Overwatch Elimination
Teams of 3 compete in a best-of-3 bracket. Eliminate the entire enemy team to win each round. No respawns.
How to Win
Eliminate all 3 enemy players to win a round. Win the required number of rounds to win the match.
History
Elimination was one of Overwatch's original Arcade modes and remains one of the most mechanically demanding. Necropolis is the most iconic Elimination map, featuring a tight ancient Egyptian layout perfect for close-range duels.
Key Mechanics
- No respawns within a round — every fight is high stakes
- Best-of-three or five bracket format
- Hero switching is allowed between rounds
Attacking Tips
- Focus fire to eliminate one target quickly rather than spreading damage
- Positioning is critical — avoid fighting 1v2 or 1v3
Defending Tips
- Defensive ultimates (Zarya bubble, Moira Coalescence) are valuable for saving teammates
- Switch heroes between rounds based on what the enemy is running
Recommended Heroes
Tank
Zarya, D.Va, Roadhog
Tanks with personal protection abilities keep the small team alive through no-respawn rounds
Damage
Genji, Tracer, Reaper
High burst single-target heroes eliminate enemies quickly in 3v3 skirmishes
Support
Moira, Lucio, Ana
Mobile supports that can survive without full team protection excel in the compact 3v3 format
Elimination — Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are in Elimination?
Elimination is played 3v3. Each team has three players, and the goal is to eliminate all three opponents in a round before they eliminate your entire team. There are no respawns within a round.
Can you switch heroes between rounds in Elimination?
Yes, you can switch heroes between rounds. Adapting your composition based on what the enemy ran in the previous round is a key skill — swapping to hard counters or running unexpected picks to deny enemy adaptations.
What happens if the round timer runs out?
If a round ends without either team being fully eliminated, it enters a sudden death phase where both teams' HP is gradually reduced until one team is eliminated. This creates a climactic finish regardless of how the round played out.
Which heroes excel in 3v3 Elimination?
Heroes with high individual survivability and burst damage are strongest. Zarya, Moira, and Genji are perennial favorites. Zarya's bubbles can save a teammate at critical moments, Moira can sustain the team, and Genji can clean up low HP enemies after fights.
Is Elimination available in competitive play?
Elimination is an Arcade and seasonal event mode and is not part of the standard competitive rotation. It does feature in the Competitive Arcade format during certain seasons, which uses a bracket-style tournament to determine rankings.
What are the best Elimination maps?
Necropolis, Castillo, Black Forest, and Ecopoint: Antarctica are the standard Elimination maps. Necropolis is the most mechanically demanding due to its tight corridors and multiple levels that reward verticality and flanking.
