“ | Build 'em up, break 'em down.
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Torbjörn is one of the heroes in Overwatch. He is an engineer specializing in weapon design and is determined to keep his inventions from falling into the wrong hands.
Torbjörn’s extensive arsenal includes a rivet gun and hammer, as well as a personal forge that he can use to repair his turrets.
Bio[]
At its height, Overwatch possessed one of the most advanced armaments on the planet, which could be traced to the workshop of an ingenious engineer named Torbjörn Lindholm.
Before the Omnic Crisis, Torbjörn had gained notoriety for designing weapons systems used by countries around the world. However, his belief that technology must serve a better vision for humanity put him at odds with his employers, who desired to control his weapons using networked computer intelligence.
Torbjörn had a deep mistrust of sentient robotic intelligence, and while many of his peers wrote this off as paranoia, his worst fears were realized when the robot populations of the world turned against their human creators during the Omnic Crisis. Because of his engineering genius, he was recruited to join the original Overwatch strike team, and his many inventions proved integral to ending the crisis. In the years that followed, Overwatch became an international peacekeeping force, and Torbjörn remained a critical resource for all of its technological needs and signature weapons systems.
But in the aftermath of Overwatch's fall, many of Torbjörn's weapons were stolen or stashed away around the world. Feeling responsible for his creations, Torbjörn is determined to stop them from falling into the wrong hands and wreaking havoc on the innocent.
Abilities[]

18 rounds per clip
2 (1.4)-second reload
Primary fire: Rivet Shot
Arcing projectile type
70 damage per shot
1.67 (2.17) shots per second
1 round per shot
70 m/s projectile speed
✔ Can headshot
Secondary fire: Rivet Burst
Shotgun projectile type
6 - 10.5 damage per pellet
10 pellets per shot
Max 105 bodyshot damage
7 - 20 m falloff range
1.67 (2.17) shots per second
3 rounds per shot
120 m/s projectile speed
✔ Subject to falloff damage
✔ Can headshot
Torbjörn fires rivets at long range, or ejects molten metal from his gun in a short, close-range burst.
Primary Fire Key: (



Secondary Fire Key: (



Switch Key: (





Melee and upgrade type
55 damage per swing
50 healing per swing
1.25 (1.625) swings per second
✘ Cannot headshot
Torbjörn uses his multipurpose hammer to build, upgrade and repair turrets. In a pinch, it can also be swung as a weapon.
Default Key: (



Switch Key: (





Independent object deploying type
3-second deployment
5 or 10-second cooldown
Turret data
Attacking turret type
Enemy-autotargeting hitscan attack type
250 HP
14 damage per hit
4 hits per second
40 m range
∞-round clip size
Lasts until destroyed or replaced
✘ Cannot headshot
Torbjörn deploys a self-building turret which automatically tracks and attacks enemies.
Default Key: (




Self-buff type
+100 armor
+30% attack, movement, and reload speed
0.75-second cast time
Lasts 5 seconds
10-second cooldown
Torbjörn gains additional armor as well as improved attack, movement, and reload speed for a brief period.
Default Key: (




Channeled ultimate type
Hazard-spawning ability type
10 globules
6.66 shots per second
160 or 190 damage per second
0.6 sec cast
Lasts 6 seconds, 10 seconds
Torbjörn creates pools of molten slag that deal massive, sustained damage (plus bonus damage to armor), and can prevent enemies from moving through key locations.
Default Key: (


Besides these abilities, Torbjörn is able to crouch and reload his Rivet Gun (only when his ammo is not full), and perform Quick Melee when using Rivet Gun. He cannot reload and perform Quick Melee when using Forge Hammer.
Unlocks[]
- All seasonal event items, which are marked with special event icons (
•
•
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), are only available to be unlocked either through their respective Loot Boxes or by Credits within the event's duration. During the event, newly-introduced event items cost three times as much as non-event items of the same rarity, while returning seasonal items are unlocked at the regular price.
Skins[]
- For all of Torbjörn's skins and weapons, see Torbjörn/Skins and Weapons.
Common |
Rare |
Epic |
Legendary |
Emotes[]
Common |
Epic |
- Note:
- a This emote, after activating, will remain in its animation until the player inputs other actions to interrupt it.
Victory Poses[]
Common |
Rare |
Voice Lines[]
- Note:
The "For The Alliance" and "For The Horde" voice lines are obtained by purchasing World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth Collector's Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition
Sprays[]
- For Torbjörn-specific sprays, see Torbjörn/Sprays.
Highlight Intros[]
Common |
Epic |
Weapons[]
One purchase of an alternate weapon skin will apply to the Rivet Gun and Forge Hammer of all unlocked skins when equipping it.
Default |
Alternate |
Achievements[]


