Overwatch 2 characters are still going strong, with new seasons keeping fans entertained thanks to all the latest additions to the team. Accompanied at the helm by fan-favorites making a return, too, there’s a host of new and reworked abilities to test out.
With Overwatch 2 available after a few months of the Overwatch 2 PvP beta, many players are just as engaged as they were on day one. With all the news pouring out in blog posts, trailers, and the developers' Twitter accounts, even Tracer would have a hard time keeping up. That's why we've put together this Overwatch 2 characters guide, allowing you to stay on top of the hero reworks, visual refreshes, and brand new additions - such as formidable hero, Sojourn.
With Overwatch 2 and its seasons in full swing, it’s a great time to look at new faces and re-acquainted with the old. Even if you’ve played hundreds of hours of the first game, there have been slight tweaks to many characters, meaning you may want to read up on what’s new.
Read on for a complete list of all the Overwatch 2 characters detailing who they are, their special abilities or weaknesses, and how they'll fit into your squad.
Overwatch 2 characters
Overwatch 2 characters: Tanks
In Overwatch 2, you can only pick one tank per team, making them a particularly important role. These tough fighters lead the charge, go toe to toe with priority targets, and are your team's main protector.
D.Va
D.Va was once a professional gamer and streamer, but now she’s a mech pilot and mechanic who fights alongside Overwatch.
- Primary weapon (Fusion Cannons): Twin short range cannons.
- Passive (Eject!): D.Va ejects from her mech when it’s destroyed.
- Ability (Defense Matrix): Shoots down incoming projectiles.
- Ability 2 (Boosters): Briefly launches D.Va’s mech forward, letting it fly.
- Ultimate 1 (Self-Destruct): Ejects D.Va and sets the mech reactor to explode.
- Ultimate 2 (Call Mech): If her mech is destroyed, D.Va calls down a replacement.
Doomfist
A mercenary recently freed from prison and armed with a powerful Hand Cannon gauntlet, Doomfist has launched Talon on a new trajectory to war.
- Primary weapon (Hand Cannon): Short-range hand mounted shotgun.
- Ability (Power Block): Blocks frontal attacks to power up Rocket Punch.
- Ability 2 (Rocket Punch): A charge-up punch that knocks back and damages any enemies.
- Ability 3 (Seismic Slam): Launches Doomfist airborne, landing deals damage and slows.
- Ultimate (Meteor Strike): Doomfist jumps into the sky, smashing down for damage and slows.
Junker Queen
As the self-made Queen of Junkertown, Junker Queen is tough, independent, and a champion of the Scrapyard gladatorial arena.
- Primary weapon (Scattergun): A six shot pump action shotgun with short range.
- Passive Ability (Adrenaline Rush): Heal over time from all damage dealt by wounds she causes.
- Ability 1 (Jagged Blade - Passive): All quick melee attacks cause a wound, doing bonus damage over time.
- Ability 1 (Jagged Blade - Active): Throws the dagger dealing damage to an enemy hit and sticking to them, re-activating it pulls the stuck enemy towards her and wounds them.
- Ability 2 (Commanding Shout): Junker Queen briefly raises her max health by 200 and nearby allies maximum health by 100, also granting 30% movement speed.
- Ability 3 (Carnage): Junker Queen swings her axe in front of her, wounding all enemies in front of her for damage over time.
- Ultimate (Rampage): Junker Queen swings her axe in a circle around her, then charges forward in a line. All enemies hit will take damage and be wounded for damage over time, plus getting a healing received debuff temporarily.
Orisa
An optimistic omnic created by a genius inventor from Numbani, Orisa exists to protect others and her creator from harm.
- Primary weapon (Augmented Fusion Driver): Heat-based shrinking projectiles.
- Ability (Energy Javelin): Throws a javelin for damage, stun, and knockback.
- Ability 2 (Javelin Spin): Spins a javelin to destroy projectiles, push enemies, and speed up.
- Ability 3 (Fortify): Grants damage reduction, temp health, and other self buffs.
- Ultimate (Terra Surge): Pulls in nearby enemies, fortifying Orisa and charging an attack up.
