Overwatch 2 Season 10 Update: All Heroes To Now Be Free Again

This transition to free heroes signifies a return to Overwatch 1's original format, where heroes were readily accessible without any additional requirements or purchases.

In a significant change for Overwatch 2, heroes will no longer require unlocking through Battle Passes or purchases, easing the grind for players in the now free-to-play team FPS. Beginning with Season 10, players will have access to unlock all current and future heroes for free, including Venture, the upcoming addition to Overwatch’s roster in the next season. Newcomers to the game will still need to go through the initial user experience. Game director Aaron Keller elaborates on this in the latest Developer’s Update video, explaining that new players must first unlock heroes from the original Overwatch roster before gaining access to all Overwatch 2 heroes.

This shift to free heroes marks a return to the game's original format, where heroes were automatically available in Overwatch 1. Blizzard initially chose to gate heroes behind paywalls before the game's 2022 transition to free-to-play as a means of monetisation.

In Season 10, players who opt out of purchasing the battle pass will find that Blizzard has increased the number of coins available in the free track from 540 to 600 coins, providing more opportunities for earning rewards without additional investment.

What Else Does This Update Packs

Moreover, the upcoming update introduces a novel feature called the Mythic Shop, serving as a central hub for players to acquire, enhance, and unlock premium skins for their heroes, complete with customisations. With this update, players can now obtain Mythic skins without having to unlock every colour or model variation. Additionally, the shop will include all previous Mythic Skins dating back to Season 7, offering a wide range of options for players to customise their gameplay experience.

Looking ahead, Blizzard has announced plans to unveil two new maps coinciding with the release of Overwatch 2’s Clash mode later this year. Season 11 will introduce a new Push map set in Peru, exploring the world of Illari and the Inti Warriors, alongside a reimagined Colosseo push map, enhancing the game's diverse environments and gameplay possibilities.