Difference between revisions of "Contract strategy"

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(Uncapitalised words that didn't need it, removed some non-strategy, added some strategies, removed some false information (CTF does not have faster ÜberCharge rate if the game goes on for longer), and many other changes to fit the style of strategies)
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This article is about '''Contract strategy''' for completing Primary and Bonus Objectives of Contracts using the [[ConTracker]].
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This article is about '''[[contracts]] strategy''' for completing Primary and Bonus Objectives of Contracts using the [[ConTracker]].
{{see also|List of contracts}}
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{{TOC limit|3}}
 
 
== General Strategy (All Contracts) ==
 
== General Strategy (All Contracts) ==
 
{{See also|ConTracker#Instructions|Scream Fortress 2017 Contracts#Strategy|l1=ConTracker Instructions|l2=Halloween Contracts strategy}}
 
{{See also|ConTracker#Instructions|Scream Fortress 2017 Contracts#Strategy|l1=ConTracker Instructions|l2=Halloween Contracts strategy}}
  
* Be sure to consider the Objectives when selecting one of three alternate Contracts (e.g., the choice of Alternative Mode) as there are significant differences in difficulty between alternate Contracts, and your favorite Weapon, Mode, or Class might not have the "easy" Objectives.
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* Be sure to consider the objectives when selecting one of three alternate contracts (e.g., the choice of Alternative Mode) as there are significant differences in difficulty between alternate contracts, and your favorite weapon, mode, or class might not have the "easy" objectives.
* It is possible to turn in any Contract by completing only one Objective, Primary ''or'' Bonus; but once your last Star has been used to activate a Contract, at least one Objective must be completed and turned in on that Contract before you can activate any other. Turning in a few extra Bonus Objectives gives you more ''flexibility'' in queuing up for maps as well as the ability to change Active Contracts; say, if you get stumped on a Contract, the other players vote to change to a map that does not work for your Contract, you want to work on different Contracts between attacking and defending rounds, or there are just too many Pyros on the team.
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* It is possible to turn in any contract by completing only one objective, primary ''or'' bonus; but once your last star has been used to activate a contract, at least one objective must be completed and turned in on that contract before you can activate any other. Turning in a few extra bonus objectives gives you more flexibility in queuing up for maps as well as the ability to change the active contract.
* Usually, the action of at least one of the two Bonus Objectives is relatively easier to perform, and often enables you to earn CP and complete the Primary Objective at an accelerated rate. Contract Points earned against Bonus Objectives before the Primary Objective is completed count as double, sometimes a few CP more than double. So, depending on your knowledge and skills, focusing on particular Bonus Objectives can speed you through the Contract map.
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* Usually, the action of at least one of the two bonus objectives is relatively easier to perform, and often enables you to earn contract points and complete the primary objective at an accelerated rate. Contract points earned from bonus objectives before the primary objective is completed are counted as double, sometimes a few CP more than double. Focusing on particular ponus objectives can speed you through the contract.
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* Remember that contracts should not be a detriment to your team. Leaving immediately after completing a contract, ignoring the objective to complete your contract, or not doing helping out your team (such as not healing certain targets as [[Medic]] or not destroying [[Engineer]] buildings as [[Spy]]) leaves your team at a disadvantage.
  
 
; Friendly-Fire
 
; Friendly-Fire
 
{{Main|Friendly-Fire}}
 
{{Main|Friendly-Fire}}
* If regularly available, Friendly-Fire can greatly accelerate the completion of Objectives.
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* Friendly-Fire can greatly accelerate the completion of Objectives. A friend who is an expert at a weapon or class can use Friendly-Fire to help you with contracts you are struggling with.
* A friend who is an expert at a Weapon or Class can use Friendly-Fire to help you with Contracts you are not so good at.
 
 
 
; Map Choice
 
* A familiar [[Payload]] map, like [[Badwater Basin]] (offering longer sight lines) or [[Upward]] (offering more [[ambushing]] and [[Environmental death|environmental hazards]]), is a good place to work on many Contracts.
 
** Pushing the Payload Cart is a quick way to rack up the points for many of the "Score points" Primary Objectives.
 
** The more or less continuous and slowly moving clustering of teammates and enemies around [[Medic]]s, [[Engineer]] nests, and the Payload Cart provide many extended opportunities to work on the Bonus Objectives.
 
** The cycling between attacking and defending rounds on Payload maps suit Objectives with Offense and Defense restrictions.
 
** The timing of players rushing through known narrow areas is more predicable for traps and ambushes.
 
 
 
* Alternatively, many of the same Contracts can be also worked on [[Control Point (game mode)|Attack/Defend]] maps, like [[Mountain Lab]] and [[Mercenary Park (map)|Mercenary Park]].
 
** Attack/Defend maps also offer quick pacing between attacking and defending rounds, but the combat can surge less predictably, making it more difficult to stay on a particular technique.
 
** However, Attack/Defend maps do offer convenient point {{botignore|objectives}} to capture or defend in a predictable sequence.
 
 
 
* [[Payload#Payload Race|Payload Race]] and [[Capture the Flag]] maps can present a problem with their potentially unlimited play time, see comments below under [[#Race|Payload Race Contract Objectives]] and [[#Flag|Capture the Flag Contract Objectives]].
 
** However, the extended time of these unlimited modes is perceived as an advantage when attempting [[Domination]]s or grinding 5 kills in a live objectives.
 
