Overwatch 2 DPS Strategy Guide

In Overwatch 2, the Damage (DPS) role often feels like the heart of the action—responsible for taking out key targets, pressuring the enemy backline, and tipping the balance in those crucial fights. Whether you love landing headshots from afar or weaving through the frontlines with a bursty hero, playing DPS isn’t just about raw aim or flashy plays. It’s about timing, communication, and knowing when to push your advantage—or when to hold back. The best DPS players know how to read the flow of a match and make smart decisions that create space for their team. Understanding what separates a good DPS from a great one can mean the difference between a frustrating defeat and a satisfying victory.

Aiming Techniques

Success as a DPS player in Overwatch 2 often hinges on your ability to consistently land shots. While raw mechanical skill is helpful, smart aim is about more than just fast reflexes. Understanding different aiming styles, knowing when to practice flicks versus tracking, managing your sensitivity settings, and applying crosshair placement principles will naturally boost your hitting power across matches.

Understanding The Basics: Tracking vs. Flicking

Two main aiming methods show up for Overwatch 2's wide roster of heroes: tracking and flicking.

Tracking means keeping your crosshair smoothly on a moving target, adjusting as they zigzag, jump, or strafe. Hitscan heroes like Soldier: 76, Sojourn, or Tracer reward tracking. Building muscle memory for tracking will make it easier to follow targets as they move unpredictably.

• How to train: Start with custom games or aim trainers like Aim Lab. Try focusing on one enemy at a time and keep your reticle right on their chest or head as they move.
• When to use: During sustained fire or when an enemy’s path is readable.

Flicking is about quick, snappy movements to instantly place your crosshair on a target—then firing a well-timed shot. This works best for projectile users or heroes with high-damage single shots, like Widowmaker, Hanzo, or Cassidy.

• How to train: In The Practice Range, snap from one bot’s head to another, firing only as soon as your crosshair is over the head.
• When to use: When aiming for fast-moving, small targets, or when you need to switch between multiple opponents quickly.

Knowing which category your chosen hero falls into can shape your whole practice routine.

Managing Sensitivity and DPI

The right sensitivity settings make every snap and swipe feel natural. While there’s no universal answer, here are some general guidelines:

• Lower sensitivity: Better for tracking, as it minimizes shaky hand movements. Many pros favor sensitivities that let them swing 180 degrees with a big mouse movement across their mousepad.
• Higher sensitivity: Quicker reaction time, useful for frantic flicks but can sacrifice fine control.

Quick Tip: Experiment with your game's sensitivity and your mouse DPI. Most find comfort in the middle ground, but prioritize precision over speed for DPS.

Crosshair Placement

Aiming starts before the shooting. Good crosshair placement lets you react faster.

• Keep your crosshair at head level: Always expect an enemy to pop up around the next corner.
• Pre-aim common angles: If enemies like to peek through doorways, aim at head height on that spot as you move.
• Don’t follow the floor or ceiling: These habits slow your shot-to-hit speed. Try to maintain your reticle at chest/head height as you move across the map.

Small adjustments in where you aim before an enemy shows up can make your shots nearly instant when fights break out.

Leveraging Hero-Specific Reticle Settings

Overwatch 2 allows for custom crosshair shapes, sizes, and colors. Some heroes benefit from a larger, bolder reticle for easy tracking (like Sombra or Tracer), while snipers may want a slim, precise dot or cross.

Experiment with:

• Center gap and thickness: See what makes headshots easier for you.
• Color: Pick something high-contrast depending on the map.
• Opacity: Too transparent, and you might miss your mark during hectic fights.

Hero-specific reticles save you from swapping settings back and forth, letting you tailor your aim to each character.

Training Routines and Warm-Ups

Warming up isn't just for pros. A simple five-minute session in the Practice Range or a third-party aim trainer can wake up your muscles and tune your habits.

Try:

• Tracking Practice: Move your crosshair in circles or figure-eights over bots.
• Flick Practice: Quickly shift from one bot to another, trying for only headshots.
• Strafing: Combine moving while dragging your aim across targets to mimic real fights.

Daily aim training, even if brief, helps lock in your muscle memory.

