Junker Queen has burst onto Overwatch 2 with all the grit, fury, and flash you’d hope for from a wasteland ruler. Fearless, fearless, and driven by vengeance, she’s been a fan favorite among players who enjoy scrapping on the battlefield. But she’s not just an attitude-filled tank—she’s a multi-dimensional hero with a rich history, aggressive playstyle, and authoritative vibe that upsets any game.
Who is Junker Queen?
Real name Odessa “Dez” Stone, Junker Queen is a tank hero with 425 base health and a whole lot of attitude. She is voiced by Leah De Niese and is Australian. She commands the ruthless, no-mercy faction known as the Junkers. Since her initial reveal, she’s been causing waves in the game’s lore and competitive meta.
Her Origins: From Exile to Queen
Junker Queen’s history is constructed upon survival, resilience, and a thirst for justice. Exiled from Junkertown as a child by the then-ruling Junker King, Mason Howl, Dez survived and grew up in the harsh Australian Outback. For 13 years, she was a legend among warriors who confronted feral omnics and the notorious Five Metal Demons.
Her time was during the Reckoning—Junkertown’s brutal battleground. With raw strength and determination, she fought her way to the top, finally deposing Mason Howl and ascending the throne. As a twist of fate, she banished him in turn. Her reign has been brutal and remorseless since—none not even Junkrat and Roadhog escaped her vengeance, having been sent packing for their continual transgressions (though they’re never far from plotting a return).
Weapons & Abilities: Brutal and Tactical
Junker Queen’s kit is designed for brutal, close-quarters fighting. Here’s what she does on the battlefield:
- Scattergun: A pump shotgun that packs a powerful punch at close range, delivering up to 80 damage per shot.
- Jagged Blade: A tossable knife that poisons enemies and can be recalled, dragging targets towards her, even through walls.
- Carnage: Swings her axe in a broad arc, dealing damage-over-time damage to all enemies she hits.
- Commanding Shout: Calls out a rallying cry that increases her health by 200 and provides nearby allies with an additional 100 HP, as well as a 30% speed increase.
- Rampage (Ultimate): Charges forth, wounding all enemies she moves through and applying anti-heal, which makes them unable to be healed for a short time.
- Adrenaline Rush (Passive): Restores Junker Queen for some of the damage applied via wounds, allowing her to remain in combat longer.
How to Play Her: Aggressive, Calculated Chaos
Players must be able to go in-your-face, brawler style to truly excel as Junker Queen. One of her best combos is:
- Throw Jagged Blade to catch an enemy hooking in.
- Follow up with Carnage as they’re pulled in.
- Recall the blade for bonus damage and disarray.
- Conclude with Scattergun shots, interspersed with Quick Melee between shots to get the most out of wound uptime and healing.
Clever Jagged Blade wall-sprinting can catch enemies off-guard, while Commanding Shout should be reserved for climactic moments—either to start a game-altering push or aid your team through a clutch defense.
Style and Skins
Junker Queen brings a lot of punk-rock style to battle. Her skin set includes:
- Legendary: Circuit Breaker, Wastelander
- Epic: Punker Queen, Beast Hunter
- And other rare radioactive-themed skins
Her emotes, kill poses, and voice lines—particularly the fan favorite “Your queen says charge!”—allow players to completely get into her bigger-than-life personality.
Recent Balance Updates
Junker Queen has been refined with thoughtful adjustments since her release. One change in particular: Jagged Blade can no longer be deflected or sent back by friendly skills, solidifying her reputation as a persistent intervener. These adjustments, added in Halloween Terror 2022, have balanced her role and cemented her position in the shifting tank meta.
Where She Stands in the Meta
Junker Queen has established herself as a solid niche among Overwatch 2 tank picks. Her capacity to take a beating, buff allies, and close off healing makes her an excellent choice, particularly for players who enjoy taking point. She is best suited forcompositions that emphasize high-speed, coordinated encounters and performs well with aggressive DPS and support heroes who share her speed.
Whether it’s her quick-witted charm, her ruthless skillset, or her unhinged lore, Junker Queen is one of Overwatch 2’s most interesting heroes. She’s not merely another tank—she’s an icon of pure power, vengeance, and tenacity. And for those players who prefer to dictate the battle, she’s the queen you’ll want commanding your team into combat.