Overwatch 2 Hero-Based Progression System Is In The Works

A hero-based progression system for Overwatch 2 is currently in the works. It's just one way Blizzard is looking to address feedback from players surrounding the game's second season, as detailed in a new Season 2 retrospective blog post.

Blizzard states it wants to make Overwatch 2 feel more rewarding. One way the game will do that is with a new hero-based progression system, which will "showcase the energy players put into playing each hero and mastering their different abilities." Unfortunately, that's about all there is in regards to details on the new system, with Blizzard noting that design work has begun on the system and that it is still in early stages of development.

Another way Blizzard will look to make Overwatch 2 more rewarding is allowing players to once again earn Legacy Credits come Season 3's launch. Credits have been unearnable since the launch of Overwatch 2, but moving forward, Blizzard will give out up to 1,500 Credits as part of the game's free battle pass, with an additional 500 Credits available to be earned for those who purchase the premium battle pass. Going hand-in-hand with this change is that "nearly" all epic and legendary skins from Overwatch 1 will be earnable year round, including seasonal event skins. The price of these skins will be lowered to 1,500 Coins or Credits.

That means players will be able to earn one legendary skin of their choice for free each season through regular play. Blizzard does note that many players still have large Credit balances, and that it is looking into "additional ways for players to use Credits in the future."

Other lessons the team has taken from Overwatch 2's second season include the need to offer new rewards for all players "more consistently" as part of the game's events. Blizzard notes one Season 3 event will include an all-new legendary skin, and in Season 4, the goal is to "offer new items as rewards for most of our big events." It also acknowledges that some of the challenges for Season 2's Battle for Olympus mode were too difficult, but that overall the team is happy with the mode and the feedback around it. The mode will return as a Team Deathmatch variation and be playable in custom games in the future, Blizzard confirmed.

Season 2 saw the introduction of Ramattra into Overwatch 2's tank lineup, and Blizzard outlines some of its plans for the omnic anti-hero in Season 3. The timer on Ramattra's ultimate ability, Annihilation, will tick down slower when enemies are within it (rather than be paused completely) and will be capped at 20 seconds come next season. Blizzard states that its goal for Ramattra going forward is to make him "feel imposing and intimidating but not feel hopeless to fight against."

Overwatch 2 Season 2 will end on February 7, with Season 3 expected to begin shortly after.