The transition to Overwatch 2 will represent a significant shift in the series’ business model. While Overwatch 1 required players to purchase a copy of the game, Overwatch 2 will be available for free. Along with making it more difficult for cheaters and toxic players to create a large number of accounts, Blizzard is implementing a Battle Pass system and a storefront where you can buy cosmetics with real money. You might be wondering what the Battle Pass entails, so let’s get started.
Overwatch 2 Release Dates By Region
As the Overwatch prime servers shut down around 12 p.m. ET today, heroes old and new are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Overwatch 2.
Your Overwatch 2 launch time may differ from the 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET start time depending on where you are in the world. London and Paris will have access to the game on October 4th, while Seoul and Sydney will have access on October 5th.
If you have Overwatch Prime or have purchased an Overwatch 2 Watchpoint Pack, you can preload Overwatch 2 on your PC right now. Console players, however, will have to wait until 9 a.m. PT on October 4th for that opportunity.
Premium Battle Pass For ‘Overwatch 2’
There are 80 tiers in the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass. Even if you reach level 80, you will only receive all of the items if you purchase the premium Battle Pass. This costs 1,000 Overwatch Coins, the new premium currency in the game. That works out to $10. Those who purchased the Overwatch 2 Watchpoint Pack will also have access to the Season 1 premium Battle Pass.
Those who purchase the premium Battle Pass will immediately gain access to the new support hero, Kiriko (more on how new players will gain access to her later). Overwatch 1 players will not need to purchase the premium Battle Pass to gain instant access to Kiriko if they log in by December 5. Kiriko is one of the rewards in the Founder’s Pack, which also includes skins for Sombra and Doomfist as well as a Founder’s Icon.
EDM DVA SKIN DROPS A BEAT WITH ABILITIES! 🔥🎶 pic.twitter.com/w0kLS3CfQf
— ashley (@_cuppcaake) September 29, 2022
There are numerous additional rewards to be obtained through the Season 1 premium Battle Pass. If you reach level 80, you will receive:
- one Skin from a Myth
- five Legendary skins
- three Skins Epic
- four Play of the Game introductions that stand out
- five charms for weapons
- four emotes
- five souvenirs
- eight ways to win
- 14 voice lines
- eight name cards
- 15 sprays
- 11 images of players
If you want a closer look at what each of those is, Blizzard Guides has a video that shows all of the rewards (I desperately need that Genji Mythic skin and Hanzo emote):
Free Battle Pass for ‘Overwatch 2’
If you choose the free Battle Pass track, you will be able to unlock rewards at 20 of the levels or every four tiers. If you purchase the premium Battle Pass at any time, you will receive all of the rewards you would have earned up to that point.
If you’re a new player and choose the free track, you’ll be able to unlock Kiriko once you reach level 55. In the same way, new heroes will be unlocked in subsequent seasons.
To begin, new players will have access to a limited number of Overwatch 1 heroes. More will become available as you play. During Season 1, all players who log in will have instant access to the new heroes Sojourn and Junker Queen.
Battle Pass Progression
To advance the Battle Pass by one tier, you must earn 10,000 XP. Playing games and completing daily, weekly, season, and lifetime challenges will earn you XP.
If you really want to get your hands on that awesome Cyber Demon Mythic Genji skin right away, you can pay to unlock Battle Pass tiers. Each tier costs 200 Overwatch Coins to advance through. Level 1 is immediately available to Premium Battle Pass holders. Unlocking another 79 levels right away will cost you another 15,800 Coins, or $158.
Overwatch 2 Online Reaction
‘Overwatch 2’ Is Free, A Fact Blizzard Is Obscuring With Its ‘Watchpoint Pack’ via @forbes https://t.co/ADUWx54WXa
— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) October 4, 2022
hope overwatch 2 brings us more cool combo sprays like these 😻 pic.twitter.com/c2CZFGFFA4
— phoenix 🚀🎃 (@rocketsquire) October 4, 2022
