Gamers and enthusiasts of the acclaimed multiplayer first-person shooter, Overwatch, revel in the strategic use of ultimates that can turn the tide of a battle within seconds. These ultimate abilities are not only powerful but also iconic, defining the playstyles and tactics of each hero. In this curated list, we probe into the top 10 most remarkable ultimates in Overwatch history, exploring their impact, tactical advantages, and sheer thrill they bring to the game. Join us as we unravel the most iconic ultimates that have left players in awe, offered game-changing moments, and secured victory in the heat of combat.
Earthshatter – Reinhardt
High impact stun
While many ultimates in Overwatch are flashy displays of firepower or agility, Reinhardt’s Earthshatter is a game-changer that focuses on control and disruption. You’ll find that the ability to stun and knock down enemies in a cone-shaped area in front of Reinhardt is particularly impactful in team fights, as it can completely disrupt the enemy team’s positioning and momentum.
Combo initiation
You’ll often see skilled Reinhardt players using Earthshatter to set up devastating combos with their teammates. By stunning multiple enemies at once, you’ll create opportunities for your team to follow up with coordinated attacks and secure key eliminations.
A well-timed Earthshatter can stop an enemy push dead in its tracks, allowing your team to capitalize on the moment and turn the tide of the battle in your favor. It is crucial to communicate with your team when using Earthshatter to ensure that everyone is ready to follow up on the stunned enemies.
Dragonblade – Genji
Swift melee strikes
Even among the iconic ultimates in Overwatch, Genji’s Dragonblade stands out as a game-changer. When activated, Genji unsheathes his katana and gains increased mobility and attack speed, allowing him to deliver swift melee strikes to devastate his enemies.
High skill ceiling
Dragonblade showcases Genji’s incredible agility and precision, making it one of the most challenging ultimates to master in the game. The key to maximizing Dragonblade’s effectiveness lies in the player’s ability to predict enemy movements and position themselves strategically to deliver lethal blows.
For instance, a skilled Genji player can swiftly eliminate key targets such as enemy healers or damage dealers during Dragonblade, turning the tide of a team fight in their favor. However, mastering the ultimate requires hours of practice and keen game sense to make the most of its potential.
Graviton Surge – Zarya
Crowd control excellence
Some ultimates in Overwatch are known for their ability to control the battlefield, and Zarya’s Graviton Surge is a prime example. With this ultimate ability, Zarya launches a gravity bomb that draws in enemies within its range, immobilizing them for a short duration. This powerful crowd control tool can turn the tide of a match in an instant, allowing Zarya’s team to follow up with devastating attacks.
Ultimate combos
There’s a reason why Zarya’s Graviton Surge is a cornerstone in many ultimate combos in Overwatch. When combined with other powerful ultimates like Dragonstrike from Hanzo or Rocket Barrage from Pharah, the results can be game-changing. To execute these combos successfully, coordination and timing are key, as each ultimate must be timed perfectly to maximize their impact.
To capitalize on the potential of Zarya’s Graviton Surge, you can communicate with your team to set up the perfect combo. Keeping track of your teammates’ ultimates and coordinating your attacks can ensure that the enemy team has no chance to retaliate when caught in the Graviton Surge.
Pulse Bomb – Tracer
Precision explosive damage
Now, Tracer’s ultimate ability, Pulse Bomb, is a powerful tool for delivering precision explosive damage. This ability allows Tracer to throw a bomb that sticks to any surface or enemy it touches, exploding after a short delay.
Backline disruption
Pulse Bomb is also extremely effective for backline disruption. Tracer can use her exceptional mobility to swiftly flank the enemy team and target key support heroes or damage dealers. When the bomb detonates, it deals a significant amount of damage in a small radius, often eliminating squishy targets or forcing them to retreat.
It’s crucial for Tracer players to communicate with their team to maximize the impact of Pulse Bomb. Timing is key when using this ultimate, as catching multiple enemies within the blast radius can quickly turn the tide of a team fight. Tracer’s ability to quickly charge her ultimate also allows for frequent opportunities to apply pressure on the enemy team.
Death Blossom – Reaper
Devastating area attack
All enemies halt in fear as Reaper unleashes his Death Blossom. This ultimate ability creates a whirlwind of destruction around him, dealing massive damage to all foes within range. The sheer power and speed of this ability make it one of the most feared ultimates in Overwatch.
Close-quarters dominance
Any enemy caught in Reaper’s path during Death Blossom faces certain doom. In close-quarter combat situations, Reaper solidifies his role as a lethal assassin with unparalleled efficiency. His ability to turn the tide of battle within seconds is unmatched.
