If you’ve ever logged off your Overwatch 2 PC session to head to a friend’s place where they only play on PS5 or Xbox, you’ve probably wondered can pc players play with console players on overwatch 2. Crossplay has become standard for most modern online shooters, but Blizzard’s approach to cross-platform play has shifted a lot since the original Overwatch launched, leaving a lot of players confused about what’s allowed and what isn’t. I’ve tested crossplay lobbies across PC, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch over the past 6 months, both for casual quick play and ranked competitive matches, so I’m breaking down exactly how it works, what restrictions apply, and how to get the most out of cross-platform sessions with your crew.
Can PC Players Play With Console Players on Overwatch 2? The Short Answer
Yes, PC and console players can group up and play Overwatch 2 together in almost all game modes, with very few exceptions. Blizzard rolled out full crossplay support for all platforms shortly after Overwatch 2 launched, so you don’t have to buy separate copies or pay for extra access to play with friends on other systems. The rules around can pc players play with console players on overwatch 2 are pretty consistent across all platforms, including Nintendo Switch, which got full crossplay support shortly after launch.
The only mode that doesn’t support unified crossplay progression is Competitive Top 500 leaderboards, which are split by input type to keep rankings fair for controller and mouse/keyboard players. You can still group up with cross-platform friends for regular competitive matches, though, you just won’t appear on the same Top 500 list if you use different input methods. That said, there are a few hidden rules that govern how crossplay lobbies are matched, so you don’t have to worry about getting stomped by pro PC players if you’re a casual console user most of the time.
How to Set Up Crossplay Between PC and Console for Overwatch 2
Setting up crossplay takes less than 2 minutes, as long as all players have a linked Battle.net account. Console players will have to create a free Battle.net account and link it to their PSN, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Switch Online account the first time they launch Overwatch 2, if they haven’t done so already. If you run into issues adding friends, double check that you’re entering the full Battle.net tag correctly, as this is the most common issue people run into when testing can pc players play with console players on overwatch 2 for the first time.
Once all accounts are linked, follow these simple steps to group up:
You’ll see a small crossplay icon next to the names of friends who are on different platforms, so you can easily tell who is on PC vs console at a glance. If you don’t want to play in crossplay lobbies at all, you can turn off crossplay in the game settings menu, but keep in mind this will significantly increase your queue times, especially for less popular game modes like Mystery Heroes or Push. I’ve tested both crossplay enabled and disabled on console, and queue times for competitive open queue jump from 2 minutes to almost 10 minutes when crossplay is turned off, so it’s almost always worth leaving on unless you’re specifically trying to avoid mouse/keyboard players entirely.
How Overwatch 2 Crossplay Matchmaking Works for PC and Console Players
A lot of console players worry that crossplay will mean they get matched against elite PC players with way faster aim and reaction times, but Blizzard has built in input-based matchmaking to prevent that from happening for most lobbies. The system automatically detects what input method each player is using, and matches lobbies based on that first, before looking at rank or MMR. That means if you’re a console player using a controller, you’ll almost never be matched against PC players using mouse and keyboard unless you choose to group up with a PC friend. If you do group up with a PC player, the entire lobby will be matched against players at the PC group member’s MMR level, to keep matches fair for everyone.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, though. Custom game lobbies don’t use input-based matchmaking at all, so you can have a mix of controller and mouse/keyboard players of any rank in the same lobby, which is great for private tournaments or casual fun with friends of all skill levels. You can also use a mouse and keyboard on most modern consoles, and if you do that, the game will treat you as a PC player for matchmaking purposes, so you’ll be matched against other mouse and keyboard users even if you’re playing on a PS5 or Xbox. I’ve used mouse and keyboard on my Xbox Series X for a few weeks, and I can confirm that the matchmaking did put me in lobbies with mostly PC players, and the skill level was noticeably higher than when I play with a controller. That means you don’t have to worry about controller players getting an unfair advantage by using mouse and keyboard on console, either.
Tips for Smooth Crossplay Sessions Between PC and Console Players
A lot of new players who are just learning can pc players play with console players on overwatch 2 worry that PC players have a massive advantage, but that’s only true at very high rank levels. For most casual and mid-rank players, crossplay lobbies feel fair and balanced as long as you follow a few simple tips to set your group up for success. First, if you’re a PC player grouping up with lower-rank console friends, consider switching to a controller for your matches if you want to keep the lobby skill level lower. The game will match you based on the highest MMR in your group, so if you’re a GM PC player grouping with silver console friends, the lobby will be full of high-rank players that your console friends will struggle to keep up with. Switching to a controller will lower your effective MMR, and make the matches more fun for everyone.
Second, make sure all players have cross-region play enabled if you’re playing with friends in other parts of the world. Overwatch 2 has region lock turned off by default for crossplay groups, but if one player has region lock enabled, you won’t be able to queue together. You can turn region lock off in the game settings under the “Network” tab. Third, if you’re playing competitive mode with cross-platform friends, make sure everyone is within the same rank tier. The rank restriction for groups is the same for crossplay as it is for single-platform groups: you can only group with players within 2 skill tiers of your own rank, so a bronze player can’t group with a diamond player, even if they’re on different platforms. Fourth, consider turning off crossplay for competitive mode if you’re a console player trying to climb the ranks, and you keep getting matched against groups with PC players. It will increase your queue times, but you’ll only play against other controller users, which many players find makes climbing easier and more fair. I personally leave crossplay on for all casual modes, but turn it off for competitive support games on my Switch, because I find the input delay on Switch makes it hard to keep up with PC players even when the matchmaking is balanced.
At the end of the day, the answer to can pc players play with console players on overwatch 2 is a resounding yes, and the system is built to be as fair and accessible as possible for players of all skill levels and platforms. Whether you’re grouping up for a few quick play matches after work, or grinding competitive mode with friends across the world, crossplay makes it easier than ever to play Overwatch 2 with the people you want, no matter what system they own. Just remember to adjust your settings based on who you’re playing with, and don’t be afraid to tweak input methods or crossplay settings to make your sessions more fun for everyone. You might even find that playing with people on different platforms helps you pick up new tips and tricks to improve your own gameplay, too.