Difference between revisions of "Community Engineer strategy"

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{{Quotation|'''The Engineer''' to enemies before Setup concludes|You're all about to have a real bad day!|sound=Engineer_taunts05.wav}}
 
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer''' to enemies before Setup concludes|You're all about to have a real bad day!|sound=Engineer_taunts05.wav}}
  
The [[Engineer]] is a unique [[Classes|class]] due to his ability to construct [[buildings]]. He can get his teammates to the front lines faster with [[Teleporters]], create a powerful [[Sentry Gun]] to ward off enemies and can build [[Dispensers]] to heal and supply ammunition to his teammates. The Engineer's low [[Health]] and average speed make it important for him to rely on his Sentry Gun, other buildings, and his teammates for protection. While his ways can seem somewhat passive and methodical, Engineers are not to be underestimated. A talented Engineer can make it much easier for his team to hold its ground, keep up the pressure on the attack, and defend vital objectives such as [[control point (objective)|control points]] and [[Capture the Flag#Intelligence|Intelligence]].
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The [[Engineer]] is a unique [[Classes|class]] due to his ability to construct [[buildings]]. He can get his teammates to the front lines faster with [[Teleporters]], create a powerful [[Sentry Gun]] to {{botignore|ward}} off enemies, and can build [[Dispensers]] to heal and supply ammunition to his teammates. The Engineer's low [[Health]] and average [[speed]] make it important for him to rely on his Sentry Gun, other buildings, and his teammates for protection. While his ways can seem somewhat passive and methodical, Engineers are not to be underestimated. A talented Engineer can make it much easier for his team to hold its ground, keep up the pressure on the attack, and defend vital objectives such as [[control point (objective)|control points]] and [[Capture the Flag#Intelligence|Intelligence]].
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{{TOC limit|3}}
 
{{TOC limit|3}}
  
 
== Quick tips ==
 
== Quick tips ==
 
* A team without an effective Engineer is at an extreme disadvantage, especially while playing Defense on [[Control Point (game mode)#Attack/Defend|Attack/Defend]] maps.
 
* A team without an effective Engineer is at an extreme disadvantage, especially while playing Defense on [[Control Point (game mode)#Attack/Defend|Attack/Defend]] maps.
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* Always stay close to your buildings. Unguarded buildings are especially vulnerable to [[Spy|Spies]], [[Demoman|Demomen]], and [[Soldier]]s.
 
* Always stay close to your buildings. Unguarded buildings are especially vulnerable to [[Spy|Spies]], [[Demoman|Demomen]], and [[Soldier]]s.
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* The Teleporter can be your most important contribution to your team's success. If properly placed and defended, a Teleporter will allow your team to keep the pressure on the enemy team.
 
* The Teleporter can be your most important contribution to your team's success. If properly placed and defended, a Teleporter will allow your team to keep the pressure on the enemy team.
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* All buildings build faster during construction if you repeatedly strike them with your melee weapon.
 
* All buildings build faster during construction if you repeatedly strike them with your melee weapon.
* You can construct a building in safety, then right-click to [[buildings#Hauling|haul]] it to the battle. It is also possible to carry buildings through Teleporters.
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** You can help friendly Engineers by hitting their buildings with your melee weapon to speed up the building's construction or repair and upgrade the existing buildings.
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* You can construct a building in safety, then right-click to pick it up and [[buildings#Hauling|haul]] it to the battle. It is also possible to carry buildings through Teleporters.
 
** However, if you die while carrying a building, the building is destroyed.
 
** However, if you die while carrying a building, the building is destroyed.
* You can help other Engineers by hitting their buildings with your melee weapon to speed up the building's construction or repair and upgrade the existing buildings.
 
* Your Shotgun and Pistol are not useless in combat; use them in supplement to your Sentry Gun fire to peck away at the enemy's health.
 
  
* Avoid standing in front of your Sentry Gun. This reduces the chances of your sentry shooting you, as well as lowers the chance of being shot easily, as the Sentry can intercept enemy fire.
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* Your Shotgun and Pistol are not useless in combat; use them to supplement your Sentry Gun in whittling away at the enemy's health.
* When playing Arena, make sure you have Dispensers to help out teammates with ammo and health.
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** The Shotgun can kill most enemies in 2-3 hits, and a well-aimed Pistol can kill most classes with a full clip.
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* Avoid standing in front of your Sentry Gun. This reduces the chances of your Sentry shooting you, as well as lowers the chance of being killed, as the Sentry can intercept enemy fire.
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* When playing Arena, make sure you have Dispensers to help out teammates with ammo and health; there are no health packs in Arena mode.
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* Try to set your Sentry Gun at chokepoints where enemies frequently prowl, thereby maximizing its effectiveness.
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** This is of huge importance when playing on Defense.
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* Spies can sap your Sentry faster than you can remove it. Kill the Spy first, then get rid of the Sapper.
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* Try to construct your buildings in a location where not only can you support your team, but where your team can support you. While you and your Sentry might be able to hold ground on your own for a short time, multiple enemies can quickly overwhelm you. Be sure to ask your teammates for help as often as possible while you help your team at the same time via your [[buildings]].
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* If possible, try to build your Teleporter and Dispenser first. These buildings allow both you and your team to get to the frontlines faster and keep you all in the fight due to the constant flow of health and ammo.
  
 
== General ==
 
== General ==
* As an Engineer, you can do more than just upgrade and repair your buildings. If you have metal, don't hesitate to hit friendly buildings with your melee weapon to either repair or upgrade them. Watching your teams buildings allows other Engineers to set up Sentry Guns, Dispensers, and Teleporters in other areas.
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* As an Engineer, you can do more than just upgrade and repair your buildings. If you have metal, don't hesitate to hit friendly buildings with your melee weapon to either repair or upgrade them. Watching your team's buildings allows other Engineers to set up Sentry Guns, Dispensers, and Teleporters in other areas.
* You can rotate the placement of a building while the blueprint is out by pressing the alternate fire button. Changing a Sentry Gun's direction allows you to place them in corners and other hard-to-reach locations. Rotating a Teleporter exit affects the direction one faces when exiting. An arrow on the blueprint indicates said direction. Remember that the direction one faces could mean life or death in some situations. Rotating a [[Dispenser]] has no effect on its function, but can allow you to place it into a tight space or help conceal its location.
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* You can rotate the placement of a building while the blueprint is out by pressing the alternate fire button. Changing a Sentry Gun's direction allows you to place it in corners and other hard-to-reach locations while still facing potential enemies. Rotating a Teleporter exit affects the direction one faces when exiting. An arrow on the blueprint indicates said direction. Remember that the direction one faces could mean life or death in some situations. Rotating a [[Dispenser]] has no effect on its function, but can allow you to place it into a tight space or help conceal its location.
 
** You can also place a building while it is turning to place it on a different angle.
 
** You can also place a building while it is turning to place it on a different angle.
* Alternate fire while looking at a building you placed allows you to "[[buildings#Hauling|haul]]" that building to another location. While hauling a building, your movement speed is reduced to be slightly slower than the Heavy's speed, and you are unable to switch weapons. If you are killed while carrying a building, the building will be destroyed.  
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** A redeployed building will construct faster than normal without help from an Engineer, though you can still speed up the building of the structure by hitting it with your Wrench. Once built, if the building has already been upgraded to level 2 or 3, it will then undergo the animations for deploying to those levels as well.
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* Alternate fire while looking at a building you placed allows you to "[[buildings#Hauling|haul]]" that building to another location. While hauling a building, your movement speed is reduced by 10%, and you are unable to switch weapons. If you are killed while carrying a building, the building will be destroyed.
* Enemy players, including [[disguise]]d Spies, cannot walk through buildings belonging to your team. You can use this for [[Spy checking]] by placing buildings in chokepoints, such as doors and hallways.
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** A redeployed building will construct faster than normal without help from an Engineer, though you can still speed up the building of the structure by hitting it with your [[Wrench]]. Once built, if the building has already been upgraded to level 2 or 3, it will then undergo the animations for deploying to those levels as well.
* It is not a good idea to build your buildings, particularly your Sentry Gun, in the exact same location as another Engineer on your team. Clustering too many Engineer buildings together maximizes their weakness to explosives or other weapons that deal splash damage, and clustering makes it easier for an enemy Spy to sap all of your buildings. In addition, remember that friendly buildings block the line of sight and line of fire of friendly Sentry Guns.  
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*When your Sentry Gun fires, it uses up a small amount of its ammo supply. Though this is not often a problem, ammo can be replenished by hitting your gun with your Wrench. Refilling ammo uses up a small amount of metal.
* If your buildings are under attack by Soldiers or Demomen, try to time your repair hits in between enemy rockets or grenades to avoid getting killed, or build your Sentry Gun near cover that you can use to shield yourself. If your buildings are under attack by multiple Soldiers and Demomen, your buildings are likely going to go down ''and'' take you alongside unless you have support from friendly Medics, Engineers, or Pyros using the compression blast.  
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**This can be a problem when upgrading Sentry Guns. Often, a low-level Sentry will use a little ammo on enemies it catches a glance of. If the Sentry has no metal put into it for upgrading, the Engineer will not be able to upgrade it with a full 200 metal, as some of the metal will go towards refilling ammo. The Sentry will end up being just a few metal away from an upgrade, forcing the Engineer to find more metal. Avoid this by putting a little extra metal into your Sentry when you first build it.
** Your best friend is often an allied Pyro. Pyros are excellent for taking care of an Engineer's greatest weaknesses: keeping Spies at bay; destroying Sappers on your buildings with the [[Homewrecker]] or [[Maul]]; and [[compression blast|deflecting]] incoming [[rockets]], grenades, [[Stickybombs]], and invulnerable enemies. This is also usually beneficial for Pyros, as they often run out of ammunition and health spamming their Flamethrower, which a Dispenser can restore, and are poor at mid to long range: an Engineer's forte.
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* Enemy players, including [[disguise]]d Spies, cannot walk through buildings belonging to your team. You can use this for [[Spy checking]] by placing buildings in [[Glossary of player terms#C|chokepoints]], such as doors and hallways.
* Build where you can support your team and where your team can support you. Sentry Guns provide high-volume firepower at decent range, but it is still supporting fire that is best served to cover your teammates and deny areas to enemy movement. Do not expect to be able to fight off entire enemy attack groups with just your Sentry Gun. It is very unlikely that anyone on your own team will be down there with you to support you and without your Sentry Gun in a more forward location, enemies have a much easier time getting inside the base and causing havoc.
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* Setting up a nest with a Teleporter, a Dispenser and a Sentry Gun near the front lines can help your team maintain your team's position. A skilled enemy team can push you right back to your first spawn, forcing you to gain ground again even if you have already captured the first point.
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* It is not a good idea to build your buildings, particularly your Sentry Gun, near the same location as another Engineer's buildings on your team. Clustering too many Engineer buildings together maximizes their weakness to explosives or other weapons that deal splash damage, and clustering makes it easier for an enemy Spy to sap all of your buildings. In addition, remember that friendly buildings block the line of sight and line of fire of friendly Sentry Guns.
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* If your buildings are under attack by Soldiers or Demomen, try to time your repair hits in between enemy rockets or grenades to avoid getting killed, or build your Sentry Gun near cover that you can use to shield yourself. If your buildings are under attack by multiple Soldiers and Demomen, your buildings are likely going to go down ''and'' take you alongside them unless you have support from friendly Medics, Engineers, or Pyros using their compression blast.
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** Your best friend is often an allied Pyro. Pyros are excellent for taking care of an Engineer's greatest weaknesses: keeping Spies at bay, destroying Sappers on your buildings with the [[Homewrecker]], [[Neon Annihilator]], or [[Maul]], and [[compression blast|deflecting]] incoming [[rockets]], grenades, stickybombs, and invulnerable enemies. This is also usually beneficial for Pyros, as they often run out of ammunition and health from spamming their Flame Thrower, which a Dispenser can restore, and are poor at mid to long range: an Engineer's forte.
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* Build where you can support your team and where your team can support you. Sentry Guns provide high-volume firepower at decent range, but it is still supporting fire that is best served to cover your teammates and deny areas to enemy movement. Do not expect to be able to fight off entire enemy attack groups with just your Sentry Gun. It is very unlikely that anyone on your own team will be down there with you to support you, and without your Sentry Gun in a more forward location, enemies have a much easier time getting inside the base and causing havoc.
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* Setting up a nest with a Teleporter, a Dispenser, and a Sentry Gun near the front lines can help your team maintain its position. A skilled enemy team can push you right back to your first spawn, forcing you to gain ground again even if you have already captured the first point.
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* To make the best use of Setup time, it is important to know ahead of time where effective spots to build are and the best way to set up your buildings the fastest.
 
* To make the best use of Setup time, it is important to know ahead of time where effective spots to build are and the best way to set up your buildings the fastest.
*On offense, when you have a 'team advantage' (most of the enemy team or their best players are dead) and you have a Level 3 Sentry Gun, haul it and charge into the fray. Drop the Sentry Gun near the Final Capture point and attack yourself with your weapons. With most of their team dead and a Level 3 Gun suddenly appears, the enemy team will be shocked and you will most probably win, unless the enemy team uses a well-spent [[Ubercharge]]. Do note that Level 2 Sentry Guns can also be used if there is no time to make the Sentry level 3 or the level 3 deployment time will take too long to be effective.
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*Out of Engineer's primary and secondary weapons, the Stock weapons are the weapons that can deal the most damage out of all. In case it is required to equip any non-stock primary/secondary weapon, it is highly recommended to equip other secondary/primary weapon slot with stock weapon.
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* On offense, when you have a 'team advantage' (most of the enemy team or their best players are dead) and you have a Level 3 Sentry Gun, haul it and charge into the fray. Drop the Sentry Gun near the final control point and attack the point yourself with your weapons. With most of their team dead and a Level 3 Sentry Gun covering their spawn, you and your teammates may be able to hold off enemies so one or two other teammates (usually Scouts) can capture the objective. Do note that Level 2 Sentry Guns can also be used if there is no time to make the Sentry Gun level 3 or if the level 3 deployment time will take too long to be effective.
*On offense, NEVER forget this golden rule: Level 2 is good. If you are not going to camp at your teleporter base and you don't have time to haul a Level 3 Sentry Gun, haul a Level 2. The same goes for Teleporters: A Level 2 Tele has double the recharging speed of a level 1, however a Level 3 decreases recharge time by a further 3 seconds instead of five seconds thus having less of a reward for 200 Metal.
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* Don't forget about your own weapons! The Shotgun and Pistol are strong weapons and can help the Engineer win 1v1 fights.
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**While generic compared to other weapons, the Stock weapons allow you to [[Community scout strategy#Weapon Heckling|weapon heckle]] with surprising efficiency.
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** While you don't come anywhere close to the Scout's speed, you are still a very mobile class compared to most and can drum up a good amount of supplementary damage while moving toward an advantageous point to set up your buildings.
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* Out of all the Engineer's primary and secondary weapons, the Stock weapons are often the weapons that can deal the most damage overall. In case it is required to equip any non-stock primary/secondary weapon, it is highly recommended to equip the other secondary/primary weapon slot with its stock weapon.
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* On offense, ''never'' forget this golden rule: Level 2 is good. If you are not going to camp at your teleporter base and you don't have time to haul a Level 3 Sentry Gun, haul a Level 2. The same goes for Teleporters: A Level 2 has double the recharging speed of a Level 1; however, a Level 3 decreases recharge time by a further 2 seconds instead of 5 seconds, thus having less of a reward for 200 Metal.
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* Competent teammates will likely save ammo packs for you, due to your ability to construct Dispensers.
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** However, if you cannot find ammo packs, do not be afraid to leave your nest for a very short time to collect a further away ammo pack
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* On Offense, be sure to build a Teleporter that will allow your teammates to get to the front lines faster, as well as a Dispenser to keep them (and you) in the fight.
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** Don't forget to build a Sentry Gun to protect your gear from enemies who get too close. Also, move up your gear when your team has the advantage!
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* If forced into close combat with Spy, attempt to keep your back away from him while maintaining fire upon him.
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* Remember that an Engineer's buildings ''can'' work underwater. Use this to your advantage on maps such as [[Well]]. If you are able to sneak into the water successfully, you can easily set up a nest without the enemy team knowing, creating a sort of 'forward spawn' for your team.
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* Try not to "babysit" your buildings if you can. Many Engineer players get themselves killed by staying too close to their buildings and making themselves vulnerable. Always stay on the move, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and feel free to support your team in defeating enemies with your Shotgun.
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** However, this doesn't mean that you should ignore your buildings. Be sure to upgrade and repair them when necessary. If you know your buildings are going to be destroyed, don't die with them; your life is far more valuable than your buildings, as you can simply repair or replace them.
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* Sometimes you may be required to 'adopt' another friendly Engineer's buildings (More often than not, their Sentry Gun) while they are away or dead. While your own buildings are usually your top priority, keep relatively close and protect the other unattended buildings whenever necessary. It's never a bad idea to give low-level buildings a swing or two from your Wrench to increase the speed in which they are upgraded once the other Engineer returns as well.
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** However, only the Engineer who built a building can haul it, so if it comes down to it, leave their buildings be and move your own gear up first.
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* Try not to stand in front of your Level 3 Sentry Gun while it is firing, as it's rockets are able to damage and even kill you if you aren't careful.
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* You can use a [[Scripting#Buildings|bind]] to bypass having to pull out the PDA by making it immediately destroy a building and then pulling out a blueprint. This allows you to immediately replace a building in a pinch. Be careful with this, however, as you may accidentally press the button and destroy a valuable building!
  
 
== Weapon specific ==
 
== Weapon specific ==
===Primary weapons===
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=== Primary weapons ===
==== [[Shotgun]] ====
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==== [[Shotgun]] + [[reskins]] ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
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|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Shotgun|Stock}}
 
! {{Table icon|Shotgun|Stock}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Shotgun}}
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| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Shotgun}}
 
| 6
 
| 6
 
| 32
 
| 32
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| 3-26
 
| 3-26
 
| 180
 
| 180
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|-
 
|}
 
|}
Of the Engineer's Primary weapons, the Shotgun is the most versatile due to its larger clip size and lack of reliance on a Dispenser, a Sentry Gun or a specific positioning of enemies.
 
  
* If you're intending to stay close to your [[Sentry Gun]], make sure to build it in a spot where you can keep enemy players in groups. You will be able fight on more even ground after the Sentry Gun has softened them up for a Shotgun blast.
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* The Shotgun is the most versatile and most reliable due to its larger clip size and lack of reliance on a Dispenser, a Sentry Gun, or a specific positioning of enemies.
* Its large spread pattern is quite useful for [[Spy checking]]. Fire at corners, 'team mates' or in the Spy's general direction and look for tell-tales. Often, the spread will allow for at least one pellet to hit a cloaked Spy, giving you a glimpse of his location.
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* It is good at destroying [[Stickybomb]]s due to its spread.
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* If you're intending to stay close to your [[Sentry Gun]], make sure to build it in a spot where you can keep enemy players in groups. You will be able to fight on more even ground after the Sentry Gun has softened them up for a Shotgun blast.
* It can be used to deal extra damage against enemies outside the Sentry Gun's range or who are damaged and retreating when the Sentry Gun is not in any immediate danger.
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* The Shotgun is a powerful weapon, especially at close-range. Don't be afraid to use it in combat situations; it can mean the difference between life and death.
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* Its large spread pattern is quite useful for [[Spy checking]]. Fire at corners, 'teammates', or in the Spy's general direction and look for tell-tales. Often, the spread will allow for at least one pellet to hit a cloaked Spy, allowing you to see his silhouette.
* Keep in mind that due to its spread its not suitable for engaging enimies at long ranges, Switch to the Pistol for long range attacks.
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* It is good at destroying [[Stickybomb Launcher|Stickybombs]] due to its spread.
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* It can be used to deal extra damage against nearby enemies outside the Sentry Gun's range or who are damaged and retreating when the Sentry Gun is not in any immediate danger.
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* The Shotgun is a powerful weapon, especially at close-range. Don't be afraid to use it in combat situations; it can mean the difference between life and death.
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* Keep in mind that due to its spread, the Shotgun is not suitable for engaging enemies at long ranges. Switch to the Pistol for long-range attacks.
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* If a Spy is disabling your buildings with the Sapper, try to retaliate with your Shotgun and kill the Spy before destroying the Sapper, as most Spies will replace the Sapper if you attempt to remove it with your Wrench.
  
 
==== [[Frontier Justice]] + reskins ====
 
==== [[Frontier Justice]] + reskins ====
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|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Frontier Justice|Unlock}}
 
! {{Table icon|Frontier Justice|Unlock}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Frontier Justice}}
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| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Frontier Justice}}
| rowspan="2" | 3
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| 3
| rowspan="2" | 32
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| 32
| rowspan="2" | 86-90
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| 86-90
| rowspan="2" | 24-67
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| 24-67
| rowspan="2" | 3-26
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| 3-26
| rowspan="2" | 180
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| 180
 
|-
 
|-
! {{Table icon|Festive Frontier Justice|Uncrate}}
 
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Frontier Justice}}
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
The purposes of the Frontier Justice are similar to those outlined for the stock Shotgun above but the introduction of revenge [[Critical hits|crits]] modifies the accompanied playstyle.
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* The Frontier Justice stores revenge [[Critical hits|Crits]] based of the amount of the kill and assist of your Sentry Gun before it destroyed. The downside is the clip size reduced to three instead of six and unable to deal random Critical hits.
  
 
* Sentry Guns should be built in more aggressive areas where kills and assists will be awarded relatively easily.
 
* Sentry Guns should be built in more aggressive areas where kills and assists will be awarded relatively easily.
* Revenge crits should be used sparingly as the Frontier Justice's small clip size gives it a disadvantage when in combat unaided by Sentry Guns.
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* Revenge crits can support offensive pushes. Placing the [[Gunslinger]]'s [[Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]]s or an upgraded sentry into enemy territory and fighting with revenge crits while it builds can buy time for your Sentry to deploy and join the fight.
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* Revenge Crits should be used sparingly, as the Frontier Justice's small clip size gives it a disadvantage when in combat unaided by Sentry Guns.
** Despite this, even large supplies of revenge crits are usually insufficient to be able to take down clusters of opponents and it is usually unwise to try.
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* Revenge crits are only deployed upon a Sentry Gun's destruction: Sentry Guns that have gained kills and assists may be demolished for immediate crits. This is a risky maneuver that should only be used in dire scenarios, when moving up while playing offensively or when combined with the more disposable Combat Mini-Sentry Guns.
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* The [[Pistol]] is a good secondary to bring with the Frontier Justice, as it gives you a fallback option should you encounter a target that is too distant for the Frontier Justice or if you don't have time to reload in a fight.
** However, "cashing-in" during a quiet period in a safe area can be useful, as you can re-build and re-upgrade your Sentry in peace and have some revenge crits on hand for a sticky situation. Just be careful about this, because if you die after redeeming the crits, they'll have gone to waste and you'll be left with a fresh Sentry empty of kills and potential crits.
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* Spy checking with revenge crits is often unwise because if the [[Dead Ringer]] is equipped, the Spy could cause the wastage of a crit by triggering the feign death. Monitor the watches used by the opposing team.
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* Revenge Crits can support offensive pushes. Placing the [[Gunslinger]]'s [[Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]]s or an upgraded Sentry into enemy territory and fighting with revenge Crits while it builds can buy time for your Sentry to deploy and join the fight.
* Make conscious decisions whether or not to take out the Frontier Justice when not ready to fire. The crit glow on the Frontier Justice could either make you a target for the enemy team, such as [[Sniper]]'s or be used to scare away stray opponents.
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** Despite this, even large supplies of revenge Crits are usually insufficient to be able to take down clusters of opponents, and it is usually unwise to try, due to the Frontier Justice's small clip size.
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* Revenge Crits are only granted upon a Sentry Gun's destruction: Sentry Guns that have gained kills and assists may be demolished for immediate Crits. This is a risky maneuver that should only be used in dire scenarios, when moving up while playing offensively, or when combined with the more disposable Combat Mini-Sentry Guns.
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** However, "cashing-in" during a quiet period in a safe area can be useful, as you can re-build and re-upgrade your Sentry in peace and have some revenge Crits on hand for a sticky situation. Just be careful about this, because if you die after redeeming the Crits, they'll have gone to waste and you'll be left with a fresh Sentry empty of kills and potential Crits.
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* Spy-checking with revenge Crits is often unwise because if the [[Dead Ringer]] is equipped, the Spy could cause the wastage of a Crit by triggering the feign death. Monitor the watches used by the opposing team.
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* Make conscious decisions whether or not to take out the Frontier Justice when not ready to fire. The Crit glow on the Frontier Justice could either make you a target for the enemy team, such as [[Sniper]]s, or be used to scare away stray opponents.
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**If traveling alone, consider holding the gun out as the Crit glow may scare away potential enemies that plan to ambush. Additionally you can utilize the revenge Crits by ambushing lone enemies.
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*The Jag is a good Wrench to pair with the Frontier Justice, as it allows you to quickly rebuild your Sentry Gun.
  
 
==== [[Widowmaker]] ====
 
==== [[Widowmaker]] ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
! class="header" width="10%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
+
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
! class="header" width="5%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
+
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
! class="header" width="10%" colspan=2 | Ammo
+
! class="header" width="17%" colspan=2 | Ammo
! class="header" width="15%" colspan=4 | Damage
+
! class="header" width="50%" colspan=4 | Damage
 
|-
 
|-
! class="header" width="5%"| Loaded
+
! class="header" width="8%"| Loaded
! class="header" width="5%"| Carried
+
! class="header" width="8%"| Carried
! class="header" width="4%"| Point Blank
+
! class="header" width="13%"| Point Blank
! class="header" width="4%"| Medium Range
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! class="header" width="13%"| Medium Range
! class="header" width="4%"| Long Range
+
! class="header" width="13%"| Long Range
! class="header" width="3%"| Critical
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! class="header" width="13%"| Critical
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Widowmaker|Promotional/Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Widowmaker|Promotional/Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Widowmaker}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Widowmaker}}
 
| 1 per 30 Metal
 
| 1 per 30 Metal
 
| N/A
 
| N/A
Line 130: Line 196:
 
| 3-26
 
| 3-26
 
| 180
 
| 180
 +
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
*The Widowmaker uses construction metal as ammo. Only use the Widowmaker if you are confident in your aiming abilities. Otherwise, you're best off using the default [[Shotgun]].
+
* The Widowmaker uses construction metal as ammo, deal 10% more damage on your Sentry Gun's target, and effectively reloads on hit. Only use the Widowmaker if you are confident in your aiming abilities. Otherwise, you're best off using the default [[Shotgun]].
*Don't try shooting enemies from afar with the Widowmaker; pick them off with your [[Pistol]] or [[Wrangler]] instead.
+
 
*The Widowmaker is best used in conjunction with a [[Dispenser]]. Even if you miss a few shots, you can easily refill at your Dispenser.
+
* Don't try shooting enemies from afar with the Widowmaker; you'll only be wasting metal. Pick them off with your [[Pistol]] or [[Wrangler]] instead.
*When using the Widowmaker, make sure you have sufficient ammo at all times to fight off enemies. You are highly vulnerable and easy to kill at close range if you cannot fire your primary weapon.
+
 
*If a teammate approaches and appears suspicious, the Widowmaker can be used to perform a [[Spychecking|Spycheck]]. If an accurate shot from the Widowmaker yields ammo, the player is a Spy - if no ammo is given back upon hit, the player is not a Spy.
+
* The Widowmaker is best used in conjunction with a [[Dispenser]]. Even if you miss a few shots, you can easily refill at your Dispenser.
*With practice, the Widowmaker can make an effective offensive weapon. Continuous short-range usage allows you to retain ammo far away from your Dispenser, and the ability to keep shooting without reloading gives you an advantage over slower classes.
+
 
 +
* When using the Widowmaker, make sure you have sufficient ammo at all times to fight off enemies. You are highly vulnerable and easy to kill at close range if you cannot fire your primary weapon.
 +
 
 +
* With practice, the Widowmaker can make an effective offensive weapon. Continuous short-range usage allows you to retain ammo far away from your Dispenser, and the ability to keep shooting without reloading gives you an advantage over slower classes.
 +
 
 +
* The Pistol is usually the best secondary with the Widowmaker, because if you run out of ammo, either by missing or by simply spending it on buildings, the Pistol is the most reliable alternative, as the [[Short Circuit]] also requires metal and the [[Wrangler]] requires a Sentry Gun, which is not always guaranteed.
 +
 
 +
* It's the best to assisting your Sentry Gun with the Widowmaker, as it receives additional damage on your Sentry Gun's target.
 +
 
 +
* The Widowmaker pairs well with the [[Gunslinger]] due to the generally more aggressive nature of the Widowmaker.
 +
 
 +
==== [[Panic Attack]] + reskins ====
 +
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 +
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 +
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 +
! class="header" width="17%" colspan=2 | Ammo
 +
! class="header" width="50%" colspan=5 | Damage
 +
|-
 +
! class="header" width="8%"| Loaded
 +
! class="header" width="8%"| Carried
 +
! class="header" width="13%"| Point Blank
 +
! class="header" width="13%"| Medium Range
 +
! class="header" width="13%"| Long Range
 +
! class="header" width="13%"| Critical
 +
|-
 +
|-
 +
! {{Table icon|Panic Attack|Craft}}
 +
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Panic Attack}}
 +
| 6
 +
| 32
 +
| 7-108
 +
| 5-72
 +
| 3-38
 +
| 216
 +
[14.4 damage × 15 pellets]
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
* The Panic Attack has a 50% faster deploy speed, has 50% more pellets, fires its pellets in a fixed pattern, deals 30% less damage, and has a bullet spread that increases with each consecutive shot.
 +
 
 +
* The Panic Attack has a 50% faster switch speed, compared to the Shotgun. This allows you to inflict damage at a moment's notice.
 +
** However, it should be noted that the Engineer should usually be carrying his Shotgun when away from his buildings, as opposed to a Pistol, Wrench, or PDA, which would be the only situations where he would need to switch weapons.
 +
** It is worth noting that the Panic Attack's switch speed makes it possible to click on a building with a Wrench and switch to the Panic Attack mid-swing. The hit will still register and repair/upgrade your building, but you'll be holding the Panic Attack and immediately be able to deal with a threat if there is one.
 +
 
 +
* The Panic Attack's increased number of pellets counteracts its damage penalty at close range. Try to get close to unaware enemies to deal the most damage.
  
