| “ | Imagination is the essence of discovery.
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” |
Winston is one of the heroes in Overwatch. He is a scientist and fighter who possesses the strength and intellect to venture beyond the limit of humanity.
Winston wields impressive inventions—a jump pack, an electricity-blasting Tesla Cannon, a portable barrier projector and more—with literal gorilla strength.
Bio[]
A super-intelligent, genetically engineered gorilla, Winston is a brilliant scientist and a champion for humanity's potential.
The Horizon Lunar Colony was established as a first step for humanity's renewed exploration of space. Among its residents was a group of genetically enhanced gorillas that were intended to test the effects of prolonged habitation in space.
One gorilla displayed such rapid brain development from the gene therapy that he was taken under the wing of Dr. Harold Winston, who taught him science and inspired him with tales of human ingenuity. The young gorilla passed his days assisting with the scientists' experiments, watching the distant blue world outside his habitat window, dreaming of the endless possibilities that awaited him there.
But his life was thrown into chaos when the other gorillas led an uprising, killed the mission scientists, and claimed the colony for their own. Taking on the name of his beloved human caretaker, Winston built a makeshift rocket and escaped to Earth. There he found a new home with Overwatch, an organization that represented everything he had come to admire about humanity. Winston was finally able to live up to the heroic ideal that had been instilled in him.
Now with the fall of Overwatch, Winston has gone into seclusion, once again cut off from the world he believes in, but longing for the days of heroism to return.
Abilities[]
Frontal area of effect beam type
100 rounds per clip
1.5-second reload
3 damage per round
60 damage per second
20 rounds per second
8 m range
6 m radius
✘ Cannot headshot
Winston’s weapon fires a short-range electric barrage for as long as he holds down the trigger.
Default Key: (
, 
, 
)
Damaging catapult movement type
1 and 45 - 1 damage
20 m range
5 m radius
6 or 2-second cooldown
Assisted by his energy pack, Winston lunges through the air, dealing significant damage and staggering nearby enemies when he lands.
Default Key: (
, 
, 
)
Semi-immobile barrier type
700 barrier HP
5 m radius
Lasts 9 seconds or until destroyed
13-second cooldown
Winston's barrier projector extends a bubble-shaped field that absorbs damage until it's destroyed. Allies protected by the barrier can return fire from within it.
Default Key: (
, 
, 
)
Transformation ultimate type
Self-buff, melee ability type
+500 maximum health, health and armor fully replenished
1.55 swings per second
40 damage per swing
4 m range
7.15 m/s movement speed
Lasts 10 seconds
Winston embraces his animal nature, significantly boosting his health and making him very difficult to kill, strengthening his melee attack, and allowing him to use his Jump Pack ability more frequently. While raging, Winston can only make melee and Jump Pack attacks.
Default Key: (
, 
, 
)
Besides these abilities, Winston is able to jump, crouch, reload (only when his ammo is not full), and perform Quick Melee. However, when he activates his ultimate ability, Winston cannot crouch, reload and perform Quick Melee.
Unlocks[]
- All seasonal event items, which are marked with special event icons (
• • • • • ), 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. Items which are obtained from an external source are marked with Blizzard icons () and their requirements are noted below.
) and their requirements are noted below.Skins[]
- For all of Winston's skins and weapons, see Winston/Skins and Weapons.
| Common |
|---|
 Classic (default) |
| Rare |
|---|
 Atmosphere (  75) Banana ( 75) Forest ( 75) Red Planet ( 75) |
| Epic |
|---|
 Desert ( 250) Horizon ( 250) BlizzCon 2017 ({{BlizzardItem}}) |
| Legendary |
|---|
 Frogston ( 1000) Undersea ( 1000) Explorer ( 1000) Safari ( 1000) Yeti ({{WinterWonderland}})  Wukong ({{YearoftheRooster}})  Specimen 28 ({{Uprising}})  Catcher ({{SummerGames}}) |
- Note
- The BlizzCon 2017 skin was obtained by purchasing a BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket.
