Medic 101: Heal Priority

[@jalontf2]

I would add one priority to this, somewhere near the top (but maybe not number one): Soldiers popping banners. Keeping them alive is [usually] a boon to the entire team.

[@Theory-Y]

Yeah I didn't really bring in many specific circumstances like that because they all pretty much fall under the golden rule of "healing the guy that will do the most with the heals." A banner soldier would get top priority because he's going to do the most. Should have mentioned that as a great example!

[@jalontf2]

Yeah to your point, it still falls under the "is he going to beef it" test which _generally_ they don't, but every once in a while...

[@turmspitzewerk]

@@jalontf2 even if they suck, keeping them alive lets other players use that buff too. even prolonging their life for a second or two means your team can put out a bunch of bullets and use the effects

[@Multi1]

@@Theory-Y Can you do a video on how you would rework or nerf Sniper?

[@Small_child_punter]

I’m really glad they chose to give soldier banners. They’re so useful so satisfying, and so good for morale. Really makes things happen.

[@UncleDane]

I'm glad the majority of this guide avoids just organizing heal priority by class, and instead mainly organizes it by health situations, game state, and the context of the moment. Broke: healing only power classes Woke: healing the players who need heals

[@saihtama]

I heal by the nationality of the class uwu

[@DrMonty-ng5fo]

@@saihtama indeed. French bois will always be at the bottom of the heal order :p

[@outspade]

Urgh, you just want me to pocket the Engineer, don't you?

[@PudyTV-po4se]

HOLY SHI IS THAT UNCLE DANE

[@ARClegend]

Ukle Dan The sentry man He speaks the wise words

[@EmilyTheMedic]

3:47 “Category one consists of players that actively need a medic to survive” 124 hp Scout: Dad I’m on TV!

[@umadbro2561]

Lol

[@aria3190]

This gives the tf2 equivalent of a 199/200 HP Genji saying “I need healing” while in the enemy spawn in Overwatch

[@henseltbrumbleburg3752]

I love playing medic, it sounds obvious but it's important to play like a doctor, you'll have to decide who lives and who dies, you treat players like patients. It such a fascinating class to play. You want to save them all, and good medics will keep most alive, but you just can't save them all.

[@jeremyminecraft7145]

[Teammate dies in front of me] "NOO, I'm so sorry [teammate class]!" ...Basically sums it up.

[@LoraLoibu]

@@jeremyminecraft7145 "NOOO, I COULDN'T SAVE THE BOY"

[@ItsMeLarky]

@@jeremyminecraft7145 True!! Had a similar experience like this the other day, saw a Scout burning and if I JUST shot my crossbow a little to the left, he would've lived. :( CURSE YOU BAD AIMING SKILLS AND SLIGHTLY BAD ABILITY TO PREDICT!!!!

[@Dementia_Springtrap]

Us medic mains are slowly turning *into* medic. *Which isn’t a particularly good thing, considering how insane and sadistic he is…*

[@Small_child_punter]

Medic really requires you to pay attention. You’re the mother of the group.

[@jamestai5742]

One subtle thing i noticed is that this emphasis on crit healing is supported by his confidence that he can save any low health player with a crossbow Notice how in the first barnblitz clip starting in 9:50 whenever he has to choose between a low health player and crit heals he beams the crit heal and crossbows the low health player The crit heal priority comes with the assumption that you can hit most of your crossbow shots otherwise you may end up with a lot more teammates

[@Yatsuzume]

Hitting close range arrows like those is not that difficult. Just try to use the crossbow healing techniques and even though you might mess up a lot at the start, it usually won't take long until you're hitting your teammates often enough to get some confidence that you can save them with your arrows instead.

[@Thy_Marvelous_Red]

I'm a bit lost, can someone summarize what's Crit Healing to me?

[@m481m]

@@Thy_Marvelous_Red it is a period of time when you can heal/overheal players at maximum speed with your medigun. It cancels out when your patient receives damage, they have to stay out of combat for 10 seconds or so for their Crit Heals to become available again.

[@Thy_Marvelous_Red]

@@m481m OH Thank you, that is clearer now, it does help when it's laid down like that

[@TheActualDP]

I'm so glad someone is finally teaching effective casual medic. I never learnt the importance of crit heals until I started playing 6v6. Massively affected how I played casual too.

