Which heroes in Overwatch are currently trending? Who has benefited from the latest patches, and who has been nerfed? The Overwatch tier list for January 2019!
The experts from Metabomb regularly provide their assessments of various heroes from Overwatch. They take into account the current meta and recent patches – especially changes to heroes, such as buffs and nerfs. The latest game version has changed a lot, the balance has improved, and the gap between the individual “tiers” has decreased.
Especially new heroes like Brigitte and Wrecking Ball create new compositions and playstyles, making some situational heroes stronger.
The article was created in July 2017 and was adjusted in January 2019 for Season 14.
Tier 1 – The Overpowered
- Ana (Support)
- Moira (Support)
- Reinhardt (Tank)
- Zarya (Tank)
The two strongest heroes at the moment are two tanks and two healers. Reinhardt, Zarya, and Moira are particularly part of the currently dominating “GOATS” meta, which consists of three tanks and three healers. Particularly Reinhardt is one of the most popular heroes across all ranks.
Ana is already among the strongest supports in the game, even though she is harder to play compared to other healers. Together, the Tier 1 heroes create a strong synergy of protection and survivability.
Tier 2 – The Strong Elite
- Brigitte (Support)
- Mercy (Support)
- Zenyatta (Support)
- D.Va (Tank)
- Winston (Tank)
- Junkrat (DPS)
- Hanzo (DPS)
The dive tanks D.Va and Winston are still very popular due to their mobility and useful in many compositions. D.Va is also very popular because of her position in the GOATS meta. Brigitte is also favored because of GOATS and her strength against flankers, despite her recent nerfs.
Junkrat has carved out a place as a counter to the current meta. With his high damage, he makes it tough for even shielded tanks to hold out for long.
Tier 3 – The Good All-Rounders
- Lúcio (Support)
- Wrecking Ball (Tank)
- Ashe (DPS)
- Genji (DPS)
- McCree (DPS)
- Pharah (DPS)
- Tracer (DPS)
- Widowmaker (DPS)
Tier 3 consists almost entirely of DPS heroes. Particularly hitscan characters like McCree and Widowmaker and flankers Genji and Tracer are popular and strong. They provide advantages over other heroes, such as group and area control, forcing opponents to change their tactics.
Ashe has integrated well as a new heroine into the meta and occupies a spot between Widowmaker and McCree. However, in the current meta, the role of DPS heroes has been diminished. Damage is no longer as important as survivability and control, which is why many DPS heroes are now in the upper middle.
Tier 4 – The Struggling Midfield
- Orisa (Tank)
- Roadhog (Tank)
- Doomfist (DPS)
- Mei (DPS)
- Reaper (DPS)
- Soldier: 76 (DPS)
The midfield has remained about the same as in previous seasons. The tanks in this area find very few opportunities and only in specific compositions (“Anti Dive”). Mei, Reaper, and Soldier have been replaced by more solid picks in higher tiers. Doomfist is no longer as popular due to his nerf.
Tier 5 – Too Weak or Situational
- Bastion (DPS)
- Torbjörn (DPS)
- Sombra (DPS)
- Symmetra (DPS)
Since February 2018, not much has changed here. Despite the revisions, Sombra and Symmetra are still only strong in too specific situations to be effectively utilized.
Also, Torbjörn’s rework has not helped him become more useful.
Please consider that this list is subject to constant change and upcoming patches can alter it at any time. It does not reflect how well a single player can handle a specific character. If your accuracy with Widowmaker is so high that opponents consistently have no supports, stay on the rifle!
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