Ana was the first hero added to Overwatch after the game’s initial release. She became available to all PC and console players on July 19, 2016, shortly after the original game launched in May.
Ana Amari is an Egyptian former Overwatch sniper and a support hero. Her biotic rifle can damage enemies and heal allies, while abilities such as Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade let her disable opponents and amplify healing. Her ultimate, Nano Boost, strengthens a teammate for a short time.
Ana’s addition was notable because she expanded the game’s support design beyond straightforward healing. She rewards precision, positioning, and communication, and her anti-healing grenade became a powerful answer to enemy recovery abilities. She is also Pharah’s mother, making her one of the earliest heroes whose personal relationships deepened Overwatch’s wider story.
The other options were added later: Sombra arrived in 2016, Doomfist in 2017, and Orisa in 2017. Ana was announced for public testing on July 12, 2016, before her broader release one week later.