The information in this post has been updated for 2024.
Overwatch 2’s tank heroes have a crucial role to play in soaking up damage and doing the hard work. In the third season, new additions such as Rammattra have cemented their position in the meta, with various heroes taking the top spot for the best tank depending on the changes to the meta.
Due to the shift to a five-vs-five format, tanks can no longer rely on a teammate to help absorb damage. Instead, each team has one tank backed up by two damage heroes and two support heroes. This has completely transformed the way tanks are played and countered in the game.
Presented below is the current list of the best tank heroes to use in Overwatch 2. It should be noted that almost every tank hero is suitable in particular situations and team setups, even if they don’t make it into our top three.
Doomfist
Firearm: Hand Cannon
Passive Ability: The Strongest Defense
Special Ability: Seismic Slam
Special Ability: Power Block
Special Ability: Rocket Punch
Ultimate Ability: Meteor Strike
Doomfist’s abilities may seem daunting, but they epitomize the high-risk, high-reward playstyle of this former damage hero turned tank. His preference for combos and mobility makes him perfect for players willing to take risks and deliver spectacular plays that smash enemy heroes aside.
Upon the release of Overwatch 2, Doomfist struggled to find his footing as a solo tank. This was partly due to players’ need to re-learn how to use him effectively as a tank rather than a damage dealer, and partly due to his abilities being too specific to be consistently useful in a frontline tank role.
However, a significant overhaul at the start of season two has increased his power level and expanded the situations in which he can execute successful combos. Subsequent updates have further boosted his standing, putting him on par with some of the game’s best tanks, though he remains somewhat situational and not always the best choice for every team composition. Nevertheless, he is a much stronger and more accessible hero than he used to be.
Sigma
Primary Weapon: Hyperspheres
Ability 1: Kinetic Grasp
Ability 2: Accretion Ability
3: Experimental Barrier
Ultimate: Gravitic Flux
Currently, Sigma is one of the most powerful tanks in the game. Although he isn’t the strongest offensive tank, his ability to provide shields for his team allows for a diverse range of hero selections that pair well with him.
His primary attack with Hyperspheres deals significant damage of 55 per hit. What sets Sigma apart from other tanks is his Experimental Barrier ability. This barrier can be positioned to protect his team from attacks from certain angles, which can limit the positioning of heroes like Bastion, Widow, and Ashe.
Sigma’s Kinetic Grasp ability allows him to absorb incoming bullets and gain additional health, making him less vulnerable to attacks from heroes such as Bastion. He can always count on stealing health from bullets flying by.
His ultimate ability, Gravitic Flux, deals a massive amount of damage and is effective in separating opponents from their support heroes. This ultimate can be used to take down one or two opponents.
Reinhart
Reinhardt remains a force to be reckoned with in Overwatch 2, wielding his Rocket Hammer and a host of abilities. He may not be as versatile as some of the other tanks, but he is still a formidable presence in certain situations, particularly when it comes to holding tight chokepoints on maps like King’s Row.
In Overwatch 2, the emphasis on shields has shifted somewhat, which means that Reinhardt’s Barrier Field is now a more valuable and limited resource. Players need to use it wisely and strategically to get the most out of it.
One of Reinhardt’s biggest strengths is his Earthshatter ultimate, which can be devastating if used correctly. If the opposing team has a Reinhardt, it’s a good idea to counter with one of your own to block the incoming ultimate.
Reinhardt has also received some quality-of-life changes that make him more effective in Overwatch 2. He now has two Fire Strike charges instead of one, and his Charge ability has increased range and can be canceled. These updates have brought him in line with the game’s more aggressive tank philosophy.
Finally, Reinhardt seems to thrive on some of the new maps introduced in Overwatch 2, such as the Antarctic Peninsula. As a result, his pick rate has increased significantly in higher ranks.
