HEGE 1. Mastering Bubble Usage
Preemptively Bubble Allies Under Fire
Watch for your allies on the front line (especially a flanking Genji, tracer, or a forward-pushing Reinhardt) to time your Projected Barrier.
The key is to bubble them right as the enemy commits damage or crowd-control abilities. This yields high energy for Zarya, fueling your DPS output.
Use Self-Bubble to Absorb Burst Damage
Don’t just bubble yourself at random—wait for an enemy poke, rocket, or big ability (e.g., Junkrat grenades, Ashe dynamite, etc.).
The better you get at timing your personal barrier, the easier it is to keep your charge high throughout every engagement.
Maintain Energy for Longer Durations
Once you hit high energy (60–100 range), try to retreat behind cover briefly when your bubbles are on cooldown. Stay alive to retain that high energy.
High energy is what transforms Zarya from a secondary damage source into a genuine team-carry threat.
2. Positioning on New Junk City
Strong High-Ground and Cover
New Junk City has multiple elevated structures, ramps, and side routes. Whenever possible, poke from partial cover or high ground.
This positioning gives you safer vantage points for bubble timings, plus you can rain down high-damage alternate fires (right-clicks) on clustered enemies.
Controlling the Flashpoint Objective
Flashpoint sees frequent back-and-forth battles as the objective changes. Use your strong presence (with high energy and bubble protection) to claim the point quickly.
If the point is too chaotic, create space by pressuring enemies who try to enter, forcing them to back off and allowing your team to maintain capture progress.
Rotations to the Next Point
Predict when the point’s about to flip and rotate early if you can do so safely. A fully charged Zarya arriving at the next Flashpoint first can zone out the enemy and secure an early cap for your team.
3. Maximizing Damage Output
Alternate Fire (Right-Click) in Tight Corridors
New Junk City has choke-like corridors and narrow pathways leading to Flashpoint markers. Use Zarya’s alternate fire against clustered targets at mid-range for splash damage.
Combine quick left-click (beam) shots when enemies are close; otherwise, use your right-click to pressure or secure final blows on retreating heroes.
Building Up to Graviton Surge
The more energy you have, the faster you build your ultimate. Keep your damage constant so you can get Graviton Surge quickly.
Stay alive—dying resets your energy and delays the ultimate. Survival is key to big plays.
4. Coordinating with Your Team
Communicate Bubbles
In voice or text chat, let teammates know when you have Projected Barrier available. They can push aggressively when they know you’re ready to shield them.
Conversely, tell them if your bubble is on cooldown so they don’t overextend expecting coverage.
Combo Graviton Surge
Although Zarya can melt enemies in her own Grav, it’s even more powerful when combined with allied DPS or ultimate abilities (e.g., Hanzo’s Dragonstrike, Reaper’s Death Blossom, Sojourn’s overclocked railgun).
Call out your ult usage so everyone can focus fire into the Grav or save CC for any who try to break free.
Keep Healing Support in Mind
Zarya is more effective with consistent healing, because her self-bubbles don’t restore health. Stick near at least one support so you can sustain high energy without having to fully retreat.
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