Overwatch 2 is undergoing some radical changes heading into 2025. While the roadmap ahead includes much of what you’d expect to see in terms of new content, the core gameplay itself will see a seismic shift, including the additions of hero perks.
We’re now nearly nine years out from the debut of Overwatch in 2016, and two-and-a-half from the launch of Overwatch 2. Season 15, kicking off on February 18, is set to completely alter the way Overwatch is played with the inclusion of perks.
Game director Aaron Keller and several Blizzard team members announced a swathe of changes and updates planned for Overwatch 2 in the coming months. From new collaborations and heroes to an entirely new way to play, it certainly seems like Overwatch 2 is set for a significant overhaul in the coming year.
The changes come amid significant pressure on Blizzard to spark renewed interest in and enthusiasm for Overwatch 2 as it faces tough competition from the likes of NetEase’s hugely popular rival hero shooter Marvel Rivals.
Overwatch 2 is adding hero perks
Each hero will now have two perks, minor and major, to select at newly ascribed levels throughout the match. At level two, a minor perk can upgrade a base aspect of the hero in some way; Orisa’s primary fire refunding Heat with critical hits, for example. But a major perk can essentially rework the hero mid-match, like replacing Orisa’s Javelin Spin with her Barrier or making her Energy Javelin chargeable, increasing its speed, Knockback, and letting it pierce through enemies.
These levels are doled out over the course of a match, eventually unlocking “gameplay-shifting” alterations, as Overwatch 2 lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson described it. These are also either-or choices, so opting for one perk means ditching the other. It’s reminiscent of the talent options in another Blizzard game, Heroes of the Storm.
Stadium is a new round-based mode, with third-person
Adding perks alone is a notable change, but Season 16 (currently planned for April) teases a second major addition to the Overwatch 2 ecosystem in Stadium mode. Keller calls it the “biggest game mode” the team has made since Overwatch launched, and it’s got some radical ideas.
Stadium is a 5v5, best-of-7 round-based competitive mode where players accrue and spend currency between bouts to improve their heroes. Modifications can boost attributes like survivability or damage, while traits can unlock some big hero-shifting alterations, like Reaper flying in his Wraith Form. Perks are not in Stadium, but that doesn’t seem to mean that those additions will not make it in, in some way and at some point.
Alongside the added modification options and rounds, Stadium also introduces a third-person mode, to “see more of the battlefield and your modifications in action,” as Keller put it. Players will have the option to swap between either a first or third-person camera. Stadium will launch with a core roster of 14 heroes to start, with more heroes arriving, as well as additional maps and modes, as time goes on.
GOATs are coming to Overwatch Classic
Blizzard is continuing to experiment with several other play modes, including 6v6 and Overwatch Classic. On the former front, more events are on the way, and Blizzard is planning to launch a 6v6 competitive open queue, with a maximum of two tanks per team.
Those hoping for more tanks will want to head to Overwatch Classic, arriving midway through Season 16, which will revive the “GOATs Meta” days of Overwatch 1. The three-tank, three-support era of Overwatch will return in another iteration of the throwback mode, reminding us all of that game-shifting strategy.
The development team is also planning on more seasonal events including April Fools’, Summer Games, and Dr. Junkenstein’s Halloween event.
Freja arrives in Season 16 – and Aqua follows
The next hero heading to Overwatch 2, Freja, is set for Season 16. She’s a crossbow-wielding bounty hunter from Denmark who can fill an enemy full of explosive bolts and bola them if they try to run.
Alongside Freja’s reveal and some gameplay, we also got a brief look at concept art for Blizzard’s next hero, Aqua. Boasting an ornate staff and bending some water, he’s definitely got a look. We’ll learn more about Aqua later this year.
Loot boxes are back
Yes, the infamous loot box is coming back to Overwatch. After disappearing amid the transition into battle passes and other options for cosmetics, Blizzard is adding loot boxes back. IGN has confirmed that loot boxes will not be paid for, and only available through free means, such as the free track of the battle pass and weekly rewards. One notable change is you’ll see the odds in a loot box, and what you’re likely to get from it, before opening.
“We’re keeping it fun while being transparent about what’s inside, and the rate of various drops from opening each box,” senior systems designer Gavin Winter said.
Hero bans, map voting, and more are coming to competitive play
A host of competitive updates are on the way for Overwatch 2. Season 15 will reset competitive ranks, but new rewards, like Galactic weapon skins and special weapon charms, should provide incentive to grind back up. Hero portraits will also get rank icons again.
Most notably, hero bans are coming to competitive Overwatch 2 in Season 16. A commonplace option for many competitive games, this could be an interesting method for shaking up play. Further on, after hero bans are implemented, Blizzard also plans to add map voting as well.
Cosmetics galore
A gigantic amount of cosmetics were shown throughout today’s stream, spotlighting numerous new looks for the heroes of Overwatch 2. Zenyatta is the next Mythic skin, inspired by the dragon Pixiu. He arrives in Season 15, alongside many other skins for characters like Doomfist, Venture, Tracer, Junker Queen, and more. A Widowmaker Mythic weapon skin is also on the way, for midway through Season 15.
Further out, several more cosmetic options will arrive, including a magical girl-inspired “Dokiwatch” Mythic skin for Juno and a Mythic weapon skin for Mercy. Reaper is also due for a Mythic weapon skin, and D.Va will be getting a Mythic skin later on too.
On top of all that, Overwatch 2 is certainly no stranger to collaborations, and the team is planning more of them. K-pop fans will probably be happy to hear that LE SSERAFIM is partnering with Blizzard for a second collaboration, with brand-new in-game skins and cosmetics this March.
The competitive landscape grows
Overwatch’s competitive side is also expanding, with a new stage added in China and more live events, which the team says will double the amount of gameplay and broadcasts. Face.it leagues are getting integrated into the competitive ecosystem, and a new tournament system for promotion and relegation is on the way. Teams are also getting in-game items for fans to rep, with proceeds going directly towards the organizations.
Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.
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