 
==== [[Pomson 6000]] ====
 
==== [[Pomson 6000]] ====
Line 154: Line 265:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Pomson 6000|Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Pomson 6000|Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Pomson 6000}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Pomson 6000}}
 
| 4
 
| 4
 
| N/A
 
| N/A
Line 162: Line 273:
 
| 108-180
 
| 108-180
 
|}
 
|}
The [[Pomson 6000]] functions like the Soldier's [[Righteous Bison]] in terms of its projectiles and unlimited ammo, but instead of projectile penetration, it provides anti-Spy and anti-Medic capabilities.
 
* Whilst protecting a Sentry under attack is usually priority, the Pomson 6000 gives the bonus of reducing an attacking [[Medic]]'s ÜberCharge faster, giving the potential of rendering an ÜberCharge push useless or - assuming you can hit the Medic within a small time window - cause him to charge into danger without a full charge.
 
* On a successful hit, the Pomson eats into the Spy's Cloak, forcing him to retreat if he is using conventional watches.
 
** Should the Spy be using the [[Dead Ringer]], he will have 10% less time if he cloaks on a Pomson hit, reducing the already-low amount of time he has.
 
* Due to the Pomson's nature, it excels at long-range damage and finishing off enemies but is generally poor in close quarters. As such, the Pomson is generally best used when supporting teammates at long range. Spamming shots will prevent enemies from strafing around a lot, making it easier for teammates to aim for them.
 
* Shooting a friendly [[Sniper]]'s [[Huntsman]] will cause his arrow to catch fire. Flaming arrows are more powerful than standard arrows as they deal afterburn in addition to the initial hit.
 
** Remember - shooting your teammates is also a measure of [[Spy checking]], as a hit on a Spy will produce a distinct sound. The Pomson's unlimited ammo comes in handy for this, as you can spycheck often.
 
* A Spy can only use his [[Dead Ringer]] if he has a full Cloak meter. If an enemy Dead Ringer Spy is fleeing to refill Cloak, you can hunt him down with the Pomson. Simply keep shooting at the Spy, and he won't be able to use his Dead Ringer whilst still inflicting some damage on him.
 
* Although its projectiles travel slowly and are easy to avoid, the Pomson is a very accurate weapon. It's even more accurate than your [[Pistol]]. Although you lose the close-range damage of the [[Shotgun]] and the fast reload of the [[Pistol]], you gain a very accurate weapon.
 
* The Pomson pairs well with the [[Wrangler]]. The Pomson maintains an ability to make accurate shots that you would otherwise make with the [[Pistol]], and similarly, ammo is not an issue. Having a Pomson and Wrangler equipped give you a high degree of accuracy.
 
  
==== [[Rescue Ranger]] ====
+
* The [[Pomson 6000]] functions like the Soldier's [[Righteous Bison]] in terms of its projectiles and unlimited ammo, but instead of projectile penetration, it provides anti-Spy and anti-Medic capabilities, countering two of Engineer's counter-classes.
 +
 
 +
* The Pomson 6000 trades self-defense for support. With easy to dodge projectiles and reduced damage, you are likely to die if you are without the support from your Sentry Gun or team coupled with your frail health.
 +
** It is recommended that you equip the Pistol as a backup weapon for this reason.
 +
 
 +
* Whilst protecting a Sentry under attack is usually a priority, the Pomson 6000 gives the bonus of reducing an attacking [[Medic]]'s ÜberCharge faster, preventing a Medic from using an ÜberCharge, causing him to charge into danger without invulnerability.
 +
 
 +
* On a successful hit, the Pomson drains the Spy's Cloak, forcing him to retreat if he is using conventional watches.
 +
** Should the Spy be using the [[Dead Ringer]], he will have less time to escape if he cloaks on a Pomson hit.
 +
 
 +
*When the beam hits a Medic or Spy, a [[Media:Drg pomson drain 01.wav|distinct sound]] is made. Listen for the "shrinking" sound.
 +
**Use this sound to tell if you have hit a cloaked Spy.
 +
 
 +
* Due to the Pomson's nature, it excels at long-range damage and finishing off enemies, but is generally poor in close quarters. As such, the Pomson is generally best used when supporting teammates at long range. Spamming shots will prevent enemies from strafing around a lot, making it easier for teammates to aim for them.
 +
** Keep in mind that the Pomson is less effective at draining ÜberCharge and Cloak at long distances.
 +
 
 +
* Shooting a friendly [[Huntsman|Sniper's Huntsman]] will cause his arrow to catch fire. Flaming arrows are more powerful than standard arrows, as they deal [[afterburn]] in addition to the initial hit. As a [[Sniper]] with the Huntsman, full-charge "body shot" arrow hits deal 120 damage. After the initial hit, weaker classes will be killed in a few seconds if the arrow was on fire.<!--double-check if the huntsman interaction still exists; if not remove that point-->
 +
** Remember — shooting your teammates is also a measure of [[Spy checking]], as a hit on a Spy will produce a distinct sound. The Pomson's unlimited ammo comes in handy for this, as you can Spy check often without having to visit a Dispenser or ammo pack.
 +
 
 +
* A Spy can only use his [[Dead Ringer]] if he has a full Cloak meter. If an enemy Dead Ringer Spy is fleeing, you can hunt him down with the Pomson. Simply keep shooting at the Spy, and he might not be able to charge his Dead Ringer before you kill him.
 +
 
 +
* Although its projectiles travel slowly and are easy to avoid, the Pomson is a very accurate weapon, even more accurate than your [[Pistol]]. Although you lose the close-range damage of the [[Shotgun]] and the fast reload of the Pistol, you can easily hit oblivious enemies who aren't dodging.
 +
 
 +
* The Pomson pairs well with the [[Wrangler]]. The Pomson maintains an ability to make accurate shots that you would otherwise make with the [[Pistol]], and similarly, ammo is not an issue. Having a Pomson and Wrangler equipped gives you a high degree of accuracy.
 +
 
 +
==== [[Rescue Ranger]] + reskins ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
Line 188: Line 314:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Rescue_Ranger|Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Rescue_Ranger|Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Rescue Ranger}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Rescue Ranger}}
 
| 4
 
| 4
 
| 16
 
| 16
| 51-55
+
| 60
| 31-35
+
| 27
| 20-25
+
| 21
| 105
+
| 120
 +
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
* The Rescue Ranger fires bolts similarly to the Pomson 6000, only that the projectile arcs. Take account of this when firing this weapon.
+
* The Rescue Ranger fires special bolts that repair friendly buildings on hit at the cost of 4 health per 1 metal. It also gives the Engineer the ability to haul the building from the distance at the cost of 100 metals. The downside is the lower clip size (4 instead of 6), lower total ammo (16 instead of 32), and the Engineer will be [[Critical hits#Mini-crits|marked for death]] while hauling a building and a few seconds after stop hauling.
 +
** The bolt projectiles are affected by gravity. Take this into account when firing this weapon.
 +
 
 +
* You can often use it to repair your buildings (mainly your Sentry Gun, as that will be the one that gets the most attention of the enemy) from a safe distance.
 +
** It is also effective at repairing other Engineer's Sentry Guns, as you generally should not build near other Engineers, because splash damage could easily destroy both nests.
 +
 
 
* The hauling ability of this weapon is powerful on open maps, where you can get a clear line of sight of your buildings from a distance. Use this ability to move your buildings up front quickly, or to pull your buildings out when they are under attack, and you are too far away to retrieve them.
 
* The hauling ability of this weapon is powerful on open maps, where you can get a clear line of sight of your buildings from a distance. Use this ability to move your buildings up front quickly, or to pull your buildings out when they are under attack, and you are too far away to retrieve them.
* As hauling your buildings from a distance cost 130 metal, try to haul your Dispenser first. If you cannot do this, find a source of metal before you haul your buildings.
 
*While not good in direct combat the Ranger can be used at medium to long range harrasment and for supporting other Engineers from long range by repairing their buildings.
 
* The Rescue Ranger pairs well with Wrangler Jumping, as you don't have to destroy your Sentry Gun after the jump.
 
  
===Secondary weapons===
+
* As hauling your buildings from a distance costs 100 metal, try to teleport your Dispenser first. If you cannot do this, find a source of metal before teleporting your buildings.
 +
 
 +
* While weak in direct combat, the Rescue Ranger can be used for medium to long range harassment and for supporting other Engineers from long range by repairing their buildings.
 +
 
 +
* The Rescue Ranger pairs well with Wrangler Jumping, as you can teleport your Sentry Gun after the jump.
 +
 
 +
* Healing buildings with the Rescue Ranger is slightly more metal-efficient than healing with the normal Wrench. It heals 4 health for every one metal, while the Wrench heals 3 health for one metal.
 +
 
 +
* This weapon can help negate the [[Jag]]'s slightly lower repair rate, and compliment the mobility the Engineer gains with his buildings around the map. Consider equipping the [[Pistol]] if using this combo to help compensate for your other weapons and their lower damage output.
 +
 
 +
* When hauling buildings with the Rescue Ranger, you will be marked for death. Make sure there are no enemies close by before you haul your buildings.
 +
** Be especially wary of weapons that can turn subsequent Mini-Crits into full Crits, such as the Sniper's [[Bushwacka]].
 +
 
 +
* The Pistol is an ideal secondary to pair with this weapon, as the Rescue Ranger itself is poorly suited for direct combat.
 +
 
 +
=== Secondary weapons ===
 
==== [[Pistol]] + reskins ====
 
==== [[Pistol]] + reskins ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
Line 219: Line 363:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Pistol|Stock}}
 
! {{Table icon|Pistol|Stock}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Pistol}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Pistol}}
| rowspan="2" | 12
+
| rowspan="3" | 12
| rowspan="2" | 200
+
| rowspan="3" | 200
| rowspan="2" | 22
+
| rowspan="3" | 22
| rowspan="2" | 10-15
+
| rowspan="3" | 10-15
| rowspan="2" | 8-9
+
| rowspan="3" | 8-9
| rowspan="2" | 45 (Range does not affect damage)
+
| rowspan="3" | 45 (Range does not affect damage)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Lugermorph|Promotional}}
 
! {{Table icon|Lugermorph|Promotional}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Lugermorph}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Lugermorph}}
 +
|-
 +
! {{Table icon|C.A.P.P.E.R|Uncrate}}
 +
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=C.A.P.P.E.R}}
 +
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
The Pistol has four main strengths over the Shotgun, its greater accuracy and damage at longer distances, its large ammunition reserve and faster reload time. These give the Pistol several key functions:
+
* The Pistol has four main strengths over the Shotgun; its greater accuracy and damage at longer distances, its large ammunition reserve, and its faster reload time. These give the Pistol several key functions:
 +
** It can be used to {{botignore|ward}} off Snipers by causing them to flinch.
 +
** Great use with the [[Frontier Justice]], [[Widowmaker]], or [[Rescue Ranger]], when retreating.
 +
** It can be used to pick off fleeing enemies (who are usually doing so due to low health).
 +
** It can be used to whittle away enemy health, especially if supplementing Sentry fire.
 +
 
 +
* It is the most reliable weapon to use in conjunction with the [[Sentry Gun#Combat Mini-Sentry Gun|Gunslinger's Combat Mini-Sentry Guns]], as they also are most effective at a similar range, enabling you to wear opponents down quickly while staying at a reasonably safe distance.
 +
 
 +
* When the Shotgun has run out of ammunition, you can switch to the Pistol in direct combat with an enemy to increase the damage being dealt to the opponent during the fight.
 +
 
 +
* The high ammunition reserve and fast reload speed also allows you to provide covering fire during a firefight and support your teammates' own attacks. The higher accuracy and range than the Shotgun also means you can hang back somewhat while doing this and not expose yourself to too much fire. It is also possible to do this up close; however, it is risky without the Gunslinger and the Shotgun is much better at short range.
  
* It can be used to ward off Snipers by instigating recoil and dealing notable damage.
+
* Remember that the Pistol always fires a perfectly accurate shot before its bullet spread goes into effect. However, every shot after that will be less accurate. This bullet spread resets after at least 1.25 seconds since firing the last shot. As such, it's important to keep in mind that spamming your Pistol can mean you lose a great deal of accuracy. Try to time your shots so that they can land consistently and accurately.
* It can be used to pick off retreating units who are usually doing so due to low health.
 
* It is the most reliable weapon to use in conjunction with the [[Gunslinger]]'s [[Sentry Gun|Combat Mini-Sentry Guns]], as they also are most effective at a similar range, enabling opponents to be worn down quickly while staying at a reasonably safe distance.
 
* When the Shotgun has run out of ammunition, the Pistol or Lugermorph can be switched to when in direct combat with an enemy to ensure that there is more damage per second being dealt to the opponent during the fight.
 
* The high ammunition reserve and fast reload speed also allows you to provide covering fire during a firefight and support your teammates' own attacks. The higher accuracy and range than the Shotgun also means you can hang back somewhat while doing this and not expose yourself to too much fire. It is also possible to do this up close, however it is risky without the Gunslinger and the Shotgun is much better at short range.
 
* Remember the Pistol always fires a perfectly accurate shot before its bullet spread goes into effect. However, every shot after that will be less accurate. This bullet spread resets after at least 1.25 seconds since firing the last shot. As of such, it's important to keep in mind that spamming your Pistol can mean you lose a great deal of accuracy. Try and time your shots so that they can land consistently accurately.
 
* The Engineer's Pistol has the highest ammo count out of any gun in the game, including the Heavy's [[Minigun]]. Keep that in mind, as you can lay out a ton of bullets in a short amount of time.
 
  
==== [[Wrangler]] ====
+
* The Engineer's Pistol has one of the highest ammo counts of any weapon in the game. Keep that in mind, as you can lay out a ton of bullets in a short amount of time.
 +
** Other than [[Weapons|Melee Weapons]], the only weapons with a higher ammo count are the [[Minigun]]s (each shot is 4 bullets, making the ammo count 800), the Level 3 [[Sentry Gun]] (200 bullets, 20 rocket salvos), rechargeable weapons (such as the [[Cow Mangler]]), and most damaging [[Taunts#Special taunts|Special taunts]] (this excludes the [[Scorch Shot]]).
 +
 
 +
* Due to its good range and large ammo reserve, the Pistol is one of the best weapons to deal "chip damage" at targets in which you land a few shots at the enemy, thus wearing them down a bit, and continuing to do so until they either retreat or decide to fight. Both outcomes are in your favor, because if they retreat, they'll be out of battle temporarily. However, if they decide to fight, they'll be weakened to the point where they'll fall to a few Shotgun blasts or to your Sentry Gun (if it's nearby) quickly.
 +
 
 +
* Do not attack Soldiers or Demomen with this weapon, unless you are sure they are critically wounded. Unlike Snipers, they require less precise aiming, and can still destroy your buildings at close enough range.
 +
 
 +
==== [[Wrangler]] + reskins ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
Line 256: Line 415:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Wrangler|Unlock}}
 
! {{Table icon|Wrangler|Unlock}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Wrangler}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Wrangler}}
| N/A
+
| rowspan="3" | N/A
| N/A
+
| rowspan="3" | N/A
| N/A
+
| rowspan="3" | N/A
| N/A
+
| rowspan="3" | N/A
| N/A
+
| rowspan="3" | N/A
| N/A
+
| rowspan="3" | N/A
 +
|-
 +
! {{Table icon|Giger Counter|Uncrate}}
 +
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Giger Counter}}
 +
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== About the Wrangler =====
+
* When the Wrangler is held, you manually control your [[Sentry Gun]], the firing rate of the Sentry Gun is doubled, and it forms a shield around the Sentry Gun while using it, which absorbs 66% of the damage taken by the Sentry Gun. However, the Sentry Gun's repair rate while using the Wrangler is also reduced by 66%. A Sentry Gun being controlled by a Wrangler has infinite range (only being limited by the environment around it).
*The Wrangler is a secondary weapon for the Engineer. It replaces the default [[Pistol]] when equipped.
 
*When the Wrangler is held, your [[Sentry Gun]] aims to where you point. It shoots when you click. If your Sentry Gun is level 3, you can shoot its rockets by right-clicking.
 
*When being used, it forms a shield around the Sentry Gun, which absorbs 2/3rds of the damage taken by the Sentry Gun.  
 
*The firing rate of the Sentry Gun is doubled when fired manually.
 
*A Sentry Gun being controlled by a Wrangler has infinite range.
 
  
===== Usage =====
+
* If you need to defend yourself, use either your primary weapon or melee weapon, as it's generally easier than aiming with the Wrangler.
*You can't use the Wrangler at the same time as your Shotgun. If you need to defend yourself, use either your primary weapon or melee weapon, as it's generally easier than aiming with the Wrangler.
 
*It's easier to stand close to or behind your Sentry Gun when using the Wrangler.
 
**When using the Wrangler, the Sentry Gun can only shoot if both you ''and'' the Sentry Gun can "see" the point you're shooting at. Standing near your Sentry Gun minimizes situations where the Sentry Gun cannot shoot a certain target because you cannot see it.
 
**The protective shield around the Sentry Gun formed when the Wrangler is equipped will also help to shield the player.
 
*Pay attention. The Sentry Gun cannot automatically fire when the Wrangler is in use, so unless you manually shoot them, enemies will get by the Sentry Gun without trouble.
 
*It is advantageous to have a friendly Engineer repair and supply ammo to your Sentry Gun while you are using the Wrangler, since you cannot do these things yourself at the same time.
 
  
===== Wrangler Jumping =====
+
* It's easier to stand close to or behind your Sentry Gun when using the Wrangler.
*Wrangler Jumping is a technique done by standing on your Sentry Gun, aiming it upwards, and firing while jumping. This shoots you up into the air, allowing you to reach high places.
+
** When using the Wrangler, you cannot stand behind cover and fire your Sentry manually. The Sentry Gun can only shoot if both you ''and'' the Sentry Gun have a direct line of sight to the point you're shooting at. Standing near your Sentry Gun minimizes situations where the Sentry Gun cannot shoot a certain target because you cannot see it.
*You will take a good amount of damage, so it's good to have a Dispenser next to the Sentry Gun.
+
 
*Crouch while Wrangler Jumping. It will allow you to achieve better heights.
+
* Pay attention. The Sentry Gun cannot automatically fire when the Wrangler is in use, so unless you manually shoot them, enemies will get by the Sentry Gun without trouble.
*Aim the laser straight up and directly in front of you. Do not move the mouse or you may fall out of the laser's path.
+
 
*Wrangler Jumping will take a good amount of practice, but once mastered it allows you to jump to great heights.
+
* It is advantageous to have a friendly Engineer repair and supply ammo to your Sentry Gun while you are using the Wrangler, since you cannot do these things yourself at the same time.
*Once you've made it to the desired location, build a Teleporter exit. This means you can jump back down, grab some ammo, build a Teleporter entrance on the ground, and get back to said location without having to Wrangler Jump again.
+
** Keep in mind that Wrangled Sentry Guns have a reduced repair rate to both their health and their clip so be aware that doing this will use a lot of metal pretty quickly.
*A skilled Engineer can pick up his sentry immediately after a Wrangler Jump. This takes practice of course, but will allow an Engineer to not waste metal rebuilding another Sentry Gun.
+
 
**Alternatively, you can use the Rescue Ranger's secondary mouse fire to pick up your building from long range, but it costs 130 metal to do so.
+
* Wrangler Jumping is a technique done by standing on your Sentry Gun, aiming the laser straight up and directly in front of you, and firing while jumping. This shoots you up into the air, allowing you to reach high places.
 +
** Wrangler Jumping can also be done by firing a Level 3 Sentry Gun's rocket at your feet while jumping. This follows the same principle as [[Jumping#Soldier jumps|Rocket Jumping]], where crouching during a jump increases the [[knockback]] of the explosion.
 +
** You will take a good amount of [[damage]] from Wrangler Jumping, so it's good to have a Dispenser next to the Sentry Gun.
 +
** Once you've made it to the desired location, build a Teleporter exit. This means you can jump back down, grab some ammo, build a Teleporter entrance on the ground, and get back to said location without having to Wrangler Jump again.
 +
** A skilled Engineer can pick up his Sentry immediately after a Wrangler Jump. This takes practice, of course, but will allow an Engineer to not waste [[metal]] building another Sentry Gun.
 +
*** Alternatively, you can use the [[Rescue Ranger]]'s alt-fire to pick up your building from long range, but it costs 100 metal to do so.
 +
* The Wrangler's fall-off is based on the Engineer's position rather than the Sentry Gun's, don't be afraid to step closer if you need extra damage output.
  
 
==== [[Short Circuit]] ====
 
==== [[Short Circuit]] ====
Line 303: Line 461:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Short Circuit|Promotional/Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Short Circuit|Promotional/Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=short_circuit}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=short_circuit}}
| 1 per 35 Metal
+
| 1 per 5 Metal
 
| N/A
 
| N/A
 
| 5
 
| 5
Line 310: Line 468:
 
|}
 
|}
  
The Short Circuit is a promotional and craftable secondary weapon for the Engineer. At the cost of 35 metal for each shot, the Short Circuit creates a small electrical charge that destroys all projectiles and does minor damage to enemies. Like the Widowmaker, it never requires reloading at the cost of no random Critical hits.
+
* The Short Circuit fires a short range, small electrical charge that damages enemies in your crosshair at the cost of 5 metal for each shot. With alt-fire, it launches an energy ball that deals damage and deletes any projectiles that touch it at the cost of 65 metal. As a downside, the Short Circuit is unable to deal Critical hits and deal significantly less damage to buildings.
* While it only uses a small amount of metal per shot, it is wise to equip a Shotgun other than the Widowmaker unless you're stationed in an Engineer nest, as you may find yourself defenseless very quickly with two weapons eating into the same ammo pool.
+
 
* Note that this weapon's primary use is defensive; should you and your sentry be cornered by a Demoman or Soldier, you can prevent them from using blast damage to destroy your sentry by vaporizing their explosives, thus forcing them to change tactics.
+
* This weapon's primary use is defensive. Should you and your Sentry be cornered by a Demoman or Soldier, you can prevent them from using blast damage to destroy your Sentry by vaporizing their explosives, thus forcing them to change tactics.
* This weapon also has offensive capabilities on Payload maps; should your allies be under attack by several projectile-using enemies, you can provide reasonable protection from harm without risk of running out of Metal due to the Dispenser on the cart.
+
 
* This weapon is extremely weak up front, dealing only 5 damage per shot. It is recommended to use the Shotgun whenever in combat, and using the other weapon for defense, support, or self-defense (such as against a Kritzkrieged Soldier). Only use the Short Circuit to attack as a last-ditch effort, when death seems certain otherwise. You may just find the enemy was low enough on health for you to kill them and make an escape.
+
* Keep in mind that you can only fire 3 energy balls with a full 200 metal. If you have no good source of metal, make sure you are using it to its fullest effect and not wasting valuable metal.
* This weapon is recommended if you are having problems with Demomen: it negates both their primary and secondary weapons, provided you have ammo.
+
** Not even a level 3 Dispenser can keep up with the energy ball’s metal consumption rate. Don’t rely on them to keep a constant stream of energy balls.
* This weapon can be used to defuse traps made by multiple Demomen since it can destroy a nearly unlimited amount of projectiles provided they are at range.
+
 
** It is also possible to destroy stickybombs if you are close around a corner, this can be used to disarm a trap without worries of getting blown up by the Demoman.
+
* This weapon also has offensive capabilities on Payload maps; should your allies be under attack by several projectile-using enemies, you can provide reasonable protection from harm without the risk of running out of Metal due to the Dispenser on the cart.
 +
 
 +
* The alt-fire is very effective when fired into crowded chokepoints that are filled with projectiles. As it travels toward enemies, it will vaporize any projectiles aimed toward your team.
 +
 
 +
* The ball explodes on contact with any surface. This makes it excellent for removing dense stickybomb traps, as it can delete many of them if aimed at the center.
 +
 
 +
* Explosives aren't the only [[projectile]]s you can vaporize. With good timing, you can destroy [[Sandman]] balls, [[Jarate]], [[Mad Milk]], [[Huntsman]] arrows, and many others.
 +
 
 +
* This weapon is extremely weak in combat, dealing only 10 damage per shot, meaning its primary use should be for defense, support, or self-defense. The alt-fire is similarly weak, though can be used to finish off fleeing enemies.
 +
 
 
* The Short Circuit really shines in supporting other Engineers and defending nests, where there's a steadier supply of metal from Dispensers and more buildings to defend at once. You might be better off taking another secondary if you're largely working alone or your buildings are spread-out and projectiles aren't much of a problem.
 
* The Short Circuit really shines in supporting other Engineers and defending nests, where there's a steadier supply of metal from Dispensers and more buildings to defend at once. You might be better off taking another secondary if you're largely working alone or your buildings are spread-out and projectiles aren't much of a problem.
  
===Melee weapons===
+
* The Short Circuit's alt-fire attack will target disguised and invisible Spies, and can hit infinitely many enemies in a single attack, making it very useful for Spy-checking.
 +
 
 +
* Because of how much metal the alt-fire uses, it is unwise to equip the Widowmaker unless you're stationed in an Engineer nest, as you may find yourself defenseless very quickly with two weapons (as well as your repair costs) eating into the same ammo pool.
 +
 
 +
* The Short Circuit is largely situational. If your Sentry Gun and other buildings are not getting harassed by Soldiers or Demomen, it's best to equip the [[Pistol]] or [[Wrangler]].
 +
 
 +
=== Melee weapons ===
 
==== [[Wrench]] + reskins ====
 
==== [[Wrench]] + reskins ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
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! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
! class="header" width="50% colspan=4 | Damage
+
! class="header" width="50%" colspan=4 | Damage
 
|-
 
|-
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
 
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|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Wrench|Stock}}
 
! {{Table icon|Wrench|Stock}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Wrench}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Wrench}}
| rowspan="5" | 0.8 seconds
+
| rowspan="6" | 0.8 seconds
| rowspan="5" | 65
+
| rowspan="6" | 65
| rowspan="5" | 195
+
| rowspan="6" | 195
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Golden Wrench|Promotional}}
 
! {{Table icon|Golden Wrench|Promotional}}
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| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Saxxy}}
 
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Saxxy}}
 
|-
 
|-
! {{Table icon|Festive Wrench|Uncrate}}
+
! {{Table icon|Golden Frying Pan|Reward}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Wrench}}
+
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Golden Frying Pan}}
 +
|-
 +
! {{Table icon|Necro Smasher|Achievement}}
 +
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Necro Smasher}}
 +
|-
 +
! {{Table icon|Prinny Machete|Promotional}}
 +
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Prinny Machete}}
 
|-
 
|-
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Rust Botkiller Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}} {{Icon weapon|weapon=Blood Botkiller Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}} {{Icon weapon|weapon=Silver Botkiller Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}} {{Icon weapon|weapon=Gold Botkiller Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}} {{Icon weapon|weapon=Carbonado Botkiller Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}} {{Icon weapon|weapon=Diamond Botkiller Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}}<br>
 
'''[[Botkiller Wrench]]'''
 
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Wrench}}
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
* When a [[Spy]] is repeatedly sapping your Sentry Gun in an attempt to destroy it, your Wrench serves two purposes. First, you can use it to swing at the opposing Spy, 2-3 hits being enough to kill a Spy, ignoring [[Critical hits]]. After that you can quickly turn around and repair your [[Sentry Gun]]. Two strikes from the Wrench will disable an [[Sapper]] and halt the progressive damage it causes; you can then fully repair the Sentry Gun after the Spy is killed. A good strategy would be to hit the Sentry Gun a single time, and then change targets towards the Spy, kill him and then take off the Sapper with another swing.
+
* When a [[Spy]] is repeatedly sapping your Sentry Gun in an attempt to destroy it, your Wrench serves two purposes. First, you can use it to swing at the opposing Spy, 2-3 hits being enough to kill a Spy, ignoring [[Critical hits]]. After that, you can quickly turn around and repair your [[Sentry Gun]]. Two strikes from the Wrench will disable a [[Sapper]] and halt the progressive damage it causes; you can then fully repair the Sentry Gun after the Spy is killed. A good strategy would be to hit the Sentry Gun a single time, and then change targets towards the Spy, kill him, and then take off the Sapper with another swing.
* While it may be tempting to use the Wrench's high critical hit rate to club enemies to death, melee combat is usually not where the low-health Engineer shines. Use the Shotgun instead at close range in order to quickly finish off the enemy.
+
 
* ''Team Fortress 2'' prioritizes repairing buildings over melee combat when using the Wrench. This means that if there is an enemy, say a Spy, next to a friendly structure and you are using the Wrench to attempt to kill the enemy, you will find that you instead hear the Wrench hitting the building near or even behind the enemy you are trying to strike. Switch to the Shotgun or Pistol to deal with enemies that are very close to one of your buildings to avoid this.
+
* While it may be tempting to use the Wrench's high Critical hit rate to club enemies to death, melee combat is usually not where the low-health Engineer shines. Use the Shotgun instead at close range in order to quickly finish off the enemy.
 +
 
 +
* The game prioritizes repairing buildings over melee combat when using the Wrench. This means that if there is an enemy — say, a Spy next to a friendly structure and you are using the Wrench to attempt to kill them, you will find the Wrench hitting the building near or even behind the enemy you are trying to strike ''instead'' of the enemy. Switch to the Shotgun or Pistol to deal with enemies that are very close to one of your buildings to avoid this.
  
 
==== [[Gunslinger]] ====
 
==== [[Gunslinger]] ====
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! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
! class="header" width="40% colspan=2 | Damage
+
! class="header" width="40%" colspan=2 | Damage
 
|-
 
|-
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
 
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|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" | {{Table icon|Gunslinger|Unlock}}
 
! rowspan="2" | {{Table icon|Gunslinger|Unlock}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Gunslinger}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Gunslinger}}
 
| rowspan="2" | 0.8 seconds
 
| rowspan="2" | 0.8 seconds
 
| 65
 
| 65
 
| rowspan="2" | 195
 
| rowspan="2" | 195
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Gunslinger Triple Punch}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Gunslinger Triple Punch}}
 
| N/A
 
| N/A
 
|}
 
|}
  
==== About the Gunslinger ====
+
* The Gunslinger replaces the normal [[Sentry Gun]] with a [[Mini Sentry#Combat Mini-Sentry Gun|Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]]. The Combat Mini-Sentry Gun is a smaller, quick-building version of the Sentry Gun with a cheaper cost of 100 metal. It also provides an extra 25 health to the Engineer, for a total of 150. As a downside, the Gunslinger is unable to do random Critical hits, but if an enemy is hit three times in a row with the Gunslinger with less than a second between hits, the third hit will be a Critical hit.
* The Gunslinger replaces the normal [[Sentry Gun]] with a [[Mini Sentry#Combat Mini-Sentry Gun|Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]]. The Combat Mini-Sentry Gun is a smaller, quick-building version of the Sentry Gun.  
+
* The Gunslinger puts the Engineer to a more comfortable health pool of 150. This allows the Engineer to survive combat better and allows for some more aggressive playstyles.
* It provides an extra 25 health, for a total of 150. This allows for more a more aggressive fighting style, as opposed to the Engineer's usual defensive fighting style.
+
* With the Gunslinger equipped, it may not even be worth building a [[Dispenser]] near your Mini-Sentry. A Mini-Sentry is, in most cases, not powerful enough to defend a Dispenser on its own. Don't let that stop you from building Dispensers at all, though. Even if you're not setting up camp, leaving a Dispenser in a good fallback location, such as around corners or behind cover, can do wonders for you and your team.
* If an enemy is hit three times in a row with the Gunslinger, the third hit will be a critical hit.
+
* When going on the offensive, such as the BLU team on Payload, the Mini-Sentry allows you to be more mobile. Due to how easily the Mini-Sentry can be replaced, you can destroy it when you need to move your other buildings up in order to support your team, then place down another one in order to support your team in a firefight.
 +
* Although not as high priority as other buildings, healing your Mini-Sentry can prove to be beneficial.
  
