Introduction
As we wait for Xal’atath, a new Ranged Assassin, to be available in Heroes of the Storm soon, let’s take a first look at her Abilities and Talents based on all the information available at BlizzCon 2026.
Abilities
We don’t have the tooltips for Xal’atath’s Abilities yet but here is how they work.
Void Volley [D]
Basic Attacks build Soul Essence. At full Essence, unleash a barrage of void bolts at a target area while moving freely. Tied to the Void Whispers Quest, which rewards range, faster charge, and piercing, empowered void damage as it progresses.
Shadow Mark [Q]
Cast a large Void Orb that marks Heroes hit by its inner radius; the Dark Heart moves to the impact point and detonates on marked Heroes.
Void Step [W]
Blink between three points in a triangular pattern, gaining Attack Damage at each stop; can be cancelled early to reposition or escape.
Dark Heart Ritual [E]
Summon the Dark Heart talisman to pulse void energy at nearby enemies, then follow and detonate on any Shadow-Marked Hero.
Void Eruption [R1]
Channel a growing void orb, launch it to blind enemies and dominate space, then detonate in a large area — cast on the Dark Heart for an instant, fully empowered eruption.
Void Convergence [R2]
Summon a portal that spawns relentless void minions to overwhelm nearby enemies, replacing fallen minions until the portal ends or is destroyed.
Play styles include Void Hunter (control and sustained damage), Herald of the Void (mobility and minions), and Vessel of the Dark Heart (space and objective control).
Talents
These tooltips come from a video recorded at the Blizzard Arcade during BlizzCon 2026.
Level 1
Anchored Core
Dark Heart
+50% Radius
+50% Duration
Dark Heart damage bounces 2 times from the primary target to nearby enemies, dealing 18 damage.
Cloak of Shadows
Activating Void Step grants 50% Movement Speed and 25 Spell Armor for 2 seconds. This bonus refreshes each time Xal’atath teleports.
Toxic Mark
+1s Shadow Mark Duration
The damage over time against Marked Heroes is increased to deal damage equal to 1% of the target’s maximum Health. Marked enemies have -15 Armor while Marked.
Level 4
Dark Barrier
Each time Dark Heart damages an enemy, Xal’atath gains a Shield equal to 2% of her maximum Health, up to 10%.
Void Acolyte
Completing Void Step fully charges Void Volley.
The next Void Volley deals 50% increased damage and costs no Mana.
Cold Feet
+1s Shadow Mark Duration
Marked enemies are Slowed by 25%.
Level 7
Void Summoner
Activating Void Step summons a single Void Minion in its center. Void Minions are attracted to Shadow Marked Heroes.
Void Minion Basic Attacks deal 95 damage per hit. Void Minions lose Health over 30 seconds.
Void Adept
Quest: Detonate the Dark Heart on Marked enemy Heroes to increase the damage of Shadow Mark by 5 each time a target is hit, up to 100 damage.
Silence of the Lamb
Activating Void Step summons a seal of void magic on the ground. When the seal completes, it deals 99 damage to enemies inside and Silences them for 2 seconds.
Level 10
Void Eruption
Channel a single powerful Void Orb that grows over time until reaching maximum size after 2 seconds. Recast to launch the Orb early.
Enemies that come into contact with the Orb take up to 175 damage and are Blinded for 1 second.
When the Orb reaches the end of its path, it detonates in a large explosion, dealing up to 700 damage.
Contact damage is dealt every 0.125 seconds.
Void Convergence
After channelling for 2 seconds, summon a Void Portal that spawns up to 4 Void Minions to attack nearby enemies. The portal loses Health over 20 seconds.
Enemies near the Void Portal are Slowed by 25%.
Void Minions are attracted to Shadow Marked Heroes.
Level 13
Crushing Cascade
Enemies hit by Void Volley are Slowed by 6% for 2 seconds per projectile, up to 50%.
Dark Hearts Protection
Casting Dark Heart Silences enemies inside its radius for 1 second.
Xal’atath and allied Heroes gain 30 Spell Armor while inside Dark Heart’s radius.
Relentless Whispers
While Void Step is active, Xal’atath’s Attack Speed is increased by 200%.
Level 16
Pull of the Dark Heart
Linked enemies are Slowed by 10% for each pulse, stacking up to 5 times and decaying over 2 seconds.
Marked Resilience
Basic Attacks against Marked Heroes grant a 480 point Shield that rapidly decays.
Fractured Reality
+25% Void Volley Projectile Damage
Void Volley projectiles leave a trail of fire along their path for 3 seconds, dealing 15 damage over time.
The trail deals damage every 1 second.
Level 20
Harbringer’s Consumption
Xal’atath’s Void Eruption splits into 3 orbiting Void Orbs. Cancelling the Ability early causes the orbs to travel more quickly.
Rift Invasion
Void Convergence’s Void Portal no longer loses Health over time and can spawn and sustain up to 6 Void Minions.
Dueling Orbs
+1 Shadow Mark Charge
Shadow Mark has a 3 second cooldown between uses.
Unstable Core
When the Dark Heart’s life-time ends or it detonates on a Marked Hero, it leaves behind a pool of void flames for 5 seconds. Enemies in the flames take 15 damage over time.
The flames deal damage every 1 second.
Paradox Loop
After completing Void Step, Xal’atath immediately performs a second Void Step in the opposite direction. Added effects are retriggered.