Blizzard Entertainment is bringing back some fan-favorite cosmetics with the return of Overwatch 2 Blizzard Skins, now available through Loot Boxes in Season 16. These exclusive items, originally part of collaborations with Diablo 4 and World of Warcraft, are no longer locked behind premium bundles but instead offer players a second shot at unlocking them through gameplay.
With this surprise update, Blizzard has introduced a nostalgic yet controversial move that both excites collectors and stirs debate among longtime players.
Legendary Skins from Diablo 4 and WoW Return
In Season 15, Blizzard reintroduced the Loot Box system, which had been discontinued with the original Overwatch’s transition to its sequel. This shift allowed players to earn cosmetics through gameplay, event completions, and limited-time quests like the Discord Quest. Now, Season 16 adds even more incentive by including ultra-rare Overwatch 2 Blizzard Skins as potential Legendary drops.
Included in this update are skins from two of Blizzard’s biggest in-house crossovers:
From Diablo 4 (October 2023):
- Lilith Moira
- Inarius Pharah
- Imperius Reinhardt
- Azmodan Wrecking Ball
From World of Warcraft (September 2024):
- Lich King Reinhardt
- Sylvanas Widowmaker
- Diamond Magni Torbjorn
- Thrall Zenyatta
These collaborations originally premiered during limited events and were largely paywalled behind high-cost bundles. For example, the Lilith Moira skin, which was previously only accessible via the $40 Ultimate Battle Pass bundle, is now obtainable—albeit rarely—through Loot Boxes in Season 16. This marks the first time that these cosmetics can be earned outside of real-money purchases.
🔗 Source: Blizzard’s official Overwatch 2 blog
🔗 More details from GameRant
Mixed Reactions from the Overwatch Community
While many players are thrilled at the opportunity to collect these elusive cosmetics, the move has sparked backlash from those who paid for them originally. Critics argue that making these skins available to all undermines their exclusivity and warrants a refund for those who purchased them outright. Despite the controversy, the odds of landing one of these collaboration skins remain low, and Loot Boxes are capped per season—meaning they’re still highly prized collectibles.
As of now, only the Diablo 4 and World of Warcraft skins have been added to the Loot Box pool. Fan-favorite legacy cosmetics like Illidan Genji and Tyrande Symmetra from the 2018 BlizzCon set remain unavailable. Likewise, skins from external collaborations such as One Punch Man, Cowboy Bebop, and Transformers have not been added.
It’s worth noting that Loot Boxes in Overwatch 2 are automatically opened at the end of each season, so players can’t stockpile them for future updates. While this ensures fair item rotation, it limits how strategic players can be with their collection plans.
What’s Next for Blizzard Skins in Overwatch 2?
Blizzard hasn’t officially confirmed whether more older or exclusive skins will be added to the Loot Box system. However, the reintroduction of Overwatch 2 Blizzard Skins hints at a growing interest in re-releasing past content. Whether it’s a tactic to re-engage the player base or simply a way to maximize value from previous collaborations, the move is making waves across the community.
For now, the best way to collect these cosmetics is through active gameplay during Season 16. Fans eager to relive these iconic collaborations or complete their collections should jump in while the opportunity lasts.
