Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

Not enough ratings
MvM Support Classes: HOW to play them and WHY you should.
By Pinetree w/ apples.
Support classes in Mann vs. Machine need more, well, SUPPORT! (See what I did there?) :3
   
Award
Favorite
Favorited
Unfavorite
Support Classes in MvM
Hi! Let me just say this is my first guide so thanks for stopping by! Now... first off, you may be a strong believer that support classes besides Medic in MvM just...suck. And yes, if you are a non-strategic player on a team of brute-force mercs than I can understand. Support classes are, when used correctly, Are one of the most powerful and helpful classes in the mission. If you are thinking "PFFFT WHAT A STUPID LITTLE MOTHER F*CKER SAYING STUPID SH*T ABOUT STUPID CLASSES HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"... I am about to change your way of thinking... I hope.

Recently the Medic received a HUGE buff, now EVERYBODY wants to play him. And yes, also understandable, and agreeable. Which is why I am not focusing so much on our German healing friend in this guide either.

This guide's purpose is to teach players how to, when to, and why to play support classes. Mainly Sniper and Spy. I hope that this guide helps to abolish all those jerks yelling at you for going a class YOU want to play. Any well playing team can win with any class set-up. (Within reason of course). Using support classes often mean your team simply has to be more strategic, and often can lead to better playing strats in general.

So, without further a do, here is my break down on support classes in MvM. (Thanks for reading :P)
Medic
Medic, while not an underrated class, is still very important in MvM and often time not used by others as they feel their jobs as other classes are too important. There are very few classes in TF2 that can best a medic, if he's skilled enough that is. There are two main strategies in the medical field, combat, and healing. As you might guess combat is a mainly combat based medic, taking less time to heal up your team, and the healing medic, also self explanatory, is a medic based on healing and general team support.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combat
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Combat medics work well with either the Blutsauger, or the Crusader's Crossbow. I generally prefer the Blutsauger method but it's all up to opinion. With the Blut, you can heal yourself as you kill, and you hardly have to aim since there are usually so many robots all around. With the Crusader's Crossbow, you can pick off enemies, and heal up teammates, creating a nice combination of the two main strategies. Of course, if you don't have the best aim with the crossbow, and you like to heal yourself faster, the regular Syringe Gun is always a valid choice.

For the Medi-Gun, I like to use the Quick Fix, becuase you can hitch rides on Scouts, or any faster class to get into the battle-field. The Kritzkrieg works very, very well too. You can heal on the front lines, building up your Uber, than you can rush forward with a crit heavy and take down at robots unfortunate enough to get in your way! Regluar medi-gun is still a good choice, if your team is having a rough time with some Giant-Crit-Soldiers, you can pop an uber on the nearest offensive teammate, and take them DOWN!

The Ubersaw, Amputater, or Vita-Saw are the best melee weapons that you could have while playing MvM medic. I usually prefer the Amputater. With the Amputater, you can regen heath a lot faster, then rush back out into the field, and kill some more! You won't be getting very many kills with it though, as it has halved attack. You can use the Uber-Saw to build your Uber faster but, it's easy to get killed this way. So unless you have a team that can live without you when you're dead, you might not want to use it, And the Vita-Saw... I generally don't like it, even in regular games. Some people like using it though. You can keep a little of your Uber, but it really is just a little. Only up to 20% which... CAN make a difference I guess but, usually, you're better off going with one of the other saws.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Healing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Healing! It's what the medic was made for, and the best primary you can use is the Crusader's Crossbow. Okay, maybe not, but depending on how you play it can be very good! You can damage, and heal from a distance. You wont usually be doing the damage though, you're a healing medic, so you should be healing! You can shoot your teamates to, if nothing else, keep them alive to kill one last robot and that can make more of a difference than you might think. Of course the default Syringe Gun will work if you're not a fan of the 'One Shot" firing method of the Crossbow. Or if you've just got really bad aim haha!

The Medi-Gun, the most important part of a Healing Medic's loadout. I like the Kritzkrieg for this but, that's because I play very... lazily when I'm a Healing Medic. I hang back usually by a sentry or any other big objects and heal the nearest teammate. When the Uber is built, I send the strongest ally I can find, out with some kritz, and take down... just about everything! I do sometimes go with a more aggresive tatic though. I build the Uber on my Quick-Fix (Or whatever medi-gun I happen to have) and rush around with whichever class happens to be nearby, building my Uber faster since they take so much damage, and then popping whenever it's ready. You can do some serious work if you play this right, and you'll be winning easier than ever!

