Introduction
Moira, the brilliant geneticist turned support hero, is a formidable force in the world of Overwatch. With her ability to heal and deal damage simultaneously, Moira poses a unique challenge for opposing teams. In this article, we will explore strategies and tips on how to counter Moira effectively.
Understanding Moira
Before diving into counter strategies, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of Moira’s abilities and playstyle. Moira is a versatile support hero who excels at healing and dealing damage. Her primary weapon, the Biotic Grasp, can heal teammates or damage enemies, depending on the mode she’s in.
Moira’s Biotic Grasp has two modes: Healing and Damage. In Healing mode, Moira emits a stream of healing energy that replenishes her allies’ health. In Damage mode, she emits a stream of damaging energy that deals damage to enemies. Moira also possesses the Fade ability, allowing her to teleport a short distance and become temporarily invulnerable.
Additionally, Moira can unleash a Biotic Orb that either heals her team or damages enemies. Her ultimate ability, Coalescence, sends out a long-range beam that simultaneously heals allies and damages enemies in its path.
Countering Moira
Countering Moira requires a combination of individual hero strategies and coordinated team efforts. Here are some effective ways to counter Moira:
Hero-specific Strategies
1. Pharah: Pharah’s aerial advantage allows her to avoid Moira’s damage and healing streams. She can rain down rockets from above, making it difficult for Moira to target her. However, be cautious of Moira’s Biotic Orb, which can still damage Pharah.
2. Sombra: Sombra’s ability to hack Moira can be a game-changer. A hacked Moira cannot use Fade, significantly reducing her mobility and survivability. Coordinate with your team to focus on a hacked Moira for an easy elimination.
3. Roadhog: Roadhog’s Hook ability can disrupt Moira’s positioning and pull her into the line of fire. Follow up with a quick combo to eliminate her. Be mindful of her Fade ability, as she can escape your grasp if timed correctly.
4. Genji: Genji’s mobility and deflect ability make him a tricky opponent for Moira. Use Swift Strike to quickly close the gap and engage her. Timing your Deflect to catch Moira’s Biotic Orb or Biotic Grasp can turn the tide in your favor.
Group Strategies
1. Focus Fire: Moira’s healing output is significant, but it has limits. Coordinate with your team to focus fire on a single target, overwhelming Moira’s healing capabilities and securing eliminations.
2. Disrupt Her Positioning: Moira’s Fade ability allows her to escape dangerous situations. However, if you can predict when she will use Fade, you can coordinate crowd control abilities to lock her down and eliminate her.
3. Diving Compositions: Heroes like Winston and D.Va excel at diving the backline and disrupting supports. By isolating Moira from her team, you can quickly eliminate her before she has a chance to use her Fade or Coalescence.
Communication is Key
Counter strategies against Moira rely heavily on effective communication with your team. Make sure to call out her position, abilities, and ultimate status. Coordinate focus fire and ultimates to maximize your chances of countering her effectively.
Positioning and Target Priority
Moira’s Biotic Grasp has limited range, making her vulnerable to heroes with long-range damage, such as Widowmaker or Hanzo. Position yourself in areas where you can safely engage and burst her down before she can escape.
When engaging Moira, prioritize her as a target. Her healing output can prolong team fights, making it crucial to eliminate her quickly. If you can force her to use Fade defensively, take advantage of the opportunity to secure the kill.
Ultimate Management
Moira’s ultimate ability, Coalescence, can turn the tide of a team fight if not properly countered. Keep track of her ultimate charge and be prepared to counter with support ultimates, such as Zenyatta’s Transcendence or Lucio’s Sound Barrier. Alternatively, use crowd control ultimates like Zarya’s Graviton Surge to neutralize Moira’s impact.
Final Thoughts
Countering Moira requires a combination of individual hero strategies, team coordination, and effective communication. Understanding her abilities, positioning, and target priority is crucial to achieving success against her. Remember to adapt your strategies based on the situation and be adaptable in your approach.
FAQs
1. Can Moira outheal other support heroes?
Moira has the potential to outheal other support heroes due to her high healing output. However, this heavily depends on the player’s skill and the situation.
2. Is it better to focus Moira or her teammates first?
Focusing Moira first can be an effective strategy, especially if she is using her Fade ability defensively. However, it’s important to assess the situation and prioritize targets based on the overall threat they pose to your team.
3. How can I avoid Moira’s Biotic Orb?
Moira’s Biotic Orb can be avoided by utilizing movement abilities or taking cover. Predicting when she will use it can also help you position yourself to minimize its impact.
4. Can Moira’s Coalescence heal through barriers?
No, Moira’s Coalescence cannot heal through barriers. It will only heal or damage targets that are within line of sight.
5. How do I shut down Moira’s ultimate?
Shutting down Moira’s ultimate can be achieved by using crowd control abilities, support ultimates, or focusing her down before she can fully utilize it. Stuns, sleeps, or abilities that disrupt her line of sight can also neutralize her ultimate.