In Overwatch 2, Blizzard features match-specific upgrade systems that alter hero capabilities during active matches. Every hero features a distinct set of upgrades designed to influence team fights, whether players control tanks, damage dealers, or support roles.
How Hero Perks Work in Matches
During a standard match, heroes level up twice through gameplay. The first level-up lets players choose between two Minor Perks, while the second level-up offers a choice between two Major Perks. By the end of a match, each hero has one Minor Perk and one Major Perk active simultaneously.
These upgrades can introduce callbacks to past abilities, such as Bastion's Self-Repair or Orisa's Barrier, alongside completely new mechanical adjustments.
Managing Hero Swaps
Switching characters mid-match alters your progression status:
- Swapping to a new hero resets that character's level to one.
- Perks unlock at an accelerated rate on newly selected heroes.
- If you return to a hero who was already at level one or two during the same match, your previously unlocked perks remain active.
Tank, Damage, and Support Perk Layouts
Every character role accesses unique upgrade trees. Tank heroes like D.Va, Reinhardt, and Zarya receive survival and crowd-control enhancements, while Damage heroes like Ashe, Genji, and Tracer focus on mobility and offensive output. Checking individual hero loadouts before and during matches ensures players understand allied choices and incoming enemy capabilities.