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Ultimate abilities are special abilities that must be charged before using. Progress is shown on the ultimate meter.

Ultimate charge[ | ]

Ultimate charge is measured in points. Heroes start each round with no ultimate charge, and passively start gaining 5 ultimate charge points per second once the doors open, except for Escort/Hybrid, which only starts gaining ultimate charge points after the attacking team’s door opens. Additionally, charge can be gained through combat, with the amount of points gained equal to the amount of damage dealt to enemy heroes or healing dealt to yourself and your allied heroes. Heroes stop gaining charge when they reach their ultimate cost, meaning that it is not possible to "bank" ultimate charge towards the next ultimate when their ultimate is available.

When the ultimate ability is used, all charge is consumed immediately upon the press of the button. This means that the ultimate will never be refunded if its cast was interrupted, such as by receiving crowd control, or the hero was eliminated.

Limitations and exceptions[ | ]

There are few limitations to gaining charge:

  • Heroes cannot gain ultimate charge while their ultimates are active.
  • Damage or healing from ultimate abilities does not give any charge.
    • Genji also does not gain any charge from ultimates he reflected with Ability-genji2 Deflect.
  • Dealing self-damage or healing HP lost by self-damage does not give any charge.
  • Damage done to overhealth gives only half the amount of damage dealt as charge.
  • Damage or healing dealt to tanks only gives 30% less charge, due to the tank role passive.
  • If a player switches heroes, the amount of ultimate charge points is carried over, up to 15% of the new hero's ultimate cost.

There are also some hero- and ability-specific exceptions to these rules.

  • Hanzo, Torbjörn, Tracer, and Wrecking Ball can start gaining ultimate charge right after casting their ultimate, however, the damage dealt by their ultimates still doesn't generate any charge.
  • Echo can also gain ultimate charge while using her ultimate, but to charge the ultimate of the hero she is duplicating, not DUPLICATE Duplicate itself.
    • Additionally, during Duplicate, the amount of charge she gains from all sources is multiplied by 5.
  • Mauga does not gain ultimate charge from healing during Cardiac Overdrive icon Cardiac Overdrive.
  • Mercy also gains charge equal to the damage she amplified against enemy players.
    • Mercy does not gain any charge if she damage boosts an attack that cannot be boosted.
    • damaging or healing Ability-ashe4 B.O.B. does not grant ultimate charge, but amplifying his damage with Mercy does grant Mercy ultimate charge.
  • Reaper does not gain any charge from his passive, Ability-reaper5 The Reaping.
  • Supports do not gain any charge from the self-healing from Support role passive.
  • Sombra does not gain any charge from hacked Health Packs, despite the healing being credited to her.

Ultimate cost[ | ]

Each ultimate has a cost that describes how many charge points must be generated before the ultimate can be used. Ultimates have varying costs, however, higher costs do not equal longer charge times when ultimate generation from combat is accounted for. For example, Ability Moira Coalescence Coalescence is considered a fast-charging ultimate despite its high cost due to Moira's high healing and damaging capabilities allowing her to quickly build up ultimate charge. To judge how fast an ultimate charges, the hero's entire kit must be considered.

Ultimate meter[ | ]

Ultimate Meter

The Ultimate Meter in Overwatch.

The ultimate meter is a user interface element which displays the ultimate ability progress the player has achieved as a percentage. It is found at the bottom center of the in-game display. At 0-99%, the Ultimate Meter displays the current progress towards the ultimate. Once 100% is reached, the Ultimate Meter transforms into the hero's Ultimate ability icon.

By communicating "Ultimate Status", the hero will announce to their team the current charge of their Ultimate, with different text and voice lines depending on how much charge the Ultimate currently has:

  • Between 0% and 89%: "My Ultimate is charging!"
  • Between 90% and 99%: "My Ultimate is almost ready!"
  • At 100%: "My Ultimate is ready!"

