Overwatch 2 most recently released the brand new Season 6 for players, which included the new PvE mode in Invasion.
Competitive, has been soaring as of late, and it’s all getting revamped in Season 9, and we’ve got all the news.
Here’s what we know.
Overwatch 2 Season 9 Ranked: How It Works, Ranked Play, Rewards, Skill Groups and More
Blizzard has now revealed all the changes coming with the major rank reset in Season 9, and it’s going to vastly change how the game is played. Blizzard has noted how players will have their ranks reset, and we’re going back to a ranking style we all know and love.
Here’s what they had to say.
Seeing How and Why Your Rank Changes
One piece of feedback we heard is that just knowing your rank doesn’t say anything about why your rank went up or down. Competitive Updates originally worked to provide updates that reflected your growth as a player across multiple matches, but with the goal to provide greater transparency in each individual match, we’re going back to updating your rank after every match and showing how much progress you gain or lose between each Skill Division. We’re also displaying Modifiers that affected your last match below the rank progression bar. Some modifiers help provide transparency in the matchmaking for each match, like getting a boost when you defeat a team that was more favored to win. While other modifiers show if your rank is calibrating, like going on a huge win streak, proving you belong in a higher rank. Feedback is a driving force behind these changes, and we want to hear your thoughts on Competitive Play now that you’ll have more context for each game.
Bring a Fresh Start with Placement Matches and Rank Resets
With both the changes to Competitive Play and the broader changes to gameplay starting this season, we feel this is a perfect opportunity for everyone to start fresh as they compete on the ranked leaderboards. To accomplish this, we’re reintroducing Placement Matches and resetting everyone’s competitive Skill Rank.
Your journey to the top begins with 10 all-new Placement Matches. With everyone’s ranks being reset, these 10 Placement Matches provides you with a high-stakes opportunity to make big gains in determining your new starting rank. As you progress through placement matches, there will be a predicted starting rank after each match. You’ll only have one chance this year to run your Placement Matches, so pick your best heroes and stay hydrated because these games count for a lot.
Rise up to the Rank of Champion
So how high can you go? We’re introducing the ultimate rank, Champion. This is the most prestigious tier above Grandmaster, intended to show who is the best among the most skilled players in the game. Even with the boosts that Placement Matches can provide, top-ranking players will still need to win a lot of games to reach Champion 1 and prove they are the best of the best. This is the most exclusive rank in the history of Overwatch, and we’re on the edge of our seats to see who will achieve such heights in Season 9 and beyond.
NEW COMPETITIVE REWARDS AND JADE WEAPONS
Season 9 introduces Jade Weapon Variants, unlockable with new 2024 Competitive Points. Earning Jade Weapon Variants will reflect your dedication to Competitive Play in 2024, not your highest rank achieved. Luckily, these new Jade Weapon Variants will not be as exclusive as the Champion rank—you will progress towards earning competitive points just by playing the game mode, with more progress granted towards wins. Competitive points earned for winning and drawing a match have been rebalanced around this new progression system, which should make every match feel rewarding regardless of the outcome.
