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Does Reaper Counter Reinhardt? A Deep Dive into the Overwatch Matchup

Yes, Reaper is generally considered a strong counter to Reinhardt in Overwatch. This is primarily due to Reaper’s close-range damage output, which bypasses Reinhardt’s shield, and his ability to reposition with Wraith Form, escaping Reinhardt’s hammer swings and ultimate ability. However, the effectiveness of this counter hinges heavily on player skill, team composition, and the specific game situation. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this dynamic matchup.

Understanding the Fundamentals

Before dissecting the counter dynamic, it’s crucial to understand the core strengths and weaknesses of both heroes.

Reinhardt: A tank hero known for his large energy shield, protecting teammates from incoming damage. He excels in close-quarters combat with his Rocket Hammer and can initiate engages with Charge, and protect zones with Earthshatter. His weakness is that he is vulnerable when his shield is down and can be easily punished in close range combat.
Reaper: A damage hero specializing in close-range combat. He uses shotguns to deal massive damage to tanks and can teleport short distances with Shadow Step. Wraith Form makes him temporarily invulnerable and increases his movement speed, crucial for escaping danger. He thrives on flanking and punishing enemies out of position.

The key takeaway here is that Reinhardt wants a brawl where he can control space with his shield and hammer, while Reaper wants to exploit Reinhardt’s weaknesses: his immobility, his reliance on his shield, and his large hitbox.

Why Reaper Counters Reinhardt

Several factors contribute to Reaper’s effectiveness against Reinhardt:

Bypassing the Shield: Reaper’s shotguns deal damage directly to Reinhardt, regardless of his shield. This forces Reinhardt to either drop his shield, making his team vulnerable, or take significant damage, potentially leading to his elimination.
Close-Range Dominance: Reinhardt’s Rocket Hammer is powerful, but it’s also predictable. Reaper can use Wraith Form to avoid hammer swings and position himself behind Reinhardt, maximizing his damage output and avoiding getting hit.
Punishing Overextension: If Reinhardt charges aggressively, Reaper can quickly punish him for overextending by using Shadow Step to teleport behind him and unloading his shotguns.
Wraith Form as a Defensive Tool: Earthshatter, Reinhardt’s ultimate ability, can be devastating. However, a skilled Reaper can use Wraith Form to become invulnerable during the stun, completely negating the effect. This denies Reinhardt value and allows Reaper to continue his assault.
Dealing with Other Tanks: Dealing with other Tanks that would protect Reinhardt in a Double Tank or Triple Tank composition is difficult for most Damage Heroes. Reaper however is well-equipped to deal with Tanks in General because of the amount of damage he can deal in close-range combat.

The Nuances of the Matchup

While Reaper has a clear advantage, the matchup isn’t entirely one-sided. A skilled Reinhardt can still find ways to outplay Reaper.

Team Support: A Reinhardt with strong support from his team can mitigate Reaper’s effectiveness. Healers can keep Reinhardt alive, and damage heroes can focus fire on Reaper.
Predictable Reaper: A predictable Reaper is an easy target. If Reaper consistently flanks from the same location, Reinhardt can anticipate his movements and be ready to counter-attack.
Environmental Awareness: Reinhardt can use the environment to his advantage, creating chokepoints and forcing Reaper into disadvantageous positions.
Shield Management: A Reinhardt with excellent shield management can minimize the damage he takes from Reaper and conserve his shield for critical moments.
Earthshatter Placement: Even if Reaper can avoid Earthshatter with Wraith Form, a well-placed Earthshatter can still catch other members of Reaper’s team. This is why predicting where his team is located is very important.

Ultimately, the success of this matchup depends on the skill of both players and their ability to adapt to the evolving game state.

Strategies for Playing as Reaper Against Reinhardt

Flank and Ambush: Don’t engage Reinhardt head-on. Instead, use Shadow Step to flank and attack him from behind or the sides.
Bait Out Abilities: Try to bait out Reinhardt’s Fire Strike or Charge before engaging, making him more vulnerable.
Time Wraith Form Effectively: Use Wraith Form to dodge hammer swings, escape Earthshatter, and reload your shotguns in safety.
Focus Fire with Your Team: Coordinate with your team to focus fire on Reinhardt when he’s vulnerable, maximizing your damage output.
Target Priority: If there are other vulnerable targets nearby, prioritize them first. Don’t tunnel vision on Reinhardt if it means neglecting other opportunities.