  
; {{anchor|Courtesy}} Courtesy Rounds
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; Map choice
* Focusing on a specific {{botignore|objective}} might not be the best tactical contribution you can make to the team during possibly several rounds on the server. After a team has, perhaps unwittingly, helped keep the rounds going for you so you could complete an Objective, you do not have to leave immediately. You can stick around and play fully for the team for another round or two to complete the game for them.
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* Maps with which you are more familiar also mean an easier time to complete non-map contracts. Some maps also provide easy ways of gathering contract points.
* Similarly, consider how others are reacting to your focus on Contract Objectives, as some personalities may attempt to [[Voting|vote kick]] you for not actively playing to the game objectives. To avoid such attention;
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** Pushing the [[Payload]] Cart is a quick way to rack up the points for many of the "Score points" primary objectives.
** Push the cart when you can.
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** The cycling between attacking and defending rounds on Payload maps and [[Control Point (game mode)|Attack/Defend]] maps suit objectives with offense and defense restrictions.
** [[Spy checking|Spy-check]] for the Medic.
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** Maps such as [[Standin]] and [[DeGroot Keep]] have control points which can be captured multiple times in a single round.
** Monitor capture progress and assist with completing captures.
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* [[Payload#Payload Race|Payload Race]] and [[Capture the Flag]] maps can present a problem with their potentially unlimited play time. However, the unlimited time can work as an advantage for objectives that take a long time.
** Alternate the rounds in which you work on contracts, so you can help your team.
 
  
 
== {{anchor|Primary Objectives}} Objectives ==
 
== {{anchor|Primary Objectives}} Objectives ==
* Many Contract Objectives are similar to requirements for certain [[Achievements]] -- good advice for obtaining a particular Achievement is also good for completing a similar Contract Objective. ''See [[Obtaining Achievements]].''
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=== General objectives ===
 
 
=== General Objectives ===
 
; [[Scoreboard|Score points]] / Score points as <[[Classes|Class]]> / Score points on <[[List of maps|Map]]>
 
* Generally, an action that earns points for Bonus Objectives ''also'' counts as "Score points ...". You can use this to your advantage when you can and work on Bonus Objectives before you finish the Primary Objective.
 
* Pushing the Payload Cart while it is not being attacked and while continuously [[Spy checking]] (you can do this on [[Badwater Basin]] or [[Swiftwater]], but not on [[Upward]]) is a very fast and rewarding way to score points as <Class>.
 
 
 
 
; Be [[Scoreboard#Points|MVP]] as <Class>
 
; Be [[Scoreboard#Points|MVP]] as <Class>
* Spending a lot of time pushing the Payload can earn enough points for any "Be MVP as <Class>", as previously mentioned.<!-- this is crucial for earning points from pushing. You can gain a lot of points when pushing the cart, especially when pushing with your team. -->
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* Spending a lot of time pushing the Payload can earn enough points for any "Be MVP as <Class>".
** Do not push the Payload cart alone, or too far ahead of your team's sustainable defense and range.
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** Do not push the Payload cart too far ahead as it results in your team having a hard time reaching it.
** If the enemy has stopped your team from advancing, watch your HUD and [[Glossary of player terms#Tap|tap the Cart]] ''after'' the timer runs out to gain a guaranteed point.
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* Medic is a good class for building high score, especially if you are good at staying alive, and building and popping effective [[ÜberCharge]]s. You can also help push the cart or capture control points.
 
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** Additionally, during [[Setup time]], you can heal teammates and activate the ÜberCharge repeatedly. You can score 4-8 points during the setup time, and do this repeatedly on maps with several stages. This can easily add up for a large amount of points.
* The objective "Be MVP as <Class>" can count as playing as the <Class> if you switch to the <Class> just before end of the round after having earned the top score with a different class. The class you switch from should be a class you are good at.
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** ''Step away from the cart.'' When the cart is near the enemy, you should attempt to gain points by killing the enemies near the cart or healing your allies.
** Be sure to switch to <Class> before the timer reaches the last 15 seconds of the match, or no CP is awarded.
 
** If you join a server while a game is ongoing, you may be so far down in points that focusing on MVP is an unreasonable goal, given the remaining time. What you ''can'' do is take the opportunity to [[#Courtesy|show full team support]] until the start of the next game.
 
 
 
* Medic is a good Class for building high score, especially if you are good at staying alive, and building and popping effective ÜberCharges. You can also help push the Cart or capture points, but only after they have been cleared out by your team beforehand.
 
** Additionally, during [[Setup time]], you can heal teammates and activate the [[ÜberCharge]] repeatedly. You can score 4-8 points during Setup, and do this repeatedly on maps with several stages. This can easily add up for a large amount of points.
 
** ''Step away from the Cart.'' When the Cart is near the enemy, you should attempt to gain points by killing the enemies near the cart or healing your allies.
 
  
 
; Get a kill on offense / Get # kills in a single life ... / [[Domination|Dominate]] a player as <Class>
 
; Get a kill on offense / Get # kills in a single life ... / [[Domination|Dominate]] a player as <Class>
* The secret to getting old is to not die: The primary way to complete these Objectives is to avoid getting killed while killing, a [[w:George Silver|fundamental fighting principle<!-- Silver's Paradoxes of Defense (1599) -->]].
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* The primary way to complete these objectives is to avoid getting killed while killing. Avoid being near places that are going to draw enemy fire, like an Engineer nest.
* [[w:Niven's laws#Niven's Laws (from Known Space)|''Niven's First Law'']]: Do not draw enemy fire. Also, do not stand next to someone or something that is going to draw enemy fire, like an Engineer nest.
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* Keep in mind that dominations are not reset when the final capture point of a map is captured, unless the map changes.
* Are your one-two kills short of the objective when Final is capped? Get it on the next stage or round. Kills in a life and kills going towards dominations do not reset between stages or rounds. It is highly recommended that you work on these Objectives on long, multi-staged maps, like [[Gold Rush]], [[Hoodoo]], or [[Dustbowl]].
 
