Can You Select Server in Overwatch? A Comprehensive Guide

No, you cannot directly select a specific server region in Overwatch. The game automatically connects you to the server with the lowest latency based on your geographical location. While frustrating for some, this system aims to provide the best possible playing experience for the majority of players by minimizing lag and ensuring fair matchmaking.

Why Can’t I Choose My Overwatch Server?

The decision to prevent manual server selection in Overwatch stems from a few key considerations:

• Maintaining a Healthy Player Pool: Fragmenting the player base across numerous servers, particularly in less populated regions, can lead to longer queue times and less balanced matches.
• Optimizing Latency: Blizzard’s matchmaking system prioritizes connecting players to the closest server to ensure the lowest possible ping. Allowing manual server selection could lead to players connecting to distant servers, creating unfair advantages and disadvantages due to lag.
• Preventing Abuse: Manual server selection could be exploited to avoid certain players, manipulate matchmaking ratings, or create other unfair advantages.

While understanding the reasoning behind this design choice is important, many players still desire more control over their server connection for various reasons.

Circumventing the Limitation: Is There a Workaround?

While there isn’t a straightforward “server select” option within the Overwatch game client, some methods can potentially influence the server you connect to. However, these methods are not officially supported by Blizzard and may not always work reliably. Furthermore, using third-party tools that interact with the game client could violate Blizzard’s terms of service, potentially leading to account penalties. Exercise extreme caution.

1. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN reroutes your internet traffic through a server in a different location. By connecting to a VPN server in a specific region, you can potentially trick Overwatch’s matchmaking system into thinking you are located in that region, causing it to connect you to a server within that region.

• Pros: Can potentially connect you to a desired region.
• Cons: Can significantly increase latency if the VPN server is far away. Requires a reliable and potentially paid VPN service. May violate Blizzard’s terms of service. Performance can be unpredictable.

2. Altering Your System’s DNS Settings (Advanced Users Only)

DNS (Domain Name System) servers translate website names (like google.com) into IP addresses. In theory, by changing your system’s DNS settings to a DNS server located in a different region, you might influence the server selection. However, this method is highly unreliable and not guaranteed to work.

• Pros: Free.
• Cons: Extremely unreliable. Requires technical knowledge. May negatively impact your overall internet performance. Unlikely to work with Overwatch’s sophisticated region detection.

3. Playing With Friends in Different Regions (Most Reliable and Recommended)

The most reliable and safest method is to group up with friends who are located in the region you wish to play on. Overwatch’s matchmaking often prioritizes the region of the group leader. If your friend, who lives in Europe, is the group leader, and you queue together from North America, there’s a high chance you’ll be connected to a European server.

• Pros: Safe and supported method. Relatively reliable.
• Cons: Requires having friends in the desired region. Latency can still be an issue depending on the distance.

Important Disclaimer: Blizzard does not officially endorse or support any methods to circumvent the automatic server selection process. Using unauthorized methods can lead to account penalties or compromise your security. Play at your own risk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about server selection in Overwatch:

1. Why can’t I choose my server directly in Overwatch? As mentioned before, this is due to maintaining a healthy player pool, optimizing latency, and preventing abuse of the system.

2. Does my location always guarantee connection to the closest server? The system tries to connect you to the closest server, but network congestion, routing issues, and other factors can sometimes lead to less optimal connections.

3. If I play with a friend from another region, will I always be placed on their server? Generally, yes. The game usually prioritizes the region of the group leader, but there are no guarantees.

4. Does ping affect my gameplay in Overwatch? Absolutely. High ping can lead to noticeable lag, making it difficult to aim, react quickly, and coordinate with your team.

5. How can I check my ping in Overwatch? You can display network statistics, including ping, by enabling the display network performance graphs option within the game’s settings. Typically, press Ctrl+Shift+N while in a game.

6. What is considered a “good” ping in Overwatch? Ideally, you want a ping below 50ms. A ping between 50ms and 100ms is generally playable, but anything above 100ms can start to cause noticeable lag.

7. Can I improve my ping in Overwatch? You can try closing other applications that use bandwidth, using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, and contacting your internet service provider (ISP) to troubleshoot potential network issues.

8. Will using a VPN always connect me to the desired server? No, VPNs are not foolproof. Network conditions and how Blizzard’s matchmaking algorithms function can influence the final server assignment.

9. Is it against the rules to use a VPN to play Overwatch? Blizzard’s official stance is somewhat ambiguous. While not explicitly prohibited, using VPNs to circumvent region locks or gain an unfair advantage is discouraged and could potentially lead to account penalties. Proceed with caution.

10. Are there any server-specific heroes or skins in Overwatch? No, all content is available globally across all regions.

11. Does Overwatch have different servers for different game modes (e.g., Competitive, Quick Play)? No, the servers are not divided by game mode. The matchmaking system considers your skill rating and other factors to find suitable opponents regardless of the chosen game mode.

12. If my ping is consistently high, should I contact Blizzard support? While Blizzard support can offer general troubleshooting advice, they are unlikely to be able to directly resolve issues related to your internet connection or routing. Contact your ISP first.

13. Can Blizzard implement a server selection option in the future? It’s always possible, but unlikely. Blizzard has consistently maintained that the current system is the best approach for the overall health of the game.

14. Are there different Overwatch server locations worldwide? Yes, Blizzard has servers located in North America, Europe, Asia (Korea, Japan), and Australia.

15. Does the time of day affect server performance in Overwatch? Yes, server load can be higher during peak hours, potentially leading to longer queue times and slightly higher ping.

In conclusion, while the lack of direct server selection in Overwatch can be frustrating, understanding the reasoning behind this design choice and exploring the few, albeit risky and unreliable, workarounds can help you make the most of your gaming experience. Remember to prioritize a stable and low-latency connection for the best gameplay.