Overwatch 2: 10 Best Heroes For Ranked

Overwatch 2 has redefined the hero shooter genre, offering players a vibrant and dynamic experience with its diverse cast of characters and intense gameplay. As its competitive scene continues to grow, one question remains critical for players striving to climb the ranks: which heroes should you rely on to excel in ranked matches?

In Overwatch 2, success often hinges on picking the right hero to complement your team and counter your opponents. From high-damage dealers to game-changing supports and reliable tanks, the roster is designed to cater to a variety of playstyles. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting your climb, choosing the right hero can turn the tide of battle and secure your team’s victory.

To help you dominate the ladder and secure your spot at the top, we’ve crafted a list of the best heroes to carry in ranked. These characters stand out for their versatility, impact, and ability to perform in any competitive environment. Ready to level up your gameplay? Let’s jump into the 10 best Overwatch 2 heroes for ranked play.

#10: Zenyatta

Zenyatta is a versatile support hero in Overwatch 2, offering a mix of healing and high damage potential. While not the easiest support to master, his ability to shift between aiding teammates and eliminating threats makes him an excellent pick for ranked matches.

Zenyatta’s Orb of Harmony provides consistent healing to a single ally, which is especially useful for sustaining high-value targets like your tank or a damage dealer in critical moments. Meanwhile, his Orb of Discord amplifies the damage taken by an enemy, making it easier for your team to focus fire and secure kills. These abilities allow Zenyatta to exert significant influence over both team fights and one-on-one engagements.

Where Zenyatta truly shines is his Transcendence ultimate. This ability makes him invulnerable while healing all nearby allies at an incredible rate, making it perfect for countering powerful enemy ultimates like Genji’s Dragonblade or Pharah’s Barrage.

Despite his strengths, Zenyatta’s low mobility and minimal self-defense make him vulnerable to dive heroes like Tracer and Genji. Positioning is key to staying effective—play from a safe distance while maintaining sightlines to support your team and contribute damage.

Zenyatta is a strong choice in ranked for those who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward support playstyle. With proper positioning and game sense, he can turn fights in your favor and become an essential part of your team’s success.

#9: Ana

Ana is a high-impact support hero in Overwatch 2, capable of single-handedly turning the tide of battles with her precise healing and utility-focused kit. Her ability to provide massive heals, disrupt enemy plays, and deliver clutch moments makes her a staple pick in ranked matches.

Ana’s Biotic Rifle is her core tool, offering both long-range healing and damage. This allows her to assist her teammates while also pressuring opponents from a safe distance. Her Biotic Grenade amplifies healing for allies and prevents enemies from being healed, making it a game-changing ability in team fights. A well-timed grenade can swing the balance during a push or make a tank easier to eliminate.

Her Sleep Dart is another standout ability, capable of shutting down dangerous ultimates like Genji’s Dragonblade or Cassidy’s Deadeye. Using this ability effectively requires precise aim and strong situational awareness, but the rewards are immense when it lands.

Ana’s Nano Boost ultimate is one of the best in the game for enabling high-value plays. It provides a significant damage boost and damage reduction to an ally, making it ideal for supercharging aggressive tanks like Reinhardt or damage-dealers like Genji and Reaper. Timing and coordination are key to maximizing the impact of this ultimate.

Ana’s biggest challenge is her lack of mobility, which makes her vulnerable to dive heroes and flankers like Tracer, Genji, and Sombra. Staying aware of your surroundings and positioning yourself with clear sightlines while avoiding overexposure is critical to surviving and supporting your team effectively.

In ranked matches, Ana’s ability to heal, disrupt, and enable her team makes her a top-tier support for players with strong aim and game sense. When played well, she is an invaluable asset to any team composition.

#8: Kiriko

Kiriko is a versatile support hero in Overwatch 2, offering a mix of healing, mobility, and burst utility that makes her a strong choice for ranked play. Her unique kit allows her to adapt to various team compositions while providing the necessary tools to keep teammates alive and counter enemy threats.

