Need some Scout help / advice please .

[-HavoC-!]

Hey guys , just a few quick questions . I don't play scout much of any at all so I figured I would give it a shot . I'm curious is the FAN is better than the scattergun or vice versa . As well as is the sandman really worth using or is it just a waste . Just trying to play the class better / more effectively so any help or advice would be appreciated .

Thanks

 

[M3flow]

Sandman can be good but tbh I haven't used it since the health nerf. As far as Fan vs Scattergun goes, they have pro's cons and its up to your playstyle and map.

Fan :
1) disorienting knockback
2) good burst damage with 2 shots but you can't miss
3) 3rd jump useful on many stages, (particuarly blackmesa)

Scattergun
1) larger clip
2) can shoot as you jump without FAN knockback
3) still puts out great damage if you meatshot



You would probably be better off using scattergun until you are more experienced as a scout.

 

[? Frisky Dingo ?]

Im not a really good scout, but im decent imo. I preferr the scatter gun vs the FAN and I love the sandman, you can kill a heavy with a good bonk and the scatter gun easy. It really is just preference though, play with all diff weapons and see whats good for you.

 

[Zero711]

This has been posted before, but I'll post it again. This is Daedalus who is quite good and has some funny TF2 videos, this is the one that made me fall in love with Gravel Pit (although its quite old).

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRSW0Y1SgoA[/ame]

And his addendum.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j59kujK004o&feature=related[/ame]

Hope this helps.

 

[Randall Flagg]

I play scout alot of the times, infact that class is one of my favorites. I personally think, the people that posted above me are right on alot of things. However, the fan, *for me..* for myself, is better, because its not just a weapon, its a tool to get to places, and power if your up close, but you see, use the pistol and the regular bat, its not always effective, but it can get the job done. So all in all, watch, learn, re-act, till you get your own feel with the class. Just The Dark Man's 2 cents. Happy Hunting. ~R.F.

"I can see your fate from a thousand miles away, now.. Pick your death.. Sai.." *Dark Laughter* HeheheHahaha!!!!

 

[Retribution]

^^ those videos drastically changed the way I play scout. They show you how to survive longer and how to be THAT scout on the other team that just pisses you off .

 

[Maj.Emish]

FAN = force jump = getting somewhere a lot faster more unexpectedly.

 

[letwoose]

I prefer the increased clip size of the normal scatter gun, as it usually allows me to take out up to two enemies before reloading. I often chage directions and just alot to disorient opponents, so I find that the FAN actually slows me down if I happen to shoot it in the air. Also, I feel like the FAN forces a Scout to retreat more frequently because of the constant reloading.

The Sandman, while cool, gets rid of the double jump so for that reason alone I don't use it. The only time I will switch to the Sandman is if I am playing defense and need to stun opponents who are trying to capture a point or capture intel. Especially if the opposing team is rushing large groups, then the baseball stun helps to temporarily diminish the impact of the rush.

I would say that if you like to play an in-your-face aggressive style, then the standard scattergun and metal bat combo are good. If you like to play more evasively then the FAN is good as it allows triple jumps and knocks back enemies, but I just feel that I get less kills/minute with the FAN.

I still see many scouts running all over the place using the Sandman, but I typically find they are a lot easier to kill than a Scout with double jump. I feel like the Sandman is more of a defensive tool than an offensive one.

 

[Drip]

Honestly, if you're a beginner, go sandman + FAN combo. Stun, run up to them, pointblank doubleshot and finish off with your pistol.

Yes, I'm not that great with the scout, but as long as you get your stun in, you'll do fine. I also found that the FAN is great for knockbacking other players, especially pyros while you retreat.

Personally, I like the scattergun better because of the increased clip size and the fact you can still shoot it in midair without being blown back, which I find a total hassle. Sandman is way better, even with the health nerf because you can double-jump with it now.

 

[Kamon]

I'm going to disagree with Drip on the Sandman + FAN combo. As a beginner, I'd go with the Scatter Gun if I were you, and get a feel for the Scout. Think of how you counter each class, and think of how they counter you.

When you're a big boy, move onto the Force-A-Nature. Learn to strike your enemies and get out asap. The Scatter Gun may allow you to stick around longer, but the FAN is better for approaching an enemy who can't see you, blasting them, and taking off before they can look back... If they even survive it.

FAN jumping aswell is also an incredibly useful tool that comes along with using the FAN.

Remember this: At point blank, because it fires more shells than the Scatter Gun, the FAN does MORE damage than the Scatter Gun in a single blast.

Once you're an experienced Scout, you can tackle just about anything. Even (though situational) level 3 Sentries and Engineers defending them can be taken on.

Use the pistol when you're out of Scatter Gun rounds, and also switch between the FAN and Pistol to mess with an opponent's heads with some proper backpedalling. It's quite powerful when it hits, and it fires very quickly. Without the need to mash the trigger to fire at rapidspeed anymore, it's become even better--but not quite as good as the Engineer's due to ammo limits.

Firing a single FAN round point blank into someone's back, pulling out your pistol and beginning to backpedal while firing--only to promptly charge forward and firing your last round as your opponent clumsily toggles weapons is all a part of the bigger plan.

Level 3 Sentries can take out a silly engineer who happens to be sitting in front of one. Draw a sentry gun's fire into an engineer in small rooms using Bonk, then flee out as soon as he's dead if you can.

Remember, use teamwork. You're great at capturing the flag, but sentries are usually guarding them. Help a Spy take a chunk out of a sentry after he begins to sap it, grab your enemy's secret crap, and get outta there.

Never. Stand. Still. Don't ever run straight, zigzag. There's nothing like dropping from a single body shot from a Sniper Rifle or an Arrow.

