'Overwatch' hero spotlight: How to suck less with Bastion
Want help with a different hero? Click here to check out our master Overwatch guide, where you'll find links to tips and strategies for each hero in the game.
Each Overwatch hero is a special snowflake.
Different guns, different abilities, different movement speeds, different quirks. Learning to excel with one hero doesn't mean you've mastered Overwatch.
You May Also Like
Playing a hero the "right" way only gets you so far, of course. Positioning, team formation (on both sides) and overall skill level are still important; you can play a hero perfectly and still lose. But you probably won't win until you learn to play whoever you're using right.
We've got you covered. Read on for tips, strategies and ideal maps/modes to help you suck less at using Overwatch's stalwart transforming robot defender, Bastion.
Ability breakdown
Configuration: Recon. In his default Recon mode, Bastion can walk around and fire his submachine gun at foes just like any other Overwatch hero. The SMG is a low-damage, medium-range weapon with an above-average rate of fire for its 20-round clip.
Configuration: Sentry. In Sentry mode, Bastion is immobilized as a powerful Gatling gun-style turret replaces its head. The Sentry weapon has the highest rate of fire in the game, emptying its entire 200-round clip in less than five seconds.
Reconfigure: This ability triggers Bastion's transformation from Recon to Sentry and back again. There is no cooldown and it can be used at any time.
Self-Repair: Bastion uses a welding torch-style arm to heal damage. It cannot move or fire weapons while repairs are happening.
Ultimate ability: Tank configuration. Bastion transforms into a mobile tank that fires high-damage shells. The ultimate lasts for eight seconds, completely restoring Bastion's health and giving him +150 shields on activation.
How to Bastion
Bastion is a little bit like a sniper in the sense that once his cover is blown, it's best to move him. Use his Sentry form to mow down a team push or two, then relocate to another position. Preferably one that sets you up to take down any foe that moves on your previous position.
If you're using Bastion right then you're only using Recon to get into position or make getaways. The SMG is a capable weapon in a pinch, but Bastion's primary utility is his Sentry configuration.
Try to position yourself outside of a given map's primary sightlines, since Bastion typically draws fire as a top priority as soon as it's spotted. Look for dead end alleyways, blind turns and other ambush points.
It's also a good idea to make sure your back is to a wall, with as few flanking routes as possible. Sentry-mode Bastion has a weak point on its back, so anything you can do to keep flankers like Tracer or Reaper away helps.
If possible, Bastion should try to coordinate with the team's Reinhardt (if there is one). Reinhardt's shield allows you to throw out many of the common Bastion rules since it offers so much protection. Having a Mercy along for quick heals is also helpful.
Timing is the key to mastering Bastion. There's a short delay when switching configurations and another short delay when you activate/deactivate self-repair. Knowing how much time you'll need to act is often the difference between being ready to fire as soon as a foe rounds a corner and being caught off-guard.
Map awareness is also important. Time is always of the essence in Overwatch, which means it's important to get in and out of position as efficiently as possible. Know the main routes and flanking routes for each map and place yourself accordingly.
Best maps/modes: Bastion is second-only to Torbjörn when it comes to defensive utility, and is an easy go-to for any "Defend" scenario. Escort and Hybrid matches also favor Bastion -- moreso even than Torbjörn -- due to the transforming robot's mobility and the abundance of ambush locations on those maps.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Blizzard Entertainment Esports Gaming
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
