Greatest characters to play in 2025

With the current launch of Overwatch 2 Season 18, the meta of the sport has shifted as soon as once more, resulting in a change in the best heroes to play as in each Aggressive and Fast Play. 

The addition of latest assist hero Wuyang has additionally created a change as gamers actively get to know his talent equipment and implement it into aggressive play. If all of it appears a bit overwhelming, then don’t have any concern, as we’re right here to replace you on the newest modifications to the Overwatch 2 tier record. 

We’ve damaged every little thing down by position that can assist you lock in smarter picks and climb the ranks quicker. We’ve obtained all of the Overwatch 2 characters ranked on their effectiveness in fight as of season 18, so let’s dive in

Like many on-line multiplayer video games, the Overwatch 2 meta shifts with each patch, bringing new buffs and nerfs to cope with, and season 18 isn’t any exception. These fixed modifications make it tougher for gamers to maintain monitor of what’s working and the way to get essentially the most out of their hero pool. 

Due to this fact, a complete Overwatch 2 hero tier record could make your decisions simpler, reflecting how effectively a hero performs within the present season’s ranked ladder and staff compositions. This tier record for Overwatch 2 Season 18 breaks down the strongest characters to play by position – Tank, DPS, and Assist – and could be utilized to each Fast Play and Aggressive. 

On the lookout for the very best characters in Overwatch? Remember the fact that any hero can win in the suitable fingers, however some make the climb simpler. When you’ve obtained an off-meta fundamental that’s working for you proper now, don’t really feel as if it’s a must to decide from the S-tier. Play with what works for you. 

Right here’s a fast rundown of how our OW2 tier record is organised:

Our rankings are primarily based on the newest patch notes, pro-play developments, and neighborhood efficiency knowledge. Among the neighborhood platforms we use embrace Overbuff, Mobalytics, and Increase Royal.  Blizzard have additionally not too long ago launched Overwatch 2 Hero Stats, so we will probably be utilizing that to compile our tier record as effectively. Our rankings will proceed to be up to date because the meta shifts and evolves, so examine again usually.

With over 40 heroes within the recreation, there are a number of competent choices in your subsequent draft, particularly while you consider Perks. Discover this whole record of Overwatch 2 characters, ranked from S-tier to D-tier primarily based on their international efficiency in Season 18 thus far..

Regardless of her low well being, Tracer has develop into an S-Tier hero this season. She has at all times been a fantastic flanking hero who could make life troublesome for Helps and low-health DPS characters. Tracer has obtained a change to one in every of her Minor Perks in Season 18, with Blast from the Previous being changed with Kinetic Reload. This new Perk grants Tracer an additional 20 ammo when she offers injury with melee hits, which may develop into an actual drawback for the enemy staff when coping with a very expert flanker Tracer. 

Sojourn is one other hero who has persistently been on the high of tier lists. Name her a souped-up Soldier 76 in order for you. That doesn’t detract from her unimaginable injury potential – 200 headshot injury off a railgun shot charged by main assaults is nothing to scoff at. Amp that up along with her Final, and also you’ll be capable of ship a whole staff again dwelling. Sojourn’s effectiveness has not modified considerably between season 17 and season 18, so she continues to be one in every of our S-Tier DPS picks as of proper now. 

Torbjörn is now among the finest characters in Overwatch 2, coming in with a strong 55.28% win price throughout the board. Each his Main Perks Anchor Bolts and Overloaded Turret buff his Turret, turning one thing as soon as ineffective right into a game-changer. They grant it the power to stay to partitions and develop into empowered. His Absolutely Loaded Perk additionally supplies an instantaneous reload on utilizing Overload, helpful for gunning down Tanks and securing goals. When you desire taking foes down from a distance, think about using Widowmaker or Ashe’s weapon whereas zooming in. 
Torbjörn’s Main Perks have had no modifications in season 18, although his Craftsman Minor Perk was changed by the Hammer Time Minor Perk, which permits him to maneuver 20% quicker whereas his Forge Hammer is provided. That is definitely a buff for Torb in comparison with Craftsman, which buffed his allies as a substitute by restoring their armour well being. This elevated motion velocity perk solely provides to Torbjörn’s effectiveness, solidifying him as a agency S-Tier hero.

As at all times, Zarya is dominating the charts due to her unimaginable solo-carry potential along with her Main Perk Vitality Lance. In brief, it pierces enemies when she’s over 50% power. She will be able to additionally convert incoming assaults into power to gas her Particle Cannon for some strong injury. Her Graviton Surge Final is a superb instrument that pulls enemies collectively and damages them. Pair this transfer with Harm heroes like Cassidy, and also you may simply wipe out the enemy staff.

In Season 18, Zarya has develop into much more deadly due to a change in her Minor Perks. Her Graviton Crush Minor Perk was changed with a brand new Minor Perk known as Vitality Converter. This enables her to generate a further three power when she will get hits with the secondary hearth from her Particle Cannon, probably turning her into an much more formidable power power. 

Regardless of a low decide price, Sigma is arguably one of many strongest Tanks in Overwatch 2 proper now. His Experimental Barrier lets him change between aggressive and defensive playstyles. And his Gravitic Flux stays among the finest staff struggle Ultimates within the recreation. His new Levitation Main Perk additionally addresses his weak mobility, letting him attain enemies on larger floor. 

