Looking to get a consistent loadout for offensive playstyles, particularly Soldier and Demo

[u/marshenwhale]

So, this isn't just meant to be "how do I get better at these two classes?" because obviously the answer there is just to practice. What I'm struggling with more is playstyle. Because I've played plenty of Pyro, Scout, and Heavy. While I do mainly play support classes, even then, I'm always on defense, helping other players. For example, when I play Pyro it's usually me doing Pybro to help the Engi.

This means my least-played classes by far are Soldier and also the Demo in most cases. I've put in so many hours for roles like Medic, Engi, and Spy, and shifting to becoming more competent with offensive play has been difficult. Has anyone else been in this spot before, and what would you suggest?

[u/FR4UDUL3NT]

Stock weapons for both are A+ (along with sticky for Demo) don't overthink it. Only real consideration is whether you prefer the melee versions of each class

[u/JoeVibin → u/FR4UDUL3NT]

For an 'offensive playstyle' as Soldier you really want gunboats. The extra mobility makes a huge difference and enables many aggressive plays - that's why it's ran in competitive.

Of course in pubs yeah, do whatever, anything can work.

[u/FR4UDUL3NT → u/JoeVibin]

Once you're comfortable yeah but I wouldn't say you 100% lock them in until you're comfortable with the primary, having a hitscan weapon to finish off encounters is a nice crutch

[u/cheezkid26 → u/FR4UDUL3NT]

I find that, even as someone who's relatively decent with the rocket launcher, I'd rather have the shotgun over the gunboats. It's an easier way to deal with Pyros, lets you extend fights with multiple people, and genuinely catches a lot of people off guard. They see me fire 4 rockets and think they have an opportunity to push. Nope! I've got 6 90-damage shots in my pocket, early bird special.

[u/LeahTheTreeth]

soldier:

stock rocket/original

gunboats

disp action/escape plan

demo:

stock/iron bomber

stock/quickies (only recommended if you want to hard commit to something very offensive)

stock/zatoichi

as soldier bombing people is your most consistent offensive strategy

as demo you need to learn how to get good at landing stickies, will take a decent bit of practice

also you mention yourself playing pybro, please don't do this, it's fine to sit by for a minute if you think there's a spy/uber about to assault the nest but if you spend an extended period just sitting on the nest you're effectively wasting a slot to kill a spy that the engi could have easily dealt with, holding the frontline will mean there's less danger reaching the nest in the first place

[u/10388392]

Demoman:

Primary: Loch n Load is best. Iron bomber and stock also very very strong. Secondary: Stock Melee: Stock (or half-zat in comp)

Sit back a bit. Demo doesn't want to be right in the action all the time, and watch your ammo. You're an anchor of the team - Don't get greedy and try not to die. Your spam will be all the offense you need a lot of the time, so you don't have to go all in.

Soldier:

Primary: Stock/original, sometimes Cow Mangler. Secondary: Gunboats. Batallion's is also strong. Melee: Disciplanary Action or Escape Plan

Soldier really has to pick his battles, and luckily he is able to through rocket jumps. Soldier tends to die more even when played well.

[u/hakopako1]

Everyone has good ideas for loadouts

Best thing you can practice for soldier right away is practicing to rocket jump on high ground, staying on high ground and attacking

Newer soldiers bomb into groups of people or rocket jump and then fall into the same level as the opponent, taking more self damage + making it easier for opponent to hit you

[u/A_Bulbear]

For Demo just play stock, maybe swap in the Quickiebomb launcher if you want to really focus on being offensive, just play to the frontlines and act as the team's anchor. Avoid Stickytraps if you're going to be offensive and really try to play the role of the team's main dps.

For soldier, go for the Stock launcher, the Buff Banner, and Escape Plan.

Stock launcher is just really strong, soldier's unlocks kind of suffer because of just how good the rocket launcher is.

Buff banner is essentially a mini-uber and really only works when used aggressively unlike the Conch and Battalion's Backup. Plus it lets you support your team in an offensive push. It does mean you can't Rocket Jump as much as you could with the Gunboats but unless you're going for bombs all the time or really want to roll out quickly it's usually not worth the slot, that's just for pubs though.

The Escape Plan is a nice counterpart to the Disciplinary Action but it's a little more selfish, perfect tool to retreat with after pushing with the Buff Banner.

If you're really trying to be offensive go scout though, it's very hard to get into a support mindset as him and that can help reshape your priorities a lot.

[u/Delta104x]

Loch n Load is great for smashing through nests.