Talk:Community Engineer strategy

Sentry Gun Section

I propose we split this into sections as it's a bit chunky. How about "General", "Offense" and "Defense", also it might be a good idea to split it further into Standard and Mini Sentry

Lordfa9 18:03, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

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)

Kudos on the redone diagrams. Definitely superior to my 15-minute MS Paint jobs :) --Aranarth 08:00, 5 November 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)

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)

Hauling already exists Here, feel free to add to it, the toolbox kill icon is there as well, perhaps there could simply be links to it. --Firestorm 21:49, 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)

Is it acceptable to remove weapon combinations that are inefficient or simply poorly thought out? For example, one combination suggests using the Frontier Justice, Wrangler and Jag. This is a terrible combination, as it leaves the player with absolutely no reliable weapons. InitialSAW (talk) 14:01, 27 September 2014 (PDT)

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)

My original opinion was mostly in response to the period immediately following the Engineer Update where everyone was equipping all three unlockables even when that often was not the smartest move. Actually, I'm of the opinion that there is no real weapon combination for the Engineer that is necessarily BAD. However, some definitely need some more skill than others, and part of that skill involves knowing what situations call for what weapon choices. I actually changed that suggestion myself recently when I realized I was going a little too far in recommending against certain choices. Certainly I agree with most of your points. Wrangled minis are actually quite powerful, especially as you say, when there is abundant Metal to use. --Aranarth 23:07, 31 October 2010 (UTC)

Its actualy very useful for useful in games of arena. I recently watched a Shibby commentary where he had an engie only round. The Wrangler combined with the mini sentry proved to be very useful. Norrisinabox 10:53, 2 February 2013 (PST)

How dare you posted on more than 2 years passed discussion? Hinaomi (talk) • (contributions) 15:50, 2 February 2013 (PST)

Cleanup

This page is probably the worst of all of the community strategy pages. I'm honestly tempted to remove the entire General healing and rewrite it in about 10 bullet points rather than try and sift through what is already there. --Manta 07:53, 26 September 2011 (PDT)

I did the Frontier Justice part, and put Dischord in a seperate subcategory. However, I haven't filled in Dischord's strategy, so can someone fill that in? Nephyte 08:40, 1 December 2011 (PST)

I should also note something. For one, the primary weapon strategys as well as the pistol strategy is inconsistent with the article (as well as in itself), and the Pomson functions unlike any shotguns. Nephyte 11:07, 10 January 2012 (PST)

Not helping in any way, but still relevant with the cleanup. I wordchecked the page for fun; over 17,000 words on ONE page. Ridiculous. 42 6:51, 18 January 2012 (PST)

BLU Setup

During many maps, it seems like blu team can't actually build any buildings, there is currently a bug on many levels where the spawn point is and no build areas are seperated by a doorway. engineers can actually build 3-4 buildings in that doorway. This is of course exploiting a serious bug, letting players build on a thin line where the rooms are perfectly touching, but should this be mentioned since this allows for blu team to actually build during setup when they cant leave their base. Nibelhim 08:09, 28 September 2011 (PDT)

• Are you talking about the sliding doors, like between the spawnroom and the Setup area on Dustbowl, or the Setup Gates that open once the round starts? Either way, I'm fairly sure we don't mention using exploits as strategies since those can and will be become obsolete when Valve fixes them. RagnarHomsar 08:15, 28 September 2011 (PDT)

Ya I am. Thing is, how long will it take valve to fix them? Also, i'm thinking about the balloon race level, and there is only that thin line which engineers can build on, well there are 2 lines, a stationary line and a line that moves with the boat. but also dustbowl. Nibelhim 08:20, 28 September 2011 (PDT)

"Frontline Engineer"

I have a strategy for engi it called frontline engie: You need frontier justice , gunslinger and pistol (lugarmorph). You will go to the frontiline and place your sentry and wait for the enemies your mini sentry will kill 1 or 2 enemies (on smart places more) if your mini sentry is destroyt you have crits. Don t use this crits only when it is neccesary (or you have less metal) if you think their is a invisble spy arount shoot with your pistol in rounds the spy wil get uncloaked for a few seconds you can see the spy so you know were he is so you can kill him. You can also profite from your +25 health bonus from the gunslinger always handy. This is my strategy. By: DarkFQ — The preceding unsigned comment was added by DarkFQ (talk) • (contribs) 14:15, October 30, 2011

Hi, I recently added that same strategy to the community strategy page in the weapon sets without seeing your post. Sorry about that. --Cyclepedia 20:26, 6 November 2011 (PST)

Wanga Prick in Saharan Spy

Does someone know of the new spy knife part is from the saharan spy. — The preceding unsigned comment was added by DarkFQ (talk) • (contribs) 14:12, October 30, 2011

No, it isn't part of the set - neither is the Unarmed Combat part of the Special Delivery set. » Cooper Kid (blether) • (contreebs) 01:43, 31 October 2011 (PDT)

Wait a minute, why are we talking about a spy weapon in the engy section? --Cyclepedia 20:55, 6 November 2011 (PST)

Oops, was moving it from Team Fortress Wiki:Discussion. Dangit. —Rocket Ship BBQ(•) 22:32, 6 November 2011 (PST)

Short circuit contradiction

The short circuit cannot be used for spychecking. The sparks do not target cloaked spies. They target both teammates and disguised spies. Since 5 damage per 35 metal is not enough to kill spies, the weapon does not make significant distinction between teammates and spies. I have already removed the statement from the page. K-Raider NL 04:22, 17 April 2012 (PDT)

Tidying up for easier reading?

A lot of this section is nicely done, but there are some parts that could use some work. I just did some re-wording on the vs. Scout strategy on this page and I plan to do more, but really I should be asking first. One thing I am noticing is that not using paragraphs to separate bullet points can make the information look too long and unreadable. Does anyone else think this? I would change it but then it's messing with the general pattern of layout. If we change it then it would be nice if everyone agreed.

ReiceMcK 06:36, 23 October 2012 (PDT)

Missing page link

Just noticed that in the class combat match ups secton for the spy that the link for Sentry Jumping is missing. It says the page does not exist. Is it possible for smeone to link it to the engineer's section of the jumping techniques page? Norrisinabox 10:43, 2 February 2013 (PST)

Weird Bar on Right Side of "Weapon Combinations" Box

When I expand the "Example Weapon Combinations" box, this weird blank bar shows up to the right of it. It doesn't cause any problems, it just looks weird, and I can't tell how to fix it. It may have something to do with the fact that the box is narrower when it's expanded than when it's collapsed? But I don't know. Kestrelguy (talk) 16:27, 13 January 2021 (UTC)

Putting the "Ninjaneer" loudout in the weapon combinatio?

Should we put the "Ninjaneer" loudout eg: frontier justice or a shotgun, pistol, and the eureka effect as a weapon combination? Lolimsogreat21 (talk) 16:27, 20 March 2021 (UTC)Lolimsogreat21

Yeah, its a weapon combination anyway · Ashe (talk) 16:28, 20 March 2021 (UTC)

Outdated Panic Attack information

Title. The damage has been increased since the Blue Moon update iirc, so we need to update the damage numbers. Payn (talk) 02:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)