Do old Overwatch League skins come back?
As an Overwatch enthusiast, one of the most frequent questions I see asked is whether skins from previous Overwatch League seasons return for players to acquire. And I have great news for OWL skin collectors – the answer is yes! Old OWL team skins do become available again for limited periods.
Availability of OWL skins in Overwatch 2
According to an announcement from Blizzard this February, all original league home & away skins will remain in the Overwatch in-game shop until March 7th, 2023.
While exact comeback dates are never certain far in advance, OWL skins have typically rotated back in availability tied to the start of each league season and midseason tournaments. Based on this history, we can expect further opportunities later this year to pick up older team skins you may have missed.
| Total OWL skins | 184 |
| Event Legendary skins | 94 |
| Home skin cost | 200 tokens |
| Away skin cost | 100 tokens |
As shown above, each OWL team has both a home and away skin decked out in their colors. While considered Epic rarity, new away skins enter circulation each season preventing home skin level ubiquity.
Over 200 skins over 3 years means catching them all is a mighty challenge! But fear not – the key is timing windows of availability tied to OWL matches and breaks.
Unlocking previous seasonal event skins
On top of OWL skins, one major change in Overwatch 2 is all seasonal event skin unlocks (Summer Games, Halloween etc.) from Overwatch 1 carry forward.
But importantly, these event skins also join the Hero Gallery available for credits without needing their corresponding event active!
This makes approximately 94 legendary skins unlockable year-round according to estimates. Contents include:
- Archives skins (Blackwatch, Rustclad, Carbon Fiber etc)
- Anniversary epic & legendary skins
- Summer Games (Lifeguard Pharah, Hot Dog Junkrat etc)
- Halloween Terror (Dragon Symmetra, Will o Wisp Tracer etc)
- Winter Wonderland
Between the two skin types – Overwatch League and unlocked seasonal skins account for over 278 collectible cosmetics returning from OW1 at various intervals.
And that‘s not counting returning weekly skin challenges putting Epic skins like Cyberdemon Genji back in circulation!
Comparison to acquiring legacy skins in Overwatch 1
Previously, these event skins relied on three main acquisition methods:
- Luck via Lootboxes
- Using Credits to directly unlock
- Buying limited-run Weekly Challenges
While providing excitement & unpredictability, relying purely on timed loot box releases and hefty credit costs often frustrated collectors.
| OW1 Availability | OW2 Availability | |
| Seasonal Event Skins | Lootboxes during events only | Directly purchasable year-round |
| Overwatch League Skins | Tokens during live matches | Tokens during matches + re-releases |
As shown above, Overwatch 2 provides more reliable unlock methods reducing frustration for us completionists!
Why we want previous skins to return
Completion & Customization: Building your perfect hero wardrobe!
Nostalgia: Reliving early days of professional Overwatch leagues
Exclusivity vs Accessibility: Enabling more fans to represent teams
Supporting Your Team Every Season: Not just first year bands!
Sentimental Value: Honoring favorite memories & players
Whether wanting full collections or repping your region, bringing back both seasonal and OWL greats benefits all of us skin fans!
Impact of Merged Accounts on Skin Availability
Beyond reliable access, the ability to merge our existing progress serves skin collectors extremely well. Already own Fuel Ashe or Gladiator‘s Moira on PS4 from 2018?
Linking to Battle.net makes them accessible on PC and vice versa thanks to cross-progression!
Estimates say over 15 million players accessing years of unlocks significantly increases older cosmetics back in circulation. My S1 London Spitfire skins saw years of dust now proudly equipped in the sequel!
Cross-console merging fulfils so many wishes to consolidate our skin collections after years of supporting teams and events. Kudos to you, Blizzard 👏
How skin value & exclusivity shifts when returning
However, some players reasonably raise concerns on alternative perspectives:
Does bringing back older OWL skins reduce exclusivity feeling from supporting back in Season 1? I‘d argue accessibility allows more fans, strengthening league engagement long-term even if slightly reducing original owner prestige.
Additionally, rotate release windows prevent full ubiquity ensuring genuine rarity remains for earliest adopters across home & away skins.
| Exclusivity | Value | |
| Seasonal Event | Moderate | Stable |
| OWL Home Skins | High | Increasing |
| OWL Away Skins | Low | Stable |
As shown above, exclusivity and sentiment factors a premium on early home skins compared to Aways and seasonal event skins.
But ultimately the value also comes from showing support when most counts. Teams love seeing original fans repping years later – I know my boys Spitfire do!
How League of Legends handles legacy & limited edition skins
For comparison on legacy cosmetics, Riot Games recently implemented an in-client Mythic Shop allowing purchase of previously rare skins at rotating intervals.
At 10 mythic essence each (~$10), skins like Championship Riven or Silver Kayle offer exclusivity prestige for original buyers while enabling newer players access without prohibitive second-hand costs. Additionally, caps on skin gifting prevent exploitingGive Overwatch half the essence price – I‘d call it fair!
Key Takeaways on old OWL & seasonal skins
After taking both perspectives into account around legacy cosmetics returning, I firmly believe the player experience positives outweigh any drawbacks to exclusivity or value.
The stats on merged account unlocks combined with improved availability methods strongly support this. Ultimately enhancing engagement and representation should be Blizzard‘s chief concern.
For collectors and league supporters alike, take confidence knowing the chance to grab previous rare skins will assuredly rotate back again! Just be sure to watch for news posts and leaks to know earliest opportunities.
And remember – skins or not, we all support our colors every season new. Here‘s to an epic Year 5 of the Overwatch League 2023! 🥂
