Finding the right heroes to master in Overwatch 2’s ever-shifting competitive landscape is crucial for climbing the ranked ladder, and Season 9 is no exception. Blizzard’s team-based shooter constantly evolves with balance updates, new content, and emerging strategies, creating a dynamic meta where certain heroes rise to the top. 

In this in-depth guide, we’ll analyze each role’s best heroes in Season 9 and provide tips to help you dominate the battlefield.

Before diving into specific hero picks, let’s summarize the major Season 9 changes that have shaped the current meta:

• Heroes got more health
• Projectiles are larger
• Everyone now heals passively (though it starts at 2.5 seconds for supports vs 5 seconds for everyone else)
• The typical round of buffs and nerfs to individual characters

These changes have influenced the overall pace of the game vs the prior season and the viability of different strategies, dictating the rise and fall of heroes.

The tank role is more impactful than ever in Season 9. Since fights typically last longer with the increase in health, the team that can take the best positions on the map will often win the team fight. That’s where tanks come in. Let’s explore two tanks who embody the Season 9 meta.

Sigma’s kit offers a unique blend of damage absorption, crowd control, and offensive potential. He’s been in a solid place for many seasons and excels on most maps in Overwatch 2.

His ability to flexibly reposition his shield, disrupt enemies with Accretion, and protect his team with Kinetic Grasp gives him incredible versatility. He excels in most compositions, aside from dive comps, and can work around a large variety of heroes.

D.Va thrives in a fast-paced, dive-oriented meta. Her high mobility, Defense Matrix, and potent burst damage make her a nightmare for backline supports and snipers. 

Interestingly, D. Va can fly away anytime she gets Discorded by Zen (more on Zen’s strengths later). This makes her a good counter against the popular omnic in season 9.

Look to pick D.Va on maps with verticality to take advantage of her mobilty. To maximize her impact, focus on engaging on squishy targets. Deal damage with her Micro Missiles and disengage before you get focuses down by the enemy team. 

Season 9 favors DPS heroes who can secure kills independently and thrive in environments with less healing output. These two  DPS excel in the current environment:

Tracer’s unparalleled mobility and burst damage potential remain a constant threat. Now that she can heal herself, she can spend even more time in the back lines or on wide flanks.

Her ability to outmaneuver opponents and secure picks on vulnerable targets makes her potent in the hands of a skilled player. She’s one of the heroes with a high skill ceiling, but even non-experts can get good value out of her kit by prioritizing isolated targets.

Tracer still builds ult incredibly quickly, so use the Pulse Bomb any chance you get. It’s an ultimate that takes a long time to get down the timing and positioning, but you’ll likely have 3 to 4 attempts each round. 

She benefits a lot from the healing passive and the DPS passive. Master her Blink management and become the ultimate pest in season 9! 

Soldier: 76 offers consistent damage output, self-healing, and the tactical flexibility of Sprint. [Discuss if he’s been buffed or if his rivals were nerfed.]  He fits in almost any team composition and performs well against various targets. 

When playing Soldier: 76, focus on flanking the opposing team to create off-angles. His high sustain means he can usually play away from his team and run away if he gets into trouble.

The key here is always to have an escape route for when the situation gets dicey. You don’t necessarily need to secure a kill, as with any character, and you should try to distract the enemy team and pull their resources away from the primary fight. 

Season 9’s meta has impacted the support role since the rest of your team is slightly less reliant on your healing output. Supports who can offer both impactful healing and offensive utility are well-positioned. Let’s analyze two shining examples.

Season 9 is essentially the Zen meta. Even with the recent nerf to his health pool and his boop, he’s still incredibly strong.

Since his Discord Orb increases incoming damage by a fixed percentage, he now has a higher kill threat than many DPS heroes! It’s best to call out the discord targets to your teammates so they can quickly burst down the enemy. Zenyatta’s increased survivability and damage output indirect buff have solidified his position as a high-impact support. 

Prioritize DPS friendlies with your Harmony Orb to apply added indirect pressure, giving your DPS an increased likelihood of winning duels. Given how strong dive heroes are this season, you’ll want to play from range and always check your surroundings for enemy flankers.

Transcendence is a great ultimate to counter enemy ults (think Sigma, Soldier, Rammattra, Hanzo), and you will usually use it defensively. If there aren’t any good ults to counter, you can use it as a get out of jail free card in case you want to go on an aggressive flank.

Lucio’s speed boost enables aggressive team maneuvers and quick repositions, which are crucial in the current meta.  His ability to disrupt enemies with his boop and provide consistent AoE healing cannot be underestimated. 

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Lucio-Zen pairing, but it’s back with a vengeance in Season 9 of Overwatch 2. Lucio is more effective now at booping away tanks and continues to have insane mobility. Additionally, he works well with many strong supports like Kiriko and Baptiste.

Lucio can act as a body guard for Zen, similar to how Brig is often played to protect Ana. When your zen doesn’t need help, play aggressively on Lucio, seeking to duel enemy DPS and support heroes. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to harass and disrupt in season 9.

While mastering the meta heroes is essential, success in Overwatch 2 extends beyond individual hero picks. Here are crucial tips to elevate your gameplay and climb the ranks in Season 9:

• Communication is Key: Coordinate with your team for maximum impact. Use voice chat or pings to call out targets, share ultimate statuses, and plan your next moves. A well-timed push or defensive maneuver often hinges on effective communication.
• Adapt Your Playstyle: Be flexible and switch heroes if countered. Don’t get stuck in a rut – if the enemy team is shutting you down, consider switching to a hero that better counters their composition. Stubbornly sticking to one hero can lead to frustration and defeat.
• Ultimate Economy: Winning team fights often hinges on ultimate usage. Track both your team’s ultimate charge and the enemy’s, if possible. Look for opportunities to combo ultimates for maximum effect (like Graviton Surge into Dragonblade) or use them defensively to counter an enemy’s push.
• Map Knowledge: Learn chokepoints, flanking routes, and high ground positions. Understanding the map’s layout gives you an advantage. You can predict where enemies might approach from, set up ambushes, or position yourself defensively to protect key objectives.
• Positioning is Crucial: This applies to all roles. As a tank, don’t overextend; as DPS, know when to engage and when to disengage; as support, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid getting caught in the open. Good positioning can make the difference between life and death.
• Stay Positive: Even the best teams have losing streaks. Don’t tilt! Take a break if you need to, then come back refreshed. Focusing on improving your own gameplay rather than blaming your teammates will lead to better results in the long run.

Additional Tip: Watch pro players and streamers! Observe how they play your favorite heroes – you may pick up new techniques, positioning ideas, or strategies you hadn’t considered before.

Overwatch 2’s Season 9 meta presents a dynamic landscape where adaptability and strategic thinking are just as important as mechanical skills. While the heroes discussed in this guide exemplify the strengths of the current season, it’s vital to stay up-to-date on any balance changes or shifts in strategy that might arise.

Remember, effective communication, flexibility in your hero choices, and a deep understanding of fundamental Overwatch 2 principles will propel you far beyond simply relying on the strongest picks. Focus on improving your decision-making, positioning, and ultimate usage. By combining these skills with knowledge of the meta, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate Season 9 and climb those coveted ranks.

Who do you think are the strongest heroes in Season 9 of Overwatch 2? Join the conversation in the comments section!

By Fred

Fred has been gaming since his dad brought home a recycled PC from work and installed Hugo's House of Horrors as a toddler. He continues to play games almost daily across PC, console and mobile and may have a slightly addictive personality.