Guide to Overwatch 2 Junkenstein’s Lab Mode: Gameplay Tips, Features, and More

As Halloween approaches, Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled the Overwatch 2 Junkenstein’s Lab mode to celebrate the haunting season. Similar to previous Halloween festivities, this exciting new mode has been incorporated into the arcade playlist as part of the Overwatch 2 Season 13 update.

Understanding Overwatch 2 Junkenstein’s Lab Mode

Players can access Junkenstein's Lab from the Arcade Playlist (Image via Blizzard Entertainment) — Players can access Junkenstein’s Lab from the Arcade Playlist (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Junkenstein’s Lab in Overwatch 2 delivers gameplay reminiscent of standard competitive or quick play modes, but with a notable twist: once you lock in a hero, you cannot switch.

The available heroes for this Halloween-themed mode include:

Tank Heroes

Two
Idol
Reinhardt

DPS Heroes

Ashe
Genji
Reaper
Soldier 76
Pharaoh

Support Heroes

It’s there
Mercy
Moira
Zenyatta

The card system adds a unique element to gameplay (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

In this mode, each hero can equip special cards known as Monstrous Mutations, which modify their abilities in various ways. For instance, as the Soldier, I opted for a card that enabled a Biotic Field that followed me around. Players begin with two cards and can choose an additional card with each round.

No unique maps are available for this event. The objective is for the first team to win three rounds.

Available Maps:

Those
Lijiang Tower
Oasis
Busan
Antarctica

The Halloween Terror event challenges are also integrated into the Junkenstein’s Lab mode. Engaging in this event is an excellent way to complete missions and earn exclusive items associated with the event. Additionally, players will receive Battlepass XP for participating in this game mode.

How to Play Overwatch 2 Junkenstein’s Lab

Choose your role to start the queue (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

To begin playing Junkenstein’s Lab, you have two options. You can either click the Halloween Terror tab from the main menu to find the game mode, or navigate to Play, then Arcade, where you will locate the Junkenstein’s Lab playlist alongside other classic Halloween events.

Features of Overwatch 2 Junkenstein’s Lab

Hero selection is fixed in this game mode (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Junkenstein’s Lab marks the first player-versus-player Halloween event in Overwatch history, contrasting with past special modes that focused primarily on cooperative play set in the Eichenwalde map. This mode involves capturing a point to secure victory in each round.

The gameplay shares similarities with quickplay and ranked matches but offers a reduced selection of maps and heroes. Once players choose their characters, switching is not allowed.

This event’s uniqueness lies in its card system, providing heroes with new abilities that enhance the gaming experience. If you’re seeking a refreshing break from regular ranked and quickplay modes, this arcade event is an ideal choice.

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