Discover the Updated Tier List for Overwatch's Mid Season Meta
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Tank Meta
2.1 Sigma: The Powerhouse of Poke
2.2 Zarya and Orisa: The Strong Attrition Tanks
2.3 Roadhog: Surprisingly Moving Up
2.4 Arisa and Reinhardt: Best in Class
2.5 Wrecking Ball: A New Contender
- The DPS Meta
3.1 Sojourn, Ash, and Hanzo: Dominating High Elo
3.2 The Impact of Tanks on DPS Meta
3.3 Maps Influence on DPS Picks
3.4 Mei, Bastion, Sombra, Symmetra, and Widowmaker: The Meta Picks
3.5 Torbjorn and Reaper: Low ELO Powerhouses
- The Support Meta
4.1 Zenyatta: Nerfed But Still Strong
4.2 Ana: Necessary Against Malga
4.3 Moira: The God of Low ELO
4.4 Lucio, Baptiste, and Brigitte: Still Strong but with Nerfs
4.5 Mercy: The Most Severely Nerfed
- Conclusion
The Midseason Patch Meta: A Comprehensive Analysis
Introduction
The midseason patch has brought a plethora of nerfs to tanks, DPS, and especially supports in the world of Overwatch. As a result, the power levels of various heroes have fluctuated. In this article, we will break down everything You need to know about the midseason patch meta.
The Tank Meta
2.1 Sigma: The Powerhouse of Poke
Sigma has established himself as one of the strongest characters in the Current game meta. Both poke and brawl compositions reign supreme, with poke being the easiest to run in ranked play. Sigma shines in poke compositions as he can deal damage from range, slowly build up a powerful ultimate, and sustain himself and his team with his abilities. His distance in engagements allows him to be less affected by powerful support cooldowns like Ana's biotic grenade compared to other tanks. Sigma's dominance is particularly evident on long-distance maps like Circuit Royale and Havana, though he is seeing substantial play across various maps as well.
2.2 Zarya and Orisa: The Strong Attrition Tanks
Zarya and Orisa Continue to remain at the top as strong attrition tanks, making up the majority of the brawl meta. While brawl compositions may not be as strong or powerful as poke, they still hold their ground on maps with closer sightlines where tanks can easily get into their effective range. Zarya's recent buffs in the reduction of movement speed penalty while using her primary fire and increased speed of micro missiles have further solidified her position in the S tier, especially in high ground-oriented maps. On the other HAND, Roadhog has surprisingly moved up from the F tier to the C tier. Despite still being the weakest tank, the nerfs to Ana's biotic grenade have allowed Roadhog to see some more play, although he remains far from being a staple in the meta.
2.3 Arisa and Reinhardt: Best in Class
Arisa and Reinhardt continue to be the best tanks in their respective classes. Arisa is exceptional at denying enemy tanks, forcing them to play more passively and limiting their impact. She is relatively easy to play and can Create a state of parity where the enemy tank cannot make aggressive plays. Reinhardt, on the other hand, is a great character for potentially carrying in low ELO. While he may struggle against characters like Arisa, aggressive Reinhardt play can often overwhelm the enemy team. His shatter remains one of the most impactful ultimates in the game, especially in lower ELO matches where multi-shatters are easier to execute.
2.4 Wrecking Ball: A New Contender
BlizzCon revealed Wrecking Ball as a new addition to the tank meta. Although he hasn't officially released yet, it is worth mentioning him in this tier list. Wrecking Ball is a hybrid poke and brawl tank, known for his wild sustain and great poking capabilities. However, there are a few reasons that may weaken his placement in the meta at large. Firstly, he is still vulnerable to Ana's biotic grenade, making him an easy target. Secondly, his large hitbox and lack of armor require significant pocketing to keep him alive. It is expected that this character will undergo tweaking before his full release. For now, he would likely be placed in the very low B tier, but it remains too early to determine his exact position.
The DPS Meta
3.1 Sojourn, Ash, and Hanzo: Dominating High Elo
In the DPS meta, Sojourn, Ash, and Hanzo have emerged as dominant forces at high ELO. These heroes offer comparable power in both poke and brawl compositions, making them incredibly versatile picks. Personal preference plays a significant role in choosing between these three characters.
3.2 The Impact of Tanks on DPS Meta
The DPS meta is heavily influenced by the selection of tanks. The dominance of poke and brawl compositions has led to a stronger dive composition, primarily due to nerfs to various support heroes. However, dive compositions are still not as powerful as poke and brawl compositions overall. Certain maps with high ground or mobility-centric elements favor characters like Soldier or Genji, as well as dive compositions as a whole. It is crucial to understand that the meta is influenced by the interaction between tanks and DPS, making map-centric strategies and compositions more effective in specific situations.
3.3 Maps Influence on DPS Picks
Maps play a crucial role in determining which DPS characters are strong picks. Certain maps with high ground or specific characteristics enhance the power of characters like Soldier or Genji. Additionally, dive compositions become more viable on these maps due to increased mobility being key to success. The meta, therefore, varies depending on the maps being played, with compositions and strategies uniquely tailored to each map.
