Community Mann vs. Machine strategy

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RobotArmy.png
“
Oh, I am going to murder so many robots.
Click to listen
— The Medic after studying some strategies
 ”

This article details strategy for the Mann vs. Machine game mode.

General Strategy

  • Teamwork is more vital than ever. Make sure to communicate at all times.
  • The robots don't drop ammo, so take note of ammo placements and consider getting Engineers to place Dispensers at choke points. Slain players still drop their weapons, however, so if your teammate is unfortunate enough to die, grab their ammo if you need any. You may also refill your weapons with ammo in the form of destroyed Engineer buildings, most commonly if a Sentry Buster has just detonated beside them.
  • Robots rarely, if ever, jump. Maps are designed so most places can be reached without jumping. If you need to evade pursuing robots, look for something to jump on or over.
    • If there are Spies on the field, you can also quickly show teammates that you are not a disguised enemy Spy by hopping.
  • Tanks do not harm players, so feel free to get as close as you want when trying to destroy one. Be careful when attacking a tank in a confined space however, because a turning tank may crush players against walls and kill them instantly.
  • Try to collect all the money the robots leave behind. The Administrator gives the players a bonus $100 if the team takes them all, and more money means more upgrades.
  • If there is a Spy robot and a Tank on the field at the same time, you can evade the Spy by standing on the Tank.
  • Spy robots often reveal their location by chuckling, even when disguised. Listen carefully for them when you can't afford to look around the field.
  • Before entering your first wave of the mission, consider your class and its weapons carefully. Once that money is invested into the class and the wave is won, you cannot get a refund on previous upgrades. This makes team composition even more vital as you'll have less power if you switch classes in the middle of the mission. Agree on which classes and weapons everyone should have before starting.
  • If your team keeps failing at a wave, upgrade different things before the wave begins, e.g. if a Tank always deploys its bomb before you can destroy it, invest in Critical Hit Boost Canteens. If that still doesn't work, ask your team if you want to restart the mission.
  • Über Medic Robots always spawn with a full ÜberCharge meter and will use it if they even take the slightest bit of damage. Either make them waste their Über early before they reach your ally's choke point or destroy them with a single blow.
  • Before each wave, before the robots are released, there will be floating holographic arrows that show the path the bomb robot will take. Use these to plan a defense. Engineers should especially take heed of these arrows to set up more effective Sentry Guns, and Demomen should leave their sticky traps where the robots will go. Most of the team should focus firepower there and locate chokepoints so you can easily pin down enemies.
    • Remember that these arrows disappear when the robots appear, and that the arrow locations change between waves. If your team fails to defend against a wave, the path may change, too. Before a wave, if a teleporter isn't present to take you to the front lines, consider following the path for practice.
    • Enemies may stray from the path to chase down a player, so try to kill them before they take another route to the base.
    • If the robot carrying the bomb is moved off this path and then killed, the robots will go for the bomb and then take the shortest route to the hatch. Keep this in mind.
  • Robots cannot attack or be harmed until they touch the field, so Demomen and Soldiers have time to leave explosives in the enemies' path.
    • Don't be too eager. If you blast robots too early, you'll only scatter them, making them more difficult to destroy, and the money will scatter and be harder to collect.
  • Bomb carriers taunt to receive their buff, and robots surrounding them stop to wait so they can travel together. Robots may also taunt after killing a player, even while being attacked. Use this time to destroy the robots.
  • Try not to find yourself on an open area when the Sniper Robots arrive, you will only make yourself an easy target for their shots.
  • Sometimes upgrading your resistance can be more important than upgrading your equipment. In some cases it gives you a higher chance of survival.
  • Try to make your team's class composition balanced. Having 2 or more of the same class is usually pointless, for example: 2-3 Scouts.
    • If there are 2 or more players playing as the same class on the team, try to maximize their role together. (2 Heavies on defence, 2 Scouts collecting all credits, 2 Demomen for Quick traps, etc).
  • At the end of a wave, instead of running back to the upgrade station, switch classes and switch back for a fast way to come back to upgrade station between waves.

Class-specific strategy

Leaderboard class scout.png Scout

  • Due to the defensive nature of this mode, the Scout is at a disadvantage, with low health and short-range weaponry. To counter this, he's given a wider money gathering radius, gets health from gathering money, and respawns much quicker than the other classes.
  • Scouts should always be aware of the positions and amounts of cash around them. In some cases, it is wiser to charge enemies head on to collect a large sum of cash behind them, supplying you with more than enough health to either deal with the foes or flee.
  • The Scout's short respawn time means he's allowed to take risks. Even if it means getting killed, Scouts should rush to collect the money close to expiring.
  • It's risky, but you may want to consider upgrading resistances and move speed and focusing on collecting all of the money drops. Cash collection becomes a breeze, you'll deal plenty of damage, cash drops will keep you full to the brim with health and in a pinch you can outrun anything that's too big for you.
  • A Scout investing on multiple resistance upgrades added with the health boost of cash drops can prove to be a great distraction tool, allowing allies, even Spies, to give more free hits.
  • The Scout gets more mileage from the jump height upgrade thanks to his Double Jump. Consider investing a point into upgrading jump height, which makes reaching higher ground or jumping away from swarming robots easier.
  • The Scout's role is not restricted to money gathering; with piercing upgrades his primary weapons can take out whole crowds of enemies at close range. Each of the Scout's primary weapons has its uses: the Scattergun has the bigger clip, the Force-A-Nature has knockback, the Soda Popper can build up periods of mini-crits, and the Shortstop and Baby Face's Blaster can allow you to do damage from a safer distance.
  • The Special Delivery item set can be very useful because of the +25 health effect.
  • Once upgraded, a hit from the Sandman's ball marks a robot for death like the Fan of War, meaning the robot will take mini-crits from your friends' weapons. Both the Sandman and the Wrap Assassin can also be upgraded so that more balls can be hit, meaning more targets being affected. Keep in mind, however, that the Sandman reduces the Scout's health to 110, making him able to take less hits before dying.
    • The upgrade also affects melee attacks from the Sandman itself. It can be used if you run out of balls to throw.
  • The Fan O'War can be very effective if you manage to mark a Giant robot for Death, since a very large amount of firepower is needed to destroy them.
  • Mad Milk is a great assisting tool, as anyone who hits a doused robot gets a health boost, and upgraded Mad Milk slows down wet robots, making them easier to hit. It can also be used to help root out Spy bots.
  • Using Bonk! Atomic Punch can allow you to serve as a distraction for giant bots, as well as grab credits without fear of being blasted to oblivion.
  • As a Scout, you are usually the only one that can catch up to Scout Robots early in the mission. Since early waves tend to have copious amount of Scout Robots, be alert if any of them are carrying the bomb and are close to the hatch.
  • Attempting to take down a Tank may be pointless as a Scout, but if you are nearby when it is destroyed, you can collect a good deal of the money dropped for an incredible health boost.
  • A good Scout knows when to collect money and when to give support to their allies. Prioritize your objectives quickly before it's too late!
  • Despite not being listed, Scouts can use Buyback. Use Buybacks on desperate situations.

