Can Overwatch 1 players play with Overwatch 2 players?

The Overwatch fandom has been hyped for the Overwatch 2 beta ever since it dropped earlier this week, but can Overwatch 1 and 2 players play with each other?

With top streamers having fun with the game and players having the chance to experience new content, it’s safe to say that fans are anxiously awaiting Overwatch 2. This is certainly welcome news for Blizzard given the rocky development of the game to this point.

But there are some lingering questions as the release date gets closer after years of delays. One of the biggest questions is how Overwatch 2 will impact Overwatch 1. Can Overwatch 1 players play with Overwatch 2 players or will they need to purchase the sequel for the new content?

Do you need Overwatch 2 for PvP mode?

Overwatch 1 and 2 players will be able to play with and against each other in PvP modes after the game’s official launch. During the beta, players are split between the two games.

The Overwatch community had been a bit skeptical about Overwatch 2 in the past due to how similar it seemed to the original. The developers had also stated that players could access the same content in Overwatch 1, leaving fans confused why they’d need to purchase Overwatch 2. This has been cleared up a bit since then.

Overwatch 2 will have new game modes, including a single-player mode that features a different storyline and skill tree for each hero similar to the upgrades in the campaign mode for Blizzard’s StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. This kind of content will only be available on Overwatch 2. However, online multiplayer doesn’t require players to purchase the new game.

The major PvP changes that are coming to Overwatch 2 will be applied to Overwatch 1. This includes the new maps, new Push game mode, and five-on-five gameplay. Overwatch 2’s hero reworks will also be implemented in Overwatch 1

Will Overwatch 1 still have the original PvP mode?

It’s unlikely Overwatch 1 gameplay will remain in place after the launch of Overwatch 2.

It’s currently unclear if Overwatch 1 will still have the original PvP mode available once Overwatch 2 comes out. Blizzard hasn’t specified what will happen to the familiar six-on-six gameplay. It’s probable that both games will adopt five-on-five gameplay with the possibility of six-on-six being an arcade mode.

The new five-on-five mode is the most impactful change between Overwatch 1 and Overwatch 2. By eliminating one tank from the team, there is essentially no “main tank” role in Overwatch 2 anymore. This was Blizzard’s attempt to cut down on campy metas like GOATS, where tanks utilize their shields to stoically protect their team. Many of the tank heroes have been reworked to be more aggressive, helping them fit into the new meta.