Winston’s Decade as Overwatch’s Tank Meta: The Unstoppable Icon

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As a devoted fan, it’s thrilling to note that Overwatch 2 is almost celebrating its third anniversary, with the entire franchise reaching a monumental tenth. However, what truly sparks joy is the approaching birthday of our beloved Winston on June 6, marking his 32nd year. While there are strong arguments for Tracer, Sojourn, Kiriko, or Juno as the ‘face’ of Overwatch, Winston’s enduring appeal has proven unshakable throughout the years.

In October 2015, during the Closed Beta of Overwatch, Winston was already playable, although the game itself didn’t officially debut until May 2016. From its inception, Winston embodied the spirit and optimism of this hero-shooter, a role he continues to fulfill even in the present day, particularly in the lore and tank aspects of Overwatch 2.

Winston is the Unofficial Face of Overwatch

From Humble Beginnings to a Key Figure In the Lore

Originally known as Winston, named after his creator Dr. Harold Winston, this genetically enhanced gorilla was brought up by the space exploration company Lucheng Interstellar on the moon. The same organization later developed Hammond at the Horizon Lunar Colony and sent Juno to Earth following Project Red Promise’s collapse. As a youngster growing up in lunar surroundings, Winston would often gaze longingly at Earth, imagining what life might be like there. Dr. Harold Winston served as a surrogate father figure until the program eventually closed due to lack of support. Eventually, after escaping from the moon, Winston made his way to Watchpoint Gibraltar where he found companionship with Overwatch.

Over time, it has been evident that Winston is not just a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield; he is also an intellectual prodigy and a crucial character in the storyline of Overwatch. He was part of the initial strike team for Overwatch and played a significant role in Sojourn’s mission to apprehend Maximilien. Moreover, what might be even more remarkable is that Winston was the one who struck down Doomfist, effectively sealing his imprisonment and initiating the disbanding of Overwatch, which in turn prevented Null Sector from invading multiple cities.

Winston’s Ongoing Role in Overwatch‘s Meta

Winston stood out among Overwatch’s initial 21 characters, impressing players with his suitability for dive compositions in particular. In a 6v6 setting, Winston was often selected as an effective choice for disrupting the enemy’s backline due to his Jump Pack, which enabled swift engagement and retreat, along with the extra protection offered by his Barrier Projector. His Primal Rage ultimate is ideal for displaying a player’s ability to juggle opponents, which contributes to Winston being held in high esteem among tanks because of the strategic thinking and mechanical skills needed to play him proficiently.

Amongst many tanks, Winston continues to be highly esteemed because mastering his gameplay demands a high level of strategic thinking and exceptional mechanical skills.

Maps boasting multiple elevated positions, like Numbani, Dorado, and Watchpoint Gibraltar, underscore the significance of mobile tanks in gameplay. Thankfully, Winston’s capabilities have generally stayed consistent throughout the years, with the significant alteration being the incorporation of a powerful Tesla Cannon shot as his secondary attack, enabling him to dish out more ranged damage.

Winston’s Viability in Recent Seasons

In the transition of Overwatch to a 5v5 setup in 2022, the elimination of one tank per team increased the burden on the lone tank player considerably. However, tanks such as Winston and D.Va thrived in the rankings due to their playstyles being well-suited to the 5v5 format. Prior to the introduction of Hazard in Season 14, Winston and D.Va were the only two tank characters capable of swiftly overpowering squishy characters, contesting high ground, and shielding their teammates almost instantly. While heroes like Hammond and Doomfist might also fit this role, they may not be as effective in a 5v5 setting.

In the 15th season of Overwatch 2, Perks were introduced for characters like Winston. However, these Perks seem to be quite specific to certain situations. Nevertheless, abilities such as Heavy Landing, which amplifies damage on impact, Chain Lightning, allowing his secondary fire to hit multiple targets, and Revitalizing Barrier, healing allies within his shield at a rate of 30 health per second, all prove to be quite beneficial in terms of utility.

As a diehard movie buff diving into the competitive Overwatch scene, I’ve got to admit that some players claim Winston’s Perks seem a bit lackluster when stacked against game-altering passive abilities like Ana’s Shrike Perk, which lets her bestow Nano Boost on both herself and an ally. However, despite these criticisms, Winston has consistently been a go-to tank in our roster. To put it plainly, during Season 16, Winston was one of the most frequently played tank heroes among the Top 500 leaderboard, alongside agile tanks like Wrecking Ball and Hazard.

As a movie-goer eagerly anticipating the next blockbuster sequel, I’m equally thrilled about the upcoming debut of a new character in Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode. Although the ape is yet to grace the stage, Season 18 is rumored to be his grand entrance. The specific weapons and abilities he’ll wield remain shrouded in mystery for now, but tank players, who currently have only five characters to pick from, are buzzing with excitement. Here’s the current roster of heroes available in Stadium:

1. [Hero Name 1]
2. [Hero Name 2]
3. [Hero Name 3]
4. [Hero Name 4]
5. [Hero Name 5]

  • D.Va
  • Junker Queen
  • Orisa
  • Reinhardt
  • Zarya

Winston’s Impact on the Overwatch Community

Regardless of the format, whether it’s comics, books, games, or cinematic presentations, Winston stands as one of the most beloved characters in the Overwatch universe. From clothing, collectibles, statues, and in-game items like emotes, he is consistently one of the franchise’s most distinctive and recognizable figures. For instance, during Season 10, fans were thrilled when the addition of a Winton Souvenir to the Premium Battle Pass track was introduced in Overwatch 2. This souvenir served as an official recognition of the “Winton Overwatch” meme, which originated from a humorous plush toy, and it was warmly accepted by the community.

Following approximately ten years since Winston’s “unofficial” debut in Overwatch, it seems appropriate for Team 4 to include him among the characters yet to receive Mythic Skins or Weapons in Overwatch 2. Notably, D.Va will acquire a Season 16 Mythic Skin, and Reaper will obtain a Mythic Weapon during the mid-season update, which suggests that Winston might have to wait some time for his turn. However, as the intelligent and endearing gorilla celebrates his birthday, fans are optimistic that the developers will honor the occasion with something unique.

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2025-06-06 13:34