Overwatch: how to level up and get loot

News by Staff Contributor

Published on May 26, 2016

Sprays, skins, credits and every other unlock. How to get 'em and how to use 'em.

Overwatch: how to level up and get loot

Some games can feel like a struggle to level up but Overwatch throws XP at you just for playing the game. You don't have to be the best player to see progress at the end of each match, and once you pass a level barrier - pop, boom fizz - you get a nice little loot crate for your efforts.

Loot in Overwatch has no effect on any performance in the game. It's purely cosmetic, for bragging rights, for dressing up and making heroes your own. Everyone loves a little present no matter how small, and Overwatch places them at your feet like it's your birthday.

There's also deliberately no scoreboard after each match as Blizzard wants you to play as a team, not obsess over your own scores or KDR. But there are medals handed out, Play of the Game videos and other rewards that you can wear with pride.

How do I level up in Overwatch?

For every second you play Overwatch you're given 4.01 XP, and then you're also awarded XP for finishing a match and more for winning it.

Base level rewards

Per second played: 4.01 XP
Match Finished: 250 XP
First win of the day: 1500 XP
Match Win: 500 XP
Playing in a Group: +20% XP
Consecutive match bonus: 200 XP

You'll need to earn the following amount of XP to reach each level. It grows incrementally, but once you get to level 23 the amount of XP required to continue to reach each new level remains at 22,000.

Level 01 - 1500
Level 02 - 3000
Level 03 - 4500
Level 04 - 6000
Level 05 - 7500
Level 06 - 8500
Level 07 - 9500
Level 08 - 10500
Level 09 - 11500
Level 10 - 12500
Level 11 - 13500
Level 12 - 14500
Level 13 - 15500
Level 14 - 16500
Level 15 - 17500
Level 16 - 18500
Level 17 - 19000
Level 18 - 19500
Level 19 - 20000
Level 20 - 20500
Level 21 - 21000
Level 22 - 21500
Level 23+ - 22000

How do earn a medal?

Medals are awarded for eliminations, final blow, objecitve kills, objective time, damage done, healing done and other achievements. The XP for these medals doesn't stack, so if you receive multiple medals in a match you'll only get the XP for the highest medal earned, and only once per match.

Bronze Medal: 50 XP
Silver Medal: 100 XP
Gold Medal: 150 XP

How do I get loot?

Loot is awarded every time you reach a new level in Overwatch. Loot is split into four categories: Common, Rare, Epic and Legendary. You are guaranteed at least one item of Rare loot or higher per loot box. You won't receive duplicate items. Instead, you'll be given credits which can be saved up to buy loot items. This means you'll never get the same item twice and can always get some value from your unlocks.

Loot items include: hero skins, new emotes, victory poses, voice lines, sprays, highlight intros and avatars.

How do I customise heroes in Overwatch?

To customise a character in Overwatch go to the Hero Gallery and select the hero you're interested in. From here you can see all your options and how many you've unlocked. Heroes have 10 different skins so you've got your work cut out for you. And then there's the poses, the sprays, the voiceovers... you'd better carry on playing if you want to eventually unlock the lot.

Back to Overwatch guide: best heroes, abilities and strategies for Blizzard’s shooter