Climbing the ranked ladder in Overwatch 2 can be a challenging journey. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can improve your skills and achieve higher rankings. 

A10, known for his high SR numbers and educational content, has shared a guide that outlines six key concepts to help players climb effectively. 

The Only Video You Need To Climb In Overwatch 2

Let’s dive into these essential tips to help you climb the ranked ladder in Overwatch 2.

1. Mastering Corners for Tactical Advantage

Corners are crucial in Overwatch 2, especially since shields are less prevalent. They provide cover and reduce your chances of dying from random attacks.

Understanding the Importance of Corners

A corner is essentially a point on the map that separates two open lines of sight. Utilizing corners effectively can drastically improve your survivability and overall gameplay. When you position yourself near a corner, you can quickly retreat to safety if an enemy appears, reducing the risk of being caught off guard.

Practical Application

Imagine you’re playing as Ana. Position yourself behind a corner while healing your team. This allows you to quickly duck behind cover if an enemy approaches. For example, if Roadhog appears, you can dodge his hook by hiding behind the wall. 

This strategy also helps you reload safely without exposing yourself to enemy fire. The same principle applies to tanks and DPS characters who must retreat and recover their cooldowns.

Additional Benefits

Besides avoiding direct threats, corners help you manage other gameplay aspects, such as reloading. Every time Ana has to reload, she becomes vulnerable if she’s out in the open. By using corners, she can reload behind cover, then peek out again to continue healing or engaging enemies. This reduces the likelihood of being picked off during vulnerable moments.

You’ll also have opportunities to use high ground as corners. Standing above an enemy or your team means you can back away from the ledge of the high ground to effectively cut off line of sight. Use this to your advantage when choosing where to set up on a map.

2. Managing Cooldowns for Consistency

Cooldown management is vital for success in Overwatch 2. Each character has abilities with cooldown periods, and understanding this cyclical nature can enhance your gameplay.

The Cycle of Cooldowns

Each hero in Overwatch 2 operates on a cycle of cooldowns. For example, Tracer has three Blinks and a Recall ability. Engaging without these abilities ready makes her significantly more vulnerable. 

The key is engaging in combat when your cooldowns are available and retreat when they’re not. This cycle of engagement and retreat is fundamental to maintaining effectiveness in battle. Typically, the player with more cooldowns available will win a 1v1 duel against a similar level enemy in the same role.

Optimizing Cooldown Usage

To maximize your effectiveness, ensure you’re always aware of your cooldown status. Use periods of reloading or taking cover to check your abilities and health. This awareness helps you make informed decisions about when to engage or retreat. 

Additionally, understanding enemy cooldowns can give you an edge. If you know an enemy has just used a key ability, you can exploit their vulnerability. Similarly, if you know your opponent has a big ability available, you may need to play more passively.

Cooldowns and Resource Management

Cooldowns are just one part of your resource management. Health and ammo are equally important. 

Ensure you have enough health and ammo before engaging. Use downtime, such as reloading or taking cover, to assess your resources and plan your next move. Managing these resources effectively can make the difference between winning and losing engagements.

3. Understanding and Utilizing Roles

Knowing your role and teammates’ roles is essential for strategic gameplay in Overwatch 2.

Roles in Overwatch 2

• Tanks: Absorb damage and create space
• DPS (Damage Dealers): Eliminate enemies quickly
• Supports: Provide healing and buffs

Strategic Role Play

Focus on fulfilling your role effectively. Tanks should protect their team and create space, DPS characters should target high-value enemies, and supports should keep the team alive and enhance their performance. 

Understanding your role helps you make better decisions in-game. For example, as a support, prioritizing the healing of your main tank can keep your frontline strong and allow your DPS to focus on eliminating threats. To climb the ranked ladder, you’ll also need to look for opportunities to apply offensive pressure on the opposing team as well.

Role Synergy

Each role complements the others. Tanks create space for DPS to operate, DPS eliminate threats, and supports keep everyone alive. 

Effective team play involves understanding how these roles interact and working together to maximize your team’s potential. Communication is key to ensuring everyone knows their role and can perform it effectively.

4. Effective Communication with Teammates

Team coordination is crucial in Overwatch 2. Clear and effective communication can significantly impact your performance.

Using Voice Chat and Pings

Use voice chat and pings to communicate enemy positions, cooldown statuses, and strategic plans. Clear callouts help your team react quickly and efficiently. For example, if you spot an enemy flanking, a quick callout can alert your team and prevent a potential disaster.

Building Team Synergy

Play with the same group of players regularly to develop better team synergy. Understand each other’s playstyles and preferences to coordinate more effectively during matches. 

Synergy isn’t just about communication. It’s about understanding how your teammates play and adjusting your strategies to complement each other.

Communication Etiquette

Effective communication also involves knowing when to speak and when to listen. Avoid overwhelming your team with unnecessary information. Keep callouts concise and relevant. 

Encouraging positive communication can also boost team morale and performance. This can be especially helpful when you are getting steamrolled by the enemies and need a change in team play to swing the tides of battle.

5. Managing In-Game Economy and Resources

Resource management is key to long-term success in Overwatch 2.

Efficient Use of Resources

Use utilities like grenades and healing items strategically to gain an advantage in battles. These resources can be game-changers if used correctly. 

Avoid wasting them. Instead, use them when they can have the most significant impact. For instance, Ana’s anti-nade can be a game-winning ability if you land it on enemies who are out of position. 

Prioritizing Targets

Focus on high-value targets to maximize the effectiveness of your resources. For example, eliminating supports first can cripple the enemy team’s ability to sustain in a fight. Ultimately, this will make it easier to take down their tanks and DPS.

6. Understanding the Ebb and Flow of Battle in Overwatch

The ebb and flow of battle is a concept that involves controlling engagements and dictating the pace of the game.

The Concept of Space

Space refers to areas your team can control and move through. Taking and holding space effectively can give your team a strategic advantage. For example, controlling high ground can provide better sightlines and defensive positions.

Practical Example

Imagine an attacking team moving through space to engage the defending team. The attackers use their cooldowns to push forward, while the defenders use theirs to push back. This back-and-forth action is the ebb and flow of battle. Understanding this concept helps you time your engagements better and coordinate with your team.

Applying Ebb and Flow to Your Playstyle

As a player, you should learn to recognize when to push and when to retreat. This recognition comes with experience and understanding of the game’s mechanics. By mastering the ebb and flow, you can dictate the game’s pace and keep the enemy team on the back foot.

Final Thoughts on Climbing the Overwatch Ranked Ladder

Climbing the ranked ladder in Overwatch 2 requires dedication, practice, and a strategic approach. You can significantly improve your gameplay and achieve higher rankings by mastering corners, managing cooldowns, understanding roles, communicating effectively, managing resources, and understanding the ebb and flow of battle.

Remember, improvement takes time, and it’s normal to experience setbacks. Stay focused, keep practicing, and apply these tips to your gameplay. Each game is an opportunity to learn and grow. Good luck on your climb, and enjoy the journey of becoming a better Overwatch 2 player.