If you thought Overwatch 2 had settled into its groove, think again. Blizzard just dropped a spotlight video covering all the major updates coming in Season 15 and beyond, and honestly? I’m curious to see how things shake out in this Marvel Rivals-dominated world. We’re not just talking about minor balance tweaks or another seasonal event—this is a massive overhaul that changes the way we play, compete, and even think about Overwatch.
We’re getting hero perks, a competitive reset, brand-new game modes, the return of 6v6, loot boxes (yes, loot boxes), and some of the most ambitious hero updates we’ve seen in years. And that’s just scratching the surface.
There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive into everything Blizzard just revealed.
The Biggest Overwatch Gameplay Shake-Up Ever: Hero Perks
Let’s start with what might be the biggest fundamental change to Overwatch 2 since it launched: hero perks. If you’ve ever wished you could tweak your favorite hero’s abilities mid-match, this system for you.
Here’s how it works: every hero now levels up twice during a match. When you hit level two, you’ll get to choose between two minor perks—small but impactful buffs like reduced cooldowns or passive bonuses that make your hero feel just a little bit stronger. Then, when you hit level three, that’s when the real fun begins. You unlock a major perk, which can completely alter your hero’s playstyle.
Take Orisa, for example. At level two, you can either reduce the heat buildup on her primary fire or give Fortify a defensive boost to tank burst damage. Not bad, right? But at level three, things get really interesting. You can either make her Energy Javelin hit even harder or swap out her Javelin Spin for a full-on protective barrier. That’s not just a buff—that’s a whole new way to play her.
And she’s not the only one getting wild new abilities. Torbjörn can upgrade his turret to level three whenever he activates Overload (akin to the Overwatch 1 turret), or—if you’re feeling extra spicy—you can choose to let him stick turrets onto walls for some nasty surprise attacks. And Ana? She now has the ability to headshot enemies with her rifle.
The beauty of the perks system is that it adds so much more strategic depth to every match. Your choice of perks won’t just affect how you play—it’ll change how your team plays around you, and that’s going to make matches feel way more dynamic. Blizzard has already confirmed that they’ll be tweaking and adjusting perks on a regular basis, so expect some wild meta shifts as people figure out the strongest combinations.
They’ve also tested a bunch of this game mechanic over the last couple of years in limited-time modes. We’ve seen heroes utilize cards to adjust their kit and bring more variety to the game. It’ll be interesting to see how quickly the community identifies the strongest perks and settles into a comfortable meta.
A Competitive Reset & Galactic Weapons That Shine Like the Stars
It’s no secret that competitive play in Overwatch 2 has had its fair share of issues, but Season 15 is bringing a full rank reset to shake things up. That means everyone is getting recalibrated, so whether you’re a Grandmaster player or someone trying to finally break out of Gold, this is your chance for a fresh start.
I’m always a bit mixed on this. On one hand, I do hate having to climb the ranked ladder again. On other hand, this continued promise of “being able to achieve a higher rank than you ever have” always seems to hook me.
To make the climb even more rewarding, Blizzard is introducing Galactic Weapons, a brand-new cosmetic reward that basically turns your guns into glowing, celestial masterpieces. We’re talking swirling galaxies, shimmering constellations, and a look that makes the Golden Weapons of old seem, well, a little basic. And if you’re in Platinum or above, you’ll also get exclusive weapon charms to flex your rank even harder. For those Apex folks out there, it’s basically the same type of weapon charm.
Blizzard is also bringing back rank icons on hero portraits in Competitive Play. This might seem like a small detail, but for players who want to showcase their skill while flexing their hero choices, this is a great way to do it.
The Return of Hero Bans & Map Voting in Overwatch 2
For years, Overwatch players have been asking for a way to counter oppressive meta picks without waiting for Blizzard to drop a balance patch. Finally, we’re getting hero bans in Competitive Play.
Now, before you panic—no, this doesn’t mean we’ll be stuck in a system where random heroes get banned every week. Blizzard is being very careful with this feature. T
heir goal isn’t to punish players who enjoy niche picks, but rather to target dominant or frustrating heroes that are warping the meta. They’ve promised to fine-tune the ban system based on feedback, so expect it to be an evolving feature.
Rivals already has this in ranks diamond and above, and it seems to have worked out decently well for them. Interstingly, I think Rivals has a ton more “overpowered” heroes on their roster than Overwatch does, so we’ll see how mad people get with this new system.
And if that wasn’t enough, map voting is also on the way. Finally, you’ll have some say in which battlegrounds you fight on, rather than being thrown into a map you hate (cough Horizon Lunar Colony cough).
Loot Boxes Are Back—But in a Good Way?
Here’s a plot twist no one saw coming: loot boxes are making a comeback. But don’t worry, Blizzard isn’t reverting to Overwatch 1’s controversial system.
Instead, loot boxes will be completely free to earn through the Battle Pass and weekly rewards. You can’t buy them, which means everything you get from them will come from just playing the game. They’ll also have fully transparent drop rates, so there’s no more mystery about what’s inside.
This is actually a pretty smart way to reintroduce loot boxes. Instead of forcing players to grind thousands of credits for a single skin, now there’s an extra way to earn cosmetics passively.
6v6 Returns & A Brand-New Mode Called Stadium
Remember the Overwatch 1 days of 6v6 gameplay? Well, it’s officially coming back as its own dedicated Competitive Mode.
Blizzard tested limited-time 6v6 events in the past, but the response was so strong that they’re making it a full-fledged queue. This won’t replace 5v5—both modes will exist side by side—but for those who miss the chaos of dual tanks and old-school metas, this is a huge win.
But wait, there’s more. Season 16 is introducing Stadium Mode, a brand-new Overwatch experience that blends strategy, hero customization, and economy-based upgrades.
In Stadium, every round players earn coins based on their performance, which they can then spend on game-changing modifications. Want to boost your tank’s armor? Go for it. Need faster cooldowns on your DPS? Buy the upgrade. Prefer to make your supports even stronger? That’s an option too.
And get this—Stadium will let you toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives. Imagine playing Overwatch with a full third-person view, getting a clearer look at the battlefield.
This mode sounds like it could be huge, not just for competitive players but also for people who love strategy-heavy games like Team Fortress 2’s Mann vs. Machine.
A Comeback Year for Overwatch 2?
Season 15 and beyond is shaping up to be the biggest leap forward for Overwatch 2 since launch. Between hero perks, a full competitive reset, loot boxes making a non-predatory return, and game-changing new modes like Stadium, Blizzard is finally making Overwatch 2 feel fresh, dynamic, and full of possibilities again.
What are you most excited about? Hero perks? 6v6? Loot boxes (again)? Let’s talk in the comments! ????