Leaderboard class soldier.png Soldier

  • Upgraded banners can affect all teammates, meaning more ground can be covered rather than clustering around the Soldier.
    • Be aware that Sentry Guns will only deal mini-crits if the Engineer is under the radius.
    • If you have the Buff Banner equipped and your Rage meter is full, fall back to a Dispenser or ammo pack while reloading. Once you've loaded up, use the Buff Banner to boost yourself and your teammates.
  • Be aware that Giant Deflector Heavies can destroy your rockets, and worse, Giant Pyros can airblast them. Consider using a secondary weapon against them, or fire the rockets at the ground when those enemies are facing you.
  • Since your rockets may take a while to reach the enemy, remember to fire towards where they're going to go rather than where they are.
  • Soldiers are great investors for the Blast Resistance upgrade. It allows the player to rocket jump more without fear of losing any large amount of health.
  • The Rocket Launchers have a wide variety of upgrades available which makes them expensive to fully upgrade. Invest in fast reload before upgrading clip size as rockets are loaded one by one.
  • The Beggar's Bazooka in particular becomes a devastating weapon because the miss chance is a non-issue -- you're always going to hit something. Max out clip size and reload speed and you might stop an entire wave by yourself. During earlier waves when you don't have the money, stay by ammo kits, preferably large kits, to keep your supply replenished.
    • With clip size, reload speed and firing speed maxed out, you can fire up to 15 crit rockets from a single crit boost canteen if timed correctly.
  • The Half-Zatoichi already fully heals on a kill, so adding a heal on kill upgrade means free overheal. It isn't recommended to use the sword regularly due to the honorbound mechanic, but since no robots use one, it's relatively risk-free for a one on one fight against stragglers. Destroying a tank with the sword does not grant a health boost.
  • An upgraded Righteous Bison can easily take down swarms of enemies. Investing in faster reload and firing speed can allow a Soldier to be able to take down large groups of robots by himself.
  • Consider the Cow Mangler 5000 as your primary weapon for this mode. The Cow Mangler's infinite ammo and extra clip are sure to be helpful in taking out large groups of robots without needing to worry about your ammo. Note, however, that the charged shot will still use up all of your clip even if you've purchased clip upgrades, you also cannot be crit boosted, with one exception being the Buff Banner.
  • Soldiers, along with Pyros and Stickybomb Launcher/Scottish Resistance Demomen, are effective at defending the spawn point if the team is pushed back, since they can quickly fire at robots about to deploy the bomb without needing to aim well.
  • Avoid getting too close to groups of robots. You are at a disadvantage in close combat, and can be quite easily picked off if your allies are not nearby.

Leaderboard class pyro.png Pyro

  • The Pyro's airblast's versatility drastically increases in this game mode.
    • The airblast is one of the few ways to deal with ÜberCharged giants and can be upgraded to make separating a Medic and patient quicker.
    • The airblast can also push bomb carriers away from the bomb hole.
    • The airblast can lift Giant Scouts and Sentry Busters, allowing the player to continuously blast them in one place for easier elimination.
  • Whether dressed in fine suits or plate metal, Spies are flammable all the same. If the Administrator alerts the team to the presence of Spies, start Spy checking.
    • When Spy bots arrive on the map, fall back to the Engineer's Sentry Gun, possibly with a Homewrecker, to keep his nest intact as long as possible, and remember to Spy check all teammates.
  • Upgrading the regular Flare Gun to give it an increased rate of fire allows you to stack up critical hits on burning targets from a safe distance. Consider using this against giants and situations where it can be risky to get in close. Upgrading the Scorch Shot in a similar manner can also allow you to knock back targets and keep them from retrieving the bomb. Keep in mind that tanks do not catch fire, however. The Detonator sacrifices critical hits on burning targets, but you can ignite multiple robots at once.
  • Using an Übercharge canteen and your Axtinguisher can allow you to stand up to giants and take them down in short order. Equip the Degreaser to hasten your weapon switch.
  • Because of the Pyro's tendency to get close and personal to deal damage, a Return to Base Canteen allows the class to have a quick escape and even chasing power.
  • A crit-boosted Pyro can be a reliable and continuous source of damage against Tanks, due to the Flamethrower's high damage rate. Using a Crits canteen or pairing with a Kritzkrieg-wielding Medic, a Pyro can deal very significant damage to a Tank.
  • Although the Phlogistinator sacrifices support options, investing in some resistance upgrades and health-per-kill upgrades, combined with well-timed use of the health refill, can allow a Pyro to take on more of a tank role. Along with the crit boost and an Über canteen, you can even take out giants and any Medic bots attached to them single-handedly. Just keep an eye on your ammo reserves, and don't be afraid to invest in some ammo upgrades if you feel you need it.
  • Robots always suffer the duration of an afterburn as their Pyro teammates do not airblast them. A hit-and-run strategy combined with burn damage/time upgrades suits the Pyro well.
  • The Backburner's guaranteed critical hits from behind mean that you can take on an ambushing support role, quickly cleaning up the remains of a robot mob in coordination with a Sentry or Heavy/Medic combo, or softening up an incoming wave to be dispatched by your allies.
  • The Third Degree is invaluable when dealing with Giant Heavies and their retinues of Quick-Fix Medics. Use an Ubercharge canteen to close the distance, then attack the Medics with your weapon to remove the giant's source of healing. Once you hit them with your axe, the giant's attention will be on you, so you may want to have more than one Ubercharge to assure your safety.
    • If you are able to sneak in, a crit boosted attack from the Third Degree will eliminate all the Medic Bots in one shot. Consider this strategy if you lack a convenient way to dispatch a group of Uber Medics healing a giant.
  • Make use of the corner to ambush a group or a Robot.

