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Blizzard teases new Overwatch x Nier Automata collab
Overwatch is set to collaborate with the acclaimed action RPG Nier: Automata next month, celebrating both the Nier sequel’s ninth anniversary and the milestone of 10 million copies sold. The crossover will bring five new hero skins to Overwatch, with additional items potentially up for grabs. The event is scheduled to arrive on March 10, 2026.
Blizzard accidentally previewed the collaboration through a YouTube Short on the official Overwatch channel; this video, however, was quickly deleted. Given the official source, this can be considered a confirmed crossover rather than a leak. Below is everything we know so far about Overwatch x Nier: Automata.
Overwatch x Nier: Automata Crossover Brings Skins for Kiriko, Wuyang, Vendetta, and More
The Overwatch x Nier Automata collaboration will introduce five new hero skins:
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Adam Lifeweaver
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A2 Vendetta
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2B Kiriko
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9S Wuyang
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Commander White Mercy
Vendetta, Kiriko, and Wuyang will receive skins representing the three playable characters in Nier: Automata, while Mercy's Commander White cosmetic is based on a prominent supporting character from the game. Lifeweaver, on the other hand, will don a skin modeled after one of the game's antagonists.
More on the collaboration, including skin showcase and prices, will be revealed in the coming days.
Community Reaction
With a massive fanbase spanning console, PC, and mobile gaming communities, the Nier franchise is an exciting IP for a crossover. While the new skins look impressive, the Overwatch community has had plenty to say about them.
Overall, a significant portion of the player base is frustrated by the overwhelming number of skins, especially Legendaries, that Kiriko continues to receive. This has been a recurring topic of discussion for months, yet Blizzard keeps pushing out more cosmetics for her. On one hand, the decision makes sense: Kiriko is one of the most-picked and strongest heroes in the current meta. On the other hand, she, along with heroes like Juno, has been the face of multiple high-profile collaborations since her release, and many players feel other heroes are being overlooked.
Mercy is another hero who has received a steady stream of cosmetics recently, though not quite as frequently as the other two.
Addressing this concern, user @hweartsjas on X commented:
“Can’t believe I’m saying this but I am sick of kiriko getting skins it’s always her it’s never been an update where she never got a skin.”
Another X user, @Emanuel0Matheus, shared a similar sentiment in their comment:
“I've never wished for someone's misfortune so badly, but I really hope that the unfortunate person who chose Kiriko for 2B suffers from all the evils in the world.”
User @NikeonNX also shared their thoughts on the matter:
“At this point im not even interested in the collabs because its always the same characters so like who cares.”
Several fans of Nier: Automata commented about the inclusion of Commander White, a minor character, instead of one of the main antagonists, Eve. Addressing this, X user @Ark_4ngel_ shared:
“Commander White over Pascal or even Eve just so Mercy could get her 3rd skin this season I'm sick.”
User @RatInABath also commented similarly:
“So we have Adam but not Eve? Why the commander? She's not THAT important.... WHERE IS EVE.”
In short, while the gaming community has welcomed the collaboration with Nier: Automata, the choice of which Overwatch heroes received skins and which Nier characters were left out has left many disappointed.
Stay tuned to Strafe Esports for more updates on the latest season of Overwatch. You can also follow us on our X account for the latest content and coverage.
Featured Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment
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