If you’ve recently hopped back into Overwatch 2 after a break, or just started playing for the first time, you’ve probably spotted another player running around with a skin you’ve never seen in the current shop or battle pass. More likely than not, that cosmetic is from an older season’s battle pass, and you’ve already found yourself asking can you get old battle pass skins in Overwatch 2. It’s one of the most common questions the community asks, especially since Blizzard locked most of the game’s most popular new skins behind battle pass tracks when the sequel launched. This guide breaks down every official way to get those missed skins, what to avoid, and what to do if the skin you want isn’t available right now.
Can You Get Old Battle Pass Skins in Overwatch 2? The Short Official Answer
When Overwatch 2 first launched, Blizzard stated that all battle pass exclusive skins would be limited to their original season run, with no plans to re-release them for players who missed out. That policy changed pretty quickly after widespread player backlash, as thousands of people said they were discouraged from coming back to the game if they couldn’t access fan-favorite skins from past seasons. The short answer today is yes, you can get most old battle pass skins, but there are important caveats to keep in mind.
No old battle pass skins are available for free unlock after their season ends, even if you already owned the free track of the pass when the season was live. All current methods to unlock past battle pass skins require you to spend Overwatch Coins, the game’s premium currency, either on a full legacy battle pass or individual skin purchases. Mythic rarity skins, the highest tier of battle pass reward, can only be unlocked when their full original battle pass is re-released, so you won’t find them sold individually in the shop.
Official Ways to Unlock Past Overwatch 2 Battle Pass Skins
Blizzard currently has two regular channels for re-releasing old battle pass skins, and both are run directly through the in-game client, so you don’t have to worry about scams when using these methods. The first option is full legacy battle pass rotations, which happen roughly every three seasons. When an old pass is brought back, you can buy its premium track for 1000 Overwatch Coins, the same price as a current season battle pass, and unlock all tiers through gameplay just like you would with a new pass.
Legacy battle pass rotations last between 4 to 6 weeks, the same length as a regular season, and your gameplay progress counts toward the legacy pass as long as you own its premium track. You can still progress the current season’s battle pass at the same time, so you don’t have to choose between unlocking new rewards and old ones. The second official method is individual skin drops in the weekly in-game shop rotation. Epic and legendary rarity battle pass skins from past seasons are often added to the weekly shop for 1000 to 1900 Overwatch Coins each, if you don’t want to buy a full legacy pass just for one skin.
If you’re actively looking for a specific old battle pass skin, follow these simple steps to increase your chances of getting it as soon as possible:
- Follow official Overwatch social media accounts to get early announcements of legacy battle pass rotations, usually shared 1 to 2 weeks before the rotation goes live
- Save at least 1000 Overwatch Coins at all times if you’re waiting for a specific old pass to return, so you can buy it immediately when it drops
- Check the in-game shop every Tuesday when weekly rotations reset to spot individual old battle pass skin drops that might not be announced in advance
- Link your Battle.net account to official Overwatch League Twitch channels to earn free Overwatch Coins from time drops during tournament broadcasts
What You Should Avoid When Looking for Old Battle Pass Skins
The high demand for rare old battle pass skins has led to a huge number of scams targeting Overwatch 2 players, so it’s important to know what red flags to watch for. First, any third-party site that claims to sell redeem codes for old battle pass skins or full legacy passes is fake. There are no working redeem codes for past battle pass skins outside of official Blizzard giveaways, and any site asking for your Battle.net login info or payment details for these codes will either steal your account or your money.
You also should never trust players who offer to “gift” you old battle pass skins in exchange for money or in-game items. Overwatch 2’s gifting system only works for items that are currently available in the in-game shop, so there is no way for another player to send you a skin from a past season that isn’t currently in rotation. Original Overwatch 1 exclusive skins are separate from battle pass skins, so don’t confuse the two when you’re searching for old cosmetics. Overwatch 1 skins have their own rotation schedule in the hero gallery, and many are available for free with in-game credits, unlike battle pass skins.
Alternatives If Your Desired Old Battle Pass Skin Isn’t Available Right Now
If the skin you want is from a season that hasn’t rotated back yet, you don’t have to sit around waiting with no other options. First, check the current season battle pass and weekly shop for similar skins that match the vibe you’re looking for. For example, if you wanted the Cyber Demon Genji mythic skin from season 1, there are multiple other cyber-themed Genji skins released in later seasons that work as a great stand-in while you wait for the original to rotate back.
Blizzard rotates old battle passes roughly every 3 seasons, so you can estimate when your desired pass will come back based on its original release. A season 2 battle pass, for example, will likely rotate back around season 8 or 9, so you can plan your coin saving around that timeline. You can earn 60 free Overwatch Coins every week just by completing weekly challenges, so if you save consistently, you’ll have enough for a full legacy battle pass by the time it comes back, no real money required. You can also enter official community giveaways hosted by Blizzard partners, which often include Overwatch Coin codes you can put toward your desired pass when it drops.
At the end of the day, if you’re still asking can you get old battle pass skins in Overwatch 2, the answer is almost always yes, as long as you’re willing to be patient and stick to official in-game channels. Blizzard’s current rotation system is a good middle ground between rewarding players who bought the battle pass during its original run, and giving new or returning players a chance to unlock cosmetics they missed. Never share your Battle.net login details with any third-party sites, keep an eye on rotation announcements, and you’ll be able to add that rare skin to your collection sooner than you think.