How to unlock heroes in Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 was released on Oct. 4 and ushered in a “new era” for the famed franchise, equipped with new heroes, maps, game modes, gameplay updates, and a system of content delivery. The franchise has shifted to the seasonal content and battle pass system, which includes new heroes that are unlockable through buying the premium pass or unlocking them through the free track.

Season one, which started on release day, featured the release of three new heroes: Sojourn (DPS), Junker Queen (tank), and Kiriko (support). Season two, beginning Dec. 6, is set to introduce another new tank hero, and there will be new heroes introduced in future seasons as well.

But how will players get their hands on the new heroes in Overwatch 2?

How to unlock new heroes in Overwatch 2‘s battle pass

After some leaked information about the upcoming battle pass system appeared online ahead of launch, Overwatch commercial lead and VP at Blizzard Jon Spector confirmed via a Twitter post “that new Overwatch 2 heroes will be available on the free track of the Battle Pass.” Players now know that new heroes are either unlocked instantly with the purchase of the premium battle pass or unlocked at tier 55 in the free track.

But what happens when the season is over and the hero is missed out on?

In a reply, Spector also confirmed that if players don’t reach that specific tier in the battle pass needed to unlock a new hero, there will be “free paths to get new heroes in future seasons too.” Spector’s comments were made after leaks showcasing a supposed new support hero, Kiriko, also showed that players who purchase the premium battle pass for season one will receive automatic access to said new hero, as part of “80 tiers” of rewards.

It is unclear exactly how heroes will be unlocked, but players will be able to unlock them through specific hero challenges. Players are assuming that the Heroes tab of the Challenge menu is where these challenges will go, but more information about how to unlock past battle pass heroes will be made available prior to season two.

More information about the Overwatch 2 battle pass system, and access to new heroes, can be found by visiting the Overwatch 2 website.