Overwatch 2 Hero Ban Rates so far: All You Need to Know

Overwatch

18 Jul

Andre Guaraldo

The introduction of Overwatch 2 Hero Bans in Season 16 has transformed the way competitive Overwatch is playing, giving players a lot more control over their match experience than ever before. Since the system's launch on April 22, 2025, extensive data has revealed fascinating patterns in how the community approaches these strategic decisions.

Understanding which heroes face the highest ban rates (and why) has become key for anyone eager to climb the ranks or simply stay ahead of the strategic curve, as each role and platform brings its own unique set of priorities and challenges to the competitive landscape.

The most banned Overwatch 2 Hero so far - Sombra

Sombra has emerged as the most controversial hero in Overwatch 2, with staggering ban rates. Across all ranks, Sombra maintains an 85% ban rate on PC and a remarkable 93% ban rate on console. This rejection by the player base has prompted Blizzard to acknowledge that "Sombra's high ban rate sheds light on necessary changes we'll be making in the future".

The dominance of Sombra bans reflects widespread frustration with her invisibility and hacking mechanics. Players consistently describe her as "annoying" and "unfun to play against," with her ability to disable enemy abilities while remaining invisible creating a uniquely frustrating gameplay experience.

Following Sombra, Zarya holds the second-highest ban rate at 59% on PC and 57% on console. The tank hero's bubble mechanics and high damage potential make her a frequent target for bans across all skill levels. Doomfist rounds out the top three most banned heroes on PC with a 43% ban rate, though his console ban rate drops significantly to around 18%.

credits: Blizzard

Top 10 most banned heroes in Overwatch 2 Season 16

Sombra
Zarya
Doomfist
Symmetra
Mercy
Ana
Torbjörn
Widowmaker
Zenyatta
Freja

Platform-specific hero ban patterns

The data reveals significant differences between PC and console ban preferences. While Sombra dominates both platforms, console players show distinct preferences that reflect the unique challenges of gamepad gameplay.

Console-Specific Trends:

Symmetra appears as the third most banned DPS hero on console with a 23% ban rate, compared to just 8% on PC
Torbjörn and other turret-based heroes see higher ban rates on console, where precise aim is more challenging
Mercy is the most banned support hero on console, while Ana takes that position on PC

PC-Specific Trends:

Widowmaker receives more bans on PC where precise aim is easier to achieve
Zenyatta sees significantly more bans on PC than console
Freja has a 27% ban rate on PC but remains under 10% on console

Rank-based hero ban variations

Hero ban patterns vary dramatically across different competitive ranks, revealing interesting insights about player priorities and game understanding.

High-Rank Ban Patterns (Masters+):

D.Va becomes the most banned tank hero, overtaking Zarya in higher ranks
Players at Masters and above show more strategic banning focused on meta compositions
Ana dominates support bans on PC at high ranks, while Mercy remains the primary target on console

Lower-Rank Ban Patterns:

Bronze players attempt to ban an average of six different heroes per match, compared to just four at Grandmaster
Lower-rank players tend to ban based on personal frustration rather than strategic considerations
The Damage role shows the most disagreement about which heroes to ban at lower ranks

Strategic Implications of the Overwatch Hero Bans

The hero ban system has introduced new layers of strategy that extend far beyond simply removing annoying heroes. Successful teams now incorporate ban strategy into their overall game plan.

Pre-Match Strategy:

Communication becomes critical during the ban phase, with teams coordinating to protect their preferred compositions
Flexibility in hero pools is now essential, as one-trick players face significant disadvantages
Map awareness influences ban decisions, with certain heroes being banned more frequently on specific maps

Meta Impact:

Composition diversity has increased as dominant heroes can be removed from play
Counter-play strategies have evolved to account for potential bans
Adaptation skills are more valuable than ever, as players must be prepared for various scenarios

What more is coming in terms of hero bans

Blizzard has indicated that hero ban data will play a crucial role in future balance decisions. The development team is using this information to identify heroes that may need adjustments, whether they're overpowered, underpowered, or simply frustrating to play against.

Potential Changes:

Sombra rework is heavily implied given her extreme ban rates
Zarya adjustments may be coming as the second-most banned hero
Niche heroes that are frequently banned in their specialty areas may receive broader utility

System Evolution:

Map voting was introduced in Season 17 as a complementary system
Professional esports integration continues to evolve
Community feedback shapes ongoing refinements to the ban system

Tips for success in the Overwatch 2 Hero Bans Era

Adapting to the hero ban system requires both strategic thinking and practical adjustments to your gameplay approach.

For Individual Players:

Expand your hero pool to include at least 2-3 heroes per role you play
Communicate with your team about preferred heroes and ban priorities
Study ban patterns at your rank to anticipate which heroes might be unavailable
Practice flexibility rather than relying on one-trick gameplay

For Teams:

Coordinate ban votes to maximize strategic impact
Protect key compositions by banning appropriate counters
Adapt quickly to unexpected ban outcomes
Use the preferred hero system to communicate team strategy

Which hero you banning first?

Overwatch 2 Hero Bans have successfully achieved its primary goal of reducing frustration with problematic heroes while adding strategic depth to competitive play. Sombra's overwhelming ban rates clearly demonstrate the system's effectiveness in identifying community pain points, while the varied ban patterns across ranks and platforms reveal the diverse preferences of Overwatch 2's player base.

As we move forward, the hero ban system will likely continue evolving based on player feedback and data analysis. The dramatic impact on heroes like Sombra suggests that Blizzard is taking this feedback seriously, potentially leading to significant character reworks and balance adjustments.

For competitive players, mastering the hero ban system is no longer optional... it's essential for success. The ability to make strategic ban decisions, communicate effectively with teammates, and adapt to constantly changing hero pools has become a fundamental skill in modern Overwatch 2 competitive play.

The data shows that hero bans have transformed the competitive landscape, creating a more dynamic and potentially more balanced environment. While some heroes face near-universal rejection, the system has opened up new possibilities for strategic play and hero diversity that will continue to shape the game's future.

Stay tuned to Strafe Esports for more Overwatch 2 news. Don't forget to follow us on our Social Media for real-time updates on your favorite games.

Feature image credits: FREEDO