There are actually 5 Roles in Overwatch 2 - Role Theory + Team Comps

Summary

In this video, Crow explains the concept of 'Role Theory' in Overwatch, which categorizes heroes into 'Main' and 'Flex' roles to streamline team composition. By distinguishing between heroes based on their weapon types and reliance on abilities, players can create more effective team strategies. The video breaks down the differences in both DPS and support roles, providing insights into hero selection, and the importance of pairing Main and Flex heroes for balanced compositions. Ultimately, Role Theory offers a useful framework to help players improve their gameplay and understand the strategies behind Overwatch League team compositions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Role Theory in Overwatch divides heroes into Main and Flex categories within each role (Tank, DPS, Support), helping players understand team composition better.
• 😀 There are 37 heroes in Overwatch, creating a vast number of possible team compositions. Role Theory simplifies this complexity by classifying heroes into Main and Flex.
• 😀 The role classifications (Main vs. Flex) originated in the Overwatch professional scene, similar to how positions are specialized in football (soccer).
• 😀 Main DPS heroes are those that deal most of their damage via weapons (hitscan or projectile), while Flex DPS heroes rely more on abilities for explosive damage and utility.
• 😀 Main Support heroes like Mercy and Lucio provide automatic healing, while Flex Support heroes like Zenyatta and Lifeweaver require more precise aim for healing and offer additional utility.
• 😀 Some heroes, like Tracer, Widowmaker, and Reaper, are hard to classify and can be used flexibly depending on the situation, enemy composition, or map.
• 😀 In lower ranks, running double Main DPS compositions might seem stable but can lead to issues with lack of utility, making it harder to break enemy holds and gain map control.
• 😀 Tracer is an example of a versatile hero who can fit in nearly any team composition due to her flexibility, making her almost a 'must-pick' in many scenarios.
• 😀 Hyperflex players, who can play both Main and Flex roles effectively, are highly valued in the professional Overwatch League.
• 😀 While Role Theory is a great starting point for team composition, it doesn't account for all factors like tempo, map, or playstyle, which adds complexity to higher-level strategies.

Q & A

What is the purpose of role theory in *Overwatch*?

Role theory helps players understand how to build effective team compositions by categorizing heroes into 'main' and 'flex' roles within each team position. This helps prevent dysfunctional compositions and simplifies hero selection, especially in competitive play.

How many possible team compositions can be created in *Overwatch*?

There are 54,252 possible team compositions when you consider the 11 tanks, 17 DPS heroes, and 9 support heroes, along with the combinations of two heroes for DPS and two heroes for support without repetition.

Why is understanding main and flex roles important for new players?

For new players, understanding main and flex roles helps them avoid playing dysfunctional compositions, and it allows them to focus on building a core hero pool for their main role or flexing to fill gaps in the team composition.

What are the two main differences between main and flex DPS roles?

The two main differences are the weapon type and reliance on abilities. Main DPS heroes typically use hit-scan weapons and rely on high damage output from their primary weapons, while flex DPS heroes often focus on utility or explosive damage through abilities.

Can you provide examples of main DPS heroes?

Main DPS heroes include Ashe, Sojourn, Soldier, Cassidy, and Hanzo. These heroes generally deal high damage through their primary weapons, which are typically hit-scan.

Why are some heroes considered 'awkward' to classify as either main or flex DPS?

Heroes like Tracer, Bastion, Widowmaker, Reaper, and Symmetra are considered awkward because their effectiveness heavily depends on the map, enemy composition, and strategic use. They can be used as either main or flex DPS depending on the situation.

What is the primary issue with running double main DPS compositions in lower ranks?

Double main DPS compositions can create issues because they lack utility and versatility. The team may struggle to break through enemy defenses or split the attention of the enemy team, making the fight more difficult to win even if both DPS are dealing damage.

How do support roles differ between main and flex supports?

Main supports provide automatic healing without requiring aim, such as Mercy, Lucio, and Brig. Flex supports, like Zenyatta, Baptiste, and Lifeweaver, require more precise aiming or have abilities that offer more situational healing.

Why are double main support compositions challenging in *Overwatch*?

Double main support compositions (e.g., Mercy and Brig) are challenging because they lack the utility and healing flexibility required to support the team in all situations, especially in higher-level play where versatility is crucial.

What impact has *Overwatch 2* had on flex support compositions?

*Overwatch 2* introduced a passive healing mechanic for all supports, which has made flex support compositions more viable. Unlike in *Overwatch 1*, where this was less effective, flex supports now work better together, creating more strategic options.

What role does Tracer play in team compositions, and why is she considered a must-pick hero?

Tracer is considered a must-pick because of her versatility and ability to contribute meaningfully in almost every team composition. Her high mobility and damage output make her an essential pick for many team strategies.

How does role theory help with analyzing *Overwatch* League compositions?

Role theory is useful for understanding the strategies behind *Overwatch* League team compositions. It helps categorize heroes into main and flex roles, making it easier to identify effective hero pairings and optimize team strategies based on hero specialization.