Overwatch 2: Blizzard Unveils Major Updates with Loot Boxes, Perks, Third-Person Mode

As Overwatch 2 gears up for transformative changes in 2025, the game is set to evolve significantly, marking nearly nine years since the original Overwatch debuted in 2016, and two-and-a-half years since Overwatch 2's launch. With Season 15 kicking off on February 18, players can expect a complete overhaul of core gameplay, highlighted by the introduction of hero perks.

Blizzard's game director Aaron Keller, along with other team members, has unveiled a series of updates and enhancements planned for the coming months. These include new heroes, collaborations, and a fundamentally new approach to gameplay. The changes are a strategic response to reinvigorate interest in Overwatch 2, especially in the face of stiff competition from NetEase's popular hero shooter, Marvel Rivals.

Overwatch 2 is Adding Hero Perks

A pivotal feature coming to Overwatch 2 is the introduction of hero perks, allowing players to customize their gameplay experience. Each hero will now have two perks to choose from at different levels throughout a match: a minor perk at level two, which can enhance a base aspect of the hero, such as Orisa's primary fire refunding Heat with critical hits, and a major perk that can significantly alter the hero's abilities mid-match. For example, players could replace Orisa's Javelin Spin with her Barrier or make her Energy Javelin chargeable, increasing its speed, Knockback, and allowing it to pierce through enemies.

These perks are strategically distributed during the match, offering "gameplay-shifting" choices, as described by Overwatch 2 lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson. Players must choose between the available perks, a decision-making process reminiscent of talent options in Blizzard's Heroes of the Storm.

Overwatch 2 Perks

Stadium: A New Round-Based Mode with Third-Person Perspective

In addition to hero perks, Season 16, slated for April, will introduce Stadium mode, described by Keller as the "biggest game mode" developed 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, focusing on attributes like survivability or damage. Unique hero modifications, such as Reaper flying in his Wraith Form, can be unlocked, although perks will not initially be part of this mode.

Stadium mode will also introduce a third-person perspective, allowing players to "see more of the battlefield and your modifications in action," according to Keller. Players can switch between first and third-person views at will. The mode will launch with a core roster of 14 heroes, with plans for more heroes, maps, and modes to be added over time.

Overwatch 2 Stadium Screenshots

GOATs are Coming to Overwatch Classic

Blizzard continues to innovate with new play modes, including 6v6 and Overwatch Classic. More events are planned for 6v6, with a competitive open queue featuring a maximum of two tanks per team. Overwatch Classic, set to launch midway through Season 16, will bring back the "GOATs Meta" from Overwatch 1, reviving the three-tank, three-support strategy that once dominated the game.

Additional seasonal events, such as April Fools', Summer Games, and Dr. Junkenstein's Halloween event, are also on the calendar, promising a variety of fun and thematic gameplay experiences.

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. Her abilities include filling enemies with explosive bolts and using bolas to immobilize fleeing foes. Additionally, concept art for the upcoming hero, Aqua, was revealed, showcasing an ornate staff and water manipulation abilities. More details about Aqua will be shared later in the year.

Overwatch 2 New Heroes Screenshots

Loot Boxes are Back

Loot boxes, a feature removed during the transition to battle passes, are making a comeback in Overwatch 2. IGN has confirmed that these loot boxes will be available for free through the battle pass's free track and weekly rewards. A significant update includes transparency about the contents and odds of each loot box before it is opened, as explained by senior systems designer Gavin Winter.

Hero Bans, Map Voting, and More are Coming to Competitive Play

Season 15 will feature a reset of competitive ranks, but new rewards like Galactic weapon skins and special weapon charms will motivate players to climb the ranks again. Hero portraits will also regain rank icons. Season 16 will introduce hero bans to competitive play, a feature common in many competitive games, followed by the addition of map voting to further enhance the competitive experience.

Overwatch 2 Season 15 Screenshots

Cosmetics Galore

Overwatch 2's upcoming seasons will introduce a plethora of new cosmetics. Zenyatta will receive a Mythic skin inspired by the dragon Pixiu in Season 15, along with various 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, additional cosmetics include a magical girl-inspired "Dokiwatch" Mythic skin for Juno, a Mythic weapon skin for Mercy, a Mythic weapon skin for Reaper, and a Mythic skin for D.Va. 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

The Competitive Landscape Grows

Overwatch's competitive scene is expanding, with a new stage added in China and an increase in live events, effectively doubling the amount of gameplay and broadcasts. Face.it leagues will be integrated into the competitive ecosystem, and a new tournament system for promotion and relegation is in development. Additionally, teams will receive in-game items for fans to support, with proceeds benefiting the organizations directly.