If you’re a returning Overwatch player who stepped away for a few seasons, or a new player who’s seen flashy golden guns popping up in your lobbies, you’ve probably got one big question on your mind. A lot of the game’s older cosmetic systems changed drastically when Overwatch 2 launched, shifting from loot boxes to a battle pass model that locked many fan-favorite skins behind paid tiers. So it makes total sense that players are asking can you still get golden weapons in Overwatch 2, especially since these items have been a status symbol for dedicated competitive players for years. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about earning these coveted cosmetics, from how the competitive point system works to common myths you can ignore to make your grind smoother.
Can You Still Get Golden Weapons in Overwatch 2? Short Answer
The short, straightforward answer is yes, golden weapons are still fully available to unlock in Overwatch 2, and there are no announced plans to remove them from the game. Unlike many legacy Overwatch 1 cosmetics that were moved to the paid shop or limited-time event rotations, golden weapons stayed in the same permanent spot in the hero gallery, accessible to any player who meets the unlock requirements. I’ve personally unlocked three golden weapons for my main heroes since Overwatch 2 launched, and the process is almost identical to how it worked in the original game, with only small tweaks to competitive point payouts for end-of-season rank rewards. That means you don’t have to worry about rushing to unlock one before they get vaulted, or missing out if you don’t play for a full season. They’re a permanent fixture of the game’s competitive reward system.
How to Earn Competitive Points for Golden Weapons in Overwatch 2
Golden weapons can only be purchased with competitive points, the exclusive currency earned by playing Overwatch 2’s ranked competitive game modes. Each golden weapon costs exactly 3000 competitive points, no matter which hero you’re buying it for, and once you unlock it, it’s yours permanently across all game modes. You earn competitive points two main ways: per match rewards, and end-of-season rank payouts. For every competitive match you win, you get 15 competitive points, and for every draw, you get 5 points. You won’t earn any points for losses, but they do count toward your overall rank progression. At the end of each competitive season, you get a lump sum of points based on the highest rank you achieved that season across all roles: Bronze gets 65 points, Silver gets 125, Gold gets 250, Platinum gets 500, Diamond gets 750, Master gets 1200, Grandmaster gets 1750, and Top 500 players get 2000 points per role.
If you want to speed up your grind without burning out on competitive play, follow these simple tips that I’ve tested across dozens of hours of ranked play:
- Stick to 2-3 competitive matches per day instead of marathon sessions to avoid tilt and loss streaks that can set your progress back by days
- Queue with a 2 or 3-stack of teammates you play well with to boost your win rate by 20-30% on average, compared to queuing solo with random teammates
- Prioritize playing your main role during placement matches to get the highest possible rank for bigger end-of-season payouts, which can cover half the cost of a golden weapon on their own
- Avoid leaving matches early, as you will not earn any CP for matches you leave before the final score screen, and repeated leavers can get temporary bans that block all competitive point earnings for the season
So for example, if you finish a season in Platinum rank, you’ll get 500 points automatically, which covers almost a sixth of the cost of a golden weapon. If you can maintain a 50% win rate, you’ll earn around 7-8 points per match on average, meaning you’ll need roughly 400 matches to earn enough for one golden weapon if you don’t count end-of-season rewards. That might sound like a lot, but spread out across a 2-month competitive season, that’s only 6-7 matches per week, which is totally manageable for casual players.
Common Myths About Golden Weapons in Overwatch 2 Debunked
With so many changes to Overwatch 2’s cosmetic system over the past few years, it’s no surprise that a lot of misinformation has spread about golden weapons. I see these myths pop up every season in Reddit threads and in-game lobbies, so let’s set the record straight once and for all. First, the most common myth I hear is that golden weapons are going to be removed in a future season and replaced with a new competitive reward. Blizzard has explicitly stated multiple times that golden weapons are a permanent part of the competitive ecosystem, and they have no plans to phase them out. The team has even hinted at adding new variations of golden weapons down the line, but the original versions will stay available.
Second, a lot of new players assume you can buy golden weapons with Overwatch Coins, the game’s premium paid currency. That’s not true at all. There is no way to purchase golden weapons with real money, no matter how much you’re willing to spend. They’re exclusively earned by playing competitive matches, which makes them one of the only true status symbols in the game that can’t be bought. Third, I’ve heard new players claim that golden weapons give small stat boosts, like faster reload speed or extra damage. That’s a total myth. Golden weapons are entirely cosmetic and offer zero gameplay advantages over standard weapon skins. The only thing they do is look cool, and show other players you’ve put in the time to grind ranked for your main hero.
Tips to Make Your Golden Weapon Grind Less Frustrating
Let’s be real: grinding 3000 competitive points can get frustrating, especially if you hit a bad loss streak or get stuck with toxic teammates. I’ve abandoned multiple golden weapon grinds halfway through because I got burnt out on ranked play, so I’ve picked up a few tricks to make the process way less stressful. First, setting a clear target hero before you start grinding will keep you motivated through loss streaks. It’s a lot easier to push through a 3-loss skid when you’re only a few hundred points away from that golden Reaper shotgun you’ve wanted for years, instead of hoarding points with no clear goal in mind.
Second, don’t force yourself to play competitive when you’re already tilted or tired. I’ve had days where I lost 4 competitive matches in a row because I was stubborn and kept queuing even when I was already frustrated. On those days, switch to quick play, arcade, or even a completely different game for an hour to reset your mindset. You’ll play far better when you come back, and you’ll avoid wasting hours on matches you would have lost anyway. Third, don’t sleep on role queue challenges if you’re comfortable playing multiple roles. The game regularly offers bonus competitive point rewards for playing a specific role that’s low in queue population, usually support or tank. These bonuses can add up to hundreds of extra points per season if you take advantage of them, cutting your total grind time by weeks.
At the end of the day, golden weapons are one of the few parts of Overwatch that have stayed consistent across both the original game and Overwatch 2, and it’s easy to see why they’re still so popular with players. If you’ve been wondering can you still get golden weapons in Overwatch 2, you don’t have to worry about them being locked away or removed anytime soon. The grind might take a while, but showing off your golden weapon in lobbies after weeks of work is one of the most satisfying feelings in the game. Just remember to take breaks, play with friends when you can, and don’t let the grind ruin the fun of playing your favorite heroes.