Kiriko🦊

Hey fellow gamers! I just had an amazing Kiriko “Play of the Game” moment in Overwatch 2, and it got me thinking about how much I’ve learned playing her. Kiriko is such a dynamic support hero, blending potent healing with surprising damage and crucial utility. If you're looking to elevate your Kiriko gameplay and consistently pull off those incredible saves or clutch eliminations, I'm here to share some of my personal tips and tricks on how to play her skills effectively! First off, Kiriko's role is all about balance. You're not just a pure healer; you're a utility support who can turn the tide of a fight. Understanding each of her abilities is key, but mastering their timing and synergy is where the magic happens. Let's break down her core skills: Healing Ofuda: These spirit charms are your primary healing output. They're auto-aim, which makes them quite forgiving, but they are relatively slow. My biggest tip here is to pre-heal your allies. If you see someone about to take damage, start sending Ofuda their way. Don't wait until their health bar drops critically. Also, remember you can heal through walls slightly if your target is within line of sight when you start casting, but you need to maintain that line of sight for the charms to reach them. Keep an eye on your teammates' health bars and continuously flick charms out, especially during intense team fights. Swift Step: This is Kiriko's incredible mobility skill, allowing you to teleport to an ally. This ability is a true game-changer, both for aggressive plays and vital escapes. I often use it to quickly get to a struggling teammate for a quick heal and a Protection Suzu (more on that next!), or to escape a dangerous flanker. A personal tip: don't just use it to get to someone; use it to get out of danger. If a tank dives deep, you might Swift Step in to support, but be ready to Swift Step out to another ally if things get too hot. Always be aware of your allies' positioning so you have an escape route. Protection Suzu: Oh, Suzu, my beloved life-saver! This is easily Kiriko's most impactful ability. It grants temporary invulnerability and cleanses all negative effects from allies in its small radius. The timing on Suzu is everything. I've used it countless times to deny enemy ultimates like Reinhardt's Earthshatter, D.Va's Self-Destruct, or even Ana's Biotic Grenade. Practice anticipating enemy abilities. Did the enemy Ana just throw a Biotic Grenade? Suzu it! Is your tank about to be hooked by Hog? Suzu! It also provides a tiny burst of healing, which can sometimes be enough to keep an ally alive. Getting that perfect Suzu can absolutely secure a “Play of the Game” for you and your team. Kunai: Don't underestimate Kiriko's damage! Her Kunai are projectile weapons that deal low body shot damage but have a massive critical hit multiplier. This means aim for the head! I often weave Kunai between my Ofuda shots. If a low-health enemy is trying to escape, a well-placed Kunai headshot can secure the elimination. It’s also great for chipping away at enemy barriers or harassing squishy targets. Practicing your aim in the practice range or custom games will significantly improve your Kunai prowess. Kitsune Rush (Ultimate): This is your team-fight winning ultimate. It summons a fox spirit that creates a path, granting movement speed, attack speed, and reduced cooldowns to allies within it. Communicate with your team before using it! It pairs incredibly well with DPS ultimates like Genji's Dragonblade or Soldier: 76's Tactical Visor. I usually pop Kitsune Rush when my team is about to push or when we need to win a crucial team fight. Place it strategically so your team can advance along the path and maximize its benefits. It can feel amazing to activate this just as your team is going for the final push, leading to a massive team wipe and, you guessed it, a “Play of the Game”! Beyond just skills, remember positioning. As a support, you generally want to be behind your tanks but close enough to heal your DPS. Always keep an exit strategy in mind. And don't forget, practice makes perfect! I often watch other Kiriko mains and even stream my own games (sometimes live on Twitch for drops!) to learn and share new strategies. Keep honing those skills, and you'll be hitting your own Kiriko “Play of the Game” moments in no time!