Thread: Can scouts defend?

Originally Posted by Soldier

I very well agree that taking advantage of the Scout's speed is essential and that speed is especially useful when on offense in quite a few situations.

However, what use is the Scout(s) against a defensive position (sentries, Heavies, medic combos, etc.)? That is where their flimsiness is glaring and overshadows their mobility. Frankly, a Scout is unable to progress and is crippled against a bold defense, which is where their strength is supposed to lie in the first place. So, the best a Scout can do in this situation is to hold the territory he possesses already and wait for a different class or group of classes to break the threshold. Then, pounce the point when the enemy is distracted. This is when the Scout does more waiting then fighting.

When on defense, a Scout has a much lesser worry of an enemy defensive position and can move with limited barriers. Therefore; his reliance on teammates is drastically lowered and can operate at maximum efficiency.

Any person on defense needs to know all paths available to the offense and cover those paths in some manner, shape, or form. On offense, the defense will rarely leave their strong hold and even when they do, they won't be significant to its structure.

A Scout's ambush is an extremely deadly tactic on defense, you must know where the enemy comes from in order to prepare for them, this is what allows for flanking and out positioning to occur. The Scout's mobility makes him a tough target, his scattergun HURTS like hell to class, and he can retreat just as easily as he engaged, grab a med pack (another process made convenient through his speed), and quickly set up another ambush if needed.

During these ambushes, you can usually take out 1-2 people, but there are some times where the sudden shock immobilizes an entire group, and if the Scout's technique is good enough (utilizing double-jump tactics, accuracy, reaching health, ambush position), an entire squad can be crippled or at best, completely destroyed.

Why I would prefer the Scout for defense over other classes at times is purely because of his design, no other class can perform nearly as well with the tactics I have described simply because they do not possess the speed, swift firepower, or low profile that the Scout has always had. Now, I know when to go Heavy/Medic/Engineer/or any other class, those are common and essential roles often fulfilled. I rarely see another Scout on a defensive team that performs in my manner, and as I mentioned before, a Scout's actions on defense go under the radar and is a niche practice, but makes any strong defense that much more staunch.

Soldier... you may want to consider refining this and submitting it as an article. I learned more about this game I've never played reading this post than I have in my entire time at TTP.

What he said. Talk to me if you're interested, which you of course are, and I'll see about getting this properly articled-up.

Walker's right soldier, with a few pictures this would do quite well for that article we've been talking about, although if you still want to do one on the scout and team play, I'm fine with that, too.

Originally Posted by IronStomach

What he said. Talk to me if you're interested, which you of course are, and I'll see about getting this properly articled-up.

It's like you and Adsartha are ninja editors.

Originally Posted by Adsartha

No, Iron's the only one who can hide in plain sight.

Two articles > one. Mathematical proof, right there.

Two articles > one article...I'm an engineer...we have to match up units or the Baron pulls our heart plugs.

I've played very effectively as a scout on defense. This was on the 1st section, last cap of goldrush. I use the scouts speed and double jump to get across that ravine-thing, and you can get behind snipers and medic-heavy combos, not to mention just hit and run on them as they come out of their spawn, giving your team time to prepare better defenses. Actually, this is how i got my most points in one life as scout ;p.

Originally Posted by Consultant

If your name is Soldier, yes.

Otherwise, its highly questionable.

hehe, QFT.