Starwatch was a limited-time event in Overwatch 2, which featured a new comic and PvP game mode. The event ran from May 9 to May 23, 2023.[1]
The game mode Starwatch: Galactic Rescue was temporarily brought back for 2023's anniversary event, where you could earn a Ramattra player icon by completing 3 games of the mode in Arcade.
Background[ | ]
Starwatch was a space opera setting. Here, the Infinite Empire rules the galaxy with an iron grip, and all hope would be lost if not for a small band of rebels known as the Watchers, who fight for freedom across the stars.[2]
Comics[ | ]
The cover of the comic Starwatch: An Echo of Hope
Two comics, Starwatch: An Echo of Hope and Starwatch: Epilogue were released as a part of the event. The first was released alongside the event and tells the backstory of Starwatch and what led to the events in Starwatch: Galactic Rescue game mode. The latter was released after the event and serves as continuation to one of the game mode's ending cinematics.
Starwatch: Galactic Rescue[ | ]
- Main article: Starwatch: Galactic Rescue
Starwatch: Galactic Rescue was a 4v4 game mode that took place on a modified Horizon Lunar Colony, Infinite Galactrius, where Watchers would attack against the defending Infinite Empire. Assemble your team from select heroes to represent the Watchers and Infinite Empire and battle your way through new objectives.[1] The game mode also introduced some PvE elements into a PvP match, for example, turrets placed for the Empire's side.[3]
Heroes[ | ]
The hero roster is restricted in this game mode:
The Watchers[ | ]
- Doomfist as Bonebreaker
- Winston as the Extraterrestrial
- Echo as 3CH-0
- Wrecking Ball as Asteroid
- Ashe as Intergalactic Smuggler
- Torbjörn as Starship Engineer
- Lúcio as Space Prince
- Baptiste as a Bounty Hunter
The Infinite Empire[ | ]
- Sigma as Galactic Emperor
- D.Va as Infinite Ace
- Soldier: 76 as Infinite Guard
- Bastion as Infinite Annihilator
- Sojourn as Infinite Admiral
- Brigitte as Royal Captain
- Mercy as Infinite Seer
Challenges[ | ]
Starwatch event launched with 9 challenges, partially related to the event's themed Starwatch: Galactic Rescue game mode.
| Challenge Name | Requirements | Reward | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete 5 Starwatch Event Challenges. | Asteroid - Epic Wrecking Ball Skin 30,000 XP |
||
| Complete 5 games of Starwatch. Wins grant double progress. | Silver Comet - Weapon Charm 2,500 XP |
||
| Destroy 3 gravity canisters in Starwatch. | Join the Infinite - Spray 2,500 XP |
||
| Resurrect a teammate. | Kneel - Sigma Voice Line 2,500 XP |
||
| Stay airborne in low gravity for 4 seconds. | Infinite Flight - Spray 2,500 XP |
||
| Complete 4 games. Wins grant double progress. | 2,500 XP | Can be completed in any game mode. | |
| Complete 8 games. Wins grant double progress. | 2,500 XP | Can be completed in any game mode. | |
| Complete 12 games. Wins grant double progress. | Laser Power - Doomfist Voice Line 2,500 XP |
Can be completed in any game mode. | |
| Complete 16 games. Wins grant double progress. | Hammond's Wish - Name Card 2,500 XP |
Can be completed in any game mode. |
Cosmetics[ | ]
Challenge rewards[ | ]
Players could unlock the following items by completing in-game challenges.
Wrecking Ball - Asteroid (Epic)
Silver Comet
Doomfist Voice Line "Laser Power" - ▶️
Spray "Join the Infinite"
Spray "Infinite Flight"
Name Card "Hammond's Wish
Shop items[ | ]
Starwatch-themed skins were sold in the Shop in the form of bundles, and were automatically equipped for the players in the Galactic Rescue mode.
- Baptiste Skin "Bounty Hunter"
Echo Skin "Automaton"
- Torbjörn Skin "Starship Engineer"
- Soldier: 76 "Infinite Guard"
- Brigitte Skin "Royal Captain"
D.Va Skin "Infinite Ace"
Sojourn Skin "Infinite Admiral"
Battle Pass items[ | ]
Starwatch-themed cosmetics were also available in the season 4 Battle Pass, and were automatically equipped for the players in the Galactic Rescue mode.
- Free
- Bastion Skin "Infinite Annihilator"
- Mercy Skin "Infinite Seer"
- Premium
- Lúcio Skin Space Prince
- Winston Skin "Extraterrestial"
- Ashe Skin "Intergalactic Smuggler"
- Doomfist Skin "Bonebreaker"
- Sigma Skin "Galactic Emperor"
Sprays
Spray "Infinite Peace"
Spray "Galactic Emperor"
Trivia[ | ]
- This skin theme was heavily inspired by Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy.
- The gamemode uses a modified version of Horizon Lunar Colony map.
- It is the first game mode with 4 Control Points.
- The first comic announced that the story would have continuation based on the overall results of the game mode. Although, the results were never officially announced, the epilogue following the ending cinematic where the Watchers were caught suggests that Infinite Empire had more victories.
Images[ | ]
Official event logo
Art made by Kim-Seang Hong[4]
Map
![Art made by Kim-Seang Hong[4]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/overwatch_gamepedia/images/e/ed/Starwatch_Banner.png/revision/latest?cb=20230509181854)
References[ | ]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 06-04-2023. Overwatch 2 Season Four brings a new hero, new skins, and new out-of-this world adventures!. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 07-04-2023.
- ↑ 2023-05-09, BECOME A HERO OF THE GALAXY IN STARWATCH – NOW LIVE. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2023-05-14
- ↑ 07-04-2023. Director’s Take – Looking Ahead To Season 4. Aaron Keller, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 16-04-2023.
- ↑ 09-05-2023. Overwatch Space Opera. Nesskain, ArtStation. Accessed on 10-05-2023.
