Here's How Overwatch 2's Stadium Mode Heroes, Powers, And Bounties Work

Blizzard posted a lengthy new overview of Overwatch 2's Stadium heroes and how equipping new skills will work ahead of the mode's April 22 release date. Every playable hero has a selection of tweaks that make their kits work differently, though Stadium's initial roster is much more limited than the base game's.

Overwatch 2 Stadium launches with 17 heroes: a mix of classic Overwatch characters and those who debuted with Overwatch 2. All of them will be playable in third-person for Stadium matches.

Tanks

• Junker Queen
• Reinhardt
• Zarya
• Orisa

Damage

• Cassidy
• Ashe
• Mei
• Genji
• Reaper
• Soldier 76

Support

• Juno
• Kiriko
• Moira
• Mercy
• Ana
• Lucio

Teams of five--one tank, two support, and two damage units--face off across seven rounds, and at the end of each match, you can augment your hero with a selection of skills, weapons, and equippable items. Blizzard gave a few examples in the blog post and accompanying Overwatch 2 Stadium trailer, including Reinhardt sending lava across the battlefield with his hammer strike, Kiriko cloning herself, and Moira launching three Biotic Orbs instead of just one. The skill system lets players choose what augments they think will work best, though Blizzard will include some build suggestions as well.

These upgrades cost Stadium Cash, which Blizzard says you'll earn based on how well you score in each match. There are a couple of balancing features Stadium includes to help those who might be struggling, though. Skills purchased in the first, third, and fifth rounds are free, and there's a bounty in each match--a player on the opposing team who's performing particularly well--that rewards bonus Stadium Cash if you defeat them.

Overwatch 2 Stadium's launch coincides with Season 16 and the debut of new damage character Freja. Freja won't be playable in Stadium initially, but Blizzard said future updates will add more heroes to the Stadium roster.

If you're keen to see more of Stadium in action, check out our hands-on preview, where we said it's the mode where Overwatch 2 finally earns its sequel status, after almost two years.