3.4 Mei, Bastion, Sombra, Symmetra, and Widowmaker: The Meta Picks
In the current DPS meta, Mei, Bastion, Sombra, Symmetra, and Widowmaker are considered the prominent picks. Mei has received some slight nerfs but remains a strong character, specifically in brawl and poke compositions. Bastion's cooldown and spread nerfs have made him slightly weaker but still a formidable choice, particularly against characters like Zarya. Sombra's slight buff to her ult charge hasn't significantly changed her viability; she remains best suited for dive compositions and specific maps. Symmetra's shield nerf affects her survivability, especially in a brawl meta, but she still offers value in close-range engagements. Although Widowmaker's ult change and close-range non-scoped reliability haven't affected her meta viability, she still falls behind other sniper options due to her inconsistent one-shot potential.
3.5 Torbjorn and Reaper: Low ELO Powerhouses
For players in low ELO, Torbjorn and Reaper are still highly recommended picks. Torbjorn boasts a high win rate and requires less mechanical skill while providing significant value, particularly against divers. Reaper, on the other hand, punishes tanks that overestimate their invincibility. With his extra health, Reaper becomes even more survivable against characters that deal sustained damage over time. These characters have proven to be extremely effective in climbing ranks independently.
The Support Meta
4.1 Zenyatta: Nerfed But Still Strong
Zenyatta has suffered significant nerfs to both his Harmony and Discord abilities. However, he has been compensated with an extra 25 HP, which is monumental for a character who was previously quite fragile. Despite the nerfs, Zenyatta remains a strong hero and holds his ground in the current meta.
4.2 Ana: Necessary Against Malga
Ana received a slight nerf to her biotic grenade cooldown but still stands as one of the strongest characters in the game. With the forthcoming addition of Malga, Ana becomes even more essential due to her ability to shut him down. Her versatility across different compositions makes her a necessity.
4.3 Moira: The God of Low ELO
Moira continues to dominate low ELO matches. Her strength lies in her ability to aggressively play and punish opponents with inconsistent aim. With her skill set, Moira can bait out cooldowns and secure kills independently, making her an excellent choice for climbing the ranks.
4.4 Lucio, Baptiste, and Brigitte: Still Strong but with Nerfs
Lucio, Baptiste, and Brigitte have all undergone nerfs but remain strong support choices in the current meta. Lucio's changes are minimal and hardly affect his viability. Baptiste, although hit with a significant nerf, still performs well in poke and brawl compositions. Brigitte's nerfs have made her weaker, especially in a brawl meta, but she can still provide value with her abilities. However, players must be cautious when using Brigitte against dive compositions, as she becomes an easy target.
4.5 Mercy: The Most Severely Nerfed
Mercy has been severely nerfed across the board, making her weaker and less consistent. Despite the nerfs, she remains a powerful character, albeit with reduced reliability. Her previous strength keeps her in the upper tiers of support heroes, but players must understand that she is no longer as dominant. It is crucial not to disregard her outright, as she can still have a significant impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the midseason patch has brought about significant changes to the tank, DPS, and support metas in Overwatch. Sigma, Zarya, Orisa, and Reinhardt continue to excel in their respective roles, while Wrecking Ball awaits his official release. Sojourn, Ash, and Hanzo dominate the DPS meta, with the impact of tanks and maps shaping their effectiveness. Zenyatta, Ana, and Moira remain strong supports despite the nerfs, while Lucio, Baptiste, Brigitte, and Mercy have been affected to varying degrees. Understanding the current meta is crucial in maximizing effectiveness and achieving success in Overwatch.
Highlights:
- The midseason patch has brought significant changes to tanks, DPS, and support metas.
- Sigma shines as a powerhouse in poke compositions, while Zarya and Orisa dominate the brawl meta.
- Wrecking Ball shows promise in the tank meta, but further tweaks may be required for optimal balance.
- Sojourn, Ash, and Hanzo stand out as versatile picks in the DPS meta, influenced by tank choices and maps.
- Torbjorn and Reaper remain strong choices for low ELO.
- Zenyatta, Ana, and Moira maintain their strength despite nerfs, while Lucio, Baptiste, Brigitte, and Mercy have been affected to varying degrees.
FAQ:
Q: Which tank is the most versatile in the current meta?
A: Sigma is considered the most versatile tank in the current meta, especially in poke compositions.
Q: Which DPS hero is the most dominant at high ELO?
A: Sojourn, Ash, and Hanzo are the most dominant DPS heroes at high ELO, offering comparable power in both poke and brawl compositions.
Q: Which support hero is recommended for low ELO?
A: Moira is highly recommended for low ELO matches due to her independent playstyle and ability to punish opponents.
Q: What are the notable nerfs in the support meta?
A: Zenyatta, Ana, and Mercy have all received nerfs, with Mercy being the most heavily affected.
Q: How important are maps in determining the effectiveness of DPS heroes?
A: Maps play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of DPS heroes, with certain maps favoring specific heroes or compositions.