Let's Discuss: The Overdose

[c0rv!d]

Everyone's favorite prototype syringe gun provides a +1% speed boost for every +10% Ubercharge. However, you also deal -10% less damage per syringe, which is a turn-off for offensive medics. In addition, when there's more alluring alternatives for a speedy Medic such as the Quick Fix, why bother with the Overdose? It's a shame that this weapon isn't used more often, but it's most definitely in need of a buff. How should one use the Overdose as is? How should it be buffed? What are some good loadout ideas? Let me know in the comments. As for myself, here's a loadout I like...

Primary-- The Overdose: I kinda have to have this weapon here for the sake of this discussion. Not your main means of combat, that'd be your melee. Use only as a getaway weapon and a means of getting to the front lines for healing quicker.

Secondary-- The Vaccinator: With the Vaccinator, you can not only charge substantially faster than other Medi Guns, but you can choose how much of your charge you'd like to use, making it a great pairup with the Overdose, as you get to select how much speed boost you lose when you inevitably use your Ubercharge. It also does a good job of protecting the Medic in ways the Overdose can't with resistance types, and is a good counter to the Kritzkrieg.

Melee--The Vita-Saw: I mostly use the Overdose's speed boost to get to the front lines quicker when I respawn for ze heals, as well as using it for ze escapes. Plus, with the recent (And unnecessary, may I add) nerf of the Vaccinator as of Gun Mettle, the +20% extra Uber you can get from the start of respawn is necessary in order to accomplish your tasks with this loadout faster. The Vaccinator's resistances should compensate for the -10 health points. The Ubersaw can also be used instead of this weapon, but the -25% slower swing speed makes you even less efficient in combat than you already are with the Overdose, so be careful.

[Fidiken]

The overdose is a straight upgrade from the stock. There is no reason to ever use the syringe gun. Either use the Blutsauger to shoot people, the Crusader's crossbow to heal, or the overdose when you're primarily healing people, but occasionally need to use your shooty shooty

[trash]

the only reason the overdose isn't the best primary slot option is because the crossbow exists
it's not bad, it's just not as good as the crossbow

maybe increase the base projectile speed of stock needles and add a needle speed penalty to all the other syringe guns to keep them where they are right now
then add an HP regen while active effect to the overdose and reduce its damage, similar to the amputator

then you can either use overdose+ubersaw for regen+utility, or crossbow+amputator for regen+utility to mix and match based on what you prefer

or just run crossbow+ubersaw for utility+utility if you don't need the HP regen

[endurr]

Originally posted by slop:

the only reason the overdose isn't the best primary slot option is because the crossbow exists
it's not bad, it's just not as good as the crossbow

maybe increase the base projectile speed of stock needles and add a needle speed penalty to all the other syringe guns to keep them where they are right now
then add an HP regen while active effect to the overdose and reduce its damage, similar to the amputator

then you can either use overdose+ubersaw for regen+utility, or crossbow+amputator for regen+utility to mix and match based on what you prefer

or just run crossbow+ubersaw for utility+utility if you don't need the HP regen

great idea! here's one thing i wanna add to this though,
i think that the speed boost should be buffed, so a medic with full uber could run as fast as a scout.

not only would that be FAR more usful, it would make medic more fun. using The Overdose, quick fix/kritzkrieg, & uber saw, medics could run around the map doing their job, giving the team heals/overheals, while having the speed to run away from demos and heavys with no problem.

[Gius]

Originally posted by slop:

the only reason the overdose isn't the best primary slot option is because the crossbow exists
it's not bad, it's just not as good as the crossbow

That statemenr is only true if you look at high level play, where people actually care about their medic. Good luck playing xbow medic on random pubs where no one protects you.
Don't misunderstand, I love the crossbow and use it as go-to primary in lobbies or when I play with people I actually know, but on pubs I need a syringe gun to defend myself. That is, the xbow and overdose fill different niches, the one being range heals, the other being able to defend yourself while still providing some utility.
That being said, I run overdose with quickfix/vaccinator or solemn vow/ubersaw. On kritz/stock I prefer normal syringe gun because you arent going to benefit much from speed bonus on slow mediguns, and vita saw is basically -10 hp on fast building mediguns, cause 20% charge is 6 second of healing with quickfix or 4 with vaccinator, and 20% is like only 2% faster with overdose.
It the best syringe gun, it is outclassed by crossbow simply because heal>damage on medic. And range heals>speed, since even at 117% speed you aren't gonna escape a soldier, a scout, a demo, or even a sniper. It is fine as it is, as it is the best self-defense option with fast build medigun

EDIT: quote layout

[Balding swiss subhuman]

Well, I like the stock syringe due to that 10% more damage. I mean, I don't like relying on an uber count to run away from a pyro. I want him to m1 into needles.

[U.S.S. Laffey DD-724]

Hey umm... I use the overdose in this x1000 server and because the overdose does less damage and it was a x1000 server, I was able to heal the opposite team. It is fun being on both teams!

[Vlad the Impala]

Originally posted by 1987BlueFoxy:

Hey umm... I use the overdose in this x1000 server and because the overdose does less damage and it was a x1000 server, I was able to heal the opposite team. It is fun being on both teams!

I guess you searched Overdose on Google to look for a place to share your life-changing experiences?

[ReissyBoi]

Nice necro on a 3 year old post