Overwatch 2 Season 19, titled "Haunted Masquerade," has officially launched, bringing with it a host of new features and content that are sure to excite fans of the franchise. Among the highlights are a new Halloween-themed game mode, the return of popular seasonal events, and a teaser for the highly anticipated Hero 45.

The centerpiece of Season 19 is the "Haunted Masquerade," a unique game mode that allows players to wear mystical masks based on other heroes, granting them special abilities and buffs. These masks can provide significant advantages in battle, such as increased movement speed, damage output, or even unique abilities when paired with specific heroes. For example, wearing Reinhardt's mask while playing as Brigitte will grant her a larger shield, reminiscent of Reinhardt's own.

In addition to the new game mode, Overwatch 2 is bringing back two popular Halloween events: Junkenstein's Revenge and Wrath of the Bride. Junkenstein's Revenge is a cooperative mode where players defend Adlersbrunn castle against waves of zombie Omnics and powerful bosses. Wrath of the Bride continues the story with a cinematic co-op chapter featuring Sojourn, Junker Queen, Kiriko, and Ashe, who must navigate haunted castles and face terrifying bosses like Banshee Moira and Gargoyle Winston.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Season 19 is the continued teasing of Hero 45, the next addition to the Overwatch roster. While not officially revealed during the Season 19 launch, players can catch a glimpse of this new character through various hints and easter eggs. The Lupa Mask, found in the Haunted Masquerade mode, features a silhouette of Hero 45 and grants players increased movement and attack speed after dealing melee or ability damage.

Hero 45, also known as the "She-Wolf of Retaliation," is expected to be a melee-focused hero with abilities that enhance her movement and attack speed. This character has been hinted at in various ways, including a brief appearance in Ramattra's recent animated comic and a teaser at the end of the Season 19 trailer. According to Overwatch 2 associate game director Alec Dawson, Hero 45 will play a significant role in the game's expanding narrative. Fans can expect the official reveal and hero trial for Hero 45 sometime in November, ahead of her full release in Season 20.

Season 19 also includes updates to the Stadium mode, with new heroes Torbjörn, Hazard, and Sojourn joining the roster. The Busan Sanctuary Control map has been added, and players can look forward to new Gadgets that can be activated once per game to provide temporary buffs. Additionally, the season features new Mythic skins for Lifeweaver and Kiriko, with a Cyber Fuel Junkrat skin set to release in the mid-season patch.