Frequently Asked Questions
Service Overview
Q. What is OW ADVISOR?
OW ADVISOR is a web application that analyzes and optimizes team compositions for Overwatch. It uses Bayesian statistical methods on your party's match data to recommend optimal hero compositions based on maps and enemy team compositions. Unlike generic tier lists, it provides personalized suggestions based on your group's own play data.
Q. Who is OW ADVISOR for?
OW ADVISOR is designed for players who play Overwatch in parties of 1 to 5 players. Instead of relying on general solo queue statistics, it uses your group's actual match data to generate recommendations. It's ideal for fixed parties or friend groups who want to improve their team's win rate.
Q. Is OW ADVISOR free to use?
Yes, OW ADVISOR is completely free to use. Once you register an account, you can access all features including match recording, statistical analysis, and composition recommendations at no cost. No download is required -- you can access it directly from your browser.
Q. Is OW ADVISOR an official Blizzard tool?
No, OW ADVISOR is an independently developed tool with no affiliation to Blizzard Entertainment. It does not connect to any official Overwatch data APIs. All analysis is based on match data that users manually record. "Overwatch" is a trademark of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Q. How is OW ADVISOR different from tier lists like Overpicker?
Traditional tier lists and meta pick sites provide rankings based on aggregate statistics from all players. OW ADVISOR takes a fundamentally different approach by using your group's own match data. This means it recommends compositions that actually work for your party, not just what's popular in the global meta. It also factors in pair synergy and counter matchups, not just individual hero strength.
Usage
Q. How do I get started?
First, register an account and create a group. Then add your party members as players and start recording matches. For each match, you'll input the map, team compositions, and match result. As your data accumulates, the recommendation accuracy will progressively improve.
Q. How do I record matches?
From the match recording screen, you input the map, your team's hero composition (which hero each player used), the enemy team's composition, and the match result (win or loss). Input is done through dropdown menus and takes about 1-2 minutes per match. Recording immediately after a match gives the most accurate data.
Q. How do recommendations work?
Recommendations use a three-layer scoring system. The first layer evaluates individual hero win rates by map and mode. The second layer measures pair synergy -- how well two heroes perform together. The third layer calculates counter matchup scores against the enemy composition. These layers are weighted and combined to produce a total score, and the top-scoring compositions are recommended.
Q. Does OW ADVISOR support Japanese and English?
Yes, OW ADVISOR fully supports both Japanese and English. You can switch languages at any time using the language toggle button in the top-right corner of the screen. Hero names and map names are displayed in both languages.
Q. Can I use OW ADVISOR on mobile?
Yes, OW ADVISOR uses responsive design and works on smartphones, tablets, and PCs through any modern browser. No dedicated app download is needed. It's convenient for recording matches from your phone between games.
Recommendation Logic
Q. What data does the system use?
OW ADVISOR uses only the match data recorded by your group. This includes maps, allied hero compositions, enemy hero compositions, and match results. It does not use any external global statistics or API integrations. All data is managed at the group level and is not shared with other groups.
Q. How does accuracy improve over time?
Recommendation accuracy improves progressively as you accumulate data. The system has four maturity stages: COLD_START (0-29 matches, based on prior distributions), GROWING (30-99 matches, improving accuracy), STABLE (100-299 matches, reliable recommendations), and MATURE (300+ matches, high-accuracy recommendations). Recent matches are also weighted more heavily than older ones.
Q. What happens when there's no match data?
During the COLD_START phase when match data is limited, the system uses Bayesian prior distributions to generate recommendations. It employs a hierarchical fallback mechanism using map-specific, then mode-specific priors, so basic recommendations are possible even with no data at all. However, accuracy improves as you record more matches.
Q. How do counter matchups work?
Counter matchups measure how effective each hero is against the enemy team composition. The system uses a two-stage approach: first analyzing win rates against the enemy team's archetype (dive, poke, brawl, etc.), then refining based on the specific enemy tank hero. When you specify the enemy composition during recommendation, compositions with higher counter scores are prioritized.
Q. What is pair synergy?
Pair synergy measures the combined effectiveness of two heroes when played together on the same team. It quantifies the "combination strength" that individual win rates alone cannot capture. For example, two heroes with average individual win rates might show a high synergy score if they consistently win when paired together.
Data & Privacy
Q. What data is stored?
The stored data includes account information (username and hashed password), group information, player names, and match records (map, hero compositions, results, and timestamps). Email addresses are not required for standard registration. However, if you sign in via Google OAuth, your Google ID and email address are also stored. Passwords are encrypted using bcrypt before storage.
Q. Can I delete my data?
Yes, match records can be deleted individually. Deleted data is processed as a soft delete (logical deletion), and can be restored within a certain period. You can delete your account from your account settings. If you are a group owner, you must first delete your groups.
Q. Is my data shared with others?
Match data is managed at the group level, and only members of the same group can access it. Your data is never shared with other groups or users. Joining a group requires an invitation code, and only users who know the code can join.
Operations & Support
Q. How often is the game data updated?
Hero and map data is manually updated to align with each Overwatch season update. When new heroes are added or maps are changed, updates are applied as soon as possible. The system currently supports Season 1: Conquest (2026), with 50 heroes and 31 maps.
Q. What version of Overwatch is supported?
OW ADVISOR currently supports Overwatch Season 1: Conquest (2026). It includes 50 heroes (14 Tank, 22 Damage, 14 Support) and 31 maps across 6 game modes (Control, Escort, Hybrid, Push, Flashpoint, and Clash).
Q. Can I use it solo or do I need a group?
OW ADVISOR is designed for party play with 1 to 5 players. Solo players can use it, but the system's strength lies in analyzing pair synergy and team composition between party members, so it's more effective with groups of 2 or more. Since data is based on your own match results, it differs from general solo queue statistics.
Q. How many matches do I need for good recommendations?
Recommendations are available even with no data, using prior distributions, but reliable recommendations require some data accumulation. As a guideline: 30+ matches reach the GROWING stage (accuracy starts improving), 100+ matches reach STABLE (reliable recommendations), and 300+ matches reach MATURE (high-accuracy recommendations). Start by aiming to record 30 matches.