Leaderboard class demoman.png Demoman

  • The robots follow preset paths, so Sticky Bomb carpets are more effective than in normal gameplay. Upgrade for maximum effectiveness.
    • The Scottish Resistance is also a very viable weapon to keep. Its ability to have more traps active in a single time, while being able to detonate off small packs rather than the whole allows the player to cover more ground and lane paths.
  • The Critical Hit Boost Canteen can be used to make fatal sticky traps for giants and chip a chunk of health off of tanks.
  • If you plan on Demoknighting, consider using the Chargin' Targe, as it has higher resistances than the Splendid Screen, and you'll rarely be using the charge ability unless it's to get out of a jam. Having the maximum amount of heads with an Eyelander, maxing your movement speed upgrades, or a combination of the two, can allow you to circle strafe most giants and avoid their devastating attacks while you hack their legs to pieces.
  • Tanks are easy targets for your Grenade Launcher because of how big they are. You can also lay large groups of stickies on their predictable path to take a huge chunk of their health off.
  • If you're good at aiming, try using the Loch-n-Load - it does an extra 20% damage, has faster projectiles, and has the same splash damage radius. Beware of the low clip size, though - it might be a good idea to upgrade either clip size, reload speed, or both.
  • While not as effective damage-wise, the Loose Cannon's knockback on a direct hit is almost as strong as a fully upgrade airblast. The Loose Cannon can be used as a sidearm for dealing with Uber Medic and even for resetting the bomb.
  • The Demoman's melee weapons can be upgraded to grant up to four seconds of full crits on a melee kill. Combine an Eyelander, Nessie's Nine Iron, or Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker with an Übercharge canteen and go on a robot head-hunting spree!
  • If possible, between each waves, request a Kritzkrieg Medic to allow you to plant critical Sticky Bomb carpets before the next wave starts, as stickybombs don't lose their critical state while planted and Übercharge rates are significantly boosted during this time. Time the charge and your fire rate, reload rate, and clip size so all of the stickybombs you lay will be critical. If your team doesn't have a Kritz Medic, you may want to buy a Kritz Canteen or two.
  • As noted above in the Soldier strategy, the Half-Zatoichi's health on kill bonus stacks, and with the Demoman's shields and semi-unique critical on melee kill bonus, it can be devastating against hordes of bots.
  • As with the Soldier, invest in faster reload time so you don't spend so much time reloading your Grenade Launcher or Stickybomb Launcher.
  • Unless you are a demoknight, avoid getting too close to groups of robots. You are at a disadvantage in close combat, and can be quite easily picked off if your allies are not nearby.

Leaderboard class heavy.png Heavy

  • Unique to the Heavy is the unlockable ability to shoot and destroy projectiles with his primary weapon. Use this to counter Soldiers and Demomen (Particularly the Giant Rapid-Fire versions of them, and especially Charged Soldiers, as their missiles travel slower and are thus easier to destroy).
  • Also unique to the Heavy is the Rage upgrade, which builds when you damage robots. Save the Rage for tougher robots like Heavy specials or Giant Robots (especially Giant Scouts), where they're easier to hit and more valuable to knock back. Don't use the Rage on Tanks since they can't be knocked back.
  • Penetrating primary fire makes an excellent upgrade against swarms of robots as your bullets can hit more of them at once, increasing your damage potential.
  • Watch out for Sniper bots! You're easy pickings for them if you stay in an open area for too long.
  • Watch your back when Spies appear. Don't be afraid to give any approaching ally a quick burst or punch, just to be safe.
  • Your Sandvich is just as valuable in Mann vs. Machine. Use it to keep you in the fray when under fire, or throw it to a teammate that has taken damage.
  • The Brass Beast can be useful for situations that require high damage, such as waves with tanks or giant robots.
  • Natascha can slow down the horde, making it easier for you and your teammates to mop up the robots. In addition, Sentry Busters and Super Scouts will be slowed to a crawl with sustained Natascha fire, allowing for the team to take it out safely, or at the very least buying the Engineer time to get away.
  • While the Tomislav can allow you to react quicker when swarmed by bots and keep you mobile, the lower firing rate will only hamper your stopping power, especially when faced with giants and tanks.
  • If a tank is going to enter the field, consider grabbing a crit canteen from the Upgrade Station. Combine it with your Minigun's continuous firing ability to effectively deal damage to the tank.
  • The Huo-Long Heater is excellent at close-up crowd control. Use its ring of fire to mow down robots crowded around the bomb. Its main drawback is its high ammo consumption; upgrade it with increased ammo capacity and use an ammo refill canteen to offset this. If you need to maintain range, stay near a Dispenser.
  • Critboosts last for a set time, upgrade your firing speed to make the most of the time you are boosted.
  • The Holiday Punch is not recommended for Mann vs. Machine, as robots are immune to being forced to laugh. Use another melee weapon that gives you more utility.

