Are you wondering which are the best Overwatch teams? If you’re an Overwatch League betting enthusiast or a newcomer to the Overwatch esports scene, then power rankings are your friend. For those who enjoy gambling, the power rankings offer insights into the strongest and most reliable teams and point out the occasional dark horse. If you’re new, then they’re a great place to find out where the most exciting action is. Even for veteran Overwatch League viewers, power rankings can be fun to read through to see where you agree and disagree and to see what they say about the chances of your favourite team.
Following a 2022 season which retained the same formula as 2021, Activision Blizzard is making some considerable changes for 2023. The different format for 2023, with two splits and two international major events, is somewhat similar to other esports such as League of Legends.
Despite these changes, the same beloved franchises are still competing as they always have divided into West and East regions. Heading into 2023, everyone is looking for success – the community, franchises, Overwatch 2 developers and the Overwatch League. Bearing this in mind, let’s refresh our memory before the season starts with our top 10 all-time best Overwatch teams!
Best Overwatch Teams – All-Time Top 10
Before we proceed with our top 10 rankings of all-time for the Overwatch League teams, it’s important to note that this is entirely a subjective list, where placements at Overwatch League Playoffs are prioritized over anything else. Accordingly, we have 4 whole years of history to dive into. Read on as we list the Overwatch best teams!
1. San Francisco Shock
Kicking off our list is one of the two Overwatch League teams to have tasted the World Championship victory twice! However, what places San Francisco Shock over the edge is their improved consistency over the likes of Shanghai Dragons. Specifically, beyond their World Championship wins in 2019 and 2020 (NA Regional), they’ve always been one of the most competitive teams. Most recently, they placed second at the 2022 OWL Playoffs, just missing out after being overpowered by Dallas Fuel.
Also, another point which puts San Francisco Shock in that first spot is the fact that they compete in the West region, a region which is considered to be more competitive than the East.
2. Shanghai Dragons
And to nobody’s surprise, Shanghai Dragons sits second on our all-time best Overwatch teams list. Before diving into their achievements, the story of Shanghai Dragons is truly remarkable – after failing to win a single match in the inaugural season (going 0-42), the franchise bounced back in a massive way in the seasons afterwards. Since then, they’ve been quite tough to beat, consistently dominating the East, winning the 2020 East and 2021 World Championships so far!
Many Overwatch fans remember the 2021 season and how dominant Shanghai Dragons were, losing only a handful of games. Considering this, they are a reliable team to consider when having a look at Overwatch odds in the coming season, despite falling short at the 2022 OWL Playoffs.
3. Dallas Fuel
Next up, we have a franchise which has only recently risen to prominence as one of the best Overwatch esports teams. Most recently, they shocked the community with an epic victory at the 2022 Overwatch Playoffs last season. Such a performance was on the back of another impressive season in 2021, where they placed 3rd at the final event of the season.
While they don’t have to show prior to 2021, the horizon for this franchise looks incredibly bright with the current pieces that they have to work with. What’s more – they seem to be a team which has adapted remarkably to the changing meta of Overwatch 2.
4. Philadelphia Fusion/Seoul Infernal
Apart from Shanghai Dragons, the other team from the East which has proved themselves time and time again is none other than Philadelphia Fusion – a name which will be changing this season.
Regardless of the name, this organization has scored some respectable finishes at OWL Playoffs over the years, finishing second in both 2018 and 2020 (NA) OWL Playoffs – could 2023 be their year to be the best Overwatch esports team?
Furthermore, for those unaware, the franchise will be rebranding to ‘Seoul Infernal‘ – a move which is targeted at expanding the fanbase in South Korea. Naturally, this is no surprise considering South Korea’s love for the Overwatch League teams.
5. Los Angeles Gladiators
Although only recently catching eyes with a few event wins in the past year, Los Angeles Gladiators is one of the best Overwatch teams due to their consistency over the years at the OWL Playoffs.
While, yes, they may not have ever won, they’ve always consistently placed 6-7th place – rather impressive over a four-year period. Last season, at the OWL Playoffs 2022, their placing was actually considered a disappointment following a bright string of Overwatch tournaments – will they manage to break through 6th place in 2023?
6. Hangzhou Spark
Flying back to the east, we have Hangzhou Spark sitting at our sixth spot in our list of the best Overwatch teams. Consistently placing well in the East region ever since joining in the second year, they have offered some impressive placements. Beyond placing in the top 5 teams in 2020 (East) and 2019, they also managed to place 4th at the 2020 OWL Playoffs.
While they may look pretty in pink, Hangzhou is not to be underestimated in 2023.
7. Atlanta Reign
The so-called ‘reign’ of Atlanta Reign has involved a rollercoaster of up-and-down placements throughout the years at the OWL Playoffs. Beyond placing fifth a couple of times, their most impressive finish was a surprising second place at the 2021 OWL Playoffs, beating some of the best Overwatch esports teams.
However, following an 11th-place finish at the 2022 OWL Playoffs, it seems that this team is looking to bounce back in the coming season!
8. Seoul Dynasty
Unfortunately for Seoul Dynasty, this is one of the Overwatch League teams who consistently perform well in the regular season, but tend to fall flat at international events. Hailing from the east, in the heart of South Korea, they certainly have a strong fanbase.
Using this support from the fanbase, they have offered a string of Top 10 finishes, most recently placing 5th at the 2022 OWL Playoffs event. Once upon a time, in 2020, they stood in second place in the East, dominating the region.
Heading into 2023, they’ll have a local rivalry with Seoul Inferno – how will they manage the heat?
9. London Spitfire
If you’ve been a fan of the Overwatch League in the past two years, you’ll be surprised to see London Spitfire on this list. Considering this list is based on placements, it is hard to ignore the fact that London Spitfire were the champions of the inaugural season of the Overwatch League.
Since then, however, the team has fallen flat, performing inconsistently regionally and at international events, with their best placement being 6th at the recent 2022 Overwatch Playoffs.
Will we ever see London return to form?
10. Chengdu Hunters
Rounding off our list, we have the most aggressive pandas you’ll ever see. Jokes aside, Chengdu Hunters have offered their moments of brilliance at times, with highlights being their 5th-place finishes at the 2021 and 2020 (East) OWL Playoffs.
And that’s pretty much it – Chengdu Hunters tend to go on streaks of wins and losses, making them difficult to predict. At times looking like regional champions and others looking like passive pandas, they’ll look to be more consistent in 2023.
Final Thoughts – What is the Best Overwatch Team?
Those are our power rankings for the best Overwatch teams in 2023, based on all-time records. Considering these factors, San Francisco Shock are on top. Notably, this organization has been home to some of the best Overwatch players of all time.
However, heading into 2023, the number of roster changes and teams adapting to Overwatch 2 and its changing mechanics are factors worth considering when placing bets on Overwatch’s best teams.
Images courtesy of Overwatch League.