Sigma is one other hero who has obtained a change to his Minor Perk, as Large Influence was changed by Hyper Regeneration. This new Minor Perk gives gamers the possibility to construct on Sigma’s defences, because it converts 50% of the injury from his Hyperspheres into restorative well being for his Experimental Barrier. Sigma is already a tricky Tank to get previous at the very best of occasions, and this perk solely strengthens his dominance as a stalwart defend Tank. 

When you’re new to Tanks, Winston is one other nice alternative who picks mobility over damage-dealing and shielding hits. Use his Leap Pack to distract enemies and canopy some floor between assaults. His Primal Rage Final can also be nice at ending enemies off because it buffs your melee assault. 

Winston’s new Barrier Toss Minor Perk additionally permits him to guard allies that aren’t inside his vary, because it lets him throw his projector ahead. Though this isn’t sufficient to boost him to S-Tier rating, Winston stays a strong A-Tier Tank in season 18.

Very like she did in Season 17, Ana continues to dominate the Assist charts in Season 18 with a formidable decide price throughout all ranks. Her Biotic Grenade alone can swing complete fights by denying therapeutic and boosting her staff’s maintain. Biotic Bounce has additionally been modified to a Minor Perk, and it gives 60 injury and therapeutic, elevated from the earlier 25, growing her utility all of the extra so. Changing Biotic Bounce as a Minor Perk is Pace Serum, which gives a 40% motion enhance to Ana and her goal when she makes use of Nano Increase. Ana’s equipment stays extremely versatile and versatile, maintaining her in S-Tier as a Assist hero. 

Kiriko continues to be thriving within the Overwatch 2 aggressive panorama. Due to her Perks, even dealing injury along with her Kunai can present a therapeutic profit to her allies. Gamers who can grasp min-maxing their injury and therapeutic will simply climb the ranked ladder with this hero. Use Swift Step to hop on to an ally and defend them together with your Safety Suzu means. The latter can disrupt detrimental results like Zenyatta’s Discord Orb. 

In Season 18, Kiriko’s Shuffling Main Perk has been changed with Prepared Step, which grants her 40% elevated assault and reload velocity for two seconds when utilizing Swift Step. Her different Main Perk Foxtrot has had an alteration, too. Her Projection Suzu grants 30% elevated motion velocity for allies, which is down from 40%. Nonetheless, it now has a 100% elevated cooldown restoration. This looks like a good sacrifice, and one which doesn’t make Kiriko any much less of an S-Tier Assist. 

Lúcio continues to be a good selection in the event you’re trying into Assist heroes. His deal with area-of-effect heals and velocity buffs will allow you to preserve a number of allies from hurt’s means. This makes him a fantastic alternative when your staff is dashing in the direction of an goal. You can even use his Sonic Amplifier to dish out some injury as you push enemies away with Soundwave. 

Those that get pleasure from Lúcio’s manoeuvrability through his Wall Driving means will probably be glad to see that he has a brand new Minor Perk in Season 18 that enables Wall Driving to strengthen Lucio’s subsequent Soundwave, growing its injury by 50% and knockback by 25%, making him notably harmful on sure maps.
New assist hero Wuyang has made a stir in season 18, rapidly gaining a major decide and win price, in line with Blizzard’s Hero Stats. Wuyang is especially versatile, however his therapeutic isn’t constant sufficient to put him larger than B-Tier. Newbie gamers will battle with Wuyang, however those that can stability his nature as a hybrid Assist hero will be capable of stand up the Aggressive ranks with him. 

Undecided which hero to play? Tier lists are at all times a fantastic start line, however the suitable decide relies on your playstyle, staff comp, and the present match. Listed below are just a few suggestions that can assist you make smarter picks in Overwatch 2:

Sure heroes thrive on particular maps. On maps with high-vantage factors, hitscans and snipers like Widowmaker reign supreme, whereas Reaper thrives in tight areas. Study which heroes work greatest throughout Management, Escort, Push, or Hybrid maps and adapt your playstyle accordingly for some top-tier Overwatch 2 performances. 

Synergy wins video games. Coordinate your staff composition both in chat or voice. In case your Tank opts for a dive comp with Winston or Wrecking Ball, decide DPS and Helps that may sustain, like Genji, Tracer, Wuyang, Lucio, or Kiriko.

Conversely, in case your staff’s operating a slower frontline with Reinhardt, Orisa, or Sigma, go along with ranged DPS like Hanzo or Ashe and Helps like Brigitte, Kiriko, or Ana. 

Don’t be afraid to swap out your hero if it’s not working. If the enemy Pharah is uncontested and steamrolling your staff, change to a hitscan like Cassidy or Ashe. Smarter counter strikes can flip a dropping struggle on its head – typically even in last-minute Additional time.

It’s at all times enjoyable to have a consolation decide, however particularly in Aggressive, flexibility wins video games. Attempt to have not less than 3–5 heroes per position you’re snug enjoying, so you may pivot primarily based in your staff and enemy matchups. 

On the finish of the day, the Overwatch meta will at all times change, however your mechanical talent, map information, and talent to adapt will outlast any patch. Whether or not you’re grinding talent tiers in Aggressive or enjoying casually, decide heroes that really feel good to you, study their Perks, strengths, and weaknesses, and deal with enhancing one match at a time. That’s the way you’ll climb – and benefit from the grind whilst you’re at it.

There are not any onerous guidelines on what heroes can or can’t be performed in Overwatch 2, so take this Overwatch hero tier record with a pinch of salt; it’s solely a suggestion. Some D-Tier heroes can shine in sure staff comps and maps; all of it boils right down to your expertise, recreation sense, and expertise. Keep watch over Esports Insider for the newest meta shifts and Overwatch 2 updates.