Overwatch 2's mid-season update for Season 5 has arrived, introducing a significant crossover event with Shift Up's action game, Stellar Blade. This update also features the return of seasonal events like Junkrat's Loot Hunt and a new installment of the Excavation Initiative. Additionally, a story event titled "Taking Reign" will conclude the season's narrative arc, focusing on a confrontation between Doomfist and Overwatch in Rialto. However, some of the most desirable rewards from this event will be locked behind a paid event pass.
The collaboration, dubbed "Eve Protocol," adds five skins inspired by Stellar Blade characters. Widowmaker will don the guise of Eve, D.Va will be Lily (with her mech's Toki designed after a Stellar Blade boss), Freja will become Raven, Vendetta will transform into Tachy, and Soldier: 76 will be Adam. These skins are available exclusively in the in-game shop and will not be obtainable through event challenges. The crossover event is set to run until November 17.
Roadhog is set to receive his first Mythic skin, "Necrotic Knight," coinciding with his popular revamp earlier in Season 5. The initial design features Roadhog in silver and toxic green armor with a plague doctor-style mask. As players progress through the skin's tiers, the armor shifts to scarlet with jade adornments and a skull mask.
The "Taking Reign" event will span five weeks and offer 24 tiers of rewards. Similar to how NetEase manages events in games like Marvel Rivals, these rewards are split between a free track and a paid track. The free pass includes an epic Sigma skin recolor, while the paid track, costing 1,000 Overwatch Coins (approximately $10), includes Vendetta's new weapon and a legendary Doomfist skin. The event concludes the current narrative featuring Vendetta's rise and fall.
Blizzard is also adjusting Overwatch 2's competitive drive system. Players will earn points by winning matches and lose them upon defeat. Signature tags can now be earned through competitive play, while legacy weapon points are available in quick play. Players who reach the fourth checkpoint in this season's drive can opt to equip signature tags from previous seasons.