Even an overhealed Heavy around a corner can be handled with the FAN by quickly stepping around corners, firing two rounds, and hiding back around. Provided the Heavy stops firing the moment you disappear, you can quickly reload and pop back around the corner, firing two more rounds. Another one at close range and the Heavy is as good as dead.

Be careful of the Blutsauger--it'll suck your health down fast. If you don't take out a Medic with your initial two FAN shots and he pulls out his blutsauger, don't chase him with the pistol. Backpedal away and fire, reload your FAN, and hope for another opportunity to get him when he's turned or from afar.

Good luck, and say goodbye to your kneecaps, chucklehead.

 

[Kibo]

The Sandman, while cool, gets rid of the double jump so for that reason alone I don't use it.

I still see many scouts running all over the place using the Sandman, but I typically find they are a lot easier to kill than a Scout with double jump. I feel like the Sandman is more of a defensive tool than an offensive one.

You got your double jump back. But now the sandman takes away 30 health

 

[DRaGZ]

Personally, I don't bother with the Sandman because a good Scout gets along without it very well anyway. Plus, it makes you susceptible to lots of one-hit kills which would've otherwise been two-hit kills, giving you a chance to escape before you die from that second kill.

I also prefer the FAN over the Scattergun, but that's primarily because I enjoy the extra options is offers me. It makes getting to locations easier/faster and allows you to reach places you couldn't even reach before. It also make handling certain enemies a lot easier. You can literally take out a Heavy-Medic combo single-handedly even when the Heavy knows you're there and only the Heavy is exposing himself because the knockback and the DPS of the FAN is high enough to kill him faster than the Medic can heal him.

That being said, the FAN seems easier to use at first but ends up being more difficult to use than the Scattergun in prolonged fights. It's best for one-on-ones, you can get get away with two vs. ones and you can get away with more than that if you use your environment well, but it's certainly not as easy as with the Scattergun.

 

[fudpeX]

I'm not going to lie, but there should never be issues on what to have equipped. there is a reason why you can equip them during the game, that's because certain times call for certain measures. The scout is primarily supposed to be on the sidelines picking off enemy's and going for captures.

These are the ONLY times i Equip certain things.



BONK! Energy Drink - Equip this when you cant get past a sentry. Or if you want to be a decoy and have a group of people follow you and let people sneak by.

Sandman - i Never equip this. but when i do, its to get rid of some medic combos that are terrorizing the team.

Scattergun - When your in a full server and there are plenty of people to shoot. It shoots off more rounds than the Force-A-Nature but doesn't quite do as much damage. It's defiantly the gun you want to use when you are going to be aggressive.

Force-A-Nature - I Always have this equipped. I use it to get to spots that scouts normally don't get to. I take short cuts and avoid confrontation.
If I'm caught, then its 2 shots, dodge, 2 shots, pistol.

Pistol - Never wait for the scattergun or Force-A-Nature to reload if you know they are almost dead. Use your pistol to finish them off. Also, Use your pistol to pick off enemy's at great distances.

Bat - My favorite weapon in the game. High Critical Rate. Average of 1/4 swings is a critical. I never run away from enemy's if its a 1on1 fight or if they're are multiple people around. There's a reason why these types of games have Melee weapons. If you run out of ammo, pull out the bat, they are bound to die before they can reload. because if you have to reload, chances are they do too. so pull out the bat and hit them with a surprise. You will be surprised how many frags you can get with a scout bat.

http://www.edgegamers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102926

 

[DRaGZ]

I just wanna add:

In those rare occasions where you've juggled a guy with the FAN so the enemy is right above you and falling down, the best thing to do is to switch to the bat and whale on him right as he's falling back down.

There's three benefits to this:

1. It's faster than waiting for the FAN to reload.
2. It's easier to land a hit with the bat when your opponent is vertically above or below you than with the FAN or pistol because of the way the melee hit registration works in this game. Basically, you only really have to be partially facing up to hit with the Bat, but with the FAN and Pistol it's actually a more difficult shot because the hitboxes are smaller from above or below.
3. It's really cool.

 

[Cl!FF]

I personally played a lot of scout, and got really good at it, that means very annoying.

Scouts scatterguns are good no doubt, but the best ways for me is the personal add from the FaN that you can stop movement or atleast take out control of the game of the other player,
this is vital for taking out some of the better players, and totally confuses the newer players.
Also medics who got hit once by the fan and go into the air wont hit their uber usually since they think they can still run a bit further to activate the uber at the right place, but the second hit after airlauch is way stronger since you can get so much closer with more ease, bam, there goes the uber and the guy runs into sentryguns.

Also the jump of the FaN is so perfect for the scout to get out of troube, I use it so much that usually I have to resupply the fan competely after just running around 2-3 min lol.

And as well as goes for the sandman, it is a supreme advantage to take out control of the game for the other player, but scout is more of a hit-and-run class, after 1 ball if you miss or hit there is a change that another players is there too, don't get yourself is too much danger with already loss of health by the Sandman, I prefer bat more, but I hardly ever use it.

Also have bonk equipped instead of pistol, it favors my style a lot more when you are for example behind enemy lines, if you got boxed or something, pull out that drink and pretty much saves your life and if you are really sneaky use it to run in front of soldiers and demoman, it causes damage since they explode right in their faces

 

[-HavoC-!]

Thanks alot guys . When I get home from work tomorrow and am done spending some time with the wife I plan on jumping in game for a bit and trying out everyone's advice and seeing what works best and what not . Also those video's really put in perspective as to how useful a scout can be and how well one can be effectively be played .

Once again thanks alot to everyone who contributed

Adam

 

[kotahlicious]

Vanilla layout is ftw. the only time i change is when im not all srs business or when i use bonk to pass guns. and before you hate on bonk
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgSAco5gB8[/ame]