* Play conservatively and stay near teammates for protection.
 
 
* Do not play in the front of the group. Avoid close contact with the enemy, if you can. Let your strongest allies, like [[Heavy|Heavies]], take and deal most of the damage while you finish the enemies off.
 
* Do not play in the front of the group. Avoid close contact with the enemy, if you can. Let your strongest allies, like [[Heavy|Heavies]], take and deal most of the damage while you finish the enemies off.
 
* Hang around a Medic that plays safe in the rear or, if your team does not have one, play as a Medic yourself.
 
* Hang around a Medic that plays safe in the rear or, if your team does not have one, play as a Medic yourself.
 
** Keep the Medic safe from Spies, Scouts, and Pyros, and the Medic should keep you alive.
 
** Keep the Medic safe from Spies, Scouts, and Pyros, and the Medic should keep you alive.
** Most of the enemies that make it back to rear with the Medics are easily killed Scouts and Spies. Sometimes, you can find already damaged Demomen and Soldiers. Try to look for such players that are repeatedly trying to penetrate your team to kill and destroy Medics or Engineers and their nests, and learn the flank routes they usually take.
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** Most of the enemies that make it back to rear with the Medics are easily killed Scouts and Spies. Sometimes, you can find injured Demomen and Soldiers. Try to look for such players that are repeatedly trying to penetrate your team to kill and destroy Medics or Engineers and their nests, and learn the flank routes they usually take.
** Take the ÜberCharge if offered. If it can help you complete your kills, and help the team, it is probably worth using the Übercharge.
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** Take the ÜberCharge if offered. If it can help you complete your kills, and help the team, it is probably worth using the ÜberCharge.
 
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* Learn to recognize pushes and stay out of their way. Especially, give ground to ÜberCharge pushes, but look for an opportunity to get in on the kill when the ÜberCharge wears off with the Medic and pocket in a bad position.
* Learn to recognize pushes and stay out of their way. Especially, give ground to ÜberCharge pushes, but look for an opportunity to get in on the kill when the ÜberCharge wears off with the Medic and Pocket in a bad position.
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* Learn the Sniper's positions and avoid their lines. Try to always be on the move.
* Learn the Sniper camps and avoid their lines. Do not [[Media:Sniper_specialcompleted45.wav|stand still]].
 
 
* Even when hanging out in back, avoid playing where you can get flanked or ambushed.
 
* Even when hanging out in back, avoid playing where you can get flanked or ambushed.
* Equip with items that help you get [[Critical hits#Crit Boost|Crit-Boosts]] (e.g., [[Crit-a-Cola]] or [[Phlogistinator]]) or help you get [[Kill assist]]s (e.g., [[Buff Banner]] or [[Battalion's Backup]]).
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* Equip with items that help you get [[Critical hits#Crit Boost|Crit boosts]] (e.g., [[Crit-a-Cola]] or [[Phlogistinator]]) or help you get [[kill assist]]s (e.g., [[Buff Banner]] or [[Battalion's Backup]]).
* Teaming with a Medic for well-timed ÜberCharges with the [[Kritzkrieg]] or [[Vaccinator]] can help you with killing sprees, especially with the Vaccinator's resistances.
 
  
; {{Anchor|Capture}} Capture/Pillage<!-- DeGroot --> a [[Control point (objective)|Control Point]] / Capture an objective
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; {{Anchor|Capture}} Capture/Pillage<!-- DeGroot Keep --> a [[Control point (objective)|Control Point]] / Capture an objective
* Hang back from the front of your team, but be supportive. You can do more than just capping a point, such as killing enemies or defending. Watch the [[Heads-up display#Bottom center|HUD]] for your team's progress on the capture and help to capture when it seems imminent.
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* Hang back from the front of your team, but be supportive. You can do more than just capping a point, such as killing enemies or defending. Watch the HUD for your team's progress on the capture point and help to capture when it seems imminent.
 
* As a Demoman or Soldier, carry the [[Pain Train]]. The increased capture rate helps capture the points faster.
 
* As a Demoman or Soldier, carry the [[Pain Train]]. The increased capture rate helps capture the points faster.
* Consider playing on [[DeGroot Keep]] as the capture time is pretty short and the same control points can be captured multiple times in a single round if the timer for the final control point runs out.
 
  
 
; {{Anchor|Defend}} Defend/Safeguard<!-- DeGroot --> a Control Point / Defend an objective
 
; {{Anchor|Defend}} Defend/Safeguard<!-- DeGroot --> a Control Point / Defend an objective
 
* To score the points for defending the point, the HUD must show that the enemy is capping, as well as you have to complete the kill while the enemy you are killing is still in the capture zone.
 
