Is the Founder’s Pack Free for Overwatch 1 Players? Your Definitive Guide
Yes, the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack was indeed free for players who owned the original Overwatch before June 23, 2022. This was Blizzard’s way of rewarding their loyal player base for their support and ensuring a smooth transition into the new era of Overwatch 2. However, the eligibility window to claim this pack has now closed. Keep reading for a complete breakdown of what was included and answers to frequently asked questions surrounding the Founder’s Pack.
What Was Included in the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack?
The Founder’s Pack was a generous offering, designed to give Overwatch 1 veterans a head start in Overwatch 2. It included several valuable items:
- Immediate access to Kiriko: This was a significant perk, as new heroes are often locked behind battle pass progression.
- Two Epic Skins: Specifically for Doomfist and Sombra, offering fresh looks for these popular heroes.
- Exclusive Founder’s Icon: A unique in-game icon to proudly display your status as a dedicated Overwatch player from the beginning.
- Immediate Access to Sojourn and Junker Queen: Two brand new heroes at the launch of Overwatch 2.
While it did not include a free battle pass, the Founder’s Pack provided a strong incentive for existing players to jump into Overwatch 2 and continue their journey. It’s important to remember that the pack needed to be claimed before a specific deadline, and that deadline has now passed.
Overwatch 2: A New Era of Hero-Based Shooters
Overwatch 2 represented a major shift for the franchise, transitioning to a free-to-play model and introducing significant gameplay changes, including the move to 5v5 team compositions. The game also introduced new heroes, maps, and game modes, breathing fresh life into the competitive scene. Retaining existing players was critical for a successful launch, and the Founder’s Pack played a pivotal role in achieving that goal. The Games Learning Society explores the game’s impact on the community, demonstrating the commitment to community support and continuous engagement.
FAQs: Demystifying the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack
1. Do Overwatch 1 players get Kiriko for free?
Initially, yes, Overwatch 1 owners who claimed the Founder’s Pack received Kiriko for free immediately. However, if you didn’t claim the Founder’s Pack within the specified timeframe, you’d need to unlock her through the standard means, such as the Battle Pass. It’s worth noting that Kiriko unlocks were only granted if you logged in before the end of season 2 of Overwatch 2 in February 2023.
2. Do Overwatch 1 owners get a free battle pass?
No, the Founder’s Pack did not include a free battle pass. It provided immediate access to specific heroes and cosmetic items, but access to battle pass content still required purchase or progression through the free tiers.
3. Do Overwatch 1 players get anything in Overwatch 2?
Yes, Overwatch 1 players retained all their unlocked skins, voice lines, and other cosmetics in Overwatch 2. They also received the Founder’s Pack if they met the eligibility criteria and claimed it within the designated period.
4. Do Overwatch 1 players get all heroes for free?
Mostly. Overwatch 1 players had access to all heroes that were available in the original game. The Founder’s Pack specifically granted immediate access to Kiriko, Sojourn, and Junker Queen. Later heroes are generally unlocked through the battle pass or other challenges.
5. Is the Overwatch Founder’s Pack still available?
No, the eligibility and redemption period for the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack has ended. It was available for a limited time after the launch of Overwatch 2.
6. Why can’t I claim the Founder’s Pack Overwatch?
If you are unable to claim the Founder’s Pack, it’s likely that you either didn’t own Overwatch before June 23, 2022, or you attempted to claim the pack after the December 5, 2022 deadline.
7. What do Overwatch 1 owners get in Overwatch 2?
Beyond the Founder’s Pack (if claimed), Overwatch 1 owners get to carry over all their cosmetic unlocks, including skins, sprays, voice lines, and player icons. This ensures that their investment in the original game wasn’t lost.
8. Do Overwatch 1 owners get all characters?
Almost. They got all the characters from Overwatch 1 and a couple more. This depended on claiming the Founder’s Pack within the specified time frame.
9. What perks do Overwatch 1 owners get?
Aside from the cosmetic carryover and the Founder’s Pack, Overwatch 1 owners experienced a smoother transition into Overwatch 2, already familiar with the core gameplay and hero abilities.
10. Do OW1 players get Ramattra for free?
No, Overwatch 1 players did not automatically unlock Ramattra. He was available through the battle pass, either via the premium track or by reaching a certain tier on the free track.
11. How do you get the Founder icon in Overwatch 2?
The Founder’s icon was included in the Founder’s Pack. To be eligible, players needed to own the original Overwatch before June 23, 2022, and log into Overwatch 2 before the deadline of December 5, 2022.
12. How to get Overwatch 2 free skins?
The original method to get free skins was if you owned Overwatch 1 before June 23, 2022. All of the skins you had unlocked transferred over, and the Founder’s Pack included 2 additional epic skins. There are other ways to obtain free skins in the game such as linking your YouTube account to your Battle.net account to watch Overwatch League matches.
13. Is Kiriko free for ow1 players?
Initially, Kiriko was free for Overwatch 1 players through the Founder’s Pack. However, if you missed the claim deadline, you would need to unlock her through the Battle Pass system.
14. What is in the Overwatch 2 founders pack?
The Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack contains access to 3 new characters: Junker Queen, Sojourn, and Kiriko. It also includes two epic skins for Doomfist and Sombra, and an exclusive Founder’s Icon.
15. Can I still merge my Overwatch accounts?
You may still be able to merge your accounts. Overwatch progression earned on one console or PC account cannot be merged to the same type of account. Only progress between consoles and PC can be merged.
Hopefully, these answers clarify any lingering questions about the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack.