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 faster spin-up time allows you to perform and respond to ambushes more easily. Although your overall damage output is reduced, you fire sooner and will deal greater amounts of damage over smaller periods of time. As long as you are not up against an enemy Heavy armed with the standard Minigun, you should be able to quickly deal enough damage before the Tomislav's firepower disadvantage becomes significant. Use it alongside the Buffalo Steak Sandvich or Gloves of Running Urgently to capitalize on its advantages and remain mobile.
Secondary Weapons
Shotgun
If healing yourself or your allies is not an issue, pick the Shotgun over the Sandvich. Although it may be a secondary weapon, it still deals plenty of damage, so use it when moving between areas or when there is no time to spin up your Minigun.
Family Business
The increased clip size of the Family Business is balanced by its reduced damage, allowing it to be used for the same purposes as the Shotgun.
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.
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
Take out the Killing Gloves of Boxing when you have the enemy in a corner and can easily land your punches. Once you've obtained the critical hit boost, make the best use of it by switching to the Shotgun or simply continue swinging. Unless you're using the Tomislav, switching to your primary weapon 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 increased attack speed of the Eviction Notice does not make up for the reduced damage. Unless you are fairly inaccurate in melee combat and could benefit from firing twice as many punches, you're better off using a different melee weapon.
Item sets
The Hibernating Bear
The item set grants a negligible resistance to critical hits. Because the Warrior's Spirit lowers your maximum health, you will still die to a Sniper's fully charged headshot, even when overhealed.
Black Market Business
The weapons in the item set focus on firing more shots that do less damage. It is best compared to the vanilla Heavy loadout, as the Family Business and Eviction Notice function similarly to the standard Shotgun and Fists.
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