Lucio’s Nemeses: A Deep Dive into Countering the Brazilian Beatmaster in Overwatch 2

Lucio, the energetic Brazilian support hero, is a constant presence in many Overwatch 2 matches. His speed boost, area-of-effect (AoE) healing, and disruptive boops make him a valuable asset to any team. However, even the most skilled Lucio player can be shut down with the right counterpicks and strategies. So, who exactly counters Lucio? The most effective counters to Lucio are heroes that can:

Deliver high burst damage: Lucio’s low health pool (200 HP) makes him vulnerable to heroes who can quickly eliminate him before he can react.
Apply crowd control (CC): Lucio’s mobility is his greatest strength; heroes with CC abilities can shut down his movement and make him an easy target.
Outrange him: Lucio’s effective range is relatively short, so heroes who can engage him from a distance have a significant advantage.
Deny his healing: Heroes who can either prevent healing or burst through it are useful in taking down Lucio’s teammates.

Heroes That Make Lucio Sweat

Here are some specific heroes who excel at countering Lucio, and why:

DPS

Widowmaker: A well-placed headshot from Widowmaker is often all it takes to eliminate Lucio. Her long-range capabilities and high damage output make her a formidable threat.
Hanzo: Similar to Widowmaker, Hanzo’s Storm Arrows and Dragonstrike can quickly dispatch Lucio, especially if he’s playing predictably.
Reaper: Reaper’s high burst damage at close range can overwhelm Lucio before he has a chance to escape. Death Blossom is especially effective if Lucio is caught in a tight space.
Tracer: With her incredible mobility, Tracer can quickly close the distance to Lucio and deliver a burst of damage that’s difficult for him to outheal.
Soldier: 76: Soldier: 76’s consistent damage and Helix Rockets can pressure Lucio from a safe distance. Biotic Field can also help Soldier survive if Lucio tries to engage him up close.
Sombra: Sombra’s Hack completely disables Lucio’s abilities, rendering him a sitting duck. Following up with a quick burst of damage is usually enough to eliminate him.

Tanks

Roadhog: Roadhog’s Hook is a death sentence for Lucio. Even if the Hook doesn’t kill him outright, it pulls him close enough for Roadhog to finish him off with a quick burst of damage.
Zarya: Zarya’s tracking beam can deal significant damage, especially if Lucio moves predictably. Her bubbles also allow her to protect herself and her teammates from Lucio’s boops.
D.Va: D.Va’s mobility allows her to chase down Lucio and pressure him with her Fusion Cannons. Defense Matrix can also block Lucio’s projectiles and protect her teammates.
Sigma: Sigma’s Accretion stone is an effective way to stun Lucio and interrupt his movement. His shield can also block Lucio’s projectiles and protect his team.

Support

Brigitte: Brigitte’s Shield Bash can interrupt Lucio’s movement and set him up for a follow-up attack. Her Whip Shot also provides a ranged option for dealing damage to Lucio.
Ana: Ana’s Sleep Dart completely shuts down Lucio, giving her team a chance to eliminate him. Her Biotic Grenade also prevents Lucio from healing, making him an easy target.
Moira: Moira’s Biotic Orb deals consistent damage that’s difficult for Lucio to outheal. Her Fade ability also allows her to escape from Lucio’s boops.

Strategies for Countering Lucio

Beyond specific hero picks, here are some general strategies for countering Lucio:

Focus Fire: Lucio is a slippery target, so it’s important to coordinate with your team to focus fire on him when he’s vulnerable.
Punish Bad Positioning: Lucio players often overextend, trying to flank or harass the enemy team. Take advantage of their overaggressiveness by punishing them for being out of position.
Use Environmental Kills: Lucio is highly susceptible to environmental kills, especially on maps with ledges and cliffs. Use abilities like Roadhog’s Hook, Pharah’s Concussive Blast, or Lucio’s own boop to push him off the map.
Track his Cooldowns: Pay attention to when Lucio uses his Amp It Up ability. Once it’s on cooldown, he’s much more vulnerable.
Communicate with your Team: Call out Lucio’s location and movements to your teammates. This will help them anticipate his actions and react accordingly.
Control High Ground: Deny Lucio access to high ground, as this limits his ability to Wall Ride and makes him a much easier target.
Anti-Heal Nades: Anti-Heal Nades will deny Lucio’s healing for a short time, so you can burst him and his teammates down.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about countering Lucio:

