Overwatch 2 Tracer: Abilities, Changes & PlayStyle

Overwatch 2 has officially been released, and even though the character roster has many similar faces, there are subtle changes to each hero’s abilities. Genji probably will be a lucky one who has not undergone any change. Reinhardt has seen welcoming changes to his charge and shield abilities, and Tracer also got some improvements in Overwatch 2.

Tracer’s Role

Tracer’s Blink ability grants her rapid mobility to outmaneuver foes, delivering damage and escaping before they can react. Her low initial health and lack of regenerating shields require her to use Blink and Recall effectively for survival during engagements.

All the information you need to know about Tracer’s role: 

Tracer’s Abilities

While the core abilities of Tracer, as you’ve seen in my captured image above, are unchanged from the original game to the sequel, developers have tweaked the damage numbers, cooldowns, and a few subtle changes that really shake things up if you’re planning to continue playing as Tracer in the sequel.

Pulse Pistols

Pulse Pistols are Tracer’s main weapon, have a high firing rate, and cause quick damage. Because of their broad cone of fire and steep damage dropoff, these pistols are only useful for close-quarters combat and cannot compete effectively at longer ranges.

• Damage: 6 per bullet
• Rate of fire: 20 shots per second
• Ammo: 40
• Falloff range: 12-20 meters

Blink

Blink is the name of Tracer’s second ability in her arsenal. It allows her to teleport for small distances in the same direction she travels. She may accumulate a total of three ability uses, which she can then either exhaust all at once or one at a time. Tracer can move in an unpredictable manner due to her ability, making it difficult to anticipate her next actions.

Tracer has the ability to Blink past an opponent to strike them in the rear, or she may Blink to the side to avoid their assaults. Blinking is useful not just for evading strikes but also for getting out of sticky situations. You’ll have to wait approximately three seconds before earning one charge for it.

• Max. range: 7.5 meters
• Ammo: 3 charges
• Duration: 0.1 seconds recovery for reuse
• Cooldown: 3 seconds per charge, 9 seconds for all three charges

Recall

This skill of Tracer’s is by far the most versatile in Overwatch 2, as it can be used to benefit the character in either an offensive or defensive playstyle. When this ability is used, Tracer will jump back three seconds into the past, returning her current health and position to their state when the ability was performed.

If you use her Recall ability, it will not only restore her health and return her to where she was, but it will also reload her pistol and erase any debuffs that were applied to her.

On the other hand, seasoned players of Overwatch also utilize it as an escape mechanism. When triggered, Recall features a brief animation that plays, during which time Tracer is immune to damage and unable to be seen by enemies.

• Healing: Replenish lost health equal to what it was 3 seconds before
• Duration: 0.91 seconds rewinding
• Rewinds: 3 seconds back
• Cooldown: 12 seconds

Pulse Bomb

Tracer’s ultimate ability, the Pulse Bomb, requires careful use if you ask me. When activated, she propels the bomb a short distance before hurling it forward. On contact with a target or hard surface, it attaches itself. After a brief delay, the bomb detonates, dealing AoE damage. Use with caution, as Tracer can be harmed by its blast.

The Pulse Bomb excels at eliminating tightly grouped enemies or stationary targets, especially those with two or more heroes. For optimal usage, approach an opponent with Blink to drop the bomb from a safe distance, then Recall to escape. This prevents self-inflicted damage. Note that while it can eliminate low-health enemies, it’s not the most practical tactic, in my opinion.

• Damage: Stick: 5
• Explosion damage: 70-350
• Self-damage: 70-350
• Projectile speed: 15 meters per second
• Area of effect: 5-meter explosion radius

All Tracer Changes From Overwatch To Overwatch 2

Tracer in Overwatch 2 has seen subtle changes, altering her play style. Her Pulse Pistols now deal slightly less damage, reducing from 6 to 5 per shot. However, she gains enhanced mobility and reload speed through her new Damage Passive ability by eliminating other heroes.

Torbjorn’s turret threatens Tracer’s mobility, and her bullets now deal 3.5 damage to armored targets. She excels against support heroes and performs well against tanks due to armor damage adjustments.

While she’s less effective against non-armored targets, she shines against armored ones. Tracer remains mobile with her Blink and Recall abilities, but she may struggle against airborne enemies, as armor reduces bullet damage by 30%.

Best Tracer PlayStyle

• When playing Tracer in Overwatch 2, avoid direct confrontations.
• She excels at close-range damage but has low durability.
• Use her speed to flank enemies.
• Prioritize self-defense due to her low health.
• Headshots can be lethal so focus on eliminating support and less mobile defensive heroes.
• Engage DPS heroes by flanking or entering their blind spots with Blink.
• Be cautious with Blink use, as overusing it can be risky if you ask me.
• Target isolated enemies and avoid charging into large groups without preparation.
• Use Pulse Bomb strategically, as it’s her best ability for medium-health heroes.
• Train your aim for accurate throws, and get close to Blink to maximize its effectiveness.

My Experience With Healers

Playing Tracer in Overwatch 2 has been a mixed experience for me. On the one hand, she remains a powerful hero with high mobility and damage output that excels at flanking and taking out crucial targets. However, on the other hand, she has been nerfed with a longer cooldown on her Blink ability and a shorter duration for her Recall ability.

For example, while on the attack, I engaged from the flank, taking out the opposing Zenyatta, stopping him from healing, and winning the team battle to take the target. But on defense, I got caught by a Genji before using Recall. My team couldn’t hold the push, resulting in losing the objective.

Overall, Tracer remains valuable in Overwatch 2, but players must approach the game cautiously and strategize carefully.

Next:

• Overwatch 2: Best Controller Settings
• Can You Play Overwatch 2 On Steam Deck?
• Overwatch 2 Crashing On PC [FIXED]
• Overwatch 2 Crossplay & Cross Progression Guide

Information: Fandom