5 things to expect from Overwatch 2 6v6 mode

With 6v6 confirmed to arrive in Overwatch 2 in the future, longtime fans can look forward to returning to the glory days. In simple terms, players will be able to relive the 2 Tanks, 2 DPS and 2 Support format from the original 2016 game. This makes for one of the biggest shifts to Blizzard's popular multiplayer hero shooter game ever since it dropped as a 5v5 experience in 2022.

That said, it will be more than just a simple rework with more intriguing changes to come. Here is everything to know about 6v6 coming to Overwatch 2.

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5 things to know about 6v6 game mode in Overwatch 2

1) 6v6 arrives in Season 14

Look forward to these changes and more next Season (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

The beloved mode is slated to arrive in Overwatch 2 Season 14 officially as a series of tests. With Season 13 ongoing right now, fans need not wait much longer to get their hands on the 6v6 experience. Season 14 has been confirmed to drop sometime in December 2024, the specifics of which, including hero changes, new cosmetics, theme and more, will be announced at a later date.

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2) Two different formats will be tested

These should help the team test if the traditional formula works or something new is needed (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Season 14 will feature two different 6v6 formats: "Min 1, Max 3" and "2-2-2." The latter is the setup older fans are familiar with, as it brings back two Tanks into the mix. The former, on the other hand, is essentially what it looks like.

Players will be able to select any role as long as they do not exceed the prescribed rule of minimum 1 and maximum 3. Simply put, this setup allows for, say 3 Tanks, 1 DPS, and 2 Supports as an example.

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3) Flexibility tests in Season 13

New 5v5 modes incoming (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

With Overwatch 2's shift to a single Tank, testing has to begin early within the current framework to ensure the final experience will be as fair and as fun as possible for players. As such, new 5v5 modes will be coming to Season 13 soon, which will help lay the foundation for 6v6. This includes:

• Limit 2: A maximum of two roles can be selected by Tank, DPS, and Support categories, which includes Tanks that will be tuned to Open Queue balance, thus granting them less health.
• Kingmaker: Similar to Limit 2. However, the role will allow only one player will get a bonus. So if there is a team composition of 2 Tanks, 2 DPS and 1 Support, the latter will be stronger than usual.

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4) Tanks will be nerfed to balance the game

Current tanks can take a ton of punishment (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

If 6v6 is coming back to Overwatch 2, then that means the Tank role will have to be nerfed. Currently, the single Tank spot means the role is beef to ensure it can face off against multiple foes in the opposing team, as there isn't another tanky ally to rely on for help. Going back to the roots would not just mean reducing Tank health and damage but even reworking abilities, passives and cooldowns to better fit the new format.

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5) It will not replace 5v5

Fans can continue enjoying 5v5 alongside 6v6 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

For fans who are wondering if the arrival of Overwatch 2 6v6 means that they must bid adieu to 5v5, then they need not worry. Both formats will be playable in the game, with 6v6 getting its own card for Unranked play during Season 14. Furthermore, other seasonal modes and events will remain untouched as well.

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Overwatch 2 is available as a free-to-play experience on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.