How Long Would It Take to Get Everything in Overwatch 2?
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The short, brutal, and honest answer? Achieving absolute completion in Overwatch 2 without spending any real-world money could realistically take hundreds of years. That’s not a typo. We’re talking potentially centuries to unlock every skin, hero, emote, voice line, and highlight intro through purely in-game means. The sheer volume of cosmetic items combined with the relatively slow rate of earning in-game currency makes the prospect a truly monumental undertaking. If you are willing to spend real money, you could dramatically cut down that time, but the costs could easily run into the thousands of dollars, as we’ll delve into further below.
The Grind is Real: Understanding the Time Commitment
Let’s break down the key areas contributing to this lengthy timeline:
Unlocking Heroes
New players joining Overwatch 2 face a unique hurdle: unlocking the original roster of heroes. The game introduces a system where players must complete approximately 150 games to unlock all the legacy heroes. This serves as a tutorial-like system, easing newcomers into the game without overwhelming them. While not a “forever” task, it’s a significant initial investment of time, especially if you’re eager to jump into Competitive mode with a broader range of characters.
Earning Legacy Cosmetics
This is where the grind truly begins. The amount of legacy content available for purchase in Overwatch 2 is staggering. One user calculated that acquiring every single legacy cosmetic would cost around $12,080.69! That’s an eye-watering figure, and even more daunting when you consider the alternative: earning enough Overwatch Coins through weekly challenges.
Let’s say you diligently complete every weekly challenge. This will earn you a relatively small number of Overwatch Coins. Factoring in the potential earnings versus the overall cost, it could take you close to 450 years of completing every weekly challenge, week after week, to unlock everything!
Unlocking Skins
The cost of individual skins further exemplifies the issue. Most skins cost around 1,000 Overwatch Coins, which translates to roughly $10 USD. This means, relying purely on in-game earnings, it would take approximately 17 weeks of consistent gameplay and challenge completion to afford just one skin. Imagine multiplying that by the sheer number of available skins!
New Heroes and Battle Passes
Since Overwatch 2 transitioned to a seasonal model with battle passes, unlocking new heroes became tied to battle pass progression (though they can also be unlocked via challenges later). While owning the original Overwatch granted immediate access to Kiriko, subsequent heroes required either battle pass progression or completing specific challenges. This adds another layer of time investment, requiring consistent engagement throughout each season.
The Allure of Addictive Gameplay and the Games Learning Society
The challenge of “getting everything” isn’t solely about time; it’s also about the game’s design, which is inherently engaging and, for some, potentially addictive. Overwatch 2, like many modern games, utilizes reward systems, daily and weekly challenges, and the desire for cosmetic items to keep players coming back.
This engagement speaks to the broader impact of games on learning and behavior. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) study how games influence learning, problem-solving, and social interaction. While the Overwatch 2 grind might seem purely about cosmetics, the underlying mechanics tap into fundamental psychological principles that drive motivation and engagement.
The Verdict: Completion is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
So, is it possible to get everything in Overwatch 2 without spending money? Technically, yes. Realistically, it’s a commitment that would span generations. For most players, a more practical approach is to focus on unlocking heroes and acquiring the specific skins and cosmetics that they truly desire, rather than striving for unattainable completion. Embrace the journey, enjoy the gameplay, and don’t get bogged down in the endless grind!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to unlock every character in Overwatch 2 for new players?
It takes approximately 150 games for new players to unlock all the original Overwatch heroes.
2. How much would it cost to unlock every legacy cosmetic in Overwatch 2 if purchased directly?
It’s estimated that unlocking every legacy cosmetic would cost around $12,080.69.
3. How long would it take to unlock every legacy cosmetic in Overwatch 2 via in-game currency only?
Assuming consistent completion of weekly challenges, it could take close to 450 years.
4. How long does it take to unlock a single skin in Overwatch 2 using earned coins?
It takes approximately 17 weeks of completing weekly challenges to earn enough coins for a single skin.
5. Is Kiriko free for players who owned the original Overwatch?
Yes, Kiriko was initially free for players who owned the original Overwatch. Subsequent heroes are unlocked through battle pass progression or challenges.
6. How long is the average Overwatch 2 game?
Quick-play matches typically last around 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Does Overwatch 2 kick you for inactivity?
Yes, Overwatch 2 will kick you for inactivity, especially in Competitive Play. Leaving a game early or being removed for inactivity results in a queue suspension.
8. How long is the PvE content in Overwatch 2?
On average, each Overwatch 2 PvE mission takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
9. Can I unlock skins in Overwatch 2 without spending money?
Yes, you can earn Overwatch Coins through weekly challenges and use them to purchase skins, but the process is very time-consuming.
10. Can you get legendary skins for free in Overwatch 2?
Yes, Overwatch 2 occasionally offers free Legendary skins through events and promotions.
11. What happens if I miss unlocking a new hero when they are released?
You can unlock the hero later by completing specific challenges or through the battle pass in subsequent seasons.
12. What do I need to do to unlock Ramattra for free?
Ramattra can be unlocked by completing matches as a Tank hero and completing a specific challenge in the practice range, such as eliminating enemy bots with Void Accelerator.
13. How many wins do I need before I can play ranked games in Overwatch 2?
New players need to win 50 Quick Play games before they can access Competitive Play.
14. What happens if I leave too many games in Overwatch 2?
Leaving four of your last 20 games results in a 10-minute suspension from queuing for any game mode that grants progression progress.
15. How many games do I need to play to get placed in Competitive in OW2?
You need to win 7 matches of competitive to find out your rank. You will need to play a minimum of 7 games to finish your placements, but you could theoretically have to play as many as 26.