In Overwatch 2, Illari shines (pun intended!) as a high-skill, solar-powered Support hero with one of the most unique healing vs. damage tradeoffs in the game. Introduced in Season 6, Illari brings a fresh twist to the support role, challenging traditional mechanics with her aggressive and precision-focused kit. If you’re a DPS main looking to dip your toes into support – without giving up your love for headshots – Illari might be your perfect pick.
Who is Illari?
Illari hails from Peru and harnesses solar energy through advanced Inti-centric technology. As part of the Inti Warrior order, her combat practices combine spiritual tradition with scientific innovation. Her lore reflects a tragic past, having accidentally destroyed her team due to uncontrollable solar energy. Now, she seeks redemption in battle.
Illari’s Abilities Overview
Illari’s kit thrives on accuracy, game sense, and positioning awareness. She’s a hybrid-style support, meaning you’ll need great aim to properly contribute to the team’s offense while managing your healing resource wisely. Here’s a full breakdown:
1. Solar Rifle (Primary & Secondary Fire)
- Primary Fire (Damage): A hitscan weapon that charges up for high-damage precision shots.
- Secondary Fire (Healing): Emits a steady stream of healing at mid-range, but drains a recharge meter that slowly refills when not in use.
This dual-purpose rifle demands clutch aim and timing. Her primary fire can deal headshots with devastating results, making her a menace at mid-range poke wars.
2. Healing Pylon (Ability 1)
- Deploys a floating pylon that continuously heals nearby allies in a small radius.
- Destroyable by enemies and has a noticeable audio cue when active.
- Cooldown begins after the pylon is destroyed or manually recalled.
You’ll want smart pylon placement to avoid enemy sightlines and keep up consistent healing. Think high-up ledges overlooking a choke point or hidden corners that are hard to spot.
3. Outburst (Ability 2)
- Propels Illari in a chosen direction while emitting an AoE knockback.
- Can be used to disengage, reach high ground, or boop melee attackers off ledges.
- No vertical boost by default; direction is based on movement input.
Outburst is Illari’s only vertical mobility tool, but it requires quick directional awareness. Remember: you can charge it slightly to improve its utility, helping you survive dives or tight corners.
4. Captive Sun (Ultimate)
- Launches a solar projectile that explodes on impact or expiration, applying a debuff to affected enemies.
- Debuffed enemies explode when taking additional damage, dealing AoE splash damage around them.
Captive Sun turns teamfights into fireworks shows. Time it when pocketed DPS or ult stacks are incoming – it can flip fights instantly or punish grouped-up enemies trying to push.
Illari Playstyle: Aggressive Support With Surgical Aim
Illari isn’t your typical backline healer. She thrives in positions that allow for both line-of-sight to her team and good angles on enemies. In many ways, she plays like a sniping support, similar to a more mobile Baptiste or Ana, but with the stationary support of her Healing Pylon.
Key Playstyle Tips:
- Don’t waste your healing charge – tap to top-off allies rather than holding it down.
- Place your pylon early in a fight to begin passive healing – you’re not fast enough to be reactive.
- Use high ground to maximize rifle angles and pylon safety.
- Get value with Outburst during duels or escapes – especially against mobile flankers.
Illari excels when played around safe mid-range zones, with enough freedom to follow up on flankers or support exposed DPS from cover. Think of her as a glass cannon with a support twist – spot her in low ELOs out-healing most supports because enemies simply don’t hunt her correctly.
Matchups: Who Illari Crushes and Who Counters Her
Strong vs:
- Pharah / Echo: Hitscan primary fire makes her a perfect air denial pocket pick.
- Junkrat: Can out-position his spam and outlast him with constant passive healing.
- Reinhardt: Pylon can outlast chip damage, and her ranged pressure forces his supports back.
Weak vs:
- Tracer / Genji: High mobility flankers can destroy her pylon and pressure her away from battle rhythm.
- Wrecking Ball: Disruptive tanks like Ball interrupt her positioning and cancel easy sightlines.
- Widowmaker: Out-snipes Illari with better one-shot potential if Illari peeks just once too wide.
Synergistic Heroes: Who to Pair With Illari
- Sigma: His slow push style enables Illari to set up pylons safely and poke in between shields.
- Sojourn: Both excel at long-range burst – Illari’s Captive Sun sets up Sojourn’s Overclock limp clears perfectly.
- Sombra: Her hack-disruption complements Illari’s damage follow-up, and she draws off flank pressure.
A slow-push, line-holding comp gives Illari time to burn through healing and return fire calmly from mid-high ground. Pair her with DPS who don’t need babysitting and tanks that don’t dive too deep too fast.
Should You Play Illari?
You know what? If you’re a hit-scan player who’s always told to “switch to support,” Illari is your golden ticket. She rewards careful aim and cool timing, but punishes tunnel vision and poor map awareness. Her pylon adds passive value, and her ultimate can win games outright. So yes – pick her up, aim high, and soak up the sun.
Recommended For:
- Damage mains transitioning to support
- Players who thrive at medium-long range duels
- Support players looking for high carry potential
Not Recommended For:
- Players who struggle with aim or tracking
- Teams that group too tightly or dive too deep
- Quick-reaction pocket healers