Alright, Saws! Obviously since you're a healing medic, you're not gonna be running out into combat with your saw out, so the obvious choice will be the Amputater. You can heal any nearby teammates, while givnig extra healing to yourself! It's not a big deal that your dropping the possible uber from the Ubersaw becuase if you're playing correctly you'll be back with the Engies, and the defensive heavys, helping them out. Still, if you want to be a bit more of an offensive healing medic, you CAN take the Ubersaw if you want, so you can build some quick Uber if you get into a nasty situation still, to me, the main purpose of a healing medic is to stay back, and support from a distance with the Crossbow, and heal any poor teammates that come running to you for heals.
Sniper
Our Australian head-shooting buddy. Now, the sniper is about 8 out of 9 in the class selection scale. (Based on my believes of being average.) He actually gets just a little of the respect he deserves.

So, HOW can the sniper be helpful? First off you wanna make sure your team is at least decent. (You ALWAYS want to check that first, otherwise don't even bother.) Upgrades should always be aimed towards you Sniper rifle or a Huntsman. (See what I did there? :3) You can start upgrading yourself when you think you really need those buffs. Hardly bother when upgrading secondarys and primarys unless you got the extra cash. (Common MvM knowledge I think)When playing make sure it's a bigger-sized map with lots of vantage points easily able to scope in on. Make sure you well protected for the most part and that bots don't notice or care about you. Which shouldn't be too hard. Hopefully...

Now, WHY you should play Sniper? Because skilled, well upgraded ones are killing machines!!!!!!! Well no, the enemies are but you get what I mean. Just a decent aim towards a group of robots heads are SUPER EFFECTIVE! Most people make this extremely too common mistake: THEY UNDERESTIMATE SH*T!!!!!! Just do the math! Actually no, I'll do it since you people are so lazy... uhhgg. At least 500-1000 damage on a critical headshot. (Depends on rifle, charge time ext.) vs. a Super-Bot with on Average about 20000 health=AT THE VERY LEAST (if scooped in) 40 shots for a kill!!!! Now, I bet you think "PFFT THAT DOESN'T MEAN SH*T YOU STUPID..." blah blah blah... Listen. Is the Sniper the only one butt-r*ping that super-bot/tank? Unless your team is r*tarded, then no. Soldiers and Demos can easily put out that much damage. (Which is why the Sniper is so underestimated.) Put it all together and a super-annoying super-bot/tank that is down in seconds.

Now this brings me to another point... If those others are focusing so much on that super killing machine/tank, they probably have it under control for now. However, almost always a horde of scouts, pyros and even heavys are charging toward spawn, your team to busy to notice. That's when Super Sniper helps save the day! No... not the bot... Gah never mind. Anyway, the sniper with fast reload+recharge rate can take out a large chunck of that horde quite effectually. You may disagree, but remember the common mistake? PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE SH*T!!! Now, I can TOTALLY say the sniper can NOT take out ALL the minor little bots, simply of size. And well, nobody aims perfect. (Unless your aimbot you cheaty little-) ANYWAY, you do need at least one, brute-force class to help out in this situation.

That pretty much covers the main points of the Sniper in Support classes for MvM.
Spy
Our invisible shape shifting rouge of a pal. I sadly can say that our French Fellow, Spy, is rated 9 out of 9 on the class selection scale. Everybody hates him for having low health and being a non-brutally forced merc. Which is about it honestly. Everything else is totally a lie, like he doesn't put out as much damage or that spy makes the game harder. That's why Spy is underestimated from our all important phrase: PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE SH*T!!!! Time for a lesson.
BTW Don't expect these weapon orders to be much of any importance when upgrading either. Make sure you upgrade the good stuff, like armor penetration first.

So WHEN do you play Spy? When your team fails and fails again to get behind enemy lines. Something Spy was BORN for. Just get him in there to do his dues, and BAM. Total easy kills on everything thrown at you. HOW? Just look below. :3

So, HOW do you play Spy? Once again, make sure the team is stable. A spy's best friend is his disguise and cloak kit. You also have a choice: Cloak and Dagger or Dead Wringer. Any other cloak device is absolute sh*t so don't bother with those. It depends on what you prefer... Dead wringer is much better for hordes and hordes of bot which as soon as they shoot you: SURPRISE! Your still alive ! Even human players haven't fully caught on yet, and bot's AI certainly doesn't. So Dead Wringer: Probably best. Cloak and Dagger is good mainly for super-bots.

Bot's don't do this one annoying thing: SPY CHECK. You will use this to your advantage greatly. In fact, you will find playing spy is SO much easier if you never have against bots. It's just their AI. Although, be weary of bumping into them or they all know your there. Backstabbing obviously gives away location as well. And in a horde of robots that's a difficult situation.

So... your all-powerful Sapper! Also, unlike annoying humans: YOU CAN SAP THE ENEMY! Are you starting to see a trend? You can actually sap any robot and stun them for a period of time! Make sure to stab while they are stunned! Although, sapper comes with a problem... It has to recharge. Use your sapper on the following: Large, fast moving hordes with bombs and Super-Bots. And most importantly: MEDICS (Thank god the bots didn't get buffed, huh? :p) Be smart when sapping.

