Anti-Heavy strategy

“

You're dumb as a box of rocks! Click to listen — The Engineer

”

The Heavy is known to be a slow, behemoth. He has a large amount of health with heavy firepower, but is poor at speed and maneuvering, requiring the swift observation behind himself and ambushing.

General

• The Heavy should always be avoided when you are in contact alone. Always try to fight with your team in order to defeat him easier.
• As a Scout, use your speed to quickly deal damage to the Heavy before retreating. The hit-and-run strategy can quickly gun down a Heavy.
• When fighting a Heavy and his Medic, try to kill the Medic instead. The Heavy will merely absorb your damage and charge the Medic's ÜberCharge.
• As a Sniper, it is easy to kill the Heavy with an accurate headshot because of his large cranium.
• As a Spy, disguising as a weaker, more vulnerable class would likely take the Heavy by surprise with a swift backstab.

Weapon Specific

A list of useful tidbits about the Heavy's equipments, and how to best counter them.

Minigun

Natascha

• Always attack the Heavy from behind so that you will avoid the 100% slow-down effect of the Natascha.

• The Scout, Medic, Pyro and Spy are classes that need to be practiced well when you encounter a Heavy with Natascha, because they will suffer a great amount of damage when in close range.

• It is best to attack a Heavy while they're not spinning their Natascha because of the 30% slower spin up time.

Brass Beast

• The Heavy moves extremely slow when spinning or firing the Brass Beast. This makes him an easy target for Snipers and Spies.
• An Un-spun Brass Beast Heavy is extremely vulnerable to surprise attacks or flanking.

Shotgun

Edibles

• The dropped Sandvich or Buffalo Steak Sandvich can be stolen from the Heavy. If you see one, grab it!
• Edibles make a distinct noise when being eaten. Use this sound to find the Heavy or steer clear.
• The Heavy is relatively defenseless when eating an edible.

Sandvich

Dalokohs Bar

• This weapon only heals the Heavy for 60 health, making him more vulnerable while eating than with the Sandvich.

Buffalo Steak Sandvich

• Keep your distance and use ranged weapons, all damage to the Heavy will be Mini-Crits.
• The Buffalo Steak Sandvich provides the Heavy with no health when it is being eaten, making him totally vulnerable.

Fists

K.G.B.

• If the Heavy is under the critical buff of the K.G.B, stay back until it wears off. Your death will just encourage his killing spree.

G.R.U.

• Lone Heavies will generally only use the G.R.U. if they are sure they will not be attacked on the way to their destination, a surprise attack can exploit their lowered health before they can heal.

Warrior's Spirit

Fists of Steel

• The Heavy takes 100% more melee damage with the Fists of Steel out. If the Heavy persists, switch to your melee, but be careful (read below.)
• Heavies will often use the Fists of Steel to safely traverse Sniper-friendly areas or to survive a close encounter with enemy Sentry Guns. Be wary of engaging the Heavy at melee range, as he could pull out his primary weapon.

The Hibernating Bear

• Because of the 5% Critical resistance when you wear the whole item set, it might make it harder to kill a Heavy with the Backburner, while using melee weapons, attempting to headshot the Heavy without having the shot be fully charged, or while using the Buff Banner.

See also

• Heavy strategy
• Community Heavy strategy
• Heavy match-ups
• Team strategy