==== Usage ====
+
* The Combat Mini-Sentry comes with its own series of benefits and setbacks:
* A Mini-Sentry is good for being deployed quickly and picking enemies off.  
+
** The Mini-Sentry is much less expensive on metal than the standard Sentry Gun, costing only 100 metal instead of 130. With this conservation of metal, you can use the extra metal to upgrade, repair, help another Engineer's buildings, or build other buildings.
* Do not expect the Mini-Sentry to last very long. Its low health means that it is very vulnerable.
+
** A Mini-Sentry is good for being deployed quickly and picking enemies off. However, do not expect the Mini-Sentry to last very long. Its low health means that it is very vulnerable. It's best to replace it as soon as possible once it is destroyed.
* When paired with the [[Wrangler]], the Mini-Sentry can be deadly. The Wrangler gives it more health and a much longer range.
+
** The reduced metal cost allows you to place a maximum of 2 Mini-Sentry Guns on the battlefield before having to collect more metal, and for every kill you get you can build another one with the dropped ammo pack. Take advantage of this, as you will be able to keep the pressure on the enemy for a longer period of time.
* Unless you're only covering a short distance, it's usually not worth [[Buildings#Hauling|hauling]] a Mini-Sentry, as carrying it causes you to walk a lot slower. If you want to change its location, destroy the previous one and place the new one.  
+
** It may not always be worth it to pick up your Mini-Sentry and move it elsewhere. Unless there's no time pressure or it's a very short distance, simply destroying your Mini-Sentry and building a new one is more beneficial.
* If a Mini-Sentry gets destroyed, replace it as soon as possible.  
+
** The Mini-Sentry constructs itself 150% percent faster than the regular Sentry Gun. It also will start with 50 health instead of starting from scratch at 1, which allows it to survive wayward fire much more reliably.
* With the Gunslinger equipped, it may not even be worth building a [[Dispenser]] near it. A Mini-Sentry is, in most cases, not powerful enough to defend a Dispenser on its own. Don't let that stop you from building Dispensers at all, though. Even if you're not setting up camp, leaving a Dispenser at a good fallback location can do wonders for you and your team.
+
** A single punch from the Gunslinger will fully repair a Mini-Sentry (but will not fully replenish ammo). This is more time efficient on offense and overall makes it much easier to be constantly on the move with your other buildings.
* The Mini-Sentry cannot be repaired, but can be given ammo. A good strategy to use with the Gunslinger is to destroy your Mini-Sentry when durability is low, and replacing it with a fresh Sentry Gun. This allows to keep the pressure on the enemy without having to constantly worry about it being destroyed.
+
** The Mini-Sentry has the same range as the standard Level 1 Sentry Gun. This makes it excellent for holding down one small area, such as around a health pack, rather than somewhere like the point, where its lack of range can allow enemy Demomen or Soldiers to easily destroy it.
* A Mini-Sentry costs 100 metal to build, as opposed to a regular Sentry Gun, which costs 130. The reduced metal cost allows you to place a maximum of 2 (3 if you haul one in) Mini-Sentry Guns on the battlefield before having to collect more metal. Take advantage of this, as you will be able to keep the pressure on the enemy for a longer period of time.
+
*** However, due to its smaller size, it can prove beneficial to put the Mini-Sentry on one side near an objective and yourself on the other, forcing the enemy to choose between fighting you or your Mini.
*Pair the Gunslinger with the Widowmaker (provided you're confident in your ability to aim) to act as an effective and easy-to-set-up defense for your team while gaining metal for both the weapon and for future buildings.
+
 
 +
* The Gunslinger pairs very well with certain weapons:
 +
** Pairing with the Frontier Justice will grant you frequent revenge Crits, although in smaller quantities than if a regular Sentry is destroyed. Destroying your Mini-Sentry can allow you to receive your Critical hits on demand when they are needed most.
 +
** Paired with the Widowmaker you can become an effective combat class, with the ability to constantly place Mini-Sentry Guns around and frustrate the enemy team's approach. Be careful of your metal count, however, as it is being used as your primary ammo source. Additionally, you will deal extra damage to enemies targeted by your Mini-Sentry, which will allow it to combo with it very effectively.
 +
** Paired with the Wrangler, the Mini-Sentry can be deadly. The Wrangler gives the Mini-Sentry an effective health of 300, has damage output similarly to that of the Level 2 Sentry Gun and a much longer range, which can make it a force to be reckoned with.
 +
 
 +
* When a lone enemy is being fired on by your Mini-Sentry, attack from another direction with your primary or secondary. This means you are effectively attacking from two directions and your target might have difficulty dealing with both you and your Mini-Sentry. However, this tactic may not work as effectively on explosive classes or high health targets.
 +
 
 +
* When facing off against an enemy, or a group of enemies, that you know you can't win, consider using the Mini-Sentry as a decoy instead. If it's not already deployed, you can quickly deploy one and run away. This will force your enemy to either go for you and be shot at by your Mini, or it will delay them.
 +
** Similarly, when you run into a more powerful enemy or an enemy that has the upper hand, you can put down your Mini-Sentry first and then start shooting them.
 +
 
 +
* While the extra 25 health is an excellent bonus, do not become overconfident. You are still vulnerable when all alone and headshots from Snipers can still instantly kill you if you are not overhealed.
  
 
==== Placement ====
 
==== Placement ====
* Place your Mini-Sentry in an area where enemies pass through frequently. Using a Mini-Sentry as long term defense is not recommended.  
+
* Place your Mini-Sentry in an area where enemies pass through frequently. Using a Mini-Sentry as a long-term defense is not recommended.
* It's a good idea to place your Mini-Sentry near a health pack, since health packs attract low-health enemies- easy kills for a Mini-Sentry.
+
 
* Try putting your Mini-Sentry around a corner, or on top of a high building. If enemies can't figure out where a Mini-Sentry is before it kills them, it'll be less likely for them to destroy it.
+
* It's a good idea to place your Mini-Sentry near a health pack, since health packs attract low-health enemies easy kills for a Mini-Sentry.
 +
 
 +
* Try putting your Mini-Sentry around a corner, or on top of a high building. If enemies can't figure out where a Mini-Sentry is, they will either die before they can spot/destroy it or be left moderately to severely injured.
 +
 
 
* Since the Mini-Sentry has a relatively short range, smaller spaces are preferable to wide-open spaces, where Snipers, Soldiers, or other classes can pick it off without the Mini-Sentry being able to defend itself.
 
* Since the Mini-Sentry has a relatively short range, smaller spaces are preferable to wide-open spaces, where Snipers, Soldiers, or other classes can pick it off without the Mini-Sentry being able to defend itself.
 +
 
* A Mini-Sentry hidden away underwater can temporarily confuse enemies as to how they're being shot.
 
* A Mini-Sentry hidden away underwater can temporarily confuse enemies as to how they're being shot.
*For a rather cruel, ironic twist, hide Mini-Sentry Guns under large ammo boxes. The Mini-Sentry is just small enough that the only part of it not covered is the kickstand, though the particle effect from the light can sometimes be seen.
+
 
* When playing the role of a Battle Engineer, get into the habit of dropping a Mini-Sentry on a whim, without any real rhyme or reason to it's placement. This can grant you vital cover-fire and provides a distraction should the situation go south.
+
* For a rather cruel, ironic twist, hide Mini-Sentry Guns under large ammo boxes. The Mini-Sentry is just small enough that the only part of it not covered is the kickstand, though the particle effect from the light can sometimes be seen.
 +
 
 +
* When playing the role of a Battle Engineer, get into the habit of dropping a Mini-Sentry on a whim, without any real rhyme or reason to its placement. This can grant you vital cover-fire and provides a distraction should the situation go south.
 +
** With the recent change to the Gunslinger, this strategy has diminished in effectiveness quite a lot. However, doing this in defensive situations near objectives is still effective. Cover your frontline teammates with a Mini-Sentry slightly behind them to allow them a small safe zone they can retreat to.
  
 
==== [[Southern Hospitality]] ====
 
==== [[Southern Hospitality]] ====
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! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
! class="header" width="50% colspan=4 | Damage
+
! class="header" width="50%" colspan=4 | Damage
 
|-
 
|-
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
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|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Southern Hospitality|Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Southern Hospitality|Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Southern Hospitality}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Southern Hospitality}}
 
| 0.8 seconds
 
| 0.8 seconds
 
| 65
 
| 65
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|-
 
|-
 
! [[Bleed]]ing
 
! [[Bleed]]ing
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Bleed}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Bleed}}
 
| 40 damage over 5 seconds
 
| 40 damage over 5 seconds
 
| N/A
 
| N/A
Line 423: Line 620:
 
|}
 
|}
  
* The Southern Hospitality is nearly as versatile as the normal Wrench, with only a few situational weaknesses. As such, it is an upgrade to the default Wrench unless the enemy team has more than one actively attacking Pyro. The lack of random crits is compensated for by the Bleed status and the retained ability to wear opponents down further with other weapons.  
+
* The Southern Hospitality is nearly as versatile as the stock Wrench, with only a few situational weaknesses. As such, it is an upgrade to the default Wrench unless the enemy team has more than one actively attacking Pyro. The lack of random Crits is compensated for by the Bleed status and the retained ability to wear opponents down further with other weapons.
* The Southern Hospitality favors a defensive playstyle. Camping Engineers rarely encounter Pyros without having a Sentry Gun in between to win the skirmish whereas when pushing into enemy territory, should the Engineer encounter a Pyro, then the Engineer is at extreme disadvantage due to extra 20% fire vulnerability.
+
 
* The presence of [[bleeding]] on this weapon makes it an excellent anti-Spy tool, allowing you and your teammates to monitor their movements should they try to escape. However, the inability to randomly crit makes killing Spies more difficult in a short span of time. Instead, hit them repeatedly with the Southern Hospitality, thus doing more average Wrench damage and resetting the Bleed timer each hit, or hit them with the Southern Hospitality, then switch to your Shotgun or Frontier Justice to finish them off.
+
* The Southern Hospitality favors a defensive playstyle. Camping Engineers rarely encounter Pyros without having a Sentry Gun in between to win the skirmish, whereas when pushing into enemy territory, should the Engineer encounter a Pyro, then the Engineer is at extreme disadvantage due to extra 20% fire vulnerability. Fortunately, Engineer vs. Pyro exchanges are rather uncommon due to the Engineer's Sentry Gun being able to completely zone out the Pyro, so this downside isn't as serious of a detriment as it may seem.  
 +
 
 +
* The presence of [[bleeding]] on this weapon makes it an excellent anti-Spy tool, allowing you and your teammates to monitor their movements should they try to escape. However, the inability to randomly Crit makes killing Spies more difficult in a short span of time. Instead, hit them repeatedly with the Southern Hospitality, thus doing more average Wrench damage and resetting the Bleed timer each hit, or hit them with the Southern Hospitality, then switch to your Shotgun or Frontier Justice to finish them off.
 +
 
 
* ÜberCharged Pyros are a major threat with the 20% increase to fire vulnerability. If one approaches, the most valuable building should be moved to a safe(r) location to be ready when the ÜberCharge wears off. If the Pyro is too close for you to haul a building to safety, flee, and be prepared to rebuild.
 
* ÜberCharged Pyros are a major threat with the 20% increase to fire vulnerability. If one approaches, the most valuable building should be moved to a safe(r) location to be ready when the ÜberCharge wears off. If the Pyro is too close for you to haul a building to safety, flee, and be prepared to rebuild.
* The Southern Hospitality is very viable within [[Medieval Mode]] as the 40 damage added by Bleeding is a strong buff, and sources of fire damage are reduced significantly.
+
** The Rescue Ranger can help save 2 of your buildings from a safe distance, provided you have a full metal supply.
  
====[[Jag]]====
+
* The Southern Hospitality is very viable within [[Medieval Mode]], as the 40 damage added by Bleeding is a strong buff, and sources of fire damage are reduced significantly.
 +
 
 +
==== [[Jag]] + reskins ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
! class="header" width="50% colspan=4 | Damage
+
! class="header" width="50%" colspan=4 | Damage
 
|-
 
|-
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
+
! class="header" width="20%" | Base Damage
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Critical
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Critical
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Jag|Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Jag|Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Jag}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Jag}}
| 0.8 seconds
+
| 0.68 seconds
 
| 49
 
| 49
 
| 146
 
| 146
 +
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
* Due to a bug in how construction rate is calculated, the Jag only adds a 15.79% faster build rate to under-construction buildings being hit with it. Consider this when determining your loadout.
+
* The Jag gives the Engineer a 30% bonus to construction speed; Wrench-boosting construction of buildings with the Jag will construct buildings at just shy of three times the normal rate, compared to 2.5x with most other wrenches. The Jag also swings 15% faster, further speeding up the process of creating level 3 buildings.
* Try to avoid melee combat due to the damage penalty. If your team is good at Spy checking, however, the loss of damage won't matter much.
+
** This also serves to legitimize construction of regular [[Sentry Gun]]s even in an offensive situation where normally a [[Gunslinger|Mini-Sentry]] would suffice. A level 2 Sentry will not take terribly long to make with ample metal available, and it will have a tremendous area control advantage thanks to superior DPS and durability over the Mini-Sentry. If your buildings aren't being pressured by Spies or other enemies, this could be something to consider.
* Get in the habit of hitting your buildings all the way to completion as soon as you plant them. Where the Jag really shines is in the construction of Dispensers. Taking 84.21% of the time to build a Dispenser speeds up supply of Metal which in turn speeds other upgrades and buildings.
+
 
* The Jag is also useful in situations such as rebuilding a destroyed Teleporter Entrance or Exit while the other half is still up; being able to speedily rebuild the destroyed half means you can teleport back to your other buildings a few seconds faster.  
+
* Try to avoid melee combat due to the damage penalty. If your team is good at Spy checking, however, this won't matter much, and the extra swing speed will make up for some of the lost damage.
* The Jag is a great weapon for "helper" Engineers who are only being Engineer temporarily to help other Engineers upgrade or repair their buildings.
+
 
* The Jag pairs well with the Rescue Ranger by being able to quickly deploy buildings hauled from long range, however it becomes detrimental to equip the Pistol because the Jag is a straight downgrade to the default Wrench in combat and the Ranger is not very good at combat either. You may switch to the Wrangler if you prefer to keep your distance or try and Wrangler jump to unusual locations. This provides great utility with the Ranger by being able to pick up your sentry while jumping then teleport your Dispenser to yourselft.
+
* Get in the habit of hitting your buildings all the way to completion as soon as you plant them.
 +
 
 +
* The Jag is also useful in situations such as rebuilding a destroyed Teleporter Entrance or Exit while the other half is still up; being able to speedily rebuild the destroyed half means you can teleport back to your other buildings a few seconds faster.
 +
 
 +
* The Jag is a great weapon for "helper" Engineers who are only being Engineer temporarily to help other Engineers upgrade or maintain their buildings.
 +
** Although sometimes counterintuitive, you can temporarily equip the Jag to quickly construct higher-leveled buildings at spawn, and switch to another Wrench (besides the Gunslinger) to relish the Jag's bonus, but keep another Wrench as your 'main'. This is best seen in defending [[Dustbowl]]'s 3rd Stage.
 +
 
 +
* The Jag pairs well with the [[Rescue Ranger]] both by being able to quickly deploy buildings hauled from long range and healing any damage suffered to them to make up for the repair rate penalty; however, it becomes detrimental to equip the Pistol because the Jag is a straight downgrade to the default Wrench in combat and the Ranger is not very good at combat either. You may switch to the Wrangler if you prefer to keep your distance or try and Wrangler jump to unusual locations. This provides great utility with the Ranger by being able to pick up your Sentry while jumping, then teleport your Dispenser to yourself.
 +
 
 +
* The Jag's repair rate penalty stacks with the repair reduction of the Wrangler's shield. It may be advisable to use a different Wrench if your Sentry spot necessitates the Wrangler.
 +
 
 +
* The Jag takes 3 hits instead of 2 to destroy an enemy [[Sapper]]. It may be useful to use a different Wrench after you deploy your Buildings.
  
====[[Eureka Effect]]====
+
==== [[Eureka Effect]] ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="17%" rowspan=2 | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="16%" rowspan=2 | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
 
! class="header" width="20%" rowspan=2 | Attack Interval
! class="header" width="50% colspan=3 | Damage
+
! class="header" width="50%" colspan=3 | Damage
 
|-
 
|-
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
 
! class="header" width="20%" | Point Blank
Line 464: Line 678:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! {{Table icon|Eureka Effect|Craft}}
 
! {{Table icon|Eureka Effect|Craft}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Eureka Effect}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Eureka Effect}}
 
| 0.8 seconds
 
| 0.8 seconds
 
| 65
 
| 65
 
| 195
 
| 195
 +
|-
 
|}
 
|}
* The [[Eureka Effect]] functions the same as the default [[Wrench]], but it comes with the secondary ability to teleport back to spawn in exchange for being unable to move buildings.
+
 
 +
* The Eureka Effect gives the Engineer the ability to teleport to the spawn and their [[Teleporter]] with the reload key ([[List of default keys|default key]]: {{key|R}}) and also decreases the cost to build and upgrade the Teleporter by 50%. However, the Eureka Effect gives the user 20% less metal from ammo pickups and Dispensers, and also gives the building 50% penalty to construction speed; Wrench-boosting construction of buildings with the Jag will construct buildings at 1.25x the normal rate, compared to 2.5x with most other wrenches.
 +
 
 +
* The Eureka Effect shines in situations where time and metal are of the essence. A player can drop a level 1 sentry and a teleporter, hit the teleporter with your {{botignore|wrench}} till it's about 75% built, then teleport back and forth and have a nest built up quickly and at low personal risk as the player does need to leave the nest to forage for metal.
 +
 
 +
* With the Eureka Effect equipped Dispensers will still dispense their regular amount of metal, but the Engineer will receive a reduced amount. For example, a Lvl 3 [[Dispenser]] will dispense its usual 60 metal each tick, but the Engineer will only receive 48 metal with the remaining 12 metal lost. This can very quickly add up in high metal usage situations.
 +
 
 +
* The Eureka Effect is ineffective for sustaining a base under consistent enemy attack due to it reducing your metal pickups. Therefore, use the Eureka Effect to set up a base, then switch to the stock [[Wrench]] to defend it more effectively. Remember, buildings are not lost when switching wrenches, in most circumstances.
 +
 
 +
* You and your buildings are more vulnerable when being constructed. Try to build in safe areas and know your limits on how aggressively you can place buildings.
 +
 
 
* Triggering a teleport forces the player to wait 3 seconds while the Engineer performs a brief taunt; since taunting leaves the Engineer completely defenseless, retreating with low health or when the enemy is advancing can result in death if care is not taken.
 
* Triggering a teleport forces the player to wait 3 seconds while the Engineer performs a brief taunt; since taunting leaves the Engineer completely defenseless, retreating with low health or when the enemy is advancing can result in death if care is not taken.
* The Eureka Effect can be extremely useful in game modes lacking source of healing (such as a health pickup, Medi Gun, or a Dispenser). You can engage an enemy, go to safety when you're at low health, teleport back to base, come back with full health (and metal), and repeat.
+
 
* The Eureka Effect can be useful in setting up and upgrading a Sentry nest quickly; having it equipped means an Engineer is able to run back and forth between spawn and their nest very quickly by using the Eureka Effect's taunt and an active teleporter, allowing an instant metal refill with each trip.
+
* The Eureka Effect can be extremely useful in game modes lacking a source of healing (such as a health pickup, Medi Gun, or a Dispenser). You can engage an enemy, go to safety when you're at low health, teleport back to base, come back with full health (and metal), and repeat.
 +
 
 +
* The Eureka Effect can be useful in setting up and upgrading a Sentry nest quickly; having it equipped means an Engineer is able to run back and forth between spawn or a teleport exit and their nest very quickly by using the Eureka Effect's taunt and an active teleporter, allowing an instant metal refill with each trip.
 +
 
 
* The Eureka Effect gives the [[RED|defending team]] an advantage on attack/defense maps; if the penultimate point is being captured, a tactful teleport can allow an Engineer to fall back and prepare for an incoming attack.
 
* The Eureka Effect gives the [[RED|defending team]] an advantage on attack/defense maps; if the penultimate point is being captured, a tactful teleport can allow an Engineer to fall back and prepare for an incoming attack.
* The teleport action also allows a teleporter exit to be placed at the front lines during setup on Payload maps; a quick teleport back to spawn and the teleporter is ready to go quickly.
+
 
* This Wrench is best avoided when on the [[BLU|attacking team]], as teleporting back to spawn requires you to abandon potentially vulnerable buildings, and you can't move buildings up when your team advances.
+
* The teleport action also allows a teleporter exit to be placed at the front lines during setup on Payload maps; a quick teleport back to spawn and the teleporter is ready to go quickly. This allows you and your fellow Engineers to teleport to the frontlines and setup your buildings more quickly.
**Although, you can sneak past enemy lines on maps where the spawns change (Such as Frontier), and set up a teleporter exit near the last point. Then, you can teleport back to spawn, restock, and take the teleporter to the point. Getting some of your teammates to take the teleporter can effectively "sandwich" the enemy, making for an easier fight.
+
 
 +
* The Eureka Effect is great for passive chokepoint holding on the [[BLU|attacking team]], as teleporting back to spawn can guarantee a steady teleport system and get your slower classes back to the front quickly.
 +
 
 +
* You can sneak past enemy lines on maps where the spawns change (such as Frontier), and set up a teleporter exit near the last point. Then, you can teleport back to spawn, restock, and take the teleporter to the point. Getting some of your teammates to take the teleporter can effectively "sandwich" the enemy, making for an easier fight.
 
** On the other hand, if a Spy has destroyed your teleporter entrance or is currently spam-sapping it, the Eureka Effect allows you to surprise any Spies and/or rebuild an entrance.
 
** On the other hand, if a Spy has destroyed your teleporter entrance or is currently spam-sapping it, the Eureka Effect allows you to surprise any Spies and/or rebuild an entrance.
*Crafty Engineers can possibly carefully sneak past enemy lines and plant a teleporter exit in a place where the other side won't suspect it will be, such as the Control Point building in [[Dustbowl]] after it's captured, and then teleport back to the spawn safely where they can upgrade and repair it as needed. This allows for other classes like [[Spy|Spies]] to quickly go to that area without raising much suspicion.
 
  
==[[Buildings]]==
+
* Crafty Engineers can possibly carefully sneak past enemy lines and plant a teleporter exit in a place where the other side won't suspect it will be, such as the Control Point building in [[Dustbowl]] after it's captured, and then teleport back to the spawn safely, where they can upgrade and repair it as needed. This allows for other classes, like [[Spy|Spies]], to quickly go to that area without raising much suspicion.
====[[Sentry Gun]]====
+
 
 +
* The Eureka Effect can be used to attempt accurate telefrags. This requires very good timing.
 +
 
 +
* Because of the Eureka Effect's con that you can only get 80% of metal from metal pick-ups, you are usually conserving more metal than using the other wrenches.
 +
 
 +
* When respawning, use the Eureka Effect's teleport ability to teleport to your teleporter, so that someone else can use the teleporter.
 +
 
 +
== Map specific ==
 +
=== [[Control Point]] (Attack/Defend)===
 +
====[[Steel]]====
 +
* [[Steel]] is an excellent map when it comes to tactical Engineer-based pushes. One well placed [[BLU]] teleporter can win a game quickly and effectively, due to the ability to capture Point E without the requirement to capture Points A-D first. A Sentry Gun in the area around Point E can lock it down and provide effective cover for BLU's [[Soldier]]s and [[Scout]]s as they capture.
 +
*While on Blu, it can often be a handy idea to use the following loadout:
 +
** Primary - [[Shotgun]]
 +
** Secondary - [[Short Circuit]]
 +
** Melee - [[Jag]]
 +
* Because of the large amount of tight areas and general lack of wide open spaces on Steel, the Short Circuit can be a very helpful tool to use over the [[Wrangler]] or [[Pistol]], as Engineers will often find themselves in situations where a Soldier or Demoman may be firing rockets, grenades or stickybombs at their base from around a corner or through a window and the Short Circuit will destroy the projectiles before they can hit the buildings or be detonated.
 +
* The Jag can be a handy item to have when it comes to quickly placing a Sentry Gun to assault enemies where they least expect it.
 +
** An effective example of this would be to build your sentry to Level 3 during setup time, and then haul it up the stairs to the right of the spawn doors. Provided of course that there are no enemy Sentry Guns within direct range of yours, place it on the elevated walkway next to Point A. Although it may be destroyed shortly afterwards, it can provide ample support which will allow your team to capture the point while denying [[Red]] that entire area.
 +
* If you are confident that your team will capture the point without support from you or your buildings, setting up a teleporter exit and base near the proceeding control points can often be a good way to catch your enemy off guard. This will allow for your team to begin capturing the points before the enemy team has a chance to set up defenses of their own.
 +
* When defending, it can often lead to setup positions similar to the ones mentioned in the last point. If you are confident that the enemy team will capture Point A fairly quickly, it may be a good idea to have a complete setup on Point B or even C.
 +
** One of the most surprising sentry placements on Steel will often be the narrow area leading from Point B to Point C. Setting up your nest here while on RED can catch the enemy team off guard and allows for Point C to get a defense set up by your teammates while you prevent BLU from directly entering the area. If they do begin firing projectiles at your buildings, they can be protected by the Short Circuit. This base will often last the entire round if you defend it properly, mainly due to the lack of access points. It is recommended that you haul to another spot though, as the enemy team will usually give up trying to pass through this point and take another route.
 +
* If BLU only needs to capture Point E to win, a very effective way to figure out where to place a sentry is to take note of where the enemy team is pushing from. Once satisfied you have the right entrance, place a sentry not guarding the entrance itself or even the point, but the area that the team needs to pass through to get to this entrance. This will prove a lot more effective than placing it exactly where they typically expect it to be, thus catching them off guard preparing for something that is sooner upon them than they thought.
 +
 
 +
== [[Buildings]] ==
 +
==== [[Sentry Gun]] ====
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
! class="header" | Level
 
! class="header" | Level
Line 488: Line 742:
 
! class="header" | Cost
 
! class="header" | Cost
 
! class="header" | Weaponry
 
! class="header" | Weaponry
! class="header" | Damage  
+
! class="header" | Damage
 
! class="header" | Ammo
 
! class="header" | Ammo
 
|-
 
|-
| height=150 |  
+
| height=150 |
  
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
Line 498: Line 752:
 
! 1
 
! 1
 
|}
 
|}
[[Image:Lvl1sentry.png|100px]]  
+
[[Image:Lvl1sentry.png|100px]]
 
|{{Icon killicon|weapon=sentry1}}
 
|{{Icon killicon|weapon=sentry1}}
 
| 150 (effectively 450 with the [[Wrangler]] shielding)
 
| 150 (effectively 450 with the [[Wrangler]] shielding)
Line 506: Line 760:
 
| 100 rounds
 
| 100 rounds
 
|-
 
|-
| height=150 |  
+
| height=150 |
  
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
Line 518: Line 772:
 
| 330 [[Metal]]
 
| 330 [[Metal]]
 
| Dual Rotational Minigun Barrels
 
| Dual Rotational Minigun Barrels
| '''Damage:''' 16 <br>'''Shots per second:''' 8 (16 with [[Wrangler]]) <br> '''Average DPS:''' 128 (256 with [[Wrangler]])<br>  
+
| '''Damage:''' 16<br>
 +
'''Shots per second:''' 8 (16 with [[Wrangler]])<br>
 +
'''Average DPS:''' 128 (256 with [[Wrangler]])<br>
 
| 120 rounds
 
| 120 rounds
 
|-
 
|-
| height=150 |  
+
| height=150 |
  
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
Line 536: Line 792:
  
 
Target Guided Rocket Launch Support System
 
Target Guided Rocket Launch Support System
|  
+
|
'''Damage:''' 16 <br>'''Shots per second:''' 8 (16 with [[Wrangler]]) <br> '''Average DPS:''' 128 (256 with [[Wrangler]])<br>
+
'''Damage:''' 16<br>
*Rockets fire every 3 seconds (slightly faster with the [[Wrangler]]) dealing 53 to 150 damage on direct hit (falloff is calculated from the distance of the Engineer to the target, not from the Sentry to the target). The rockets can be deflected with the [[Pyro]]'s [[compression blast]].
+
'''Shots per second:''' 8 (16 with [[Wrangler]])<br>
|  
+
'''Average DPS:''' 128 (256 with [[Wrangler]])<br>
 +
* Rockets fire every 3 seconds (slightly faster with the [[Wrangler]]), dealing 53 to 150 damage on direct hit (falloff is calculated from the distance of the Engineer to the target, not from the Sentry to the target). The rockets can be deflected with the [[Pyro]]'s [[compression blast]].
 +
|
 
144 rounds<br>
 
144 rounds<br>
 
20 rocket salvos
 
20 rocket salvos
 
|}
 
|}
====[[Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]]====
+
==== [[Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]] ====
  
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
Line 551: Line 809:
 
! class="header" | Cost
 
! class="header" | Cost
 
! class="header" | Weaponry
 
! class="header" | Weaponry
! class="header" | Damage  
+
! class="header" | Damage
 
