How to Get a Head Start in Overwatch

With the game released, let's look at some basics tips to get you up and ready as soon as you launch the game. Of course, it'll help if you played the beta beforehand, but even if you haven't, this guide will help you understand the game and its dynamics.

Choosing Heroes:

Choosing the right hero is probably the biggest step to have a good game and win it. In order to do so, there is a few factors to take into account.

- Fit your playstyle.

Of course your hero of choice is going to change depending of the kind of player you are. For example, I come from Counter-Strike and various other FPSs, so, when I first started playing, I was drawn to the heroes that use guns and or require aim and flick shooting abilities like McCree, Widowmaker or Reaper. It might be different for you, but if you want to matter in a game, go for a hero that matches your characteristics.

- Take your team into account.

The game even gives you advice, warning you that having 3 Widowmakers is not the best tactical choice. If there is a tank on your team and nobody else is willing to play support, go for it! It will give you tons of points and the tank will be so much stronger with a healer next to him. You will have a great shot at winning both the game and a MVP. Now don't always take the game's advice into account, because having the same hero played by a couple players can prove very effective but that all depends on team strategy and communication, which is not guaranteed in public games.

- Don't be afraid to switch.

If you're not contributing and being killed repeatedly, consider another hero. Maybe you didn't choose the right one for this map or maybe the enemy has just the right counter for you. In any case, don't be afraid to mix it up and pick another hero that fits the situation better, even if it means switching again later because the situation has changed. For example, when starting on defense in escort mode, it can be good to play Bastion or Torbjörn because of the strength of the turret and the good initial defensive positioning, but once the game gets moving, changing to a more mobile hero may help your team more.

Play the Objective.

I can never repeat this one enough. Overwatch is a team based objective game, so don't just play for you kill death ratio. Play to win the game by playing the objective and using your hero's abilities the best you can. It is easier said than done and you will notice when your teammates aren't helping because you will get plowed over by the enemy team. A great way to have an objective focused team is to communicate. It gets people more fired up and into the game and simply gives you the advantage of knowing what to do, which area to cover, if someone is in your back and so on. Try it, you won't regret it.

In addition, playing close to the payload in escort mode heals you so there is no need to go and look for health pack. Get two other teammates in there and you will be cruising at top speed.

Capture points can also be lost really fast if nobody on your team is on them, contesting or capturing them, so if you see the point being taken, jump on it, contest. Even if it kills you, it might just buy your team enough time to get there from the spawn and take the point back.

Don't Run in Alone.

When playing in public games with random people, there is a strong temptation to get always get back into the action as soon as you spawn by running in. That classic behaviour can be good when your whole team is fighting and they need your support of course but, if most of your team has been killed by the time you respawn, there is absolutely no need for you to rush in like a maniac. Doing this will most likely get you killed and by the time you respawn again, your teammates might be dead as well, putting you in a downward spiral of doom.

In that case, the right thing to do is to wait for a bit when you respawn, let your team join you, and then you can attack as a full team and have a much greater chance of pushing back the enemies and having an impact. Chances are, you'll get kills and not die, but even if you do, you helped your team getting back onto the objective and that's what matters.

With all that in mind you should be ready to start your watch and not be terrible at it. Keep in mind that what you played before was a beta, so stats might change and heroes might get buffed or nerfed. There will be adjustment to be made now that the game has launched, but the basic mechanics and right mentality to have remained the same.

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