Adapting in Real Matches

Practice is nothing without adaptation. In real matches, consider:

• Enemy movement patterns: Some players jiggle or strafe more; adjust your tracking accordingly.
• Hero swaps: If you switch from a flick-heavy hero like Cassidy to a tracker like Tracer, take a moment to mentally shift your style.
• Pressure: Don’t panic-shoot. Take a deep breath and trust your crosshair placement from your warmups.

Improving Under Pressure

Nerves mess with aim. If you miss, don’t spiral—focus on your positioning, take a second to readjust, and jump right back in. Confidence grows with routine, so trust your training and don’t be afraid to recalibrate your settings until you find your sweet spot.

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Wrapping Up

Solid aim isn’t an overnight skill. Honing your technique through mindful practice, adjusting your sensitivity, and keeping a smart crosshair will supercharge your effectiveness. Remember, lots of little improvements collect into game-changing results. Next, we'll cover how to time your damage and position yourself for maximum impact.

Positioning Guide

In Overwatch 2, even the sharpest aim won’t save you if you’re picked off before you deal any damage. Positioning plays a massive role in how much value you deliver for your team as a DPS. Smart movement and awareness determine whether you stick around to frag out, or find yourself staring at the respawn timer. Let’s break down what good positioning looks like, why it matters, and how you can improve your game sense across every map.

Why Positioning Matters for DPS

DPS heroes thrive when they’re dishing out damage and surviving long enough to cycle abilities and ultimates. Messy positioning makes you easy prey for flankers, snipers, and area-of-effect abilities. Good spots maximize your uptime while keeping threats to a minimum. You want angles that let you hit enemies, helping your tank push and your supports keep you alive, all while reducing the chances of getting wiped first.

Core Principles of Positioning

Use Cover—But Don’t Hide

Always stay near something you can duck behind: walls, pillars, payloads, even railings. After every shot or cooldown, natural cover gives you a quick escape from snipers or return fire. At the same time, don’t play too safe. If you’re so tucked away that you never shoot, your team is basically down a DPS.

Maintain Sightlines, Not Just Line-of-Sight

Pick locations where you have a clear line on enemy movement—think long alleyways, high ground, and doorways. Controlling key sightlines means you can chip away at enemy supports and pressure tanks, forcing them to take riskier paths or back off. But watch for overexposure: if you can see the enemy’s whole team, that often means the enemy can see—and shoot—you.

Value High Ground

Vertical advantage is massive in Overwatch 2. High ground is safer and provides more options for movement or retreat. Hitscan heroes (Soldier: 76, Ashe, Cassidy) especially benefit from perches, since their range and accuracy let them punish enemies with limited vertical mobility. Conversely, some maps favor dynamic low-ground angles, especially for stealthy or flanking DPS, like Reaper or Sombra.

Mind the Flanks

Flanking is a classic DPS strategy. Side routes and off-angles let you surprise supports and pick off squishies. But with risky plays, timing is everything. If you flank too early, you’ll be isolated and picked. Flank too late, and the team fight is already decided. Lightly skirmish from the side, then commit only when the enemy is distracted or occupied.

Watch Your Back: Enemy Flankers

If you’re in a high-value spot, expect that enemy Tracers, Genjis, or Doomfists want you gone. Don’t tunnel on your sightlines—check your back and nearby paths. Communicate with your team if you see threats slipping behind.

Hero-Specific Positioning Tips

Hitscan Heroes

• Stay at mid-to-long range where your accuracy outshines projectiles.
• Prioritize high ground for clear shots and escape options.
• Rotate positions: Don’t let the enemy get used to your spot. Move as fights evolve to avoid pre-aimed counters or snipers.

Projectile Heroes

• Experiment with off-angles: find places where grenades, rockets, or arrows can arc behind shields or pressure tight groups.
• Use vertical space (e.g., Pharah, Echo) for poke and harassment, but drop down if snipers or hitscans lock onto you.
• Work with tanks: let them absorb attention while you set up big splash-damage plays.

Close-Range Duelists

• Stick to cover-heavy areas: Reaper and Tracer love corners, small rooms, and brawl spots.
• Ambush, don’t chase: Pick your targets (usually backline supports), secure the elimination, then disengage before reinforcements arrive.

