The Engineer Weapons Tier List, shaped by Uncle Dane's personal experience and opinion, categorizes weapons based on effectiveness and gameplay impact. It's a guide for players to understand each tool's strengths and weaknesses, encouraging experimentation to match individual playstyles. While providing a structured evaluation, the list underscores the importance of personal preference and adaptability in mastering the Engineer class in Team Fortress 2.
| Tier | Weapon | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D | Pompson | Ineffective, luck-based |
| C | Panic Attack | Limited utility for Engie |
| C | Southern Hospitality | Mediocre, uninspired |
| B | Stock Wrench | Reliable, balanced |
| B | Frontier Justice | Situational, risky |
| B | Widowmaker | Resource-managing, aggressive |
| B | Rescue Ranger | Defensive, slightly OP |
| B | Short Circuit | Defensive, easy to abuse |
| B | Pistol | Reliable, high ammo |
| A | Eureka Effect | High utility, game-changing |
| A | Stock Shotgun | Effective, easy to use |
| S | Gunslinger | Mobile, area denial |
| S | Jag | Fast building, efficient |
| S | Wrangler | Versatile, powerful |
D-Tier
Uncle Dane points out that the Pomson 6000's design negatively impacts gameplay. It chips away at the core abilities of certain classes, like spies and medics, without requiring much skill to use effectively. This makes engagements feel more like being punished randomly rather than a fair fight.
Pomson 6000 (D-Tier)
The Pomson 6000, ranked as a D-tier weapon, is criticized for its ineffective design and gameplay impact in Team Fortress 2. It's capable of disrupting enemies, especially spies and medics, but lacks skill-based usage, with slow projectiles and unreliable long-range performance. The weapon is also frustrating to fight against, often feeling more luck-based than strategic. Its design clashes with the game's art style, further diminishing its appeal.
C-Tier
The Panic Attack and Southern Hospitality are placed in the C tier due to their limited appeal and effectiveness for the Engineer class. The Panic Attack's design changes have made it less suitable for Engineers, while the Southern Hospitality's lackluster features fail to make it a compelling choice. Both weapons lack the excitement or strategic depth found in higher-tier options.
Panic Attack (C-Tier)
Panic Attack is categorized in the C tier, indicating it's a "cool" but not top-tier choice. Uncle Dane notes its multiple design changes over time. Initially, it was a fun and effective weapon for Engineers, especially when used in a specific way. However, recent changes have shifted its viability, making it more suitable for two classes instead of just the Engineer. The Panic Attack's current iteration is less useful for Engineers due to the reduced utility in quickly switching to a shotgun for defensive purposes.
Southern Hospitality (C-Tier)
Southern Hospitality also falls into the C tier. It's seen as a mediocre option, neither particularly bad nor exciting. The wrench has a simple upside and downside, lacking the excitement or uniqueness of other weapons. One notable downside is the inability to get random critical hits, a significant aspect of gameplay enjoyment in Team Fortress 2. Uncle Dane describes it as an "uninspired weapon", despite its visually appealing design. The lack of excitement and innovation in its functionality keeps it from ranking higher.
B-Tier
The B-tier is filled with weapons that are good and reliable but don't necessarily excel in every situation. These tools offer a balance of fun and functionality, making them solid choices for various playstyles and situations.
Stock Wrench (B-Tier)
Stock Wrench is a B-tier tool, representing a reliable and balanced option for Engineers. It's the baseline for comparison, with no specific upsides or downsides. This wrench is the go-to choice for a straightforward engineering approach, effectively handling all the basic needs of building, repairing, and upgrading structures.
Frontier Justice (B-Tier)
Frontier Justice earns its B-tier status as a fun and situationally effective shotgun. Its effectiveness hinges on the enemy team's awareness and interaction with your sentry gun. The weapon excels when you can capitalize on sentry kills to gain revenge crits, but this is not always within your control. It's a risky choice that can pay off well in the right circumstances.
Widowmaker (B-Tier)
Widowmaker is placed in the B tier due to its unique playstyle. It's a favorite on specific maps, particularly where close combat is frequent. The Widowmaker requires you to manage your metal resource carefully, as shots cost metal but successful hits refund it. This mechanic encourages an aggressive, metal-conscious playstyle, making it a fun and rewarding weapon for skilled players.
