Overwatch 2 Junkrat: Weapons, Abilities, Playstyle

Junkrat falls in the damage category of characters. He is a returning character from Overwatch 1. Let’s have a look at him in Overwatch 2 and learn about his abilities and playstyle in detail.

Overview Of Junkrat

The chances of you winning a game in Overwatch 2 heavily revolve around your team and the synergies in it. Each player has a designated role in a team, and a certain number of characters fulfill very specific niches in a team. A strong team will utilize these roles to their maximum potential and plan accordingly. Junkrat falls in the category of DPS Heroes, who are at the forefront of the offense and are responsible for racking up kills for the team.

In the game, Junkrat is depicted as an anarchist and a mercenary. His way of dealing with most problems is to blow them up simply. He is obsessed with demolishing things and people alike. His incendiary approach is apparent in his playstyle, utilizing frags and mines to blow the opposition away. 

Junkrat is in a unique position when it comes to being a damage dealer. He can use his frag launcher as his primary damage source, but he can also make use of traps to catch the opponents off guard. This gives him a lot of utility and he can adapt to various playstyles. 

Junkrat’s Weapons

As discussed earlier, Junkrat is a damage hero with one primary weapon, which is his Frag Launcher. It is the main source of his damage. Now let’s have a look at his weapon in detail.

Frag Launcher

The Frag Launcher is Junkrat’s primary weapon. It’s a grenade launcher that fires explosive projectiles over medium to long-range distances. Here are some key points about the Frag Launcher:

• Projectile-Based: The Frag Launcher fires explosive projectiles that can bounce and ricochet off walls and surfaces. This allows Junkrat to control areas and hit enemies hiding behind cover.
• Damage Output: Direct hits from the Frag Launcher deal 120 points of damage to an enemy’s health pool. Additionally, the explosive projectiles cause splash damage, which can deal 10 to 80 points of damage to nearby enemies. The combination of direct hits and splash damage makes Junkrat a potent damage dealer.
• No Headshots: Unlike some other heroes, Junkrat cannot score headshots with his Frag Launcher. Instead, he relies on the explosive nature of his weapon and abilities to deal damage to enemies.
• Area of Effect: The explosives fired by the Frag Launcher have a larger area of effect (AoE), making it easier to hit enemies even if you don’t land a direct hit. This AoE damage can be particularly effective in controlling objectives and choke points.

Overall, the Frag Launcher allows Junkrat to provide consistent area denial and damage output, making him a valuable addition.

Junkrat’s Abilities

Junkrat has 2 basic abilities and an ultimate attack that requires a charge before being used. His abilities grant him both offensive and defensive utility. His passives also perfectly complement his kit and playstyle.

The following are Junkrat’s Abilities: 

• Concussion Mine
• Steel Trap
• Rip-Tire

Let’s have a look at his abilities first, and then the ultimate.

Concussion Mine

• Cooldown: 8 Seconds (per charge)

Junkrat’s Concussion Mine in Overwatch is a versatile tool with an 8-second cooldown. It deals damage and knockback to enemies, making it useful defensively and offensively. You can use it to disrupt enemy positions, create traps, and even for mobility, as it can launch Junkrat into the air. However, keep in mind that you can only have one mine out at a time. Use it strategically and coordinate with your team for maximum impact.

Steel Trap

• Cooldown: 10 Seconds
• Duration: 3 Seconds Root

Similar to the first ability, Junkrat’s steel trap, as the name suggests, is a trap. Junkrat places a crippling trap on the ground to target careless enemies. The steel trap is bulkier than the concussion mine and it takes more damage to destroy it. It deals a staggering 100 points of damage if the opponent is caught in it. 

Just like the first ability, Junkrat can only have one steel trap out at a time. If a consequent steel trap is placed, the first one is automatically destroyed. It has a cooldown of 10 seconds but the player will not be placing traps all the time so it is inconsequential. 

