Tanks in Overwatch are the characters responsible for creating space and attracting enough attention for the rest of their team to do their jobs. While this may sound simple, when you are playing as one of these heroes there are often a variety of factors that you need to consider such as ultimates, team compositions, and map selection.
This can feel like quite a lot to keep track off on top of actually playing the game, so to help you keep it all straight we have decided to create a list of 10 tips that can help you carry games while playing a tank.
10 Use Your Ultimate More
One problem that is particularly prevalent at low and mid ranks is tanks holding onto their ultimates far longer than they should. Often this seems to be based on the idea that every ultimate needs to be the play of the game when in reality, you can help your team more regularly if you can secure a couple of kills and begin charging your ability again.
This is because in Overwatch, the team who has the most players alive will generally win the team fight, so consistent kills are always worth more than a potential big play.
9 Make Sure Your Ultimate Has Follow Up
While you do want to use your ultimate when the opportunity arises, you also want to make sure you are getting value out of the ability. One of the best ways to do this as a tank hero is to make sure that your team is ready to capitalize on the situation, because many of the role's ultimates are great at enabling kills but not finishing them.
By far the easiest way to ensure your teammates are ready is to communicate your plan through voice chat, but if you can't talk to your team, you can also use the "my ultimate is ready" voice line as you head into a fight to let them know you are going to use the ability.
8 Remember To Body Block
Having the awareness to step in front of incoming damage and protect your team with your body can be the difference between a lost or won fight. With the largest health pools in the game, tank heroes should not be afraid to take on enemy attacks to protect their allies as they will usually be able to absorb the damage without dying.
This is a tip that is more important for off tanks who do not have shields to use, but it is also something that main tanks can do while their barriers recharge.
7 Work Around Your Team's Heroes Picks
Team compositions are often defined by the tanks that lead them into battle as victory is usually determined by a team's ability to capitalize on the openings that these heroes create. So when you are picking which tank to play, make sure you consider if you and your team will be able to move and fight together effectively.
For example, it can be challenging to play a Winston and Roadhog together as when the Winston jumps onto the enemy team his other tank will likely be unable to assist him due to their differences in mobility.
6 Peel For Your Healers
Peeling in Overwatch is when a player protects backline teammates who are being isolated from their team and attacked. As with the body blocking tip, peeling is generally the responsibility of the off tank as the main should usually remain at the front and maintain their team's position.
In particular, Zarya and D.Va are two of the best tanks for peeling because they offer good damage and have abilities that are great at protecting individual teammates.
5 Track Enemy Ultimates
While all players should do their best to keep track of enemy ultimates, it is vital for tank players to do as they are the ones responsible for protecting their team. If you suspect an enemy might have an ultimate, you should do your best to maintain your position and not push up into an area that would make you an easy target.
If you are having trouble figuring out the best way to estimate this, one easy thing you can do is look at your teammates' percentages and factor in generally how well each team is doing. Typically the team winning the most fights will be ahead in the ultimate economy.
4 Counter Enemy Tanks By Swapping Heroes
As with all roles, there is an element of counterplay when it comes to tanks that should not be overlooked as certain heroes are designed in a way that allows them to be more effective against specific compositions.
For example in the current meta, an Orisa on defense should be able to deal with an attacking Reinhardt quite easily due to her ability to attack from range, quickly replenish her barrier, and move enemies around should allow her team to win the barrier battle.
3 Pick Your Tank Based On The Map
In addition to picking your tank based on your team and the enemy heroes, you should also consider the map you are playing on when making your choice. This is because the set up of each map's chokepoints and flanking routes will usually be better suited for certain tanks.
If you consider a map like King's Row, the design of the arena is perfect for a tank duo of Reinhardt and Zarya as the tight pathways of the streets allow the Zarya to build up charge from the Reinhardt quickly.
2 Have a Basic Understanding Of All Tank Heroes
As pointed out in previous tips, being flexible as a tank player is a must when trying to climb, so it is incredibly advantageous for you to learn how to use all of the heroes in the role. You don't need to be a master at all of them, but having a basic understanding of who they counter and how to use their abilities is essential.
Additionally, knowing the capabilities of each tank will help you deal with enemy teams because you will have a better idea of what their tanks are likely going to do.
1 Remember To Avoid Playing Passively
One of the most frustrating types of players to play with in Overwatch is a passive tank. Instead of protecting their team and creating space, they are often found standing still waiting for their damage heroes to make something happen when in reality, it is usually a tank or healer who enables big plays.
So during fights, you want to make sure you are pressuring enemies and pushing for space, while outside of combat always make sure your team is remaining organized and waiting for you.