Blizzard Entertainment is officially closing the book on Overwatch 2. Starting this February, the free-to-play shooter will simply be known as Overwatch, marking what the studio is calling a “bold new chapter” for the franchise one defined by a year-long narrative arc, a massive influx of heroes, sweeping systemic changes, and a new platform debut on Nintendo Switch 2.

The rebrand begins with Season 1 on February 10, 2026, which launches alongside the opening act of Blizzard’s first-ever fully connected annual storyline, The Reign of Talon. Five new heroes will be playable at launch, with five more rolling out across the rest of 2026. Blizzard has also confirmed that Overwatch will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 in Spring 2026, with the platform debut tied to Season 2.

A Franchise Reset, Not Just a Name Change

Blizzard says the decision to drop the “2” reflects a broader shift in how the team views Overwatch’s future.

“Overwatch is more than just a digit: it’s a living universe that keeps growing, keeps surprising, and keeps bringing players together from around the world,” Blizzard said in a press release. “This year marks a huge turning point… so we are officially dropping ‘2’ and moving forward as Overwatch.”

That turning point is The Reign of Talon, a narrative arc that runs from Season 1 through Season 6 and threads story developments through every part of the game heroes, maps, events, cosmetics, and even UI changes.

The Reign of Talon Begins February 10

The new storyline positions Talon as a rising global power under the leadership of Vendetta, with Overwatch struggling to contain its influence. Blizzard describes the arc as a live, evolving narrative that will play out through:

• In-game events
• Cinematics and hero trailers
• Short stories and comics
• Live map updates reflecting story events
• New voice lines and character interactions
• A fully integrated Narrative Viewer

The story will conclude in Season 6, with a brand-new narrative arc planned to begin in Season 1 of 2027.

Five New Heroes Launch in Season 1

Season 1 introduces an unprecedented five heroes at once, split between Talon-aligned antagonists and Overwatch loyalists.

Domina (Tank, Talon-Aligned)
A Vishkar executive specializing in battlefield control, Domina uses hard-light barriers, crowd control, and zone denial. Her ultimate, Panopticon, traps enemies in a hard-light prison before detonating.

• Primary Fire: Photon Magnum – Medium-range beam that culminates in a high-impact shot

• Barrier Array – A segmented hard-light barrier deployed in front of Domina. Each segment must be individually destroyed, creating dynamic defensive angles
• Crystal Charge – Project an explosive crystal and reactivate to detonate it
• Sonic Repulsors – Push enemies back, stunning them if they hit a wall
• Ultimate: Panopticon – Fire a hard-light projectile that imprisons enemies and detonates on expiration
• Passive: Reconstruction – Dealing damage with abilities restores shields

Emre (Damage, Talon-Aligned)
A former Overwatch agent turned Talon operative, Emre is a mobile soldier archetype built around burst damage and cybernetic enhancements. His ultimate, Override Protocol, turns him into a walking weapon platform.

• Primary Fire: Synthetic Burst Rifle – Three-round burst weapon
• Secondary Fire: Take Aim – Hold to zoom in, tightening accuracy and increasing fall off range
• Siphon Blaster – Temporarily wield a semi-auto pistol with life-stealing explosive rounds. Move faster and jump higher while wielded
• Cyber Frag – Throw a grenade that detonates shortly after bouncing
• Ultimate: Override Protocol – An override initiates, transforming you into a living weapon. Fires rapid, explosive blasts or charged mega-shots capable of wiping out teams
• Passive: Altered Vitals – Passive health regeneration activates sooner and instantly restores 30 health when activated

Mizuki (Support, Talon-Aligned)
A Hashimoto clan operative who blends healing, mobility, and battlefield disruption. Mizuki’s kit rewards aggressive support play and positional awareness.

• Primary Fire: Spirit Glaive – Throw a spinning blade that can bounce off walls, impacting enemies, and deals damage
• Healing Kasa – Throw your hat to heal an ally, bouncing to nearby allies and healing you when it returns
• Katashiro Return – Leap forward, leaving behind a paper doll. Reactivate to return and gain increased movement speed while active
• Binding Chain – Launch a tethering chain that hinders the first enemy hit
• Ultimate: Kekkai Sanctuary – Create a sanctuary that heals allies and absorbs enemy projectiles from outside the area
• Passive: Remedy Aura – Heals nearby allies. Healing scales with a resource generated by dealing damage and healing

Anran (Damage, Overwatch-Aligned)
A high-mobility fire-based assassin with a unique dual-ultimate system. Anran will be available early through a Hero Trial running February 5–10.