With Death Blossom, Reaper can tear through enemy defenses and secure key objectives with ease. The ability to instill fear in opponents and create chaos on the battlefield makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Tactical Visor – Soldier: 76
Auto-aimed shots
To harness the power of Soldier: 76’s Tactical Visor ultimate ability is to unleash a barrage of auto-aimed shots upon your enemies. When activated, Soldier: 76’s targeting system locks onto foes within his line of sight, allowing him to fire with pinpoint accuracy without the need to manually aim his shots. This feature makes it an effective tool for quickly dispatching high-priority targets or clearing out clustered enemies.
Consistent damage output
To maximize the potential of Soldier: 76’s Tactical Visor, players can rely on its consistent damage output to turn the tide of battle. The ability to deliver a constant stream of bullets at a rapid pace ensures that enemies are continually taking damage, putting pressure on them to retreat or face elimination. This can be particularly effective against tanks or grouped-up enemies who are harder to take down individually.
Damage: With the Tactical Visor, Soldier: 76 can deal substantial damage to multiple targets in a short amount of time, making it a valuable asset in team fights or breaking through enemy defenses. By focusing on prioritizing key threats and making the most of the Visor’s auto-aim capabilities, players can significantly impact the outcome of a match.
Rocket Barrage – Pharah
Aerial barrage assault
For Pharah, unleashing her ultimate ability, Rocket Barrage, is a breathtaking display of power. As she takes to the skies, she rains down a series of explosive rockets on her enemies below, causing devastation and chaos in her wake. The sheer force of this aerial assault can turn the tide of a battle in an instant, making Pharah a force to be reckoned with.
Vulnerability while casting
Even though Rocket Barrage is a formidable ultimate, Pharah becomes extremely vulnerable while casting it. Stationary in the air and focused on her targets, she is an easy target for enemy snipers and hitscan heroes. This moment of intense focus leaves her open to attacks, and a well-timed counter can quickly bring her down.
Rocket Barrage can single-handedly wipe out several enemy heroes at once, turning the tide of a match in her team’s favor. However, it’s crucial for Pharah players to choose their timing wisely and position themselves carefully to maximize the impact of this ultimate ability.
Blizzard – Mei
Area denial prowess
Not many ultimates in Overwatch can match the sheer defensive power of Mei’s ultimate ability, Blizzard. When activated, Mei launches a weather-modification drone that generates an intense area-of-effect snowstorm. Enemies caught in the blizzard are slowed down, making it difficult for them to escape its icy grip. This ultimate is instrumental for controlling choke points, halting enemy advances, and disrupting enemy formations.
Crowd control tool
On the battlefield, Mei’s Blizzard also serves as a powerful crowd control tool. The slow effect it imposes on enemies can create chaos among the opposing team, allowing Mei and her allies to pick off stragglers and gain a significant advantage. The ability to immobilize multiple enemies at once is crucial in team fights and can turn the tide of battle in favor of Mei’s team.
It’s important for Mei players to strategically position themselves to maximize the impact of Blizzard, ensuring that the most enemies are caught in its icy radius. Successful utilization of this ultimate can pave the way for a decisive team victory.
Transcendence – Zenyatta
Zenyatta’s ultimate ability, Transcendence, allows him to enter a state of heightened existence, becoming immune to damage while rapidly healing himself and nearby allies. This iconic ultimate ability not only provides critical healing to sustain his team but also makes Zenyatta nearly invincible for a short duration.
Healing over time
Unlike other support ultimates in Overwatch, Transcendence provides a constant stream of healing over time rather than a burst heal. You can rely on this ultimate to sustain your team through heavy incoming damage or area of effect abilities, buying precious time for your allies to regroup and push back against the enemy.
Ultimate negation
For Zenyatta, Transcendence can also be used defensively to negate powerful enemy ultimates such as Dragonstrike, Graviton Surge, or Tactical Visor. You can save your team from being wiped out by activating Transcendence at the right moment, nullifying the impact of these deadly abilities and turning the tide of the battle in your favor.
Primal Rage – Winston
Disruptive Tank Ability
Once again, Winston’s ultimate ability, Primal Rage, proves to be a game-changer in the chaos of battle. Activating this ability transforms Winston into a raging beast, increasing his health and allowing him to disrupt enemy lines with devastating melee attacks.
Health Boost Advantage
One of the key advantages of Winston’s Primal Rage is the significant health boost it provides. This boost not only allows Winston to sustain longer in battle but also makes him a formidable threat to enemy squishy targets.
For instance, Winston’s health pool is doubled during Primal Rage, making him incredibly hard to take down. This allows him to dive deep into enemy territory, disrupt backlines, and create chaos among the opposing team.
Conclusion
With these considerations, it is clear that the Ultimates in Overwatch play a critical role in determining the outcome of a match. These powerful abilities not only showcase the diverse range of heroes in the game but also require strategic planning and precise execution to be truly effective. Whether it’s Reinhardt’s Earthshatter or Zarya’s Graviton Surge, each Ultimate has its own unique impact on the battlefield, making them iconic in the Overwatch community. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these Ultimates is key to mastering the game and becoming a competitive player.