Snipers

• Keep escape routes: Only snipe from spots with a planned retreat—one-way windows get you trapped.
• Vary your nest: A headshot from the same perch only works once. Change it up to avoid enemy flankers or disruptors.

Positioning in Different Game Phases

On Attack

• Take space in sync with your tank. Don’t peek alone or you’ll get deleted—move up when your team does.
• Pressure choke points: Constant damage forces the enemy to reposition or burn cooldowns.
• Use payloads and walls: Push up behind them, firing from safety.

On Defense

• Hold strong angles: Keep the enemy at arm’s length, making them burn resources to get close.
• Rotate back: Don’t stubbornly defend one spot after you’re pressured. Falling back keeps you alive for the next fight.
• Punish overextensions: Snap to flanking or isolated enemies to quickly create an advantage.

During Ultimate Combos

• Safe positioning equals value: Before ulting, find safety or surprise. A poorly placed DPS ultimate often gets shut down—ensure sightlines and retreat options are planned.

Bad Habits to Avoid

• Overextending: If you’re ahead of your team or too deep without backup, expect a fast respawn.
• Staying stationary: Static DPS is easy to aim at and harder for supports to save. Keep moving—even small steps throw off enemy aim.
• Ignoring map pings or callouts: Teammates often call flanks or threats you don’t see. Play with your team’s info to avoid free picks for the enemy.

Reading the Enemy

• Watch for swap patterns: If the enemy switches to counters (like Winston for Widowmaker), it’s time to change spots.
• Notice where damage is coming from and reposition fast. Don’t stubbornly hang out where you’re getting farmed.

Final Thoughts

Solid positioning as DPS is a mix of map awareness, timing, and flexibility. Learning the ins and outs of each map and keeping an eye on the action gives you all the tools you need to shine. Whether you favor aim duels, sneaky flanks, or strategic angles, every little reposition can mean the difference between carrying a fight or getting instantly deleted. Stay sharp and always keep your options open.

Target Priority

Target priority is all about deciding who to go after first in a fight. As a DPS player in Overwatch 2, you’re the team’s main source of secure eliminations. Picking the right enemy to focus determines whether your team wins a brawl or staggers out in overtime. It’s not as simple as “shoot whoever’s closest”—the best DPS players constantly adjust their focus based on positioning, value, and what their team is trying to accomplish.

Who Should You Shoot First?

Let’s talk targets. Overwatch 2 divides heroes into three roles: Tanks, Damage (DPS), and Supports. Each has its own threat level—and some are much easier to remove than others.

• Tanks: Tons of health and defense abilities. Usually front-and-center, but hard to take down quickly, especially solo.
• Supports: Lower health, but keep their team up with healing and utility. Taking them out means the enemy can’t recover as easily.
• DPS: Usually somewhere in between. They win fights with burst or sustained damage and can become a problem if ignored, especially if they’re carrying the enemy team.

Prioritizing targets is a matter of weighing “ease of elimination” against “impact on the fight.” In most situations, supports are your first choice—if you can reach them. They’re usually tucked in the backline, but eliminating them completely shifts a team fight in your favor. Next up are high-value DPS (think: a Sojourn who’s farming railgun charge, or a Reaper sneaking into your backline). Tanks are usually last unless they’re way out of position or there’s nothing else within your reach.

Core Target Priority Guidelines

1. Pick Off Isolated Enemies

Any enemy separated from their team is a prime pick. They usually can’t get healed in time, and even slow DPS can finish them. Whenever you see someone alone—maybe a Zenyatta trying to rotate, or a Widowmaker that’s lost track of her cover—make them your priority. Quick eliminations frequently swing momentum your way.

2. Shut Down Enemy Supports

Supports aren’t just healers. Baptiste, Kiriko, and Ana all carry fight-winning utility (lamp, cleanse, anti-heal). If you gain an angle or a flank on their backline, go for them. Preventing key support ultimates or cooldowns with a timely elimination can turn what would have been a lost fight into a win.

3. Focus Enemy DPS Carrying the Fight

Some matches come down to one player popping off. If the enemy Sojourn, Tracer, or Genji is cleaning up your team, you may need to adjust and make them your focus, even over supports. This can mean taking riskier angles or saving cooldowns just for them.