Leaderboard class engineer.png Engineer

  • Before the wave begins, all your buildings cost no metal, build instantly, and automatically upgrade to level 3 upon placement. Use this to your advantage.
  • Ammo and metal are harder to come by in this mode because robots don't drop their weapons when destroyed. This makes Dispensers extremely important, especially for ammo-chewing classes like Heavy and Pyro. Before each round begins, be sure you have a Dispenser set up where everyone can reach it quickly (including you, in case it gets sapped) but not in such obvious sight that the robots target it.
  • Sentry Guns will rebuild at an instant when hauling it to another location. This is a good strategy when the bomb carrier has breached your team's defenses or when taking down a tank.
  • Sentry Guns are vital for controlling chokepoints and dealing large amounts damage to giants and the tank, but they attract Sentry Busters. Keep an eye out at all times.
    • If a Sentry Buster gets too close, grab your Sentry Gun before it explodes, but be careful as it can destroy other buildings near its blast radius and can kill you if you are near it when it explodes.
    • If a Sentry Buster targets your Sentry Gun and you pick it up before the robot activates, the Sentry Buster will chase you instead, arming when it gets near you. This is another tactic you can use to save your Sentry Gun, and it will count for the achievement Real Steal. During a lull, you may also lead the Sentry Buster to your teammates, who can finish it off.
    • If you want to easily survive a detonation from a Sentry Buster, buy an Übercharge Canteen and stand next to your Sentry Gun. Deploy the Canteen's buff when the Sentry Buster crouches, and you and your Sentry will be safe from harm for five seconds. To keep your nest intact, you can also use the above tactic to lead the Sentry Buster away from your other buildings, or pick up a second building to shield it.
    • More Engineers on a team means more Sentry Busters per wave. Sometimes more than one Sentry Buster will appear at once, so be prepared for them.
  • Use a Teleporter to cut the travel time between base and the front lines. It may make the difference between safety and Payload delivery. Investing in the two-way teleporter upgrade also makes it much easier for the Engineer to get out of a Sentry Buster's range, since you can teleport back to the entrance before it gets to you.
    • If a single tank is coming and you haven't upgraded to a two-way Teleporter yet, consider building your Teleporter backwards (exit at the base), then haul the Sentry Gun when the tank passes you by.
    • Do not build your Teleporter exit next to your Sentry Gun and Dispenser, so if a Sentry Buster arrives on the field, it'll be one fewer building to worry about getting destroyed.
    • It is also possible to use the teleporter as a makeshift elevator, to allow teammates to get to higher ground without taking a detour or wading trough the robot wave. Place the entrance where allies are likely to take cover, and place the exit at a good vantage point that is not easily accessible otherwise.
  • It is best to build your Sentry Gun near an edge. Not only does it give you height advantage and protection, but the edge will also serve as an escape route from Sentry Busters, as their explosion will not affect targets on lower ground.
    • Be especially careful where to place your Buildings on waves with Soldiers and Snipers as more difficult hordes love to pick off Buildings from across the map. Use the walls and your environment to prevent them from being seen.
  • Consider using your Wrangler if you have one. When you have a 100% upgraded Sentry Gun, the giants will fall very quickly. However, your Sentry Gun is much more accurate than you are, and more efficient as well. Let it take out the regular bots on its own, as Wrangling it against them will increase the likelihood of several getting past you, especially if one of them is the bomb carrier.
  • Use your Frontier Justice to rack up revenge crits very quickly from your Sentry Gun. Close-range crit-boosted shots from the Frontier Justice will deal 180 damage. Multiple shots can chip away at a tank or giant robot's health.
    • Using the Destruction PDA on your Sentry Gun will still give you revenge crits for the Frontier Justice. Doing this between waves is smart because you can instantly rebuild your Sentry Gun to level 3 after you destroy it.
  • In the hands of a decent shot, a Widowmaker can keep you filled with metal. So long as you produce more damage than you consume metal in the shot, you come out ahead, and even the odd bad shot can be made up with a good hit next shot. And it never needs reloading. Maxing out your maximum metal and investing in a pierce shot upgrade can provide you with a near unlimited amount of ammunition if your aim is sharp.
  • The Rescue Ranger can be used as a long range sidearm or to save a Sentry Gun in a pinch, either if you're unable to directly pick up your Sentry Gun on time or to strategically get to a safe area and pick up your Sentry Gun to repair it. The Mark on Death can be a problem, however, especially if you and your Sentry Gun are being swarmed.
  • Buying an additional Sentry Gun will let you place a disposable Mini Sentry Gun so you can spread more damage with both Sentry Guns.
    • When the additional Sentry Gun is destroyed, any kills it has gotten also get added as revenge crits for the Frontier Justice.
  • Use Building Upgrade canteens to rebuild quickly if your buildings have been destroyed during a wave.
  • The Pistol by default has a large ammo reserve so it can have its fire rate upgraded without needing to invest in ammo reserve upgrades early on.
  • Investing on Wrench attack speed and increased total metal upgrades gives the Engineer a higher chance of keeping his Sentry alive when it takes heavy fire or is being sapped.
  • Faster classes know how to circle-strafe. Your Sentry Gun is not safe if you leave it among a group of robots.
  • Eureka Effect can be used to escape from critical situations or to fast teleport to spawn to buy upgrades and power-ups if there are no threats around.
    • Note that with Eureka Effect equipped you can't move your Sentry so it will be an easy target for a Sentry Buster. In that case you can use a Canteen with Building Upgrade to quick upgrade your newly built Sentry to level 3 or a Canteen with Übercharge to protect it.

Leaderboard class medic.png Medic

  • To make the most use out of your canteen-sharing upgrade, use the Medi Gun with the opposite power, i.e. use the stock Medi Gun with the Kritz Canteen, and use the Kritzkrieg with the Übercharge Canteen.
    • Adding to the above, using the Kritzkrieg with an Übercharge Canteen may be better for your funds and time than a Medi Gun and Kritz Canteen. The Kritzkrieg builds Über faster than the Medi Gun and an Übercharge Canteen costs less to buy than a critical hit Canteen.
  • The Vaccinator accomodate a Medic fighting in the front lines very well. Its fast Ubercharge rate and number of charges means you can utilize it frequently. Be aware of what robots are coming out and switch resistances accordingly.
  • Watch out for Spy and Sniper bots! You're a high priority target, so always be aware of your surroundings, and stay near your teammates for support.
  • A good Medic also have good resistance. Try to upgrade your resistance in order to increase your chance of survival, more survival means more time to heal your allies in front.
  • Though a faster healing rate always sounds good, remember that a target at maximum health will give less to the ÜberCharge meter. Try pairing the Heal Rate upgrade with the ÜberCharge Rate upgrade to offset this.
  • All classes can purchase health regain upgrades, but the upgrade stacks with the Medic's natural health regain. Use it to shrug off lesser damage and to retreat and recover in more serious situations.
  • If there is a non-Demoknight Demoman in your team, use the Kritzkrieg so you can help him lay critical stickybombs on the field before each wave. It's a better choice than Kritz Canteens because the increased charge rate means you can deploy an Über more than once if needed, and it costs no credits.
  • Equip the Übersaw if you feel you'll need to deploy an ÜberCharge often. It's easiest to use it on small robots about to deploy the bomb.

