Torbjörn on Junkertown (Overwatch 1) that focuses on turret placement, leveling, and timing. Keep in mind that Junkertown has multiple open sightlines, flank routes, and varying high-ground positions. Proper turret placement and upgrading at the right time are key to maintaining pressure on the attacking team.
1. General Considerations for Junkertown Defense
Long Sightlines
Junkertown has extensive open areas, especially right outside the attackers’ spawn and along the first stretch of the payload route. Torbjörn’s turret can exert pressure if placed strategically to cover these lines, but you also risk having it sniped or quickly destroyed by hitscan heroes or long-range damage (e.g., Widowmaker, Hanzo, Ashe).
High Ground & Corners
The map has several elevated areas, catwalks, and flank routes. Placing your turret on or near these high grounds lets you cover wide arcs. However, be mindful of flankers (Genji, Tracer, Sombra) who can quickly slip behind the turret.
Corners and partial cover are critical; placing your turret at a corner or behind cover ensures it survives longer and forces attackers to overextend to deal with it.
Map Stages
Stage 1 (Spawn to First Checkpoint): A wide open, straight path. Attacks often come with sniper support. Setting up near the open area can yield easy picks if the turret is not quickly destroyed. Watch out for spawns of Widowmaker or Hanzo who can easily outrange your turret.
Stage 2 (Inside the Town/Market): More closed off, but has multiple flanking routes. Turret placements that watch choke corners or high ground can be effective here.
Stage 3 (Final Stretch to the Bank): Very close quarters around the final gate. This is a great place for turret crossfires and for Torb to provide constant chip damage since it’s more difficult for attackers to flank freely.
2. Turret Leveling Strategy
In Overwatch 1, Torbjörn has to manually upgrade his turret from Level 1 to Level 2 by hammering it, which takes a few seconds. You also have Molten Core (old ultimate) that temporarily boosts your turret to Level 3. Here’s the general flow:
Initial Setup (Before the Round Starts)
When the defense timer is counting down, pick a position to build a Level 1 turret. You have the luxury of placing it early and upgrading it to Level 2 before the attackers leave spawn.
Ideally, place it in a spot that:
Has partial cover from spawn snipers.
Overlooks the main route or a key flank angle.
Hammer it to Level 2 before the attackers spawn. This ensures you’re not caught mid-upgrade when the enemy team pushes.
Between Fights
If the turret gets destroyed or you need to reposition, always try to set up behind cover with your team or after you’ve gained a few seconds of breathing room.
Rebuild the turret in a safe location and upgrade to Level 2 as soon as possible. If you can, do this behind your front line or behind a shield (Reinhardt/Sigma/Orisa) so you don’t get poked out mid-upgrade.
Using Molten Core for Level 3 Turret
In Overwatch 1, activating Molten Core instantly upgrades any existing turret (even Level 1) to Level 3. This is very powerful if timed correctly:
When you see a big enemy push coming (especially if the enemy is using their ultimates), you can pop Molten Core, quickly re-establish or upgrade the turret to Level 3, and lay down massive area denial.
If your turret was recently destroyed and you’re short on time, place a Level 1 turret behind cover, pop Molten Core, and it instantly jumps to Level 3. This can save you the downtime of hammering.
Timing & Survival
Prioritize survival over forced upgrading: If you’re being dove, or if the enemy is focusing you, back off and survive. Torbjörn’s presence, armor pack distribution (in OW1), and chip damage are still valuable.
Wait for team-favorable moments to upgrade: After the enemy has used a couple of ultimates or is regrouping, that’s a good time to reposition and hammer your turret to Level 2.
3. Specific Junkertown Placements & Timings
Stage 1 (Outside the Spawn to First Checkpoint)
Early Turret (Before Gates Open):
Place your turret on the high ground near the rotating salvage yard structures or on the little ledges to the right of the arch (from the defenders’ perspective).
Hammer it to Level 2 while your team sets up.
This gives you a decent vantage covering the main route and partial flank angles. However, be mindful of Widowmaker sightlines.
Fallback Spot:
If the turret is destroyed or the attackers push up, move back to a corner near the next bend in the road. Place the turret around the corner so it can peek at the payload route but has some natural cover from long sightlines.
Upgrade to Level 2 when it’s safe.
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