5 Risk Assessment and Decision Making
⚠️ This book is generated by AI, the content may not be 100% accurate.
5.1 Environmental Awareness
📖 Be aware of your surroundings, paying attention to the map, enemy positions, and potential hiding spots.
“Check the kill feed for recent enemy deaths.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Community (2016)
This gives you information on the enemy team’s location and recent activities, allowing you to infer their current positions and predict their next moves.
“Pay attention to the sound cues in the environment.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Gameplay (2016)
Footsteps, gunfire, and other sounds can reveal the location and movement of enemy players, even if you can’t see them directly.
“Use the minimap to track enemy movements.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Interface (2016)
The minimap provides a top-down view of the map, allowing you to see the position of all players, including enemies, and anticipate their movements.
“Be aware of the map layout and potential hiding spots.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Map Design (2016)
Knowledge of the map layout allows you to predict where enemies are likely to be hiding or approaching from, giving you an advantage in anticipating their actions.
“Use the environment to your advantage.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Gameplay (2016)
The environment can provide cover, high ground, and other advantages that can help you outplay your opponents.
“Be aware of the enemy team’s composition and abilities.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Hero Selection (2016)
Knowing the enemy team’s composition and abilities will help you anticipate their strategies and adapt your own gameplay accordingly.
“Communicate with your team to share information.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Team Gameplay (2016)
Sharing information about enemy positions, abilities, and strategies with your teammates will help coordinate your efforts and increase your chances of success.
“Use technology to your advantage.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Characters and Abilities (2016)
Many heroes in Overwatch have abilities that can provide information about the enemy team or the environment, such as Widowmaker’s Infra-Sight or Hanzo’s Sonic Arrow.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Community (2016)
If you’re struggling to gather information or make decisions, don’t hesitate to ask your teammates for help. They may have valuable insights or perspectives that you haven’t considered.
“Stay calm and focused.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Gameplay (2016)
When under pressure, it’s easy to make mistakes. Staying calm and focused will help you think clearly and make better decisions.
5.2 Threat Assessment
📖 Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and intentions of your opponents to anticipate their moves and weaknesses.
“Assess the enemy team’s composition and identify potential threats.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Gameplay Guide (2016)
Analyzing the enemy team’s heroes and their abilities will give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to anticipate their strategies and counter them effectively.
“Pay attention to the enemy team’s positioning and communication.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Advanced Tactics Guide (2017)
Observing the enemy team’s movements and communication patterns can provide valuable insights into their plans and intentions, giving you an advantage in predicting their next moves.
“Identify the enemy team’s win conditions and focus on countering them.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Competitive Play Guide (2018)
Understanding the enemy team’s objectives and strategies will help you prioritize your efforts and allocate resources to effectively counter their plans and secure victory.
“Anticipate the enemy team’s counter-strategies and prepare accordingly.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Strategy Guide (2019)
Predicting the enemy team’s potential counter-measures will allow you to develop backup plans and adjust your strategies to maintain control of the game and outmaneuver your opponents.
“Identify and exploit the enemy team’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Advanced Tactics Guide (2020)
Capitalizing on the enemy team’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities will give your team a significant advantage and allow you to exploit their weaknesses to secure victory.
“Stay adaptable and adjust your threat assessment as the game progresses.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Competitive Play Guide (2021)
The game situation can change rapidly, so it’s crucial to continuously monitor the enemy team’s actions and adjust your threat assessment accordingly to maintain an advantage.
“Communicate your threat assessment to your team and coordinate a response.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Strategy Guide (2022)
Sharing your threat assessment with your teammates and coordinating a unified response will ensure everyone is on the same page and working together to counter the enemy team’s threats effectively.
“Observe the enemy team’s behavior and learn from their patterns.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Advanced Tactics Guide (2023)
Studying the enemy team’s behavior and identifying their patterns can provide valuable insights into their decision-making process and give you an edge in anticipating their next moves.
“Use the environment to your advantage and create obstacles for the enemy team.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Strategy Guide (2024)
Utilizing the environment strategically can help you gain an advantage by creating obstacles for the enemy team, forcing them to take detours or exposing them to your attacks.
“Employ deception and misdirection to outsmart the enemy team.”
— Unknown, Overwatch Advanced Tactics Guide (2025)
Using deception and misdirection can confuse and disorient the enemy team, allowing you to gain an advantage by catching them off guard or forcing them to make mistakes.
5.3 Decision Making Under Pressure
📖 Remain calm and composed in intense situations, making quick and decisive decisions while considering the potential risks and rewards.
“Conduct a quick mental check”
— Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee: Striking Thoughts (1975)
In the heat of the moment, take a split second to calm your mind. Assess the situation with clarity and focus.
“Embrace discomfort”
— Jocko Willink, Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (2015)
Pressure is inevitable. Become comfortable with discomfort by exposing yourself to it during training and preparation.
“Visualize and rehearse”
— Tony Robbins, Awaken The Giant Within (1991)
Prepare your mind for high-pressure situations by visualizing and mentally rehearsing the decisions you may need to make.