Leaderboard class sniper.png Sniper

  • Your role is to eliminate high-profile targets including Medic Robots, Giant Robots, Sentry Busters, and other bomb carriers roughly in that order of priority. Although halting the bomb's progress is critical, your ability to deal tremendous single-shot damage at range means that you should prioritize targets which you can destroy much more quickly than any other class (except for an upgraded Spy).
  • If you are not confident in your headshot skills, upgrade primary weapon damage and charge speed before waves with Über Medics such that you can deal at least 150 damage with a fully charged body shot. This will ensure that the Medics will go down without the chance to deploy ÜberCharges. Even if you are good at scoring headshots, it may be difficult to get Medics' heads in view quickly enough due to their tendency to stay behind their giant partners. Being able to one-shot them in the wheel or arm could mean the difference between facing an Übercharged giant or not.
  • Giants move at half the speed of regular Robots (except for Giant Scouts), making their enormous heads inviting targets, but they won't be an instantly killed like regular ones. Consider Reload Speed upgrades to get more hits on them more quickly.
  • Use Jarate to help teammates take out large groups of Robots or Giants quickly. Upgraded Jarate slows them down, making them easier targets. This is especially useful against Super Scouts.
  • Spy bots will often hunt you down first before going after other targets. If you're in a spot by yourself, keep an eye out for them when their presence is announced, and consider hanging around your teammates until the coast is clear. Alternatively, the Razorback can be equipped during rounds with Spies; it has no upgrades so it costs no credits to use at maximum effectiveness. Spy robots will try to backstab you even if you have a Razorback, so you can equip one to draw Spies near, wait for the telltale shock sound, then turn around and deal with them. Just remember to watch your back afterward as there's no quick way to restock the Razorback once it's used up.
  • Investing in piercing shots or using the Machina can allow you to take out multiple targets. This can come in handy when confronted with a Giant Heavy surrounded by Medic bots. In general, the Machina can almost be considered a straight upgrade over the Sniper Rifle in Mann vs. Machine because of its improved damage, built-in penetration, and the fact that you're not terribly concerned about tracers giving away your position.
  • Explosive headshots can also be useful for taking on multiple robots, especially at chokepoints. However, be careful when targeting groups of Über Medics. Lethal charged body shots are preferable to explosive headshots in this situation, since the explosion may deal nonlethal damage to nearby Medics and trigger Übercharge deployment.
  • The Huntsman can be modified to give bleed on hitting a target. Only one point is necessary in this upgrade, as the smaller bots should be dying fairly quickly, while you can reapply the bleed with repeated shots on giants, which you should be focus firing on anyway.
  • Although difficult and risky, keep in mind that the Skewer taunt can be used to stun and damage Giant robots and Sentry Busters.

Leaderboard class spy.png Spy

  • The Spy takes a more versatile role in the game mode, from money gathering to eliminating large targets.
  • Robots are always fooled by a disguised Spy, even when you sap them, sap their teammates beside them or bump into them. Unless you are on fire or disguise in front of them, robots will not suspect you.
  • A Spy investing in multiple resistances allows the player to stay in the front lines longer.
  • Use your disguise to pick up money that is too dangerous for your teammates to retrieve.
  • Whichever disguise you decide to use is largely irrelevant, as the bots will be fooled either way. However, be sure to use disguises that keep you mobile, such as a Pyro or Engineer, as it will help you avoid getting accidentally damaged by a stray shot from a bot.
  • Keep a mental note of where the two pushes are fighting at all times. Even with a disguise on, you may end up getting caught in the crossfire.
  • Be careful around Pyro robots. You might be accidentally hit by their flames, and once alight, any robot can identify you.
  • Consider having a Canteen with Return to Base equipped to escape quickly if spotted.
  • The Dead Ringer is useful as after fake death is triggered the robots will be completely fooled. Retreat and disguise while invisible.
  • Unique to Mann vs. Machine, the Spy's Sapper can be placed to disable robots. Unlike conventional gameplay, there's a meter that must be left to fill before a Sapper can be used again.
  • Upgraded Sappers can disable robots in a radius and slow down giant robots to make them easier to destroy. Use this to slow Sentry Busters to a crawl, counter a Giant Scout's exceptional ability to carry bombs around the battlefield, cut off a Giant's healing sources from several Medic Robots, and stab large groups of robots that are separated from the pack in safety.
  • When sapped, non-giant robots can be backstabbed from any angle.
  • Sometimes there will be occasions where you won't have time to backstab sapped robots. In this case, simply sap and retreat to safety, and let your teammates take out the sapped robots.
  • The Ambassador is great to use in this mode, as bots travel in predictable paths, and giants especially are slow, easy targets with large hitboxes, ripe for headshots. If a situation is too dangerous to get in close, try sniping your target(s) from a distance.
  • An upgraded knife can do major damage to giants. Wait behind where they enter the map and stab them as soon as their invincibility wears off.
    • Be quick to hide or pull out the Dead Ringer as the giant will immediately try to target you if the stab doesn't kill them.
    • Giants may not turn around when backstabbed if they are shooting at your team. Ask a teammates to distract the heavy, and you might land several backstabs on a giant. Combining this with armor penetration or swing speed upgrades allows the Spy to do massive amounts of damage to a giant. Keep in mind that you and said teammate are taking a big risk with this tactic.
  • Consider purchasing the +25 Health on Kill Upgrades for your Knife, meaning each of your backstabs will grant you a health boost, giving you a chance to soak up hits before escaping.
  • Robots are likely to detect nearby backstabs, albeit with a small delay. Upgrading your knife's attack speed allows you to backstab more robots, and even land one or two more backstabs to a giant robot, before being discovered.
  • Tanks cannot be backstabbed or sapped, so focus on the bots and let the rest of the team deal with it, or if things get desperate, drop cover and unload your Revolver into them.
  • Heavy Gauntlets take reduced damage from ranged attacks, and they can sponge in multiple melee strikes before going down. A Spy can eliminate one with a single backstab.
  • You're usually in the best position to take out Medic bots when they come on the field. Sap them to cut off their healing to their patient, then plant your knife into their circuitry before they can recover.
    • Be careful if you're cutting off healing sources of a Giant. Even when disabled by a Sapper, they will still notice a backstab has happened nearby and will immediately target you.
  • Keep in mind that sapping a Mecha-Engineer's sentry or teleporter activates your Sapper's cooldown. When forced to choose, the teleporter should take priority.

