The best sniping spots for Widowmaker on Route 66
The sniping spots on Route 66 that all beginner and intermediate Widowmaker players should know. Learn the best places to contribute to the battle.
Check out all the articles in my series about the best sniping spots for Widowmaker:
Hybrid Maps
Assault Maps
Escort Maps
Aim is important, but positioning is the key to victory. As a sniper, having a good aim is indispensable, but knowing the positions from where to shoot without being seen makes the difference between life and death. I analyzed streams, videos, and pros gameplay to compile a list of the best and most used sniping spots.
Positioning when pushing, flanking, and in teamfight. We will have a look at the best placements to push, defend, take part in teamfight, and predict the movements of the enemy Widowmaker - both on offense and defense.
No Grapple shots. A Grapple shot is a scoped headshot performed in mid-air, using Grappling Hook to reach max height and “fly” momentarily. This article is thought for new or intermediate players, and I consider Grapple shots a mechanic for advanced ones. I might prepare a guide on them in the future.
Widowmaker duels. Depending on the situation, bodyshots and a correct use of your SMG (often underestimated) may be crucial, but when facing another Widowmaker you should always attempt to headshot her. We will study the best places to kill her while remaining concealed.
Keep moving. Thanks to Grappling Hook, Widowmaker is a relatively mobile hero - you should exploit this strength to rotate the spots and escape from flankers. Relying too much on the same location could be your ruin.
Note: even if I have explained some placements only from the perspective of the defenders or the attackers, you can use several of them for both purposes.
While explaining the spots, I might use some map callouts: List of all map callouts, and credit to their creators.
Beware from mobile. All pictures are optimized, but there are about 140 on this page.
First Point - Attack
Boxcar is a basic placement, but it works fine for the first part of the map as it offers vision on the entire area up to the choke.
If the payload is stuck on the main road, and there are several opponents attacking from Arch, just retreat in a more defensive position (image 1).
From this wagon you can attack any opponent contesting the payload while remaining at a safe distance. The train on your left also shields you from the enemies on Arch.
Afterwards, grapple to this wagon, and use it to get rid of the heroes on the opposite high ground.
Situationally, you can fight from the ground level of Boxcar, utilizing the numerous boxes and elements of the map for cover.
From Long, you have access to the enemies at the choke and those on Ramp and Arch.
Jump on the small rocks (image 3) and crouch to hide your silhouette. From here you can deal with the long-range heroes hidden behind the rock pillar (image 4).
Once your team pushes the payload to the second section of the point, via Long you can reach the rock pillar mentioned before, and use it for cover to attack the opponents camping on Path.
Positioning yourself on Path might be precarious, but this spot is great to take part in the final battle on the point as you have access to all the entrances from the enemy’s spawn (images 2 to 4).
In most games, Catwalk is the best choice. You have an excellent view on the entire road and on most entrances, and the three rocks can be used for cover. I presented a few angles in the images above.
The first rock (image 2) has a perfect spot to snipe the enemy Widowmaker on Path as it exposes only your head.
When fighting from Catwalk beware of flankers from the left side.
First Point - Defense
The high ground area around Arch is one of the best starting positions.
Use the big rock pillar (image 2) for a few quick kills at the start of the match as you have a strong view on the main exit from the spawn (image 3). Even after the payload is pushed past the choke, you can get back here once in a while for a surprise kill, giving your team the numerical advantage in the next battle.
Arch (image 4) is the standard position used by most Widowmakers. You have access to the entire area, but simultaneously the enemies can shoot you from several locations.
We will have a look at a few spots on the ground level.
The three images above reveal the potential placements on Long. The first one is in an advanced position; the latter is safer as you are behind the choke. Stay crouched to hide most of your body while attacking the adversaries.
Cave is also an useful location for a few kills, and it gives you access to both the left and the right exit of the enemy spawn. There is a quick escape route on your back (image 2).
You can also exploit the cave on the high ground, but there are better placements.
Finally, the gas station provides a good cover and a decent field of view on the choke.
Note: all the ground level spots mentioned so far offer quick escape routes and a health pack nearby.
In many games, your team will camp with a shield above Gas, so you can exploit their protection to attack the enemies below (image 1).
From the right side of the billboard (image 2) you have a solid view on the road and on Long - it is an effective spot while your team is fighting near the choke.
Gas can be used also once the payload is pushed to an advanced position (image 3).
Path gives you vision on a portion of the road, on Long, on various high ground placements, and on the final section of the point (image 3).
The three rocks on Catwalk are a great spot also for the defenders because they provide an excellent cover and a complete view on the main road.
Finally, this billboard at the end of Catwalk gives you a limited field of view on the area adjacent to the gas station. You are basically unkillable from a distance because your body is almost completely covered.
Second Point - Attack
In order to avoid any confusion with the locations, initially I will examine the right side of the point, and then talk about the spots on the left side.
Path provides a strong vision on the first area, and you can use the rock pillar for cover while attacking the enemies on the road or on the high ground positions. Bridge, Pub, and a good portion of Catwalk are accessible from this spot.
On the ground level, Zed is a decent placement while your team is pushing the payload. You have a health pack at your disposal inside the structure.
