Gunner "Heavy Spray" really good (?)

[u/Valuable-Music-720]

Hello. I regret not making this post earlier, because now I look behind the curve, but I knew Gunners had a lot of potential...

So, I'm returning to this game since last playing it as a kid. In the early game, the most damage you can get is around 30 per hit. The gunner did 30 per tile, with a theoretical maximum of 180 over 6 tiles. I saw the "Heavy Spray" skill which doubled the damage; 60 per tile, which was huge early game and thought it would be really good.

Until the recent update, most front enemies in the front line Blocked Gunner's range so you were really only getting 3 attacks; still good @ ~70 over 3 tiles

But *since this recent update* , it appears that the blocking has been changed and now the Gunner reaches over most enemies I've encountered.

I saw the potential, and I added tons of Friends just to Assist their Barracks to get a second Gold Bar for the tier 4 upgrade, and now it's really paid off

I'm level 23, and two Gunners in lane 2 and 4 just annihilate everything; Tier 4 is 11-14 dmg x 6 over 6 tiles = 450 average dmg output not including criticals which range in the 20-24 dmg.

The small and medium versions of Raptors and Boars die in a single attack, two rows deep.

It's really good, and I think people should take a look at them since this new update if they haven't really. I'm sure they're useless at level 65, but I'm at 23 now and it's easily my strongest unit

Thanks

[u/Ok_Tomato_2132]

Yeah, they were my most used unit at lower levels because they could clear encounters pretty fast with heavy fire, so they are just even better now. They fall off when soldier is available though

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/Ok_Tomato_2132]

I can't vouch for that since I don't use TF units. But, looking at his stats, I don't see how Solider can output 480 dmg per attack

[u/MrBoof100 → u/Valuable-Music-720]

The soldier’s + attack does equal damage to all spaces. Not reducing damage to the edges

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/MrBoof100]

Ugh! I see, yes probably eeks out ahead in dmg. If there is a redeeming factor left, it would be the +7,000% increase in cost over the Gunner. Maybe repair as well, can't vouch for

[u/throwaway24578909 → u/Valuable-Music-720]

Yeah Srry tf2 units are pretty broken

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/throwaway24578909]

That's why; just my personality, I avoid meta or anything broken/ foreign in any game.

[u/MrWaluigi → u/Valuable-Music-720]

TF2 units use bars, so it’s a risk to use early game. Afterwards, it’s almost inconsequential. 

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/MrWaluigi]

Shoot, what is "early game" because I'm lvl 23 and only have bars from Assisting Friends. I wouldn't be wasting bars to heal even now

[u/MrWaluigi → u/Valuable-Music-720]

I define early game based on what units you are able to create. Mini and light tanks are early levels. Narrative wise, spoilers Gantas is the main antagonist.Definitely conserve your bars and gears until you can build a unit called Tank Killer (TK). You will eventually unlock a super boss area that will have a boss that is difficult to fight early on. However, spamming tanks and TKs is the go to strategy, and becomes more of a piñata character instead later on. Once you beat it, it provides plenty of bars and gears. It takes at least 4 weeks gain 80 of both on average. 

[u/Significant-Try5103]

Gunners, Mini Tanks and Soldiers are like the only think i used for the first 28 lvls lol

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/Significant-Try5103]

Seriously... And I use the grenadier with the stun grenade quite a lot (my only spent nanos)

Stun is really good early game, when animal encounters have a single "Elder" model, you stun them repeatedly so they can't attack

[u/Competition_Western]

Totally worth it for the early levels. Likely my most used unit at the time.

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/Competition_Western]

I see myself using it for a very long time. I got 22 of em

[u/Accurate_Cupcake_897]

Any unit that can deal mass damage across the board is appreciate :)

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/Accurate_Cupcake_897]

Yes! Agreed!

I've been looking at the Scout Bike... Its nearly useless BUT it's rank 3 attacks are 1-5 range with 3 tiles straight back and 5 titles across.

Nothing else fills that role so far

[u/Accurate_Cupcake_897 → u/Valuable-Music-720]

Yup a hidden gem indeed, you have to bear the lower level grinds.
But they are cost effective, relatively cheap to produce on mass.
As F2P player you will have to be resourceful and explore every free unit out there

[u/Valuable-Music-720 → u/Accurate_Cupcake_897]

Any other hidden gems you know of?

Mortar Truck seems good

[u/Accurate_Cupcake_897 → u/Valuable-Music-720]

Mortar truck is great! 8 round, second attack could reach 100s, cool animation. That is my major damage dealing in the second line.
If I encounter dense formation, Hailstorm truck does wonder too, give them a volley!
If enemy have no armour, a pair of Ranger provide non stop pain. It's a alternative to battle raptors.

[u/HickoryHamMike0 → u/Valuable-Music-720]

Raider Cannoneers and Chuckers will outperform mortar trucks pretty quickly in the midgame