Blizzard’s test of returning to the 6v6 format will begin in Season 14 Overwatch 2which should start around December 10th. This first test period will be a variation of the game’s Open Queue format, Keller said, which is described as “Min 1, Max 3” – meaning each team of six must have at least one of each role and no more than three . Players will be able to switch roles on the fly as long as the team composition adheres to the “Min 1, Max 3” rule.
The second test is expected to start midway through season 14, sometime in mid-January. This test will be consistent with the original Overwatch2-2-2 lineup. Both tests will include “a series of balance changes that will only apply to these two test modes,” Keller said. “In 6v6 formats, the power and survivability of tanks will decrease, and we will look at whether we need a lot of the passive elements that we have added Overwatch 2“
This season, Blizzard will be conducting similar experiments, but in the current 5v5 Quick Play format. The first, titled “Limit 2”, will allow for a maximum of two players per role – which means that yes, it will be possible to have two tanks in a five-player team. If a team uses two tanks in Limit 2, these players will be adjusted to Open Queue balance, giving tanks less health.
Regardless of how these tests turn out, it doesn’t look like Blizzard will have fully determined the final team size.
“Is there a world where both 5v5 and 6v6 permanently exist? Overwatch 2? If you asked me a few months ago, I would have said no,” Keller said. “As we have already discussed Overwatch 2future in light of creating a game that our players want to play, we know that our players may want more than one experience and that would be something we would have to consider in the future.
It looks like the next few months will be some of the most captivating in a long time Overwatch 2 players, especially defenders, who have been suffering to varying degrees since Blizzard introduced the 5v5 change. Time will tell if fluid 6v6 or more team compositions will ease that pain, but it’s clear that the Overwatch team is throwing a lot at the wall to see , which resonates with gamers.
