How To Unlock Kiriko In ‘Overwatch 2’

Kiriko is the first new Overwatch 2 hero that won’t be available to everyone right away.

Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard is upending the Overwatch business model in Overwatch 2, which is a free-to-play game. We learned recently that new Overwatch 2 heroes will be gated behind a free battle pass. I, and many others, have expressed concern about that decision. But it is what it is.

A brand-new support, Kiriko, is the first hero that Team 4 is slotting behind the Battle Pass. Here’s how you’ll be able to unlock Kiriko (and future heroes) in Overwatch 2.

Sojourn and Junker Queen will be available to everyone who logs in during Season 1 at no cost. If you have the premium Battle Pass, you’ll automatically gain access to Kiriko at launch. The premium Battle Pass will cost 1,000 Overwatch Coins, which are worth $10.

For those who can’t or don’t want to spend money on the premium Battle Pass to claim Kiriko, you may be in for a bit of a grind. The Battle Pass has 80 tiers and Kiriko will unlock at level 55 if you’re on the free track.

That seems pretty intense. You’ll be able to level up the Battle Pass faster by completing daily challenges. But, if you want to play as Kiriko right away, you may need to pay up.

Unless, that is, you bought the original game before late June. As long as you log in by December 5, you’ll receive a founder’s pack, which includes some bonus items. One of those is instant access to Kiriko without needing to buy the premium Battle Pass.

Starting in Season 2, new heroes will be introduced in alternate seasons. You’ll also be able to unlock them by hitting level 55 in the free Battle Pass or buying the premium version.

It’s worth noting that you’ll be able to play all heroes in certain game modes without having to grind or pay up. “There are many places where you can play using new heroes that they have not yet unlocked,” Blizzard said in a Q&A. “For example, all heroes are playable automatically in the Practice Range, Custom Games, No Limits, Mystery Heroes, Mystery Deathmatch and select other game modes, as well as some special event game modes.”

Kiriko in Overwatch 2

Blizzard Entertainment

Those who start playing Overwatch 2 after the first season is complete (each season will last nine weeks) will still have an opportunity to unlock Kiriko. In an interview this week, Overwatch commercial lead and vice-president Jon Spector said that there will be two paths to obtain Kiriko in Season 2.

“The first is we’ll open up a new hero challenge where again, just playing the game, you can unlock Kiriko by completing that challenge and that’s totally free,” Spector said. “And then for players who would want the hero immediately, we’ll have the option to buy that hero within our shop.”

Blizzard isn’t revealing specific prices for items in the shop just yet. However, Spector said it would be pretty close to the premium Battle Pass price of $10 to snag a hero. “We want the premium Battle Pass to be the highest value and the most obvious choice for players that are interested in the immediate unlock,” he said.

Again, those who miss out on other upcoming heroes through the Battle Pass will be able to unlock them through special challenges or with Overwatch Coins, the game’s new premium currency.

Beginning with Kiriko (perhaps since many folks have already tried Sojourn and Junker Queen), new heroes won’t be available in Competitive modes right away. Kiriko will join the Competitive ranks two weeks into Season 1. This is to give the developers a chance to monitor her (and rebalance her if needed) and to give folks more time to unlock her before she’s available in Competitive.

Still, all of this is going to prompt talk that Overwatch 2 is pay-to-win. After hearing from some members of the Overwatch team, I’m not so sure that will be the case, though. I’ll have a story up soon with Team 4’s reasoning for gating new heroes behind a Battle Pass.