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 |
|---|
Heroic (default) |
| Rare |
|---|
 Beast ( 75) Glasses ( 75) The Thinker ( 75) Medal ({{SummerGames}})  R.I.P. ({{HalloweenTerror}})  Peanut Butter ({{Uprising}})  Sparklers ({{YearoftheRooster}}) |
Voice Lines[]
| Normal | ||
|---|---|---|
| ▪ ...Excuse Me | ( 25)
| |
| "Buh-ahahahahaa! Oh, uh... excuse me." | ||
| ▪ Curious | (default) | |
| "Curious." | ||
| ▪ Don't Get Me Angry | ( 25)
| |
| "Don't get me angry." | ||
| ▪ How Embarrassing! | ( 25)
| |
| "How embarrassing!" | ||
| ▪ I Do Not Want A Banana | ( 25)
| |
| "No, I do not want a banana." | ||
| ▪ Natural Selection | ( 25)
| |
| "Natural selection!" | ||
| ▪ No Monkey Business | ( 25)
| |
| "No monkey business." | ||
| ▪ Peanut Butter? | ( 25)
| |
| "Did... someone say... peanut butter?" | ||
| ▪ Sorry About That! | ( 25)
| |
| "Sorry about that!" | ||
| ▪ The Power Of Science! | ( 25)
| |
| "The power of science!" | ||
| ▪ We Have A Problem | ( 25)
| |
| "Houston, uh... we have a problem." | ||
| Event | ||
| Oh, It's On! | ( )
| |
| "Ohoho, it's on!" | ||
| Playtime's Over | ()
| |
| "Playtime's over." | ||
| ▪ This Is Not A Costume | ( )
| |
| "This is not a costume." | ||
| ▪ I... Got You Something | ( )
| |
| "I, uh... got you something." | ||
| ▪ That Was Awesome! | ( )
| |
| "That was awesome!" | ||
| ▪ Have You Seen My Glasses? | ( )
| |
| "Have you, um... seen my glasses?" | ||
| ▪ I Have The Right Stuff | ()
| |
| "I have the right stuff." | ||
| ▪ It's My Time To Shine! | ( )
| |
| "It's my time to shine!" | ||
| ▪ Oh Yeah! | ()
| |
| "Oh yeah!" | ||
Sprays[]
- For Winston-specific sprays, see Winston/Sprays.
Highlight Intros[]
| Common |
| Epic |
Weapons[]
One purchase of an alternate weapon skin will apply to the Tesla Cannon of all unlocked skins when equipping it.
| Default |
|---|
 Tesla Cannon (default) |
| Alternate |
|---|
 Golden Tesla Cannon (  3000) |
Achievements[]
Destroy 10 Turrets or Traps using Winston's Tesla Cannon without dying in quick or competitive play.
Reward: Pixel Spray
Damage 6 enemies during a single use of Winston's Primal Rage in quick or competitive play.
Reward: Cute Spray
Story[]
Harold Winston and young Winston.
Winston was initially a subject in the tests on genetically enhanced gorillas that took place in Lucheng Interstellar's Horizon Lunar Colony. He had shown unusually rapid development, so Dr. Harold Winston, from whom Winston got his name, took personal care of him. Through him, Winston learned science and helped in the doctor's research. The scientist also instills in the gorilla's mind a sense of freedom and adventure, to question the world waiting for him. The doctor also gave Winston his signature glasses.
When the other gorillas started to revolt against the colony, murder all of the scientists in the colony, Winston built a rocket by himself and escaped to Earth. Winston found a new home as a member of Overwatch. There, he became both a soldier and a scientist. His skill in combat led to him defeating Doomfist, and his craftsmanship and knowledge allowed him to save the life of Tracer by building for her the chronal accelerator.
Six years in the past, Winston participated in a mission with Tracer, Genji , and Mercy , to apprehend Maximilien in Havana, Cuba.
