Before we get started with individual classes, I want to tell you some tricks that apply to every character.

If you start taking rapid damage right after you come around a corner, identify what it is while backing up, and go back to cover. If there was a bright orange flare before you ran away, it was a Pyro. If it didn't happen immediately, it was probably a Heavy. If it was instant, it was probably a Sentry or a bot Heavy. Call for Medic or get a health pack, then come back ready for the sentry if that's what it was.

Don't try to fight a sentry by yourself if you are under 100 HP or if an Engineer is right on top of it. It does massive damage, and it's almost impossible to take it out before it kills you at 100 HP. If the Engie is right on top of it, smacking away with the wrench, it will just keep on healing. The only class that could destroy it at that point is Heavy at point blank range, which is not a position a Heavy will find himself in often because of his god-awful mobility.

If an Engineer places down a sentry while fighting you, do not shoot at the sentry until the Engineer is dead. If you manage to destroy the sentry, the Engineer will probably kill you and he can then go on to place another. If you kill the Engineer, you can then go on to destroy the sentry, but even if it kills you, there is no Engineer to heal it, so your team might be able to take it down before the Engineer even respawns!

A fair warning; even if you back out immediately when you pass a level 3 sentry guarding a corner, you can still die before you even have time to react. Being a Scout main, I HATE this. However, also being a Medic main (Medic guide coming soon, will put a link to it when it's out), this is usually happening to my patient, and even though it's heartbreaking, at the same time, well, it's not happening to me! However, on the bright side, when it happens to you it serves as a good warning for your team that there is, in fact, a sentry ahead. Just a fair warning that this tips won't work if you die before you use them. Not saying it's your fault, just saying you might have to wait until you respawn before you use them.

That's all of the tips that apply to all of the classes that I can think of! Now onto the specific class tips.

Now, the part you've been waiting for (not for very long, though); the specific class section on how to fight sentries!

Scout
Scout versus sentry is pretty bad for Scout, but you can make it work if somebody else is distracting it or you're out of its range. If you are out of its range, you can just shoot it with the pistol until it breaks. The reason this is matchup is so bad for Scout is a) because of his low health and b) because Engineers usually place their sentries around corners, and Scout is usually pretty far away from cover by the time he notices the sentry, which means he takes more damage.

Soldier
You have the second most health in the game, so you have a good chance of surviving a sentry ambush. Get to a health pack afterwards, then use the corners to your advantage by peeking around a corner, firing a rocket, and then hiding again. Repeat until the sentry dies. If you're out of its range, just shoot it with rockets until it breaks, as rockets don't lose power the further they travel. If you have it, use the direct hit (not getting a direct hit, the alternate gun) to kill the sentry faster and more efficiently.

Pyro
Pyro versus Sentry is f***ing amazing for the Pyro if it's a level 3. This is because level threes shoot rockets, which means Pyro can airblast them right back the the sentry due to how easy they are to see coming. He has a moderate amount of health, but it's usually enough to get away from a sentry ambush. I will warn you that his flamethrower isn't great for taking out sentries or any Engineer building, so trying to head-on assault it likely won't lead to anything good. If you have a Flare Gun, Detonator, or Scorch Shot, you can camp the thing if you are out of range.

Demoman
Arguably the best class for taking out sentries, his explosives let him destroy the sentry without even looking at it. The sentry doesn't destroy stickybombs, so you can just pile them right next to it and then blow them all up. He has a moderate healthpool, so you can get away from sentries before they kill you. Pipe grenades will work well too if you're confident in your aim, as they will 3 shot a level 3 sentry. Try to use corners to your advantage and peek around them, shoot, and then duck back very quickly. I won't put a separate entry for Demoknight, all I'm gonna say is that you should just alert your teammates and let them take care of the sentry.

Heavy
Heavy is very good against sentries due to his massive health pool and even more massive damage output. He can survive long enough to go around a corner, notice it, and then rev up his gun and kill it if he's at short distance. I don't recommend you try that because a) the window is very narrow to get this all done before you die and b) you will be left with next to no health. I recommend you hide, and then come back around the corner with your gun revved up and you tear through it.

Engineer
If you are a regular Engie, you probably won't be encountering enemy sentries very often, but if you do, you aren't in a good spot and you should build your stuff elsewhere. If you are a battle Engie, you should just refer to the Scout section. You have the same weapons that he does, you just don't have the speed he does.



Medic
If you see a sentry as Medic, tell your teammates and let them take care of it. By let them take care of it, I mean heal them while they take care of it. If an ally is under fire from a sentry, heal them! They will be taking a lot of damage, and they might need your help! An overhealed ally can much more easily defeat a sentry than a regular health one. Also, if there are multiple sentries up ahead, farm UberCharge from people who aren't very close to the front lines. Once you get it, use it on a Demoman preferably, but if you can't find one, then a Soldier, Heavy, Pyro, or even Scout can work pretty well. Make sure you wait until they are close to the enemy sentry camp.

Sniper
As Sniper, you probably won't be seeing very many enemy sentries, but if you do, make sure you back up to a good sniping position. This is a good habit to get into anyways as Sniper. Make sure you are out of range, and then you can freely start sniping it. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a head, so it might be a bit of a slow process to destroy it. Hopefully, you aren't running at a sentry as Sniper like a degenerate. That would be dumb. You are the Sniper, not the Dumbass that Runs at People like a Madman Shooting a Machine Gun.

Spy
The Spy has one easy and effective way of taking out sentries: His sapper. The sapper can be placed on enemy Engineer buildings to gradually damage and destroy them. It will also deactivate them while they are being sapped. Engineers can remove the sappers, however, and they will also tell everyone around them about the sapper, which will cause anyone who hears to yell out "Spy!" and then anyone who hears that will yell about it too, and eventually it will get to a Pyro, who will then proceed to make your life miserable. I recommend backstabbing the Engineer as soon as possible after sapping his buildings. Also, sapping them as your allies do a push on the area will be of lots of help to them and will probably result in you crowd surfing on them at the end of the match.

Well, there you have it! How to take out or avoid sentries with every character. I'm not sure if there's anything else to say. I hope this guide helps you in the future. The last tip I have is WORK WITH YOUR TEAM! If you are constantly dying to the same sentry, get a Demoman, Spy, Heavy, or another class good at taking out sentries to help you! Also, make sure you thank them, because even though they don't usually notice when you don't, they appreciate when you do. See you in my Medic guide!