What happens after level 80 Overwatch 2?
Unlocking the Prestige System
Once players hit level 80 in the battle pass, they unlock the ability to progress through Prestige tiers. These tiers offer special seasonal rewards that can only be earned during that season.
According to Blizzard‘s website, the Prestige system provides "an additional way for players to show off their dedication and commitment each Season."
Reaching certain Prestige thresholds will grant players exclusive seasonal titles and nameplates. For example, Prestige 5 unlocks the "Warlord" player title.
Prestige Rewards
Here is a breakdown of the known Prestige unlockables in Overwatch 2 as of Season 2:
| Prestige Level | Reward |
|---|---|
| Prestige 1 | "Laurel" Nameplate |
| Prestige 5 | "Warlord" Player Title |
| Prestige 10 | "Conqueror" Nameplate |
Based on data mining, there appear to be at least 15 Prestige levels. We can likely expect more seasonal titles and cosmetics to be unlocked as players progress through these post-80 tiers.
Resetting Progression Each Season
One key thing to note is that seasonal progression resets with every new season in Overwatch 2. So while dedicated players can grind beyond level 80 for special Prestige awards during a season, their level will reset back to 1 at the start of the next season.
This gives all players a fresh start to work through the 80 levels of the new battle pass. It also means the Prestige grind begins anew, so the rare seasonal cosmetics remain exclusive to those willing to put in the effort each season.
Analysis: The Pros and Cons of Prestige Progression
Offering seasonal Prestige levels caters to the most committed Overwatch 2 players who are looking for long-term progression goals. It provides an outlet for continuing to gain XP even after finishing the battle pass.
However, resetting levels and progression each season has drawbacks too. Some players want persistent progression that carries over across seasons. Getting reset to level 1 may negatively impact the feeling of overall advancement.
Blizzard likely chose seasonal resets to ensure the battle pass and rare Prestige awards maintain their exclusivity value. But they could consider adding more persistent progression mechanics as well.
The Max Level Cap in Overwatch 2
As of Season 2, level 200 is the maximum level that can be reached. Hitting level 200 unlocks the final "Cyberdemon" Prestige title.
After reaching level 200, any additional XP earned does not count towards anything. There is currently no benefit to earning XP past this cap.
However, it‘s possible Blizzard raises or removes the level cap in future Overwatch 2 updates. For now though, Cyberdemon at level 200 represents the pinnacle of progression.
The Bottom Line
The Prestige system gives dedicated Overwatch 2 players something to strive for each season after finishing the battle pass. The titles and nameplates unlocked offer prestige and bragging rights.
But with seasonal resets, the race begins anew with every season. There are pros and cons to this approach, but it does make each Prestige reward feel more exclusive.
For those striving to hit the current cap, the Cyberdemon title awaits at level 200. But competitive players better enjoy the view from the top while they can before the next season starts!