Ramattra
This omnic is the leader of the revolutionary corps called Null Sector. His dual tank abilities let him protect his team while rushing the enemy forces.
- Omnic Form Primary weapon (Void Accelerator): Deals long to mid-range poke damage.
- Omnic Form Ability 1 (Barrier shield): Projects a shield that protects his teammates.
- Omnic Ability 2 (Transform): Ramattra can shift into his bigger Nemesis form for a short time.
- Nemesis Ability 1 (Pummel): Punches that are capable of breaching enemy shields.
- Nemesis Ability 2 (Block): Ramattra can reduce incoming damage by 75% by using his arms as a shield.
- Ultimate (Annihilation): This shifts Ramattra into his Nemesis form and creates a damage field around him that will hurt enemies as long as Ramattra is dealing damage.
Reinhardt
The once-retired knight, Reinhardt returned to Overwatch with his power armor and rocket hammer to mix it up with a new generation of threats.
- Primary weapon (Rocket Hammer): Deals damage in wide sweeps in melee.
- Ability 1 (Barrier Shield): Projects a wide shield that protects from the front.
- Ability 2 (Charge): Reinhardt charges forward, grabbing and pinning any enemy he collides with.
- Ability 3 (Fire Strike): Throws a flaming shot in a line that damages anyone it hits.
- Ultimate (Earthshatter): Knocks down and damages everyone in front of Reinhardt.
Roadhog
The mostly-silent and totally-ruthless Roadhog is Junkrat’s sidekick and international criminal from the Australian wastelands.
- Primary weapon (Scrap Gun): A scrap shotgun that fires short or medium range bursts.
- Ability 1 (Take a Breather): Heals Roadhog over time and grants damage reduction..
- Ability 2 (Chain Hook): Throws a hook out, pulling back a single target into close range.
- Ultimate (Whole Hog): Fires constant bursts in a wide spread, damaging and knocking back enemies.
Sigma
Sigma was once an astrophysicist, but in the wake of a failed experiment and mentally unstable, he’s now being used by Talon for his ability to control gravity.
- Primary weapon (Hyperspheres): Bouncing projectiles that explode in an area.
- Ability 1 (Experimental Barrier): Deploys a floating barrier that can be recalled.
- Ability 2 (Kinetic Grasp): Converts incoming projectiles to shields.
- Ability 3 (Accretion): Grabs debris and throws it, knocking an enemy down.
- Ultimate (Gravitic Flux): Sigma takes flight, then targets an area to lift them and slam them down.
Winston
As a baby gorilla, Winston was a genetic experiment at the Horizon Lunar Colony, now he’s a genius adult gorilla with a tesla cannon who brought Overwatch back together.
- Primary weapon (Tesla Cannon): A short range electricity gun that auto-targets, that can also be charged up for a longer ranged shot.
- Ability 1 (Jump Pack): Winston leaps through the air, damaging enemies on landing.
- Ability 2 (Barrier Projector): Drops a small destroyable device that creates a bubble shield.
- Ultimate (Primal Rage): Winston gets a health and armor boost and can leap faster and knock back with melee attacks.
Wrecking Ball
Another survivor of the Horizon Lunar Colony and their genetic experiments, Hammond is a hamster and ace mechanic at the controls of a mech he built.
- Primary weapon (Quad Cannons): Automatic cannons accurate to medium range.
- Ability 1 (Grappling Claw): A grappling hook that lets Wrecking Ball swing and knock back enemies.
- Ability 2 (Roll): Transforms Wrecking Ball into a ball that can gain maximum move speed.
- Ability 3 (Adaptive Shield): Grants temporary shields, increased per enemy nearby.
- Ability 4 (Piledriver): Slams into the ground, knocking enemies up and damaging them..
- Ultimate (Minefield): Drops a large area of proximity mines that explode if enemies get nearby.
Zarya
A hero in her home country of Russia and a powerful weightlifter, Zarya distrusts omnics and has united with Overwatch to protect others.
- Primary weapon (Particle Cannon): Fires longer range energy balls or a short range beam.
- Passive Ability (Energy): Energy that decays over time, but increases Particle Cannon damage.
