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What Does “Pocket” Mean in Overwatch 2?

In Overwatch 2, “pocketing” refers to a strategic gameplay style where a support player focuses almost exclusively on healing, buffing, and protecting a single damage (DPS) or tank hero on their team. The aim is to amplify that hero’s effectiveness, survivability, and damage output to a significant degree, making them a formidable force on the battlefield. Think of it as providing that one player with unwavering support, turning them into a one-person wrecking crew. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can be devastating in the right hands.

Understanding the Nuances of Pocketing

Pocketing isn’t just about blindly following a teammate and spamming heals. It involves a nuanced understanding of team composition, enemy threats, and the specific hero being pocketed. Here’s a deeper dive:

Prioritization: The pocket support prioritizes the chosen hero above all others, often neglecting healing or utility for the rest of the team. This is a calculated risk, based on the belief that the amplified hero can carry the team.
Synergy: Effective pocketing requires strong synergy between the support and the pocketed hero. The hero needs to be capable of capitalizing on the extra resources, and the support needs to understand the hero’s strengths, weaknesses, and playstyle.
Resource Management: Pocketing demands excellent resource management from the support player. They need to be efficient with their cooldowns and positioning to maximize their impact on the pocketed hero without completely running out of resources.
Awareness: While focused on one player, the pocket support still needs to maintain situational awareness. They need to be aware of enemy flanking routes, incoming ultimates, and potential threats to both themselves and their pocketed hero.
Communication: Communication is key. The pocket support and the pocketed hero need to coordinate their movements, cooldown usage, and target priorities to maximize their effectiveness.

The Pocket Mercy Archetype

The most iconic example of pocketing in Overwatch 2 is the “Pocket Mercy.” Mercy’s kit makes her exceptionally well-suited for this role. Her Caduceus Staff allows her to provide a constant stream of healing or damage boost, while her Guardian Angel ability grants her incredible mobility, allowing her to stay glued to her pocketed target.

A pocket Mercy typically prioritizes the following:

Healing: Keeping the pocketed hero alive is the top priority.
Damage Boost: Amplifying the hero’s damage output to secure kills faster.
Resurrect: Reviving the pocketed hero after death to maintain momentum.
Guardian Angel Mobility: Using Guardian Angel to stay close to the pocketed hero and evade threats.

However, Mercy isn’t the only support capable of pocketing. Ana, Kiriko, and Baptiste can also effectively pocket with their high healing output and utility abilities.

When Pocketing Works (and When It Doesn’t)

Pocketing can be a powerful strategy, but it’s not always the right choice. Here are some factors to consider:

When It Works:

Strong Carry Potential: The pocketed hero has the potential to carry the game with increased resources.
Synergistic Compositions: The team composition is built around the pocketed hero’s strengths.
Enemy Weakness: The enemy team has a difficult time dealing with the pocketed hero.
Effective Communication: The support and pocketed hero are communicating effectively.

When It Doesn’t Work:

Lack of Team Healing: The rest of the team is neglected and dies quickly.
Enemy Focus Fire: The enemy team focuses down the pocketed hero, negating the extra resources.
Poor Synergy: The pocketed hero and support lack synergy.
Ineffective Communication: There’s a lack of communication between the support and pocketed hero.
Stuck in the pocket with no way out: The support player’s tunnel vision can leave them vulnerable and unable to assist other teammates when needed.

Games Learning Society and Strategic Gameplay

Understanding strategic concepts like pocketing is just one facet of the deeper understanding of game mechanics and strategy. Organizations like the Games Learning Society play a crucial role in exploring how games can be used for educational purposes and how game mechanics can be analyzed to enhance learning and cognitive skills. Exploring resources available through GamesLearningSociety.org can provide additional insights into the strategic depth of games like Overwatch 2.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What heroes are best for pocketing in Overwatch 2?

