Dispenser (Classic)

The Dispenser is a building in the classic Team Fortress games that replenishes teammates' ammo and armor. It takes two seconds to construct the building and costs 100 metal. The unit has 150 health and can hold up to 400 shells, 600 nails, 300 rockets, 400 cells and 500 armor points. The amount of ammo and armor in the Dispenser will be automatically replenished over time, and additional ammo and armor can be added manually if the Engineer hits the dispenser with their Wrench. Adding supplies in this way makes use of the Engineer's metal reserves.

Dispensers can be used by enemies, however a message will appear on the Engineer's screen if they use it.

When the Dispenser's health reaches zero, it will explode and can injure enemies as well as the Engineer who built it. The amount of damage done by the explosion depends on how much ammo was in the Dispenser at the time of the explosion.

Dispenser Strategies

• Dispensers work best when placed near areas frequently used by teammates. This lets them grab ammo/armor without having to return to the resupply room. However, they will still need to find a way to get health.
• Dispensers make excellent defensive traps if placed in tight corridors. The player should have “blow up Dispenser” bound to a key, and then hit the key when they see the “Enemies are using your Dispenser!” message. If packed with enough ammo, it will kill the target in one hit.
• Dispensers can be used by Engineers to reach areas not previously accessible. Use your dispenser to climb to a higher area to place your sentry gun and potentially teleporters.
  • Dispensers can also be used to dispenser jump to areas an even higher area. This can act as a weaker grenade jump so long as there is a limited amount of ammo in the dispenser. Too much ammo in the dispenser can kill the Engineer that is jumping.

Differences Between Quake Team Fortress and Team Fortress Classic

In Quake Team Fortress, teammates get supplies from the Dispenser by walking up to it and then selecting what they want via a menu. In Team Fortress Classic, teammates need to walk up to a Dispenser, which will cause it to automatically give the player ammo and armor points until either the player's ammo is full, the Dispenser is out of a certain supply, or the player walks away from it.

Quake Team Fortress death messages

“

Player1 didn't insert the correct change into Player2's dispenser. — Player killed by exploding Dispenser

”

“

Player dispenses with himself. — Dispenser suicide

”

Update history

January 16, 2003 Patch (Classic)

• Damaged buildings will now spark and smoke.

See also

• Dispenser in Team Fortress 2