Overwatch 2

DPS Tier List: Best Damage Heroes to Play (October 2022)

Overwatch 2 - Damage Tier List
This Overwatch 2 tier list shows the best DPS Heroes to play in the current Competitive meta. Read on for a complete list of all Damage Heroes rated from S-Tier to C-Tier!

Overwatch 2 Damage Tier List

Best Damage Heroes

S Rank Icon
Overwatch 2 - Ashe Overwatch 2 - Genji Overwatch 2 - Sojourn Overwatch 2 - Sombra
A Rank Icon
Overwatch 2 - Soldier: 76 Overwatch 2 - Bastion Overwatch 2 - Cassidy Overwatch 2 - Hanzo Overwatch 2 - Mei Overwatch 2 - Pharah Overwatch 2 - Reaper Overwatch 2 - Tracer
B Rank Icon
Overwatch 2 - Echo Overwatch 2 - Junkrat Overwatch 2 - Widowmaker
C Rank Icon
Overwatch 2 - Symmetra Overwatch 2 - Torbjörn

Criteria Explanation
Damage Output One of our central factors for this tier list is the overall damage output of each Damage Hero. Given that they are the primary damage dealers of each team, Damage Heroes with higher DPS and damage potential with their abilities are ranked higher in this tier list.
Skill Synergy Another major factor we considered for this tier list is each Damage Hero's skill synergies. Damage Heroes with strong combos and well-rounded sets of skills take a higher spot on the list.
Team Utility We also considered what each Damage Hero provides for their team in addition to their damage output. Having abilities with an area-of-effect, crowd control, area denial, healing, and other useful effects play a part in our Damage Hero rankings.
Ease of Use Heroes with simple yet effective playstyles can focus less on properly landing their shots and skills and more on contributing to their team and winning the game. Because of this, Damage Heroes with straightforward game plans and easy-to-use abilities are rated higher in this tier list.

These four factors were considered in the context of Competitive 5v5 Play.

Do you agree or disagree with our tier list?
Let us know why in the comments!

Ashe and Sojourn Are Top Frontline Heroes

Ashe and Sojourn are our picks for the top frontlining Damage Heroes as they shine in midrange combat situations, strike a good balance between ease of use and damage output, and also offer area-of-effect damage and area denial for their team with their secondary abilities.

Genji and Sombra Are Top Flanking Heroes

Genji and Sombra are our picks for the top flanking Damage Heroes as they both have great mobility, strong skill synergy, and high damage potential. These characteristics make them great for picking off foes in the backline and pulling off pincer strategies with their teammates.

Which DPS Is Your Favorite?

Ashe 284
Votes
Bastion 240
Votes
Cassidy 250
Votes
Echo 219
Votes
Genji 341
Votes
Hanzo 277
Votes
Junkrat 237
Votes
Mei 261
Votes
Pharah 234
Votes
Reaper 273
Votes
Sojourn 244
Votes
Soldier: 76 223
Votes
Sombra 240
Votes
Symmetra 146
Votes
Torbjorn 168
Votes
Tracer 312
Votes
Widowmaker 289
Votes

This poll will run until November 6, when we will determine the most popular Damage Heroes for the first half of Overwatch 2 Season 1!

Damage Tier List Explanations

S-Tier

Hero Abilities Passives
Overwatch 2 - AsheAshe
Coach GunCoach Gun
DynamiteDynamite
B.O.B.B.O.B.
Role: DamageRole: Damage
High DPS Midrange Marksman
Ashe is a Damage Hero that excels in midrange firefights with her well-rounded set of skills and is currently one of the strongest Damage Heroes in the game. Her Viper rifle headshots and Dynamite explosions can quickly burst enemies down, and even her body shots deal a respectable amount of damage. In addition, Ashe's Coachgun gives her a way to quickly disengage from tough situations, letting her survive and continue her offense at a distance.

Combine these skills with her versatile ultimate B.O.B, a crowd control ability that turns into a distracting turret, and it's not hard to see why Ashe takes one of the top spots on our tier list.
Overwatch 2 - GenjiGenji
DeflectDeflect
Swift StrikeSwift Strike
DragonbladeDragonblade
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Cyber-AgilityCyber-Agility
Highly Evasive Lethal Flanker
Compared to other Damage Heroes, Genji's combination of Swift Strike and Cyber-Agility make him incredibly evasive and mobile, allowing him to shine as one of the strongest flanking Damage Heroes in the game. To take advantage of his mobility, Genji packs Shuriken, which deal high-damage critical hits, and Reflect, which allows him to return most damaging projectiles back at his foes.

