The genesis of Overwatch Genji will be presented as a cyborg ninja, which combines cold steel and great courage of a warrior. He wields shuriken and katana, moves with lightning speed and is able to deflect even a deadly shot. Such a hero gives the player a tangible advantage — if you know how to unleash his abilities and control them with the precision of a master.
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The origin and character of the hero
In the legend of Overwatch 2, Genji is the youngest son of the head of the Japanese Shimada clan and Hanzo’s brother. After his father’s death, a fierce power struggle broke out between the brothers. Hanzo, believing that he had killed Genji, renounced the family legacy. But fate decreed otherwise: the mortally wounded young man was saved by Overwatch fighters, replacing his damaged body with cybernetic implants. This is how a new Genji warrior appeared, able to combine human skill with the power of a machine.
Weapons and abilities
Genji’s main weapon is shuriken, throwing knives that fly with speed. He releases three knives in less than a second: sequentially or in a fan, depending on the selected mode. The player controls the attack using the left and right mouse buttons. Each shuriken rushes at a speed of 60 meters per second and takes away 28 health points from the opponent. Weapons are particularly effective at short ranges.
Genji Techniques
The hero’s dubious ability is “Repelling attacks” (E key). Within two seconds, Genji deflects bullets and projectiles back at the enemy, as if in a mirror. The ability takes eight seconds to recharge, but in the right hands it can turn the outcome of a battle.
A good technique is “Lightning strike” (Shift key). Genji jerks forward, delivering a series of sword strikes. When killing an opponent during a dash, the ability can be activated over and over again until the enemies run out. Only damage to Genji itself can interrupt it.
Absolute ability
The climax is “Dragon Blade” (Q key). Genji draws his sword and begins a deadly dance, slashing at enemies in close combat. At this moment, you can combine “Lightning Strike” and “Deflection attacks”, turning the battle into an enchanting whirlwind of steel and light.
Passive skill
His innate “Cyber Agility” (Space bar) allows you to make double jumps and climb walls. Combined with the “Lightning Strike”, this gives incredible mobility — Genji is able to attack from unexpected angles and disappear before the enemy has time to aim.
How to unlock Genji
To unlock the hero again in Overwatch 2, you need to complete one match and the cyborg ninja will be available in your arsenal.
How to Play as Genji in Overwatch 2
Genji in Overwatch 2 is like a tornado of steel and speed. This cyborg ninja circles at all degrees for opponents, throws shurikens and uses abilities, turning the fight into a dance of death.
Who is Genji particularly strong against
Genji has the talent to be completely open against the support heroes. Sojourn, Fateful Widow, Soldier 76, Ash, and Hanzo often find themselves in difficulty if they fail to strike between the activation of the “Deflect Attacks” ability. At this moment, Genji is able to return the bullet to the forehead of the one who fired it.
Sombra in Overwatch 2
Even the famous Mexican hacker Sombra is not so scary for Genji. Her “Hacking” only affects him for a second — too little to stop the cyber ninja. During this time, he manages to break out of control and strike back.
Tactics and tips
Experienced Overwatch 2 players do not use the “Quick Strike” immediately, but wait for the opponent to have some health left. After killing an enemy, the ability can be used again — and now the second opponent falls from a rapid lunge.
It is not worth spending a “Lightning strike” without confidence in victory — the ability should finish off, not open a fight.
The superpower “Dragon Blade” can transform Genji into a melee fighter. In the hands of beginners, it may seem difficult, but real masters combine it with a “Lightning strike” to jerk and close the distance and destroy enemies.
And remember: “Repelling attacks” is your shield and salvation. Generates enemy damage into your own weapon.
The best allies
Genji is a natural damager, which means he needs strong partners. The ideal partners are Winston or D.Va: Tanks that can distract enemies and create space for ninja attacks. Speed is sharpened to keep up with them, and well-aimed punches finish off weakened opponents.
Lucio and Zenyatta are excellent healers. The former supports the team with area healing, while the latter heals allies with his “Harmony Spheres”, helping Genji stay in battle longer.