* To score the points for defending the point, the HUD must show that the enemy is capping, as well as you have to complete the kill while the enemy you are killing is still in the capture zone.
* Hang back around the point out of sight as a Pyro, Soldier, [[Demoknight]], [[Back Scatter]] Scout, or Spy.
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* Hang back around the point out of sight as a Pyro, Soldier, Demoknight, [[Back Scatter]] Scout, or Spy. Ambush the capturing players.
* Watch the HUD and listen to the [[Announcer]] for signs of a ''committed'' capture attempt.
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* Often, capturing players can get out of the capture zone if they see you coming, preventing you from getting the kill to count as a defense. Also, running headlong into a capturing player is highly unlikely to succeed.
* Often, capturing players can tend to get out of the capture zone if they see you coming, preventing you from getting the kill to count as a defense. Also, running headlong into a capturing Heavy or Soldier is highly unlikely to succeed.
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** If you can, look for quick kills. Try to sneak up behind enemies for surprise kills.
** If you can, look for quick kills. Try to sneak up behind enemies for surprise kills, hence the suggestion for the [[Backburner]], Back Scatter, or [[Backstab]]s.
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** Timing a Phlogistinator or other Crit boost effects can help with completing the kill while the target is on the point.
** Timing a Phlogistinator or other Crit-Boost effects can help with completing the kill while the target is on the point.
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** Set up traps with the Stickybomb Launcher around a capture point or under a Payload cart, and detonate them for quick kills the moment the HUD displays a capture attempt.
** Set up traps with the Stickybomb Launcher around a Capture Point or under a Payload, and detonate them for quick kills the moment the HUD displays a capture attempt.
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* If the capping force is stronger than you, wait for help.a
* If the capping force is stronger than you, wait for help.
 
 
 
=== Mode Objectives ===
 
==== {{Anchor|Flag}} [[Capture the Flag]] Contract Objectives ====
 
* The problem with Capture the Flag games is the fact that there is no time limit. If there is a strong set of Engineer nests and the other players are not skilled enough to take them down, or are not really interested playing to the game objective, you can end up with a fully finished Contract that you cannot turn in for a quite a long time.
 
** Consider avoiding CTF maps unless you are working on CTF-only Objectives.
 
** Early in a new round, get a feeling for the players and their game: if it looks like the Intelligence is not being captured, or, worse yet, you are warned not to capture it, leave the game and try another server before you make any progress on your Contract.
 
  
* If you get stuck on a CTF with a lot of pending progress on your Contract and the nests are not falling, switch to Medic, find a reliable Pocket, and start breaking down the nests.
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=== Game mode objectives ===
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==== {{Anchor|Flag}} [[Capture the Flag]] contract objectives ====
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* If you get stuck on a CTF with a lot of pending progress on your Contract and the nests are not falling, switch to Medic, find a reliable pocket, and start breaking down the nests.
 
** This usually requires repeated ÜberCharges, so become good at [[ÜberCharge strategy|building ÜberCharges]].
 
** This usually requires repeated ÜberCharges, so become good at [[ÜberCharge strategy|building ÜberCharges]].
** In compensation for the lack of a time limit, the map is set to build ÜberCharges faster the longer the round lasts.
 
 
** It is possible that you will get help from others that want opportunities to capture the Intelligence for their Contracts.
 
** It is possible that you will get help from others that want opportunities to capture the Intelligence for their Contracts.
  
==== [[King of the Hill]]/[[Control Point (game mode)|Control Point]]/[[DeGroot Keep]] Objectives ====
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==== [[PASS Time]] contract objectives ====
:''See [[#Capture|Capture an objective]] and [[#Defend|Defend an objective]] above.''
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; Make an interception in PASS Time
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* Where most of the players in a cluster fight over the JACK are going to be Scouts, a Pyro has a particular advantage.
 +
* Hide near enemy players as a Scout and run in as soon as they pass.
  
==== [[PASS Time]] Contract Objectives ====
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==== {{Anchor|Race}} [[Payload#Payload Race|Payload Race]] contract objectives / [[Payload]] contract objectives ====
; Make an interception in PASS time
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; Push the Payload Cart
* Picking up a loose JACK dropped by or knocked from an enemy seems to count as an interception:
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* Contract points for pushing the cart are awarded every so often, avoid pushing the cart in small increments as it does not award any contract points.
** Where most of the players in a cluster fight over the JACK are going to be Scouts, a Pyro has a particular advantage.
 
** A [[Powerjack]] Pyro can follow the carrier into a cluster of enemies to try to pick up the JACK in the fight.
 
  
==== [[Payload]] Contract Objectives ====
 
; Push the Payload Cart
 
* On Upward, you have to push the Cart 5 times farther to earn pushing points than on other Payload maps.
 
 
; Kill an enemy pushing the cart
 
; Kill an enemy pushing the cart
* Maps with confined spaces along the track, like [[Upward]], can bunch the enemy up close to the Cart for [[Phlogistinator]] or [[Backburner]] ambushes.
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* Maps with confined spaces along the track, like [[Upward]], can bunch the enemy up close to the Cart for Phlogistinator or Backburner ambushes.
* Maps with long straight sections, like [[Hoodoo]] or [[Gold Rush]], might be preferred by Soldier and Sniper mains.
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* Maps with long straight sections, like [[Hoodoo]] or [[Gold Rush]], might be preferred by Soldiers and Snipers.
  
==== {{Anchor|Race}} [[Payload#Payload Race|Payload Race]] Contract Objectives ====
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=== Class objectives ===
* As with Capture the Flag maps, the problem with Payload Race games is the fact that there is no time limit; so go with the same advice.
 
