The Ultimate Overwatch Reaper Guide

❘ Updated: 2021-05-06T16:09:29

Blizzard Entertainment, Dexerto

When people think of Overwatch villains, the first person they picture is Reaper. The kingpin of Talon isn’t easily tamed, so we’ve compiled this guide with some tips and tricks to let you master death himself.

There are fewer characters more iconic in Blizzard’s Overwatch than Reaper. The former Blackwatch member turned Talon supreme leader is a staple for a Overwatch players everywhere.

That by no means makes him easy to play, though, so here are our top tips to help you dominate as Reaper. We’ve got everything from his gameplay to his lore, his skins and his abilities, so buckle up, it’s going to be wild.

Overwatch Reaper Lore
Reaper’s Weapon
Reaper’s Abilities
How to play Reaper: tips
Reaper Skins
Changes for Reaper in Overwatch 2

Overwatch Reaper lore

To master the Reaper, you need to learn about his history first.

Reaper didn’t begin his Overwatch journey as the Talon’s infamous leader – far from it, in fact. Gabriel Reyes’ origins trace back to the United States military, where his talent and dedication saw him blitz through the ranks.

Joining the army’s “soldier enhancement program” alongside Overwatch hero Jack Morrison (Soldier 76), Reyes went on to form the heroic organization with him. Constantly overlooked due to his erratic nature and chaotic leadership style, though, things rapidly took a turn for the worst.

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Shifted onto Overwatch’s secret, black ops style department (known as Blackwatch), several failed missions led to Reyes being decommissioned and eventually pronounced dead during the skirmishing that ensued at Overwatch HQ.

Saved by scientist Moria O’Deorain, he was reborn as Talon leader, Reaper. A result of Moria’s genetics experiments, his cells simultaneously decay and regenerate at a hyper-accelerated rate. When his body degenerates, he becomes a swirling black mist, something that’s now associated with immanent death.

Reaper weapon

Reapers twin Hellfire Shotguns pack quite the punch. Laced with some form of molecular agent that causes excess damage, you wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of the barrel.

Damage:
- 1.8 – 6 per pellet
- 36 – 120 per shot

Falloff range:
- 10 to 20 meters
Spread angle:
- 6
Num. of pellets:
- 20 per shot
Rate of fire:
- 2 shots per second
Ammo:
- 8
Reload time:
- 1.5 seconds

NOTE: Reaper tears enemies apart with twin shotguns.

Overwatch Reaper Abilities

Reincarnated as Reaper, Gabriel Reyes is long gone.

If you thought those Hellfire Shotguns were bad, then you’ve not seen Reaper’s abilities. Focused around mobility and teleporting, Reaper works best when he’s up close and personal, with one of those shotguns resting against your head.

Passive: The Reaping
- Heals 30% of damage dealt

NOTE: Reaper steals health from his enemies as he damages them.

Wraith Form

- Move. speed: +50% buff
- Duration: Up to 3 seconds
- Cooldown: 8 seconds

NOTE: Reaper becomes a shadow for a short period of time. While in this form, he takes no damage and is able to pass through enemies, but cannot fire his weapons or use other abilities.

Shadow Step
- Max. range: 35 meters
- Casting time:1.5 seconds
- Duration: 2 seconds
- Cooldown: 10 seconds

NOTE: After marking a destination, Reaper disappears and reappears at that location.

Reaper Ultimate Ability: Death Blossom
- Damage: 170 damage per second (34 damage per hit, 5 hits per second, per target), 510 damage overall
- Move. speed: -50% penalty
- Area of effect: 8 meter radius
- Duration: 3 seconds
- Ultimate cost: 2100 points

NOTE: In a blur of motion, Reaper empties both Hellfire Shotguns at breakneck speed, dealing massive damage to all nearby enemies.

How to play Reaper: tips

“Death walks among you.”

Reaper is a character that isn’t for the faint of heart. His entire kit revolves around getting into the backline and shutting down squishier heroes, so if you constantly want to be on the offence then Reaper is perfect for you.

The thing you want to remember is his passive. 30% healing for all damage done is pretty hefty, so don’t be afraid to use your Shadow Step to get into flank position then empty those Hellfire Shotguns on your enemies.

Read More: The Ultimate Overwatch Sombra guide

This is a great tip for your Death Blossom, too. Use your Shadow Step to sneak behind the enemy team, then drop your Ult. Once you’ve caused some havoc, swap into your Wraith Form for a swift exit, but make sure you try and avoid any remaining enemies because they’ll be looking for your head.

Combining all of Reaper’s abilities is key to your success, because in terms of raw firepower his individual shots pack a punch, but they’re slow and steady. So is his reloading (well, more like “replacing”) so it’s essential you keep that in mind.

Overwatch Reaper skins

Name	Tier	Cost
Reaper Blood	Rare	75
Reaper Midnight	Rare	75
Reaper Moss	Rare	75
Reaper Royal	Rare	75

Reaper Desert	Epic	250
Reaper Hellfire	Epic	250
Reaper Wight	Epic	250
Reaper Shiver	Epic	250

Reaper Nevermore	Legendary	1000
Reaper Plague Doctor	Legendary	1000
Reaper El Blanco	Legendary	1000
Reaper Mariachi	Legendary	1000
Reaper Biker	Legendary	1000
Reaper Dracula	Legendary	1000
Reaper Pumpkin	Legendary	1000
Reaper Rat King	Legendary	1000
Reaper Lü Bu	Legendary	1000
Reaper Soldier: 24	Legendary	1000
Reaper Masquerade	Legendary	1000
Blackwatch Reyes	Legendary	Only available if you purchase either: Overwatch: Game of the Year Overwatch: Origins Edition Overwatch: Legendary Edition

Overwatch 2 Reaper changes

Reaper’s changed up his style going into Overwatch 2.

Alongside other DPS heroes such as Widowmaker, Overwatch 2 sees Reaper get a bit of a speed boost to help him out.

Read More: Overwatch 2: Release date, Blizzconline, new heroes, game modes & maps

Additionally, he’s got a bit of an upgrade in terms of looks. A little more streamlined and donned in gun metal black, Reaper’s breastplate has been completely changed to look a little more like his rival, Genji’s.

As we continue to draw closer to the sequel‘s release, we’ll maybe get a bit more of an insight into any further changes to our favorite resident villain. Until then, though, this picture is all we’ve got.