Is the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass Free for Old Players? A Deep Dive
The short answer is no, the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass is not automatically free for players who owned the original Overwatch. While Blizzard offered some perks to thank loyal fans, a free premium Battle Pass wasn’t one of them. Let’s break down what veteran players did receive and how the Battle Pass system actually works in Overwatch 2.
Understanding the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass System
Overwatch 2 shifted to a free-to-play model, introducing a seasonal Battle Pass system. This system replaced the loot box system from the original game and provides players with a tiered progression system to unlock cosmetics, characters, and other rewards.
Each season features a new Battle Pass with both a free track and a premium track. The free track is available to all players and offers a limited selection of rewards as you level up. The premium track, purchased with Overwatch Coins (the in-game currency), unlocks a wider range of rewards and accelerates progression.
The Battle Pass includes tiers that award:
- Cosmetic items: Skins, emotes, voice lines, weapon charms, sprays, and name cards.
- Overwatch Coins: Earned through weekly challenges, these can be used to purchase the Premium Battle Pass or other items in the shop.
- New heroes: While older heroes are unlocked by default, new heroes like Kiriko (originally) and Lifeweaver (in later seasons) were initially included in the premium Battle Pass. Now, they are unlockable via hero challenges.
- Experience Boosts: The premium Battle Pass grants a 20% XP boost, accelerating progression through the tiers.
What Did Overwatch 1 Owners Get? The Founder’s Pack
Instead of a free Battle Pass, players who owned Overwatch prior to June 23, 2022, received the Founder’s Pack. This pack was a gesture of appreciation from Blizzard for their early supporters.
The Founder’s Pack included the following:
- Automatic access to Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko upon logging in.
- Two Epic Skins: One for Doomfist and one for Sombra.
- An exclusive Founder’s Icon.
While these were valuable additions to any Overwatch player’s collection, they weren’t equivalent to a free premium Battle Pass. The value of the Founder’s Pack came from immediate access to new heroes, which would otherwise require progression through the Battle Pass or completion of Hero Challenges.
How to Unlock Content in Overwatch 2
Even if you didn’t get a free Battle Pass, there are several ways to unlock content in Overwatch 2:
- Playing the Game: Earn XP by playing matches, completing daily and weekly challenges, and participating in events. XP is the key to leveling up your Battle Pass and unlocking rewards.
- Completing Challenges: Overwatch 2 features a robust challenge system that rewards you with XP and Overwatch Coins. These challenges range from daily tasks to season-long objectives.
- Purchasing the Premium Battle Pass: The Premium Battle Pass costs 1000 Overwatch Coins (approximately $10 USD) and unlocks a wealth of exclusive rewards and a 20% XP boost.
- Earning Overwatch Coins: Weekly challenges reward Overwatch Coins, which can be saved up to purchase the Premium Battle Pass or other items in the in-game shop.
- Hero Challenges: New Heroes are unlockable through Hero Challenges specific to each character. These challenges require players to demonstrate proficiency with other heroes in the same class.
The Evolution of Hero Unlocks
The initial Battle Pass system for Overwatch 2 drew criticism for locking new heroes behind the premium tier. Blizzard has since adjusted this system, making heroes like Kiriko, Sojourn, and Junker Queen (Season 1 Heroes) and future heroes unlockable through Hero Challenges. These challenges can be completed even without purchasing the Battle Pass. This is a welcome change that ensures all players have the opportunity to access new heroes without needing to spend money or grind endlessly.
What Happens After Level 80?
The main Battle Pass progression ends at level 80, after which players can unlock Prestige Titles until level 200. These titles are cosmetic rewards that display on your profile. After level 200, players continue to earn XP and level up, but there are no additional rewards associated with those levels. The Prestige Titles provide a goal for dedicated players who want to continue earning rewards after completing the main Battle Pass.
Why the Switch to a Battle Pass System?
The switch to a free-to-play model and the introduction of the Battle Pass system was a significant change for Overwatch. This model allows Blizzard to continually update the game with new content, including heroes, maps, and game modes, while generating revenue through cosmetic sales and Battle Pass purchases. The hope is that this model will ensure the longevity of Overwatch 2 by attracting new players and keeping existing players engaged with fresh content. The educational aspects of the game have also been the focus of many discussions within the Games Learning Society.