4. Exploit Out-of-Position Tanks

Normally, tanks are low priority. But if their Orisa, Winston, or Ramattra suddenly overextends, cut them down fast. Without a tank, the enemy team loses protection and has to retreat or get staggered.

How to Pick Your Target in Real Time

Every fight is a bit different, but here’s a quick process to keep in mind:

Scan

As you enter a fight or take position, scan the enemy team:

• Are both supports visible or tucked away?
• Who’s exposed?
• Is anyone low on health?
• Is an enemy using an important cooldown?

Assess

Ask yourself:

• Who can you damage safely from your spot?
• Who will actually go down fast if you shoot them?
• Will you overextend and die if you go for a particular target?

Engage

Commit your shots or abilities to the highest-value target you can realistically eliminate. Close-range DPS should get a feel for when to dash in for a quick support pick. Hitscan heroes should assess which targets are vulnerable from their sightline. Communicate with your team if you’re going after someone—focus fire is strong.

Common Target Priority Pitfalls

1. Tunneling

It’s easy to get so locked onto one enemy (say, the tank) that you miss much easier targets walking right by. Stay aware. If a support shows for half a second, switch and punish them!

2. Chasing Lost Kills

Some DPS get greedy and chase an enemy running out of line of sight, leaving their team behind. Don’t fall into this trap—you’ll often be outnumbered, and the stagger timer resets. Only chase if the value is massive and you’re certain the elimination is clean.

3. Ignoring Threat Levels

Just because a tank is in front doesn’t mean they’re the priority. Unless they’re about to finish key objectives or have no support nearby, tanks should rarely be your focus over enemy supports or DPS.

DPS-Specific Target Tips

Hitscan DPS

• Go for low-HP supports: Your pinpoint shots shine at finishing off Ana, Kiriko, or Zenyatta.
• Punish overexposed snipers or projectiles: If you see a Junkrat, Echo, or Widowmaker peeking, charge a clean headshot.

Projectile DPS

• Chip at grouped enemies: Spam damage through shields or choke points to farm ult charge and pressure supports in secure spots.
• Predict movement: Supports and DPS dodging behind corners? Aim splash damage to force them out.

Flankers

• Slice into the backline: Target supports and isolated DPS. Don’t pick fights with tanks unless they’re clearly lit up and unsupported.
• Get in, get out: After a clean pick, escape before the enemy collapses on you.

Adapting Target Priority by Team Comp

Target priority shifts based on enemy composition:

• Dive Comps: Focus supports first—Winston and D.Va can’t sustain if their healers fall.
• Brawl Comps: Aim for squishy DPS and supports that hang too close to the frontline.
• Poke Comps: Try to trade off key snipers or projectile heroes early.

Pay attention to swaps and be ready to adjust: if the enemy swaps to double sniper, your job as a flanker is to contest them; as a hitscan, you’ll want to duel for sightline control.

Key Takeaways

• Go for low-health or out-of-position targets first.
• Supports and high-impact DPS are almost always better picks than tanks.
• Don’t get stuck shooting tanks if other targets are in reach.
• Adapt your priorities as compositions change or circumstances shift in fights.

By setting your sights on the right enemies, every DPS play becomes higher impact. Great target priority isn’t flashy—but it’s what lets you clutch fight after fight.

Ultimate Ability Combos

Landing your DPS ultimate at just the right moment can end fights instantly—but the biggest plays usually come from teaming up. Combining ultimate abilities with your teammates, especially other DPS or supportive ults, can turn decent damage into total team wipes. In Overwatch 2’s fast fights, coordinating combos is a sure way to cut through even the toughest defenses.

Why Combo Ultimates?

Alone, most DPS ults can get blocked by shields, shut down by defensive abilities, or simply dodged. When timed with allied ultimates, though, your window of opportunity opens wider:

• Crowd control setups lock enemies in place for massive damage.
• Damage boosts push your ultimate over the top—think of an overclocked Sojourn or boosted Genji Blade.
• Zoning/area ults corral enemies into a tight spot, perfect for a follow-up barrage.

Well-timed combos aren’t just showy—they win fights and tilt opponents.

