While Overwatch 2’s battle pass plans leaked early, Blizzard has now detailed how its new seasonal structure and battle pass will work as Overwatch makes the transition to a free-to-play title.
Earlier this week, fans learned that Overwatch 2 intends to put new heroes behind a previously announced battle pass. This is true, but Blizzard has clarified its plans in a new blog post. Like similar battle passes, Overwatch 2 will have both a free and premium pass, and new heroes will be available in both the free and premium paths.
While players who own the premium pass will get instant access to new heroes, players on the free track can level up their battle pass and earn new heroes. These heroes will unlock for everyone at Tier 55 if you’re on the free track.
At launch, two new heroes - Soujorn and Junker Queen - will be available instantly to everyone. Players who own the original game will also unlock the new hero Kiriko through the Founder’s Pack.
“Moving to free-to-play for Overwatch 2, together with enabling cross-platform with cross-progression, means anyone can access the game and join their friends, for free, which we are incredibly excited about,” Blizzard writes in the new blog post.
Blizzard says that the battle pass will have 80 or more unlockable tiers for cosmetics, and the developers have created more cosmetic types for Overwatch including name cards, charms, and souvenirs. These too will be unlockable through the free track.
Using Season 1 as an example, players can earn the new hero, two epic skins, a weapon charm, souvenirs, a highlight intro, and Prestige Tier Titles through the free track.
Premium Pass and Mythic Skins
So what about the Premium Battle Pass? Aside from instantly unlocking the new hero, the Premium Battle Pass will include 60 additional tiers as well as a new item class called Mythic-tier skins.
The Mythic skin is a new tier of cosmetics that is highly customizable, letting players mix and match different layers, color schemes, and patterns. In a pre-brief with the press Blizzard says Mythic skins can take up to a year to develop.
The first Mythic skin is Cyber Demon Genji, which you can see above.
Including the Mythic skin, the premium pass will also feature a 20% XP Battle Pass Boost, five legendary skins, one epic skin, three play of the game intros, four weapon charms, three emotes, three souvenirs, six poses, six name cards, 30 additional cosmetic rewards, and everything in the free tier.
Seasons
A new battle pass will be released each season, and Blizzard intends to make each season meaningful. The developers say each season will bring either a new hero or a new map in alternating seasons so, for example, a new hero will be released in Season 2 and 4, while a new map will be released in Season 3 and 5.
Each season will also be themed, starting with Season 1’s Cyberpunk theme. Hence Genji’s Cyber Demon Mythic skin. Heroes can also be acquired in future seasons, meaning if you didn’t unlock the new hero of a given season, you will still be able to through special challenges or Overwatch Coins.
How Long Are Overwatch 2 Seasons?
Overwatch 2 seasons will last approximately nine weeks, and each new season will have a new themed battle pass. Season 2 is set to begin on December 6 with a new theme, hero, and Mythic skin.
Overwatch Coins
To go alongside the Battle Pass, Blizzard is introducing a premium currency called Overwatch Coins which can be purchased for real money. Overwatch Coins can be used in the shop which will feature cosmetic items each week, usually in the theme of the season.
The shop will also have a ‘Just for you’ section that will serve personalized offers based on player preferences and rotating bundles.
Blizzard also detailed its new approach to hero releases, which you can read about here. The next hero to be announced is Kiriko, a new support hero announced at TGS. Check out IGN’s preview of Overwatch 2 here and get ready for the launch on October 4.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.