Biggest crutch weapon in TF2 history?

[I love shar]

I'd say pre-nerf Dead Ringer paired with the Diamondback and Spy-cicle.

[ゆのーさん]

Flamethrower

[Antonio Box]

Old old old dead ringer.

[#EuthanizeTF2]

Darwin's Danger Shield, although I feel like L'etranger isn't talked about enough. It's nearly a straight upgrade from stock, and supports Spies that don't have good map knowledge.

[trash]

ye olde dead ringre

[Vlad the Impala]

Any iteration of the Natascha.

[gooooood mewing vietnam!]

the black box

the dead ringer is bad, but bad spies are never more than a vague annoyance anyway

[Amogus]

Originally posted by Staplerfahrer Klaus:

Any iteration of the Natascha.

This is true. It's basically a no skill version of the sandman. Guaranteed slowing on enemies makes a scout a free kill for a heavy.

[God's Chosen Procrastinator]

Originally posted by GAMER Rawhide:

the black box

the dead ringer is bad, but bad spies are never more than a vague annoyance anyway

[Emurinus]

Top 3 across the game's history are the Darwin's Danger Shield, 2009 Dead Ringer, and Natascha. Loch'n'Load and Sandman are next tier.

[NerfPlayeR135]

The Loch-n-Load. People often use it for its increased projectile speed because they can't aim regular grenades.

[Sooper]

Remember the +20% damage backburner?

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by Sooper:

Remember the +20% damage backburner?

Remember the +50hp backburner?

[Sooper]

Originally posted by Staplerfahrer Klaus:

Originally posted by Sooper:

Remember the +20% damage backburner?

Remember the +50hp backburner?

*shudders*
We speak not of those times.

[Uscari]

For me, an objectively better weapon that takes less skill to use isn't necessarily a "crutch". For me a crutch would have to be less effective at the higher skill ceiling. Otherwise it's just an unbalanced weapon.

To me, the biggest crutch is definitely the Huntsman. It's much less effective against a coordinated and competent team, but is significantly easier to use than the Sniper rifle.

Faster Charge time, projectile hitbox, no-scope headshots, and fast projectile speed make this weapon essentially the "spam chokes for easy headshots in pubs" weapon. It's called the "lucksman" because with the firing rate, hitbox, and projectile speed, there is a solid chance that if you spam a corner or choke, you will hit someone's head for an instant kill.

A close second would be the Liberty Launcher, for obvious reasons.

[Sooper]

Originally posted by Uscari:

(1)For me, an objectively better weapon that takes less skill to use isn't necessarily a "crutch"(1) (2)For me a crutch would have to be less effective at the higher skill ceiling.(2) (3)Otherwise it's just an unbalanced weapon.(3)

(1)Correct, the proper term is OP.
(2)Literal definition of a crutch simplified, higher skill floor, lower skill ceiling.
(3)It's an unbalanced weapon anyway.