Counter Robot Strategy

General Robot Strategy

  • Before each wave, the robots that are set to appear will be listed in the HUD above. Identify what symbols belong to which robot and plan accordingly.
    • The sentry buster is never listed to spawn. It will only appear if an Engineer is active and doing well.
    • Support robots are not required to kill to finish the wave.
  • The bomb path is always indicated during the set-up. Set up along the path for the maximum effectiveness
    • During the wave, if the bomb carrier is forced off the path enough, bomb bots will take the long way around in an attempt to get back on the designated path.
  • The bomb carrier gets stronger the longer they hold the bomb. Watch the indicator to know what buffs are active for the bomb.
    • Giant Robots are the exception to this, the indicator will always be full when they pick up the bomb.
  • When a Robot is deploying a bomb, it spins its waist 180 degrees and jumps in. At this point, it is impossible to knockback.

Scout Robots

  • Scout Robots move the fastest of all standard robots and travel in swarms making them the most effective bomb carriers. Counter Scout rushes by killing them all as quickly as possible before one slips by with the bomb.
  • Sentry Guns are an effective anti Scout measure. Be aware that large enough swarms and Sentry AI can result in a few Scouts slipping past.
  • Typical Scout Robots either spawn with the stock Bat or the Scattergun and can't switch. Use this to your advantage when facing them directly.
  • Most Scout Robots do suffer a slow down once they pick up the bomb.

Bonk Scout

  • Bonk Scouts will drink Bonk! Atomic Punch once they spawn and every sequential opportunity.
  • Watch for Bonk Scouts especially if you're a Demoman. If you know a wave of Bonk Scouts are approaching, don't waste your sticky carpet on them.
  • Be careful when using explosives against Bonk Scouts. Worst case scenario, the knockback causes the bomb-carrying Bonk Scout to reach the hatch faster.

Minor League Scout

  • Equipped with the Sandman, these Scouts can leave careless players stunned and vulnerable not only to the Scout's melee attack but potentially to other stronger robots. A quick Pyro can airblast their balls back at them for a taste of their own medicine.
  • Minor Leaguers may be weak, but because they spawn in groups, this can result in a barrage of baseballs being hurled and stunning multiple players.

Major League Scout

  • A Giant version of the Minor League Scout, the Major Leaguers use their baseballs more frequently with dangerous accuracy.
  • Major League Scouts have very little slowdown once they pick up the bomb. Use Slowdown or Knockback weapons to prevent them from pushing the bomb too far.

Super Scouts

  • Do not allow Super Scouts to grab the bomb, as they run faster then a normal Scout and suffer no slowdown once they pick up the bomb.
  • Super Scouts are restricted to using their melee (The Holy Mackerel) and possess very little health compared to other Giant Robots. Use Slowdown or Knockback based weapons to make quick work of them.
  • When possible, prevent the Super Scout from picking up the bomb by having another robot carry it. Keep the bomb carrier alive until the Super Scouts are dealt with.

Soldier Robots

  • Soldier Robots will spawn anywhere between groups of 2 to 8. This usually results in a barrage of rockets, aimed for the closest or most dangerous target. This makes a Soldier group a dangerous threat to all team members.
  • Their projectiles can be destroyed or redirected with the proper abilities. Take advantage of this when playing the proper class.

Buff Soldier

  • Some Soldiers spawn with a Buff Banner, Battalion's Backup or Concheror ready for deployment.
  • Identify which Soldier is buffing the robots and eliminate it.

Giant Soldier

  • A larger version of the Soldier, it doesn't possess any abilities like other giants aside from a large amount of health.

Giant Rapid Fire Soldier

  • A Giant Soldier that can unleash a barrage of rockets very quickly. It's best to fight this robot from medium to long range while constantly moving.
  • Rapid Fire soldiers will pause momentarily to reload, and cannot fire until they are fully reloaded.

Giant Charged Soldier

  • Giant Charged Soldier rockets can kill most classes in a single hit, but move at half the speed of a regular rocket. Keep as much distance between you and the projectile as possible, or destroy/redirect the projectile if you can.

Giant Burst Fire Soldier

  • Giant Burst Fire Soldiers combine rapid-fire rockets with massive crit damage. Unlike the Giant Charged Soldiers, their projectiles speeds are unchanged.
  • Giant Burst Fire Soldiers take a while to reload. Use this opportunity to deal as much damage to them before retreating to safety.
  • If their rocket launchers are fully loaded, have one "bait" maintain a distance. They won't switch targets until their initial target is dead.

Sergeant Crits

  • Sergeant Crits is the "final boss" of the mission Broken Parts.
  • Sergeant Crits behaves similarly to Giant Burst Fire Soldiers. However, they take a lot of constant firepower to bring down.
  • Have one class serve as distraction using Ubercharge canteens, while the other classes deal damage using Crit Boost canteens.

Pyro Robots

  • Pyro Robots are very dangerous to Spies. If a Pyro robot lights up a Spy, every robot will be immediately aware of who and where the Spy is and will target them.
  • Much like regular Pyros, the Robot versions are immune to afterburn effects.

Giant Pyro

  • Giant Pyros are extremely lethal at close range with their flamethrower.
  • Although their smaller counterparts can airblast, the Giant Robot airblasts at most every opportunity it can. Be wary when fighting him with rockets or grenades.

