Anti-Scout strategy

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The Scout is a very fast, maneuverable class that packs a high amount of firepower at close range, making him extremely effective in one-on-one combat. He excels in open environments, where his speed and double jump allow him to easily maneuver around a map, close long distances, and ambush the most vulnerable enemies. He can use his mobility to completely avoid damage, more than making up for his lack of health. Depending on his loadout, a Scout can bring along weapons with additional utility that help him pick off individual targets with even more ease.

General

Attributes	Anti-Scout Strategy
Role	A Scout carrying the intelligence will likely try and avoid direct combat on the way back to his base by taking a quieter route or one better suited to his double-jump abilities. Try to block these routes or use weapons with a knockback effect to push him towards your teammates. If a Scout is trying to ambush an unsuspecting ally, always warn the ally in order to fend off or eliminate the Scout.
Health	His tiny amount of health can be nearly depleted with a hit from a rocket or grenade. If a Scout has been severely injured, switching to a hitscan weapon may help you finish him off and/or conserve ammunition.
Speed	Always think one step ahead of the Scout before attacking; he can run more quickly than the other classes. Try to predict where the Scout will land when using projectiles. If he is airborne, wait until his double-jump has been exhausted before trying to land airshots.
Power	The Scout is quite devastating at close range with his primary weapons, so try to fight the Scout at mid-to-long range in order to avoid taking large amounts of damage. Less experienced Scouts tend to overcompensate when turning to aim at you while running in circles. Sometimes you can stand in one place while firing and the Scout will fire bullets around you. Engaging a Scout in close quarters can be risky, as he can deal large amounts of damage but has less room to move around. Take advantage of this before he does. A class which deals splash damage can often take less damage from it's own attacks than a Scout, making spamming rockets or stickies a viable strategy. However, this is often compensated for by the Scout's mobility and can end up easily backfiring.

• In open spaces, it is best to avoid combat with the Scout altogether. Wide open areas are their natural environment, and they can take down many enemies here with little trouble. If you are forced into combat here, your best bet is to bait the Scout into going where you want him to- run round corners calling for Medic, and jumo out, or if you have an explosive weapon, shoot it to one side to herd him into an enclosed space.

• The Scout is extremely frail, even under the influence of the Milkman's set bonus. Two point blank direct hits from the Shotgun alone can put down a Scout. Remember, the Scout's main ability is that it can pick and choose its fights- unless you are certain of victory, do not attempt to jump a Scout, as he can run away a lot faster than you expect. Utilise splash damage from explosives, or the Pyro's airblast to control the Scout's movement- unless of course, you yourself are a Scout, in which prioritise on your own movement. Jump around and be difficult to hit, make sure the Scout has a hard time locking onto you. For fighting other Scouts, it is best to completely disregard the Force-a-Nature, as the weapon's small clip means it is very difficult to kill an enemy.

Primary Weapons

Weapon	Anti-Scout Strategy
Scattergun	The Scattergun deals immense damage and will allow a Scout to stay in combat for a modest amount of time. Although he is faster than you, do your best to stay at medium range to minimize the damage you take while trading blows.
Force-A-Nature	The Force-A-Nature deals even more damage than the Scattergun but must be reloaded every two shots. If the Scout insists on staying in combat, pick him off during his frequent reloading periods. Its knock back effects let him easily reposition you for a follow-up shot, so avoid lingering near walls or field hazards where you can quickly be cornered.
Shortstop	Unlike the Scattergun, the Shortstop has a tight bullet spread suited for medium range. By closing the distance, the Scout may find it more difficult to hit you.
Soda Popper	Like the Force-A-Nature, the Soda Popper must frequently be reloaded, which will often leave the Scout vulnerable. You’ll need to quickly eliminate a Scout with a full Hype charge, as his speed ensures that you won’t be able to get away.

Secondary Weapons

Weapon	Anti-Scout Strategy
Pistol / Lugermorph	While the Scout might use the Pistol to harass you from a distance, its damage is minor. Keep a distance from him so that you can take advantage of his weak long range capabilities.
Bonk! Atomic Punch	Bonk! Atomic Punch is designed to help a Scout get past chokepoints or areas filled with enemies. He can’t fight while under its effects, so impede his movement by body blocking or using knock back. Scouts will also use Bonk! Atomic Punch to bypass Sentry Guns. By using a weapon with knock back, you can send the Scout into walls or corners, where he will be pinned and killed by Sentry Gun fire. Be careful when utilizing knock back on bonked Scouts in front of Sentry Guns. A wrong angle could propel him to safety and/or into his desired direction.
Crit-a-Cola	While Crit-a-Cola will allow a Scout to deal mini-crits to you, you can deal mini-crits right back at him. He’ll often consume it when preparing for an ambush, so stay alert and pick him off first.
Mad Milk	The healing provided by Mad Milk will let an accurate Scout stay in a fight for a prolonged period of time. If you’re covered by it, you’ll either need to retreat or take him out very quickly.
Winger	The Winger is similar to the Pistol, but its increased damage makes it slightly more effective at both harassment and finishing enemies off.

Melee Weapons

Weapon	Anti-Scout Strategy
Bat / Holy Mackerel	A Scout that insists on using the Bat can easily deal more damage at close range with any of his primary weapons, actually giving you a slight advantage.
Sandman	Instead of simply running, you should jump, circle, and strafe to throw off the Scout's aim as best as you can. When stunned, keep your aim on the Scout so that you can immediately retaliate once the effect wears off. When stunned but still able to move, use the "Help!" voice command and retreat toward team-mates who can protect you.
Candy Cane	Switch to an explosive weapon to take advantage of the Scout's explosive vulnerability with this weapon. Try to steal the small health kits dropped by team-mates killed or assisted by a Scout with this weapon to nullify its advantage.
Boston Basher / Three-Rune Blade	Continuously evade a Scout that is attacking you with the Boston Basher so that he damages himself. Use a weapon with knock back to send the Scout in the opposite direction the moment he swings.
Sun-on-a-Stick	The Sun-on-a-Stick does less base damage than the standard Bat. If you are set on fire, you should already be trying to extinguish yourself and would probably be weak enough for a Scout to pick off anyway.
Fan O'War	If you are marked by the Fan O’War, the Scout will likely try to chase you down with his primary weapon. Adjust your one-on-one tactics to his chosen weapon accordingly.
Atomizer	While a Scout might never use the Atomizer in actual combat, the triple jump greatly increases his mobility.

Item sets

Set	Anti-Scout Strategy
The Special Delivery	This set sacrifices firepower for increased survival. A Scout using this set benefits from staying at range, where he can harass or finish off enemies with the Shortstop. When in trouble, the Mad Milk can help him regenerate health while retreating. Counter this set by avoiding his Mad Milk and then closing the distance to out-damage him.
The #1 Fan	This item set builds on the Scout’s amazing one-on-one prowess. React to the individual weapons, particularly the Soda Popper’s Hype and the Atomizer’s triple jump, accordingly.

See also

• Double jumping
• Team strategy