Overwatch: Classic - Best Original Tanks To Pick

As a long-time Overwatch player, I can confidently say that Winston is the cream of the crop when it comes to Tanks in the Classic mode. With his years of experience as a scientist and former gorilla, he has honed his skills to become an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

Many gamers might be eager to test-drive the Tanks in the Classic mode of Overwatch 2, a special throwback event that runs until December 3, 2024. For those who aren’t aware, this event has reintroduced the original versions of the Heroes to the playable roster, giving players a chance to revisit the ups and downs experienced in Version 1.0.

In the ever-evolving world of live-service games like Overwatch 2, it’s not unusual for characters, or “Heroes,” to undergo kit changes over time. For example, defeating Roadhog can be challenging due to his recent redesign aimed at bringing him up-to-date with current game standards. On the other hand, Winston has seen only minor modifications, making his updated form familiar and comfortable for longtime fans. However, to emerge victorious in Overwatch 2’s Classic mode’s 6v6 match format, a well-balanced combination of Tank characters is essential.

Factors such as fun-to-play kits, usefulness of abilities, overall team suitability, and such have been considered while crafting this list of the best Tanks in Overwatch: Classic.

5 D.Va

A Clunky Tank With Boosters

Overwatch: Classic - Best Original Tanks To Pick

D.Va’s kit in Overwatch 2‘s Classic mode comprises:

Fusion Canons: Short ranged shotgun that also slows down D.Va’s movement while they’re active.
Defense Matrix: Forward-facing targeting array that absorbs incoming projectiles.
Boosters: The mech launches into the air and flies for a short duration.
Micro Missiles: Barrage of small rockets.
Eject: Ejects out the mech when it is destroyed.
Self-Destruct: The reactor on the mech explodes to deal massive damage.

In Overwatch 2, D.Va has solidified her role in the game’s strategy, but she was far less potent at the outset. With the return of the Classic mode to her original kit, some issues have become more apparent. To begin with, the 70% reduction in movement speed when firing her primary weapon makes D.Va one of the most sluggish Tanks to handle. While Reinhardt also experiences this penalty, it only applies when his shield is active. Enhancements do help D.Va remain viable in some Dive team formations, but the 5-second cooldown on her boost ability is a significant disadvantage, especially in tight spots where she lacks options unless her teammates provide aid.

In the game Overwatch 2’s Classic mode, D.Va’s Defense Matrix has a 10-second cooldown compared to its standard version. This difference means players can’t absorb damage as efficiently as before. Moreover, her Ultimate now shares a cooldown with her death, making her the easiest Tank character in Overwatch: Classic to bypass.

4 Reinhardt

A Classic Tank With Incredible Stopping Power

Steadfast: Resistant to knockback effects.
Rocket Hammer: Swings hammer in a wide arc.
Barrier Field: A large mobile energy barrier.
Charge: Charge enemies in a straight line.
Fire Strike: Launches a fiery projectile that deals damage.
Earthshatter: Slams the hammer on the ground to stun enemies.

Reinhardt is frequently employed in diverse team configurations within Overwatch 2’s Classic mode due to a valid reason. He is a massive hero who wields hammers to strike targets and can fortify his position with an enormous shield. In essence, his equipment encompasses all the necessary tools for a Tank to thrive on the battlefield, with the Barrier Field now boasting 2000HP, making it an imposing barrier even for the strongest Heroes.

When it comes to Overwatch: Classic, Reinhardt possesses only one charge for Fire Strike, compared to two in the standard version. Despite having low overall damage output, he effectively halts enemy aggression with his powerful shield and synergizes well with another tank on the team. Reinhardt can also employ his Ultimate, Earthshatter, to stun multiple foes and potentially turn the tide of a battle. However, characters like Roadhog and Winston are currently more sought after in the game’s meta.

3 Zarya

Shield Allies And Self To Empower Attacks

Particle Cannon: Energy weapon that fires a short-range beam and explosive charges.
Particle Barrier: Personal shield.
Projected Barrier: Shields allies.
Energy: Absorbed damage enhances the Particle Cannon.
Graviton Surge: A gravity bomb that traps enemies.

In Overwatch 2, Zarya shares many similarities with her original version. She still outperforms her opponents by leveraging her offensive and defensive abilities. Specifically, both her Projected Barrier and Particle Barrier take in a considerable amount of damage before enhancing the Particle Cannon. Consequently, the longer she stays alive, the greater the amount of damage she can inflict with her primary and secondary shots.

In Overwatch: Classic, each of Zarya’s shields has a separate timer, requiring players to exercise caution when using them. Additionally, she only has 400 HP, making it vital to manage her barrier’s cooldown for survival. Her Ultimate, Graviton Surge, attracts targets without muting them. However, enemies can easily evade Zarya’s Ultimate by utilizing their movement skills – this is more feasible in Overwatch: Classic than in the current game. As a result, players might not fully maximize its potential. Despite this, Zarya is a robust secondary Tank who can inflict significant damage, landing her at the third position on our list of top original Tanks for Overwatch 2‘s Classic mode.

2 Roadhog

Deletes Heroes With A Hook

Scrap Gun: Shotgun with two fire modes.
Chain Hook: Hurls a chain at an enemy and pulls them close.
Take A Breather: Self-heal.
Whole Hog: Scrap Gun fires rapidly at enemies.

In a new update for Overwatch 2, Roadhog has been significantly revamped to better fit the role of a solo tank. Fans who enjoy Classic mode in the game can now test out Roadhog’s original equipment, which includes his Scrap Gun and Wasteland gear. Keep in mind that he is an offensive tank with the ability to obliterate targets using his Chain Hook and primary fire.

fire combo.

At a distance, Roadhog can fire a Shrapnel Ball with his secondary attack, causing immense harm upon impact. Although his Ultimate, Whole Hog, seems to have been toned down, it allows him to push back opponents and inflict significant damage simultaneously. Despite his sustainability being stronger in the standard play of Overwatch 2 as compared to Classic mode, he remains formidable when paired with another Tank on the team. For those who are curious, Take A Breather grants a flat 300 health points before going on cooldown. This restorative effect should be enough to endure critical attacks, since there’s no anti-heal passive for DPS characters in Classic mode. In summary, Roadhog is troublesome to face and a viable choice for the second best Tank in this specific game mode.

1 Winston

Jumping On Enemies Made Easy

Tesla Cannon: Fires a short-range electric barrage.
Jump Pack: Leaps through the air and damages enemies on land.
Barrier Projector: A protective energy bubble that absorbs damage.
Primal Rage: Unleashes primal fury with increased health, boosted melee damage, and frequent Jump Packs.

In the new version of Overwatch 2, Winston hasn’t undergone significant alterations compared to his past versions. This means players will find it comfortable and familiar using him in Classic mode. The true power of this hero lies within his Jump Pack, enabling him to dash towards opponents, denying them the chance to retreat. The move recharges quickly, allowing him to enter and exit battles at will, creating room for the entire team to focus on a single target. Essentially, almost any team in Overwatch 2’s Classic mode can effectively utilize Winston if they are willing to engage with him in combat.

In this scenario, they could team him up with Lucio for an advantage due to Lucio’s increased movement speed. Winston, armed with his Tesla Cannon, focuses on close-range attacks against enemies as he lacks a long-range secondary fire in the game mode. However, when another Tank is present, Winston isn’t overly concerned about fighting from afar.

2024-11-23 00:15

Overwatch: Classic – Best Original Tanks To Pick