Orisa throwing an arrow in Overwatch 2.Blizzard Entertainment is revisiting the classic 6v6 format for Overwatch 2, sparking excitement among players who have longed for its return. The Overwatch team recently announced plans to conduct two separate 6v6 tests within the upcoming Season 14, beginning December 10th.
The first test, launching a week into the new season, will introduce an Open Queue-style format. Players will be able to switch heroes dynamically, but team compositions must include at least one hero from each role (tank, damage, support) without exceeding three heroes in any single role. This means, for instance, that selecting Genji would be impossible if the team already has three damage heroes.
Overwatch 2 Season 14 6v6 Open Queue Test
A second test, scheduled for mid-season, will revert to the familiar 2-2-2 role lock composition (two damage, two tanks, and two support heroes per team). However, this test will incorporate adjustments made in Overwatch 2, including reduced crowd control abilities, although the specifics remain undisclosed. The team’s goal is not just to gauge player interest in larger team sizes, but also to find ways to implement this change without repeating past issues.
The original Overwatch launched with 6v6 matches, but this format created challenges with team composition, especially before role limits were implemented. Balancing heroes proved difficult for the developers, and the introduction of role queue, while addressing some balance concerns, led to extended queue times and arguably contributed to stale meta compositions in competitive play.
Overwatch 2 6v6 Role Lock Test
The shift to 5v5 in Overwatch 2, while not a complete deterrent for existing players, was a controversial change that significantly altered the gameplay experience. While increasing the pace of matches, this format didn’t resolve all the issues the developers hoped to address, and some heroes struggled to adapt to the faster gameplay.
Blizzard will analyze the data from both 6v6 tests, along with two additional 5v5 tests planned for Season 13, to inform future decisions. The developers have acknowledged the possibility of permanently incorporating both 5v5 and 6v6 modes into Overwatch 2, a concept they previously dismissed. They now recognize that players may desire diverse gameplay experiences, and are willing to consider supporting both formats going forward. The upcoming tests will play a crucial role in determining the ultimate direction of Overwatch 2’s gameplay.
