The long awaited and heavily rumored addition to the Overwatch roster is finally here. As Sombra makes her debut, we wanted to give you a leg-up on the competition and give you some advice on how to play as the new Overwatch character. Without further adieu, here is our complete Sombra hero guide:
About Sombra
An elusive hacker, Sombra joins the cast of offensive heroes in Overwatch. Designated with a three-star rating for difficulty, her learning curve will be a bit more pronounced than other heroes. Unlike her offensive counterparts, Sombra’s priority is not DPS. Her ability to be elusive and disrupt the battlefield are her biggest strengths.
Abilities
Machine Pistol
Rapid fire hitscan type
60 ammunition
1 round(s) per shot
Sombra’s fully-automatic machine pistol fires in a short-range spread.
Similar to Tracer’s Pulse Pistols, Sombra’s Machine Pistol packs an unlikely punch. While it is be no means as powerful as other offensive heroes primary weapons, it’s large clip size allows you to keep applying DPS.
You’ll want to utilize this weapon once your passive kicks in, to guarantee kills.
Hack
Enemy-targeting debuff hitscan type
12-second cooldown
Sombra hacks enemies to temporarily stop them from using their abilities, or hacks first aid kits to spawn faster and make them useless to her opponents. Taking damage interrupts the hack attempt.
This is Sombra’s bread and butter. A low cooldown debuff that can leave certain heroes feeling useless. You’ll need to be sure to position yourself properly before attempting a hack or you’ll be dead meat.
Thermoptic Camo
Non-damaging and self-buff movement type
6 second cooldown
Sombra becomes invisible for a short period of time, during which her speed is boosted considerably. Attacking, using offensive abilities, or taking damage disables her camouflage.
The first of two elusive abilities, Thermoptic Camo is what you’ll utilize to get behind enemy lines. You’ll want to avoid any areas where the line of fire may be present as it will expose you
Translocator
Projectile type
1 ammunition
15 second duration
6 second cooldown
Sombra tosses out a translocator beacon. She can instantly return to the beacon’s location while it is active (including when it’s in mid-flight).
One of the more intricate abilities in Sombra’s aresenal, the Translocator can be used for some highlight reel material. It’s possible to activate mid flight, which means you can easily elevate yourself. The low cooldown makes it something to be abused as well, use it often.
EMP (Ultimate Ability)
Area debuff ultimate type
Sombra discharges electromagnetic energy in a wide radius, destroying enemy barriers and shields and hacking all opponents caught in the blast.
This is a game changer. Tanks like Reinhardt become mince meat if their shield is destroyed. EMP can be used to turn the tide of battle and be the reason why your team wins.
Opportunist
Passive
Sombra detects critically injured enemies through walls. This effect becomes active on an enemy if they fall below half health.
This is the reason Sombra is in the offensive class. Once this passive is in effect, you’ll want to stalk your prey and move in for the kill.
Playstyle
As previously stated, Sombra’s abilities –apart from her Machine Pistol — deal no damage. She fits the common role of offensive flanker, but her objective is not to dish out DPS. Her purpose on the battlefield is rather to be a nuisance to the other team by disrupting their abilities.
Similar to the Spy class of Team Fortress 2, Sombra can infiltrate the backlines of the enemy undetected and turn the tide of a battle. Patience, stealth, and positioning is key when playing Sombra.
Synergies
Sombra excels in her role if her teammates can complement her deployed skills. Here are a few you should consider if you want to synergize with a Sombra on your team.
Reaper
Reaper is an ideal companion to have at your side when infiltrating the back lines of your opponent. His primary weapons chew up tanks and can drop any hero if they are successfully hacked by Sombra. The pair also has excellent escape abilities making them very difficult to kill.
Tracer
Another offensive hero with escape and DPS, Tracer is an excellent hero to help Sombra take down enemies. The same strategy applies here — you’ll want to hack a hero then follow up as Tracer to take them down. Since both heroes are so slippery, time spent among the enemy back lines means they will have to expend resources there. This frees up your team fighting on the main front.
Winston
Everyone’s favorite gorilla is also a friend of Sombra. Winston can come to Sombra’s side in mere moments with his leap. If Sombra pulls off a hack on a hero, Winston can swing on in and take them out.
Counters
Snipers
Widowmaker and Hanzo can detect Sombra while she is cloaked, making her presence known to surrounding allies. You’ll want to get the jump on these heroes before they alert their team of your presence.
Soldier: 76
The old man should not be taken lightly when playing Sombra. Hacking Soldier: 76 doesn’t do much. He can still burst you down with his primary weapon. His speed boost and heal ward are also immune to Sombra’s hack ability.
Zenyatta
Think you just got off the perfect ult? Think again. If there is a decent Zenyatta on the other team, your EMP might be for naught. Zenyatta’s ultimate can negate any harm done with EMP and is one of Sombra’s hardest counters.
Hopefully, this Sombra hero guide gives you some good strategies to employ in your next match of Overwatch. She adds yet another reason to keep your eyes peeled and to always watch your back.