Overwatch Drops the “2” and Other Changes Coming to the Game, Including Jetpack Cat
Blizzard revealed at today’s Overwatch Spotlight event that Overwatch 2 will rebrand as simply Overwatch with the launch of Season 1 on February 10, 2026, introducing five new heroes, including the long-teased Jetpack Cat.
Here’s the TL;DR…
Overwatch sheds the “2” for a clean slate starting Season 1: Conquest on February 10.
Five heroes drop day one: Domina (tank), Anran and Emre (damage), Mizuki and Jetpack Cat (support).
Ten new heroes total planned through 2026, one per season after launch.
Sub-roles add passives to tanks, damage, and supports for tactical depth.
UI revamp, competitive rewards, Sanrio skins, and Switch 2 support headline other updates.
Overwatch Rebrands Without the “2” for Season 1 Relaunch
The name change takes effect immediately with Season 1. Blizzard aims to unify the game’s identity after years under the Overwatch 2 banner.
Players can expect no disruptions to progress or cosmetics. This move aligns with a shift to annual narrative seasons.
Five New Heroes Launch in Season 1: Conquest
Season 1 kicks off the Reign of Talon storyline. The quintet includes Vishkar-themed tank Domina, a poke tank with a focus on destructible barriers and medium-range control.
Two new damage heroes drop as well. Anran, Wuyang’s older sister, controls fire with an agile playstyle that carries phoenix flair. Emre, a long-standing mystery to the Overwatch universe, joins the fray with classic run-and-gun gameplay paired with a destructive aerial ultimate.
The last of these additions is support hero Mizuki and fan-favorite concept Jetpack Cat. Mizuki focuses on AEO healing and damage output, with a zone-controlling ultimate that’s sure to change the tide of battle.
This marks the biggest simultaneous hero drop in franchise history. More arrivals follow, hitting ten by year’s end.
Jetpack Cat Flies In as Playable Support Hero
Jetpack Cat evolves from a scrapped concept into a full support. Fans have clamored for this feline flyer since early concept art surfaced years ago.
The hero zips around with jetpack thrusters, picking up and carrying friends and foes alike. It fits the tactician sub-role, carrying over excess ultimate charge.
New Cinematic Kicks Off Reign of Talon Story Arc
A fresh cinematic pits Vendetta against Doomfist. Vendetta, daughter of a past Talon leader, seeks control.
This launches the first annual narrative arc. In-game events let players pick Overwatch or Talon sides.
Lore unfolds through map tweaks and banter over the year. Season 6 wraps it up in 2027.
Sub-Roles Add Passives to Every Matchup
Tanks split into bruiser, initiator, and stalwart. Each gets unique perks like reduced crit damage or anti-knockback.
Damage heroes gain flanker health pack boosts or recon walls. Supports include medic self-heals and survivor regen.
These roll out Season 1 for immediate impact.
UI Gets Major Overhaul for Smoother Play
The hero gallery, social panel, and menus see redesigns. A 3D hero lobby debuts, with party lobbies by Season 4.
Notifications streamline alerts. Post-match accolades return soon after.
Competitive Mode Sees Fresh Rewards and Tweaks
New crimson wolf weapons and Doomfist skins reward ranks. Challenger tier ties into FaceIt invites.
Titles scale by rarity starting Season 2. Stadium mode adds Vendetta and hero builder tools.
Sanrio Collab Brings Cute Skins to Favorites
Sanrio skins hit six heroes: Juno as Hello Kitty, Kiriko as Cinnamoroll, and more.
Mythics expand for Mercy, Mei, and others.
Expect Soldier: 76, Ana, and Genji hero mythics ahead.
Switch 2 Edition Lands in Season 2
Nintendo Switch 2 gets optimized support next season. Handheld tweaks promise better performance.
Blizzard Commits to Overwatch’s Next Chapter
These changes signal Blizzard’s push to revitalize Overwatch. Faster hero cadence and story focus could draw back lapsed players.
Season 1’s massive drop sets a bold pace. Expect Talon chaos to dominate matches soon.
Hat Tips
Kotaku — “Overwatch Spotlight: Everything We Saw In Its Biggest Update Ever” — February 4, 2026
Blizzard News — “Overwatch Spotlight: The Reign of Talon Begins” — February 4, 2026
Overwatch Cavalry on X — All 5 Heroes in Season 1: Conquest — February 4, 2026
Overwatch Cavalry on X — First Look at Jetpack Cat — February 4, 2026
Article compiled by Newsroom Staff on February 04, 2026 and was fact-checked by Editorial before publication.
Great breakdown of this massive update. Dropping five heros at launch is genuinely ambitious and the Reign of Talon narrative framing should give season 1 way more cohesion than we've seen before. I remember when Jetpack Cat was just concept art floating around, so seeing it actualy become playable feels kinda surreal. The sub-role passives could add interesting tactical layers if Blizzard balances them well tho.