In Overwatch, Bastion is one of the most notorious damage-dealing heroes, capable of shredding through entire teams when left unchecked. His ability to transform into a powerful turret and unleash a barrage of high-damage bullets makes him a formidable threat in the right hands. Many players, especially new ones, struggle with how to counter Bastion effectively. Whether he’s anchored behind shields or hiding in a corner waiting to ambush, knowing how to deal with Bastion is crucial to pushing past choke points and turning the tide of battle. This guide provides tactical insights and hero suggestions for countering Bastion and minimizing his impact on the match.
Understanding Bastion’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Why Bastion is Dangerous
Bastion excels in static defensive positions and can melt tanks and squishies alike within seconds. His turret form gives him extremely high damage per second, and his relatively large health pool combined with armor makes him harder to eliminate quickly. His mobility may be limited, but if a team builds around Bastion, he can become the center of a nearly immovable bunker comp.
Bastion’s Vulnerabilities
Despite his high damage, Bastion has notable drawbacks:
- Immobility in turret mode While transformed, he can’t move.
- Large hitbox Bastion is an easy target, especially for snipers.
- Weak to flanking He’s highly vulnerable to characters who can get behind him.
- Shield reliance Without protection, Bastion is very killable.
Best Heroes to Counter Bastion
Long-Range Damage Heroes
Bastion’s biggest weakness is being exposed at long distances. Use heroes who can harass or eliminate him without entering his turret’s range.
- Widowmaker Her sniper rifle can headshot Bastion before he gets a chance to react. Stay hidden and look for headshot opportunities from unusual angles.
- Hanzo A well-placed Storm Arrow or headshot from a distance can take Bastion down. His mobility also allows him to reposition quickly after attacking.
- Ashe Ashe’s Dynamite can damage Bastion through shields, and her scoped shots keep her out of his lethal range.
Shield-Breakers
If Bastion is protected by shields like those from Reinhardt or Sigma, use heroes who can shred through barriers fast.
- Junkrat His explosive damage bypasses shields and his indirect fire can make it hard for Bastion to stay safe.
- Echo Echo’s sticky bombs and beam can tear through barriers, and her flight lets her avoid Bastion’s fire entirely.
- Pharah Pharah is particularly effective on maps with vertical space. She can fly over shields and blast Bastion from above.
Flankers and Divers
These heroes can sneak behind enemy lines and take Bastion by surprise, often eliminating him before he can respond.
- Genji Genji can deflect Bastion’s bullets and dash in to finish him off. His mobility helps him approach from unusual angles.
- Sombra Sombra is a top-tier Bastion counter. She can hack him, disabling his turret mode, and signal her team to eliminate him easily.
- Tracer A well-played Tracer can dance around Bastion’s fire and whittle him down. This is risky but rewarding when executed well.
Tanks That Disrupt Bastion
Tanks that can displace Bastion or soak up his fire can help open space for your team.
- Wrecking Ball Ball can knock Bastion out of position and be a constant annoyance. He’s hard for Bastion to track in turret mode.
- D.Va D.Va’s Defense Matrix can block Bastion’s shots while she dives on him. Her mobility and damage make her an ideal counter.
- Orisa While not a direct counter, Orisa can fortify to survive Bastion’s fire and push forward with her javelin and ultimate.
Team Coordination and Strategy
Don’t Feed Bastion’s Damage
One of the most common mistakes players make is trying to brute force their way through Bastion’s firepower. Feeding him ult charge by peeking alone or walking into his line of sight is the fastest way to lose a fight. Instead, focus on coordinated team pushes.
Split and Flank
While one or two players engage Bastion directly, others can flank from side paths. For example, if your main tank pushes front with a shield, a flanker like Genji or Sombra can slip behind to deal damage or interrupt Bastion’s focus. This pincer movement breaks the bunker setup and creates windows to attack.
Save Ultimates
Proper use of ultimates is essential when facing a Bastion setup. Certain ultimates are especially effective:
- EMP (Sombra) Shuts down Bastion and his team’s abilities, especially shields.
- Dragonstrike (Hanzo) Forces Bastion out of position or kills him if he stays put.
- Pulse Bomb (Tracer) Quick way to delete Bastion when stuck properly.
- Tactical Visor (Soldier: 76) Paired with good positioning, this can tear through Bastion’s health and any shielding.
Map-Specific Tips
Watch for Choke Points
Maps like Eichenwalde, Havana, and Junkertown favor Bastion due to narrow paths and long sightlines. If you know the enemy has a Bastion, choose heroes who can either go around or over these chokepoints.
Use the Environment
Cover is your best friend. Use walls, corners, and natural map geometry to break Bastion’s line of sight and bait him into firing into nothing. Poke and retreat until a coordinated attack is possible.
Psychological Warfare
Frustrate the Bastion
Bastion players often rely on predictability and positioning. If you keep disrupting his comfort zone forcing him to reposition, hack him, or chase him out with Pharah rockets it throws him off rhythm and makes his team more vulnerable.
Force a Swap
If Bastion becomes less effective due to your coordinated pressure, you can often force the enemy player to switch heroes. This is a win in itself, as it removes the main anchor of their strategy.
What Not to Do
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Solo peeking Don’t challenge Bastion alone unless you have a clear advantage.
- Ignoring flanks Failing to take side routes makes you an easy target.
- Wasting ultimates Don’t throw ultimates without communication. Make sure Bastion’s protected state is compromised first.
Countering Bastion in Overwatch isn’t just about raw firepower it’s about strategy, hero selection, and coordination. Recognize Bastion’s strengths and limitations, choose heroes that can exploit his static nature, and work with your team to outmaneuver and overwhelm him. With the right approach, even the most fearsome Bastion setups can be dismantled with precision and patience. Whether you’re a tank, damage, or support player, understanding how to counter Bastion will make you a more complete and capable teammate in every match.