Strafing

“

Ya can't hit what ain't dere! Click to listen — The Scout

”

Strafing is the act of moving in an unpredictable pattern during a confrontation. The maneuver is a common tactic employed by mediocre and experienced players, who are able to perform these movements while attacking their targeted enemy. Strafing is an invaluable survival tactic in the battlefield, making it harder for players to kill you whilst giving you a greater chance to kill enemies or complete objectives. The maneuver is best used during a one-on-one battle, as it becomes more difficult and less useful against multiple enemies.

Various movements performed by the player can be considered a version of strafing. Circle Strafing, for instance, is where the player moves continually around an opponent in order to deal damage at close range. Zig-Zagging refers to strafing continually while traversing an open space or approaching a single enemy. Finally, Air Strafing is moving towards or around an enemy while in the air. Each version of strafing can be seen to better suit one class than the other.

Circle strafing

Circle strafing refers to the concept of moving around your opponent in a circle. The technique is performed with the left and right strafe keys in combination with the mouse. When combined with jumping, it can make oneself quite difficult to hit. Circle strafing is used primarily by faster classes such as Scouts to take down slower or un-aware enemies such as Heavies or unattended Sentry Guns.

The idea behind the tactic is to keep your enemy or a Sentry Gun in the center of the circle, while constantly moving around him. By using the strafe keys to move, and the mouse to keep your view centered on the enemy, a distinct circle-like movement is created (due to the constant adjustment of where your character is facing).

Class-based Tactics

Scout

As the fastest class in the game, a Scout that uses speed alongside strafing can be an unstoppable force on the team. Circle strafing can be performed quickly and mercilessly with the class's primary weapon. A constant use of the zig zag technique will ensure the Scout will be a difficult target for precision attacks by the Sniper. Air strafing is particularly easy to perform due to the double jump ability. A Scout, however, has limited health and such should not be caught in a confrontation for too long. Even strafing cannot stop an inevitable bullet from colliding and killing the Scout.

Soldier

Due to his slow movement speed, Soldiers are not particularly suited to strafing around enemies. A rocket jump, however, will allow the player to successfully air strafe out of danger or in order to gain a height advantages.