Overwatch 2 Season 13 Spellbinder update release time, date, patch notes, NEW skins | Gaming | Entertainment
Overwatch 2 developer Blizzard is getting ready to release a new season of content on PS5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Titled Spellbinder, Overwatch 2 Season 13 has an October 15 release date and a 6pm BST launch time for fans living in the UK.
Launching in time for Halloween, the new season adds the Junkenstein’s Laboratory game mode, as well as new skins, rewards and even a My Hero Academia collaboration.
As you can see from the early patch notes further down the page, Season 13 also launches alongside a big update, complete with balance changes, bug fixes and gameplay tweaks.
Arguably the headline new feature is the addition of Junkenstein’s Laboratory, which is a player-vs-player Team Deathmatch-style game mode.
Blizzard explains more: “Each match introduces cursed talent cards that alter your hero’s abilities, turning the battlefield into a chaotic playground of haunted power.
“Play as some of the most beloved heroes like Reinhardt, Moira, and Mercy, but beware, as the spooky mutations will challenge even the most seasoned players.”
In addition to Junkenstein’s Laboratory, fans will also be able to play co-op modes Junkenstein’s Revenge and Wrath of the Bride.
Available for the duration of Season 13, the returning modes are said to contain “new challenges, enemies, and horrifying bosses”.
According to Blizzard, the release of the Mythic Spellbinder Widowmaker skin is at the heart of the new season.
The Mythic Spellbinder Widowmaker skin will evolve as players level up, adding custom animations, new visual effects, and an altered soundscape.
“As you progress through her transformation, you’ll witness her growing power, symbolised by the fiery enchantment of her final form,” Blizzard explains.
“At level four, Spellbinder’s hat ignites, crowning her as a master of witchcraft. With every step, this skin immerses you in a magical experience like never before, from potion-infused uniforms to spell-like abilities in her kit.”
Speaking of skins, the Premium Battle Pass adds Bog Witch Ana, Necrotic Witch Junker Queen, Witchbane Sojourn, Gnome Torbjorn, and Monstrous Sigma.
The My Hero Academia collaboration, meanwhile, introduces five new skins to the item shop, which are available individually or as part of a bundle. This includes Tracer as Deku, Reinhardt as All Might, Juno as Uravity, Reaper as Tomura Shigaraki and Kiriko as Himiko Toga.
The update will also make various balance changes, bug fixes and gameplay tweaks. You can check out the early patch notes below. A full list of patch notes will be available on October 15.
Overwatch 2 Season 13 early patch notes…
MAP ADJUSTMENTS
Dorado
– Reducing harsh defender lines of sight to prevent spawn camping
– Adding a new staircase in Area 2 that makes high ground more accessible for attackers
– Shortened some flank routes
– Adjusted Cover Placements
Numbani
– Simplified Capture Point in Area 1 to make it more accessible for attacking team
– Added a defender forward spawn in Area 3 to make it easier for defenders to get back to the payload
– Changes to angles and flank routes in Area 3
Circuit Royal
– Adjustments to combat spawn camping across all three areas
– First Attacker Spawn adjusted to reduce spawn camping with added cover and by removing stairs over spawn doors
– Flank options added in Area 1 to contest defenders on high ground
– Flank options added in Area 2 for attackers to take rear high ground
– Sight lines improved in Area 3 to help attackers poke at defenders in final area
Havana
– Adjusted high-ground access and spawn room pathing to reduce spawn camping
– New routes and scale adjustments added to Area 2
– Blocked lines of sight and cleaner navigation in final area
UI ADJUSTMENTS
• Changes to in-game scoreboard
– Behaviour reporting feature embedded into scoreboard
– Can click to report player and select reason from list
– More control over which text and voice channels you’re in
– Improved volume control for teammates
COMPETITIVE ADJUSTMENTS
• New requirement to qualify for any Top 500 leaderboard
– Players will need to have 750 games in any Competitive Mode