Talk:Community Engineer strategy
Contents
Sentry Placement
This section needs revision. Possibly there needs to be a new section on how to place Sentries using the Wrangler, as many of this information currently assumes using the vanilla Sentry.
I would suggest a whole new page called "Sentry placement" be created that contains a graphical guide to placing Sentries on the various maps, instead of relying on vague written descriptions, as well as different sections covering vanilla Sentries, mini-Sentries, and Wrangler Sentries. This would be a large undertaking, so if anyone else is interested in creating this, please comment here. --Aranarth 17:00, 10 July 2010 (UTC)
I added a couple of diagrams that I made to illustrate graphically some of the things I added to the Sentry Placement General strategies section which I reorganized somewhat. --Aranarth 05:15, 1 August 2010 (UTC)
- Just for future reference avoid using bold italics -- the map specific section here was full of bold italic words which should be avoided. Plain italics or all CAPS is better for emphasis, bold font is generally used to denote sections within an article. The Wiki style guide explains this. --Aranarth 16:56, 1 August 2010 (UTC)
Thanks to Aranarth this section has really :) filled out. I'm reading through and initially doing some minor edits for consistency and such...which is what I typically do from time to time when I add some new content from an update or something I've figured out myself. I see that Hackett is heading up a global project, so I'll see what I can do and coordinate in Talk:Strategy. The diagrams do work well for general placement strategy, but I think in-game screenshots will be the only way to go for map specific placements. But, with screenshots even limited to 320x200 pixels this page will become too heavy. We should consider breaking out map specific placements into seperate pages.Rockn-Roll 07:52, 22 August 2010 (UTC)
- The diagrams were to illustrate a general point, but yeah. Screenshots would be ideal but have the problem you mention. If I have the time the next thing I'd work on is a new page called "Sentry Gun Strategy" that has screenshots and section for General Strategy and also maybe a map specific section. I was thinking of perhaps creating screenshots of map layout from a bird's eye 3rd person view and then editing those screenshots to show good Sentry positions. --Aranarth 00:56, 28 August 2010 (UTC)
Weapon Specific
Try to avoid adding tips here that are redundant. Please make sure you read through the section already to make sure you don't add information that's already been mentioned. I would say that most of the significant strategy for the items has been mentioned, there's not need to "scrape the bottom of the barrel" for more possibilities, if you can see what I mean. The purpose of this section is not to list all possible strategies for a weapon, but to 1) help new players understand what these items can do quickly and 2) mention some possibilities that may not occur to most people but are definitely useful.
An example of what not to do: someone recently posted a tip telling people to "Spy check" with the Gunslinger, and that its 3 hit combo can kill Spies. First, that is not technically "Spy Checking" it's just "Spy killing" but more importantly most if not all players will do this without needing to be told that it's a "strategy" for this item. Punching enemies or suspected enemies with this item is obvious and is similar to saying "a good strategy for the shotgun is to shoot it at enemies." --Aranarth 17:26, 11 July 2010 (UTC)
Someone recently added to the weapon combination table and I changed the description to emphasize how weak the Gunslinger/Wrangler/Justice loadout is. The weapon combination table is not to simply list all possible combinations, but to list recommended combos and outline their strategic role on a team. Using all 3 unlockables together is contradictory, as 2 of them were designed to support Sentry-dependent play that emphasizes holding down positions, whereas the Gunslinger was designed for a completely different, mobile playstyle that emphasizes attacking and de-emphasizes the Sentry Gun and base-building in general. Using all 3 of them together makes no sense and will only "work" against completely inexperienced players. I left it there simply to discourage anyone from using this combo. If you disagree, discuss it here, but I strongly feel from experience that my advice is sound. Its comparable to using the Direct Hit with the Buff Banner or using the Eyelander without the Targe (with no Heads), or advising Snipers to use the Huntsman from the longest possible range. These strats just aren't as good. --Aranarth 17:53, 22 August 2010 (UTC)
Toolbox Kill Icon
I think it would be useful find a place where to explain what means the Toolbox kill icon you see when an engie is killed while hauling a building. I think here is the best page. Ideas? --Kid Of The Century 13:18, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
- Sure. Actually I think we should reorganize the page to include a small section on "hauling", explaining the mechanic and how to use it, since there are currently tips and notes involving it all over the strategy page it might be better to concentrate them. We could include the information on the toolbox kill icon there too. --Aranarth 21:45, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
Added a fun strategy of Mini-Sentry + Pistol DPS.--Ikimono1 03:15, 13 July 2010 (UTC)
Given that the Engineer has a MUCH larger Weapon Combination list...
Should something like this be on the other classes? Or is it being worked on? I mean, compared to the other classes, they have 2, but the Engineer has 6... AbeX300 20:07, 22 August 2010 (UTC)
Well I'm not the one who created that table but it was an interesting idea so I expanded it. My goal was not to list all combinations, only the good ones and outline their pros and cons and when they are useful. I also wanted to make the point that the good old Shotgun, Pistol, and Wrench did NOT become obsolete and they are often the better choices. In fact, I myself was totally addicted to the Frontier Justice after the Engi Update, but lately I've gone back to using the regular Shotgun. The Frontier Justice can be a very unforgiving weapon, and needs large amounts of Revenge Crits (at least 6) to really be "superior" to the Shotgun, and sometimes Sentries just won't be getting that many kills (or you lose the Crits by dying). I also wanted to hammer home the point that NOT having the Pistol is a much more serious tradeoff than a lot of people think. While it's one that I usually make (Wrangler + Wrench is usually standard for me), not having a spammable, mid-range weapon can really hurt in a lot of situations. --Aranarth 01:06, 28 August 2010 (UTC)
Gunslinger and Wrangler
I have to say that I disagree with the suggestion to never use the Wangler with the Gunslinger. While it does leave you with very little in terms of firearms, I find that the combo works wonders in concert with another Engineer using the Wrench or Southern Hospitality. Especially in Attack/Defend maps with a long straight to the point (my favorite example being Dustbowl Stage 3, Point B) where explosives and spies continuously threaten any equipment set up around the point, a Wrangled Mini Sentry can do significant damage to any attackers before they get in range of the level 3. Throwing down a mini sentry also leaves the Gunslinger Engineer free to help rebuild/repair his allies normal sentries before going back to his Wrangling. I find the other major use for a Wrangled mini sentry is harassing Snipers in Capture the Flag, forcing them to target you first while your allies get into their base. This is most effectively done in Turbine and Doublecross, as the area between bases tends to be more hectic than 2fort, allowing you those critical seconds needed to get the mini sentry up without alerting the Snipers. In either case, a level 3 dispenser out of the direct line of fire will help keep your string of mini sentries going. Alternately, you can leave it with another Engineer to help him stay alive as he repairs his normal sentry while under fire. Whatever desu 08:46, 22 October 2010 (UTC)
