Anti-Demoman strategy

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Yeah, next time, try two eyes! Click to listen — The Scout

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The Demoman is a versatile class, sporting above-average health and devastating weaponry. When formulating tactics, you can usually depend on the roles of most classes not dramatically changing. This does not apply to the Demoman, who can opt for an explosive-oriented playstyle with a Stickybomb Launcher or a melee-oriented playstyle with a shield like the Chargin' Targe. Each style has its own evident strengths and weaknesses, so pay attention to his loadout to avoid being caught off guard.

General

Attributes	Anti-Demoman strategy
Role	The Demoman is great at both offense and defense. He is particularly good at mid-range combat. As his name implies, the Demoman is excellent as demolitions. Pay attention to where he places his explosives, especially if you can't move from cover. A Demoman using a shield instead of a trap secondary weapon will always have the shield visible. If you can see a shield on the Demoman's left arm, you can be certain that his loadout has no secondary weapon and is melee-oriented.
Health	The Demoman has a base health of 175, so he can withstand a considerable amount of damage. Certain weapons change the Demoman's maximum health or heal him each time he gets a kill. Check what weapons he's wielding to estimate his health pool. A Demoman carrying a shield has significant resistance to fire and explosive damage, but is fully vulnerable to bullets and melee attacks.
Speed	The Demoman is slower than the majority of the classes, but he can still chase you down if he uses a melee combat loadout or utilizes explosive jumps.
Power	The Demoman is deadly at range but fires all of his projectiles in an arc. Make it difficult for him to aim by getting close and moving unpredictably. All of the Demoman's explosives can harm himself, giving you an advantage if you force him to fight at close range. A Demoman with a shield and melee weapon can charge at you to deal critical damage. Avoiding his charge and staying outside his extended melee range gives you room to counterattack.

Explosive loadout

A Demoman with an explosive loadout is capable of dealing high damage over a large area. It is best to engage him at close range, where his weapons are hard to aim and inflict self-harm. The Stickybomb Launcher, in particular, forces you to consider possible Stickybomb traps as you navigate the battlefield. The Demoman's explosive weapons take a long time to reload, so catching him by surprise leaves him at a major disadvantage.

Melee loadout

Alternatively, a Demoman can literally charge into battle with one of many dangerous melee weapons and a damage-reducing shield; this is indicated by a shield strapped to his left arm. When equipped with a shield, the Demoman can use its charge ability to close distance very quickly and deal critical hit melee damage. It is best to dodge or interrupt the charge, then attack from range while it is on cooldown. Many Demoman melee weapons also feature an extended range, skewing the odds of a melee fight in his favor. Bullet-based weapons work best against him, as none of his shields reduce bullet damage.

Weapon-specific

Main article: Demoman weapons

Primary

Weapon	Anti-Demoman strategy
Grenade Launcher + reskins	A Demoman's grenades can bounce over cover and around corners; narrow passageways are especially dangerous, given the grenades' splash radius. Grenades travel somewhat slowly and in a wide arc. If you are playing a class with good movement options, you have time to dodge or take cover. If you cannot avoid the Grenade Launcher's explosions, move closer so that the Demoman takes damage as well. Like most explosive weapons, if you can get your hands on a Vaccinator Medic with the Explosion resistance, the grenades will do much less damage.
Loch-n-Load	The Loch-n-Load has only three shots in a clip. This forces the Demoman to reload more often, which gives you more opportunities to fight back. Grenades fired from the Loch-n-Load travel faster and further, but do not explode if they do not strike enemy players or buildings. If you dodge his initial shots, you won't need to worry about them exploding under your feet. The Loch-n-Load's grenades have a longer trajectory, so a smart Demoman can bombard exposed targets, such as Engineer buildings, from a long distance. Against this, move away or force the Demoman out of his spot, where he won't have a clear shot.
Ali Baba's Wee Booties + reskins	Ali Baba's Wee Booties give the wearer an extra 25 max health, allowing the Demoman to remain in combat longer. The Booties require the Demoman to give up his Grenade Launcher. Stay out of melee range and fight back with ranged weapons. The Booties give the Demoman a 10% speed bonus and increased turning control when charging; remain in areas that have obstacles or escape routes to avoid a Demoman's charge. You can try to fake out a charging Demoman by moving in one direction, then doubling back. Once the Demoman begins to turn in one direction, turning the other way becomes nearly impossible.
Loose Cannon	The Loose Cannon's cannonballs do not explode upon a direct hit with a player and deal significantly less damage upon hitting a surface. If you dodge a cannonball, you can assume the explosion will deal minimal damage. The Demoman needs to time the Loose Cannon's charge so that cannonballs explode immediately after hitting you. Moving towards or away from him can affect his aim, unlike when he uses the Grenade Launcher. The Loose Cannon has a smaller range than the Grenade Launcher and will usually fire slower. The Demoman may use the cannonball's knockback to push you away from your team or into a hazard. Position yourself properly to stop him from landing an easy kill.
B.A.S.E. Jumper	Keep in mind that a Demoman gives up his Grenade Launcher to use the B.A.S.E. Jumper, making him weaker in direct combat. A parachuting Demoman will typically try to carpet bomb you with his Stickybomb Launcher. If the Demoman stays hovering in the air, he becomes a slow, highly visible, easy target - shoot him down before he can kill you, or duck around corners or behind walls. The Demoman's slow air-movement speed will afford you more time to properly position yourself to deal with them. His other, less practical option is to charge at you from the air using one of his shields. A Demoman with the B.A.S.E. Jumper and a shield is locked into melee combat, so avoid the charge and stay out of melee range. A Demoman with the B.A.S.E. Jumper is much weaker while grounded. Take the opportunity to damage him after he lands or before he can launch into the sky. The B.A.S.E. Jumper is ineffective in indoor areas with low ceilings. Retreat to a different venue if the Demoman's aerial assault becomes a problem. The B.A.S.E. Jumper cannot be deployed again once retracted until he touches the ground. Harass him in midair or force him to retract his parachute, potentially taking fall damage.
Iron Bomber	The grenades launched by the Iron Bomber do not roll or bounce very much. The Demoman may count on the timed explosion to act as a temporary trap if he misses you with it directly, like a timed Stickybomb. Although the Iron Bomber has a greater margin of error on missed grenades, its grenades have a 15% smaller blast radius than the regular grenades. If the Demoman is shooting grenades at the ground, you don't need to move as far away to avoid the explosion. As when dealing with Stickybombs, be wary of a retreating Demoman, as he may use the Iron Bomber to lay traps too. The Iron Bomber has a 30% shorter fuse time, giving you less time to avoid the Demoman's grenades.