1. Does Lucio counter Genji?

Yes, Lucio is generally considered a good counter to Genji. His Soundwave ability can disrupt Genji’s movement and deflects, and his speed boost can help his team kite Genji’s Dragonblade.

2. Is Lucio hard to hit?

Lucio can be difficult to hit due to his speed and mobility. However, he’s not invincible. Focus fire, crowd control, and predictive aiming can all help you land shots on him.

3. Why is Lucio so hard to master?

While Lucio’s basic abilities are easy to learn, mastering him requires excellent wall riding skills, positioning awareness, and ability to manage his cooldowns. Mastering his Amp It Up ability is key to providing timely heals and speed boosts to your team.

4. Is Lucio good on every map?

Lucio is best on maps with plenty of walls and vertical surfaces, allowing him to utilize his Wall Ride to its full potential. He’s less effective on open maps with limited cover.

5. How do you counter Lucio as a DPS?

As a DPS hero, focus on burst damage and long-range engagements. Heroes like Widowmaker, Hanzo, and Reaper are all effective at taking down Lucio. Use abilities like Tracer’s Blink or Soldier: 76’s Sprint to close the distance and deliver a quick burst of damage.

6. Does Lucio do a lot of damage?

Lucio’s damage output is relatively low compared to other heroes. However, his Sonic Amplifier projectiles can still deal significant damage, especially when aimed at large targets like tanks. His primary role is to support his team with healing and speed, not to be a primary damage dealer.

7. What is Lucio’s weakness?

Lucio’s primary weakness is his low health pool (200 HP). He’s also vulnerable to heroes with crowd control abilities that can disrupt his movement.

8. Can Lucio heal through shields?

No, Lucio’s healing aura cannot penetrate shields. He needs line of sight to heal his teammates.

9. How fast is Lucio’s heal?

Lucio’s passive healing aura heals for 15 health per second. When he uses Amp It Up, his healing is significantly increased.

10. Is Lucio faster than Tracer?

Tracer’s base movement speed is faster than Lucio’s. However, with Amp It Up, Lucio can temporarily outpace Tracer.

11. Does Lucio heal the most?

Lucio does not heal the most in Overwatch 2. There are several other support heroes that excel in the healing category, such as Moira, Baptiste, and Kiriko. However, his healing coupled with speed makes him a valuable support.

12. What heroes have the best synergy with Lucio?

Lucio works well with heroes who benefit from increased speed and mobility, such as Reinhardt, Genji, and Reaper. Any hero who can take space quickly with the assistance of speed and make up close eliminations.

13. Is Lucio a main healer?

While Lucio can provide a consistent stream of healing, he is generally not considered a main healer. He excels at providing utility and mobility to his team, but his healing output is lower than heroes like Mercy or Moira.

14. What is the key to being a good Lucio player?

A good Lucio player is able to effectively manage his speed boost and healing aura, while also using his Wall Ride ability to navigate the map and stay alive. They are also good at using their Soundwave to disrupt enemy positioning and secure environmental kills.

15. Where can I learn more about Overwatch 2 strategy?

There are many online resources available for learning more about Overwatch 2 strategy, including websites, forums, and YouTube channels. You can also check out organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for research and insights into game-based learning.

By understanding Lucio’s strengths and weaknesses, and by employing the right counterpicks and strategies, you can effectively shut down the Brazilian beatmaster and gain a significant advantage in your Overwatch 2 matches. Good luck, and keep booping!

Who counters Lucio in Overwatch?