Weapon Spamming

“

You're all a bunch of no-hopers! Click to listen — The Sniper

”

Weapon spamming occurs when a player fires repeatedly upon a specific location or in the general direction of enemies, hoping to damage opponents that may wander into the general vicinity of the shots. Spam is not to be confused with suppressive fire, a technique involving firing constantly at points of interest on a map in an attempt to discourage an enemy advance.

Weapon Spamming is often associated with classes that have a high damage or weapon fire output, mainly Soldiers, Demomen and Heavies. Projectiles that are difficult to aim, such as Huntsman arrows and Sandman baseballs, are often spammed as well. Searching for cloaked Spies often involves spraying down an area with bullets in the hopes of disrupting the Spy's Cloak. This will not be an instance of spamming if the player has recently bumped into the Spy and is therefore aware of their presence. Continually attaching Electro Sappers to buildings does not classify as spamming.

Countering Weapon Spamming

Enemies bombarding an area with uncoordinated fire can be easily countered, if a route is blocked by weapon spam, it may be possible to use alternative routes to flank the opponent and catch them off guard. Having a Medic deploy an ÜberCharge on a player can allow them to push directly through the damage and remove the source of spamming by killing them or forcing a retreat. Pyros can also counteract projectile spam by reflecting enemy projectiles from the area, allowing teammates to move forward. Waiting for the spammers to run out of ammo is possible, but not advised in case of nearby Dispensers or ammo packs. If the enemy in question is a lone Soldier or Demoman, it is possible to take cover and retaliate when they pause to reload. Spies equipped with the Dead Ringer may pass easily through the damage blockade and ambush unaware enemies. Additionally, Scouts equipped with Bonk! Atomic Punch may be able to get past the front lines while still invulnerable. This technique helps 'break up' the enemy spam via distraction, as a lone Scout behind enemy lines can create a fairly effective distraction for a short time.