What Happens to Your Overwatch 1 Skins in Overwatch 2?
For veteran players of Overwatch, the burning question before the sequel’s release was: “What happens to all my hard-earned skins?” The short and sweet answer is that all your Overwatch 1 skins will transfer to Overwatch 2. You won’t lose any of the cosmetic items you’ve collected over the years, including your skins, player icons, sprays, highlight intros, and emotes. This seamless transition allows you to bring your entire collection into the new game, preserving the time and effort you’ve invested.
This transfer is made possible by the Battle.net ID system. Overwatch 2 consolidates all accounts under this single identifier. By unifying your console and PC accounts under the same Battle.net ID, all your cosmetics, including the much-cherished skins, become available in Overwatch 2 once you download the game.
How the Skin Transfer Works
The process is thankfully straightforward, although there are a few key steps to ensure a smooth transition. First, it’s essential to have your Overwatch 1 account linked to your Battle.net ID. This was a requirement when Overwatch 2 launched, designed to ensure that all accounts across different platforms were correctly merged. If you’re playing Overwatch 2 and your skins are not there, it’s highly likely that you are not logged in to the correct Battle.net ID.
Merging Console Accounts
If you played Overwatch 1 on a console (PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch) and also have a PC account, you needed to merge your console account with your Battle.net ID. This ensures all your cosmetic progression is stored under one unified Battle.net account. While the merging process could be a bit intricate, especially if you had multiple console accounts, this process is crucial to bring all of your beloved skins together in Overwatch 2. Once a console account is merged to a Battle.net ID, that progress is then permanently tied to that account.
Battle.net Account Sync
Once your accounts are correctly merged or linked, the game synchronizes your inventory. This means all your skins, player icons, sprays, and other cosmetic items automatically show up in your Overwatch 2 Hero Gallery. No manual transfer is required. Everything should be available when you launch the game, ready to customize your heroes with the looks you’ve come to love.
What if You Can’t See Your Skins?
Sometimes, players may encounter issues where their skins are not immediately visible in Overwatch 2. This can be frustrating, but it’s usually resolved by ensuring that a few crucial steps have been taken:
- Double-Check Your Battle.net Account: Verify that you’re logging into the correct Battle.net account you used for Overwatch 1. A simple typo or using an old email can cause confusion.
- Account Merging: Ensure your console accounts have been merged correctly with your Battle.net ID. Double-check the account merging process if you have previously merged a console account.
- Game Updates: Ensure both your Overwatch 1 and Overwatch 2 clients have been updated to the latest version. A game that is not updated may cause issues.
- Support: If the issue persists, contact Blizzard support for further assistance.
More Than Just Skins
It’s important to remember that not only your skins are transferred. All the cosmetic items you have acquired in Overwatch 1 are available to use in Overwatch 2. This includes:
- Skins: Of course! Your hard-earned legendary, epic, and rare skins will make the jump.
- Player Icons: Show off your favorite icons, some of which may be rare or exclusive.
- Sprays: Decorate the environment with your unique spray art.
- Highlight Intros: Get ready to start each game with your favorite animated introduction.
- Emotes: Express yourself with a variety of emotes during matches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 of the most common questions players have about the transfer of Overwatch 1 skins to Overwatch 2.
1. Are All My Overwatch 1 Skins Gone?
No! All your Overwatch 1 skins are safely transferred to Overwatch 2. They won’t disappear.
2. Do I Need to Do Anything to Get My Skins?
Yes, you need to ensure that your Overwatch 1 account is correctly linked to the same Battle.net ID you are using for Overwatch 2. Console users will also need to have completed the console to battle.net account merge.
3. What Happens to Unopened Loot Boxes From Overwatch 1?
All your unopened loot boxes from Overwatch 1 were automatically opened when you first logged into Overwatch 2, so that you wouldn’t be missing out on any of the in-game cosmetics.
4. Why Did I Lose My Overwatch 1 Skins?
If you’re missing skins, ensure you are logged into the correct Battle.net account. Double check your linked console accounts as well, as accounts are not able to be unmerged after merging to a Battle.net ID.
5. Will All My Stuff Transfer to Overwatch 2?
Yes. All cosmetics, including skins, player icons, sprays, highlight intros, and emotes, will be transferred to your Overwatch 2 account as long as the correct accounts are linked/merged.
6. How Do I Transfer Skins from Console?
To transfer skins from console, you need to merge your console account with your Battle.net account. Make sure you merge them to the correct Battle.net ID as it can not be changed once merged.
7. What Do Old Overwatch Players Get?
Players who owned Overwatch 1 received immediate access to new heroes like Kiriko, as well as unique skins for Doomfist and Sombra and a player icon. New players need to unlock Kiriko through the battle pass.
8. What If I Have Multiple Console Accounts?
You must choose which console account to merge to a Battle.net account, as only one console account is able to be linked. Once a console account is merged with a battle.net account, the accounts cannot be unmerged.
9. Did Overwatch 1 Players Get the Founder’s Pack?
Yes, if you owned Overwatch before June 23, 2022, you received the Founder’s Pack, which included a variety of goodies and rewards.
10. How Do I Recover My Overwatch 1 Account?
If you’ve forgotten your Battle.net account details, you can contact Blizzard support. Their support team can help check your progress or you may use their account recovery tool.
11. Are Some Skins No Longer Available?
Some skins like the Pink Mercy, Zarya Alien, and BlizzCon skins are no longer available due to their limited availability or exclusivity. These skins are not transferable.
12. What Happened to My Overwatch Coins?
If you’re having issues seeing your Overwatch Coins, log out of Overwatch and the Battle.net Desktop App, then log back in. This should resolve display issues.
13. Why Did Overwatch Get Rid of Loot Boxes?
Overwatch removed loot boxes to avoid potential legal issues, as they are considered by many to be a predatory gambling mechanic. They have been replaced with the battle pass system.
14. Is Pink Mercy Returning?
Currently, there are no plans to bring back the Pink Mercy skin.
15. Can I Unmerge My Accounts?
Once a console account has been merged with a Battle.net account, that process is permanent, and you cannot unmerge them.
Conclusion
The transfer of Overwatch 1 skins to Overwatch 2 was a significant concern for the game’s loyal player base. Luckily, Blizzard ensured a smooth transition, allowing players to bring all of their cosmetic items over. By using the Battle.net ID system and merging any linked console accounts, your entire collection will be available in the sequel. This seamless migration allows you to enjoy Overwatch 2 with all of your personalized touches and hard-earned looks intact. If you find yourself still experiencing issues, it is essential to recheck all of your merged and linked accounts.