Overwatch x NieR: Automata: Everything we know about the collab

The next big Overwatch crossover event is with the popular JRPG NieR: Automata, entitled “Overwatch x Project YoRHa.” While the collaboration has not been fully revealed yet, we do know which Overwatch heroes are receiving skins due to a piece of concept art.

In this guide, we’ll dig further into the Overwatch x NieR: Automata crossover to see which heroes are involved and the general reaction from fans on social media.

According to an official X post from Blizzard, the Overwatch x Project YoRHa collaboration is set to release on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. That’s just over a week away at the time of writing.

The announcement confirms that the collaboration will bring a selection of NieR: Automata-inspired skins to Overwatch 2, though Blizzard has yet to reveal the final skin lineup.

Based on the preview artwork, each Overwatch skin appears to be inspired by characters from the YoRHa universe and includes designs based on 2B, 9S, A2, Adam, and a YoRHa Commander.

These skins are expected to arrive as a limited-time event, with cosmetics likely available via the in-game shop once the update drops.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the cosmetics and the Overwatch heroes receiving them:

While the Overwatch x Project YoRHa collaboration has not been negatively received in any way, some fans have expressed disappointment at seeing the same characters seemingly always involved in crossovers.

Kiriko and Mercy are particularly prominent offenders when it comes to constant inclusion. The list below highlights just how many crossover events both heroes have appeared in as of March 2026:

Although Mercy also appears frequently in collaborations, Kiriko has increasingly become the most common pick for high-profile crossover skins in Overwatch. She once again is making an appearance as protagonist 2B in the NieR: Automata collab — a choice that has sparked noticeable debate within the community.

Some players on X have voiced frustration about the repeated selection of the same heroes for collaboration cosmetics.

For example, user @12sblx on X wrote, “Kiriko again LMAOO, this is actually getting ridiculous,” while @JaydaAkari commented, “Welcome to Overwatch. Unless you play Kiriko, Mercy, or Wuyang, you don’t get cosmetics for your characters unless it’s a blue moon.”

Even players who regularly use these heroes have questioned Blizzard’s decision. A user on X, @ivysorbit, noted, “I play Kiriko and Mercy all the time, but were they really necessary in this?”

Another point players often raise is that none of the Omnic Overwatch heroes are being used in the NieR: Automata collab — a series heavily centered on androids and robots. 

User @BluuuoArt on X said, “Missed opportunity for Pascal Bastion,” referencing the popular robotic character. Similarly, X user @Zenamence echoed that sentiment, “NieR: Automata, the game filled with automatons and robotic lifeforms. And the automaton (Bastion) or any other omnic doesn’t get a skin, but Mercy and Kiriko do… The joke writes itself.”

When it comes to selecting heroes for collaborations, Blizzard tends to prioritize popularity and long-term commercial appeal over pure creative or thematic fits — and the latest crossover is no different.

The lack of Omnic inclusion in the Overwatch x NieR: Automata collab is somewhat surprising, particularly given how central robots are to the franchise’s world. However, some of the other hero choices are also a little odd.

For example, Wuyang is another character who has started getting more skins than some, and he was chosen for the 9S skin. Sombra would arguably be a better fit for 9S, as they are both prominent hackers.

That said, Blizzard’s decisions reflect its own priorities, though many players hope future collaborations will incorporate player feedback to make crossovers more inclusive for neglected heroes.

That’s everything we know so far about the Overwatch x Project YoRHa crossover.

The collab is set to drop on March 10, 2026, but we will probably get a trailer beforehand, as has been the case with the other crossovers. Whether there is more to the collab than just skins is yet to be seen, but Overwatch and NieR: Automata fans don’t have to wait too long to find out.