The Overwatch 2 director has posted a blog discussing the potential return of 6v6 in Overwatch 2, as well as new tests in the future. So here’s everything you need to know about the return of the old format in focus.
Since Overwatch moved to its sequel, switching from the 6v6 format to 5v5 and removing the tank slot, many fans have been eager to return to the old format days.
Players have created their own 6v6 game modes to show that the format is still viable in the modern game. As debates on this topic gained momentum, Aaron Keller himself — the game director of Overwatch 2 — addressed it personally.
So here’s everything you need to know about the future of the 6v6 mode in Overwatch 2.
Is the 6v6 mode returning in Overwatch 2?
Yes, the 6v6 mode is returning to Overwatch 2, to some extent. As announced in Aaron Keller’s blog, the development team plans to conduct a series of events to test the viability of the 6v6 mode in Overwatch 2.
However, as he wrote, the test «will try out different main team composition formats.» This means they want to test different forms of 6v6, so we could experiment with three DPS on the team instead of the old 2-2-2.
However, these tests will not appear in the near future, as Keller did not give exact timing for their arrival, and, according to him, the development team is only now starting to explore this issue.
As explained by Keller, future tests will be based on player reception, impact on queue times, technical limitations, and a variety of other factors to determine whether Overwatch 2 should return to the 6v6 format.
Will the 5v5 mode leave Overwatch 2?
No, the 5v5 mode will not leave Overwatch 2 in the near future. Keller explained that currently the team is «focused on making 5v5 the best experience possible.»
The Overwatch 2 director said that this is due to all the technical issues that arose in 6v6, many of which have been fixed in 5v5. Some of them included queue times, emphasizing the importance of individual DPS and support, and much more — so they are not planning to return right now.
Tanks suffered greatly when transitioning from the 6v6 to the 5v5 format.
However, Keller says the team is open to reassessing their decisions based on feedback received from the community (a good example being Cassidy’s grenade return).
When will the 6v6 tests arrive in Overwatch 2?
There are currently no timelines for when the 6v6 trials will take place in Overwatch 2. However, in the near future, trials related to 6v6 may take place.
As Keller says in the blog, future tests are open to providing players with more «freedom,» and in Season 13, they plan on hosting another Quick Play: Hacked event to test some of their ideas, but it will not be a 6v6 competition.
