Overwatch 2: Mei Guide

Mei, a beloved character in the Overwatch universe, returns in Overwatch 2 as a versatile damage dealer with a unique set of abilities. In this article, we will delve into Mei’s abilities, how to use them effectively, and explore various strategies and synergies to maximize her potential.

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Introduction to Mei in Overwatch 2

While she may be classified as a damage dealer, Mei brings a combination of utility and tanking capabilities to the battlefield. Her survivability is unparalleled, thanks to her ability to go immune and heal rapidly, making her a formidable force on the front lines. Additionally, Mei excels in utility, with the ability to block off escape routes and obstruct the line of sight for snipers.

Mei’s Abilities and How to Use Them

Mei’s primary weapon, the Endothermic Blaster, unleashes a constant spray of frost in the direction she is aiming. This not only deals damage to enemies but also slows them down, impeding their movement. In addition, Mei can charge up and shoot an icicle for a more precise long-range attack. Her primary fire is particularly effective against close-range targets, while her secondary fire can yield devastating results with a well-placed headshot. New updates changed how Mei’s primary fire functions along with a new feature for her secondary fire. Now, when attacking enemies with frost spray, it will build up to a slowing effect that sticks to enemies. Afterwards target can be with icicle to detonate it and deal an extra damage.

Mei’s Ice Wall ability allows her to create a wall of ice at any desired location. This versatile skill can serve multiple purposes, including blocking enemy paths and denying snipers a clear line of sight. The Ice Wall can withstand significant damage, providing crucial cover for Mei’s team or separating the frontlines from the backlines. It can be a game-changing tool for controlling the battlefield and creating strategic advantages.

In dire situations, Mei can activate Cryo-Freeze, encasing herself in an icicle and healing over time. During this period, Mei becomes invulnerable, allowing her to survive even the most precarious encounters. Similar to tank heroes like Roadhog and Reinhardt, Mei’s survivability is exceptional. With the combination of healing and invulnerability, Mei can effectively withstand tremendous amounts of damage, making her a formidable presence on the front lines.

Mei’s ultimate ability, Blizzard, unleashes a devastating bomb that creates a blizzard upon impact. This blizzard has a wide radius and freezes any enemies caught within it, rendering them immobile and unable to use their abilities for a significant duration. While some heroes may have the means to escape the blizzard, it can still disrupt enemy movements and force them to abandon key positions. Blizzard can be a game-changing ultimate, clearing out opponents and creating opportunities for Mei’s team to secure objectives.

Mei Combos

Understanding how to effectively combine Mei’s abilities can greatly enhance her impact on the battlefield. Here are a few potent combos to consider:

Use Mei’s primary fire to slow down an enemy at close range, then quickly follow up with an icicle shot to the head for maximum damage. This combination can eliminate most non-tank heroes swiftly.

Blizzard/Ice Wall Combo: To ensure maximum effectiveness of Mei’s Blizzard ultimate, use the Ice Wall to block enemy escape routes. By trapping opponents within the blizzard’s radius, you can increase the chances of successfully freezing multiple enemies and disrupting their plans.

Tips for Playing as Mei

To excel as Mei, it is essential to understand her strengths and play to them effectively. Here are some valuable tips to enhance your gameplay:

• Coordinate with Your Team: While Mei can be a self-sufficient hero, Overwatch 2 is ultimately a team game. Communication and coordination with your teammates are crucial, especially when using Mei’s Ice Wall ability. Ensure that your walls do not inadvertently block your allies’ movements or hinder their effectiveness.
• Strategic Use of Cryo-Freeze: When Mei finds herself surrounded by enemies and low on health, Cryo-Freeze can provide a brief respite to heal up and plan an escape. As soon as you exit Cryo-Freeze, consider placing an Ice Wall beside you to create distance and protect yourself from immediate danger.
• Mastering Blizzard: Blizzard’s wide radius and freezing effect make it a powerful ultimate. However, keep in mind that it takes few seconds to successfully freeze enemies, and some heroes may have the means to escape before being completely frozen. To maximize its effectiveness, coordinate with your team and use the Ice Wall strategically to block enemy escape attempts, ensuring they remain within the blizzard’s area of effect.

