Overwatch 2 just began Season 18, bringing with new hero Wuyang to the roster as its latest support hero, and players are already scrambling to figure out the best counter to this newest addition to the game.
There’s a chance Wuyang could really shake up the meta with his damaging attacks, quick mobility, and water-based healing. He’s already seen as a pretty powerful threat when he’s on the other team due to his deft blend of damage and healing prowess. Unlike some support heroes, Wuyang is very active and engaged in battle, using precise timings to deal deadly blows or to better protect his teammates.
To effectively counter Wuyang, the first step is to understand each of his abilities and what exactly they do. There are all of his abilities:
Early gameplay shows Wuyang to be pretty powerful in skilled hands. The hero has need of capable accuracy, and positioning with him must be very intentional. Knowing when to focus on healing allies versus damaging enemies will take some precise decision-making as well. It’s still too early to tell if Wuyang will see consistent play at the game’s very highest of levels, but players are already getting ready to face him in case he becomes a consistent off-healer.
If you are sick of playing against the waves of players testing out Wuyang right after the update, there are some heroes that can counter him best. But even with any of these picks in hand, you’ll still need your team backing you up and a good strategy in place.
You’ll probably notice that a lot of the best counter options for Wuyang are heroes you’d see in a dive composition. This certainly includes Venture, who can burrow underground and become invincible while rushing towards him, then overpower him up close with Smart Excavator and Drill Dash. With Venture up in his face, it’s tough for Wuyang to use his staff effectively.
Image credit: Blizzard
Winston is a similar case to Venture, using his Jump Pack to leap right at Wuyang and begin sending out electrical beams from inside his protective barrier. With Winston tanking Wuyang’s incoming damage, the space ape can easily outlive Wuyang in a one-versus-one battle. Wuyang will have to retreat if he doesn’t receive assistance from his allies, and that can be tough if Winston has another jump at the ready.
Genji has some of the quickest movement in the game thanks to his extra jump and Swift Strike ability. By moving in a fast and unpredictable manner, it’s tough for Wuyang to deal any damage since his attacks rely on precision aim. Genji also has the speed to keep up with Wuyang if he attempts to get away with Rushing Torrent. That sort of persistent aggression is a reliable counter to Wuyang.
Remember back in the day when Reaper was responsible for showing cracks in the seemingly unstoppable GOAT meta? Reaper can use the same strengths that empowered him then – Shadow Stepping near an opponent and then overwhelming up close with his Hellfire Shotguns – to take down Wuyang.
Like Winston, Reaper can get much too close much too quickly for Wuyang, who wants to keep enemies at bay with his damage and buffering abiliites, so Wuyang will often have to retreat when Reaper presses. This can lead him away from his team, and leave those teammates short a support, opening up an opportunity for Reaper and his own team to take control.
Image Credit: Blizzard
New hero Freja is a good counter to fellow newcomer Wuyang, armed with plenty of mobility to get her uncomfortably close to him, or even using her Bola Shot ultimate to pull him to her and from his supportive teammates. She deals an oppressive amount of damage in these scenarios, leaving Wuyang quite vulnerable if no one is there to help him.
Hazard’s aggressive defense can safely overwhelm Wuyang, allowing him to rush in while still protecting himself against Wuyang’s attempts at zoning out with damage. Hazard can climb walls a bit and leap forward as well, making him unpredictable for heroes that need to aim with precision. He can also use Spike Guard to block incoming attacks, letting him feel brave about taking a potential one-versus-one battle against the weaker Wuyang.
For a different approach, Ana has the potential to effectively counter Wuyang from a distance, so much so that she may well be the best counter to Wuyang in the hands of a skilled player. Her healing debuff potential can make it harder for Wuyang to effectively assist his teammates, while her sleep ability can zap him right out of attempts to escape or make use of his ultimate.
Of course, each of these attempts to counter Wuyang in Overwatch 2 can be fended off if the support has good communication with his teammates. Jumping into enemy lines is never smart if you don’t have a plan of your own, so don’t try to rush down a Wuyang without alerting your teammates first, or at least without an exist plan available. But if you’re careful about picking your spot, each of these Overwatch heroes can prove to be a strong counter to Wuyang that can give your team the advantage it needs.
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