Basic Medieval Mode strategy

Medieval mode is a game mode added in the Australian Christmas update. Currently, it is only used by default on the map DeGroot Keep. As only certain weapons are allowed, class balance (and therefore class strategies) are drastically altered from normal gameplay.

 Scout

The Scout remains the fastest class in this mode. However, without the close range bursts of his Scattergun, different strategies are need to play effectively.

Secondary weapons

Since you aren't allowed to use the Pistol and the Winger, always equip some kind of drink.

Bonk! Atomic Punch

Because you no longer need Bonk! for most of its conventional purposes, this weapon becomes less necessary. Use it to pass by enemy lines or as a distraction or retreat.

Crit-a-Cola

Many of the strategies for using Crit-a-Cola in normal gameplay remain effective in Medieval mode. Use it to give yourself a boost before an ambush. Remember that without a ranged weapon, you won't be as powerful of an ambushing force, so be careful that you don't take too much damage.

Mad Milk

Use Mad Milk in an area with many people so you and your team can maintain healing in a push. Also use it for Spy-checking, as Pyros no longer have a Flamethrower and Snipers no longer have Jarate.

Melee weapons

Bat/Saxxy

You deal the least amount of melee damage on the team, however you can swing rapidly. Use your speed, both in swinging and movement, to your advantage and land many hits on enemies without taking much damage yourself.

Sandman

The Sandman gives the Scout a ranged weapon at the cost of 15 health. Use it to stun classes before moving in for a kill.

Holy Mackerel

The Holy Mackerel still functions identically to the Bat except that it announces each hit in the kill feed. Since a hit that triggers a Spy's feign death will appear as a hit, not a kill, use this to track down Spies using the Dead Ringer.

Candy Cane

Since there are very few ways to deal explosive damage in Medieval mode, this weapon is almost a direct upgrade. It will drop a health pack in addition to the pack that is also dropped whenever you get a kill in Medieval mode. Use this to keep your momentum in a prolonged fight.

Boston Basher / Three-Rune Blade

Since this weapon requires you to be precise with your attacks, it eliminates the tactic of swinging wildly. Use this weapon only when you're sure it will hit.

Sun-on-a-Stick

With few ways to burn enemies in Medieval mode, this weapon can be difficult to use. Unless you have a Pyro using the Sharpened Volcano Fragment or your Snipers shoot fire arrows frequently, you might be better off using a different weapon.

Fan O'War

The Fan O'War allows teammates to finish off a marked opponent, but leaves you next to defenseless. Use hit-and-run tactics if you want to use this weapon, and stay out of fights otherwise.

Atomizer

The Atomizer's triple jump doesn't allow you to get anywhere you couldn't normally. With less damage and slower swings, you're much less effective in combat. Use the triple jump to move around enemies and stay away from direct fights.

 Soldier

The Soldier, without his powerful Rocket Launcher, becomes much more of a support class in Medieval mode. Use your banners to provide assistance for the team in the absence of Übercharges.

Secondary weapons

The Shotgun, Reserve Shooter, and Righteous Bison aren't allowed.

Gunboats

Though the Gunboats are technically allowed, they are useless, since you cannot rocket jump. You're better off using another weapon.

Mantreads

The Mantreads suffer, as melee weapons cause very little knockback. Also, the ability to cause damage with fall damage is almost useless, since the only real place that fall damage can be caused is falling from the RED Team castle. Consider choosing another weapon instead.

Buff Banner

Use the Buff Banner to give a final push to the final point. The mini-crits provided can help your team overtake the other team. You can also use it to nullify an enemy Soldier's Battallion's Backup.

Battalion's Backup

With few sources of healing in Medieval Mode, it will be almost impossible to get a fully charge Battallion's Backup. If you do, however, use it to defend againt a push, especially against the final point. Just like how the Buff Banner can be used to negate this, the Battallion's Backup can be used to negate an enemy Buff Banner.

Concheror

Since the only way to deal damage is to melee, this weapon is not as good as in normal gameplay. However, it can still be helpful in a push.

Melee weapons

Shovel / Frying Pan / Saxxy

The Shovel is a strong melee weapon that deals consistant damage. However, since Medieval Mode makes many of the Soldier's weapons direct upgrades, you may want to use another weapon instead.

