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Overwatch 2 will overhaul its progression systems to show more visual flair in matches

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The next season of Overwatch 2 will bring more than the usual new hero and battle pass to the team shooter. Blizzard announced that Season 18 will introduce a new take on the progression system. As they currently stand, the progression numbers feel pretty divorced from the gameplay; this revamp introduces new ways to display your prowess to teammates and foes in matches as well as some welcome changes to how you see and equip your rewards. 

The new Progression 2.0 system has overhauled the visual side. For starters, there will be new portrait frames that increase in fanciness every 20 levels, capping at level 60. These Ascended borders will be displayed when you pick your hero for a match. Between the different Ascended frames, players will unlock five tiers of hero badges that also display in Hero Select under your portrait. 

Overwatch 2 Hero Badges

(Blizzard)

In addition to the new flash, the Hero Select screen will show your allies a card with your top heroes on it. I doubt anyone will pay too much attention to cards in the Open Queue matches, so this seems like a Competitive-angled addition. It could help make it easy to build a team composition based on the whole group’s strengths, creating a test of your crew’s cooperation ability before the game even starts. Blizzard clarified that in Competitive, opponents won’t be able to see your portrait borders until 10-15 seconds after a match begins, and hero cards won’t be displayed to an enemy until one of you eliminates each other. That means nobody should be able to use your hero card against you in the ban phase.

I’ve almost never thought about the rewards I get for progression stats because it’s unclear when I’ve gotten a new item and I rarely bother searching for them in my cosmetics collections, so having a dedicated progression menu added should place a new focus on tracking how far you’ve gotten with a particular character. The hero-specific rewards on the horizon will be displayed on that page, and already-unlocked items can be equipped directly from that menu. Blizzard is also offering occasional Epic and Legendary loot box freebies as you rise through the ranks for each hero, which is always welcome. 

The progression levels will be rewarded retroactively when the season starts. For long-time fans, that means you can expect to see a whole bunch of rewards to browse through when you first log in during Season 18. For new players, there will be more credits and cosmetics available to unlock in the first 20 levels. That first set of 20 levels will also be scaled to be quicker to complete, while later levels will require more time.

The new season kicks off tomorrow, on August 26. Season 18 will also bring a new option for keyboard and mouse controls on console and the permanent addition of watery support hero Wuyang. 



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Gaming Gear

Overwatch 2 will allow KBM on console, but you’ll be up against PC players

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Overwatch 2 console players will officially be able to use a keyboard and mouse starting with the release of Season 18. In patch notes posted ahead of the new season, the Overwatch 2 team says matchmaking pools will be tweaked slightly so players are sorted into a Mouse and Keyboard Pool and a Controller Pool. Those playing on a console using keyboard and mouse (KBM) inputs will be paired with PC players and other KBM console players, while the Controller Pool will be reserved only for console players using a controller. Season 18 arrives on August 26.

For players who switch to the Mouse and Keyboard Pool, “your internal MMR, skill ratings and ranks for all game modes will be separate from your statistics in the Controller Pool,” according to the patch notes. This group won’t have access to aim assist, as has been the case and will continue to be for PC players using a controller. KBM players will have to accept the prompt to switch to that pool in order to play, or manually switch in the Gameplay Options menu.



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Overwatch 2 season 18 patch notes
Game Reviews

Overwatch 2 season 18 patch notes

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Image via Blizzard Entertainment

|

Published: Aug 22, 2025 01:00 pm

A new playable hero is just the beginning of a large swath of changes coming to Overwatch 2 in season 18.

Balancing changes are abound when it comes to things like Perks, Stadium Items and Powers, and more. Summer Games 2025 also returns, while Junkrat’s Loot Hunt event comes back again in September to mark the occasion.

Here’s what’s coming to OW2 in the new season when it launches on Aug. 26.

