As Overwatch 2 gears up for significant changes in 2025, players can anticipate a revamped gameplay experience. Nine years since the original Overwatch's debut in 2016, and two-and-a-half years after Overwatch 2's launch, the game is set for a transformation starting with Season 15 on February 18. Blizzard's game director Aaron Keller and his team have unveiled an ambitious roadmap filled with new content and gameplay mechanics designed to reinvigorate the game amidst competition from titles like NetEase's Marvel Rivals.
Overwatch 2 is Adding Hero Perks
A major shift in Overwatch 2's gameplay comes with the introduction of hero perks. Each hero will now have the option to select two perks, categorized as minor and major, at designated levels during matches. A minor perk at level two might enhance a hero's basic abilities, such as Orisa's primary fire refunding Heat on critical hits. On the other hand, a major perk can fundamentally change a hero's capabilities mid-match, for example, allowing Orisa to replace her Javelin Spin with her Barrier or enabling her Energy Javelin to be chargeable, increasing its speed, knockback, and ability to pierce through enemies. These perks, described by lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson as "gameplay-shifting," offer players strategic choices reminiscent of talent selections in Heroes of the Storm.
Overwatch 2 Perks
Stadium: A New Round-Based Mode with Third-Person
In addition to hero perks, Season 16, slated for April, introduces Stadium mode, described by Keller as the "biggest game mode" since Overwatch's inception. Stadium is a 5v5, best-of-7 round-based competitive mode where players can earn and spend currency between rounds to enhance their heroes. These enhancements can range from boosting survivability and damage to unlocking significant hero modifications, like allowing Reaper to fly in his Wraith Form. Although perks won't be available in Stadium initially, their future inclusion remains a possibility. Stadium also features a third-person perspective, allowing players to better observe the battlefield and their hero modifications, with the option to switch between first and third-person views. The mode will debut with a core roster of 14 heroes, expanding with additional heroes, maps, and modes over time.
Overwatch 2 Stadium Screenshots
GOATs are Coming to Overwatch Classic
Blizzard continues to diversify its game modes with the return of 6v6 and the introduction of Overwatch Classic in Season 16. The 6v6 mode will include a competitive open queue with a maximum of two tanks per team, while Overwatch Classic will bring back the iconic "GOATs Meta" from Overwatch 1, featuring the three-tank, three-support composition. Alongside these, Blizzard plans to host more seasonal events, including April Fools', Summer Games, and Dr. Junkenstein's Halloween event, to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Freja Arrives in Season 16 - and Aqua Follows
The next hero to join Overwatch 2 in Season 16 is Freja, a crossbow-wielding bounty hunter from Denmark capable of filling enemies with explosive bolts and using bolas to stop fleeing opponents. Alongside Freja's introduction, Blizzard teased concept art for their next hero, Aqua, who wields an ornate staff and manipulates water, hinting at exciting new gameplay mechanics.
Overwatch 2 New Heroes Screenshots
Loot Boxes are Back
In a surprising move, Blizzard is reintroducing loot boxes to Overwatch 2. Unlike their previous iteration, these new loot boxes will be earned through the free track of the battle pass and weekly rewards, without any option to purchase them. Players will now see the odds of what they might receive before opening a box, ensuring transparency about the contents, as explained by senior systems designer Gavin Winter.
Hero Bans, Map Voting, and More are Coming to Competitive Play
Competitive play in Overwatch 2 will undergo several updates starting with Season 15. The season will reset competitive ranks, but new rewards such as Galactic weapon skins and special weapon charms will motivate players to climb back up. Hero portraits will again feature rank icons, adding a personal touch to competitive achievements. Season 16 will introduce hero bans, a strategy familiar to fans of competitive gaming, to keep matches dynamic and unpredictable. Following the implementation of hero bans, Blizzard plans to add map voting to give players more control over their gameplay experience.
Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots
Cosmetics Galore
Overwatch 2 is set to dazzle players with an array of new cosmetics. The next Mythic skin will be for Zenyatta, inspired by the dragon Pixiu, arriving in Season 15 along with new skins for heroes like Doomfist, Venture, Tracer, Junker Queen, and more. A Mythic weapon skin for Widowmaker is also planned for mid-Season 15. Looking further ahead, players can expect a "Dokiwatch" Mythic skin for Juno and Mythic weapon skins for Mercy and Reaper, with D.Va receiving her own Mythic skin later on. Additionally, Blizzard is planning more collaborations, including a second partnership with K-pop group LE SSERAFIM, bringing new in-game skins and cosmetics in March.
Overwatch 2 New Cosmetics
The Competitive Landscape Grows
The competitive scene for Overwatch is expanding with a new stage in China and more live events, doubling the amount of gameplay and broadcasts. Integration with Face.it leagues and a new tournament system for promotion and relegation are on the horizon. Teams will also have in-game items for fans to support, with proceeds benefiting the organizations directly, enhancing the connection between players and the competitive community.
