Overwatch 2 goes BIG this yr with updates that transcend the standard cosmetics and occasions. This, is the brand new Overwatch

Blizzard has introduced The Reign of Talon, marking the primary time Overwatch will inform an entire narrative arc throughout a whole yr. Operating from Season 1 via Season 6, this interconnected story brings 10 new heroes to the roster, with 5 arriving when Season 1 kicks off on February 10.

I feel this is without doubt one of the greatest updates in Overwatch as they’re introducing totally different main tales yearly within the Overwatch world and that the story will probably be mirrored as you play the sport: via voicelines of the characters, up to date maps (like after they replace the Halloween or Christmas themes) that evolve because the story continues, comics, trailers, and associated in-game occasions. I actually like that. Overwatch has a very wealthy story and it’s arduous when you may solely wait for brand new hero trailers to have the ability to expertise one thing new.

To kick off the Season, right here’s their newest trailer for the background story:

5 New Heroes Be a part of Season 1

Season 1 introduces Domina, Emre, Mizuki, Anran, and Jetpack Cat. Every hero performs a direct function within the unfolding narrative as Vendetta strengthens her forces. Listed below are the snippers of every new Hero:

Domina (Tank)
Vishkar Industries’ heiress and vice chairman. Her partnership with Vendetta has secured profitable redevelopment rights for Talon-controlled territories. She’s the primary true poke tank since Sigma, utilizing superior Vishkar know-how for long-range management and zone dominance. Her equipment consists of the Photon Magnum beam weapon, a segmented Barrier Array that requires destroying every part individually, an explosive Crystal Cost, and Sonic Repulsors that stun enemies in opposition to partitions. Her final skill, Panopticon, imprisons enemies in a hard-light barrier that detonates after expiration.

I’m all up for a brand new tank and I actually like enjoying the versatile Sigma, so trying ahead to attempting out Domina. Plus, I’m good with monitoring (I feel).

Emre (Injury)
A former Overwatch Strike Staff member who left when the organisation overlooked its mission. Now enhanced with cybernetic modifications that appear to trigger psychological battle, he’s aligned himself with Vendetta. His fast-paced run-and-gun model centres round a three-round Artificial Burst Rifle with zoom functionality. The Siphon Blaster offers him a brief life-stealing pistol with enhanced mobility, and his Cyber Frag grenade provides explosive harm. Throughout his Override Protocol final, Emre transforms right into a residing weapon able to speedy explosive blasts or charged mega-shots.

Appears to be like to be extra versatile and lethal than Soldier 76 however a bit extra advanced.

Mizuki (Assist)
He comes from the Hashimoto clan, a Talon-aligned organisation. Years of strain throughout the clan hierarchy have formed him right into a key participant, although questions stay about whether or not he’s actually fitted to this life. At present tasked with infiltrating the Yokai close to Kanezaka, there’s concern he could be influenced by them or drawn towards Overwatch as a substitute. His Spirit Glaive bounces off partitions and quickly damages enemies, complemented by his Therapeutic Kasa hat that bounces between allies. The Katashiro Return skill lets him leap ahead and teleport again to a paper doll marker, and his Binding Chain hinders enemy motion. His Kekkai Sanctuary final creates a therapeutic zone that absorbs incoming projectiles.

I like enjoying Assist that additionally damages on the identical time and being rewarded for it. Plus, a hard-counter for the annoying Doomfist and Wrecking Ball in recreation? Sure, please, I hate them a lot.

Anran (Injury)
Wuyang’s older sister (we knew she’d be coming when Wuyang was revealed!), harnessing hearth powers in fight. Assured and hardworking, she holds others to her personal excessive requirements and joined Overwatch to save lots of the world and maintain her brother out of bother. Her Zhuque Followers shoot fiery projectiles, amplified by her Fan the Flames skill. Inferno Rush propels her ahead whereas damaging enemies on impression, and Dancing Blaze strikes close by foes throughout a damage-dodging section. Her twin final skills embody Vermillion Ascent when alive (charging ahead in an explosive impression) and Vermillion Revival when useless (self-reviving in a fiery explosion). Anran will probably be out there early via a Hero Trial starting February 5.

I don’t usually play flanker heroes however she ought to be a worthy addition and her final is so cool too.

Jetpack Cat (Assist)
We’ve a monkey and hamster, why not cat? Discovered as a stray in Gibraltar, this feline hero brings fast reflexes and a harmful equipment to fights. Her Biotic Pawjectiles heal allies and harm enemies, and Lifeline mode lets her tow an ally for elevated motion velocity and therapeutic. Frenetic Flight gives acceleration in any course, fueled by her everlasting Jetpack passive. The Purr skill creates a pulsing space heal with growing frequency, knocking again enemies on activation. Her Catnapper final dives towards a floor location, pulling down enemies and tethering the closest one.

Appears to be like to be a Utility assist sort of hero which can convey chaos to the battlefield. Just like the contemporary change.

