Basic Heavy strategy

The Heavy is the largest, toughest, but slowest class in the game. Although his Minigun takes some time to rev up, it possesses some of the greatest damage output in the game, especially at close range. The Heavy can continue to keep his weapon revved in anticipation for future encounters. His great health pool and firepower makes him a very good Medic buddy. However, his large size and slow speed makes him a juicy target, especially for enemy Snipers or Spies, and his general loudness makes him subpar at ambushing. A good Heavy will coordinate with his team to tackle mission objectives together. His usefulness as a shock trooper while on offense or defense should not be underestimated by either side.

Primary Weapons

Minigun / Iron Curtain

Think of the Minigun as a rapid-fire Shotgun. With it, you are capable of taking nearly any opponent in a one-on-one setting. You can rev it while in midair, allowing you to catch enemies by surprise as you jump around corners. If there is no time to ready your Minigun, consider switching to your Shotgun.

Natascha

Natascha will slow enemies, forcing them to stop and face you in combat. The effects of slowdown will interrupt a Demoman using the Chargin' Targe, any taunts, and the consumption of lunchbox items. The reduced damage dealt means you will be at a significant disadvantage when facing an enemy Heavy with the normal Minigun or Brass Beast.

Brass Beast

While the Brass Beast is arguably the strongest weapon in the game, you are incredibly immobile while using it. The long spin up time makes it unsuitable for ambushing or constantly moving around. If you haven't already revved it up, you are very vulnerable to even frontal attacks. Use it alongside the Shotgun in defensive situations where you will move around less.

Tomislav

The Tomislav's increased rev-up time can completely negate an attempted ambush from the opposite team, and can also be useful in creating your own, by jumping from behind a corner and killing people before they even have a chance to turn around and see who's shooting them. With such a fast spinup, the 20% slower fire rate is negligible, as you can cause plenty of damage before it becomes a concern. Use it alongside the Gloves of Running Urgently or the Buffalo Steak Sandvich to get you to ambush positions faster and surprise the enemy from places a slow moving class shouldn't be.

Secondary Weapons

Shotgun

If healing yourself or your allies is not an issue, pick the Shotgun over the Sandvich. Use it when moving between areas or when there is no time to spin up your Minigun.

Sandvich

Use the Sandvich to quickly patch yourself up in between fights. Make sure to find a safe spot before taking it out, as you are completely helpless while eating. Alternatively, you can throw it on the ground to quickly heal yourself or your Medic while at the front lines. The Minigun will be your only ranged weapon, so keep an eye on your ammunition.

Dalokohs Bar / Fishcake

The Dalokohs Bar cannot heal you as quickly as the Sandvich and cannot be dropped for allies. However, because it has no cooldown, you can eat it at any time to heal minor wounds and continuously keep your increased maximum health. The Dalokohs Bar can be beneficial if your team lacks a Medic but does have a constant source of healing from either a Dispenser or medkits.

Buffalo Steak Sandvich

The Buffalo Steak Sandvich is best used to move around the battlefield quickly. Because you are restricted to melee weapons only, avoid engaging enemies while under its effects. Consider using it alongside the Fists of Steel to mitigate the increased damage you take from ranged attacks. It can still be thrown onto the ground to heal yourself or injured teammates.

Family Business

The Family Business is not a good assult weapon with its lesser damage, however is very useful in picking off those who have escaped beyond the range of your Minigun. Overall, it's a fairly balanced weapon, with the two extra shells making up for the lack of damage.

Melee Weapons

Fists / Saxxy

If an enemy takes you by surprise at close range, it may still be worth it to just spin up your Minigun instead of switching to your Fists; you are slow and will probably be unable to get within melee range of your foe. Still, your large health pool does give you the advantage in melee fights.

Killing Gloves of Boxing

Use the K.G.B. when you have the enemy in a corner. Once you've obtained the critical hit boost, switch to the Shotgun or continue swinging to make the best use of it. Switching to the Minigun will waste a significant portion of the boost.

Gloves of Running Urgently

Use the G.R.U. to quickly reach the front lines or to retreat from dangerous foes. You can use the Sandvich or Dalokohs Bar to negate the self-damage once you've reached your destination. When wearing them, you can help build a Medic's ÜberCharge meter at the maximum rate.

Fists of Steel

The Fists of Steel make you very difficult to kill with ranged weaponry, so take them out when crossing open areas. If an enemy tries to melee you, switch to your Minigun and shred them.

Warrior's Spirit

The slight damage increase does aid in killing enemies faster. If you are being healed by a Medic, the health penalty is negligible. However, unless you actively seek melee combat, use a different melee weapon to give yourself some utility.

Eviction Notice

The Eviction Notice is not as powerful as any other melee weapon for the Heavy and the attack speed does not make up for the damage. However, it could be helpful in melee combat as the fast punches gives you a higher chance of landing more weak punches which is always better than missing the slower, stronger punches.

Item sets

The Hibernating Bear

The resistance to critical hits is negligible. Due to the Warrior's Spirit lowering your maximum health, you will still die to a fully charged headshot, even when overhealed.