[@samuels1123]

additional note: avoid healing spy for extended periods while they are in sight of the enemy unless they are disguised as a spy, a blu medic healing a red heavy or invisible thing would look pretty odd to anyone looking near you, and may alert the team to a confirmed spy's presence early

[@pemo2676]

i generally only heal spies that are clearly retreating or asking for healing! generally good rule - or if theyre hiding in a corner and could use a bolt

[@GlitchKnight113]

Something I didn't notice for a while is that, while you cannot beam invisible spies, you CAN arrow them. So if there us a good spy on the team, and you can spare the time, arrowing them could help them get a few more kills, provided they arent using the kunai

[@DrMonty-ng5fo]

As someone who has seen a half dozen videos like this...thank god for yours. I never even considered how overhealing teammates who just respawned can get massive heal numbers, that's incredibly helpful advice :D

[@terivenverien1849]

my favorite quote from array seven when it comes to healing order is "anyone is on the ass end of an ass kicking should be healed first". its one of the few quotes I keep in my head to help me heal more consistently

[@Kraitii]

Hello, I'm beginner tf2 player/medic main who's came from maining mercy in overwatch. Your videos are a great help to me ^^

[@vyor8837]

Array Seven is another good medic player to watch if you want more content

[@saturnian24]

@@vyor8837 agreed, i watched him when i started playing tf2 and his tips helped a lot

[@imdeadyouidiots]

Great video. I never realized how great crit heals are and how game changing they can be.

[@princesscadance197]

God, that name...

[@imdeadyouidiots]

@@princesscadance197 My username is poking fun at medics who yell at their team for not protecting them.

[@-Ripica-]

Man these mechanics really shows how complex and different TF2 really is compared to its competitors (class based shooters). While its competitors got a diverse cast and interesting abilities/mechanics, TF2 is simple in the surface but has mechanics (or "bugs") that is difficult to master and rewards player skill or creativity. I mean, you got pogo jumping, overload jumping, trimping, sentry jumping, reflect/airblast jumping, flare jumping, knockback surfing, trickstabs, juggling, crit heals, self damage tricks, etc. This is why TF2 is still going strong. All these hidden stuff are beneath the surface but once a player learns these, they can improve their gameplay beyond. Other games are more like, matchups and skill timing. That's not to say they aren't skillful or fun, just saying that TF2 is a bit more complex beneath the surface.

[@tippyc2]

Another part of what makes it great is that you dont really need any of those complex mechanics to finish in the top half of a casual server. Basic FPS skills and a stock scattergun are all you really need.

[@JortsSlayer]

Daily reminder that using the Scorch Shot puts you at the top of the priority every time.

[@Theory-Y]

WAHHHH B-B-b-but reddit told me the scorch shit was broken and only bad pyros use it!

[@danksmemington362]

Its too bad it takes up the jetpack slot

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@danksmemington362 A man of culture I see.

[@vyor8837]

@@Theory-Y it is broken. As in overpowered.

[@NotFine]

I will kill the scorch shot

[@Error_Detected404]

These tutorials really help, hell I've actually started using the Vacc and Solemn Vow recently and it's amazing

[@Theory-Y]

One Of Us

[@thesamdolorian8530]

Except using the vacc means you hate fun

[@lpmatthews7387]

One of Us

[@malif1279]

One of us

[@NBA2K_1]

One of us

[@Zoki4444]

I think Spider-Ham said it best in the Spiderverse movie: "The hardest thing about this job is you can't always save everybody." Some patients you have to let die, unfortunately.

[@OmegaM3TE0R]

That's not the hard part, it's the fact that even tho what you said is true, everyone will always complain when a Medic *"let them die"* when they decide to go into enemy lines below half health

[@Zoki4444]

@@OmegaM3TE0R omg yes. Like, you can't wait 2 seconds for a medic to heal you a little bit more before you just go charging into battle? It's TEAM Fortress 2, not FIGHT TIL THE DEATH ALONE 2.

[@iAnonymous877]

Dude I literally say this whenever I play medic.

[@asturias0267]

Medic is one of the most exhilarating, high energy classes to play. Idk why people don't play medic more. You're not going to get the same adrenaline rush playing other classes.

