Team Fortress 2 excels at many things. But one of the reasons why people still play this video game more than 15 years after its release is the TF2 character’s classes. There are nine classes in total, and each of them is unique.
There are nine unique characters, each offering a different playstyle. These classes are divided into three main categories: Offense, Defense, and Support.
Offense Classes
The offense classes are focused on pushing the front lines and dealing damage quickly. These classes rely on speed and damage output to engage enemies directly.
1. Scout
As its name suggests, this class excels at scouting the enemy team. The Scout in TF2 has relatively low hit points but compensates with his speed. This is the fastest class in the game.
Characteristics:
- Role: Offensive
- Health: Low
- Speed: Fastest in the game
- Abilities: Double jump, high mobility
- Class: Scouting
- Primary Weapon: Scattergun
- Secondary Weapon: Pistol
- Melee Weapon: Bat
- Unique Features: Speed and agility make the Scout ideal for flanking enemies and capturing objectives quickly.
The Scout can be extremely annoying to deal with against units with a poor fire rate, such as the Sniper and the Demoman. But he tends to be poorly equipped to deal with the Soldier and the Heavy.
2. Soldier
This is probably the most well-rounded class in TF2. Other classes excel at something but are bad at something else. The Soldier can do everything that’s needed: offense, defense, etc. He has excellent health and excellent damage. His speed is not phenomenal, but it’s not terrible, either. In the right hands, this class will wreak havoc.
Characteristics:
- Role: Versatile (Offensive/Defensive)
- Health: High
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Rocket jumping
- Class: Versatile Soldier
- Primary Weapon: Rocket Launcher
- Secondary Weapon: Shotgun
- Melee Weapon: Shovel
The Soldier’s main weapon is the Rocket Launcher, which he can use to TF2 rocket jump.
Related: TF2 Soldier Guide
3. Pyro
The Pyro is perfect for close-range combat against targets that don’t move very fast but are a bit dodgy. For example, the Spy.
Characteristics:
- Role: Close-Combat
- Health: Average
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Can airblast projectiles
- Class: Close-Combat Specialist
- Primary Weapon: Flamethrower
- Secondary Weapon: Shotgun or Flare Gun
- Melee Weapon: Fire Axe
- Unique Features: Excels in close-range combat and can control the battlefield with fire and airblasts.
The Pyro class can deal enormous amounts of AoE damage and only needs a few seconds to burn a target from full HP completely.
Related: TF2 Pyro Guide
Defense Classes
Defense classes are specialists in area denial and holding ground. These characters use traps, high health, or firepower to prevent enemies from advancing.
4. Demoman
Demoman is the class you should play when your goal is to create massive explosions and blow up. Be careful not to pick it against slippery targets because you’ll be highly ineffective against them.
Characteristics:
- Role: Demolitionist
- Health: Average
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Can use sticky bombs and grenades
- Class: Demolition Specialist
- Primary Weapon: Grenade Launcher
- Secondary Weapon: Stickybomb Launcher
- Melee Weapon: Eyelander or Bottle
- Unique Features: Strong area denial with explosive weapons; effective at controlling chokepoints.
Related: TF2 Demoman Guide
5. Heavy
The Heavy is an absolute beast if you don’t mind the slow movement speed. It deals massive amounts of damage in all directions and can withstand several times the damage that would kill other classes.
Characteristics:
- Role: Tank
- Health: Highest in the game
- Speed: Slow
- Abilities: High damage output, damage resistance
- Class: Tank
- Primary Weapon: Minigun
- Secondary Weapon: Sandwich or Shotgun
- Melee Weapon: Fists
- Unique Features: High damage and health; works well with Medics for sustained front-line combat.
The Heavy works well in combination with a Medic who can sustain his HP. This combo can significantly increase the duration of his life and is one of the main front-line strategies used in TF2.
6. Engineer
This very unusual class can be utilized with great success if you know what you’re doing and if your team can keep the enemy busy until you build your devices.