Next come your melee- The Knife. Use this to stab singled out robots and to finish off damaged ones. When a knife is fully upgraded against armor penetration, well, time for more math: You can throw 500+ damage at a super-bot with over 5000+ damage down in 10 swings!!! Once again you may be thinking "PFFFFFT YOUR SO STUPID THE BOT WOULD TURN AROUND BEFORE 10 SWINGS AND HOW BOUT OTHER BOTS AND"..... blah blah blah.... Listen. Fully upgraded attack speed yields a stabbing rate of such, well, speed that a super-bot focused on slaughtering everyone else doesn't have much time to turn around. If other bots aren't around, place a sapper on em, and hoping that some of your team is still alive, BAM. Dead son.

Next up: The revolver. A powerful weapon that has a slow reload and fire rate. However, upgrade both of those and you get a semi-powerful machine gun revolver. I recommend stock, just to avoid fancy stuff. The spy has many fancy stuff already, and being a spy with sniper identity issues using The Ambassador does't help much. Only use the Ambassador and other revolvers for un-cloaked safe distance combat and you can get a few good kills. And when all else fails of course...

So, WHY Spy? Other than being a creative rhyme, pretty much the same as WHEN. :3

So... I think that raps up Spy. Moving on.
In Conclusion...
So... Hopefully from this guide you racism of support classes has come to an end. If you think anyone else is just show em this guide to help you out. :3

VERY IMPORTANT: Support Classes are used when a team is already doing decent or well. This guide isn't telling you "OH DAYUM SUPPORT IS OP I PLAY SUPPORT ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS!!!!" It is here to simply encourage you to play as them from time to time. I believe a really bad team needs a new plan or strategy, or you just leave. If you really wanna help you better go anything but supportive.

And believe it or not, I think a supportive class added to a good team is better then adding a offensive or defensive class.

Thanks for reading! Hope it helps! Please share and thumbs if it did! If you and to you can check this out too! https://www.youtube.com/user/RobsterPlaysMC :D
14 Comments
Purple Fishington 24 Jan, 2014 @ 2:04pm 
Alright, medic is done! Me and the main author are gonna run through the rest of the parts and make a few changes to the grammar and overall composition. This will be the most grammarful guide EVER! :rshout:
Purple Fishington 7 Jan, 2014 @ 4:23pm 
I'm working with him on that, he's got a... large personality and he can't help writing with all of it. :tgrin:
Revengineer 27 Dec, 2013 @ 11:40pm 
You might have had some good points, but I'll never know because the grammar and overall presentation of this guide leaves A LOT to be desired.
Frozenclaw 27 Dec, 2013 @ 7:48pm 
Thank god..... SOMEONE WHO SEES THE POWER IN SNIPER/SPY!
DR BREADMAn 26 Dec, 2013 @ 7:27pm 
basicly i become a spy if were having triuble with gaint medics and we have a refund upgrade,
and sniper for someone to be sniper on my team i want them to be elite cause i hate when so many noobs think there top sh*t and be sniper,if a i see gibus+ no tours + other achevement items KICK!, and with medic i perfer kritz over of getting up real fast with the quick fix cause you can just get healing mastery on the kritzkerg or just use the charge and then you good thats my opinion.
数SammiChimi哲 23 Dec, 2013 @ 4:47pm 
I don't understand the people that thinks snipers and spies are bad at Mvm. I play Sniper with Sydney Sleeper to jarate the hell out of bots, and I play big earner+dead ringer for spy, as the spy for some reason...
EmeraldFoxDeity 22 Dec, 2013 @ 6:21am 
Spy is normally better than Sniper in MvM. Although i have been on an MvM server once with a sniper who was very good at gettings headshots someone watching may think he's hacking. He saved us all in the end sniping a giant while we were respawning LOL, forgot his name though.
Dr. Spacebar 20 Dec, 2013 @ 8:54am 
Combat Medics that mainly fight won't last very long in a hard wave. Medic's gear is deceptively powerful, but not deceptively powerful enough to eat the dozens of nades flying at you. However, with Uber canteens, you CAN run out, poke a few bots with an Ubersaw, then promptly aim your Kritzkrieg (the best Medi Gun for MvM, hands down) at the nearest Heavy. Things die.

Since robots are generally too dumb to see you through a disguise, you don't need the Cloak to get around, so it's best to have the Dead Ringer. Fake Death is basically a "not-dyin' machine".

Keep your team composition in mind. Don't have a scout, and you're a spy? Focus on money. Don't have a demo or sniper, and you're a spy? The Scout can get the money, kill those Uber Medics!
Kinkajou 19 Dec, 2013 @ 10:23am 
I can tell you, if you ever want to kill medics, DR is the only choice. you just cant use an uber canteen every time. It doesnt matter if the other watches make you invisible, there is already enough spam in the air to kill you. and why would i use the C&D? being disguised is essentially the same as invisibility.
Honestly, using the other watches limits your possible actions way to much for no benefits.
Sabesaroo 19 Dec, 2013 @ 9:15am 
It's actually Dead Ringer I think.