Hey people, I have been playing Overwatch pretty much since the beta phase now and I decided to compile a list of tips and tricks on how to level up fast(er) in Overwatch. As you may (or may not) know, each level grants you a new Lootbox filled with skins, money, voice lines, sprays,... to customize your gameplay experience.

Overwatch's progression system is easy, like in most games it comes down to leveling. Leveling up allows a player to earn loot boxes. Each lootbox contains cosmetic items of different rarity (skins, sprays, emotes, voice lines,..) and occasionally money (which you can exchange for items).

Aside from buying lootboxes in the store, winning 9 arcade games weekly, leveling up is the most easiest way to obtain lootboxes.

Fast ways to earn Overwatch XP

As a player you will earn XP as long as you are active during the match (being AFK results in a pretty fast kick from the game). Although earning XP is very straightforward, there are a few 'tricks' that can help you earn it faster.

Play together with friends (or strangers)

Blizzard likes making gaming around a social aspect, so teaming up with friends (or strangers for that matter) will always be awarded. If you are playing in a group (at least 2 people) you will be rewarded with an additional * 20 %* experience boost. Everyone in the group will get that bonus, so be sure to team up when you are playing!

If you don't have any friends online you can always ask in the lobby before joining a game, or even at the start of the game. Oftentimes people will still pair up then, since the xp boost is mutually beneficial.

Stay Queued

We all know World of Warcraft is an addictive game, and Blizzard has designed Overwatch to reward players for continuous play. Blizzard will give you an additional 200 XP for each consecutive match you play. This means you will need to stay queued in the lobby without returning to the menu. As soon as you complete a match (win or loss, doesn't, matter here) you will earn an additional 200 XP for hanging around.

Fill up the match

If you are staying queued, chances are you will join matches already in progress. You will be added to the match because a player (or players) have left it. Sadly a lot of the times you will be on the losing side of things. However, Blizzard will award you with 400 XP extra to fill up the spot of the quitter.

But, there is no way to control wether or not you are filling up a quitter's place. So don't rely on this to gain xp faster.

Win your matches

Winning isn't everything, but it sure helps to rank faster. Each match will give you 250XP for completing it, regardless of a win or loss. However, if you manage to win the match, you will receive an additional 500 xp for winning, on top of the 250.

Win at least 1 match a day

Your first win of the day grants you 1500 XP, so I would at least play until you have won 1 match.Something I always do is play the first match against the A.I. Even against the easiest A.I. opponent you will get the 'first win of the day' bonus, and that game can be played by strapping your keyboard and mouse to your cat (I swear ;-) ).

An additional benefit of playing 1-2 matches against the A.I. is that it gets you in the zone, you will be warmed up and more ready to play competitive or casual play.

Be the best

Try to play as good as you can during the match, and earn medals! Overwatch rewards the best players of the match and awards them medals.

A gold medal will net you 150 xp, a silver one 100 xp and a bronze medal 50 xp.

Play longer game modes

Overwatch will also awards you based on the time you are in the match. So if you are playing longer game modes (or competitive) you will be awarded with more xp at the end of the match. The ratio is about 4.01 XP per second.

Got Tips?

If you have any additional tips, be sure to let me know! I'm always on the hunt for more XP :D

I hope you enjoyed this blog post! Let me know in the comments if you want more Overwatch related stuff!