Giant Flare Pyro

  • Flare Pyros launch the Detonator with deadly accuracy. Huddling in large groups can result in multiple players being set ablaze.
  • The Detonator will Mini-Crit against you if you are on fire. Take note of this when you are facing one.
  • Although not so fast as a Giant Super Scout or Major League, it's speed should not be underestimated upon.

Demoman Robots

  • Demoman robots can launch a volley of grenades at a target. Combined with the fact they spawn in groups make Demomen Robots a dangerous threat to sentry nests and clusters of players.

Demoknights

  • Equipped with a Chargin' Targe and an Eyelander, Demoknights can charge and have improved blast and fire resistance, but do not possess the Eyelander's health penalty.
  • Upon getting a kill, Demoknights will gain 3 seconds of Crits. Keep your distance to prevent them from gaining this ability to use against your allies.
    • Because they are not Giant Bots, Demoknights may taunt after getting a kill, negating their Crit buff.

Giant Rapid Fire Demoman

  • Rapid Fire Demomen hurl grenades quickly and accurately, making them a very dangerous threat.
  • Although it is unlisted, Rapid Fire Demomen can spawn with slightly more health or a faster firing rate.

Giant Demoknight

  • Giant Demoknights are very dangerous, with larger melee range, higher health and resistances and the ability to gain Crits upon a kill. Stick to ranged combat when facing them.

Major Bomber

  • Major Bomber is the "final boss" of the mission Disintegration.
  • Major Bomber is a beefed-up version of the standard Giant Demoman with crits and a massive, regenerating health pool.
  • Have one class serve as distraction using Ubercharge canteens, while the other classes deal damage using Crit Boost canteens.

Heavy Robot

  • Minigun-wielding Heavies are extremely lethal at close range. They can also deal damage quickly due their ability to attack in a group. This makes fighting a Heavy group extremely dangerous the closer one is to them.
  • Like Normal Heavies, they possess the most health of all non-giant robot classes, with one variant possessing even more health.

Steel Gauntlet

  • Steel Gauntlets posses the most health of all non-giant and special variants. They also possess a resistance to all ranged attacks because of their Fists of Steel. However, they are restricted to melee only.
  • Although they possess a weakness to melee weapons, they spawn in groups, allowing them to swarm anyone who gets close. Take care when getting close, attacking only when there are a few around.
  • Steel Gauntlets holding the bomb are extremely dangerous. With health regeneration and reduced damage, they are near invincible. It's best to face bomb carrying gauntlets with other players.

Heavy Weight Champs

  • Heavy Weight Champs come in two flavors, Killing Gloves of Boxing Heavies and Gloves of Running Urgently Heavies.
  • G.R.U. Heavies always take Mini-Crits, but run faster, at near 100% speed.
  • K.G.B. Heavies receive crits for 5 seconds among a kill. Because they attack in groups, its best to fight these Heavies from a distance as to not make them a bigger threat.
    • Much like Demoknights, they also have the tendency to taunt among getting a kill, wasting their Crit buff.
  • Heavy weight champs always spawn in groups, with their only distinctive feature between them being the gloves.

Heavy Mittens

  • These Heavies are unique among the Heavy Class Robots possessing many unique features.
    • Heavy Mittens run as fast as normal classes.
    • Heavy Mittens always Crit, but are equipped with the Holiday Punch. They deal no damage but leave the player vulnerable while they laugh.
    • Heavy Mittens possess the Least amount of health of all Robots. A single Shotgun blast (assuming all pellets hit) can usually dispatch them.
  • Anyone is vulnerable to other robots while they are laughing. Keep distance between you and the Heavy Mittens.
    • Because they deal no damage and are always restricted to melee, a Single Heavy Mitten can keep a player pinned laughing until he is killed. Keep this in mind and communicate when you are "pinned" by one.
  • Heavy Mittens have the ability to spawn in other areas much like Spies. Watch your back when Heavy Mittens are listed on the Wave HUD.

Giant Heavy Robot

  • An extremely lethal version of the Heavy with an extreme amount of health, this robot requires a lot of coordination to take down.
  • The Minigun takes some time to wind up, but once spinning, the Giant Heavy will keep it spinning until it's aggressor is dead or out of range. Keep this in mind when attempting "hit and run" tactics.

Giant Deflector Heavy

  • In addition to having the large health and lethality of a Giant Heavy, Deflector Heavies can shoot down projectiles like Flares, Rockets, and Grenades. Try to attack where it is not facing when using projectile based weapons.

Giant Heater Heavy

  • Functionaly identical to the regular giant heavy but creates a ring of fire around itself making approach difficult. Spies should only backstab when weapon isn't spun up.

Captain Punch

  • Captain Punch is the "final boss" of the mission Bone Shaker.
  • Captain Punch is essentially a Tank with fists. Its massive, regenerating health and ranged damage resistance means it can take a serious amount of punishment.
  • Despite its melee vulnerability, using melee is a very risky strategy. One punch can kill any class, even with maxed resistances.

Engineer Bots

  • Engineer bots can deploy a teleporter, which serve as spawn points for other incoming robots, as well as a Sentry Gun to defend it.
  • Teleporters they construct act as a spawn point for support bots who give no money when killed but can still carry the bomb. Take the teleporter out at all costs.
  • The teleporter that's very close to players' general area is very dangerous; Robots are invincible the first few seconds after teleporting in.
  • Sometimes the Sentry Gun can deny a non-Spy from retrieving money in an open area. Let your team know if a Sentry Gun is preventing you from collecting money.
  • Spies are obviously effective against Engineer Bots. However, sapping a building will put the Sapper on cooldown and will not sap other robots or buildings nearby. Spies will have to attack the other building if he wants to take down both the Engineer Bot's Sentry Gun and Teleporter by himself.
  • The best way to handle Engineers as a Spy involves backstabbing the Engineer, and immediately pulling out the Dead Ringer right afterwards. The sentry will shoot the Spy and trigger the Cloak. The Spy should then reactivate his disguise and decloak immediately afterwards. Robots will not detect the decloaking. Move over towards the teleporter and then place the Sapper upon it first. They are a much bigger threat than the Sentry Guns they deploy because of the invulnerability they are granted upon spawning.
  • Engineer Teleporters are especially a huge threat towards player Engineers, as brand new sentry busters will ALWAYS come out from the Teleporters.

