If you’re a console Overwatch 2 player with friends who only game on PC, you’ve probably asked can you play with pc players on overwatch 2 more than once. It’s frustrating to have a group split across devices, especially when you all want to queue for ranked or quick play together without switching hardware. I’ve had a group of friends I’ve played Overwatch with since the first game launched, and half of us switched to PC when Overwatch 2 came out, so I’ve tested every quirk of the crossplay system first hand. This guide breaks down every part of Overwatch 2’s cross platform functionality for PC and console players, no technical expertise required.
Can You Play With PC Players on Overwatch 2? The Short Answer
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can play with PC players on Overwatch 2 from any supported console platform, including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Crossplay functionality is built directly into the game, and you don’t need to pay for any extra downloads or subscriptions to access it beyond your standard console online membership. Crossplay between PC and console is supported for all casual game modes, including Quick Play, Arcade, and Custom Games.
For Competitive Play, console players have the option to disable crossplay with PC to avoid competing against mouse and keyboard users, but if you want to group with PC friends, you’ll have to enable that setting temporarily. PC players don’t have the option to disable crossplay entirely, so they will always be eligible to match against or group with console players who have crossplay enabled. Switch players have slightly longer queue times for PC crossplay lobbies due to smaller player counts, but the crossplay rules are identical to other console platforms.
How to Set Up Crossplay to Group With PC Players
Getting crossplay working only takes a minute or two if you haven’t already set it up. The process is the same for Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, with only minor menu differences across platforms. First, you’ll need to link your console profile to a valid Battle.net account if you haven’t done so already. You can do this either through the Battle.net website or directly in the Overwatch 2 settings menu on your console. Once your accounts are linked, follow these steps to group with your PC friends:
- Open Overwatch 2 on your console and navigate to the Social menu from the main screen
- Search for your friend’s Battle.net tag (including the 4-digit number after their username) and send a friend request
- Once they accept the request, select their name from your friends list and choose the Invite to Group option
- When prompted to enable crossplay for PC players, confirm the setting to allow cross platform grouping
If you don’t get the prompt to enable crossplay, you can manually adjust the setting by going to Options > Gameplay > Cross Platform Play, and toggling the “Allow Crossplay With PC Players” setting to on. Note that if you’re playing on PC, you don’t need to adjust any settings to accept invites from console players, as crossplay is enabled for all PC users by default. You also don’t have to pay for any additional subscriptions to use crossplay, though console players will still need their platform’s online membership to play online modes as usual.
Key Differences to Know When Playing With PC Players
It’s no secret that mouse and keyboard gives PC players a few inherent advantages over controller users, especially when it comes to fast-paced heroes like Tracer or Widowmaker. Blizzard has implemented a few balance adjustments to level the playing field as much as possible, but you should still be aware of these differences before you queue up. First, aim assist is enabled for controller users even when playing against PC players, so you won’t lose that core controller functionality when crossplaying. The aim assist strength is the same as it is in console-only lobbies, so you don’t have to adjust your sensitivity settings unless you want to.
I’ve noticed that the difference is barely noticeable for support and tank players, but damage players might have a steeper learning curve when they first switch to crossplay lobbies. That’s not a sign you’re bad at the game, it’s just a reflection of how much more precise mouse input is for fast aim adjustments. You should also know that if you group with a PC player, your entire lobby will be placed in the PC crossplay pool, even if most of your group is on console. That means you’ll be matched against other mixed groups of PC and console players, not just console-only teams.
You can’t earn console-specific competitive ranks while grouped with PC players, so if you’re grinding for a top 500 spot on your console platform, you’ll want to stick to console-only lobbies for your competitive matches. Voice chat works across platforms automatically, so you don’t need any third party apps to talk to your PC friends while you play, though you can mute cross platform voice chat in settings if you prefer to only communicate with people in your group.
Tips to Hold Your Own Against PC Players As a Console User
If you’re worried about keeping up with your PC friends when you group up, there are a few simple adjustments you can make to improve your performance without spending weeks practicing. First, pick heroes that play to controller strengths rather than mouse advantages. Heroes like Reinhardt, Mercy, Lucio, and Orisa rely far more on game sense and positioning than pixel-perfect aim, so you’ll be able to contribute just as much as any PC player on these picks. Avoid high-aim heroes like Widowmaker, Hanzo and Tracer until you get used to the faster pace of PC crossplay lobbies, as these are the picks where mouse and keyboard has the biggest edge.
Second, adjust your controller settings to match the faster lobby speed. Many console players bump their aim sensitivity up by 10-15% when playing with PC players, which makes it easier to keep up with faster enemy movements. You can also experiment with the advanced aim assist settings to find a setup that feels responsive for crossplay matches. I personally keep my aim assist strength at 90% and bump my horizontal sensitivity up from 40 to 45 when I’m playing with my PC friends, and it makes a huge difference in how well I can track fast-moving targets.
Third, communicate with your team. PC players might have faster aim, but you can make up for that by calling out enemy positions, ultimate status, and flank routes before they become a problem. Most players forget that Overwatch 2 is a team game first, and good communication will beat raw aim more often than not. You can also take advantage of crossplay to learn from your PC friends. Ask them for tips on positioning, hero matchups, and ability usage, and you’ll find your own gameplay improving faster than it would in console-only lobbies.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play with pc players on overwatch 2 is a resounding yes, as long as you adjust a few settings and go into matches with the right expectations. Crossplay is one of the best features added to the Overwatch franchise in recent years, as it lets you play with all your friends no matter what device they prefer to use. You don’t have to be a top tier player to have fun in crossplay lobbies, and you might even find that playing against more skilled PC players helps you get better at the game faster. As long as you pick the right heroes for your input method and communicate with your team, you’ll be able to hold your own and have a great time grouping with your PC friends.