The Overwatch Highlight has come to an finish, revealing a groundbreaking overhaul with 5 new launch heroes, a yr filled with story content material, a Howdy Kitty collaboration, and sure, a title change.
Overwatch is formally dropping the “2” because it strikes ahead with a yearlong storyline known as The Reign of Talon, and all of it begins in only one week. As an alternative of the Season 21 drop many had anticipated, February 10 will begin over with Season 1, a revamped UI, and 5 heroes: Domina, Emre, Mizuki, Anran, and Jetpack Cat. One new hero will launch every subsequent Season as Blizzard ditches its earlier tempo, leading to a complete of 5 further playable characters by the point Season 6 rounds out the yr.
The Reign of Talon marks a return to what Overwatch gamers believed long-forgotten story content material, because the builders promise new in-game occasions, cinematics and hero trailers, stay map and visible updates, a treasure trove of loot containers, and far, way more. Whereas Overwatch 2 promised to ship content material however was unable to observe via, the subsequent chapter is simply days away from launch. You’ll be able to examine each final element proven through the Overwatch Highlight 2026 presentation beneath.
Sure, Overwatch Is Dropping the two
Outdated title, new period. Welcome again “Overwatch” ✨ #OWSpotlight2026 pic.twitter.com/Chte98RxhR
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026
The Overwatch crew caught a number of flak when Overwatch 2 launched a number of years in the past and didn’t ship on lots of its guarantees. It looks like Blizzard needs to win again followers with subsequent week’s replace, because it has determined to show again the clock and take away the two, leaving solely the title is began with again in 2016: Overwatch. It means a whole UI refresh, a ton of recent playable characters, and a lot extra because the once-troubled hero shooter takes on a brand new chapter.
Blizzard Begins the Present With the First Correct Overwatch Cinematic in Years
Season 20 character Vendetta was the main focus for the start of at the moment’s present in what’s the first correct Overwatch cinematic in years. The video sees her take down Doomfist in entrance of Reaper, Sombra, Moira, and extra as she ushers in a brand new period for Overwatch – and Talon.
The Reign of Talon Is Right here
As teased by a shock replace final week, Overwatch is launching into a brand new annual story occasion known as The Reign of Talon. The narrative arc will unfold all through 2026, starting with Season 1 on February 10. Director Aaron Keller says the narrative will characteristic comics, animated Hero trailers, and extra, with all the things totally built-in in-game. Then, because the story reaches its finish later this yr, a brand new Season 1 will start a brand new chapter in 2027.
A whopping 10 Heroes will launch between now and the top of the yr, promising to make Overwatch in 2026 the hero shooter’s largest yr but. A part of these evil-themed festivities will see gamers incomes new Talon and Overwatch cosmetics, with Season 1 introducing a meta occasion that rewards gamers as they be part of both (or each) of the factions.
Meet Your New Overwatch Launch Heroes
As Blizzard kicks off a brand new chapter for Overwatch, it is giving gamers an unprecendented 5 new playable character to regulate – and so they launch subsequent week. Beginning with Season 1 on February 10, gamers may have entry to the next three Talon members and two Overwatch Heroes:
- Domina (Talon/Tank)
- Emre (Talon/Injury)
- Mizuki (Talon/Assist)
- Anran (Overwatch/Injury)
- Jetpack Cat (Overwatch/Assist)
Domina is the primary new character we get to satisfy, and he or she’s additionally the primary Poke Tank since Sigma. Utilizing medium-range beams and talents that recharge shields, she’ll be an enormous profit to any crew and one of many extra highly effective members of Talon.
Emre, the long-rumored former Overwatch member, is formally with Talon. Blizzard describes him as a fast-paced hero-turned-villain with an Final that transforms him right into a residing weapon.
Talon is taking up every main position in Season 1, with Mizuki arriving because the villainous group’s Assist rep. This member of the Hashimoto clan is described as a “indifferent and hardened” character with a therapeutic aura passive, a sequence capacity known as the Therapeutic Kasa, and an Final capacity, Kekkai Sanctuary, that protects and aids allies.
Anran joins Overwatch to crew up together with her water-bending brother, Wuyang, however as an alternative of swift currents, she brings fireplace know-how to behave as every crew’s murderer. Her ranged assaults will pair together with her fast motion talents as gamers be taught to make the most of an Final capacity that may both take down teams of enemies or supply a second likelihood in a pinch. She joins through Hero Trial beginning February 5.