To round out his lethality, Genji's ultimate Dragonblade can easily wipe out an unaware team due to its massive damage and synergy with Swift Strike cooldown resets. All of these characteristics combined make Genji one of the best Damage heroes to currently play in the game.
Overwatch 2 - SojournSojourn
Power SlidePower Slide
Disruptor ShotDisruptor Shot
OverclockOverclock
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Well-Rounded with One-Shot Potential
Sojourn's balanced high-damage kit currently makes her one of the strongest frontline Damage Heroes in the game. Her Railgun is extremely versatile, acting as both an easy-to-use automatic rifle and a high-damage energy cannon that kills most non-Tank Heroes with a fully charged headshot. She also has a Disruptor Shot, which snares enemies and deals high damage over time in a small area, giving her area-of-effect and area-denial capabilities.

Couple these skills with her versatile Power Slide and Overclock ultimate that empowers her charged Railgun shots, and Sojourn shows that she's a strong, well-rounded Damage Hero that deserves one of the top spots on our tier list.
Overwatch 2 - SombraSombra
HackHack
StealthStealth
TranslocatorTranslocator
EMPEMP
Role: DamageRole: Damage
OpportunistOpportunist
Disruptive Flanker with Powerful Ultimate
Sombra's unique Stealth and Hack skills make her an extremely effective and disruptive flanker and currently one of the best Damage Heroes to play. These two skills combined allow her to slip behind enemy lines and temporarily prevent them from using their abilities, making her great for picking off key backline targets. In addition, her ultimate EMP inflicts Hack and deals high percentage-based damage to all nearby enemies and barriers, allowing Sombra to work well even in larger-scale team fights.

With her Translocator improving her mobility and Opportunist giving her and her team information about low-health enemies, Sombra proves herself as a top tier Damage Hero in the current meta.

A-Tier

Hero Abilities Passives
Overwatch 2 - Soldier: 76Soldier: 76
Helix RocketsHelix Rockets
Biotic FieldBiotic Field
SprintSprint
Tactical VisorTactical Visor
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Jack of All Trades, Master of None
Soldier: 76 is a Damage Hero that can fulfill frontline and flanking roles due to his simple but well-rounded set of skills. His Heavy Pulse Rifle deals a respectable amount of damage at most ranges, and his Helix Rockets work great for bursting targets down. In addition, Soldier: 76's versatile Sprint and healing Biotic Field provide him with a good amount of survivability. His ultimate Tactical Visor allows him to easily deal with mobile targets and push towards key objectives.

Although he has a balanced kit and no significant downsides, Soldier: 76's lack of special abilities and unique strengths are what hold him back from being a top-tier Damage Hero.
Overwatch 2 - BastionBastion
A-36 Tactical GrenadeA-36 Tactical Grenade
ReconfigureReconfigure
Configuration: ArtilleryConfiguration: Artillery
Role: DamageRole: Damage
IroncladIronclad
Versatile DPS with Limited Mobility
Bastion is a slow but tanky Damage Hero with a unique set of damaging abilities. Configuration: Recon allows it to stay mobile with an accurate hitscan rifle, while Configuration: Assault turns it into a slow, sturdy tank with a high DPS rapid-fire chain gun. It also has an A-36 Tactical Grenade that works well for close-range burst damage and boosting jumps toward vantage points. Its ultimate, Configuration: Artillery launches high-damage artillery shells from above that quickly deal with grouped-up foes.

Despite its versatile kit and tankiness with Ironclad, Bastion's low mobility and large frame make it an easy target for most other Heroes in the game. Its low mobility also means that Bastion has a hard time escaping difficult situations and chasing down its targets.
Overwatch 2 - CassidyCassidy
Magnetic GrenadeMagnetic Grenade
Combat RollCombat Roll
DeadeyeDeadeye
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Strong DPS with High Skill Ceiling
Cassidy is a hard-hitting Damage Hero that excels in midrange 1-on-1 firefights. His Peacekeeper revolver lands accurate hitscan shots, making him great for dealing with mobile and aerial targets. It synergizes well with his Combat Roll, which makes him evade while fully reloading his revolver. He also boasts a short-ranged Magnetic Grenade that further boosts his burst damage. Cassidy's ultimate Deadeye rounds out his lethal kit, giving him a way to instantly take down numerous enemies at once.

Cassidy's primary weakness is his lack of survivability outside his Combat Roll, making it difficult for him to stay alive in dangerous situations. In addition, his Peacekeeper's slow rate of fire and low round count make missing shots quite punishing compared to other Damage Heroes.
Overwatch 2 - HanzoHanzo
Storm ArrowsStorm Arrows
Sonic ArrowSonic Arrow
LungeLunge
DragonstrikeDragonstrike
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Wall ClimbWall Climb
Medium-Range Sniper with Offensive Utility
Hanzo is a Damage Hero that snipes targets from midrange with his Storm Bow while providing enemy locations with his Sonic Arrow. Each of his shots can be charged, dealing significant damage on body shots and often lethal damage on headshots. For close-ranged situations, Hanzo can use his Storm Arrows to rapidly shoot down nearby targets. His ultimate Dragonstrike excels in dealing with grouped-up foes and area denial.