Kiriko’s Healing Ofuda is her primary ability, throwing talismans that home in on allies to heal them. While her healing output isn’t the highest in the support category, her ability to reach teammates quickly ensures consistent support during chaotic fights. Her Kunai, on the other hand, deals sharp headshot damage, making Kiriko a threat even as a support. Skilled players who master headshots can significantly contribute to their team’s damage output.

One of Kiriko’s standout features is her Swift Step, a teleport ability that allows her to quickly reposition by phasing to an ally’s side, even through walls. This mobility tool makes her incredibly difficult to pin down and allows her to escape dive threats like Winston or Genji while staying close enough to heal teammates.

Kiriko’s Protection Suzu is a game-changer in Overwatch 2. This throwable ability removes debuffs, such as Ana’s Biotic Grenade or Junker Queen’s Wound, while briefly making teammates invulnerable. A well-timed Suzu can save allies from certain death, making it one of the most impactful utility abilities in the game.

Her Kitsune Rush ultimate enhances the movement speed, attack speed, and cooldown reduction of teammates within its path. This ultimate can turn the tide of fights, enabling powerful pushes and overwhelming the enemy team during critical moments.

Kiriko’s flexibility allows her to fit into almost any team composition, making her a go-to pick for ranked matches. She shines particularly in dive or hybrid comps, where her mobility and utility can be fully utilized. However, her effectiveness depends on strong game sense and precise timing, as her abilities require good decision-making to maximize their impact.

In ranked play, Kiriko is a high-skill, high-reward support hero who can make clutch plays, save teammates, and amplify team momentum, making her an excellent choice for players looking to climb.

#7: Lúcio

Lúcio is a staple support hero in Overwatch 2, offering unmatched mobility and team utility that makes him a cornerstone for ranked play. His ability to speed up his team or provide steady healing creates opportunities for fast-paced strategies and clutch saves, making him a favorite in competitive matches.

Lúcio’s Crossfade allows him to toggle between two auras: one that heals allies and another that increases their movement speed. While his healing output is modest, his speed boost is invaluable for initiating fights, rotating quickly, or disengaging from dangerous situations. Skilled players use this ability to control the tempo of the match, ensuring their team is always a step ahead.

His Amp It Up ability takes his aura to the next level, significantly increasing the effectiveness of his healing or speed boost for a short period. This ability is crucial for moments like pushing through chokepoints, surviving intense enemy pressure, or closing the distance on vulnerable targets.

Lúcio’s Soundwave, often referred to as “boop,” is a versatile knockback ability that can disrupt enemy positioning or even secure environmental eliminations. A well-placed Soundwave can push enemies off ledges, separate key targets from their team, or cancel dangerous ultimates like Cassidy’s High Noon or Moira’s Coalescence.

His Wall Ride gives him unparalleled mobility, allowing him to skate along walls and reach high ground effortlessly. In the hands of an experienced player, this ability makes Lúcio incredibly difficult to hit, enabling him to harass enemies, contest objectives, or escape danger with ease.

Lúcio’s Sound Barrier ultimate provides a massive temporary shield to all nearby teammates, making it one of the strongest defensive tools in the game. It can counter devastating enemy ultimates like Zarya’s Graviton Surge, Junkrat’s RIP-Tire, or Genji’s Dragonblade, ensuring his team’s survival in critical moments.

In ranked play, Lúcio thrives in compositions that benefit from speed and mobility, such as dive or rush setups. His ability to adapt between healing and speed makes him a flexible choice for various team strategies. However, his effectiveness heavily relies on strong positioning, game awareness, and precise timing.

Lúcio’s unique kit rewards proactive play and quick decision-making, making him an excellent choice for players who want to elevate their team’s coordination and dominate the competitive ladder.

#6: Tracer

Tracer is one of Overwatch 2’s most iconic and versatile damage heroes, known for her speed, agility, and ability to harass the enemy team relentlessly. In ranked play, she shines as a flanking specialist who can create chaos, eliminate key targets, and disrupt the enemy backline with unmatched mobility.

Her Pulse Pistols deal rapid-fire damage at close range, making her lethal in one-on-one engagements. While her damage output is high, she relies on precision and positioning to maximize her effectiveness. Skilled Tracer players know when to dive into the action and when to retreat to avoid unnecessary deaths.

