Engineer Sentry and Mini Sentry spots.

This isn't much of a beginner guide to playing engineer but a list of build spots for sentries and mini sentries.

**Guide is still under construction therefore many maps have not been covered. Guide should be updated regularly**

Introduction

Engineer is one of the classes that I started out playing and finding it very easy to dominate other new players because they lack the knowledge and experience to counter a engineer's sentry. As I started playing with better people I found myself on the other end and getting easily dominated by spies, demos, soldiers and deadly ubers. It felt as if every class had some sort of ability to destroy or avoid my sentry in some way.

Although you have to learn where and when to build through experience in the game, I feel that the way most engineers learn is based off watching how other engineers play. You see a engineer in game or in a video set up a sentry in a certain location and watch him as he tops the scoreboard effortlessly while the enemy team can't seem to push it down. Then later you try the same spot in a and find that you are are finding the spot work for you too. Then people seeing you dominate might try the same it later and the cycle continues.

When I started playing engineer I was always confused as to where I should be building and I wanted to know what spots were good at defending positions without being so exposed and have my sentry be a easy target for enemies to pick away safely outside the range of my sentry. I really wish a guide like this existed when I first started playing engineer because it would have been very helpful to know any of this spots as I was learning the ropes.

This isn't much of a guide to explain basics of engineering, but this will cover a lot of locations where sentry guns will be effective.

But if you really want the basics to being an engineer then this video should help with that. It may be old but most of the information still holds true to this day.

**Use Ctrl+F to find a specific map

Badwater Basin

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Badwater Basin.

The RED team will utilize this nest location more often than the BLU team. Building in this location offers distinct benefits, like coverage of the tracks that the Payload cart travels on, but also retains conspicuous disadvantages, like, depending on where in the small room the sentry is built, any of the many blind spots from which enemies can destruct the nest from long range. Despite this setback, it can be corrected by constant supervision on the part of the sentry owner or the handiness of a Wrangler or Short Circuit. This position is very helpful to the team, if handled correctly, because the area that the sentry oversees is usually rushed by the enemy team.



This location is generally used by the RED team but can be exploited by the BLU team, too. This location can be substituted for a regular sentry, too. If a sentry or mini-sentry is built in this location, it clutches the main entryway that the BLU team uses and an overlooking balcony that is often aggressively invaded by single enemies. If on defense, the sentry owner should be careful for certain blind spots of the sentry from where BLU team might exit, like the two structures that the balcony is attached to. If on offense, the sentry owner can flank any RED enemies below the balcony if his sentry is close enough to the edge. However, since this area is usually occupied by RED, he should be cautious of invasions from behind.




This is a sentry location most often employed by the RED team to fend off the invading BLU team. In this position, the sentry itself has a lot of blind spots, so it isn't advise that the sentry owner lets it function automatically, as there is a higher likelihood that it will be destroyed from one of its blind spots. Therefore, it should be wrangled at most times, but although it requires that the Engineer controls the sentry, it has a nearly limitless view of the oncoming enemies. Therefore, the Engineer can effectively support his defensive teammates and, in most circumstances, demolish BLU team members pushing the cart.

• Soldiers might try to attack the sentry from afar using their rocket launcher, or fire into the room to cause splash damage to everything in the area. If they are quickly killed, then the threat can be neutralized before more damage can be dealt.

In this position, typically used by RED team, the sentry is placed on top of a building overlooking one of the checkpoints the Payload cart has to cross. By itself, the sentry has a couple blind spots that can be detrimental to its performance, so it is strongly advised to wrangle the sentry when building the nest in this location. Once built, the sentry is likely to be fired upon by all the enemy BLU team members walking into its radius, and it is also likely that enemies will try to travel through the building to flank the Engineer and his nest. So, a priority for the sentry owner should be to have some backup teammates and Engineers or to guard the sentry from being flanked as best as he can alone.



This is a location also near a checkpoint which the Payload cart has to cross. It is useful for distracting the RED team, as offense, but is less efficient when used by the RED team to defend against the BLU team in most situations. As offense, the Engineer should probably be ready to accept a few destructions because there are a lot of blind spots when building in this location, and use the mini-sentry if he can. This would not be suitable for a permanent nest because the game advances after the checkpoint has been taken and it takes a conscious effort to protect the mini-sentry from the RED team, but it is efficient in sweeping them away from the area so that the checkpoint can be taken.



