Sleep Targeting: A Guide To Overwatch's Sleeper Ability

In the team-based shooter game Overwatch, players can put their opponents to sleep using anaesthetic darts. However, this tactic can be wasted if teammates then shoot the sleeping target and wake them up. In a Reddit discussion, players shared their experiences of this problem, with one saying: It drives me up the wall when D.Vas and Wintstons decide to shoot that tank I slept. Another player advised: Don't shoot sleeping targets unless you can kill them.

Don't shoot a sleeping target unless you can kill them

In the context of the video game Overwatch, the phrase "don't shoot a sleeping target unless you can kill them" is a common piece of advice given to players. This is specifically referring to the ability of the character Ana, who can fire a "sleep dart" to put an enemy to sleep. The advice is instructing players not to waste this ability by shooting the sleeping target and waking them up unless they can also kill them. Waking a sleeping target without killing them is likely to waste the opportunity for a guaranteed kill and can be extremely frustrating for your teammates.

There are a number of strategies that players can employ to ensure they don't waste a sleeping target opportunity. One is to use Ana's "sniper round, grenade and punch combo" which does 210 damage, allowing players to "kill them as soon as they wake up". Another is to use the sleep dart in combination with certain ultimate abilities. For example, Ana's sleep dart can stop the ultimate abilities of Genji, 76, Torb, Bastion, Ana's ulted target, and Winston, causing the enemy to lose time while they are asleep.

It's also important to be aware of when not to use the sleep dart. For example, it's ineffective against Symmetra, Widow, D.Va, Mercy, Zen, Zarya, and Mei as their ultimate abilities are either instant effect, have too short a window for the game, or it just does not work for their respective ultimate.

Additionally, players should be mindful of their teammates' actions when using the sleep dart. For example, if a teammate is about to use their ultimate ability, it may be best to hold off on using the sleep dart to avoid accidentally putting them to sleep and disrupting their ultimate. Similarly, if a teammate is trying to heal someone, don't wake up a sleeping target and draw their fire.

Overall, the phrase "don't shoot a sleeping target unless you can kill them" is a helpful reminder for Overwatch players to use Ana's sleep dart ability effectively and coordinate with their teammates for maximum impact.

Don't shoot a sleeping target if they're being shot by someone else

In Overwatch, it is important to exercise strategic caution when dealing with sleeping targets. While it may be tempting to shoot a sleeping target, doing so can sometimes be counterproductive, especially if that target is already being shot by another player. Waking up a sleeping target can ruin a well-executed plan and lead to unnecessary complications.

One key reason not to shoot a sleeping target is to allow your teammate who put them to sleep the opportunity to set up their combo. For example, Ana, one of the support players in Overwatch, can use her sleep dart to put an enemy to sleep and then follow up with a deadly sniper round, grenade, and punch combo to secure the kill. However, if the sleeping target is prematurely awakened, Ana's combo is disrupted, and the enemy may escape or turn the tables.

Another reason to avoid shooting a sleeping target is to prevent wasting your team's resources. Waking up a sleeping target usually means they will regain their abilities and pose a threat again. If the sleeping target is already being shot by someone else, it is often best to let that player finish them off or set up their own combo. This ensures that your team's damage output is efficiently utilized without giving the enemy a chance to recover.

Additionally, shooting a sleeping target can sometimes be detrimental to your team's overall strategy. A sleeping target is temporarily removed from the fight, and waking them up may bring them back into the fray at a critical moment. By allowing them to remain asleep, you can control the pace of the battle and potentially create opportunities for your team to gain an advantage or set up coordinated plays.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. In certain situations, shooting a sleeping target can be advantageous. For instance, if the sleeping target is about to be woken up by the enemy team, taking them out beforehand can deny the enemy their support. Additionally, shooting a sleeping target can be used as a distraction or to interrupt an enemy ultimate ability, buying your team valuable time or saving a teammate from certain death.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to shoot a sleeping target in Overwatch, it is generally advisable to refrain from doing so if they are already being shot by someone else. This allows your team to maintain control, efficiently utilize damage output, and set up strategic combos. However, exceptions exist, and sometimes shooting a sleeping target can be a tactical decision to disrupt the enemy's plans or gain an advantage. Ultimately, the decision depends on the specific circumstances and the coordination between teammates.

