Is Overwatch 2 free to play?

Overwatch 2’s price tag is now known.

OW2 art work
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Overwatch is slowly approaching the start of a new era when Overwatch 2 releases on Oct. 4. With graphical updates and fundamental changes on the horizon, fans are looking forward to re-exploring an iconic series with Overwatch 2.

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In addition to abilities getting tweaked, the core gameplay of Overwatch will change since the game is transitioning to a five-vs-five setup. Though the gameplay experience looks like it’ll be a lot different in Overwatch 2, another factor to consider will be the new title’s price tag.

Related: Why Overwatch 2’s shift to 5-player teams is good for the game

How much does Overwatch 2 cost?

The base game for Overwatch 2 will be free-to-play when it launches on Oct. 4. Players who previously played the first Overwatch game will have access to all the old heroes, and the new ones in Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko via the Founder’s Pack. Previous players will also have access to all their skins and cosmetics and items after they all carry over.

New players should be able to access all the old heroes plus Junker Queen and Sojourn if they log in and play during season one. They can also earn access to Kiriko through the free track of the season one pass or by purchasing the premium season one pass.

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Both new and returning players have the option of buying the Overwatch 2: Watchpoint Pack before the game launches, giving them access to skins, in-game coins, and the season one battle pass.

How does the battle pass system work in Overwatch 2?

The battle pass system will replace the loot box system that’s been a staple of Overwatch since the original game’s release. There will be a path of rewards to be earned during a season by completing various challenges, but only players who purchase the battle pass will have access to all the rewards, including the premium ones. Each battle pass season will last approximately nine weeks, according to the developers.

Image via Blizzard

The premium battle pass for each season will cost 1,000 Overwatch coins, which is roughly $10. Players also have the option of buying the premium pass with the first 20 tiers fully unlocked for 2,200 coins. As mentioned above, Watchpoint Pack owners will immediately have the premium pass for season one instantly unlocked. The Pack also comes with 2,000 Overwatch coins, which players have the option to save for the season two and three passes when they release on Dec. 6 and sometime in 2023, respectively.

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Gökhan Çakır
Gökhan is a Staff Writer and Fortnite Lead at Dot Esports. Gökhan graduated as an industrial engineer in 2020 and has since been with Dot Esports. As a natural-born gamer, he honed his skills to a professional level in Dota 2. Upon giving up on the Aegis of Champions in 2019, Gökhan started his writing career, covering all things gaming, while his heart remains a lifetime defender of the Ancients.
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Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.
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Christian Harrison
Christian is a freelance writer of five years who's been with Dot Esports for over 15 months covering Fortnite, general gaming, and news. Some of his favorite games include Yakuza 0, The Witcher III, Kingdom Hearts 2, and Inscryption.
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Jessica Scharnagle
Jessica has been an esports and gaming journalist for just over five years. She also teaches esports journalism at Rowan University. Follow her for all things gaming, @JessScharnagle on Twitter.
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Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.
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