** Consider avoiding Payload Race maps unless you are working on Objectives specifically designed for Payload Race.
 
** A particular problem is [[Hightower]], as it is particularly used by players that want never-ending game rounds.
 
*** Being [[Voting|vote kicked]] just for trying to win the round is a real possibility if you end up with such players.
 
*** [[Banana Bay]] generally has less of a problem with this.
 
** Particularly, when joining a game, test the Cart; watch and listen for players telling you not to push the cart, and leave the game if it looks like pushing the cart seems to be a problem.
 
** Otherwise, it may be just up to you to ride the Cart to the top, so time it well.
 
 
 
=== Class Objectives ===
 
 
; Kill while blast jumping as Soldier
 
; Kill while blast jumping as Soldier
* The [[Market Gardener]] and [[Air Strike]] are great weapons to use for fulfilling this Objective.
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* The [[Market Gardener]] and [[Air Strike]] are great weapons to use for fulfilling this objective.
 
* Deploying the [[B.A.S.E. Jumper]] makes you airborne for an extended time, lengthening the duration of your blast jumps.
 
* Deploying the [[B.A.S.E. Jumper]] makes you airborne for an extended time, lengthening the duration of your blast jumps.
  
 
; Environment kill as Pyro
 
; Environment kill as Pyro
* [[Upward]] offers several wide [[Environmental death#Pitfalls|Pitfalls]] close to either the Cart's route or flank paths.
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* Maps such as Upward, [[Thunder Mountain]], or [[Hightower]] offer [[Environmental death#Pitfalls|pitfalls]] close to either the cart's route or flank paths. [[Compression blast|Airblasting]] players into these are easy environmental kills.
* On [[Thunder Mountain]], the Payload passes near cliffs at the start of Stage A and near the second checkpoint of Stage C. These are ideal for getting environmental kills when the enemy clusters at those points.
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* Weapons with increased airblast cost, such as the [[Degreaser]] or Backburner, are ill-suited for this objective.
* Do not equip with the Backburner, as you only get a maximum of 4 [[Compression blast|Airblasts]] before having to acquire more ammo.
 
  
 
; Get an assist with an Ubered teammate / Assist in destroying a sentry while Ubered
 
; Get an assist with an Ubered teammate / Assist in destroying a sentry while Ubered
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* A potential technique for this is nesting on the Deck of [[Banana Bay]], outside of each spawn room.
 
* A potential technique for this is nesting on the Deck of [[Banana Bay]], outside of each spawn room.
 
** Partner with another Engineer and keep two Sentry Guns on the left ledge. You may have to replace a Sentry from time to time, but the idea is to use the security of the Deck to stay alive long enough to get a domination.
 
** Partner with another Engineer and keep two Sentry Guns on the left ledge. You may have to replace a Sentry from time to time, but the idea is to use the security of the Deck to stay alive long enough to get a domination.
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* Using the [[Frontier Justice]] together with the [[Gunslinger]] allows for quicker single-target elimination.
  
 
=== Weapon Objectives ===
 
=== Weapon Objectives ===
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'''Mercenary Park:'''
 
'''Mercenary Park:'''
 
; The Amputator
 
; The Amputator
* This contract is particularly difficult to 3-star without cooperation from teammates, particularly with the "Heal 250 health within 1 second" Objective. In general, completion of this contract requires what might generally be considered "bad tactics"; so, take care to otherwise contribute to the team.
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* The [[Healing#Healing and ÜberCharge rates|heal rate]] increases the longer the targets have gone without taking damage, up to 72 health per second after 15 seconds. At the highest [[Glossary of player terms#Crit Heal|crit heal]] rate, at least three heavily-injured teammates are needed to achieve 250 health per second.
** As the base rate for the Amputator is only 24 health per second, the ''entire'' team has to be injured ''and'' within taunt range in order to score against the Objective in the midst of combat.
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** Though it may seem like a good idea to work on this contract on DeGroot Keep, be advised that there are very few places to taunt safely.
** The [[Healing#Healing and ÜberCharge rates|heal rate]] increases the longer the targets have gone more than 10 seconds without taking damage, up to at least 72 health per second after 15 seconds. At that highest [[Glossary of player terms#Crit Heal|Crit Heal]] rate, at least three heavily injured teammates are needed to achieve 250 health per second (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V0CDW9BAKA How to do The Amputator Contract]).
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* Standing near a corner that teammates retreat to when injured can help towards healing 250 health in one second.
** It is not rare to see Soldiers and Demomen blast jumping around the spawn room during setup time. Use this opportunity to progress the Bonus Objective, but arrange for them to stop injuring themselves long enough for the 15 seconds to lapse.
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* You do not need the Amputator to get points for the "Heal 3000 health in a single life" objective, but it is not as straight forward as it may seem. Overheal does not count towards this objective.
** The taunting Objective can be completed by healing a low-health teammate (if you have a friend assisting you, they can self-damage using rockets or similar explosives - fall damage works fine too) with the [[Quick-Fix]] and activating your [[ÜberCharge]]. Make sure to wait 15 seconds between them last taking damage and beginning healing. (A smart location to do this is on a map with a way to hurt yourself in the spawn room. In the [[Egypt]] RED Spawn, the Heavy can jump up the crates onto the Resupply locker and into one of the flames -- the flame can easily get a Heavy to very low health amounts without having to worry about the enemy team, which is perfect for completing this objective).
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** Focus on staying alive for as long as possible and healing teammates that are not already at full health. The [[Crusader's Crossbow]] can be very useful for this with very large burst healing.
** Though it may seem like a good idea to work on this Contract in [[DeGroot Keep]], be advised that there are very few places to taunt safely.
 
