In May 2021, Blizzard announced that the game would be shifting to a 5v5 format for the upcoming Overwatch 2 release. This announcement essentially meant that teams would need to drop one tank player from their rosters. However, due to ongoing issues at Activision Blizzard, the introduction of Overwatch 2 has been delayed. This means that Overwatch players still need to understand tank lineups and duo combinations to play the game effectively.
Studying the tactics of Overwatch professionals is a great way to improve tank combo play. Here are some guidelines for tank duo combinations. along with some of the best Overwatch tank pros.
The 5 best tank duos
- Reinhard & Zarya
This classic duo has been one of the most consistently popular lineups since Overwatch’s release, and for good reason. The Zarya bubbles, while Reinhardt lets down his shield and swings for a few seconds. This simple mechanic allows Zarya to build up her energy, while also giving Rein’s shield a chance to recharge and do some damage as well. Matthew “super” DeLisi from the San Francisco Shock is best known for his skilled and aggressive Reinhardt plays.
2. Orisa & Sigma
Double-shield gained its popularity right around the time Sigma was released, filling the power void left by the removal of the G.O.A.T.S. (3-tank 3-support) meta and the enforcement of a 2-2-2 team composition. This defense-oriented duo is centered around holding chokepoints and corners, coordinating shields, and halt-rocks combos. Indy “Space“ Halpern of the Los Angeles Gladiators makes the most of Sigma’s off-tank abilities.
3. Winston & D.VA (or Wrecking Ball)
In contrast to the static, stable nature of the previous double-shield lineup, Winston and D.VA (who can be swapped out for Wrecking Ball if preferred), appropriately nicknamed “dive,” is dependent upon swift coordinated attacks from both the tanks and damage. It is especially effective against sniper compositions, but rather weak against stuns and short-range bursts, like Reaper, Cassidy, and Roadhog. Many Overwatch experts consider Xu “Guxue” Qiulin of the Hangzhou Spark to be one of the best Winston players in the entire league.
4. Zarya & Winston
This tank duo functions relatively similarly to the previous one with Winston and Dva. Nicknamed “double-bubble,” it is centered on Winston diving into the enemy back line while being bubbled by Zarya mid-air to neutralize damage and stuns. When the bubble is broken, Winston can then continue his assault by utilizing his own shield. Choi “Hanbin” Han-been is an off-tank that is one of the best Zarya players.
5. Sigma & Roadhog
When these two titans work together properly, it can create an absolute nightmare for the enemy team. Their partnership is focused on doing as much frontline poke damage to the opposing side as possible, while each maintaining stun abilities that are especially effective against dive-oriented characters (Winston, D.VA, Wrecking Ball, Doomfist, and Genji). Coupled with hard-hitting DPS heroes, it can be nearly impossible for the enemies to get through the damage coming their way. Kim “Fury” Jun-ho from the Washington Justice is one of the best Hog players in the world.
Tank lineups that just don’t work
Roadhog & Dva
Roadhog simply does not go well with dive tanks. In addition to having no shields to protect the rest of the team, a Roadhog and a dive tank don’t have any abilities that go together well. Roadhog is centered around slow, short-ranged brawl-style fights, while D.VA and Wrecking Ball are better suited to quickly jumping into the backline.
Winston and Orisa
Similar to the Roadhog and D.VA combination, Orisa and Winston also don’t go well together because of the vastly different playstyles they have. Orisa is a defense-oriented stationary tank designed to hold down choke points, while Winston is a dive tank that specializes in quick attacks on an enemy backline. Add to the mix a lack of abilities that can be used together, and this duo becomes very weak and inefficient