List of ultimate abilities[ | ]

Hero Ultimate ability Description Cost Max charge time Audio cue
Icon-ana
Ana
Nano Boost
Ability-ana4
Nano Boost
Increases an ally's damage, while reducing damage taken. 2300 points 07 minutes 40 seconds "You're powered up! Get in there!" (self and target)
"Nano boost administered!" (friendly)

"Warīhum quwitak!" (male) (hostile)

Arabic: !وريهم قوتَك
English: "Show them your strength!"

"Warīhum quwitik!" (female) (hostile)

Arabic: !وريهم قوتِك
English: Show them your strength!

Icon-ashe
Ashe
B.O.B.
Ability-ashe4
B.O.B.
Deploy Bob. He charges forward and knocks enemies into the air, then attacks with his arm cannons. 2450 points 08 minutes 10 seconds "B.O.B.! Do something!" (self and hostile)

"Get in there, B.O.B." (friendly)

"Get in there, Beelzebob." (friendly in Warlock skin)

Icon-baptiste
Baptiste
Amplification Matrix
Baptiste-ability4
Amplification Matrix
Project a matrix that doubles the damage and healing of allied projectiles. 2550 points 08 minutes 30 seconds "Light them up!" (self and friendly)

"Vide bal sou yo!" (hostile)

English: "Rain bullets on them!"

Icon-bastion
Bastion
Configuration: Artillery
Artillery Icon
Configuration: Artillery
Become immobile and fire up to three powerful artillery shells. 2500 points 08 minutes 20 seconds Ride of the Valkyries Fanfare (self, friendly and hostile only)
Icon-brigitte
Brigitte
Rally
Rally
Rally
Gain armor, empower Barrier Shield and provide extra health to nearby allies. 2900 points 09 minutes 40 seconds "Rally to me!" (self and friendly)

"Alla till mig!" (hostile)

English: "Everyone to me!"

Icon-cassidy
Cassidy
Deadeye
Ability-mccree4
Deadeye
Face off against your enemies. Press Q to lock on, then Q or Key mouse 1 to fire. 2000 points 06 minutes 40 seconds "It's high noon!" (self and hostile)
"Step right up." (friendly)

"It's high tide!" (self and hostile with Lifeguard skin)

Icon-d.va
D.Va
Self-destruct
Ability-dva4
Self-destruct
Eject and overload your mech, causing it to explode after a short time. 1700 points 05 minutes 40 seconds "Nerf this!" (self and hostile)
"Activating self-destruct sequence." (friendly)
Call Mech
Ability-dva6
Call Mech
Call down a new mech. 280 points 00 minutes 56 seconds "MEKA activated."
"Suiting up."

"All systems checked out."
"All systems buzzing!" (B.Va/Junebug skin)

"Firing up!" (Cruiser skin)

Icon-doomfist
Doomfist
Meteor Strike
Ability Doomfist Meteor Strike
Meteor Strike
Press Q to leap up into the air. Move the targeting circle, then press Key mouse 1 to strike the targeted area. 2145 points 07 minutes 09 seconds "Meteor Strike!" (self and hostile)

"Incoming!" (friendly)

Icon-echo
Echo
Duplicate
DUPLICATE
Duplicate
Become a copy of the targeted enemy hero. They cannot swap heroes for the duration. 1850 points 06 minutes 10 seconds "Adaptive circuits engaged: [Hero Name]." (self and hostile)

"Duplicating: [Hero Name]." (friendly)

"Duplication initiated" (friendly)

Icon-genji
Genji
Dragonblade
Ability-genji4
Dragonblade
Unsheathe a deadly melee weapon. 2125 points 07 minutes 05 seconds

"Ryūjin no ken o kurae!" (self and hostile)

Kanji: 竜神の剣を喰らえ!
English: Taste the dragon's blade!