Building on top of this rock is normally a tactic used by the RED team. Since destruction is imminent for a large target like a level 2 or level 3 sentry, it is advised that a mini-sentry is used rather than a regular sentry because this is located right outside the enemy's spawn area. The mini-sentry would be capable of firing at enemies exiting the main gateways that the BLU team takes to push the Payload cart. However, it does not provide enough protection to save itself from enemies who were capable of moving out of the range of the sentry and traveling up to the rock where it's located, so the Engineer should guard this passage in case enemies arrive up it.

• Scouts are very agile and would be one of the prime targets to eliminate if he escaped the range of the sentry. Engineers should keep an eye out for enemies like them while his mini-sentry supports the team below.
  
• Snipers and Soldiers can destroy a sentry easily at this location. If necessary, the sentry owner should use a Wrangler or get on the same ground as his enemies to distract them from destroying his sentry.

When building in this typically RED nest location, the sentry faces several problems that the Engineer must overcome, but the payback can be tremendous if it all is done correctly. The sentry here can be either a sentry or mini-sentry (either could work efficiently in this scenario). Once BLU has started pushing the cart and exited the tunnel leading from their base, the sentry or mini-sentry has a clear shot at their backs, whether wrangled or not. This advantage might make it seem like the sentry doesn't need as much supervision as other nest locations, but this misconception can cost the sentry owner his nest. Enemies can arrive from behind the nest as well, and destroy a sentry from a far away blind spot. So, Engineers who build here should be conscious of enemies and where they lurk, and eliminate them fast, or else his sentry could be at risk.



Next to the first checkpoint for the Payload cart, there is a ramp that leads down to an inoperable gate. In this little "room", an Engineer could build a nest. It can be used by BLU, hypothetically, to bring teammates into battle and support the advancement of the cart, although it is usually used by the RED team to defend the checkpoint from the BLU team. At first, the nest will rack a lot of kills form unsuspecting enemies. However, after a while, more enemies will rain into the nest, probably destroying the nest in the process.

Badwater Basin (2)

As this location is facing the direction in which the RED team arrives, this nest is most commonly used by the BLU team. Generally, there simply isn't enough time in between waves of RED team enemies for a BLU Engineer to build a full sentry, so this position is ideal for mini-sentry placement. It will distract the RED team or kill oblivious enemies long enough for the team to push the cart to the first checkpoint. The sentry will probably be destroyed in the process, but if it is protected effectively, then it should serve the purpose it was built for. The sentry owner should stay actively offensive while the sentry is deployed for best results.



Once the second to last checkpoint is secured by the BLU team, a BLU Engineer might see fit to build in this location a sentry or mini-sentry to fend off the defense as the offense pushes the cart forward. This leaves the sentry open to most attacks, but since Payload maps don't generally require permanent sentry nests on the offensive team's part, it's not necessary to wrangle the sentry for its sake unless the Engineer has other plans with that particular sentry. However, wrangling the sentry does offer farther range and better supports the team in its coming endeavors.

• It is usually Soldiers who will destroy the sentry gun while it is in this location. His explosives cause excellent long-range destruction to nests if they are accurately shot. So, a Wrangler or Short Circuit does come in handy while on offense and using this location.

To reach this RED sentry nest location, one must sentry jump from the ground to the platform. From here, the sentry owner is advised to wrangle his sentry, as his sentry typically can't function properly because of all the blind spots it must endure. Engineers must beware that building in this location while the BLU team is pushing the cart nearby will increase the amount of incoming fire the Engineer must dig through to build his nest, which is why it is also advised that the nest is built earlier in the round.

• Once the sentry is built in this location, all eyes are probably on the sentry. Any class that has an effective long-range weapon will probably shoot at the sentry, which is why it is unacceptable not to wrangle the sentry and be effective in doing so.
  
• Soldiers will fire upon the nest and will probably wreak a lot of havoc on the Engineer. What is important is that his team helps him fend off BLU Soldiers who are attacking his nest, or else the Engineer will have to quickly get rid of this threat.
  
• Snipers will crawl into the buildings in front of and to the left side of this location, in terms of the depiction above, and try to kill the Engineer, thus making the sentry useless and lead to its destruction. It is vital to the nest's survival that the Engineer and his teammates kill Snipers who are aiming for the sentry owner.

This is also a RED team sentry location and it can only be reached through sentry jumping. The sentry has a clear view of a lot of the track that the Payload cart must be pushed across and can operate on its own without aid from the Engineer's Wrangler. However, a sentry in this spot will immediately attract attention because it stands in the direct way of the cart's being pushed. If the RED team is constantly pushing against the BLU team's approach, then the sentry can effectively act as support for the team. However, it will probably be destroyed by enemies who have large amounts of health that are either being pocketed by a Medic or are pushing the cart.

