Mastering Ranked Matches in Overwatch 2: A Guide

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How to Unlock Competitive Mode

Who Needs to Unlock Competitive Mode

Playing Overwatch 2 can be a blast, especially with its various game modes. However, there’s that one mode where the stakes are higher — competitive matchmaking. In this mode, you’re matched with players who have similar skill levels, which usually leads to a more focused and less chaotic gaming experience.

The development team for Overwatch 2 has updated how you can access the competitive mode. This guide covers everything you need to know to get started. Just follow along, and you’ll be diving into competitive gameplay in no time.

How to Unlock Competitive Mode

Overwatch 2 challenges menu showing completed Competitive Play Qualification challenge.-1

To enter competitive mode, you must complete the First-Time User Experience (FTUE) and win 50 Quick Play matches (this fulfills the Competitive Play Qualification challenge). FTUE serves as a basic tutorial that familiarizes you with the game mechanics. Quick Play is similar to casual or unranked matches in other games.

You can monitor your progress in the Competitive Play Qualification challenge by going to Main Menu > Challenges > Lifetime.

This change was implemented after October 4, 2022, allowing new players to avoid negatively impacting games due to a lack of experience with heroes and gameplay.

Overwatch 2 Reinhardt and Mercy preparing to defend a point.-1

While winning 50 games may sound like a tedious task, it’s not as tough as it seems. Plus, it’ll give you a chance to get comfortable with all 41 heroes. Whether you decide to play many of them or focus on a few, understanding how they operate is crucial for both supporting your teammates and countering opponents effectively.

Completing these initial challenges doesn’t immediately grant you a competitive rank. You still need to go through calibration matches to establish your starting rank.

Who Needs to Unlock Competitive Mode

Overwatch 2 Moira being healed during a match.-1

Not everyone needs to complete the Competitive Play Qualification and FTUE. If you’ve already finished these challenges previously and are returning to Overwatch 2 after a break, your progress is saved, letting you jump straight into competitive play. Additionally, if you bought Overwatch before the launch of Overwatch 2, you won’t have to complete the initial challenges.