HANDS ON GUIDE

Assault #1 - The Scout

Scout: 125 HP

The Scout is TF2’s fastest unit but also one of its weakest. The Scout’s job is to rush through enemy lines, and quickly capture Control Points, or the Intelligence briefcase. To aid you in this task your lightning speed is augmented with the ability to Double Jump. Double jumping allows you to jump twice in quick succession. The first jump takes you off the ground in the direction you are running, and the second can be taken in the air, allowing you to jump to greater heights. For maximum height, jump at the apex of the first and remember you can change direction with the second jump. This helps dodge fire and means you can access routes other units can’t reach.

The easiest example of a Scout-only path is the bridge awning on the 2fort map. Other classes can’t make the jump from the battlements to the awning, but a well-timed double jump allows the Scout to make it to the roof. When you reach the other end of the awning, jump from the apex of the roof to the battlements. You have to go either side of the windows, and execute a perfect double jump to get there. When you make that jump, though, you’re right in the thick of the enemy and close to the briefcase although you’ll need to be quick on your feet and quicker with your weapons to survive.

Primary Weapon: Scatter Gun

Your Primary weapon as a Scout is a six-shot Scatter Gun. It’s deadly at close range and quick to reload. A good technique for maximising its potential is to keep running and double jumping over and around your target. This makes you difficult to hit, and gives the mouse-twitching, reflex-gamers something to practice in the wee hours.

When your Scatter Gun requires reloading the best tactic is to run away. Find safe cover, reload, collect health and ammo if need be, then get back out there.

Secondary Weapon: Pistol

The pistol isn’t the gun you’re going to want to choose to attack most opponents with, but it has its uses. At a pinch you can try to pick enemies off at range with it if you stand still or crouch. It’s also useful when you’re Scatter Gun is empty - instead of messing around trying to reload it, hit ‘Q’ to quick-switch to the pistol and spam the enemy with it. As the pistol’s rate of fire is very high you have a very good chance of hitting and killing your opponent, even if you’re both frantically jumping about.

Melee Weapon: Baseball Bat

It’s not a powerful weapon by any means but if all your guns need reloading it could be the weapon that keeps you alive. You’ll need to whack a healthy opponent a good few times on the head to bring them down but if you’ve just emptied a couple of clips into them they should expire with just a couple of good smacks.

Best Allies: Spy, Soldier

As the Scout is so weak, he’s easily killed with a few shots from a Sentry Turret. To properly do his job of slipping through enemy lines, a little inside help is needed. Spies can plant an electro sapper on a turret without endangering themselves too greatly which will disable them and keep the path clear for the Scout to zip through.

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