! class="header" | Ammo
 
! class="header" | Ammo
 
|-
 
|-
| height=150 |  
+
| height=150 |
  
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
Line 566: Line 824:
 
| 100 Metal
 
| 100 Metal
 
| Semi-Automatic Firing Barrel
 
| Semi-Automatic Firing Barrel
| '''Damage:''' 8 <br>'''Shots per second:''' 6 (12 with [[Wrangler]]) <br>'''Average DPS:''' 48 (96 with [[Wrangler]])
+
| '''Damage:''' 8<br>
 +
'''Shots per second:''' 6 (12 with [[Wrangler]])<br>
 +
'''Average DPS:''' 48 (96 with [[Wrangler]])
 
| 100 rounds
 
| 100 rounds
 
|}
 
|}
  
* The difference between excellent Sentry Gun placement and average Sentry Gun placement can sometimes be very little; a matter of inches, or an angle that is off by a few degrees can determine whether a Sentry Gun can effectively cover a certain approach, whether it will give away its location to enemies too easily, whether it will take too long to rotate into firing positions, and so on. This does not mean that you should take a long time to adjust their Sentry Gun blueprint before placing it – doing so is a hallmark of inexperienced Engineer play. However, observe how certain placements perform and if the Sentry Gun demonstrates any weaknesses in that position, try to place the Sentry Gun so it will be more effective in the future.
+
* The difference between excellent Sentry Gun placement and average Sentry Gun placement can sometimes be very little; a matter of inches, or an angle that is off by a few degrees, can determine whether a Sentry Gun can effectively cover a certain approach, whether it will give away its location to enemies too easily, whether it will take too long to rotate into firing positions, and so on. This does not mean that you should take a long time to adjust the Sentry Gun blueprint before placing it – doing so is a hallmark of inexperienced Engineer play. However, observe how certain placements perform, and if the Sentry Gun demonstrates any weaknesses in that position, try to place the Sentry Gun so it will be more effective in the future.
** A good rule of thumb for Sentry Gun placement is a location that maximizes the Sentry Gun's range while minimizing its corner weakness. In other words, any location where approaching enemies will likely receive fire from the Sentry Gun at close to its maximum range but will be unable to fire back from outside that range. This is because Sentry Guns do not suffer from [[damage|damage falloff]] at range. While this does not always limit the damage your Sentry Gun will take in return (damage falloff due to range does not apply to damage done against buildings), it does reduce the damage ''you'' will take while you maintain the Sentry Gun, and it also reduces damage from short-range and/or high spread weapons such as the Scattergun, Flamethrower, and Minigun. Making good use of the Sentry Gun's range also gives the Sentry Gun a bigger field of fire and it gives you more warning of approaching enemies (and incoming projectiles), while denying the largest area to your enemies, one of the Engineer's primary roles.  
+
** A good rule of thumb for Sentry Gun placement is a location that maximizes the Sentry Gun's range while minimizing its corner weakness. In other words, any location where approaching enemies will likely receive fire from the Sentry Gun at close to its maximum range but will be unable to fire back from outside that range. This is because Sentry Guns do not suffer from [[damage|damage falloff]] at range. While this does not always limit the damage your Sentry Gun will take in return (damage falloff due to range does not apply to damage done against buildings), it does reduce the damage ''you'' will take while you maintain the Sentry Gun, and it also reduces damage from short-range and/or high spread weapons such as the Scattergun, Flame Thrower, and Minigun. Making good use of the Sentry Gun's range also gives the Sentry Gun a bigger field of fire and it gives you more warning of approaching enemies (and incoming projectiles), while denying the largest area to your enemies, one of the Engineer's primary roles.
* Sentry Guns are usually best built on high ground. However, you should avoid choosing an elevated spot that allows your Sentry Gun to be seen by enemies from beyond its ability to fire back. The best Sentry Gun placements allow a Sentry Gun to shoot at enemies at the same time or even a little before enemies are able to see and shoot back at the Sentry Gun and high ground can help achieve this as the diagram below-right demonstrates.
+
* Sentry Guns are usually best built on high ground. However, you should avoid choosing an elevated spot that allows your Sentry Gun to be seen by enemies from beyond its ability to fire back. The best Sentry Gun placements allow a Sentry Gun to shoot at enemies at the same time or even a little before enemies are able to see and shoot back at the Sentry Gun, and high ground can help achieve this, as the diagram below-right demonstrates.
** High ground is also great because it makes the Sentry Gun harder to hit with splash damage. As long as it is not built with its back to a wall, most projectiles will arc either too high or too low to hit hard, and the precision aiming required forces enemies to take the Sentry Gun's full weight of fire to try to take their shot. Conversely low ground creates the opposite effect, effectively "funneling" even stray projectiles such as Grenades right into the Sentry Gun. Avoid low ground positions such as pits and valleys.
+
** High ground is also great because it makes the Sentry Gun harder to hit with splash damage. As long as it is not built with its back to a wall, most projectiles will arc either too high or too low to hit hard, and the precision aiming required forces enemies to take the Sentry Gun's full weight of fire to try to take their shot. Conversely, low ground creates the opposite effect, effectively "funneling" even stray projectiles such as Grenades right into the Sentry Gun. Avoid low ground positions such as pits and valleys.
**High ground is also very useful by making it more difficult for Spies to get into sapping range. High ground placements reduce the number of routes Spies can use to get close, making it easier for you and your team to discover and remove potential Spy threats before they get a chance to disable your Sentry Gun.
+
** High ground is also very useful by making it more difficult for Spies to get into sapping range. High ground placements reduce the number of routes Spies can use to get close, making it easier for you and your team to discover and remove potential Spy threats before they get a chance to disable your Sentry Gun.
* Build in areas that are open, but not too open, and give you some room to work. This allows you to dodge and gives yourself good angles for using the Wrangler while keeping a safe distance from your Sentry Gun if it is under fire. If possible, have a wall or other cover near to the Sentry Gun that you can use as cover while you repair, but try not to have an obscured view of what is attacking your Sentry Gun.  
+
* Build in areas that are open, but not too open, and give you some room to work. This allows you to dodge and gives yourself good angles for using the Wrangler while keeping a safe distance from your Sentry Gun if it is under fire. If possible, have a wall or other cover near to the Sentry Gun that you can use as cover while you repair, but try not to have an obscured view of what is attacking your Sentry Gun.
* Avoid "gimmicky" Sentry positions such as looking down holes in ceilings, in the middle of narrow hallways, or around sharp corners. Sentry Guns can certainly get kills in such positions, but while these positions can surprise the enemy temporarily, they aren't terribly effective since they won't seriously interfere with your opponents' movement. High level Sentry Guns take a lot of time and resources to make, so building them in areas where they will be useful only rarely is a waste.  
+
* Avoid "gimmicky" Sentry positions such as looking down holes in ceilings, in the middle of narrow hallways, or around sharp corners. Sentry Guns can certainly get kills in such positions, but while these positions can surprise the enemy temporarily, they aren't terribly effective since they won't seriously interfere with your opponents' movement. High level Sentry Guns take a lot of time and resources to make, so building them in areas where they will be useful only rarely is a waste.
 
* Great Sentry positions will allow the Sentry Gun to put suppressing fire on a number of key areas and also allow it to act as a first line of defense for your team. A Sentry being repaired or Wrangled (or both) is excellent at absorbing damage that would otherwise be directed at your fellow teammates.
 
* Great Sentry positions will allow the Sentry Gun to put suppressing fire on a number of key areas and also allow it to act as a first line of defense for your team. A Sentry being repaired or Wrangled (or both) is excellent at absorbing damage that would otherwise be directed at your fellow teammates.
** Sentry Guns should not therefore be viewed as a "last line of defense". Building with this mentality is flawed, because while an Engineer and his Sentry can fend off most lone opponents fairly effectively, as little as two enemies can overwhelm an unsupported Engineer position, even if the base is well constructed and the Engineer is skilled.
+
** Sentry Guns should not therefore be viewed as a "last line of defense". Building with this mentality is flawed, because while an Engineer and his Sentry can fend off most lone opponents fairly effectively, as little as two enemies can overwhelm an unsupported Engineer position, even if the base is well constructed and the Engineer is skilled.
 
* Don't build yourself into a corner if you want to be hanging around your Sentry Gun repairing; you deny yourself a line of retreat and ensure that you get damaged as much as your Sentry Gun. Sentry Guns right around corners can catch enemies off guard, but if you build such an "ambush" Sentry Gun, don't sit right on it. Leave it on its own and maybe support it offensively with your own weapons, and then move it or rebuild it once it becomes ineffective.
 
* Don't build yourself into a corner if you want to be hanging around your Sentry Gun repairing; you deny yourself a line of retreat and ensure that you get damaged as much as your Sentry Gun. Sentry Guns right around corners can catch enemies off guard, but if you build such an "ambush" Sentry Gun, don't sit right on it. Leave it on its own and maybe support it offensively with your own weapons, and then move it or rebuild it once it becomes ineffective.
 
* In addition to building on high ground and in a moderately open area, you should build the Sentry Gun such that it covers narrow areas in the map called "[[Chokepoint]]s". This maximizes the area your team has to work with and minimizes the maneuvering room for attackers. This forces the enemy team to bunch up in narrow hallways and doorways, making them easy prey for your Sentry Gun's rockets or the splash damage from your team. Sentry Guns are at their best when they force enemies to fight from a disadvantageous position.
 
* In addition to building on high ground and in a moderately open area, you should build the Sentry Gun such that it covers narrow areas in the map called "[[Chokepoint]]s". This maximizes the area your team has to work with and minimizes the maneuvering room for attackers. This forces the enemy team to bunch up in narrow hallways and doorways, making them easy prey for your Sentry Gun's rockets or the splash damage from your team. Sentry Guns are at their best when they force enemies to fight from a disadvantageous position.
Line 585: Line 845:
 
* After building a Sentry Gun, stand behind it and build a Dispenser behind your position; if a few enemies or an ÜberCharged enemy comes, you can crouch behind the Sentry for protection and continually repair the damage done to it while having your Metal replenished by the Dispenser behind you. This strategy works well wherever enemies are forced through a bottleneck while approaching the Gun or have no line of sight to the Dispenser, but does not work well in open areas where the Dispenser can be targeted from the side or from above.
 
* After building a Sentry Gun, stand behind it and build a Dispenser behind your position; if a few enemies or an ÜberCharged enemy comes, you can crouch behind the Sentry for protection and continually repair the damage done to it while having your Metal replenished by the Dispenser behind you. This strategy works well wherever enemies are forced through a bottleneck while approaching the Gun or have no line of sight to the Dispenser, but does not work well in open areas where the Dispenser can be targeted from the side or from above.
  
[[File:Sentry Diagrams.png|300px|thumb|left|'''Figure 1'''. [[Dustbowl]], [[Dustbowl#Stage 2, Point B|Stage 2, Point B]] example of excellent Sentry placement. Both Sentries A and B are on high ground in open areas covering chokepoints, with double coverage of two major chokes. Both Sentries are nearby and face each other making it easy for each Engineer to watch the other.]]
+
[[File:Sentry Diagrams.png|300px|thumb|left|'''Figure 1'''. [[Dustbowl]], [[Dustbowl#Stage 2, Point B|Stage 2, Point B]] example of excellent Sentry placement. Both Sentries A and B are on high ground in open areas covering chokepoints, with double coverage of two major chokes. Both Sentries are nearby and face each other, making it easy for each Engineer to watch the other.]]
  
[[File:Sentry High Ground.png|555px|thumb|right|'''Figure 2'''. Illustrates the advantages of elevated placement. Sentry is in the open covering a chokepoint, is able to lock on and begin firing an instant before approaching enemies preventing abuse of cover and maximizing Sentry damage. Attacking Demomen in particular will have poor attack angles.]]
+
[[File:Sentry High Ground.png|555px|thumb|right|'''Figure 2'''. Illustrates the advantages of elevated placement. Sentry is in the open covering a chokepoint, is able to lock on and begin firing an instant before approaching enemies, preventing abuse of cover and maximizing Sentry damage. Attacking Demomen in particular will have poor attack angles.]]
  
 
<br style="clear: both" />
 
<br style="clear: both" />
Line 602: Line 862:
 
! class="header" | [[Metal]]
 
! class="header" | [[Metal]]
 
|-
 
|-
|  
+
|
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
! class="header" |
 
! class="header" |
Line 610: Line 870:
  
 
[[Image:Lvl1dispenser.png|75px]]
 
[[Image:Lvl1dispenser.png|75px]]
|| 150 || 100 [[Metal]] || 10/sec || 20%/sec || 40/5 sec
+
|| 150 || 100 [[Metal]] || 10/sec || 20%/sec || 40/5 sec
 
|-
 
|-
|  
+
|
  
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
Line 621: Line 881:
 
[[Image:Lvl2dispenser.png|75px]]
 
[[Image:Lvl2dispenser.png|75px]]
  
|| 180 || 300 [[Metal]] || 15/sec || 30%/sec || 50/5 sec
+
|| 180 || 300 [[Metal]] || 15/sec || 30%/sec || 50/5 sec
 
|-
 
|-
|  
+
|
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
{| class="wikitable grid"
 
! class="header" |
 
! class="header" |
Line 631: Line 891:
 
[[Image:Lvl3dispenser.png|75px]]
 
[[Image:Lvl3dispenser.png|75px]]
  
|| 216 || 500 [[Metal]] || 20/sec || 40%/sec || 60/5 sec
+
|| 216 || 500 [[Metal]] || 20/sec || 40%/sec || 60/5 sec
 
|}
 
|}
  
* Build your Dispenser in a convenient location for your teammates to reach.  
+
* Build your Dispenser in a convenient location for your teammates to reach.
* Do not place your Dispenser in areas with lots of enemies nearby. Dispensers are fragile and without anything to guard them they will be destroyed quickly. Try to locate the Dispenser behind an obstacle, such as a crate or a low wall, which will shield it from a fair amount of incoming damage.  
+
* Do not place your Dispenser in areas with lots of enemies nearby. Dispensers are fragile, and without anything to guard them, they will be destroyed quickly. Try to locate the Dispenser behind an obstacle, such as a crate or a low wall, which will shield it from a fair amount of incoming damage.
* It's a good idea to place your Dispenser next to your Sentry Gun, and stand in a position where you can reach both with your Wrench at the same time. This allows you to receive ammo and upgrade/repair your Sentry Gun instantly, instead of having to carry the ammo across long distances.
+
* It's a bad idea to place your Dispenser next to your Sentry Gun, and stand in a position where you can reach both with your Wrench at the same time. The Dispenser doesn't help your team.
 
* Make sure your Dispenser isn't blocking your Sentry Gun. Enemies can take advantage of blind spots behind Dispensers to destroy your buildings.
 
* Make sure your Dispenser isn't blocking your Sentry Gun. Enemies can take advantage of blind spots behind Dispensers to destroy your buildings.
 
* A savvy Engineer can use his Dispenser to 'Dispenser jump.' An Engineer can jump on top of his Dispenser and then reach an otherwise unreachable ledge.
 
* A savvy Engineer can use his Dispenser to 'Dispenser jump.' An Engineer can jump on top of his Dispenser and then reach an otherwise unreachable ledge.
 +
* A good placement for a Dispenser is behind cover, but still near the frontline enough that it can heal teammates. This helps your teammates stay in the fight longer.
 +
* Dispensers stack, so sometimes putting two Dispensers near each other is a good idea. Teammates can receive two times the healing.
  
===[[Teleporter]]===
+
=== [[Teleporter]] ===
 
[[File:Telespin.png|80px|left|Teleporter]]
 
[[File:Telespin.png|80px|left|Teleporter]]
{| class="wikitable grid" style="text-align:center;margin-bottom: 10px"  
+
{| class="wikitable grid" style="text-align:center;margin-bottom: 10px"
 
! class="header" | Level
 
! class="header" | Level
 
! class="header" | Health
 
! class="header" | Health
Line 649: Line 911:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Level 1
 
| Level 1
|| 150 || 125 [[Metal]] || 10 seconds
+
|| 150 || 50 [[Metal]] || 10 seconds
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Level 2
 
| Level 2
|| 180 || 325 [[Metal]] || 5 seconds
+
|| 180 || 250 [[Metal]] || 5 seconds
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Level 3
 
| Level 3
|| 216 || 525 [[Metal]] || 3 seconds
+
|| 216 || 450 [[Metal]] || 3 seconds
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
* Place your Teleporter Entrance close to your team's respawn point in plain sight.
 
* Place your Teleporter Entrance close to your team's respawn point in plain sight.
* Place your Teleporter Exit either -  
+
* Place your Teleporter Exit either -
 
** Somewhere hidden within enemy territory, such as behind a crate or on the rooftop of a shed.
 
** Somewhere hidden within enemy territory, such as behind a crate or on the rooftop of a shed.
 
** Near your other buildings.
 
** Near your other buildings.
Line 665: Line 927:
 
* Make sure which direction to head is obvious to your teammates. When the Teleporter is being carried, pressing Alt-Fire rotates it 90 degrees. Use this to face your Teleporter away from walls, corners, etc.
 
* Make sure which direction to head is obvious to your teammates. When the Teleporter is being carried, pressing Alt-Fire rotates it 90 degrees. Use this to face your Teleporter away from walls, corners, etc.
 
* During setup time, or at the start of a round, it's a good idea to build a Teleporter entrance. This is a good preparation strategy. It gives you the ability to deploy an exit on demand, and respond to changes in the front line by relocating the exit.
 
* During setup time, or at the start of a round, it's a good idea to build a Teleporter entrance. This is a good preparation strategy. It gives you the ability to deploy an exit on demand, and respond to changes in the front line by relocating the exit.
* When defending a highly-trafficked chokepoint, you may want to place a Teleporter entrance or exit somewhere where attacking enemies will see it as they are entering your area of the map. They will often destroy it, giving you a heads-up about their presence. Beware that some players will be suspicious of the Teleporter's real function as an early warning system and will purposely leave it alone so as to retain the element of surprise.  
+
* When defending a highly-trafficked chokepoint, you may want to place a Teleporter entrance or exit somewhere where attacking enemies will see it as they are entering your area of the map. They will often destroy it, giving you a heads-up about their presence. Beware that some players will be suspicious of the Teleporter's real function as an early warning system and will purposely leave it alone so as to retain the element of surprise.
 +
** However, do this '''only''' when it's '''''absolutely''''' unnecessary for the Teleporters to be used the way they're meant to, for example, on last point on defense, your spawn is usually close to the last point.
 
* Avoid building Teleporters during [[Arena mode]]. The quick nature of Arena maps and the scarcity of ammo during such games means that you're better off using your metal to build [[Dispenser]]s or [[Sentry Gun]]s.
 
* Avoid building Teleporters during [[Arena mode]]. The quick nature of Arena maps and the scarcity of ammo during such games means that you're better off using your metal to build [[Dispenser]]s or [[Sentry Gun]]s.
 +
* You can use the Eureka Effect to save metal on creating and upgrading Teleporters, then switch to another Wrench to get the rest of the sentry base built up.
  
==[[Taunts#Taunt Attacks|Taunt Attacks]]==
+
== [[Taunts#Taunt Attacks|Taunt Attacks]] ==
=== [[Dischord]] ===
+
=== [[Guitar Smash]] ===
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
! class="header" width="17%" |  
+
! class="header" width="17%" |
 
! class="header" width="16%" | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="16%" | Kill Icon
 +
! class="header" width="10%" | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Damage
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Damage
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Duration
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Duration
 
! class="header" width="37%" | Details
 
! class="header" width="37%" | Details
 
|- style="height: 110px;"
 
|- style="height: 110px;"
| {{Table icon|Dischord}}
+
| {{Table icon|Guitar Smash}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Dischord}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Guitar Smash}}
 +
| [[Frontier Justice]]
 
| 500
 
| 500
 
| 4 seconds
 
| 4 seconds
| The Engineer takes out his loyal guitar, plays a chord and then hits it into the head of any enemy that's in the way, giving such a horrible scene.
+
| The Engineer takes out his loyal guitar, plays a chord, and then hits it into the head of any enemy that's in the way.
 
|}
 
|}
  
* Dischord can be used on immobilized, unaware, or distracted enemies. However, the chord may give you away.
+
* Guitar Smash can be used on immobilized, unaware, or distracted enemies. However, the chord may give you away.
* Dischord can be useful during [[Match outcomes#Humiliation|Humiliation]] or [[Match outcomes#Stalemate|Stalemate]].
+
* Guitar Smash be useful during [[Match outcomes#Humiliation|Humiliation]] or [[Match outcomes#Stalemate|Stalemate]].
  
=== [[Organ Grinder]] ===
+
=== [[Arm Blender]] ===
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable grid" width="100%" style="text-align: center;"
! class="header" width="17%" |  
+
! class="header" width="17%" |
 
! class="header" width="16%" | Kill Icon
 
! class="header" width="16%" | Kill Icon
 +
! class="header" width="10%" | Weapon
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Damage
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Damage
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Duration
 
! class="header" width="10%" | Duration
 
! class="header" width="37%" | Details
 
! class="header" width="37%" | Details
 
|- style="height: 110px;"
 
|- style="height: 110px;"
| {{Table icon|Organ Grinder}}
+
| {{Table icon|Arm Blender}}
| align="center" | {{Icon killicon|weapon=Organ Grinder}}
+
| {{Icon killicon|weapon=Arm Blender}}
 +
| [[Gunslinger]]
 
| 500
 
| 500
 
| 4 seconds
 
| 4 seconds
Line 702: Line 970:
 
|}
 
|}
  
* With correct timing you might be able to kill a distracted enemy, so keep in mind that it takes some time for the Engineer to spin his hand up.  
+
* With correct timing, you might be able to kill a distracted enemy, so keep in mind that it takes some time for the Engineer to spin his hand up.
* You can use the stunning effect of Organ Grinder to stun ÜberCharged enemies and waste their über time.  
+
* You can use the stunning effect of Arm Blender to stun ÜberCharged enemies and waste their Über time.
* Organ Grinder is also effective during humiliation.
+
* Arm Blender is also effective during humiliation.
  
==Weapon combinations==
+
== Weapon combinations ==
{| class="wikitable grid collapsible collapsed" width="75%"
+
{| class="wikitable grid collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan=4 class="header" | Weapon Combinations
+
! colspan=4 class="header" | Example Combinations
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan=3 class="header" | Combo
 
! colspan=3 class="header" | Combo
Line 715: Line 983:
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Shotgun|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Shotgun|icon-size=40x40px}}
'''[[Shotgun]]'''
+
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Panic Attack|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Short Circuit|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
'''[[Shotgun]]''' or '''[[Panic Attack]]'''
'''[[Short Circuit]]'''
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=40x40px}}
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Southern Hospitality|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Short Circuit|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
'''[[Southern Hospitality]]'''
+
'''[[Pistol]]''' or '''[[Short Circuit]]'''
 +
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}}
 +
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Southern Hospitality|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 +
'''[[Wrench]]''' or '''[[Southern Hospitality]]'''
 
|
 
|
  
For a purely defensive Engineer. This combination allows the Engineer to hold positions against attack, albeit with high cost in Metal and upgrade time. The Short Circuit provides defense against explosives (the greatest bane of a Sentry Gun), although it increases the Engineer's reliance on having a functioning, upgraded, and well-placed Dispenser. The weak damage of the Short Circuit can leave you open to other attacks, such as Spies and flank attacks. Nonetheless, as the sentry is free to fire on its own and won't be disabled by the Wrangler, this combination allows the defensive Engineer to be a bit more independent. This weapon set will allow you to preserve your Sentry Gun as long as possible and use the Shotgun to weaken foes or kill any Spies in range. The Southern Hospitality provides excellent defense against Spies and prevents them from escaping via invisibility, however your weakness to fire can make any sort of offensive pushing much more risky.
+
For a purely defensive Engineer. This combination allows the Engineer to hold positions against attack, albeit with high cost in Metal and upgrade time. The Short Circuit and Pistol provides defense against rockets and explosives (the greatest bane of a Sentry Gun), although it increases the Engineer's reliance on having a functioning, upgraded, and well-placed Dispenser. The weak damage of the Short Circuit can leave you open to other attacks, such as Spies and flank attacks. The Pistol by comparison is a great weapon for attacking enemies from long range, along with the increase of ammo for defending the buildings. Nonetheless, as the sentry is free to fire on its own and won't be disabled by the Wrangler, this combination allows the defensive Engineer to be a bit more independent.
 +
 
 +
This weapon set will allow you to preserve your Sentry Gun as long as possible and use the Shotgun to weaken foes or kill any Spies in range, or use the Panic Attack as a means to quickly confront a lone threat to any of your buildings and use it in conjunction with Sentry Gun fire to deal additional damage in a short burst, which can come in a handy if an enemy has a Medic providing Overheal. The Southern Hospitality provides excellent defense against Spies and prevents them from escaping via invisibility, however your weakness to fire can make any sort of offensive pushing much more risky; if there is a great number of Pyros on the other team, and constantly ambushing your buildings, try using the Wrench over the Southern Hospitality.
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=40x40px}}
'''[[Frontier Justice]]'''
+
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Widowmaker|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
'''[[Frontier Justice]]''' or '''[[Widowmaker]]'''
 +
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon| weapon=Jag|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon| weapon=Jag|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Jag]]'''
 
'''[[Jag]]'''
 
|
 
|
For an advanced supportive Engineer. This set allows you to deploy your buildings quickly with the 30% faster construction rate granted by the Jag. This may give you more time to walk around and help maintain the buildings of other Engineers. The Revenge crits will become useful if your sentry happens to be destroyed. The Pistol provides an alternative firearm and is great for conserving your Revenge Crits. You can freely use the Wrangler instead for long-range offense with your sentry to keep your opponents at bay, though this will distract you from your and other Engineers' buildings.  
+
For an advanced supportive Engineer. This set allows you to deploy your buildings quickly with the 30% faster construction rate granted by the Jag. This may give you more time to walk around and help maintain the buildings of other Engineers. The Revenge Crits will become useful if your sentry happens to be destroyed. The Widowmaker is a great weapon if you don't need time to reload and drop the enemies health. The Pistol provides an alternative firearm and is great for conserving your Revenge Crits or not use metal if you used the Widowmaker. You can freely use the Wrangler instead for long-range offense with your sentry to keep your opponents at bay, though this will distract you from your and other Engineers' buildings.
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Shotgun|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Shotgun|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Shotgun]]'''
 
'''[[Shotgun]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Wrangler]]'''
 
'''[[Wrangler]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon| weapon=Jag|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon| weapon=Jag|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Jag]]'''
 
'''[[Jag]]'''
 
|
 
|
Line 748: Line 1,022:
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=40x40px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=40x40px}}
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Widowmaker|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
+
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Widowmaker|icon-size=40x40px}}
'''[[Frontier Justice]]''' or '''[[Widowmaker]]'''
+
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Panic Attack|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
'''[[Frontier Justice]]''' or '''[[Widowmaker]]''' or '''[[Panic Attack]]'''
 +
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
'''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
|
 
|
  
This set is for an assault-oriented Engineer who doesn't want to camp in the enemy base for the whole battle and get out and fight. The Gunslinger paired up with the Frontier Justice gives you many stored crits because the combat mini-sentry is very weak and will get destroyed often. Alternatively, the Widowmaker can be used at close range to replenish your metal quickly. The Pistol also gives you the upper hand when fighting from a distance, and you can also use it to finish off enemies weakened by a revenge crit. The extra 25 health from the Gunslinger gives you extra fighting time and the ability to take more damage. You can also place your mini-sentry to give you some more firepower in a battle.
+
This set is for an assault-oriented Engineer who doesn't want to camp in the enemy base for the whole battle and get out and fight. The Gunslinger paired up with the Frontier Justice gives you many stored Crits because the combat mini-sentry is very weak and will get destroyed often. Alternatively, the Widowmaker can be used at close range to replenish your metal quickly. In addition, the Panic Attack's increased damage at closer ranges, in addition to the fixed spread giving greater consistency can be deadly at closer ranges, allowing for over 100+ damage in one shot.  The Pistol also gives you the upper hand when fighting from a distance, and you can also use it to finish off enemies weakened by a revenge Crit. The extra 25 health from the Gunslinger gives you extra fighting time and the ability to take more damage. You can also place your mini-sentry to give you some more firepower in a battle.
  
But this set is sometimes risky when going against classes that have a larger amount of firepower than you do, such as soldiers. An Engineer using these weapons can be used for support, as he can be effective when he sticks by his teammates and helps them out with his revenge crits and mini-sentry. You still pack a punch in most battles, think before you whip out your mini-sentry, as sometimes enemies will have much more firepower than you do. If so, plant you mini-sentry and retreat before they can catch you.
+
But this set is sometimes risky when going against classes that have a larger amount of firepower than you do, such as soldiers. An Engineer using these weapons can be used for support, as he can be effective when he sticks by his teammates and helps them out with his revenge Crits and mini-sentry. You still pack a punch in most battles, think before you whip out your mini-sentry, as sometimes enemies will have much more firepower than you do. If so, plant you mini-sentry and retreat before they can catch you.
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Frontier Justice]]'''
 
'''[[Frontier Justice]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Wrangler]]'''
 
'''[[Wrangler]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Jag|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=100x100px}}
'''[[Jag]]'''
+
'''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
|
 
|
  
For the Engineer that likes to control his Sentry Gun. The Jag allows you to quickly deploy your Sentry Gun and the Wrangler grants you manual control over your Sentry Gun. If the Sentry Gun is destroyed while you are off getting Metal, you will be granted Revenge Crits.
+
This is another assault oriented setup, however this gives you a range advantage with a wrangled Mini Sentry and allows you to get more revenge Crits from said wrangled Sentry Gun. Wrangled sentry kills still count as kills that can go towards your revenge Crits so using your Wrangler a lot can benefit you in good areas. For the most part, if you get at a distance from an enemy attacking your mini you can pump rounds into him by firing your sentry at him where 1 of 3 things will happen, either he will destroy your sentry without it having kills where you can simply run away, he'll destroy it with kills on it and you can mow him down with revenge Crits, or you'll just get another sentry kill. With this setup, you can hold down offensive lines very well, but be careful of Heavys or Medic combos as they will have little trouble with you and your Sentry Gun.
 
 
An important aspect of this set is that you should deploy your Sentry Gun in a hidden and safe spot, then slowly move it to the front lines while (hopefully) being accompanied by a [[Medic]] or a strong class (such as a [[Heavy]]) that is more likely to attract enemy fire. The Frontier Justice's reduced magazine size is not that much of a problem, since you will be spending more time defending yourself with the Sentry Gun than with a Shotgun.
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Widowmaker|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Widowmaker|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Widowmaker]]'''
 
'''[[Widowmaker]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Short Circuit|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Short Circuit|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Short Circuit]]'''
 
'''[[Short Circuit]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}}
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
'''[[Wrench]]''' or '''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
'''[[Wrench]]''' or '''[[Gunslinger]]'''
|'''The Deus-Ex Set'''  
+
|'''The Deus-Ex Set'''
  
 
This set will eat up your metal very quickly. Enough misplaced shots from the Widowmaker will render you useless, and force you to replenish your metal. These weapons are best used after you've already constructed your Sentry Gun and Dispenser. This way, you still have other means of survival, and the Dispenser can replenish any metal you lose with missed or poor shots. You can also use the Short Circuit to prevent enemy Soldiers or Demomen from destroying your buildings. This setup does, however, leave you with no reliable medium/long range weaponry, so stay close to your Sentry Gun in order to not be taken by surprise.
 
