Overwatch 2 Adds New Way to Get Some Exclusive Skins

Overwatch 2 has added tons of shop skins from Seasons 1 and 2, as well as the premium bundle skins from Season 8, to the Hero Gallery. This significant change sets a new precedent for Overwatch 2 cosmetics and could mean something big for the future.

While the seasonal structure of Overwatch 2 has ensured there is always something to do in the game, the cost and availability of its cosmetics have been a sore spot for many players. Each season introduces tons of skins to the shop for a limited time, after which they become unavailable for an indeterminate period. Additionally, some highly-prized skins like Lilith Moira from Overwatch 2 Season 7, were only available via expensive Ultimate Battle Pass bundles.

Now, it seems Overwatch 2 is changing this particular pain point. The new skins from Overwatch 2 Season 8 that are paired with the Ultimate Bundle and Starter Pack–Wild Tracker Widowmaker, Magma Mauga, and Magma Moira–are all available for purchase via Overwatch Coins in the Hero Gallery. Additionally, all of the shop skins from Season 1 and 2 have been added as well, though cosmetics from later seasons and the Battle Passes have not been made available in this way.

Overwatch 2 Skins Now Purchasable in the Hero Gallery

It remains to be seen if the Season 8 skins will stay available via the Hero Gallery once Season 9 comes to Overwatch 2. Players also can’t be sure if Overwatch 2 will add skins from Season 3 or onward in future seasons. However, if it follows this precedent, Overwatch 2 may begin to cycle these skins into the Hero Gallery for Overwatch Coins six seasons after they were first made available, meaning they could see Season 3 skins available once more in Season 9.

Either way, most Overwatch 2 fans agree this is a step in the right direction. While many would love to see these Overwatch 2 skins even sooner, having more options and chances to get them is still an improvement. Some players missed out on the chance to pick up these skins when they were first added, so having them added to the Hero Gallery now is a new chance to cash in on these old cosmetics.

Unfortunately, the legacy Overwatch Credits obtainable from the Battle Pass can’t be used on these cosmetics. That said, Blizzard’s FPS seems intent on giving more places to spend this currency in the future, as evidenced by the Overwatch 2 anniversary event shop. Players might want to keep hoarding their Overwatch Credits for when the game provides another similar opportunity.

Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 is Blizzard’s free-to-play team-based first-person shooter. The title features some new heroes like Junker Queen and Sojourn, as well as returning favorites.

Franchise

Overwatch

Platform(s)

PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, PC

Released

October 4, 2022

Developer(s)

Blizzard

Publisher(s)

Blizzard