Overwatch Map Chokepoint Defense: Best Positions

Mastering the Map: Unlocking Overwatch's Best Chokepoint Defense Positions

Every Overwatch match is a story written on the game's beautifully chaotic battlegrounds. At the heart of most defensive stands is a single, critical concept: the chokepoint. These narrow passages are the gates through which the enemy team must pass, and they are where games are won or lost. A well-defended chokepoint can feel like an impenetrable fortress, breaking the enemy's spirit and their push before it even begins. But simply standing in the choke is a recipe for disaster. The true art lies in selecting the best defensive positions around the choke that allow your team to control the space without being easy targets.

This guide is your deep dive into that art. We won't just list spots; we'll explore the philosophy behind them, breaking down the best defensive setups for key maps and explaining why they work. We'll cover everything from high-ground advantages to sneaky off-angles, ensuring you have the knowledge to build an unbreakable defense.

The Core Philosophy: Control, Don't Clog

Before we get to specific map callouts, let's establish a golden rule: A chokepoint is to be controlled, not occupied. Standing directly in the narrowest part of the passage, like the main gate on Eichenwalde, makes your team a clustered, easy target for area-of-effect (AoE) damage like Junkrat's grenades or Pharah's rockets. Instead, your team should take up positions that oversee the choke from multiple angles.

Think of it as creating a "kill zone." You want the enemy to feel pressured from the front, the sides, and above as soon as they step through. This is achieved by utilizing three types of positions:

The Main Anchor (The Frontline): This is typically your Tank, like Reinhardt or Orisa, who holds the primary sightline into the choke. Their job is to absorb the primary fire and create a safe space for their allies directly behind them.
The High-Ground Threat (The Punisher): Heroes like Soldier: 76, Ashe, Widowmaker, or a supporting Ana excel here. From an elevated perch, they have a clear view of the choke and can deal significant damage or secure picks with minimal risk.
The Off-Angle / Flank Holder (The Disruptor): A hero like Mei, Symmetra, Torbjörn, or a mobile DPS like Reaper can take a slightly separated position. Their role is to apply pressure from an unexpected angle, cut off retreats, and punish enemies who try to push through the sides.

Let's apply this philosophy to some of Overwatch's most iconic maps.

King's Row: First Point Defense - The Classic Setup

The first choke on King's Row, with its large archway, is a perfect example of a well-designed defensive bottleneck.

Best Tank Position (Main Anchor): Reinhardt or Orisa should set up just to the right of the archway, using the statue as partial cover. This blocks the direct path to the point and forces the enemy to engage on your terms. A Sigma can also be effective here, using his Experimental Barrier to flex between the main arch and the left-side hotel entrance.
Best DPS Positions (High-Ground & Off-Angle):
- The top of the building to the far left (as you face the enemy spawn) is prime real estate for a sniper or Soldier: 76. This overwatch position gives a commanding view of the entire choke and the health pack inside the small room below.
- The balcony of the "hotel" on the right is another fantastic spot. A Bastion, Torbjörn turret, or Hanzo here can pour damage into the enemy team as they try to push forward. It's a strong position that requires the enemy to dedicate resources to dislodge you.
Best Support Positions: Ana or Baptiste should position themselves on the high ground behind the point, near the mega health pack. This gives them a safe, long-range view of their Tank and DPS. A Zenyatta can stay further back, while a Lucio might play closer to the tank to provide speed boosts for repositioning.

The key here is crossfire. Enemies pushing through the main arch are shot from the front by the tank, from the right balcony, and from the far-left high ground. It's a devastating gauntlet to run.

Temple of Anubis: First Point Defense - The High-Ground Mandate

This point is notoriously difficult to attack against a coordinated defense, and it's all about controlling the high ground around the choke.

