Japanese Overwatch Professionals Create Memorable Composition That Other Teams Are Imitating

The landscape of Overwatch esports is witnessing a surprising shift with an unconventional team composition that has emerged from a bold Japanese team. This unorthodox approach is quickly gaining traction, raising questions about the traditional meta dynamics.

Typically, the meta in Overwatch is quite stable, with few deviations. However, an innovative strategy showcased by Please Not Hero Ban (PNHB) during the Overwatch Championship Series (OWCS) is not only making waves but also influencing other teams to explore similar tactics. The team’s unexpected success using heroes like Symmetra, Torbjorn, and Wrecking Ball has captured attention, showcasing how off-meta choices can lead to competitive advantages.

Shifting Perspectives on Team Composition

Both Symmetra and Torbjorn have long been overshadowed in the realm of Overwatch esports. Yet, through PNHB’s consistent employment of a DPS composition centered around these two heroes, other teams are starting to take notice. Typically, PNHB complements this core with Wrecking Ball and a support duo of Illari, along with a flexible pick. Recent matches indicate that teams from Korea are experimenting with similar variations of this strategy.

A notable example is Crazy Raccoon, which utilized a modified version of PNHB’s approach against T1. They incorporated Symmetra, Torbjorn, and Wrecking Ball as counter-strategies in a matchup against the standard Hazard composition.

The durability of Torbjorn, thanks to his Overload ability, combined with Symmetra’s teleportation capabilities for infiltration, makes this trio a formidable opponent. Wrecking Ball’s self-sufficiency paired with a supportive backline featuring Lucio and Juno enhances the team’s effectiveness against traditional Hazard setups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKGNvKwv1W0

OWCS KOREA 2025 Stage 1 – Week 3 Day 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKGNvKwv1W0)

Beyond their advantages against Hazard compositions, teams may simply recognize the potential of these heroes in their own right. Teams such as New Era and Vec have also adopted Symmetra and Torbjorn into their strategies, finding success by pairing them with various tanks like Reinhardt and Sigma.

Recent balance patches have gradually nerfed other popular DPS options like Sojourn, while simultaneously buffing Torbjorn and Symmetra. This trend could lead teams to view these characters as leading contenders within the current meta. The tankiness of Torbjorn, coupled with the strategic utility of Symmetra’s teleport in a well-coordinated setting, provides compelling reasons for their increasing selection.

As the OWCS progresses, the spotlight on these traditionally overlooked characters promises to reveal their true potential. With Hazard compositions still predominant in the competitive scene, the ongoing efficacy of this trio could redefine not only matchups but also strategic approaches in future games.

Source & Images