Equalizer

The Equalizer starts out weaker than the basic Shovel, however becomes more powerful and increases your movement speed as you take damage. Use this to your advantage in fights, however don't let yourself take too much damage.

Pain Train

Since there are no bullets in Medieval mode, the Pain Train is generally a direct upgrade to the Shovel. Use it to help capture the points. Never use it when on defense, however. Also, the shield bashes from a Demoman's Chargin' Targe or Splendid Screen count as bullet damage, so take care to avoid them.

Half-Zatoichi

Since you are generally bound to your melee weapon anyway, the Half-Zatoichi can also be seen as a direct upgrade to the Shovel. The healing it provides can allow you to continue fighting for long periods of time, which can be useful in building up the Battalion's Backup. Remember, however, that enemy Soldiers or Demomen also weilding the Half-Zatoichi can kill you in one hit, and vice versa.

Disciplinary Action

The Disciplinary Action allows you to speed up slower classes like Heavies, Demomen, and other Soldiers, but makes you weaker, making the Soldier even more support based. Hang back a little if you intend to use this weapon.

Market Gardener

Since there is no way to rocket jump in Medieval Mode, this weapon is a direct downgrade from the Shovel. Disregard this weapon entirely.

 Pyro

Since the Pyro loses his Flamethrower, is given no secondary weapons, and has many situational melee weapons, the Pyro is a very difficult class to use in Medieval Mode.

Melee weapons

Fire Axe / Saxxy

Without the close range Flamethrower, the Fire Axe gains more utility. Use it if you lack the Back Scratcher or Sharpened Volcano Fragment.

Axtinguisher / Postal Pummeler

Since you have no way to start fires, the Axtinguisher is a very difficult weapon to use. Unless you pair up with a Pyro using the Sharpened Volcano Fragement, you'll be very ineffective.

Homewrecker / Maul

Since Engineers cannot build buildings and Spies do not have Sappers in Medieval Mode, the Homewrecker becomes a straight downgrade to the Fire Axe. Disregard this weapon entirely.

Powerjack

Kills with the Powerjack will give you a boost in health, which can be useful in prolonged fights. However, since you take 20% more damage from melee weapons, you'll find yourself dying much more quickly. If you use this weapon, attack enemies who are unaware of your presence, and if they become so before you kill them, retreat.

Back Scratcher

As everyone drops a health pack on death in Medieval Mode, this can be a very effective weapon. Even the small health packs can heal you a great deal, plus the weapon deals more damage. Medic based healing, however, is severly lessened, so use the health packs more than your Medics.

Sharpened Volcano Fragment

With the exception of lit Huntsman arrows from Snipers, this is the only way to set enemies on fire. The afterburn will make up for the lack of initial damage. Pair up with Scouts equipped with the Sun-on-a-Stick to make a deadly combination. This also gives you a method of Spy-checking.

 Demoman

As the Demoman has many weapons suited for melee-only combat, he is a force to be reckoned with in Medieval mode.

Primary weapons

Ali Baba's Wee Booties

This is the Demoman's only primary weapon available, so it would be a smart idea to equip it if you have it. This primary will give you extra health and better control over turning while you are charging with either of the shields. These two boosts can turn out to be very useful.

Secondary weapons

There are two secondaries available to you as a Demoman. Both give you the ability to charge, which is a very powerful ability in Medieval mode.

Chargin' Targe

This weapon is somewhat less useful than the Splendid Screen because it provides more fire and explosive damage, which is more situational in Medieval mode, useful only against other Demomen using the Ullapool Caber and Pyros using the Sharpened Volcano Fragment. However, it still has the ability to charge to obtain critical damage and to bash enemies, therefore you should use it if you don't have the Splendid Screen.

Splendid Screen

The Splendid Screen provides less fire and explosive damage resistance when compared to the Chargin' Targe, but has the potential to deliver more damage with a successful charge. The Screen can deal charge impact damage at any range, dealing 70% more damage than the Targe, and also will allow critical hits at any charge distance. This makes the Splendid Screen a more viable option when looking to maximize damage as a Demoman.

See also

• Strategy