Hanzo's main issues are his lack of in-combat mobility options outside of his short-ranged Lunge and his difficulty in shooting down far and mobile targets due to the drop and charge speed of his arrows.
Overwatch 2 - MeiMei
Cryo-FreezeCryo-Freeze
Ice WallIce Wall
BlizzardBlizzard
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Versatile Duelist with Low Mobility
Mei is a close-ranged Damage Hero who shines in 1-on-1 duels while having a unique spread of abilities. Her Endothermic Blaster allows her to spray down nearby foes with ice and shoot down farther targets with high-damage icicles. She also has a versatile Ice Wall that can block off enemy projectiles and advancing foes and a Cryo-Freeze to heal herself and help her stay alive. Mei rounds out her crowd control and area denial with her ultimate Blizzard, which allows her to slow down and freeze foes in a wide area.

Mei's primary weakness is her lack of mobility, meaning she has a difficult time closing the distance against foes and getting away from dangerous situations. In addition, her Endothermic Blaster's primary fire has a short effective range, meaning she needs to stay up close to maximize her DPS.
Overwatch 2 - PharahPharah
Jump JetJump Jet
Concussive BlastConcussive Blast
BarrageBarrage
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Hover JetsHover Jets
Strong AoE but Vulnerable Midair
Pharah is a Damage Hero specializing in area-of-effect damage and staying mobile in the air. Her Rocket Launcher, Jump Jet, and Hover Jets allow her to burst down grouped-up enemies from high above while dodging away from enemy projectiles. She also has a versatile Concussive Blast that allows her to break enemy formations or reposition in a pinch. Her ultimate Barrage amps up her burst damage as it continuously fires a volley of rockets towards her foes.

While she has a solid specialized kit, Pharah mainly suffers from being vulnerable to hitscan shots, as staying in the air makes her an easy target for heroes like Cassidy and Widowmaker. This vulnerability is even more apparent during her Barrage ultimate, where she stays completely still during the ability's duration.
Overwatch 2 - ReaperReaper
Shadow StepShadow Step
Wraith FormWraith Form
Death BlossomDeath Blossom
Role: DamageRole: Damage
The ReapingThe Reaping
Up-Close-and-Personal Flanker
Reaper is a flanking-based Damage Hero known for his high-damage Hellfire Shotguns and devastating ultimate Death Blossom. These two parts of his kit make him shine in close-quarters combat and ambush situations. To flank his foes and maneuver around the battlefield, Reaper can Shadow Step to directly teleport above and behind enemy lines. Reaper also has a respectable escape option in Wraith Form, which allows him to stay invulnerable for a short time.

Because he specializes in close-quarters combat, Reaper loses most of his effectiveness at medium and long ranges due to the spread and damage falloff of his Hellfire Shotguns. In addition, Death Blossom requires excellent timing and positioning to be fully effective since it leaves Reaper vulnerable to crowd control. Furthermore, enemies can counter the ultimate with well-timed barriers and shields if they can see it coming.
Overwatch 2 - TracerTracer
BlinkBlink
RecallRecall
Pulse BombPulse Bomb
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Mobile Hit-and-Run Specialist
Tracer is a highly mobile Damage Hero specializing in hit-and-run attacks and bursting down enemy targets. Tracer's Pulse Pistols and Blink ability combined allow her to harass and quickly take down foes in 1-on-1 situations. In addition, her Recall ability gives her a way to escape, recover health, and outmaneuver her enemies. Tracer's ultimate Pulse Bomb rounds out her lethality by giving her an explosive that latches onto foes and surfaces and deals massive damage to those caught in its radius.

Tracer requires excellent aim and positioning to fully optimize her damage potential as her Pulse Pistols have incredibly short range and quickly drain her ammo count. In addition, Tracer only has a very low base Health value, meaning proper usage of Blink and Recall are required to keep her alive.

B-Tier

Hero Abilities Passives
Overwatch 2 - EchoEcho
Sticky BombsSticky Bombs
Focusing BeamFocusing Beam
FlightFlight
DuplicateDuplicate
Role: DamageRole: Damage
GlideGlide
High Damage but Easily Vulnerable
Echo is a versatile Damage Hero with aerial mobility and solid single-target damage. Her Tri-Shot and Sticky Bombs are great for quickly bursting down her foes, while her Focusing Beam can clean up low-health enemies. Echo's Flight and Glide abilities complement her damaging skills, allowing her to stay mobile in the air and attack from different angles. Her ultimate Duplicate rounds out her kit by allowing her to copy an enemy hero for a short time.

