Key insights
- Overwatch 2 introduces Competitive Drives to make ranked play more rewarding and engaging.
- Competitive Drives include a checkpoint system and signature unlocks based on drive score.
Blizzard has confirmed this Overwatch 2 is getting a feature called Competitive Drives that will make ranked games more lucrative. Overwatch 2 Competitive play hasn't reached the heights its predecessor did, but Drives changes could change that.
Overwatch 2 has featured a competitive game mode since its release, with the basics inherited from the original game. In order for new players to enter the competition, they must first win 50 Quick Play games before completing 10 Placement games to determine their first rank. A player's rank is based on their performance in these 10 games and is reset at the start of a new season. Ranks range from Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond, while some players may become Master, Grandmaster or Champion at the end of a season. The introduction of Competitive Drives in Season 12 could further encourage players who are hesitant to jump into ranked play.
Blizzard recently addressed this Overwatch 2 Competitive Drives details with an update post published before the changes. Competitive Drives are a checkpoint system that allows players to unlock more rewards for winning competitive matches. Players can unlock a Signature and subsequent Prestige Tiers by completing their first Competitive Drive. A signature is a cosmetic item for a player's Battle Tag, appearing on a name card, hero portrait, gameplay highlight intros, and more. Competitive Drives begin on October 4th and will be a central feature of the next three seasons Overwatch 2 Season 12.
Overwatch 2 Competitive receives drives on October 4th
Overwatch 2 Players progress through Drives by earning a Drive score with each competitive win. Once a player reaches a new drive checkpoint, subsequent losses only reduce their progress to the base of that checkpoint. The Drive Score is calculated as the skill rank percentage achieved in a match multiplied by 10. Drive Points can earn Competitive Points at levels 300, 1200 and 2200, while a Signature can be unlocked at 700 and upgraded at 1700 and 2700 points. The Drive Score has no influence on this Overwatch 2 Rank, meaning a low ranked player may have a high score or vice versa. Similar to Season Ranks, Signatures are reset at the start of each competitive run.
With Overwatch 2 Season 13 is scheduled for October 15th, with players only having 11 days to complete the first ride. Because Overwatch 2 Although there was a drop in competitive game mode, the addition of drives could entice players to try the game mode. Since Drives has only been confirmed for the next three seasons, it's unclear whether Blizzard plans to expand the concept beyond that if successful.
