Blizzard Explains Why Overwatch 2’s New Heroes Are Locked in the Battle Pass

The news that new heroes will be available in Overwatch 2 via a Battle Pass caused a lot of discussion. Blizzard now explains the decision in more detail and introduced the system in more detail.

This is the situation with the Battle Pass: After the first leaks, Jon Spector, Overwatch’s “Commerical Leader”, confirmed that new heroes in Overwatch 2 would be available via a Battle Pass.

In the first season of Overwatch 2, that will be the new support heroine, Kiriko, who was just introduced.

Important: There will be a “free” Battle Pass and a premium version for around $10. However, both “tracks” bring the new heroes: With the premium pass, the new heroes are available immediately, with the free pass you have to reach level 55 first.

This change compared to the model from Overwatch 1 caused lively discussions among the fans of the game and also criticism.

Blizzard has now published a blog post that explains in more detail how the whole thing should work. In addition, some members of the team behind Overwatch 2 commented on the new system.

Why the Battle Pass system fits Overwatch 2 according to Blizzard

To a certain extent, the heroes in Overwatch function according to a “rock-paper-scissors” principle, in which certain heroes are the direct counter to others. If you are inferior, it makes sense to change the hero in Overwatch. This also brought with it a strategic component.

One of the criticisms of the Battle Pass system is that some players can access new heroes faster than others – either through hard play or through money. This would bring an advantage in a rock-paper-scissors principle if you can access more heroes than the opponents.

Blizzard says: In Overwatch 2, this system is softened a bit: “Even though each of the Overwatch 2 heroes has their own strengths and weaknesses, and some heroes are more effective against others, we believe our game plays better and is more fun when it is There are fewer hard counters and a wider selection of effective heroes,” explains Blizzard in a blog post: “Another advantage is that your personal favorite heroes are playable more often. This philosophy will continue to guide us in the future” (via playoverwatch.com).

Aaron Keller also emphasized this point in a group interview with the portal PC gamers. In addition, after a certain adjustment, players would tend to play certain heroes more anyway: “As the players reach higher and higher skill levels, the group of heroes they play becomes smaller and smaller because it takes a very long time until you get good at a hero in order to play at this level.” It is also not a problem for these players if certain heroes are not immediately available.

Over time, if you play enough, you would unlock the new heroes via the free pass anyway. Jon Spector also explains in the interview that regular players could get the heroes well before the end of a season. But he also explains: “We want you to play the game regularly throughout the season to achieve it” (via PC gamers).

A season should last about 9 weeks. The first two seasons will each bring a new hero. After that, the seasons will always take turns bringing a new hero or a new map.

Heroes can also be unlocked after their Battle Pass expires – either through special “Hero Challenges” or in the in-game shop.

Ultimately, when asked about the reason for the Battle Pass, Overwatch General Manager Walter Kong explained: “Heroes are the most compelling content we have in the game. And when we were designing this model, it seemed like a very good fit to bring these heroes into our new engagement system” (via PC gamers).

How exactly does the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass work?

This is in the Battle Pass: In the blog entry, Blizzard goes into more detail about the Battle Pass and the Seasons. The most important points include the following information:

• There is a free pass and a premium pass
• The new heroes are unlocked at level 55 of the Free Pass
• The Premium Pass gives instant access to new heroes
• In the “Ranked Competitive” modes, new heroes will only be selectable a few weeks after the start of the season – so free players can catch up. Kiriko, for example, is supposed to come in two weeks.
• Overwatch 1 players will get the new heroine Kiriko immediately when they log into Season 1 or 2.
• There will also be direct access to the new heroes Sojourn and Junker Queen in Season 1 – without a Battle Pass.
• New maps are not included in the Battle Pass – all players get them immediately upon release.
• There are no more loot boxes.

In addition, Blizzard has already given an insight into what will be in the Battle Pass variants.

The Free Pass in Season 1 brings:

• Hero Kiriko (instant unlock for returning Overwatch players; level 55 in Free Pass)
• 2 epic skins
• 1 weapon pendant
• 2 souvenirs
• 1 highlight intro
• 14 additional items (emotes, victory poses, name cards, sprays, player icons, etc.)
• Prestige Titles (8 earnable titles only available after completing the entire pass)

The Premium Battle Pass also brings:

• Instant access to Kiriko
• 20% XP Battle Pass Boost
• 1 Mythic Skin

• 5 Legendary Skins and 1 Epic Skin
• 3 Play of the Game intros
• 4 weapon pendants
• 3 emotes
• 3 souvenirs
• 6 poses
• 6 name cards
• 30+ additional cosmetic rewards

What do you think of the new system in Overwatch 2? Can you do something with the Battle Pass, or don’t you think it’s suitable for Overwatch? Tell us in the comments!

In addition to Kiriko, the new heroine “Junker Queen” lands in the game. And it made itself popular in the Overwatch 2 beta.