Overwatch 2 Gets Major Update: Loot Boxes, Perks, and Third-Person Mode Return

As Overwatch 2 gears up for 2025, the game is poised for a transformative journey with a series of groundbreaking updates. Now, nearly nine years since the original Overwatch launched in 2016 and two-and-a-half years post the debut of Overwatch 2, the upcoming Season 15, starting February 18, is set to redefine the gameplay experience with the introduction of hero perks.

Blizzard's game director Aaron Keller, alongside other team members, has unveiled a comprehensive plan for Overwatch 2's future. This roadmap not only promises new content such as heroes and collaborations but also heralds a significant shift in the game's core mechanics. The move comes as Blizzard seeks to reignite interest and enthusiasm in Overwatch 2, especially amidst fierce competition from NetEase's popular hero shooter, Marvel Rivals.

Overwatch 2 is Adding Hero Perks

A pivotal change in Season 15 is the addition of hero perks, allowing players to customize their gameplay experience like never before. Each hero will now have the ability to choose between two perks at specific levels during a match: a minor perk and a major perk. For instance, at level two, a minor perk could enhance Orisa's primary fire by refunding Heat on critical hits. On the other hand, a major perk could drastically alter a hero's abilities mid-match, such as swapping Orisa's Javelin Spin for her Barrier or making her Energy Javelin chargeable with increased speed, Knockback, and the ability to pierce through enemies.

These perks are strategically unlocked over the course of a match, offering players the chance to make "gameplay-shifting" decisions, as described by Overwatch 2 lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson. The system, which requires choosing between perks, mirrors the talent options found in Blizzard's Heroes of the Storm.

Overwatch 2 Perks

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Stadium is a New Round-Based Mode, With Third-Person

Building on the momentum, Season 16 introduces Stadium mode, dubbed by Keller as the "biggest game mode" since Overwatch's inception. This 5v5, best-of-7 round-based competitive mode allows players to earn and spend currency between rounds to upgrade their heroes. These modifications can enhance attributes like survivability or damage, while traits offer the potential for significant hero alterations, such as enabling Reaper to fly in his Wraith Form. While perks are not included in Stadium mode initially, their integration in the future remains a possibility.

Adding a fresh perspective, Stadium mode also introduces a third-person camera option, allowing players to view more of the battlefield and their hero modifications in action. At launch, Stadium will feature a core roster of 14 heroes, with plans for more heroes, maps, and modes to be added over time.

Overwatch 2 Stadium Screenshots

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GOATs are Coming to Overwatch Classic

Blizzard continues to innovate with additional play modes, including 6v6 and Overwatch Classic. The 6v6 format will see more events and a competitive open queue with a maximum of two tanks per team. For those nostalgic for the original game's meta, Overwatch Classic, launching mid-Season 16, will bring back the "GOATs Meta" from Overwatch 1, featuring a three-tank, three-support composition.

The development team is also planning a series of seasonal events, including April Fools', Summer Games, and Dr. Junkenstein's Halloween event, to keep the community engaged.

Freja Arrives in Season 16 - and Aqua Follows

Season 16 will introduce Freja, a new hero and a crossbow-wielding bounty hunter from Denmark. Her unique abilities allow her to fill enemies with explosive bolts and use bolas to stop fleeing opponents. Alongside Freja's reveal, concept art for the next hero, Aqua, was showcased, hinting at a character wielding an ornate staff and manipulating water.

Overwatch 2 New Heroes Screenshots

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Loot Boxes Are Back

In a surprising move, Blizzard is reintroducing loot boxes to Overwatch 2. Unlike before, these loot boxes will be earned through free means such as the free track of the battle pass and weekly rewards, without the option to purchase them. A key difference this time around is the transparency regarding the contents and odds of what players might receive from each box, 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 see significant updates starting in Season 15, with a reset of competitive ranks. New rewards, including Galactic weapon skins and special weapon charms, will motivate players to climb the ranks again. Hero portraits will also feature rank icons once more.

Season 16 will introduce hero bans to competitive play, a feature common in many competitive games, aimed at diversifying strategies. Following the implementation of hero bans, Blizzard plans to add map voting to further enhance the competitive experience.

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

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Cosmetics Galore

Overwatch 2's upcoming seasons will be packed with new cosmetics. Zenyatta will receive a Mythic skin inspired by the dragon Pixiu in Season 15, alongside new skins for Doomfist, Venture, Tracer, Junker Queen, and others. A Mythic weapon skin for Widowmaker is also slated for mid-Season 15.

Looking further ahead, players can expect a "Dokiwatch" Mythic skin for Juno, inspired by magical girl themes, and Mythic weapon skins for Mercy and Reaper. D.Va will also receive a new Mythic skin. Additionally, Overwatch 2 will continue its tradition of collaborations, with a second partnership with K-pop group LE SSERAFIM set for March, bringing new in-game skins and cosmetics.

Overwatch 2 New Cosmetics

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The Competitive Landscape Grows

The competitive scene for Overwatch is expanding, with a new stage added in China and an increase in live events, effectively doubling the amount of gameplay and broadcasts. Integration with Face.it leagues and a new tournament system for promotion and relegation are also on the horizon. Teams will have in-game items available for fans, with proceeds supporting the organizations directly.