Ready to take on Overwatch 2's competitive mode? Here's everything you need to know
Published: Thursday, 13 October 2022 at 3:19 pm
Overwatch 2 comes jam-packed with different modes to take on (Unranked, Arcade and Training) but the most testing of them all is Competitive Play.
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Competitive mode makes you battle it out against other Overwatch 2 players and ranks you based on your performance - the better you do, the more Competitive Points you get.
The higher you rank, the better players you get to team up with and play against.
Ready to take it on for yourself? Read on to find out everything you need to know about Overwatch 2 Competitive mode and how to rise up the ranks.
How to unlock Competitive in Overwatch 2
Fortunately, unlike the original Overwatch, players no longer need to reach level 25 to partake in Competitive mode. Instead, players can, in theory, unlock Competitive mode in Overwatch 2 by winning 50 Quick Play matches - only Role Queue and Open Queue will count.
If you manage to team up with super skilled players, you can fly through this requirement pretty quickly - but game developers Blizzard actually brought the challenge in to "prepare new players for the intensity of Competitive mode".
"This gives new players time to prepare for the higher expectations that come with Competitive, while veteran players don’t feel discouraged by teammates who have less experience. In the process of unlocking Competitive, we analyse new player skill levels to optimise matchmaking in a way that feels good to everyone,” Blizzard wrote in a blog post.
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Full list of Overwatch 2 ranks
The Overwatch 2 ranks are:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
- Diamond
- Master
- Grandmaster
- Top 500
Each of the rankings above are split into five levels that a player must work through in order to progress to the next rank - to make it to Silver, Bronze players need to make it through Bronze 5, Bronze 4, Bronze 3, Bronze 2 and Bronze 1 to move up.
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In terms of what those numbers mean, the skill level gets higher as the number gets lower, so Bronze 1 is the upper echelon of the Bronze rank, Silver 1 is the highest Silver rank, and so forth.
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- Is Overwatch 2 down? Check the server status
- Overwatch 2 achievements - full list of trophies
- Overwatch 2 characters - unlock every hero
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How to get Competitive Points in Overwatch 2
Rewards in Overwatch 2’s Competitive mode come in the currency of Competitive Points, which players can then use to unlock golden weapons. Here’s how many points you earn for a win, draw etc:
- Win: 15 points
- Draw: 5 points
- Golden Weapons: 3,000 points needed to unlock
You can also win points depending on where you finish in a ranked season. Here’s how many points your rewards will include:
- Bronze: 65 points
- Silver: 125 points
- Gold: 250 points
- Platinum: 500 points
- Diamond: 750 points
- Master: 1,200 points
- Grandmaster: 1,750 points
- Top 500: 1,750 points
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As a seasoned Overwatch enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the game's mechanics and competitive dynamics, let me delve into the key concepts outlined in the article about Overwatch 2's Competitive mode.
1. Unlocking Competitive Mode: In Overwatch 2, players no longer need to reach level 25 to access Competitive mode, a departure from the original game. Instead, they can unlock it by winning 50 Quick Play matches, with only Role Queue and Open Queue matches counting toward this requirement. This change aims to give new players time to acclimate to the intensity of Competitive mode, ensuring they are adequately prepared for the challenges it presents. Blizzard's intention is to optimize matchmaking by analyzing new player skill levels during the unlocking process.
2. Overwatch 2 Ranks: The Competitive mode in Overwatch 2 features a tiered ranking system with distinct levels within each rank. The ranks include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Top 500. To progress to the next rank, players must work through five levels within their current rank. The skill level ascends as the numerical value decreases; for example, Bronze 1 represents a higher skill level within the Bronze rank.
3. Earning Competitive Points: Competitive Points serve as the currency in Overwatch 2's Competitive mode, allowing players to unlock golden weapons. Points are awarded based on match outcomes, with 15 points for a win, 5 points for a draw, and a significant 3,000 points required to unlock a golden weapon. Additionally, players receive points at the end of a ranked season, with varying amounts corresponding to their rank. For instance, Bronze yields 65 points, Silver grants 125 points, and the prestigious Top 500 and Grandmaster ranks both award 1,750 points.
4. Competitive Point Rewards: The primary purpose of accumulating Competitive Points is to unlock golden weapons, a cosmetic customization option in the game. These points are a testament to a player's success in Competitive mode, and the rewards are tiered based on the player's rank and performance during a season.
As an expert in Overwatch dynamics, I assure you that mastering the intricacies of Competitive mode and understanding the ranking system and point rewards are crucial for an enriched gaming experience in Overwatch 2. If you have any specific questions or need further insights, feel free to ask!