[@ME0WMERE]

Except spy, -assuming you’re a skilled kunai + dr spy- edit: yeah spy as a class is an adrenaline rush, regardless of the weapons

[@El_chara]

Tbh most people get more satisfaction with a kill than an assist or saving someone.

[@tappajaav]

Playing heavy support character with random(mostly BAD)players is extremely frustrating. In theory your teammates defend and help you to survive in exchange of you doing the same to them. In reality there's maybe few players that care about your existence at all in any given match, for the rest you're a portable dispensable dispenser.

[@LizardCharles]

15:30 That arrow was so badass I never really thought about Medic's gameplay THAT deep, I just saw ppl playing him so professionally and thinking "Wow, they don't die right after they pop the uber" When you showed your gameplay and described what are you doing and what, that helped to understand it a lot! Thanks, Mr. Theory-Y Studios.

[@iji_omu]

17:50 that spy must be so mad

[@Flynn217something]

For me heal priority is generally whoever's 1. Doing the most damage. 2.The most hurt. 3. Can be healed up the fastest.(if you put yourself somewhere safe, in my line of sight and stay still for a few seconds I will definitely stop swap and drop an arrow on you.)(or make a point of prepping yourself for crit heals) 4. Anyone actively protecting myself or other medics. 5. Has the most health to replenish. 6. Freshy from spawn needing a buff to go in. 7. Support classes not immediately in the fight(engy and especially sniper may not be any active combat but you never know when an overheal might save them from a spy or enemy quickscoper.)

[@ruileite4579]

I like to overheal engies that are moving buildings so make them more likely to survive the move and maybe make a push easier

[@wingidon]

I think Uncle Dane actually covered that last one in his video called "You and your Engineer" or whatever. An overhealed Engineer or Sniper can survive a lot more punishment that they wouldn't otherwise, and if there's nobody else in the area, just... throw your beam on them for a few seconds while you're restocking at the Dispenser or near your Spawn.

[@GlitchKnight113]

I would move 6 up a LOT, going into a fight with a buff is borderline busted, especially considering that newly spawned players have crit heals automaticly Having 1.5x normal health is AMAZING, whether it's a 300 soldier bombing the other med or a 185 scout wreaking HAVOC on the enemy teams flanks, even a 280 pyro stuffing an Uber, or overextending into a med pick, going into a fight with more health than the opponent, with the same offensive capabilities is INSANE

[@ediblematter9280]

14:20 Holy shit that was a felony. Really liked that you shifted my perspective to prioritise crit heals more. Insightful guide.

[@seventhsense5020]

14:19, holy crap i didn't even know that picking up a medigun gives you their uber this is huge.

[@eliasdex1236]

11:33 Props to those enemy pyros pushing your uber towards their medic XD

[@Iteration456-8_codename_goblin]

16:30 I appreciate you using this clip The greatest games are not one by men NO but by the great fat scout hivemind Also I don’t know what happened that game but it was only like 8 minutes from first stage to last, that’s a once in a lifetime thing that almost never happens on dustbowl

[@shroomer3867]

Bro slipped an MLG Crossbow shot at 15:30 and thought we wouldn't notice.

[@FadeScratch]

My heart stopped for a second after I realised that you used FEZ music. I'm so glad to see people still remember that incredible game.

[@I0NE007]

It's crazy how the tierlisting for "who to heal" matches more official IRL triage guidance methods (big exception being the Crit Heals - they are stable and can be ignored). Especially the "don't waste time, supply, or self-risk on lost causes; as tragic and painful it might feel."

[@reference6293]

Love your videos! everything I see you upload I get excited. I've learned so much from watching you, Thank you!

[@derkatwork33]

All medics need to bind a key with the phrase “If you’re hurt, wait three seconds for crit heals”.

[@tappajaav]

I'd appreciate much more if people learnt to stand still or AT LEAST move in predictable manner when they're low hp. I swear when someone is 30 hp they become most difficult object to hit known to mankind.

[@michaelkaminski1166]

@@tappajaavTo be fair, if you’re at low health your top priority will be to make yourself hard for the enemy to hit.

