Who is Good Against Soldier: 76? A Comprehensive Overwatch 2 Counter Guide
Soldier: 76, the quintessential FPS character in Overwatch 2, is a versatile damage dealer capable of sustained fire, burst damage, and self-healing. He’s often the go-to hero for new players due to his relatively straightforward kit. However, even the best Soldier: 76 players can be shut down by a well-coordinated team composition and skilled individual matchups. The key to countering Soldier: 76 lies in exploiting his weaknesses: mobility limitations, reliance on consistent aim, and vulnerability to flanking.
In a nutshell, the heroes that excel against Soldier: 76 can be categorized into:
- Highly Mobile Flankers: These heroes can disrupt Soldier: 76’s positioning and force him to split his attention.
- Dive Tanks: These tanks can engage Soldier: 76 directly, pressuring him and forcing him to use his Biotic Field defensively.
- Long-Range Snipers: While risky, skilled snipers can pick off Soldier: 76 before he can deal significant damage.
- Heroes with Crowd Control: Abilities that stun, sleep, or otherwise disable Soldier: 76 render him a sitting duck.
Let’s delve deeper into the specific heroes that can effectively counter Soldier: 76:
- Genji: Genji’s mobility allows him to quickly close the distance on Soldier: 76. The Deflect ability is crucial, turning Soldier: 76’s own damage against him. Genji’s primary goal is to harass Soldier: 76, forcing him to waste Biotic Field and Tactical Visor, or even outright eliminate him. Maps with verticality favor Genji, providing him with more flanking routes.
- Tracer: Similar to Genji, Tracer excels at flanking and harassing Soldier: 76. Her Blink ability allows her to dodge his shots and get behind him, while her Pulse Bomb can quickly eliminate him or force him to retreat. Maps with tight corridors and flanking routes are ideal for Tracer.
- Winston: Winston’s Barrier Projector provides him with temporary protection while he closes the distance to Soldier: 76. Winston’s Tesla Cannon deals consistent damage, bypassing Soldier: 76’s Biotic Field. Winston can effectively disrupt Soldier: 76’s positioning and force him to retreat.
- D.Va: D.Va’s Defense Matrix can absorb a significant amount of Soldier: 76’s damage, allowing her to close the distance and pressure him. Her Boosters provide her with mobility, allowing her to engage and disengage quickly. D.Va can effectively harass Soldier: 76 and force him to waste resources.
- Sombra: Sombra’s Hack ability renders Soldier: 76 unable to use his abilities, making him vulnerable to attack. Sombra can use her Stealth to position herself behind Soldier: 76 and hack him, followed by a burst of damage. Sombra is especially effective against Soldier: 76 when he’s using Tactical Visor.
- Widowmaker: A skilled Widowmaker can eliminate Soldier: 76 with a single headshot. However, this requires precise aim and good positioning. Widowmaker is most effective on maps with long sightlines, allowing her to engage Soldier: 76 from a distance.
- Hanzo: Similar to Widowmaker, Hanzo can eliminate Soldier: 76 with a well-placed shot. Hanzo’s Storm Arrows can also be effective at dealing damage to Soldier: 76 behind cover.
- Reinhardt: Reinhardt can close the distance and provide cover for his team, allowing them to safely engage Soldier: 76. His barrier will mitigate a ton of damage and force the Soldier to either use his tactical visor to break it or to find a new position.
- Roadhog: Roadhog’s Hook ability allows him to pull Soldier: 76 out of position and eliminate him quickly. However, Roadhog needs to be careful not to get caught out in the open, as he is vulnerable to Soldier: 76’s sustained fire.
- Ana: Ana’s Sleep Dart can interrupt Soldier: 76’s Tactical Visor or disable him in a vulnerable position. Her Biotic Grenade can prevent Soldier: 76 from healing with his Biotic Field.
