Will Kiriko Be Playable? A Deep Dive into Overwatch 2’s Ninja Healer
Yes, Kiriko is absolutely playable in Overwatch 2! However, the journey to unlocking and mastering this dynamic support hero varies depending on whether you’re a returning Overwatch 1 veteran or a fresh-faced newcomer to the game. Let’s break down the specifics of how you can get your hands on Kiriko and unleash her powerful healing and ninja skills on the battlefield.
Unlocking Kiriko: A Tale of Two Player Bases
The method to acquire Kiriko differs significantly between veteran Overwatch 1 players and new players entering the Overwatch universe with the sequel. This caused some initial confusion, but let’s clarify:
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Overwatch 1 Veterans: If you owned the original Overwatch, you’re in luck! You receive Kiriko for free through the Founder’s Pack. Simply log into Overwatch 2 before the end of Season 2 to claim her. This was Blizzard’s way of rewarding loyal players and making the transition to the new game smoother.
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New Overwatch 2 Players: For those new to the franchise, unlocking Kiriko involves progressing through the Battle Pass. There are two routes available:
- Premium Battle Pass: Purchasing the premium Season 1 Battle Pass grants instant access to Kiriko. This option provides immediate gratification and a host of other cosmetic rewards.
- Free Battle Pass: If you prefer a free-to-play approach, you can unlock Kiriko by reaching Tier 55 of the Season 1 Battle Pass. This requires dedicated playtime and completion of challenges to earn experience points and advance through the tiers.
Beyond Season 1: Securing Kiriko in Later Seasons
Don’t worry if you missed your chance to unlock Kiriko during Season 1. Blizzard has confirmed that she will be available in subsequent seasons through challenges. In Season 2 and beyond, there will be a specific Challenge available that, upon completion, will grant you access to Kiriko. This ensures that all players, regardless of when they start playing, have the opportunity to add this powerful support hero to their roster.
Mastering Kiriko: From Novice to Ninja
Once you’ve unlocked Kiriko, the real fun begins! She’s a highly versatile hero with a unique blend of healing, damage, and mobility. Her abilities include:
- Healing Ofuda: Kiriko throws talismans that seek out and heal allies. These provide consistent healing, especially effective at medium range. They heal for approximately 55 health per second individually, but if Kiriko lands all of her talismans, heals can reach an impressive 72 health per second.
- Kunai: Kiriko’s primary weapon, throwing precise kunai that deal increased critical damage. This allows her to contribute to damage output and potentially eliminate vulnerable enemies.
- Protection Suzu: A powerful grenade that cleanses allies of negative status effects (like anti-heal) and provides temporary invulnerability. This ability is crucial for countering enemy ultimates and protecting teammates from crowd control. Season 6 introduced a change where it heals for less over time, but provides a burst of healing when removing negative effects.
- Swift Step: Kiriko teleports directly to an ally, even through walls. This provides excellent mobility and allows her to quickly reposition herself to support her team.
- Kitsune Rush (Ultimate): Kiriko summons a fox spirit that charges forward, creating a path that grants allies increased movement speed, attack speed, and reload speed. This ultimate is a powerful offensive tool that can turn the tide of battle.
The Importance of Practice and Strategy
To truly excel with Kiriko, practice is key. Spend time in the Practice Range to master her Kunai accuracy and learn the timing of her Healing Ofuda. Experiment with different team compositions and strategies to discover her optimal playstyle. Whether you prefer a more aggressive approach, utilizing her Kunai to secure eliminations, or a more supportive role, focusing on healing and cleansing, Kiriko offers a flexible toolkit to adapt to various situations. The Games Learning Society has articles that can help you hone your skills. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kiriko
Here are some of the most common questions surrounding Kiriko and her availability in Overwatch 2:
1. Why was Kiriko initially locked out of Competitive Play?
Blizzard implemented a two-week lockout for Kiriko in Competitive Play following the Overwatch 2 launch to allow players time to familiarize themselves with her abilities and to assess her balance within the game.
2. Is Kiriko free for all Overwatch 2 players?
No, Kiriko is not automatically free for all players. She is free for those who owned the original Overwatch via the Founder’s Pack. New players must unlock her through the Battle Pass (either the premium or free track) or through specific challenges in later seasons.
3. Can I still unlock Kiriko if I start playing after Season 1?
Yes! Blizzard has confirmed that there will be opportunities to unlock Kiriko through challenges in subsequent seasons, ensuring that all players eventually have access to her.
4. How old is Kiriko in Overwatch lore?
Kiriko is 21 years old. This has raised some eyebrows among fans, given the established ages of Genji (37) and Hanzo (40), with whom she has lore connections.
5. Is Kiriko a boy or a girl?
Kiriko is a female character in Overwatch 2. Her backstory identifies her as the Miko of the Kanezaka shrine and daughter of the Shimada’s former swordmaster.
6. What is Kiriko’s role in Overwatch 2?
Kiriko is a support hero whose primary role is to empower her allies through healing, shielding, damage boosting, and disabling foes.
7. What happens if I didn’t get Kiriko during Season 1?
If you missed unlocking Kiriko in Season 1, you can unlock her through a specific Challenge starting in Overwatch 2 Season 2.
8. Why is Kiriko locked in Ranked mode sometimes?
New heroes are often temporarily locked out of ranked mode after their release to allow for balancing and player familiarization. Check for updates on the current Competitive Play hero roster.
9. How much does Kiriko heal with her Healing Ofuda?
Kiriko heals for around 55 health per second with her Healing Ofuda. This can increase to 72 health per second if all talismans land successfully.
10. Is Kiriko a main healer or an off-healer?
Kiriko’s versatility allows her to function as both a main healer and an off-healer. Her high healing output makes her capable of sustaining a team, while her Protection Suzu and Kitsune Rush provide valuable utility and support.
11. Is Kiriko based on a real-life person or cultural figure?
While not directly based on a single individual, Kiriko’s character draws inspiration from Japanese mythology, specifically the concept of a Miko (shrine maiden) and ninja traditions.
12. What does Kiriko’s Protection Suzu do?
Kiriko’s Protection Suzu cleanses allies of negative status effects and provides a brief period of invulnerability. Season 6 introduced a change where it heals for less over time, but provides a burst of healing when removing negative effects.
13. Can Kiriko heal through walls?
No, Kiriko cannot heal through walls with her Healing Ofuda. However, she can use Swift Step to teleport through walls directly to an ally and then heal them.
14. How do I counter Kiriko in Overwatch 2?
Countering Kiriko requires focusing her down while she is isolated or baiting out her Protection Suzu before engaging. Heroes with strong burst damage or those who can disrupt her healing output are effective counters.
15. What are some tips for playing Kiriko effectively?
Some tips for playing Kiriko effectively include: prioritizing healing for teammates in critical condition, using Swift Step to reposition yourself strategically, utilizing Kunai to secure eliminations on low-health targets, and coordinating Kitsune Rush with your team for maximum impact. Learning the Games Learning Society’s guide to Support characters can help you master Kiriko and other Overwatch 2 heroes!
Conclusion
Kiriko is a dynamic and impactful addition to the Overwatch 2 roster. While unlocking her may require some effort for new players, the rewards are well worth it. With her unique blend of healing, damage, and mobility, Kiriko offers a refreshing and engaging gameplay experience. So, dive in, master her abilities, and unleash your inner ninja healer!