Absorb 500 armor damage with Torbjörn's Overload without dying in Quick or Competitive Play.
Reward: Pixel Spray


Kill 4 enemies during a single use of Torbjörn's Molten Core in quick or competitive play.
Reward: Cute Spray
Story[]

Torbjörn in Destroyer.
Torbjörn Lindholm was one of the Ironclad Guild's top weapons designers and engineers whose machinery was used around the world. Among his designs was the Titan, a giant mech capable of efficient urban development, and Bastion, a peacekeeper combatant unit.[2][3] When the Omnic Crisis began, the God Programs weaponized weaponry and robots Torbjörn developed. Torbjörn's knowledge of the weapons gave him an integral role in Overwatch's original strike team, alongside Jack Morrison, Gabriel Reyes, Reinhardt Wilhelm, Ana Amari, and Liao. Torbjörn stayed with Overwatch after the war, and remain as its chief engineer until its collapse. At some point, he collaborated with Dr. Angela Ziegler to design a prototype Biotic Rifle, although it was against the doctor's wish to use her biotic technology for weapons.[4]
Torbjörn traveled to Kurjikstan to combat a Titan that was destroying the city of Boklovo. He found out that it was piloted by his old coworker Sven, and quickly dispatched him before crashing the Titan.[2] At the time of the Overwatch recall, Torbjörn was in Russia, near Moscow or Novgorod.
During Christmas, Torbjörn was seen celebrating the holidays in with his family and close friend, Reinhardt Wilhelm.[5]
Shortly after Christmas, Torbjörn came to a village in Northern Sweden, after picking up news about a rogue Bastion who had appeared. He offered his help in apprehending the Bastion. He was confident in this task because he assumed that the Bastion was damaged. After trying to lure Bastion to attack, he noticed the strange behavior of this particular unit, such as running away or helping the beavers to build a den. When he finally realized the peaceful nature of his formerly designed weapon of war, Torbjörn took Bastion with him after incapacitating the police force instead.[3]
Personality[]
Torbjörn is really enthusiastic when it comes to weapon engineering and designing, as noted by Mercy. He treats his designs with care and love, as seen with his turrets in-game. However, Torbjörn was always distrustful of self-aware AI. Even after the first Omnic Crisis, he was distasteful towards Omnics regardless of their personality, as shown by his anger when a match is in Numbani, a city where humans and Omnics live together peacefully.
After the meeting with Bastion in Sweden, he had a change of heart. By observing the strange behavior of that Bastion unit, he understood its peaceful and curious nature and somehow came to accept Bastion. He even tried to protect Bastion and treat it in a fatherly way, albeit grudgingly and reluctantly.
Torbjörn also seems to have a playful side, as there is a picture of him and Mercy dressed up for Halloween at Watchpoint: Gibraltar.
Torbjörn and Mercy seem to have a close friendship as she is a longtime family friend of the Lindholms as it's revealed in the letter he writes to his wife Ingrid after the events of Operation White Dome the mission that had taken his left arm. Taking directly from an official explanation of the letter Torbjörn says that the young teenage prodigy student "Angela", visited Torbjörn with a frequency that "wasn't in professional capacity" showing she was visiting him for more than just his medical wellbeing and was concerned for his wellbeing.
Torbjörn has a friendly-rival relationship with Reinhardt; considering him one of his best friends, comparing with the rest of Overwatch. With the rest of Overwatch's members, Torbjörn is a trusted and dependable comrade.
Torbjörn and Reinhardt seem to have a very close relationship as its shown in Reflections that he lets Reinhardt celebrate the holidays with him and his family, and seemed to spend a lot of time with the family as shown in Brigitte's origin story with Reinhardt telling her tales of glory. It is later revealed in a letter to his wife Ingrid after operation White Dome that Reinhardt had saved his life and as such he had given him permission to name their as of yet unborn child ( who would later grow up to become Brigitte) and become their godfather.
Merchandise[]
Tips[]
- Torbjörn player's first action usually should be to throw a Turret in a good place, so, knowledge about the maps and routes is important.
- Turrets can function without his assistance in taking out enemy heroes.