Rip-Tire

• Duration: Up To 10 Seconds

Junkrat’s ultimate ability, Rip-Tire, deploys a large, explosive tire that he can control for up to 10 seconds. It deals massive damage upon detonation, ranging from 50 to 600 points, with a large area of effect. Junkrat can choose to manually detonate it or wait for the timer to run out. While controlling the tire, Junkrat himself is vulnerable, but even if he’s killed, the tire will continue and explode. Use Rip-Tire strategically to take out multiple enemies and turn the tide of a match.

Passives

Junkrat possesses two passives that complement his playstyle:

1. Total Mayhem: Explosions from Junkrat’s weapons and abilities do not harm him, ensuring he remains unscathed even in the midst of chaos. Additionally, this passive allows him to drop bombs upon being eliminated, potentially causing damage to opponents after his demise.
2. Damage Role: As a damage hero, Junkrat shares the standard damage role passive that enhances his movement and reload speed upon eliminating an opponent. This extra speed can be invaluable in maintaining momentum during a match.

Playstyle For Junkrat

Junkrat is a damage hero, but his abilities give him both offensive and defensive strengths. He can use his main weapon to deal high damage and provide support fire, while his traps can be utilized as defensive tools to stop the enemies from approaching you. Junkrat really fulfills a versatile role in the game.

Tips And Tricks

Following are some tricks and tips for Junkrat and how to play with him:

• Indirect Damage Dealer: Junkrat’s primary role is to provide indirect damage to the enemy team. His Frag Launcher’s low accuracy makes it more about creating a dangerous area for opponents rather than landing precise shots. Use this to control choke points and force enemies into unfavorable positions.
• Mobility with Concussion Mine: Junkrat’s Concussion Mine can be used not only for dealing damage but also for increased mobility. Use it to reach high ground quickly, surprise enemies, or even knock opponents into environmental hazards like pits.
• Strategic Trap Placement: Pay attention to where you place your Steel Traps and Concussion Mines. Position them in areas where opponents are likely to walk into them, such as in tight corridors or around blind corners. Hidden trap placement increases their effectiveness.
• Rip-Tire Strategy: When using Junkrat’s ultimate ability, Rip-Tire, be strategic. Find a safe location to launch it from to avoid being targeted by the enemy. Also, vary your approach to make it harder for opponents to predict your tire’s path. Timing and surprise are key to getting the most value out of Rip-Tire.

Junkrat Changes From Overwatch 1 To Overwatch 2

A lot of characters were tweaked as they were ported from the first game over to Overwatch 2. The changes depend on the character that you are looking at, but they can range from major overhauls to minor tweaks. For example, Bastion got a big rework. 

This isn’t the case for Junkrat, as only a couple of minor changes have been made to him. From what I can tell, Junkrat had the hitbox of his frag launcher projectiles increased, making it easier for him to hit enemies with it. Other than that, the speed at which his trap comes out has been increased. This allows for him to set the trap more quickly, and even mid-combat, in hopes that the opponent walks into it. 

My Experience With Junkrat

Many OW2 players seem to have the thought of Junkrat being one of the useless characters in OW2. At first, I used to have the same way of thinking, it was until I decided to give Junkrat a try. He might have been useless in Overwatch 1, but things are very different with Overwatch 2.

What I have found so far while playing Junkrat is that he can be a really good counter for the Tanks in OW2. Not only that but with Junkrat, I can easily dive into the enemy’s backlines and deal massive damage to the supports. Also, players who have great control over their movements, for example, Raze mains in Valorant, Junkrat is going to be a perfect fit for them.

This concludes my Overwatch 2 Junkrat character guide. I discussed his abilities and the weapons that he uses in complete detail. The best playstyle for using the character has also been mentioned, with some tips and tricks for new players. I hope that the guide was useful in learning about Junkrat. If you are more interested in other archetypes of characters like Supports or Tanks, you can check them out! Let me know what you think about Overwatch 2 in the comments below!