If you’re a returning Overwatch fan jumping into the game for the first time after the shift to the free-to-play sequel, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is are there loot boxes in Overwatch 2. Loot boxes were one of the most polarizing parts of the original Overwatch, loved by some for the thrill of random unlocks and hated by others for their pay-to-win adjacent gacha mechanics. I’ve been playing Overwatch since its 2016 launch and have logged over 1,200 hours across both titles, so I’ve seen every shift to the reward system first hand. This guide will break down exactly what you can expect from unlocks, whether loot boxes exist at all, and how to get the skins and emotes you want without wasting cash.
Are There Loot Boxes in Overwatch 2? The Short Answer
Let’s cut straight to the chase: no, there are no loot boxes in Overwatch 2 at all. Blizzard removed the entire loot box system when they launched the sequel in 2022, replacing it with a battle pass model and a rotating in-game shop, in response to growing global regulation around loot boxes as a form of underage gambling. You will never earn a random loot box for leveling up, completing matches, or purchasing in-game currency anymore, which is a huge shift from the original game where almost every level up gave you a free box to open. Some players were upset about the change at launch, but most community members now agree that the removal of loot boxes made the reward system far more transparent for casual players.
What Replaced Loot Boxes in Overwatch 2?
The old loot box system gave you random pulls of skins, emotes, voice lines, and sprays, with no way to target specific items you wanted. The new system is split into three core parts, each with clear, predictable rewards you can plan for. Unlike loot boxes, you always know exactly what you’re getting before you spend any time or money on unlocks, which eliminates the frustration of spending dozens of boxes only to get duplicate common items you don’t want. If you previously spent hours grinding for loot boxes in the original Overwatch, this new system will feel very different at first, but you’ll get used to it after a few weeks.
Pros and Cons of Ditching Loot Boxes in Overwatch 2
After two years of the new system, it’s easy to see both the upsides and downsides of Blizzard’s choice to remove loot boxes from the game. I’ve had great moments with both systems, so I’m not here to argue one is perfect, but it’s important to know what to expect as a new or returning player.
On the plus side, you never have to waste money on random rewards you don’t want anymore. If you’re a fan of a specific hero, you can wait for their skin to show up in the shop, save up coins, and buy it directly, no luck required. The system is also fully compliant with global loot box regulations, so players in countries that restrict gacha mechanics can still access all content without workarounds.
That said, there are some downsides too. In the original game, you could earn dozens of loot boxes for free just by playing regularly, and even if most drops were common, you had a chance to get a rare legendary skin for free every few levels. Now, most legendary skins cost between 1,000 and 2,000 Overwatch Coins, which translates to roughly $10 to $20 per skin if you buy coins directly. Free players also earn far fewer skins per season than they did under the old loot box system, unless they grind every battle pass tier every 9 weeks.
Tips to Earn Cosmetics in Overwatch 2 Without Spending Money
Even without loot boxes, you don’t have to spend a dime to build a great collection of skins, emotes, and other cosmetics in Overwatch 2. I’ve earned over 40 legendary skins since launch without spending any money, using a few simple strategies that work for casual players who only log in a few times a week.
First, always complete your weekly challenges to earn 50 free Overwatch Coins every week, plus extra battle pass XP. If you do all 11 weekly challenges every week, you’ll earn 2,200 coins per season, enough to buy two legendary skins or one premium battle pass without spending real money. You don’t even have to win matches to complete most challenges, so you can knock them out in quick play or arcade modes without stress.
Second, don’t skip limited time event challenges. Most events give away at least one free legendary skin for completing 4 to 6 simple challenges, and these skins usually never come back to the shop after the event ends. I’ve gotten some of my favorite skins, including the Demon Hanzo and Witch Mercy skins, just by playing a few matches during their respective events.
You should also make sure to claim all free battle pass tiers every season, even if you don’t buy the premium track. The free track usually includes at least two legendary skins, plus dozens of emotes, sprays, and voice lines, as long as you hit tier 45 before the season ends. If you play 2 to 3 matches a day, you’ll hit tier 80 easily before the season wraps up, even without buying tier skips.
At the end of the day, the answer to are there loot boxes in Overwatch 2 is a firm no, and the game’s reward system has changed drastically for better and worse since the original Overwatch launched. If you hated the randomness of loot boxes, you’ll love the transparent, predictable system the sequel uses, and if you loved the thrill of random pulls, you can still get plenty of free rewards by grinding battle passes and event challenges. Either way, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the cosmetics you want, as long as you plan ahead and focus on the rewards that matter most to you.