Function System Overhaul

Season 1 introduces sub-roles for Tanks, Injury, and Assist heroes. Tanks cut up into Bruiser (diminished crucial harm, motion velocity at low well being), Initiator (airborne therapeutic), and Stalwart (diminished knockbacks and slows). Injury heroes divide into Sharpshooter (crucial hits cut back skill cooldowns), Flanker (enhanced well being pack restoration), Specialist (elimination-based reload velocity enhance), and Recon (detect low-health enemies via partitions). Assist heroes now fall beneath Tactician (extra final cost carries over), Medic (therapeutic allies additionally heals you), and Survivor (motion skills set off well being regeneration).

Informal gamers can safely ignore this in a way (you may simply decide a hero and play, with out having to recollect what the advantage of the sub-role is) however professional gamers would reap the benefits of this for certain. Laborious to get via the sport due to all of the knockbacks and slows? simply swap to a Stalwart hero, and many others.

Conquest Meta Occasion

The five-week Conquest occasion lets gamers select between Overwatch and Talon factions. Every week brings lore-tied missions, with rewards going to the faction finishing probably the most missions efficiently. Gamers can swap allegiance after finishing their present faction move. Rewards embody 75 base lootboxes, 12 epic lootboxes, 7 legendary lootboxes, 9 new voice traces, 31 2D cosmetics, 2 weapon charms, one faction-themed legendary Echo pores and skin, and unique uncommon, epic, and legendary titles.

This sounds actually enjoyable and may make some gamers returned to the sport once more to play.

UI/UX Refresh and New Options

After 10 years, Overwatch receives a significant UI/UX refresh protecting the foyer, play playing cards, navigation, hero gallery, and social panel. A brand new Notification Hub consolidates vital updates, and Season 1 contains a 3D foyer displaying the chosen hero (increasing to point out all group members in Season 4).

New programs embody a Reward function utilizing hero voice traces for optimistic suggestions (recorded over the previous decade however by no means correctly carried out till now), and enhanced sound/music management settings for foyer environments. Put up-Match Accolades return later this yr with full 3D hero fashions and new recognition sorts together with multi-endorsements and Heroic Endorsements.

I actually miss the post-game endorsement playing cards and glad to see it making a comeback!

Aggressive 12 months and Stadium Updates

A brand new aggressive yr begins with Season 1, bringing a aggressive reset and the Crimson Wolf aggressive weapon honouring Talon’s new chief. Diamond-or-higher gamers earn a brand new Doomfist aggressive pores and skin. Aggressive titles now have rarity utilized, and High 500 gamers obtain dynamic titles for his or her finishes.

Stadium welcomes Vendetta to the lineup and adjustments Aggressive Stadium’s tempo with energy rounds operating 1/2/4/6 for sooner, best-of-seven matches. The brand new Hero Builder gives beneficial builds based mostly on worldwide participant information, providing three well-liked starter builds in spherical one and counter-recommendations in rounds 2-7.

Howdy Kitty & Associates Collaboration

From February 10-23, Overwatch groups up with Howdy Kitty & Associates for a crossover occasion bringing six themed hero skins: Juno as Howdy Kitty, Kiriko as Cinnamoroll, Mercy as Pompompurin, D.Va as My Melody, Widowmaker as Kuromi, and Lucio as Keroppi.

Season 1 additionally consists of faction-themed skins tied to The Reign of Talon narrative, plus bundles themed round wet days and Valentine’s Day. The lootbox pool refreshes with all common store skins from the final six seasons.

Two new Mythic hero skins arrive every season this yr, beginning with Mercy’s Celestial Guardian and Juno’s Star Shooter in Season 1. Mid-season provides Mei’s first Mythic, with future seasons bringing Mythics for Soldier: 76, Illari, and Mauga, plus Mythic weapon skins for Genji, Hanzo, and Sojourn.

Esports Integration

The Overwatch Champions Sequence begins this weekend with a Seoul Bootcamp earlier than Opening Weekend on March 21, culminating in World Finals in China. The Overwatch World Cup returns with regional qualifiers earlier than the principle occasion at BlizzCon in September. Gamers can earn historic Overwatch esports skins via the brand new Esports Lootbox by watching choose broadcasts. Open Qualifiers registration runs till February 20, and Overwatch Esports now integrates with High 500, awarding FaceIt occasion invites based mostly on Challenger scores.

Season 1 of The Reign of Talon begins February 10, with Anran’s Hero Trial beginning February 5. Overwatch 2026 brings extra heroes, story content material, and gameplay updates than any earlier yr within the recreation’s historical past.

Tremendous excited with Overwatch and the way forward for the sport! I can’t imagine that it’s been 10 years that I’ve been enjoying this recreation virtually each day.

Within the meantime, right here’s my newest Overwatch highlights whereas reviewing the CORSAIR SABRE v2 PRO gaming mouse: