Overwatch 2: Junkrat Guide

Junkrat is one of the most reliable sources of explosive damage in Overwatch 2. Known for his ability to consistently dominate the damage charts, Junkrat thrives in chaotic battles where his area-denial and high-damage output shine. With the game’s evolving meta leaning more toward deathmatch-style skirmishes, Junkrat’s relentless barrage of grenades becomes an even more vital asset to any team.

While some may critique Junkrat for dealing high damage without always securing kills, a skilled player can easily turn his potential into devastating eliminations. Mastering Junkrat means not only topping damage charts but also leading in kills by making smart use of his explosive arsenal and positioning. In this guide, we’ll explore how to maximize Junkrat’s potential, dominate the battlefield, and contribute to your team’s success. Let’s dive in!

Junkrat Overview

Junkrat is a Damage hero in Overwatch 2 who excels at disrupting enemy positioning and dealing massive area damage. His chaotic playstyle makes him a constant threat in battles, capable of controlling space, breaking shields, and punishing tightly grouped enemies.

Junkrat’s kit revolves around his Frag Launcher, a grenade-firing weapon that deals explosive damage, and his abilities that provide zone control and high burst potential. He’s particularly effective in choke points and confined spaces, where his grenades can wreak havoc on clustered opponents.

Junkrat’s Abilities:

• Frag Launcher (Primary Weapon)
Fires bouncing grenades that detonate either on impact with enemies or after a short delay. These grenades deal significant splash damage and are ideal for spamming into crowded areas or around corners.
• Concussion Mine (Active Ability)
A throwable explosive that can be detonated remotely to damage enemies or propel Junkrat to high ground. It’s a versatile tool for mobility, area denial, and securing eliminations.
• Steel Trap (Active Ability)
A deployable trap that immobilizes and damages the first enemy who steps on it. Perfect for securing choke points, surprising flankers, or setting up combos.
• Total Mayhem (Passive Ability)
Upon death, Junkrat drops a cluster of grenades that detonate after a short delay, punishing enemies who get too close.
• RIP-Tire (Ultimate Ability)
A remote-controlled explosive tire that can climb walls and detonate to deal massive area damage. With careful positioning, it can wipe out entire enemy teams or force them to scatter.

Junkrat’s playstyle is all about creating chaos. His high-damage output and disruptive abilities make him a nightmare for static teams or those who rely heavily on shields. However, his lack of direct accuracy and vulnerability in open spaces require careful positioning and awareness to maximize his effectiveness.

How to Play as Junkrat in Overwatch 2

Junkrat is all about chaos and consistent damage output, making him a menace in any match. Mastering Junkrat means understanding how to utilize his abilities to control space, punish grouped-up enemies, and secure kills while keeping yourself safe. Here’s a detailed guide to maximize your impact as Junkrat.

Prioritize Constant Damage Output

As Junkrat, you should always be firing grenades from your Frag Launcher. Whether you’re spamming choke points, launching grenades around corners, or applying pressure on enemy shields, your goal is to keep enemies constantly dodging your attacks. Aim for areas where enemies are likely to congregate, such as objective points or narrow passages, to maximize splash damage.

Junkrat’s primary fire is excellent for softening up targets, forcing enemy supports to waste resources healing their team. Once supports are preoccupied, your team gains the upper hand in engagements. While Junkrat’s grenades may not always secure direct eliminations, they wear down enemies and disrupt their positioning, setting up your teammates for kills.

Leverage Concussion Mine for Versatility

The Concussion Mine is one of Junkrat’s most versatile tools. Use it to:
• Mobility: Propel yourself to high ground or escape dangerous situations. Getting above your enemies allows you to rain down grenades effectively and stay out of harm’s way.
• Burst Damage: Detonate the mine near enemies to deal significant damage, especially to squishy heroes. Combine it with your grenades for lethal combos.
• Zone Control: Throw a mine into crowded areas or choke points to force enemies to scatter or take cover, disrupting their advance.

Master Steel Trap Placement

The Steel Trap is a fantastic tool for zoning and crowd control. It’s best used defensively to protect yourself or your team. Place the trap in strategic locations:
• Behind you, to catch flankers or diving heroes like Genji or Tracer.
• Near objectives or choke points, where enemies are likely to walk through.
• To combo with Concussion Mine for a quick burst of damage on trapped enemies.

Remember, the Steel Trap is as much about controlling enemy movement as it is about dealing damage. Enemies who see your trap will avoid that area, giving you an advantage in controlling space.

Take the High Ground

Junkrat excels at spamming grenades from above, where they can arc down and explode in tight clusters. Use your Concussion Mine to launch yourself onto rooftops or elevated positions before fights begin. From there, you can lob grenades with a clear line of sight on enemies without exposing yourself to direct fire.

Use RIP-Tire Strategically

Junkrat’s RIP-Tire is one of the most impactful ultimates in Overwatch 2, capable of turning the tide of a match when used correctly. While it can wipe out entire teams in ideal conditions, its real value lies in securing critical eliminations:
• Target Supports: Prioritize healers like Ana, Kiriko, or Baptiste. Eliminating them destabilizes the enemy team, making it easier for your team to clean up the remaining heroes.
• Zone Control: Even if the tire doesn’t eliminate anyone, it forces enemies to scatter, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

Launch the tire from a safe position and navigate it through cover to avoid enemy fire. Be mindful of enemy ultimates or abilities like Cassidy’s Magnetic Grenade that can destroy the tire prematurely.

Smart Positioning and Survival

While Junkrat thrives in chaotic environments, he’s vulnerable to snipers and long-range heroes like Widowmaker or Hanzo. Stay unpredictable with your movement and use your Concussion Mine to escape danger when necessary. If an enemy flanker gets close, retreat to a pre-placed Steel Trap and use your mine to create distance or finish them off.

Key Tips for Success

• Always be proactive: Junkrat is most effective when he’s constantly applying pressure. Don’t wait for the perfect shot; keep firing to disrupt and damage the enemy team.
• Think ahead: Plan your movements and trap placements based on the flow of the match. Anticipate where enemies will go and set up ambushes accordingly.
• Communicate with your team: Coordinate with your Tank and Support heroes to maintain control of the battlefield. Junkrat’s area damage works best when the enemy is forced into tight spaces.

By mastering Junkrat’s chaotic playstyle, you can dominate matches with consistent damage, smart positioning, and well-timed ultimates. With practice, Junkrat becomes not only a source of annoyance for enemies but also a game-changing hero who can carry matches with explosive precision.

Conclusion

Junkrat is a high-damage, highly disruptive hero in Overwatch 2 who thrives on chaos and precision. His ability to deal significant area damage, control space with his explosive traps, and disrupt enemy lines makes him a formidable force when played strategically. To succeed with Junkrat, it’s crucial to master the art of positioning, trap placement, and effective use of his ultimate, Rip-Tire, to secure key eliminations. While his fragility and lack of mobility can leave you vulnerable, playing to Junkrat’s strengths and learning how to capitalize on his disruptive potential will make you a valuable asset to your team. Practice these tips, and you’ll be sending enemies into disarray while climbing the ranks.