Overwatch 2’s Most Banned Hero Revealed—And It’s Not Even Close

Ever wondered which Overwatch 2 hero gets the boot from ranked lobbies more than anyone else? Spoiler alert: it’s not even a close race. Whether you’re a Sombra main crying into your keyboard or just love a good meta shakeup, the latest ban stats from Blizzard are here—and they’re wild. Let’s break down who’s getting benched, why it matters, and what it means for your next grind up the ladder.

Sombra: The Queen of the Ban Hammer 👑

If you’ve been anywhere near Overwatch 2’s ranked queue lately, you already know the drill: Sombra is public enemy number one. According to Blizzard’s fresh-off-the-presses Season 17 data, Sombra is rocking an absurd 85% ban rate on PC. On console? Try 93%. That’s right—if you’re a Sombra main, you might want to pick up a new hobby (or at least a backup hero).

Why Is Sombra So Hated?

• Disruptive Playstyle: Her ability to hack, go invisible, and generally ruin everyone’s day makes her a nightmare in coordinated play.
• High Skill Ceiling: In the right hands, Sombra can single-handedly flip a fight. In the wrong hands… well, that’s probably why she’s banned so much.
• Meta Impact: With her toolkit, she counters a ton of popular picks, making her a must-ban for teams who want to avoid chaos.

Fun fact: The next closest ban rates aren’t even in the same league. Zarya sits at 59% and Doomfist at 43% on PC. Support mains, you’re mostly safe—Ana leads the support bans at just over 20%.

Console vs. PC: The Ban Gap

Console players, you’re not off the hook. Sombra’s ban rate is even higher on console than PC, making her almost extinct in ranked matches. Zarya and Symmetra round out the top three, but their numbers pale in comparison. Meanwhile, Mercy takes the support ban crown on console, but again, nowhere near Sombra’s level.

• Least Banned on PC: Baptiste (0.16%)
• Least Banned on Console: Hanzo (0.24%)

Talk about being left on read.

Freja: The New Kid Climbing the Ban Charts

But wait, there’s a plot twist! Since her debut, new hero Freja has been steadily climbing the ban ladder. She started with a chill 10% ban rate, but as players figured out her kit, that number shot up to around 40%—and it’s even higher in top-tier play.

Freja’s Ban Rate by the Numbers

• Above Master Rank (PC): Nearly 80% ban rate
• Regional Trends: Freja is the most banned hero everywhere except Europe, where D.Va still reigns supreme.
• Console: Freja’s ban rate is still low (under 10%), but don’t sleep on her—she’s trending up.

Pro tip: If you’re climbing above Master, expect to see Freja, D.Va, and Sombra all fighting for that top ban spot. In Korea, Ana is also a close contender.

Alt text: Freja's ban rate is steadily rising in Overwatch 2 ranked play.

What Does This Mean for the Meta?

Blizzard isn’t just collecting these stats for fun—they’re using them to inform future balance changes. Here’s what could be coming down the pipeline:

• Hero Reworks: Expect tweaks to heroes with sky-high ban rates (looking at you, Sombra and Freja).
• Meta Shifts: Heroes that are only strong on certain maps or in niche comps might get more general buffs or nerfs.
• Community Feedback: With features like Hero Bans and the upcoming Map Voting system in Season 17, player input is more important than ever.

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Keep an eye on Overwatch 2 news and guides for the latest updates and meta shifts.

Player Reactions: Sombra Mains in Shambles

The Overwatch 2 community has been… let’s say, vocal about these ban rates. Sombra mains are mourning their favorite hacker, while others are celebrating a little less chaos in their games. Meanwhile, Freja’s rise has sparked debates about new hero balance and whether Blizzard needs to slow down on the power creep.

Hot Takes from the Ladder:

• “Guess I’ll just play Quick Play now.”
• “Freja’s ban rate is climbing faster than my SR drops.”
• “Can we get a Sombra rework already?”

What’s Next? Season 17 and Beyond

With Season 17 on the horizon, expect even more shakeups. Blizzard is watching these trends closely, and with new features like Map Voting and ongoing hero tweaks, the meta is anything but settled. If you’re looking to climb, now’s the time to diversify your hero pool and stay flexible.

For more on the latest Overwatch 2 updates, check out our patch notes and event guides.

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TL;DR

• Sombra: Most banned hero in Overwatch 2—by a landslide.
• Freja: New hero, ban rate skyrocketing in high ranks.
• Meta: Expect balance changes and more community-driven features soon.

Who’s your most-dreaded hero in ranked? Drop your hot takes and hero horror stories below, and don’t forget to follow for more spicy Overwatch 2 news and guides. #Overwatch2 #MetaWatch