Overwatch has found success due to its lineup of characters, with each hero playing different from everyone else on the roster. One of the hardest heroes to master is Genji, though one Overwatch player has posted a play that proves just how good they have gotten at playing him.
While there are plenty of Genji fans out there, the number of players who have truly mastered his moveset is far lower. Genji’s entire playstyle is about accuracy, speed, and timing. His shuriken require good aim, while his speed and climbing skills allow him to flank with ease. While some Genji players focus on dealing and dodging damage so that they can get their Dragonblade ultimate, one of his most valuable abilities is Deflect. As shown by Redditor IQuarterPounder, using this ability at the right time can completely sway a match in favor of Genji’s team.
Like its name suggests, Genji’s Deflect allows him to block bullets, sending them at the opponent that fired them. This makes him a nightmare for characters like Bastion, as the mobile turret can kill itself if not careful. However, the true power of Deflect comes from its potential to counter Ultimate abilities. While it takes some excellent timing and good positioning, Genji can reflect everything from Zarya’s Graviton Surge to his brother’s Dragonstrike, sending Hanzo’s Spirit Dragon back at his team. Unsurprisingly, Genji can also counter McCree’s High Noon.
McCree’s High Noon ability has become a bit of a meme amongst the Overwatch community, both due to the voice line that plays once activated and its ineffectiveness in high level play. Pulling off a successful High Noon is tough, as McCree moves incredibly still while locking onto targets. While this gives shield tanks time to protect their team, it also gives Genji players a warning to look out for a great Deflect opportunity. However, IQuarterPounder did not have time to prepare, and instead had to rely on their spectacular reaction time.
With the Overwatch match in overtime, and the enemy McCree needing to touch the point to contest, they try to get their High Noon off as soon as possible. As soon as the Genji is locked onto, they fire their shot, though it is deflected right back at them. With the McCree player dead at their own hand, IQuarterPounder hunts down a Bastion player to make sure they cannot contest the point. Effectively winning the match with this perfectly timed Deflect, IQuarterPounder deserves all the praise they have gotten for their play.
As mentioned in the post’s comments, IQuarterPounder has spent 200 hours playing Genji, showing just how long it takes to get good with the character. While it remains to be seen if an Overwatch 2 rework will make him easier to play, it is certainly satisfying to see the full potential of skill-dependent character.
Overwatch is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.