Overwatch 2: How to Play as Baptiste
Overwatch 2 has no shortage of eccentric characters. Even though they have their share of tanks and assault personalities, there was always some lacking in the support class. Baptiste is a fan favorite within the support category of soldiers, and he offers a hybrid of different things with his skills. He comes with healing abilities that are akin to Mercy and other medics. Plus, he also comes with some firepower to help out his comrades in a pinch. His toolbox is a little peculiar in comparison to other characters in the roster, but with a little practice, he can be the glue that will hold the team together.
Baptiste’s Abilities
Baptiste’s five main abilities in Overwatch 2 are definitely a mixed bag. They are; Biotic Launcher, Regenerative Burst, Exo Boots, Immortality Field, and Amplification Matrix. All these ranges from dealing with DPS to boosting teammates. He is a well-rounded character that offers a little bit of everything. It can be difficult to pinpoint how to play him. For many, the best way to play Baptiste is by leaning back and softening up the opposition while periodically healing teammates. He can be an offensive character, sure. However, playing him defensively can really turn the tide during a skirmish.
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Biotic Launcher
This is Baptiste’s main source of firepower. It only pops off in three-round bursts, dealing 25 damage with each hit. Headshots will grant extra damage, effectively dropping enemies with only a couple of hits. The launcher is not the quickest weapon in the game and can feel a bit sluggish. The trick is shooting slightly ahead of a moving enemy to land some shots. If they are stationary, going for headshots is ideal to take them down. The secondary fire launches grenades that will heal teammates. Try to land a shot around their proximity so the splash damage will take effect with 50 HP. While direct hits will heal up to 70 HP.
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Regenerative Burst
This is another ability of Baptiste’s that can heal. Basically, it can be used to heal Baptiste himself, if needed. However, it can also be used to recover teammates that are nearby. It only has a reach of about 10 meters, so players will need to stay pretty close to their team to use this ability correctly. Up to 50 HP will be recovered for injured characters. With the healing to continue for a duration of up to 5 seconds.
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Exo Boots
This is Baptiste’s passive ability. It basically grants players a little extra spring in their jump, allowing them to make a fast escape or access a vantage point. To activate this, crouch for a few seconds and wait for a meter in the center of the screen to build up. Once it is maxed out, simply jump and Baptiste will launch into the air. This is a handy trick for landing airborne shots and scouting the battlefield.
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Immortality Field
This ability will grant temporary invincibility to Baptiste and his teammates. This ability comes with a hefty 25-second cooldown. So, using this sparingly is the best way to go within the battle. Baptiste will throw down a device, which will generate a force field around a 6-meter radius. It is best to use this ability as a last resort during a heated skirmish. Its long cooldown can spell victory or doom during tight matches in Overwatch 2.
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Amplification Matrix
This is Baptiste’s ultimate ability. He will throw up an energy wall, which will enhance his and his teammate’s firepower by double the points. This is also true when launching the healing grenades. This is best used at certain choke points, where there is only one way in and out. Thus, if the opposing team wants to dogpile the player, throwing up the Amplification Matrix will also provide a much-needed boost to tip the odds in their favor.
Best Teammates To Use
Since Baptiste is within the support class, it is ideal to couple him with tank and assault classes. Staying close to teammates and buffing their health with the Amplification Matrix can be near instantaneous with the tanks. Staying behind the lines and letting these two classes be at the forefront works best. Try and focus on teammates that aren’t zipping around the map, like Tracer, for instance. Because chasing them around to provide support will break up the group and it’s an easy way to get shot in the back. The most appropriate teammates to have with Baptiste in Overwatch 2 are:
- Mercy
- Bastion
- Ashe
- Widowmaker
- Orisa
- Roadhog
- Junkrat
- Zarya
- Torbjorn
Best Characters To Counter
Even though Baptiste can hold his own, he can go down pretty quickly against certain characters. Due to his slow firepower, light-footed enemies like Genji and Winston can easily run circles around him. With that said, there are quite a few characters within the roster of Overwatch 2 that fit into this mold. Not to mention, both the tank and assault class can shut down the Immortality Field with a few shots. Therefore, the best characters to use against Baptiste are:
- Soldier 76
- Reaper
- Genji
- Tracer
- D’va
- Pharah
- Winston
- Sojourn
- Wrecking Ball
Whenever using the Immortality Field, try to place the device behind a barrier of some kind. Either around a corner or behind an object. This will give some protection to the device and allow it to have a longer lifespan. It is fragile and a few shots from any assault or tank class can shatter it. The key with any skirmish in Overwatch 2 is being tactical and with Baptiste, players will need to think ahead to get the most out of him. For any player that likes being a support class, and not being completely helpless, then Baptiste is one character that can easily become their main.