Overwatch 2 patch notes – Season 18

This is a pretty hefty update for OW2, including a new hero, plus the overhaul of many of the Perks introduced a few seasons ago, while also changing up a bunch of content within Stadium mode as well.

New support Hero – Wuyang

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

After a recent hero trial, the new water-wielding hero is available for all players to begin season 18. Here’s a look at his abilities and kit:

AbilityDescriptionInputXuanwu Staff
(Primary Fire)Fire a damaging water orb. Hold to control its trajectory and empower its explosion.LMB Restorative Stream
(Alternate Fire)Place a passive healing stream on an ally. Hold on the target to manually heal at an improved rate, consuming resource.RMBGuardian WaveSend a water wave forward that increases the amount of healing received by allies and knocks back enemies.ERushing TorrentRide water to move faster and jump higher.LShiftTidal Blast
(Ultimate)Protect an ally or yourself with water that detonates after a short duration. The explosion knocks down enemies and massively heals the host target.Q

New Perks

The majority of the roster has had at least one Perk removed and replaced with a new one, making for some fun new combinations to improve upon this year’s major update for the game that came in February.

I’ve highlighted some of the most interesting new Perks below.

Tank

Screenshot by Destructoid

D.Va

  • Precision Fusion – Major Perk
    • Press Reload to reduce Fusion Cannon’s spread by 75 percent for 3 seconds.

Doomfist

  • Aftershock – Major Perk
    • Enemies hit by Seismic Slam are slowed by 30 percent for 1.5 seconds.

Hazard

  • Explosive Impalements – Major Perk
    • Bonespur hits mark targets with spikes. Quick Melee and Violent Leap’s Slash
      detonate them for 40 explosive damage.

Junker Queen

  • Rampant Change – Minor Perk
    • Gain Unstoppable and refresh all cooldowns when using Rampage.

Orisa

  • Defense Protocol – Minor Perk
    • Regenerate 100 health per second while charging Terra Surge.
  • Mobile Fortification – Minor Perk
    • While Fortify is active, Orisa has no move speed reduction and no heat generation.

Ramattra

  • Relentless Form – Minor Perk
    • While Nemesis Form is active, eliminations extend the duration by 1 second, half that during Annihilation.

Reinhardt

  • Barrier Recharge – Minor Perk
    • Distance travelled while using Charge regenerates your Barrier Field by 150 per second.
  • Ignited Fury – Major Perk
    • For each enemy you hit with Fire Strike, gain 2 seconds of 25 percent increased attack speed.

Roadhog

  • Shrapnel Launcher – Minor Perk
    • Extend the range of Scrap Gun’s secondary fire by 50% and tighten its burst spread by 25 percent.
  • Pulled Pork – Major Perk
    • Gain overhealth based on how far you pull enemies with Chain Hook, up to 250.

Sigma

  • Hyper Regeneration – Minor Perk
    • 50 percent of Hyperspheres’ damage restores Experimental Barrier’s health.

Winston

  • Barrier Toss – Minor Perk
    • Winston now throws his Barrier Projector forward when used.

Zarya

  • Energy Converter – Minor Perk
    • Hits with Particle Cannon’s secondary fire generate 3 energy.

Damage

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Ashe

  • Remote Detonator – Minor Perk
    • After using Dynamite, pressing E again causes it to detonate after a 0.5 second delay.

Bastion

  • Configuration Reload – Minor Perk
    • Refresh the cooldown of A-36 Tactical Grenade when changing configurations.

Cassidy

  • Silver Bullet – Major Perk
    • Peacekeeper’s secondary fire is replaced with a piercing shot that inflicts bleeding. Combat Roll and Deadeye reset its cooldown.

Echo

  • Focused Rush – Minor Perk
    • Focusing Beam’s range is increased by 4 meters and movement speed is increased by 10 percent when active.
  • Partial Scan – Minor Perk
    • Duplicate starts with 50 percent of its ultimate charge.

