Overwatch 2: Best Heroes For Beginners

With Overwatch 2 now free to play, a wave of new players is flooding into the game. It’s easy to feel a bit lost amidst the diverse roster of heroes and their unique abilities. To ease the transition, the game even limits character choices for new players initially, helping to reduce the overwhelming choices and allowing you to learn gradually. But with so many heroes in Tank, Damage, and Support roles, which ones are best for those just starting?

Whether you prefer dishing out damage, supporting teammates, or taking the brunt of enemy fire, there are excellent beginner-friendly heroes across all categories. As you progress, you’ll unlock more heroes, but in this guide, we’ll highlight the best picks for newcomers to get a solid start in Overwatch 2. Let’s dive in and find the perfect hero to suit your playstyle!

#10: Tank - Reinhardt

Reinhardt stands as one of the most durable tanks in Overwatch 2. With his massive health pool and large shield, he excels at protecting both himself and his teammates. His abilities are simple but effective: he can charge across the map to engage enemies, launch fire strikes at distant targets, and wield his massive hammer, making him one of the few characters focused on melee combat.

Reinhardt is ideal for beginners who might struggle with precise aim since he relies on close-range attacks rather than pinpoint accuracy. While this means you’ll need to get up close to secure eliminations, Reinhardt offers a fantastic introduction to tanking in Overwatch, allowing new players to feel the thrill of frontline protection and offense.

#9: Tank - Orisa

Orisa brings a bit more complexity to the table but remains accessible to beginners. She combines strength and resilience, making her a powerful choice. With abilities that block incoming damage, boost her defenses, and a primary weapon with zero recoil, Orisa is beginner-friendly for those still mastering their aim.

The trickiest part of playing Orisa is learning when and how to use her ultimate effectively. It has a high-risk, high-reward factor: the longer you charge it, the more damage it deals, but waiting too long could leave you vulnerable. Mastering this balance will elevate your Orisa gameplay, making her a rewarding pick for newer players seeking a sturdy tank with a touch of tactical challenge.

#8: Tank - Roadhog

Roadhog is another excellent tank for beginners, especially since he’s notoriously tough to bring down in Overwatch 2. With the highest health pool in the game and a self-healing ability that restores 50% of his maximum health quickly, he can withstand intense damage on the frontline.

His signature hook ability is perfect for isolating and taking down more fragile opponents, allowing for quick eliminations that can turn the tide in battle. Roadhog becomes an even greater threat when supported by a Mercy, making him nearly indestructible if she’s healing him—though it may also prompt the enemy team to target Mercy. While he doesn’t offer much team protection compared to other tanks, Roadhog excels as a powerhouse on the frontline, providing stability and pressure against enemy ranks.

#7: Damage - Widowmaker

Widowmaker may seem daunting for beginners, especially if you’re new to FPS games and still refining your aim. But if you’re familiar with sniping mechanics from other shooters, Widowmaker is a perfect fit for you in Overwatch 2.

Her kit is straightforward yet effective: a grappling hook for quick repositioning, a venom mine to monitor and guard against nearby threats, and her ultimate, Infra-Sight, which reveals enemy locations to the entire team. Widowmaker is one of the few heroes with one-shot potential, allowing skilled players to eliminate targets with a well-placed headshot. For those confident in their aim, Widowmaker can be a deadly choice to pick off enemies from afar. Alternatively, Hanzo offers another sniping option, but his playstyle requires more finesse and precision.

#6: Damage - Bastion

Bastion is a high-damage powerhouse with zero recoil, a characteristic shared by several robot heroes. While he has a bit less health than other damage heroes, Bastion’s offensive abilities make up for it, allowing him to unleash a relentless barrage. His kit includes a primary weapon with excellent firepower, sticky grenades that can stick to enemies or terrain, and his turret mode, which transforms him into a mobile cannon with unlimited ammo for a limited time.

His ultimate, Configuration: Artillery, targets up to three large areas with explosive rounds, which can deal massive damage to enemies. However, some characters may be able to dodge it, so timing and positioning are key to maximizing its impact. Bastion is ideal for players who enjoy an aggressive playstyle with serious firepower.

#5: Damage - Soldier 76

Soldier 76 serves as the quintessential assault hero, with gameplay that feels familiar to fans of traditional FPS games. He excels at close to mid-range engagements, can heal himself and nearby allies with his Biotic Field, launches powerful rockets for burst damage, and has an ultimate that acts as an auto-aim, making it easier to land shots on targets.

His straightforward, balanced kit makes Soldier 76 easy to pick up and highly versatile, fitting well in various situations. For those looking for a bit more complexity, Sojourn offers a similar role with added variety and skill-based attacks.

#4: Damage - Reaper

Get up close, blast away, and repeat. While Reaper’s playstyle may sound straightforward, it’s highly effective for players who love close-quarters combat. His kit is designed for high mobility, with a Shadow Step teleport perfect for flanking and Wraith Form for a quick escape when things get dicey.

Additionally, Reaper self-heals with every shot that lands, making him surprisingly resilient and able to operate solo. His ultimate, Death Blossom, is one of the most powerful in the game—unleashing it at the right moment can wipe out most, if not all, of the opposing team in one deadly spin.

#3: Support - Mercy

Mercy is the most beginner-friendly support hero, offering incredibly efficient healing that can save allies in critical moments. Alongside her healing beam, she can also boost a teammate’s damage output, making her invaluable in both defense and offense. While her movement is limited to allies, she can stay highly mobile by gliding to teammates, and her ultimate, Valkyrie, allows her to heal or boost multiple allies simultaneously.

Mercy is also the only hero with the ability to resurrect fallen teammates—a game-changing tool when used wisely. However, keep in mind she’s fragile, with low health and a weak pistol, and has no offensive abilities, so positioning and awareness are key when playing her.

#2: Support - Lúcio

Lúcio brings speed, support, and style in a single package. His unique area-of-effect abilities allow him to passively support teammates by simply being nearby. He can switch between a healing aura that gradually restores allies’ health and a speed boost that helps the team move quickly across the map. While his healing isn’t the strongest, he can amplify it temporarily with an ability, making it more effective when needed.

Lúcio is also a capable fighter, with excellent mobility and range, making him versatile in combat—a quality emphasized in Overwatch 2. His ultimate, Sound Barrier, grants a massive temporary shield to nearby teammates, which can turn the tide during tough fights.

#1: Support - Moira

Moira is the ultimate blend of damage and healing, making her a strong choice for beginners. She’s agile and effective, with abilities that allow her to switch seamlessly between supporting her team and pressuring opponents. Her primary attack is easy to use, automatically locking onto enemies, so aiming isn’t a challenge. Moira can also launch two types of orbs: one that damages enemies and another that heals nearby teammates.

With smart positioning, she can heal multiple allies at once, and her ultimate combines both healing and damage, creating a perfect mix to boost teammates while pushing back enemies. Just be careful not to get too focused on dealing damage—keep an eye on your teammates’ health to fulfill your role effectively.

Conclusion

The right hero can make all the difference for a beginner, helping you find your role and improve your skills. Each of the heroes on this list offers something unique, whether it’s straightforward mechanics, solid defensive capabilities, or flexible support. Starting with heroes like Moira, Soldier 76, or Reinhardt allows you to learn the game’s core elements while contributing to your team’s success.

As you grow more comfortable with Overwatch 2, experiment with different heroes and roles. This will broaden your skills and help you adapt to various team compositions and strategies. With practice and experience, you’ll soon be able to tackle any challenge the game throws your way, playing confidently and enjoying the full depth of Overwatch 2’s gameplay.