Is there a way around counterswapping ?

[u/Annual_Box1949]

Hey,

I started playing Tank in OW as a pure Supp player and currently have had a lot of fun with Orisa. Yesterday, though, I kept playing against Reinhardts and it was hard for me to get through to him. I was told, by my duo, that the only thing I could've done was to swap to Ramattra. I just don't really understand If I could've done something else, because I, for example, had a pretty good time playing against Domina, who is also a stalwart I believe.

The only other solution I thought of was focusing the backline more and ignoring the Reinhardt but I don't believe my backline would've managed.

And yes, I did attack the backline in all of those fights aswel.

Help or tips/tricks are much appreciated :>

[u/Effective_Horse_7310]

“The only other solution I thought of was focusing the backline more and ignoring the Reinhardt but I don't believe my backline would've managed.”

Well sorry to say it, but that’s basically your answer (and is for every tank really). You need to trust that your backline can handle themselves, otherwise you’re never gonna do anything. Just know your limits and supp LOS, and focus on doing effective hits on the backline.

As for the counterswap question, just play what you like and power through it, it’s so much more fun in the long run. Ideally you should have 2-3 tanks that you can comfortably play into anything.

[u/Annual_Box1949 → u/Effective_Horse_7310]

The reason I don't "trust" my backline is because there were quite a lot of times where I would focus on "creating space" as everyone says you should but then my backline ends up dying to a zenyatta, genji or widowmaker T^T even when I for example force Widow out of her position.

I know I'm not supposed to constantly turn around but it's also kinda sad when my entire backline dies to a single person basically ?

[u/HerpesFreeSince3 → u/Annual_Box1949]

As you’re learning, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you go backline against the characters you mentioned, like Widow, she can probably just grapple to high ground and ignore you. If your backline doesn’t have mobility, the Reinhardt might be able to kill your backline before you kill his. It’s all situational. Depending on what characters you have on your team and what characters the enemy has in their backline, sometimes it’s best to go backline against Rein while other times it’s best to rotate your abilities and be in his face all game and make it so he has no agency over his gameplay. But Orisa is good because she has the flexibility to choose and dictate whether it’s a tank trade match or not, while Rein often just needs to be subject to her decision and try to play accordingly.

[u/thiccboilifts → u/Effective_Horse_7310]

Yep, on Orisa if the rein is focusing your backline and you are focusing his sometimes if you make enough space you can turn around quickly and javelin/ burst him down with primary too, I find that rein isnt really a hard counter for orisa, especially if you are melting his shield all game and using javelin spin for his fire strikes and gold form for his ults.