• Heavies are a good example of primary targets. Their miniguns are effective for close range encounters such as this one. Also, these kinds of close range encounters are good for Demomen, as well. Watch out for these enemies as they will be the backbone of the resistance.
  
• Soldiers will most likely be the ones to try firing at the sentry once they are positioned in such a way that they can send rockets under the arch under which the cart travels. This is just something to be wary of when setting up a sentry in this location.

**Another good video displaying the location.

2Fort

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations in the official Capture the Flag map 2Fort.

This is a common sentry location in 2Fort. Engineers generally build in this location to transport their team into the battle and to dupe any enemies, like the carrier of the intelligence, who might travel through the enemy sewers. It is important that the sentry isn't destructible from the long sewage tunnel leading to the enemy base unless it is the sentry owner's intention to wrangle his sentry to stop incoming enemies, so an Engineer will usually build his sentry beside the archway.

• Soldiers should be prime targets for Engineers whose sentry is easily destructible from one of its blind spots. Engineers should be wary that it usually only takes 3 rockets to kill an un-wrangled sentry gun.

This sentry location is an ideal way to stump enemies by restricting their advancement into the team's base. This can be achieved one of two ways: building the sentry on the team's side of the base or on the enemy's side of the base. The sentry owner will usually have to wrangle the sentry if he builds it on his team's side of the base and he will have a clear shot at most incoming enemies. However, if he chooses to build it on the enemy's side of the base, then the sentry can naturally react on its own but the Engineer might worry about Spies dropping from above him. This nest location can also transport your team into battle, but if it's used for that purpose, it is usually better to build within the enemies' sewer system, while this could be considered the "fall-back" method, in case that doesn't work.




This is the most common location for an Engineer to construct his sentry, and generally the easiest, as well. An Engineer builds his sentry somewhere around the doorway that is to his immediate right in a way that allows the sentry to see the vast majority of enemies that can see it. Placing the sentry in this location grants coverage for all areas that lead to the Intelligence with very little blind spots to guard. It is also conveniently located right outside the team's spawn room.

• The Engineer should be wary of enemies that can deal splash damage if their sentry is too close to a wall where explosives can be shot at. Demomen are common examples of prime enemies to stay alert for.
  
• Some enemies can find ways up the grate that is connected to the base's upstairs. If the sentry can't see this location, the sentry owner might want to move it or keep an eye on that general area for scouts, soldiers, and any other nuisances that can destroy the nest.

For defensive Engineers, this nest location is efficient at minimizing the amount of enemies invading your base. The sentry owner typically does not wrangle his sentry in this case because the sentry can operate on its own with very little troubles over blind spots, if at all. The sentry faces a variety of opponents, though, and the likelihood that it will fight an ubercharged or Medic-assisted enemy is increased in this location because of the larger amount of enemies coming into the base as opposed to other locations.

• Medics pocketing other types of enemies are detrimental to the sentry's performance. If possible, the team should eliminate incoming Medics before they can overheal or ubercharge their teammates as they enter the base.
  
• Demomen also pose a problem in the narrow corridors that compose the indoors of the base. They don't have to be in a sentry's blind spot to bounce their grenades against a wall and destroy the nest. Keep a Wrangler or Short Circuit handy unless you are comfortable with approaching and dealing with the enemies head-to-head, or keep teammates nearby.

Building a nest outside the enemy base provides obvious advantages for your team. Firstly, the Engineer can transport his teammates directly into battle. Secondly, enemies have difficulty destroying a nest built in front of their base because it has very little blind spots depending on where you put it, especially while teammates invade their base. Thirdly, the presence of one nest can help other Engineers build support nests, creating a clear imbalance in favor of the sentry owner's team. On the other hand, it takes a lot of skill, teamwork, and luck to successfully set up a nest in this location, which can sometimes make this feat impossible, like when the teams are stacked.

• Primely demomen will try to destroy a nest do to their ability to stay out of the range of a sentry without finding one of its blind spots. If the sentry owner doesn't stay cautious of this possibility, it may cost him the nest.

Snipers don't have to be the only class that rests on the balconies of 2Fort. In fact, this location is perfect for Engineers who are willing to constantly wrangle their sentry. While wrangled, the sentry owner's sentry, depending on how close to the edge it is, can have full view of the main bridge and the enemies' sewer system. Without the wrangler, this location is extremely inefficient as it can be destroyed much easier and there are too many blind spots. It can be difficult to get the sentry built in this location while under fire, though, even on the sentry owner's own balcony.

• Utilizing Sniper coverage can save you from headshots from opposing Snipers, so try to enlist as much backup as you can, or else take advantage of a short period of time where you won't be interrupted by enemy fire.

