Overwatch Guide (Updated October 2026)
Overwatch came out on May 24, 2016. Overwatch 2 replaced it as a free game on October 4, 2022, and since February 10, 2026 the game is called Overwatch again, starting with Season 1 of the Reign of Talon story. What Overwatch is, release dates, whether it is free, team roles, how perks and Stadium work and how to redeem codes.
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What is Overwatch
Overwatch is a free team hero shooter by Blizzard Entertainment. Two teams of five fight over objectives, and every player picks a hero with their own weapon, abilities and Ultimate.
There are 53 heroes right now. By role there are Tank (15), Damage (24), Support (14).
When did Overwatch come out
Overwatch came out on May 24, 2016. Overwatch 2 replaced it as a free game on October 4, 2022, and since February 10, 2026 the game is called Overwatch again, starting with Season 1 of the Reign of Talon story.
Is Overwatch free
Yes. Overwatch is free to play since October 4, 2022. Heroes are unlocked for free, the shop and the premium Battle Pass sell cosmetics.
You can play on PC through Battle.net or Steam, on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, with cross play between platforms.
Roles and team composition
In Role Queue a team has 1 Tank, 2 Damage and 2 Support heroes. Tanks take space and protect the team, Damage heroes get eliminations, Supports heal and enable allies.
Best heroes for every rankHow perks work
Perks came with Season 15 on February 18, 2025. Every hero has two Minor perks and two Major perks. During a match you pick one Minor perk at level 2 and one Major perk at level 3, and the choice changes how a hero plays.
All perks of every heroWhat is Stadium
Stadium is a game mode added with Season 16 on April 22, 2025. Two teams of five play up to seven rounds, the first to four wins takes the match, and between rounds you buy Powers and items that upgrade your hero.
Stadium Powers of every heroHow to redeem Overwatch codes
Codes for Overwatch Coins, skins and other items are redeemed on Battle.net. Log in, open the account menu, choose Redeem Code and enter the code, the reward appears in the game on the same account. Codes bought in a console store are redeemed in that console store.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Overwatch?
- Overwatch is a free team hero shooter by Blizzard Entertainment. Two teams of five fight over objectives, and every player picks a hero with their own weapon, abilities and Ultimate.
- When did Overwatch come out?
- Overwatch came out on May 24, 2016. Overwatch 2 replaced it as a free game on October 4, 2022, and since February 10, 2026 the game is called Overwatch again, starting with Season 1 of the Reign of Talon story.
- Is Overwatch free to play?
- Yes. Overwatch is free to play since October 4, 2022. Heroes are unlocked for free, the shop and the premium Battle Pass sell cosmetics.
- How many tanks, damage and support heroes are in a team?
- In Role Queue a team has 1 Tank, 2 Damage and 2 Support heroes. Tanks take space and protect the team, Damage heroes get eliminations, Supports heal and enable allies.
- How do perks work in Overwatch?
- Perks came with Season 15 on February 18, 2025. Every hero has two Minor perks and two Major perks. During a match you pick one Minor perk at level 2 and one Major perk at level 3, and the choice changes how a hero plays.
- What is Overwatch Stadium?
- Stadium is a game mode added with Season 16 on April 22, 2025. Two teams of five play up to seven rounds, the first to four wins takes the match, and between rounds you buy Powers and items that upgrade your hero.
- How do you redeem Overwatch codes?
- Codes for Overwatch Coins, skins and other items are redeemed on Battle.net. Log in, open the account menu, choose Redeem Code and enter the code, the reward appears in the game on the same account. Codes bought in a console store are redeemed in that console store.