When to use Shotty?

So I almost have 100 hours as Soldier - not an expert, and I've been wondering where and when it's a good idea to switch to my shotgun. I've watched Reptiles frag video a few times over and I can't tell, but a lot of guides and stuff say you should use it, but they don't really say when. :/

& I'm sorry if there's a thread about this already and "lern2search" stuff but it's hard to do and takes pretty long.

Any help would be nice. Thanks.

- Kilo.

Try to determine how much hp the oppenent has left versus the amount of rockets left, just assume, that when you first engaged the enemy, they had full hp, even though for all you know, they could be heavily hurt, just assume though. If you have already at least hit the feet of an enemy with 125, depending on their speed switch. If they are a scout, pull out the shotty, anyone else with 125, you may want to rocket their feet yet again. Also try to calculate (the pros can do this instantly) other factors: multiple enemies, distance from you, class(es) your engaging, your hp, your estimate on their hp, etc, these all come into factor. If your fighting enemies who are primarily close range, it's okay to reload your rocket, just make sure they don't run for a hp pack. If they're getting close, rocket their feet and switch, becuz after the 1st rocket, if you rocket again, it may hurt you or just not be effective enough. You just have to use your judgement, and as we get better, our judgement get's quicker. Hope that helps

1. Always when you run out of rockets unless you probably missed a few times., then go ahead and try to reload and hit him then shoty.
2. when they're too far way to get a good chance at a shot.

when you have uber and you're out of rockets its best to not reload and just use the shotty

1. You've hit them with a rocket or two and you think they're weak.

2. You're out of ammo with the rocket and your foe is not yet beaten.

3. You juggle someone with a rocket and think they'll die to a shotgun blast.

4. You want to save a couple rockets for an additional enemy that is incoming.

5. Out of rockets while ubered.

6. You're in a tight space and you don't want to risk taking splash damage.

FUCK THE SHOTGUN I GO STRAIGHT FOR THE SHOVEL KILLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

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HELL YEAH !!!

When I choose to break out the shotty:

1. If I get a nice juggle, I'll go for an airborn shotgun blast...for most classes this is a 1-2 punch that they won't survive, and most of the time won't even know what hit them. Super effective.
2. Rocket-shotgun-rocket combo. Again, most classes cannot survive this...hell, most of them will die after a rocket-shotgun combo.
3. At close range, unless you always remember to jump now when you fire a rocket at close range so as to avoid taking heavy damage. Aside from that, a shotgun blast at full range is pretty powerful, and if it crits at close range it's lethal for most classes.

As a side tip, always keep track of how many shells you have left in your shotgun...nothing more embarrassing than switching to it and getting a 'click' b/c you're out of bullets. Take the time to always reload your shotgun when you reload rockets...being out of both is a terrible situation to be in since reloading them takes so long.

What I do, especially when I need kills, is to travel with the shotty and shotty everyone, and not use the rocket launcher until mid to close range.
I know the spot where the rocket hits them but not me so it helps.

Try to find your sweet spot.

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