[@tappajaav]

@@michaelkaminski1166 For sure, which is why you don't do it when actively being shot at. But if you're in safe area, with medic looking in your direction, it should be mandatory to stop dodging for a moment to give them chance to arrow you

[@StoryTeller796]

Oh, Crit heals feels like something that Spies can absolutely take advantage of. It might even catapult the class's viability up the wazooski. Maybe the Enforcer needs crits whenever an opponent has maximum overheal?

[@edq3]

i've been buffing as many teammates as possible before matches start to make them tankier while also knowing that crit heals also apply to overheal and i've never made use of that combined knowledge during an active match before. now i know!

[@PootisPlayer]

this vid is absolutely amazing! these thoughts race through my head during the entire match; priority, uber calculations, loadouts, positioning, etc., but you described it in a way thats extremely digestible and coherent! cheers!

[@jeremyminecraft7145]

As a medic main who is semi-experienced but still learning, I noticed two things: -I'm smarter than I thought -I'm REALLY bad at X-bow shots (Video on X-bow aiming tips?)

[@SinkkingTurrtle]

Aiming tip videos are universally bad. There's generally not any tips to give other than lower your sensitivity and practice a lot by shooting enemy gamers.

[@CoconutCrabGaming]

Your gameplay is insane and the advice is indispensable, awesome video!

[@MrMineHeads.]

Wow amazing guide. Over my many years of maining medic I've developed nearly the exact same procedure for healing teammates. You've helped me refine some of my unspoken rules so I thank you for that. This is also really great for any people that I talk to that ask me how to choose a healing target. This is the first video I watched by you and the first thing that I noticed from your gameplay footage is your consistency in hitting crossbow arrows. You've got some serious skill in that area. If there is one thing that I need to improve on is my arrowing ability (although a close second would be my positioning). Anyway, great video 10/10 would recommend.

[@kainesadyolo5777]

God damn this guides are on another level, I used to watch some arrayseven videos but they don’t come even close to the level of yours great videos. Great job keep it up❤

[@zinzyk]

Your videos has inspired me to play more medic and win more games, thank you so much for making these videos. If only we had one of you for every class, life would be so good!

[@jadegreenleaf781]

Im really glad you explained crit heals, bc ive heard alot about it but thought i was missing something, totally didnt realise there isnt an indicator

[@imrmoneybagzgangsta9141]

been playing medic a while now and got pretty darn good at him. consistently topscoring etc but i still find myself coming back to these videos to pick up a thing or 2 and refine skills. much love

[@blubblub4623]

Hey! I love watching your videos, the clutch crossbow shots combined with the genuinely good advice is incredibly entertaining and useful. Keep up the good work!

[@thatguysteve]

17:42 What an Uber! Saved both the heavy AND other medic all the while getting the cart to the end.

[@sandyman3070]

If you could put all the medic 101 vids into a playlist, especially one that’s in order of which vids to watch first, that’d be great!

[@Lathburn]

You're like one of my favorite tf2 youtubers I have no idea how you have so few subs relative to the effort you put in

[@666666666ddddddddddd]

Really helpful and informative guide, has enabled me to improve even more as a medic.

[@mr.mountaindew3971]

My brain is fried after watching this but thanks for opening my eyes to something that I’ve never thought about properly doing. I’m a save all medic and always committed to fully buffing someone but this is so much better.

[@asturias0267]

There are so many amazing clips in this video. You're a medic god!

[@bluee3348]

be you have been PUMPING out content recently. good shit dude

[@nnoby_2345]

I think this is the most important video on the channel

[@unholymackerel8072]

Honestly this video was really informative. I thought crit heals only applied to real health, not overheals, this is definitely gonna up my medic game! :D

[@johail3510]

This gives me a general idea after one watch but for detailed learning I'm going to have to deeply watch like 6 times

[@fivehundred_cigarettes]

This is definitely an interesting take, and I love it. I have a more simplified version pf this list that I run in the background of my head while playing Medic. I think my max healing in a point cap round was around 40,000 with Quick-Fix. Understanding how this priority list works definitely gives more incentive to use the stock Medigun, however, so I'll be using these tips when I get home.

[@shivernaut8607]

big points from a long time pyro main for mentioning the uber stuffing situation, literally the only time I feel entitled to heals and never get any.

