Anti-Demoman strategy

“

You are no match for me! Click to listen — The Heavy

”

The Demoman, while an excellent ranged fighter, lacks an efficient means of self defense at close range.

Weapon Specific

A list of useful tidbits about the Demoman's tools, and how to counter them.

Grenade Launcher

• The Grenade Launcher has a lengthy reload time. Attack the Demoman when he's empty.
• A Demoman can arc and bounce his Grenades, so don't rely on cover when fighting a Demoman using his Grenade Launcher.

Loch-n-Load

• The Loch 'n' Load deals additional self-damage to the Demoman. Even if you die at close range, there is a chance of the Demoman severely damaging or killing himself.
• The Loch 'n' Load has a small clipsize. Dodge the two shots, and then go in for the kill.

Trap Weapons

• Stickies can be destroyed with most weapons. Take them out from a safe distance to avoid being killed.
• When using the Scottish Resistance, you can destroy enemy Stickybombs with your own.
• Using an explosive weapon around corners can dislodge enemy sticky traps, revealing them before it's too late.
• Pyro's Airblast can dislodge and push Stickybombs away from teammates and towards the enemy Demoman.

Stickybomb Launcher

• The Stickybomb Launcher is more difficult to use at close range due to the lengthy arming time.
• The Stickybomb Launcher has a lengthy reload time. Attack the Demoman when he's empty.

Scottish Resistance

• The Scottish Resistance is not suited for direct combat. Be wary of any traps when pressuring the Demoman.

Chargin' Targe

• The Targe gives the Demoman blast and fire resistance. Use a weapon with a different form of attack.
• As a Scout, using the Sandman to stun a charging Demoman will cancel his charge.
• As a Heavy, using Natascha against a charging Demoman will cancel his charge.
• As a Pyro, Airblast can save you and/or your team-mates from a charging Demoman.
• A well placed rocket, grenade, or sticky trap at the foot of an approaching Demoman can delay him long enough to waste the rest of his charge.

Bottle / Frying Pan

Eyelander / Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker

• Both weapons have extended melee range. Consider this when meleeing the Demoman..

Pain Train

• The Demoman has a 10% vulnerability to bullets with the Pain Train equipped. Switch to a weapon that fires bullets for extra damage.

Scotsman's Skullcutter

• This weapon makes the Demoman much slower, making him an easier target.
• This weapon has extended melee range. Consider this when meleeing the Demoman.

Claidheamh Mòr

• This weapon has extended melee range. Consider this before trying to melee the Demoman.

Ullapool Caber

• This weapon explodes on melee hit with anything solid and severely damages the Demoman. Try to make the Demoman miss you and hit a wall so he is much easier to take down.
• This weapon can easily take out or severely damage most classes, if you encounter a Demoman attempting to use this weapon against you, try to avoid getting in melee range.
• A Demoman using a Chargin' Targe in conjunction with this weapon can close the distance between you quickly and attack you with a guaranteed critical, beware of standing in a straight line to a Demoman using this set-up.

See also

• Demoman strategy
• Community Demoman strategy
• Demoman match-ups
• Team strategy