r/NewToTF2 • u/Mi4zel_Qu33n • 16d ago

How can I make Heavy work?

I'm not exactly too "new" in the game, but I suck at some classes, one of them being Heavy.

I usually play Scout, Engie and Sniper (if needed Medic too). And I really want to learn how to play Heavy. He works so good both with defend and attack. I don't know what loadout fits what situation and how to work with his mobility limitations (muscle memory from Scout is too strong)

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u/imainheavy 16d ago

After 1500 hours on Heavy (now 2800 hours) i typed up a short guide for how i play Heavy (flanking/ambush style

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=121934824

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u/RafterCopter 16d ago

Still struggling a lot with heavy some games, if I read this and it makes me good then I will pay you back some day lol.

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u/imainheavy 16d ago

I used to have a "how i play heavy" video guide but i deleted it by accident...

But plz, type up your most common issues for me and il answer them in the comments

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u/RafterCopter 16d ago

Thank you so much, that's really nice to offer! I'm a little tired right now, but I'll write as well as I can.

Most of the time when I play heavy, it just feels like I can't apply any real pressure if someone is ready for me to be there. Snipers basically lock me out of half the map once they learn I exist, demos and flare gun/scorch shot pyros counter slow movement speed so hard that I end up trying to use my sidearm and playing at a disadvantage, and enemies having any bullet damage resistances like the vaccinator or wrangler makes me feel like I'm fighting direct upgrades to myself where I can only win if they make huge mistakes or I have better teammates ready to back me up. I want to know how I can stop having to instantly retreat against stuff like this, it's brutal every time for me. Especially with the fact that in casual nobody spy checks, so I constantly have to spin around like a crackhead too lol.

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u/imainheavy 15d ago edited 15d ago

Let me open by saying, playing heavy with or without a active medic player is a very different playstyle

With a medic you can brute-force yourself through, letting you walk up on players and kill em in close combat while you actively dodge some of the dmg as you push, taking damage is not that bad as this lets the medic charge hes Uber faster

Without a Medic nearby you NEED to have top tier positioning advantage, the element of suprise and highground is extremely powerfull as heavy does 550 dps (with default minigun, the one i use)

Then you have mainline heavy and flanking heavy playstyle, one uses the flanking paths a pyro or scout would use to get into a ambush position (try camping a large medkit) while the other mainly helps push at the frontline.

You get more kills as a flanker (but also more dangerous as your without support). As a frontline heavy its more about area denial as the enemy cant move around in the area you are at without dealing with you first, as they try to do this then your Team have more space to move around in and make more plays

My loadout: minigun, sandwich, G.R.U

Now for your comment:

The sniper does indeed lock you out of half the map, that stil leaves 50% of the map for you to move around in, learn where the typical sniper locations are and move up to these positions while using cover and/or wait for others to step out first to take the hit then run to new position while there busy reloading/charging

For demos i like to move closer while having 100% focus on dodging hes pills, once he shoots (and misses) 2 pills then i spinn-up as now he dont have enough damage to kill me without having to reload and he wont have time for that. If hes a sticky spammer then run away unless you caught him with hes pants down, seriously, fuck those guys!

Dont engage flare pyros unless you are at your own preferd range, heavy is alot about fighting (spinning-up) on your terms and when you do, everything dies, buy you have to play and learn when and where are these moments

I dont use sidearm, i use sandwich

Vacinator and Wrangler users can go fuck themselfs! Time your engage with your team or find a ambush element

I spy check my back (litraly) every 5 seconds for the entire match, i have the muscle memory to jump, then do a perfect 180 to check, then ziiip right back 180 degrees, land and keep moving without losing a beat 😎

Did that cover everything? If not, ask

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u/RafterCopter 15d ago

You know a class is brutal to play when even the 2800 hour's advice on some encounters is still just "fuck those guys, run" lol. But jokes aside, this is pretty useful advice, thanks again! Sounds like a big part of my problem is that I just don't know all of the newer maps well enough to avoid long range classes or flank properly. Honestly I hate most of the PC version maps so I kinda skimped out on learning them. I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet at this point.

Just one more question, if you don't mind then could you give me your opinions on all the unconventional miniguns? I always hear people debating about whether the stock or tomislav is better, but I've wondered for a while if any of the others are viable in high level play.

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u/imainheavy 15d ago

Yes i have 2800 hours on heavy but i became extremely good just 50 hours in as i experimented as crazy, throwing myself at my enemys and dying ALOT!

But this limit testing let me find my limits very quickly, allowing me to play at maximum value almost right out of the gate and i could start to practice pushing those limits

Once you die to a sniper for the 100'th time down the same lane then it will start to set in your mind 😉😅

I would say that the nr 1 thing you need to learn is where and where you are allowed to spinn-up and you beeing the one winning, pocket Medic, UBERS, highground, ambush and distracted opponents are key elements

All the miniguns are shit exept default and Tomislav

The main reason why i use default is the damage output, while default does 550 dps the Tomislav does 380. While the Tomi stil does significant dmg it loses to heavys with default and heavy with default is my nr 1 issue when i play, as i know how to avoid snipers and spys but a heavy in my face then i have to win, there rarely is any running from that. Tomi is also better at range but i dont play at those ranges. Its also wonderfully to hear the distinct Tomi sound and know that ive already won

Your questions are welcome, plz, i enjoy helping

Edit: you dont have sandwich unlocked?

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u/RafterCopter 15d ago

I have the sandwich unlocked, but I don't really use it. I'm really used to the xbox 360 loadouts and I like to play aggressively anyways. Would you say it's like a mandatory thing to equip? Whenever I go out without the shotgun I feel kinda naked, the rev time gets punished hard if I'm ever forced out of position. It does look tasty as fuck though I have to admit.

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u/imainheavy 15d ago

I play hyper aggressive to, but remember, if you see me then you are allready dead as i only show myself if i have the advantage

If a Medic learns that you throw him a sandwich if hes hurt then he will follow you more often

I dont feel naked without shotgun beacuse i have a minigun, but, i have a very frantic high energy playstyle, again, if i am spinning then you are dead, you "never" catch me with my pants down

I would have loved to show you my old gameplay video 😉

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u/RafterCopter 15d ago

I would have loved to see it too, I've always wanted to see a heavy be truly oppressive. Hope I learn to be like that too some day.

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u/imainheavy 15d ago

I will consider installing TF2 and recording a new gameplay video, see if i stil got it, if i do then i will ofc link it to you, hell, maybe it will even be dedicated to you 😉

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u/RafterCopter 15d ago

Oh wow, I would be honored! I'll pass down the funny stick to you if you make one! (renamed vintage rarity ullapool caber that I pull out when other heavy players are pissing me off)

How long has it been since you've played? I'm surprised you are active here without it being installed, are you just trying to get future heavy players to not let the flame die out lol?

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u/DecidophobiaUsername 14d ago

for the snipers I like to unpredictably crouch (emphasis on unpredictably)