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Overwatch 2’s next big update is bringing more than just new heroes and modes. Blizzard has confirmed that when Season 18 lands on 26 August 2025, console players will finally be able to use a mouse and keyboard natively, but with a catch.

Console users who opt for PC peripherals will be placed into the PC pool. In other words, you can’t rock up with a mouse and keyboard and stomp controller lobbies, you’ll be matched against others using the same setup.

Why’s This a Big Deal?

For years, console and PC players have been kept separate in Ranked. Controllers have the benefit of aim assist, but they don’t come close to the speed and precision of a mouse. That’s made it pretty tough for console players to reach a pro level, even with crossplay in place.

This new option basically removes that ceiling. A console player who’s serious about climbing the ladder can now train with the same tools as PC players, opening up proper esports opportunities without needing a pricey gaming rig.

Lots of fan welcomed the change too, saying they’d rather queue in PC pools anyway.

And honestly, they’re not wrong. It levels the field for serious competitors while keeping console-only lobbies focused on controller play.

What Else is Coming in Season 18?

Mouse and keyboard support is just one piece of a much bigger patch. Stadium Quickplay, a new mode that took off during its trial run, is getting a refresh with three more heroes added. Competitive is also set for a major shake-up, with over 60 new perks rolling out across the hero roster.

On top of that, Wuyang, who was previously only available on trial, will join the Competitive pool permanently. Basically, Season 18 is shaping up to be one of Overwatch 2’s most stacked updates in years.

Overwatch Wuyang

Image Credit: BLIZZARD Entertainment

What This Means for Esports

If Blizzard allows this in Competitive queues (which hasn’t been 100% confirmed yet), it could be huge for the pro scene. Scouts will be able to directly compare console players to PC ones without hardware getting in the way. That could lead to more talent being discovered, faster queues for PC Ranked, and a stronger overall competitive ecosystem.

Of course, there’s another side to this. Traditional console lobbies might lose players, and there’s still chatter around “ximmers”, people who used third-party mods to sneak mouse and keyboard into console matches before. Blizzard’s official support may fix that problem, or it might just shift it. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.

Either way, when the patch drops on 26 August, console Overwatch is going to feel very different.