Overwatch Map Chokepoint Best Defense Positions: Guide

Overwatch Map Chokepoint Best Defense Positions: Guide

In Overwatch, controlling key chokepoints is often the difference between a successful defense and a swift defeat. Chokepoints are narrow areas on a map that funnel attacking teams into confined spaces, making them vulnerable to focused fire and area-of-effect abilities. A well-coordinated defense that leverages strong hero picks and optimal positioning can stall enemy advances, build ultimate charge, and secure round victories. This guide breaks down some of the most critical chokepoints across popular Overwatch maps and details the best defensive strategies and positions to hold them effectively.

Understanding Chokepoints and Their Importance

Chokepoints are strategic bottlenecks designed to give defenders a positional advantage. They limit the angles of attack, reduce the effectiveness of flanking routes, and concentrate enemy movement into predictable pathways. This allows defenders to use abilities like area denial, crowd control, and burst damage to maximum effect. However, poor positioning or coordination can lead to a quick collapse, as a single pick or ultimate can break the defense.

Successful chokepoint defense relies on:

• Hero Synergy: Selecting complementary heroes that excel in tight spaces.
• High Ground Control: Gaining positional advantage for better sightlines and safety.
• Cooldown Management: Using abilities strategically to counter pushes.
• Ultimate Economy: Building and combining ultimates to shut down attacks.

Below, we explore specific maps and their key chokepoints, along with ideal defensive setups.

King's Row: First Point Chokepoint

The initial chokepoint on King's Row is one of the most iconic in Overwatch. Attackers emerge from a covered spawn and must push through a narrow archway into the open streets. This area is perfect for defenders to set up a lethal crossfire.

Best Heroes:

• Reinhardt: His barrier provides essential cover for the team.
• Bastion or Torbjörn: Their sustained damage and turrets punish anyone passing through.
• Mei: Her Ice Wall can split the enemy team, isolating key targets.
• Ana or Baptiste: Their healing and utility (e.g., Anti-Nade, Immortality Field) sustain the defense.

Key Positions:

1. Top Left Balcony: Heroes like Bastion, Widowmaker, or Ana can use this high ground for sightlines while staying relatively safe.
2. Behind the Phone Booth: Reinhardt or Orisa can hold the corner, using barriers to block damage.
3. Right-Side Room: Flankers like Reaper or Mei can lurk here to ambush supports or tanks.

Strategy: Focus fire on the archway entrance. Use Mei’s Ice Wall to block the path during key moments (e.g., when the enemy Reinhardt charges). Save crowd control ultimates like Earthshatter or Blizzard for when the enemy commits to a push.

Hanamura: First Gate Chokepoint

Hanamura’s first chokepoint is notoriously difficult for attackers to break. The narrow gateway and high flanking routes make it a defender’s paradise.

Best Heroes:

• Symmetra: Her turrets slow and damage enemies entering the gate.
• Junkrat: Spam damage through the choke builds ultimate quickly.
• Orisa: Her Halt! ability pulls enemies into kill zones.
• Zenyatta: Discord Orb amplifies damage on focused targets.

Key Positions:

1. Top Left Window: A sniper or ranged DPS can pressure attackers from here.
2. Right-Side Platform: Supports like Zenyatta or Baptiste can assist while having an escape route.
3. Behind the Gate: Tanks should hold the front line, but be ready to fall back if the enemy breaks through.

Strategy: Place Symmetra’s turrets on the ceiling and sides of the gate to maximize coverage. Junkrat should spam grenades continuously. If the enemy uses a mobility hero like D.Va or Genji to dive, focus them down immediately. Use Orisa’s Halt! to pull enemies into Junkrat’s traps or Symmetra’s turrets.

Eichenwalde: Castle Bridge Chokepoint

The bridge approach to Eichenwalde’s castle is a death trap for unprepared attackers. With limited cover and long sightlines, defenders can unleash devastating damage.

Best Heroes:

• Sigma: His Kinetic Grasp and Accretion are ideal for blocking and disrupting.
• Ashe or Hanzo: Their long-range damage picks off squishies.
• Brigitte: Her Inspire healing and stun help sustain the frontline.
• Mercy: Damage boost amplifies snipers or Pharah.

Key Positions:

1. Top Castle Balcony: Snipers and supports dominate here.
2. Behind the Cart: Tanks can use the cart as moving cover.
3. Left-Side Archway: Heroes like Reaper or Mei can flank from the side room.

Strategy: Hold the high ground as long as possible. If the enemy pushes with a shield tank, focus the barrier to break it quickly. Use Sigma’s Gravitic Flux or Hanzo’s Dragonstrike to combo when the enemy is clustered on the bridge.

Volskaya Industries: Main Entrance

Volskaya’s first chokepoint features a large gate with multiple flanking routes. Defenders must cover the main path and watch for divers.

Best Heroes:

• Orisa: Her fortified stance and barrier hold the line.
• Torbjörn: His turret covers the main lane.
• Mei: She can wall off the entrance or freeze flankers.
• Lucio: Speed boost helps rotate defenders to counter flanks.

Key Positions:

1. Left High Ground: ideal for ranged DPS and supports.
2. Right Mega Health Pack Room: A off-tank like D.Va can control this area.
3. Center Behind Barrier: Orisa or Reinhardt should anchor here.

Strategy: Use Torbjörn’s turret to cover the main gate. If the enemy goes for a flank through the right side, rotate quickly with Lucio’s speed boost. Mei should save Ice Wall to block Sigma’s Ultimate or Reinhardt’s charge.

Temple of Anubis: First Chokepoint

The narrow entrance to Temple of Anubis is a spam damage haven. Attackers have limited options to advance without taking significant damage.

Best Heroes:

• Junkrat: Spam grenades through the choke.
• Symmetra: Turrets and orbs add constant pressure.
• Baptiste: Immortality Field saves teammates from burst damage.
• Wrecking Ball: His pile driver disrupts formations.

Key Positions:

1. Top Left Pillar: Snipers can peek here.
2. Right-Side Platform: Junkrat or Symmetra can spam from safety.
3. Behind the Statue: Tanks can use it as cover.

Strategy: Spam damage to build ultimates quickly. If the enemy uses a barrier, focus it down. Save Baptiste’s Immortality Field for when the enemy commits with ultimates like Dragonstrike or Self-Destruct.

General Tips for Chokepoint Defense

1. Adapt to Enemy Composition: If the enemy switches to Pharah or Echo, add hitscan DPS. If they go brawl, consider Mei or Reaper.
2. Don’t Overcommit: If the choke is broken, fall back to the next hold point. Staggering hurts the defense.
3. Communicate: Call out enemy movements, cooldowns, and ultimate status.
4. Use Environmental Kills: On maps like Ilios or Nepal, heroes like Lucio or Orisa can boop enemies off the map.

Conclusion

Mastering chokepoint defense requires map knowledge, hero synergy, and teamwork. By leveraging high ground, spam damage, and crowd control, defenders can turn narrow passages into killing fields. Practice these positions and strategies to become a formidable defender and lead your team to victory.