Don't shoot a sleeping target if Ana is setting up her combo

Ana is a Support hero in Overwatch with a range of abilities that can be used to affect both enemies and allies. One of her abilities is the Sleep Dart, which renders an enemy unconscious and unable to move, attack, or use abilities. Any damage to a sleeping target will wake them up.

Ana's Biotic Rifle can be used to heal allies and damage enemies. Her Biotic Grenades have a similar effect, but they also increase healing on allies and prevent healing on enemies. Ana's Nano Boost is an ultimate ability that empowers an ally, increasing their damage output and decreasing the damage they take.

Ana's abilities can be used in combination with one another to quickly eliminate enemies. One such combo involves shooting a sleeping target, hitting them with a Biotic Grenade, and then shooting them again. This combo can be followed up with a melee attack to finish off the target.

It is important for Ana players to communicate with their team to get the most out of their Sleep Dart ability. Additionally, teammates should be mindful of sleeping targets and avoid waking them up prematurely unless they can finish them off. This is especially important if Ana is setting up her combo, as waking the target too early can disrupt her setup and reduce the effectiveness of her abilities.

Therefore, it is crucial for players to coordinate their actions and avoid interfering with Ana's combos. By allowing Ana to set up her abilities, teammates can take advantage of the crowd control provided by Sleep Dart and the damage amplification and healing reduction effects of Biotic Grenade. This enables Ana to quickly eliminate targets, especially those with low health.

In summary, Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade abilities can be used in combination to great effect, but this setup can be easily disrupted if teammates prematurely wake up the sleeping target. Thus, it is important for players to communicate and coordinate their actions to avoid interfering with Ana's combos and to make the most of her crowd control and damage-dealing potential.

Don't shoot a sleeping target if they're behind the main attack

In Overwatch, Ana's sleep dart can be an incredibly useful tool for players. However, it is important to use it wisely and avoid wasting it. One key piece of advice is not to shoot a sleeping target if they are behind the main attack.

This is because, when used effectively, the sleep dart can be a powerful way to take out targets who are behind the main brunt of the attack. By sleeping these targets, you can effectively remove them from the fight and prevent them from causing any further damage. However, if your teammates immediately wake them up by shooting them, this advantage is lost.

It is worth noting that there may be times when shooting a sleeping target is necessary, such as when they are about to use their ultimate ability or when they are a particularly high-priority target. In these cases, it is crucial to communicate with your team and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Additionally, it is important to be aware of the sleep dart's limitations. For example, it cannot stop certain ultimate abilities, such as those used by Symmetra, Widowmaker, D.Va, Mercy, Zenyatta, Zarya, and Mei. In these cases, it may be more effective to use other abilities or strategies to counter the enemy.

Overall, while the sleep dart can be a powerful tool, it is important to use it strategically and avoid shooting sleeping targets unless absolutely necessary, especially if they are behind the main attack.

Don't shoot a sleeping target if they're being hooked

In Overwatch, it's important to exercise restraint when it comes to shooting sleeping targets. Waking them up can be counterproductive and disrupt coordinated strategies. This is especially true if they're being hooked, as it's a waste of an opportunity to set up a combo or secure a kill.

Ana's sleep dart is a powerful ability that can be used to great effect in various situations. For example, it can be used to stop an enemy's ultimate ability, saving your team from significant damage or crowd control. It's also useful for interrupting Reinhardt's charge or saving a teammate who's been hooked by the enemy.

However, shooting a sleeping target can undo all the good work. If an enemy is asleep, it's best to let them be unless you're confident you can finish them off. Waking them up without doing so will only give them a chance to recover and fight back. This is especially true if they're being hooked, as the hook itself won't be enough to kill them, and shooting them will just reduce the damage from the hook.

There are exceptions to this rule, of course. If the sleeping target is about to be shot by another enemy, shooting them yourself can work as a long-range flashbang, interrupting their ultimate and giving your team an advantage. Additionally, if Ana is setting up her combo, it's important not to shoot the sleeping target so she can deliver the final blow herself.

In the end, it's all about coordination and communication with your team. Letting your teammates know that you're about to sleep dart an enemy or asking them to hold their fire can make all the difference. So remember, don't shoot a sleeping target unless you can kill them, and definitely don't shoot them if they're being hooked!

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