Medic Bots

  • Medic Bots are always to considered large threats for their ability to heal and potentially Uber.
  • When pushed away from their target or their patient dies, Medic bots can attack using a Syringe Gun or Bonesaw to defend themselves.
  • Although they can heal any robot, Medic bots tend to "pocket" Giant Robots if they are available.

Quick Fix Medic

  • This brand of Medic cannot uber, but has a faster heal rate. In combination that these medics usually spawn in groups of 3 to 8 on the same heal target, its best to take them out before focusing on their patient.

Uber Medic

  • Uber Medic are very dangerous because they can build ÜberCharges quickly and deploy them liberally. Target these medics with powerful weapons.
  • Unlike in Multiplayer, Ubered Targets can still pick up the bomb, gaining their effects and even deploying the bomb while invulnerable. Use Knockback to protect the hatch.
  • Uber Medics that are healing the same target can, and often times do, deploy multiple ÜberCharges at the same time. Take advantage of this if one has already deployed an Uber.
  • Uber Medics have the tendency to deploy their Uber after taking a slight amount of damage. Classes capable of one-hit kills such as the Spy or the Demoman are excellent counters.
  • If you lack a convenient way to kill Uber Medics, try to use pushback from explosives or airblast to separate the Uber Medic from his target.

Giant Medic

  • Due to their insanely fast heal rate, attacking the Medic's pocket is pointless. Giant Medics need to be taken out first.
  • Be sure to take out the Giant Medic before its Ubercharge is ready. When deployed, it will effectively negate your efforts.
  • Attacking the Giant Medic's pocket will only speed up the Giant Medic's Ubercharge rate. Attack only the Giant Medic whenever possible.

Sniper Bots

  • With the exception of the Bowman, Sniper Robots stick to the role of Support, spawning only when their icon appears on their wave (and announced by the players).
  • All non-Bowmen Snipers also possess a Kukri, which they will use against anyone who gets within range.
    • Because of their accuracy with rifles and detections with melee weapons, it becomes paramount to understand weapon heckling.
  • Sniper Robots show a blue laser (much like a Wrangler laser) when aiming. This reveals their location and who their target is. Keep moving if targeted and head to them.

Bowmen

  • An exception to Sniper Rifle and Sydney Sleeper Robots, Bowmen can spawn as non-support based robots, meaning they can pick up the bomb and spawn in large groups.
  • They can accurately headshot with the Huntsman and attack in groups. This makes ranged areas in front of the Bowmen extremely dangerous.
  • Bowmen do not produce a laser effect or have a Kukri, relying entirely on their Huntsman.
  • Be aware that Bowmen always produce shots in full charge and very fast at it too!

Snipers

  • These robots can accurately aim and shoot players from afar to soften them off for other robots. Their presence is announced by players and only spawn in small groups.
  • Sniper Bots can deal heavy damage especially against slower classes if left unchecked. Have a faster class or a Sniper take them out.

Razorback Snipers

  • These Snipers behave like regular Snipers, but are immune to backstabs due to their Razorback. Spies should let other classes take care of them or use their primaries.

Sydney Sleepers

  • These Snipers lose their ability to headshot to soften up targets with their Jarate. Note where Dispensers and Medics are to remove the Jarate effect quickly.
    • Remember that Mini-Crit effects do not stack, so Crit-a-Cola and the G.R.U can still be used while under the effects of Jarate without worrying about taking additional damage.

Spies

  • When Spies appear, the Administrator will announce their presence. Every time a Spy is killed, the Administrator will state how many Spies remain. Watch your back and Engineer buildings when Spies are active.
    • If players are constantly fidgeting (pacing a small section), they are most likely a Spy.
    • Take note during waves which players like using which weapons. If they have a tendency to use anything but their Primary, it can help you detect Spies from the players.
    • When holding a Sapper, the Sapper outline will appear on the Spy, even when disguised.
  • Spies always spawn disguised and Cloak in. They also possess the standard load out.
  • Spies never spawn where other robots do, spawning usually in unpopulated areas. Keep note of areas where your teammates aren't to know where Spies may be.
  • Spies will backstab any player regardless if they are in range of a Sentry Gun.
  • The Spies will usually be very obvious while disguised, following players and never attacking any robots.
  • Ocassionally when they are near, chuckles can be heard from them, try to listen and see your surruondings for any Spies.

Sentry Buster

See also: Anti-Sentry Buster strategy
  • The Sentry Buster is a very fast bomb on legs. It possesses no attacks aside from a Kamikaze strike which it will use near an Engineer's Sentry or when its health runs out.
  • Sentry Busters may not prefer shorter routes, taking alternate routes that keep it active longer. Keep aware of which way the Sentry Busters are moving.
  • Be extremely cautious when staying near the Engineer's Dispenser, especially if the Sentry is near it. The blast radius from the Sentry Buster may also kill you when it plants, and you may not be aware when focusing on the fight.
  • When the Sentry Buster is about to explode (whether from health or the Sentry Gun), it cannot be moved. Run away, putting any static object between you and the Sentry Buster.

Tank

  • The Tank is a giant machine that cannot attack, cannot be slowed down and carries its own bomb. It requires teamwork from all players to destroy.
  • Be aware of the environment when the Tank is turning around a corner. Players that get stuck between a static object and the tank will be killed instantly.
  • A Tank has a set path that it must travel on.
    • Mannworks has two paths a Tank can travel on, whichever barrier the tank comes through determines which path it takes.
  • Tanks do not activate "On Hit" effects. This means that they cannot be coated in Jarate or Mad Milk, Marked for Death, or receive damage from Taunts. They also do not increase Rage for the Buff Banner or Concheror, Mmmph! from the Phlogistinator or Boost from the Baby Face Blaster.
  • Tanks usually spawn with anything that comes from Support. Keep this in mind that this means you can have two or three bombs active at the same time.
  • Melee attacks do the most damage-per-second over time. Equip melee weapons with damage boosts and upgrade melee attack speed to max, as well as invest in critical hit canteens.
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King of the Hill
Mannpower
Mann vs. Machine
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Versus Saxton Hale
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