August 2019 Overwatch Tier List: Let’s Go Ice Fishing (Updated for Role Queue beta)

There is an updated version of this article for September! It can be found by clicking this link.

Season 17 is quickly coming to a halt, especially with how much Orisa that’s been played. August brings the beginning of role lock and role queue in Overwatch, with the Role Queue Beta beginning on August 13. Players ought to begin prepping for that time and the eventual release of Sigma by mastering heroes that are currently most viable.

This tier list reflects heroes that are both individually well-kitted and how well they fit within the current meta. With each month, there will be a new tier list released with updates coming throughout the month to reflect patch updates. For this month, expect either a massive update to this article or an entirely new piece once Sigma goes live and patch 1.39 is released.

[Aug. 17 Update: Sigma has been added to this tier list and changes have been made to reflect the current role queue beta season]

Until that time, here is the current tier list with each heroes movement from the July 2019 tier list.

Tier 1: Optimal heroes with high win-rates and synergy

• Orisa
• Roadhog (+1)
• Mei (+2)
• Reaper (+3)
• Hanzo (+1)
• Ana
• Baptiste (+1)
• D.Va (+1)

As it currently stands, Bunker compositions remain very strong in ranked play. They do not require a lot of communication and are very good in the neutral fights (fights without ultimates being used). In this, heroes like Orisa, Roadhog and Mei have become leading picks, especially in OWL play. This trio, sometimes referred to as Ice Fishing or Ice Pick, is deadly when used properly. However, D.Va can also be run in place of a Roadhog to block Mei ultimates at a high level and give a team more mobility overall.

[Related: 5 Best Overwatch Heroes in 2-2-2]

A support line operated by an Ana and Baptiste provides a good balance of AOE healing and good burst healing for high-pressure situations. Outside of a strict dive, these are the two most optimal support characters currently in the meta.

Tier 2: Good alternatives to Tier 1 and still viable overall

• McCree (-1)
• Winston
• Moira (-1)
• Brigitte (-1)
• Genji (+1)
• Torbjorn
• Sombra

All of the heroes on this list are currently very strong either because of their individual hero kits or because of how strong Bunker meta is. However, one of the primary counters to bunker is dive. Hacking an Orisa and going in with Winston/D.Va/Genji is one of the only ways to effectively break bunker on certain points.

In this tier, also, Reaper makes a big jump specifically for control points. Fighting in close quarters with a Reaper can be very deadly and, at low ELOs, Reaper can be run on just about any map. McCree drops, just slightly, in favor of Mei and Hanzo but is still a great counter to flankers and would-be backline threats. Torbjorn remains in this tier due to his consistently high win-rates and compatibility with bunker.

Tier 3: Good situational picks but less strong overall

• Reinhardt (-1)
• Zarya (-2)
• Sigma
• Mercy
• Bastion
• Lucio
• Pharah
• Wrecking Ball
• Junkrat
• Widowmaker
• Zenyatta (-1)

Not all heroes on this list are bad but they certainly are situational. These are good lower-tier substitutes for players who may be especially comfortable on one of these heroes over one in a higher tier. Reinhardt and Zarya both drop down to situational picks due to Orisa and Roadhog’s viability, however, the two can still prove powerful on maps like King’s Row with close quarters.

Speaking of tanks, Sigma makes his introduction to the tier list at Tier 3. Many are still trying to figure out how to play the character and whether he is an offtank or main tank. While his identity in the game is solidified, Sigma remains at a lower tier with a possibility for quite the upswing in the next competitive season.

[Related: Which Heroes’ Stocks are on the Rise and Which are Dropping in the Early 2-2-2 Meta]

Zenyatta also drops due to his vulnerability against dive and lack of mobility compared to heroes like Baptiste or Moira. Overall, use these and the other heroes in this tier if needed, but look to rely on those in the top two tiers if possible.

Tier 4: Difficult to have success in the current meta

• Ashe
• Solider: 76
• Tracer
• Doomfist
• Symmetra

These last few heroes are either/both poorly kitted at the moment or have suffered as a result of the meta changes. These, again, can be used sparingly if a player is particularly comfortable with these heroes and they work within the team’s composition, however, they require a lot more teamwork than other, stronger heroes do.

For example, Doomfist requires lots of investment when he dives in and Symmetra usually requires all players to have their mics going for a good teleporter to get value. Given the status of ranked play and the current meta these, and the other heroes in this tier, are tough asks and are difficult to play with success.

As a reminder, this tier list is currently operating off of the latest live patch, 1.38.0.3. This will be updated as patches continue to come out throughout the month of August. In the meantime, stay tuned for the next patch’s significant changes and the expected release of hero 31, Sigma, on August 13.

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