Most Effective DPS Combo Examples

Grav + Damage: Zarya Graviton Surge with DPS Ults

Zarya’s Graviton Surge sucks enemies together, making the perfect setup for high-damage DPS ultimates.

• Hanzo’s Dragonstrike: Fire an arrow right through the clump—no escape.
• Pharah’s Barrage: Unload rockets directly into the grouped enemies.
• Sojourn’s Overclock: Line up instant-kill railgun shots on clustered targets.
• Reaper’s Death Blossom: Spin to win as enemies struggle to clear the grav.

Remember: Enemies might try to dodge or use defensive ults—make sure to combo before they can react!

Nano-Boosted DPS: Ana's Nanoboost + DPS Ults

Ana’s Nanoboost doesn’t just heal and buff—it turbo-charges your damage and grants damage reduction.

• Genji Dragonblade: The classic nano-blade combo can slice up an entire team before they can run.
• Soldier: 76 Tactical Visor: Hits like a truck with boosted aim and damage, quickly mowing down clumped enemies.
• Reaper Death Blossom: Amped up, Reaper can brawl through tanks and supports alike while surviving longer in the chaos.

These combos need precise timing and callouts. Let your Ana know when you’re about to ult, and coordinate your approach so enemies can’t stop you.

Blizzard and Beam: Mei Blizzard + Hitscan/Beam Ults

Mei’s Blizzard freezes enemies in place for a few seconds, making them sitting ducks.

• Cassidy’s Deadeye: Collect easy headshots while enemies are frozen solid.
• Echo’s Focusing Beam: Echo finishes off frozen targets in seconds.
• Symmetra’s Secondary Fire: Spam orbs and beams on clumped, immobile foes.

With Blizzard, watch for Kiriko’s Suzu and Zarya’s Bubble—these can save targets from freeze.

Orisa Terra Surge + DPS Finishers

When Orisa channels Terra Surge, she pulls in enemies and charges up damage. While this doesn’t always guarantee eliminations, it immobilizes enemies long enough for DPS teammates to lay in the heat.

• Junkrat RIP-Tire: Detonate the tire amid immobilized foes.
• Pharah Barrage or Sombra EMP: Both shred a captured group, especially if shields are down.

Time your DPS ult to hit just as the Terra Surge pulls enemies in.

Sombra EMP + Multi-Hit DPS Ultimates

Sombra’s EMP disables all shields and abilities in a big radius—meaning enemies can’t defend themselves for a second or two.

• Genji Blade / Reaper Blossom: Both of these become lethal with no escape buttons or reduced health pools.
• Soldier: 76 Visor / Sojourn Overclock: No shields for cover makes enemies easy targets.

Jump in right after Sombra ults—don’t let their healers stabilize or their abilities come off cooldown.

Damage Boosts: Mercy and Baptiste

Damage-amping supports make a huge difference for DPS ultimates.

• Mercy Damage Boost: Pair this with Barrage, Visor, or Overclock for maximum burst.
• Baptiste Amplification Matrix: Shoots damage projectiles through a window to double output—combine with Cassidy’s High Noon or Hanzo’s arrows for lethal results.

Call for these boosts before you ult. If your support is alive and near you, wait an extra second for their cooldowns—you’ll wipe harder.

Communicating and Timing Combos

Combos fall apart without communication. Here’s how to maximize value:

• Use voice or chat: Let your team know your ult’s ready.
• Count defensive ults: Don’t combo into a Lucio Sound Barrier or Kiriko Suzu—wait it out.
• Ult order: Many combos only work in one order. For example, Dragonstrike after Graviton, not before.
• Check positioning: Don’t force a combo if you’re split up or the enemy is ready to run.

If solo queuing, at least “group up” in spawn or ping your ultimate so others can see when you’re ready.

Anti-Combo Counters and Pitfalls

• Enemy Defensive Ultimates: Lucio’s barrier, Kiriko’s Suzu, Baptiste’s Lamp, and Zarya’s bubble can all blow up your big play. Try to bait these out before comboing.
• Spacing: Teams that spread out are harder to hit with most area ults. In these cases, pair with movement slows (Blizzard, Orisa pull) or wait for the enemy to cluster.
• Ultimate Overlap: Avoid stacking too many DPS ults at once—if Hanzo, Pharah, and Reaper all use ults into a Graviton, lots of value gets wasted.

