In Overwatch 2, support heroes play a vital role by healing teammates, providing utility, and sometimes offering offensive power. Illari is a standout support hero, with a mix of strong healing and solid damage-dealing potential. What makes Illari unique is her solar-powered abilities, which add a creative twist to her gameplay. Whether you’re in the midst of intense team fights or holding off enemy forces from a distance, Illari can be an excellent choice if you know how to leverage her abilities. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into her abilities, how to play her effectively, and why she is a valuable addition to any team.
Key Points About Illari:
- Illari uses solar energy for both healing and damage abilities.
- Her ultimate, Captive Sun, is a powerful area-of-effect tool for disrupting enemies.
- She is versatile in both healing and dealing damage at long range.
What Are Illari’s Main Abilities?
Illari has several abilities that are based on solar energy, providing both healing and damage. These abilities allow her to sustain teammates and deal significant damage when needed.
- Solar Rifle (Primary Fire)
This weapon fires semi-auto hitscan shots with decent damage output. You can charge the rifle for increased damage, making it great for picking off enemies at long range. This ability is perfect for players who want to keep pressure on enemies while still contributing to the team’s damage output. - Healing Beam (Secondary Fire)
This beam is essential for keeping your team alive during fights. It heals allies at a steady rate, but the energy required to use the beam depletes over time. Be sure to keep an eye on your energy meter to avoid running out of healing potential in crucial moments. - Captive Sun (Ultimate)
Illari’s ultimate ability is powerful. She can launch herself into the air and fire a massive ball of solar energy at enemies. This move slows enemies and deals significant damage in a large area. It can turn the tide of battle, especially when your team needs a strong offensive push.
How Does Illari Fit into Overwatch 2’s Meta?
Illari has made a strong impression in the Overwatch 2 meta since her release. Unlike other support heroes, she provides both healing and damage in one package. Her abilities make her a versatile pick, especially for those who like to stay in the background and offer support while still being able to deal with threats effectively. In Overwatch 2, the support role is becoming more diverse, and Illari fits in perfectly, providing reliable healing while having the potential to damage enemies at long range.
With a large healing pool and an offensive side, Illari gives players more flexibility in their support role. For players who want a more engaging and active role in the game, Illari brings that balance between support and offense, unlike other support heroes who focus solely on healing.
What Are Illari’s Strengths and Weaknesses?
Every hero in Overwatch 2 comes with its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these aspects of Illari can help you decide when to pick her on your team.
Strengths:
- Strong Healing: Her Healing Beam is great for sustaining your teammates in long team fights.
- Good Damage Output: With her Solar Rifle, Illari can deal significant damage, especially with charged shots and headshots.
- Powerful Ultimate: Her ultimate ability, Captive Sun, has a large radius and high damage, making it excellent for disrupting enemy teams.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Mobility: Illari lacks strong mobility tools, making her vulnerable if caught out of position.
- Energy Management: Her Healing Beam consumes solar energy, meaning players need to manage her energy bar carefully. Running out of energy can leave you unable to heal in critical moments.
- Vulnerable Without Support: As a support hero with limited self-defense, Illari relies on teammates for protection.
How Do You Play Illari Effectively?
To master Illari, players must learn how to balance her healing and offensive potential. Here are some tips for effective gameplay:
- Positioning is Key: Illari needs to stay at the backline where she can heal and deal damage from a distance. Use natural cover to avoid being exposed while healing teammates.
- Energy Management: Keep an eye on her energy bar. If it runs out, you will be unable to heal, so use your Healing Beam wisely.
- Use Captive Sun to Control Space: Her ultimate can disrupt enemies and give your team an edge during fights. Use it in choke points or areas where enemies are grouped together.
What Are Some Effective Team Compositions with Illari?
Illari fits well into various team compositions due to her mix of healing and damage. Here are a few team setups that make good use of Illari:
- Double Healer Composition: Pair Illari with another healer, like Mercy or Kiriko. This composition ensures you can keep your team alive while offering a bit of extra damage support.
- Offensive Lineup: Pair Illari with a strong damage-dealing hero, such as Reaper or Ashe. This combination allows you to provide healing and still deal damage.
- Tank Synergy: Pair her with a tank like Sigma or Reinhardt. Tanks often find themselves in the thick of the fight, and Illari’s healing beam will keep them alive while they engage enemies.
How to Unlock Illari in Overwatch 2?
Illari is available in Overwatch 2 through a special hero challenge system. Players need to complete several in-game challenges to unlock her, including playing a certain number of games or completing specific objectives in the practice range. Alternatively, she can be unlocked by playing 50 unranked games.
Illari vs Other Support Heroes: How Does She Compare?
Below is a comparison table showing Illari’s abilities alongside other popular support heroes:
| Hero | Primary Role | Healing Ability | Damage Output | Ultimate Ability |
| Illari | Support (Hybrid) | Healing Beam | Solar Rifle (Hitscan) | Captive Sun (AoE) |
| Mercy | Support (Healer) | Healing Beam (Constant) | Low (Pistol) | Valkyrie (Buffs Allies) |
| Zenyatta | Support (Healer/DPS) | Orb of Harmony | Orb of Destruction (Hitscan) | Transcendence (Healing) |
| Baptiste | Support (Hybrid) | Biotic Launcher | Healing/ Damage (Projectile) | Amplification Matrix (Buffs) |
Key Takeaways:
- Illari offers a unique combination of healing and ranged damage.
- Her ultimate, Captive Sun, can be a game-changer.
- She requires careful energy management for optimal performance.
Conclusion
Illari is an excellent support hero in Overwatch 2, offering a blend of healing and offensive capabilities. Mastering her involves learning to balance energy management and positioning, making her a versatile choice in any team composition. Whether you prefer playing a passive support role or want to actively participate in combat, Illari is a powerful addition to the game. By understanding her strengths and weaknesses, players can make the most out of Illari’s unique abilities and contribute to their team’s success.
FAQ’s
- How do I unlock Illari in Overwatch 2?
You can unlock Illari by completing specific hero challenges in the game, including playing 50 unranked games or completing her Hero Challenge in the practice range. - What is Illari’s ultimate ability?
Illari’s ultimate is called Captive Sun. It launches her into the air, allowing her to fire a large solar-powered ball at enemies, dealing area damage and slowing them. - How does Illari compare to other support heroes like Mercy or Zenyatta?
Illari is a hybrid support hero who combines healing and damage. Unlike Mercy, who focuses purely on healing, or Zenyatta, who deals damage and heals with orbs, Illari can do both effectively at long range. - What is the best way to play Illari?
To play Illari effectively, focus on positioning at the backline to heal and deal damage. Make sure to manage your energy bar well and use her ultimate, Captive Sun, at key moments during team fights. - What are Illari’s strengths and weaknesses?
Illari’s strengths include strong healing, solid damage output, and a powerful ultimate. Her weaknesses include limited mobility and reliance on teammates for protection.
