Summary
Use recommended builds for an easy start in Stadium.
Choose between FPS or third-person view for comfort.
Spend cash wisely in each round to optimize your hero.
Stadium is a bonus game mode in Overwatch 2 that plays very differently from the main game. With a third-person camera view, unlockable abilities and stat modifiers, alongside a smaller pool of Heroes, Stadium may seem a little overwhelming at first, but it’s well worth getting to grips with, considering how much of a blast it is to play, especially when part of a coordinated team.
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However, it can definitely be tricky getting the hang of things for those first few games, which is why it’s always worth taking on board a few tips and tricks to be fully prepared for what’s to come. With that being said, here are some of the most crucial hints to always keep in the back of the mind when loading into a game of Overwatch 2’s exciting new Stadium mode.
8
Rely On Recommended Builds
There Are A Few Pre-Made Builds To Follow When Loading Into A Game
Players who are familiar with MOBA games will know very well that it can take a little while to get accustomed to what items and abilities are best suited for their character. While the Armory in Overwatch 2 isn’t as complex as the likes of League of Legends, for example, there’s still a ton of optional choices to pick from when it comes to building a character. While this can seem a little overwhelming initially, the best thing to do is to scroll all the way to the right of the menu, where there will be two recommended pre-built templates already set out.
These are especially made to give beginner players an easy way to create an effective character quickly and easily, while also learning about what the Arsenal can offer in the process. After using these pre-builds for a few games, players can then become confident enough to branch out and make their own builds in the future.
7
Choose Between FPS Or Third-Person
Pick A Camera Angle Which Feels The Most Comfortable
There’s a common misconception that Stadium can only be played in Third Person mode, but this isn’t actually true. While it’s definitely a lot of fun testing out the Heroes from an over-the-shoulder angle, those who have been playing Overwatch for a long time may be most comfortable with the FPS view, and thankfully, this can be turned on by heading over to the settings menu and scrolling down to Stadium.
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Third person definitely has its advantages, such as being able to see around corners, but it can also be a little cumbersome for some of the bigger Heroes like D.Va or Zarya. Therefore, don’t be afraid to test out which one feels the best, and never feel pressured to stick with third person just because everyone else does.
6
Use Up Your Cash
Saving Can Be Helpful, But It’s Ultimately Not Worth It
After each round in a match of Stadium, every player in the game will be given a certain amount of cash depending on how well they performed. While it can seem tempting to try and save up this money over time to buy something big, the truth is, considering each match only goes up to best of four, it’s really not worth doing. Instead, the best strategy can be to use up all or at least most of the credits to ensure the Hero is as prepared for the next round as possible.
It’s quite easy to earn a pretty hefty sum so long as players are firing on all cylinders during a round. Therefore, it’s best to spend as much as possible rather than holding any money back for later in the game, since by that point, it might already be too late.
5
Try Out Stadium Training Mode
Test Out Stadium’s Small Pool Of Heroes In Training
Stadium only allows players to choose from a very small pool of Heroes right now, and while many of the fan favorites have been able to make it in, there are still some players who, unfortunately, won’t be able to jump in with their main hero. The good news is, there’s a brand-new Stadium version of the training mode where players can test out their own unique builds with one of the available Heroes on offer.
Of course, this also gives players the opportunity to experiment with the weapons and abilities of a Hero, just in case they haven’t used them before, ensuring they have everything they need to help out the team once they enter a fresh new game. It never hurts to get some practice in, especially with a mode as challenging as this one.
4
Be Considerate With Powers
Powers Are Rare, So It’s Best Not To Waste Them
Powers work a little differently from the other items and abilities in the shop. These are massive buffs that can completely change the way a hero plays, but what’s important is that only one can be obtained every two rounds, starting from the first round of the game onwards. As a result, rather than just picking one and moving to the next screen as quickly as possible, it’s extremely important to pay close attention to what each Power does to make the most out of the Hero.
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There’s nothing worse than starting the game and being stuck with a Power that doesn’t fit the Heroes’ build for two entire rounds of a match, especially since it only takes four for a team to win. Learning about the Powers is also worth doing because it allows players to experiment when they jump back in for another match of Stadium, so, needless to say, they ought to be given special attention.
3
Sell Off Cheaper Buffs
By The Late Game, The Cheaper Buffs Won’t Be Worth A Whole Lot
Since all players will only start off a match with a little bit of money, it means everyone is going to be scrambling to buy those cheap items to help give them a leg up in combat. By the late game, though, these items can end up being pretty useless and also take up a slot in the inventory, so rather than keeping them there and hoping they work, it’s advised to scroll over and just sell them off to make some extra cash.
There are many buffs in the shop, which are essentially upgraded versions of the basic ones. For example, while a cheap item can provide 5% more health, some of the more expensive ones can provide 10%, along with an added bonus for good measure, making them much better options in those later rounds.
2
Focus On Bounties
Hotshots Will Have A Bounty, Making Them The Biggest Target To Aim For
If a player on a team manages to rack up an impressive number of kills, they will earn themselves a Bounty. This means that if the opposing team manages to take them down, they’ll be able to score a nice chunk of cash to spend in the next round, which can end up turning the tables pretty quickly if players can pull it off.
Of course, this goes the other way, as those with the Bounty on their head will also need to be extra cautious about how they play, since everybody is going to be gunning for them. Simply put, try not to ignore the Bounty system as it can be extremely rewarding for those who play around it.
1
Select A Hero You Enjoy
Once A Hero Is Chosen, Players Won’t Be Able To Switch Them Out
While this may sound obvious, the reason it’s worth mentioning is that, unlike the main game mode of Overwatch, players cannot change their Heroes mid-game when playing Stadium. This actually works in the mode’s favor as it means counterplaying isn’t a thing, though it also means players will be restricted to only using one Hero for the entire match, so experimenting and toying around with characters isn’t really an option here.
Instead, make sure to go with Heroes that not only have interesting builds, but that are actually fun to play too, since Stadium matches tend to go on for a little longer than the other modes. Luckily, Blizzard did include more than enough Heroes for there to be a vast enough selection for players to choose from.
Overwatch 2
Released
August 10, 2023
ESRB
T For Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence
Engine
Proprietary Engine