Overwatch 2 introduced three new heroes at launch: Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko. They joined the existing roster when the game entered early access on October 4, 2022.
Sojourn is a Canadian former Overwatch operative and a damage hero built around a powerful railgun. Junker Queen is the tank ruler of Junkertown, using a shotgun, axe, knife, and abilities that apply the Wound effect. Kiriko is a support hero from Kanezaka who combines healing ofuda with swift movement and protective abilities.
The number can be confusing because Blizzard discussed several additional heroes during Overwatch 2’s development, and more heroes arrived in later seasons. The launch figure refers specifically to new playable heroes available as Overwatch 2 replaced the original game’s live service. It does not count returning heroes with visual redesigns, reworked abilities, or new maps and modes.
Overwatch 2 also changed the standard team format from six players to five, removing one tank slot in role-queue teams. That gameplay change happened alongside the free-to-play transition and the launch of the new heroes.