How Long Does It Take to Unlock All Overwatch 2 Characters?
Unlocking all the characters in Overwatch 2 is a journey that varies significantly depending on whether you owned the original Overwatch game and whether you are willing to spend real money. For players who didn’t own Overwatch 1, it will take approximately 150 games to unlock all of the original roster’s heroes. Taking into account that an average game lasts around 10 minutes, with a 50/50 win rate, this means it will take around 25 hours to unlock the starting cast. To obtain the additional “DLC” heroes, such as Junker Queen, Kiriko, and Ramattra, you will have to complete specific challenges or reach certain tiers in the Battle Pass, which can add additional hours. Ultimately, unlocking all characters can be time-consuming, taking over 48 hours of gameplay for a completely new player. However, the option exists to instantly unlock all heroes by purchasing the Watchpoint Pack, which eliminates the need for grinding.
Unlocking Heroes: The Grind or the Shortcut
New Players vs. Returning Players
The experience of unlocking heroes in Overwatch 2 differs significantly between new and returning players. Those who owned the original Overwatch game before the sequel’s launch are granted a Founder’s Pack. This pack unlocks all heroes except for newer additions like Kiriko, who might have to be unlocked via challenges or through the Battle Pass. In contrast, new players start with access to only 15 out of the 35 heroes. This group must complete around 150 matches to unlock all the remaining heroes from the original roster, which serves as a tutorial-like system to ease them into the game gradually.
The 150 Game Grind
The requirement to play approximately 150 games to unlock the initial roster can be time-consuming, especially considering that this is regardless of the win rate. Each match averages about 10 minutes, equating to approximately 25 hours of playtime to unlock all the initial heroes for new players. For the “DLC” characters, the system shifts to individual challenges or Battle Pass progression, adding additional hours to unlock them all. It’s important to keep in mind that hero unlocks are for each individual character and not a single challenge to complete for the entire initial roster.
Battle Pass and Challenges
Newer heroes like Kiriko, Ramattra, and other seasonal heroes can be unlocked through the Battle Pass. You can either purchase the premium Battle Pass for instant access or reach certain tiers of the free Battle Pass. For example, Ramattra can be unlocked by reaching Tier 45 of the Season 2 Battle Pass without any additional cost if you have the time to reach that level. Individual heroes may also be unlocked via challenges. These challenges can vary but are usually based on completing matches or performing specific tasks.
The Instant Unlock: The Watchpoint Pack
For players looking to bypass the grind, the Watchpoint Pack offers instant access to all heroes, in addition to the current season’s Battle Pass. This shortcut, however, comes at the cost of real-world money. The Watchpoint Pack is designed to allow players to dive into the game with the complete roster from day one, without the wait of multiple hours of gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I lose my characters if I switch platforms?
Character unlocks are generally linked to your Battle.net account, so progress should transfer when switching between platforms. However, ensure that your accounts are properly linked for cross-progression to work.
2. Why aren’t all of my heroes unlocked in Overwatch 2?
If you did not own the original Overwatch, you start with only 15 heroes unlocked. You must play more matches to unlock the remaining original heroes or purchase the Watchpoint Pack for immediate access.
3. How long does it take to get all of the cosmetics in Overwatch 2?
Earning all legacy cosmetic items by completing weekly challenges would take approximately 327 years due to the staggering amount of coins required. Purchasing everything costs around $12,080.69.
4. Is Kiriko free for Overwatch 1 owners?
Yes, Overwatch 1 owners were able to unlock Kiriko for free upon the release of Overwatch 2 through the Founder’s Pack. However, after that initial period, new players would need to unlock her via challenges or through the Battle Pass.
5. How do I unlock D.Va?
D.Va is unlocked by playing two unranked matches after completing the training module.
6. Do you have to win matches to unlock heroes?
For the original heroes, you simply need to complete matches, regardless of whether you win or lose. New heroes will require challenge completion or battle pass progression.
7. Will I get heroes if I buy Overwatch 2 on a new account?
Yes, buying Overwatch 2 on a new account grants you the same starting roster as a new player, meaning you will need to unlock the remaining heroes through playing the game or buy the Watchpoint Pack.
8. Can I still unlock older heroes even if they were originally part of a battle pass?
Yes, older heroes that were part of previous battle passes can still be unlocked through specific in-game challenges. The specific challenge for each hero will need to be completed, regardless of their original method of unlocking.
9. What is the fastest way to unlock heroes in Overwatch 2?
The fastest way is to purchase the Watchpoint Pack, which instantly unlocks all heroes. Alternatively, playing matches and completing challenges will gradually unlock the characters.
10. How do weekly challenges work for coins in Overwatch 2?
Weekly challenges provide a limited number of coins, with a cap of 60 coins per week. This is a small fraction of what is required for legacy cosmetics.
11. Why did Blizzard remove Mei from Overwatch 2?
Mei was temporarily removed due to a bug with her Ice Wall ability, which allowed players to reach unintended locations on maps.
12. How does the competitive ranking system work in Overwatch 2?
Players get a rank update after winning five matches or losing 15. This is a change from the initial need to win seven matches or lose 20.
13. What are the hardest achievements in Overwatch 2?
Some of the hardest achievements include “The Floor is Lava,” “Rapid Discord,” and “Waste Not, Want Not.” These require specific and often challenging gameplay.
14. Who is the easiest hero to play in Overwatch 2?
Some of the easiest heroes include Moira, Brigitte, and Soldier:76, due to their relatively straightforward mechanics.
15. Who is the hardest hero to play in Overwatch 2?
Some of the hardest heroes include Tracer, Widowmaker, and Sigma, due to the high skill ceiling and required game sense.