Tracer’s Blink ability is what defines her playstyle. With three charges of instant teleportation, she can zip around the battlefield, making her a nightmare to pin down. Blink allows her to dodge incoming fire, close gaps on squishy targets, and escape dangerous situations with ease. Mastering Blink’s timing and direction is crucial for effective Tracer gameplay.

Recall is her safety net, enabling her to rewind time and return to a previous position while restoring her health and ammo. This ability allows Tracer to take aggressive risks, knowing she can quickly reset if things go south. Recall can also confuse enemies who attempt to focus her, giving her the upper hand in fights.

Tracer’s ultimate, Pulse Bomb, is a high-risk, high-reward ability. This sticky explosive deals massive damage in a small radius, capable of instantly eliminating squishy targets or turning the tide of a team fight when stuck on a clustered group of enemies. Effective use of Pulse Bomb often requires careful tracking of enemy cooldowns and positioning.

Tracer excels in dive compositions, where she can pair with heroes like Winston or D.Va to overwhelm the enemy backline. Her ability to assassinate supports like Zenyatta, Ana, or Kiriko makes her a valuable asset in dismantling the opposing team’s sustain. However, she struggles against heroes with high crowd control or burst damage, such as Cassidy or Torbjörn.

In ranked play, Tracer thrives in the hands of players who are mechanically skilled and have strong game sense. Understanding map layouts, enemy cooldowns, and positioning is key to leveraging her kit effectively. While she has a steep learning curve, her potential to carry games is unmatched when played correctly.

With her incredible mobility and high-pressure playstyle, Tracer is a fantastic choice for players looking to make a significant impact in competitive matches.

#5: D.Va

D.Va is a tank hero in Overwatch 2 who excels at disrupting enemy setups, peeling for her teammates, and applying consistent pressure. Her versatility and mobility make her an excellent pick for ranked matches, where flexibility and adaptability are crucial.

D.Va’s primary weapon, the Fusion Cannons, are close-range automatic cannons that deal steady damage without needing to reload. While they are most effective up close, their infinite ammo allows D.Va to maintain constant pressure on enemies, especially against squishy backline heroes or enemy shields.

Her Boosters ability sets her apart from other tanks. This allows D.Va to fly for a short duration, enabling her to engage enemies, chase down fleeing opponents, or escape dangerous situations. Boosters are also a great tool for knocking enemies out of position, such as disrupting snipers or displacing enemies off high ground.

D.Va’s Defense Matrix is her signature defensive tool. This ability allows her to absorb incoming projectiles, including ultimates like Pharah’s Barrage or Cassidy’s High Noon, protecting her team in critical moments. Effective use of Defense Matrix requires sharp timing and good awareness of enemy abilities, making it one of the most impactful tools in her kit.

Her Micro Missiles add burst damage to her arsenal, making her even more threatening in close-range combat. These missiles are perfect for finishing off low-health enemies or adding extra damage during skirmishes. When combined with her Fusion Cannons, they can quickly overwhelm targets.

D.Va’s ultimate ability, Self-Destruct, can be game-changing when used strategically. She ejects from her mech, which then explodes after a short delay, dealing massive damage in a wide radius. A well-placed Self-Destruct can clear an objective, turn the tide of a team fight, or force enemies out of advantageous positions. Combining it with Boosters allows her to launch the mech into unexpected areas, catching opponents off guard.

In ranked play, D.Va thrives in dive compositions and on maps with verticality, where her mobility allows her to contest high ground and disrupt enemy snipers or supports. She pairs well with heroes like Winston, Genji, or Tracer, creating chaos and splitting enemy focus.

D.Va also shines as a peel tank, capable of protecting her backline from flankers like Reaper or Tracer. Her ability to switch between aggression and defense makes her a valuable asset in any team composition.

To maximize D.Va’s potential, players need to master her resource management, particularly with Defense Matrix, and learn to time her abilities for maximum impact. With her unique combination of mobility, damage output, and defense, D.Va is an excellent pick for players who want to take control of the battlefield and lead their team to victory in competitive matches.

