1Lock when
The lobby needs this job
Punishing direct lanes and forcing picks when enemies cross without shield, cover, or dive pressure ready.

Terrifying experiments turned him into a brainwashed assassin, but now James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes is in control of his own fate once again. With his enhanced mechanical arm, the Winter Soldier is primed to deliver earth-shattering blows to any foe in his path!
Queue briefing
1Lock when
Punishing direct lanes and forcing picks when enemies cross without shield, cover, or dive pressure ready.
2Swap when
Swap or change sightlines if enemies cross behind shields and then dive you before your pick pressure matters.
3Practice first
Take one firing lane, force movement, then rotate before Venom, Peni setup, or a shielded push reaches you.
Pocket Rivals ranked read
Winter Soldier: Win a useful angle, force attention, and finish targets your team is already pressuring.
Editorial note: this section is Pocket Rivals advice for everyday ranked lobbies. Use the official source panel for canonical ability text, then use this ranked read to decide what to practice next.
Play behind a Vanguard who creates the first distraction instead of opening alone.
Do not open every fight by burning mobility forward. If the burst fails, you need an exit.
Hero-specific editorial
Punishing direct lanes and forcing picks when enemies cross without shield, cover, or dive pressure ready.
Shielded rotations, durable dive, and defensive setup that deny clean follow-up on picked targets.
Swap or change sightlines if enemies cross behind shields and then dive you before your pick pressure matters.
Standing planted in the same damage lane until the enemy tank or diver has an easy path to you.
Take one firing lane, force movement, then rotate before Venom, Peni setup, or a shielded push reaches you.
Based on Pocket Rivals counter notes using Doctor Strange shielding, Venom disruption, and Peni Parker setup against Winter Soldier's direct-lane pressure.
Official details
Official article date: 2024/11/23
Captain America's sidekick during World War II, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was thought to have been killed in action. In truth, he had been recovered by enemy forces and rebuilt into their ultimate assassin. But the Winter Soldier eventually broke his conditioning to become a hero once more.
Captured during an operation to sabotage Charteris Base, the Winter Soldier was subjected to horrific experiments at the hands of Hydra scientists. He was rescued by Hawkeye and a version of Captain America from the year 2099, who gifted an upgraded arm to his former partner.
Skills

Normal Attack
Fire explosive rounds with his blaster, Roterstern, damaging the target hit and enemies behind them.

Ability
Leap high, then dash forward and slam down with the bionic arm, dealing damage to enemies in range, marking them for Culling. Marked enemies will perish instantly if their health falls below a certain threshold, recharging the bionic arm for another Kraken Impact within a short period

Ability
Dash forward, seizing enemies along the path and launching up enemies at the end of the dash

Ability
Charge up and launch a powerful electrical punch with the bionic arm in the target direction, dealing damage to enemies within range and Slowing them. This ability can Knock Down flying heroes

Ability
Charge up and launch a hook with his bionic arm, reeling in the first target hit and enemies lurking behind

Passive
Roterstern reloads automatically while the bionic arm is in action, granting Bonus Health to the Winter Soldier

Ability
Inspired by Captain America's resolve, Winter Soldier can leap to the aid of a designated ally, slamming the ground with his mechanical arm to damage nearby foes and grant Bonus Health to allies within range. Captain America and Winter Soldier can interact with each other once both parties confirm. The duo then collides and unleashes a shockwave that damages and slows enemies
Hero handoff
Leave with one matchup rule instead of a whole new checklist.
Read official details, then turn the hero into one job, one matchup rule, and one avoid call.