Two new Overwatch 2 heroes have been revealed. OW2 Freja will become playable in season 16, whereas Aqua will be seen in season 18.
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| New Overwatch 2 Heroes: Freja and Aqua in Season 16 and 18 |
Blizzard Entertainment just revealed two awesome new heroes for Overwatch 2.
First up, we’ve got Freja, a badass Danish bounty hunter who wields a crossbow. She’s coming in Season 16. Then there’s Aqua, a Chinese hero with crazy water-based powers, making a splash in Season 18.
These new characters are sure to bring some fresh action to the game. So, let’s check out what they can do.
OW2 Freja: The Danish Crossbow-Wielding Bounty Hunter
Blizzard just revealed Freja, a badass Danish bounty hunter with a crossbow, as the next hero in Overwatch 2.
She’s officially joining the roster in OW2 Season 16, but players can get an early taste of her skills during a special playtest in Season 15. So, mark your calendars—this limited-time event kicks off on February 18, 2025.
Now, let’s discuss its background and its abilities.
Background:
Freja used to be Overwatch’s top search-and-rescue expert, always risking everything to save lives. But after the group broke up, she took a different path—bounty hunting. Her skills didn’t go to waste, just got put to use in a whole new way.
Senior game designer Kenny Hudson revealed that Freja's character originated from "a really old piece of concept art, pre-Overwatch 1," which was paired with a right-click slow down ability developed by the hero design team ... Stacey added that Freja's "high- ... provided an opportunity to explore the current paths of former Overwatch agents.
Abilities and Playstyle:
Freja’s got a kit that’s all about precision and long-range skill. Here’s what she can do:
- Main Weapon: A fast-shooting crossbow.
- Alt Fire: Fires a bolt that explodes on impact.
- Quick Dash: Works like Hanzo’s Lunge and even reloads her exploding bolt.
- Updraft: Shoots her straight up so she can reach high spots.
- Take Aim: Lets her slow down in midair to land perfect shots.
- Ultimate: Tosses bolas that trap an enemy, pull in nearby allies, and then go boom.
Right now, she’s also got a passive that lowers her Ultimate charge if she racks up five kills in a row, but that might change since she’s still being worked on.
Senior narrative designer Jude Stacey says she’s perfect for players who enjoy a tough challenge, calling her one of the hardest heroes to master.
OW2 Aqua: The Enigmatic Chinese Water Wielder
Blizzard Entertainment also announced a brand-new hero for Overwatch 2 Season 18 and that is Aqua. Likely to release around late August or early September 2025, Aqua is a Chinese hero with awesome water-based abilities.
While Blizzard hasn’t spilled all the details yet, they’ve teased that Aqua’s abilities are some of the most unique ever designed. And as the release date gets closer, we can expect updates on his backstory, abilities, and how he’ll fit into the Overwatch universe.
Future Hero Teasers
Apart from the above two, in the latest Overwatch 2 Spotlight showcase, game director, Aaron Keller dropped an Easter egg about another hero coming in Season 20.
Blizzard doesn’t just stop at official teasers. They like to slip hints right into the game itself. Before Hero 42 was revealed, players started noticing weird little changes in the Oasis and New Queen Street maps—like new graffiti and objects that weren’t there before.
Fans quickly picked up on these details, sparking tons of theories and discussions.
Overall we know that the two new heroes are on the way. Freja, a badass bounty hunter from Denmark, in Season 16, and, Aqua, a powerful fighter who controls water, in Season 18.