Overwatch 2is nearing its third anniversary, while the franchise as a whole is approaching its tenth anniversary. Arguably just as exciting as those milestones is Winston’s birthday on June 6, which marks the beloved super-intelligent gorilla turning 32 years old. Though there are cases to be made that Tracer, Sojourn, Kiriko, or Juno could all be consideredthe “face” ofOverwatch, Winston has stood the test of time as an unshakable favorite.
Overwatchdidn’t officially launch until May 2016, but Winston was a playable character as early as the Closed Beta in October 2015. From the very beginning, he served as a symbol of the hero-shooter’s heart and optimism. Even now, Winston plays a critical role inOverwatch 2, especially when it comes to the game’s lore and tank meta.
Winston is the Unofficial Face of Overwatch
From Humble Beginnings to a Key Figure In the Lore
Winston, named after the scientist who raised him, Harold Winston, began as a genetically enhanced gorilla raised on the moon by Lucheng Interstellar. This is the same company that later engineered Hammond on Horizon Lunar Colony and sent Juno to Earth after Project Red Promise failed. Growing up on the moon, Winston would often look down on Earth and dream of what life would be like there. Dr. Harold Winston acted as a father figure to him until the program was eventually shut down due to a lack of interest. Some time after this, Winston escaped to Earth, landing atWatchpoint Gibraltar, where he found solace with Overwatch.
Over the years, it’s become clear that Winston is far more than just a powerhouse on the battlefield. He’s an intellectual genius and an integral figure inOverwatch’s lore, seen serving as a core member ofOverwatch’s original strike team and playing a pivotal role in Sojourn’s operation to capture Maximilien. Additionally, and perhaps more impressively, he was the one who dealt the final blow to imprison Doomfist and initiated the recall of Overwatch, which ultimately saved several cities fromNull Sector’s invasion.
Winston’s Ongoing Role in Overwatch’s Meta
Winston caught the eye of players as one ofOverwatch’s 21 original heroes, particularly for how well he fit intoOverwatch’s dive compositions. In 6v6, Winston was a viable pick for harassing enemy backlines thanks to his Jump Pack, which allowed for quick engagements and escapes, as well as the added survivability provided by his Barrier Projector. With his Primal Rage ultimate serving as a perfect way to showcase a player’s juggling skills, Winston remains one of the more respected tanks due to the level of thought and mechanical skill required to play him effectively.
Winston remains one of the more respected tanks due to the level of thought and mechanical skill required to play him effectively.
Maps with numerous high-ground opportunities, such as Numbani, Dorado, and Watchpoint Gibraltar, highlight the importance of mobile tanks. Fortunately, Winston’s abilities have remained largely unchanged over the years, with the most notable update being the addition of acharged Tesla Cannon shotas his secondary fire, which allows him to deal more poke damage.
Winston’s Viability in Recent Seasons
WithOverwatch’s shift to 5v5 in 2022, the removal of one tank per team placed significantly more pressure on the solo tank player. However, tanks like Winston andD.Va dominated the leaderboardsthanks to how well their playstyles suited the 5v5 format. Before Hazard’s release in Season 14, Winston and D.Va were the only two tank characters that could quickly overwhelm squishy characters, contest high ground, and peel for their teammates in a matter of seconds. There is an argument to be made that heroes like Hammond and Doomfist also fit this role, but they may not be able to do this as effectively in 5v5.
Following the addition ofPerks in Season 15 ofOverwatch 2, Winston’s Perks appear fairly situational. Still, perks like Heavy Landing, which increases impact damage, Chain Lightning, which lets his secondary fire hit multiple targets, and Revitalizing Barrier, which heals allies inside his shield for 30 health per second, all offer useful utility.
Though some Winston mains argue that his Perks feel underwhelming, especially compared to more game-changing equippable passives likeAna’s Shrike Perk, which allows her to cast Nano Boost on herself in addition to an ally, he has remained a consistent pick in the tank roster. To illustrate, in Season 16, Winston stands out as one of the most-played tank heroes on the Top 500 leaderboard, alongside other mobile tanks like Wrecking Ball and Hazard.
Moreover, while the ape has yet to arrive inOverwatch 2’s Stadium mode, he is expected to debut in Season 18. While his specific Items and Powers in the Armory remain undisclosed, it’s exciting news for tank players, who currently only have five heroes to choose from. The tank heroes available in Stadium right now are as follows:
Winston’s Impact on the Overwatch Community
Across all mediums, whether it be comics, books, in-game, or cinematics, Winston has remained one ofOverwatch’s most popular heroes. From apparel, collectibles, statues, and in-game content like emotes, he’s consistently one of the franchise’s most iconic and recognizable faces. For example, in Season 10, players were over the moon whenOverwatch 2added a Winton Souvenirto the Premium Battle Pass track. As an official acknowledgment of the “Winton Overwat” meme, which was born from the silly-looking, real-life plush toy, the Winton Souvenir was incredibly well-received by the community.
After nearly an “official” decade of Winston, it seems fitting that Team 4 add him to the list of characters that still need Mythic Skins orMythic Weapons inOverwatch 2. Notably, D.Va will be receiving the Season 16 Mythic Skin, and Reaper will be getting a Mythic Weapon during the mid-season update, which might mean it could be a while before Winston receives one of these. Regardless, as the brilliant and lovable gorilla celebrates his birthday, fans are hopeful the developers will commemorate the occasion with something special.