#4: Orisa

Orisa is a formidable tank hero in Overwatch 2, known for her resilience and ability to anchor her team effectively. With a reimagined kit in Overwatch 2, Orisa has transitioned into a highly aggressive frontline tank, perfect for disrupting enemy formations and absorbing damage while enabling her team to push objectives.

Orisa’s primary weapon, the Augmented Fusion Driver, is an energy-based projectile weapon with infinite ammo, allowing her to provide consistent damage without worrying about reloading. Its high rate of fire makes it effective at applying pressure to enemies, breaking shields, and controlling chokepoints.

Her Energy Javelin is a powerful ability that serves multiple purposes. When thrown, it deals burst damage, stuns enemies briefly, and knocks them back. If the javelin pins an enemy against a wall, it deals bonus damage and extends the stun duration. This ability is excellent for interrupting key enemy abilities or punishing overextended opponents.

Fortify, Orisa’s signature defensive ability, increases her survivability by granting her damage reduction and making her immune to crowd control effects like stuns or knockbacks. Fortify is a versatile tool, allowing Orisa to withstand high damage during pushes, hold her ground on objectives, or escape unfavorable situations.

Orisa’s Javelin Spin adds an element of mobility and crowd control to her kit. When activated, she spins her energy javelin in front of her, destroying projectiles, pushing enemies back, and increasing her movement speed. This ability is perfect for closing the gap on enemies, creating space for her team, or retreating under pressure.

Her ultimate, Terra Surge, is a devastating area-of-effect ability. Orisa channels energy, pulling nearby enemies into a central point while charging a powerful surge. The longer it’s charged, the more damage it deals when unleashed. Terra Surge is excellent for initiating fights, securing kills on grouped enemies, or zoning opponents off objectives.

Orisa’s playstyle revolves around aggression and disruption. She excels at leading her team’s push, bullying enemies out of advantageous positions, and holding objectives with her durability. Her ability to clear choke points and contest high-impact areas makes her a reliable choice in ranked play.

Orisa pairs well with aggressive damage heroes like Reaper, Soldier: 76, or Bastion, who can capitalize on the space she creates. She also synergizes with supports like Ana or Baptiste, who can amplify her survivability and enable her to play more aggressively.

To succeed as Orisa, players need to balance offense and defense effectively, knowing when to push forward and when to use her abilities to protect the team. Her strong presence in both solo queue and team compositions makes Orisa a top-tier pick for ranked matches, providing a solid foundation for her team to build around.

#3: Sojourn

Sojourn has quickly risen to prominence in Overwatch 2 as one of the most versatile and deadly damage heroes. Her unique mix of precision firepower, mobility, and area-of-effect utility makes her a dominant force in ranked matches, capable of carrying games with the right player behind the controls.

Sojourn’s Railgun is her primary weapon and the core of her kit. It fires rapid projectiles that generate energy, which can be used to charge her secondary fire: a high-impact energy beam. This beam deals significant damage, especially on headshots, allowing Sojourn to delete squishy heroes like supports or damage dealers with well-placed shots. Mastering the Railgun’s charge-and-shoot mechanics is essential for unlocking her full potential.

Her Disruptor Shot adds crowd control and area denial to her arsenal. This ability launches an energy projectile that creates a slowing field and damages enemies caught within it. It’s excellent for controlling chokepoints, punishing grouped enemies, or forcing opponents out of cover, making it easier to land Railgun shots.

Sojourn’s mobility is another standout feature. Power Slide allows her to quickly reposition or escape dangerous situations. By crouching during the slide, she can convert it into a high jump, enabling her to reach high ground or surprise enemies from unexpected angles. This makes her a highly mobile threat who can contest key positions or escape when pressured.

Her ultimate, Overclock, supercharges her Railgun, giving her unlimited energy for a short duration and auto-charging her secondary fire. This transforms her into a lethal sniper capable of delivering devastating damage with charged shots. Overclock is especially powerful in team fights, as Sojourn can pick off multiple enemies in quick succession.

Sojourn’s playstyle rewards mechanical skill and game sense. Landing her charged Railgun shots consistently separates great Sojourn players from the rest, as these shots are crucial for securing eliminations. Positioning is equally important; taking advantage of her mobility and high-ground access allows her to maintain an advantageous vantage point while staying out of harm’s way.

