Two of gaming’s most beloved worlds have collided. The NieR: Automata x Overwatch collaboration, officially titled Project YoRHa, went live on March 10, 2026 as part of the Season 1 Midcycle update. The crossover brings five Legendary skins to Overwatch, each inspired by the android warriors and characters from Yoko Taro’s acclaimed action RPG. Here is everything confirmed about the collaboration.
Project YoRHa Event at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
| Event Name | Project YoRHa |
| Launch Date | March 10, 2026 |
| End Date | March 23, 2026 |
| Update Type | Season 1 Midcycle |
| Number of Skins | 5 Legendary Skins |
| Developers | Blizzard Entertainment x Square Enix |
| Mega Bundle Price | 6,900 Overwatch Coins |
| Individual Hero Bundle Price | 2,800 Overwatch Coins each |
| Individual Skin Price | 1,900 Overwatch Coins each |
| Extra Content | Themed lobby, event hub, earnable cosmetic rewards |
All NieR: Automata x Overwatch Skins
The Project YoRHa collaboration features five Overwatch heroes reimagined as characters from NieR: Automata. Each skin adapts the iconic black-and-white android aesthetic of the YoRHa units to fit each hero’s silhouette and weapon set. Blizzard describes the collection as leaning into purpose, with details emphasising duty over comfort and the pressure of knowing that the missions come first.
| Overwatch Hero | NieR: Automata Character | Role in NieR |
| Kiriko | 2B | Iconic protagonist of NieR: Automata |
| Wuyang | 9S | Protagonist and 2B’s partner |
| Vendetta | A2 | Major character and rogue android |
| Lifeweaver | Adam | Secondary antagonist |
| Mercy | Commander White | Leader of the YoRHa Elite Squadron |
What Each Skin Represents
Kiriko as 2B: Kiriko steps into 2B’s iconic combat form as a silent and unwavering protector who knows that some missions do not allow hesitation. Pod 042 accompanies her as a silent observer, reinforcing her role as a warrior guided by duty.
Wuyang as 9S: Wuyang reflects 9S’s curiosity and sharp intellect, paired with the weight of knowing more than you might want to. Pod 153 hovers close as a constant reminder that knowledge is power, but never without cost.
Vendetta as A2: Raw, relentless, and fuelled by loss, Vendetta personifies A2’s rebellious nature. She fights without orders, without restraint, and without apology, turning rage into resolve on her own terms.
Mercy as Commander White: Guiding from above, Mercy embodies Commander White as the calm voice in the storm. Strategy, sacrifice, and leadership define her presence, even when the cost of command is everything.
Lifeweaver as Adam: Lifeweaver takes on Adam’s otherworldly poise with elegant and unsettling grace. Detached curiosity meets calculated calm, reminding allies and enemies alike that understanding humanity does not always mean belonging to it.
How Much Do the Project YoRHa Skins Cost?
All five skins are available exclusively through the in-game shop and cannot be earned through challenges. The Project YoRHa Mega Bundle costs 6,900 Overwatch Coins and includes all five hero bundles. Individual hero bundles are priced at 2,800 Overwatch Coins each and include the skin alongside emotes, victory poses, icons, and sprays. Players who only want a specific skin without the extras can purchase individual skins from the hero gallery for 1,900 Overwatch Coins each.
| Purchase Option | Price | Contents |
| Project YoRHa Mega Bundle | 6,900 Overwatch Coins | All 5 hero bundles |
| Individual Hero Bundle | 2,800 Overwatch Coins each | Skin + emotes, victory poses, icons, sprays |
| Individual Skin (Hero Gallery) | 1,900 Overwatch Coins each | Skin only |
Shop items and the event itself end on March 23, 2026, so players have until then to purchase any Project YoRHa content they want.
The Themed Lobby and Event Hub
Beyond the skins, the Project YoRHa collaboration includes a themed in-game lobby co-designed by NieR: Automata artists Kimihiko Fujisaka and Koda Kazuma. Blizzard also added a dedicated collaboration event hub where players can complete event challenges to earn additional free cosmetic rewards.
How to Earn Free Rewards from the Event
Players do not need to spend any Overwatch Coins to earn the free Project YoRHa rewards. All free content is unlocked exclusively through completing event challenges, not through the shop. Completing 10 matches finishes one challenge, and repeating this seven times unlocks all available free rewards. Match victories count as double progress, meaning players who win, particularly in the Stadium game mode, can complete challenges significantly faster.
