Junker Queen in Overwatch 2: How to Play

Junker Queen’s Abilities

Adrenaline Rush

Compared to other tanks in Overwatch, Junker Queen is somewhat lacking in defensive tools. She has no shield or even a way to block incoming damage. To help her survive on the front line, she has a passive ability that heals her for the damage she deals via wounds, a new damage over time effect applied by many of Junker Queen’s abilities.

Scattergun

The most basic part of Junker Queen’s kit, her primary fire is a simple, pump-action shotgun that fires 10 pellets in a relatively tight spread. Landing all of them can result in some really nasty headshots, but the range isn’t anything to write home about. Overall, the weapon feels similar to Roadhog’s thematically, only with a faster fire rate and lower damage.

Jagged Blade

Affectionately dubbed “Gracie” by the murderous monarch, Junker Queen’s secondary fire comes in the form of a knife she throws toward enemies. The knife deals a burst of damage on a direct hit along with a small wound to the target. Once thrown, Junker Queen can recall Gracie via magnetic gauntlets to inflict wounds on any enemies the knife passes through on the way back.

If the throw was a direct hit, the recall will pull the target towards Junker Queen, giving her a great opportunity to get up close and personal. In addition, whenever she has the knife in hand, Junker Queen inflicts a small wound with her quick melee attack.

Carnage

Junker Queen clearly has a thing for naming her weapons, and her signature axe is no exception. Carnage will make quick work of any enemies unfortunate enough to find themselves in melee range.

When she uses Carnage, Junker Queen winds up for a wide swing that can catch multiple enemies, dealing big immediate damage and applying a sizeable wound. In total, she can deal nearly 150 damage to each target she hits, healing herself considerably in the process.

Commanding Shout

This ability is Junker Queen’s main way of providing utility to her team. When activated, Commanding Shout provides extra health for both Junker Queen and her nearby allies, while also giving the entire group a speed boost.

Without a shield or damage mitigation, this is the best way for Junker Queen to help teammates move through chokepoints and close the gap toward the enemy team. It can also be a great tool to keep everyone alive during a chaotic brawl. The cooldown on Commanding Shout is pretty lengthy, so be sure to save it for the moment you need it most.

Rampage

Junker Queen’s ultimate, Rampage, turns her into a whirlwind of death as she overclocks her gauntlets to unleash a devastating charge. After a brief wind-up, she dashes forward wounding any enemies in her path and applying an anti-heal as well.

The damage alone is significant, taking 200 HP heroes down to half, but remember, Junker Queen will heal for all of that wound damage. A well-placed Rampage can cripple opposing teams and turn Junker Queen into an unkillable juggernaut deep in the enemy backline. Throw anti-heal on top of that, and you’ve got one of the most impactful ults in Overwatch.

How to Play Junker Queen in Overwatch 2

The game’s newest tank requires a very different play style compared to other tanks in Overwatch. Junker Queen isn’t super mobile like Doomfist, D.Va, and Wrecking Ball. She doesn’t have a shield or any abilities that block damage. Her style isn’t really protective in any way. She is a new kind of tank.

With that in mind, Junker Queen operates best when played very aggressively. You need to be in the thick of things to trigger wound damage and get the healing that really makes her a tank. That’s a dangerous place to be, so try to use map features and objectives to avoid some incoming damage. Commanding Shout is crucial for staying alive when opponents try to burn you down and getting in position to deliver the hurt.

Junker Queen can be great for isolating a single target and deleting them before they can really react. The combo of a knife direct hit into an axe swing is enough to kill 200 HP heroes with the wound damage. Try to catch enemies that step a bit too far forward or get separated from the rest of their team.

Junker Queen also has the ability to be an effective flanker. Finding creative angles to enter teamfights can help you get on top of enemy backlines and really play that disruptor role. Catching one support off guard can completely swing a fight for your team. The direct route isn’t always the best so be sure to surprise your opponents, especially when it comes to landing those big Rampages.

Advanced Tips for Junker Queen in Overwatch

• Spam that knife. The cooldown is pretty low on this one so toss it out liberally. The cost of missing is low, but the potential reward is huge.
• Go fast. Junker Queen calls for quick aggressive engagements. Pair her with Lucio to stack speed effects and beat your opponents to the punch.
• Mind your supports. Just because you aren’t hanging out in the backline doesn’t mean you can ignore them. Be conscious of where they position so you can help them help you.
• Know when to pick her. Junker Queen has her weaknesses, particularly fighting at range and dealing with verticality. Steer clear of maps with wide-open spaces or extensive high ground. 
• Commitment is key. You cannot afford to be passive when playing Junker Queen. You have to use your close-range damage to take control of critical positions and keep your opponents on the back foot.

Like Sojourn before her, Junker Queen is a hero created to thrive in the new 5v5 world of Overwatch 2. With no way to block or mitigate damage, she doesn’t really resemble any of the original Overwatch tanks. Roadhog feels like something of a natural comparison since both have shotguns and a way to pull enemies up close, but the similarities stop there.

Junker Queen can thrive in chaos in a way that Roadhog can’t, and even her limited utility for teammates is miles ahead. Ultimately she plays more like reworked Doomfist with a better ultimate, manufacturing chaos and controlling the tempo of fights. In the right hands, Junker Queen can take over a game, but no matter what she’s one of the most fun tanks Blizzard has put out to date.