Overwatch 2’s 5v5 Format Will Likely Be Put Through its Paces in December

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 8, 2024 9 Views 7 Min Read
Overwatch 2's 5v5 Format Will Likely Be Put Through its Paces in December



Overwatch 2‘s visuals and gameplay aren’t much of a giant leap from its predecessor’s. However, the sequel does deliver some significant changes, with the most polarizing one being the switch from 6v6 to 5v5. Some players liked this new format’s faster match queues and gameplay. However, others felt that the change, which cut down the number of tank players from two to one, took away some of the game’s complexity. The 5v5 format has been the default mode to play competitive Overwatch for the past two years, backed by countless hero and map patches to accommodate it. It seems like it will be put through its paces towards the end of 2024, depending on how the OW2‘s Season 14 6v6 tests fare among fans.




Blizzard’s premier hero shooter has been mulling over the possibility of returning 6v6 as a mainstay game mode since mid-2024. Director Aaron Keller discussed the format’s history, the switch to 5v5 for OW2, and the possibility of 6v6’s return in a comprehensive blog article published on July 25. The director’s, and players’, speculations may soon come to fruition in Season 14, according to Keller’s latest post. Overwatch 2 will roll out two test modes using the 6v6 format and developers will also lay down some big balance changes that apply exclusively to these modes.

  • Min. 1, Max. 3: This is a looser version of role queue or a more restricted open queue, depending on one’s perspective. Each role must have at least one hero, but no more than three.
  • Classic 2-2-2: This version of 6v6 will have role queues for the tried and tested two DPS, two tanks, and two supports.


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5v5 VS. 6v6: How Season 14’s Tests Could Define Overwatch 2’s Competitive Future

Since Overwatch 2 has used 5v5 since launch, most players already know it well. Returning to the older format could shake things up for the current player base, which has some pros and cons.

The Case for 6v6’s Competitive Comeback

There are a few advantages of 6v6, with the most obvious one being the return to the classic OW experience. Players can relive the glory of the original dive comp with Winston and D.Va again. There’s also the Reinhardt and Zarya combo that veteran players love, as the pair can tank a ton of damage for their team by playing around each other’s shields.


Overwatch 2’s 6v6 format also avoids the pitfalls of its predecessor when it comes to having multiple tanks in one team. Since both test modes require at least one hero for every role, pulling off a full-fledged GOATS comp is impossible. Only time will tell if a Ramattra and Sigma double-shield team will slow down the game like Sigma and Orisa did back then. However, this possibility is something that the 6v6 balance patches could address, as Keller stated that they will essentially tune down the survivability and power of tanks for the two test modes.

Why 5v5 Should Stay in Overwatch 2

The 5v5 format is working well for OW2, as it solves some of the issues that plagued the old format. For one, it accelerated queue times, as there were two fewer players to consider when creating a match. It also makes for faster-paced games, as there are fewer chances to stall with just one tank compared to the two that OW1 had. Another advantage it has is that years of hero and map patches are already in place to accommodate this format, so players who prefer a consistent and stable meta have cause to want Overwatch 2‘s 5v5 mode to stay.


The 6v6 renaissance is in full swing, with the upcoming hero shooter Marvel Rivals also adopting the format. Its impending launch and Overwatch 2’s Season 14 test in December will likely overshadow OW2‘s 5v5 format. However, the latest Director’s Take post also discusses the possibility of the two modes coexisting permanently. Either way, shifting to 6v6 or making both formats accessible will definitely be an interesting shakeup for the game’s casual and pro scene.

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