Secondary

Stickybomb Launchers

• Stickybombs can be destroyed by bullets and melee attacks (the latter option is not recommended, for obvious reasons). If you come across a Stickybomb trap, shoot them before they explode to minimize damage.
• Firing an explosive or a compression blast around corners can dislodge, but not destroy enemy Stickybombs. Try to scatter them in a direction where they won't harm teammates.
• The Demoman will often watch over his Stickybomb traps, which may leave him distracted and vulnerable to flanking.
• Killing a Demoman will automatically remove all his Stickybombs. If your team is unable to push forward because of them, try to take out the Demoman first.

Weapon	Anti-Demoman strategy
Stickybomb Launcher + reskins	A Demoman may use the Stickybomb Launcher to fight directly at medium range, but will have trouble at close range due to the lengthy arm time. The Stickybomb Launcher takes a very long time to reload. Attack the Demoman before he can regain a full clip. Stickybombs are typically placed in hard-to-see spots as traps. Be wary of these spots and check your surroundings; the best trap is the one you do not expect. Once the Demoman detonates his Stickybombs, your team has a prime opportunity to advance and overwhelm him before he can lay another trap.
Scottish Resistance	The Scottish Resistance can be used to set up multiple traps. If you encounter Stickybombs from this weapon, they are likely not the only trap you will have to deal with. A Demoman can see his Scottish Resistance Stickybombs through walls, allowing him to detonate individual traps even when he can't see them. The Scottish Resistance is not suited for direct combat because of its Stickybombs' longer arming time. A Demoman using the weapon will likely switch to his Grenade Launcher or melee weapon when confronted. The Scottish Resistance is one of two Stickybomb Launchers which can destroy enemy Stickybombs. This means that it can be used to disable other sticky traps laid by enemy Demomen.
Sticky Jumper	A resourceful Demoman might use the Sticky Jumper to get reach higher ground or cover long distances to ambush enemies, all while remaining in good health. A Demoman with the Sticky Jumper can retreat as quickly as he arrives. If he lays Stickybombs as if to retreat, weaken him enough so that fall damage can kill him. A Demoman with the Sticky Jumper will still have access to the Grenade Launcher and his melee weapon, so he can still put up a decent fight.
Quickiebomb Launcher	The Quickiebomb Launcher fires Stickybombs that arm quickly and are thus hard to dodge. It can be used in direct combat similarly to the Grenade Launcher. The Quickiebomb Launcher holds only four shots and deals 15% less damage. Although the initial assault may be difficult to avoid, you only need to hold out for a little while before the Demoman must reload. The Quickiebomb Launcher charges its shots 70% faster. Don't assume that a faraway Demoman can’t hit you.

Shields

Instead of using a Stickybomb Launcher, the Demoman can employ a shield that gives him the ability to rush at opponents every few seconds. Charging instantly removes debuffs and grants him a guaranteed Critical Hit near the end of the charge. The shield also provides the Demoman added resistance to explosive and fire damage.

