Now that Overwatch has officially launched, it’s time to look at our colorful cast of heroes and see who truly can dish out the most punishment. While they have their own strengths and weaknesses, nothing sums up a character more than their powerful ultimate abilities. Each character in Overwatch has a powerful finisher move that can help shape the battlefield and win entire games all on their own. When we looked into ranking these various ultimates, the sheer killing potential was not the only factor we took into consideration. While some of these supers cannot directly kill someone, the ability to alter the game itself really is a big factor. Yes, individual skill is also important when considering this, as some ultimates may absolutely devastating in the hands of a master Overwatch player.
The character’s ability to charge their ultimate will not be a factor, as every Overwatch player is different and that is too much of a variable to judge. Yet, Overwatch’s sheer roster variety certainly offers some truly unique combination’s in terms of both team makeup and chaining supers. Sadly we will not be taking this into consideration as well, as we are solely looking at the ultimates as a singular entity and not if they are even more potent win conjunction with others. Here are the best Overwatch ultimate attacks.
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21) Winston - Primal Rage
While Winston is a highly mobile tank, his ultimate feels slightly restrictive. With only the ability to melee, fast and agile characters can easily out maneuver this scientist's angry punches.
20) Tracer - Pulse Bomb
For a good Tracer, this ultimate can cause come serious damage on the enemy team. However, the short throw distance and big warning symbol make it easier to avoid than other supers. Not to mention the blast radius is not exceptionally large.
19) Roadhog - Whole Hog
Roadhog is a very durable character, but sadly his ultimate's strength is based off the map. If the level is full of a cliffs and pits, then it can easily dominate an enemy team. Sadly, that's not always the case, and it just acts as a temporary way to remove people off an objective.
18) Zenyatta - Transcendence
Zenyatta's healing ultimate is useful for a big push and to deny capture points, but compared to the other medic's ultimates, it's underwhelming. It also forces players to group up around him, which can cause some serious issues if the enemy team is working together.
17) Hanzo - Dragon Strike
If we were going for style points alone, Hanzo would win hands down. I mean come on, the guy is firing twin dragons out of a bow! If it wasn't so easy to dodge and see coming, it'd certainly be higher here.
16) Zarya - Graviton Surge
This is an ability whose power solely depends on how much of your team is alive. If you can manage to snag a group of enemies together and have some people to help bring the pain, then this can wipe enemy teams. However, its success is situational and requires outside help to truly be effective.
15) Junkrat - RIP-Tire
If you couldn't destroy his tire before it hits you, then Junkrat's RIP-Tire would be far higher on this list. Yet, being able to stop it before it even gets close is a big negative.
14) Torbjorn - Molten Core
This nasty ultimate pretty much makes your turret into an absolute death machine. However, if no one is near your turret or decides to hide from it, this super is pretty useless. Sure, you can attack full on as Torbjorn, but should you really be charging out as the builder?
13) Lucio - Sound Barrier
Lucio's Sound Barrier gives your team a massive shield boost, and you don't need to hang around him after it pops. You're free to move and reposition, allowing for a more versatile healing ultimate.
12) Reaper - Death Blossom
If you manage to sneak up on an enemy team with this ready, they might as well set the controllers down. Death Blossom can ruin a team's day if they let you get to close. However, it's the small range of effect and ability to kill reaper during it that keeps it from being top notch.
11) Reinhardt - Earthshatter
Reinhardt's Earthshatter can really swing a battle in your team's favor if used at the right moment. The only issue is that it's one of those finishers that really needs team assistance, because characters like Roadhog can live through it with relative ease.
10) Soldier 76 - Tactical Visor
Who needs to aim? Once activated, Soldier 76 just needs to pull the trigger and anyone in his way will be receiving a face full of lead. As long as they are within your range, it's fairly easy to mow down an opposing force.
9) Mei - Blizzard
If you get caught in this ultimate's area of effect, you can basically count yourself as dead. If only it actually showed where you'd be throwing it, because there is no indication for its arc or where it'll land.
8) McCree - Deadeye
Another skill-based ultimate, if you manage to use this at the right time you can wipe entire groups of players. Make sure to hide behind Reinhardt's shield for extra effectiveness! The ability to hide from its delayed damage output, however, makes this super just a bit less overwhelming.
7) Bastion - Configuration Tank
Because Bastion wasn't powerful enough? Switching to tank mode pretty much ensures you will kill anyone standing in your way. Not to mention his ultimate is fairly lengthy, allowing you to rack up plenty of points.
6) Pharah - Barrage
Today's forecast is slightly cloudy and full of Justice! Pharah's sheer mobility and the ability to rain down death makes this a potent super. It also helps that you can aim and cause a large amount of area of effect damage.
5) Genji - Dragonblade
This ultimate can pretty much wipe an entire team with relative ease. Not only can you slice opponents to pieces, but also use both of his abilities while in Dragonblade mode.
4) Widowmaker - Infra-Sight
Knowledge is power, and granting your team the ability to see the entire enemy team's position is incredibly useful. Sure, you may not kill anyone with it, but the information your team receives is vital.
3) Mercy - Resurrect
Healing and giving your team a damage boost is great, but bringing them back from death is game-changing. A timed revive can swing an entire match in your team's favor. Make sure to always save the tank from death's cold embrace.
2) D.Va - Self Destruct
Self Destruct can wipe an entire enemy team while you stay at a comfortable distance. Being able to not only use your mech like a bomb, but instantly get one after makes this a cinch ultimate. The blast radius for Self Destruct is insane, and pretty much can clear a path for your team all by itself.
1) Symmetra - Teleporter
Symmetra's teleporter may not kill a single person, but it can single-handedly win a match all by itself. While other ultimates can swing the tide of an engagement, the teleporter can win the entire game if left unchecked. A properly hidden portal can consistently keep the pressure on, forcing the other team to run a mile to just get back in the fight. Her teleporter alone justifies putting Symmetra on any defending team, period.
About the author
Collin MacGregor
Collin is a Senior Staff Writer for Twinfinite and is a lover of all things horror. When he's not healing his teammates in Overwatch, raiding in Destiny, making poor choices in Dark Souls, or praying for a new Ape Escape you can find him writing for Twinfinite.net and Nerd Much.com.
