Overwatch Tier List (December 2024) Best Heroes Ranked
Welcome to the Overwatch tier list for 2024! With the rapidly evolving competitive landscape and unpredictable hero balances, it's essential for both casual and more dedicated players to stay informed and on top of the game. In this comprehensive guide, we'll be ranking the best heroes in Overwatch, making it easier for you to strategize and dominate the battlefield with the most powerful champions.
From long-time favorites to the newest roster additions, these rankings take everything into account from win rates and player performance to each hero's contribution to the team and overall gameplay. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a complete newcomer to the world of Overwatch, we hope that this tier list will prove helpful in determining which heroes you should focus on mastering to bring out your full potential in the game. Make sure to keep reading to discover the heroes who emerged as the cream of the crop in 2024!
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What To Look For While Choosing The Right Heroes In Overwatch?
When choosing the right hero to play in Overwatch, several factors come into play that can greatly impact both your gameplay experience and the success of your team. To maximize success, it's essential to make a well-informed decision on which hero fits your playstyle and the team's needs best. Here are the key aspects to consider while making your choice:
- Role: Overwatch heroes are categorized into three main roles: Tank, Damage (DPS), and Support. Tanks lead the charge, providing a frontline on the battlefield and soaking up damage. DPS heroes dish out the majority of damage, often excelling at eliminating opponents. Support heroes, on the other hand, help sustain the team with healing, buffs, and other utility. Considering your preferred playstyle and the heroes your team has already picked will help you fill in the gaps and create a balanced composition.
- Map: Different heroes excel on specific maps, while others might struggle. Some heroes are better suited for enclosed spaces and tight corridors, while others can utilize verticality or long sightlines to their advantage. Keep the map in mind when selecting a hero, as certain heroes can benefit from the terrain or be severely hindered by it.
- Team Composition: To increase your chances of winning, it's crucial to pay attention to how your chosen hero fits in with your teammates' selections. Overwatch requires a balance of offense, defense, and support roles, specialized to work together to capture objectives and defeat the opposing team. Look for synergies and combos that can be exploited by working together and consider how your hero's abilities can assist or be assisted by your teammates.
- Hero Counters: Overwatch relies on a constant game of rock-paper-scissors when it comes to choosing heroes. Matchups and counters can determine winning or losing skirmishes on the battlefield. Be aware of the enemy team's composition and adjust your hero choices accordingly to respond to threats and exploit their weaknesses.
- Personal Skillset: Finally, recognizing and honing your personal strengths with specific heroes is crucial to your success in Overwatch. Experiment with various heroes, practice their abilities, and find those that resonate with your preferred playstyle or skill set. Mastering a hero that you enjoy playing and complements your skills can often lead to more success than just picking a hero based solely on the meta or tier lists.
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Overwatch Tier List (December 2024)
Explore the latest Overwatch tier list to stay ahead in the game! Discover the most powerful heroes and their rankings, ensuring victory in every intense battle. Dive into the ultimate rankings and strategize your team composition for maximum impact on the battlefield.
Overwatch S-Tier List 2024: The Elite Champions
The cream of the crop, S-Tier heroes dominate the battlefield with unmatched prowess and superior utility. They excel in virtually every aspect, providing crucial support and firepower for their teams. These characters should be your go-to picks if you want to ensure success in your matches.
- Hanzo
- Moira
- Wrecking Ball
- Zenyatta
- D.Va
- McCree / Cassidy
- Baptiste
- Winston
Overwatch A-Tier List 2024: The Formidable Forces
A-Tier heroes are a step below the S-Tier but still offer significant advantages and excellent gameplay potential. Their abilities are well-rounded and synergize well with most team compositions, making them reliable picks to secure victories.
- Tracer
- Mercy
- Zarya
- Ashe
- Roadhog
- Ana
- Lucio
- Reinhardt
- Reaper
- Echo
- Sigma
Overwatch B-Tier List 2024: The Balanced Brawlers
While they don't shine as brightly as the heroes above, B-Tier heroes are versatile and reliable choices. They are suitable for various game strategies and situations, so mastering one or more of these characters can easily make you an asset in any Overwatch match.
- Widowmaker
- Ashe
- Genji
- Junkrat
- Orisa
Overwatch C-Tier List 2024: The Situational Specialists
These heroes perform best under specific conditions or against particular opponents, making them situational picks. While they may excel in one area, they often struggle in others, so strategic planning and complementary team compositions are necessary to achieve success with these characters.
