All Overwatch 2 Roles Explained
Entering the hero shooter genre can be a daunting task. Entering one of the longest-running and enduring hero shooters is then an even greater feat. In this guide, we’ll go over one of the essentials for any player looking to begin their journey in Overwatch 2, specifically going over the roles system, which champions fall under which role, and the strengths of each role, to better aid in your own eventual decision on how you want to best enjoy the game.
Article last updated: 06/2/2025
What Role is My Overwatch Champion?
Overwatch comprises 3 roles: Tank, Damage, and Support. In Overwatch 2, this role nuance was further accentuated with the release of role passives. This would not only standardize and dictate each role’s base HP, it would also allow for better differentiation between the different roles.
Explaining the Overwatch 2 Tank Role
“Tank heroes soak up damage, create space for your team, and break apart fortified positions, like closely-grouped enemies and narrow choke-points. If you’re a tank, you lead the charge.” - Blizzard Official Role Explanation.
Role Passive
The Tank Role Passive grants all Tank heroes the following passives:
- Knockback Reduction
- Critical Damage Reduction
Tanks will generate less Ultimate charge by healing and receiving damage compared to the other 2 roles. In Role Queue Game Modes, tanks also receive an increased base health to better improve their survivability.
Winston is an aggressive tank that excels at disruption. Credit: BlizzardHow to Start Playing the Tank Role
The tank role in Overwatch 2 plays a crucial role in the team composition. With the release of Overwatch 2, the team count was reduced from 6v6 to 5v5, with tanks suffering the blow from the role reduction. Instead of having 2 frontlines, one tank would now need to do the job of 2 essentially.
However, tanks remain a fairly fun role, specializing in taking and holding space for your team. Mastering positioning will be an incredibly satisfying aspect for any player looking to learn the tank role, both for applying pressure and alleviating pressure from your Damage heroes to allow them to work their magic.
All Overwatch 2 Tank Heroes
- D.Va
- Doomfist
- Hazard
- Junker Queen
- Mauga
- Orisa
- Ramattra
- Reinhardt
- Roadhog
- Sigma
- Winston
- Wrecking Ball
- Zarya
Explaining the Overwatch 2 Damage Role
"Damage heroes are responsible for seeking out, engaging, and defeating the enemy using their varied tools and abilities. Playing a damage hero means it is your duty to secure kills." - Blizzard Official Role Explanation.
Role Passive
The Damage Role Passive grants all Damage heroes the following passive:
- Healing Reduction on Enemy Heroes (Temporary, Applied by Damage)
The healing reduction does not stack, however, not with repeated applications from the same Damage hero nor in tandem with another Damage hero.
A good Hanzo is a true terror on the map. You never know when a well-placed arrow will nail you in the head. Credit: BlizzardHow to Start Playing the Damage Role
Just start shooting. Better positioning means you get caught out less and get to stay alive longer, i.e. shoot more. The Damage role can be incredibly freeing as the focus of the role is on dealing maximum damage to the enemy team and finding crucial picks for your team.
In terms of freedom, the Damage role has an incredible lot of it, with a lot of deciding power on how they want to take fights and when to engage. The rewarding aspect comes in dominating the battlefield with your damage numbers, and finding key eliminations for your team that can mean the difference between winning and losing.
All Overwatch 2 Damage Heroes
- Ashe
- Bastion
- Cassidy
- Echo
- Genji
- Hanzo
- Junkrat
- Mei
- Pharah
- Reaper
- Sojourn
- Soldier: 76
- Sombra
- Symmetra
- Torbjörn
- Tracer
- Venture
- Widowmaker
Explaining the Overwatch 2 Support Role
"Support heroes empower their allies by healing them, boosting their damage, and providing vital utility. As support, you're the backbone of your team's survival." - Blizzard Official Role Explanation.
Role Passive
The Support Role Passive grants all Support heroes the following passive:
- Passive health regeneration kicks in 50% faster.
Baptiste is an incredible backline support with burst healing and an invulnerability beacon. What's not to love? Credit: BlizzardHow to Start Playing the Support Role
All heroes in Overwatch now have passive health regeneration. However, Support heroes’ specific passive allows them to dart in and around the battlefield, and take more risks. Support champions are crucial and act as the team’s backbone in teamfights. Keeping allies alive is the main role for Support heroes.
This is done through both healing and utility abilities such as shields, speed boosts, and debuffs to enemy heroes. Once again, positioning will be king. Finding a secure spot to safely help your team gain objectives will maximize your potential to find impact on the battlefield.
All Overwatch 2 Support Heroes
- Ana
- Baptiste
- Brigitte
- Illari
- Juno
- Kiriko
- Lifeweaver
- Lúcio
- Mercy
- Moira
- Zenyatta
While we've gone over the generalization for each role, heroes are unique for a reason and each hero brings their own nuance and answer to their role. Understanding your role, however, is a crucial first step towards a larger world of mastering Overwatch 2. Knowing generally what your hero should be doing in a game can start you on the path towards mastering the very basics of the game and towards a more fulfilling and rewarding gaming experience.
Want to find your next main? Looking to better understand different matchups or other hero playstyles? Stay tuned for our individual hero guides, covering abilities, lore, and tips and tricks for accelerating you towards mastery.
Article last updated: 06/2/2025
Stay tuned to Strafe Esports for more updates on the latest season, Season 14, of Overwatch 2. You can also follow us on our X account for the latest content and coverage.
Featured Image Credit: Blizzard
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