- Ability 1 (Particle Barrier): Zarya shields herself, blocking damage and granting Energy. Operates on a charge system up to 2 charges.
- Ability 2 (Projected Barrier): Shields an ally, blocking damage and granting Zarya Energy. Operates on a charge system up to 2 charges.
- Ultimate (Graviton Surge): Fires a gravity bomb that pulls in enemies and damages them.
Overwatch 2 characters: Supports
In Overwatch 2, you will be allowed two supports heroes per team. These healers and protectors, provide buffs for allies and debuffs for enemies. While they may not hit hard, their aid can change the course of every encounter.
Ana
A sniper and founding member of Overwatch, Ana was shot in the eye and thought to be dead, but returned as a medic years later to the surprise of her daughter Pharah.
- Primary weapon (Biotic Rifle): A scoped sniper rifle that heals allies and damages enemies.
- Ability 1 (Sleep Dart): Fires a dart from a handgun that puts a single enemy to sleep.
- Ability 2 (Biotic Grenade): Throws a grenade that heals allies in the area and damages enemies, plus improving healing or preventing it.
- Ultimate (Nano Boost): Heals and buffs an ally, giving them damage reduction and bonus damage briefly.
Baptiste
A combat medic and former member of Talon, Baptiste was an orphan who escaped Talon to try to do good in the world.
- Primary weapon (Biotic Launcher): A burst fire rifle that can also launch grenades that heal allies.
- Passive Ability (Exo Boots): By crouching, Baptiste can jump higher afterwards.
- Ability 1 (Regenerative Burst): Heals yourself and nearby allies over time.
- Ability 2 (Immortality Field): Drops an attackable device that prevents allies from dying.
- Ultimate (Amplification Matrix): Creates a field that doubles the damage and healing of allied projectiles.
Brigitte
The daughter of Torbjörn and goddaughter of Reinhardt, Brigitte travels with Reinhardt as his personal armorer, maintaining his suit and keeping him ready for battle.
- Primary weapon (Rocket Flail): A flail that can strike multiple enemies with each swing.
- Passive Ability (Inspire): Hitting enemies with your flail heals nearby allies over time.
- Ability 1 (Barrier Shield): Deploys a small shield that absorbs damage from the front.
- Ability 2 (Repair Pack): Throws a pack that heals an ally over a few seconds.
- Ability 3 (Shield Bash): Dashes forward to damage an enemy.
- Ultimate (Rally): Speeds Brigitte up and provides Armor to herself and all nearby allies for a short time.
Lúcio
An international celebrity, musician, and activist, Lúcio became a superstar overnight when he joined the fight against the omnics and Talon with Overwatch.
- Primary weapon (Sonic Amplifier): A flail that can strike multiple enemies with each swing .
- Passive Ability (Wall Ride): Jump onto walls to ride them briefly and gain a speed boost.
- Ability 1 (Soundwave): Damages and knocks back nearby enemies in a cone.
- Ability 2 (Crossfade): Switches back and forth between two area of effects: a heal over time and a speed buff.
- Ability 3 (Amp it Up): Briefly increases the effects of the current buff from Crossfade.
- Ultimate (Sound Barrier): Gives Lúcio and nearby allies a massive temporary shield.
Mercy
Mercy is a brilliant doctor and scientist who pioneered breakthroughs in nonobiology before joining Overwatch to help protect others.
- Primary weapon (Caduceus Staff): A dual mode staff that attaches to allies to either heal them or boost their damage.
- Secondary weapon (Caduceus Pistol): A simple backup pistol.
- Passive Ability (Regeneration): Mercy slowly heals over time when not taking damage.
- Ability 1 (Angelic Descent): Mercy can slow her fall to a gentle glide.
- Ability 2 (Guardian Angel): Leaps towards a targeted ally, even in the air.
- Ability 3 (Resurrect): Revives a dead ally at full health.
- Ultimate (Valkyrie): A buff that briefly makes Caduceus Staff chain to other nearby allies, allows Mercy to fly, and boosts her move speed and attack speed with her pistol.