Mei Synergies

In Overwatch 2, team synergy plays a crucial role in achieving victory. Mei can complement various heroes and synergize with their abilities to create devastating combinations. Here are a few examples of heroes that synergize well with Mei:

• Sigma: When paired with Sigma, Mei can benefit from his shield, which provides additional protection while her Ice Wall can secure flanks. This combination effectively reduces the angles available to the enemy team, making it harder for them to engage or escape.
• Reinhardt: Mei’s Ice Wall can be a valuable tool in combination with Reinhardt’s aggressive and defensive strategies. Coordinating ultimate abilities with Reinhardt can create a devastating lockdown scenario, preventing enemies from escaping and securing crucial eliminations.
• Genji: Mei and Genji share similar attack styles, alternating between long-range and melee combat. Mei’s slow effects can set up easy slashes for Genji against stationary or frozen targets. By combining their ultimates, Mei and Genji can decimate enemies caught within the blast or eliminate stragglers as they retreat.
• Hanzo: Mei’s ability to slow down targets can significantly aid Hanzo’s accuracy. Hanzo’s ability to fire into groups of slowed enemies becomes much more effective, potentially wiping out opponents or cutting them off from the objective during overtime when combined with Mei’s Blizzard ultimate.

Mei’s Counter Strategies

While Mei is a formidable force on the battlefield, there are strategies that opponents can employ to neutralize her effectiveness. Here are a few counter strategies to consider when facing Mei:

• Air Superiority: Mei’s alt fire has limited effectiveness against airborne heroes like Pharah or Echo. Their mobility allows them to evade Mei’s attacks with relative ease. If a Mei is causing problems for your team, consider employing heroes like Pharah or Echo to exploit her weaknesses from the air.
• Debuff Heroes: Heroes like Ana and Junkrat can deal significant damage to Mei, even when she is in Cryo-Freeze. Their abilities can potentially eliminate her, even if she emerges from her icy cocoon at full health. Utilize heroes with debuff abilities to counter Mei effectively.
• Shields and Mobility: Mei’s effectiveness diminishes when faced with opponents who possess strong shields or high mobility. Heroes like Reinhardt, Orisa, or Winston can effectively deal with Mei’s slowing effects and bypass her defenses.

How to Get Better at Playing as Mei

To improve your skills as Mei, consider the following tips and strategies:

• Focus on Support Heroes: As a damage-class hero, one of your primary objectives should be eliminating the opponent’s support heroes. By forcing enemy supports into 1v1 situations, you gain the upper hand, disrupting their healing and weakening their team. Mei’s higher health pool provides an advantage in these confrontations.
• Master the Ice Wall: While Ice Wall is commonly used as a defensive tool, it can also be employed aggressively. Use it to trap enemies in confined spaces, isolate them from their team, or even dodge incoming attacks by placing the wall beneath yourself. Exploit the versatility of the Ice Wall to gain a tactical advantage.
• Play with Your Team: While Mei can excel as a solo duelist, remember that Overwatch 2 is a team-oriented game. Coordinate with your team, communicate effectively, and use your abilities in synergy with your teammates. Destroy your Ice Wall if it hinders your allies, and always prioritize teamwork over individual prowess.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing as Mei

To ensure optimal performance as Mei, steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Neglecting Teamplay: While Mei’s self-sufficiency allows for solo play, it is crucial to remember that Overwatch 2 is a team game. Work with your team, communicate, and coordinate your actions. Avoid placing Ice Walls that obstruct your allies or hinder their effectiveness. Team synergy is key to victory.
• Wasting Cryo-Freeze: Cryo-Freeze is a valuable tool for survival, healing, and cleansing debuffs. However, avoid panicking and using Cryo-Freeze unnecessarily when you are alone and about to die. Remember that enemies gain ultimate charge by dealing damage, so needlessly extending your health pool may inadvertently charge their ultimates faster.
• Lack of Ultimate Coordination: Mei’s Blizzard ultimate can be a game-changer. To maximize its impact, coordinate with your team and communicate effectively. Use the Ice Wall strategically to trap enemies within the blizzard’s area of effect, ensuring they cannot escape and allowing your team to capitalize on the frozen targets.

Conclusion

Mei in Overwatch 2 brings a host of new possibilities and strategies for players to explore. While her rework includes some nerfs, she remains a formidable damage-class hero with unique utility and tanking capabilities. Understanding Mei’s abilities, mastering her combos, and leveraging synergies with other heroes will allow you to maximize her potential on the battlefield. By avoiding common mistakes and continuously honing your skills, you can become a force to be reckoned with as Mei in Overwatch 2. So, embrace the cold and unleash the power of Mei!