Overwatch 2 Haunted Masquerade game mode, explained

With the spooky season well and truly underway, Overwatch 2’s annual Halloween event has officially dropped in the game. Rather than the usual Overwatch Halloween Terror events, the game has introduced a whole new game mode this year: Overwatch 2 Haunted Masquerade. 

We’re going to be looking at everything you need to know about Overwatch Haunted Masquerade, including how the mode works and the different masks available. 

The Haunted Masquerade is the brand-new Overwatch 2 game mode released to celebrate the Halloween season. The event is an arcade-style PvP mode that introduces Hero Masks. Hero Masks are pretty ridiculous to look at, as they are designed to look like cardboard cutouts of each hero’s face. However, the mechanics of the mask are particularly interesting, as they offer unique abilities. The game mode is a regular 6v6 match, but each player receives a buff from their chosen mask and a silly look thanks to the flimsy cardboard aesthetic. 

Haunted Masquerade is all about having fun with the different masks. Each mask offers a specific ability related to the hero whose face is on the front of it. In each round, there are six masks available to pick from, though they can only choose from the six heroes each player picks during a game. Players can change their chosen hero between rounds, but once a game begins, they are locked in. Masks can be changed at any point. 

Not all the Overwatch heroes are available to play as in Halloween Masquerade. There are five Tank heroes, 10 DPS heroes and seven Support heroes. The characters that can be played are as follows:

Each mask has its own ability – as noted – and these abilities relate to their designated hero, such as Tracer’s mask, which gives those who equip it a boost to their movement speed. As well as regular abilities, there are also some special abilities that specific masks offer to heroes. For instance, Ana’s mask has one general ability that all heroes gain when equipped, but it also has a special ability unique to Soldier: 76 when he equips it. Let’s take a look at the abilities that each mask offers, including the unique hero-specific skills. 

All you need to do to play a game of Haunted Masquerade is pick your mask. Don’t forget to equip the mask before the game begins, though. It can be easy to forget to do so, and without a mask, you’re at a major disadvantage. 

A handy tip for playing Halloween Masquerade is to synergise with your team as much as possible. You might find yourself in a team without the hero that offers the extra buff for your character, but that doesn’t mean you can’t strategise and think about what mask would work best with your teammates. 

That being said, don’t feel obliged to use the mask of the hero that offers a special ability if they are on your team. Play as the character you are most comfortable with to get the best possible experience. It’s only an arcade game mode after all, so you don’t have to worry about ranks or the point system as with competitive matches. 

Unfortunately, there are no Overwatch Halloween skins to be won by playing Haunted Masquerade. The only rewards available are weapon charms, a spray, a player title and XP. Here’s a closer look at everything that can be unlocked in Halloween Masquerade and the challenges that must be completed. 

That’s everything you need to know about Overwatch 2’s limited-time Halloween Masquerade event. All in all, the mode is a fun and creative way to change up the usual Halloween events in the game, though Junkenstein’s Revenge and Wrath of the Bride are also playable if you’d rather stick to the classics. Halloween Masquerade might not offer a whole lot in terms of rewards, but it’s definitely an interesting game mode that is well worth checking out while it’s available.