Winston counters, tier and perks

Hero Playbooks tier: S (confidence high). Matchup data confidence: high. Last updated 2026-10-14.

Abilities

Tesla Cannon · Jump Pack · Barrier Projector · Primal Rage

Orisa: Orisa's abilities can easily keep Winston's dives off her team. (high confidence)
Ramattra: Ravenous Vortex punishes Winston's dives and makes it hard for him to get out. (high confidence)
D.Va: Stat-based: wins the 1v1 in Counterwatch duel data (rating +4.0); also favored by Overpicker counter matrix and RankedBoost counters. No written explanation in our sources yet. (high confidence)
Zarya: Winston's Barrier Projector doesn't stop a charged beam, and at high energy Zarya melts him even with the extra health from Primal Rage. (high confidence)
Mauga: Mauga's two guns break Winston's Barrier Projector quickly, and the lasting burn makes diving hard for Winston. (medium confidence)
Bastion: Configuration: Assault deals huge damage per second and breaks Winston's Barrier Projector quickly. (medium confidence)

Juno: Winston's Tesla Cannon aims itself, so he can keep damaging Juno. (high confidence)
Genji: Winston's Tesla Cannon aims itself, so he can keep damaging Genji. (high confidence)
Soldier: 76: Soldier: 76 has few tools to deal with Winston's dives. (high confidence)
Widowmaker: Widowmaker has few tools to deal with Winston's dives. (medium confidence)
Lifeweaver: Lifeweaver struggles when Winston dives him. (medium confidence)
Ashe: Ashe's damage output is low, so breaking Winston's Barrier Projector is hard for her. (medium confidence)

Electric Charge: For every enemy hit by Tesla Cannon's primary fire, Winston moves 10% faster, up to 30%.
Heavy Landing: In Primal Rage, Jump Pack deals more damage over a larger area, up to 75% more, while Winston is airborne.

Chain Lightning: Hits from a fully charged secondary fire jump to as many as 2 more targets.
Revitalizing Barrier: Allies inside Barrier Projector heal 35 health per second.