Overwatch 2 ranked requirement lowered to 20 wins

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We also go over some of the community’s concerns about this update.

In simpler terms, it means that Overwatch 2 has made it easier to join competitive matches by reducing the threshold for entering ranked games. Here’s more information about the Competitive Play game mode in Overwatch 2.

How many wins do you need for Competitive Play in Overwatch 2?

Starting from August 26th, referred to as Overwatch 2 Season 18, players who aspire for competitive battles can join the Competitive Play game mode once they secure 20 victories in unranked matches. Earlier, a player was required to win 50 times before participating.

As stated in Blizzard Entertainment’s August 26th patch notes, this update is a part of the First-Time User Experience (FTUE) and grants new players immediate access to all heroes without needing to gradually unlock them as previously required.

Regarding public opinion, a significant number of people seem displeased with the reduced Competitive Play requirement set at 20 wins. For instance, members on X forum have voiced their concerns about this change potentially overflowing lower ranks with inexperienced players. Additionally, gamers like mellyersii and theinstagator3 have raised red flags over the possibility of smurf accounts becoming more prevalent. Furthermore, some people have suggested raising the requirement from 20 wins to 100 or even 200 for a more balanced competitive experience.

Overwatch 2 smurfs explained

In the game Overwatch 2, a smurf is a player who uses secondary accounts with lower skill levels compared to their primary account. They do this so they can compete against less skilled players, making it easier for them to win matches.

In January 2025, Blizzard Entertainment tackled the issue of ‘smurfs’ in an update for Defense Matrix within their game Overwatch 2. The update was inspired by D.Va’s Defense Matrix skill, and it’s a project designed to ensure that the game remains fair, enjoyable, secure, and welcoming for all players.

The post expressed a concern about an issue noticed among novice gamers: “When experienced players create fresh accounts, it presents a difficult situation for those with lower skill levels.” This practice, known as ‘smurfing,’ is perceived as unfriendly and detrimental to the overall new player experience. To mitigate this problem, we’ve been developing innovative technology that can identify experienced players on new accounts and promptly adjust their Matchmaking Rating (MMR) to appropriate levels.

In the post from January 2025, it was disclosed that Blizzard Entertainment suspended approximately 800,000 accounts due to cheating since the release of Overwatch 2. However, the current tally remains undisclosed.

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2025-08-29 01:42