Overwatch 2: Best Heroes to Play in Season 17

The last week of June marked the beginning of a new Overwatch Season, new rules such as map selection in competitive matches and a renewal of the hyperlink track (Battle Pass with exclusive cosmetics), in addition to relevant balancing changes that changed the meta - several heroes received buffs, and some of them stood out more than others.

Today's article focuses on highlighting the best heroes for each role after the first few days of the Season. Check it out!

Orisa

Despite not receiving any buffs in Standard mode this Season, Orisa has long enjoyed high popularity and win rate, especially after a flurry of buffs in Season 16—and she didn't receive any nerfs in the latest update.

Naturally, Orisa remains one of the best options for tanks. Her kit is flexible, making her useful in both offensive and defensive situations. For example, you can rush in with Fortify and use your Energy Javelin to rush in and pin an enemy against a wall, or simply to safely retreat.

Ramattra

Ramattra received only a slight buff to his Greater Healing Enhancement, but it was enough to put him at the top of the meta. This tank has always been a top pick, especially at lower ranks, as he's completely unstoppable in close-range fights—and he'll continue to be a great pick throughout Season 17.

Use Ramattra primarily in Brawl compositions, which focus on melee combat. His effectiveness drops significantly if he lacks the range to punch enemies.

Zarya

Part of the community has always considered Zarya one of the most difficult heroes to face, with her barrage of shields making her completely resistant to damage. Not to mention, the character stands out for her high damage output and lacks the need for complex mechanics.

Two more points justify our selection of her on today's list. Of all the heroes in the class who received buffs in this update, Zarya was one of the most benefited. Another factor is the significant strength of Brawl compositions. Most of the heroes on this list—including all the tanks—are designed for close-range combat with many area-of-effect effect abilities, and Zarya adds a lot to this type of strategy by gathering as many enemies as possible in her Ultimate.

Tracer

Tracer is one of the greatest examples of Brawl team success. The DPS is very strong after having her primary fire damage increased. With increased accuracy when close to the opponent, combined with her high-area damage ultimate, Tracer is a great choice to pair with the tanks listed above.

The inclusion of Perks in early 2025 has made her even more prominent in best-hero lists, as her mobility and resistance have been improved, making her a nearly complete character.

Freja

The damage position is the most competitive this Season. Several other heroes have received buffs and are becoming priorities in Picks and Bans, but we chose Freja because of her versatility. While excellent for Poke strategies—with her secondary fire—the hero also excels in Brawl compositions, locking enemies together with her Ultimate and dealing good area damage with her secondary fire.

However, playing Freja requires a bit more agility; knowing how to move with dashes while needing to aim down sights can be fatal if you lack good agility and positioning awareness.

Reaper

Like Freja, Reaper could also be omitted from this content to make room for other heroes. Almost all DPS players are very competitive in the meta. However, the direct increase in his damage makes us believe in his potential even more, and we also use the same reasoning as when listing Zarya.

Reaper is a great option to pair with other Brawl characters. He has the potential to quickly eliminate everyone, including tanks, when he's in a close encounter. Other heroes mentioned here, such as Freja, Orisa, and Zarya, can gather enemies into a single point, increasing the damage his Ultimate can inflict.

Lúcio

Many would agree that healing is the most important factor in determining a support's effectiveness. Given this context, Lúcio received a 25% increase in his passive healing in the Season 17 update, increasing it from 16 to 20 per second.

Besides a significant buff to his main role, the Brazilian also has the wind in his sails: Brawl compositions in the meta. All of his abilities are AoE and close-range, meaning having your entire team close to you will allow you to take even more advantage of the healing and shields provided by his Ultimate.

Baptiste

Baptiste hasn't been buffed recently, but he's been on the support podium for several months now. With good damage and accuracy—compared to other heroes in the class—Baptiste functions as a third DPS for his team.

He excels primarily in Poke compositions, which are effective against the current meta, and can be a viable option depending on the map and matchup.

Kiriko

Kiriko is another untouchable in Overwatch 2, boasting a 100% presence in our lists over the last four seasons. We've always highlighted her versatility as a key differentiator. Despite being designed for dive teams, we see Kiriko as useful in all situations.

She can use her Kunai to Poke, her Ultimate, and her Suzu Protection in melee battles, or dash to follow up on dives. A Kiriko support main will likely positively influence their team on many occasions and, consequently, win many matches.

If you're interested in learning more about the hero, consider reading our How to Play Kiriko Guide

Brawl compositions have been a staple of the meta since last Season, and now they've become even more dominant. Most of the heroes mentioned here, and in most community tier lists, excel in close-range battles and are part of this type of strategy.

I hope you enjoyed this article. I'm available to answer any questions or suggestions in the comments.