Freya

  • Hunters Instinct – Minor Perk
    • Direct hits with Take Aim reveal enemies to Freja for 3 seconds.
  • Momentum Boost – Minor Perk
    • Quick Dash distance is increased by 20 percent.
  • Aerial Recovery – Major Perk
    • After using Updraft, heal for 30 health per second until Freja touches the ground.

Genji

  • Swift Cuts – Minor Perk
    • Quick Melee reduces the cooldown of Swift Strike by 3 seconds.

Hanzo

  • Swift Lunge – Minor Perk
    • Arrow hits reduce the cooldown of Lunge by up to 1 second, based on charge.

Junkrat

  • Mine Recycling – Minor Perk
    • Killing blows with Concussion Mine restore one charge.
  • Bomb Voyage – Major Perk
    • After launching with Concussion Mine, Junkrat gains 35 percent increased attack speed for 3 seconds.

Mei

  • Skating Rink – Minor Perk
    • Allies within Blizzard gain 25 percent increased movement speed and heal for 50 health per second.
  • Glacial Propulsion – Minor Perk
    • Double jumping creates a small ice pillar that launches Mei into the air.

Pharah

  • Sky Spy – Major Perk
    • Concussive Blast reveals targets to Pharah for 3 seconds. During this, the next direct Rocket Launcher hit per target deals 30 percent extra damage.

Reaper

  • Death’s Shadow – Minor Perk
    • Shadow Step’s cast time and cooldown are 25 percent faster, but the range is reduced by 25 percent.

Sojourn

  • Deceleration Field – Minor Perk
    • Enemies hit by Disruptor Shot are slowed by 25 percent.
  • Friction Generators – Major Perk
    • While sliding, Power Slide generates up to 50 energy.

Soldier: 76

  • Tactical Salvo – Minor Perk
    • Helix Rockets cooldown is reduced by 80 percent during Tactical Visor.

Sombra

  • Adept Hacker – Major Perk
    • Hacked health packs provide up to 50 overhealth to Sombra.

Symmetra

  • Hovering Barrier – Major Perk
    • Teleporter gains the option to create a forward moving barrier instead. Pressing E again slows down the barrier’s movement.

Torbjörn

  • Hammer Time – Minor Perk
    • Move 20 percent faster while Forge Hammer is equipped.

Tracer

  • Kinetic Reload – Minor Perk
    • Melee hits grant 20 ammo.

Venture

  • Deep Burrow – Minor Perk
    • Drill Dash distance is 50 percent longer while burrowed.
  • SMART Extender – Major Perk
    • Empower SMART Excavator with E to increase its maximum projectile range by 100 percent for 4 seconds.

Widowmaker

  • Sniper’s Instinct – Minor Perk
    • Scoped shots charge 100 percent faster for 2 seconds after using Grappling Hook.
  • Seeker Mine – Major Perk
    • Venom Mine now fires poison darts at enemies within 10 meters and remains active after triggered.

Support

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Ana

  • Speed Serum – Minor Perk
    • Nano Boost grants a 40 percent movement speed boost to both Ana and her target.

Baptiste

  • Biotic Reloader – Minor Perk
    • Hitting an entire three-round burst reloads a healing projectile. Healing projectile direct hits reloads 3 primary fire ammo.

Brigitte

  • Combat Medic – Minor Perk
    • Melee attacks reduce the cooldown of Repair Pack by 0.5 seconds.
  • Inspiring Strike – Major Perk
    • Shield Bash grants 30 percent increased movement speed for 2 seconds. Inspire’s healing is instant when activated by Shield Bash.

Illari

  • Solar Flare – Major Perk
    • Press Primary Fire while using Solar Rifle’s healing beam to consume all energy, healing allies in front of Illari for up to 120 healing.

Juno

  • Lift Off – Major Perk
    • Martian Overboots can now triple jump.

Kiriko

  • Ready Step – Major Perk
    • Swift Step grants Kiriko 40 percent increased attack and reload speed for 2 seconds.