After the collapse of Overwatch, Winston and Athena retreated to Watchpoint: Gibraltar, from which he launched a satellite drone in the event that Overwatch would need to be recalled. He included with it a personal message to the former agents. Winston's lab at the Watchpoint was invaded by Reaper and several Talon agents in order to extract the information of former Overwatch agents. He was able to dispatch them and afterward decided to finally recall Overwatch agents to active duty.[1] Later, Winston worked with Tracer to stop Widowmaker and Reaper from stealing Doomfist's gauntlet. Though the gauntlet was damaged, there were no casualties.[2]
On Christmas, Winston and Athena were waiting for Tracer and her girlfriend Emily to have a meal together at Watchpoint: Gibraltar's lab. His wait is paid off when they all arrived in time for the dinner.[3]
A year after initiating the Overwatch Recall, Winston joins Mei and Tracer on a mission to fight off a Null Sector invasion in Paris. During the fight, a Titan appears. The trio were outnumbered and Mei is injured. Winston is willing to sacrifice himself while the others get to safety. Before his supposed death, Genji, Reinhardt , Brigitte , Echo , and Mercy quickly come to his aid. The team was able to defeat the Titan by planting a cryo-bomb inside its body. Victorious, Winston finally declares Overwatch’s return.
Appearance[]
Winston is a giant genetically engineered gorilla, capable of harnessing the mind of a normal human. He has a hairy beard and wears a dirty white spacesuit with jet-boosters on his back. There are Horizon Lunar Colony logos on his shoulder pads. His most notable feature are his glasses, which used to belong to his late mentor and friend, Dr. Harold Winston.
In Overwatch 2, Winston now dons a clean and sleeker spacesuit with detailed jet-boosters and the Overwatch logo now on his shoulder pads. He still maintains his facial hair and glasses.
Personality[]
Winston is an awkward yet gentle giant, never wanting to inflict unnecessary harm on innocents and often stuttering whenever someone compliments him. He is a huge fan of Overwatch and really cares about its members to the point of calling them family in the Are You With Us? cinematic teaser. He also seems to have a love for peanut butter and bananas, as shown in the Recall animated short, his Voice Lines and Emotes.
Winston is rather smart when it comes to craftsmanship, as proven by his ability to create the chronal accelerator. He is even considered an intelligent scientist as well, and he hates being called a monkey.
Merchandise[]
Tips[]
- For more detailed tips as well as hero matchups, see Winston/Strategy.
- Winston is a highly mobile tank that leaps around, creating chaos.
- Winston works best when moving around, thus is different from the standard stand and plant tank.
- Winston is a very Crowd Control-focused hero, especially with his ultimate. Use him to initiate and create space in a team fight, pick off low health targets, and capture objectives.
- Although powerful, Winston's giant health pool comes at a small disadvantage: because it is difficult to kill him, sometimes players shooting at him may not be trying to prevent him from reaching an area, but rather to charge up their Ultimate Abilities, causing this to be a huge disadvantage for Winston and his teammates in a later time.
- Since Winston's head is so large, he makes an easy target for snipers, and Hanzo can finish Winston with two headshots.
- Although Primal Rage grants Winston a large amount of health, do not overextend with him. A Bastion that is damage buffed can easily shred Winston.
- Winston is part of the dive comp meta, where high mobility heroes such as Genji, Tracer, and D.Va, charge into battle and cause chaos. Pair with any heroes listed above.
- Never stop moving. A stationary Winston is a dead Winston. Jumping around and knocking up enemies messes up their aim, makes you a harder target, and doesn't let snipers hit you as easily.
- Tesla Cannon
- Winston's Tesla Cannon deals damage to all targets in a conical area of effect within his field of view.
- Because it tracks enemies as long as it is activated, the Tesla Cannon is strong against high-mobility heroes.
- Due to the Tesla Cannon's rather low damage, Winston should not be chasing after tanks like Roadhog, who can also very easily eliminate Winston. Winston can be an extreme hazard for all "back-line" heroes.
- Never underestimate a Winston. His large health pool and shield, and his high fire-rate make him a dangerous foe. He counters Genji effectively, as he can follow Genji quite easily and his weapon is not a projectile or hitscan, so he can't deflect it.
- Jump Pack
- You can jump farther depending of your angle and your orientation.
- Pointing straight up before using Winston's jump will make him jump extremely high, and he can still be moved while jumping as other characters can.
