In case you’re wondering, the new hero, Aqua, is not released in this season but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty to dig through for Season 17.
Season 17 of Overwatch 2 arrives with ambitious changes that genuinely feel like they could reshape how we approach the game. The standout addition has to be map voting in Quick Play and Competitive modes, something the community has been requesting for ages.
Now, I personally don’t like map voting because back when I was playing Counterstrike, everyone would always vote de_dust or de_dust2 and that got boring really quick. I would always end up playing in one of those two maps every time I played the game, got bored with it, and just stopped playing at some point. Overwatch 2 seems to do it differently and I really like it.
After role queue locks in, you’ll see three randomised map options where every vote gives that map a 1-in-10 chance through a roulette-style selection. What I appreciate most is how Blizzard has kept team chat, battle tags, and individual votes hidden to avoid any voting pressure while still giving players more control over their matches. So yes, no one can see which map you are voting for and even when the majority picks a map, there is still a chance that we might be playing the other. Plus, there are only 3 maps being presented on screen so you’ll most likely be playing different kinds of maps when you play Overwatch 2. Really nice.
Stadium continues its evolution with three new heroes joining the roster: Zenyatta (my Support main), Sigma, and Junkrat. The mode gains two maps in Esperança and Samoa, both adapted for Stadium’s round-based format. The introduction of Stadium Forge is good for newcomers and pro players in the Stadium — this create/save/share system lets teams test and refine compositions with early and late game loadouts for every hero. Combined with the first-ever Stadium rank reset, Custom Games, and enhanced All-Star rewards, it’s clear Blizzard is positioning Stadium as a serious competitive proving ground rather than just an alternative mode.
I’ve personally been playing Stadium for a while now and haven’t touched Quick Play again yet. It’s pretty addictive and fun. I love Zen but I’m still having issues facing a really good Genji but I guess it’s still the case for Quick Play or Competitive (but you can easily swap to another hero). There might still be tweaks hopefully in the future.
The dual Mythic launch breaks new ground for Season 17. D.Va’s Horang Hero Skin draws inspiration from Siberian tiger folklore, evolving across four tiers from sleek tiger armour to full spirit energy effects with ambient glowing flourishes. Meanwhile, Reaper’s Steel Death Weapon Skin transforms his shotguns into soulfire-infused instruments of destruction, complete with dark energy flares and haunting shadow effects at maximum tier. Both Mythics require 80 Mythic Prisms and will be available through the Mythic Shop from day one.
I have so many good D.Va skins so I might probably skip her Mythic – though I’ll miss those fancy Mythic flairs and animations.
Three fresh maps expand the battlefield roster. Aatlis brings Moroccan-inspired architecture to Flashpoint mode, featuring lush gardens and luxury resort spaces designed for tighter engagements and cleaner rotations. Esperança returns in Stadium format with new elevation layers that shift tactical approaches between rounds, while Samoa’s volcanic control point offers open arenas and strong vertical gameplay perfect for high-mobility team compositions.
The Season 17 Premium Battle Pass delivers substantial value with 8-bit themed skins for Reinhardt, Genji, and Sombra, plus Overwatch Academy versions of Cole Cassidy and Junkrat. Sakura Ana rounds out the legendary offerings alongside two Legendary Loot Boxes, 500 Credits, and the full 80 Mythic Prisms needed for either new Mythic item. The Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle adds Principal Lacroix Widowmaker and Professor de Kuiper Sigma skins, 20 tier skips, and 2,000 Overwatch Coins for players wanting immediate access to premium content.
There is also Overwatch 2 Season 17 Starter Pack that gives you 1,000 Overwatch Coins to spend, plus a bonus Ilari Epic Skin.
Limited-time events also coming alongside the season launch. The Powered Up Event runs from June 24-30, requiring 17 completed matches across Quick Play, Competitive, or Stadium to earn four Epic Loot Boxes with guaranteed legendary content. Following this, Hacks & Hijinx arrives July 15-28 as a chaotic 6v6 mode where match modifiers rotate every round. From low gravity to ultimate-charging health packs, each round forces adaptation and strategic thinking on Control maps designed for experimental gameplay.
From my perspective, Season 17 represents Overwatch 2’s most comprehensive update in recent memory. Map voting addresses a fundamental community request while Stadium’s expanded features suggest Blizzard is serious about creating alternative competitive pathways. The dual Mythic launch provides immediate choice for premium cosmetic hunters, and the varied limited-time events should keep engagement high throughout the season.
Overwatch 2 Season 17 is live now so if you haven’t been back from the previous season, it’s time to launch that shortcut again.
