One of our most important goals with Perks was ensuring they felt true to Overwatch. We’ve all enjoyed our wacky arcade April Fools’ moments, but the core gameplay of Overwatch is sacred territory. We didn’t want Perks to completely throw off the balance or make you feel like you were suddenly playing too far away from the heroes you already know and love.
Every decision—whether it was deciding how powerful perks should be, crafting trade-offs, or ensuring balance across heroes—was made to keep the core Overwatch DNA intact. We spent a lot of time debating scenarios where “less is more,” striking the delicate balance of giving players fun perks without making things chaotic or unfair.
Take Orisa, for example. One of her perks trades her Javelin Spin for a Protective Barrier. That’s a sizable change, but it allows Orisa to hold different positions, something that can be clutch on the right map. Since taking Protective Barrier is more of a “kiss/curse” decision, Orisa’s other perk Charged Javelin allows you to keep her typical playstyle intact (with a supercharged Javelin of course). When you choose a perk, your choice should reflect the situation at hand, our goal is to make these decisions meaningful without being overwhelming.
Building Player Choice into Gameplay
With the gameplay structure set, the next challenge was making perk selection easy. Overwatch is fast—blink, and you might miss your front-line Winston jumping right into the fight. Asking players to make meaningful mid-match decisions had to be intuitive, not stressful.
Standard Selection: Hold down Alt (or up on the D-Pad for console), then use Left/Right click (or bumpers) to select.
Quick Selection (for the “don’t slow me down” squad): A one-button press to instantly pick your perks.
Muscle memory and familiarity will build over time, but these options ensure you won’t feel overwhelmed in those clutch, intense moments.
Developer Favorites
To get you started, here are some of our favorite Perks from playtesting:
Winston’s Chain Lightning lets him charge up Secondary Fire to zap multiple enemies near his target. It’s not just useful, it’s pure chaotic fun.
We brought back Hanzo’s Scatter Arrows, giving you clever shot opportunities. Watch out for some wild multi-kills—you’ll want to clip those plays for sure.
Baptiste’s Shoulder Turret? Yes, it’s real. When you pop Amplification Matrix, the turret comes out to add (extra) Automated Healing. It’s as cool as it sounds.
And my favorite: Ramattra’s Vengeful Vortex, enabling you to explode Ravenous Vortex in the air and send down those pesky flying enemies.
These are just a few examples of how Perks can take your hero and amplify the fantasy.
Now It’s Your Turn
Perks are more than just a mechanic—they’re a fresh way to flex your creativity, adapt your strategies, and rediscover the game you love. We can’t wait to see the builds, plays, and clips you all come up with. This is Overwatch stepping into a new chapter, but still staying true to its heart with teamwork, adaptability, and buckets of fun.
Hop into Overwatch 2, try out Perks, and tell us what you think. Who knows…the next big Perk idea could come from you. See you in game!
Season 15 of Overwatch 2 begins February 18. For more information about Overwatch 2, visit PlayOverwatch.com.
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl featuring new heroes and maps, different ways to play, and unique cosmetics! Lead the charge, ambush your enemies, or aid your allies as one of Overwatch’s 40 distinct heroes. Team up with friends, take them into battle across 25+ futuristic maps inspired by real-world locations, and master multiple unique game modes. Overwatch 2 – Season 14: Hazard Get ready for an explosive season as we introduce Hazard, the new Scottish tank hero, embodying the spirit of anarchy for the greater good. Then test your skills with a unique blend of past and present in the 6v6 Role Queue event, where teamwork and synergy shine within the 2-2-2 setup. Master the elements with an Overwatch 2 x Avatar: The Last Airbender collab event, celebrating unity, resilience, and the power within. Plus, prepare to wield the hammer of Gods as Mythic Thor Reinhardt and earn up to five Legendary skins with the Premium Battle Pass. Packed with nostalgia, customization, and radical gameplay, Season 14 has everything you need to dominate in style! The Overwatch League Token will no longer be purchasable after December 9, 2024. The OWL shop will remain open until at least December 2025, with limited inventory purchasable with players’ remaining OWL token balances.
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