10 Best Overwatch 2 Heroes To Counter Illari

Illari is a powerful support hero in Overwatch 2, known for her long-range healing, high burst damage, and her ability to provide sustained healing with her Healing Pylon. With her Solar Rifle, she can deal significant damage while still supporting her team, and her Captive Sun ultimate can apply explosive debuffs to multiple enemies. However, Illari struggles against heroes who can disrupt her positioning, destroy her Healing Pylon, and pressure her before she can deal damage or heal effectively.

In this article, we’ll go over the 10 best heroes to counter Illari, focusing on those who can dive her, shut down her healing, and prevent her from getting value in fights.

#10: Junkrat

Junkrat is a strong counter to Illari because his explosive damage can easily destroy her Healing Pylon and force her out of position. Since Illari relies on placing her Healing Pylon in safe spots to keep her team sustained, Junkrat’s Frag Launcher can lob grenades into hidden areas, quickly eliminating the pylon without needing direct line of sight.

His Steel Trap is particularly effective, as it can catch Illari if she tries to escape or reposition, leaving her vulnerable to follow-up damage. If Illari plays from high ground, Junkrat’s grenades can still pressure her and force her to relocate, making it harder for her to heal effectively.

Additionally, RIP-Tire is a great tool to burst down Illari, as she lacks strong escape tools to avoid the explosion. Since Illari struggles against heroes who can pressure her from unpredictable angles and destroy her Pylon, Junkrat’s explosive spam, traps, and burst damage make him a strong counter to shut her down.

#9: Reaper

Reaper is a strong counter to Illari because his close-range burst damage makes it easy to eliminate her before she can react. Since Illari relies on positioning and long-range engagements, Reaper can flank her and force her into a fight where she struggles to survive.

His Shadow Step allows him to teleport behind Illari, catching her off guard and preventing her from effectively using her Solar Rifle. If she tries to retreat or reposition, Reaper’s high burst damage ensures she won’t escape easily.

Additionally, Reaper’s Wraith Form makes him immune to Illari’s Captive Sun Ultimate, allowing him to survive her most dangerous ability and continue pressuring her. Since Illari struggles against heroes who can quickly close the gap and burst her down, Reaper’s mobility, sustain, and close-range lethality make him a strong counter to shut her down.

#8: Widowmaker

Widowmaker is a strong counter to Illari because her long-range precision allows her to eliminate Illari before she can react. Since Illari relies on positioning and long-range engagements, Widowmaker can outrange her and take her down with a single headshot before Illari can contribute to the fight.

Her hitscan damage gives her a major advantage, as Illari’s Solar Rifle has a travel time, making Widowmaker’s shots far more consistent in a sniper duel. If Illari tries to take cover or reposition, Widowmaker’s Grappling Hook allows her to relocate and maintain a superior vantage point.

Additionally, Infra-Sight (Ultimate) gives her team full vision of Illari’s location, preventing her from safely setting up or healing her teammates. Since Illari struggles against heroes who can kill her before she gets value, Widowmaker’s range, one-shot potential, and mobility make her a strong counter to shut her down quickly.

#7: Echo

Echo is a strong counter to Illari because her mobility and burst damage allow her to pressure Illari from angles where she can’t easily fight back. Since Illari relies on positioning and long-range engagements, Echo’s Flight ability lets her approach from unexpected angles, making it difficult for Illari to land shots.

Her Sticky Bombs and Focusing Beam are especially effective against Illari, as they quickly burst her down before she can escape. If Illari tries to retreat or reposition, Echo can chase her with Flight, keeping up the pressure and forcing her into bad positions.

Additionally, Echo can Duplicate a tank hero, overwhelming Illari’s team and preventing her from healing effectively. Since Illari struggles against mobile heroes who can pressure her from above and burst her down before she can respond, Echo’s agility, burst damage, and ability to control fights make her a strong counter to shut her down.

#6: Pharah

Pharah is a strong counter to Illari because her aerial mobility allows her to attack from angles where Illari struggles to fight back. Since Illari relies on precise aim with her Solar Rifle, Pharah’s ability to stay airborne makes it much harder for Illari to land consistent shots.

Her Rocket Launcher deals high splash damage, making it easy to destroy Illari’s Healing Pylon, forcing her team to play without its sustain. If Illari tries to position herself on high ground, Pharah’s Concussive Blast can knock her out of position, making her an easier target.

Additionally, Pharah’s Barrage can quickly eliminate Illari, as she lacks strong mobility or defensive abilities to escape once she’s caught. Since Illari struggles against heroes who can attack her from above and deny her healing output, Pharah’s aerial advantage, explosive damage, and ability to control high ground make her a strong counter to shut her down.

#5: Winston

Winston is a strong counter to Illari because his mobility allows him to dive her quickly, denying her positioning and making it difficult for her to land precise shots. Since Illari relies on long-range engagements and positioning, Winston’s Jump Pack lets him bypass her sightlines and force her into close-quarters combat, where she is much weaker.