Moira
Moira is a scientist and genetic engineer obsessed with progress at any cost who hates Overwatch for stifling her research and now works with Talon.
- Primary weapon (Biotic Grasp): A dual mode weapon that builds energy by locking on and damaging a nearby enemy, or expends energy to heal allies in a cone.
- Ability 1 (Biotic Orb): A dual mode ability that throws an orb which bounces off walls, and will heal nearby allies in one mode, or damage nearby enemies in the other.
- Ability 2 (Fade): Moira goes invincible and invisible for a second, gaining a speed boost.
- Ultimate (Coalescence): A massive long range beam of energy that heals allies, damages enemies, and ignores any barrier abilities.
Zenyatta
As an Omnic and a monk, Zenyatta became the mentor of Genji, and travels the world to foster friendship and understanding between humans and Omnics.
- Primary weapon (Orb of Destruction): A dual mode weapon that fires throws individual orbs at long range or charges to unleash a volley of them.
- Ability 1 (Orb of Harmony): Sends an orb to heal an ally over time as long as they stay in line of sight.
- Ability 2 (Orb of Discord): Sends an orb to make an enemy receive increased damage as long as they stay in line of sight.
- Ultimate (Transcendence): Zenyatta moves faster and becomes invulnerable, massively healing nearby allies but disabling other abilities for a brief time.
Overwatch 2 characters: Damage
With two per team in Overwatch 2, damage heroes are the largest pool of characters for you to pick from and, as you'd guess from the name, deal out the bulk of the damage in a game – but others provide utility as well.
Ashe
Once the daughter of wealthy socialites, Ashe is now the leader of the Deadlock Gang and a wildcard in the criminal underworld.
- Primary weapon (The Viper): A semi-auto rifle which can be hip fired or scoped for accurate higher damage shots.
- Ability 1 (Dynamite): Ashe throws a bundle of dynamite that explodes for damage and burn after a timer or when shot.
- Ability 2 (Coachgun): A close range shotgun blast that knocks back enemies and knocks Ashe backwards as well.
- Ultimate (B.O.B.): Ashe summons her omnic sidekick, who dashes forward, knocks enemies up, and then fires at nearby enemies.
Bastion
An omnic that was once a frontline soldier in the crisis, Bastion was damaged and left in a field, eventually becoming both peaceful and sentient. Eventually, he came to live with Torbjörn.
- Primary weapon (Configuration: Recon): A rifle with average range and no recoil, which can also fire a bouncing grenade shot that damages and knocks back.
- Primary weapon (Configuration: Assault): A full-auto minigun with devastating short to medium range damage and infinite ammo.
- Passive Ability (Ironclad): Bastion receives less damage while transformed.
- Ability 1 (Reconfigure): Swaps temporarily into Assault mode, which slows movement.
- Ultimate (Configuration: Artillery): Transforms Bastion temporarily into an artillery piece, giving him an overhead view of the map and allowing him to fire multiple long range shots.
Cassidy
Once a drifter, Cassidy became an outlaw and joined the Deadlock Gang before being pressed into Overwatch’s covert ops.
- Primary weapon (Peacekeeper): A revolver that can be fired single shot or in a short range fan of the hammer.
- Ability 1 (Combat Roll): Dives quickly in the direction of movement, reloading the Peacekeeper.
- Ability 2 (Flashbang): Throws a sticky grenade that explodes after a brief delay.
- Ultimate (Deadeye): Cassidy slows down and aims, taking reduced damage and marking every enemy he can see. After a brief delay based on their health he lines up a kill shot and can fire at all enemies in sight.
Echo
A secret project, Echo is an advanced artificial intelligence that can adapt on the fly in combat situations in support of Overwatch.
- Primary weapon (Tri-Shot): Fires three shots at once in a triangle pattern.
- Passive Ability (Glide): Echo can hold jump to slow her vertical fall speed.
- Ability 1 (Sticky Bombs): Fires a volley of six sticky bombs that explode after a delay.
- Ability 2 (Focusing Beam): Channels a beam that does 4x damage against low health targets.
- Ultimate (Duplicate): Transforms Echo temporarily into a copy of a targeted enemy hero, including their max health and abilities.
