Vitals
Health: 200
Speed: 80%
Type: Offensive
Weapons: Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, Shovel
Weapons:
Ammo: 4/16
Damage: 92-112 (270), splash @ 3ft = 60-81 (226), splash @ 6ft = 43-52 (140)
Best range: Short to medium
Information:
The rocket launcher is one of the simplest weapons in the game. You click, a rocket comes out, uninterruptedly follows a dead straight path, and explodes when it hits something solid, causing damage to any nearby enemies. Given its very predictable trajectory, the rocket launcher is an effective weapon (the best) for sniping distant, stationary targets, especially engineer buildings or small areas where enemies are likely to be (objectives or corners/doorways in high traffic corridors). Most importantly it can hit its targets without the user having to endanger themself, thanks to its fire-and-forget nature.
However as an anti-personnel weapon, the rocket launcher is most effective at a closer range. The rockets it fires are relatively slow, so even hurting distant mobile targets can be difficult. The basic principle for attacking enemies is to aim for the feet and let the splash damage do the work, since aiming for a direct hit will often result in a complete miss, while aiming for the feet almost always ends up with some kind of damage. It is at its best when the target is in a narrow corridor or room and is completely unable to avoid the explosion. Take advantage and let loose, not being too afraid to take damage yourself if they get too close.
Advantages: Accurate over long range, fire and forget, high damage plus decent splash damage, explosion knocks back enemies, gives soldier the ability to rocket jump.
Disadvantages: Moderate rate of fire, small clip (4 rockets), slow reload, slow rocket speed.
Ammo: 6/32
Damage: 78-90 (180)
Best range: Short
Information:
The shotgun is very much a standard issue weapon. 4 of the 9 classes have one, and the scout’s scattergun is similar (but better). It holds 6 shells, and each shot fires 10 bullets. As you would expect from a shotgun, it does the most damage at point blank, and its effectiveness falls off fast beyond that. At about medium range or beyond it’s probably a good idea to switch to anything else that isn’t melee.
The advantage of the shotgun however is that although it reloads at a pretty ordinary speed, it fires relatively quickly, and so long as there’s at least one shell loaded, it can be fired at will, even while reloading. Its best use is as a backup, using your primary (or other) weapon to close in on your target, and switching to the shotgun when you get to close range or run out of other ammo. Otherwise it’s okay at long rang for annoying or distracting an enemy.
Advantages: Decent damage and short to medium range, fast projectiles (compared to rocket launcher), respectable backup weapon.
Disadvantages: Ineffective beyond medium range, small clip and slow reload.
Ammo: N/A
Damage: 43-87 (195)
Information:
The shovel is the soldier’s melee weapon, and it serves its purpose with a minimum of fuss. 8th and last (excluding the butterfly knife) for most frequent critical hits (according to Valve’s TF2 Stats).