• Primary Fire: Zhuque Fans – Hand fans that shoot fiery projectiles
• Secondary Fire: Fan the Flames – Hot wind blast that amplifies burning damage
• Inferno Rush – Propel yourself forward and damage enemies you impact
• Dancing Blaze – Strike nearby enemies while dodging all damage
• Ultimate (Alive): Vermillion Ascent – Charge forward, exploding on impact and instantly igniting enemies
• Ultimate (Dead): Vermillion Revival – Revive yourself in a fiery explosion
• Passive: Ignition – Hit enemies with fire attacks to burn them

Jetpack Cat (Support, Overwatch-Aligned)
One of Overwatch’s longest-teased characters finally arrives, offering permanent flight and the ability to physically transport allies across the battlefield.

• Primary Fire: Bionic Pawjectiles – Mid-range projectile spread that heals allies and damages enemies
• Lifeline – Toggle into transport mode, allowing an ally to be towed, increases movement speed, and heals your ally
• Frenetic Flight – Accelerate in your movement direction. Fuel recovery is slower while carrying another player
• Purr – Pulsing area heal that increases in frequency over time. Knockback nearby enemies when activated
• Ultimate: Catnapper – Dive towards a ground location, knocking down enemies and tethering the nearest one to you
• Passive: Jetpack – Permanent flight

Blizzard has confirmed one new hero per season from Season 2 through Season 6, bringing the total to ten new heroes in 2026.

Role Sub-Roles and Passive Overhauls

Alongside new heroes, Blizzard is introducing role sub-roles with unique passive bonuses. Tanks, Damage heroes, and Supports are now further divided into categories like Bruisers, Flankers, Sharpshooters, Medics, and Survivors, each with tailored gameplay bonuses designed to deepen team composition strategy.

Tank

Bruiser: Reduces critical damage received. While at critical health, gain movement speed

• Roadhog, Zarya, Orisa, Mauga

Initiator: Staying airborne lightly heals you

• D.Va, Winston, Doomfist, Wrecking Ball

Stalwart: Reduces knockbacks and slows received

• Reinhardt, Sigma, Ramattra, Junker Queen, Hazard, Domina

Damage

Sharpshooter: Critical hits reduce ability cooldowns

• Hanzo, Widowmaker, Cassidy, Ashe, Sojourn

Flanker: Health packs restore more health

• Tracer, Reaper, Genji, Vendetta, Venture, Anran

Specialist: Eliminating an enemy briefly increases reload speed

• Bastion, Junkrat, Mei, Soldier 76, Symmetra, Torbjorn, Emre

Recon: Detect enemies below half health through walls after damaging them

• Pharah, Sombra, Echo, Freja

Support

Tactician: Gain excess ultimate charge that carries over after using your ultimate

• Lucio, Zenyatta, Ana, Baptiste, Jetpack Cat

Medic: Healing allies with your weapon also heals you

• Mercy, Moira, Kiriko, Lifeweaver

Survivor: Using a movement ability activates passive health regeneration

• Brigitte, Illari, Juno, Wuyang, Mizuki

Conquest: A Five-Week Faction War

Season 1 also introduces Conquest, a limited-time meta event where players align with either Overwatch or Talon over five weeks. Participation unlocks a massive slate of rewards, including dozens of loot boxes, faction-themed cosmetics, titles, weapon charms, and a choice between two Legendary Echo skins.

Competitive, UI, and Stadium Changes

Blizzard is rolling out one of the largest UI and UX overhauls in the franchise’s history, featuring faster navigation, a redesigned hero gallery, a new notification hub, and a 3D hero lobby launching in Season 1.

Competitive play is also seeing meaningful updates, including new weapon skins, rarity-based competitive titles, and Challenger Tier integration with FaceIt tournament invites.

Meanwhile, Stadium mode is getting smarter build recommendations, redesigned icons, and expanded hero support including Vendetta joining the lineup.

Cosmetics, Mythics, and Hello Kitty

Cosmetics remain a major pillar in 2026, with new faction-themed skins, refreshed loot boxes, and multiple Mythic skins planned throughout the year. Season 1 Mythics include Mercy and Juno at launch, with Mei receiving her first Mythic mid-season.

From February 10 to 23, Overwatch will also host a Hello Kitty & Friends collaboration, pairing heroes like Juno, Kiriko, Mercy, and D.Va with iconic Sanrio characters.

Switch 2 Launch and What’s Next

Blizzard confirmed that Overwatch will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in Season 2, citing the new hardware’s ability to deliver a higher-quality experience than the original Switch.

Looking ahead, Blizzard has already teased two new core maps, post-match accolades, hero reworks, additional Mythic hero and weapon skins, and ongoing narrative-driven updates throughout the year.

With a stripped-back name, an ambitious story plan, and the biggest content push in the game’s history, Blizzard is betting big that Overwatch’s next era isn’t about reinvention it’s about finally realizing the universe it’s been building toward all along.