Choosing the right counter depends on the map, the team composition, and the skill level of the players involved. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each hero is crucial to effectively countering Soldier: 76 and gaining an advantage in Overwatch 2. Consider that there are important aspects of video game and esports education. You can find out more about that at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about countering Soldier: 76 in Overwatch 2, providing additional insights and strategies:
How do I deal with Soldier: 76’s Tactical Visor?
The best way to counter Tactical Visor is to break line of sight. Use cover, shields, or abilities like Mei’s Ice Wall to block his shots. Heroes like Genji (Deflect), D.Va (Defense Matrix), and Reinhardt (Barrier Shield) can also mitigate the damage. Sombra can also Hack Soldier out of his visor.
Is it always a good idea to sniper duel a Soldier: 76?
No, it’s a risky strategy that depends on your skill and positioning. Soldier: 76’s sustained fire and self-healing make him a formidable opponent at long range. Only engage if you have a significant advantage, such as a better position or higher skill.
How effective are crowd control abilities against Soldier: 76?
Very effective. Abilities like Ana’s Sleep Dart, Mei’s Freeze, and Roadhog’s Hook can completely shut down Soldier: 76, especially during Tactical Visor. Coordinate with your team to capitalize on these opportunities.
What’s the best tank to use against Soldier: 76?
Winston and D.Va are excellent choices. Winston’s barrier and mobility allow him to engage Soldier: 76 directly, while D.Va’s Defense Matrix can absorb a significant amount of damage.
Can I solo kill a Soldier: 76 as Tracer?
Yes, but it requires skill and precision. Utilize your Blink to dodge his shots, stick close to him, and aim for headshots. Be aware of his Biotic Field and try to burst him down quickly.
How do I counter Soldier: 76 on maps with high ground?
High ground gives Soldier: 76 a significant advantage. Use heroes with vertical mobility like Genji, Pharah, or Echo to challenge his position. Alternatively, use long-range heroes like Widowmaker or Hanzo to pick him off from a distance.
Should I focus Soldier: 76 first in a team fight?
It depends on the situation, but generally yes. Soldier: 76’s consistent damage output can quickly whittle down your team’s health. Eliminating him early can significantly improve your team’s chances of winning the fight.
How does Soldier: 76’s Biotic Field affect the counter strategy?
Biotic Field provides Soldier: 76 with self-healing and sustains. Bait out the ability before attempting a flank or dive. Heroes like Ana can also use Biotic Grenade to prevent him from healing.
Is Pharah a good counter to Soldier: 76?
Pharah can be a decent counter to Soldier: 76, especially if the Soldier is not a strong hitscan. She can position herself high in the sky and fire rockets down on him. However, a Soldier with good tracking can easily take down a Pharah in the sky.
Are dive compositions effective against Soldier: 76?
Yes, dive compositions that focus on quickly engaging and eliminating Soldier: 76 can be very effective. However, it requires coordination and good timing.
What supports work well with dive tanks against Soldier: 76?
Lucio and Kiriko. Lucio provides speed to enable the dive, and Kiriko can teleport to heal the diving tanks.
Can a good Soldier: 76 outplay his counters?
Absolutely. Skill and game sense are crucial factors. A skilled Soldier: 76 player can anticipate flanks, position themselves effectively, and use their abilities wisely to outplay their counters.
How important is aim when playing against Soldier: 76?
Aim is essential, but it’s not the only factor. Positioning, timing, and ability usage are also crucial. Focus on improving your overall game sense and decision-making.
How does map geometry affect the Soldier: 76 matchup?
Maps with tight corridors and flanking routes favor heroes like Genji and Tracer, while maps with long sightlines favor snipers like Widowmaker and Hanzo. Adapt your hero choice and strategy to the map.
Is Soldier: 76 a good hero for beginners?
Yes, Soldier: 76 is an excellent hero for beginners due to his straightforward kit and versatile playstyle. He’s a great hero to learn the fundamentals of Overwatch 2. As you improve and grow your gaming knowledge, explore resources such as those offered by the Games Learning Society to help you understand and implement strategies.
By understanding these counters and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to shut down Soldier: 76 and dominate your Overwatch 2 matches.