- Bridgitte
- Doomfist
- Soldier 76
- Bastion
Overwatch F-Tier List 2024: The Underdogs
The least viable options in the current meta, these heroes pose major limitations or face significant weaknesses against popular picks. Mastery of an F-Tier hero may still come in handy on specific maps, but relying solely on these characters will likely hold you back in competitive gameplay.
- Mei
- Pharah
- Symmetra
- Torbjorn
- Sombra
Overwatch Heroes Explained
In this section, we will discuss the pros and cons of Overwatch heroes. We will also outline who should choose each hero and which players should avoid them.
1. Wrecking Ball (S-Tier)
Pros: High mobility, massive area denial, great survivability
Cons: Requires relentless aggression, hard to master
Ideal for: Players who enjoy adaptive tank play, aggressive momentum
Avoid if: You prefer slow and steady tactics or play a more passive tank
2. Zenyatta (S-Tier)
Pros: High damage output for a support, excellent ultimate for team fights
Cons: Low mobility, dependent on positioning
Ideal for: Skilled aimers and communicative players
Avoid if: You struggle with positioning or prefer aggressive support heroes
3. D.Va (S-Tier)
Pros: High mobility, Defense Matrix mitigates enemy damage, solid damage output
Cons: Challenging to conserve Defense Matrix, vulnerable when de-meched
Ideal for: Players who like to dive in and out of battle quickly
Avoid if: You prefer a more passive tank playstyle
4. Moira (S-Tier)
Pros: High healing output, great survivability, multi-target healing
Cons: Limited utility beyond high healing output
Ideal for: Players who focus on keeping the team alive above all else
Avoid if: You prefer strong utility support heroes or long-range healing
5. Winston (S-Tier)
Pros: Excellent mobility, great at initiating fights, high damage potential
Cons: Vulnerable to crowd-control abilities, must manage engagements well
Ideal for: Aggressive tank players, skilled with diving into enemy backlines
Avoid if: You're not confident with initiating fights or handling crowd-control
6. Hanzo (S-Tier)
Pros: High damage output, good mobility, one-shot potential
Cons: Projectile aim required, can be countered by good positioning
Ideal for: Skilled aimers and players who affect enemy positioning
Avoid if: You prefer hitscan DPS or struggle with aiming projectiles
7. McCree/Cassidy (S-Tier)
Pros: Versatile kit, solid damage output, effective stun
Cons: Low mobility, dependent on aim and positioning
Ideal for: Players with good mechanical skill, ability to predict enemy movements
Avoid if: You prefer high mobility DPS or projectile-based heroes
8. Baptiste (S-Tier)
Pros: Excellent healing output, great utility with Immortality Field
Cons: Precision aiming required, ultimate requires good positioning
Ideal for: Skilled aimers who enjoy a hybrid playstyle between healing and damage
Avoid if: You cannot maintain proper positioning during matches
9. Roadhog (A-Tier)
Pros: Excellent self-sustain, high damage output, powerful crowd control
Cons: Wide hitbox, feeding enemy ultimates, lacks mobility
Ideal for: Players who prefer a more DPS-oriented tank role
Avoid if: You can't manage your hooks or prefer a more supportive tank role
10. Mercy (A-Tier)
Pros: Mobile, consistent healing, powerful damage boost, game-changing resurrections
Cons: Low self-sustain, often targeted by enemy DPS
Ideal for: Those who prioritize team chemistry and have strong map awareness
Avoid if: You want to deal damage or prefer a more independent playstyle
11. Ashe (A-Tier)
Pros: High damage potential, versatile kit, influential ultimate
Cons: Hitscan aim required, weak in close-quarters combat
Ideal for: Players who excel at aiming and positioning
Avoid if: You struggle with aiming, prefer close-range combat
12. Zarya (A-Tier)
Pros: High damage potential, game-changing ultimate, supportive role
Cons: Requires good energy management, vulnerable when low energy
Ideal for: Players who communicate well and time engagements effectively
Avoid if: You struggle with managing energy or don't communicate well
13. Reinhardt (A-Tier)
Pros: Strong shield, great at protecting the team, powerful melee attacks
Cons: Dependent on teamwork, weak against agile enemies
Ideal for: Players who enjoy a supportive tank role, team coordination
Avoid if: You prefer high mobility or are unable to coordinate with your team
14. Reaper (A-Tier)
Pros: Excellent damage, self-sustain, deadly in close-quarters combat
Cons: Limited range, needs to flank for maximum effectiveness
Ideal for: Players who excel at positioning to catch enemies off-guard
Avoid if: You dislike close-quarters combat or prefer more ranged DPS
15. Lucio (A-Tier)
Pros: High mobility, speedy support, area-of-effect healing
Cons: Low damage output, healing not as potent as other supports
Ideal for: Players with good positioning and strong game sense
Avoid if: You prefer high, single-target healing or despise wall-riding
16. Sigma (A-Tier)
Pros: Versatile kit, strong zoning potential, defense integration
Cons: Difficult to master, depends on positioning and timing
