Fights, ultimates and perks: the rhythm of an Overwatch match

01Numbers win fights

Five against four is usually a won fight, and five against three almost always is. That is why the first elimination matters so much, and why walking into a fight alone — or trickling back one by one after dying — loses games. When your team is down players, the right move is often to fall back, regroup and fight the next one together.

• Wait for your team before re-entering after a death.
• A fight you can't win is still worth delaying if your team is on its way.
• High ground and cover make the next fight cheaper to take.

02Ultimates are the team's currency

Ultimates charge by dealing damage and healing, and they decide most fights. Using several in the same fight to win it overwhelmingly is often a waste; using one well to win a fight the enemy spends three ultimates on puts your team ahead for the next one. Say when yours is ready, and combine them: an ultimate that stops enemies from moving makes the next one land.

03Perks: a choice in the middle of the match

During a match each hero unlocks a minor perk and, later, a major perk, choosing one of two options each time. They are small changes to how an ability works, so pick them for the match you're actually playing: the option that adds damage when your team is winning fights, and the one that adds survival or utility when you keep dying first. Every hero's perks are listed on its page, next to the ability each one changes.

04Stadium plays by other rules

Stadium is a separate mode where you build your hero over the match: you earn currency, buy items and pick up to four powers that change your abilities much more than perks do. Each hero has its own list of powers, and builds that stack several around one ability can change how the hero plays entirely.