Prepare for Retribution, the New Overwatch PVE Event Begins Today

There have always been two Overwatch organizations — the public face of Overwatch with Strike Commander Morrison, Ana Amari, Dr. Angela Ziegler, Winston, Mei, Tracer, and many more. This is the Overwatch that stands hope in an uncertain and war torn world, the cavalry we know and love.

But hidden in the shadows those heroic figures cast is the second Overwatch, Blackwatch: where scruples are hard to come by and the ends often justify the means. For the longest time, we’ve only known about the first Overwatch. That was by design, as Blackwatch records were sealed away and kept from the public eye (and sometimes literally buried under rubble and ruin). Now, with the new Overwatch: Retribution event, those archives are open and the truth about Blackwatch will finally be revealed.


Led by Gabriel Reyes, Blackwatch was the secret ops arm of the Overwatch Initiative. They did the work too dirty or unsavory for normal Overwatch operatives. That might explain why a number of current Talon agents were once counted among Blackwatch’s ranks before the organization fell apart entirely.

Overwatch: Retribution will bring back last year's King’s Row Uprising event, giving new players the chance to relive Tracer’s first mission as an Overwatch operative during the Omnic Crisis. But as part of what Blizzard is calling Overwatch: Archives, players will have also have a new event to experience — the Venice Incident.

After a devastating attack on Overwatch’s Oslo headquarters, Strike Commander Morrison unofficially sanctioned a covert Blackwatch mission to apprehend noted Talon leader Antonio, suspected to be behind the attack. It was supposed to be a quick and quiet affair, in and out before authorities could catch on. But according to new declassified files, something went wrong.


In Retribution, you can choose to play as Blackwatch members Reaper, Genji, McCree, or Moira as you fight your way out of a mission gone wrong. Survive against new Talon enemies and earn new skins for Sombra and Doomfist that harken back to their days as Talon Operatives. Unlock the pasts of some of your favorite heroes with new skins for Hanzo, Winston, and Mei, or earn the skins for Mercy, Widowmaker, Reinhardt, and Tracer you missed out on during last year's King's Row Uprising event.

Get ready to learn the darker secrets of your favorite heroes, the Archives will be open April 10-30.

Ash, the first of her name, keeper of Zenyatta lore, protector of Hanzo mains and Mother of Shanghai Dragons, is a content writer for the Overwatch section of MMO-C and Gamepedia.