Characteristics:
- Role: Support/Defensive
- Health: Average
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Builds and maintains various deployable
- Class: Support Engineer
- Primary Weapon: Shotgun
- Secondary Weapon: Pistol
- Melee Weapon: Wrench
- Unique Features: Can build and repair turrets, teleporters, and dispensers; excels at defensive play and support.
The Engineer is ineffective in high-paced games where you get attacked every 30s. But if the rest of your team can gain some ground, you can fortify certain positions by creating powerful weapons in TF2 that can kill everything in their range.
Related: TF2 Engineer Guide
Support Classes
Support classes play critical roles in maintaining the team’s strength and disrupting the enemy. They may not directly engage in combat but are essential for team survival and success.
7. Medic
This is one of the best TF2 classes for duos. If you have a friend who wants to create one of the best-class combos in the game, picking the Medic is a great idea. Make sure you’re always linked to another player and that your synchronization is good. And you will have a lot of fun.
Characteristics:
- Role: Support
- Health: Average
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Can heal teammates and deploy an ÜberCharge
- Class: Support Healer
- Primary Weapon: Medigun
- Secondary Weapon: Syringe Gun
- Melee Weapon: Bonesaw
- Unique Features: Essential for sustaining team health; ÜberCharge can turn the tide of battle.
This is an essential class in many cases, and at least one person on your team will need to play it.
8. Sniper
The Sniper is an excellent choice for those who like to sit back and play their own game without getting too involved in the heat of battle. If your aim is good, you will love playing Sniper. One headshot will kill just about anyone, and it’s quite addictive to shoot target after target on certain maps.
Characteristics:
- Role: Long-Range
- Health: Low
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Can kill with a single headshot
- Class: Marksman
- Primary Weapon: Sniper Rifle
- Secondary Weapon: SMG or Jarate
- Melee Weapon: Kukri
- Unique Features: Effective at picking off enemies from a distance; relies on precision and positioning.
The rifles available to the Sniper are fun to play, offering him a wide range of buffs. However, remember that each modified rifle comes with a series of debuffs.
The Sniper can kill an entire team if your aim is flawless. No other class can achieve such a spectacular feat.
9. Spy
Everyone hates to play against this class because of its toolkit. You can find yourself with a Spy next to you without any clue that he’s there. And his weapons can kill fast if you allow him to use them on you.
Characteristics:
- Role: Stealth/Assassination
- Health: Low
- Speed: Average
- Abilities: Can disguise and cloak
- Class: Stealth Assassin
- Primary Weapon: Revolver
- Secondary Weapon: Knife
- Melee Weapon: Your Eternal Reward or Invis Watch
- Unique Features: Can disguise as enemy classes and backstab for instant kills; excels at disrupting enemy teams.
In particular, classes like the Sniper have serious weaknesses against the Spy. So try to avoid picking them when the other team is Spy heavy.
The Spy will let you get behind enemy lines and is one of the best classes for assassinating key static targets with low HP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Valve Corporation. It features nine unique classes, each with its own abilities and playstyles, making for a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience.
There are nine classes in TF2: Scout, Soldier, Pyro, Demoman, Heavy, Engineer, Medic, Sniper, and Spy.
The Soldier is often recommended for new players due to its versatility, balance of health and damage, and straightforward mechanics.
The Medic’s primary role is to heal and support teammates. The Medic can also deploy an ÜberCharge to make teammates invulnerable, which can be crucial in turning the tide of battle.
The Spy can disguise himself as an enemy team member, allowing him to infiltrate and sabotage the enemy team. Disguises can be maintained as long as the Spy doesn’t take damage or perform certain actions.
The Pyro excels in close combat with its Flamethrower, which can quickly eliminate enemies at close range.
Choosing the best class depends on your preferred playstyle. If you enjoy fast-paced, high-mobility gameplay, the Scout might be ideal. For strategic, long-range play, the Sniper is a good choice. Experimenting with different classes will help you find the best fit.