• A Charge can be delayed or nullified by using weapons with stun, slowdown, and knockback.
• The Demoman's charge goes forward. Dodge the charge by strafing to the side instead of backpedaling.

Weapon	Anti-Demoman strategy
Chargin' Targe + reskins	The Chargin' Targe gives the Demoman heavy resistance to fire and explosion damage. If possible, attack with bullets from outside his melee range. If you cannot avoid a charge, run towards the Demoman and end his charge early before he travels far enough to land a Critical Hit.
Splendid Screen	The Splendid Screen doesn't provide as much resistance to fire and explosions as the Chargin' Targe does, but allows him to charge more often. Damage him with bullets and be ready to dodge at all times. The Splendid Screen deals considerably more impact damage and can do so at any range; try not to engage him in close combat.
Tide Turner	Like the other shields, the Tide Turner provides resistance to fire and explosions, albeit not as much as the Chargin' Targe. Use bullets for maximum damage. Unlike the other shields, the Tide Turner provides full turning control while charging. However, every point of damage he takes drains his charge meter by 1%. Landing a solid hit on him will stop his charge instantly. The Tide Turner only guarantees a mini-crit at the end of a charge, so the Demoman must land the shield bash or follow-up attacks to kill you from full health. If the Demoman lands a melee kill, he instantly refills 75% of his charge meter. If he kills a nearby teammate, know that he can almost immediately charge at you.

Melee

Weapon	Anti-Demoman strategy
Bottle + reskins	A Demoman may resort to his Bottle at close range, where his other weapons can damage himself. Since his movement speed is below average, most classes will have an easy time outrunning the Demoman while retaliating with ranged weapons.
Eyelander + reskins	A Demoman will often use the Eyelander with a shield and charge at foes to gain on-kill bonuses to his speed and health. Take advantage of this behavior by kiting him or luring him into traps. If the Demoman forces you into close combat, fighting back might be better than running away. Alternatively, die to another source to prevent him from getting his bonus.
Scotsman's Skullcutter	The Demoman will likely pair the Scotsman's Skullcutter with a shield to maximize its damage potential and counter its speed reduction. Be ready to dodge his charge. The Scotsman's Skullcutter also reduces the Demoman's charging speed, which actually gives you more time to avoid the Demoman's charge.
Claidheamh Mòr	The Claidheamh Mòr increases the Demoman's charge duration. Strafe rather than back away when the Demoman charges. The Claidheamh Mòr inflicts a flat 15% vulnerability and cannot collect heads, so the Demoman will always have a maximum of 175 health. The Claidheamh Mòr refills 25% of his charge meter upon a kill. If you see the Demoman kill a teammate, know that he can charge at you soon.
Pain Train	The Pain Train grants the Demoman an increased capture rate. By Stickybomb jumping, the Demoman can quickly travel to objectives. Be prepared to contest an enemy Demoman flying through the air. The Demoman suffers 10% more damage from bullets while the Pain Train is in his loadout. The Scout and Heavy, classes typically found contesting objectives, gain a significant advantage over him.
Ullapool Caber	The Ullapool Caber creates an explosion on contact with enemies or objects. A Demoman might use it as a suicidal last resort; kill him before he reaches you. Do not cluster near teammates, as this and the Demoman's other explosive weapons can punish you all. If you cannot avoid being struck by the Ullapool Caber, fight back so that the Demoman dies from the blast or resulting fall damage. A Demoman can pair the Ullapool Caber with a shield to execute a kamikaze playstyle. Dodge to the side to avoid his charge, then counterattack.
Half-Zatoichi	A Demoman with the Half-Zatoichi is Honorbound to obtain a kill before switching weapons; he loses 50 health otherwise. Stay out of his melee range to force him to switch weapons and suffer the penalty. If a Demoman scores a kill with the Half-Zatoichi, he will regain about 100 health; treat him as if he has recently spawned. Wielders of the Half-Zatoichi can instantly kill each other; if you also have it equipped, catching the Demoman off-guard makes for a quick kill.
Persian Persuader	The Persian Persuader allows the Demoman to get his charge earlier by collecting ammo; steal any nearby ammo boxes when fighting enemies. Every successful hit with the Persian Persuader allows the Demoman to gain 20% charge. Paired with the Splendid Screen, the Demoman will almost always have a charge ready - be ready to dodge. A Demoman with this weapon equipped will likely opt for purely melee-oriented strategy, because the Persian Persuader reduces his max ammo for both his primary and secondary weapons by 80%. If he uses the Grenade Launcher, expect him to run out of ammo very quickly and enter melee combat.

See also

• Sticky jump
• Team strategy