Overwatch 2’s new Stadium game mode is set to launch with an impressive array of customization options, featuring hundreds of items and powers for each of the 17 heroes available at the start. Players will find an extensive variety of ways to tailor their characters in pursuit of victory. Stadium allows participants to engage in best-of-seven grudge matches across nine maps, transitioning to the Armory before each round to purchase items and select powers that can significantly affect their heroes’ abilities.
Items can be bought using a currency called Stadium Cash, which players accumulate throughout each round, by defeating high-priority bounty targets, or by selling previously acquired items. The items are classified into three rarities: Common, Rare, and Epic, with each tier offering more substantial enhancements to hero capabilities at progressively higher prices. Items are further broken down into categories that include Weapon Items for enhancing primary and secondary fire, Ability Items for bolstering special skills, and Survival Items to extend heroes’ longevity in combat.
While many items provide generic boosts available to multiple heroes, each character also boasts unique options tailored to enhance their specific strengths and abilities. In contrast to items, powers are offered as free enhancements that players choose before rounds one, three, five, and seven. These powers can dramatically change gameplay dynamics, featuring unique abilities like Ana’s area-of-effect Nano Boost or Reinhardt’s lava trails.
However, once selected, powers cannot be swapped out, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making. It is worth noting that there was an error in the infographic released by Overwatch 2, which inaccurately displayed Orisa’s survival items, duplicating those of D.Va. Players may need to wait until the Stadium mode officially goes live on April 22 to discover the true defensive options available for Orisa.