The Ambush Medic: Why and How

Almost everyone has played the Medic at some time or another.  Often people play the Medic quite a bit nowadays.  Though there are still only the rare few who truly understand the true dark-side of this already somewhat sadistic healer.

If you understand how to play effectively as a Pyro, you're the type of person who has the capability to learn how to effectively play as an Ambush Medic.

The Ambush Medic heals their team while their nearby; but soon dashes away to enact an ambush on an unexpecting enemy.

Some advice from an Ambush Medic:

1. Learn to use your needlegun.  Starting out as an Ambush Medic you'll probably want to still stick to the Blutsaugher for a while to help you stay alive.  But once you're a fairly good shot with needlegun type weapons, switch to the Syringe Gun for a mind-boggling amount of nice juicy crits.

2. Your Bonesaw is the Pyro's Flamethrower.  The Bonesaw is quick, critty, and deadly.  It is NEVER to be underestimated.  It is second only to the Flamethrower, and then the Wrench in Melee ability.  Master the Bonesaw, and a high KD ratio will be yours.  And if you unlock/have unlocked the Ubersaw as an Ambush Medic, you'll see that it truly is balanced, as it's sluggishness leads to about half the kills you can get with a good old Bonesaw.

3. How to use your Uber as an Ambush Medic is quite different.  You're basically never going to uber as an Ambush Medic, unless you build it up before going hunting.  At first the Invuluber is good for staying alive to rush back to safety.  But if you have the Kritz, you can do much better by having good communication with a good ambusher on your team; and then getting them to go with you on a surprise Kritzing rampage on the enemy.  Very effective tactic for those who know the art of the chat.

For those who don't know the Ambusher in the Medic, his unlocks are by no means balanced.  But for those that do, the unlocks are truly just cooler, although equal alternates.  Yet that is not my closing word, for anyone who learns to master the Ambush Medic playstyle will find themselves one of if not the most versitile class on their team.

Why can't people just play classes normally? >.>

Maybe I'm inflexible, but I get really annoyed when I die or have to retreat because a Medic that ciould be healing people is too busy firing off his syringe gun. It can be powerful and I love the weapon, and the bone saw is one of the most powerful up close weapons in the game, but the Medic is a support class and a healing class and should stay that way.

Just my two cents.

Quote:
QFT

=(

This reminds me of a row I had over on steampowered with some guy who was pushing his idea of a "quasi-combat" medic.

There is no such thing as a quasi-combat medic and in no way should it be pushed over the healing/smart style.

If this is how ya' like to play though, more power to you. I'm sure you have fun playing this way. =)

EDIT: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690013 is the ermm.. interesting "quasi-combat" medic debate.

I actually play support almost all the time as Medic.  This is just something unique, effective, and fun for when my team needs an ambusher with a bit more range than a Pyro; and a bit more toughness than a Spy.

Actually, I suppose that I do this VERY often in places where I'm healing some people, but can easily jump out of somewhere to nail a couple of enemies with my needler/saw to provide some cover for my teammate in a good number of situations.

Sure, I gotcha. =]

lol....just go check HLstats....all the medics have crap kill death ratios all less then 1

When I play Medic, I never hesitate to kill when I can, but ultimately it's our job to stay alive, heal as many people as we can, and uber the right people at the right time.