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Overwatch8 years agoGosu "GosuGamers" Gamers

From Onlywatch to Onlypwn - Tips to get you started

Like many others, I have recently been freed of my OnlyWatch chains thanks to the ongoing Overwatch Open Beta. Before hopping into the game, I binge-watched a collection of video guides, as well as tried to learn as much as possible from the competitive scene. Nonetheless, I noticed I still had a lot to learn! Here is an overview of the tips and tricks I picked up during the Open Beta’s early access phase:

Start off by playing the current Weekly Brawl

Playing vs AI may seem like a logical first step once you’re done with the initial tutorial. However, I recommend everyone ignores AI at first and instead plays the current Weekly Brawl: Mystery Heroes. Not only is it a great mode for indecisive players like me, who don’t know which hero to play first, but it gives you the opportunity to play every hero in a relaxed environment. No rage, just fun! Not having a choice of who to play is also a huge advantage, as you won’t get stuck playing the same heroes and roles over and over again.

Quick matches over AI mode

Once you have gotten a basic feel for each hero, it is time to move on to Quick Matches. Why not AI mode? Because AI on Medium mode is extremely easy, while AI on Hard mode is far more difficult than playing again real people. At times, it’s as if you’re fighting an aimbot. Personally, nothing can make me tilt more than losing against a team of bots. In Quick Match, you’ll be matched with players of your own skill level and losing will never feel (as) horrible.

Don’t (always) play what your team needs most

I know most guides and experienced players will tell you to adjust to your team, and they are correct. Nonetheless, I think beginners should ignore this advice. You need to continue learning all the heroes, no matter what the team needs. Have you been playing only supports and tanks lately? Then it’s time to be selfish and pick an offensive or defensive hero, no matter what the teambuilder says.

Hero switching is surprisingly hard

The aspect I love most about Overwatch is that you can switch heroes during the match, but doing so is surprisingly hard. Most switching would be done as a counter-method, but as a new player it’s hard to know who counters who. The only way to learn is to try things out, even if it means messing up. This is something I personally struggle with a lot, especially when I’m playing a tank or support while winning.

Hey! Listen!

Sound is massively important in Overwatch. Footsteps and ultimate lines are mentioned in most guides, as they tell you a lot about the sneaky things your enemies try to pull off. What I found even more useful is not what the enemy heroes have to say, but what your allies say. If they can see it, they will let you know if you’re being flanked, if a sniper is in sight or where a teleporter is located. Have a Mercy aiding you on the battlefield? Listen carefully, as she’ll cry out in pain when she’s under attack and you will be able to help her stay alive.

I do prefer (voice)chat as a clear way to communicate with my team, but as most of my teammates are mute, these lines of dialogue have been a lifesaver at times.

Abuse the TAB key

Perhaps playing triple Genji on defence was not the best idea after all

Pressing the TAB key will show you the current team compositions, as well as your current progress (albeit not in much detail). Knowing which heroes the enemies are playing is a huge advantage. Does the enemy have a healer you want to target first? Is there a sniper or builder you need to be careful of?
Other than the enemy, it’s also good to know how your own team is doing. You can check on what the others are playing and how they are doing. If you notice half of your team is dead, consider going to spawn to regroup.

Don’t forget to melee

The melee attack is easy to forget and fairly underrated by new players. It takes some time getting used to it, but getting the hang of it is worth your time. It is the perfect attack to finish off that pesky Tracer when you have ran out of ammo, and it works really well in Roadhog’s shoot-hook-shoot-smack combo!

Shoot the tire

This is something very simple that I personally forgot about a lot at first, and I have noticed plenty of others do: you can shoot and kill Junkrat’s tire. The loud “FIRE IN THE HOLE!” along with the blazing roars of the tire might send shivers down your spine, but it’s relatively easy to deal with if you see it coming. Especially since most new Junkrats won’t manually detonate their tire, so you can even melee it on occasion.

It’s Open Beta, have fun and experiment

Open Beta is the perfect time to mess around and learn. People who care about their W/L ratio, as I do, can safely spend hours failing while trying out new things. I am sitting on far more losses than wins right now, but what does it matter? All data will be wiped after the beta ends. Get out of your comfort zone and most importantly, have fun!

What things have you learned when first starting Overwatch? Do let us know in the comments below!

For or more competitive Overwatch news, follow us on @GosuOverwatch.

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