Genji
A heavily augmented cyborg, Genji was once one of two sons of a ninja crime family but became a member of Overwatch after his brother nearly killed him.
- Primary weapon (Shuriken): Genji can throw a burst of three shuriken at a single point, or in a wide spread.
- Passive Ability (Cyber-Agility): Genji can climb walls and double jump.
- Ability 1 (Swift Strike): Dashes forward, damaging any enemies hit and resetting on kill.
- Ability 2 (Deflect): Reflects all incoming projectiles in the direction aimed.
- Ultimate (Dragonblade): Genji draws his sword for a short time, gaining a speed buff and a powerful melee attack.
Hanzo
The elder son of a ninja crime family, Hanzo left after believing he had killed his brother, Genji, and now wanders the world as a mercenary warrior.
- Primary weapon (Storm Bow): A charged bow shot that does more damage and gets more distance with charge.
- Passive Ability (Wall Climb): Hanzo can climb walls.
- Passive Ability (Lunge): Hanzo can double jump.
- Ability 1 (Sonic Arrow): Fires an arrow that uses sonar to reveal nearby enemies to your team after striking.
- Ability 2 (Storm Arrows): Reduces the damage of your next five arrows but they fire instantly at max charge.
- Ultimate (Dragonstrike): Fires an arrow that turns into a spirit dragon, which travels through walls and does massive damage to any targets in the area.
Junkrat
A criminal and traveling disaster area, Junkrat is an explosive-obsessed junker from the Australian wastelands.
- Primary weapon (Frag Launcher): A grenade launcher with bouncing explosive grenades.
- Passive Ability (Total Mayhem): Drops a pile of live grenades when dying.
- Ability 1 (Concussion Mine): Throws a mine that can be detonated later for damage and knockback, or to make Junkrat fly.
- Ability 2 (Steel Trap): A trap that damages and snare/slows an enemy briefly when touched.
- Ultimate (RIP-Tire): Deploys a remote controlled tire that can climb walls and explode for massive damage.
Mei
A world-renowned climatologist, Mei was trapped in cryo-stasis for nine years, emerging to rejoin the resurgent Overwatch.
- Primary weapon (Endothermic Blaster): Fires a spray of slowing short range ice that damages nearby enemies, or a long range icicle that does high damage.
- Ability 1 (Cryo-Freeze): Mei surrounds herself with a block of ice, healing herself and becoming invulnerable temporarily.
- Ability 2 (Ice Wall): Creates a massive ice wall that temporarily blocks sight, attacks, and movement.
- Ultimate (Blizzard): Deploys an area of effect snowstorm that does damage and slows, then freezes.
Pharah
Having dreamed of joining her mother Ana in Overwatch from a young age, she ended up working for a private security firm and learning how to use her experimental combat suit.
- Primary weapon (Rocket Launcher): Fires rockets that do splash damage or higher damage on direct hit.
- Ability 1 (Hover): Uses a recharging fuel system to hover or fly.
- Ability 2 (Jump Jet): Jumps Pharah high into the air in a single burst.
- Ability 3 (Concussive Blast): Fires a wrist rocket that knocks back herself and any enemies nearby it.
- Ultimate (Barrage): Freezes Pharah in place and unleashes a barrage of rockets at a medium area.
Reaper
A genetically modified ghost, Reaper was once in charge of Overwatch’s black ops division, but now is Talon’s bogeyman.
- Primary weapon (Hellfire Shotguns): Paired short-range shotguns.
- Passive Ability (The Reaping): Heal based on damage dealt.
- Ability 1 (Wraith Form): Reaper briefly becomes invulnerable, passes through enemies, and gets a speed boost.
- Ability 2 (Shadow Step): Teleports to a marked destination after a brief delay.
- Ultimate (Death Blossom): Does very high damage to all enemies nearby for a few seconds
Soldier 76
One of the original leaders of Overwatch, Soldier 76 went underground after the collapse and became a vigilante before returning to its new form.
- Primary weapon (Heavy Pulse Rifle): Full-auto rifle effective at most ranges.