- Torbjörn's tiny size can make him difficult to hit for some players, but his head hitbox is usually located in a place where players don't have to vertically adjust their crosshairs and has a large head hitbox. Additionally, lack of mobility and small health still makes him a vulnerable hero, so always stick with your team.
- Torbjörn and Bastion can work together to create a formidable defense by using Torbjörn's turret and Bastion's Sentry mode.
- Look for opportunities to attack enemies with the Rivet Gun, using primary fire at mid-range and secondary fire at close range. Both do good damage to enemies, but more importantly, they build your ultimate meter. Use your ultimate when enemies make a coordinated attack.
- Its primary fire lacks usefulness at long range due to the slow travel speed and curved line, but a successful hit can deal enough damage to make a vulnerable target retreat, so it is best used against snipers as their movements are limited while they are aiming. Shooting at crowds of enemies can be beneficial as well as the weapon would hit most of the time and charge the ultimate meter faster.
- Its secondary fire act as a shotgun and makes it a formidable weapon against tanks, don't be afraid to fight them if they get too close to you. Keep in mind however that the secondary fire has a widespread, uses more ammo per shot with the secondary fire and has a slower fire rate.
- Don't babysit your turret. Aside from leaving you vulnerable if the turret is destroyed, Torbjörn's Rivet Gun alone deals a considerable amount of damage.
- Torbjörn's Turret deals 15% less damage on console compared to PC, likely to make up for the fact that it retargets more quickly than a player can when using a console controller.
- Since the turret is auto-tracking, this means more mobile heroes who are normally harder to hit will have a tough time evading attacks.
Counters[]
- Zarya's Particle Barrier is very useful against Torbjorn's turrets, as they fire without stopping. This can be used to feed charge which then can be used against the turret.
- Roadhog's Chain Hook can easily pull Torbjorn away from his turret and finish him off. While he does more damage up close, his large health pool can absorb a lot of damage and his Scrap Gun packs enough of a punch to exterminate a turret.
- Keep in mind, though, that Torbjorn's Overload can easily take out Roadhog at close range, meaning hooking him can potentially backfire.
- Bastion has a fast enough fire rate to take out a turret in seconds.
- If she gets the opportunity, Sombra can hack the turret which will stop it firing for a few short moments, enough time to be shot down.
- Pharah's rocket launcher will deal massive damage to a turret, much faster than Torbjorn can repair it. Additionally, Torbjorn's low mobility and projectile weapon mean retaliating against Pharah is usually futile.
Trivia[]
- Due to his complex Swedish name, it is often mispronounced. The pronunciation is intended to be said as "Tor-b-yearn."
- To little surprise, Torbjörn holds the title as the shortest character in Overwatch at 4'7".
- When the Blackbeard or Barbarossa skin is equipped, Torbjörn's reloading animation is slightly different. His hook does not spin when he creates his ordinary fluid to load his Rivet Gun, and so instead, an orb of liquid gradually increases in size until it fills the handle.
- There is also a chance that Torbjörn will say "Ahoy, Mateys!" when the Hello command is used.
- Sometimes, Torbjörn will refer to his turret as his "baby" when it is destroyed. This enforces his passion for weapons and tech design.
- Torbjörn's catchphrase could quite possibly reference his backstory, as his weapons and tech were stolen and stashed around the world. The phrase may reference "building weapons" and preventing misconduct.
- The Lindholm's seem to have connections with bears. Torbjorn's name means "Thor Bear" and his "Viking" skin has his claw resemble a bear, you can also make the claim that his white, fur cloak is in reference to a polar bear. Brigitte's "Shieldmaiden" skin also features a bear and a bear paw print.
Other Blizzard games[]
- The achievement "Raid Wipe" is a reference to the World of Warcraft Raid-Instance of the same name and the term for a party of players who try to beat it ("Raid Party") being completely annihilated ("wiped").
- Torbjörn shares many similarities with the Dwarf race of the Warcraft franchise.
- Torbjörn's Molten Core ability may be a reference to the name of a raid instance in World of Warcraft called The Molten Core.
Cultural References[]
- Torbjörn's skin Barbarossa translates to "red beard" in Italian.
