How Long Does It Take to Unlock Competitive in Overwatch?
So, you’re itching to jump into the competitive scene in Overwatch 2? You’ve heard the call to arms and want to prove your mettle against the best. But before you can dive headfirst into ranked battles, there’s a gatekeeper you need to appease: the First-Time User Experience (FTUE) and the 50 Quick Play wins requirement. The answer: It depends on your win rate and average match length, but as the document suggests, Blizzard may enforce a minimum of 100 hours before access to Competitive mode is unlocked. The time invested can extend if the new player often loses and/or does not complete the FTUE.
In simple terms, you need to win 50 Quick Play matches to unlock Competitive mode. Now, let’s break down how much time that might actually take.
Let’s assume a typical Quick Play match lasts around 10-15 minutes, including queue times, hero select, and the actual gameplay. Even with a good win rate, grinding out those 50 wins could easily consume a significant amount of time. Furthermore, players must complete the FTUE to begin unlocking Competitive. The FTUE is a series of onboarding tutorials and matches designed to ease new players into the game.
Here’s a rough estimate:
- Average match time: 12.5 minutes
- Total time for 50 matches: 50 matches * 12.5 minutes/match = 625 minutes
- Convert minutes to hours: 625 minutes / 60 minutes/hour = ~10.4 hours
But here’s the catch: This calculation assumes you win every single game. Realistically, your win rate will likely be lower. Let’s say you win roughly half of your games, which is a standard expectation for any competitive game, then your required play time will double to 20.8 hours. Therefore, you would need to play closer to 100 matches. It can take significantly longer depending on your personal win rate and the amount of time you take to complete the First-Time User Experience.
So, plan to dedicate a fair amount of time to Quick Play before you can experience the thrill of Competitive Overwatch 2. As cited above, there are some complaints about requiring this lengthy onboarding for players, but Blizzard likely put this system into place to provide an adequate skill assessment to fairly place players with teammates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unlocking Competitive
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide you with a more complete understanding of the Competitive unlock process in Overwatch 2.
What exactly is the First-Time User Experience (FTUE)?
The FTUE is Overwatch 2’s onboarding system for new players. It introduces you to the game’s basic mechanics, hero roles, and core gameplay loop. This system is intended to provide a gentle introduction to the complexities of Overwatch 2 and give the game a chance to evaluate your skillset.
Do I have to win 50 Quick Play games, or just play them?
You must win 50 Quick Play games to unlock Competitive mode. Simply participating in them won’t cut it. This system ensures that you have a decent grasp of the game before entering the more serious Competitive environment.
Can I skip the Quick Play requirement if I played the original Overwatch?
Unless you played Competitive in the original game, you cannot skip the 50 Quick Play wins requirement. So, unless you have an old account from the previous game, prepare yourself for the Quick Play grind.
Why is there a Quick Play requirement at all?
Blizzard implemented this requirement to improve matchmaking quality in Competitive. By requiring new players to win 50 Quick Play matches, the system gets a better understanding of their skill level and can more accurately place them in appropriate ranks. This is especially important to minimize player frustration and ensure game balance. The system also helps teach new players the mechanics of Overwatch and build a base level of skill prior to ranking up in competitive.
What’s the fastest way to get Competitive Points?
Competitive Points (CP) are earned through winning Competitive matches and awarded at the end of each season based on your highest rank. Winning more games is the primary way to accumulate CP.
How many Competitive Points do I get per win?
You earn 15 Competitive Points per win and 5 Competitive Points for a draw during a match.
How many Competitive Points do I get at the end of a season?
The amount of CP you get at the end of a season varies based on your highest achieved rank. Higher ranks receive more CP.
How many Competitive Points do I need to unlock a Golden Weapon?
You need 3,000 Competitive Points to unlock a Golden Weapon for a hero.
How often does my Competitive rank adjust?
Overwatch 2 adjusts your Competitive rank every 7 wins or 20 losses. Instead of small adjustments with every match, the system looks at your performance over a larger set of games to provide a more accurate ranking.
What happens if I leave a Competitive match?
Leaving a Competitive match results in a penalty, starting with a 15-minute suspension. Repeatedly leaving matches will result in increasingly severe penalties, including a suspension from Competitive Play for the rest of the season.
Is it harder to rank up in certain roles?
Many players believe that ranking up as a Tank is more difficult than ranking up as other classes due to the level of gameplay required. While not a universal experience, many players express that Tank is the hardest role to rank up.
Is my Overwatch 2 rank accurate?
Blizzard has tweaked the ranking system in Overwatch 2 to be more accurate. The game tries to accurately place you in a rank that reflects your skills, and adjustments are made based on your performance over multiple matches.
How many games do I need to play to be considered for the Top 500?
To be eligible for the Top 500 leaderboard, you need to complete 25 games for each role in Role Queue, or 50 games in Open Queue.
What’s a good win rate in Overwatch 2?
A win rate of 60% or higher is generally considered to be very good in Overwatch 2, and you should take this information into account when assessing how long the Quick Play Unlock will take. Most players are around 50%, so with a higher win rate, your unlocks will be significantly faster.
What resources are available to learn more about Overwatch 2 gameplay?
The game itself provides tutorials and practice modes. The Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into game design and learning principles, which can enhance your understanding of Overwatch 2 and improve your gameplay. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Hopefully, this detailed breakdown has answered your question about how long it takes to unlock Competitive in Overwatch 2. So get out there, practice your aim, coordinate with your team, and conquer those Quick Play matches! Good luck, and have fun!