"The dragon becomes me!" (friendly)

"Oni no ken o kurae!" (self and hostile with Oni skin)

"The demon becomes me!" (friendly with Oni skin)

"Byakko no ken o kurae!" (self and hostile with Baihu skin)

"The White Tiger becomes me!" (friendly with Baihu skin)

"The light becomes me!" (friendly with Cyber Demon skin)

Icon-hanzo
Hanzo
Dragonstrike
Ability-hanzo4
Dragonstrike
Launch a deadly Dragon Spirit that devastates enemies it passes through. 1850 points 06 minutes 10 seconds

"Ryū ga waga teki wo kurau!" (self and hostile)

Kanji: 竜が我が敵を喰らう!
English: The dragon consumes my enemies!

"Let the dragon consume you!" (friendly)

"Ōkami yo, waga teki wo kurae!" (self and hostile with Lone Wolf/Okami skin)

Kanji: 狼よ、我が敵を喰らえ!
English: Come, wolf! Devour my enemies!

"The wolf hunts for its prey!" (friendly with Lone Wolf/Okami skin) "Let vengence consume you!" (friendly with Onryo skin)

Icon-illari
Illari
Captive Sun
Captive sun icon
Captive Sun
Fire an explosive ball of solar energy. Enemies hit are slowed and explode after taking significant damage. 2650 points 08 minutes 50 seconds "Face the sunrise!" (self and friendly)

"Inti Iluqsimun!" (hostile)!

English: The sun rises!

Icon-junker queen
Junker Queen
Rampage
Rampage Icon
Rampage
Charge foward. Wounds enemies, dealing damage over time and preventing them from being healed. 2700 points 09 minutes 00 seconds "Time for the reckoning!" (self and hostile)
"Let's take'em to the wasteland!" (friendly)

"Let's take'em to the gallows!" (friendly with Executioner skin)

"Let's take'em to the underworld!" (friendly with Zeus skin)

Icon-junkrat
Junkrat
RIP-Tire
Ability-Junkrat5
RIP-Tire
Drive and detonate an exploding tire. 2100 points 07 minutes 00 seconds "Fire in the hole!" (self and hostile)
"Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!" (friendly)

"Get ready for a shock!" (self and hostile with Dr. Junkenstein skin)

"Ladies and gentlemen, my latest creation!" (friendly with Dr. Junkenstein skin)

Icon-kiriko
Kiriko
Kitsune Rush
Kitsune Rush Icon
Kitsune Rush
Summon a fox spirit that rushes forward, accelerating the movement, attack speed, and cooldowns of allies that follow its path. 2525 points 08 minutes 25 seconds "Let the Kitsune guide you!" (self and friendly)

"Kitsune no kagidzume o tokihanate!" (hostile)

Kanji: 狐の鉤爪を解き放て!
English: Unleash the Kitsune's claws!

"Enter the Spirit World!" (Witch skin)

Icon-lifeweaver
Lifeweaver
Tree of Life
Tree of Life Icon
Tree of Life
Place a tree that instantly heals allies upon sprouting and continues healing periodically as it lives. 2200 points 07 minutes 20 seconds "Life protects life!" (self and friendly)

"Chīwit pkp̂xng chīwit!" (hostile)

Thai: ชีวิตปกป้องชีวิต!
English: Life Protects Life!

Icon-lúcio
Lúcio
Sound Barrier
Ability-Lucio4
Sound Barrier
Create temporary extra health for nearby allies. 2650 points 08 minutes 50 seconds "Oh, let's break it down!" (self and friendly)

"Vamos esculachar!" (hostile)

English: Let's beat em up!

Icon-mauga
Mauga
Cage Fight
Cage Fight icon
Cage Fight
Deploy a barrier that traps yourself and enemies. Automatically reloads Mauga's Chainguns at the start of the ultimate. 2650 points 08 minutes 50 seconds

"Se se'i koikiiki!" (self and hostile)

English: Come on, stay a while longer!

"We got them where we want them!" (friendly)

Icon-mei
Mei
Blizzard
Ability-mei4
Blizzard
Launch a weather control drone that freezes enemies in a wide area. 1925 points 06 minutes 25 seconds

"Dòng zhù! Bùxǔ zǒu!" (self and hostile)

Hanzi: 冻住!不许走!
English: Freeze! Don't move!

