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Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Samuel Tolbert

Overwatch 2's next hero 'Freja' is a crossbow sniper with an arsenal of explosives

Freja poses with the Northern Lights in Overwatch 2.

Blizzard Entertainment shared a fair bit on what's coming to Overwatch 2 over the course of 2025, and that includes a look at the next hero, Freja. This former rescue operative has turned to a life of bounty hunting, and that means her kit is based all around trapping her foes before demolishing them with explosives.

Naturally, that means she's a damage-type hero, focused on eliminating enemy players by picking them off through clever maneuvers on the battlefield. Here's an overview of Freja's abilities:

  • Revdraw Crossbow: A rapid-fire crossbow that serves as her primary weapon
  • Take Aim: Freja carefully fires a single explosive crossbow bolt into an enemy
  • Quick Dash: Freja quickly dashes in any direction, reloading her explosive bolt at the same time
  • Updraft: Freja launches herself in the air, getting a new angle on the battlefield
  • Bola Shot: Wraps an enemy in an explosive bola

The developers describe Freja as being "challenging and rewarding" to use, requiring steady aim in order to make the most of her abilities.

A quick peak at the *next* hero, codename "Aqua"

"Aqua" is a water-manipulating Chinese hero. (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

In addition to giving us a breakdown of what to expect from Freja, Blizzard Entertainment also shared a peak at Hero 44, the next hero that'll be added to the game after this icy bounty hunter.

Codenamed "Aqua," Hero 44 is a Chinese character that wields water-based abilities with an "innovative playstyle," and there'll be more details to come later in 2025. "Aqua" is currently planned to arrive in Overwatch 2 as part of Season 18.

When is Freja available in Overwatch 2?

Freja is on the way as a bunch of big changes arrive in Overwatch 2. (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Players won't be waiting too long to give this Nordic huntress a spin, as Freja is scheduled to arrive in Overwatch 2 as part of Season 16. If that still feels too far out however, she'll also be available to test during Season 15 as part of a free trial weekend, though the exact date has yet to be announced.

Freja is coming at a time when Overwatch 2 is getting some massive updates. The Perk system arriving in Season 15 is shaking up how the game is played per-match, with new options for evolving and improving hero abilities as you level up twice, first choosing a Minor Perk, and then a Major Perk. There's also the wild new Stadium mode coming in Season 16, which (among many other things) even includes a third-person camera.

I really like Freja's design, and I can't wait to see what kind of skins she gets. While I usually gravitate more toward tanks or support heroes, her kit sounds cool, so I'm definitely eager to try her out. Overwatch 2: Season 15 kicks on Feb. 18, 2025.

Overwatch 2 is free-to-play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers get additional benefits when playing, including free skins and a 10% XP boost.

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