Basic Soldier strategy

The Soldier is a tough, all-purpose assault class that excels at both offense and defense. Although slow on foot, he can rocket jump to cover distances quickly and reach unpredictable locations. His weapons are capable of taking on multiple foes at once, but run out of ammunition quickly. A good Soldier should avoid spamming and make each shot count, leading targets properly and aiming at the feet of enemies to maximize splash damage. The Soldier makes an excellent Medic buddy, as he can damage himself to help build the Medic's Übercharge for later use.

Primary Weapons

Rocket Launcher

The Rocket Launcher deals heavy damage in a wide splash radius, allowing you to efficiently deal damage by aiming at the feet of your enemies. Always try to keep it fully loaded for combat and rocket jumping. The reloading process is relatively long, so use the Shotgun to finish off weakened enemies if you run out of rockets. Using a rocket to bounce an enemy into the air makes them an easy target for a follow-up shot.

Rocket Jumper

The Rocket Jumper completely nullifies your primary weapon and is not meant for serious combat. If you really decide to use it, equip the Shotgun as well so that you have some way to deal ranged damage. The additional damage you'll take from the increased vulnerabilities will make you useless in firefights, so just use the Gunboats if you want to constantly rocket jump.

Direct Hit

As the name implies, the Direct Hit promotes a different sort of Soldier playstyle, allowing players who can land direct hits to deal more damage. The increased rocket damage makes you more effective against immobile targets, such as Sentry Guns or Heavies, while the increased rocket speed makes landing aerials easier. Although the Direct Hit's explosive radius is smaller than that of the standard Rocket Launcher, rocket jumps will still function normally.

Black Box

Use the Black Box for prolonged combat, where you will have time to constantly reload. Hitting more than one enemy with a single rocket will heal you multiple times, making it effective against groups. However, the reduced clip size impairs your immediate staying power and makes offensive rocket jumping less effective. Overall, the Black Box increases your survivability but reduces your offensive capabilities.

Secondary Weapons

Shotgun

The Shotgun is as powerful as many other primary weapons. It can be used to easily finish enemies off at close to medium range, so don't hesitate to switch to it when you're out of primary ammunition. It effectively counters Pyros who can skillfully airblast and Demomen who use the Chargin' Targe.

Buff Banner

Use the Buff Banner in conjunction with the Rocket Launcher or Black Box, as the wide blast radius offered by those weapons will make it easier to build your Rage meter. The Buff Banner is effective when used alongside a friendly Medic's ÜberCharge to lead charges into enemy territory. The area of effect is large and passes through any obstacle, allowing your teammates to easily follow you.

Battalion's Backup

Use the Battalion's Backup when you are fighting at the front lines. Because you must take damage to build your Rage meter, it is almost necessary that you stay near a friendly Medic to stay healthy. Once charged, you can use the Battalion's Backup defensive aura to lead an attack, hold an area, or counter the critical hits granted by the Buff Banner and Kritzkrieg.

Concheror

Unlike the damage boost or reduction provided by the other banners, the healing provided by the Concheror isn't so effective when used only on yourself, as you won't be able constantly fire your Rocket Launcher to recover health. It is best to activate its area buff when near allies, so that they can also stay healthy and take some damage during an offensive push. Pairing the Concheror with the Black Box gives you a high degree of survivability, allowing you to outlast enemies when in a defensive situation.

Gunboats

The Gunboats allow you to perform multiple rocket jumps in succession without having to rely on a Medic for healing. They are most effective when you are constantly roaming around the map and do not need your Shotgun to fend off enemies.

Melee Weapons

Shovel / Frying Pan / Saxxy

The Shovel is comparable to the default melee weapons of most other classes. However, your slow speed puts you at a disadvantage in melee duels. Unless you excessively engage in melee combat when near a friendly Medic, the Equalizer is the better melee weapon of choice.

Equalizer

As a Soldier, you generally won't use your melee weapon when you're at full health. Thus, the Equalizer is essentially a straight upgrade to the Shovel. Because its damage and move speed granted will dramatically increase when you're injured, you can use the Equalizer as a last resort to engage or escape enemies.

Pain Train

Only use the Pain Train when actively capturing objectives; it is useless when playing Capture the Flag or in any defensive scenario. If you have a reliable source of health, you can equip it when actively rocket jumping around the map to give yourself the mobility and capture rate of the Scout.

Half-Zatoichi

The healing the Half-Zatoichi provides on a kill just might be worth fighting at melee range. Be sure you have a clear opportunity to kill an enemy when you unsheathe it, as your slow speed will make chasing someone very difficult once you're Honorbound.

Item sets

The Tank Buster

If there is no Medic to deploy an ÜberCharge, use the Tank Buster set to tank Sentry Gun fire while your teammates destroy it.