Strategies for Playing as Reinhardt Against Reaper

Stick with Your Team: Don’t isolate yourself from your team, as this makes you an easy target for Reaper.
Shield Management is Key: Conserve your shield and use it strategically to protect your team and mitigate Reaper’s damage.
Predict Reaper’s Movements: Pay attention to where Reaper is likely to flank from and position yourself accordingly.
Communicate with Your Team: Let your team know when Reaper is flanking so they can provide support.
Punish Predictable Wraith Forms: If Reaper uses Wraith Form predictably, anticipate his movement and be ready to hammer him when he comes out of it.

Final Verdict

Reaper is a strong counter to Reinhardt, but the matchup is not insurmountable for Reinhardt. Skill, team composition, and game sense all play a crucial role in determining the outcome. A good Reaper player will consistently exploit Reinhardt’s weaknesses, while a skilled Reinhardt player will mitigate Reaper’s effectiveness and find opportunities to outplay him.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the Reaper vs. Reinhardt matchup:

1. Is Reinhardt completely helpless against Reaper?

No, Reinhardt is not completely helpless. Skillful Reinhardt players can use shield management, positioning, and team support to mitigate Reaper’s effectiveness and even outplay him.

2. What is the best way for Reinhardt to counter a flanking Reaper?

The best approach is to anticipate Reaper’s flank, communicate with the team about his position, and be ready to swing his hammer or use Fire Strike when Reaper gets close. Good awareness is key.

3. Can Reaper one-shot Reinhardt?

No, Reaper cannot one-shot Reinhardt, even with a headshot. However, he can quickly melt Reinhardt’s health with sustained close-range fire.

4. How does armor affect Reaper’s damage against Reinhardt?

Reaper’s shotguns have a high rate of fire, so each pellet is affected by armor. This slightly reduces Reaper’s damage against Reinhardt’s armor, but it’s generally not a significant factor due to the sheer volume of pellets.

5. What other heroes synergize well with Reaper against Reinhardt?

Heroes that can amplify Reaper’s damage, like Mercy (Damage Boost) or Zenyatta (Discord Orb), or heroes that can disrupt Reinhardt, like Mei (Blizzard) or Sombra (EMP), synergize well with Reaper.

6. What other heroes can counter Reaper when he’s focusing Reinhardt?

Heroes with long-range damage, like Widowmaker or Hanzo, or heroes that can disrupt Reaper’s close-range assault, like McCree (Flashbang) or Brigitte (Shield Bash), can effectively counter Reaper.

7. Does Reinhardt’s Fire Strike do significant damage to Reaper?

Yes, a direct hit from Fire Strike deals 100 damage, which is significant against Reaper. Landing Fire Strikes can help to wear down Reaper before he gets too close.

8. How important is communication in this matchup?

Communication is crucial. Reinhardt needs to communicate Reaper’s position to his team, and Reaper needs to coordinate flanks with his team to maximize his impact.

9. Can Reaper’s Shadow Step be used to escape Reinhardt’s Earthshatter?

No, Shadow Step has a cast time, making it unreliable for dodging Earthshatter. Wraith Form is the preferred method for avoiding Reinhardt’s ultimate.

10. How does Reinhardt’s charge interact with Reaper’s Wraith Form?

If Reinhardt charges a Reaper in Wraith Form, the charge will pass right through him without doing damage.

11. Is the Reaper vs. Reinhardt matchup different in different game modes?

Yes, the matchup can vary slightly depending on the game mode. On maps with tight corridors, Reaper may have an easier time flanking. On open maps, Reinhardt may have more room to maneuver and avoid Reaper.

12. What is the most common mistake players make when playing Reaper against Reinhardt?

The most common mistake is engaging Reinhardt head-on without a flank or without support from the team. This allows Reinhardt to easily predict Reaper’s movements and punish him.

13. What is the most common mistake players make when playing Reinhardt against Reaper?

The most common mistake is dropping the shield unnecessarily or overextending without team support. This makes Reinhardt vulnerable to Reaper’s attacks.

14. Does map geometry influence the Reaper vs. Reinhardt matchup?

Absolutely. Maps with plenty of flanking routes favor Reaper, allowing him to easily get behind Reinhardt. Maps with tight corridors and limited flanking options favor Reinhardt.

15. Where can I learn more about Overwatch strategy and gameplay?

You can learn more about Overwatch strategy and gameplay on various websites, including YouTube channels, forums, and educational resources dedicated to competitive gaming. You can also explore resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, which explores the intersection of games and learning.

By understanding these nuances, players can improve their performance in the Reaper vs. Reinhardt matchup and contribute to their team’s success.

Does Reaper counter Reinhardt?