The relaunch and rebrand of Overwatch in 2026 has been one of the best updates the game has received since its initial release as Overwatch 2. Not only did Overwatch introduce 5 new playable heroes simultaneously, but it also revamped its game modes like Stadium and added subroles for each hero in the game as well. With all of these new features dropping at the same time, Overwatch has seen a massive resurgence in its player count, with players who have taken a hiatus from the game jumping back in for the first time in years.
Players logging into Overwatch for the first time in a while will likely notice that there have been some changes to how certain parts of the game function. The UI for Overwatch‘s home menu has been updated and streamlined, and more quality-of-life features for hero unlocks have been added to make tracking new cosmetics easier without having to deal with pesky notifications lurking in the Hero Gallery. If players haven’t checked out Overwatch since it launched as Overwatch 2, they may not be aware of the return of Loot Boxes, which could mean they are sitting on a ton of free loot just waiting to be earned.
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Overwatch Loot Boxes Are Now One of The Game’s Best Features
When Overwatch first launched in 2016, the biggest controversy surrounding the game was the presence of Loot Boxes as the primary method of obtaining new cosmetics like skins, sprays, and voice lines. Some players were upset by the fact that a pay-to-play game had free-to-play mechanics included, despite the fact that a certain number of Loot Boxes could be earned for free. Once Overwatch 2 went free-to-play and dropped the Loot Boxes in favor of its Battle Pass and Shop, some players lamented the previous method of obtaining cosmetics, since the Battle Pass offered fewer opportunities for FTP players to earn them.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Overwatch Has Been Generous with Free Loot Boxes Since the Reign of Talon Season 1 Relaunch
Loot Boxes returned to Overwatch in Season 15, almost exactly 1 year ago in 2025. With the return of Loot Boxes, Overwatch players were able to earn cosmetics from the Battle Pass in addition to free, earnable Loot Boxes that offered a variety of other cosmetics. Loot Box mechanics have also improved since their return, now offering players the chance to earn 3 Loot Boxes per week for free just by playing matches, with other limited-time events and the Battle Pass offering more Loot Boxes as rewards.
Every Way to Get Loot Boxes in Overwatch Right Now
- Completing matches each week — 3 Common Loot Boxes
- Participating in the Talon vs. Overwatch Conquest Event — 6 Common, 1 Epic Loot Boxes
- Twitch Drops (Until March 9) — 8 Common, 2 Legendary Loot Boxes
- Hero Progression Level Ups — 1 Common at Level 5, 3 Epics at Levels 25, 35, and 45, 3 Legendary at Levels 30, 40, and 50
- Year of the Horse Limited Time Event (Until March 3) — 2 Common, 1 Epic Loot Boxes
- Premium Battle Pass — 3 Legendary Loot Boxes
With the launch of Reign of Talon Season 1, returning Overwatch players have the chance to score a ton of cosmetics for free with Loot Boxes. The easiest way to get a few Loot Boxes weekly is simply by participating in matches, since players can earn 3 Common Loot Boxes for playing a total of 27 matches a week. Players can also unlock Loot Boxes as rewards for leveling up a hero through the Hero Progression system. By playing with any given Overwatch hero for long enough, players can unlock a total of 1 Common, 3 Epic, and 3 Legendary Loot Boxes.
Currently, two events are running that offer Loot Boxes as rewards: the Year of the Horse and Talon vs. Overwatch Conquest Events. The Talon vs. Overwatch Conquest Event gives players a total of 6 Common and 1 Epic Loot Box for choosing a side and completing challenges associated with their chosen faction. The Year of the Horse event gives players 2 Common and 1 Epic Loot Box for completing its event challenges.
Players can technically double-dip with the Talon vs. Overwatch Conquest Event by completing one faction’s challenges and then switching to the other one and doing the same for a total of 12 Common and 2 Epic Loot Boxes.
Some Loot Boxes can be earned without even having to play a match of Overwatch. For a limited time, players can earn a total of 8 Common and 2 Legendary Loot Boxes from watching Overwatch streamers on Twitch for a specified number of hours. There are also 3 Legendary Loot Boxes that can be earned from the Battle Pass, but this requires Overwatch players to purchase the Premium Battle Pass for Reign of Talon Season 1.
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Even Free-To-Play Overwatch Players Can Access Shop Items Via Loot Boxes
Getting desirable drops from Overwatch Loot Boxes is also easier than ever before, thanks to a few changes that have been implemented since the mechanic’s return. For starters, players are guaranteed an Epic-quality item from Epic Loot Boxes and a Legendary-quality item from Legendary Loot Boxes. Even in Common Loot Boxes, players are guaranteed an Epic skin after 5 consecutive pulls, and a Legendary skin after 20 pulls without one.
Additionally, Loot Boxes are far less likely to give players duplicates of cosmetics they already own. Any duplicate that is received contributes towards earning another Common Loot Box. The cherry on top is the recent inclusion of previously Overwatch Shop-exclusive skins in Loot Boxes, meaning players who missed out on the chance to purchase certain Overwatch skins have the chance to find them for free by opening a Loot Box. The sum of these mechanics creates a much more free-to-play-player-friendly system for acquiring new cosmetics that returning Overwatch players should take full advantage of.
- Released
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May 24, 2016
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence (online interactions not rated)
- Engine
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Proprietary
