Frags for free? Believe it or not, such a thing exists, thanks to the Sentry. Read on.
As the Engineer ...
Sentries are
the key to an Engineer's success. They're much like the Pillboxes
or Turrets of Red Alert. Build them up, and let 'em frag. There
are three levels to the sentries. By upgrading, you will give
your guns more health and, at level 3, the ability to shoot
rockets as well! Neat, eh?
As an Engineer, you can only build one Sentry at a time. Thus, you'll want to find a good position for it. A team most often needs Sentries near the flag (last line of defense, and especially useful against Spies). Sentries near your base's entrance also work rather well too. Be sure to place them so that they're hard to destroy ... down a long hallway is one example. Also, try not to set a Sentry up opposite another one, or else the rockets from both may destroy each other. Placing them in shadows is great since the enemy will have a hard time spotting it even as its firing so it will last longer from guys who are bent on searching and destroying it.
Treat your Sentries with care! Resupply and, more importantly, heal them regularly. A well placed gun can last a long time if cared for, much to your enemies' chagrin. Also, use your railgun as well. It's a rather nice weapon. No reload and somewhat painful too. Only problem: slow between firing. The double barrel shotgun is a more powerful weapon, so you may want to use that instead as long as you have the ammunition.
One important thing to remember: your Sentries will damage/kill players of ANY team. Although it's hard to predict where your teammates will be when the thing fires, you can be sure where you are. In other words, don't stand in front of your gun (or anyone else's). If you need to repair a Sentry, do so from the back. I've watched many an Engineer injest his own Sentry's rocket.
Just as with the Medic, you want to be on the lookout for teammates who need to be "healed". Remember: your spanner (the engineer's version of the axe) can repair armor, which is undoubtedly a nice thing to do to your friends. It's especially helpful for defensive players, who might not have the time to resupply between enemy waves.
Finally, the Dispenser no longer bites. Fortunately, the latest version of TF has them self-stocking. These are a must for your team. I know as a soldier I'm in constant need of rockets, and as a pyro in need of cells. Maybe it's because I never die and after wasting so many people I need to replinish my ammo :) Actually, a soldier will need more than the 10 rockets he starts out with. Being able to get full armor from the dispenser is great. A soldier gets 200 red armor :) Building a dispenser should be one of your top priorities and be sure to rebuild it if it gets destroyed.
Against the Engineer ...
Killing an Engineer really isn't that hard.
His armor and health values are about as 'high' as a Spy's. In
other words, one well placed rocket (or a few radius blasts) will
knock 'em dead.
What you REALLY have to worry about are those Sentry guns! Unfortunately, well placed guns can be extremely hard to destroy, especially in numbers. If in distance, try a grenade or better yet, a MIRV. Else, try rockets. Napalm grenades work as well. If that doesn't seem to work, then get a bunch of Soldiers with nail grenades and hopefully THAT will work. If worst comes to worst, ask a Spy to help. :)
Separate your team's attack pattern, if possible. A sentry gun can't fire at so many people. Also, be sure to assign someone to track down and kill those engineers, before they can repair the surely damaged guns.
Other References
Here are some other guides Engineers should
check out:
Last updated: September 17, 1997