A lot of players might be waiting for the new season of Overwatch to begin, but first, we’ve got a pretty sizeable event to close out the start of the year. Today, the Overwatch Year of the Dragon update has just dropped! Their yearly Lunar New Year event is back. This time there are fun game modes, challenges, and even some cosmetics that you can earn.

The current season of Overwatch has had its ups and downs, but with the OW esports new format announced and a fresh season with major changes coming in just a couple of weeks, there’s plenty to be optimistic about. First, we’ve got the Year of the Dragon event. These smaller events were much loved during Overwatch 1. Even though the game is now seasonal Blizzard has kept releasing them on the same schedule. What’s changed with the Overwatch Year of the Dragon update and what can you do over the event?

Source: Blizzard

Overwatch Year of the Dragon Event

The OW Lunar New Year 2024 event is here. This year is the Year of the Dragon, and we always get themed cosmetics for the New Year in OW. The whole event has a few different branches of content to jump into.

Prop Hunt Back as New Mode

The limited-time Prop Hunt mode is back. This is Mischief and Magic, which first came in Season 5. This time it’s gotten bigger. You’re still Kiriko hiding as props. However, you’re now looking for Lunar New Year props in an updated map. Genji will also now take damage for searching unsuccessfully with his melee attack. This is going to make it a bit tougher on the search team this time around.

Arcade Modes in Overwatch Year of the Dragon

New Arcade modes are here for the Overwatch Year of the Dragon event. There’s the standard Capture the Flag back, but a newer faster version too. This is Capture the Flag Blitz. Players will need to move quicker and outlast a time limit. Another returning mode is Bounty Hunter.

Source: Blizzard

New Challenges and Rewards

If you’re still grinding through your Battle Pass before the OW season ends, there are new quests to help out. You can unlock up to 50,000 bonus XP in these challenges. You’ll also be rewarded with Dragon Dance sprays. There’s one of these for each and every Hero. There are also new titles coming for Prop Hunt players.

New Skins

The Lunar New Year skins this time around are mainly coming for the store. There are new cosmetics available for D.Va, Bastion, and Mercy starting next week.

The whole Lunar New Year event is running through to February 19th! If you’re worried about the upcoming OW self-heal changes, these modes might be a fun distraction before we see the big revamp coming soon.