Get Ready for Intense 6v6 Action: Overwatch 2’s Highly Anticipated Update Coming This December

Blizzard Returns to the Roots of Overwatch with 6v6 Matches in the Pipeline

Get ready, Overwatch fans! Blizzard is bringing back 6v6 matches in testing for Overwatch 2 when it launches its next season in December. The company had previously switched the series to a 5v5 format, and now they’re trying to find a new, balanced version of the classic 6v6 mode that allows each team to have multiple tank characters once again.

According to Game Director Aaron Keller, Blizzard knows that the 5v5 format has appealed to a new group of players and brought in a fresh wave of excitement to the game. They’re hoping to recreate that success with the addition of 6v6, which won’t replace current formats. For a detailed write-up of what’s changing, check out Blizzard’s full director’s take.

Challenges and Solutions

In July, Keller highlighted some of the issues with 6v6, including hero balancing, game performance, and ensuring players can still get into games quickly if it splits the population between 5v5 and 6v6 game modes. One hero balancing change includes reducing the survivability of tanks and making them less powerful.

New 6v6 Tests

Overwatch 2 Season 14 will feature two different 6v6 tests. The first, called the "Open Queue" format, will require each team of six to have at least one of each role (tank, damage, support) and no more than three of any role. You’ll also be able to switch roles on the fly. The second test will take place in the middle of the season and will allow two of each role per team.

5v5 Test in Season 13

But that’s not all. There will also be a 5v5 test in Season 13, where there will be a maximum of two players in each role, and tanks will be weaker than previously.

According to my colleague Richard Lawler, who’s an avid player, the change that removed one tank player from each team made the game simpler, but also made it seem like the outcome of the game depended too much on that one role.

Stay tuned for more updates on Overwatch 2 and its exciting new developments!