While Overwatch does rely on a timer, you can take advantage of certain things before the gameclock even ticks down. Before a match starts, teams on defense have time to set up around the point, while teams on offense simply sit around in their base. Instead of just knocking over popcorn and spraying every wall in sight, here are some tips you can use to improve your chances!
1) Spy on the opposing team
Many maps have clear windows on the spawn doors. On maps such as Watchpoint: Gibraltar, there's even a giant window set up at the top of the offense's spawn. You can look through the window to scout out team compositions and switch to better picks accordingly. On specific maps, this strategy works even better—on King's Row, for instance, you can send a Widowmaker to the top of the map and use your scope to catch anybody who peaks.
On defense, should you have a Hanzo, he can shoot an arrow onto the spawn door and catch the silhouette of anybody nearby. Additionally, Hanzo can walk up to the opposing spawn door and spam arrows into the air around the 18 second mark, which will rain down when the attacking doors open. Doing so resets the cooldown for the scouting arrow, as it'll reveal the opposing team when it lands, and at that point, Hanzo will have a second one ready.
Without a Hanzo, the defending team can still scout, as they can send a member to walk up next to the spawn doors and listen closely. You can often hear the footsteps—and general noises—that opposing heroes make, and gain knowledge of the enemy composition accordingly. Just make sure to back away from the enemy spawn around the 10 second mark.
2) See if you know someone
Even though there are over 20 million Overwatch players, you will run into the same players every now and then. Especially in the higher ranks, you will soon start recognizing who you are playing with and against. Knowing what a player did before is very valuable information, and should not be underestimated.
The sooner you start linking hero and play preferences to other players, the sooner you will get used to the habit and start using that information to influence your own picks and plays. There are plenty of Genji and Reinhardt mains to be found, and it should be clear that knowing their potential heavily impact the way you approach teamfights and the use of your Ultimates for instance.
3) Set up your team's positioning
While this applies more to defending teams than attacking teams, you should make sure that your team sets up in the correct place. For instance, seeing a Reaper stand next to the enemy spawn doors is generally a bad idea—he's very likely to die, and even if he does live, the kills he gets are inconsequential because they only burn 10 seconds, while he is in a bad position. Mid-long range hitscan characters, such as McCree and Soldier: 76, should take high ground positioning above the point usually, as this is their ideal positioning.
In the same vein, you should make sure that your team composition makes sense. You shouldn't walk into the point and then realize you have 4 DPS players and no healers; constantly check the composition by pressing tab, and make suggestions without triggering your teammates (aka politely!). You don't have to follow 2-2-2 obviously, but just make sure the composition is cohesive.
4) Set the map up for success
This seems like a minor tip, but it could be the deciding factor in some games! McCree on high ground should make sure that they break down barriers and fences that could get in the way of a lethal bullet; remember that these are physical objects, and not simply decorations.
In addition, heroes like Junkrat and Widowmaker can set up traps for an early pick. Placing a mine inside of a trap near the spawn door as Junkrat can delay a push for 10 seconds with no drawback; Widowmaker's trap can be used in a chokepoint to stall an attacking team when they decide to finally engage. While the damage from Venom Mine is not rather large, it can be significant when a flanking Tracer runs over it, or if a low health target accidentally triggers it. Symmetra turrets should be used in the same way, as they significantly hamper flanks.
Last but not least, if you, God forbid, pick Torbjörn, you should make sure you have your turret set up in a proper location, where killing it will be difficult but it can still get off quality damage. Usually high ground, coupled with a Reinhardt shield, is an ideal location, but setting it up in rooms or on moving platforms can be fruitful as well. Of course, it all depends on the situation!
You'll notice that all of these tips mostly apply to hybrid or payload maps. However, fear not, for there is one thing you can do to prep before a control map!
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