Hazard is a fresh and dynamic addition to Overwatch 2’s roster of tank heroes. This guide will provide an in-depth analysis of Hazard’s abilities, movement mechanics, positioning, and strategies to dominate every match.
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player looking to refine your skills, mastering Hazard requires understanding his burst damage, defensive tools, and zoning potential. Let’s dive into the details that will turn you into a formidable force on the battlefield.
Hazard’s Abilities Overview

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Bonespur (Primary Fire)
Hazard's primary weapon, Bonespur, fires a burst of mid-range spikes.
The spread pattern makes it most effective at close to medium range, similar to a shotgun.
Notably, Bonespur cannot achieve a one-shot kill, even with a headshot on low-health heroes like Tracer.
This necessitates precise aim and positioning to maximize damage output.
Spike Guard (Defensive Ability)
When activated, Hazard enters a defensive stance, reducing incoming damage and dealing damage to nearby enemies.
Additionally, Spike Guard regenerates Hazard's ammunition.
The ability operates on a resource meter, similar to D.Va's Defense Matrix, allowing for flexible usage.
Players can activate it briefly to conserve the resource for future engagements.
Violent Leap (Mobility Ability)
Violent Leap propels Hazard forward, providing significant mobility.
Upon reactivation during the leap, Hazard performs a slash attack that deals damage and knocks back enemies within range.
This two-stage ability offers both engagement and disengagement options, making it versatile in various combat scenarios.
Jagged Wall (Utility Ability)
Hazard deploys a spiked wall that lasts for five seconds, dealing damage and knocking back enemies upon contact.
The wall can be placed on the ground, walls, or even ceilings, offering strategic flexibility.
It serves multiple purposes, including blocking enemy movement, providing cover, and enhancing Hazard's mobility when used in conjunction with the Vault passive.
However, it has a cooldown of 12 seconds, so strategic placement is crucial.
Downpour (Ultimate Ability)
Hazard's ultimate, Downpour, unleashes a torrent of spikes over a large vertical area, immobilizing and damaging enemies caught within.
This crowd-control ability can turn the tide of battle by setting up enemies for coordinated team attacks.
Vault (Passive Ability)
Hazard possesses the passive ability to scale short walls and grab ledges, enhancing his vertical mobility.
This allows for creative positioning and unexpected engagements, making Hazard a dynamic presence on the battlefield.
Hazard’s Weapon: Queen Shotgun
Hazard wields a spike-shooting shotgun, delivering a powerful burst that deals
7.5 damage per spike and up to
75 per shot. With a DPS of 150, it’s one of the most potent weapons among tank heroes. Although it lacks complex mechanics, mastering trigger discipline can significantly enhance your accuracy and effectiveness.
Trigger Discipline involves pausing between shots to align your crosshair properly. Unlike mindlessly firing at maximum speed, precise shooting allows you to maximize damage output, especially when targeting enemy tanks.
In Overwatch 2, this technique is crucial for heroes like Doomfist and Junker Queen, where every shot counts. Learning to space your shots with Hazard will help chip away at enemy armor and force tanks into unfavorable engagements.
Key Tip: Focus on landing consistent hits to push enemy tanks into poor positioning. Once they retreat or engage clumsily, capitalize by executing Hazard’s lethal combos.
Mastering Hazard’s Mobility with Spartan Spear
The Spartan Spear is a versatile mobility tool that enables Hazard to leap forward up to 15 meters. Mid-leap, you can unleash a slash attack that deals
80 damage with a range of 6 meters. This ability comes with a brief cooldown starting immediately upon activation, making it highly flexible for both offense and retreat.
Advanced Techniques:
Bee Hop Extension: Hold jump as you land after using your leap to extend your travel distance. This technique improves positioning and ensures your slash connects with targets, even if they attempt to evade.
Wall-Climb Chaining: Hazard can scale walls akin to Genji and Hanzo but with limited height. Chain multiple wall climbs on maps with vertical structures to scout enemies safely or initiate surprise engagements.
Pro Tip: Use wall-climbing to peek over high ground without fully exposing yourself. On maps like Ilios or Hollywood, chaining climbs allows for safer reconnaissance and more controlled engagements.
Defensive Mastery:How To Use Hazard’s Wall

Hazard’s spiked wall is a core defensive ability. With
400 HP, it can block damage, divide enemy teams, or delay aggressive pushes. Unlike Mei’s wall, Hazard’s version deals
50 damage upon contact, adding a layer of offensive utility.
Wall Usage Settings:
Adjust your control settings to allow both tap-and-hold and instant deployment for versatile wall usage. This customization enables precision when blocking corridors and quick activation when under fire.