This is a pretty tricky spot to get to because of the fact you have to sentry jump, get on the bridge and set up right in front of blue spawn before someone notices and kills you. If you manage to get set up on this bridge you can really do some work and it will take unorganized teams ages to bring you down if you have a dispenser set up and using the wrangler too.

**Not me but a video that showcases this spot very well.

2Fort (2)

This nest location is strangely under-used for its effectiveness. This is a defensive location that stops enemies from coming through the main two entrances of the base, while protecting the sentry from most of the damage it would take when resting on equal grounds with the oncoming enemies by being placed on the grate overseeing the main hallway. Although this does make your sentry safer, it leaves open the door to the sewers for enemies to pass through.

• Sometimes, by hiding behind a wall, a Demoman or Soldier can successfully shoot through the grate and damage the nest or the sentry directly. The sentry owner should be available to aid and repair the sentry in such a scenario.

By placing the sentry in the middle of the water that resides in between the two entrances to the bases' sewer systems, an Engineer can cover a surprising amount of the battlefield. However, the location doesn't come without its blind spots, one of which may happen to be the balcony, from which enemies may fire at the sentry. Other than this, the sentry can rack up a significant amount of kills before being destroyed. If it is wrangled, there is a possibility that the Engineer can save his sentry from being destroyed, but this does give away its exact location for players who can't see entities under the water as well as others and might make the sentry a prime target for the enemy. Despite these setbacks, the sentry can be relatively easy to construct when the water is peaceful.

• As usual, Soldiers and Demomen should be primely targeted if they spot the sentry from a blind spot. A Wrangler can mean the difference between standing your ground or standing in the rubble that was your nest!

Most Engineers build their sentries in the Intelligence, which can be helpful, but often gets duped by bombardments of enemies or strategically fired explosives. However, if an Engineer builds his sentry outside his Intelligence room, it can exploit incoming enemies' unawareness. This location has very few blind spots, which makes it an effective defensive nest.

Well (CTF)

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations in the Capture the Flag map Well.

This is a standard sentry location for Well (CTF). It is usually most effective in the start of a match when enemies begin to storm the Intelligence, at which point the sentry will catch enemies coming from either of the two lower entries and kill them in most instances. The drawbacks to this location is that the sentry owner will either require other Engineers to set up sentries to compensate for his sentry's blind spots, which include the vast majority of the upper floors and furthest reaches of the room. Otherwise, the sentry owner will have to constantly guard these blind spots with defensive teammates or by himself.

• Scouts are notorious for exploiting this sentry location's blind spots, so the sentry owner will probably be fending off scouts from the intelligence. The Engineer should be wary of this when choosing his loadout.
  
• Demomen and Soldiers will try to destroy the sentry from a distance with their long-range explosive weapons, so a handy Wrangler or Short Circuit secondary weapon will usually benefit the Engineer in this scenario.

Double Cross

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations in the official Capture the Flag map Double Cross.

This sentry location is perfect for an offensive Engineer who is playing on Double Cross. The Engineer constructs his sentry in the basement of the enemy base which can be accessed through the sewer off the train bridge or the stairs leading downward from the enemy base. The sentry, once constructed, covers an exit from the enemy spawn room, the sewer entrance that leads to the train bridge, and the stairs leading to the enemy base with ease with little assistance from the sentry owner. However, the drop that is blocked by the oil tanker is still accessible by enemies, so it is imperative that the drop is guarded by another sentry, a teammate, or the sentry owner himself. In this case, another sentry most effectively compensates for this blind spot.

• Spies are the main culprits for destroying sentries in this location because there are many spots where they cannot be seen by the sentry or the Engineer supporting it and have the opportunity of cloaking and disguising with enough time to rush in and sap the nest. Engineers should equip their loadout for this kind of scenario or be very wary of spies.
  
• Demomen can shoot their grenades over the oil tanker if they drop through the only entrance that is blind to the sentry. This is a devestating encounter and often a short circuit is the only reassuring secondary weapon that can save your nest. A scenario like this marks the reason why it is imperative that the blind spot is constantly guarded for the sake of the sentry.

This is one of the more common sentry locations seen on Double Cross. This location functions well for both teams, RED or BLU, because of the symmetry of the bases. In this position, the sentry has a clear view of enemies coming through the main door to the base and can guard it effectively. The Engineer and his teammates do have some blind spots to watch, however. One exists on the balcony that surrounds the shack opposite the door that the sentry is guarding. With careful positioning, the sentry can avoid this blind spot almost entirely, but there is still a blind spot near the stairs leading up from the sewers that can be deadly to the nest by destructive units who travel across the train bridge.

