5 best Overwatch 2 heroes to counter Hanzo

Countering Hanzo in Overwatch 2 can be a difficult task in high-skill matches as this character is quite agile and can quickly reposition to high ground areas. Moreover, he can dish out a lot of damage from a safe distance while providing assistance to the team by highlighting enemies with his sonar darts. This makes it important to target Hanzo whenever possible to limit incoming damage for yourself and your squad.

Hanzo in Overwatch 2 has one of the most straightforward ability kits, which is easy to understand even for beginners. However, the learning curve is quite steep and can become one of the player's weaknesses that you can take advantage of to counter Hanzo. Apart from the obvious need for raw mechanical aim, Hanzo needs immense game sense to position themselves properly around the map during different phases of the match.

This article will highlight the best heroes you can pick to counter Hanzo in Overwatch 2.

Editor’s note: The contents of this article are subjective and solely feature the writer's own opinion. Furthermore, the article has been updated to feature the latest information in accordance to the balance patch deployed by Blizzard Entertainment on February 18, 2025.

---

Best characters to counter Hanzo in Overwatch 2

1) Genji

Genji in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Genji is a highly mobile hero who can quickly close the gap on Hanzo, making it difficult for him to land his shots.

Genji's Deflect ability can be used to deviate Hanzo's arrows back at him, potentially causing significant damage or eliminating him altogether. His Swift Strike ability can be used to close the distance between himself and his opponent, making it more difficult for Hanzo to land shots consistently.

Genji is the first entry in this list because of the mobility that comes with this hero pick. He can easily dodge and weave around enemy fire to avoid as much damage as possible while also brandishing his sword to reflect attacks. This makes it easier to Genji to chase Hanzo and take close-quarter fights to score easy eliminations.

---

2) Tracer

Tracer in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Tracer can be a good hero to counter Hanzo due to her high mobility and ability to engage in close-range combat.

Tracer's Blink ability allows her to move quickly in any direction, making it difficult for Hanzo to predict her movements. The same holds true for her Recall ability, as it allows her to quickly return to a previous position, which can be used to escape danger or to reposition to attack Hanzo from a different angle.

Tracer's main weapon, the Pulse Pistols, deals a high amount of damage at close range. It can be used to quickly eliminate Hanzo if she is able to get close enough to him.

If Tracer is able to stick to Hanzo, she can eliminate him with her ultimate ability, Pulse Bomb. If unsuccessful, she could finish him off with a few hits of her Pulse Pistols again.

---

3) Winston

Winston in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Winston's mobility and disruptive abilities can be used to derange Hanzo's positioning and cause him to miss his shots.

By jumping into the backline of the enemy team, Winston can create chaos and confusion, allowing his teammates to take advantage of the distraction to eliminate Hanzo and other high-priority targets.

His Barrier Projector can be used to protect himself and his teammates from Hanzo's arrows, providing cover as they move toward the opponent. If you want to go aggressive, the Jump Pack ability can be used to quickly put you in close-range combat with Hanzo and pop your Tesla Cannon to deal damage in a wide area.

Take advantage of Winston’s ultimate ability, Primal Rage, which provides him with increased health and damage output, making him a formidable opponent for Hanzo and other enemies.

---

4) D.Va

D.Va in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

D.Va's Defense Matrix can absorb Hanzo's arrows, protecting herself and her team from damage.

Hanzo relies heavily on his arrows to deal damage, so negating them with Defense Matrix can limit his effectiveness. Boosters allow D.Va to have a face-off with Hanzo and can also be used to escape dangerous situations or to chase down a retreating opponent.

Once you are in a close position, shoot D.Va’s Micro Missiles and Fusion Cannons, which deal high burst damage and can be used to quickly eliminate Hanzo.

Use the ultimate ability, Self-Destruct, to force Hanzo and his team to scatter. Create an opportunity for D.Va and her team to push forward and annihilate Hanzo and his team.

---

5) Echo

Echo in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Echo's Flight ability can be used to gain higher ground and get a better view of Hanzo's position, making it easier to track his movements and target him.

Echo's other abilities, such as its Sticky Bombs, can deal a significant amount of burst damage to Hanzo if it is able to get close enough to him. Then there's Focusing Beam, which can be used to quickly eliminate Hanzo if he is at low health, or if he is standing still for too long.

Echo's ultimate ability, Duplicate, allows her to take on the form of an enemy hero for a short time. If Echo is able to duplicate Hanzo, she can use his abilities against him and take advantage of his positioning.

---

The first step to countering heroes like Hanzo in Overwatch 2 that play on the back lines from a safe distance is to find out their position. Relaying this information to the team makes it easy to avoid a direct line of sight. Moreover, it makes it possible for the team to instantly switch gears and target the damage dealer when the objective of the map is taken care of.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for more updates, guides, and news.

• Overwatch 2 Season 15 starter pack details explored
• Overwatch 2 perks will see a significant balance overhaul in future update
• How to change language in Overwatch 2
• How to unlock free lootboxes in Overwatch 2 Season 15