Overwatch Crosshair Settings — A Per-Hero Guide
Every crosshair setting explained, the colours pros actually use, and the right reticle for hitscan, projectile and tank heroes.
By OWMAUK Staff
Overwatch stores a separate crosshair for every hero, which is exactly why pros bother to tune them. A reticle that matches the hero’s aiming demand is free accuracy — and it’s under Options → Controls → General → Reticle (hit Advanced for the full list).
Every setting, explained
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Type | Base shape — Default, Dot, Circle, Crosshairs (the customisable 4-line cross most pros build on), and more |
| Color | Reticle colour. Pick high-contrast (see below) |
| Thickness | Width of the lines/dot. Lower = finer and more precise |
| Crosshair Length | How far each arm extends. Short = tight and precise; long = more visible |
| Center Gap | Empty space between the inner arm ends. Small = exact aim point; large = leaves the centre pixel clear |
| Opacity / Outline Opacity | Solidity of the lines and of the dark outline that keeps them readable on light and dark backgrounds |
| Dot Size / Dot Opacity | Diameter and solidity of the centre dot (0 = off) |
| Show Accuracy | Dynamic option — arms bloom to show bullet spread. Most pros keep it OFF |
Colour: never white
White washes out on bright maps and against light effects. Pros overwhelmingly run green, cyan or magenta — they contrast strongly on both dark and bright backgrounds and, crucially, pop against the red enemy outline so the crosshair never disappears into the target you’re shooting. Green is the single most common pick.
Build from one skeleton
A reliable base: Thickness 1 · Opacity 100 · Outline Opacity 100 · Show Accuracy OFF. Then change only Crosshair Length, Center Gap and Dot Size from hero to hero.
The right reticle by role
- Hitscan precision (Cassidy, Ashe, Widowmaker, Soldier: 76) — a tight dot or small cross. Short arms and a small dot, often with a wider centre gap that leaves the exact aim point clear for headshots.
- Projectile & mobile tracking (Genji, Tracer, Echo, Pharah) — slightly larger. A small circle or cross gives a spatial reference for leading shots and tracking fast strafers; you’re not pixel-flicking heads here.
- Tank — a larger circle with a centre dot. More visibility for big-body brawling and awareness, with the dot preserving a precise point for primary fire.
Turn Show Accuracy off — the blooming reticle is distracting, and a static crosshair is the competitive default. Because Overwatch saves crosshairs per hero, configuring each of your mains once means the reticle always fits the hero without you ever swapping mid-game.
A dot for the snipers, a frame for the flankers — the reticle should match the hands it’s on.