Summary
Overwatch 2has launched its limited-time 6v6 experiment. This throwback to the original iteration ofOverwatchwill be available until early January 2025.
Ditching 6v6 matches in favor of 5v5 gameplay was one of thebiggest changes thatOverwatch 2made to its predecessor. While the move had some benefits, including shorter queues and easier support, it was also criticized for fundamentally altering the game’s team dynamics and making snowballing easier, primarily on account of cutting down on the number of tanks, thus leaving teams with fewer members who could protect others by soaking up damage. While both formats have their own strengths and weaknesses, some players have consistently been calling for 6v6 to return ever sinceOverwatch 2launched in early access in late 2022.
Following much deliberation, Blizzard decided to answer these demands bylaunching anOverwatch 26v6 teston December 17, a week following the start of Season 14. The idea behind this experiment is to combine the original structured 2-2-2 team composition from the firstOverwatchwith the updated heroes and abilities from its sequel. To that end, the developers have also rebalanced some of the heroes with the goal of having them better fit the new format. However, all such changes will only apply to the experimental 6v6 mode, which can now be found in the Unranked Menu.
The latestOverwatch 2balancing changesexclusive to the 6v6 mode include a flat increase in the base health regeneration timer from five to seven seconds for all heroes. The reasoning behind this change seems to be straightforward: with each team having an extra tank, health regeneration will become slower to balance the fact that both sets of players will now have one more ally protecting them.
Tank role passives have also been reworked, with Blizzard removing their knockback and critical damage reduction, as well as preventing them from affecting health. Moreover, Tank role passives in the new 6v6 mode will only reduce ultimate charge generated by 25%. At the same time, theOverwatch 2Damage role passivehad its healing reduction slashed from 25% to 15%, and won’t have reduced effectiveness for Tank heroes in the 6v6 mode. All the other balancing changes introduced as part of the December 17 update are character-specific.
The 6v6 experiment will be playable until Jul 24, 2025. As previously announced, the limited-time mode uses the Quick Play ruleset for map selection and gameplay. The exact chances of this format ever returning toOverwatch 2in a permanent capacity are currently unclear, but Blizzard surely wouldn’t be committing resources to it if it wasn’t at least considering such a move.
Overwatch 2 6v6 Test Update Patch Notes
6v6 Experiment – 2-2-2 Role Queue
Revisit the roots of Overwatch with the 6v6 Role Queue experiment, bringing back the structured 2-2-2 team composition for a limited time. This mode combines the thrill of the original six-player team dynamic with the strategic depth of Overwatch 2’s updated heroes and abilities. Dive in to experience a new balance of strategy, adaptability, and pure team synergy—showcasing how modern Overwatch gameplay thrives in a classic format.
Experimental Changes
To accommodate the 6v6 format, multiple heroes received balance changes that better suit their abilities in the 6v6 format. These changes are only applied for this mode and are adjusted from the most recent hero balance from the December 10 Patch.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
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. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
