Overwatch 2’s second anniversary on October 4 marked a significant moment for the franchise. However, the sequel’s journey has been riddled by both triumphs and controversies. From the initial disappointment over the cancelation of playable story missions to the divisive core gameplay changes forOverwatch 2in Season 9, the game has faced ongoing scrutiny. As such, despite the ongoing popularity of the live-service hero shooter, some fans remain uncertain about the game’s long-term stability.
Fortunately for fans of the original 2016 game, Blizzard made a major announcement in a recent Director’s Take on the official website. The long-debated and much-desired6v6 mode will return toOverwatch, fulfilling a popular community request since its removal. Although Team 4 has addressed this as recently as July, this is the first time developers have confirmed its return.
Overwatch 2 is Bringing Back Nostalgic 6v6 Mode
Season 14 Will Feature 6v6 Playtests
Currently,Overwatch 2is still in the early stages of Season 13. This has included various updates to maps with notoriously difficult choke points such as Dorado, Havana, and Numbani, alongside amajor rework for Sombra. While theMy Hero Academiacollaboration and various Halloween-themed Arcade modes such as Junkenstein’s Laboratory have been exciting in their own right, it’s Season 14 that has truly captured the attention of the community.
Scheduled for a week after Season 14 begins, in addition to introducingOverwatch 2’s next tank hero, two versions of 6v6 will be tested throughout the season. Not to be overlooked, Season 13 will feature its own playtests focused on variations of 5v5. The expected timeline is as follows, though unforeseen alterations may occur:
13
5v5
“Limit 2”
Part of Quick Play: Hacked, with a maximum for each role limited to two. Players can freely switch between heroes and roles and tanks are adjusted to a similar health pool like they are in Open Queue.
“Kingmaker”
Part of Quick Play: Hacked and similar to “Limit 2.” There can only be two in each role. However, players who are alone in their role get an unspecified bonus.
Mid-November to early December
14
6v6
“Min 1, Max 3”
It will have a card in Unranked and will play similarly to Open Queue. Each team of 6 must have at least 1 in each role, and no more than 3.
“2-2-2”
It will have a card in Unranked and will be composed of the classic 2-2-2 role lock. Players should expectOverwatch 2features such as fewer Crowd Control abilities and hero reworks.
During Season 14’s midcycle in January
While Blizzard hasn’t confirmed a permanent return of 6v6 inOverwatch 2,the team has stated that it would be in consideration moving forward, depending on the reception and results of upcoming tests.
Fans Are Hopeful Regarding The Future of 6v6 in Overwatch 2
Some players are eager to try 6v6 for the first time, whileOverwatchveterans look forward to reuniting classictank duos like Reinhardt and Zaryaor Winston and D.Va. It seems the community is particularly excited to see how new tanks from the sequel will interact, along with any unique voice lines they might share. Though it may be too early to say for certain, one potential duo, Mauga and Zarya, already stands out with intriguing synergy, though high-speed compositions with D.Va and Junker Queen may also become popular.
Meanwhile, Blizzard’s recent comments hint at a potential new playtest or mode for Season 13 or 14, teasing “another special surprise just around the corner.” This surprise might connect to rumors of anOverwatch 2mobile game in developmentor another feature, as Team 4 is reportedly hiring a product marketing consultant. Others speculate it could relate to the new tank character, expected to be playable in a limited-time hero trial near the end of Season 13, leaving plenty of possibilities open.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