Ideal for: Players with a background in projectile and tank mechanics
Avoid if: You prefer a straightforward tank hero or simplistic mechanics
17. Echo (A-Tier)
Pros: High mobility, strong damage output, versatile kit
Cons: Vulnerable to hitscan heroes, requires a good understanding of multiple heroes
Ideal for: Players who like creative ways to engage opponents
Avoid if: You struggle with mastering many heroes or prefer hitscan DPS
18. Tracer (A-Tier)
Pros: Extremely high mobility, exceptional close-range burst damage
Cons: Needs good map awareness, weak against crowd control
Ideal for: Players with a strong tracking ability, excellent positioning
Avoid if: You don't enjoy managing cooldowns or have a passive playstyle
19. Ana (A-Tier)
Pros: Potent healing output, strong utility, game-changing ultimate
Cons: High aim requirement, vulnerable to divers
Ideal for: Skilled aimers with strong game sense and map awareness
Avoid if: You prefer lower skill ceiling supports or don't like scoped healing
20. Junkrat (B-Tier)
Pros: High area damage, can disrupt enemy positioning, forces movement
Cons: Projectile-based, predictable movement, lack of direct hits
Ideal for: Players who enjoy controlling zones and surprising enemies
Avoid if: You prefer direct damage or have difficulty aiming with projectiles
21. Genji (B-Tier)
Pros: High mobility, great at picking off squishy targets, potent ultimate
Cons: Requires high mechanical skill, can be shut down by good aim and crowd control
Ideal for: Players with strong mechanical skill and map awareness
Avoid if: You struggle with managing cooldowns or can't commit to high skill ceiling heroes
22. Widowmaker (B-Tier)
Pros: High damage potential, one-shot kills, excellent at controlling sightlines
Cons: Aim-dependent, poor mobility, weak in close-range engagements
Ideal for: Players with excellent aim, strong positioning, and map awareness
Avoid if: You don't have consistent aim or prefer more mobile DPS
23. Orisa (B-Tier)
Pros: Durable, strong at holding ground, excellent supportive abilities
Cons: Limited mobility, requires good teamwork, weak against flankers
Ideal for: Players who enjoy a more strategic tank playstyle, good communication
Avoid if: You prefer a high-mobility tank or often solo queue without a coordinated team
24. Bridgitte (C-Tier)
Pros: Tank-like qualities, capable of stunning enemies, reliable healing
Cons: Lower healing output, limited ranged damage
Ideal for: Players who enjoy a hybrid support style, can manage multiple abilities
Avoid if: You prefer long-range healing or cannot handle aggressive playstyles
25. Doomfist (C-Tier)
Pros: High burst damage, high mobility, powerful crowd control
Cons: Dependent on combo execution, inconsistent against agile opponents
Ideal for: Players with quick reflexes, strong game sense, and good execution
Avoid if: You prefer hitscan DPS or struggle with cooldown management
26. Soldier 76 (C-Tier)
Pros: Well-rounded kit, self-sustain, consistent damage output
Cons: Lower damage potential compared to other DPS, lacks burst damage
Ideal for: Players new to Overwatch or those who enjoy a traditional FPS approach
Avoid if: You want a more specialized DPS or higher skill-ceiling heroes
27. Bastion (C-Tier)
Pros: Extremely high damage output, self-sustain, solid against shields
Cons: Immobile when dealing the most damage, heavily reliant on teamwork
Ideal for: Players with a strong focus on positioning and patience
Avoid if: You prefer high mobility or don't have consistent teamwork
28. Pharah (F-Tier)
Pros: Dominant aerial presence, powerful splash damage, unique playstyle
Cons: Weak against hitscan heroes, depends on Mercy for optimal performance
Ideal for: Players who enjoy airborne combat and positioning tactics
Avoid if: You struggle with projectile aim or can't adapt to aerial gameplay
29. Torbjorn (F-Tier)
Pros: Strong area denial, flexible turret positioning, solid damage output
Cons: Limited mobility, turret can be easily countered
Ideal for: Players who enjoy controlling zones and surprising enemy teams
Avoid if: You prefer high-mobility heroes or can't handle turret management
30. Symmetra (F-Tier)
Pros: Creative kit, strong alternative to traditional DPS, versatile teleporter
Cons: Requires good communication, situational, weak against coordinated teams
Ideal for: Players who enjoy unconventional playstyles and map control
Avoid if: You prefer traditional DPS or can't coordinate with your teammates
31. Mei (F-Tier)
Pros: Great crowd control, effective at isolating enemies, self-sustain
Cons: Limited mobility, dependent on positioning and teamwork
Ideal for: Players who enjoy a strategic playstyle with good immobilizing capabilities
Avoid if: You prefer high damage output or fast-paced gameplay
32. Sombra (F-Tier)
Pros: Stealthy gameplay, powerful hacking tools, vulnerable backline pressure
Cons: Low damage output, heavy communication requirements
Ideal for: Players who enjoy disruptive playstyles and strong communication
Avoid if: You want to prioritize damage, struggle with patience or communication
How To Get Better At Overwatch?