On the high ground, you can use Zed, Bridge, and Catwalk to gain access to the second segment of the point. You basically have vision on almost all the entrances, on the whole road, and on many high ground spots used by the opponents.
Moving on the left side of the map, Hotel is a very underused placement which works great for the initial fights. If your team is alive, I prefer this spot to Path because the high ground provides extra protection from flankers.
Pub is clearly the best location on the entire map, both as the defender and the attacker Widowmaker.
As you can see from the images above, you have a splendid view on the entire point, all the high grounds, and even the three entrances. Independently from the current placement of the payload, you can always use this location at your advantage.
It is also possible to drop to the second floor for the final battle on the point.
From Pub, you can reach Perch. It is another underused location, but it does a marvelous job to flank the opponents on Catwalk and those contesting the payload.
The fourth image shows Alley, which is the ground level below Perch. The field of view is quite limited, but this spot still does its job for the final fights.
Second Point - Defense
We already talked about the rooftop of Pub as the attackers, but this placement is amazing also for the defenders. It gives you vision on the whole area below, and it is handy to snipe the adversaries coming out of the spawn from Path.
The third and the fourth images showcase two perfect placements for a few spawn-kills. In the last picture I am on the stairs of the second floor.
Zed provides lots of sniping spots, but beware of the opponents who might flank you very easily from Cave on your left.
The first two images show your view from the left side and from the very top of the structure. In the third image I am on the two generators, and here you can exploit the steel bars for cover. They limit your field of view, but you are also very hard to hit frontally.
Bridge and the second floor of Pub are also optimal starting placements on the second point, and you have an easy escape route via Pub.
Catwalk is probably the most used location on the whole point.
It offers a great view on the road before the bridge, and you can relocate behind once the payload is pushed.
This small roof next to Catwalk can be exploited to gain a small height advantage. It is not crucial, but as you can see it provides a better vision on the area and a direct view on Cave.
You can jump on this rock to achieve similar benefits and an enhanced view on Path.
The rock pillar on the ground level of Catwalk is used for protection while your team is contesting the payload just past the bridge.
You may place yourself also on the second floor of Pub for the final battle.
Perch is an amazing location also for the defenders as not many players (especially at lower ranks) expect a Widowmaker on this spot.
Be very careful against flankers because they can attack you easily via Pub or Alley.
Third Point - Attack
Most Widowmakers stay on Storage because it gives a good view on most of the road and on the high ground placements above Truck.
Not many players know they can grapple to the two small high ground placements on your left and right. They do not give an absurd advantage, but the extra height gives you a better view on the area and access to a few extra positions.
Once the payload advances, jump on the high ground of Office to gain access to the final area. You can also snipe the opponents going out of the spawn (image 3).
On the left side of this platform (image 4) there is a small spot which gives you access to Dock, several high grounds, and the point. If you have problems surviving, this might be the solution as the opponents on the point will have a hard time shooting at you.
On the right side, the cargo next to Access can be used while the team is pushing the payload.
Afterwards, you can enter inside Access and move via the tunnel on the ground level (images 2 and 3) or via the stairs to the high ground (image 4).
They both provide vision on the final area of the point. The position on the ground level is perfect to kill the adversaries on Truck.
This small high ground gives you vision on one of the spawn-exits.
Truck is usually the most popular placement for both the defender and the attacker Widowmaker as it grants access to the entire point.
The high ground above Truck is an even better position, and I recommend using it whenever possible.
Using the Grappling Hook, you can reach the Cargo area, and potentially flank the opponents once the payload reaches the point.
Finally, it is also possible to fight on the ground level from Dock, but honestly I rarely suggest this placement as the high ground positions are a better choice.
Third Point - Defense
Storage is an excellent starting position as you have vision on both the main and the side doors.
The high ground on Office is the best placement on this first section of the point. I showed the two potential locations above (to the right and the left of the pillar) - they both provide access to the whole area below.
Occasionally, you can jump on the cargo next to Access and snipe the opponents coming from the two entrances. Do not remain on this position for too long as you are very easy to flank.
This small high ground can also be used while the payload is stuck just after the slope.
Truck is the most popular location of the point and it offers several spots.
Above, you can see a few placements on the ground level behind Truck. They require no explanations.
This area next to the box can be great situationally as it gives you vision on a few spots while hiding your body almost completely (especially the second one).
Most Widowmakers will just stay on Truck, but the high ground above it (image 2) is a preferable placement. You gain a height advantage, becoming harder to kill.
From here you can use the Grappling Hook to reach the Cargo area (image 4).
This spot is usually used to deal with the opponents on the point, but actually you have also a good view on the whole road (image 2).
This small room at the very back is even safer to defend both the road and the area behind the truck. Jumping on the box, the moving platforms won’t touch you, and the adjacent box will cover most of your body. Use this placement whenever possible.
Now, we will have a look at a very underestimated area. Most Widowmakers never use these locations just outside the spam.
In the three images, I showed the field of view on all the small high grounds: they are perfect for the final fights on the point.
Finally, you can exploit also this high ground. It provides an excellent view and protects you from most attackers as only a few heroes are able to reach this placement.
