In the eyes of Robin Monks

The Engie

Recently after reading Valve’s blog post on how engie updates in Team Fortress 2 hadn’t been going as planned; I started thinking about what I, as the stereotypical Engineer class player, would like to see happen to my class.  One of the biggest annoyances to me personally is that there are common places in every map where, well, you basically need a sentry gun.  On 2fort, that’s going to be right outside the re-spawn looking at the courtyard.  Once that is built you can build another in the “sink room” directly under re-spawn; but, overall you can get by with just one simple sentry in that choke point.

The problem is, as an engie, there is no real “reward” to move up your equipment or to be on the front lines providing support.  When I play other classes, I always find myself wishing there was a dispenser /right there/; but, there never is.  Where is the dispenser?  Oh, it’s by the re-spawn at that choke point, where it’s /totally useless/ except to block the occasional scout with a bonk trying to run down the spiral.

So, what kind of tools would a “battle engie” need?

The Tele-reverser

First of all, I’d like to see the ability for engies to be able to swap out their teleporters for a sapper-like device that if placed on an enemy teleporter “takes over” them, and reverses their direction, allowing your team to go directly into the enemy base much easier.  The change would occur over a timespan similar to a zapper, and the enemy engie wouldn’t be able to destroy the teleports while in the other engies control, however, he could bang on them with his wrench to destroy the device, then go though the teleporter to kill the opposing engineer.

The engie with the “tele-reverser” couldn’t build his own teleporters, but, could take over one pair of an enimies; and then they would appear as if they were his own, they would transfer at the same level they were before, and if they were less than three the engie would be able to upgrade it was if it were his own.

The medi-sentry

The medi-sentry is a level one sentry that can’t be upgraded past level one that instead of shooting bullets, shoot syringes, much like the syringe gun of the medic, with one major difference, these darts heal friendly players (and, sadly disguised spies) that need health and do small damage to unfriendlies.  This would most likely be placed in active choke-points.  It will prioritize the most injured friendly players (such as those displaying red in their health meters) before enemies tho.

Radar

Perhaps the most complex concept to pull off; and due to the nature of the advantage probably would replace all other buildings.  An engie who builds a radar would give his entire team the ability to see units within a certain range of the  radar, and, perhaps the ability to see through walls covered by the radars scope.   The radar would be relatively short range and give off a distinctive “ping” sound if you’re close to it.

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