 
 
* You do not need the Amputator to get the first Bonus Objective<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlBMzxNHMn0 Video proof]</ref>, which reads "Heal 3000 health in a single life", but it is not as straight forward as it may seem. It seems it only counts if your teammate has lost life, and you heal the life they lost; healing teammates at full health does not count towards the Objective.
 
** Focus on staying alive for as long as possible and healing teammates that are not already at full health. The [[Crusader's Crossbow]] can be very useful for this, so make sure you use it if you can.
 
  
 
; The Direct Hit
 
; The Direct Hit
* Consider equipping the [[Buff Banner]] if you have selected this weapon for your ''Offense Weapons 2'' Contract. The Buff Banner provides on-demand Mini-Crits, thus allowing you to quickly obtain Mini-Crit kills (rather than solely relying on air-shots from the Direct Hit).
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* Consider equipping the [[Buff Banner]], its on-demand Mini-Crits allow you to quickly obtain Mini-Crit kills (rather than solely relying on airshots from the Direct Hit).
* The Mini-Crit kills Bonus Objective does not require using the Direct Hit. The [[Cow Mangler 5000]] provides a good alternative, since any Crit-boosts received are downgraded to Mini-Crits.
 
  
 
; The Flare Gun
 
; The Flare Gun
* Crit kills as Pyro: Use your [[Flame Thrower]] at the enemy for 1-2 seconds, then quickly switch to the previously equipped Flare Gun {{DK|Q}} and use it for the Crit. This ''usually'' kills most classes, provided you deal enough damage with the Flame Thrower.
+
* Burn enemies with your [[Flame Thrower]] for 1-2 seconds, then quickly switch to the Flare Gun {{DK|Q}} and use it to score a Crit. This ''usually'' kills most classes, provided you deal enough damage with the Flame Thrower. The Degreaser's increased switch speed allows you to hit the flare earlier.
* Get 5 Flare Gun kills: Assist kills count as as well; find a Battle Engie and help out. Focus on the target that the mini-sentry is shooting at.
 
  
 
; Jarate
 
; Jarate
* This contract is easily completed by killing with the [[Sydney Sleeper]].
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* Throw Jarate on enemies that are already fighting your teammates for easy assists.
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* Avoid throwing Jarate on enemies that are in a position to easily retreat or near [[water]] to wash it off.
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* The [[Bushwacka]] pairs particularly well with the Jarate due to its guaranteed Critical hits.
  
 
; Loose Cannon
 
; Loose Cannon
* Double Donks and Loose Cannon Kills: On defense on Payload maps, stand off at ideal range from a blind turn or doorway where Players are channeled into a narrower path straight towards you, like a [[chokepoint]].
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* On defense on Payload maps, stand off at an ideal range from a blind turn or doorway where players are channeled into a narrower path straight towards you, like a [[chokepoint]] for easy Double Donks.
  
;The Phlogistinator
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; The Phlogistinator
* Focusing on completing the Objective of 5 kills while Mmmph'd in a single life definitely completes the other two Objectives.
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* Focusing on completing the objective of 5 kills while Mmmph'd in a single life also completes the other two objectives.
* You are very unlikely to survive any attempt to obtain 5 kills off of one Mmmph; you not only have to survive at least one Mmmph to get to 5 kills in one life, but you also have to survive building two ''or more'' complete Mmmphs.
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* Getting five kills off a single Mmmph is unlikely, it is best to get one or two kills before retreating to avoid dying.
* Ideally, time your Mmmph to go in with another player who can draw fire off of you.
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* Time your Mmmph to go in with another player who can draw fire off of you.
* Do not get greedy when burning the Mmmph; jump out, get a kill or two, then get back under cover.
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* Taunt with your back to the wall and while hidden to avoid backstabs and headshots.
* [[Spy checking|Spy-check]] as much as possible.
 
 
* Build your Mmmphs carefully, work towards the back of your team, and follow behind others making attacks or defending.
 
* Build your Mmmphs carefully, work towards the back of your team, and follow behind others making attacks or defending.
** Rely on your various {{botignore|flare}} weapons for building Mmmph, firing on clusters of players at longer ranges. A great weapon to use for this is the [[Scorch Shot]], because of the flare's detonation on contact with the ground.
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** Rely on your various {{botignore|flare}} secondary weapons for building Mmmph, firing on clusters of players at longer ranges. A great weapon to use for this is the [[Scorch Shot]] or [[Detonator]] because of the ability to hit multiple enemies at once with their explosions.
* [[Hoodoo]] is an example of a map that clusters players together at predictable chokepoints, both for the purposes of building Mmmphs and getting multiple kills off of expended Mmmphs.
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* Ambushing many enemies on an objective such as a Payload cart or a control point.
 
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** Hoodoo is an example of a map that clusters players together at predictable chokepoints, both for the purposes of building Mmmphs and getting multiple kills while using the Mmmph.
== References ==
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* Consider working together with a [[Medic]] to give you an ÜberCharge while using Mmmph. The [[Powerjack]] can be useful for running faster towards retreating enemy players.
<references/>
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* The [[Thermal Thruster]] allows you to safely taunt in your own territory, then jump onto unsuspecting enemies.
  
 
[[Category:Contracts]]
 
[[Category:Contracts]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]

Revision as of 17:30, 3 September 2025

Contract strategy
The Shotgun Contract 01.png
"The Shotgun" Contract of the Jungle Inferno Mercenary Park Contract set.