This set will eat up your metal very quickly. Enough misplaced shots from the Widowmaker will render you useless, and force you to replenish your metal. These weapons are best used after you've already constructed your Sentry Gun and Dispenser. This way, you still have other means of survival, and the Dispenser can replenish any metal you lose with missed or poor shots. You can also use the Short Circuit to prevent enemy Soldiers or Demomen from destroying your buildings. This setup does, however, leave you with no reliable medium/long range weaponry, so stay close to your Sentry Gun in order to not be taken by surprise.
Line 789: Line 1,062:
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Frontier Justice]]'''
 
'''[[Frontier Justice]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon| weapon=Eureka Effect|icon-size=100x100px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon| weapon=Eureka Effect|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Eureka Effect]]'''
 
'''[[Eureka Effect]]'''
 
|
 
|
For a defending Engineer who focuses more on building than retaliating. The Eureka Effect is perfect for jumping back to the nearest spawn quickly for an instant refill, which allows faster nest building and grants the option to quickly fall back and rebuild (or to surprise a Scout/Spy making a bee line for the last control point). Since the Eureka Effect prevents moving buildings, the Frontier Justice counters this hindrance through granting easy crits when your Sentry is inevitably destroyed by an enemy or yourself when falling back/repositioning your nest. Finally, the Pistol/Lugermorph allows you to defend yourself over ranges the Frontier Justice cannot reach and/or to avoid wasting crits.
+
For a defending Engineer who focuses more on building than retaliating. The Eureka Effect is perfect for jumping back to the nearest spawn quickly for an instant refill, which allows faster nest building and grants the option to quickly fall back and rebuild (or to surprise a Scout/Spy making a bee line for the last control point). Since the Eureka Effect repairs slower, the Frontier Justice counters this hindrance through granting easy Crits when your Sentry is inevitably destroyed by an enemy or yourself when falling back/repositioning your nest. Finally, the Pistol/Lugermorph allows you to defend yourself over ranges the Frontier Justice cannot reach and/or to avoid wasting Crits.
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Shotgun|icon-size=40x40px}}
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Shotgun|icon-size=100x100px}}
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Pomson_6000|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
+
'''[[Shotgun]]'''
'''[[Shotgun]]''' or '''[[Pomson 6000]]'''
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=40x40px}}
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=40x40px}}
 
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Short_Circuit|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Short_Circuit|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
'''[[Wrangler]]''' or '''[[Short Circuit]]'''
 
'''[[Wrangler]]''' or '''[[Short Circuit]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=100x100px}}  
+
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
'''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
|
 
|
This set is for an Engineer on offense, although not going directly into combat. The Gunslinger's Mini-Sentry Guns are useful for harassing the enemy, and providing an extra gun on the battlefield. The Shotgun and the Pomson both are reliable weapons compared to the Frontier Justice or the Widowmaker, allowing you to provide extra firepower when against the enemy without much fear of losing metal or being stuck in a situation where you need to reload. The Pomson's extra effect of decreasing Übercharge on Medics and Cloak on Spies can be very helpful to prolong a Medic's Übercharge. The Wrangler is useful for setting up your Mini-Sentry farther back and utilizing the Wrangler to harass the enemy from far away, while the Short Circuit is used when you are up close with your team, to destroy any incoming projectiles on the cart or a point.
+
This set is for an Engineer on offense, although not going directly into combat. The Gunslinger's Mini-Sentry Guns are useful for harassing the enemy, and providing an extra gun on the battlefield. The Shotgun is a reliable weapon compared to the Frontier Justice or the Widowmaker, allowing you to provide extra firepower when against the enemy without much fear of losing metal or being stuck in a situation where you need to reload. The Wrangler is useful for setting up your Mini-Sentry farther back and utilizing the Wrangler to harass the enemy from far away, while the Short Circuit is used when you are up close with your team to destroy any incoming projectiles on the cart or a point.
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pomson 6000|icon-size=100x100px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pomson 6000|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Pomson 6000]]'''
 
'''[[Pomson 6000]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=40x40px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=40x40px}}
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Short_Circuit|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Short_Circuit|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
'''[[Wrangler]]''' or '''[[Short Circuit]]'''
 
'''[[Wrangler]]''' or '''[[Short Circuit]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon| weapon=Eureka Effect|icon-size=100x100px}}
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! {{Icon weapon| weapon=Eureka Effect|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Eureka Effect]]'''
 
'''[[Eureka Effect]]'''
 
|'''Dr. Grordbort's Brainiac Pack'''
 
|'''Dr. Grordbort's Brainiac Pack'''
The Braniac Pack is well suited to a purely defensive lone wolf. The Pomson 6000's drain effect allows Engineers to slow down oncoming Medics and Medic buddies, or to prevent Dead Ringer Spies from escaping. The Eureka Effect can be used to gather metal from your spawn room while maintaining momentum, and to quickly build during set-up time. However, if your position is overrun, it can also serve as a convenient means of escape. The Short Circuit works well with the Eureka Effect, as its high metal consumption is offset by the Eureka Effect's ability. Alternately, the Wrangler can be equipped to harass incoming enemies from a distance and increase your Sentry Gun's rate of fire and survivability. However, without the ability to haul buildings, your overall mobility and flexibility on the battlefield will be greatly hampered. The Pomson also fares poorly against enemy Engineer buildings, meaning you will be hard-pressed to counter encroaching Engineers without additional team support.
+
 
 +
The Braniac Pack is well suited to a purely defensive lone wolf. The Pomson 6000's drain effect allows Engineers to slow down oncoming Medics and Medic buddies, or to prevent Dead Ringer Spies from escaping. The Eureka Effect can be used to gather metal from your spawn room while maintaining momentum, and to quickly build during set-up time. However, if your position is overrun, it can also serve as a convenient means of escape. The Short Circuit works well with the Eureka Effect, as its high metal consumption is offset by the Eureka Effect's ability. Alternately, the Wrangler can be equipped to harass incoming enemies from a distance and increase your Sentry Gun's rate of fire and survivability. However, The Pomson fares poorly against enemy Engineer buildings, meaning you will be hard-pressed to counter encroaching Engineers without additional team support.
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pomson 6000|icon-size=40x40px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pomson 6000|icon-size=40x40px}}
 
{{Icon weapon| weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon| weapon=Frontier Justice|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Rescue Ranger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon|weapon=Rescue Ranger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
'''[[Pomson 6000]]''' or '''[[Frontier Justice]]''' or '''[[Rescue Ranger]]'''
 
'''[[Pomson 6000]]''' or '''[[Frontier Justice]]''' or '''[[Rescue Ranger]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Short_Circuit|icon-size=100x100px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Short_Circuit|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Short Circuit]]'''
 
'''[[Short Circuit]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon| weapon=Jag|icon-size=40x40px}}
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! {{Icon weapon| weapon=Jag|icon-size=40x40px}}
 
{{Icon weapon| weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
{{Icon weapon| weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 
'''[[Jag]]''' or '''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
'''[[Jag]]''' or '''[[Gunslinger]]'''
Line 835: Line 1,108:
  
 
|-
 
|-
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Rescue Ranger|icon-size=100x100px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Rescue Ranger|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Rescue Ranger]]'''
 
'''[[Rescue Ranger]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Pistol|icon-size=100x100px}}
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
 
'''[[Pistol]]'''
! align="center" | {{Icon weapon|weapon=Jag|icon-size=100x100px}}
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Jag|icon-size=40x40px}}
'''[[Jag]]'''
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{{Icon weapon|weapon=Gunslinger|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 +
'''[[Jag]]''' or '''[[Gunslinger]]'''
 
|
 
|
 
This is a recommended setup for mobile Engineers who are always on the move, but want to be able to have a Level 3 Sentry instead of a Mini-Sentry. The Rescue Ranger allows an Engineer to move his buildings from distances and repair it from a distance, at the cost of metal. The Jag helps to quickly rebuild Buildings that the Engineer just moved to get them ready for action as quickly as possible. The Pistol is used for combat, as both the Rescue Ranger and the Jag are inefficient when in battle. This loadout is especially recommended for Control Point maps where moving buildings across long distances quickly is a necessity.
 
This is a recommended setup for mobile Engineers who are always on the move, but want to be able to have a Level 3 Sentry instead of a Mini-Sentry. The Rescue Ranger allows an Engineer to move his buildings from distances and repair it from a distance, at the cost of metal. The Jag helps to quickly rebuild Buildings that the Engineer just moved to get them ready for action as quickly as possible. The Pistol is used for combat, as both the Rescue Ranger and the Jag are inefficient when in battle. This loadout is especially recommended for Control Point maps where moving buildings across long distances quickly is a necessity.
 +
 +
However, players may choose to use the Gunslinger for a more suitable offensive push. With the Rescue Ranger, this eliminates the need to pick up your sentry normally or even destroy it, but at the cost of 100 Metal (The same as deploying a new Mini-Sentry). This is a good combination for Gunslinger Engineers who don't want to waste time deploying a new one. This combo also maintains the ability to attack/defend easily, this allows the Engineer to constantly attack/defend anywhere while moving from place to place. This is also resolves the issue of the long redeployment time of a Level 3 Sentry Gun, as with the Mini-Sentry, you can constantly grab it with the Rescue Ranger and haul it to a new location to attack/defend.
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|-
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Rescue Ranger|icon-size=100x100px}}
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'''[[Rescue Ranger]]'''
 +
! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrangler|icon-size=100x100px}}
 +
'''[[Wrangler]]'''
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! {{Icon weapon|weapon=Wrench|icon-size=40x40px}}
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{{Icon weapon|weapon=Southern Hospitality|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
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{{Icon weapon|weapon=Jag|icon-size=40x40px}}<br />
 +
'''[[Wrench]]''' or '''[[Southern Hospitality]]''' or '''[[Jag]]'''
 +
|
 +
This weapon combination focuses on providing Engineers with greater utility, opening up a variety of strategical options. The Rescue Ranger, while less usable as a weapon, fires bolts which can repair buildings, allowing you to maintain them from a distance. In the event that movement is necessary, such as with an offensive push or hasty retreat, you can easily bring your buildings with you so long as they are in sight. The Wrangler increases the power and usable range of your Sentry Gun while also greatly shielding it from damage. With it, you can neutralize or rid of threats that are too much for an unwrangled Sentry to handle. In addition, Wrangler Jumping, when used in conjunction with the Rescue Ranger's hauling and ranged repair abilities, can give access to otherwise impossible building locations. Due to the lack of a Shotgun or Pistol, you will often have to resort to your melee weapon in direct combat. The Wrench has no downsides, however the Southern Hospitality provides an additional bleeding effect which can help with fighting enemies at the cost of no random Critical hits and extra fire vulnerability. The Jag's increased attack speed can often allow the Engie to have an better chance to deal Critical hits, along with quickly rebuild and upgrade fallen buildings. Choose the one which better fits your situation.
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 +
For Mann VS Machine, this setup, when paired with the Jag, allows the Engineer to properly support his buildings in the middle of a wave. Since most of the Engineer's credits will be spent on his buildings and (maybe) resistances, he doesn't need to invest points in more than his Wrench's swing speed. As such, this setup excels above all others in MVM, due to the repairing capabilities of the Rescue Ranger, the versatility the Wrangler provides, and the quick building and upgrading speed of the Jag.
 +
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Class Combat Strategies ==
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== Dealing with the Spy ==
 
{{See also|Engineer match-ups}}
 
{{See also|Engineer match-ups}}
 +
 +
* The Spy is typically the mortal enemy of the Engineer. Due to the Spy's ability to sap your buildings, it makes him more than a match for you in a strategic sense. [[Sappers]] shut down your buildings immediately, leaving them effectively "destroyed" until you remove them. A building that gets Sapped while under fire is typically impossible for a lone Engineer to save.
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** The Spy's ability to disguise himself as any class on either team is also quite bothersome. While wearing a friendly disguise, the Spy has access to your buildings, allowing him to restore health and [[Cloak]] from your Dispenser. Note that this also prevents your Sentry Gun from shooting at him until he loses his disguise.
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* Watch for Spies using the [[Your Eternal Reward]]. This knife, upon a backstab, allows the Spy to take the form of his victim without dropping his disguise. Spies using it will not hesitate to backstab you or your allies within range of an active Sentry Gun if they get the chance.
 +
* Spies have the potential to hide anywhere and appear as anyone. As such, you cannot rely solely on your Sentry Gun to protect you. Remain alert at all times and refrain from being stationary even while protecting your position to prevent [[Ambassador]] headshots and backstabs. If someone seems suspicious, don't be afraid to [[Spy checking#Spy checking|Spy-check]] them.
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* A good Spy will often appear without warning, quickly sap your Sentry Gun, and start attacking you immediately with his [[Revolver]] or [[Knife]], especially if you are alone. If you come under attack in this way, worry about the Spy first. A Spy can place Sappers faster than you can remove them and repair your buildings. It is much more important to eliminate the Spy before he causes any more damage. Use your Shotgun or melee weapon to dispatch the trespasser before repairing your buildings.
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* Most of the time, you should save your Dispenser first, as it will break from a Sapper faster than an upgraded Sentry Gun, and regenerating its Metal supply takes a lot of time. If you are staying in the same spot, saving your Dispenser first will always allow you to rebuild much faster because you'll have more Metal available. However, if the Spy has removed his disguise nearby, or there's urgent need for offense, you should save your Sentry Gun first. On some maps, your Teleporter can actually be your most important building as it allows your team to keep a constant stream of reinforcements going. Losing your Teleporter is especially annoying due to the fact that you will lose both ends of it, requiring you to travel all the way to your Spawn to replant your Entrance. If you have [[Jump#Sentry rocket jump|sentry-jumped]] to your location, you may wish to save your teleporter so you can get back. Teleporters take the longest to get destroyed from Sappers, but you should still try to save them. Deciding which Building to save first always depends on the circumstances. Practice is the best guide.
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**In a nest, watch out for Spies with the Red-Tape Recorder. This Sapper will reverse the construction of your buildings, but takes far longer to destroy them. If on the offensive or under fire from enemies, consider saving the Sentry Gun before it downgrades to a level which will allow enemies to easily overwhelm it, then quickly dispatch the Spy.
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* While being in a crowd of your own teammates usually helps you defend against Spies more easily, it can sometimes be difficult to pick out which one of your "teammates" is actually a Spy placing Sappers. Even though placing Sappers will not break a disguise, the disguised Spy will actually move his hand in a "placing" motion at your Building when it does so. This is subtle, but you may be able to use it pick out the Spy in a crowd. If you are letting your team deal with the Spy while you remove Sappers, keep your back to something.
 +
* A creative Spy will often disguise as an Engineer to try to fool you and your allies into thinking he is an Engineer trying to remove Sappers when he is in fact the one sapping. They may even use the [[voice command]] warning about Spies to add to the deception. Watch for teammates who aren't swinging or firing their weapons, as a disguised Spy cannot attack. Even better, Spy-check anyone nearby.
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* If you have revenge Crits, try to save some of them for the inevitable Spy attack. Having a glowing Frontier Justice out can be enough on its own to deter a Spy. While it's true that you might waste a shot on a [[Dead Ringer]] Spy, don't be afraid to do it. A Spy who feigns death likely won't be attacking you for at least a short duration, giving you time to call for help.
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* Simply standing with your back facing the wall or continuously moving greatly minimizes the Spy's danger to you as it makes it harder for them to instantly kill you. The Spy is therefore forced to attack one of your buildings, which destroys their disguise. In this case, make it your priority to kill the Spy before attending to your buildings.
 +
* If your building is continually being sapped as you remove the Sapper, attack your Wrench in multiple areas around your building, as a Spy will be distant from you as you swing your Wrench.
 +
* If a teammate appears to be standing directly on top of you, attack them immediately. Enemy Spies are able to stand on top of you, while teammates cannot.
 +
* Constantly watch your back and be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when constructing and upgrading your buildings. While this applies to practically any class, the Engineer should take special care as to not become the victim of a Spy, as it can result in the total loss of all of his buildings, thus forcing them to rebuild from scratch. [[Spy checking#Spy checking|Spycheck]] as often as you can by firing at corners, "teammates" and other hiding spots where you think they could be at.
 +
**However, don't become overly paranoid and stray too far from your equipment. This is what the Spy wants, as he will be able to destroy your gear without interference.
 +
* If a Spy saps your Teleporter, make sure you are not standing on top of it when you take the Sapper off. Spies often try to get your attention with a Sapper, stand on the entrance, and when you remove it, they go through, [[telefrag]]ging you. They will not lose their disguise with this strategy, making it easy for them to destroy your other buildings once they have telefragged you. To defend against this, make sure you are far enough from the Teleporter that you can still take a Sapper off, but Spies cannot telefrag you.
 +
* Be aware of [[trickstab]]s when you are attacking a Spy, as they can use stairstabs, matadors, cornerstabs, and a variety of other trickstabs to kill you, even if you are aware that they are a Spy. Due to this, it is not advisable to chase a Spy with your Wrench, especially outside of your Sentry Gun's range. Use your primary to kill them, and stay a good distance back. Take corners wide, and do not follow a Spy up a set of stairs if you cannot see him. If you think a Spy will go for a stairstab, start backpedaling down the stairs. The Spy will often jump in front of you, facing forward, which gives you a moment or two to shoot him before he can turn around or defend himself.
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** Alternatively, you can call for your teammates to deal with him instead.
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* The Spy's [[Revolver]] has a longer range and less spread than the Engineer's Pistol or Shotgun does, so it is recommended you stay at a medium-range whilst combatting a Spy. At long range, you are susceptible to the Spy's Revolver; At close-range, you are exposed to being backstabbed.
 +
 +
==Cooperative Class Strategies==
 +
 
==={{class link|Scout}}===
 
==={{class link|Scout}}===
*Scouts are a fragile class and usually don't bother Engineers. However, they can be quick to arrive before you can set up your buildings in 2-sided game modes such as [[Capture the Flag]]. and [[King of the Hill]]. Scouts excel in one-on-one combat so the best options of countering are either to use the [[Gunslinger]] and have a [[Combat Mini-Sentry Gun]] or to have support from your team mates.
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While Engineers cannot do much for a Scout aside from his already inherent roles, a Scout can help out an Engineer immensely just by simply doing what he already does well enough without the Engineer.
*A Scout's greatest asset is his speed and evasiveness. While the auto-targeting of your Sentry Gun can render this moot, an experienced Scout will utilize the rotation time of the Sentry Gun, as well as nearby Dispensers or map scenery as protection, allowing them to fire at you and your buildings from a location that may be inconvenient to you. Be aware of your surrounding environment and make sure that there is nowhere for enemies to hide from your defenses.
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* Scouts can make for serviceable bodyguards when an Engineer is on the move with his buildings, provided that a Pyro is not available. Scout's speed advantage and high burst damage makes keeping any pesky Spies or Demomen at bay while the Engineer sets back up quite the simple task.
*Should you find yourself face to face with a Scout without the assistance of your buildings or team mates, switch to your Shotgun and attempt an evasive retreat to safety. Sometimes the Scout's speed can play against him in terms of accuracy, so if you are ducking and diving out of danger he can have a much harder time landing a hit on you.
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* Scouts are good at getting behind enemy lines and taking out enemy Snipers and Spies, which will make friendly Engineers' lives much easier.
*Be aware that a Scout under the effects of [[Bonk! Atomic Punch]] won't take damage from your Sentry Gun, and that the Sentry Gun will continue to fire on the invulnerable Scout so long as he is in range, providing a distraction for his team. Using this, the Scout may allow an opening for enemy team mates to attack or retrieve Intelligence while your Sentry Gun fires pointlessly at the invulnerable Scout.
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* Scouts with the [[Backscatter]] and/or [[Mad Milk]] are fairly effective at spychecking, which can seriously help out allied Engineers.
*While under the effect of [[Bonk! Atomic Punch]], a clever Scout may attempt to focus Sentry Gun fire at you. So long as you are aware that this could happen, you can easily escape the line of fire once the Sentry Gun locks onto the Scout and pushes him away.
+
** The [[Boston Basher]]'s and [[Wrap Assassin]]'s bleed damage will also highlight enemy Spies, though the Wrap Assassin can't do this very often.  
 +
* Scout's version of the Pistol does not come with much ammo, meaning that Dispensers are invaluable when the Scout loses access to it.
 +
* The Sentry Gun circumvents Scout's biggest weakness: his lack of range. Sentry Guns have a very long and wide radius of damage that they can cover, which gives a Scout an excellent place to fall back on when he needs to retreat.
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** Dispensers also give the Scout a safe spot to recover health after taking too much damage while frequenting the flank routes.
  
 
==={{class link|Soldier}}===
 
==={{class link|Soldier}}===
* Directly, a Soldier is a very powerful adversary. A single shot from his [[Rocket Launcher]] could be the end of you. Only fight head on if necessary, otherwise, try and lead him into your Sentry Gun.
+
Soldiers are one of your best friends when at the frontlines due to his immense power. The potential for protection that a Soldier possesses allows an Engineer to be more liberal with the placement of his Sentry nests.
* Because of his range, a smart Soldier will try to attack your Sentry Gun from out of range with his Rocket Launcher. If this happens, remain in cover while repairing your buildings.
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* Soldiers are a slow class without rocket jumping, and a fragile one with it. Teleporters reduce the need for rocket jumps, which allows the Soldier to save his health pool for when it is needed most.
** If necessary, use the Wrangler in an attempt to fire back and increase the life span of your Sentry Gun.
+
* A Soldier makes a decent bodyguard for an Engineer trying to move his buildings. This is especially true if he has the [[Disciplinary Action]], which will allow the Engineer to get where he's going much more quickly.
** The Short Circuit will stop any incoming projectile fired from any primary weapon that the Soldier possesses.
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* Soldiers will tend to hang around the front lines, making Dispensers around those areas imperative for a team.  
* While the [[Righteous Bison]] deals greatly reduced damage to your buildings, it will still hit you through them.
+
* Soldiers also are very good at spychecking with their large blast radius on rocket launchers.
* The [[Cow Mangler 5000]]'s charged shot can disable any building. You can repair the damage while the building is disabled, but any building won't perform its function until the 4 seconds are over. 4 seconds without buildings such as the Sentry Gun or the Dispenser could lead to your position being overrun. It may be in your best interest to fall back and live to build again if the Soldier is not alone.
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* The [[Battalion's Backup]] gives the Engineer much needed resiliency when moving buildings. This is especially useful when the Engineer is using the Rescue Ranger, as the Marked-For-Death attribute when hauling buildings is nullified by the Backup's effects.
* When the Frontier Justice is equipped, attacking Soldiers who have activated their Battalion's Backup with Revenge crits is unwise; switch to another weapon or use your Sentry to attack the Soldier instead if waiting for it to wear off is not ideal.  
 
  
 
==={{class link|Pyro}}===
 
==={{class link|Pyro}}===
* As with most other classes, it is not recommended to face a Pyro head on. What the [[Flamethrower]] lacks in range, it makes up for in damage. Stay out of its range and pick away at the Pyro's health with your Shotgun and Pistol.
+
A Pyro is, overall, an Engineer's best friend when maintaining a defensive hold is imperative.
** Due to the short range, they may switch to the Shotgun or [[Flare Gun]] in an attempt to harm you or your buildings from a distance. Due to the Flare Gun's guaranteed Critical Hit on a burning target, if you are hit once or already on fire, take cover to prevent a possibly fatal shot.
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* Pyros can airblast projectiles away from friendly Engineer nests, nullifying the advantages Soldiers and Demomen gain against them.
*If using the Gunslinger, don't be afraid to drop a Mini-Sentry as a distraction to escape. They always deploy with full health and as a result can keep a Pyro busy just long enough for you to retreat to safety and let your team handle him.
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** Pyros can also deny ÜberCharges, a common response to stubborn Engie nests, by airblasting them away.
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** Neither of the above are as effective with an airblast-disadvantaged {{botignore|flamethrower}}, such as the [[Backburner]], the [[Dragon's Fury]], and especially the [[Phlogistinator]], which can't airblast at all. The presence of a Dispenser will actually nullify the Backburner's airblast penalty, which merely makes airblasting ammo-inefficient.
 +
* Pyros (without the Dragon's Fury) are the most consistently efficient Spy-checkers in the game and are overall an absolute nightmare for Spies.
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** By equipping the [[Homewrecker]] or [[Neon Annihilator]], a Pyro can remove Sappers from friendly buildings. This is a lower priority than hunting down the Spy who placed the Sappers, however, but is crucial if you end up dying during the skirmish.
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* A Pyro with a {{botignore|flare gun}} can harass enemy Snipers, making life much easier for friendly Engineers.
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* A Pyro with a {{botignore|shotgun}}, the [[Detonator]], or the [[Scorch Shot]] can destroy stickybombs near the Engineer's buildings.
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* With airblast and a {{botignore|shotgun}}, a Pyro becomes a very effective bodyguard and escort for Engineers trying to move buildings between new locations.
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* A Sentry Gun can deal large amounts of damage from well outside a Pyro's effective range, allowing the Pyro to not have to worry as much about mid-ranged threats such as Heavies.
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* With a Dispenser active, a Pyro can keep up a constant stream of flames or airblasts, as long as they stay within the Dispenser's range. This is useful in Spychecking or reflecting projectiles, respectively.
  
 
==={{class link|Demoman}}===
 
==={{class link|Demoman}}===
* Because of his Stickybombs and Grenades, the Demoman is a worthy adversary in one-on-one fights and while you are protecting your nest. His weapons cause a lot of damage and are deadly at close range.
+
Demomen and Engineers are two of the best defensive classes in the game. Together, they can create a nigh-impenetrable defense.
* If placed in the open, your buildings could easily be destroyed by a Demoman's Stickybombs. If he keeps firing, it's better to haul the building or run away than try to constantly repair your buildings and be killed. Think about this when building near a corner or in an open area.
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* A Demoman can lay down sticky traps to block off routes enemies might take to evade a Sentry Gun, and vice versa.
* A smart Demoman will arc his grenades over your Sentry Gun in order to harm you, so don't rely on it to provide a shield.
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* A Sentry Gun will mow down Pyros and Scouts that could otherwise very easily kill a Demoman.
* The Short Circuit can render a Demoman virtually ineffective against you. Even though equipping it means you have to rely on your primary weapon, the trade-off is often worth it especially when in a nest with other Engineers who can provide mutual support.
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* A Teleporter will allow a Demoman to quickly reach the front lines without taking self-damage, while a Dispenser will provide a reliable means for the Demoman to heal self-damage off.
* Be cautious of using the Wrangler when a Demoman is nearby, as you cannot pick up your building or repair it with the Wrangler active.
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* A Demoknight can pick off pesky Spies and Snipers to make the Engineer's life easier.
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* Demomen with the [[Scottish Resistance]] or [[Quickiebomb Launcher]] can destroy the stickybombs of enemy Demomen threatening an Engineer's buildings.
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* Demomen make excellent spycheckers with [[Stickybomb Launcher|their]] [[Scottish Resistance|sticky]][[Quickiebomb Launcher|bombs]]. Placing a few stickybombs near friendly buildings and waiting for the Engineer to call out a Spy for sapping his buildings will allow a Demoman to shut down a Spy's assault almost instantaneously.
  
 
==={{class link|Heavy}}===
 
==={{class link|Heavy}}===
* With the amount of firepower the Heavy possesses, it is unlikely that you will survive a one-on-one encounter unless you ambush him.
+
Heavy benefits significantly from the buildings that Engineers build. Additionally, the Heavy's presence in and of itself can help an Engineer by diverting attention from a Sentry Gun's placement until it's too late for the enemy.
* Remain close to your buildings if a Heavy is lurking around. Without proper surveillance, a Heavy can single-handedly destroy any Engineer outpost.
+
* Build Teleporters. A Heavy's single greatest weakness is his low mobility, to the point where he may simply not be able to participate in some crucial fights because he can't get to them in time. Teleporters allow Heavies to reliably reach the front lines quickly and keep the pressure on, which in turn allows you to constantly be on the move with your buildings.
* If you're facing a Heavy and Medic pair and the Medic deploys an ÜberCharge, you may be able to fend them off until it wears off, if your Dispenser and Sentry are level 3. Crouch behind your Sentry with your Dispenser nearby. They will likely shoot your Sentry Gun, so crouch behind it and keep repairing it. However, if the two are accompanied by teammates or are in close quarters, it's better to flee to safety than die alongside your buildings.
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* If a Heavy stands next to, or in front of your Sentry Gun, he automatically creates a dilemma for the enemy team, since they will need to divert their firepower across both sources of damage, and your combined firepower may be able to stop all opposition short of an ÜberCharge.
* Heavies aren't as big of a threat if at long range, as they are primarily a point blank class. Use a Wrangler to take out Heavies from a distance.
+
* A Heavy on the move is always in constant danger of being without ammo in his Minigun, since his slow movement speed makes it unlikely he will reach ammo packs before his foes do. This makes the Dispenser a crucial building for Heavies, as they can keep up a literal constant stream of bullets while standing next to it.
 +
** A Dispenser is also the single most reliable way to keep a Heavy with the [[Huo-Long Heater]] from running out of ammo.
 +
* A Sentry and a Heavy can deal a barrage of damage that is unparalleled by anything other than two Sentry Guns placed next to each other. Place Sentry Guns in areas where your team's Heavy may roam, such as down long hallways, and around corners to capitalize on this and block off any areas that enemies may flood into.
  
