Recent return of extremely rare Overwatch skin could signal hope for game’s biggest collectors

Blizzard showed that they're willing to open the vault.
Image via Blizzard Entertainment

Overwatch 2 has a massive variety of hero skins, and while Blizzard has given players multiple opportunities to obtain most of the game’s cosmetics, there are a few that stand out because of their rarity.

Recommended Videos

There are more than a handful of skins from Overwatch that were only available to players one time through special in-game challenges. Though the challenges were often easy to complete simply by playing the game, if a player happened to be taking a week away from the game, they could have easily missed out on Mercy’s Dr. Ziegler skin or Ana’s Bastet skin.

But this week, Blizzard opened the door for a return of old weekly challenge cosmetics by introducing a Zenyatta skin to the shop that was previously among the rarest in the game. The Epic quality Subaquatic Zenyatta skin was originally available through a weekly Overwatch Archives challenge in April 2021.

This is the first time that Overwatch 2 has introduced a weekly challenge skin to the game’s cosmetic shop, and for many fans that may not have played when the skin was released, it may be the first time that they’ve learned the skin existed.

Even in the game’s hero gallery, challenge skins like Subaquatic Zenyatta aren’t viewable, even if a player uses filters to try to see them. Along with adding skins through mini-event challenges, Blizzard also included a few skins that could be earned through weekly challenges during larger events, like Overwatch Archives and other holiday events.

Over the years, there are numerous cosmetics that have ended up being practically hidden from players who maybe took a break from the game for a few months, but if the recent inclusion of Subaquatic Zenyatta is more than just a one-off, Blizzard just unlocked a huge vault for cosmetic completionists.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Overwatch 2 players refusing to play until Double Trouble quick play mode ends
A cast of heroes from Overwatch 2. Winston, a big monkey, sits in front.
Read Article Overwatch 2 PvE reportedly stuck in limbo after being ‘gatekept by decision-makers’
A Null Sector omnic fires its weapons.
Read Article The best counters for each Overwatch 2 hero
Splash art for Overwatch 2 showing Mei, Tracer, Reinhardt, Lucio, and Mercy jumping into action.
Related Content
Read Article Overwatch 2 players refusing to play until Double Trouble quick play mode ends
A cast of heroes from Overwatch 2. Winston, a big monkey, sits in front.
Read Article Overwatch 2 PvE reportedly stuck in limbo after being ‘gatekept by decision-makers’
A Null Sector omnic fires its weapons.
Read Article The best counters for each Overwatch 2 hero
Splash art for Overwatch 2 showing Mei, Tracer, Reinhardt, Lucio, and Mercy jumping into action.
Author
Max Miceli
Senior Staff Writer. Max graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a journalism and political science degree in 2015. He previously worked for The Esports Observer covering the streaming industry before joining Dot where he now helps with Overwatch 2 coverage.