This article is about contracts strategy for completing Primary and Bonus Objectives of Contracts using the ConTracker.

General Strategy (All Contracts)

See also: ConTracker Instructions, Halloween Contracts strategy
  • Be sure to consider the objectives when selecting one of three alternate contracts (e.g., the choice of Alternative Mode) as there are significant differences in difficulty between alternate contracts, and your favorite weapon, mode, or class might not have the "easy" objectives.
  • It is possible to turn in any contract by completing only one objective, primary or bonus; but once your last star has been used to activate a contract, at least one objective must be completed and turned in on that contract before you can activate any other. Turning in a few extra bonus objectives gives you more flexibility in queuing up for maps as well as the ability to change the active contract.
  • Usually, the action of at least one of the two bonus objectives is relatively easier to perform, and often enables you to earn contract points and complete the primary objective at an accelerated rate. Contract points earned from bonus objectives before the primary objective is completed are counted as double, sometimes a few CP more than double. Focusing on particular ponus objectives can speed you through the contract.
  • Remember that contracts should not be a detriment to your team. Leaving immediately after completing a contract, ignoring the objective to complete your contract, or not doing helping out your team (such as not healing certain targets as Medic or not destroying Engineer buildings as Spy) leaves your team at a disadvantage.
Friendly-Fire
Main article: Friendly-Fire
  • Friendly-Fire can greatly accelerate the completion of Objectives. A friend who is an expert at a weapon or class can use Friendly-Fire to help you with contracts you are struggling with.
Map choice
  • Maps with which you are more familiar also mean an easier time to complete non-map contracts. Some maps also provide easy ways of gathering contract points.
    • Pushing the Payload Cart is a quick way to rack up the points for many of the "Score points" primary objectives.
    • The cycling between attacking and defending rounds on Payload maps and Attack/Defend maps suit objectives with offense and defense restrictions.
    • Maps such as Standin and DeGroot Keep have control points which can be captured multiple times in a single round.
  • Payload Race and Capture the Flag maps can present a problem with their potentially unlimited play time. However, the unlimited time can work as an advantage for objectives that take a long time.

Objectives

General objectives

Be MVP as <Class>
  • Spending a lot of time pushing the Payload can earn enough points for any "Be MVP as <Class>".
    • Do not push the Payload cart too far ahead as it results in your team having a hard time reaching it.
  • Medic is a good class for building high score, especially if you are good at staying alive, and building and popping effective ÜberCharges. You can also help push the cart or capture control points.
    • Additionally, during Setup time, you can heal teammates and activate the ÜberCharge repeatedly. You can score 4-8 points during the setup time, and do this repeatedly on maps with several stages. This can easily add up for a large amount of points.
    • Step away from the cart. When the cart is near the enemy, you should attempt to gain points by killing the enemies near the cart or healing your allies.
Get a kill on offense / Get # kills in a single life ... / Dominate a player as <Class>
  • The primary way to complete these objectives is to avoid getting killed while killing. Avoid being near places that are going to draw enemy fire, like an Engineer nest.
  • Keep in mind that dominations are not reset when the final capture point of a map is captured, unless the map changes.
  • Do not play in the front of the group. Avoid close contact with the enemy, if you can. Let your strongest allies, like Heavies, take and deal most of the damage while you finish the enemies off.
  • Hang around a Medic that plays safe in the rear or, if your team does not have one, play as a Medic yourself.
    • Keep the Medic safe from Spies, Scouts, and Pyros, and the Medic should keep you alive.
    • Most of the enemies that make it back to rear with the Medics are easily killed Scouts and Spies. Sometimes, you can find injured Demomen and Soldiers. Try to look for such players that are repeatedly trying to penetrate your team to kill and destroy Medics or Engineers and their nests, and learn the flank routes they usually take.
    • Take the ÜberCharge if offered. If it can help you complete your kills, and help the team, it is probably worth using the ÜberCharge.
  • Learn to recognize pushes and stay out of their way. Especially, give ground to ÜberCharge pushes, but look for an opportunity to get in on the kill when the ÜberCharge wears off with the Medic and pocket in a bad position.
  • Learn the Sniper's positions and avoid their lines. Try to always be on the move.
  • Even when hanging out in back, avoid playing where you can get flanked or ambushed.
  • Equip with items that help you get Crit boosts (e.g., Crit-a-Cola or Phlogistinator) or help you get kill assists (e.g., Buff Banner or Battalion's Backup).
Capture/Pillage a Control Point / Capture an objective
  • Hang back from the front of your team, but be supportive. You can do more than just capping a point, such as killing enemies or defending. Watch the HUD for your team's progress on the capture point and help to capture when it seems imminent.
  • As a Demoman or Soldier, carry the Pain Train. The increased capture rate helps capture the points faster.
Defend/Safeguard a Control Point / Defend an objective
  • To score the points for defending the point, the HUD must show that the enemy is capping, as well as you have to complete the kill while the enemy you are killing is still in the capture zone.
  • Hang back around the point out of sight as a Pyro, Soldier, Demoknight, Back Scatter Scout, or Spy. Ambush the capturing players.
  • Often, capturing players can get out of the capture zone if they see you coming, preventing you from getting the kill to count as a defense. Also, running headlong into a capturing player is highly unlikely to succeed.
    • If you can, look for quick kills. Try to sneak up behind enemies for surprise kills.
    • Timing a Phlogistinator or other Crit boost effects can help with completing the kill while the target is on the point.
    • Set up traps with the Stickybomb Launcher around a capture point or under a Payload cart, and detonate them for quick kills the moment the HUD displays a capture attempt.
  • If the capping force is stronger than you, wait for help.a

Game mode objectives

Capture the Flag contract objectives

  • If you get stuck on a CTF with a lot of pending progress on your Contract and the nests are not falling, switch to Medic, find a reliable pocket, and start breaking down the nests.
    • This usually requires repeated ÜberCharges, so become good at building ÜberCharges.
    • It is possible that you will get help from others that want opportunities to capture the Intelligence for their Contracts.