Echo's primary weakness is her vulnerability to hitscan shots, as staying in the air with her large hitbox makes her an easy target for heroes like Ashe and Cassidy. In addition, she also has a lack of mobility options outside of Flight, allowing her to get easily cornered if she mismanages the ability. Furthermore, Echo's ultimate Duplicate relies on the enemy team's composition, meaning its effectiveness wildly fluctuates.
Overwatch 2 - JunkratJunkrat
Concussion MineConcussion Mine
Steel TrapSteel Trap
Rip-TireRip-Tire
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Total MayhemTotal Mayhem
Strong AoE but Difficult to Master
Junkrat is Damage Hero specializing in space control and area-of-effect damage. His Frag Launcher lobs grenades that are effective at area denial and dealing with grouped-up enemies. Concussion Mine and Steel Trap further increase Junkrat's space control by giving him a remote-triggered explosive and an immobilizing trap that keeps enemies in place. To complement the rest of his kit, Junkrat's ultimate Rip-Tire gives him a remote-controlled tire bomb that deals massive damage in a large area.

While he has a powerful specialized kit, Junkrat is a difficult Hero to play in open areas and against mobile targets, which are common in Overwatch 2. Each of his abilities are either arcing projectiles or grounded traps that require mastery to be effective in most situations.
Overwatch 2 - WidowmakerWidowmaker
Venom MineVenom Mine
Grappling HookGrappling Hook
Infra-SightInfra-Sight
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Lethal Headshots Requiring Great Aim and Positioning
Widowmaker is a Damage Hero specializing in landing lethal long-range headshots and taking down key members of the enemy team. Fully-charged shots from her Widow's Kiss can take down most Damage and Support Heroes in a single headshot, and her Grappling Hook allows her to reach better sightlines and reposition away from danger. To round out her kit, Widowmaker has a flank-covering Venom Mine and an ultimate Infra-Sight that gives her and her team vision through walls for a short time.

While she is an effective long-range assassin, Widowmaker requires expert aim and positioning to set up and land headshots on her foes. Her range of abilities is also quite selfish outside of her Infra-Sight, meaning she needs to be accurate with her shots to make meaningful contributions to her team. In addition, Widowmaker lacks mobility options outside of her Grappling Hook, making her an easy target when caught up close.

C-Tier

Hero Abilities Passives
Overwatch 2 - SymmetraSymmetra
Sentry TurretSentry Turret
TeleporterTeleporter
Photon BarrierPhoton Barrier
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Average DPS with Niche Defensive Utility
Symmetra is a Damage Hero with heavy focus on defensive utility. Symmetra specializes in laying down Sentry Turrets and Teleporters to help her team defend key positions on the map. Outside of these abilities, Symmetra also has a Photon Projector, which switches between a short-ranged beam that slowly ramps up in damage or an explosive orb that deals respectable damage at full-charge. Her ultimate Photon Barrier further shows her focus on defense, summoning a large horizontal energy field that blocks enemy attacks from passing through.

Symmetra places low on the tier list mainly due to her average DPS potential and defensive focus in an offense-oriented meta. Her Sentry Turrets are relatively easy to destroy, and her Teleporter has niche uses, with most meta heroes having high mobility. Coupled with her lack of survivability skills outside of her Teleporter, Symmetra is a difficult Damage Hero to play in the current Overwatch 2 meta.
Overwatch 2 - TorbjörnTorbjörn
Deploy TurretDeploy Turret
OverloadOverload
Molten CoreMolten Core
Role: DamageRole: Damage
Defensive and Turret-Oriented Playstyle
Torbjörn is a Damage Hero that relies heavily on a defensive playstyle with his Deploy Turret ability. His Turret automatically targets and shoots foes down and is excellent for fortifying his team's positioning. His ultimate, Molten Core, further shows his defensive specialization, acting as a powerful area denial tool. Outside of these abilities, he also sports a respectable self-buff with Overload and a versatile Rivet Gun that does well at most ranges.

Torbjörn's defensive playstyle and reliance on Deploy Turret make him less effective at pushing offense. In addition, his Turret is less effective in Overwatch 2 due to the increased number of sightlines and flanking routes on each map. Torbjörn also has a wide hitbox and a lack of mobility skills, making him very vulnerable once his Turret dies.

Overwatch 2 Related Guides

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All Heroes Tier Lists: Best Characters to Play

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