Why Are All My Heroes Locked in Overwatch 2? A Comprehensive Guide
The frustration of logging into Overwatch 2 and finding your favorite heroes inexplicably locked is a common experience for many players. The primary reason for this situation hinges on Overwatch 2’s new player experience and how it differentiates between new and returning players. Essentially, if the game doesn’t recognize your account as having previously owned Overwatch 1, it will default to locking most heroes, presenting you with a progression system to unlock them.
The root of the problem lies in how Blizzard tracks player progression across its servers. Occasionally, this system glitches, causing accounts that did own the original Overwatch to be mistakenly flagged as new, thereby triggering the hero lock. This can be incredibly frustrating for veteran players who had previously enjoyed unrestricted access to the entire hero roster. This is not an intentional feature to force players to grind; it is a bug with the account recognition system.
Understanding the Hero Unlock System in Overwatch 2
For players who are genuinely new to the Overwatch universe, the hero lock system serves as a gradual introduction to the diverse roster. Instead of overwhelming newcomers with 30+ heroes from the get-go, the game requires them to play a number of matches to unlock characters progressively. This is intended to allow new players to learn the game’s mechanics and get acquainted with a few characters before diving into the full complexity of the hero pool.
Here’s how the unlock system typically works:
- New Players: Must play approximately 150 matches to unlock the entire roster. Some heroes, like Zenyatta and Roadhog, become available earlier, often after 25 and 15 matches respectively, offering an initial taste of varied playstyles.
- Returning Players: Should have instant access to all heroes that were available in the original Overwatch, along with bonus access to the new heroes Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko via the Founder’s Pack. This is the expectation, but as previously stated, the system does not always work perfectly.
The issue arises when returning players are incorrectly treated as new, forcing them into a grind that they shouldn’t have to endure.
The Bug and Its Workaround
The server-side issue, the one that mistakenly labels returning players as new, is the core of the problem. This bug leads to players, who have enjoyed countless hours as their favorite characters, having to re-earn access to them. The recommended workaround is quite simple, though not guaranteed to succeed on the first try:
- Close Overwatch 2: Completely shut down the game application.
- Relaunch the Game: Open Overwatch 2 again and log back into your account.
This relogging process often forces the game to re-sync with the server, correctly identifying your account status and restoring access to your hero roster. However, if this does not work initially, the official advice from Blizzard is to continue restarting the game until the issue is resolved. There isn’t a guaranteed fix, but persistent restarting is generally how players get access back.
New Heroes and Battle Pass
The introduction of new heroes like Kiriko and Ramattra further complicate the hero unlocking system, particularly when combined with the battle pass.
- Kiriko: Was initially obtainable by reaching tier 55 on the Battle Pass. Players who purchased the premium battle pass had immediate access to Kiriko. However, new players can still unlock her by completing seven challenges focusing on winning games with support heroes and mastering Kiriko’s abilities in the practice range.
- Ramattra: Can also be unlocked via the Battle Pass, but at a slightly lower threshold of tier 45. Again, the premium pass option unlocks him instantly.
- General Information: For new players, characters are not only earned by matches but they can be purchased using Overwatch Coins. The currency can be earned through weekly challenges, but it’s a limited amount. This means that the only fast way to acquire characters is by paying for the battle pass or through purchasing the characters directly.
This system means new players have to either grind through the battle pass or pay for instant access.
Other Factors Contributing to Hero Locks
Apart from the primary server-side bug, there are a few other scenarios that may cause heroes to be temporarily unavailable:
- Temporary Disablement: On rare occasions, Blizzard might temporarily disable a hero due to a game-breaking bug. For example, Sigma was temporarily removed from ranked play due to a bug allowing him to fly infinitely. Similarly, Bastion and Torbjörn were temporarily removed due to bugs with their abilities. These instances are usually temporary and the characters return to the game once the issues are resolved.
- Incorrect Account Linking: Ensure that your Battle.net account is correctly linked to your platform. Discrepancies in account linkage can also lead to incorrect game status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why am I experiencing the “new player experience” in Overwatch 2 even though I owned Overwatch 1?
This is a bug related to how Overwatch 2 tracks player progression across servers. The game sometimes fails to recognize that an account previously owned Overwatch 1.
2. How do I fix locked characters in Overwatch 2 if relogging doesn’t work?
Continue to close and relaunch the game multiple times. Persistent restarting has proven to be effective for many players.
3. How long does it take to unlock all the heroes in Overwatch 2 for a new player?
It can take approximately 150 matches to unlock the entire hero roster. Certain heroes like Zenyatta and Roadhog are unlocked earlier.
4. Do Overwatch 1 owners get all the Overwatch 2 heroes for free?
Yes, players who owned the original Overwatch should get access to all the old heroes, plus Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko through the Founder’s Pack.
5. Is Kiriko free for Overwatch 1 owners?
Yes, Kiriko was included in the Founder’s Pack for players who owned the original Overwatch.
6. Is Kiriko still locked?
For new players, Kiriko is primarily unlocked via the Battle Pass at level 55 (or immediately with the premium pass) or by completing special in-game challenges.
7. Why is Sigma locked in ranked?
Sigma was temporarily disabled in ranked due to a game-breaking bug that allowed him to fly infinitely.
8. Why was Bastion removed from the Hero Gallery?
Bastion and Torbjörn were temporarily removed due to bugs in their ability kits. They were returned to the game after the bugs were resolved.
9. Can I still play the original Overwatch?
No, the original Overwatch is no longer playable. It was replaced by Overwatch 2.
10. Is Zenyatta a male or female?
Zenyatta identifies as a male. Male pronouns are used in his lore.
11. Why is Zenyatta considered strong?
Zenyatta’s strength comes from his high killing power. His Orb of Destruction and Orb of Discord can significantly damage enemies, including tanks.
12. Is Zenyatta hard to play?
Yes, Zenyatta is considered difficult to play due to his low mobility and lack of defensive tools, making him a vulnerable target.
13. How do I unlock Kiriko as a new player?
New players can unlock Kiriko by either reaching level 55 in the Battle Pass, buying the premium pass for instant access, or by completing a set of seven in-game challenges.
14. Do I need to buy Ramattra?
Ramattra is not automatically included. He can be unlocked by reaching tier 45 in the battle pass, by purchasing the premium pass, or by purchasing him with in-game currency.
15. Are all heroes now locked in Overwatch 2 for new players?
Yes, all heroes are initially locked for new players. They are unlocked by playing the game and through progression.