Best Tank Position: While a Reinhardt can hold the main choke bridge, a more advanced and powerful strategy is to have a Winston or D.Va contest the high grounds on the left and right. The main tank's job here is less about holding a shield at the bridge and more about preventing the enemy from easily taking the platforms that overlook the point.
Best DPS Positions: This is non-negotiable: your DPS must be on the high ground. The left and right platforms are the most powerful positions on the map. A Junkrat spamming from the left, a Soldier: 76 on the right, or a sniper on either side can shut down the entire approach. The small room with a mega health pack behind the left platform is also a crucial position for heroes like Mei to cut off the left-side flank route.
Best Support Positions: Supports like Ana, Zenyatta, and Baptiste should almost always be on the high ground with their DPS, typically on the right-side platform as it's slightly more defensible. From here, they can see the entire battlefield and heal their team while being relatively safe. A Mercy can damage boost the DPS from this perch, creating immense pressure.

If the enemy manages to take both high grounds, your defense will almost certainly collapse. The entire defensive strategy revolves around holding these key overwatch positions.

Hanamura: First Point Defense - The Flexible Fortress

Hanamura's first point features a wide choke, but smart positioning can make it feel very narrow for the attackers.

Best Tank Position: A Reinhardt can hold the main gate, but an Orisa or Sigma can use the large bell in the center of the choke as cover for a more aggressive, forward hold. A clever Wrecking Ball can also lurk on the high ground to the left, ready to slam down and disrupt the enemy formation as they push in.
Best DPS Positions:
- The top left window (as you face the choke) is a legendary spot for snipers and Hanzo. It provides a safe, long-range angle that forces the enemy to use their shield efficiently.
- The right-side high ground is equally important. A Soldier: 76, Cassidy, or Torbjörn here can control the right flank and the main entrance. The enemy must choose which high-ground threat to deal with first.
- Don't forget the small room to the far right. A Mei or Reaper can hide here, waiting to wall off or ambush enemies who try to push through the right side.
Best Support Positions: The ideal support spot is on the high ground directly behind the point. This gives a clear line of sight to both the main choke and your teammates on the left and right high grounds. It's a centralized, safe location that is difficult for the enemy to reach without a full commit.

Eichenwalde: First Point Defense - The Castle Gate

The initial choke at the castle gate is one of the tightest in the game, making it a paradise for spam damage but also a death trap for defenders who don't position wisely.

Best Tank Position: Reinhardt is king here, holding the gate directly. However, he should stand a few feet back, not right in the doorway, to avoid being easily pinned or hooked. Orisa can use her fortify and shield to hold a similar position, while a Roadhog can lurk in the side rooms for a potential hook.
Best DPS Positions:
- The top of the archway itself is a fantastic, often-underutilized position. Junkrat, Pharah, or even a Bastion can rain hell from above, often bypassing the enemy's frontal shield.
- The left-side castle window provides a protected spot for a sniper or other ranged DPS to apply pressure.
- The right-side room is crucial for holding the flank. A Symmetra can place her teleporter here for surprise rotations, or her turrets can slow down anyone trying to push that side.
Best Support Positions: Supports should generally avoid standing directly behind the main tank in the choke. Instead, they should use the room on the left or right. The right-side room, in particular, offers a safe angle to heal the main tank and has a small health pack. A Lucio can also use the environment to wall ride and provide crossfire from unexpected angles.

Adapting Your Defensive Setup for Ultimate Success

Knowing the spots is only half the battle. The best defenders are adaptable.

Switch Heroes to Counter: If the enemy is running a double-shield composition, consider a hero like Symmetra whose weapon charges on barriers. If they have a Pharah dominating your high ground, a hitscan like Cassidy or Ashe becomes essential.
Don't Be Predictable: If you keep holding the same angle, the enemy will eventually focus you down. After winning a team fight, consider shifting your position slightly. If you were on the left high ground last fight, maybe take the right this time.
Communication is Key: Call out when your position is being pressured. "Genji on top right with me!" lets your team know to help. "I'm falling back from the balcony" informs them that the right-side angle is temporarily lost.

Mastering these overwatch map chokepoint defense positions transforms you from a passive participant into a strategic leader. By understanding the best spots to hold on defense and the reasoning behind creating crossfires, you can turn any narrow passage into a devastating kill zone for attacking teams. Remember, it's not about being a static wall; it's about being a dynamic, intelligent force that controls the space. So, load up a custom game, explore these key defensive high ground spots, and start building the impregnable defenses that lead to victory.