All hero Perks in Overwatch: All Minor and Major Perks, listed
Unlockable upgrades for heroes within each Overwatch match. Some Perks are callbacks to previous abilities in the game, such as Bastion’s Self-Repair or Orisa’s Barrier, while others are brand new. Each is unique to its…

Unlockable upgrades for heroes within each Overwatch match. Some Perks are callbacks to previous abilities in the game, such as Bastion’s Self-Repair or Orisa’s Barrier, while others are brand new. Each is unique to its hero and has the potential to be game-changing.
Perks are crucial to know about, whether it’s yourself, your own allies, or the enemy team, so you can have an idea of what’s to come in any given Overwatch match.
note:This article was last updated on Sept. 13 to reflect the September patch changes and include Doctrine’s Perks from the BlizzCon trial.
Quick summary
- Every hero in Overwatch has two Minor and two Major Perks.
- You must unlock Perks every match by playing the hero and leveling them up.
- Swapping heroes during the match resets the level, but Perks will unlock a bit faster.
Table of contents
- List of all hero Perks in Overwatch
- Perks in Overwatch, explained
- How to use Perks in Overwatch
- FAQ
List of all hero Perks in Overwatch
Below, you will find a list of all Major and Minor Perks available in OW for each hero in the game. New heroes will have Perks of their own when they are added to the game, so check back here for more information every other season.
Perks in Overwatch, explained
All OW heroes have Perks, which are selectable upgrades within each match. Heroes level up twice in each match, with the first level-up offering a choice between two Minor Perks and the second giving a choice between two Major Perks.
By the end of a match, all heroes will have one Minor Perk and one Major Perk active. If you switch heroes during a game, you will start at level one on that hero, but the Perks will unlock a bit faster, and if you switch back to a hero already at level one or two, the Perks will still be active.
All Tank hero Perks
All Damage hero Perks
All Support hero Perks
How to use Perks in Overwatch
Perks are earned passively throughout each match in Overwatch, with XP earned by playing the objective, getting kills and assists, and saving or healing allies. You can find the XP bar for Perks underneath your health bar.
Once the bar is filled, you can select a Minor Perk. When it’s filled again, you can select a Major Perk. Once a Perk is earned, you can press ALT/Up on the d-pad to select one.
FAQ
Is it worth swapping heroes during an Overwatch match if it means losing Perks?
If you’re getting countered or need a different hero, swapping is always better than trying to keep the old hero’s Perks.
How often do Perks get changed in Overwatch?
There are Perk changes every new season and midcycle patch. This includes balance adjustments and new Perks.
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