Anti-Demoman strategy

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The Demoman, while an excellent ranged fighter, lacks an efficient means of self defense at close range.

Weapon Specific

A list of useful tidbits about the Demoman's tools, and how to counter them.

Grenade Launcher

• The Grenade Launcher has a lengthy reload time. Attack the Demoman when he's empty.
• A Demoman can arc and bounce his Grenades, so don't rely on cover when fighting a Demoman using his Grenade Launcher.
• When firing the gun and hitting at close range, the Demoman will likely get hit by his own grenade's explosion, dealing splash damage to himself. Use this to your advantage.

Loch-n-Load

• The Loch 'n' Load deals additional self-damage to the Demoman. Even if you die at close range, there is a chance of the Demoman severely damaging or killing himself.
• The Loch 'n' Load has a small clipsize. Dodge the two shots, and then go in for the kill.

Trap Weapons

• Stickies can be destroyed with most weapons. Take them out from a safe distance to avoid being killed.
• When using the Scottish Resistance, you can destroy enemy Stickybombs with your own.
• Using an explosive weapon around corners can dislodge enemy sticky traps, revealing them before it's too late.
• Pyro's Airblast can dislodge and push Stickybombs away from teammates and towards the enemy Demoman.

Stickybomb Launcher

• The Stickybomb Launcher is more difficult to use at close range due to the lengthy arming time.
• The Stickybomb Launcher has a lengthy reload time. Attack the Demoman when he's empty.

Scottish Resistance

• The Scottish Resistance is not suited for direct combat. Be wary of any traps when pressuring the Demoman.

Chargin' Targe

• The Targe gives the Demoman blast and fire resistance. Use a weapon with a different form of attack.
• As a Scout, using the Sandman to stun a charging Demoman will cancel his charge.
• As a Heavy, using Natascha against a charging Demoman will cancel his charge.
• As a Pyro, Airblast can save you and/or your team-mates from a charging Demoman.
• A well placed rocket, grenade, or sticky trap at the foot of an approaching Demoman can delay him long enough to waste the rest of his charge.

Bottle / Frying Pan

• The Bottle and Frying Pan are usually weapons of last resort for a Demoman, so one shoudl simply back up and finish the wielder off.

Eyelander / Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker

• Both of these weapons have an extended melee range. Consider this when attempting to fight the Demoman with a melee weapon of your own.

Pain Train

• The Demoman has a 10% vulnerability to bullets with the Pain Train equipped. Switch to a weapon that fires bullets for extra damage, and watch your control points, as the extra capture speed is significant.

Scotsman's Skullcutter

• This weapon makes the Demoman move much more slowly, making him an easier target.
• This weapon has extended melee range. Move back and attack the Demoman with a ranged weapon, as his slow movement speed will not allow him to chase you.

Claidheamh Mòr

• This weapon has extended melee range. Consider this before trying to melee the Demoman.
• Watch for the extended charge time when a Demoman wielding this weapon uses the Chargin' Targe. Do not try to back away from the charge, but move to the side, so that the Demoman will miss and be susceptible to attack.

Ullapool Caber

• This weapon explodes on melee hit with anything solid and severely damages the Demoman. Try to make the Demoman miss you and hit a wall so he is much easier to take down.
• This weapon can easily take out or severely damage most classes, if you encounter a Demoman attempting to use this weapon against you, try to avoid getting in melee range.
• A Demoman using a Chargin' Targe in conjunction with this weapon can close the distance between you quickly and attack you with a guaranteed critical, beware of standing in a straight line to a Demoman using this set-up.

The Expert's Ordnance

• A Demoman using this set will have additional resistance to fire damage, and prove to be a dangerous foe to Pyros. Watch out for the Ullapool Caber, which can kill a Pyro in a single strike, and the Loch 'n' Load, which fires projectile that are more difficult to reflect than grenades from the Grenade Launcher.

See also

• Demoman strategy
• Community Demoman strategy
• Demoman match-ups
• Team strategy