Blizzard has officially kicked off Overwatch 2 Season 19, titled “Haunted Masquerade”, turning the game into a spooky playground filled with new twists, hero masks, and an exciting tease for “Hero 45”.
Running from October 14 to November 3, this Halloween-themed season redefines the annual event by adding a gameplay mechanic that goes far beyond cosmetics.
Haunted Masquerade Mode Explained
The Haunted Masquerade is not just another limited-time event. It introduces mystical masks that let players wear the identities of other heroes during a match.
Each mask grants unique buffs and abilities, changing how battles unfold. Blizzard[1]’s patch notes confirm that some masks even create special synergy when paired with lore-connected heroes.
For instance, the “Reinhardt mask” boosts armor and melee power, while Brigitte’s shield grows stronger if they’re on the same team. Similarly, the “Roadhog mask” enhances self-healing and links with Junkrat’s explosive damage. These little cross-hero perks add layers of teamwork and chaos to the mix.
The event rewards players who experiment, think strategically, and, of course, embrace the madness.
ooooh thats what it is pic.twitter.com/xtS1tB1AQe[2]
— Dani 🐻🧸 (@Carameru_dani) October 14, 2025[3]
Hidden Masks and the Hero 45 Mystery
Blizzard also teased something mysterious: “Secret treats” scattered across maps. These hidden clues appear to be masks hinting at the next hero, internally dubbed by fans as “Lupa”.
While Blizzard hasn’t confirmed the name, community sleuths noticed the word “Lupa” (Latin for she-wolf) connected to a special mask found on multiple maps. Many believe it foreshadows “Hero 45”, rumored to be a sword-wielding fighter who might arrive later in the season.
New hero has a mask in the new Halloween Masquerade game mode
byu/PregnantFork inOverwatch[4][5][6]
Leaked motion comics and dev hints also show a silhouette of a woman holding a massive blade, fueling theories that the next hero could bring melee-based gameplay back into the spotlight.
Skins, Rewards, and More
The new Battle Pass celebrates Halloween in full spirit, which has been covered already by TechJuice[7].
- Mythic Skins: Divine Druid Lifeweaver (available now) and Cyber Fuel Junkrat (coming mid-season).
- Mythic Weapon: Kiriko’s Spirit Keeper staff.
- Returning Modes: “Junkenstein’s Revenge” and “Wrath of the Bride” return for co-op fans.
Meanwhile, Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode gets upgrades too, adding gadgets like Jet Skates and Kitsune Charm, plus new playable heroes such as Torbjörn and Sojourn.
What’s Next
While Hero 45 remains shrouded in mystery, Blizzard clearly plans to keep fans guessing. Between secret clues, fresh cosmetics, and the chaos of Haunted Masquerade, Season 19 marks one of the most experimental Overwatch updates yet.
The masks may come off after Halloween, but this season’s impact won’t fade anytime soon.
References
- ^ Blizzard (overwatch.blizzard.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/xtS1tB1AQe (t.co)
- ^ October 14, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ New hero has a mask in the new Halloween Masquerade game mode (www.reddit.com)
- ^ u/PregnantFork (www.reddit.com)
- ^ Overwatch (www.reddit.com)
- ^ TechJuice (www.techjuice.pk)