Strategic Wall Deployments:
Isolate Targets: Place walls to split enemies from their team, securing easy kills.
Block Damage and Vision: Use walls to shield teammates from sniper fire or disrupt enemy sightlines.
Stall Tactics: Extend engagements by placing walls behind enemies, cutting off retreat paths and forcing them into prolonged duels.
Executing the Hazard's One-Shot Combo
The core of Hazard’s offensive prowess is his devastating one-shot combo. The ideal sequence is:
Fire a shotgun blast.
Leap forward with Spartan Spear.
Fire again before slashing.
Fire a third time, then follow with a melee attack.
If all shots land as body shots, this combo inflicts
270 damage, enough to eliminate many heroes instantly. However, execution requires keen timing and proper positioning. Against mobile opponents like Sojourn, beware of baiting tactics designed to lure you into overextending.
When to Use the Combo:
Opportunistic Kills: Engage when squishy targets are within range and lack escape options.
Trigger-Based Engagements: Wait for cooldowns like Ana’s Sleep Dart to expire before diving in.
Soft vs. Hard Engagements
Understanding the difference between
soft and
hard engagements is vital for Hazard players.
Soft Engagement: Low-risk plays intended to create space, force out enemy cooldowns, or gain positional control without committing fully.
Hard Engagement: Full-commitment dives aimed at securing kills, often using the one-shot combo.
According to pro insights from Capology, soft engages are particularly effective in baiting out key abilities. Once threats like Sojourn’s Power Slide are exhausted, switch to a hard engage for maximum impact.
Using Hazard’s Defensive Block

Hazard’s defensive block reduces incoming damage by
75% for up to
3.5 seconds. During this time, spikes deal damage to nearby enemies. While primarily a survival tool, block can finish off low-health opponents after executing a combo.
Key Uses:
Burst Damage Mitigation: Block abilities like Riptire while minimizing downtime.
Offensive Follow-Up: Activate block immediately after a combo to secure kills without exposing yourself to further danger.
Heavy Rain: Hazard’s Ultimate
Hazard’s ultimate,
Heavy Rain, unleashes immobilizing spikes that pierce walls and trap enemies for
2.5 seconds. Each spike deals
90 damage, making it a formidable crowd-control tool.
Optimal Usage:
Mid-Fight Control: Punish grouped enemies after their movement cooldowns are spent.
Defensive Kiting: Use spikes to halt aggressive dives and buy time for your team to reposition.
Hazard’s Positional Play and Rotational Punishment
Effective positioning separates great Hazard players from the rest. Seek aggressive but safe spots where you can pressure enemies without being easily countered.
Examples:
High Ground Dominance: Use wall-climbing to claim elevated positions, enabling you to drop down for surprise combos.
Punishing Rotations: When enemies move through open spaces, punish them with walls and one-shot combos.
Hazard’s Play Styles and Dynamic Adjustments
Hazard’s playstyle evolves throughout fights, requiring flexible decision-making. The primary styles include:
Dive Play Style: Focus on swift eliminations using leap and combo mechanics.
Zone Play Style: Control space with walls and blocks to deny enemy movement.
Brawl Play Style: Engage in sustained frontline combat against durable opponents.
Switch fluidly between these styles as circumstances change. If a dive opportunity evaporates, fall back to zoning until a new window opens.
Hazard’s Tank Matchups

Overwatch 2 Heroes Tier List
Hazard’s Optimal Team Compositions and Synergies
Hazard excels with heroes like Sojourn and Genji, who thrive in fast-paced, fluid skirmishes. Avoid pairings with immobile supports that lack escape tools.
Best Maps for Hazard
Best Maps: Hazard dominates on vertical maps like Numbani, where mobility and wall placement shine.
Worst Maps: Conversely, wide-open maps like Junkertown demand careful positioning and creative wall use to remain effective.
Hazard’s Advanced Strategies
Combining Abilities for Maximum Impact:
Engagement Combo: Initiate with Violent Leap to close the distance, deploy Jagged Wall to disrupt enemy positioning, and activate Spike Guard to mitigate incoming damage while dealing area damage.
Defensive Maneuver: When under pressure, use Jagged Wall to block enemy advances, retreat with Violent Leap, and activate Spike Guard to sustain through enemy fire.
Utilizing Vault for Positioning:
Ambush Tactics: Scale walls to take unconventional routes, surprising enemies from unexpected angles.
Objective Control: Use vertical mobility to contest high ground objectives, providing your team with strategic advantages.
Tips for Climbing Ranks with Hazard
Climbing competitive ranks with Hazard requires mastering his mobility and crowd control while balancing aggression and patience.