Lifeweaver

  • Petal Power – Major Perk
    • Allies gain 25 percent attack speed while standing on a raised Petal Platform.

Lúcio

  • Soundwave Rider – Minor Perk
    • Wall Riding empowers your next Soundwave, increasing its knockback by 25 percent and damage by 50 percent.

Mercy

  • Divine Momentum – Minor Perk
    • Increases Mercy’s travel speed by 15 percent after cancelling Guardian Angel.

Moira

  • Destruction’s Divide – Minor Perk
    • Coalescence can be toggled between pure healing or pure damage, with 25 percent greater effect.
  • Reversal – Major Perk
    • Reactivating Biotic Orb reverses its direction.
  • Phantom Step – Major Perk
    • Fade lasts 0.5 seconds longer and boosts jump height by 50 percent.

Zenyatta

  • Transcendant Condemnation – Minor Perk
    • While using Transcendence, apply Discord Orb to all enemies within range.

The full list of Perks, including changed and removed ones, can be found on Blizzard’s website.

Stadium changes

New changes to Stadium mode in season 18 include the addition of Quick Play, a new map type called Payload Race, three new maps (Powder Keg Mines, Thames District, Oasis Gardens), and new playable heroes in Winston, Brigitte, and Pharah, with Tracer joining later in the season.

There’s a lot of tweaks to Items and Powers, too, so check out the full patch notes for specific details.

Roadhog revamp

Image via Blizzard

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Roadhog is getting a rework again. Say goodbye to his Pig Pen throwable trap, and welcome back his classic dual-firing kit. Here’s how Roadhog is changing:

  • Scrap Gun
    • Reverted to classic Primary and Secondary Fire functionality.
  • Primary Fire
    • No longer includes a volley of 4 extra large, long-ranged projectiles.
    • Number of projectiles increased from 16 to 25.
    • Damage per pellet reduced from 6.25 to 6.
  • Secondary Fire
    • Initial volley no longer crits.
  • Pig Pen
  • Take a Breather
    • Moved from Secondary Fire to Ability 2.
    • The option to toggle on the ability is now on by default.
    • Added Ability 1, Primary Fire, and Secondary Fire as additional cancel buttons while
      toggled.
    • Minimum time before cancelable reduced from 0.8 to 0.6 seconds.

Advanced Info Panel

After a recent tease, OW2 confirmed it will add a new panel for Advanced Information regarding a multitude of facets of the game, like hero abilities.

“From precise damage numbers and healing output to cooldowns and other critical stats, every value will be laid out for you to make smarter plays and master your kits,” Blizzard said. “Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your aim in Competitive or curious about the real impact of your abilities, the Advanced Info Panel will give you the numbers you need to level up your strats and play with purpose.”

Hero Progression 2.0

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Hero Progression changes in season 18 “rebuilds the system from the ground up” and is all about cosmetics to show off your proficiency and playtime for each hero. Here’s what leveling up your individual heroes can bring, with descriptions directly from Blizzard:

  • Progression Level represents how much you play overall. Every time you level up a hero, your Progression Level also goes up.
  • Your hero and account level badges are automatically prestiged after reaching certain levels.
  • Level up your heroes to earn Ascended borders, which displays in most areas during the course of a match. Opponents will not be able to see your Ascended prestige until after the match begins.
  • As you level up, kickstart your cosmetic collection for your favorite heroes by earning Highlight Intros, Emotes, Victory Poses, Player Icons, Credits, and more.
  • Additionally, unlock evolving Name Cards and Player Titles to show off your high level heroes!
  • Progression accolades can be hidden in Streamer Mode settings.

Competitive Play – Hero Skill Rating

SR is back in OW2, but this time for individual heroes, allowing players to analyze their skill level for the different characters in the game. This is purely cosmetic, though, and does not affect matchmaking in any way, with each hero skill level set between 1 and 5,000.

There’s also a rank reset with the new season, due to the plethora of different changes alongside the update.

