As a top 500 Overwatch DPS main with over 500 hours played, I‘ve experienced the ins and outs of ranked play firsthand through the highs and lows from Bronze to Grandmaster. With the launch of Overwatch 2, I‘ve already grinded over 100 hours testing heroes in the beta to determine the most optimal picks for carrying teams to victory.
Based on my expert analysis, I‘ve identified the strongest damage, tank, and support heroes you should be playing right now to start climbing SR. These characters have versatile kits that bring tremendous value regardless of your team composition or opponents. If you truly want to rank up fast, you need to master these power picks.
Why These Heroes Excel
Before breaking down each elite character, it‘s important to understand why they are so dominant compared to alternatives. While Overwatch has always been about counter-picking opponents, some base kits provide more overall value.
The damaged reduced team sizes and tank slots mean versatility and playmaking are more vital. Heroes with well-rounded weapons and abilities that enable big momentum swings or sustain will outweigh niche picks. You also want to enable your DPS to pop off and secure kills.
These characters have strong primary fire damage, impactful cooldowns, and fight-altering ultimates. They can brawl, flank, initiate or counter-initiate effectively based on win conditions. Their flexibility allows you to adapt strategies without compromising core strengths.
Winston – King of Disruption
As the sole tank now, heroes that can control space and contest areas while enabling dps to secure kills are extremely valuable. There‘s no better option than Winston, who pumps out cleave damage while dancing in and out of his barrier‘s protection. His versatility to engage, disengage, and disrupt teamfights is unmatched.
Main Attack – Tesla Cannon
- 60 damage per second
- Hits multiple targets simultaneously
- Effective up to 8 meters range
This short-range cone attack allows Winston to pressure vulnerable backline heroes and shred tanks. The cleave damage provides incredible value against clustered opponents.
Cooldowns
- Barrier Projector – Absorbs 900 damage
- Jump Pack – Engage / Escape tool every 5 seconds
Winston‘s shield dancing is where he truly excels, enabling him to advance or retreat while mitigating damage. His leap allows him to dive enemy backlines to create chaos.
Primal Rage (Ultimate)
- Gains 800 extra health
- 40 damage melee attacks
- Lasts 8 seconds
- 2 minute charge rate
One of the strongest area denial and space control ultimates. Winston becomes an unkillable beast for the duration, able to zone entire teams off objectives and wipe damaged squishies.
I can‘t count the number of teamfights I‘ve won solely off a well-timed Primal Rage to knock enemies off high ground or contest a point 1v4. Winston boasts unrivaled disruption that opens opportunities for your dps to pop off.
Soldier 76 – Reliable Hitscan Dominance
When it comes to consistent hitscan damage and solo carry potential, Soldier 76 continues to deliver in Overwatch 2. While his kit remains straightforward, it provides immense versatility to shred shields, win duels, and augment team survivability when executed properly. He truly does it all.
Heavy Pulse Rifle
- Advanced full-auto rifle
- Up to 200 DPS at max falloff range
- 25 bullets per mag
- Hits headshots
The pulse rifle absolutely shreds shields and clustered groups while also winning long-range 1v1s. It‘s reliable full-auto fire makes it easy to apply pressure.
Cooldowns
- Sprint – Unlimited run speed
- Biotic Field – Heals 40 HP / sec to group
- Helix Rockets – Burst 120 explosive damage
These abilities allow Soldier to re-position quickly for flanks, recover health during extended fights, and dish extra burst damage against assassination targets.
Tactical Visor (Ultimate)
- Auto-locks rifle onto visible enemies
- 6 second duration
- Builds fast at 2 minutes max
Very few abilities can wipe teams as efficiently as a well-placed Tac Visor after the enemy burns cooldowns and barriers. It quickly swings losing fights for your team.
Soldier 76 continues to offer tremendous versatility and impact – the ultimate catch-all DPS for ranked climbs. Master his positioning and rotations and you‘ll dominate lobbies.
Ana – The Premier Playmaking Support
Support was already Ana‘s domain in Overwatch 1, but the added responsibility she shoulders after the loss of a tank makes her all the more critical. Her playmaking potential across healing, damage, and utility remains unmatched. A good Ana can solo carry fights.
Biotic Rifle
- 2 modes: Allies heal for 75HP, Enemies take .60 damage
- Scopes for precision sniping
- 15 rounds per mag
Ana puts out solid healing while dishing nasty poke damage – cracking shields and securing kills. Few can rival her ranged impact.
Cooldowns
- Sleep Dart – 5.5 second stun
- Biotic Grenade – 100 heal and anti-heal effect
These abilities enable Ana to set up kills on demand while providing clutch burst healing. A well-timed sleep or anti-nade can decide teamfights alone.
Nano Boost (Ultimate)
- 50% damage boost and 50% damage reduction for 8 seconds
- Charges incredibly fast – often available every fight
Nano is the quintessential playmaking ultimate, enabling allies to go mega aggressive for multi-kills. Consistent Nanos on your main dps will break stalled fights.
Ana requires great skill to play effectively, but provides insane value through playmaking once mastered. Every team needs her versatility. A skilled Ana can hard carry.
Alternative Hero Considerations
While the previously highlighted picks provide immense flexibility and impact, other heroes still bring strategic benefits for specific situations or team compositions.
Strong Tank Alts:
- D.Va – Great peeling and protection for your backline dps against flanks and dives
- Sigma – Strong shielding and CC options enable good poke damage
Situational DPS:
- Ashe – Long-range hitscan who dominates open maps like Junkertown
- Tracer – Flank and assassination expert to crush uncoordinated teams
- Genji – High skill hero who wrecks with nanoblade combos
Support Alternatives
- Lucio – Solid heals and speed your brawl comps through chokepoints
- Brigitte – Counters unpredictable dive comps with armor packs
While those alternate picks shine situationally, the starting heroes in each role provide much more well-rounded benefits on average. But don‘t be afraid to experiment with supports that complement your dps players. Adapt picks to enemy weaknesses.
Master These Heroes, Start Climbing
If you truly wish to increase your ranked SR in Overwatch 2, focus on mastering a couple heroes from the damage, tank, and support picks outlined in this guide. Their versatile, well-rounded kits offer reliability and playmaking few other heroes can match.
As someone who has peaked at 4700 SR dps, I utilized these exact heroes the majority of my climbs. Their flexibility patch holes in your team compositions while enabling pop off moments from your top fraggers. You provide immense value no matter the scenario.
Work on nailing down essential combos and positioning tendencies on each highlighted hero for your role. Learn to track key enemy cooldowns and recognize windows to aggress. Time your rotations and ultimate usage to swing lost teamfights. Soon you‘ll rapidly outplay less coordinated opponents.
If you put in the hours mastering these meta-proof picks, I guarantee you will climb faster than forcing niche hero one-tricks. See you at the top – now get practicing!