Getting better at Overwatch requires dedication, practice, and an understanding of the game mechanics. Here are some essential tips to help you improve your skills and climb the ranks:
- Learn multiple heroes: While you may have a favorite hero, it's essential to be versatile and understand how to play a few heroes from each role (DPS, Tank, and Support). This allows you to adapt to different team compositions and helps you to counter the enemy team's strategy.
- Map knowledge: Having a thorough understanding of the maps in Overwatch can give you a significant advantage. Learn the ins and outs, including the locations of health packs, high ground, choke points, and flank routes. This will help you to strategize better and support your team more effectively.
- Communication: Overwatch is a team-based game, so communication is crucial. Use voice chat or type in-game to call out enemy positions, coordinate ultimates, and discuss strategy. Good communication can often be the deciding factor between a win and a loss.
- Positioning: One of the most significant aspects of becoming a better player is knowing where to position yourself during a match. Proper positioning helps you to avoid unnecessary deaths, maintain line of sight with your team, and maximize your damage.
- Focus on your aim: Work on improving your aim by spending time in the practice range, participating in custom aim training games, or trying aim training software outside of Overwatch. Consistently hit your shots to improve your overall effectiveness.
- Ult economy: Learn when to use and when to save your ultimates. Coordinate with your teammates, and avoid using them all at once or at the wrong time.
- Understand the meta: Keep up with the current hero meta and understand which hero combinations are strong. This will help you make informed decisions on hero selections and understand how to counter the enemy team's composition.
- Watch and learn: Watch professional players and high-rank streamers to learn tips and tricks for specific heroes and maps. Identify their playstyles and adapt them to your gameplay.
- Reflect on your performance: After each match, review your gameplay objectively and identify areas for improvement. Analyzing your mistakes will help you avoid them in future matches.
- Stay positive and be patient: Improvement takes time, and it's essential to remain positive and focused on your goals. Focus on the bigger picture, and don't let a single loss bring you down. Keep practicing, and you'll see improvement over time.
How To Unlock Heroes in Overwatch?
One of the great features of Overwatch is that all its heroes are already unlocked and available to play from the moment you purchase the game. Unlike other games where characters might need to be unlocked through leveling up or in-game currency, Overwatch allows you to instantly access any hero you'd like to try out.
This means once you've installed the game and created an account, you can start playing with any of the available heroes without any additional requirements. It's important to experiment with different heroes and get to know their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. This will help you fine-tune your strategy depending on your team's composition and role preferences.
As new heroes get introduced to the game, they'll also be automatically added to your roster. The only additional content you might want to unlock, mainly for cosmetic purposes, includes skins, voice lines, and emotes, which can be acquired through loot boxes or by spending in-game currency called 'Credits.' However, these unlocks are purely aesthetic and don't impact gameplay or provide any competitive advantage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is the tier list created?
The tier list is compiled based on factors such as win rates, player performance, and the overall contribution of each hero to a team's success. It's also regularly updated to account for any changes in hero balancing and the evolving competitive landscape.
2. What does S-Tier mean?
S-Tier refers to the highest tier in the ranking system and represents heroes that are currently considered to be the best in the game. Players can expect consistent performance and substantial impact on the match's outcome when utilizing these heroes.
3. Why is Wrecking Ball considered an S-Tier hero?
Wrecking Ball is an S-Tier hero due to his excellent mobility, fast engagements, and significant crowd-control capabilities. His overall contribution to a team's success is unmatched, making him a top-priority pick.
4. Are C-Tier heroes still viable for competitive play?
While C-Tier heroes may not be as strong as those in the higher tiers, they can still be effective in specific situations or when played by skilled players. Experimenting with different heroes is essential to learning their strengths and weaknesses.
