After some experimentation with Roadhog’s kit in Overwatch 2 Season 18, Blizzard has officially walked back some major changes with this latest rework. As of August 26, the beloved tank hero has returned to his more classic kit, leaving behind some of the newer mechanics introduced in previous seasons. If you’ve been wondering why the Pig Pen ability disappeared or why his Take a Breather feels … familiar again — you’re not imagining things.
Let’s dive deep into the new-old Roadhog, exploring his reworked abilities, perks, and the reasoning behind these changes.
Roadhog’s Reverted Abilities and Ultimate
Roadhog’s new kit is a familiar one for longtime players. The overhaul sees a return to his traditional Scrap Gun mechanics and utility. Here’s what his current kit looks like:
- Primary Fire – Scrap Gun (Left Click): A short-range spread weapon. Think of this as his trusty shotgun burst—spray and pray up close.
- Secondary Fire – Scrap Gun (Right Click): Fires a projectile that detonates into a close-range blast. More effective at mid-range, and now rebalanced for more stability.
- Ability 1 – Chain Hook (LShift): Launches a hook to reel enemies into melee range. Essential for setting up devastating close-quarter damage.
- Ability 2 – Take a Breather (E): Self-heal and damage reduction. Now on a dedicated ability slot, it’s become more flexible with new toggle and cancel options.
- Ultimate – Whole Hog: Unleashes a rapid-fire stream of scrap, pushing enemies back and dealing consistent area damage.
Current Perks: Old Strengths with a New Twist
With some reworks scrapped and others added, Roadhog’s perks have also received a refresh. Here’s the complete list of what’s now powering his frontline assaults:
Minor Perks
- Scrap Hook: Reloads 2 ammo whenever Chain Hook lands a hit. Keeps him locked and loaded for follow-up shots.
- Shrapnel Launcher: Increases the secondary fire range by 50% and tightens its burst spread by 25%, adding some versatility when dealing with targets outside his usual reach.
Major Perks
- Invigorate: Grants a 30% movement speed boost when using Take a Breather, letting Roadhog reposition or retreat faster during fights.
- Pulled Pork: Provides overhealth based on how far Chain Hook pulls an enemy—up to a cap of 250. This adds a layer of tactical sustain that rewards longer-range hooks.
What Happened to Pig Pen and Other Removed Traits?
Blizzard’s official patch notes reveal the thinking behind these sweeping changes. The controversial Pig Pen ability — introduced in a previous rework — was originally meant to give Roadhog greater zone control. However, it ultimately pushed him too far in one direction, reinforcing his chain combo and sacrificing flexibility. The devs acknowledged this and felt it limited his options on the battlefield.
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By reverting to his classic primary and secondary gun mechanics, the goal is to improve the consistency and usability of his damage output, especially when holding the front line. The feedback-driven update also adjusts Take a Breather, which now sits in the Ability 2 slot and has extra toggle and cancel options for smoother gameplay control.
It’s worth noting these perk swaps too: Pent Up and Hogdrogen Exposure are gone, with Shrapnel Launcher and Pulled Pork stepping in to modernize his survivability and ranged utility.
Full Patch Notes for Roadhog (August 26)
Here’s the nitty-gritty of what’s been updated:
Scrap Gun (Primary Fire)
- Reverted to classic dual firing mode (primary and secondary)
- Removed: Volley of 4 oversized, long-range projectiles
- Projectiles per shot increased from 16 to 25
- Damage per pellet slightly reduced from 6.25 to 6
Scrap Gun (Secondary Fire)
- Initial projectile volley can no longer crit
Removed: Pig Pen (Ability 2)
Updated: Take a Breather
- Now occupies Ability 2 slot
- Toggling enabled by default
- Can now be cancelled with Ability 1, primary, and secondary fire
- Cancellation window reduced from 0.8s to 0.6s
Perk Changes
- Removed: Pent Up (minor), Hogdrogen Exposure (major)
- New Minor Perk: Shrapnel Launcher – extended range + tighter spread for secondary fire
- New Major Perk: Pulled Pork – overhealth tied to Chain Hook distance
Is classic Roadhog better?
It’s starting to feel like the old Hog is back in town. These changes reflect a careful blend of nostalgia and practicality. For veterans, this update feels like stepping into an old pair of boots — slightly worn but broken in just right. You can tell Blizzard is aiming to preserve Roadhog’s tank-bully identity while making room for smarter play and tactical variety.
Whether these tweaks will bump his pick rate in competitive remains to be seen, but if you’re a fan of disruption and raw firepower, this new-old Roadhog is worth revisiting. Grab that hook, hit that breather, and start breaking lines like it’s day one.