• Demomen will be a common threat with a sentry in this position because they can have a perfect blind spot for firing arched grenades while remaining undetected by the sentry. This scenario is one reason why keeping the sentry here requires some supervision.
  
• Some enemies travel up to the highest floor of the base and have a clear shot at the Engineer and his sentry in this location. If teammates are not guarding this spot, then the Engineer should simply be wary of enemies who can climb to this height without being detected.

This is a common nest for Engineers who are skilled enough to build their nest in the enemy base. It works for both RED and BLU Engineers and requires some luck and constant patrolling for enemies while building the nest, but, once built, the sentry performs phenomenally. It can see enemies around the stair area and around the drop that leads from the Intelligence, which previous sentry locations could not see. It can operate even more efficiently with the help of other sentry nests, and can transport teammates into the base while being extremely difficult to destroy once it is set up as long as it is cared for.

• If many nests are in this area, a Spy can sap all of the equipment and cause mass panic. It should be easy to access all of the important equipment in a short amount of time, or this scenario could happen to you!

Turbine

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Capture the Flag map Turbine.

This is a common sentry location in either of the spawn rooms for the sentry owner's intelligence. A lot of the sentry locations that Engineers often place their sentries in have very dangerous blind spots in reality! This, for example, is not an effective sentry location on its own. The sentry can be destroyed easily from behind the door, as it's been done time and time again by all kinds of classes. However, this spot is more effective than most because, coupled with another sentry, it effectively keeps enemies outside the Intelligence if they know it's there and kills surprised enemies who wander into the room quickly. If the sentry owner is smart, he will also aggressively guard the door way near his sentry and keep the halls clear as best as he can.

• Demomen and Soldiers, because of how they can deal splash damage, are more dangerous to sentries located on the corners of the door. If the sentry owner's intention is to save his sentry, he should eliminate them first.
  
• Pyros can fire continuous fumes of fire that can catch the sentry by one of its edges and deal consistent, massive damage, even from behind the door. Engineers should not allow Pyros to get into this kind of position, or else the results will probably teach the sentry owner a very valuable lesson about protecting his sentry.

Sawmill (CTF)

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Capture the Flag map Sawmill.

5Gorge

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map 5Gorge.

Badlands (CP)

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Badlands.

Coldfront

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Coldfront.

Freight

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Freight.

Granary

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Granary.

Well (CP)

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Well.

Yukon

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Yukon.

Foundry

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Foundry.

Fastlane

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Fastlane.

Gullywash

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Gullywash.

Obscure

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Control Point map Obscure.

Dustbowl

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Dustbowl.

Egypt

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Egypt.

Gorge

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Gorge.

Gravel Pit

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations in the Attack/Defend map Gravel Pit.

Junction

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Junction.

Steel

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Steel.

Mountain Lab

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Mountain Lab.

Mann Manor

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Attack/Defend map Mann Manor.

Harvest

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Harvest.

Nucleus

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Nucleus.

Sawmill (KotH)

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Sawmill.

Viaduct

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Viaduct.

Lakeside

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Lakeside.

Badlands (KotH)

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Badlands.

Kong King

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the King of the Hill map Kong King.

Hydro

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Territorial Control map Hydro.

Barnblitz

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Barnblitz.

Gold Rush

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Gold Rush.

Hoodoo

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Hoodoo.

Thunder Mountain

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Thunder Mountain.

Upward

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Upward.

Frontier

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload map Frontier.

Hightower

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload Race map Hightower.

Pipeline

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload Race map Pipeline.

Nightfall

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Payload Race map Nightfall.

Lumberyard

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Arena map Lumberyard.

Offblast

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Arena map Offblast.

Ravine

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Arena map Ravine.

Watchtower

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Arena map Watchtower.

Doomsday

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Special Delivery map Doomsday.

Coal Town

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Mann vs. Machine map Coal Town.

Decoy

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations in the Mann vs. Machine map Decoy.

Mannworks

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Mann vs. Machine map Mannworks.

Big Rock

Effective sentry and mini-sentry locations for the Mann vs. Machine map Big Rock.

[KILL ELON MUSK]

RIP

[Sheeple]

Great guide, i now top score on 2fort
keep it up :D

[Burato Bonu]

Very helpful! Hope to see an update for the new maps!

[the.jpg]

i got a spot on 2fort the intel room i was dominating like mad dog XD

[Megan Four Stallion]

Awesome. I wouldnt have the patience to write all this :)

[Velositey The Medic Main]

pretty good m8

[Towig]

I hope you will finish your guide :)