Overwatch 2 Season 12 Release Date, New Features, Mythic Skins And More

The waters of Overwatch 2 have been turbulent lately, with tank buffs shaking things up, the limited-time introduction of Juno, and the ongoing debate over 6v6 versus 5v5 coming into the spotlight. Amidst this mix of controversial and exciting developments, a fresh start was needed, and it seems Season 12 will provide just that.

Season 12 of Overwatch 2 has just been announced, bringing a wealth of new and exciting content to look forward to. This includes the arrival of the new hero Juno, a new game mode and maps, as well as new Mythic skins and the return of some older limited-time modes. So, let's dive in and cover everything you need to know about Season 12 of Overwatch 2.

Overwatch 2 Season 12 Start Date and Time

Overwatch 2 Season 12, titled "New Frontiers," is set to launch on Tuesday, August 20. While the official release time hasn't been confirmed, in-game events typically go live at 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT in the US, so it's likely that Season 12 will follow the same schedule. With just a few days left in Season 11, there's plenty to look forward to as Season 12 ramps things up significantly.

Juno Arrives in Season 12

Season 12 will introduce Juno, a new support hero who has quickly become a fan favorite. Juno, a Martian who has arrived on Earth, is joining the Overwatch 2 roster full-time, bringing with her a variety of abilities and weaponry that make her as effective in support as she is adorable. We’ve covered all her abilities in our guide, so be sure to check that out if you haven't yet.

For a quick overview, Juno is a highly mobile support hero. Her primary fire heals allies and damages enemies (though she can't headshot). She also has a speed ring that boosts her team's movement speed and pulsar torpedoes that lock onto multiple enemies and allies, healing teammates and damaging enemies on impact. Juno's ultimate ability is an orbital ray that boosts her and her team's damage while providing healing.

Clash Mode on Hanaoka and Throne of Anubis

After a preview in April 2024, the new Clash mode is finally arriving in full, along with two new (or returning) maps. Clash mode pits teams against each other in a battle over five capture points, with each captured objective adding a point to the leading team's score. Teams can win by either controlling all five objectives at once or by reaching five points before the opposing team.

This mode will be played on the iconic Hanaoka map, inspired by the Hanamura map set in Japan, and Throne of Anubis, which revives the aesthetic and location of Overwatch’s first map, Temple of Anubis while offering a fresh perspective for this new mode.

Season 12 Mythic: Anubis Reaper and Battle Pass

Season 12 has a clear Egyptian theme, and the latest Mythic skin reflects this with the Mythic Anubis Reaper skin. Players can claim the Mythic Anubis Reaper skin and/or the Mythic Midnight Sun Ana weapon skin using their Mythic Prisms this season. There will also be another chance to unlock the Mythic Ancient Caller Moira skin from the Shop with Prisms.

The free Battle Pass includes up to 600 Overwatch Coins, 1,500 Credits, and a variety of cosmetics. The Premium Battle Pass offers a 20% XP boost for the entire season, the ability to earn 80 Mythic Prisms, five Legendary skins (Bast Doomfist, Oni Ana, Thoth Illari, Dorothy Ashe, and Captain Sigma), an additional 500 Credits, and much more.

Competitive Updates and Hero Balance Changes

Season 12 will introduce new Competitive Updates, with ranks being reset to give everyone a fresh start and a new opportunity to climb the Competitive ranks. In addition, the Avoid feature is getting updates, and there are plans to improve the Group Respawn in Quick Play, though this may not be implemented in Season 12.

Hero balance changes are also coming, with developers noting that many mobile heroes have become dominant picks and hold a significant advantage in the current meta. As a result, health reductions will be applied to multiple Damage and Support heroes, with Pharah likely being a priority. The developers also mentioned that Lifeweaver will receive notable updates to improve the quality of the Petal Platform, Healing Blossom, and Rejuvenating Dash.

Anniversary Celebration Brings Back Mirrorwatch, April Fools, and More

Overwatch 2 will celebrate its anniversary this year by bringing back limited-time game modes like April Fools and Mirrorwatch, with the possibility of other modes returning as well. Although not directly part of the celebration, it's worth noting that Overwatch 2 will be coming to Xbox Game Pass on September 17.

With this release, players can claim a one-time bonus of 30 Mythic Prisms along with six hero skins: Cardboard Reinhardt, Turtleship D.Va, Cyberdragon Hanzo, Street Runner Genji, Bee Mercy, and Cleric Lifeweaver. These skins will be yours to keep permanently, but you must claim them by October 21.

Lastly, there will be several other changes in Season 12, including new Hero Mastery missions for Pharah and Zarya, along with many smaller updates to the game overall. There's plenty to look forward to in Season 12, and we can expect more details when Blizzard releases Overwatch 2’s full Season 12 patch notes ahead of the launch.