Heroes of the Storm has rolled out its May 2025 update, bringing significant hero reworks, balance adjustments, and changes to the competitive Storm League mode. This update arrives just weeks before the game's 10-year anniversary, keeping the MOBA fresh for its dedicated player base.

While Heroes of the Storm entered maintenance mode in 2022, Blizzard has continued to surprise fans with periodic updates. The latest patch introduces impactful changes to fan-favorite heroes like Ana, Azmodan, and Genji, along with quality-of-life improvements across the board.

The update brings substantial hero adjustments:

• Ana's Biotic Grenade now offers cooldown reductions for strategic use
• Azmodan's Trample talent reduces heroic cooldowns when hitting heroes
• Genji receives both buffs and nerfs to balance his high-mobility playstyle
• E.T.C. gains new talent options and baseline ability improvements

Competitive players will notice important Storm League modifications. Rank decay now exclusively affects Master and Grand Master tiers, with stricter party composition rules implemented for high-level play. These changes aim to improve matchmaking quality at the top ranks.

The update also includes numerous bug fixes across maps and heroes, addressing long-standing issues with ability interactions and visual effects. Notably, Anduin replaces Malfurion as the default ally in Try Mode, reflecting the game's evolving lore connections with World of Warcraft.

With Heroes of the Storm approaching its 10-year anniversary on June 2, speculation continues about potential anniversary celebrations. The game's recent inclusion in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits - offering 30 free heroes to subscribers - suggests Microsoft's acquisition of Blizzard may lead to renewed support for the MOBA.

Below you'll find the complete patch notes detailing all hero changes, bug fixes, and system adjustments in the May 2025 update:

Heroes of the Storm Patch Notes – May 15, 2025

General Changes

• Anduin replaces Malfurion as Try Mode ally
• Updated game strings and UI text
• Refreshed homescreen and startup music

Storm League Updates

• Rank decay restricted to Master/Grand Master
• Maximum party size reduced to 2 for top tiers
• Stricter rank point differentials for parties

Hero Balance Updates

Ana

• Biotic Grenade cooldown adjustments
• Vampiric Rounds healing bonus increased
• Deadeye talent reworked for toggle functionality

Azmodan

• Trample now reduces heroic cooldowns

Genji

• Pathfinder healing scaled by health percentage
• X-Strike damage increased with longer cooldown

E.T.C.

• Face Melt cooldown reduction
• New level 20 talents replacing Storm Shield

Imperius

• Molten Armor hits additional targets
• Talent tree reworks at multiple tiers

Bug Fixes

• Corrected ability interactions for multiple heroes
• Fixed pathing issues on several maps
• Addressed visual and UI inconsistencies

This update demonstrates Blizzard's ongoing commitment to Heroes of the Storm, particularly as the game approaches its milestone anniversary. Players can expect these changes to significantly impact the meta, especially in competitive play where hero reworks and Storm League adjustments will reshape high-level strategies.