Overwatch 2: Tracer Character Overview, Abilities, Changes

Abhimannu Das
Updated On: 
<div class="paragraphs"><p>Tracer -&nbsp;Overwatch 2</p></div>
Tracer -&nbsp;Overwatch 2

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Highlights
Tracer is one of the most popular DPS heroes from Overwatch 1 but her place is uncertain in the new game.
The removal of stuns has made Tracer more viable than ever before but other DPS characters outclass her in a lot of situations.
Tracer is still one of the go-to heroes for aggressive close range combat and dive comps.

Overwatch 2’s Tracer is one of the characters that has remained unchanged from the previous iteration of the game. Since Overwatch 2 is still in beta, there is a chance that Tracer might receive a few changes once she goes live with the release of the game. Her spot in the current meta is very ambiguous as the removal of stuns in the game should have made her a lot more dominant. However, other DPS (Damage Per Second) heroes simply outclass her in a lot of situations but it does not mean that she is a weak hero by any means.

Tracer's Abilities in Overwatch 2

Toting twin pulse pistols and energy-based time bombs Tracer is able to "blink" through space and rewind her personal timeline. Her kit has remained completely unchanged in Overwatch 2.

Primary Fire: Pulse Pistols

Tracer rapid-fires both of her pistols. The pistols do not have a secondary fire mode.

  • Damage: 1.8 - 6 per bullet, 3.6 - 12 per shot

  • Falloff range: 12 to 20 meters

  • Spread angle: Max: 3.6 degrees

  • Num. of pellets: 2 bullets per shot

  • Rate of fire: 20 shots per second

  • Ammo: 40

  • Ammo usage: 2 rounds per shot

  • Reload time: 1.15 seconds

  • Headshot: Yes

Blink

Tracer zips horizontally through space in the direction she’s moving and reappears several yards away. She stores up to three charges of the blink ability and generates more every few seconds.

  • Max. range: 7.5 meters

  • Ammo: 3 charges

  • Duration: 0.1 seconds

  • Cooldown: 3 seconds per charge

  • 9 seconds for all three charges

Recall

Tracer bounds backward in time, returning her health, ammo and position on the map to precisely where she was a few seconds before.

  • Healing: Health returned to the highest value in the past 3 seconds

  • Duration: 1.25 seconds rewinding

  • Rewinds 3 seconds back

  • Cooldown: 12 seconds

Pulse Bomb (Ultimate)

Tracer lobs a large bomb that sticks to any surface or unfortunate opponent it lands on. After a brief delay, the bomb explodes, dealing high damage to all enemies within its blast radius.

  • Damage: Stick: 5

  • Explosion: 70-350

  • Self: 70-350

  • Projectile speed: 15 meters per second

  • Area of effect: 5 meter explosion radius

  • Casting time: 0.15 seconds (throw)

  • 1 second (after stick)

  • Headshot: No

  • Ultimate cost: 1260 points

Should You Use Tracer in Overwatch 2?

Tracer is a solid hero but health buffs for certain characters have made it impossible for her to one-shot them with her Pulse Bomb. Her damage potential has remained unchanged and the removal of stuns from Overwatch 2 makes her a strong pick in dive-oriented teams. Team compositions with Genji as the second damage dealer and Winston or Doomfist as the tank look quite strong and might become meta once the game launches.


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Abhimannu is a PC esports writer at AFK Gaming. With over seven years of experience in esports journalism, he has worked on a myriad of games and their ecosystems including Valorant, Overwatch and Apex Legends.