Honorable Mentions: Niche and Fun DPS Combos

• Torbjörn’s Molten Core with Sigma’s Gravitic Flux: Anyone stuck floating in Sigma’s ult gets melted by Torb's lava pools.
• Echo + Any DPS Duplicate: Echo can copy another DPS and double up on big ults—watch for double Dragons or two Barrages!

Ultimate Combos Cheat Sheet

| Combo Setup | DPS Ults to Pair | What Makes It Strong | |---------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Zarya Graviton Surge | Hanzo, Pharah, Reaper, Sojourn | Grouped up enemies, wide damage | | Ana Nanoboost | Genji, Reaper, Soldier, Sojourn | Big burst, survivability boost | | Mei Blizzard | Cassidy, Echo, Symmetra | Frozen enemies are easy targets | | Orisa Terra Surge | Junkrat, Pharah, Sombra | Holds enemies; follow-up is easy | | Sombra EMP | Reaper, Genji, Soldier, Sojourn | No barriers, abilities, or healing to block | | Baptiste Amp Matrix | Cassidy, Hanzo, Ashe, Soldier | Doubled projectile/shot damage |

Key Tips for DPS Ultimate Combos

• Pair crowd control with burst damage for the cleanest wipes.
• Coordinate with supports for damage boost or healing during your ult.
• Call out ultimates and communicate the order for best results.
• Watch for enemy defensive ults, and bait them first when possible.
• Don’t stack multiple single-target ults—spread value across fights.

Pulling off perfect ult combos might seem tough, but start by syncing with just one teammate. Even a simple Ana-Genji or Zarya-Hanzo combo can crush the enemy and give your team momentum. Watch for opportunities, call out your ults, and get ready for those highlight reels. Countering Enemy Supports

Enemy supports often keep their team afloat and can completely flip the outcome of a match with key abilities. As DPS, targeting and countering enemy supports forces mistakes, stops big healing, and gives your squad the upper hand in crucial moments. This section breaks down effective ways to identify, pressure, and eliminate enemy supports—plus specific tips for the most commonly played healers in Overwatch 2.

Why Bother With Supports?

Focusing enemy supports isn’t just about padding your kill count. Eliminating a healer removes sustain for the other team, making every follow-up attack easier for your team. If that’s not possible, even forcing their escape or using their cooldowns before a crucial fight can leave enemies exposed and vulnerable.

Supports also pack round-changing utility: immortality fields, movement speed buffs, anti-heals, massive AoE healing, and more. Most of these abilities have long cooldowns or are considered ultimates. As DPS, shutting down these skillful plays either by elimination or pressure can win otherwise lost fights.

Spotting Support Positioning and Patterns

Start by noting how enemy supports play:

• Passive (Backline): Stay at max range, barely peeking, mostly healing. These are usually Baptiste, Ana, or Kiriko.
• Aggressive (Flank/Frontline): Push up with tanks or try to duel—Lucio, Moira, and occasionally Zenyatta.
• Mobile: Supports like Lucio or Kiriko can escape danger quickly but must spend precious cooldowns to do it.

Pay close attention to where they take cover, which sightlines they stick to, and what escape routes they use. Certain maps funnel supports into similar “safe” locations—think of Blizzard World’s point A or Gibraltar’s high ground. Predict their habits, and you can set up eliminations or at least force a panic escape.

DPS Approaches to Countering Supports

1. Disrupting With Flankers

Flankers like Tracer and Sombra shine at harassing and picking off healers. They bypass the frontline, sneak behind or above, and force supports to answer a direct threat.

• Tracer: Dance around Ana’s sleep dart, keep pressure constant, and secure quick kills when she’s separated.
• Sombra: Hack support to stop escape (e.g., Lucio’s Amp It Up or Baptiste’s Lamp), then follow up with SMG burst.
• Genji: Dive supports with dash, bait out cooldowns, then drop back if things get dicey.

2. Poking and Long-Range Threats

Some supports rely on line-of-sight to heal, making them targets for precision shooters:

• Widowmaker/Ashe: One headshot and Ana, Zenyatta, Baptiste, and Mercy can be taken out—even through a window or behind cover.
• Hanzo: Sonic Arrow helps track mobile supports or spot who’s hiding for resurrection.
• Sojourn: Charges up railgun shots off tanks to pick off exposed supports mid-fight.