Sojourn synergizes well with heroes who can provide crowd control or additional burst damage, such as Zarya or Cassidy, as they can help set up easy targets for her charged shots. Supports like Kiriko or Baptiste can also amplify her effectiveness by keeping her alive during aggressive plays and enhancing her damage output.

To succeed as Sojourn, players must focus on building charge with their primary fire, taking advantage of her mobility to stay elusive, and capitalizing on opportunities to unleash high-damage charged shots. Her ability to dominate duels, control space, and burst down enemies makes her a top-tier damage pick in ranked play, especially for players with strong aim and quick reflexes.

#2: Sombra

Sombra is a highly disruptive hero in Overwatch 2, excelling at breaking enemy strategies and isolating targets with her versatile toolkit. Her Hack ability disables enemy skills and reveals their location, making her particularly effective against heroes like Wrecking Ball or Roadhog by neutralizing their mobility or defenses. Paired with her Stealth, which allows her to infiltrate backlines undetected, Sombra becomes a formidable flanker capable of harassing supports and securing eliminations. Her Translocator ensures quick escapes or repositioning, enabling her to take calculated risks without jeopardizing her survival. Sombra’s ultimate, EMP, is game-changing, disabling barriers and shields while dealing percentage-based damage to shield health—perfect for breaking defensive setups and setting up team eliminations. To maximize her potential, focus on prioritizing key targets like healers, using Stealth to gather intel, and timing your hacks strategically to disrupt critical enemy abilities. Sombra thrives in coordinated teams, especially when paired with dive heroes like Winston or Genji or with setups like Zarya’s Graviton Surge to amplify the impact of her EMP. While she excels at creating chaos and controlling engagements, she struggles against grouped enemies or area-control heroes like Torbjörn. Overall, Sombra’s utility, mobility, and game sense requirements make her a top-tier pick for players looking to outsmart opponents and turn the tide of ranked matches.

#1: Genji

Genji is a high-skill, high-reward hero in Overwatch 2, making him one of the most impactful picks for ranked play when mastered. His exceptional mobility through Cyber-Agility and Swift Strike allows him to dart across the battlefield, dive into backlines, and eliminate key targets like squishy supports or damage dealers with surgical precision. Genji’s Deflect not only provides a strong defensive tool to block incoming damage but can also be used offensively to reflect enemy projectiles back at them, turning the tables in clutch moments. His Shuriken attacks offer versatility, with precise single-target damage or spread shots for close-range skirmishes. What truly sets Genji apart, however, is his ultimate, Dragonblade, which can devastate an entire team when combined with strong support ultimates like Ana’s Nano Boost or Kiriko’s Kitsune Rush. Genji thrives in coordinated team setups and excels at diving with heroes like Winston or D.Va, but he also shines in chaotic solo queue matches where his ability to isolate and quickly eliminate enemies can carry fights. To maximize Genji’s effectiveness, players must master his mobility to stay unpredictable, manage cooldowns wisely to maintain survivability, and time Dragonblade for maximum impact, targeting grouped enemies or isolated healers. While Genji can struggle against heroes like Moira or Torbjörn who counter his close-range playstyle, his ability to adapt and capitalize on enemy mistakes makes him a must-pick for players aiming to dominate the ranked ladder.

Conclusion

In Overwatch 2, mastering the right heroes can make all the difference when climbing the ranked ladder. Each hero on this list brings unique abilities and strategies that cater to different playstyles, from the supportive versatility of Kiriko and Ana to the high-octane damage of Sojourn and Genji. Whether you prefer holding the frontline with Orisa or D.Va, providing game-changing support with Zenyatta or Lucio, or wreaking havoc in the enemy backline as Tracer or Sombra, these heroes are proven powerhouses in competitive play. Success in ranked Overwatch 2 isn’t just about individual skill—it’s about understanding team dynamics, making smart hero picks, and adapting to the game’s ever-changing meta. By focusing on these top-tier characters, you’ll have the tools needed to lead your team to victory and climb the competitive ranks.