Zarya Counters and Matchups

Winston

Winston rarely targets Zarya directly, making it difficult for Zarya to gain Particle Barrier charge. Winston can immediately stop attacking when he sees Particle Barrier

Reinhardt

Reinhardt can endure beams with Shield, and in close combat, Reinhardt deals more damage. Against Zarya's ultimate, Reinhardt can protect teammates with his shield or turn the tables with his own ultimate

D.Mon

D.Mon can stop attacking at any time, making it harder for Zarya to build energy from her barriers.

Bastion

Bastion can melt through Zarya along with her barrier

Widowmaker

Widowmaker deals damage from afar, staying out of Zarya's effective range. Widowmaker can immediately stop attacking when she sees Zarya's barrier. Zarya's low mobility makes her vulnerable to Widowmaker's headshots

Ashe

Zarya lacks mobility, making it difficult to attack Ashe's positions. Ashe can immediately stop attacking when she sees Zarya's barrier

Lifeweaver

Lifeweaver rarely attacks Zarya directly, making it difficult for Zarya to gain barrier charge. Lifeweaver can save teammates caught in Zarya's ultimate by pulling them or lifting them with Life Grip

Sigma

Zarya can block Sigma's Rock with Particle Barrier. Zarya's primary fire pierces through Kinetic Grasp

D.Va

Zarya's primary fire pierces through D.Va's Defense Matrix. Zarya can easily gain barrier charge by using her barrier during D.Va's Micro Missiles

Junker Queen

Zarya can easily gain significant barrier charge by using her barrier against Carnage

Genji

Beams pierce through Genji's Deflect. Zarya can protect teammates from Genji with her barrier

Junkrat

Junkrat's abilities and primary fire make it easy for Zarya to gain barrier charge

Symmetra

Symmetra's Turret makes it easy for Zarya to gain barrier charge. Symmetra, who fights at mid-range, often enters Zarya's effective range

Ana

Even if hit by Ana's Biotic Grenade, Zarya can cleanse the anti-heal by deploying her barrier afterward

Wuyang

Wuyang's primary fire makes it very easy for Zarya to gain barrier charge

Juno

Juno's Torpedoes makes it easy for Zarya to gain barrier charge