The full, comprehensive patch notes for season 18 can be found on the OW2 website. The new season begins on Aug. 26 at 1pm CT.

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Overwatch 2 Is Getting A Persona Crossover, And I’m Not Joking
Game Reviews

Overwatch 2 Is Getting A Persona Crossover, And I’m Not Joking

by admin


Overwatch 2’s next season is bringing a water-bending hero, some major overhauls to its build-based Stadium mode, and new Perks for every character on the roster. I’m not here to talk about all that. I’m here to talk about the collaboration I could not have fathomed that was teased at the very end of the hero shooter’s latest trailer. Blizzard and Atlus have worked out a deal to put skins based on Persona characters in the hero shooter. What a world we live in.

I do not care for the Fortnite-ification of Overwatch 2, which has become such a core part of Blizzard’s strategy these days, so even though Persona is one of my favorite video game series of all time, I’m not particularly thrilled that this collaboration is happening. That said, I am morbidly curious as to what this collaboration ends up looking like. The brief clip at the end of the trailer shows someone dressed as Joker, the main character of Persona 5, but we only see them depicted as a silhouette, so it’s unclear who is beneath the mask. Could it be Wuyang, the new support hero joining the roster this season? That doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch. Beyond the mysterious Joker skin, we don’t know if this is strictly a Persona 5 collaboration or if we’ll see skins based on characters from other games like Persona 3 and 4. Blizzard could throw a real curveball in there and have cosmetics based on characters from the often-forgotten first two games. The teaser does include what seems to be a new Play of the Game animation made to look like Joker’s All-Out Attack victory pose, so it looks like we’ll get more than just skins during the event.

Beyond turning Overwatch into Phantom Thieves, Overwatch 2’s season 18 is adding new modes and characters to Stadium, as well as allowing you to play it in Quickplay rather than just in ranked modes. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing your rank if you have a bad match or two. Stadium is already one of the biggest time sinks in Overwatch 2 and going through an entire game just to lose your rank feels bad, so this is a good alternative. In the main game, every hero is getting at least one new ability-altering Perk they can choose between over the course of a match. Some will be getting more than one new Perk, however, as Blizzard plans to rework more than 50 across all characters.

Lastly, Blizzard released a new animated trailer for Wuyang that gives us more insight into his family dynamics and also might tease that his sister, the fire-wielding Anran, may join the roster at some point down the line.

Season 18 begins on August 26.



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Overwatch 2 is getting a Persona 5 crossover event alongside brand new hero
Game Updates

Overwatch 2 is getting a Persona 5 crossover event alongside brand new hero

by admin



Overwatch 2’s eighteenth season launches next week and is bringing a Persona 5 crossover alongside a brand new hero.


The trailer for Season 18 ends with a tease of Joker from Atlus’ beloved JRPG, who will likely appear as a skin for an existing hero. No further details are known at present, but hopefully more character skins and references will make their way into Blizzard’s shooter.


The new hero joining this season is Wuyang, a Chinese “aquatic prodigy” who fights with a Xuanwu Staff and various water abilities as a support character.

Season 18: Stadium Quick Play Official Trailer | Overwatch 2Watch on YouTube


Elsewhere, the biggest additions in Season 18 include:

  • Stadium Quick Play for shorter match times, along with Winston, Brigitte and Pharah joining Stadium at season launch (and Tracer mid-season)
  • A new stadium mode called Payload Race
  • A PvP refresh and perks update, with 50 new hero-specific perks, rebalanced options for certain heroes, and a full rank reset
  • Two new Mythics: one is a character skin offering four tiers of visual upgrades, the other is a weapon skin with flaming effects
  • A brand new battle pass full of cosmetics to unlock


More details can be found on the Overwatch 2 blog.


Season 18 of Overwatch 2 launches on 26th August.

This is a news-in-brief story. This is part of our vision to bring you all the big news as part of a daily live report.



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