"Freeze! Don't move!" (friendly)

Icon-mercy
Mercy
Valkyrie
Ability-mercy6
Valkyrie
Gain the ability to fly. Abilities are enhanced. 2000 points 06 minutes 40 seconds "Heroes Never die!" (self and friendly)

"Helden sterben nicht!" (hostile)

English: Heroes never die!

"My servants never die!" (self and friendly with Witch skin)

"Til Valhalla!" (self and friendly with Sigrún/Valkyrie skin)

"Heroes never die... for a price!" (self and friendly with Imp/Devil skin)

Icon-moira
Moira
Coalescence
Ability Moira Coalescence
Coalescence
Fire a beam that heals allies and damages enemies. 2900 points 09 minutes 40 seconds "Surrender to my will!" (self and friendly)

"Géill do mo thoil!" (hostile)

English: Surrender to my will!

Icon-orisa
Orisa
Terra Surge
Ultimate TerraSurge
Terra Surge
Sweep in enemies and anchor down, gaining the effects of Fortify and charging up a surge of damage. Use Primary Fire to unleash the surge early. 2150 points 07 minutes 10 seconds

Pade ayanmọ rẹ (self and hostile)

English: Meet your fate!

(self and hostile)
"Meet your fate!" (friendly)
Icon-pharah
Pharah
Barrage
Ability-parah4
Barrage
Launch a continuous volley of mini-rockets. 2200 points 07 minutes 20 seconds "Justice rains from above!" (self and hostile)
"Rocket barrage incoming!" (friendly)
Icon-ramattra
Ramattra
Annihilation
Annihilation Icon
Annihilation
Enter Nemesis Form and create a deadly swarm that lashes out at nearby enemies, persisting longer when damaging enemies. 2300 points 07 minutes 40 seconds "Suffer as I have." (self and hostile)
"Rip them , to pieces"(friendly)
Icon-reaper
Reaper
Death Blossom
Ability-reaper4
Death Blossom
Damage all nearby enemies. 2125 points 07 minutes 05 seconds "Die! Die! Die!" (self and hostile)
"Clearing the area." (friendly)
Icon-reinhardt
Reinhardt
Earthshatter
Ability-reinhardt5
Earthshatter
Knock down all enemies in front of you. 1800 points 06 minutes 00 seconds "Hammer down!" (self and hostile only)

"Touchdown!" (self and hostile only with Gridironhardt skin)

"For the Crusaders!" (friendly only)

Icon-roadhog
Roadhog
Whole Hog
Ability-Roadhog4
Whole Hog
Damage and knock back enemies in front of you. 3050 points 10 minutes 10 seconds (Mad laughter and coughing)(hostile)
"Unloading scrap." (friendly)
Icon-sigma
Sigma
Gravitic Flux
Abilities-sigma5
Gravitic Flux
Manipulate gravity to lift enemies into the air and slam them back down. 2300 points 07 minutes 40 seconds

"Het universum zingt voor mij!" (self and hostile)

English: The universe sings for me!

"What is that melody?" (friendly)

"Het universum buigt voor mij!" (self and hostile only with Galactic Emperor)

English: The universe bows for me!

"What is that syzygy?" (friendly only with Galactic Emperor)

Icon-sojourn
Sojourn
Overclock
Overclock Icon
Overclock
Railgun energy auto-charges for a short duration and charged shots pierce enemies. 2300 points 07 minutes 40 seconds "This ends now!" (self and hostile)
"It's go time." (friendly)

"It's gum-shoe time" (friendly with Cyber Detective skin)

Icon-soldier: 76
Soldier: 76
Tactical Visor
Icon-ability.tacticalvisor
Tactical Visor
Automatically aims your weapon at targets in view. 2750 points 09 minutes 10 seconds "I've got you in my sights!" (self and hostile)
"Tactical Visor activated." (friendly)

"Tactical Sunglasses activated!" (friendly with Grillmaster: 76 skin)

"Tactical goggles activated!" (friendly with Alpine: 76 skin

Icon-sombra
Sombra
EMP
Ability Sombra EMP
EMP
Deal damage to all nearby enemies based on their current health, hacking them and destroying barriers around you. 1825 points 06 minutes 05 seconds

"Apagando las luces!" (self and hostile)

English: Turning off the lights!