Cut healing from afar and punish out-of-position supports.

3. Bursting Through Defensive Tools

Supports carry abilities that keep themselves—and teammates—alive through even the highest burst:

• Baptiste Immortality Field: Hitscan heroes (Cassidy, Soldier) can quickly destroy the Lamp. Sombra’s EMP disables it instantly.
• Kiriko’s Suzu: Bait this by faking a dive/ult, then attack after it’s spent.
• Lucio’s Sound Barrier: Try to force this out with a “fake” engage, then back up and fight again once it’s gone.

Recognizing these cooldowns and waiting them out—or destroying their tools—makes your team’s follow-up much deadlier.

4. Harassing to Draw Out Cooldowns

Don’t always go for the kill immediately. Sometimes it’s better to force movement abilities:

• Tracer: Force Moira to fade and Kiriko to swift-step. Once these are down, call it out to your team, then swarm with everyone.
• Echo: Sticky Bombs zone supports out of cover and force movement.
• Mei: Her wall can block off supports during escape or ult, trapping them for a team kill.

Once support movement abilities are burned, communicate to your team that they can push hard.

Counter Picks: Support-by-Support Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot of how to counter key support heroes:

Ana

• Threats: Sleep Dart, Biotic Grenade.
• Best DPS Picks: Genji, Sombra, Tracer.
• Tips: Pressure from multiple angles to dodge Sleep and force Grenade. Sombra’s hack disables both abilities.

Baptiste

• Threats: Immortality Field, high mobility.
• Best DPS Picks: Sombra (hack), Tracer.
• Tips: Lamp has limited health—burst it down before committing to eliminations. Poke until Lamp is out, then dive.

Kiriko

• Threats: Suzu (invulnerable cleanse), Swift Step (teleport).
• Best DPS Picks: Tracer, Sombra, burst snipers.
• Tips: Wait for Suzu to be used, then attack. Camping escape routes or hacking after teleport can secure the kill.

Lucio

• Threats: Boop (environmental kills), extreme mobility.
• Best DPS Picks: Cassidy (mag grenade), Sombra, hitscan snipers.
• Tips: Punish when Lucio walls away from his team, or catch him midair. Take safe angles to avoid boop.

Mercy

• Threats: Resurrect, Guardian Angel mobility.
• Best DPS Picks: Ashe, Widowmaker, Sojourn, Sombra.
• Tips: Body-camp after kills so she can’t res safely. Sombra can hack her for an easy elimination during a res attempt.

Moira

• Threats: Fade (escape/invuln), decent self-heal.
• Best DPS Picks: Sombra, Tracer, ranged threats.
• Tips: She’s slippery, but Fade has a long cooldown. Poke to force out Fade, then move in fast.

Zenyatta

• Threats: Discord Orb, surprisingly good damage output, no mobility.
• Best DPS Picks: Genji, Tracer, Widowmaker.
• Tips: Zenyatta is slow and fragile—dive at the right time and burst to eliminate him before peel arrives.

Key Strategies for Solo Queue

• Ping Supports: Even without voice, use pings or group up to focus enemy supports when they pop up out of position.
• Call Out Cooldowns: “No Suzu!” or “Lamp down!” are clear signals that it’s time to focus fire.
• Split Attack: Send a flanker in to distract supports while the rest of your team pushes elsewhere.
• Don’t Overcommit: Chasing supports too far often leaves you out of position—take quick shots and fall back when needed.

Timing With Your Team

Solo picks are great, but focusing supports is strongest when your whole team is in on it. Signal when you see a cooldown is burned, or when you’re about to pressure. Friendships and streaks have been broken turning a five-on-five into a five-on-four by catching Ana out just before a fight.

Conclusion

Understanding how to pressure, flank, and burst down enemy supports is essential for any DPS who wants more clutch moments and team wipes. Pick the right matchups, keep track of key cooldowns, and don’t be afraid to communicate and coordinate with even the quietest teammates. Making life difficult for the other team’s healers opens up opportunity everywhere else. Shut them down and watch your impact on the game skyrocket.