Overwatch 2: Characters - how to unlock? Overwatch 2 guide, tips
This Overwatch 2 guide page tells you how all characters can be unlocked by both new and old players.
Last update: 20 October 2022
On this page of the Overwatch 2 guide, you can learn how to unlock all the characters available in the game. We have described the options for new and veteran players. You will also learn about the starting characters.
- Characters available from the beginning
- Unlocking characters as new player
- Unlocking characters as veteran player
Characters available from the beginning
In Overwatch 2 , some characters are available to both old and new players right from the start. There are 13 of them. Thanks to them, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the basic mechanics of the game. These are:
- Damage - Pharah, Tracer, Torbjorn, Widowmaker, Reaper, Soldier 76;
- Tank - Orisa, Reinhardt, Winston, Zarya;
- Support - Lucio, Mercy, Moira.
You will unlock the rest of the characters over time; the more matches you play, the more heroes you will be able to choose from.
Unlocking characters as new player
New players who haven't played the first Overwatch will have to play a certain number of matches to unlock a given hero. For some characters, it is enough to log in on a given date or achieve a specific battle pass tier.
Character | How to unlock? |
Genji | Play 1 match |
D.Va | Play 2 matches |
Cassidy | Play 3 matches |
Ana | Play 4 matches |
Hanzo | Play 9 matches |
Junkrat | Play 12 matches |
Roadhog | Play 15 matches |
Symmetra | Play 20 matches |
Zenyatta | Play 25 matches |
Bastion | Play 30 matches |
Sigma | Play 40 matches |
Ashe | Play 50 matches |
Brigitte | Play 60 matches |
Mei | Play 70 matches |
Doomfist | Play 85 matches |
Baptiste | Play 100 matches |
Sombra | Play 115 matches |
Wrecking Ball | Play 130 matches |
Echo | Play 150 matches |
Sojourn | Log in during Season 1 |
Junker Queen | Log in during Season 1 |
Kiriko | Buy the Battle Pass or reach tier 55 of the Pass |
Also, don't worry about not getting new characters like Sojourn, Junker Queen or Kiriko if you don't meet the time requirements. It has been confirmed by Blizzard that these characters will be unlockable by completing special tasks in the game. In addition, you will be able to purchase characters for coins in the near future.
Unlocking characters as veteran player
Veterans of the first Overwatch have it easier. To unlock all characters, all you need to do is link your old Battle.net account. This process may take from a few minutes to several hours (depending on how big the queue is), but thanks to it, you will also get your cosmetic items and settings from the first game.
If you don't know how to link your old account to the new Overwatch, check out: Account Linking - how to do?.