- Ability 1 (Helix Rockets): A trio of small rockets that does a large burst of damage
- Ability 2 (Sprint): Allows a big boost of speed until you take another action.
- Ability 3 (Biotic Field): Drops a device that heals all allies in a small area around it briefly.
- Ultimate (Tactical Visor): Automatically targets enemies with your shots so they cannot miss for a brief period.
Sojourn
An old Overwatch ally, Sojourn has been cybernetically upgraded and carries around a railgun.
- Primary weapon (Railgun): Fires in two modes, a rapid-fire one that generates energy, and a heavy impact single shot that consumes it.
- Ability 1 (Power Slide): A slide move that can be canceled into a high jump.
- Ability 2 (Disruptor Shot): An area of effect shot that snares enemies and damages them over time.
- Ultimate (Overclock): Auto-charges the railguns energy for a short duration, and makes charged shots pierce enemies.
We have a full guide on how to play Sojourn in Overwatch 2. Check it out for more in-depth tips and tricks.
Sombra
A world renowned hacker and orphan, Sombra has her own agenda as she targets powerful people around the world.
- Primary weapon (Machine Pistol): A full-auto short range pistol.
- Passive Ability (Opportunist): Sombra can see low-health enemies through walls.
- Ability 1 (Hack): Allows you to hack enemies to disable abilities and first aid kits to make them useless to enemies.
- Ability 2 (Stealth): Makes you invisible for a brief period and gives a large speed boost.
- Ability 3 (Translocator): Tosses out a beacon you can instantly return to while it’s active.
- Ultimate (EMP): Destroys enemy barriers, deals damage, and hacks enemies in a large area.
Symmetra
A genius engineer and scientist, Symmetra works with cutting edge hard-light technology to create things from light for the Vishkar Corporation.
- Primary weapon (Photon Projector): A beam weapon that ramps up damage, or which can fire long range balls of piercing energy.
- Passive Ability (Opportunist): Sombra can see low-health enemies through walls.
- Ability 1 (Sentry Turret): Fires a turret that latches onto a surface and fires slowing beams at nearby enemies.
- Ability 2 (Teleporter): Places a temporary teleporter pad that connects to an exit pad for allies to instantly travel between them.
- Ultimate (Photon Barrier): Deploys a massive barrier that goes across the entire map for a short time.
Torbjörn
A weaponsmith and engineer who is suspicious of omnics, he has worked with Overwatch in the past and took back up with them after Winston’s call.
- Primary weapon (Rivet Gun): A molten gun that can fire long range rivets or a short range shotgun blast.
- Secondary weapon (Forge Hammer): A melee weapon that can do damage and repair turrets.
- Ability 1 (Deploy Turret): Deploys a self building turret that automatically attacks enemies.
- Ability 2 (Overload): A self-buff that gives armor, move speed, and attack and reload speed.
- Ultimate (Molten Core): Fires projectiles that create molten pools that damage enemies.
Tracer
Once a test pilot, Tracer was involved in an accident that left her able to control time around her, and she became an Overwatch agent shortly afterwards.
- Primary weapon (Pulse Pistols): A pair of full-auto short range pistols.
- Ability 1 (Blink): Stores three charges. Teleports you in the direction Tracer is moving.
- Ability 2 (Recall): Rewinds time for Tracer to where she was a few seconds previously, restoring health and position.
- Ultimate (Pulse Bomb): Tosses a sticky bomb that detonates after a brief delay for significant damage.
Widowmaker
As the wife of an Overwatch agent, Widowmaker was kidnapped and neurally reprogrammed into a sleeper agent for Talon – who she now works for as an assassin...
- Primary weapon (Widows Kiss): A rifle with relatively weak automatic fire, or a charged and scoped sniper mode.
- Ability 1 (Grappling Hook): Fires a grappling hook at a surface, pulling Widowmaker to it.
- Ability 2 (Venom Mine): Tosses a sticky mine that detonates to release poison when an enemy is nearby, revealing them through walls.
- Ultimate (Infra-Sight): Turns on Widowmaker’s recon visor, which reveals enemies through walls for her team.