1. Timing Your Engagements:
Leaping into a fight too soon without assessing the battlefield will often result in failure. Soft engage first by using your wall to block enemy attacks and create space. Once key cooldowns like Ana’s Sleep Dart or Sojourn’s Power Slide are down, fully commit using your leap combo.
2. Avoid Tunnel Vision:
Don’t get fixated on a single target. Hazard’s one-shot combo is powerful but situational. If opportunities for full dives aren’t available, revert to a zoning playstyle
Use Verticality
Leverage Hazard’s Vault passive to access high ground where enemies might least expect you. Combining Violent Leap and a well-placed wall can set up surprising angles for engagements or safe escapes.
Maximize Ultimate Value
Hazard’s Downpour can change the tide of battle, but timing is crucial. Avoid using it at the start of fights. Instead, punish grouped enemies after they’ve used mobility tools, ensuring maximum immobilization and follow-up damage from your team.
Manage Spike Guard Resource
Spike Guard isn't infinite. Use it sparingly and for brief intervals, prioritizing moments when you’re under heavy fire or need to secure a kill. Think of it as a safety net rather than a permanent shield.
Read more: 10 Pro Tips To Rank Up Fast In Overwatch 2
FAQs
1. Is Hazard a good hero for ranked?
Yes, Hazard is highly effective in ranked play when mastered. His versatility as a tank allows players to adapt to various team compositions and counter strategies, making him a valuable pick in competitive matches.
2. Can I solo carry with Hazard in Overwatch 2?
While Hazard has excellent tools for high-impact plays, solo carrying requires advanced skill. His crowd-control abilities and burst damage make him capable of turning fights, but he performs best when synergizing with a coordinated team.
3. How hard is it to learn Hazard?
Hazard has a moderate learning curve. His abilities are straightforward to understand but require precision, timing, and strategic thinking to use effectively. Mastering his one-shot combos, mobility mechanics, and wall placements can take time and practice.
4. Is Hazard good against shield tanks?
Hazard performs decently against shield tanks like Reinhardt and Sigma. His Jagged Wall can disrupt shield setups, and his consistent damage output can pressure shields effectively. However, proper positioning and timing are crucial.
5. How does Hazard compare to other tank heroes?
Hazard stands out for his mobility and utility. Unlike traditional tanks like Reinhardt, who rely heavily on shields, Hazard offers more offensive options with his spike-based attacks and crowd control abilities, making him a dynamic choice for players who prefer aggressive tanking.
6. What is Hazard’s skill ceiling?
Hazard has a high skill ceiling due to his need for precise aim, strategic wall placement, and effective combo execution. Advanced players can exploit his mobility and crowd control to dominate matches and outplay opponents.
7. Can Hazard counter dive compositions?
Yes, Hazard’s defensive tools, crowd control, and ability to isolate targets with Jagged Wall make him an effective counter to dive compositions. However, timing and positioning are key to handling aggressive enemy teams.
8. How should new players approach Hazard?
Focus on learning wall placements for maximum utility.
Practice the one-shot combo in custom games or against bots.
Understand when to soft engage versus hard engage based on team dynamics.
9. Is Hazard good against flankers?
Hazard can be effective against flankers due to his mobility and ability to block damage with
Spike Guard. His
Jagged Wall can trap or isolate flankers, making them easy targets for your team.
10. What should I avoid doing as Hazard?
Overextending without backup or cooldowns.
Wasting Jagged Wall on ineffective placements.
Diving into fights without assessing enemy cooldowns like Ana’s Sleep Dart or Cassidy’s Magnetic Grenade.
11. How does Hazard fare against crowd-control-heavy teams?
Hazard can struggle against teams with heavy crowd control if his cooldowns are not managed effectively. Focus on soft engagements to bait out enemy abilities before committing to a full dive.
12. How do I counter Hazard as an enemy?
Use range: Heroes like Widowmaker or Pharah can exploit his lack of long-range damage.
Bait abilities: Force Hazard to waste his Jagged Wall or Spike Guard before engaging.
Focus him down: Coordinate with your team to pressure Hazard, preventing him from using his abilities effectively.
Conclusion
Mastering Hazard is a rewarding journey that requires adaptability, precision, and strategic depth. By understanding his mechanics, mastering soft and hard engagements, and applying the right playstyle for every scenario, you’ll unlock Hazard’s full potential and lead your team to victory.
Wrapping It Up
Mastering Hazard in Overwatch 2 requires time, dedication, and practice, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you want to learn
Hazard’s mechanics in-depth or dominate the competitive ladder, we’ve got you covered!
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