Are you ready to take a trip down Route 66 and experience the 2016 launch version of Overwatch again or possibly for the first time? Overwatch: Classic mode is here to answer that call. It’s a blast from the past inside the free-to-play hero shooter’s sequel, Overwatch 2, with enough explosive power to make Junkrat and Pharah proud.
Let’s kick things off with a quick explainer of what Overwatch: Classic Mode is and how long it will last, then move on to the heroes, maps, modes, and some tips to help you get the most out of this limited-time experience.
Overwatch Classic Mode
What is Overwatch: Classic Mode? Explained
Over eight years ago, Blizzard released Overwatch and ushered in a brand-new experience filled with unique characters from the ashes of Project Titan, the team’s canceled MMORPG game. With Overwatch: Classic, Blizzard delivers a limited-time game mode that takes Overwatch 2 players back to the original title.
It’s a nostalgia-fueled train of goodness with all the trimmings. With very few team comp restrictions, you’ll experience the original 21 Overwatch heroes (with their original ability kits) on the initial 12 maps in the classic 6v6 format. It’s a chance to relive the original Overwatch like it’s 2016 again. And for newer players, you can experience the madness for the first time.
After updating to the latest version (Season 13: Spellbinder mid-season update) of Overwatch 2, you can launch the game, go to the Arcade section, and select Classic mode from the Events Hub.
When Does Overwatch: Classic End?
Gamers across all platforms (consoles and PC) have three weeks—Nov. 12 to Dec. 2, 2024—to enjoy the Overwatch: Classic event as much as they like. Many fans hope Blizzard makes the mode permanent instead of limiting it to three weeks.
Will Overwatch: Classic Return?
From everything the developers have mentioned thus far, Overwatch: Classic will return after its initial run. Blizzard says they’re “measuring player response to inform our future plans,” so there’s no official date for the next Overwatch: Classic event just yet.
All Overwatch: Classic Maps & Modes
While there is no limit on team compositions from Nov. 12-14, the single-hero limit will apply for the rest of the event (Nov. 15 to Dec. 2). Yes, your team can pick six Roadhogs, and the enemy team can do the same, allowing 12 of the same heroes in one match before the limit goes into effect. The Classic game mode also follows the standard Quick Play rule set and a 6v6 format instead of the 5v5 in modern Overwatch 2.
Classic’s virtual battlefields are the original 12 maps launched with Patch 1.0 and the four original game modes. You can see the available maps per game mode below.
Assault Maps
- Hanamura
- Volskaya Industries
- Temple of Anubis
Control Maps
- Lijiang Tower
- Ilios
- Nepal
Escort Maps
- Route 66
- Dorado
- Watchpoint: Gibraltar
Hybrid Maps
- Hollywood
- King’s Row
- Numbani
While these are the 12 maps that launched with Overwatch, they’re not the original versions. Instead, they’re the latest Overwatch 2 versions of all maps, including those that received massive reworks throughout the years, like Route 66, Watchpoint, and Dorado.
Despite what some players may believe, Classic is not a way to test bringing back the 6v6 format permanently. However, the developer is continuing the 6v6 format discussion in Overwatch 2 and doing some testing. After all, Overwatch: Classic is all about that nostalgic feeling, which brings us to the maps and modes available.
Overwatch: Classic Heroes Feature Original Ability Kits
In Overwatch: Classic, you’ll play with the 21 original heroes, divided into their four original classes (Offense, Defense, Tank, and Support). While the heroes are classified into distinct roles, they are not limited to Defenders on the defending side or Attackers on the attacking side of a map.
You can see the full list of heroes below.
Offense Heroes
- Reaper
- Tracer
- Cassidy
- Pharah
- Genji
- Soldier: 76
Defense Heroes
- Torbjörn
- Mei
- Hanzo
- Junkrat
- Bastion
- Widowmaker
Tank Heroes
- Zarya
- D.Va
- Reinhardt
- Roadhog
- Winston
Support Heroes
- Zenyatta
- Mercy
- Lúcio
- Symmetra
Hero Abilities And Ultimates
Now that they have their original kits, some heroes may feel completely different compared to their Overwatch 2 counterparts. For example, Junkrat can damage himself with the Frag Launcher, which also goes for other heroes and explosive abilities, such as D.Va and Pharah. You’ll also be surprised by Symmetra’s teleporter to the active spawn room, and how Mercy can resurrect all five of her teammates with a single button press.
The hero health pools, projectile sizes, and damage have been reverted to a state before the game-changing Overwatch 2 Season 9 update in February 2024. This means that the time-to-kill should be much quicker as burst damage has a higher impact.
You can check out the full ability and ultimate details, including developer comments on what’s different for each of the 21 heroes, via Blizzard’s official Overwatch: Classic explainer.
Please Note: Don’t panic if you can’t select your hard-earned Overwatch 2 skins. In Overwatch: Classic, you can only use the original default skins for the sake of historical accuracy and nostalgia.
Overwatch: Classic Tips & Tricks
We’re not saying you have to follow every suggestion we’ve compiled below, but we do think you’ll have a lot more fun if you give ‘em a shot.
Don’t Use Ultimates Sparingly
Back in the day, you would see many more Ultimates deployed by players during a match. That’s because the Ultimate Charge requirement was much, much lower. Instead of using this skill sparingly, you should feel free to use it whenever you like. You’ll even get some charge back in case you get interrupted!
Try Meme Setups
Overwatch: Classic is about fun, so eat your fill before the mode disappears. If your party wants to use a robot army of six Bastions holding the line as Sentries in the form of powerful rotary cannons, then we say you should go for it.
There are a bunch of meme setups to try, and some of them are actually pretty effective. For example, think how much ranged damage three Widowmakers can do with Pharah’s raining rockets from above. Gather your friends and do something silly, like play with six Winstons or at least three Mercys so you can resurrect everyone repeatedly. Just make sure you take advantage of no hero limit picking rules until Nov. 15!
Use Old Meta Team Comps
There are some extremely powerful team compositions in Classic mode. These comps have a proven track record, to the point of nearly breaking the game. While we don’t want to spoil the fun of you figuring out the old meta, we do have two suggestions:
- The Moth meta setup uses Mercy as the primary support who helps to power up the other heroes with her Caduceus Staff. Bring everyone back to life with the admittedly OP Resurrect ability, which allows you to revive all dead teammates in range.
- Try the GOATS meta, with three tanks and three supports in your squad. The setup allows for fast and furious attacks with a high rate of survival. We recommend the following: D.Va, Reinhardt, Zarya, Mercy, Lucio, and Symmetra.
Bonus Tip: Get an edge over the competition using the best Overwatch crosshair settings.
A Celebration Of Overwatch
Classic is a true celebration of the game and its rich history. Overwatch has undergone many changes over the past eight years, especially when it transitioned over to the sequel in 2023. While you only have a few weeks to enjoy this limited-time mode, it’s refreshing to know that Blizzard isn’t planning to make this a one-time trip down memory lane. Of course, we don’t know when it will come back, but all signs point to Classic staying in the rotation.
For more ways to enjoy your favorite hero shooter, take a peek at the Overwatch 2 betting section on Thunderpick, and check out our ever-growing blog section for more in-depth guides!
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