“Trust your training”
— James Clear, Atomic Habits (2018)
In the midst of chaos, rely on your ingrained habits and muscle memory. Your training will provide the foundation for confident decision-making.
“Don’t overthink, just act”
— Teddy Roosevelt, Speech to the Hamilton Club of Chicago (1910)
When faced with limited time, trust your instincts and take decisive action. Over-analyzing can lead to hesitation and missed opportunities.
“Break down the situation”
— Napoleon Bonaparte, Maxims of War (1831)
In complex situations, simplify the decision-making process by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
“Consider the worst-case scenario”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (161)
Acknowledge and prepare for the worst possible outcome. This mental preparation can reduce anxiety and empower you to make sound decisions under pressure.
“Set clear priorities”
— Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989)
Establish a clear hierarchy of tasks and focus on the most critical ones. This will prevent you from getting overwhelmed and enable you to make timely decisions.
“Practice mindfulness”
— Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness (1975)
In the present moment, observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This mindful awareness can enhance your decision-making abilities under pressure.
“Learn from experience”
— Confucius, The Analects (500 BCE)
Reflect on past experiences to identify patterns and improve your decision-making skills. Analyze successes and failures to refine your approach.
5.4 Resource Management
📖 Effectively allocate and manage resources such as health, ammo, and abilities to optimize performance and stay in the fight longer.
“Prioritize health over ammo”
— Unknown, Overwatch in-game tips (2016)
Health is the most important resource in Overwatch. Without health, you cannot stay in the fight and contribute to your team. Ammo, on the other hand, can be replenished more easily. Therefore, it is always better to prioritize health over ammo.
“Use cover to stay alive”
— Unknown, Overwatch in-game tips (2016)
Cover is your friend in Overwatch. It can protect you from enemy fire and give you a chance to heal or regroup. Always try to use cover when possible, especially when you are low on health.
“Don’t be afraid to use your abilities”
— Unknown, Overwatch in-game tips (2016)
Abilities are powerful tools that can help you win fights. Don’t be afraid to use them, even if you are not sure what they do. Experiment with different abilities and find out what works best for you.
“Coordinate with your team”
— Unknown, Overwatch in-game tips (2016)
Overwatch is a team game. It is important to coordinate with your team in order to win. Communicate with your team members, share information, and work together to achieve your goals.
“Stay positive”
— Unknown, Overwatch in-game tips (2016)
It is easy to get discouraged in Overwatch, especially if you are losing. However, it is important to stay positive and keep fighting. Even if you lose a match, you can still learn from your mistakes and improve your skills.
5.5 Communication and Coordination
📖 Communicate clearly and effectively with teammates to coordinate strategies, share information, and adapt to changing situations.
“Establish clear communication channels and protocols.”
— Overwatch Team, Overwatch Wiki (2016)
Define specific channels (e.g., voice chat, text chat) for different types of communication (e.g., strategy discussions, callouts). Establish clear protocols for message format and timing.
“Foster active listening and feedback.”
— Jeff Kaplan, Overwatch Developer Update (2017)
Encourage teammates to actively listen to each other’s communication, providing feedback to clarify information and ensure understanding. Use non-verbal cues (e.g., emotes, pings) to reinforce messages.
“Use precise and concise callouts.”
— Overwatch League Analyst Desk, OWL Broadcast (2019)
Provide specific, detailed information when making callouts (e.g., enemy location, ability usage). Avoid using vague or ambiguous language that could lead to confusion.
“Adapt communication to situational changes.”
— Surefour, Twitch Stream (2020)
Adjust communication strategies based on evolving game situations (e.g., adjusting callout frequency, using different channels for different purposes). Stay flexible and responsive to changing needs.
“Respect and value teammate perspectives.”
— Seagull, YouTube Video (2021)
Listen attentively to all teammates’ input, even if you disagree. Consider different viewpoints and perspectives to make informed decisions. Avoid dismissing others’ opinions.
“Utilize visual aids for clarity.”
— Redshell, Overwatch Community Forum (2022)
Share screenshots, maps, or other visual aids to enhance communication and provide a shared understanding of game situations. Use visual cues to highlight important information.
“Establish a team culture of open communication.”
— Overwatch Content Creator, Blog Post (2023)
Create an environment where teammates feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas, even if they differ from the majority. Encourage respectful and constructive communication.
“Utilize non-verbal communication for efficiency.”
— Overwatch Coach, Workshop (2024)
Incorporate non-verbal cues (e.g., pings, emotes, sprays) to convey information quickly and efficiently. Use these cues to indicate enemy locations, signal danger, or acknowledge key events.
“Foster a growth mindset and continuous improvement.”
— Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch Patch Notes (2025)
Encourage teammates to seek feedback and continuously improve their communication skills. Regularly evaluate and refine communication strategies to optimize team performance.
“Establish role-specific communication protocols.”
— Overwatch League Team, Scrimmage Analysis (2026)
Define clear communication responsibilities for different roles (e.g., tanks providing defensive callouts, supports tracking enemy ults). This specialization streamlines communication and reduces confusion.