Overwatch 2 Zarya: The Definitive Guide

On October 4th, 2022, the popular hero shooter made its return with an updated sequel called Overwatch 2. Despite a rocky start, the game is already receiving much attention from gamers and fans worldwide, owing to the new five vs five gameplay. Zarya, who was originally present in Overwatch 2 and now appears in Overwatch 2, is the character I will discuss in my guide.

Overview of Zarya in Overwatch 2

Zarya is one of the best choices for any team composition. She fulfills the role of a tank and is excellent at using her skills to limit opponent damage. With a few successful fights, Zarya may, in the proper hands, alter the outcome of a game.

Zarya has experienced various upgrades. Her HP has increased to 250 (from 200), and her shields have increased to 225 (from 200). She is now more resilient than she was in the first Overwatch, and she can be a real benefit to her teammates by boosting their endurance.

Checkout all the summarized information on Zarya: 

Zarya’s Weapons and Abilities

While Zarya will essentially play similarly to how she did in the first game, several of her abilities have been changed to account for the shortcomings of a one-tank meta.

Players will see certain modifications to her ability to protect herself and her teammates, as well as a modest improvement in her overall enduring power as a result. You may protect your squad from damage and take the initiative to victory by mastering her abilities.

Energy

Zarya has access to a special resource called Energy through her passive ability, Energy, which she may utilize to boost the particle cannon’s effectiveness. Whenever the Projected Barrier or Particle Barrier halts the damage, Zarya gains energy.

The more Energy Zarya has, the more she will shine. The rate of energy degradation has increased from 1.8 each second in Overwatch to 2.2 per second. It means that Zarya must constantly create Energy for her particle gun to deal more damage.

Particle Cannon

The Particle Cannon is Zarya’s signature weapon and her primary technique of doing damage to opponents in Overwatch 2. Using 20 of the magazine’s 100 rounds per second, the Particle Cannon’s primary firing function fires a beam toward the adversary.

A player’s weapon must be reloaded in 1.5 seconds. The Particle Cannon deals 75 basic damage per second with a 0% Energy charge and up to 170 damage per second at a 100% Energy charge. As a result, players will attempt to deflect as many enemy attacks as possible to hurt their opponents more.

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Additionally, the Particle Cannon has a secondary firing mode. In this mode, the particle cannon can shoot explosive projectiles, but each shot consumes 25 ammo. In this mode, the particle cannon’s rounds will explode, inflicting AoE damage on all foes within a 2.5-meter radius.

The shooting technique can inflict up to 47 damage at 0% and 95 damage at 100% energy charge to enemies. Zarya might potentially hurt herself if she uses this ability too closely.

Particle Barrier

The Particle Barrier, as its name suggests, forms a bubble barrier around you that protects you from harm for two seconds. The Particle Barrier can help you deflect all incoming blows because it has a 200 damage absorption rating.

It is simple to stumble into foes’ traps, and things might get out of hand rapidly. Particle Barrier is advised at this point to withstand 100% damage and help your character get back on course. Finally, the catch: the Particle Barrier converts any damage it takes to the Particle Cannon.

Utilizing the Particle Barrier is undoubtedly a fantastic resource for supporting not only individual players but also the entire squad. To regulate the gameplay, it also has a 10-second cooldown, although this is nothing to be concerned about.

An Interesting Topic: Overwatch 2 Tier List

Projected Barrier

Zarya has another great ability after the Particle Barrier: the Projected Barrier. You will now be able to employ both shield bubbles using Zarya for the first time to enhance the tanking capabilities.

By using the Projected Barrier, you may surround your comrades with a bubble shield that can withstand up to 200 incoming attacks from the other team. You can now use this damage as Zarya Particle Cannon energy.

It should be remembered that the Projected Barrier will only be effective for your teammates for two seconds. Players will then need to wait 10 seconds for a cooldown before using the shield abilities on their team once again.

Graviton Surge

Last but not least, She introduces the Graviton Surge ultimate ability to Overwatch 2. Zarya also utilizes it as a temporary ability, like the majority of heroes’ ults. Essentially, the Graviton Surge is a gravitational weapon that continuously deals damage to all foes.

Your enemies will be imprisoned within the gravity for more than 3.5 seconds after using the ult, and they will take 5 more damage every second. Although during battle, it might not feel like enough. But when used properly, Zarya will enable players to escape the difficult situation and come up with a plan to eliminate the opponents forever.

Zarya’s Playstyle

• Mastering Zarya, a powerful tank, requires practice and precision in using Particle Barrier and Projected Barrier to charge the Photon Cannon.
• A fully charged Zarya can deal significant damage and execute devastating combos with her Ultimate Ability.
• Teamwork is crucial to enhance Zarya’s performance, and effective character combos can boost her impact.
• Combining Zarya’s ult with a teammate like Reaper can be fatal for enemies, providing a decisive advantage.
• Effective teamwork is essential for executing combos and swiftly clearing areas.
• Zarya, with her defensive and damaging capabilities, becomes a potent tank in the right hands.

You might like: Overwatch 2 DPS Tier List.

Best Zarya’s Attack Strategy

• Zarya, a tank in Overwatch 2, serves as the team’s primary defender and damage reducer, benefiting from adjustments that allow her to take more damage.
• Graviton Surge is Zarya’s key ability, making farming for it a primary goal to shine in matches.
• Focus on finding the best angles to launch energy grenades, poking foes, and charging the ultimate.
• Monitor shields and Energy levels closely, as Zarya’s effectiveness relies on managing her equipment.
• Utilize Particle Barrier when damaged, leveraging Zarya’s substantial base shield for maximum effect.
• Apply the same logic to Projected Shield; avoid using it predictively and wait until a teammate is actually damaged.
• Capturing foes with Graviton Surge without a proper team follow-up is the worst scenario for Zarya, highlighting the importance of team coordination

My Experience With Zarya So Far

As for my personal experience with Zarya, it might not be that much, as I am not specifically a Tank player in OW2. However, I use Zarya to push the enemy lines while being on my team’s front lines. Zarya’s Bubble (Barrier) allows me to do much more damage with a high charge. 

However, that’s not it, I also use Zarya’s bubble for my teammates who are trying to make aggressive plays and want to deal damage to the enemy lines. Zarya’s Bubble will allow them to deal more damage than normal. Also, being aggressive is not going to work always. I recommend players to fall back and look for the healer’s support when necessary.

Summary

Even by herself, the hero ranks among the greatest DPS characters in Overwatch 2. She excels in clearing the way for her teammates by remaining on the front line. Therefore, be careful to thoroughly comprehend Zarya’s abilities and traits before launching into the game’s competitive modes.

That concludes my Zarya Guide. Do you think utilizing one of the top Overwatch 2 tank heroes will benefit you? Please share your opinions in the space provided below.

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