Medicating Melody

From Team Fortress Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Oh ho hoh! I have been in zhe wrong profession. I must learn zhis magic!
The Medic about healing with melodies

Upon taunting (default key: G) or pressing alt-fire (default key: MOUSE2) with the Amputator equipped, the Medic brings his weapon up to his shoulder, leans on his right foot, and plays a soothing melody, healing all allies within a certain radius while causing them to emit a team-colored glow around their feet.

The taunt adds small amounts to a Medic's ÜberCharge level, though only when allies are healing from the aura. It can heal disguised or cloaked Spies, and does not overheal. In addition, Pyros wielding Back Scratchers receive diminished healing. The healing effect requires line of sight to the target, and therefore cannot heal teammates who are on the opposite side of an obstacle. The Medic is credited with a kill assist if a teammate within the taunt's area of effect successfully kills an enemy. This is also one of the two ways that the Medic is able to heal teammates in Medieval mode, the other being with the Crusader's Crossbow.

Taunting with the Bonesaw or Vita-Saw yields the same action from the Medic, but without the healing benefit. In addition, the Vita-Saw plays a deeper cello tone instead of the light melody the Bonesaw and Amputator play.

Healing and function times

Example of taunt healing range.
Healing and function times
Effect range 450 Hammer units
Healing
Healing (in combat) 100% 105
Healing (out of combat) 300% 315
Function times
Taunt duration 4.4 s [1]
Values are approximate and determined by community testing.

Update history

December 17, 2010 Patch (Australian Christmas)

  • The taunt was added to the game.

January 3, 2011 Patch

February 22, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed being able to heal players with the Equalizer as their active weapon.

December 17, 2015 Patch (Tough Break Update)

  • Taunt can now be activated by alt-fire.
  • Healing done with the taunt now grants small amounts of ÜberCharge.

Trivia

  • The Medic has a very unusual stance while "playing" the saw. While it is possible to play the violin and similar string instruments left-handed, the instrument is usually tucked underneath the chin. Additionally, placing extended pressure on one foot is liable to cause fatigue.

References

  1. Taunt duration
  2. In mid taunt with the Amputator, the player could disconnect from the server, but the healing effect would remain for surrounding injured players, giving them infinitely regenerating health, even after death, until they disconnected or the map changed. The effects could stack, given this exploit was used several times on the same player.