Why Did Overwatch 2 Remove My Skins?
It’s a question that has plagued many Overwatch veterans and new players alike: “Where did all my skins go?” The short answer is, Overwatch 2 likely hasn’t removed your skins. The vast majority of cosmetics from the original Overwatch should have carried over to the sequel. However, there are specific situations and nuances that might lead you to believe your skins are missing. The most common reasons for this perceived disappearance are related to account merging, limited availability, or technical issues. Let’s explore these in detail.
Account Merging and the Battle.net Connection
The most crucial aspect of transferring your cosmetics is the Battle.net account. Overwatch 2 requires you to link your game progress through a Battle.net ID. This means if you previously played on a console, you had to merge your console accounts with your Battle.net account to have all your hard-earned cosmetics—including skins, player icons, sprays, highlight intros, and emotes— available in Overwatch 2.
If you haven’t completed this account merge correctly, or if you’re logged into a different Battle.net account than the one connected to your previous game data, you’ll likely find that your items appear to be missing. Double-check you’re logged into the correct Battle.net account and that all your platform accounts are properly merged to that specific Battle.net ID. This is the first step in recovering your lost cosmetics. Failure to correctly merge can lead to a perceived loss of your inventory.
The Case of the Missing Rare Skins
While your general collection should transfer, there are specific exceptions regarding rare and limited-time skins. Certain highly coveted skins like Pink Mercy, Zarya Alien, and BlizzCon skins have been removed from availability. This removal is due to a combination of factors including controversy, exclusivity, or limited-time availability. These skins were not deleted from existing accounts but are simply no longer obtainable in the game through any means.
This has caused some confusion, as players might recall owning a skin that is no longer listed in the game shop or the hero gallery, leading them to falsely believe their accounts are missing items. It’s important to note that if you did previously possess these limited-time skins, they should still be on your account unless you have not properly merged or are looking at the wrong account.
Technical Glitches and Bug Fixes
Occasionally, technical glitches can also lead to the temporary disappearance of in-game items. As Overwatch 2 is a live service game, new patches and updates are regularly released, and sometimes these can introduce temporary bugs. One recent example is the removal of an old Sojourn skin, Cyber Detective, because it caused players to turn invisible in matches. This skin was pulled to address the problem, demonstrating that while it appears a skin has been removed, it may in fact be temporarily unavailable while the development team corrects issues. These issues are generally corrected quickly in hotfixes, so the missing items generally return after a game update.
The Switch to Direct Purchases
In the original Overwatch, players could earn many skins through loot boxes or game currency drops. However, with the switch to Overwatch 2’s free-to-play model, loot boxes are gone, and most skins are now obtained through direct purchases using real money or earnable in-game currency. This change can make it feel like skins have gone missing, because, instead of being tied to random loot, they are part of a direct purchase catalog. The good news is that any skins you earned in the original Overwatch were not removed due to this change. All previously obtained epic and legendary skins from Overwatch 1 are available in the Hero Gallery to unlock using game currency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Missing Skins
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about missing skins in Overwatch 2, designed to provide even more detail and clarity on this subject.
1. How do I get my skins back in Overwatch 2?
Ensure you’ve merged your console accounts with your Battle.net ID account. If you’re still missing items after merging correctly, contact Blizzard’s customer support with proof of purchase or previous ownership. All cosmetic items should transfer to a merged battle.net account.
2. Does Overwatch 2 take away your skins?
No, Overwatch 2 does not inherently take away your skins. Most skins and other cosmetic items from the original Overwatch will carry over when your accounts are merged correctly.
3. What happens if my account merge doesn’t work?
The most common reason for failing account merges is if the console account was previously merged to another Battle.net account. Console accounts can only be merged with one Battle.net account.
4. What Overwatch skins are no longer available?
Rare skins like Pink Mercy, Zarya Alien, and BlizzCon skins are no longer obtainable due to controversy, exclusivity, or limited availability. They should remain in your inventory if you previously owned them, however.
5. Can I buy old skins in Overwatch 2?
Yes, many old skins are available in the Hero Gallery and can be purchased with in-game currency earned by playing. Epic and Legendary skins from Overwatch 1 are permanently available to unlock this way.
6. Do I have to pay for skins now in Overwatch 2?
While many skins can be bought directly with real-money, you can also earn in-game currency and unlock a legendary skin of your choice each season just by playing normally without needing to make any purchases.
7. Why can’t I buy skins in Overwatch 2?
Several reasons could prevent you from purchasing skins: Parental controls might be active on your account, there may be regional restrictions, or you might have a pending console merge with your Battle.net account.
8. Is Oni Genji still available?
No, the Oni Genji skin is not obtainable anymore as the event where it could be earned is no longer active.
9. Is Noire Widowmaker a rare skin?
Yes, Noire Widowmaker is a rare skin. It was exclusive to players who pre-ordered the original Overwatch game and is not obtainable by any other means. Only players who have been around since day one or who purchased an account from another player have access to this skin.
10. What is the rarest Mercy skin in OW2?
The Pink Mercy skin is widely considered the rarest Mercy skin and one of the rarest skins overall in the game. It was a limited-time item used to raise money for charity.
11. How can I unlock old Overwatch skins?
Epic and Legendary skins from Overwatch 1 can be unlocked in the Hero Gallery with credits or coins. These are always available and do not need to be rotated through the shop.
12. What is the rarest skin in Overwatch 2?
The Noire Widowmaker skin is considered one of the rarest in Overwatch 2, due to its exclusivity to pre-order purchasers of the original game.
13. What happens if I leave too much in Overwatch 2?
Leaving competitive matches leads to penalties. Initial leaves result in a 15-minute suspension, which increases with each violation, potentially resulting in a season-long suspension from Competitive Play.
14. What happens after level 80 in Overwatch 2?
After level 80, players unlock Prestige Titles until level 200. After level 200, there are no further rewards for leveling up beyond XP and the satisfaction of leveling up.
15. How can I get free Overwatch League skins?
You can earn free OWL skins by watching live Overwatch League competitions on their official YouTube channel. Be sure to link your YouTube and Battle.net accounts to receive these rewards. For example, you can earn Widowmaker and D. Va skins simply by watching six to ten hours of OWL.
In conclusion, while it may initially feel like Overwatch 2 has removed your skins, most cases are due to issues with account merging, confusion about limited-time skins, technical glitches, or a lack of understanding of the new purchase system. By following the advice outlined above, and referencing these FAQs, you should be able to accurately determine what is causing your missing cosmetics. Be sure to double-check your Battle.net account and merge status before assuming any skins are permanently lost.