Defensive vs offensive engineers

(handyHeirloom) #1

2 out of the 3 combat engineers (Proxy and Bushwhacker) are clearly better for the defending side than the attacking side. Bushwkackers sentry cuts off important routes, and proxy’s mines can be used on objectives to catch unaware enemies and protect objectives when nobody is nearby. This is nothing new. My problem is that, on offense, all a proxy has over other mercs is her speed. She is squishier and her mines are practically useless for pushing, as they have a long arm time. Bushwhacker’s sentry is, obviously, stationary. He is painfully useless on EV maps when on offense, as you have a long cooldown deployable that is only useful for guarding your back as you repair.

TL;DR: Proxy and bushwhacker need a GOOD reason to be picked over fletcher on offense

(Sorotia) #2

Proxy can be really deadly if you know how to play her well and you’re a parkour expert…shotgun and machine pistol.

Bushwacker is a little harder but he does come with some nice machine guns…shouldn’t be worrying about playing Rambo if you have a EV to escort though.

(animatedFrog) #3

people dont use fletcher because he doesnt have the kek and stickies disappear like 50% of the time on directs

(DB Genome editor) #4

The “defensive” engies can still be useful on offense by denying flanking routes to the defenders or by sneaking through the front line to setup traps in areas the opponents would assume to be safe.

(handyHeirloom) #5

But the same class on the opposite team can do the exact same thing, which has a much greater effect on defense.

(CCP115) #6

But why?

Fletcher’s defense game is as strong as his offense game, he can do both things. Proxy can also play incredibly offensively, with flank routes mainly.

Fletcher’s bombs aren’t that damaging compared to Proxy mines, they’re just a bit more versatile. But then Proxy is also incredibly versatile. Bushwacker, not so much, though an unexpected turret flank good get some good damage off.

(DB Genome editor) #7

But the same class on the opposite team can do the exact same thing, which has a much greater effect on defense.[/quote]
But that doesn’t change the fact that the engies you call “defensive” remain useful even in an offensive role. Yeah, maybe they are not as effective in offense as they are in defense, but they are still perfectly viable choices, not just Fletcher. And as you pointed out in your OP, they can do something Fletcher can’t: cover their own back while doing an objective.

(bontsa) #8

Having played all 3 on a EV map while Attacker, I definitely feel much more “aware” when repairing EV, if given the time to lay out my deployable(s) when running Bush or Proxy.

As Bushwhacker, I got fair amount of HP to repair even under slight gunfire, and can stick turret so that it’ll notify me if baddie is trying to get me from that direction, hoping my teammates can cover the rest or at least give a hint by gunfire / death messages if I should make a run for it. As Proxy same applies but with Mines, since even if enemy simply shoots the mine instead of tripping to it, even half-deaf yours truly can hear that magnificent blast a kilometer away.

The escorting part? Yea, moving turret can be tedious and it needs a tad more gamesense to do so efficently. This is where Bush’s own strenght shines if that plan fails; he has decent HP pool to speed- ratio, access to some very versatile weaponary and pretty sweet offensive augments (looking at Tough etc.) to get stuff done by himself too. Proxy, as you said, has speed, speed and more speed. Dem double SMG’s are an absolute beast. Mines can also be used as clumsy, yet highly dangerous grenades too for more offensive approach.

Fletcher is as said here, good all-around guy. His stickies need more active approach, as they can’t be used with place-and-forget, so not as reliable for covering your own buttocks while introducing that EV to some blowtorch. But in case I somehow else notice enemy trying to open me another ventilation shaft with high-velocity lead, I feel like being able to react faster as Fletcha, although I do miss Bush’s KEK in those situations. Our Nigerian prince feels more comfortable to escort the EV at least in terms of being able to use my ability to it’s full extent.

Good enough reasons to pick w/e of the current Engies for Attacking? I think it falls down more on how well abilities and guns of the merc fit the player, rather than how merc initially seems to be played. Gut-feel is not a bad thing, but it never tells the whole story.

(Gi.Am) #9

All engineers are technically more defensive minded it’s their job. Every single one of them has abilities that are mainly ment for defending the objectives (turret, sticky traps, mines, (wall)).

The point is on offense you need your team (especially the assaults) to clear the route for you. And after you planted you use your defensive skills to protect the plant.

That said all of them can also be used to great effect on offense wether its Proxy outflanking the enemy at every turn, and throwing mines right between them. Or fletcher once again flanking like a pro and landing those direct stickies. Bushwhacker propably the most defensive minded but still can use his Kek 10 (or Crotzni) to great effect while placing a quick helper turret right infront of the enemy.