 
==={{class link|Engineer}}===
 
==={{class link|Engineer}}===
* Because of the defensive nature of the Engineer, it is unlikely that a head on conflict will occur. From a distance, deter him with your Pistol and if they move in close, use your Shotgun.
+
While one Engineer on his own is quite powerful, a pair or group of Engies can make for a level of defense that is unrivaled by even the most resilient classes.
** It might also be a good idea to draw them into your nest if possible.
+
* Coordination with your fellow Engineers is key in combining your buildings effectively. If an Engineer has one chokepoint or area of track covered by a Sentry Gun, move your gear elsewhere on the map to cover any less common routes that the enemy could use to circumvent their Sentry Gun. Spreading out your Sentry Guns also reduces the risk of them simultaneously being turned to rubble in a short time interval by splash damage.
*Your Pistol is quite effective against enemy Sentry Guns and because damage fall-off is not counted against buildings, this is a quite effective (and often necessary) strategy but remember to stay out of the Sentry Guns' range; otherwise you are asking to be gunned down.
+
* Having multiple leveled Dispensers in play at once is crucial in extended autonomy. With near-limitless sources of metal placed strategically around the map, Engineers can build and rebuild their destroyed gear much quick, which positively impacts the versatility of your team.
** Watch for enemy Engineers utilizing this strategy. The Wrangler is a good counter to this.
+
* If one Engineer dies, the other Engineers can maintain his buildings until he respawns.
 +
** However, Engineers cannot move a fellow Engineer's buildings, meaning they must abandon them if the necessity arises to move their buildings to meet their team's requirements.
 +
* Engineers protecting a Control Point will do well to spread their buildings out, lest they become cannon fodder for the Demoman's Stickybombs or the Loch-n-Load.
 +
* Variety is the spice of life, so choose your weapons accordingly-- having Engineers on your team equip different wrenches and weapons can maximize your effectiveness.
 +
** The [[Jag]] is great at constructing buildings quickly, but not as good at healing them. A second Engineer with a normal {{botignore|wrench}}, however, can heal the Jag Engie's buildings for him, while the Jag Engineer can upgrade the other Engie's buildings.
 +
** A [[Gunslinger]] Engineer who wants to focus on combat can leave his Dispenser and Teleporters near other Engies. The other Engineers can upgrade and maintain his buildings, while he goes to the front lines with his mini-sentry. On defense, his quick-building mini-sentry can help deny enemy movement for a short while, buying the other Engineers some time to set-up their buildings.
 +
** A Southern Hospitality Engineer can help in tracking down enemy Spies thanks to the bleed it causes.
 +
** An Eureka Effect Engineer can help in upgrading buildings if the nest is far from the spawn, thanks to the teleportation ability. The other Engineers can then help construct his buildings faster and protect his Teleporter exit which allows him to teleport back.
 +
** A few Engineers can use shotguns such as the Widowmaker to help defend buildings from attacks, while others can use the Rescue Ranger to maintain them. A Pomson 6000 Engineer can also help drain away the Cloak of a Spy And ÜberCharge of the Medic, two more classes that can counter the Engineer.
 +
** Having at least one Engineer with the Short Circuit can help destroy enemy projectiles, countering the Soldier and Demoman, both of which have explosive ordnance that devastate buildings. Wrangler Engineers can help in fighting enemies outside of the range of Sentry Guns as well as holding ground against an enemy assault, while those wielding the Pistol can aid in spychecking, and pester enemies in spots a wrangled Sentry Gun cannot reach.
 +
* If your fellow Engineer is using a primary weapon that is more suited for support than offense, like the Pomson 6000 or the Rescue Ranger, equip a hitscan primary such as the Shotgun or Frontier Justice. This allows you to be the damage dealer if a situation gets out of hand, and you must fight back without your buildings readily available.
 +
* Having multiple Engineers on a team allows them to maintain an effective defense; however, after about three Engineers (fewer on small teams), the team starts to suffer from having too few combat classes.
  
 
==={{class link|Medic}}===
 
==={{class link|Medic}}===
*A Medic's ÜberCharge is very problematic for an Engineer.
+
Medics rarely keep company around, or heal their team's Engineers due to the necessity of keeping combat classes alive. Medics take a lot of fire from enemies and are considered a top priority target by Scouts, Snipers and Spies. All of the Engineer's buildings can directly help or protect a Medic who is under fire and allow them to flee with their ÜberCharge percentage unscathed.
*Once ÜberCharged, especially with the default [[Medi Gun]], the first priority of any experienced ÜberCharged enemy is to destroy your buildings.
+
* The Engineer makes for a highly situational ÜberCharge patient due to their slow speed and may only be used as a means of retreat. However, the Engineer's generic weapons are still very capable, and can give the Medic some sort of protection when there are no better-suited classes around.
*In most situations, you are helpless against ÜberCharges. The best option is usually to grab a building (preferably the most upgraded one) and get out before being killed.
+
* Building Teleporters helps the Medic to reach the front lines (and thus heal teammates and build ÜberCharge) more quickly.  
*[[Kritzkrieg]] ÜberCharges, however, are somewhat neutral. On a positive note, all buildings are unaffected by Criticals, giving some surivability. On the other hand, the crits can dispatch of you easily. Be prepared if a Medic decides to go in with this charge.
+
* Your Dispenser can be invaluable to the fragile Medic in more ways than one. Not only does it allow a Medic to heal off heavy damage incurred while on the front lines, but its hitbox is large enough that a Medic often can hide inside of it, treating it as a sort of secondary armor, to survive their attackers while your teammates or Sentry Gun finish them off.
*[[Quick-Fix]] ÜberCharges are fairly easy to take out. However, the tripled heal rate requires a concentrated amount of consecutive damage to take out, so make sure to switch to another weapon or use your Wrangler for the increased firing rate to help increase the damage the ÜberCharged enemy is taking.
+
* The Kritzkrieg combined with the Widowmaker can allow an Engineer to deal a constant stream of critical damage without the need to reload.
*Similar to the Quick-Fix ÜberCharges, the [[Vaccinator]] ÜberCharges can be fairly easy to take out. The damage resistance works with one type of damage, and your Level 3 Sentry Gun does two types of damage at the same time, so use the Rockets as well when using the Wrangler. In other situations where a Level 3 Sentry is unavailable, either fire with your weapons, or use the Wrangler for increased fire rate to counter the lack of damage.
+
* A Medic may ÜberCharge an Engie to aid in keeping an important Sentry Gun active for as long as possible. It can also be used to pick up an important building, such as a high-level Dispenser, and save it.
 +
* Since you are often near your Dispenser anyway, Medics may neglect to heal you, even if they see you wandering around at low health. Don't be afraid to call out for them to get their attention. Since Engineer is a light class, it should not be an issue for them to quickly buff you, and get back to work.
  
 
==={{class link|Sniper}}===
 
==={{class link|Sniper}}===
* Because Snipers fight at long range, it is unlikely that either of you will come in contact. If you do, odds are that it will be away from your Sentry Gun. Use your Pistol for long range and your Shotgun for close range combat.
+
Engineers and Snipers do not have much synergy, but still can help cover each others' weaknesses.
* Due to the long range of Snipers, they can easily pick off any building that is placed in the open. Try to keep from placing your buildings in areas with large lines of sight.
+
* An allied Sniper is obviously one of the more effective responses to enemy Snipers. Allied Snipers taking out enemy Snipers will allow allied Engineers to breathe much easier and safely place his buildings in areas where a team might not expect them.
** Snipers using a [[Machina]] are capable of destroying your buildings in two shots, with only one of them needing to be charged. Keep this in mind when building a nest for yourself.  
+
* A Sniper who sits near a Sentry Gun doesn't have to worry about Scouts or Pyros as much, since the Sentry Gun will generally kill these classes long before they can reasonably reach the Sniper.  
* If you are soaked in [[Jarate]], you will have extra troubles if your nest is attacked. Stand next to your Dispenser as it halves the time you will be covered.
+
* A Sniper with [[Jarate]] or the [[Tribalman's Shiv]] can help in Spy-checking.  
* If you happen to spot a Sniper trying to destroy your Sentry Gun, wrangle your sentry to try and pick him off. Remember that when wrangled, your Sentry Gun has unlimited range.
+
** The presence of a Jarate Sniper also increases the effectiveness of the [[Southern Hospitality]], as quick extinguishing will nullify the fire vulnerability, and the guaranteed Mini-Crits are far more useful with spychecking, as the Spy will both visibly bleed and shed yellow droplets, even under cloak. The combined power of your tools may make a Spy reluctant in approaching you at all.  
 +
* The [[Pomson 6000]] and the [[Short Circuit]] can light friendly [[Huntsman]] arrows on fire.
 +
** The presence of a Dispenser will counteract the low ammo count of the Huntsman.
 +
* A Sniper can take out enemy Medics to deny them ÜberCharge, one of the main counters to an Engineer's Sentry nest.
  
 
==={{class link|Spy}}===
 
==={{class link|Spy}}===
* The Spy is typically the mortal enemy of the Engineer. Due to the Spy's ability to sap your buildings, it makes him more than a match for you in a strategic sense. [[Sappers]] shut down your buildings immediately, leaving them effectively "destroyed" until you remove them. A building that gets Sapped while under fire is typically impossible for a lone Engineer to save.  
+
Due to the differing roles of the classes, Spies and Engineers generally don't work together well. However, one can indirectly help the other, even without knowing it.
** The Spy's ability to disguise himself as any class on either team is also quite bothersome. While wearing a friendly disguise, the Spy has access to your buildings, allowing him to restore health and [[Cloak]] from your Dispenser and travel through your Teleporters. Note that this also prevents your Sentry Gun from shooting at him. 
+
* One of the Spy's main goals is to pick apart the enemy lines by taking out Medics, Offense classes, and especially other Engineers to make their team's job easier and safer as they traverse through the map. Engineers benefit from this the most because it allows them set up their buildings without the worry of instant retaliation.
* Watch for Spies using the [[Your Eternal Reward]]. This knife, upon a backstab, allows the Spy to take the form of his victim without dropping his disguise. Spies using it will not hesitate to backstab you or your allies within range of an active Sentry Gun if they get the chance.
+
** Spies can take out enemy Medics to stop ÜberCharges before they happen. They are also a main counter to Snipers, which love to cause headaches for Engineers.
* Spies have the potential to hide anywhere and appear as anyone. As such, you cannot rely solely on your Sentry Gun to protect you. Remain alert at all times and refrain from being stationary even while protecting your position to prevent [[Ambassador]] headshots and backstabs. If someone seems suspicious, don't be afraid to [[Spy checking#Spy checking|Spy-check]] them.
+
* The Engineer's Dispenser is an important building to Spies. The building generally stays out of sight, like the Spy himself and therefore allows him to recover from a fight much quicker by retreating to one. This can be a double-edged sword though, since you will be used to see a friendly Spy around, and may think a disguised enemy Spy is your teammate. Constantly spycheck “friendly” Spies that approach your Dispenser and quickly kill them before they cause any more damage.
* A good Spy will often appear without warning, quickly sap your Sentry Gun, and start attacking you immediately with his [[Revolver]] or [[Knife]], especially if you are alone. If you come under attack in this way, worry about the Spy first. A Spy can place Sappers faster than you can remove them and repair your buildings. It is much more important to eliminate the Spy before he causes any more damage. Use your Shotgun or melee weapon to dispatch the trespasser before repairing your buildings.
 
* Most of the time, you should save your Dispenser first, as it will break from a Sapper faster than an upgraded Sentry Gun, and regenerating its Metal supply takes a lot of time. If you are staying in the same spot, saving your Dispenser first will always allow you to rebuild much faster because you'll have more Metal available. However, if the Spy has removed his disguise nearby, or there's urgent need for offense, you should save your Sentry Gun first. On some maps, your Teleporter can actually be your most important building as it allows your team to keep a constant stream of reinforcements going. Losing your Teleporter is especially annoying due to the fact that you will lose both ends of it, requiring you to travel all the way to your Spawn to replant your Entrance. If you have [[sentry-jumped]] to your location, you may wish to save your teleporter so you can get back. Teleporters take the longest to get destroyed from Sappers, but you should still try to save them. Deciding which Building to save first always depends on the circumstances. Practice is the best guide.
 
* While being in a crowd of your own teammates usually helps you defend against Spies more easily, it can sometimes be difficult to pick out which one of your "teammates" is actually a Spy placing Sappers. Even though placing Sappers will not break a disguise, the disguised Spy will actually move his hand in a "placing" motion at your Building when it does so. This is subtle, but you may be able to use it pick out the Spy in a crowd. If you are letting your team deal with the Spy while you remove Sappers, keep your back to something.
 
* A creative Spy will often disguise as an Engineer to try to fool you and your allies into thinking he is an Engineer trying to remove Sappers when he is in fact the one sapping. They may even use the [[voice command]] warning about Spies to add to the deception. Watch for teammates who aren't swinging or firing their weapons, as a disguised Spy cannot attack. Even better, Spy-check anyone nearby.
 
* If you have revenge crits, try to save some of them for the inevitable Spy attack. Having a glowing Frontier Justice out can be enough on its own to deter a Spy. While it's true that you might waste a shot on a [[Dead Ringer]] Spy, don't be afraid to do it. A Spy who feigns death likely won't be attacking you for at least a short duration, giving you time to call for help.
 
* Simply standing with your back facing the wall or continuously moving hugely minimises the Spy's danger to you as it makes it harder for them to instantly kill you. The Spy is therefore forced to attack one of your buildings, which destroys their disguise. In this case, make it your priority to kill the Spy before attending to your buildings.
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
*[[Team strategy]]
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*[[Team strategy]]
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{{CommunityStrategyNav}}
 
{{CommunityStrategyNav}}
{{Engineer Nav}}
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{{Engineer Nav}}
[[Category:Community strategy]]
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 +
[[Category:Community strategy]]
 
[[Category:Engineer]]
 
[[Category:Engineer]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]

Latest revision as of 19:00, 28 November 2024

Grr, come on!
You're all about to have a real bad day!
The Engineer to enemies before Setup concludes

The Engineer is a unique class due to his ability to construct buildings. He can get his teammates to the front lines faster with Teleporters, create a powerful Sentry Gun to ward off enemies, and can build Dispensers to heal and supply ammunition to his teammates. The Engineer's low Health and average speed make it important for him to rely on his Sentry Gun, other buildings, and his teammates for protection. While his ways can seem somewhat passive and methodical, Engineers are not to be underestimated. A talented Engineer can make it much easier for his team to hold its ground, keep up the pressure on the attack, and defend vital objectives such as control points and Intelligence.

Quick tips

  • A team without an effective Engineer is at an extreme disadvantage, especially while playing Defense on Attack/Defend maps.
  • Always stay close to your buildings. Unguarded buildings are especially vulnerable to Spies, Demomen, and Soldiers.
  • The Teleporter can be your most important contribution to your team's success. If properly placed and defended, a Teleporter will allow your team to keep the pressure on the enemy team.
  • All buildings build faster during construction if you repeatedly strike them with your melee weapon.
    • You can help friendly Engineers by hitting their buildings with your melee weapon to speed up the building's construction or repair and upgrade the existing buildings.
  • You can construct a building in safety, then right-click to pick it up and haul it to the battle. It is also possible to carry buildings through Teleporters.
    • However, if you die while carrying a building, the building is destroyed.
  • Your Shotgun and Pistol are not useless in combat; use them to supplement your Sentry Gun in whittling away at the enemy's health.
    • The Shotgun can kill most enemies in 2-3 hits, and a well-aimed Pistol can kill most classes with a full clip.
  • Avoid standing in front of your Sentry Gun. This reduces the chances of your Sentry shooting you, as well as lowers the chance of being killed, as the Sentry can intercept enemy fire.
  • When playing Arena, make sure you have Dispensers to help out teammates with ammo and health; there are no health packs in Arena mode.
  • Try to set your Sentry Gun at chokepoints where enemies frequently prowl, thereby maximizing its effectiveness.
    • This is of huge importance when playing on Defense.
  • Spies can sap your Sentry faster than you can remove it. Kill the Spy first, then get rid of the Sapper.
  • Try to construct your buildings in a location where not only can you support your team, but where your team can support you. While you and your Sentry might be able to hold ground on your own for a short time, multiple enemies can quickly overwhelm you. Be sure to ask your teammates for help as often as possible while you help your team at the same time via your buildings.
  • If possible, try to build your Teleporter and Dispenser first. These buildings allow both you and your team to get to the frontlines faster and keep you all in the fight due to the constant flow of health and ammo.

General

  • As an Engineer, you can do more than just upgrade and repair your buildings. If you have metal, don't hesitate to hit friendly buildings with your melee weapon to either repair or upgrade them. Watching your team's buildings allows other Engineers to set up Sentry Guns, Dispensers, and Teleporters in other areas.
  • You can rotate the placement of a building while the blueprint is out by pressing the alternate fire button. Changing a Sentry Gun's direction allows you to place it in corners and other hard-to-reach locations while still facing potential enemies. Rotating a Teleporter exit affects the direction one faces when exiting. An arrow on the blueprint indicates said direction. Remember that the direction one faces could mean life or death in some situations. Rotating a Dispenser has no effect on its function, but can allow you to place it into a tight space or help conceal its location.
    • You can also place a building while it is turning to place it on a different angle.
  • Alternate fire while looking at a building you placed allows you to "haul" that building to another location. While hauling a building, your movement speed is reduced by 10%, and you are unable to switch weapons. If you are killed while carrying a building, the building will be destroyed.
    • A redeployed building will construct faster than normal without help from an Engineer, though you can still speed up the building of the structure by hitting it with your Wrench. Once built, if the building has already been upgraded to level 2 or 3, it will then undergo the animations for deploying to those levels as well.
  • When your Sentry Gun fires, it uses up a small amount of its ammo supply. Though this is not often a problem, ammo can be replenished by hitting your gun with your Wrench. Refilling ammo uses up a small amount of metal.
    • This can be a problem when upgrading Sentry Guns. Often, a low-level Sentry will use a little ammo on enemies it catches a glance of. If the Sentry has no metal put into it for upgrading, the Engineer will not be able to upgrade it with a full 200 metal, as some of the metal will go towards refilling ammo. The Sentry will end up being just a few metal away from an upgrade, forcing the Engineer to find more metal. Avoid this by putting a little extra metal into your Sentry when you first build it.
  • Enemy players, including disguised Spies, cannot walk through buildings belonging to your team. You can use this for Spy checking by placing buildings in chokepoints, such as doors and hallways.
  • It is not a good idea to build your buildings, particularly your Sentry Gun, near the same location as another Engineer's buildings on your team. Clustering too many Engineer buildings together maximizes their weakness to explosives or other weapons that deal splash damage, and clustering makes it easier for an enemy Spy to sap all of your buildings. In addition, remember that friendly buildings block the line of sight and line of fire of friendly Sentry Guns.
  • If your buildings are under attack by Soldiers or Demomen, try to time your repair hits in between enemy rockets or grenades to avoid getting killed, or build your Sentry Gun near cover that you can use to shield yourself. If your buildings are under attack by multiple Soldiers and Demomen, your buildings are likely going to go down and take you alongside them unless you have support from friendly Medics, Engineers, or Pyros using their compression blast.
    • Your best friend is often an allied Pyro. Pyros are excellent for taking care of an Engineer's greatest weaknesses: keeping Spies at bay, destroying Sappers on your buildings with the Homewrecker, Neon Annihilator, or Maul, and deflecting incoming rockets, grenades, stickybombs, and invulnerable enemies. This is also usually beneficial for Pyros, as they often run out of ammunition and health from spamming their Flame Thrower, which a Dispenser can restore, and are poor at mid to long range: an Engineer's forte.
  • Build where you can support your team and where your team can support you. Sentry Guns provide high-volume firepower at decent range, but it is still supporting fire that is best served to cover your teammates and deny areas to enemy movement. Do not expect to be able to fight off entire enemy attack groups with just your Sentry Gun. It is very unlikely that anyone on your own team will be down there with you to support you, and without your Sentry Gun in a more forward location, enemies have a much easier time getting inside the base and causing havoc.
  • Setting up a nest with a Teleporter, a Dispenser, and a Sentry Gun near the front lines can help your team maintain its position. A skilled enemy team can push you right back to your first spawn, forcing you to gain ground again even if you have already captured the first point.
  • To make the best use of Setup time, it is important to know ahead of time where effective spots to build are and the best way to set up your buildings the fastest.
  • On offense, when you have a 'team advantage' (most of the enemy team or their best players are dead) and you have a Level 3 Sentry Gun, haul it and charge into the fray. Drop the Sentry Gun near the final control point and attack the point yourself with your weapons. With most of their team dead and a Level 3 Sentry Gun covering their spawn, you and your teammates may be able to hold off enemies so one or two other teammates (usually Scouts) can capture the objective. Do note that Level 2 Sentry Guns can also be used if there is no time to make the Sentry Gun level 3 or if the level 3 deployment time will take too long to be effective.
  • Don't forget about your own weapons! The Shotgun and Pistol are strong weapons and can help the Engineer win 1v1 fights.
    • While generic compared to other weapons, the Stock weapons allow you to weapon heckle with surprising efficiency.
    • While you don't come anywhere close to the Scout's speed, you are still a very mobile class compared to most and can drum up a good amount of supplementary damage while moving toward an advantageous point to set up your buildings.
  • Out of all the Engineer's primary and secondary weapons, the Stock weapons are often the weapons that can deal the most damage overall. In case it is required to equip any non-stock primary/secondary weapon, it is highly recommended to equip the other secondary/primary weapon slot with its stock weapon.
  • On offense, never forget this golden rule: Level 2 is good. If you are not going to camp at your teleporter base and you don't have time to haul a Level 3 Sentry Gun, haul a Level 2. The same goes for Teleporters: A Level 2 has double the recharging speed of a Level 1; however, a Level 3 decreases recharge time by a further 2 seconds instead of 5 seconds, thus having less of a reward for 200 Metal.
  • Competent teammates will likely save ammo packs for you, due to your ability to construct Dispensers.
    • However, if you cannot find ammo packs, do not be afraid to leave your nest for a very short time to collect a further away ammo pack
  • On Offense, be sure to build a Teleporter that will allow your teammates to get to the front lines faster, as well as a Dispenser to keep them (and you) in the fight.
    • Don't forget to build a Sentry Gun to protect your gear from enemies who get too close. Also, move up your gear when your team has the advantage!
  • If forced into close combat with Spy, attempt to keep your back away from him while maintaining fire upon him.
  • Remember that an Engineer's buildings can work underwater. Use this to your advantage on maps such as Well. If you are able to sneak into the water successfully, you can easily set up a nest without the enemy team knowing, creating a sort of 'forward spawn' for your team.
  • Try not to "babysit" your buildings if you can. Many Engineer players get themselves killed by staying too close to their buildings and making themselves vulnerable. Always stay on the move, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and feel free to support your team in defeating enemies with your Shotgun.
    • However, this doesn't mean that you should ignore your buildings. Be sure to upgrade and repair them when necessary. If you know your buildings are going to be destroyed, don't die with them; your life is far more valuable than your buildings, as you can simply repair or replace them.
  • Sometimes you may be required to 'adopt' another friendly Engineer's buildings (More often than not, their Sentry Gun) while they are away or dead. While your own buildings are usually your top priority, keep relatively close and protect the other unattended buildings whenever necessary. It's never a bad idea to give low-level buildings a swing or two from your Wrench to increase the speed in which they are upgraded once the other Engineer returns as well.
    • However, only the Engineer who built a building can haul it, so if it comes down to it, leave their buildings be and move your own gear up first.
  • Try not to stand in front of your Level 3 Sentry Gun while it is firing, as it's rockets are able to damage and even kill you if you aren't careful.
  • You can use a bind to bypass having to pull out the PDA by making it immediately destroy a building and then pulling out a blueprint. This allows you to immediately replace a building in a pinch. Be careful with this, however, as you may accidentally press the button and destroy a valuable building!

Weapon specific

Primary weapons

Shotgun + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Shotgun
Stock
Shotgun
Killicon shotgun.png 6 32 86-90 24-67 3-26 180
  • The Shotgun is the most versatile and most reliable due to its larger clip size and lack of reliance on a Dispenser, a Sentry Gun, or a specific positioning of enemies.
  • If you're intending to stay close to your Sentry Gun, make sure to build it in a spot where you can keep enemy players in groups. You will be able to fight on more even ground after the Sentry Gun has softened them up for a Shotgun blast.
  • Its large spread pattern is quite useful for Spy checking. Fire at corners, 'teammates', or in the Spy's general direction and look for tell-tales. Often, the spread will allow for at least one pellet to hit a cloaked Spy, allowing you to see his silhouette.
  • It is good at destroying Stickybombs due to its spread.
  • It can be used to deal extra damage against nearby enemies outside the Sentry Gun's range or who are damaged and retreating when the Sentry Gun is not in any immediate danger.
  • The Shotgun is a powerful weapon, especially at close-range. Don't be afraid to use it in combat situations; it can mean the difference between life and death.
  • Keep in mind that due to its spread, the Shotgun is not suitable for engaging enemies at long ranges. Switch to the Pistol for long-range attacks.
  • If a Spy is disabling your buildings with the Sapper, try to retaliate with your Shotgun and kill the Spy before destroying the Sapper, as most Spies will replace the Sapper if you attempt to remove it with your Wrench.

Frontier Justice + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Frontier Justice
Unlock
Frontier Justice
Killicon frontier justice.png 3 32 86-90 24-67 3-26 180
  • The Frontier Justice stores revenge Crits based of the amount of the kill and assist of your Sentry Gun before it destroyed. The downside is the clip size reduced to three instead of six and unable to deal random Critical hits.
  • Sentry Guns should be built in more aggressive areas where kills and assists will be awarded relatively easily.
  • Revenge Crits should be used sparingly, as the Frontier Justice's small clip size gives it a disadvantage when in combat unaided by Sentry Guns.
  • The Pistol is a good secondary to bring with the Frontier Justice, as it gives you a fallback option should you encounter a target that is too distant for the Frontier Justice or if you don't have time to reload in a fight.
  • Revenge Crits can support offensive pushes. Placing the Gunslinger's Combat Mini-Sentry Guns or an upgraded Sentry into enemy territory and fighting with revenge Crits while it builds can buy time for your Sentry to deploy and join the fight.
    • Despite this, even large supplies of revenge Crits are usually insufficient to be able to take down clusters of opponents, and it is usually unwise to try, due to the Frontier Justice's small clip size.
  • Revenge Crits are only granted upon a Sentry Gun's destruction: Sentry Guns that have gained kills and assists may be demolished for immediate Crits. This is a risky maneuver that should only be used in dire scenarios, when moving up while playing offensively, or when combined with the more disposable Combat Mini-Sentry Guns.
    • However, "cashing-in" during a quiet period in a safe area can be useful, as you can re-build and re-upgrade your Sentry in peace and have some revenge Crits on hand for a sticky situation. Just be careful about this, because if you die after redeeming the Crits, they'll have gone to waste and you'll be left with a fresh Sentry empty of kills and potential Crits.
  • Spy-checking with revenge Crits is often unwise because if the Dead Ringer is equipped, the Spy could cause the wastage of a Crit by triggering the feign death. Monitor the watches used by the opposing team.
  • Make conscious decisions whether or not to take out the Frontier Justice when not ready to fire. The Crit glow on the Frontier Justice could either make you a target for the enemy team, such as Snipers, or be used to scare away stray opponents.
    • If traveling alone, consider holding the gun out as the Crit glow may scare away potential enemies that plan to ambush. Additionally you can utilize the revenge Crits by ambushing lone enemies.
  • The Jag is a good Wrench to pair with the Frontier Justice, as it allows you to quickly rebuild your Sentry Gun.

Widowmaker

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Widowmaker
Promotional/Craft
Widowmaker
Killicon widowmaker.png 1 per 30 Metal N/A 86-90 24-67 3-26 180
  • The Widowmaker uses construction metal as ammo, deal 10% more damage on your Sentry Gun's target, and effectively reloads on hit. Only use the Widowmaker if you are confident in your aiming abilities. Otherwise, you're best off using the default Shotgun.
  • Don't try shooting enemies from afar with the Widowmaker; you'll only be wasting metal. Pick them off with your Pistol or Wrangler instead.
  • The Widowmaker is best used in conjunction with a Dispenser. Even if you miss a few shots, you can easily refill at your Dispenser.
  • When using the Widowmaker, make sure you have sufficient ammo at all times to fight off enemies. You are highly vulnerable and easy to kill at close range if you cannot fire your primary weapon.
  • With practice, the Widowmaker can make an effective offensive weapon. Continuous short-range usage allows you to retain ammo far away from your Dispenser, and the ability to keep shooting without reloading gives you an advantage over slower classes.
  • The Pistol is usually the best secondary with the Widowmaker, because if you run out of ammo, either by missing or by simply spending it on buildings, the Pistol is the most reliable alternative, as the Short Circuit also requires metal and the Wrangler requires a Sentry Gun, which is not always guaranteed.
  • It's the best to assisting your Sentry Gun with the Widowmaker, as it receives additional damage on your Sentry Gun's target.
  • The Widowmaker pairs well with the Gunslinger due to the generally more aggressive nature of the Widowmaker.

Panic Attack + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Panic Attack
Craft
Panic Attack
Killicon panic attack.png 6 32 7-108 5-72 3-38 216

[14.4 damage × 15 pellets]

  • The Panic Attack has a 50% faster deploy speed, has 50% more pellets, fires its pellets in a fixed pattern, deals 30% less damage, and has a bullet spread that increases with each consecutive shot.
  • The Panic Attack has a 50% faster switch speed, compared to the Shotgun. This allows you to inflict damage at a moment's notice.
    • However, it should be noted that the Engineer should usually be carrying his Shotgun when away from his buildings, as opposed to a Pistol, Wrench, or PDA, which would be the only situations where he would need to switch weapons.
    • It is worth noting that the Panic Attack's switch speed makes it possible to click on a building with a Wrench and switch to the Panic Attack mid-swing. The hit will still register and repair/upgrade your building, but you'll be holding the Panic Attack and immediately be able to deal with a threat if there is one.
  • The Panic Attack's increased number of pellets counteracts its damage penalty at close range. Try to get close to unaware enemies to deal the most damage.

