Overwatch 2’s 6v6 Test Queues Explained

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 21, 2024 13 Views 6 Min Read
Overwatch 2's 6v6 Test Queues Explained



Overwatch 2 has begun rolling out tests for 6v6 matches, which has been a long-running request among fans. The first of these test runs is now ongoing, with more slated for Overwatch 2 in 2025.

The return of 6v6 has been on the table for Overwatch 2 for some time now—and it’s not hard to see why. Switching to 5v5 matches was one of the game’s more controversial choices upon launch, especially considering how the original Overwatch was overwritten. Though some veteran fans prefer the update, the loss of choice is nonetheless a sore point.

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Explaining Overwatch 2’s 6v6 Tests

However, Blizzard is now dipping its toe back into the format it abandoned long ago. Two new test periods have been confirmed for Overwatch 2‘s 6v6, one ongoing and one upcoming, which will give fans a chance to get involved with these potential changes. The first of these tests, which is currently available, is Role Queue—which will see two players locked into each role. January 7 will bring another test in the form of Min 1, Max 3—which will require 1–3 players in each role at any time. With the Overwatch: Classic mode already granting something of a taste test for 6v6, fans are primed to help make the final decision.

December 17’s Ongoing 6v6 Test

December 17 kicked off Overwatch 2‘s 6v6 experiments with Role Queue. The mode is available to try in the Unranked menu within the game, and players will be able to try it out until January 6th. Multiple characters have also received balancing changes to accommodate the change in format, but these changes only apply to this mode. Generally speaking, health and damage have been increased across the board, while armor has generally been reduced. Every character has also had the timer on their base regeneration increased from 5 seconds to 7.

A new blog on the Overwatch website, written by director Aaron Keller, has revealed some information on how Overwatch 2‘s 6v6 tests are going. Keller mentions that the next 6v6 test will “allow greater freedom of hero choice while still ensuring that each team has a semi-balanced roster,” which suggests that team balance is an important factor in whether this mode will be finalized. The current test, which locks two players into each role, is on the far end of balance—ensuring that each role is evenly represented. The next test will allow for more varied role sizes which, if successful, will “eliminate the queue time issues that we had in the past.”

The current attempts at 6v6 in Overwatch 2 have had a split reception, but much of the feedback has been positive. However, some have been concerned about the balance changes that have come as part of the experimental mode, especially in regard to the Tank role. The Support class has also drawn significant criticism for its changes and its operation within larger team sizes. It would seem that, on the whole, the new mode is being viewed as more chaotic, which is exciting for some and irritating for others.

The Next Overwatch 2 Test Mode

Following the current test mode, another 6v6 experiment will come to Overwatch 2. The next test will run from January 21 until February of next year and, in Keller’s words, will be “similar to a Quick Play Hacked [Blizzard] tried last season.” This test, which will allow for some roles to be unevenly represented, will be key to the final choice. Not only will fan reception on social media be important, but how the modes function on the backend will also be vital—especially considering past problems with queue times, as well as the greater chaos induced by larger team sizes.

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