Overwatch 2 Mischief & Magic guide: How it works and how to win

Amy Chen

Amy Chen

Here’s our Mischief & Magic guide on how to win as Kiriko and Genji!

Overwatch 2's Mischief & Magic game mode has returned for a limited time! Players who complete matches in Mischief & Magic can earn progress toward the 2025 Overwatch 2 Anniversary event. Read on for our Mischief & Magic guide on how this game mode works and how to claim victory!

How Mischief & Magic works in Overwatch 2 (Screenshot via esports.gg)
How Mischief & Magic works in Overwatch 2 (Screenshot via esports.gg)

Overwatch 2 Mischief & Magic

Mischief & Magic is basically Overwatch 2's version of prop hunt. In this game mode, two teams of five players take turns playing as either Rogue Kiriko or Knight Genji. These roles switch each round.

Kiriko in the Overwatch 2 Mischief & Magic game mode (Screenshot via esports.gg)
Kiriko in the Overwatch 2 Mischief & Magic game mode (Screenshot via esports.gg)

Kiriko's goal is to change into various props and hide while Genji players must find and eliminate Kiriko players before time runs out. The first team to earn three points wins the match.

Genji in the Overwatch 2 Mischief & Magic game mode (Screenshot via esports.gg)
Genji in the Overwatch 2 Mischief & Magic game mode (Screenshot via esports.gg)

Overwatch 2 Mischief and Magic: Kiriko tips

If you're playing as Kiriko, then you should transform into a prop and find a good hiding spot. Alternatively, you can hide in plain sight! Use the Shift key to turn into a random prop. You can do this more than once, but the transformation does have a cooldown. Then, right-click to stay in place.

Hiding in plain sight as Kiriko (Screenshot via esports.gg)
Hiding in plain sight as Kiriko (Screenshot via esports.gg)

If a Genji player gets too close and you think they're about to attack, then press E to stun them! This gives you some time to move away and transform into another prop.

Press E to stun Genji (Screenshot via esports.gg)
Press E to stun Genji (Screenshot via esports.gg)

As a round goes on, Kiriko says voice lines out loud. This happens whenever the mic symbol turns blue. This gives Genji players a hint at your whereabouts. Therefore, carefully moving around to new locations is also a viable strategy.

Don't be suspicious! Don't be suspicious! (Screenshot via esports.gg)
Don't be suspicious! Don't be suspicious! (Screenshot via esports.gg)

Overwatch 2 Mischief and Magic: Genji tips

If you're playing as Genji, then remember that every melee attack on a prop that’s not Kiriko results in some loss of your health total. However, you can use Swift Strike to help mitigate this. Another way to regain health is by getting your ultimate. Gain ultimate charge faster by eliminating Kiriko players.

Use Genji's ultimate to fully heal yourself (Screenshot via esports.gg)
Use Genji's ultimate to fully heal yourself (Screenshot via esports.gg)

Don't forget to use Overwatch 2's ping system. By paying attention to your teammate's pings, you can work together and locate a nearby Kiriko who, for example, may have just used stun!

A teammate warns the rest of us about a Kiriko player (Screenshot via esports.gg)
A teammate warns the rest of us about a Kiriko player (Screenshot via esports.gg)

Remember to climb walls to reach Kiriko players who might be hiding in tricky spots. Also, listen closely for Kiriko's voice as time goes on. The general direction of her location is indicated by a curved red bar.

Your team claims the match victory after winning three rounds in total. Since the Mischief & Magic game mode is part of the 2025 Anniversary event, you can also earn some progress toward those event challenges.

That's all for now. Are you excited to jump into some Mischief & Magic shenanigans? Stick around on epsorts.gg for more Overwatch 2 news and updates!