PASS Time contract objectives

Make an interception in PASS Time
  • Where most of the players in a cluster fight over the JACK are going to be Scouts, a Pyro has a particular advantage.
  • Hide near enemy players as a Scout and run in as soon as they pass.

Payload Race contract objectives / Payload contract objectives

Push the Payload Cart
  • Contract points for pushing the cart are awarded every so often, avoid pushing the cart in small increments as it does not award any contract points.
Kill an enemy pushing the cart
  • Maps with confined spaces along the track, like Upward, can bunch the enemy up close to the Cart for Phlogistinator or Backburner ambushes.
  • Maps with long straight sections, like Hoodoo or Gold Rush, might be preferred by Soldiers and Snipers.

Class objectives

Kill while blast jumping as Soldier
  • The Market Gardener and Air Strike are great weapons to use for fulfilling this objective.
  • Deploying the B.A.S.E. Jumper makes you airborne for an extended time, lengthening the duration of your blast jumps.
Environment kill as Pyro
  • Maps such as Upward, Thunder Mountain, or Hightower offer pitfalls close to either the cart's route or flank paths. Airblasting players into these are easy environmental kills.
  • Weapons with increased airblast cost, such as the Degreaser or Backburner, are ill-suited for this objective.
Get an assist with an Ubered teammate / Assist in destroying a sentry while Ubered
  • Only the stock Medi Gun's ÜberCharge counts towards progress for this Objective.
Dominate a player as Engineer
  • A potential technique for this is nesting on the Deck of Banana Bay, outside of each spawn room.
    • Partner with another Engineer and keep two Sentry Guns on the left ledge. You may have to replace a Sentry from time to time, but the idea is to use the security of the Deck to stay alive long enough to get a domination.
  • Using the Frontier Justice together with the Gunslinger allows for quicker single-target elimination.

Weapon Objectives

Pyroland:

See Pyroland Contracts Strategy.

Mercenary Park:

The Amputator
  • The heal rate increases the longer the targets have gone without taking damage, up to 72 health per second after 15 seconds. At the highest crit heal rate, at least three heavily-injured teammates are needed to achieve 250 health per second.
    • Though it may seem like a good idea to work on this contract on DeGroot Keep, be advised that there are very few places to taunt safely.
  • Standing near a corner that teammates retreat to when injured can help towards healing 250 health in one second.
  • You do not need the Amputator to get points for the "Heal 3000 health in a single life" objective, but it is not as straight forward as it may seem. Overheal does not count towards this objective.
    • Focus on staying alive for as long as possible and healing teammates that are not already at full health. The Crusader's Crossbow can be very useful for this with very large burst healing.
The Direct Hit
  • Consider equipping the Buff Banner, its on-demand Mini-Crits allow you to quickly obtain Mini-Crit kills (rather than solely relying on airshots from the Direct Hit).
The Flare Gun
  • Burn enemies with your Flame Thrower for 1-2 seconds, then quickly switch to the Flare Gun (default key:   Q) and use it to score a Crit. This usually kills most classes, provided you deal enough damage with the Flame Thrower. The Degreaser's increased switch speed allows you to hit the flare earlier.
Jarate
  • Throw Jarate on enemies that are already fighting your teammates for easy assists.
  • Avoid throwing Jarate on enemies that are in a position to easily retreat or near water to wash it off.
  • The Bushwacka pairs particularly well with the Jarate due to its guaranteed Critical hits.
Loose Cannon
  • On defense on Payload maps, stand off at an ideal range from a blind turn or doorway where players are channeled into a narrower path straight towards you, like a chokepoint for easy Double Donks.
The Phlogistinator
  • Focusing on completing the objective of 5 kills while Mmmph'd in a single life also completes the other two objectives.
  • Getting five kills off a single Mmmph is unlikely, it is best to get one or two kills before retreating to avoid dying.
  • Time your Mmmph to go in with another player who can draw fire off of you.
  • Taunt with your back to the wall and while hidden to avoid backstabs and headshots.
  • Build your Mmmphs carefully, work towards the back of your team, and follow behind others making attacks or defending.
    • Rely on your various flare secondary weapons for building Mmmph, firing on clusters of players at longer ranges. A great weapon to use for this is the Scorch Shot or Detonator because of the ability to hit multiple enemies at once with their explosions.
  • Ambushing many enemies on an objective such as a Payload cart or a control point.
    • Hoodoo is an example of a map that clusters players together at predictable chokepoints, both for the purposes of building Mmmphs and getting multiple kills while using the Mmmph.
  • Consider working together with a Medic to give you an ÜberCharge while using Mmmph. The Powerjack can be useful for running faster towards retreating enemy players.
  • The Thermal Thruster allows you to safely taunt in your own territory, then jump onto unsuspecting enemies.