Best Scout Weapons in TF2 – Primary and Secondary

William Westerlund / February 7, 2026 / 4 min read

Scout is the fastest class in Team Fortress 2, built around mobility, close-range burst damage, and constant pressure.

His effectiveness depends heavily on weapon choice, especially when it comes to primary and secondary weapons. Picking the right loadout can turn Scout from a fragile nuisance into one of the deadliest duelists in the game.

Below is a breakdown of the best Scout primary and secondary weapons, focusing on practicality, consistency, and real match impact.

Best Primary Weapons for Scout in TF2

TF2 scout weapons

Scout’s primaries define how he fights. They control his damage output, range, and ability to win one-on-one engagements.

Scattergun (Stock)

The Scattergun remains the gold standard. It offers the most reliable damage output with no downsides, capable of deleting light classes in two shots and heavily punishing distracted enemies.

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High Burst Damage

Deals massive damage at close range to quickly eliminate targets.

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Consistent Spread

Pellets land reliably, making shots predictable and effective.

No Trade-Offs

Offers straightforward performance without gimmicks or downsides.

For competitive play and serious pub matches, stock is still the safest and strongest option.

Force-A-Nature

The Force-A-Nature trades raw consistency for burst mobility and disruption. Its knockback can throw enemies off aim, push opponents into environmental hazards, or even deny Über pushes in clutch moments.

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Strong Opening Burst

Delivers high damage immediately to surprise and overwhelm enemies.

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Knockback Utility

Pushes enemies away or into hazards, giving tactical control over engagements.

Lower Sustained Damage

Reload slows follow-up attacks, reducing continuous damage output.

It rewards aggressive hit-and-run play but punishes missed shots.

Soda Popper

The Soda Popper shines in skilled hands. Faster firing and the Hype meter allow Scout to chain jumps and overwhelm enemies with constant pressure.

High DPS Potential

Can deal massive damage quickly when every shot connects.

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Enhanced Mobility

Hype meter boosts movement, allowing rapid repositioning and aggression.

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Requires Precise Aim

Effectiveness depends on accurate targeting to maximize damage output.

It’s one of the best choices for mechanically confident Scouts who thrive on movement and aggression.

Shortstop

While more niche, the Shortstop offers strong mid-range poke and consistent damage per shot. It excels in situations where you want to pressure enemies without fully committing.

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Tight Pellet Spread

Pellets land more consistently, improving accuracy at mid-range.

Faster Reload

Shoving mechanic speeds up reloads, letting you re-engage quickly.

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Less Forgiving

Requires precise play, as close-range brawls can quickly become dangerous.

Best used by players with excellent tracking and positioning.

Best Secondary Weapons for Scout in TF2

Best Scout Weapons in TF2

Scout’s secondaries provide survivability, utility, or extra damage, often deciding whether he can escape after a kill or stay alive long enough to snowball.

Pistol (Stock)

The Pistol is endlessly reliable. It gives Scout solid mid-range damage and finishing power when reloading isn’t an option.

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High Sustained DPS

Delivers consistent damage at range, keeping pressure on enemies.

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Great for Chip Damage

Ideal for finishing off low-health enemies or softening targets from afar.

No Drawbacks

Reliable and straightforward, offering strong performance without downsides.

It pairs well with every primary and remains a staple in competitive loadouts.

Mad Milk

Mad Milk is arguably Scout’s strongest utility secondary. It turns aggressive plays into survivability tools, allowing Scout to heal off damage dealt.

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Team-Wide Healing

Heals teammates for a portion of damage dealt to enemies, boosting team survivability.

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Great Against Groups

Effective in team fights, allowing Scout to heal multiple allies at once.

Long Cooldown

Requires timing and careful use due to its extended recharge period.

In coordinated play, Mad Milk can swing entire fights.

Pretty Boy’s Pocket Pistol

This pistol variant trades a bit of damage for self-healing, making it excellent for extended skirmishes.

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Heals on Hit

Restores Scout’s health whenever damage is dealt, improving survivability in fights.

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Synergy with Aggression

Works best in aggressive playstyles, allowing continuous pressure on enemies while healing.

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Slightly Reduced Damage

Deals a bit less damage than the stock pistol, trading raw DPS for healing potential.

Perfect for pubstomping and survivability-focused builds.

Winger

The Winger boosts Scout’s jump height, enhancing mobility and access to unexpected angles.

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Increased Jump Height

Enhances Scout’s mobility, allowing access to higher ground and surprise angles.

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Strong Finishing Damage

Deals high damage for finishing off weakened enemies effectively.

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Smaller Clip Size

Fewer shots per reload, requiring careful ammo management in extended fights.

It’s a favorite among movement-focused Scouts who value positioning over sustained fire.

Best Weapon Combos for Scout

Best Scout Weapons in TF2

Some loadouts simply click:

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Scattergun + Pistol

Provides maximum consistency and versatility for any engagement.

Soda Popper + Winger

Extreme mobility and pressure, perfect for aggressive hit-and-run play.

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Force-A-Nature + Mad Milk

Disruption with survivability, allowing Scout to control fights while staying healthy.

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Scattergun + Pretty Boy’s Pocket Pistol

Aggressive sustain loadout that balances high damage with self-healing.

Summary

There is no single “best” Scout loadout. Only what best fits your playstyle. Stock weapons remain dominant for a reason, but alternatives like the Soda Popper, Mad Milk, and Winger offer powerful advantages when used correctly.

Master movement, positioning, and timing, and any of these Scout weapons can dominate the battlefield in TF2.

FAQs

1. What is the best primary weapon for Scout in competitive TF2?

The Scattergun is generally considered the best primary due to its consistent close-range burst damage and reliability. Other options like the Force-A-Nature or Soda Popper are viable for more aggressive or mobile playstyles.

2. Which secondary weapon gives Scout the most survivability?

Mad Milk and the Pretty Boy’s Pocket Pistol are the top choices for survivability. Mad Milk allows healing from enemies, while the Pocket Pistol heals Scout on hit, letting him stay in fights longer.

3. Is the Force-A-Nature better than the Scattergun?

Not universally. The Force-A-Nature excels at mobility and knockback plays, but it has lower sustained damage than the Scattergun. It’s best for hit-and-run tactics rather than raw reliability.

4. Should I use the Winger or the Pistol as a secondary?

It depends on your style. The Winger enhances mobility and jumping, ideal for flanking and positioning, while the Pistol is a reliable choice for consistent mid-range damage.

5. What is a strong Scout loadout combo for pubs?

A versatile combo for pub matches is Scattergun + Pretty Boy’s Pocket Pistol. This setup provides consistent damage, mobility, and self-healing, making it easier to survive and pressure multiple opponents.

author avatar
William Westerlund
William brings 7 years of experience writing for multiple gaming blogs. He has more than 10,000 hours played in CS:GO (CS2) and have played around in other games such as TF2 and Rust. Through his experience playing the game at a high level and dealing with skins for many years, he provides first-hand insight into the topics covered on the Tradeit.gg blog.

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