Positioning in Overwatch 2 can be the difference between victory and defeat. Mastering the art of positioning involves understanding cover, line of sight, distance, and rotations. This comprehensive guide will break down each aspect, providing strategies and tips to elevate your gameplay.
Cover: Your Best Friend
In Overwatch 2, cover is your best friend. It’s any object or terrain that blocks enemy line of sight and provides protection from incoming fire. Using cover effectively can significantly increase your survivability and effectiveness in combat.
Think of cover in two main categories: hard cover and soft cover. Hard cover, like walls, buildings, and vehicles, completely blocks enemy fire. Soft cover, such as Illari pylon or Torb turret, offers limited protection but can still be useful in a pinch.
Peek shooting is a great technique to master when engaged in a firefight. By using corners and edges, you can peek out to shoot at enemies while minimizing your exposure.
Always retreat behind cover to reload; this prevents you from being caught defenseless in the open. Remember, even when using abilities, try to do so from behind cover to reduce the risk of being targeted.
A general rule of thumb is to try to play close to cover as frequently as possible. There will be times in a match when you need to rotate into open space. In these instances, make sure you have full resources – health, ammo, cooldowns – to increase your chances of survival.
Line of Sight in Overwatch 2: Seeing Without Being Seen
Line of sight, or LoS, refers to the direct visual path between you and your target. Controlling LoS allows you to engage enemies while minimizing the risk of being hit. Good positioning often means finding a spot where you can see and shoot at enemies without them having a clear shot at you.
High ground is particularly advantageous for maintaining good LoS. It gives you a better view of the battlefield and makes it harder for enemies to reach you. Corners and angles are also important. By using corners, you can create advantageous angles where you see enemies before they see you, giving you the upper hand.
LoS is crucial to be able to apply offensive pressure on your opponents. Likewise, breaking LoS reduces the amount of pressure you take from enemies since most heroes need LoS to damage you. Some exceptions include splash damage from Junkrat nades and Pharah rockets.
For tanks, maintaining LoS means creating space for your team by blocking enemy views and protecting your teammates. DPS heroes should use LoS to engage enemies without exposing themselves to multiple threats. Supports need to position themselves to maintain LoS to their team for healing while avoiding enemy fire. Supports also need to create advantageous LoS opportunities to apply damage to the enemy team.
Distance: Managing Engagements
Understanding and maintaining optimal engagement distances for your hero can maximize your effectiveness. Each hero in Overwatch 2 has a sweet spot for distance, whether it’s close, mid, or long-range.
Close-range heroes, like Reaper and Winston, thrive in tight spaces where they can deal high burst damage. These heroes should use cover to close the distance and surprise enemies.
Mid-range heroes, such as Soldier: 76 and Baptiste, offer versatility and balanced damage output. They should maintain a moderate distance from enemies while keeping escape routes in mind.
Long-range heroes, like Widowmaker and Ana, excel from afar. Position yourself on high ground or behind cover to pick off enemies without exposing yourself.
These are all best-case scenarios. It’s rare that you will spend the entire match at your optimal playing range, so pay close attention to where the enemy is positioning so you can adjust accordingly. You also need to be flexible in your playstyle and understand how your strategy changes at different ranges with each hero.
Rotations: Moving with Purpose in Overwatch 2
Rotations are deliberate movements and repositioning of your team to gain a strategic advantage. Effective rotations can catch the enemy off guard and create opportunities for success. Knowing when and how to rotate is crucial.
You should consider rotating after securing a pick, if you’re under heavy pressure, or to gain control of an objective. Players should also make sure to rotate after they’ve won a team fight to take a more advantageous position on the map.
Communicate with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page about when and where to rotate. Move from cover to cover to minimize exposure during rotations and time your movements during enemy downtimes or distractions to avoid being caught out.
Tanks often lead rotations, providing cover and creating space for the team. DPS heroes should follow closely, or reposition to a flank to engage enemies from new angles. Supports typically stay near the back, using the tanks and DPS as cover while ensuring they can still heal effectively. However, there are certain supports, like Lucio and Brig, who will frequently find themselves fighting on the frontlines.
Stay Ahead with Awareness and Adaptability
Positioning is not just about where you stand, but how you move and adapt to the game. Map knowledge is essential. Familiarize yourself with each map’s layout, common chokepoints, and high-ground positions. Adapt your positioning based on the enemy team’s heroes and their positioning, and always be on the lookout for enemy flankers.
When it comes to using your ultimate, positioning is key. When ready to use your ultimate, position yourself to maximize its effectiveness while minimizing the risk of being interrupted. Even though there are fewer crowd control abilities in Overwatch 2 than Overwatch 1, you’ll need to be aware of key enemy cooldowns like Kiriko’s Suzu and Baptiste’s lamp.
Master Positioning to Dominate the Overwatch 2 Battlefield
Mastering positioning in Overwatch 2 involves understanding and effectively utilizing cover, managing line of sight, maintaining optimal engagement distances, and executing strategic rotations. By incorporating these strategies into your gameplay, you can significantly improve your performance and contribute more effectively to your team’s success.
Remember, positioning is an ongoing learning process, so continuously adapt and refine your approach to stay ahead of the competition. Good luck, and, as always, have fun!