- Walking forward and jumping will make your jump larger. Walking backward and jumping will make your jump smaller, good against close targets. Walking forward/backward after jumping will have a minor effect compared to before jump.
- When landing after using a Jump Pack, you knock enemies back. Keep this in mind as it may be useful for scoring environmental kills.
- However, be careful not to leap off the edge, as you cannot control Winston while leaping in midair.
- Jump Pack can be used as an escape tool as well. When in a fight and low on health, jumping away can usually save Winston's life.
- Barrier Projector
- When fighting an enemy, move in and out of your barrier, blocking their attacks while keeping them in range of your Tesla Cannon.
- Winston's Barrier Projector blocks enemy shots going out as well as in. It can limit the range of entrenched enemies or turrets.
- Winston can use his Barrier Projector in the air - combine this with his Jump Pack to protect teammates, block enemy shots and cross gaps at the same time. However, take note that the Barrier Projector will not be launched in the player's direction - rather, it will fall to the ground slowly. Keep this in mind when jumping onto the battlefield.
- Winston can use his Barrier Projector to contain D.Va's Self Destruct ultimate or at least reduce the blast radius, however, if Winston can't get away in time then this can be used as a self-sacrificing move in order to protect the team.
- Projected Barrier can sometimes be more useful than other shields, as it is a dome. This can be used to cover an objective to easily capture it.
- Your shield isn't meant to be placed every time you fight. If you can guarantee a kill, there is no need to place a shield. Save it for emergency purposes, such as hindering the enemy's firepower for a while during which you jump away from the fight.
- Primal Rage
- If possible, try to wait until Winston is below 50% HP before using Primal Rage, as it completely restores his health.
- Primal Rage is meant to be used in these situations:
- Crowd-controlling an enemy ultimate (e.g. pushing a McCree during Deadeye into spaces where he can't hit his shots).
- Knocking enemies into Environmental hazards.
- Killing enemies by repeatedly knocking them into a wall.
- Scattering the enemy team.
- Securing a kill on a key target when Winston's HP is low or he needs the Jump Pack cooldown to be reset.
- Stalling an objective.
Trivia[]
- Winston and his storyline may be a reference to The Planet of the Apes series.
- Winston is voiced by Crispin Freeman, who also voiced Roy Harper(Speedy/Red Arrow/Arsenal) in the cartoon Young Justice, as well as Itachi Uchiha in the anime Naruto. He also voiced several characters in Blizzard's other IP, World of Warcraft, the most notable being Vindicator Maraad in the Warlords of Draenor expansion.
- Winston's name and origin may be derived from Winston Scott, an American astronaut who was assigned as a specialist with the STS-72 Endeavor. Winston's versatile jump pack also alludes to this, as the crew of the Endeavor was tasked with conducting multiple EVA walks in preparation for the International Space Station.
- Winston's ultimate ability Primal Rage is most likely a reference to the popular 90's game franchise by the same name (Primal Rage).
- Winston is very similar to Marvel Comics character Hank McCoy aka Beast, an animalistic person with great intellect.
- The voice line "Houston, we have a problem" is a direct, unedited quote from the film Apollo 13, which has become not only symbolic for NASA but a staple in pop culture; the line, however, is incorrect. The correct line is "Houston we've had a problem."
- Winston's pose "The Thinker" is the same as that of the bronze sculpture "Le Penseur" by Auguste Rodin, originally part of a larger commission, The Gates of Hell. The Thinker represents intellect and poetry, which to some degree reflects the personality of Winston. It was treated as an individual work after completion of The Gates of Hell.
- His dance is a reference to Pulp Fiction
- While wearing the Yeti skin Winston will quote the Abominable Snowman from Monsters Inc.
- The voice line "Get a load of this!" is a direct reference to the game Sonic Adventure regarding the line Dr. Eggman says often during the boss fight with the Egg Viper , mainly whenever the villain fires a volley of homing lasers.on Sonic.
Patch changes[]
- For changes made to Winston's abilities, see Tesla Cannon, Jump Pack, Barrier Projector, and Primal Rage.
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