5. Why is Zenyatta placed in the S-Tier and Ana in the A-Tier?
Zenyatta's powerful healing output, significant damage potential, and exceptional ultimate ability make him a top-tier support hero. Ana is also a strong healer, but her single-target healing and relatively weaker crowd-control capabilities place her slightly below Zenyatta.
6. Is the metagame the only factor considered when ranking heroes?
While the metagame does play a role in determining the tier list, factors such as hero balancing, player performance, win rates, and overall contribution to a team's success are also taken into account.
7. Do these rankings apply equally to both PC and console players?
While the overall rankings remain similar between platforms, certain heroes may perform differently due to the unique aspects of playing on a console. It's best to consider this list as a general guideline for both platforms.
8. Is hero skill taken into consideration for the tier list?
The tier list is created with both high and low skill players in mind, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of each hero's potential. However, individual player skill will always be a factor when determining the effectiveness of a hero.
9. Should I only play heroes from the S and A tiers?
Though it's beneficial to have strong heroes in your arsenal, it's crucial to find characters that cater to your playstyle and preferences. Mastering heroes from multiple tiers will give you the flexibility to adapt to different situations and team compositions.
10. Why is Mercy ranked higher than Lucio in the A-Tier?
Mercy's strong and consistent healing output, damage-boosting capabilities, and powerful resurrection ability make her a more sought-after support hero than Lucio. However, Lucio's unique speed and healing auras also make him a valuable asset to a team.
11. Why are certain heroes consistently ranked lower in the tier list?
Some heroes may be outperformed by others in similar roles or lack the versatility required to adapt to different match scenarios. This generally leads to them being consistently ranked lower in the tier list.
12. Can a lower-tier hero become S-Tier with upcoming updates and patches?
Changes in hero balancing, game patches, and updates can significantly impact a hero's performance and ranking within the tier list. It's always possible for lower-tier heroes to move up the ranks as the game evolves.
13. Are new heroes often placed in lower tiers due to lack of player familiarity?
New heroes may initially be ranked lower due to the learning curve and the need to understand their mechanics. However, as players become more proficient with these characters, their rankings may change accordingly.
14. Should I trust the tier list when choosing my main hero?
The tier list serves as a useful resource for gauging hero performance; however, it's critical to remember that individual player skill, preference, and playstyle will ultimately determine which hero is right for you.
15. How often is the Overwatch Tier List updated?
The tier list is updated periodically to stay reflective of the ever-changing meta, hero rebalancing, and updated player statistics.
16. Can a well-coordinated team with lower-tier heroes still succeed against top-tier heroes?
Success in Overwatch is heavily reliant on teamwork, communication, and coordination. A well-coordinated team with lower-tier heroes can outplay a poorly-coordinated team with top-tier heroes with the right strategy.
17. Are there any plans for new heroes to be added to Overwatch in the future?
Overwatch developers are continually working on new content, including the introduction of new heroes in the future. As new heroes are released, the tier list will be updated to reflect their addition.
18. How do I best utilize Overwatch's tier list to improve my gameplay?
Using the tier list as a reference for your hero roster can help ensure that you have a diverse and well-rounded group of characters to choose from. It also polishes and refines your gameplay by mastering heroes with different playstyles.
19. Does the tier list change much between competitive seasons?
The tier list may shift between competitive seasons due to changes in hero balancing and meta shifts heralding changes in playstyles.
20. Are there any heroes recommended for new players?
While the tier list highlights the best heroes overall, new players are encouraged to try various heroes across different tiers to understand each one's unique playstyle and mechanics. Heroes like Soldier 76 and Reaper have straightforward mechanics, making them suitable for beginners.
Conclusion
This Overwatch tier list for 2024 highlights the best heroes currently dominating the game, giving you a clear roadmap to success on the battlefield. However, remember that each player's individual skill and preferences also play a key role in success, and it's important to find the heroes you're most comfortable with while keeping the overall meta in mind. Don't let this list discourage you from using your favorite characters, but instead, use it as a guide to discover new strategies and build a well-rounded team composition that can adapt to various situations.
As we all know, Overwatch is an ever-changing game with frequent balance updates and new heroes being introduced. Keeping up with the changing tides is crucial for continued success, and we hope our Overwatch Tier List for 2024 serves as a valuable resource in your journey. So gear up, pick the hero that suits you best, and take to the battlefield with confidence, knowing you're armed with the knowledge of the best heroes in the game! Good luck, and happy gaming!