Pomson 6000

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Pomson 6000
Craft
Pomson 6000
Killicon pomson 6000.png 4 N/A 52-68 31-41 31-41 108-180
  • The Pomson 6000 functions like the Soldier's Righteous Bison in terms of its projectiles and unlimited ammo, but instead of projectile penetration, it provides anti-Spy and anti-Medic capabilities, countering two of Engineer's counter-classes.
  • The Pomson 6000 trades self-defense for support. With easy to dodge projectiles and reduced damage, you are likely to die if you are without the support from your Sentry Gun or team coupled with your frail health.
    • It is recommended that you equip the Pistol as a backup weapon for this reason.
  • Whilst protecting a Sentry under attack is usually a priority, the Pomson 6000 gives the bonus of reducing an attacking Medic's ÜberCharge faster, preventing a Medic from using an ÜberCharge, causing him to charge into danger without invulnerability.
  • On a successful hit, the Pomson drains the Spy's Cloak, forcing him to retreat if he is using conventional watches.
    • Should the Spy be using the Dead Ringer, he will have less time to escape if he cloaks on a Pomson hit.
  • When the beam hits a Medic or Spy, a distinct sound is made. Listen for the "shrinking" sound.
    • Use this sound to tell if you have hit a cloaked Spy.
  • Due to the Pomson's nature, it excels at long-range damage and finishing off enemies, but is generally poor in close quarters. As such, the Pomson is generally best used when supporting teammates at long range. Spamming shots will prevent enemies from strafing around a lot, making it easier for teammates to aim for them.
    • Keep in mind that the Pomson is less effective at draining ÜberCharge and Cloak at long distances.
  • Shooting a friendly Sniper's Huntsman will cause his arrow to catch fire. Flaming arrows are more powerful than standard arrows, as they deal afterburn in addition to the initial hit. As a Sniper with the Huntsman, full-charge "body shot" arrow hits deal 120 damage. After the initial hit, weaker classes will be killed in a few seconds if the arrow was on fire.
    • Remember — shooting your teammates is also a measure of Spy checking, as a hit on a Spy will produce a distinct sound. The Pomson's unlimited ammo comes in handy for this, as you can Spy check often without having to visit a Dispenser or ammo pack.
  • A Spy can only use his Dead Ringer if he has a full Cloak meter. If an enemy Dead Ringer Spy is fleeing, you can hunt him down with the Pomson. Simply keep shooting at the Spy, and he might not be able to charge his Dead Ringer before you kill him.
  • Although its projectiles travel slowly and are easy to avoid, the Pomson is a very accurate weapon, even more accurate than your Pistol. Although you lose the close-range damage of the Shotgun and the fast reload of the Pistol, you can easily hit oblivious enemies who aren't dodging.
  • The Pomson pairs well with the Wrangler. The Pomson maintains an ability to make accurate shots that you would otherwise make with the Pistol, and similarly, ammo is not an issue. Having a Pomson and Wrangler equipped gives you a high degree of accuracy.

Rescue Ranger + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Rescue_Ranger
Craft
Rescue Ranger
Killicon rescue ranger.png 4 16 60 27 21 120
  • The Rescue Ranger fires special bolts that repair friendly buildings on hit at the cost of 4 health per 1 metal. It also gives the Engineer the ability to haul the building from the distance at the cost of 100 metals. The downside is the lower clip size (4 instead of 6), lower total ammo (16 instead of 32), and the Engineer will be marked for death while hauling a building and a few seconds after stop hauling.
    • The bolt projectiles are affected by gravity. Take this into account when firing this weapon.
  • You can often use it to repair your buildings (mainly your Sentry Gun, as that will be the one that gets the most attention of the enemy) from a safe distance.
    • It is also effective at repairing other Engineer's Sentry Guns, as you generally should not build near other Engineers, because splash damage could easily destroy both nests.
  • The hauling ability of this weapon is powerful on open maps, where you can get a clear line of sight of your buildings from a distance. Use this ability to move your buildings up front quickly, or to pull your buildings out when they are under attack, and you are too far away to retrieve them.
  • As hauling your buildings from a distance costs 100 metal, try to teleport your Dispenser first. If you cannot do this, find a source of metal before teleporting your buildings.
  • While weak in direct combat, the Rescue Ranger can be used for medium to long range harassment and for supporting other Engineers from long range by repairing their buildings.
  • The Rescue Ranger pairs well with Wrangler Jumping, as you can teleport your Sentry Gun after the jump.
  • Healing buildings with the Rescue Ranger is slightly more metal-efficient than healing with the normal Wrench. It heals 4 health for every one metal, while the Wrench heals 3 health for one metal.
  • This weapon can help negate the Jag's slightly lower repair rate, and compliment the mobility the Engineer gains with his buildings around the map. Consider equipping the Pistol if using this combo to help compensate for your other weapons and their lower damage output.
  • When hauling buildings with the Rescue Ranger, you will be marked for death. Make sure there are no enemies close by before you haul your buildings.
    • Be especially wary of weapons that can turn subsequent Mini-Crits into full Crits, such as the Sniper's Bushwacka.
  • The Pistol is an ideal secondary to pair with this weapon, as the Rescue Ranger itself is poorly suited for direct combat.

Secondary weapons

Pistol + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Pistol
Stock
Pistol
Killicon pistol.png 12 200 22 10-15 8-9 45 (Range does not affect damage)
Lugermorph
Promotional
Lugermorph
Killicon lugermorph.png
C.A.P.P.E.R
Uncrate
C.A.P.P.E.R
Killicon c.a.p.p.e.r.png
  • The Pistol has four main strengths over the Shotgun; its greater accuracy and damage at longer distances, its large ammunition reserve, and its faster reload time. These give the Pistol several key functions:
    • It can be used to ward off Snipers by causing them to flinch.
    • Great use with the Frontier Justice, Widowmaker, or Rescue Ranger, when retreating.
    • It can be used to pick off fleeing enemies (who are usually doing so due to low health).
    • It can be used to whittle away enemy health, especially if supplementing Sentry fire.
  • It is the most reliable weapon to use in conjunction with the Gunslinger's Combat Mini-Sentry Guns, as they also are most effective at a similar range, enabling you to wear opponents down quickly while staying at a reasonably safe distance.
  • When the Shotgun has run out of ammunition, you can switch to the Pistol in direct combat with an enemy to increase the damage being dealt to the opponent during the fight.
  • The high ammunition reserve and fast reload speed also allows you to provide covering fire during a firefight and support your teammates' own attacks. The higher accuracy and range than the Shotgun also means you can hang back somewhat while doing this and not expose yourself to too much fire. It is also possible to do this up close; however, it is risky without the Gunslinger and the Shotgun is much better at short range.
  • Remember that the Pistol always fires a perfectly accurate shot before its bullet spread goes into effect. However, every shot after that will be less accurate. This bullet spread resets after at least 1.25 seconds since firing the last shot. As such, it's important to keep in mind that spamming your Pistol can mean you lose a great deal of accuracy. Try to time your shots so that they can land consistently and accurately.
  • The Engineer's Pistol has one of the highest ammo counts of any weapon in the game. Keep that in mind, as you can lay out a ton of bullets in a short amount of time.
  • Due to its good range and large ammo reserve, the Pistol is one of the best weapons to deal "chip damage" at targets in which you land a few shots at the enemy, thus wearing them down a bit, and continuing to do so until they either retreat or decide to fight. Both outcomes are in your favor, because if they retreat, they'll be out of battle temporarily. However, if they decide to fight, they'll be weakened to the point where they'll fall to a few Shotgun blasts or to your Sentry Gun (if it's nearby) quickly.
  • Do not attack Soldiers or Demomen with this weapon, unless you are sure they are critically wounded. Unlike Snipers, they require less precise aiming, and can still destroy your buildings at close enough range.

Wrangler + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Medium Range Long Range Critical
Wrangler
Unlock
Wrangler
Killicon wrangler.png N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Giger Counter
Uncrate
Giger Counter
Killicon giger counter.png
  • When the Wrangler is held, you manually control your Sentry Gun, the firing rate of the Sentry Gun is doubled, and it forms a shield around the Sentry Gun while using it, which absorbs 66% of the damage taken by the Sentry Gun. However, the Sentry Gun's repair rate while using the Wrangler is also reduced by 66%. A Sentry Gun being controlled by a Wrangler has infinite range (only being limited by the environment around it).
  • If you need to defend yourself, use either your primary weapon or melee weapon, as it's generally easier than aiming with the Wrangler.
  • It's easier to stand close to or behind your Sentry Gun when using the Wrangler.
    • When using the Wrangler, you cannot stand behind cover and fire your Sentry manually. The Sentry Gun can only shoot if both you and the Sentry Gun have a direct line of sight to the point you're shooting at. Standing near your Sentry Gun minimizes situations where the Sentry Gun cannot shoot a certain target because you cannot see it.
  • Pay attention. The Sentry Gun cannot automatically fire when the Wrangler is in use, so unless you manually shoot them, enemies will get by the Sentry Gun without trouble.
  • It is advantageous to have a friendly Engineer repair and supply ammo to your Sentry Gun while you are using the Wrangler, since you cannot do these things yourself at the same time.
    • Keep in mind that Wrangled Sentry Guns have a reduced repair rate to both their health and their clip so be aware that doing this will use a lot of metal pretty quickly.
  • Wrangler Jumping is a technique done by standing on your Sentry Gun, aiming the laser straight up and directly in front of you, and firing while jumping. This shoots you up into the air, allowing you to reach high places.
    • Wrangler Jumping can also be done by firing a Level 3 Sentry Gun's rocket at your feet while jumping. This follows the same principle as Rocket Jumping, where crouching during a jump increases the knockback of the explosion.
    • You will take a good amount of damage from Wrangler Jumping, so it's good to have a Dispenser next to the Sentry Gun.
    • Once you've made it to the desired location, build a Teleporter exit. This means you can jump back down, grab some ammo, build a Teleporter entrance on the ground, and get back to said location without having to Wrangler Jump again.
    • A skilled Engineer can pick up his Sentry immediately after a Wrangler Jump. This takes practice, of course, but will allow an Engineer to not waste metal building another Sentry Gun.
      • Alternatively, you can use the Rescue Ranger's alt-fire to pick up your building from long range, but it costs 100 metal to do so.
  • The Wrangler's fall-off is based on the Engineer's position rather than the Sentry Gun's, don't be afraid to step closer if you need extra damage output.

Short Circuit

Weapon Kill Icon Ammo Damage
Loaded Carried Point Blank Critical
Short Circuit
Promotional/Craft
Short Circuit
Killicon short circuit.png 1 per 5 Metal N/A 5 18
  • The Short Circuit fires a short range, small electrical charge that damages enemies in your crosshair at the cost of 5 metal for each shot. With alt-fire, it launches an energy ball that deals damage and deletes any projectiles that touch it at the cost of 65 metal. As a downside, the Short Circuit is unable to deal Critical hits and deal significantly less damage to buildings.
  • This weapon's primary use is defensive. Should you and your Sentry be cornered by a Demoman or Soldier, you can prevent them from using blast damage to destroy your Sentry by vaporizing their explosives, thus forcing them to change tactics.
  • Keep in mind that you can only fire 3 energy balls with a full 200 metal. If you have no good source of metal, make sure you are using it to its fullest effect and not wasting valuable metal.
    • Not even a level 3 Dispenser can keep up with the energy ball’s metal consumption rate. Don’t rely on them to keep a constant stream of energy balls.
  • This weapon also has offensive capabilities on Payload maps; should your allies be under attack by several projectile-using enemies, you can provide reasonable protection from harm without the risk of running out of Metal due to the Dispenser on the cart.
  • The alt-fire is very effective when fired into crowded chokepoints that are filled with projectiles. As it travels toward enemies, it will vaporize any projectiles aimed toward your team.
  • The ball explodes on contact with any surface. This makes it excellent for removing dense stickybomb traps, as it can delete many of them if aimed at the center.
  • This weapon is extremely weak in combat, dealing only 10 damage per shot, meaning its primary use should be for defense, support, or self-defense. The alt-fire is similarly weak, though can be used to finish off fleeing enemies.
  • The Short Circuit really shines in supporting other Engineers and defending nests, where there's a steadier supply of metal from Dispensers and more buildings to defend at once. You might be better off taking another secondary if you're largely working alone or your buildings are spread-out and projectiles aren't much of a problem.
  • The Short Circuit's alt-fire attack will target disguised and invisible Spies, and can hit infinitely many enemies in a single attack, making it very useful for Spy-checking.
  • Because of how much metal the alt-fire uses, it is unwise to equip the Widowmaker unless you're stationed in an Engineer nest, as you may find yourself defenseless very quickly with two weapons (as well as your repair costs) eating into the same ammo pool.
  • The Short Circuit is largely situational. If your Sentry Gun and other buildings are not getting harassed by Soldiers or Demomen, it's best to equip the Pistol or Wrangler.

Melee weapons

Wrench + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Attack Interval Damage
Point Blank Critical
Wrench
Stock
Wrench
Killicon wrench.png 0.8 seconds 65 195
Golden Wrench
Promotional
Golden Wrench
Killicon golden wrench.png
Saxxy
Promotional
Saxxy
Killicon saxxy.png
Golden Frying Pan
Reward
Golden Frying Pan
Killicon golden frying pan.png
Necro Smasher
Achievement
Necro Smasher
Killicon necro smasher.png
Prinny Machete
Promotional
Prinny Machete
Killicon prinny machete.png
  • When a Spy is repeatedly sapping your Sentry Gun in an attempt to destroy it, your Wrench serves two purposes. First, you can use it to swing at the opposing Spy, 2-3 hits being enough to kill a Spy, ignoring Critical hits. After that, you can quickly turn around and repair your Sentry Gun. Two strikes from the Wrench will disable a Sapper and halt the progressive damage it causes; you can then fully repair the Sentry Gun after the Spy is killed. A good strategy would be to hit the Sentry Gun a single time, and then change targets towards the Spy, kill him, and then take off the Sapper with another swing.
  • While it may be tempting to use the Wrench's high Critical hit rate to club enemies to death, melee combat is usually not where the low-health Engineer shines. Use the Shotgun instead at close range in order to quickly finish off the enemy.
  • The game prioritizes repairing buildings over melee combat when using the Wrench. This means that if there is an enemy — say, a Spy — next to a friendly structure and you are using the Wrench to attempt to kill them, you will find the Wrench hitting the building near or even behind the enemy you are trying to strike instead of the enemy. Switch to the Shotgun or Pistol to deal with enemies that are very close to one of your buildings to avoid this.

Gunslinger

Weapon Kill Icon Attack Interval Damage
Point Blank Critical
Gunslinger
Unlock
Gunslinger
Killicon gunslinger.png 0.8 seconds 65 195
Killicon gunslinger triple punch.png N/A
  • The Gunslinger replaces the normal Sentry Gun with a Combat Mini-Sentry Gun. The Combat Mini-Sentry Gun is a smaller, quick-building version of the Sentry Gun with a cheaper cost of 100 metal. It also provides an extra 25 health to the Engineer, for a total of 150. As a downside, the Gunslinger is unable to do random Critical hits, but if an enemy is hit three times in a row with the Gunslinger with less than a second between hits, the third hit will be a Critical hit.
  • The Gunslinger puts the Engineer to a more comfortable health pool of 150. This allows the Engineer to survive combat better and allows for some more aggressive playstyles.
  • With the Gunslinger equipped, it may not even be worth building a Dispenser near your Mini-Sentry. A Mini-Sentry is, in most cases, not powerful enough to defend a Dispenser on its own. Don't let that stop you from building Dispensers at all, though. Even if you're not setting up camp, leaving a Dispenser in a good fallback location, such as around corners or behind cover, can do wonders for you and your team.
  • When going on the offensive, such as the BLU team on Payload, the Mini-Sentry allows you to be more mobile. Due to how easily the Mini-Sentry can be replaced, you can destroy it when you need to move your other buildings up in order to support your team, then place down another one in order to support your team in a firefight.
  • Although not as high priority as other buildings, healing your Mini-Sentry can prove to be beneficial.
  • The Combat Mini-Sentry comes with its own series of benefits and setbacks:
    • The Mini-Sentry is much less expensive on metal than the standard Sentry Gun, costing only 100 metal instead of 130. With this conservation of metal, you can use the extra metal to upgrade, repair, help another Engineer's buildings, or build other buildings.
    • A Mini-Sentry is good for being deployed quickly and picking enemies off. However, do not expect the Mini-Sentry to last very long. Its low health means that it is very vulnerable. It's best to replace it as soon as possible once it is destroyed.
    • The reduced metal cost allows you to place a maximum of 2 Mini-Sentry Guns on the battlefield before having to collect more metal, and for every kill you get you can build another one with the dropped ammo pack. Take advantage of this, as you will be able to keep the pressure on the enemy for a longer period of time.
    • It may not always be worth it to pick up your Mini-Sentry and move it elsewhere. Unless there's no time pressure or it's a very short distance, simply destroying your Mini-Sentry and building a new one is more beneficial.
    • The Mini-Sentry constructs itself 150% percent faster than the regular Sentry Gun. It also will start with 50 health instead of starting from scratch at 1, which allows it to survive wayward fire much more reliably.
    • A single punch from the Gunslinger will fully repair a Mini-Sentry (but will not fully replenish ammo). This is more time efficient on offense and overall makes it much easier to be constantly on the move with your other buildings.
    • The Mini-Sentry has the same range as the standard Level 1 Sentry Gun. This makes it excellent for holding down one small area, such as around a health pack, rather than somewhere like the point, where its lack of range can allow enemy Demomen or Soldiers to easily destroy it.
      • However, due to its smaller size, it can prove beneficial to put the Mini-Sentry on one side near an objective and yourself on the other, forcing the enemy to choose between fighting you or your Mini.
  • The Gunslinger pairs very well with certain weapons:
    • Pairing with the Frontier Justice will grant you frequent revenge Crits, although in smaller quantities than if a regular Sentry is destroyed. Destroying your Mini-Sentry can allow you to receive your Critical hits on demand when they are needed most.
    • Paired with the Widowmaker you can become an effective combat class, with the ability to constantly place Mini-Sentry Guns around and frustrate the enemy team's approach. Be careful of your metal count, however, as it is being used as your primary ammo source. Additionally, you will deal extra damage to enemies targeted by your Mini-Sentry, which will allow it to combo with it very effectively.
    • Paired with the Wrangler, the Mini-Sentry can be deadly. The Wrangler gives the Mini-Sentry an effective health of 300, has damage output similarly to that of the Level 2 Sentry Gun and a much longer range, which can make it a force to be reckoned with.
  • When a lone enemy is being fired on by your Mini-Sentry, attack from another direction with your primary or secondary. This means you are effectively attacking from two directions and your target might have difficulty dealing with both you and your Mini-Sentry. However, this tactic may not work as effectively on explosive classes or high health targets.
  • When facing off against an enemy, or a group of enemies, that you know you can't win, consider using the Mini-Sentry as a decoy instead. If it's not already deployed, you can quickly deploy one and run away. This will force your enemy to either go for you and be shot at by your Mini, or it will delay them.
    • Similarly, when you run into a more powerful enemy or an enemy that has the upper hand, you can put down your Mini-Sentry first and then start shooting them.
  • While the extra 25 health is an excellent bonus, do not become overconfident. You are still vulnerable when all alone and headshots from Snipers can still instantly kill you if you are not overhealed.

Placement

  • Place your Mini-Sentry in an area where enemies pass through frequently. Using a Mini-Sentry as a long-term defense is not recommended.
  • It's a good idea to place your Mini-Sentry near a health pack, since health packs attract low-health enemies — easy kills for a Mini-Sentry.
  • Try putting your Mini-Sentry around a corner, or on top of a high building. If enemies can't figure out where a Mini-Sentry is, they will either die before they can spot/destroy it or be left moderately to severely injured.
  • Since the Mini-Sentry has a relatively short range, smaller spaces are preferable to wide-open spaces, where Snipers, Soldiers, or other classes can pick it off without the Mini-Sentry being able to defend itself.
  • A Mini-Sentry hidden away underwater can temporarily confuse enemies as to how they're being shot.
  • For a rather cruel, ironic twist, hide Mini-Sentry Guns under large ammo boxes. The Mini-Sentry is just small enough that the only part of it not covered is the kickstand, though the particle effect from the light can sometimes be seen.
  • When playing the role of a Battle Engineer, get into the habit of dropping a Mini-Sentry on a whim, without any real rhyme or reason to its placement. This can grant you vital cover-fire and provides a distraction should the situation go south.
    • With the recent change to the Gunslinger, this strategy has diminished in effectiveness quite a lot. However, doing this in defensive situations near objectives is still effective. Cover your frontline teammates with a Mini-Sentry slightly behind them to allow them a small safe zone they can retreat to.

Southern Hospitality

Weapon Kill Icon Attack Interval Damage
Point Blank Critical
Southern Hospitality
Craft
Southern Hospitality
Killicon southern hospitality.png 0.8 seconds 65 195
Bleeding Killicon bleed.png 40 damage over 5 seconds N/A N/A
  • The Southern Hospitality is nearly as versatile as the stock Wrench, with only a few situational weaknesses. As such, it is an upgrade to the default Wrench unless the enemy team has more than one actively attacking Pyro. The lack of random Crits is compensated for by the Bleed status and the retained ability to wear opponents down further with other weapons.
  • The Southern Hospitality favors a defensive playstyle. Camping Engineers rarely encounter Pyros without having a Sentry Gun in between to win the skirmish, whereas when pushing into enemy territory, should the Engineer encounter a Pyro, then the Engineer is at extreme disadvantage due to extra 20% fire vulnerability. Fortunately, Engineer vs. Pyro exchanges are rather uncommon due to the Engineer's Sentry Gun being able to completely zone out the Pyro, so this downside isn't as serious of a detriment as it may seem.
  • The presence of bleeding on this weapon makes it an excellent anti-Spy tool, allowing you and your teammates to monitor their movements should they try to escape. However, the inability to randomly Crit makes killing Spies more difficult in a short span of time. Instead, hit them repeatedly with the Southern Hospitality, thus doing more average Wrench damage and resetting the Bleed timer each hit, or hit them with the Southern Hospitality, then switch to your Shotgun or Frontier Justice to finish them off.
  • ÜberCharged Pyros are a major threat with the 20% increase to fire vulnerability. If one approaches, the most valuable building should be moved to a safe(r) location to be ready when the ÜberCharge wears off. If the Pyro is too close for you to haul a building to safety, flee, and be prepared to rebuild.
    • The Rescue Ranger can help save 2 of your buildings from a safe distance, provided you have a full metal supply.
  • The Southern Hospitality is very viable within Medieval Mode, as the 40 damage added by Bleeding is a strong buff, and sources of fire damage are reduced significantly.

Jag + reskins

Weapon Kill Icon Attack Interval Damage
Base Damage Critical
Jag
Craft
Jag
Killicon jag.png 0.68 seconds 49 146
  • The Jag gives the Engineer a 30% bonus to construction speed; Wrench-boosting construction of buildings with the Jag will construct buildings at just shy of three times the normal rate, compared to 2.5x with most other wrenches. The Jag also swings 15% faster, further speeding up the process of creating level 3 buildings.
    • This also serves to legitimize construction of regular Sentry Guns even in an offensive situation where normally a Mini-Sentry would suffice. A level 2 Sentry will not take terribly long to make with ample metal available, and it will have a tremendous area control advantage thanks to superior DPS and durability over the Mini-Sentry. If your buildings aren't being pressured by Spies or other enemies, this could be something to consider.
  • Try to avoid melee combat due to the damage penalty. If your team is good at Spy checking, however, this won't matter much, and the extra swing speed will make up for some of the lost damage.
  • Get in the habit of hitting your buildings all the way to completion as soon as you plant them.
  • The Jag is also useful in situations such as rebuilding a destroyed Teleporter Entrance or Exit while the other half is still up; being able to speedily rebuild the destroyed half means you can teleport back to your other buildings a few seconds faster.
  • The Jag is a great weapon for "helper" Engineers who are only being Engineer temporarily to help other Engineers upgrade or maintain their buildings.
    • Although sometimes counterintuitive, you can temporarily equip the Jag to quickly construct higher-leveled buildings at spawn, and switch to another Wrench (besides the Gunslinger) to relish the Jag's bonus, but keep another Wrench as your 'main'. This is best seen in defending Dustbowl's 3rd Stage.
  • The Jag pairs well with the Rescue Ranger both by being able to quickly deploy buildings hauled from long range and healing any damage suffered to them to make up for the repair rate penalty; however, it becomes detrimental to equip the Pistol because the Jag is a straight downgrade to the default Wrench in combat and the Ranger is not very good at combat either. You may switch to the Wrangler if you prefer to keep your distance or try and Wrangler jump to unusual locations. This provides great utility with the Ranger by being able to pick up your Sentry while jumping, then teleport your Dispenser to yourself.
  • The Jag's repair rate penalty stacks with the repair reduction of the Wrangler's shield. It may be advisable to use a different Wrench if your Sentry spot necessitates the Wrangler.
  • The Jag takes 3 hits instead of 2 to destroy an enemy Sapper. It may be useful to use a different Wrench after you deploy your Buildings.

Eureka Effect

Weapon Kill Icon Attack Interval Damage
Point Blank Critical
Eureka Effect
Craft
Eureka Effect
Killicon eureka effect.png 0.8 seconds 65 195
  • The Eureka Effect gives the Engineer the ability to teleport to the spawn and their Teleporter with the reload key (default key: R) and also decreases the cost to build and upgrade the Teleporter by 50%. However, the Eureka Effect gives the user 20% less metal from ammo pickups and Dispensers, and also gives the building 50% penalty to construction speed; Wrench-boosting construction of buildings with the Jag will construct buildings at 1.25x the normal rate, compared to 2.5x with most other wrenches.
  • The Eureka Effect shines in situations where time and metal are of the essence. A player can drop a level 1 sentry and a teleporter, hit the teleporter with your wrench till it's about 75% built, then teleport back and forth and have a nest built up quickly and at low personal risk as the player does need to leave the nest to forage for metal.
  • With the Eureka Effect equipped Dispensers will still dispense their regular amount of metal, but the Engineer will receive a reduced amount. For example, a Lvl 3 Dispenser will dispense its usual 60 metal each tick, but the Engineer will only receive 48 metal with the remaining 12 metal lost. This can very quickly add up in high metal usage situations.
  • The Eureka Effect is ineffective for sustaining a base under consistent enemy attack due to it reducing your metal pickups. Therefore, use the Eureka Effect to set up a base, then switch to the stock Wrench to defend it more effectively. Remember, buildings are not lost when switching wrenches, in most circumstances.
  • You and your buildings are more vulnerable when being constructed. Try to build in safe areas and know your limits on how aggressively you can place buildings.
  • Triggering a teleport forces the player to wait 3 seconds while the Engineer performs a brief taunt; since taunting leaves the Engineer completely defenseless, retreating with low health or when the enemy is advancing can result in death if care is not taken.
  • The Eureka Effect can be extremely useful in game modes lacking a source of healing (such as a health pickup, Medi Gun, or a Dispenser). You can engage an enemy, go to safety when you're at low health, teleport back to base, come back with full health (and metal), and repeat.
  • The Eureka Effect can be useful in setting up and upgrading a Sentry nest quickly; having it equipped means an Engineer is able to run back and forth between spawn or a teleport exit and their nest very quickly by using the Eureka Effect's taunt and an active teleporter, allowing an instant metal refill with each trip.
  • The Eureka Effect gives the defending team an advantage on attack/defense maps; if the penultimate point is being captured, a tactful teleport can allow an Engineer to fall back and prepare for an incoming attack.
  • The teleport action also allows a teleporter exit to be placed at the front lines during setup on Payload maps; a quick teleport back to spawn and the teleporter is ready to go quickly. This allows you and your fellow Engineers to teleport to the frontlines and setup your buildings more quickly.
  • The Eureka Effect is great for passive chokepoint holding on the attacking team, as teleporting back to spawn can guarantee a steady teleport system and get your slower classes back to the front quickly.
  • You can sneak past enemy lines on maps where the spawns change (such as Frontier), and set up a teleporter exit near the last point. Then, you can teleport back to spawn, restock, and take the teleporter to the point. Getting some of your teammates to take the teleporter can effectively "sandwich" the enemy, making for an easier fight.
    • On the other hand, if a Spy has destroyed your teleporter entrance or is currently spam-sapping it, the Eureka Effect allows you to surprise any Spies and/or rebuild an entrance.
  • Crafty Engineers can possibly carefully sneak past enemy lines and plant a teleporter exit in a place where the other side won't suspect it will be, such as the Control Point building in Dustbowl after it's captured, and then teleport back to the spawn safely, where they can upgrade and repair it as needed. This allows for other classes, like Spies, to quickly go to that area without raising much suspicion.
  • The Eureka Effect can be used to attempt accurate telefrags. This requires very good timing.
  • Because of the Eureka Effect's con that you can only get 80% of metal from metal pick-ups, you are usually conserving more metal than using the other wrenches.
  • When respawning, use the Eureka Effect's teleport ability to teleport to your teleporter, so that someone else can use the teleporter.

Map specific

Control Point (Attack/Defend)

Steel

  • Steel is an excellent map when it comes to tactical Engineer-based pushes. One well placed BLU teleporter can win a game quickly and effectively, due to the ability to capture Point E without the requirement to capture Points A-D first. A Sentry Gun in the area around Point E can lock it down and provide effective cover for BLU's Soldiers and Scouts as they capture.
  • While on Blu, it can often be a handy idea to use the following loadout:
  • Because of the large amount of tight areas and general lack of wide open spaces on Steel, the Short Circuit can be a very helpful tool to use over the Wrangler or Pistol, as Engineers will often find themselves in situations where a Soldier or Demoman may be firing rockets, grenades or stickybombs at their base from around a corner or through a window and the Short Circuit will destroy the projectiles before they can hit the buildings or be detonated.
  • The Jag can be a handy item to have when it comes to quickly placing a Sentry Gun to assault enemies where they least expect it.
    • An effective example of this would be to build your sentry to Level 3 during setup time, and then haul it up the stairs to the right of the spawn doors. Provided of course that there are no enemy Sentry Guns within direct range of yours, place it on the elevated walkway next to Point A. Although it may be destroyed shortly afterwards, it can provide ample support which will allow your team to capture the point while denying Red that entire area.
  • If you are confident that your team will capture the point without support from you or your buildings, setting up a teleporter exit and base near the proceeding control points can often be a good way to catch your enemy off guard. This will allow for your team to begin capturing the points before the enemy team has a chance to set up defenses of their own.
  • When defending, it can often lead to setup positions similar to the ones mentioned in the last point. If you are confident that the enemy team will capture Point A fairly quickly, it may be a good idea to have a complete setup on Point B or even C.
    • One of the most surprising sentry placements on Steel will often be the narrow area leading from Point B to Point C. Setting up your nest here while on RED can catch the enemy team off guard and allows for Point C to get a defense set up by your teammates while you prevent BLU from directly entering the area. If they do begin firing projectiles at your buildings, they can be protected by the Short Circuit. This base will often last the entire round if you defend it properly, mainly due to the lack of access points. It is recommended that you haul to another spot though, as the enemy team will usually give up trying to pass through this point and take another route.
  • If BLU only needs to capture Point E to win, a very effective way to figure out where to place a sentry is to take note of where the enemy team is pushing from. Once satisfied you have the right entrance, place a sentry not guarding the entrance itself or even the point, but the area that the team needs to pass through to get to this entrance. This will prove a lot more effective than placing it exactly where they typically expect it to be, thus catching them off guard preparing for something that is sooner upon them than they thought.

