How to Counter Illari in Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2

Illari Counters

Illari Counter OW2 Season 6 has arrived in Overwatch 2, bringing along a new Support Hero and completing the roster with a total of 10 Heroes in this role. Her name is Illari, and she’s a force to be reckoned with—whether she’s ensuring her teammates’ well-being or dealing substantial damage when the situation demands it. A skilled Illari player is sure to make an impact in any match!

Armed with her high-damage, long-range Solar Rifle and remarkable healing and evasive abilities, defeating a proficient Illari won’t be a simple task. And so, we’re here to help! This Gamer Haul article will cover the best counters to Illari and give you tips on how to effectively deal with her if you’re ever facing her in a match. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to Overwatch 2, this guide will help you take down Illari and come out on top!



OW2: Illari Abilities Overview

Understanding Illari’s kit is essential to counter her effectively. So before we dive into the best Illari counters, let’s take a quick look at her abilities:

  • [Primary] – Solar Rifle: A long-range rifle that charges automatically.
  • [Secondary] – Healing Beam: Emits a medium-range healing beam that consumes solar energy.
  • Outburst: Propels you in your movement direction, knocking back enemies. Holding jump makes you soar higher.
  • Healing Pylon: Deploy a pylon that heals allies. This pylon can attach itself to terrain and terrain-like objects, like Mei’s Ice Wall.
  • [Ultimate] Captive Sun: Launches an explosive solar energy ball. Hit enemies slow down and explode with AoE damage after taking a total of 90 damage. Triggering the ultimate sends Illari soaring into the air, granting her free flight during its duration, and her next shot transforms into a solar energy ball.

Read our comprehensive Illari Guide to learn more about what she brings to the table!


OW2: Best Illari Counters

Now that we better understand Illari’s kit, let’s move on to the best counters for this powerful support hero. Here are my top picks from each role – Tank, Damage, and Support – to take down the opponent Illari efficiently.


Best Tank Heroes to Counter Illari in OW2

D.Va is a good Tank hero to counter Illari with in Overwatch 2

When it comes to countering Illari as a Tank, a few heroes stand out. Let’s take a look at the top contenders:

  • D.VA: One of the most effective choices to confront Illari is D.Va. She can dive in and out to hassle Illari, use her rocket boosters to disrupt her position, and even chase her down when she’s trying to escape. D.Va’s Defense Matrix is a direct counter to most of Illari’s abilities—from her Solar Rifle shots to her Healing Pylon’s healing and even her potent Captive Sun Ultimate.
  • ROADHOG: Roadhog is another great option. He can single-handedly target and displace Illari using his Chain Hook. Once she’s hooked, Roadhog and his team can quickly eliminate her before she can use her evasive Outburst ability. Plus, Roadhog’s substantial health pool and his self-sustaining ability, Take a Breather, make him a tough adversary for Illari to take down.

Best Damage (DPS) Heroes to Counter Illari in OW2

Genji is a good Damage hero to counter Illari with in Overwatch 2

If you’re a DPS player in Overwatch 2, you have several options to counter Illari. Let’s delve into some effective choices:

  • WIDOWMAKER: If you have a sharp aim, Widowmaker is a direct and powerful option to counter Illari. Both Illari and Widowmaker are hitscan heroes, but Widowmaker’s advantage lies in her superior range. Her sniper shots can reach beyond Illari’s Solar Rifle’s range, allowing her to eliminate Illari with a single headshot. However, if the opposing Illari is cautious about positioning and remains in cover, you might need to explore flanking strategies.
  • GENJI: For a more up-close and personal approach, Genji is an excellent choice. A skilled Genji can swiftly dispatch Illari with well-timed combos. Genji’s exceptional mobility and agility make it challenging for even the most adept Illari players to evade his attacks. Remember from earlier, Illari’s Solar Rifle is less potent in close ranges, which plays to Genji’s strengths. And yes, Genji can even deflect Illari’s Captive Sun Ultimate to turn it against her own team.
  • REAPER: Another strong flanker, Reaper excels at infiltrating the enemy backlines and closing in on Illari’s danger zone. Utilize Shadow Step to teleport behind her for a surprise attack. Two well-placed shots from Reaper’s reliable Hellfire Shotguns can swiftly eliminate Illari, and his Wraith Form offers an escape route once the task is accomplished.

Each of these choices offers a unique approach, so consider your playstyle and adapt your strategy to secure victory against Illari and her supporting role.


Best Support Heroes to Counter Illari in OW2

Ana is a good Support hero to counter Illari with in Overwatch 2

When it comes to countering Illari as a Support player, a few heroes stand out:

ANA: In Overwatch 2, Ana remains one of the best burst-healing Supports, with a wide range of tools at her disposal. Unlike Illari, who focuses solely on dealing damage from medium to long-range, Ana can seamlessly switch between projectile and hitscan shots. This versatility allows you to choose the most effective method for dealing with Illari, depending on the situation and the distance between you.

BAPTISTE: Another Support hero effective at countering Illari is Baptiste. His Biotic Rifle enables him to deal substantial damage to enemies while simultaneously healing teammates. With a good range and impressive damage potential, dealing with an evasive Illari shouldn’t be a major challenge for Baptiste.


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While dealing with Illari and her impressive abilities might pose a challenge, there are several heroes capable of countering her effectively. By utilizing their strengths and exploiting her weaknesses, you can shift the balance of battle and secure victory for your team. However, Overwatch 2 is a team game – success isn’t achieved alone! Keep in mind the importance of communication and coordination with your teammates. By working together, you’ll be well-equipped to overcome the challenges posed by Overwatch 2’s latest Support hero

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