Who Are All the Tanks in Overwatch 2?
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The tank role in Overwatch 2 is crucial, acting as the team’s bulwark and space-maker. Unlike the original Overwatch with two tanks per team, Overwatch 2 features one tank per team, placing a significant emphasis on their individual ability to both absorb damage and disrupt the enemy. So, who are these crucial heroes? Here’s the complete list of tanks available in Overwatch 2:
- Reinhardt: A heavily armored knight with a massive barrier shield and a powerful hammer.
- Doomfist: A cybernetic fighter who excels at diving into enemy lines and dealing devastating blows.
- Sigma: An eccentric astrophysicist who manipulates gravity to protect his team and launch projectiles.
- Junker Queen: A ferocious melee fighter who uses a shotgun and axe to control the front line.
- Ramattra: A nihilistic leader with two forms, using a powerful barrier in Omnic form and close combat in Nemesis form.
- Wrecking Ball: A hamster piloting a large mech, capable of disrupting enemy formations and causing chaos.
- D.Va: A mech pilot who can fly into battle and absorb damage using her Defense Matrix.
- Orisa: A heavily armored robot with a shield and powerful projectile weapon, often holding down areas.
- Zarya: A weightlifter who uses particle barriers to protect herself and allies, increasing her own damage output.
- Winston: A genetically engineered gorilla scientist who excels at diving into the backlines and disrupting enemies.
- Roadhog: A bulky bruiser who uses a hook to pull enemies in and has a powerful close-range weapon.
These eleven tanks offer a diverse range of playstyles, from defensive anchor tanks like Reinhardt and Orisa to aggressive divers like Doomfist and Winston, and everything in between. Each has their strengths, weaknesses, and distinct abilities, making them incredibly important to team composition.
Overwatch 2 Tank Role Deep Dive
Why One Tank Instead of Two?
One of the biggest changes in Overwatch 2 from the original was the reduction of tanks per team from two to one. This decision was made to streamline gameplay and reduce what was perceived as excessive shield-stacking and “tank synergy” which could be oppressive. By having a single tank, the battles became more focused and less reliant on constant shield breaks. This change aims to make team fights more dynamic and individual tank play more impactful.
Main Tanks vs. Off-Tanks: What’s the Difference in Overwatch 2?
The distinction between main tanks and off-tanks that was present in the original Overwatch has become less clear-cut in Overwatch 2. Due to the change to one tank per team, all tanks are now designed to be capable of playing the “main” role, leading the charge, controlling space, and creating opportunities. In general, the game now classifies all characters as just “Tank.”
However, some tanks like Reinhardt, Orisa, and Ramattra still lean towards that traditional main tank role. While characters like Wrecking Ball, D.Va, and Winston often fit more as disruptive space creators and divers, their ability to take the lead on a team has significantly increased. The flexibility and versatility of each tank character is now a hallmark of the new game format.
The Importance of Tank Selection
Choosing the right tank for a given match and team composition is crucial in Overwatch 2. The tank’s role is essential, they must be able to take damage, control key areas of the map, and protect their teammates. Each tank has different strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on the team’s playstyle, the map, and the enemy team composition. It’s crucial to think about countering enemy tanks as well; for example, agile characters like Tracer and Genji can counter Ramattra by getting behind his Block and Void Barrier. Also, hitscan DPS like Ashe and Sojourn can deal damage efficiently to Zarya at mid to long ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanks in Overwatch 2
1. How Many Tanks Are There in Overwatch 2?
There are currently 11 tanks available in Overwatch 2.
2. Which Tank Has the Highest Shield Health?
Reinhardt has the highest shield health with 1200, and his shield regenerates relatively quickly when not active.
3. Who is the Tankiest Character in Overwatch 2?
While tankiness is subjective, Reinhardt is often considered one of the tankiest due to his high shield health and armor. Zarya is also very tanky with her personal and allied barriers.
4. Who is the Easiest Tank to Play?
Orisa is often cited as one of the easiest tanks to play, due to her straightforward kit that doesn’t rely as heavily on coordination with teammates.
5. Who is the Hardest Tank to Play?
Many players consider Wrecking Ball to be one of the most difficult tanks to master because of his complex movement mechanics and reliance on positioning.
6. Who is the Least-Picked Tank in Overwatch 2?
Currently, Junker Queen has one of the lowest pick rates among the tanks in Overwatch 2, according to player statistics.
7. Why is Double Tank No Longer a Feature?
The developers removed the double tank role to streamline gameplay, reduce oppressive shield-stacking strategies, and make matches feel more dynamic and less dependent on perfect synergy between tank players.
8. Which Tank Has the Worst Ultimate in Overwatch 2?
Many players believe Wrecking Ball’s ultimate is one of the weaker tank ultimates.
9. Who is a Good Tank to Counter Dive Comps?
Orisa is good against dive comps because of her ability to provide consistent damage and protection, often holding down key locations.
10. Who is a Good Tank to Dive the Enemy Backline?
Winston, D.Va, and Doomfist are excellent choices for diving the enemy backline to disrupt supports and squishy damage heroes.
11. How Do You Counter Reinhardt?
To counter Reinhardt, focus on breaking his shield with consistent damage and use heroes that can flank him and attack from behind or avoid his barrier range altogether.
12. Is D.Va a Good Tank?
D.Va is a great tank for mobility and disrupting the enemy backline. She is very strong against snipers and can easily dive supports with limited escape options.
13. What Makes a Tank Good in Overwatch 2?
A good tank in Overwatch 2 is one that can take damage, protect their team, control space, and make aggressive plays when necessary. Versatility and good positioning are key.
14. How Can I Improve as a Tank Player?
To improve as a tank player, focus on map awareness, understanding enemy compositions, using your abilities effectively, and maintaining good positioning. Watch replay footage of your games and always be thinking about how to maximize the efficiency of your hero pick.
15. What is the Role of a Tank in Overwatch 2?
Tanks are the frontline of the team, responsible for leading the charge, controlling space, and absorbing damage. They protect their allies and create opportunities for damage players to secure kills.