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- Widowmaker: Origins
- How To Get Widowmaker In Overwatch 2
- Widowmaker Overwatch 2: Character Overview
- Uses, Strategies and The Meta
It is now an unspoken rule of every hero shooter to have a sniper character whose lore includes lurking in the shadows and occasionally coming out of them to line up the perfect shot.
But back in 2016, heroes were pretty much freeform, with styles, designs and functions still yet to be figured out for several characters. In the midst of that, Blizzard caught lightning in a bottle when they announced Widowmaker.
But who is she? Where does she come from? What is the best way to play Widowmaker and use her kit?
We are going to answer all of those questions and hopefully raise more for Blizzard to tweak her with, so strap in and enjoy the ride.
Here is an Overwatch 2 character overview of the new Widowmaker in our Overwatch 2 guide.
Widowmaker: Origins
Widow’s story starts with the happenings of Overwatch, the world government-organized firing squad collective who were meant to defeat humanity’s greatest threats.
Born in Annecy, France, Amelie Lacroix was a relatively unknown and unimportant character who eventually married one of the central characters of the pregame lore, Gerard Lacroix.
What made her very important, however, was her murder of her husband in his sleep. Out of seemingly nowhere, this was a double blow to the world as Gerard was a very high-ranking member of Overwatch, specifically in matters concerning the terrorist group known as Talon.
As more layers unfolded and more truths were revealed, it was also revealed that Amelie was merely a sleeper agent of Talon, who had kidnapped and brainwashed her as part of an assassination plan for leaders of the Overwatch squad; Gabriel Reyes, Jack Morrison and Lacroix.
As the world got into crisis mode due to Gerard’s death, Amelie sought out the only thing that made her feel alive; the thrill of the kill. This predatory instinct was capitulated upon when she went back to Talon. Moira O’Deorain, Talon’s resident scientist, converted her physiology, slowing her heart rate down, which turned her skin blue.
This assassination had broken her mental state entirely, and Amelie was no more. Her new code name, and her new name for all intents and purposes would be Widowmaker. She was taught the ways of Talon’s tactical warfare, and she became the ultimate assassin.
The move bore fruit for the terrorist organization, as one of the leaders of the Omnics, a group of sentient androids, Tekhartha Mondatta, was assassinated in cold blood by Widow. This launched the world back into another conflict with the Omnic, fulfilling Talon’s goals.
How Do You Get The Widowmaker in Overwatch 2?
With the shift to a free-to-play model, a lot of things have changed with the second game, including the ability to acquire different heroes.
To get Widowmaker in Overwatch 2, you simply have to play the game. She is available as one of the very first damage heroes that are unlocked from the beginning of the game.
New Widowmaker Overwatch 2: Character Overview
Weapons and Abilities
Armed with her trusted sniper, Widow’s Kiss, her Venom Mine, Grappling Hook and Infra-Sight, Widowmaker is the infiltrator’s dream.
Widow is a damage hero who excels, as her kit demonstrates, in long-range and extreme long-range duels. Her kit is built to make the perfect conditions for the perfect shot possible, and deter enemies who get up close.
Widow’s Kiss
The Widow’s Kiss is a powerful sniper. Scoped in, damage increases up to 100% for a one-shot kill on all characters (except Tanks). That’s after a set amount of time scoped in.
In alternate firing mode, when aiming scoped out, it is an auto rifle with minimal range and damage.
On 0% power, the Widow’s Kiss damages the enemy for 36 HP and steadily increases up to 120 HP at 100%. With the headshot multiplier, you can easily kill most Damage and Support heroes with a 100% charged headshot.
Venom Mine
The Venom Mine is a deployable mine that unleashes a toxic gas into the atmosphere and the victim, disorienting and slowing them down. The Venom Mine can be used to slow enemies down as well as set traps for flanking characters.
Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is the only mobility ability that Widow has, and it has a lot of usability. It can be used to reach ledges and far-off points as and when Widow needs to get close to her prey and far from her pursuers.
Infra-Sight
And now, we finally come to her Ultimate ability: Infra-Sight. Infra-Sight makes legal for a short period of time what is most definitely illegal in most first-person shooters; seeing enemies through walls.
Her teammates also get the advantage of this information as she can line up the perfect one shot one kill opportunities to skew the fight in the favor of her team. However, there have been some Overwatch 2 Widowmaker changes that have switched up the meta a little bit and leveled the playing field against her opponents.
Overwatch 2 Widowmaker Changes: Uses, Strategies and the Meta
Widow has always been a very strong damage character, even with the meta shifting all around her. With a huge damage falloff, the hit scan aiming type has helped her dominate the meta in almost all of its iterations throughout the first game.
Now, into the second game, Widow has fallen a bit behind considering all of the different characters introduced and the game-changing a fair bit (yes it has, it’s not just a reskin and relaunch), but she has maintained her place as a go-to range character.
Although facing competition from the likes of Ashe and Cassidy, their lower-tier kit makes Widow a much more enticing option on long-range maps.
Speaking of, maps such as Junkertown, King’s Row and others really allow Widow to flex her muscles and be a consistent threat on ground as well as in the air. In the right hands, Widow can shut down most maps and most engagements, with aerial movement not affecting the aim as much as in other games such as Destiny 2.
The best way to play Widow would be on the maps with great sight lines, scouting for sniping spots preferably with a height advantage. Additionally, since players at higher tiers are aware of this, try to mix that with a bit of mid-air gameplay with the help of her grappling hook.
Remember, Widow is only as good as the mechanical skill and quick decision making ability of the player themselves, so her limits aren’t really known aside from congesting the space she ideally needs.
Widowmaker is great against both movement-based and stationary characters alike, and is a great counter to a lot of heroes. Some of the heroes she directly counters are –
Sombra – Even though Sombra is equally as great against Widow, her teleportation and planning might get thrown for a spin if you plan and bait her using another flanking damage or damage/healer character.
Ana – Ana’s sniper doesn’t do nearly as much damage, and she is a very stationary character. Easy prey.
Moira – While Moira’s Fade and Orb abilities might make her both agile and able to get you off your perch, she has no other movement abilities. Create the perfect scenario for a Moira character to want to flank, and you have got her.
Zenyatta – Probably the most stationary character in the game, killing the enemy Zen first should be easy and a priority, since he can’t do much to escape.
Kiriko – Yeah, Widow can make short work of the new hero. Kiriko is just a better Moira in every regard, so employ the same strategy as you would against a Moira. Although, it can be a little risky. Remember, she is not Moira, but a better Moira.
Torbjorn – Torb is another character with low movement, and with a proper sightline, you can take care of both his turret and him by singling him out. Torb’s kit isn’t built for vertical fighting, so you can easily take him out even while he is using his extra health ability.
Sojourn – With the recent changes to Sojourn’s one-shot ability, she has plummeted down the ranks, and is easy pickings for Widow. She still packs a punch, so be wary.
Reaper – Reaper has great movement options, yes, but he is also one of the slowest and noisiest characters around. Well, that is kind of his persona. So be wary of the teleport in, and place a Venom Mine anticipating that. For the rest of his abilities, he is a short-range character, and Widow can easily outclass him with distance.
In this meta, the only way Widow does not work is if you are countered at close range or have a better Widow on the other team. This makes Widow one of the strongest damage options out there, as well as a strong team player overall.
If you want more such character overviews, we will have them soon, so stick around for all things Overwatch 2!