[@BlueBird1994_]

Ayeee new video! One minor critique, I think the dancing medic on the side in the category part of the vid was a bit distracting. But otherwise a very good informative vid as usual. Also, love how you used the clip with the triple Heavy uber from the other day, that one was awesome xD

[@Suddsy11037]

As a spy main it is of the utmost importance that I watch this video.

[@gameknight5051]

Your frags as medic near the end of the video distracted me from the actual advice 😂. Great video.

[@__-be1gk]

This is the exact voice I picture all Medics having

[@browniegp9762]

pressing e near meds for crit heals usually works, doesnt matter if the med wants to heal you or not usually as the time it takes them to realise who they are healing is enough to get almost a full buff

[@itchylol742]

instructions unclear, i pocketed the player with the coolest looking hat instead

[@bbfitzgerald1827]

BABE NEW THEORY Y VIDEO

[@00coolman1]

I remember when I was a medic main I had a match where I did a total of 100k healing. 50k a match. Oh those were the days.

[@Just_a_Dragon69]

Narrator: ¿Would you heal the heavy... or the scout first? Medic: HEAVY Narrator: that's right you heal the heavy and the everyone else... Nobody likes scout -Dr.Lalve (medic guide)

[@ironichoneybadger5066]

19:13 was HYPE, saving heavy from the backstab

[@therealwetwizard]

Love the burnout 3 music. I would also talk about "high impact players" like medics, buff soldiers, engi's who have a sentry in combat, P̶̫͌h̸̲̱͑l̷͉̘͘ọ̷̧̊g̷̮̣͊ ̶͍̋p̷͉͚͑y̵̫̩͒̕ř̶̞̺̈́õ̸͇̜̓s̷͖̚ (Edit) after checking again I forgor💀about you covering the engi part

[@bobmechobob]

Are we not going to talk about the absolutely gamer battle medic clip

[@Solifuga]

Your videos motivate me to play medic a lot more and get totally crushed both in-game and emotionally :)

[@maddie4151]

This is weird to see my teacher

[@tappajaav]

@@maddie4151 wat

[@tippyc2]

As a heavy main i want to second the point: "ignore the heavy". I play heavy like the medics don't even exist. If I need heals I'm gonna make the decision to keep spraying bullets till i die or to duck around a corner and eat a sandvich real quick. Sure, put the beam on me when im tanking the choke point, but it really grinds my gears when medics just stand there and keep the beam on while i eat the sandvich. Also, my slow movement means I'm not a good choice to uber. Usually, your uber is better spent on a pyro or demo who can get into the shit before the uber runs out. Or on defense, spend it on a pyro who can airblast an incoming uber.

[@vyor8837]

Heavy is a good choice to uber on the point or if there's a sentry and you lack a demo or soldier to take it out at a critical moment. Otherwise ya, forcing a heavy to take out the GRU just to have the uber run out when they arrive is... Sub-optimal.

[@chobets]

i prioritize scouts under the effects of bonk. really helps get us the w.

[@joanaguayoplanell4912]

I'll never reach anywhere that high. Mainly because the match will have ended long before that. I love the Quick-Fix and the absurdly broken blast jumping stat. Only the Vaccinator and it's tremendous skill ceiling comes close to how fun the Quick-Fix is.

[@ReiCaixa]

Although I agree that Spies are last on priority, they're the first I'll buff before getting to where the enemies can see him, especially if he's wearing the Kunai, it gives him a much better chance to do something instead of having to survive that 70HP until the first stab. When the game starts I like to "use" the Scout's speed to get to the door, then buff Powerjack Pyros and flying Soldiers/Demos, then buff normal speed classes and stay with them in the fight until the Heavy arrives for his late buff.

[@ReshyShira]

Would be nice if players with crit heals available displayed a Green Cross symbol over their heads so you know when they get the full benefit.

[@imhungryletseat2303]

The mindset of healing classes in games being subservient to fighting archetypes never clicked with me, and in fact almost seems backwards. As a wise robot once wished, *"I wanna decide who lives and who dies!"*

[@CharaTR]

You are lucky that you can trust your friend enough to tell him these things.

