Overwatch: All game modes explained

In Overwatch, you can measure yourself against your opponents in four different game modes. We explain how the individual modes work and give you tactical tips for each Overwatch map.

1. Game mode in Overwatch: Attack mode

The respective modes in Overwatch depend on the individual maps. The attack mode maps are "Temple of Anubis", "Hanamura" and "Volskaya Industries".

• In attack mode, you as the attacker must take two target points per card to win the round.
• You take the point as an attacker as soon as you are in the target area and survive for some time. The more team members are in the area, the faster you will take the point.
• However, as soon as a defender is in the target area, the point is no longer taken. The information bar of the point shows you how many players are at the point.
• Tip: If you see as a defender that several opposing players have almost taken a point and you are alone, you should let yourself fall behind. You may prevent the point from being conquered for a short time, but your death against several opponents is preprogrammed and you give the opposing team an advantage over the next point.

2. Game mode in Overwatch: the escort mode

In "Watchpoint: Gibraltar", "Hollywood" and "Dorado" you have to carry a payload to your destination. This is the so-called escort mode

• In escort mode, you have to move a cargo through the map. The freight moves forward if at least one team member is positioned on the so-called "payload". As soon as three players on a team carry the cargo, the maximum speed is reached.
• As a defender, you can also push the cargo back this way. In the upper info bar you can always see in which direction the payload is moving.
• As in attack mode, only one enemy has to be near the cargo to bring it to a standstill.
• Tip: Tanks should always be in front of the cargo or to the side of it. However, it supports more behind so that they can use the freight as cover. You have no cover on the cargo itself, so you should refrain from climbing.

3. Game mode in Overwatch: The attack with Payload

The maps "Numbani", "King's Row" and "Hollywood" combine the previous modes.

• This attack with payload mode includes a checkpoint that you must conquer to unlock the cargo.
• In this mode, you may need to customize your hero after the first point. Stationary heroes like Symmetra, Bastion and Torbjörn are good for checkpoints, but are weaker with payloads.
• As an attacker, you should coordinate particularly well for the first point, since you will be credited with the remaining time for the second point and it usually takes longer to carry the payload.

4. Game mode in Overwatch: The King of the Hill mode

In the game cards "Ilios", "Nepal" and in the "Lijiang Tower" you have to defend your point against the opponents. This is the so-called King of the Hill mode.

• Here a point is attacked by both teams. As soon as a team has gained the upper hand, a counter starts. You must then try to recapture or defend the point.
• When you have conquered the point, you can leave the target area. The counter cannot be accelerated once you have activated it.
• Tip: Heroes that deal a lot of surface damage, such as Junkrat or Pharah, are suitable for this mode. Heroes like Roadhog or Reaper are also helpful, as they can do a lot of damage at short distances at the point.

We'll tell you in the next practical tip whether you can play Overwatch in a split screen.