Overwatch 2 Season 20 — Winter Wonderland Update

Overwatch 2 has officially launched its Season 20: Winter Wonderland event, running from December 9 to January 7. This seasonal update introduces refreshed winter game modes, expanded challenges with unique rewards, extensive gameplay tuning, and major competitive system changes. Players can explore new Mischief & Magic variants, refined Aim Assist options, a temporary map removal, and numerous hero balance updates spanning Tanks, Damage, Support, and newly integrated heroes.

Two updated versions of Mischief & Magic debut throughout the event window, each unlocking during specific weeks. Classic winter-themed arcade modes also return, giving players a broader selection of festive activities. Completing challenges awards “festive cookies”, which can be exchanged for themed cosmetics, lootboxes, and Battle Pass progress.

Beyond event content, the patch delivers substantial system-wide updates, including deeper Aim Assist customization and new rules for registering defensive “Saves” via timely over-heal usage. The map Antarctic Peninsula has been removed for two seasons as Blizzard prepares it for an extensive rework.

The update also applies widespread hero adjustments—affecting Tanks, DPS, Support heroes, and recent additions—targeting balance improvement and more consistent gameplay pacing. Competitive mode receives a major overhaul, replacing Top 500 with the new Challenger Tier, adding score-based progression, upgraded leaderboards, and enhanced profile transparency.

Below is the fully rewritten, complete Season 20 Patch Notes.

Winter Wonderland Event ❄️

Event Duration: December 9 – January 7

New Seasonal Modes 🎮

Weeks 1–2 (Dec 9–22): Mischief & Magic — Winter Edition

A winter-themed version of one of Overwatch’s most beloved game modes. Kings Row transforms into a frosty prop-hunt environment. Accessible via the Arcade or the Event’s Game Modes tab.

Weeks 3–4 (Dec 23–Jan 5): Mischief & Magic: Wonderland

A more mischievous variant where props can fight back. Rogue Kiriko players can now taunt and stun Genji Knights to build ultimate charge, then unleash empowered attacks before fleeing. Available in the Arcade and event menu.

Challenges & Cookie Rewards 🍪

Complete challenges across both Mischief & Magic modes to earn holiday cookies. These can be gifted to one of three seasonal spirits:

• Tracer the Elf
• Santa Torbjörn
• Junkrat Krampus

Each spirit returns unique rewards, such as cosmetics, lootboxes, and Battle Pass boosts.

Returning Arcade Modes 🎁

Available throughout the event:

• Mei’s Snowball Offensive
• Snowball Deathmatch
• Yeti Hunter
• Freezethaw Elimination

General Updates ⚙️

Saves for Overhealth

All heroes who grant overhealth can now earn Saves if applied at key moments—expanding a mechanic previously limited to only a few characters.

Aim Assist Improvements 🎯

• Aim Assist strength increased by 7%
• New advanced sensitivity controls:Extra Horizontal/Vertical Sensitivity at Max Deadzone
• Ramp-up Delay (0–1s)
• Ramp-up Time (0–1s)
• Option to disable Aim Assist at Max Deadzone
• Friendly Aim Assist updates (Ana, Juno, Illari): New health threshold setting (default: 99% to exclude fully healed allies)
• Default friendly aim assist strength set to 100%
• New Projectile/ Hitscan/ Melee Ease-In options
• Legacy Mode removed

Map Rotation

Antarctic Peninsula is temporarily disabled for two full seasons during preparation for a major rework.

Competitive Mode Updates 🏆

Top 500 → Challenger Tier

Competitive progression has been restructured around the new Challenger Score, awarded for wins at Diamond 5+ or All-Star 5+ in Stadium.

Challenger Score Key Details

• Score gained depends on the highest-ranked player in the match.
• Losses remove 33% of what that rank would have awarded.
• Progress resets each season.
• Weekly 5% Heat Bonus for consecutive weeks.
• Score does not apply to Wide matches.
• Score applies to both role-specific and combined leaderboards.
• Added to Career Profile and Competitive Progress screens.

Leaderboard Upgrades

• Direct linking to player social profiles for verified Challenger players
• Near-real-time visibility—no minimum wins, no unlock delay
• Search functionality, scrolling, “Go to me,” and new filters
• Updated entry requirements:Combined/Open Queue/Stadium: 5000 Score
• Each Role: 4000 Score
• Endorsement Level 2 required

Cheater Compensation

Players will periodically regain Rank Progress lost in matches where a cheater was present. Deductions do not apply to wins with cheaters. System activates later in Season 20 after calibration.

Hero Balance Updates ⚔️

Tanks

Junker Queen

Carnage

• Cooldown increased: 8s → 9s

Hazard

Jagged Wall

• Knockback damage: 40 → 50
• Health: 350 → 400

Reinhardt

Earthshatter

• Ultimate cost increased by 9%

Sigma

Hyperspheres

• Direct hit damage: 15 → 25

Damage Heroes

Bastion

Configuration: Recon

• Fire rate: 5 → 6 rounds/sec

Freja

Revdraw Crossbow

• Base damage: 25 → 30

Take Aim

• Direct hit: 40 → 30
• Explosion: 90 → 80

Quick Dash

• Range increased by 15%

Bola Shot

• Hinder duration: 1.2s → 1.4s
• AoE slow: 25% → 45%

Junkrat

Frag Launcher

• Projectile speed: 25 → 30

Frag Cannon (Perk)

• Bonus projectile speed: 40% → 25%
• Ammo penalty removed

Reaper

The Reaping

• Lifesteal: 30% → 25%

Vendetta

• ~15% faster recoveries across multiple abilities

Projected Edge

• Speed: 33 → 37 m/s

Soaring Slice

• Max distance: 16m → 14m (but faster execution)

Siphoning Strike (Perk)

• Lifesteal: 30% → 40%

Swift Vengeance (Perk)

• Overhealth: 125 → 150

Venture

Explorer’s Resolve

• Shield per ability: 30 → 25

Support Heroes

Baptiste

Immortality Field

• Cooldown: 25s → 22s

Illari

Captive Sun

• Projectile size: 0.75 → 0.45

Juno

Mediblaster

• Now deals critical hits

Kiriko

Kunai

• Projectile size: 0.15 → 0.12

Wuyang

Rushing Torrent

• Movement bonus: 50% → 40%

Stadium Mode Updates ⚡

• Challenger Tier integration
• Additional Top 500 rewards coming in Season 21
• Full support for new heroes

New Heroes Added to Stadium Mode 🆕

Detailed kits for Doomfist and Wuyang with extensive Power and Legendary Item options, enabling expanded build variety and new high-skill synergies.