10 Best Overwatch 2 Ultimate Abilities

In Overwatch 2, ultimate abilities can be the turning point in any battle. These powerful moves can change the outcome of a fight, whether they’re used to attack, defend, or combine with other abilities to wipe out the enemy team. Some ultimates are simply better than others when it comes to impact and versatility.

That said, it’s important to stick to heroes you’re comfortable with. Even the strongest ultimate won’t save the day if you’re not confident with the hero. But when you’re looking for a game-changing play or need a hero swap to counter the enemy team, knowing the best ultimates can help. Let’s take a look at the top ultimate abilities in Overwatch 2!

#10: Death Blossom

Reaper’s ultimate, Death Blossom, has long been a fan favorite for its devastating damage output and simplicity. Its effectiveness lies in its wide area of effect and rapid execution, making it one of the easiest ultimates to pull off successfully. The key to maximizing its potential is catching your enemies off guard, turning the element of surprise into a deadly weapon.

When timed right, Death Blossom can clear an entire area and, with some coordination or luck, even wipe out the enemy team. However, Reaper is vulnerable during the animation, which makes him an easy target for crowd control, shields, or damage mitigation abilities. Enemies like Zenyatta, with Transcendence, can also nullify the attack completely.

The good news for Reaper players in Overwatch 2 is that with the reduction to a single tank, it’s now harder for the enemy team to counter Death Blossom effectively, making it an even more reliable choice in the right situations.

#9: Deadeye

Cole Cassidy’s ultimate, Deadeye, is one of the most straightforward yet potentially game-changing abilities in Overwatch 2. Offering the chance for instant eliminations, it can quickly turn the tide of battle if executed with precision and good positioning. The key to using Deadeye effectively is timing and surprise—catching enemies off guard can allow you to take out multiple targets in one fell swoop.

While Deadeye excels at picking off grouped enemies, it’s also a reliable counter to aerial threats like Pharah and Mercy. Even if you don’t have time to secure eliminations, the ability’s damage output can still severely weaken your foes, setting them up for your team to finish off.

That said, Cassidy is highly vulnerable while channeling Deadeye, so you’ll need to be cautious of shields, crowd control, and enemy focus fire. It’s also worth remembering that shields or barriers can block your shots entirely, potentially nullifying your impact.

For those moments when you don’t have time to fully commit, Deadeye offers a neat trick: activating and immediately canceling it will reload your gun. When combined with Cassidy’s combat roll, which also reloads, you can unleash a rapid volley of up to 18 bullets, giving you a surprising burst of firepower in a pinch.

#8: Amplification Matrix

Baptiste’s Amplification Matrix is a game-changer that significantly boosts both healing and damage, making it a crucial tool for shifting the momentum of a match. When projectiles pass through the matrix, their effectiveness doubles—healing becomes more impactful, and damage output skyrockets. This applies to all projectile-based allies, though heroes who rely on melee or beam attacks (sorry, Reinhardt and Zarya) won’t benefit.

The key to using Amplification Matrix effectively lies in its positioning. Since the matrix is stationary, it requires careful placement to ensure your team can fully utilize its benefits while staying safe from enemy attacks. Well-timed use can help your team push through choke points, secure objectives, or hold critical defensive positions.

One of the matrix’s most potent applications is pairing it with high-damage ultimates like Soldier 76’s Tactical Visor. The increased damage output makes it even easier for Soldier to mow down enemies, turning the duo into a devastating force.

While it does have limitations due to its immobility, a strategically placed Amplification Matrix can turn a stalemate into a decisive advantage, making it a valuable asset in Baptiste’s toolkit.

#7: Blizzard

With Mei’s primary attack no longer freezing enemies and the reduction or removal of many stun abilities in Overwatch 2, her ultimate, Blizzard, stands out as a powerful crowd-control tool. Covering a wide area, Blizzard freezes any enemy who stays within its icy radius. While it’s possible for enemies to escape, doing so often requires either specific mobility abilities (which not everyone has) or incredibly fast reflexes to avoid being slowed and frozen.

The freeze effect can completely disrupt the enemy team’s plans, halting area-of-effect abilities like Kitsune Rush or forcing opponents out of defensive positions. It also creates a perfect setup for your team to capitalize on the immobilized foes. Hard-to-land abilities like Hanzo’s Dragonstrike or Tracer’s Pulse Bomb become significantly easier to execute when enemies are locked in place.

Blizzard’s ability to zone enemies, delay pushes, or set up kills makes it an essential ultimate for controlling key moments in a match. Proper timing and placement can turn the tide of battle, leaving enemies out in the cold.

#6: Nano Boost

Ana’s Nano Boost is a straightforward yet highly impactful ultimate. By temporarily empowering an ally, she turns them into a formidable force, increasing their damage output and making them more resistant to incoming attacks. This ability shines particularly well when paired with Tanks, amplifying their already high durability and turning them into near-unstoppable juggernauts.

The real magic of Nano Boost, however, lies in its synergy with other ultimates. When timed correctly, boosting a DPS hero like Reaper, Cassidy, Soldier 76, or Genji while they activate their ultimate can completely turn the tide of a fight. It’s the ultimate setup for a team wipe, making communication with your boosted ally essential to maximize its potential.