Heroes with high damage potential, good mobility, and self-sustain are ideal candidates for pocketing. Examples include:

Tracer: Her mobility and high burst damage are amplified with a pocket.
Genji: Similar to Tracer, his agility and damage output benefit greatly.
Pharah: Pocketing enables her to stay in the air longer and deal consistent damage.
Soldier: 76: His consistent damage and self-healing make him a reliable pocket target.
Sojourn: Her railgun becomes incredibly deadly with a damage boost.
Bastion: Sustained healing helps Bastion stay in turret form, unleashing devastating damage.

2. What supports are best for pocketing?

Mercy: The quintessential pocket support.
Ana: High healing output and damage boost via Nano Boost.
Kiriko: Excellent healing, survivability, and cleanse.
Baptiste: Immortality Field and high burst healing.

3. How do you counter a pocket strategy?

Focus Fire: Coordinate with your team to focus down the pocketed hero.
Flanking: Target the support player, disrupting the pocket.
Dive Comp: Use dive heroes to pressure both the pocketed hero and the support.
Anti-Heal: Apply anti-heal effects (e.g., Ana’s Biotic Grenade) to reduce the effectiveness of the pocket.
Ultimate Coordination: Use ultimates to wipe out the pocketed hero and support.

4. Is pocketing always a good strategy?

No. It depends on the team composition, enemy team, and the skill level of the players involved. It can be detrimental if the rest of the team is neglected or if the enemy team effectively counters the pocket.

5. How can I improve my pocketing skills?

Practice: Play as both the support and the pocketed hero to understand each role.
Communication: Communicate effectively with your team.
Resource Management: Learn to manage your cooldowns and resources effectively.
Positioning: Maintain good positioning to stay safe and support your pocketed hero.
Review Replays: Analyze your gameplay to identify areas for improvement.

6. What are the risks of pocketing?

Neglecting the Team: The rest of the team may suffer from a lack of healing and support.
Vulnerability: The support and pocketed hero can become vulnerable to focus fire.
Tunnel Vision: The support may become too focused on the pocketed hero and lose awareness of the overall situation.

7. How does “peeling” differ from pocketing?

“Peeling” refers to protecting teammates from enemy attacks, especially supports from flankers. While pocketing focuses on amplifying one hero, peeling involves helping all teammates in need.

8. Is pocketing considered a toxic strategy?

Not necessarily. While it can be frustrating to play against, it’s a legitimate strategy that can be effective in the right circumstances. However, neglecting the rest of the team or blaming teammates for the pocket’s failure can be considered toxic.

9. Can you pocket a tank hero?

Yes, though it’s less common. Some tank heroes, like Reinhardt or Winston, can benefit from pocketing in specific situations. A pocketed tank can become incredibly difficult to kill and create space for their team.

10. How important is communication when pocketing?

Communication is crucial. The support and pocketed hero need to coordinate their movements, cooldown usage, and target priorities. Clear communication can significantly improve the effectiveness of the pocket.

11. How does the meta affect pocketing strategies?

The meta (most effective tactics available) can significantly impact the viability of pocketing. Some metas favor aggressive, coordinated pushes where pocketing can be highly effective, while others favor more spread-out compositions where it’s less useful.

12. What is the best ultimate to pair with a pocket strategy?

Ultimates that synergize well with the pocketed hero’s abilities are ideal. For example, Nano Boost on a Genji or Valkyrie on a Pharah can be devastating.

13. How can I tell if I am being pocketed?

If you notice a support hero consistently prioritizing you with heals, damage boosts, and protection, you are likely being pocketed.

14. How do I ask for a pocket in Overwatch 2?

While you can ask, it’s better to demonstrate that you are a worthwhile pocket target by performing well and communicating effectively. A support player is more likely to pocket someone who is making a positive impact on the game.

15. What are some alternative strategies to pocketing?

Balanced Healing: Provide healing to all teammates as needed.
Utility Focus: Prioritize utility abilities like crowd control, damage amplification, and cleansing.
Aggressive Support: Play aggressively to secure kills and create space for your team.

Pocketing is a complex and strategic element of Overwatch 2. Mastering it requires understanding its nuances, strengths, and weaknesses. Whether you’re the pocket support or the pocketed hero, effective communication, coordination, and adaptability are key to success.

What does pocket mean in Overwatch 2?