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Blizzard's Overwatch: Classic event launches today, bringing back the original 6v6 format and faster Ultimate ability charging from the 2016 release. Running through December 2, the limited-time mode celebrates Overwatch 2's eighth anniversary.
The original 21-hero roster and gameplay mechanics have returned, though maps retain their current Overwatch 2 appearance. Heroes are grouped by their original classes but can be deployed according to player preference during matches. The event restricts players to default character skins and excludes the original user interface, competitive mode, and loot box systems.
Players can access all four original game modes across their launch maps: Assault (Hanamura, Temple of Anubis, Volskaya Industries), Escort (Dorado, Route 66, Watchpoint: Gibraltar), Hybrid (Hollywood, King's Row, Numbani), and Control (Ilios, Lijang Tower, Nepal). The event begins with no hero limits, allowing multiple players to select the same character before implementing single-hero limits after the first few days.
Blizzard acknowledged in July that the switch to 5v5 had "come at the cost of match variety and player freedom." This Classic mode operates separately from the company's broader 6v6 testing plans scheduled for Season 14 in December. Future Classic iterations will feature other past configurations, including the 2017 Moth Meta and triple-tank, triple-support "GOATS" gameplay.
Player feedback from this event will determine future classic format offerings.