Rescue Ranger (B-Tier)
Rescue Ranger is a B-tier weapon, highly valued for its role in defensive engineering. It allows you to maintain your buildings from a distance, adding a layer of safety. However, it's criticized for being overpowered on last points, where Engineers can abuse its range from the safety of the spawn. Despite this, it remains a versatile and useful tool for maintaining your structures.
Short Circuit (B-Tier)
Short Circuit finds its place in the B tier as a defensive tool against projectiles. It's excellent for protecting your buildings and teammates from rockets and grenades. However, it's noted for being easy to abuse on payload carts, which can unbalance encounters. Despite this, its utility in neutralizing specific threats makes it a valuable asset.
Pistol (B-Tier)
Pistol rounds out the B tier as a reliable secondary weapon for Engineers. Its large ammo reserve makes it an effective tool for medium-range engagements. The Pistol serves as a consistent damage dealer, useful for softening targets or finishing off weakened enemies. Its simplicity and reliability make it a solid choice for any Engineer's arsenal.
A-Tier
The A-tier features weapons that offer a blend of high utility and ease of use. The Eureka Effect stands out for its game-changing abilities during setup and in-game mobility, while the Stock Shotgun is valued for its reliable and uncomplicated effectiveness in combat. Both are excellent choices for players looking to optimize their gameplay with tools that provide significant advantages without complex requirements.
Eureka Effect (A-Tier)
Eureka Effect is an A-tier wrench, praised for its significant utility during setup and overall impact on gameplay. This tool allows Engineers to teleport to their spawn or their teleporter exit, greatly enhancing mobility and setup efficiency. It's especially useful for quickly establishing buildings in strategic locations or escaping dangerous situations. The Eureka Effect also offers cheaper teleporter costs during setup, a benefit that persists even if you switch to another wrench later. This wrench fundamentally changes the Engineer's role, freeing you from reliance on metal packs and enabling more dynamic building strategies.
Stock Shotgun (A-Tier)
Stock Shotgun is also in the A tier, recognized for its straightforward effectiveness and ease of use. As a primary weapon for the Engineer, it's a reliable choice that doesn't require adjusting your playstyle. The Stock Shotgun is all about simplicity and efficiency; it allows you to focus on shooting without worrying about specific weapon mechanics or limitations. It's a versatile weapon that performs well in various situations, making it a consistently strong choice for Engineers who want a dependable and straightforward firearm.
S-Tier
The S-tier features weapons that significantly enhance the Engineer's capabilities. The Gunslinger allows for a more aggressive and mobile playstyle with its mini-sentries, the Jag offers unparalleled speed in building and upgrading, and the Wrangler provides exceptional control and durability to sentry guns. These tools are essential for players seeking to maximize their impact and versatility as an Engineer.
Gunslinger (S-Tier)
Gunslinger earns its place in the S tier for transforming the Engineer's playstyle. It's celebrated for enabling the "Battle Engineer" subclass, focusing on mobility and area denial. The Gunslinger's main draw is its ability to deploy mini-sentries, which are quick to build and can be placed frequently. This allows for a more aggressive and dynamic playstyle, as you can rapidly set up new sentries in different locations. The mini-sentries provide effective area denial, keeping enemies at bay with their persistent presence. The Gunslinger's low cost and high impact on gameplay make it an outstanding choice for Engineers looking to play offensively.
Jag (S-Tier)
Uncle Dane says that Jag is known for its speed in building and upgrading structures. It significantly reduces the time needed to construct and upgrade buildings, allowing Engineers to establish their defenses or teleporters much faster. While it's slightly less effective at tanking damage compared to other wrenches, skilled players can easily work around this limitation. The Jag is ideal for Engineers who prioritize speed and efficiency in building and maintaining their structures, making it a top-tier choice for both defensive and offensive engineering.
Wrangler (S-Tier)
Uncle Dane strongly suggests that the Wrangler tops the S-tier due to its versatility and power. It allows Engineers to manually control their sentry guns, extending their range and targeting capabilities. This feature is invaluable for dealing with enemies outside the sentry's normal range or focusing fire on specific targets. Additionally, the Wrangler provides a shield that significantly increases the sentry's durability, making it much harder to destroy. This combination of offensive and defensive enhancements makes the Wrangler an incredibly powerful tool, greatly expanding the Engineer's control and effectiveness in both defending and attacking scenarios.