- Torbjörn's rare character skins are written in Swedish, separately translating into Blue, Lemon, Green, and Plum.
- Several of Torbjörn's voice lines are old Swedish proverbs translated directly into English.
- Torbjörn's surname, Lindholm, is likely a reference to Lindholmen, a prominent engineering district in Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Torbjörn's voice line "Completion date? When it's done." Could be a reference to Blizzard's way of not rushing the development of their games.
- Torbjörn has a spray showing how the turret is constructed referencing IKEA (from Sweden) that requires you to assemble yourself and Team Fortress 2's sentry operating manual.
- Torbjörn is also remarkably similar to the Engineer from Team Fortress 2: both are the shortest of all the playable characters in their games; prior to October 10, 2018 (aka Torbjörn's rework), Torbjörn had a deployable single-barrel enemy-tracking turret that can be upgraded to a faster firing twin-barrel turret and a level 3 rocket upgrade, similar to the engineer's turret while both upgraded them in a similar fashion; both also lost one arm.[1]
- However, the latter only applies to the Engineer if the player equips the "Gunslinger", a robot hand to replace his default wrench or the "Short Circuit", an electric gun hidden as a part of his glove.
- Both Torbjörn and the Engineer from Team Fortress 2 also share a similar voice line, which is "There's more where that came from". This is voiced when the engineer gets a kill via sentry and as a Summer Games' voice line for Torbjörn.
- Additionally, Torbjörn's Halloween voice line ("..If you build it, they will die.") is also the name of an achievement for the Engineer. Additionally, this may be a reference to Field of Dreams, where an important quote in the movie is, "If you build it, they will come."
- His Viking skin is a reference to the Vikings, a trading and plundering people that inhabited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland during the mid-first millennium to the early second millennium.
- The skin appears to be purposefully made more cartoony than real Vikings, likely due to its nature as a Halloween costume.
- In Scandinavia and Iceland, horned Viking helmets are traditionally used for less serious depictions of Vikings, while realistic helmets are for the more realistic portrayals.
- His hammer in this skin appears to be designed after Mjölnir (Mjølner, Mjólnir), the hammer utilized by the thunder god Thor, as it was the only weapon that wouldn't break in his hands
- Due to the skin itself, it could be a homage to Blizzard's first game called The Lost Vikings.
- The skin appears to be purposefully made more cartoony than real Vikings, likely due to its nature as a Halloween costume.
Patch changes[]
- For changes made to Torbjörn's abilities, see Rivet Gun, Forge Hammer, Deploy Turret, Overload, and Molten Core.
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References[]
Torbjörn Navigation | |||
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General | Main • Quotes • Gallery • Skins and Weapons • Sprays | ||
Abilities | Current | Rivet Gun • Forge Hammer • Deploy Turret • Overload • Molten Core | |
Removed | Build Turret • Scrap Collector • Armor Pack | ||
Lore | Organizations | Ironclad Guild • Overwatch | |
Character relationships | Ingrid Lindholm • Brigitte Lindholm • Reinhardt Wilhelm • Angela Ziegler • Sven • Bastion | ||
Others | Omnic Crisis • Titan • Biotic Rifle | ||
Media | Comic Shorts | Destroyer • Binary • Uprising |
Overwatch Navigation | ||
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Members | Founders | Jack Morrison • Gabriel Reyes • Ana Amari • Reinhardt Wilhelm • Torbjörn Lindholm • Mina Liao |
Agents | Mercy • Winston • Tracer • Gérard Lacroix | |
Blackwatch | McCree • Genji • Moira | |
Other | Mei • Director Petras • Mirembe • Kimiko • Singh • Bayless • Al-Farouk • Soundquake • Fusionator | |
Media | Shorts | Cinematic Trailer • Recall • King's Row Uprising Origin Story • Doomfist Origin Story • Rise and Shine • Honor and Glory |
Comics | Legacy • Junkenstein • Uprising • Retribution | |
Articles | Fading Glory • Overwatch is Back | |
Lore | Bases | Swiss Headquarters • Watchpoint: Gibraltar • Ecopoint: Antarctica • Watchpoint: Grand Mesa |
Vehicles | MV-261 Orca • OSS-7 Aurora | |
Enemies | Omnic Rebel Army • Talon • Null Sector • Shimada Clan • Deadlock Gang | |
Missions | Omnic Crisis • Uprising |
Heroes in Overwatch | |
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