Is Overwatch 2 Pay-to-Win?
The debate of whether Overwatch 2 is pay-to-win is a complex one. The ability to unlock heroes faster with the premium Battle Pass could be seen as an advantage, especially when new heroes are powerful or offer unique abilities. However, Blizzard’s changes to hero unlocking and the availability of free methods to obtain new characters mitigates this concern. Ultimately, skill and teamwork are the most important factors in winning matches in Overwatch 2.
In Conclusion
While Overwatch 1 owners didn’t receive a free Battle Pass, the Founder’s Pack and subsequent adjustments to the hero unlocking system have provided veteran players with valuable benefits. The Battle Pass offers a structured progression system with a variety of rewards, and the game’s free-to-play model makes it accessible to a wider audience. Ultimately, the success of Overwatch 2 depends on its ability to balance accessibility, player engagement, and monetization. To engage in thoughtful discussions about the intersections of learning, education, and games, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass and related topics:
1. Will you have to pay for Overwatch 2 Battle Pass?
Yes, there is both a free and a paid (premium) Battle Pass in Overwatch 2.
2. Do old Overwatch players get Kiriko for free?
Yes, Kiriko was free for players who owned the first Overwatch game via the Founder’s Pack when Overwatch 2 initially launched. Now, she is unlockable through Hero Challenges.
3. Can I unlock Kiriko without paying?
Yes, Kiriko, Sojourn, and Junker Queen can be unlocked for free by completing their respective Hero Challenges.
4. Can I unlock Kiriko without the Battle Pass?
Yes, since Kiriko, Sojourn, and Junker Queen are now unlockable through Hero Challenges, purchasing the Battle Pass is not required to unlock them.
5. Is the first Overwatch 2 Battle Pass free?
The Battle Pass has a free track, accessible to everyone, and a paid track (Premium Battle Pass), which offers more unlockables for $10 worth of in-game currency (1000 Overwatch Coins).
6. Why can’t I buy the Battle Pass in Overwatch 2?
If you can’t buy the Battle Pass, it could be due to server issues, problems with your payment method, or a third-party application interfering with the purchase. Contact customer support if the issue persists.
7. Do you level up faster with the Battle Pass in Overwatch 2?
Yes, purchasing the Premium Battle Pass grants a 20% XP boost, allowing you to level up faster.
8. How much is the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass with the 20 levels?
The Premium Battle Pass costs 1000 Overwatch Coins (equivalent to $10 USD). There is no specific Battle Pass that includes 20 levels.
9. Does the Battle Pass unlock all characters in Overwatch 2?
While the Battle Pass may include new heroes or accelerate unlocking them, most of Overwatch 2’s hero roster can be unlocked by completing gameplay challenges or earning experience. New Season’s Hero Challenges are available to unlock new characters.
10. What do OG Overwatch players get?
Players of the original Overwatch could claim the Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack, unlocking epic skins, a profile icon, and immediate access to new heroes Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko (at launch of Overwatch 2).
11. How much does it cost to buy the whole Battle Pass in Overwatch 2?
The Premium Pass in Overwatch 2 costs 1000 Overwatch Coins, which equates to $9.99. You can also purchase tiers to accelerate your progress. The price to purchase all tiers depends on how many levels you need to purchase to complete it.
12. How much does the Overwatch Battle Pass cost?
The premium Battle Pass costs 1,000 Overwatch Coins, or around $10.
13. What happens when you finish the Overwatch 2 Battle Pass?
Once you complete the Premium Battle Pass before the end of a season, you unlock the ability to progress through that season’s Prestige tiers, earning Prestige Titles as rewards.
14. Can you buy Overwatch Battle Pass with legacy credits?
No, Legacy Credits can be used on the Hero menu to purchase legacy items. Overwatch Coins are used in the Shop menu to buy new skins, cosmetic items, or unlock the Battle Pass.
15. Do Overwatch 1 owners get anything else besides Kiriko, Skins, Icon?
People who owned OW1 were granted immediate access to Kiriko (at launch of Overwatch 2), epic skins for Doomfist and Sombra, and an icon via the Founder’s Pack. Blizzard also launched season-specific login rewards. Check the news section regularly to see what the current and future rewards are.