"La oscuridad te espera!" (self and hostile with Demon Hunter skin)

English: The darkness awaits you!

"EMP activated!" (friendly)

Icon-symmetra
Symmetra
Photon Barrier
Photon Barrier
Photon Barrier
Deploy a massive energy barrier. 2025 points 06 minutes 45 seconds

"Yahi param vaastavikata hai!" (self and hostile)

Hindi: यही परम वास्तविकता है!
English: This is the ultimate reality!

"Reality bends to my will!" (friendly)

Icon-torbjörn
Torbjörn
Molten Core
Ability-torbjorn5
Molten Core
Create pools of molten slag that damage enemies. Deals additional damage to armor. 2350 points 07 minutes 50 seconds "Molten core!" (self and hostile only)
"Setting out the welcome mat!" (friendly)

"Merry molten core!" (self and hostile with Santaclad skin)

Icon-tracer
Tracer
Pulse Bomb
Ability-tracer4
Pulse Bomb
Throw out a powerful sticky explosive. 1375 points 04 minutes 35 seconds (Stuck)

"Gotcha!"

"Nailed it!"

"Right on target."

"You need a timeout!"

"Locked on!"

"Gotcha something!" (with Jingle skin)

"That's some coal for your stocking." (with Jingle skin)

(Thrown onto ground)
"Wait for it..."

"Bomb's ticking!"

  • chuckles*"Thought of you!"

"Time to drop the bomb!"

"Winging it!"

Icon-widowmaker
Widowmaker
Infra-Sight
Ability-widowmaker4
Infra-Sight
Provide your team with a view of the enemy's location. 1550 points 05 minutes 10 seconds "No one can hide from my sight..." (self and friendly)

"Personne n'échappe à mon regard." (hostile)

English: No one escapes my sights.

"No one can hide from the Huntress." (self and friendly with Huntress/Comtesse skin)
Icon-winston
Winston
Primal Rage
Ability-winston4
Primal Rage
Gain immense health, but you can only leap and punch enemies. 2050 points 06 minutes 50 seconds (Roars)
Icon-wrecking ball
Wrecking Ball
Minefield
Minefield
Minefield
Deploy a massive field of proximity mines. 1850 points 06 minutes 10 seconds "Area denied." (self and hostile)
"Minefield deployed." (friendly)
Icon-zarya
Zarya
Graviton Surge
Ability-zarya4
Graviton Surge
Launch a gravity well that pulls enemies to it. 2500 points 08 minutes 20 seconds

"Ogon’ po gotovnosti!" (self and hostile)

Cyrillic: Огонь по готовности!
English: Fire when ready!

"Fire at will!" (friendly)

Icon-zenyatta
Zenyatta
Transcendence
Ability-zenyatta4
Transcendence
Become invulnerable, move faster, and heal nearby allies. 2550 points 08 minutes 30 seconds "Experience tranquility." (self and friendly)
"Pass into the Iris!" (hostile)

"Experience festivity!" (self and friendly with Nutcracker skin) "Experience nothingness." (self and friendly with Cultist skin)

"Pass into the unknown." (hostile with Cultist skin)

Trivia[ | ]

  • Passive ultimate generation originally did not exist and was implemented in the February 9th, 2016, beta update to replace ultimate generation from damage taken.
  • Ultimate costs were increased by 25% in patch 1.5, then again by 12% in patch 1.39.
  • In Snowball Deathmatch, Mei gains 125 ultimate charge for catching snowballs thrown at her.
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