
Players report that competitive matches are entirely skill-based, with no influence from spending. Community consensus indicates that the removal of paywalls for hero access has leveled the playing field for all players, regardless of spending.
All content in Overwatch 2 is cosmetic and does not affect gameplay. According to player experiences, there are no exclusive gameplay advantages locked behind a paywall, as all heroes are available to everyone.
How aggressively the game pushes players to spend money to progress
While cosmetics can take considerable time to earn for free players, the grind is not overly punishing. Players note that earning coins through weekly challenges is slow, taking about 8 months for a legendary skin, but this is not a barrier to competitive play.
The battle pass allows for tier skips, which can expedite cosmetic acquisition, but this does not impact gameplay. Many users indicate that while you can pay to progress faster, it doesn't translate to any competitive advantage.
Limited-time events and battle passes create a sense of urgency among players. Community feedback suggests that missing a season's battle pass means losing out on exclusive cosmetics, which can be frustrating for collectors.
Fairness and transparency of the monetization practices
Overwatch 2 does not include gambling mechanics such as loot boxes or gacha pulls. Players report that all purchases are direct, with clear pricing for cosmetics.
While prices for cosmetics are generally clear, the overall cost of collecting everything can be overwhelming. Players frequently mention that the lack of premium currency recycling through the battle pass adds to the perception of high costs.
The cost of cosmetics in Overwatch 2 is considered high, with individual legendary skins priced at $19 and complete event collections exceeding $800. Many users indicate that while you can play for free, collecting cosmetics can be prohibitively expensive.
Our assessment of Overwatch 2 is based on the following publicly available sources:
Disclaimer: The P2W analysis for Overwatch 2 represents our editorial opinion based on publicly available information and community feedback as of January 2026. Game monetization systems may change over time. We encourage players to research current in-game purchases before making decisions. This analysis is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered definitive or exhaustive.
If you believe any information is inaccurate or outdated, please contact us with corrections.