How to Change Your Field of View (FOV) in Overwatch 2 - The Definitive Guide

If you want to gain a true competitive edge in Overwatch 2, one of the most impactful changes you can make is adjusting your field of view (FOV). Whether you‘re a hitscan main looking for pinpoint accuracy or a pro Genji seeking maximum awareness, optimizing your FOV is a must.

In this extensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about FOV—what it means, how to change it, ideal settings for each hero, and cutting-edge techniques to maximize performance while avoiding common issues. Read on to take your Overwatch 2 gameplay to the next level!

What Exactly is FOV and Why Should You Change It?

First, let’s quickly cover the basics:

FOV stands for “field of view” and refers to how much horizontal and vertical space is visible on your screen at one time. It’s measured in degrees.

The default FOV in Overwatch 2 is set at 103°, offering a very wide perspective. Lower FOV zooms in your view while higher FOV expands your view outward.

Here’s an illustration comparing low vs high FOV in-game:

[diagram comparing FOV examples]

Adjusting FOV impacts two key factors critical for success in Overwatch 2:

1. Awareness – Higher FOV allows you to spot enemies in your peripheral vision more easily and track their movements.

2. Accuracy – Lower FOV provides a zoomed-in scope for precisely aiming at distant targets.

The right FOV settings balance these factors perfectly for your hero and playstyle. For example, as Widowmaker you want narrow FOV for long-range sniping while as Tracer you need ultra-wide FOV to flank effectively.

Now let’s dive into exactly how to change your FOV settings on both PC and console.

Step-By-Step Instructions to Change FOV

Changing your FOV is a breeze once you know where to look.

On PC:

Launch Overwatch 2 and press Esc to access the Options menu.
Select the Video tab at the top.
Scroll down and you‘ll see the Field of View slider.
Drag the slider left or right to adjust from 70-103 FOV.
Click Apply to save your chosen FOV.

[screenshot of PC FOV slider]

On Consoles:

Currently consoles lack a dedicated FOV slider, but one is planned. For now, go to Video Settings and adjust Screen Scale:

Decrease Screen Scale below 100 to zoom in and lower FOV.
Increase Screen Scale above 100 to expand FOV wider.

This makeshift method isn’t as precise but gets the job done until proper FOV sliders arrive!

Finding Your Optimal FOV for Each Hero

One FOV does not fit all. To maximize your awareness and accuracy, you need to fine-tune FOV for each hero‘s distinct playstyle.

For example, here are the FOV values recommended by pro players:

Hitscans (76, Ashe, Widow): 90 or lower
Flankers (Genji, Tracer): 100-103
Tanks (Rein, D.Va): around 100
Supports (Mercy, Ana): around 90-95

But you can customize even further based on your hero pool:

Ashe: 85-90 FOV recommended for precise aim at range.

Genji: 100-103 FOV to track enemies during dragonblade.

Pharah: Higher 100-103 FOV to survey the battlefield from the skies.

Junkrat: 90-95 FOV to more easily land grenades.

Experiment to find your personal FOV sweet spot for each hero. Small adjustments make a big difference!

How FOV Impacts Performance and Visibility

When pushing FOV to the limits, two potential downsides can occur:

1. Degraded performance – At very high FOVs, expanded rendering can reduce FPS, cause input lag, or make gameplay feel choppy.

2. Visual distortions – As FOV increases, image warping and “fisheye” effects become more noticeable on screen edges.

Let‘s explore solutions to counteract these issues when running ultra wide FOV.

Maintaining High FPS

If your framerate drops from maxing FOV, try:

Lowering resolution scale below 100% to decrease GPU load.
Turning down graphics settings like shadows, lighting, etc.
Closing other open programs to free up GPU resources.
Using Performance Mode on consoles to disable certain visual features.

Improving Visibility

If targets appear small or sights get hard to see clearly, you can:

Increase resolution scale above 100% to scale up assets and targets.
Tweak relative aim sensitivity to counteract perceived “faster” aim.
Use bold crosshair options that stand out against backgrounds.

With the right adjustments, you can minimize FOV downsides for peak performance.

Comparing Overwatch 2 FOV to Other Major FPS Games

Don‘t assume your perfect FOV in other titles translates directly to Overwatch 2. Default FOV values vary greatly across popular first-person shooters:

Overwatch 2: 103 FOV
Apex Legends: 70-90 FOV
Fortnite: 80 FOV
Valorant: 103 FOV
Call of Duty: 80 FOV
CS:GO: 90 FOV

For example, transitioning from Apex to Overwatch may require drastically increasing your FOV to maintain the same awareness. Adapt your settings as you switch between FPS games.

Advanced FOV Tactics and Techniques

Once you‘ve mastered the basics, high-level players utilize FOV for advanced maneuvers:

Flank routes – Tracer and Genji use max FOV to scout hidden side paths.
Retreats – Higher FOV allows escaping lost fights while keeping enemies in view.
Ult tracking – Maintain visual on more enemies during Zarya and Hanzo ults.
Juke shots – Erratic strafing is more disorienting to enemies at high FOV.

You can also create custom games to retrain your muscle memory and aim at different FOV levels. Grab a friend and get creative!

My Journey Optimizing FOV as a Hitscan Player

I distinctly remember the first time I lowered my FOV from the default Overwatch setting…

Playing mainly hitscan DPS like Ashe and Widowmaker, I was struggling to flick shots accurately in tense teamfights. On a forum, I heard lower FOV could help.

I gradually decreased my FOV down to 85, the lowest I could tolerate. Instantly, I felt like a scope lens had zoomed in my view. Targets appeared bigger and distant headshots became much easier to land cleanly.

Suddenly, flicks that clearly missed before were now hitting with pinpoint precision. My accuracy skyrocketed almost immediately. Of course, I did lose some peripheral vision for spotting flankers. But a small tradeoff for the laser-focused aim I gained!

Customizing your FOV can completely transform your gameplay and push skills to new levels. Whether you want panoramic awareness or sniper-like zoom, optimize your view with the tips above. Let us know how adjusting your Overwatch 2 FOV goes!