His Tesla Cannon ignores aim-dependent mechanics, meaning he can damage Illari even if she tries to dodge or take cover. Additionally, Tesla Cannon also damages her Healing Pylon, helping to eliminate her main source of sustain.

If Illari tries to escape or reposition, Winston can chase her down with another Jump Pack, keeping up the pressure and preventing her from healing effectively. His Barrier Projector can block her Solar Rifle shots, forcing her to either retreat or waste time repositioning.

Since Illari struggles against heroes who can dive her and disrupt her healing, Winston’s mobility, sustained damage, and ability to pressure her backline make him a strong counter to shut her down.

#4: Tracer

Tracer is a strong counter to Illari because her high mobility and close-range burst damage make it difficult for Illari to land shots or escape. Since Illari relies on precise aim and positioning, Tracer’s fast movement and unpredictable Blink patterns allow her to avoid Illari’s Solar Rifle shots while getting in close for quick eliminations.

Her Recall ability is especially effective, as it lets her reset the fight if she takes damage from Illari, making it hard for Illari to secure a kill. Even if Illari tries to reposition or use cover, Tracer’s speed allows her to chase Illari down and pressure her relentlessly.

Additionally, Pulse Bomb is an excellent tool to burst Illari down instantly, especially since she has no mobility cooldowns to quickly escape the explosion. Since Illari struggles against heroes who can dodge her shots and pressure her up close, Tracer’s speed, evasiveness, and ability to harass her make her a strong counter to shut her down efficiently.

#3: Genji

Genji is a strong counter to Illari because his mobility, Deflect, and close-range burst damage make it difficult for her to fight back effectively. Since Illari relies on precise aim and positioning, Genji’s agility allows him to dodge her Solar Rifle shots and quickly close the gap, where she is at a major disadvantage.

His Deflect ability is particularly powerful, as it can reflect Illari’s charged Solar Rifle shots back at her, potentially eliminating her with her own damage. If Illari tries to escape or reposition, Genji can chase her down using Swift Strike, keeping her under constant pressure.

Additionally, Dragonblade is a direct counter to Illari in close-range fights, as she lacks defensive abilities or high burst potential in melee combat. Since Illari struggles against highly mobile heroes who can get in her face and avoid her shots, Genji’s speed, Deflect, and close-range lethality make him one of the strongest counters to shut her down.

#2: D.Va

D.Va is a strong counter to Illari because her Defense Matrix can completely negate Illari’s Solar Rifle damage, Healing Pylon output, and even her Captive Sun ultimate. Since Illari relies on her precise shots and healing utility, D.Va can dive her and shut down her effectiveness before she can contribute to fights.

Her Boosters allow her to quickly engage Illari, forcing her into close-range combat, where she is much weaker. Even if Illari tries to reposition or take high ground, D.Va can chase her down and apply pressure with her Fusion Cannons, which deal continuous damage without needing precise aim.

Additionally, D.Va’s Micro Missiles can quickly destroy Illari’s Healing Pylon, cutting off her sustain and making it easier to take down her team. Since Illari struggles against dive tanks who can nullify her damage and healing, D.Va’s mobility, Defense Matrix, and ability to disrupt her positioning make her one of the best counters to shut her down.

#1: Sombra

Sombra is the best counter to Illari because her Hack ability completely disables Illari’s healing and offensive capabilities, making her an easy target. Since Illari relies on her Healing Pylon for sustain and precise shots to deal damage, a well-timed Hack prevents her from using both, leaving her helpless against follow-up attacks.

Her Stealth allows her to flank Illari undetected, catching her off guard before she can react. If Illari tries to reposition or escape, Sombra can Hack her again, preventing her from using her abilities and making her an easy elimination.

Additionally, EMP is devastating against Illari, as it instantly destroys her Healing Pylon and disables her abilities, shutting down her healing output and leaving her entire team vulnerable. Since Illari struggles against heroes who can disable her abilities and prevent her from providing healing, Sombra’s hacking, flanking, and ability to shut down her entire kit make her the strongest counter in Overwatch 2.

Conclusion

Illari’s long-range damage, sustained healing, and powerful ultimate make her a strong support, but the right counters can shut down her Healing Pylon, pressure her positioning, and prevent her from getting value. Sombra and D.Va are the best at disabling her abilities and nullifying her healing, while Genji and Tracer can harass her with speed and burst damage before she can react. Winston and Reaper dive her backline, forcing her into close-range fights where she struggles, while Pharah and Echo attack from the air, making it hard for her to land shots. Widowmaker can eliminate her from a distance before she contributes to the fight, and Junkrat can easily destroy her Healing Pylon and deny her safe positioning. If Illari is dominating your matches, these 10 heroes are the best picks to counter her, break her healing cycle, and prevent her from controlling fights in Overwatch 2.