How to resist Genji
To defeat Genji, you need heroes who can neutralize “Deflection Attacks,” an ability that returns most projectiles and even ultimates like Hanzo’s “Dragon Strike.”
Genji is powerless against energy attacks, and this is where Mei, Zarya, and Farrah come into play.
Mei has the ability to freeze Genji with her ice blaster, depriving him of speed and maneuverability. After that, the heroine finishes off the enemy with a variable shot or a melee attack.
Zarya is dangerous with her beam weapons: her cannon pierces even the most dexterous cyborg, and the energy barrier makes her almost invulnerable.
Farrah is a nightmare for any ground fighter. Her missiles deal damage when they land, even when they explode nearby. At her speed, Genji’s shuriken throwing seems useless.
Advantages, bonuses and disadvantages
Genji’s passive skill allows him to easily climb over any surface and make a spectacular double jump.
His weapon is a shuriken with two shooting modes: one is ideal for close combat, the other for long—range attacks.
The hero’s movement speed is amazing — he moves almost like lightning.
Respond to the enemies with a hail of shots!
There is also a unique passive effect: after destroying an opponent, Genji can use his ability again, which makes him especially dangerous in experienced hands.
He is especially strong against characters like Bastion, Hanzo, Thorbjorn and the Fateful Widow.
However, a hero requires skill.
It is difficult for beginners to control them, and with a high ping, they are not recommended to play at all.
When Genji activates his ultimate ability, he utters a phrase that reveals his location — and at that moment becomes a desirable target for opponents.
Genji’s weaknesses are considered to be D.Va Reinhardt, Zarya and Winston.
The name Genji is probably inspired by the main character of the ancient Japanese novel “The Tale of Genji”. In Overwatch, he is portrayed as a charismatic “playboy,” and his literary prototype is known for his complicated relationships with women. The fates of both heroes overlap — they survived exile from their families.
In his youth, his father, Sojiro, called him “Sparrow.” The symbol of Genji is the feather of the Japanese hawk, a sign of freedom and pride.
Before the game’s release, a huge statue of Genji decorated Paris as part of the Overwatch promotional campaign.
His famous sword was recreated in the legendary blacksmithing series Man at Arms.
Genji became the fourth Overwatch playable character to appear in Heroes of the Storm, and even got the role of commentator along with D.Va .
Interestingly, Genji is equally adept with both hands: he throws shurikens with his right hand and draws the Dragon Blade, while with his left he uses the sword with a Lightning Strike and Deflection technique.
Genji once had a special look that could only be obtained during the Nexus Challenge event in Heroes of the Storm. It was later brought back to the Nexus 2.0 along with an exclusive look for D.Va . In update 1.12.0.2, these costumes became part of the classic set and are now available for 1,000 credits.
The word Bushin (武神), “Divine Warrior” is engraved on Genji’s body.
In 2018, the Figma Genji figurine entered the market, as well as the “Genji vs. Hanzo Nendoroid” diorama.
Fans can also purchase a hoodie in the style of a hero — it is sold at the JINX store.
Interesting fact: initially, Genji and Hanzo were one character, a cyborg ninja who wields a sword, bow and the art of parkour. He was inspired by the “Assassin” class from the cancelled Titan project. Later, the developers decided to split the concept into two brothers, adding their own story and style to each.
Early prototypes of Genji suggested that he would be a slow, stealthy killer, capable of delivering a fatal blow with a sword after firing at an enemy. However, the game designers considered the idea insufficiently balanced. The experience of this version came in handy when creating another character, Sombra, a master of hacking and invisibility.
In one of the old versions, Genji was conceived solely as a melee hero with a constantly drawn sword and the ability to stick to walls — but fate decreed otherwise.
Result
To play as Genji, you need to be bold, fast and accurate. Classic tips for those who want to master the art of ninja:
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Be brave and “sharp as a bullet”
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Don’t forget to cheer your allies with the phrase, “I need treatment!”
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And, of course, spam the legendary “Mada-mada!”
Genji super damager Overwatch 2. His abilities, if used correctly in every action from the enchanting anime: the shine of blades, the screams of enemies and a confident victory.
