Understanding overwatch 2 support heroes
In the fast-paced world of Overwatch 2, every team must maintain a balanced composition to succeed in fights and complete objectives. Among the three main hero roles - Tank, Damage, and Support - it is the Support heroes who often make the difference between victory and defeat. Whether healing their teammates, providing utility, or disabling the enemy, Support players are the backbone of any successful team.
If you're new to the role or want to deepen your understanding, be sure to check out the full list of Overwatch 2 Support Heroes with detailed information on each character’s abilities and playstyle.
The Role of Support Heroes
Support heroes in Overwatch 2 are designed to sustain their team through healing, damage mitigation, and utility. They often operate from the backline but are still active participants in team engagements. Their primary responsibility is to keep allies alive, but the best Support players also peel for teammates, provide crowd control, and contribute to team damage.
Healing and Sustainability
Healing is the core function of many Support heroes. Characters like Mercy and Baptiste excel in restoring health to injured allies, allowing the team to maintain pressure in fights. Effective healing can outpace enemy damage, giving your team a significant advantage in drawn-out battles.
Utility and Crowd Control
Support heroes also offer many utility abilities including damage boosts, cleanses, and crowd control. Kiriko’s Suzu, for example, can cleanse negative effects and protect allies from dangerous ultimates. Zenyatta’s Discord Orb amplifies damage taken by targets, helping secure quick eliminations.
Top Overwatch 2 Support Heroes
Each Support hero offers a unique playstyle and set of abilities. Choosing the right one depends on your team composition, the enemy line-up, and the map. Here are some of the most impactful Support heroes currently available:
Mercy
- Role: Healer and damage booster
- Strengths: High mobility, crucial single-target healing
- Best For: Pocketing high-damage characters like Pharah and Sojourn
Mercy is known for her strong single-target healing and the ability to resurrect fallen allies. Her mobility with Guardian Angel makes her difficult to pin down, especially in coordinated teams.
Kiriko
- Role: Hybrid support and damage
- Strengths: Cleanse ability, critical healing, teleportation
- Best For: Fast-paced teams needing burst healing and utility
Kiriko provides sharp utility through her Suzu and high healing output. Her mobility and wall-climbing allow her to flank or reposition, making her a versatile pick in many team comps.
Ana
- Role: Long-range healer and debuffer
- Strengths: Biotic Grenade and Sleep Dart
- Best For: Players with strong aim and awareness
With her ability to heal and damage from afar, Ana is a favorite for players looking to impact from the backline. Her tools can shut down enemy ultimates and reinforce allies in clutch moments.
Tips for Playing Support
Positioning
Good positioning is key for any Support player. Stay behind your front line, away from direct threats, but within range to aid your teammates. Be mindful of flanking damage heroes who may target you first.
Resource Management
Healing and utility abilities often come with cooldowns or limited range. Use them strategically. Do not spam healing unnecessarily - instead, prioritize critical teammates and high-impact moments.
Communication
Support players should use voice chat or the communication wheel to inform teammates of cooldowns, enemy positions, or threats. Alerting your tank to your position can ensure you receive protection when needed.
Conclusion
Support heroes are vital to any team in Overwatch 2. They control the pace of fights, enable their allies, and counter enemy strategies with precision and timing. Whether you prefer a utility-heavy playstyle or a raw healing approach, there is a Support hero to match your skills and preferences. Mastering this role not only improves your individual performance but can elevate your entire team's success.