'Overwatch' hero spotlight: How to suck less with Ana

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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.

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 brand new, sniper rifle-toting medic, Ana.

Ability breakdown

• Primary weapon: Biotic Rifle. A scoped rifle with a 6-round clip that shoots darts capable of either healing an ally for 75 health or dealing moderate damage (80 health) to an enemy. Bolt-action design equates to a slow rate of fire. Darts that connect also temporarily boost healing for allies and suppress healing for enemies.

• Sleep Dart: Fire's a fast-moving dart from Ana's sidearm that knocks an enemy unconscious -- rendering them completely immobile -- for six seconds. Unconscious enemies are awakened early if they take damage. 12-second cooldown.

• Biotic Grenade: A lobbed explosive that affects enemies and allies alike. Friendlies caught in the blast are healed for 100 health and enemies take 60 health damage. 10-second cooldown.

• Ultimate ability: Nano Boost. Bestows a single targeted ally with increased speed, damage and damage resistance for eight seconds.

How to Ana

Ana is a damage-dealing healer who is rubbish in close-quarters engagements. Seriously: if you find yourself alone as one or more enemies start to close the distance, run away.

That's what those Sleep Darts are for. If you spot a flanker moving in or see a tank break through the lines, knock them out and turn tail. Ana can't fire or move quickly enough at close range to survive many duels.

You could also try to finish off a sleeping enemy, especially if you've got a grenade ready. Wake them with a rifle shot then immediately toss a grenade at their feet -- a one-two punch that's good for 140 damage. That won't take out most full-health Overwatch heroes, but it could finish off a wounded one.

Of course if you're doing things right, Sleep Dart is a last resort. Ana works best at the fringes of any battle, preferably somewhere that gives her the ability to duck out of enemy sight lines if she happens to draw any attention.

The Biotic Rifle has no headshot bonus or damage/healing fall-off over distance, meaning the numbers are the same no matter how far away you are or what you hit. So there's really no reason to ever get too close to a big showdown. Also: don't forget to use the rifle scope for increased accuracy over distance.

The heal boost/suppression capabilities of Ana's Biotic Rifle are handiest when friend and enemy front lines meet. Since each dart helps your team no matter who it strikes, fire indiscriminately into any pile-ons that spring up.

Ana's grenade is a handy support tool, offering more healing over a wider range than a single Biotic Rifle shot can. Just remember: that grenade can also be used for self-healing. If you're fighting from the fringes and take some damage, just drop a 'nade at your feet.

The Nano Boost ultimate is best when teams coordinate. Applying it to a Genji just before he activates his own ult, for example, is great synergy. If your teammates aren't on mic, just make sure to give Nano Boost to offensively oriented heroes at full health, preferably as they're charging into battle.

Best maps/modes: There's a place for Ana in any mode, even Control. Her limitations are more map-specific than mode-specific. She's an asset in any scenario where she can provide support from a distance, so maps with long sightlines are ideal. A good rule: Widowmaker-friendly maps are also Ana-friendly maps.

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