Buildings

Sentry Gun

Level Kill Icon Health Cost Weaponry Damage Ammo
1

RED Level 1 Sentry Gun.png

Killicon sentry1.png 150 (effectively 450 with the Wrangler shielding) 130 Metal Semi-Automatic Firing Barrel Damage: 16
Shots per second: 4 (8 with Wrangler)
Average DPS: 64 (128 with Wrangler)
100 rounds
2

RED Level 2 Sentry Gun.png

Killicon sentry2.png 180 (effectively 540 with the Wrangler shielding) 330 Metal Dual Rotational Minigun Barrels Damage: 16

Shots per second: 8 (16 with Wrangler)
Average DPS: 128 (256 with Wrangler)

120 rounds
3

RED Level 3 Sentry Gun.png

Killicon sentry3.png 216 (effectively 648 with the Wrangler shielding) 530 Metal

Dual Rotational Minigun Barrels

Target Guided Rocket Launch Support System

Damage: 16
Shots per second: 8 (16 with Wrangler)
Average DPS: 128 (256 with Wrangler)

  • Rockets fire every 3 seconds (slightly faster with the Wrangler), dealing 53 to 150 damage on direct hit (falloff is calculated from the distance of the Engineer to the target, not from the Sentry to the target). The rockets can be deflected with the Pyro's compression blast.

144 rounds
20 rocket salvos

Combat Mini-Sentry Gun

Level Kill Icon Health Cost Weaponry Damage Ammo
N/A

Red Mini Sentry.png

Killicon minisentry.png 100 (effectively 300 with the Wrangler shielding) 100 Metal Semi-Automatic Firing Barrel Damage: 8

Shots per second: 6 (12 with Wrangler)
Average DPS: 48 (96 with Wrangler)

100 rounds
  • The difference between excellent Sentry Gun placement and average Sentry Gun placement can sometimes be very little; a matter of inches, or an angle that is off by a few degrees, can determine whether a Sentry Gun can effectively cover a certain approach, whether it will give away its location to enemies too easily, whether it will take too long to rotate into firing positions, and so on. This does not mean that you should take a long time to adjust the Sentry Gun blueprint before placing it – doing so is a hallmark of inexperienced Engineer play. However, observe how certain placements perform, and if the Sentry Gun demonstrates any weaknesses in that position, try to place the Sentry Gun so it will be more effective in the future.
    • A good rule of thumb for Sentry Gun placement is a location that maximizes the Sentry Gun's range while minimizing its corner weakness. In other words, any location where approaching enemies will likely receive fire from the Sentry Gun at close to its maximum range but will be unable to fire back from outside that range. This is because Sentry Guns do not suffer from damage falloff at range. While this does not always limit the damage your Sentry Gun will take in return (damage falloff due to range does not apply to damage done against buildings), it does reduce the damage you will take while you maintain the Sentry Gun, and it also reduces damage from short-range and/or high spread weapons such as the Scattergun, Flame Thrower, and Minigun. Making good use of the Sentry Gun's range also gives the Sentry Gun a bigger field of fire and it gives you more warning of approaching enemies (and incoming projectiles), while denying the largest area to your enemies, one of the Engineer's primary roles.
  • Sentry Guns are usually best built on high ground. However, you should avoid choosing an elevated spot that allows your Sentry Gun to be seen by enemies from beyond its ability to fire back. The best Sentry Gun placements allow a Sentry Gun to shoot at enemies at the same time or even a little before enemies are able to see and shoot back at the Sentry Gun, and high ground can help achieve this, as the diagram below-right demonstrates.
    • High ground is also great because it makes the Sentry Gun harder to hit with splash damage. As long as it is not built with its back to a wall, most projectiles will arc either too high or too low to hit hard, and the precision aiming required forces enemies to take the Sentry Gun's full weight of fire to try to take their shot. Conversely, low ground creates the opposite effect, effectively "funneling" even stray projectiles such as Grenades right into the Sentry Gun. Avoid low ground positions such as pits and valleys.
    • High ground is also very useful by making it more difficult for Spies to get into sapping range. High ground placements reduce the number of routes Spies can use to get close, making it easier for you and your team to discover and remove potential Spy threats before they get a chance to disable your Sentry Gun.
  • Build in areas that are open, but not too open, and give you some room to work. This allows you to dodge and gives yourself good angles for using the Wrangler while keeping a safe distance from your Sentry Gun if it is under fire. If possible, have a wall or other cover near to the Sentry Gun that you can use as cover while you repair, but try not to have an obscured view of what is attacking your Sentry Gun.
  • Avoid "gimmicky" Sentry positions such as looking down holes in ceilings, in the middle of narrow hallways, or around sharp corners. Sentry Guns can certainly get kills in such positions, but while these positions can surprise the enemy temporarily, they aren't terribly effective since they won't seriously interfere with your opponents' movement. High level Sentry Guns take a lot of time and resources to make, so building them in areas where they will be useful only rarely is a waste.
  • Great Sentry positions will allow the Sentry Gun to put suppressing fire on a number of key areas and also allow it to act as a first line of defense for your team. A Sentry being repaired or Wrangled (or both) is excellent at absorbing damage that would otherwise be directed at your fellow teammates.
    • Sentry Guns should not therefore be viewed as a "last line of defense". Building with this mentality is flawed, because while an Engineer and his Sentry can fend off most lone opponents fairly effectively, as little as two enemies can overwhelm an unsupported Engineer position, even if the base is well constructed and the Engineer is skilled.
  • Don't build yourself into a corner if you want to be hanging around your Sentry Gun repairing; you deny yourself a line of retreat and ensure that you get damaged as much as your Sentry Gun. Sentry Guns right around corners can catch enemies off guard, but if you build such an "ambush" Sentry Gun, don't sit right on it. Leave it on its own and maybe support it offensively with your own weapons, and then move it or rebuild it once it becomes ineffective.
  • In addition to building on high ground and in a moderately open area, you should build the Sentry Gun such that it covers narrow areas in the map called "Chokepoints". This maximizes the area your team has to work with and minimizes the maneuvering room for attackers. This forces the enemy team to bunch up in narrow hallways and doorways, making them easy prey for your Sentry Gun's rockets or the splash damage from your team. Sentry Guns are at their best when they force enemies to fight from a disadvantageous position.
  • Take note of where other Engineers have set up their Sentry Guns and set up yours to create overlapping fields of fire that can catch opponents in crossfire. Being within sight of another Engineer on your team makes it easy for you to help one other repair during times when either of you is dead or occupied. It also concentrates your team's defense and prevents your team from spreading too thinly. Two Sentry Guns that are spread out yet still covering the same choke point combined with adequate Spy checking can be an absolute nightmare for the enemy team to deal with and forces them to either come with everything they have or not come at all.
    • Conversely, try not to build two Sentry Guns next to each other; this doesn't help cover a wider area and allows a Demoman or Spy to take out both Sentry Guns at once.
  • After building a Sentry Gun, stand behind it and build a Dispenser behind your position; if a few enemies or an ÜberCharged enemy comes, you can crouch behind the Sentry for protection and continually repair the damage done to it while having your Metal replenished by the Dispenser behind you. This strategy works well wherever enemies are forced through a bottleneck while approaching the Gun or have no line of sight to the Dispenser, but does not work well in open areas where the Dispenser can be targeted from the side or from above.
Figure 1. Dustbowl, Stage 2, Point B example of excellent Sentry placement. Both Sentries A and B are on high ground in open areas covering chokepoints, with double coverage of two major chokes. Both Sentries are nearby and face each other, making it easy for each Engineer to watch the other.
Figure 2. Illustrates the advantages of elevated placement. Sentry is in the open covering a chokepoint, is able to lock on and begin firing an instant before approaching enemies, preventing abuse of cover and maximizing Sentry damage. Attacking Demomen in particular will have poor attack angles.


Dispenser

Level Health Cost Resource Output Rate
Health Ammo Metal
1

Lvl1dispenser.png

150 100 Metal 10/sec 20%/sec 40/5 sec
2

Lvl2dispenser.png

180 300 Metal 15/sec 30%/sec 50/5 sec
3

Lvl3dispenser.png

216 500 Metal 20/sec 40%/sec 60/5 sec
  • Build your Dispenser in a convenient location for your teammates to reach.
  • Do not place your Dispenser in areas with lots of enemies nearby. Dispensers are fragile, and without anything to guard them, they will be destroyed quickly. Try to locate the Dispenser behind an obstacle, such as a crate or a low wall, which will shield it from a fair amount of incoming damage.
  • It's a bad idea to place your Dispenser next to your Sentry Gun, and stand in a position where you can reach both with your Wrench at the same time. The Dispenser doesn't help your team.
  • Make sure your Dispenser isn't blocking your Sentry Gun. Enemies can take advantage of blind spots behind Dispensers to destroy your buildings.
  • A savvy Engineer can use his Dispenser to 'Dispenser jump.' An Engineer can jump on top of his Dispenser and then reach an otherwise unreachable ledge.
  • A good placement for a Dispenser is behind cover, but still near the frontline enough that it can heal teammates. This helps your teammates stay in the fight longer.
  • Dispensers stack, so sometimes putting two Dispensers near each other is a good idea. Teammates can receive two times the healing.

Teleporter

Teleporter
Level Health Cost Recharge time
Level 1 150 50 Metal 10 seconds
Level 2 180 250 Metal 5 seconds
Level 3 216 450 Metal 3 seconds
  • Place your Teleporter Entrance close to your team's respawn point in plain sight.
  • Place your Teleporter Exit either -
    • Somewhere hidden within enemy territory, such as behind a crate or on the rooftop of a shed.
    • Near your other buildings.
  • Avoid standing right on top of your Teleporter Exit, so as to avoid being telefragged.
  • Make sure which direction to head is obvious to your teammates. When the Teleporter is being carried, pressing Alt-Fire rotates it 90 degrees. Use this to face your Teleporter away from walls, corners, etc.
  • During setup time, or at the start of a round, it's a good idea to build a Teleporter entrance. This is a good preparation strategy. It gives you the ability to deploy an exit on demand, and respond to changes in the front line by relocating the exit.
  • When defending a highly-trafficked chokepoint, you may want to place a Teleporter entrance or exit somewhere where attacking enemies will see it as they are entering your area of the map. They will often destroy it, giving you a heads-up about their presence. Beware that some players will be suspicious of the Teleporter's real function as an early warning system and will purposely leave it alone so as to retain the element of surprise.
    • However, do this only when it's absolutely unnecessary for the Teleporters to be used the way they're meant to, for example, on last point on defense, your spawn is usually close to the last point.
  • Avoid building Teleporters during Arena mode. The quick nature of Arena maps and the scarcity of ammo during such games means that you're better off using your metal to build Dispensers or Sentry Guns.
  • You can use the Eureka Effect to save metal on creating and upgrading Teleporters, then switch to another Wrench to get the rest of the sentry base built up.

Taunt Attacks

Guitar Smash

Kill Icon Weapon Damage Duration Details
Guitar Smash
Guitar Smash
Killicon guitar smash.png Frontier Justice 500 4 seconds The Engineer takes out his loyal guitar, plays a chord, and then hits it into the head of any enemy that's in the way.
  • Guitar Smash can be used on immobilized, unaware, or distracted enemies. However, the chord may give you away.
  • Guitar Smash be useful during Humiliation or Stalemate.

Arm Blender

Kill Icon Weapon Damage Duration Details
Arm Blender
Arm Blender
Killicon arm blender.png Gunslinger 500 4 seconds The Engineer pulls a rip-cord from his mechanical prosthetic, revving the hand of his Gunslinger up to vicious speeds, after which he thrusts it forward, gibbing any enemy player within reach.
  • With correct timing, you might be able to kill a distracted enemy, so keep in mind that it takes some time for the Engineer to spin his hand up.
  • You can use the stunning effect of Arm Blender to stun ÜberCharged enemies and waste their Über time.
  • Arm Blender is also effective during humiliation.

Weapon combinations

Dealing with the Spy

See also: Engineer match-ups
  • The Spy is typically the mortal enemy of the Engineer. Due to the Spy's ability to sap your buildings, it makes him more than a match for you in a strategic sense. Sappers shut down your buildings immediately, leaving them effectively "destroyed" until you remove them. A building that gets Sapped while under fire is typically impossible for a lone Engineer to save.
    • The Spy's ability to disguise himself as any class on either team is also quite bothersome. While wearing a friendly disguise, the Spy has access to your buildings, allowing him to restore health and Cloak from your Dispenser. Note that this also prevents your Sentry Gun from shooting at him until he loses his disguise.
  • Watch for Spies using the Your Eternal Reward. This knife, upon a backstab, allows the Spy to take the form of his victim without dropping his disguise. Spies using it will not hesitate to backstab you or your allies within range of an active Sentry Gun if they get the chance.
  • Spies have the potential to hide anywhere and appear as anyone. As such, you cannot rely solely on your Sentry Gun to protect you. Remain alert at all times and refrain from being stationary even while protecting your position to prevent Ambassador headshots and backstabs. If someone seems suspicious, don't be afraid to Spy-check them.
  • A good Spy will often appear without warning, quickly sap your Sentry Gun, and start attacking you immediately with his Revolver or Knife, especially if you are alone. If you come under attack in this way, worry about the Spy first. A Spy can place Sappers faster than you can remove them and repair your buildings. It is much more important to eliminate the Spy before he causes any more damage. Use your Shotgun or melee weapon to dispatch the trespasser before repairing your buildings.
  • Most of the time, you should save your Dispenser first, as it will break from a Sapper faster than an upgraded Sentry Gun, and regenerating its Metal supply takes a lot of time. If you are staying in the same spot, saving your Dispenser first will always allow you to rebuild much faster because you'll have more Metal available. However, if the Spy has removed his disguise nearby, or there's urgent need for offense, you should save your Sentry Gun first. On some maps, your Teleporter can actually be your most important building as it allows your team to keep a constant stream of reinforcements going. Losing your Teleporter is especially annoying due to the fact that you will lose both ends of it, requiring you to travel all the way to your Spawn to replant your Entrance. If you have sentry-jumped to your location, you may wish to save your teleporter so you can get back. Teleporters take the longest to get destroyed from Sappers, but you should still try to save them. Deciding which Building to save first always depends on the circumstances. Practice is the best guide.
    • In a nest, watch out for Spies with the Red-Tape Recorder. This Sapper will reverse the construction of your buildings, but takes far longer to destroy them. If on the offensive or under fire from enemies, consider saving the Sentry Gun before it downgrades to a level which will allow enemies to easily overwhelm it, then quickly dispatch the Spy.
  • While being in a crowd of your own teammates usually helps you defend against Spies more easily, it can sometimes be difficult to pick out which one of your "teammates" is actually a Spy placing Sappers. Even though placing Sappers will not break a disguise, the disguised Spy will actually move his hand in a "placing" motion at your Building when it does so. This is subtle, but you may be able to use it pick out the Spy in a crowd. If you are letting your team deal with the Spy while you remove Sappers, keep your back to something.
  • A creative Spy will often disguise as an Engineer to try to fool you and your allies into thinking he is an Engineer trying to remove Sappers when he is in fact the one sapping. They may even use the voice command warning about Spies to add to the deception. Watch for teammates who aren't swinging or firing their weapons, as a disguised Spy cannot attack. Even better, Spy-check anyone nearby.
  • If you have revenge Crits, try to save some of them for the inevitable Spy attack. Having a glowing Frontier Justice out can be enough on its own to deter a Spy. While it's true that you might waste a shot on a Dead Ringer Spy, don't be afraid to do it. A Spy who feigns death likely won't be attacking you for at least a short duration, giving you time to call for help.
  • Simply standing with your back facing the wall or continuously moving greatly minimizes the Spy's danger to you as it makes it harder for them to instantly kill you. The Spy is therefore forced to attack one of your buildings, which destroys their disguise. In this case, make it your priority to kill the Spy before attending to your buildings.
  • If your building is continually being sapped as you remove the Sapper, attack your Wrench in multiple areas around your building, as a Spy will be distant from you as you swing your Wrench.
  • If a teammate appears to be standing directly on top of you, attack them immediately. Enemy Spies are able to stand on top of you, while teammates cannot.
  • Constantly watch your back and be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when constructing and upgrading your buildings. While this applies to practically any class, the Engineer should take special care as to not become the victim of a Spy, as it can result in the total loss of all of his buildings, thus forcing them to rebuild from scratch. Spycheck as often as you can by firing at corners, "teammates" and other hiding spots where you think they could be at.
    • However, don't become overly paranoid and stray too far from your equipment. This is what the Spy wants, as he will be able to destroy your gear without interference.
  • If a Spy saps your Teleporter, make sure you are not standing on top of it when you take the Sapper off. Spies often try to get your attention with a Sapper, stand on the entrance, and when you remove it, they go through, telefragging you. They will not lose their disguise with this strategy, making it easy for them to destroy your other buildings once they have telefragged you. To defend against this, make sure you are far enough from the Teleporter that you can still take a Sapper off, but Spies cannot telefrag you.
  • Be aware of trickstabs when you are attacking a Spy, as they can use stairstabs, matadors, cornerstabs, and a variety of other trickstabs to kill you, even if you are aware that they are a Spy. Due to this, it is not advisable to chase a Spy with your Wrench, especially outside of your Sentry Gun's range. Use your primary to kill them, and stay a good distance back. Take corners wide, and do not follow a Spy up a set of stairs if you cannot see him. If you think a Spy will go for a stairstab, start backpedaling down the stairs. The Spy will often jump in front of you, facing forward, which gives you a moment or two to shoot him before he can turn around or defend himself.
    • Alternatively, you can call for your teammates to deal with him instead.
  • The Spy's Revolver has a longer range and less spread than the Engineer's Pistol or Shotgun does, so it is recommended you stay at a medium-range whilst combatting a Spy. At long range, you are susceptible to the Spy's Revolver; At close-range, you are exposed to being backstabbed.

Cooperative Class Strategies

Leaderboard class scout.png Scout

While Engineers cannot do much for a Scout aside from his already inherent roles, a Scout can help out an Engineer immensely just by simply doing what he already does well enough without the Engineer.

  • Scouts can make for serviceable bodyguards when an Engineer is on the move with his buildings, provided that a Pyro is not available. Scout's speed advantage and high burst damage makes keeping any pesky Spies or Demomen at bay while the Engineer sets back up quite the simple task.
  • Scouts are good at getting behind enemy lines and taking out enemy Snipers and Spies, which will make friendly Engineers' lives much easier.
  • Scouts with the Backscatter and/or Mad Milk are fairly effective at spychecking, which can seriously help out allied Engineers.
    • The Boston Basher's and Wrap Assassin's bleed damage will also highlight enemy Spies, though the Wrap Assassin can't do this very often.
  • Scout's version of the Pistol does not come with much ammo, meaning that Dispensers are invaluable when the Scout loses access to it.
  • The Sentry Gun circumvents Scout's biggest weakness: his lack of range. Sentry Guns have a very long and wide radius of damage that they can cover, which gives a Scout an excellent place to fall back on when he needs to retreat.
    • Dispensers also give the Scout a safe spot to recover health after taking too much damage while frequenting the flank routes.

Leaderboard class soldier.png Soldier

Soldiers are one of your best friends when at the frontlines due to his immense power. The potential for protection that a Soldier possesses allows an Engineer to be more liberal with the placement of his Sentry nests.

  • Soldiers are a slow class without rocket jumping, and a fragile one with it. Teleporters reduce the need for rocket jumps, which allows the Soldier to save his health pool for when it is needed most.
  • A Soldier makes a decent bodyguard for an Engineer trying to move his buildings. This is especially true if he has the Disciplinary Action, which will allow the Engineer to get where he's going much more quickly.
  • Soldiers will tend to hang around the front lines, making Dispensers around those areas imperative for a team.
  • Soldiers also are very good at spychecking with their large blast radius on rocket launchers.
  • The Battalion's Backup gives the Engineer much needed resiliency when moving buildings. This is especially useful when the Engineer is using the Rescue Ranger, as the Marked-For-Death attribute when hauling buildings is nullified by the Backup's effects.

Leaderboard class pyro.png Pyro

A Pyro is, overall, an Engineer's best friend when maintaining a defensive hold is imperative.

  • Pyros can airblast projectiles away from friendly Engineer nests, nullifying the advantages Soldiers and Demomen gain against them.
    • Pyros can also deny ÜberCharges, a common response to stubborn Engie nests, by airblasting them away.
    • Neither of the above are as effective with an airblast-disadvantaged flamethrower, such as the Backburner, the Dragon's Fury, and especially the Phlogistinator, which can't airblast at all. The presence of a Dispenser will actually nullify the Backburner's airblast penalty, which merely makes airblasting ammo-inefficient.
  • Pyros (without the Dragon's Fury) are the most consistently efficient Spy-checkers in the game and are overall an absolute nightmare for Spies.
    • By equipping the Homewrecker or Neon Annihilator, a Pyro can remove Sappers from friendly buildings. This is a lower priority than hunting down the Spy who placed the Sappers, however, but is crucial if you end up dying during the skirmish.
  • A Pyro with a flare gun can harass enemy Snipers, making life much easier for friendly Engineers.
  • A Pyro with a shotgun, the Detonator, or the Scorch Shot can destroy stickybombs near the Engineer's buildings.
  • With airblast and a shotgun, a Pyro becomes a very effective bodyguard and escort for Engineers trying to move buildings between new locations.
  • A Sentry Gun can deal large amounts of damage from well outside a Pyro's effective range, allowing the Pyro to not have to worry as much about mid-ranged threats such as Heavies.
  • With a Dispenser active, a Pyro can keep up a constant stream of flames or airblasts, as long as they stay within the Dispenser's range. This is useful in Spychecking or reflecting projectiles, respectively.

Leaderboard class demoman.png Demoman

Demomen and Engineers are two of the best defensive classes in the game. Together, they can create a nigh-impenetrable defense.

  • A Demoman can lay down sticky traps to block off routes enemies might take to evade a Sentry Gun, and vice versa.
  • A Sentry Gun will mow down Pyros and Scouts that could otherwise very easily kill a Demoman.
  • A Teleporter will allow a Demoman to quickly reach the front lines without taking self-damage, while a Dispenser will provide a reliable means for the Demoman to heal self-damage off.
  • A Demoknight can pick off pesky Spies and Snipers to make the Engineer's life easier.
  • Demomen with the Scottish Resistance or Quickiebomb Launcher can destroy the stickybombs of enemy Demomen threatening an Engineer's buildings.
  • Demomen make excellent spycheckers with their stickybombs. Placing a few stickybombs near friendly buildings and waiting for the Engineer to call out a Spy for sapping his buildings will allow a Demoman to shut down a Spy's assault almost instantaneously.

Leaderboard class heavy.png Heavy

Heavy benefits significantly from the buildings that Engineers build. Additionally, the Heavy's presence in and of itself can help an Engineer by diverting attention from a Sentry Gun's placement until it's too late for the enemy.

  • Build Teleporters. A Heavy's single greatest weakness is his low mobility, to the point where he may simply not be able to participate in some crucial fights because he can't get to them in time. Teleporters allow Heavies to reliably reach the front lines quickly and keep the pressure on, which in turn allows you to constantly be on the move with your buildings.
  • If a Heavy stands next to, or in front of your Sentry Gun, he automatically creates a dilemma for the enemy team, since they will need to divert their firepower across both sources of damage, and your combined firepower may be able to stop all opposition short of an ÜberCharge.
  • A Heavy on the move is always in constant danger of being without ammo in his Minigun, since his slow movement speed makes it unlikely he will reach ammo packs before his foes do. This makes the Dispenser a crucial building for Heavies, as they can keep up a literal constant stream of bullets while standing next to it.
    • A Dispenser is also the single most reliable way to keep a Heavy with the Huo-Long Heater from running out of ammo.
  • A Sentry and a Heavy can deal a barrage of damage that is unparalleled by anything other than two Sentry Guns placed next to each other. Place Sentry Guns in areas where your team's Heavy may roam, such as down long hallways, and around corners to capitalize on this and block off any areas that enemies may flood into.

Leaderboard class engineer.png Engineer

While one Engineer on his own is quite powerful, a pair or group of Engies can make for a level of defense that is unrivaled by even the most resilient classes.

  • Coordination with your fellow Engineers is key in combining your buildings effectively. If an Engineer has one chokepoint or area of track covered by a Sentry Gun, move your gear elsewhere on the map to cover any less common routes that the enemy could use to circumvent their Sentry Gun. Spreading out your Sentry Guns also reduces the risk of them simultaneously being turned to rubble in a short time interval by splash damage.
  • Having multiple leveled Dispensers in play at once is crucial in extended autonomy. With near-limitless sources of metal placed strategically around the map, Engineers can build and rebuild their destroyed gear much quick, which positively impacts the versatility of your team.
  • If one Engineer dies, the other Engineers can maintain his buildings until he respawns.
    • However, Engineers cannot move a fellow Engineer's buildings, meaning they must abandon them if the necessity arises to move their buildings to meet their team's requirements.
  • Engineers protecting a Control Point will do well to spread their buildings out, lest they become cannon fodder for the Demoman's Stickybombs or the Loch-n-Load.
  • Variety is the spice of life, so choose your weapons accordingly-- having Engineers on your team equip different wrenches and weapons can maximize your effectiveness.
    • The Jag is great at constructing buildings quickly, but not as good at healing them. A second Engineer with a normal wrench, however, can heal the Jag Engie's buildings for him, while the Jag Engineer can upgrade the other Engie's buildings.
    • A Gunslinger Engineer who wants to focus on combat can leave his Dispenser and Teleporters near other Engies. The other Engineers can upgrade and maintain his buildings, while he goes to the front lines with his mini-sentry. On defense, his quick-building mini-sentry can help deny enemy movement for a short while, buying the other Engineers some time to set-up their buildings.
    • A Southern Hospitality Engineer can help in tracking down enemy Spies thanks to the bleed it causes.
    • An Eureka Effect Engineer can help in upgrading buildings if the nest is far from the spawn, thanks to the teleportation ability. The other Engineers can then help construct his buildings faster and protect his Teleporter exit which allows him to teleport back.
    • A few Engineers can use shotguns such as the Widowmaker to help defend buildings from attacks, while others can use the Rescue Ranger to maintain them. A Pomson 6000 Engineer can also help drain away the Cloak of a Spy And ÜberCharge of the Medic, two more classes that can counter the Engineer.
    • Having at least one Engineer with the Short Circuit can help destroy enemy projectiles, countering the Soldier and Demoman, both of which have explosive ordnance that devastate buildings. Wrangler Engineers can help in fighting enemies outside of the range of Sentry Guns as well as holding ground against an enemy assault, while those wielding the Pistol can aid in spychecking, and pester enemies in spots a wrangled Sentry Gun cannot reach.
  • If your fellow Engineer is using a primary weapon that is more suited for support than offense, like the Pomson 6000 or the Rescue Ranger, equip a hitscan primary such as the Shotgun or Frontier Justice. This allows you to be the damage dealer if a situation gets out of hand, and you must fight back without your buildings readily available.
  • Having multiple Engineers on a team allows them to maintain an effective defense; however, after about three Engineers (fewer on small teams), the team starts to suffer from having too few combat classes.

Leaderboard class medic.png Medic

Medics rarely keep company around, or heal their team's Engineers due to the necessity of keeping combat classes alive. Medics take a lot of fire from enemies and are considered a top priority target by Scouts, Snipers and Spies. All of the Engineer's buildings can directly help or protect a Medic who is under fire and allow them to flee with their ÜberCharge percentage unscathed.

  • The Engineer makes for a highly situational ÜberCharge patient due to their slow speed and may only be used as a means of retreat. However, the Engineer's generic weapons are still very capable, and can give the Medic some sort of protection when there are no better-suited classes around.
  • Building Teleporters helps the Medic to reach the front lines (and thus heal teammates and build ÜberCharge) more quickly.
  • Your Dispenser can be invaluable to the fragile Medic in more ways than one. Not only does it allow a Medic to heal off heavy damage incurred while on the front lines, but its hitbox is large enough that a Medic often can hide inside of it, treating it as a sort of secondary armor, to survive their attackers while your teammates or Sentry Gun finish them off.
  • The Kritzkrieg combined with the Widowmaker can allow an Engineer to deal a constant stream of critical damage without the need to reload.
  • A Medic may ÜberCharge an Engie to aid in keeping an important Sentry Gun active for as long as possible. It can also be used to pick up an important building, such as a high-level Dispenser, and save it.
  • Since you are often near your Dispenser anyway, Medics may neglect to heal you, even if they see you wandering around at low health. Don't be afraid to call out for them to get their attention. Since Engineer is a light class, it should not be an issue for them to quickly buff you, and get back to work.

Leaderboard class sniper.png Sniper

Engineers and Snipers do not have much synergy, but still can help cover each others' weaknesses.

  • An allied Sniper is obviously one of the more effective responses to enemy Snipers. Allied Snipers taking out enemy Snipers will allow allied Engineers to breathe much easier and safely place his buildings in areas where a team might not expect them.
  • A Sniper who sits near a Sentry Gun doesn't have to worry about Scouts or Pyros as much, since the Sentry Gun will generally kill these classes long before they can reasonably reach the Sniper.
  • A Sniper with Jarate or the Tribalman's Shiv can help in Spy-checking.
    • The presence of a Jarate Sniper also increases the effectiveness of the Southern Hospitality, as quick extinguishing will nullify the fire vulnerability, and the guaranteed Mini-Crits are far more useful with spychecking, as the Spy will both visibly bleed and shed yellow droplets, even under cloak. The combined power of your tools may make a Spy reluctant in approaching you at all.
  • The Pomson 6000 and the Short Circuit can light friendly Huntsman arrows on fire.
    • The presence of a Dispenser will counteract the low ammo count of the Huntsman.
  • A Sniper can take out enemy Medics to deny them ÜberCharge, one of the main counters to an Engineer's Sentry nest.

Leaderboard class spy.png Spy

Due to the differing roles of the classes, Spies and Engineers generally don't work together well. However, one can indirectly help the other, even without knowing it.

  • One of the Spy's main goals is to pick apart the enemy lines by taking out Medics, Offense classes, and especially other Engineers to make their team's job easier and safer as they traverse through the map. Engineers benefit from this the most because it allows them set up their buildings without the worry of instant retaliation.
    • Spies can take out enemy Medics to stop ÜberCharges before they happen. They are also a main counter to Snipers, which love to cause headaches for Engineers.
  • The Engineer's Dispenser is an important building to Spies. The building generally stays out of sight, like the Spy himself and therefore allows him to recover from a fight much quicker by retreating to one. This can be a double-edged sword though, since you will be used to see a friendly Spy around, and may think a disguised enemy Spy is your teammate. Constantly spycheck “friendly” Spies that approach your Dispenser and quickly kill them before they cause any more damage.

See also