[@ayr1190]

As both a medic/scout main, I honestly don’t get why I see so many medics refuse to heal a scout in favor for an overhealed heavy.

[@aviko9560]

My number one healing priority are the players that rush for a medkit when I'm low. I really feel like a baby sitter when playing medic.. xd

[@NoahRamseysGhost]

Hello Nathan. We have been trying to reach you about your Medigun’s extended warranty.

[@pikachu-uk1bg]

As a medic player myself I just tend to heal those in the red first if they try to retreat. I play it wrong by chance, but I still get results

[@nacl4988]

The ultimate healing priority "Whoever is doing things. Or is going to do things". Sniper with a bit more health, Litterally nothing changes. Heavy with a bit more health, Pretty good. Soldier blowing a banner? The best. Probably.

[@fabrix199]

17:49 This is the biggest "fuck you" to a spy I've ever seen, twice xD

[@Manavine]

It took me a bit, but I realized that was Ozone playing lmao

[@ironichoneybadger5066]

Love how he talks down to me

[@metalclawsteelheart]

Now, i usually play on shounics 100 player server (because as a f2p, i can't communicate outside of community servers), where the best weapons are diffrent, with the best medic melee actually being the amputator, due to the taunt heal having no target limit, and the best pyro primary being the phlog, due to easy mmph buildup, and the crits. So my priority list is a bit different: 1. People who have called for medic, and the medic callout is red. 2. People who have been marked as low health. 3. Phlog pyro with crits ready, but only if i have Uber ready. 4. People calling for a medic in general. 5. Scouts during rollout. (So i can get thier speed and roll out myself faster Edit: now I'm a premium player, my priority list is mostly the same, with no obvious differences

[@onekun5233]

A similar guide for the vaccinator would be useful considering uber build drops off 33% when healing overhealed teammates.

[@normalhumanperson8858]

14:18 As an advanced Medic player I can say that I've NEVER stolen someone's Medigun to get more Uber. jesus christ

[@cooldudemcswagcooldudemcsw4697]

Hey man! I played against you in a match on ThunderMountain. You guys stomped us but we still had fun lol

[@Szeptyy]

THANK YOU SM! I LOVE YOUR CONNTENT

[@raziphaz2219]

would fall dmg reset critheals? some spawns have drops that new players cant resists jumping off of

[@Theory-Y]

Yeah any damage at all resets them, Rocket jumper and sticky jumper also reset them even though they don't do damage.

[@GGVolter]

i knew that was a burnout ost in the background!

[@Tom-vx7qh]

From my experience playing medic, here is what the heal priority appears to be for non-medic mains out there: 1. Me 2. Not me

[@nekipeh7373]

Thank you!

[@GlueNumber1]

my mind is more mixed up than a shredded toothbrush in an active blender

[@realbelgo]

Underrated

[@daticusdoritomus]

11:13 "toss a couple more arrows because my soldiers really like being at 20 hp." relatable... (edit) I also notice how he always saves the heavy right before he gets back-stabbed by using the ubercharge.

[@eaglenebula9080]

Engi main here, I know that engi was placed as 6th on priority, but if you leave spawn and see a half health engi juggling a dispenser, 2 teles, and a sentry, consider stopping for a second to top em' off. I can save games....

[@koopdawhoop.]

something i like to do is keep my beam on a soldier and/or demo (switching to others to buff em too ofc) if we're both spawning and have to run to the frontlines to let em explosive jump more freely

[@blacklight683]

I swear I remember seeing this video before 1:42i feel called out._.even though the list i gave before wasn't from a guide its just what I learned ingame

[@shroomer3867]

I didn't even know that crit heals are a thing so here I am.

[@Schtoinkus]

Step one for being medic: stare at low health enemy, do not heal them, walk away

[@justnickplease5756]

I learned about crit heals , cool

[@Coldfronty]

This chanel is my fav 🗿

[@GrapeJuiceIII]

crit heals my beloved

[@meowass1455]

There's no more or less important lives, only casualties

[@kainesadyolo5777]

Holy shit, I just saw u picked kritzkrieg after you deployed stock Uber with 83% Uber already on kritzkrieg whaaaaaaat, I had no idea this mechanic exist in the game my mind is blown omg……. Just this little thing…. God damn