Do Old Overwatch Players Have To Unlock Characters?
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The transition from Overwatch to Overwatch 2 brought about many changes, and one of the most discussed topics has been character availability. The short answer to whether old Overwatch players have to unlock characters is: mostly no. If you were an original Overwatch player, you should not have to unlock the majority of heroes. Your hard-earned roster from the original game should carry over, granting you immediate access to the majority of the character lineup in Overwatch 2.
However, there are a few important caveats to consider. This article will delve into the specifics, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the hero unlock system in Overwatch 2, especially if you’re a returning veteran.
What Happens to Your Hero Roster in Overwatch 2?
For the most part, veteran players are rewarded for their time spent in the original Overwatch. If you had an established account in Overwatch 1 and that account has been properly merged with your Battle.net account, your hero progression should seamlessly transfer to Overwatch 2. This means:
- Immediate Access to Most Heroes: You will have access to the entire 35-hero roster, with only a few exceptions. This means no tedious grinding is required for most characters that you already enjoyed in Overwatch 1.
- No Need to Re-Unlock Heroes: You won’t need to go through the First-Time User Experience (FTUE) tutorial which is designed for new players and involves unlocking heroes incrementally.
- Carried-Over Skins and Cosmetics: All your skins, voice lines, and cosmetics from Overwatch 1 also transfer over, preserving your unique collection.
- Founder’s Pack: Veteran players who owned Overwatch before June 23, 2022, were eligible for the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack, granting them additional exclusive items.
The Exceptions: Who Might Need to Unlock Heroes?
Despite the generally smooth transition, there are situations where you might find yourself needing to unlock certain characters, even as a returning player. Here’s where the exceptions lie:
- Kiriko: While most of your hero roster will be available from the outset, the new support hero Kiriko was initially locked for all players, including veterans. This was the case when the game was first released. While veteran players were able to unlock her automatically, it was eventually changed and you may have to unlock her through the Battle Pass. Buying the Premium Battle Pass immediately unlocked Kiriko, and after Season 1, you can acquire her by leveling up in the Battle Pass or purchasing her directly.
- Newer Heroes Post-Launch: Any new heroes introduced after Overwatch 2’s launch will need to be unlocked by all players either through the Battle Pass or in the in-game shop. This is a universal practice, meaning veteran players are also subject to it.
- Account Issues: In some instances, the game may incorrectly identify your account as a new one, triggering the FTUE. If this happens, you will have to go through the initial tutorial process, which locks certain heroes initially.
- Merged Account Issues: Problems with merging console and Battle.net accounts can sometimes result in the loss of access to your accumulated cosmetics and hero roster.
What if My Account Isn’t Recognizing My Overwatch 1 Progress?
If you believe that you are not receiving the progress of your Overwatch 1 account on your Overwatch 2 game, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
- Check your Battle.net account: Make sure you are logged into the correct Battle.net account, the one associated with your original Overwatch account.
- Account merging: If you played Overwatch 1 on a console, ensure you have correctly merged your console account with your Battle.net account.
- Contact support: If you have checked all the above, and you are still having problems, contact Blizzard support who will be able to give you further guidance on your issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the hero unlock system in Overwatch 2, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Do I need to merge my console account to get my old heroes?
Yes, if you played Overwatch 1 on a console, merging that console account with your Battle.net account is essential to transfer your heroes and skins.
2. What happens if I miss the Founder’s Pack?
The Founder’s Pack was a limited-time offer for early Overwatch 1 adopters and is no longer available. If you missed this window, you cannot claim it currently.
3. What happens if I didn’t play Overwatch 1?
New Overwatch 2 players will start with a limited roster of 15 heroes and will have to gradually unlock others by playing or by purchasing the Premium Battle Pass.
4. Can I unlock old Overwatch skins in Overwatch 2?
Yes, all Epic and Legendary skins from Overwatch 1 are available at all times in the Hero Gallery, purchasable with Credits or Coins.
5. Why don’t I have all characters in Overwatch 2 even though I played Overwatch 1?
This usually happens if the game misidentifies your account or if your console and Battle.net accounts haven’t merged correctly. Follow the account merger process or contact Blizzard support if this happens.
6. Is Kiriko still locked for Overwatch 1 players?
As of now, Kiriko is unlocked through the Battle Pass. You can unlock her by progressing through the free Battle Pass tiers, or immediately by purchasing the premium version.
7. What is the youngest and oldest character in Overwatch 2?
The youngest human hero is Illari at 18, and the youngest overall is the Omnic, Orisa at 1 year old. The oldest hero is Sigma at 64.
8. How can I get my old Overwatch skins back?
By correctly merging your console account with your Battle.net account, and ensuring you are logged in to the correct Battle.net account, all of your old skins will transfer to Overwatch 2.
9. Can I buy old Overwatch skins directly?
Yes, many old skins can be purchased through the Hero Gallery, using Credits or Coins.
10. What is the most overpowered hero in Overwatch 2?
According to most of the player base and the professional scene, Ana is considered the most overpowered hero in Overwatch 2, followed by the likes of Sombra and Tracer.
11. Who are the easiest characters to play in Overwatch 2?
Some of the easiest heroes to pick up include Bastion, Mercy, Reaper, Reinhardt, and Brigitte.
12. What are the rarest Overwatch skins?
One of the rarest skins is Pink Mercy, which was only available for a limited time through a charity event.
13. Are there any ongoing issues with unlocking heroes in Overwatch 2?
Yes, sometimes there are glitches that lock certain characters and prevent progress. Blizzard usually works quickly to fix these issues.
14. What happens if I purchased the Watchpoint Pack?
If you purchased the Watchpoint Pack, you would have received immediate access to certain characters from the outset.
15. How do I unlock newer heroes?
New heroes that get released after the initial launch need to be unlocked either through the Battle Pass (free or premium) or via the in-game shop.
Final Thoughts
While Overwatch 2 introduced a new approach to hero progression, veteran players are largely unaffected by the character unlock system. By successfully transferring your Overwatch 1 account to Overwatch 2, you should enjoy immediate access to most of the heroes that you have already put hours into. If you are experiencing issues with hero unlocks, following the troubleshooting steps and contacting customer support should be your next step. By keeping yourself informed, you’ll be able to enjoy all the new content Overwatch 2 has to offer while also being able to play all the characters that you already know and love.