Overwatch 2: Freja’s Abilities, Ultimate, Lore, and Everything We Know So Far

The Overwatch 2 Spotlight event gave players an exciting first look at what’s coming in the game’s future, and one highlight was the reveal of Freja, the newest hero set to debut in Season 16. Alongside massive gameplay changes like Perks, Loot Boxes, and the new Stadium mode, Freja’s arrival promises to shake up the battlefield. Let’s break down everything we know about her abilities, backstory, and more.

Freja Details and Backstory in Overwatch 2

While Blizzard did tease a new hero for Season 18 (codenamed Aqua), the highlight of the Spotlight event was undoubtedly the reveal of Freja, arriving in Overwatch 2 Season 16. As the first Overwatch hero hailing from Denmark, Freja continues the game’s commitment to showcasing diverse nationalities and cultures.

Closer Look at New #Overwatch2 DPS Hero: Freja ❄️

What are your first impressions? 💭 pic.twitter.com/iF531FvcOV

— Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) February 12, 2025

In terms of her backstory, Freja was a key member of the Overwatch team during its prime, working as a search and rescue specialist alongside iconic heroes like Winston and Reinhardt. After the organization disbanded, she sought a new purpose and became a bounty hunter. Now, with her return to Overwatch, Freja blends her bounty-hunting expertise with her commitment to justice, bringing a powerful and tactical skill set to the battlefield.

Freja Abilities and Ultimate Breakdown

According to the developers, Freja is one of the most technically demanding DPS heroes to date. Her abilities and movement are designed to synergize, rewarding players who can execute precise combos while punishing those who can’t. Let’s break down her kit:

• Redraw Crossbow (Primary Fire)
  • Rapidly fires automatic bolts.
• Take Aim (Secondary Fire)
  • Slows down your momentum to fire a high-speed explosive bolt. Using Quick Dash refreshes Take Aim.
• Quick Dash
  • Vaults in the direction you’re moving and refreshes Take Aim.
• Updraft
  • Launches upward with a gust of wind.
• Bounty Hunting (Passive)
  • Every 5 Killing Blows grants a bonus ultimate charge.
• Bola Shot (Ultimate)
  • Fires an explosive bola. Hitting an enemy wraps them up and pulls in nearby enemies.

Freja Perks

• Minor Perks:
  • Tracking Bolt: Enemies hit by three regular bolts in quick succession are revealed for four seconds.
  • Bounty Collection: Eliminations grant 2% Ultimate charge; Killing Blows grant 4%.
• Major Perks:
  • Ready to Hunt: Updraft grants temporary free use of Quick Dash.
  • Job’s Done: After getting Killing Blows on five unique enemy players, the cooldown of Take Aim is permanently reduced by 20%.

What to Expect from Freja’s Playstyle

Freja looks to be a versatile yet challenging DPS hero, with a kit that rewards precision and smart ability chaining. Her projectile-based crossbow excels at close to mid-range, while Take Aim thrives at longer distances, delivering a powerful explosive bolt that can headshot. However, this ability briefly suspends her in place, enhancing accuracy but also making her an easier target.

Mastering Freja means using Quick Dash to refresh Take Aim, enabling a deadly cycle of explosive shots. Her Ultimate, Bola Shot, is perfect for punishing grouped enemies, especially when paired with heroes like Bastion or Junkrat who can capitalize on clustered opponents.

While her exact numbers at release are still unknown, players can expect a high-skill, high-reward playstyle when Freja debuts in Overwatch 2 Season 16.