Summary
Highlights
A tank's primary job is not just to protect teammates, but to enable them. This can be done by soaking up enemy attention through aggressive play, allowing damage dealers to operate freely. Maintaining visibility with teammates while annoying enemies and having an escape plan are also key.
Making space is crucial for tank players. Space refers to areas on the map. Before initiating, always check if your team can support you. Different tank types create space differently: Brawl tanks push forward and hold ground, Dive tanks create temporary space by disrupting enemy backlines, and Poke tanks apply constant pressure. Understanding the difference between useful and useless space is also important, as is recognizing key areas like high ground.
Overwatch 2 is a game of resources and resource trading. As a tank, you should always ask what you will gain from using your cooldowns and whether it forces the enemy to commit more resources. You can also strategically give up space to conserve resources against enemy ultimates. Identifying your own win condition and the enemy's win condition (e.g., specific abilities or ultimates) is vital for winning team fights. Always be aware of potential threats and force out key enemy cooldowns.