Summary
- Overwatch 2 Season 9 is bringing major changes to Competitive Play, revamping the system to give players more insight into how it works.
- Competitive Play ranks will now update after every match in Overwatch 2 Season 9, with modifiers shown to explain rank changes.
- Overwatch 2 Season 9 introduces a fresh start for Competitive Play, resetting Skill Ranks and adding a new rank called Champion, along with new rewards.
The original Overwatch was a critically-acclaimed, award-winning game that kickstarted a massive new franchise for Blizzard. Overwatch 2, by comparison, has earned mixed reviews and has found itself at the center of one controversy after another. However, there is still plenty of time for Overwatch 2 to make a big comeback, and it looks like the game's upcoming Season 9 could be what thrusts it back into the spotlight.
Overwatch 2 Season 9 is bringing some massive changes to the hero shooter, particularly when it comes to the game's Competitive Play. Ranked Competitive Play is one of Overwatch 2's most important game modes and the intense competition found within is a big reason why so many fans have stuck with the game over the years. Making drastic changes to Competitive Play is risky, but it could be just what Overwatch 2 needs.
Overwatch 2's Competitive Play system has been criticized since launch, with many unhappy about Blizzard moving away from the SR set-up used in the original game. When it first released, Overwatch 2 Competitive Play ranks would change after players won seven games. At that point, the rank would either go up or down, with some players confused about why their rank went up or down. Overwatch 2 Season 9 is making three big changes to Competitive Play, which will include a complete revamp of Comp that gives players a lot more insight into how it all works.
Overwatch 2 Season 9 Lets You Know Why Your Competitive Rank Changed
Starting with Overwatch 2 Season 9 on February 13, Competitive Play ranks will now update after every match. Modifiers will also be shown to give players a better idea of why their rank changed the way it did. For example, if players manage to beat a team that is more likely to win, they may get a more positive boost from the match. Going on a win streak will also improve one's odds in Competitive Play. The flipside is true as well though, so players that go on a losing streak or lose to a team that the matchmaking system determined they should have been able to beat will suffer more than they would have otherwise.
Overwatch 2 Season 9 is Resetting Your Skill Rank
Overwatch 2 is looking to give everyone a fresh start when it comes to Competitive Play, and so everyone's Skill Rank is being reset with the new season. Players will be challenged to complete 10 Placement Matches to determine their new starting point for their first OW2 Competitive Play rank. The usual ranks from previous seasons will be featured in Overwatch 2 Season 9, but the team is also introducing a new rank above Grandmaster called Champion.
Overwatch 2 Season 9 is Adding New Competitive Rewards
As part of the big Overwatch 2 Season 9 Competitive revamp, Blizzard is adding new rewards that players can unlock by playing the ranked mode. Previously, players were able to unlock Gold guns with their Competitive Points, but now they will be able to unlock Jade guns using the 2024 Competitive Points. As before, Competitive Points are earned simply by playing Competitive Play. Jade Weapons cost 3,000 Competitive Points.
The new 2024 Competitive Points are replacing the previous Competitive Points. Existing Competitive Points are being retooled to Legacy Competitive Points, which will be used to purchase Golden Weapons like always. Overwatch 2 players won't be able to earn any new Legacy Competitive Points once Season 9 starts, but leftover 2024 Competitive Points that they have once the year comes to a close will be converted to Legacy Competitive Points.
Fan feedback has always been hugely important to the Overwatch 2 team, informing some of the biggest changes made to the hero shooter over the years. Blizzard is making some bold moves with Overwatch 2 Competitive Play in Season 9 based on fan feedback and a desire to improve the experience across the board, and it will be exciting to see if it pays off come February 13.
Overwatch 2
- Released
- August 10, 2023
