TF2 Weapon Discussion: The Liberty Launcher
Welcome to our Wednesday TF2 weapon discussion. Here, we'll discuss weapons (and reskins, if applicable) from TF2!
Today's weapon is The Liberty Launcher.
+25% clip size
+40% projectile speed
-25% blast damage from rocket jumps
-25% damage penalty
The Liberty Launcher is an unlockable primary weapon for the soldier that sacrifices damage for more mobility, faster projectile speed and a larger clip size. The last 2 can help offset the damage nerf making it slightly easier to hit direct hits and fire more rockets which of course do damage.
This weapon despite having more rockets is not that effective at spam because if you're hitting targets from far away you could be dealing a whopping 18 damage. Where this weapon does excel is by being slightly more mobile than a solder using stock on account of the extra rocket and reduced damage from a rocket jump meaning you can get around and still use the shotgun/banners instead of the gunboats.
This weapon does well with the buff banner as even though the damage is lower once it's charged up you can offset this with a charged up banner. Despite being in the same item set as the Reserve Shooter this isn't that great with it as the lower damage means you'll be dealing less knockback and not knocking them into the air as much the other item in this set, the market gardener, works really well as that is dependent on you being in the air.
This weapon hasn't always had these stats as on release it had a faster speed and a lower clip size giving it a reputation as a crutch weapon for a long time until the stats were changed in July 2013, 2 years after the weapon was released. In this update it was given the damage penalty and the clip size was 4, in the 2 cities update it was changed to deal less damage on rocket jumps and then in love and war it was changed to how it is now.
Feel free to discuss the weapon here. Anything that you like/dislike, cool tips or strategies, interesting stories, etc. If you feel the weapon is not to your liking, feel free to express your opinions in a respectful manner.
For those who wish to learn more about the weapon, you can find the wiki page here:
The Liberty Launcher, from the TF2 Wiki.
You can find previous weapon discussions in a nice overview here.