Lastly, after years of teasing, Blizzard is including one of the vital extremely requested Heroes in Overwatch historical past: Jetpack Cat. Practically a decade of ready has lastly introduced the always-flying feline to the sport as a Assist character with tether talents for crowd management and an lovable aura. The crew stopped in need of spilling simply how she ties into the lore, nevertheless it feels like Jetpack Cat has already curled up subsequent to everybody’s favourite shield-wielding Assist, Brigitte.
5 of 2026’s 10 new Heroes are out in only one week. The opposite 5 will launch all through the remainder of the yr, with Blizzard persevering with to shake issues up by promising to launch one new playable character each Season.
Overwatch Season 1 Options Valentine’s Day and Wet Day Skins
The Overwatch Highlight featured a short take a look at among the new Valentine’s Day skins and Wet Day outfits coming in Season 1. Together with faction skins for Talon and Overwatch faithfuls, the loot field pool is getting a refresh to incorporate the final six seasons of non-collab and non-Mythic cosmetics, and gamers can quickly hunt down new eSports loot containers to gather.
A few of Your Favourite Overwatch Heroes are Getting Mythic Skins and Mythic Weapons in 2026
Get your first take a look at Season 1’s suite of recent Mythics!
🪽 Mythic Celestial Guardian Mercy Hero Pores and skin
👽 Mythic Star Shooter Juno Weapon Pores and skin
💖 Mythic Mei Hero Pores and skin#OWSpotlight2026 pic.twitter.com/FCNXUpJboM— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026
Blizzard has stored from releasing new Mythic skins for Heroes who might have already acquired them previously, however that each one adjustments subsequent week. Overwatch Season 1 introduces a second Mythic Pores and skin for Mercy known as Celestial Guardian, with Juno getting her Mythic weapon within the type of Star Shooter.
Icy DPS Hero Mei will then get her first Mythic pores and skin with a mid-season patch, with the builders exhibiting off a sneak peek because of some newly revealed idea artwork. Different Mythic plans for the longer term embody skins for Soldier: 76, Illari, and Mauga, with weapons deliberate for Genji, Hanzo, and Sojourn.
Howdy Kitty Involves Overwatch
Overwatch 2 took a break from collabs for the previous few seasons, however crossover skins are lastly coming again with a cute new set with a Howdy Kitty theme. Among the cosmetics featured in at the moment’s trailer confirmed off new appears to be like for Lucio, Juno, Mercy, Kiriko, Widowmaker, and D.Va.
Overwatch Is Getting a Correct Nintendo Swap 2 Replace
Overwatch got here to Nintendo Swap in 2019 however technical points have stored it from being a strong platform alternative for followers. That will change in Season 2 when Overwatch will get its Nintendo Swap 2 improve when Season 2 ultimately launches.
Publish-Match Accolades, Hero Reworks, and Extra are on the Means
A brand new period for Overwatch begins ✨
🦸 5 New Heroes & Extra to Come
⚔️ Conquest Meta Occasion
🎂 Overwatch’s 10 Yr Anniversary
💪 New Hero Sub-Function PassivesReign of Talon – Season 1: Conquest begins Feb 10 🗓️
Be taught extra: https://t.co/zZxf5oSs1B pic.twitter.com/Gy1xxxC5L1
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026
Overwatch is altering eternally when it turns the web page to a brand new chapter subsequent week, nevertheless it doesn’t cease there. In future seasons, Blizzard is making extra changes and including extra content material. One of many additions teased throughout at the moment’s Highlight occasion embody a post-match accolades replace that brings a revamped model of the playing cards that authentic Overwatch gamers might bear in mind.
As an alternative of participant playing cards, although, followers will see their crew’s Hero fashions alongside stats that spotlight efficiency with extra element. You’ll additionally quickly have the ability to congratulate teammates with extra enthusiasm than ever because of a “Reward” characteristic on the communication wheel. Hero reworks and new maps, in addition to updates for map voting, Hero bans, drives, and extra, are additionally deliberate to reach via the yr.
Michael Cripe is a contract author with IGN. He is finest recognized for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure you give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
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