The Availability Factor
2. A Heroic Quest, Once Upon a Time
The original method of obtaining Oni Genji involved a specific in-game challenge in Heroes of the Storm. You and a friend had to complete a certain number of matches while playing as a specific hero or a selection of heroes. It was a time-limited event, meaning that after a specific date, the chance to unlock Oni Genji through this method vanished.
Think of it like a limited-edition concert ticket. Once the show's over, the tickets only value is sentimental. That feeling when you finally unlocked Oni Genji after grinding through those Heroes of the Storm matches? Priceless! (Okay, maybe not priceless, but definitely worth bragging rights.)
Many players who mained Overwatch had never even touched Heroes of the Storm, making the challenge a bit of a hurdle. You had to learn a new game, potentially deal with the learning curve, and coordinate with friends. This barrier to entry definitely contributed to the perception of Oni Genji as a relatively rare skin.
However, as with many things in the ever-evolving world of Overwatch, things changed. Blizzard, in their infinite wisdom (and perhaps responding to player feedback), eventually made Oni Genji available through other means. So, does that mean the "rare" label is gone forever? Let's keep digging!
So, Is Oni Genji Rare Now? The Plot Thickens!
3. Present Day Status
Okay, here's the kicker. While the original method of unlocking Oni Genji is long gone, the skin has been made available through loot boxes at various points, particularly during seasonal events. This means that, technically, anyone can get Oni Genji if they play enough (or get incredibly lucky) during those periods.
This accessibility does take some of the shine off the "rare" status. It's no longer a badge of honor signifying your willingness to grind through Heroes of the Storm. Now, it's more of a testament to your luck with loot boxes (or your willingness to buy a ton of them, let's be honest).
That being said, Oni Genji isn't exactly a common skin. It's not like Classic Tracer, which everyone starts with. Because it's only available during certain events and through the whims of RNG loot boxes, you still don't see it every single game. So, it's more like "uncommon" or "semi-rare" than "extinct."
Think of it as a slightly uncommon Pokemon card. Its not Charizard, but its definitely not Pidgey either. You'd still be pretty pleased to pull it from a pack, and you might even show it off to your friends. Oni Genji holds a similar cachet in the Overwatch community.