Whether you’re bolstering a frontline push or supercharging a teammate’s ultimate for a decisive moment, Nano Boost is a versatile tool that can carry a match when used strategically.

#5: Graviton Surge

Zarya’s Graviton Surge is a game-changing ultimate that thrives on teamwork. While it deals minimal damage on its own, the real power lies in its ability to pull all nearby enemies into a single spot. This includes disabling key movement abilities like Fade or Wraith Form, making it one of the most effective crowd-control tools in the game.

The utility of Graviton Surge is unmatched when paired with high-damage area ultimates. Follow it up with a Dragonstrike, Pulse Bomb, or Death Blossom, and you’re looking at a devastating team wipe. Even without a major ultimate to pair with, coordinated fire from your team can capitalize on the grouped-up enemies for a significant impact.

However, there’s a trade-off: trapped enemies can still attack. Position yourself wisely and ensure your team is ready to strike quickly to maximize its potential and avoid unnecessary casualties. Used strategically, Graviton Surge can shift the momentum of an entire match in your favor.

#4: Sound Barrier

Sometimes, simplicity is the key to brilliance, and Lucio’s Sound Barrier is a perfect example. This ultimate provides an enormous burst of temporary health to your entire team, making it one of the most reliable tools for both aggressive pushes and clutch saves.

Whether you’re initiating a team fight or trying to survive a deadly enemy assault, the extra health granted by Sound Barrier can turn the tide. Many ultimates that would otherwise result in instant eliminations, like Deadeye or Overclock, can be neutralized by the shield, giving your team the breathing room it needs to stay in the fight.

While the effect is temporary, its impact is undeniable. Use it strategically—either to bolster your team during a critical engagement or to cover a retreat when things go south. The ability to nullify incoming damage and create opportunities for survival makes Sound Barrier an indispensable part of any well-rounded team.

#3: EMP

Sombra’s EMP remains one of the most disruptive ultimates in Overwatch 2, even after changes to how hacking impacts abilities. While the duration of ability disruption has been reduced, it’s still effective for briefly interrupting enemy actions—potentially shutting down other ultimates if your timing is sharp.

What truly makes EMP devastating, however, is its additional effects. It strips 40% of the current health of all affected enemies, removes barriers, and neutralizes shields in its radius. This cripples enemy defenses, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Combine this with Sombra’s increased damage against hacked targets, and you have a recipe for chaos and quick eliminations.

When used strategically, EMP can shift the momentum of a match. Whether it’s opening up a team fight by weakening enemy health pools or countering defensive setups, this ultimate ensures Sombra stays a constant thorn in the enemy’s side.

#2: Transcendence

Zenyatta’s Transcendence is one of the most impactful defensive ultimates in Overwatch 2, capable of countering a wide range of enemy ultimates and turning the tide of battle. With its immense healing output, it can neutralize the damage from abilities like Blizzard or Graviton Surge, and render devastating ultimates such as Dragonstrike, Dragonblade, and Death Blossom nearly ineffective.

However, while Transcendence rapidly restores health to allies within its range, it doesn’t grant true invincibility. Instant-kill abilities like D.Va’s Self-Destruct or Tracer’s Pulse Bomb can still wipe out teammates if they’re caught in the blast. On the bright side, Zenyatta himself becomes immune to damage during Transcendence, allowing him to act as a living shield for teammates. With smart positioning, he can even absorb critical shots from ultimates like Deadeye.

One major caveat to keep in mind is that anti-healing effects, such as Ana’s Biotic Grenade, can completely negate Transcendence’s healing. To maximize its effectiveness, ensure you’re aware of enemy abilities that could counter it and time your activation strategically to make the most of this game-changing ultimate.

#1: Kitsune Rush

Kiriko’s Kitsune Rush is one of the most powerful ultimates in Overwatch 2, transforming your entire team into a force to be reckoned with. This ability provides a massive boost to movement speed, attack speed, and reload times for all allies within its path, making even typically defensive or support characters frighteningly aggressive.

The versatility of Kitsune Rush makes it a standout ultimate, as it can amplify nearly any hero’s effectiveness. Characters with sustained damage output, such as Reinhardt or Genji with Dragonblade, thrive under its effects, delivering relentless attacks with almost no downtime. The result is a fast-paced, high-pressure team push that can easily overwhelm the enemy.

Countering Kitsune Rush is tricky, as the effects cannot be directly negated. The best approach is to spread out, reduce the number of allies Kiriko can buff, and use crowd control or ultimates that can disrupt or stall the team’s momentum. However, even with solid counterplay, the sheer intensity and tempo it creates make Kitsune Rush an ultimate that’s hard to beat.

Conclusion

Overwatch 2’s ultimate abilities are more than just flashy finishing moves; they are strategic tools that can turn the tide of a match when used effectively. From devastating damage-dealers like Kitsune Rush and Death Blossom to game-changing support ultimates like Transcendence and Sound Barrier, each ultimate has the potential to influence the battlefield in unique and impactful ways.

Mastering when and how to deploy these abilities is key to maximizing their effectiveness. Whether you’re securing kills, supporting teammates, or countering enemy plays, understanding the strengths and nuances of each ultimate can elevate your gameplay to new heights. No matter which hero you choose, their ultimate is a reflection of their role and power, and knowing how to use it strategically will make you a more valuable asset to your team.