Overwatch’s latest anniversary mode brings back pre-Overwatch 2 6v6 and I have to admit, I missed it
Blizzard Entertainment has released a special anniversary mode for Overwatch 2 that restores the original 6v6 team composition format from before the game’s transition to free-to-play in 2022. The limited-time event allows players to experience the classic two-tank, three-damage, two-support lineup that defined the original game, contrasting with Overwatch 2’s current 5v5 format.
The return to 6v6 addresses long-standing frustrations with the tank role in Overwatch 2’s competitive landscape. Since the format change, tank players must consolidate responsibilities that were previously split between two players—creating space, holding the front line, and providing peeling support for teammates. This concentrated pressure has made tanking significantly more demanding and has driven some players away from the role.
The anniversary mode highlights the off-tank position, which no longer exists in the current 5v5 system. Players who specialized in this flexible role report missing the gameplay dynamic it provided. The temporary event gives the community an opportunity to revisit classic Overwatch gameplay and assess preferences between the current and legacy team compositions, while offering relief from the intensity of modern tank gameplay.