Can You Still Get Kiriko in Overwatch 2 Season 2? A Deep Dive
Yes, you absolutely can still get Kiriko in Overwatch 2 Season 2! While the initial method of obtaining her through the Season 1 Battle Pass has expired, there are alternative ways to unlock this powerful support hero. Let’s dive into the specifics and explore all the options available to you in Season 2 and beyond.
Unlocking Kiriko After Season 1
Kiriko’s availability post-Season 1 revolves around two primary methods:
-
The Hero Challenges: Completing Kiriko’s Hero Challenges is the most straightforward and accessible way to unlock her. These challenges are designed to introduce you to Kiriko’s abilities and playstyle. They typically involve completing matches, using specific abilities a certain number of times, and achieving other in-game milestones. The challenges are generally considered manageable for most players.
-
Purchasing Her Through the Shop: If you prefer a more immediate solution, Kiriko is also available for purchase in the Overwatch 2 in-game shop. This option requires spending Overwatch Coins, the premium currency in the game. The cost may vary, so check the shop regularly for pricing.
The Hero Challenge Route: A Detailed Look
The Hero Challenges offer a great opportunity to not only unlock Kiriko but also to become familiar with her kit. These challenges act as a tutorial, guiding you through her different abilities and encouraging you to use them effectively.
What to Expect From the Challenges
Generally, expect a series of challenges that involve:
- Playing a certain number of games as Kiriko (available to play in Practice Range or Custom Games)
- Healing a specific amount of damage with her Healing Ofuda
- Using her Swift Step ability to teleport to allies a certain number of times
- Cleansing allies with her Protection Suzu a specific number of times
- Dealing damage with her Kunai
- Using her Kitsune Rush ultimate effectively
Tips for Completing the Challenges Quickly
- Focus on the Objective: Prioritize completing the challenge objectives over winning the match. While winning is always ideal, dedicating your efforts to fulfilling the challenge requirements will get you Kiriko faster.
- Play in Unranked Modes: Unranked modes like Quick Play offer a more relaxed environment where you can experiment and practice with Kiriko without the pressure of competitive play.
- Communicate with Your Team: Let your team know you are focusing on completing Kiriko’s challenges. They may be able to offer assistance or adjust their playstyles to help you succeed.
- Practice in the Training Range: Familiarize yourself with Kiriko’s abilities and movement in the training range before jumping into live matches.
- Utilize Custom Games: You can set up custom games with specific rules to easily complete certain challenges.
The Shop Purchase Option: Is It Worth It?
Purchasing Kiriko through the shop is the faster, albeit more expensive, option. The value proposition depends on your personal circumstances:
Factors to Consider
- Time Investment: If you have limited time to play, purchasing Kiriko might be the most efficient way to unlock her.
- Overwatch Coins: Consider whether you have enough Overwatch Coins to purchase her without spending real money.
- Patience: If you’re willing to invest the time, completing the Hero Challenges is a free and rewarding way to unlock Kiriko.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Instant access to Kiriko
- Saves time compared to completing challenges
Cons:
- Requires spending Overwatch Coins, which may cost real money
- Misses the opportunity to learn Kiriko’s abilities through the Hero Challenges
Kiriko’s Impact on the Overwatch 2 Meta
Kiriko has had a significant impact on the Overwatch 2 meta since her release. Her combination of healing, damage, and utility makes her a versatile and powerful support hero. Her Protection Suzu ability is particularly valuable, as it can cleanse allies of debuffs and provide temporary invulnerability, making it a potent counter to many ultimate abilities. Furthermore, her Kitsune Rush ultimate can significantly boost her team’s damage output and movement speed, making her a formidable force in team fights.
The Future of Hero Unlocks in Overwatch 2
The system of unlocking heroes through Battle Passes and Hero Challenges is likely to continue in future seasons of Overwatch 2. Blizzard has stated their commitment to providing players with multiple avenues for acquiring new heroes, ensuring accessibility for both casual and dedicated players. This approach allows players to choose the method that best suits their playstyle and time commitment. It also provides opportunities for new players to understand hero kits and learn how to play each character. Games Learning Society is dedicated to studying game mechanics, such as hero unlocks and character progression, to understand how games can be used as tools for learning and development. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.
FAQs: Your Kiriko Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about obtaining Kiriko and her role in Overwatch 2:
FAQ 1: Are Kiriko’s Hero Challenges Permanent?
Yes, Kiriko’s Hero Challenges are designed to be a permanent feature. They should remain available even after Season 2 ends, allowing you to unlock her at any time.
FAQ 2: Do I Need to Complete All Hero Challenges to Unlock Kiriko?
Yes, you need to complete all the specific Kiriko Hero Challenges listed in the game to unlock her.
FAQ 3: Can I Unlock Kiriko if I Didn’t Play During Season 1?
Absolutely! The Hero Challenges and Shop Purchase options are available to all players, regardless of when they started playing Overwatch 2.
FAQ 4: How Much Do Overwatch Coins Cost?
The price of Overwatch Coins varies depending on the bundle you purchase. Check the in-game shop for the most up-to-date pricing.
FAQ 5: Can I Earn Overwatch Coins for Free?
Yes, you can earn a small amount of Overwatch Coins each week by completing weekly challenges.
FAQ 6: Is Kiriko a Good Support Hero for Beginners?
While Kiriko has a high skill ceiling, she can be effective for beginners due to her potent healing and defensive abilities. Practice and familiarity are key to mastering her kit.
FAQ 7: What is Kiriko’s Ultimate Ability?
Kiriko’s ultimate ability is Kitsune Rush, which creates a path that increases movement speed, attack speed, and reload speed for allies who follow it.
FAQ 8: How Does Kiriko’s Protection Suzu Work?
Kiriko’s Protection Suzu grants temporary invulnerability and cleanses allies of most negative effects, such as anti-heal and stuns.
FAQ 9: What is Kiriko’s Primary Fire?
Kiriko’s primary fire is her Kunai, which are projectiles that deal critical damage on headshots.
FAQ 10: Can Kiriko Climb Walls?
Yes, Kiriko has the Wall Climb passive ability, allowing her to scale walls.
FAQ 11: Is Kiriko a Flanker?
While Kiriko can be played aggressively, she is primarily a support hero. Her mobility allows her to position herself effectively and provide support from unexpected angles.
FAQ 12: How Do I Counter Kiriko?
Countering Kiriko involves pressuring her and her team to prevent her from using her abilities effectively. Focusing fire and utilizing crowd control can limit her impact.
FAQ 13: Does Kiriko Work Well With All Team Compositions?
Kiriko’s versatility makes her a valuable addition to many team compositions. She particularly excels in compositions that benefit from her healing and utility.
FAQ 14: Will Kiriko Ever Be Available Through a Different Method?
While Blizzard may introduce alternative methods in the future, the current options are the Hero Challenges and Shop Purchase.
FAQ 15: Is Kiriko Worth Unlocking?
Absolutely! Kiriko is a powerful and impactful support hero who can significantly contribute to your team’s success. Her unique abilities and versatile playstyle make her a valuable asset to any Overwatch 2 roster. Unlocking her opens up a world of strategic possibilities.