• New Reward: Crimson Wolf weapon variant (Talon-red camo).
  • Cost: 3,000 Competitive Points per character.
  • Currency Reset: All players start at zero for "The Reign of Talon" Season 1: Conquest.
  • Limited Window: Crimson Wolf retires and moves to "Legacy" status in February 2027.
  • Player Milestone: Overwatch recently hit an all-time Steam peak of over 165,000 players.

The Annual Reset: Crimson Wolf Takes Center Stage

It is that time of year again. Blizzard has officially kicked off the yearly reset for Overwatch, and with it comes the "Crimson Wolf" weapon variant. Following in the footsteps of Gold, Jade, and last year’s Galactic skins, this new Talon-red themed camo is the latest carrot on a stick for those of us grinding the competitive ladder. Our take? It’s a sharp look that fits the "Reign of Talon" theme perfectly, but the acquisition process remains a bit of a localized headache for the uninitiated.

Decoding the Currency: Red vs. White

We see the same confusion every year: "Where did my points go?" Let’s be clear—the system is needlessly convoluted. You are currently earning Competitive Points (the red ones). These are specific to the current competitive year. Everyone, from the Top 500 veterans to the Bronze newcomers, is starting from zero this season.

Here is the math for your next unlock:

  • Win: 10 Competitive Points
  • Draw: 5 Competitive Points
  • Stadium Win: 20 Competitive Points
  • Bonus: Extra points for filling the progression bar through standard play.

Your old points haven't vanished; they’ve been converted into Legacy Competitive Points (the white ones). Those are now strictly for "retired" variants like Jade or Gold. If you want the Crimson Wolf, you have to earn it through the current grind. You have until February 2027 before this variant hits the Legacy vault and a new one takes its place.

High Stakes: The Doomfist Exclusive

While the Crimson Wolf weapon variant is available for all heroes, there is a specific prize for the high-rank grinders. If you can hit Diamond rank between Season 1 and Season 3 this year, you’ll unlock an actual Doomfist Crimson Wolf character skin. Don't confuse this with the weapon camo; this is a full-body exclusive that serves as a status symbol for the competitive elite.

A Resurgence in the Meta?

Despite the "dead game" memes that have circulated for years, the data tells a different story. Overwatch just smashed its concurrent player record on Steam, peaking at over 165,000 players. This is likely driven by the massive influx of content, including the roadmap for Season 20 and the chaotic addition of five new heroes at once—yes, including the jetpack cat that’s been a community urban legend for years.

We believe the current state of the game is the most stable it has been in years. Between the "Conquest" season launch and the refreshed reward loop, there hasn't been a better time to jump back in—provided you don't mind the 3,000-point grind for that red-tinted hardware.