Overwatch 2: Tracer Guide

Overwatch 2 offers a wide variety of heroes, and Tracer remains one of the most iconic and effective options. With her incredible speed and agility, Tracer is perfect for players who love to stay on the move and keep their enemies guessing.

Mobility is crucial in Overwatch 2, as staying in one spot for too long can make you an easy target. Tracer’s abilities make her a standout choice for zipping around the battlefield, surprising enemies, and avoiding danger. If you’re ready to learn how to make the most of Tracer’s kit, this guide will help you get started.

Tracer Overview

Tracer’s Role in Overwatch 2

In Overwatch 2, teams consist of three distinct roles: Damage, Support, and Tank. The standard team composition usually includes one Tank, two Damage, and two Support Heroes, though Open Queue modes offer flexibility in team roles. Tracer belongs to the Damage role, and her primary objective is to eliminate key targets, especially enemy Supports and Damage Heroes.

With her exceptional speed and agility, Tracer is unmatched when it comes to infiltrating enemy backlines. Her ability to constantly reposition and surprise opponents makes her a powerful disruptor, capable of dismantling the enemy’s strategy when played effectively.

Tracer’s Abilities

Every Hero in Overwatch 2 has a unique set of abilities, categorized into weapons, active skills, passives, and an Ultimate. Tracer’s abilities revolve around her unparalleled mobility, making her one of the most agile and elusive characters in the game. Here’s a breakdown of her abilities:

Pulse Pistols
• Type: Weapon
• Description:
Tracer wields dual pistols that fire simultaneously. These weapons use hit-scan mechanics, meaning they instantly hit the target without considering projectile travel time. While they deal significant damage at close range, their effectiveness diminishes at longer distances.

Blink
• Type: Active Ability
• Description:
Tracer can dash in the direction she’s moving, with up to three dashes stored at a time. The number of available dashes is displayed in the center of your screen with upward-pointing arrows.
It’s crucial to note that Tracer blinks in the direction of movement rather than where you’re aiming. This might feel tricky at first but becomes second nature with practice.

Recall
• Type: Active Ability
• Description:
Tracer rewinds time for herself, returning to the location, health, and ammo she had a few seconds earlier. This ability is ideal for escaping dangerous situations or undoing a mistake, offering a second chance in fast-paced encounters.

Pulse Bomb
• Type: Ultimate Ability
• Description:
Tracer throws a sticky bomb that attaches to surfaces or enemies, exploding after a short delay and dealing devastating damage. The Pulse Bomb can one-shot most squishy heroes if it sticks to them.
However, be cautious—Tracer can take damage from her own bomb. Once thrown, quickly blink or recall out of harm’s way. The bomb has limited range, so make sure to position yourself carefully before activating it.

Tracer’s abilities make her a fast and lethal Hero, perfect for players who love high-speed combat and outmaneuvering their enemies. Mastering her kit requires practice, but the payoff is immense, as she becomes an unstoppable force when utilized correctly.

How to Play Tracer in Overwatch 2

Tracer’s speed and mobility make her one of the most exhilarating heroes in Overwatch 2, but her high skill ceiling can leave first-time players disoriented. Getting the hang of her playstyle requires practice, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking. Here are some tips to help you master Tracer and become a nightmare for your enemies:

Maximize Your Close-Range Damage

Tracer thrives at close range, where her Pulse Pistols deal significant damage. At longer distances, her effectiveness drops drastically. Her pistols suffer from heavy damage fall-off and increased spread, making it nearly pointless to attack enemies from afar unless they’re already extremely low on health.

If you shoot from a distance, not only will your damage output be negligible, but you’ll also give away your position, allowing enemies to prepare for your approach. Instead, use her Blink ability to quickly close the gap and get up close for maximum impact. Always prioritize flanking and targeting squishy backline heroes like Supports and Damage dealers.

Stay Unpredictable

Confusion is Tracer’s greatest weapon. With her Blinks and Recall, she can rapidly change her position, making it difficult for enemies to keep track of her. Use your mobility to dart around the battlefield, constantly shifting locations to throw off opponents’ aim and disrupt their focus.

However, don’t rely solely on her mobility for offense. Tracer’s damage per magazine is relatively low, and her fast rate of fire means you’ll often need to reload mid-fight. Use your Blinks strategically to dodge incoming fire and position yourself for better angles rather than recklessly engaging enemies.

Know When to Pursue or Retreat

It’s tempting to chase down low-health enemies, but doing so can often backfire. Before committing to a pursuit, assess the battlefield. If the enemy team is nearby, following a retreating opponent could leave you vulnerable to an ambush.

Instead, consider letting a low-health target escape and re-engaging later when it’s safer. However, if the fleeing enemy is a high-priority target, such as a key Support or Damage hero carrying their team, it may be worth the risk to finish them off.

Master the Recall Ability

Tracer’s Recall is a powerful tool that resets her position, health, and ammo to where they were a few seconds earlier. This ability isn’t just for escaping; it can also be used creatively:
1. Recover from Mistakes: If you overextend into the enemy backline, use Recall to retreat to safety and avoid being overwhelmed.
2. Save Yourself: Recall can prevent accidental eliminations, such as falling off the map or being knocked off by Lucio’s Soundwave.
3. Ultimate Synergy: Combine Recall with her Pulse Bomb. Stick the bomb on an enemy, then Recall to safety while they deal with the explosive aftermath.

Mastering when and how to use Recall can dramatically improve your survivability and effectiveness in fights.

Watch Out for Counters

While Tracer is highly mobile, she has some clear weaknesses and counters. Be cautious when facing the following heroes:
• Pharah: Her ability to fly high makes her nearly impossible for Tracer to damage effectively, while her rockets can easily eliminate you.
• Moira: Her biotic grasp can heal herself while damaging you, neutralizing your hit-and-run tactics.
• Mercy: Her ability to quickly fly to teammates allows her to escape your attacks and reposition with ease.
• Heroes with Pushbacks or Teleports: Characters like Lucio or Reaper can easily escape or disrupt your positioning, making it hard to finish them off.

How to use Tracer Pulse Bomb Ultimate

Tracer’s Pulse Bomb can be devastating when used correctly. This sticky explosive deals massive damage and can eliminate squishy heroes in an instant. To use it effectively:
1. Use Blinks to quickly close the gap to your target.
2. Stick the bomb directly onto an enemy, prioritizing key heroes like Supports or high-damage DPS.
3. Immediately Blink or Recall away to avoid being caught in the blast radius.

The Pulse Bomb’s limited range requires precise positioning and timing, but it can single-handedly turn the tide of a fight when executed well.

Conclusion

Tracer is one of the most iconic heroes in Overwatch 2, combining lightning-fast mobility with high-pressure tactics that can devastate the enemy backline. While her low health and steep learning curve can make her challenging for beginners, mastering her abilities offers immense rewards. By leveraging her Blinks, Recall, and close-range firepower, you can disrupt enemy strategies, eliminate high-priority targets, and secure key objectives for your team. With practice and patience, Tracer can become an unstoppable force in your hands, turning the tide of battles and making her one of the most thrilling heroes to play. Keep practicing, stay unpredictable, and don’t be afraid to make bold plays – because Tracer shines brightest when she’s zipping circles around her foes.