Free rewards available through challenges:
| Reward | Description |
| 5 Themed Name Cards | One per skin, each in the “Amusement Park” variant |
| Player Title | “YoRHa Soldier” |
| Emil Weapon Charm | Inspired by Emil, a fan-favourite NieR character |
Other Events Running Alongside Project YoRHa
The Season 1 Midcycle update launched several other events alongside the NieR: Automata collaboration, all running during the same window.
| Event | Dates | Details |
| Conquest Meta Event | Ends March 16 | Choose Talon or Overwatch; winners receive exclusive cosmetics including a Legendary Loot Box |
| Shgyrq 4v4 Emre Event | March 10 to 23 | All-Emre team deathmatch; a tuned kit makes fights fast and punishing |
| Twitch Drops | March 10 to April 5 | Watch any Overwatch Twitch stream with drops enabled; 15 minutes earns the Ramistletoe Ramattra Spray, 3 hours earns a Loot Box, 7 hours earns an Epic Loot Box |
| Double XP Weekends | Throughout March | Active every weekend in March as a thank-you to the community |
How the Collaboration Was First Revealed
The Project YoRHa event was accidentally revealed early by Blizzard Entertainment through a YouTube Short that was posted and then quickly removed. The popular Overwatch fan page Overwatch Cavalry managed to capture a screenshot of the collaboration before the video came down, which then spread rapidly across social media. The Overwatch Cavalry post went on to rack up nearly 11 million views on X, and even the official The Game Awards account shared it, further amplifying its reach ahead of the official announcement.
Community Reaction
The reception to the collaboration has been mixed but largely positive. Many fans praised the quality of the skin designs, particularly the Adam Lifeweaver and Commander White Mercy skins. However, a vocal portion of the community expressed frustration over Kiriko and Mercy receiving prominent crossover skins again so soon after both also received major skins during the Sanrio collaboration that launched alongside Overwatch’s Season 1 rebrand.
Several fans highlighted missed opportunities, with the most popular suggestions being an Emil-themed Wrecking Ball skin and a Pascal-themed Bastion skin. Despite the debate over character choices, the collaboration drew a significant number of lapsed players back to the game, with many commenting that the NieR crossover motivated them to reinstall Overwatch for the first time in years.
NieR: Automata’s History of Crossover Appearances
2B is no stranger to guest appearances in other games. Ahead of this collaboration, the character has appeared in Soulcalibur VI, Fall Guys, Final Fantasy XIV, Rainbow Six Siege, Gravity Rush 2, Stellar Blade, Monster Hunter Frontier Z, Naraka: Bladepoint, Phantasy Star Online 2, Babylon’s Fall, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and PUBG Battlegrounds. The Overwatch crossover adds to an already extensive list that reflects 2B’s status as one of the most recognisable characters in modern gaming.
Additionally, Square Enix recently confirmed that NieR: Automata has sold 10 million copies since its 2017 release, and the publisher teased a future for the franchise with the cryptic message: “NieR: Automata to be continued.”
Overwatch’s Previous Crossover Collaborations
The NieR: Automata crossover joins a growing list of Overwatch collaborations that includes Street Fighter 6, Persona 5, Hello Kitty and Friends, Nerf, and G.I. Joe. Blizzard has also produced numerous skins tied to its own franchises, including Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo-themed cosmetics for the game’s hero roster.
Key Takeaways
- The NieR: Automata x Overwatch collaboration, titled Project YoRHa, runs from March 10 to March 23, 2026 as part of the Season 1 Midcycle update.
- The event includes five Legendary skins: Kiriko as 2B (with Pod 042), Wuyang as 9S (with Pod 153), Vendetta as A2, Lifeweaver as Adam, and Mercy as Commander White.
- The Project YoRHa Mega Bundle costs 6,900 Overwatch Coins. Individual hero bundles cost 2,800 Overwatch Coins each and include extra cosmetics. Individual skins cost 1,900 Overwatch Coins each in the hero gallery.
- All skins are shop-only. Free rewards are earned exclusively through event challenges.
- Free challenge rewards include five Amusement Park variant Name Cards, the “YoRHa Soldier” player title, and an Emil Weapon Charm.
- Complete 10 matches per challenge, repeated seven times, to unlock all free rewards. Wins count as double progress.
- The themed lobby was co-designed by NieR: Automata artists Kimihiko Fujisaka and Koda Kazuma.
- Twitch Drops run alongside the event from March 10 to April 5, with rewards starting from just 15 minutes of watch time.
- Double XP weekends are active throughout March as a community thank-you from Blizzard.
- Square Enix confirmed NieR: Automata has sold 10 million copies and teased the franchise will continue.
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