Map Overview
Shambali Monastery winds through the sacred high-altitude temple complex of Nepal, where the payload moves along a mountain path, through monastery courtyards, and into the final inner sanctum.
The map features dramatic elevation changes and a mix of open mountain stretches and enclosed temple corridors.
Its three phases cover the initial mountain path approach, the monastery outer courtyard, and the final inner temple.
The elevation and architecture create unique verticality that rewards heroes with mobility or strong barrier coverage.
This is considered one of the more attacker-friendly escort maps.
Attack Strategy
Gain control of the first mountain path wall immediately — stand on top of it to fire down at defenders in the courtyard below.
Push the payload with Sigma's barrier covering the left side while your flanker takes the upper path above the monastery walls.
At the outer courtyard, use the temple roof access points to establish a dominant elevated position.
The inner temple section has a pinch where attackers often stall — push through aggressively with a coordinated Nano Boost or Earthshatter rather than waiting at the entrance.
In the final section, the payload turns a sharp corner where defenders stack — flush them out with area-of-effect ultimates.
Defense Strategy
Defenders should hold the mountain path bridge to deny the high ground position — do not let attackers control the wall on approach.
Set up a Sigma and Orisa defensive combination at the outer courtyard archway.
For the inner temple, defenders holding the right-side elevated ledge can fire down on the payload while being difficult to dislodge.
The final corner is the best defensive position on the map — hold it with Earthshatter ready to collapse on attackers who peak around.
Key Positions & High Ground
Mountain Wall: The stone wall along the initial path can be jumped on top of, providing a dominant position to fire down on both the payload and defenders.
Temple Roof: Accessible from the monastery outer courtyard, the roof section provides a commanding view over multiple phases of the map.
Inner Sanctum Elevated Ledge: A raised section inside the final temple area that defenders can hold while firing down safely.
Side Bridge: A parallel mountain path that bypasses the main courtyard approach and surprises defenders.
Chokepoints to Control
The monastery courtyard entrance is the map's primary chokepoint — a Sigma and Orisa barrier combination stacks here effectively.
Break it with a Graviton Surge into Dragonstrike or use a Wrecking Ball to displace the setup before the main team pushes through.
The inner temple entrance is a narrow doorway that defenders can hold from both sides simultaneously.
An Earthshatter at this doorway clears it completely, giving the team safe entry.
Ultimate Usage Tips
Nano Boost on Reinhardt through the courtyard archway followed by an immediate Earthshatter clears the entire first defensive line.
On defence, Dragonstrike down the mountain path approach stops attackers from reaching the courtyard.
Self-Destruct in the inner temple entrance bounces around the stone walls for massive damage.
Kitsune Rush at the mountain path section helps push through the exposed area quickly before defenders establish positions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Attackers push through the inner temple doorway one at a time instead of coordinating an entry — this results in consistent one-player deaths.
Always enter the temple as a group with barrier cover.
Defenders stand on the bridge over the mountain path instead of holding at the courtyard archway, losing positional advantage as attackers gain the elevated wall.
Teams spend too long in the mountain section before establishing temple positions, losing critical payload time.
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