Bullet-Based Weapons (Hitscan) & Projectile-Based Weapons (Non-Hitscan)

[Anatolia]

As stated in the title above, the amount of weapons that are "hitscan" or "non-hitscan" in nature are one of the various weapons that TF2 has. With the 9 classes, usually, many of the weapons at their disposal either utilizes projectiles, "hitscan", or "weapons" that deal a different effect besides damaging players directly. Such as Jarate & more, for example.

However, while many of these weapons are utilized by each classes with differing attributes, characteristics, & effects, I've seen a few collective of people who've stated that "hitscan" weapons are "superior" than "non-hitscan" weapons. In a way, some have stated that in most situations, bullets are somewhat more effective than other weapons of projectile-based nature when used correctly. At least, in my experience.

Moreover, while I have a neutral stance on the matter, I'd like to ask in regards to the community's thoughts concerning the subject at hand. Does "hitscan" weapons reign over others that are not "hitscan-based"? Are both types of the aforementioned properties useful & effective in their own way & subjected in their own terms? Please state your outlooks below.

[Sbeve]

hitscan weapons: sniper rifle, minigun, sentry, force-a-nature, melee, etc etc.
looks like the hitscan weapons here are mostly damage based except for force a nature which is more knockback based .. let's look at the non hitscan weapons

non hitscan weapons: explosives, jarate, arrows, fire, meem's syringe gun, meem's crossbow arrow, etc etc.
non hitscan weapons look like they're more support/knockback based.

i'd rather say that hitscan weapons are superior in damage output when used CORRECTLY than non hitscan weapons, whilst non hitscan weapons are easier to master for other players.

[Keoul]

Well obviously hitscan weapons win, that's why projectile weapons all have additional features to make them actually worth using.

-Soldier and Demo rocket and grenades have AOE
-Huntsman has a ridiculous hitbox
-The flying guillotine has guaranteed crit on a bonked target and deals minicrits for long distance

Hitscan weapons hit instantly so they're obviously better since they're much easier to aim and much harder to dodge, you don't have to lead a hitscan weapon, you can't reflect a hitscan weapon all you can do is weave and hope they miss.

[squat cobbler]

I'd probably say most hitscan weapons (with a few exceptions) are for single enemies (like rifles and melee weapons) while most projectile weapons (explosives and throwables) are effective at crowd-control or basically killing players without the need to aim better.
Sometimes when lag happens, projectiles are better than hitscan, because how can you actually meatshot someone if your FPS is below 30 or your ping is above 200.

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by Keoul:

Well obviously hitscan weapons win, that's why projectile weapons all have additional features to make them actually worth using.

-Soldier and Demo rocket and grenades have AOE
-Huntsman has a ridiculous hitbox
-The flying guillotine has guaranteed crit on a bonked target and deals minicrits for long distance

Hitscan weapons hit instantly so they're obviously better since they're much easier to aim and much harder to dodge, you don't have to lead a hitscan weapon, you can't reflect a hitscan weapon all you can do is weave and hope they miss.

Projectile weapons all use the collision hull, which only is complained about when the weapon can headshot or is slow moving. Yes, the huntsman uses the same player hitbox as the rocket launcher.

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by мint ミント:

Sometimes when lag happens, projectiles are better than hitscan, because how can you actually meatshot someone if your FPS is below 30 or your ping is above 200.

Hitscan is lag-compensated so it's generally not as screwed over as projectiles when ping is high. Low FPS just gives input lag, so splash tends to be superior there.

[jua]

Simple, really.
Hitscan is instantaneous.
Projectiles does not require constant line of sight and corresponds to a bigger hitbox.

Both are about even.

[squat cobbler]

Originally posted by 3dge23dge:

Originally posted by мint ミント:

Sometimes when lag happens, projectiles are better than hitscan, because how can you actually meatshot someone if your FPS is below 30 or your ping is above 200.

Hitscan is lag-compensated so it's generally not as screwed over as projectiles when ping is high. Low FPS just gives input lag, so splash tends to be superior there.

I guess it's from my experience because I can't hit anything with hitscan weapons if my ping is high.

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by мint ミント:

Originally posted by 3dge23dge:

Hitscan is lag-compensated so it's generally not as screwed over as projectiles when ping is high. Low FPS just gives input lag, so splash tends to be superior there.

I guess it's from my experience because I can't hit anything with hitscan weapons if my ping is high.

High ping does mess with hit detection, especially if it's unstable, but at least it won't end up with a firing "delay" like projectiles.

[squat cobbler]

Originally posted by Sham!:

Originally posted by мint ミント:

I guess it's from my experience because I can't hit anything with hitscan weapons if my ping is high.

Using pipes, rockets or stickies with high ping is pretty much the worst tf2 experience you can have

I had high ping (like really unstable ping) for a year and a half and I'm actually used to it.
I even got a few killstreaks while at it.

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by Sham!:

Originally posted by мint ミント:

I had high ping (like really unstable ping) for a year and a half and I'm actually used to it.
I even got a few killstreaks while at it.

It pretty much messes up all the timing you are used to, especially when you have to det your stickies, want to rocket jump or just going for a direct hit.
In those cases I usually just go heavy and gg

Usually, it's scout for me, and people get annoyed when the pingspikes make me teleport around.

[squat cobbler]

Originally posted by 3dge23dge:

Originally posted by Sham!:

It pretty much messes up all the timing you are used to, especially when you have to det your stickies, want to rocket jump or just going for a direct hit.
In those cases I usually just go heavy and gg

Usually, it's scout for me, and people get annoyed when the pingspikes make me teleport around.

One time I changed my name to "Tracer", purposely made my internet unstable and go Scout. The reactions are just so good.

[Anatolia]

Originally posted by мint ミント:

Originally posted by 3dge23dge:

Usually, it's scout for me, and people get annoyed when the pingspikes make me teleport around.

One time I changed my name to "Tracer", purposely made my internet unstable and go Scout. The reactions are just so good.

If I may ask, how did you make your "internet" unstable? Also, can you please share the "reactions" that you experienced, Mint?

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by Anatolia:

Originally posted by мint ミント:

One time I changed my name to "Tracer", purposely made my internet unstable and go Scout. The reactions are just so good.

If I may ask, how did you make your "internet" unstable? Also, can you please share the "reactions" that you experienced, Mint?

If the connection isn't normally bad, do a huge download to saturate the connection.

[xenon]

hitscan is noskill i mean look at cs to get 6k is ez bcuz all hitscan but tf2 to get 6k with projectiles is awesome

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by xenon:

hitscan is noskill i mean look at cs to get 6k is ez bcuz all hitscan but tf2 to get 6k with projectiles is awesome

Okay.
*Gets 10k by spamming huntsman at the control point on degroot keep*