Overwatch Hero Counters Guide
Overwatch Hero Counters Guide
Understanding hero counters is essential for success in Overwatch. Knowing which heroes counter each other and how to adapt your playstyle can give you a significant advantage. This guide will help you understand hero matchups and make informed counter-picking decisions.
Counter Types
Hard Counters
- Definition: Heroes that significantly outperform another hero in most situations
- Example: Winston vs Widowmaker
- Strategy: Avoid playing the countered hero, switch if countered
Soft Counters
- Definition: Heroes that have advantages against another hero but not overwhelming
- Example: McCree vs Pharah
- Strategy: Play cautiously, focus on exploiting the countered hero’s weaknesses
Situational Counters
- Definition: Heroes that counter another hero only in specific situations
- Example: Mei vs Winston on narrow maps
- Strategy: Adjust playstyle based on the situation
Team Counters
- Definition: Hero combinations that counter another hero
- Example: Reinhardt + Zarya vs Dive comp
- Strategy: Build team compositions that counter the enemy team
Tank Counters
Reinhardt Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, Pharah, Reaper
- Soft Counters: D.Va, Roadhog, Junkrat
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to bypass his shield, attack from above, use close-range damage
Winston Counters
- Hard Counters: Mei, Zarya, Roadhog
- Soft Counters: D.Va, Reaper, McCree
- Counter Strategies: Use crowd control, build charge from his attacks, use high damage at close range
D.Va Counters
- Hard Counters: Zarya, Roadhog, Junkrat
- Soft Counters: Reaper, McCree, Soldier: 76
- Counter Strategies: Build charge from her attacks, use high damage at close range, use crowd control
Zarya Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, D.Va, Tracer
- Soft Counters: Roadhog, McCree, Soldier: 76
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid her projectiles, focus on her when her barriers are down
Roadhog Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, D.Va, Tracer
- Soft Counters: Zarya, McCree, Soldier: 76
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid his hook, focus on him when he’s isolated
Orisa Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, D.Va, Tracer
- Soft Counters: Roadhog, McCree, Soldier: 76
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to bypass her shield, focus on her when her shield is down
Sigma Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, D.Va, Tracer
- Soft Counters: Roadhog, McCree, Soldier: 76
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid his projectiles, focus on him when his barriers are down
Damage Counters
Soldier: 76 Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Pharah
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid his fire, attack from above, use high damage at close range
McCree Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Pharah
- Soft Counters: Soldier: 76, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid his flashbang, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Tracer Counters
- Hard Counters: Brigitte, Moira, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Reaper, Roadhog
- Counter Strategies: Use crowd control, build charge from her attacks, use high damage at close range
Genji Counters
- Hard Counters: Brigitte, Moira, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Reaper, Roadhog
- Counter Strategies: Use crowd control, build charge from his attacks, use high damage at close range
Pharah Counters
- Hard Counters: Soldier: 76, McCree, Widowmaker
- Soft Counters: Hanzo, Junkrat, Mei
- Counter Strategies: Use hitscan weapons, aim for her while she’s flying, use crowd control
Widowmaker Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, Tracer, Genji
- Soft Counters: D.Va, Pharah, Reaper
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive her, attack from above, use close-range damage
Hanzo Counters
- Hard Counters: Winston, Tracer, Genji
- Soft Counters: D.Va, Pharah, Reaper
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive him, attack from above, use close-range damage
Junkrat Counters
- Hard Counters: Pharah, Widowmaker, Genji
- Soft Counters: Soldier: 76, McCree, Tracer
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid his grenades, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Support Counters
Mercy Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Reaper
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive her, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Lucio Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive him, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Ana Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive her, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Zenyatta Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive him, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Moira Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive her, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Baptiste Counters
- Hard Counters: Tracer, Genji, Winston
- Soft Counters: McCree, Widowmaker, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to dive him, attack from above, use high damage at close range
Counter-Picking Strategies
Pre-Match Counter-Picking
- Analyze Enemy Composition: Look for weaknesses in the enemy team
- Pick for Synergy: Choose heroes that work well with your team
- Flexibility: Be willing to switch if countered
- Communication: Discuss counter-picks with your team
In-Game Counter-Switching
- Recognize Counters: Identify when you’re being countered
- Timing: Switch at appropriate times (between rounds, after deaths)
- Team Coordination: Coordinate switches with your team
- Adaptation: Adjust playstyle based on the counter
Counter-Picking Mistakes
- Over-Countering: Switching too frequently
- Ignoring Team Synergy: Picking counters that don’t work with your team
- One-Tricking: Refusing to switch when countered
- Reactionary Switching: Switching without a plan
Team Composition Counters
Dive Comp Counters
- Counter Comps: Bubble comp, Poke comp, Brawl comp
- Counter Heroes: Orisa, Sigma, Ana, Baptiste
- Counter Strategies: Use barriers to protect your team, use long-range damage, use crowd control
Brawl Comp Counters
- Counter Comps: Dive comp, Poke comp
- Counter Heroes: Winston, D.Va, Pharah, Hanzo
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to avoid close-range combat, use long-range damage, use crowd control
Poke Comp Counters
- Counter Comps: Dive comp, Brawl comp
- Counter Heroes: Reinhardt, Roadhog, Reaper, Mei
- Counter Strategies: Close the distance quickly, use close-range damage, use crowd control
Deathball Comp Counters
- Counter Comps: Dive comp, Poke comp
- Counter Heroes: Winston, D.Va, Tracer, Genji
- Counter Strategies: Use mobility to disrupt the deathball, use long-range damage, use crowd control
Conclusion
Understanding hero counters is a crucial aspect of Overwatch that can significantly impact the outcome of matches. By recognizing counters, making informed counter-picks, and adjusting your playstyle, you can gain a significant advantage over your opponents.
Remember, counters are not absolute. A skilled player can overcome counters with good positioning, game sense, and teamwork. Use this guide as a starting point, but always be adaptable and willing to learn.
Good luck, and may your counter-picks lead you to victory!