her accelerate rapidly in any direction, though fuel recovery slows when she’s carrying an ally. This ties into her Lifeline ability, which toggles transport mode and allows Fika to tow an ally through the air, healing them as they go. It’s a dynamic that’s sure to shake up team compositions and strategies, especially in the hands of creative players.

The Purr ability, meanwhile, provides a pulsing area heal that increases in frequency over time. When activated, it also knocks back nearby enemies, giving Fika a way to disrupt opponents while supporting her team. And then there’s her ultimate: Catnapper. With this move, Fika dives toward a ground location, knocking down enemies and tethering the nearest one to her. As Engadget notes, this opens up the possibility for environmental kills—dragging an unlucky foe toward a pit, for example. The ultimate’s combination of crowd control and positional play is likely to become a highlight in competitive matches.

Fika’s perks round out her toolkit. Minor perks include Claws Out, which empowers her melee attack every six seconds to deal extra damage and slow enemies, and Transport Shielding, granting up to 75 extra shield health while she’s carrying another hero. Her major perks, Headbutt and Territorial, further enhance her playstyle: Headbutt allows Frenetic Flight to knock back enemies when flying fast enough, while Territorial modifies Purr to also damage nearby enemies for half the amount healed, though it removes the knockback effect.

This influx of new heroes is just one part of a sweeping set of changes coming to Overwatch in 2026. As Engadget reported, Blizzard is officially dropping the “2” from the game’s name, signaling a shift in philosophy and a commitment to ongoing evolution rather than discrete sequels. “Overwatch is more than just a digit: it’s a living universe that keeps growing, keeps surprising, and keeps bringing players together from around the world,” the Overwatch team said in a statement. The move comes after a tumultuous few years, which saw the cancellation of ambitious PvE hero missions and a renewed focus on competitive PvP modes. Despite these setbacks, the game is now “arguably in the best shape it’s been in for a long time,” according to Engadget.

The new season also marks the beginning of what Blizzard is calling a “story-driven era.” The first chapter is a year-long narrative arc titled The Reign of Talon, which will be reflected in-game through map changes, events, cinematics, short stories, and comics. It’s the first time in Overwatch history that a fully connected annual storyline will tie together all the lore, heroes, and events. This narrative focus is expected to deepen player engagement and provide fresh context for the ever-expanding roster.

Alongside new heroes and storylines, players can look forward to a host of other updates. A five-week meta event called Conquest will pit Overwatch and Talon factions against each other, offering dozens of loot boxes and legendary skins as rewards. A Hello Kitty collaboration will run for two weeks starting February 10, bringing themed cosmetics to several heroes—a playful nod to pop culture that’s sure to delight collectors. Additional updates include a revamped user interface, new maps (including a Japan Night map), the return of post-match accolades, and the arrival of a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Overwatch in April.

For those eager to try out the new heroes, Anran will be available in a hero trial starting February 5, giving players a sneak peek before the full roster drops. The other three newcomers—Domina, Mizuki, and Emre—bring their own unique abilities and affiliations, with some tied to the villainous Talon organization and others aligned with Overwatch.

Looking ahead, Blizzard’s roadmap promises regular hero launches and more frequent updates than ever before. If you thought Overwatch was slowing down, think again. With its 10th anniversary approaching in May and a packed calendar of events, cosmetics, and gameplay changes, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the franchise.

As Fika the Jetpack Cat finally takes flight, Overwatch fans have plenty to celebrate—and even more to look forward to. The game’s blend of nostalgia, innovation, and community-driven storytelling ensures that, nearly a decade after its inception, Overwatch remains as lively and unpredictable as ever.