Overwatch 2 is finally out, bringing the new Push game mode to the hero shooter. While Overwatch 2 had a rough launch, with long queues, crashes, and a phone number requirement that has been mostly nixed by Blizzard, Push provided a fun new neutral target mode for users to enjoy. See how Push works and how to master the new game mode.
How Push works in Overwatch 2
Push is an objective-neutral game mode centered around a bot that starts in the center of the map. Each teammate has a winding path for the robot to walk down, with the goal of getting the robot to the enemy team’s territory. The winner is determined by the team that drives the robot the furthest or if a teammate reaches the end of the course. To move the robot, it must be completely clear of enemies and someone must be near it, like moving a payload object. Each team has a spawn set near their own base where the enemy team tries to get the robot. Unlike payload matches, spawns won’t get close to the target, no matter how far you push it.
Best practices for Push
Despite having a moving target similar to Payload matches, the best comparison for how you should play Push is Control. The goal is to maximize the time that either your team controls the bot or at least challenges it. If your whole team is hitting the objective at once, a good strategy is to have the tank lead a healer and a damage hero to the objective from the front, while the other healer and damage character use one of the side paths to flank. Because of the way Push maps are laid out, they are much easier to frame than in other modes, making it a more effective strategy.
Once you control the bot, you’ll want a few people to babysit while one of the damage heroes tries to pick off one of the enemy players before they reach the objective. Since the winner is determined by how much the bot is pushed, it’s more important to keep the bot moving, even if someone staying on target results in a team wipe. Since the enemy team has to push the bot to their barrier, the further you can get the bot, the more time you buy for your team to regroup before the enemy team reaches their barrier with the robot.
The best heroes for Overwatch 2 Push mode
Characters like Sombra, Genji, or Wrecking Ball that are great for diving into the enemy are also great at Push because they also have the speed to get back on target quickly and can push the enemy team and split them up. Another thing to keep in mind is the end use. While there are many great opportunities to use them, the two best situations are to regain control of the bot by opening with an ultimate ability or using ultimates when your team is close to the bot reaching the final objective. Since it’s game over if you reach the end point, it’s a great time to put pressure on the enemy team.
Other Push tips
- While the robot follows a winding path on each map, there are straight paths, usually through buildings, on each map — so you can get back into the race a little faster.
- With the straight paths on each map, there are also plenty of opportunities to flank the enemy.
- Once a robot moves through an area, it will move through that space faster since it doesn’t have to push the barrier. This means that when you regain control from the other team, you should be able to get back to where you were fairly quickly.
- The robot pushes a huge barrier, which can be used as cover. Considering the subject’s movements through open paths, this can be a vital piece of cover.
- If you have the lead, you don’t have to win every team fight, just survive long enough to stop the robot from moving.
- Once the overtime starts, it will not end as long as a member of the losing team is near the robot. There is no time limit on overtime, so clear the target as quickly as possible.
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