Team Fortress 2 Tier List: Ranking All 9 Classes
Where does your main fall on the Team Fortress 2 tier list? Class balance in TF2 shifts dramatically depending on the game mode. A class that dominates in Casual 12v12 might be mediocre in competitive 6v6, and MvM has its own hierarchy entirely. This ranking covers all nine classes across four formats so you know exactly where each one stands.
Table of Contents
- How We Rank
- Casual 12v12 Tier List
- Competitive 6v6 Tier List
- Highlander Tier List
- Mann vs Machine Tier List
- Class Strengths and Weaknesses
How We Rank
Tiers reflect how much impact a class has on winning in each format. S-tier classes shape the entire match around them. A-tier classes are strong and flexible. B-tier classes work well in the right hands or situations. C-tier classes are niche picks. D-tier classes struggle to contribute compared to alternatives.
Casual 12v12 Tier List
Casual play is chaotic, uncoordinated, and forgiving. Classes that can operate independently rank higher here.
| Tier | Classes |
|---|---|
| S | Soldier, Demoman |
| A | Scout, Medic, Engineer |
| B | Sniper, Heavy, Pyro |
| C | Spy |
Soldier earns S-tier because he works everywhere. Rocket Launcher spam clears points, rocket jumping provides mobility, and 200 HP keeps you alive through mistakes. Demoman matches him because stickybomb spam devastates uncoordinated teams. One good Demoman can clear entire capture points.
Scout thrives in the chaos, picking off distracted targets and back-capping. Medic transforms even mediocre teammates into threats, though staying alive without coordination is harder. Engineer locks down areas when nobody pushes as a team, which happens constantly in pubs.
Sniper can dominate when left unchecked, but the crowded sightlines in casual reduce his impact. Heavy punishes anyone who walks around corners blindly. Pyro is strong on defense and great for Spy-checking, but struggles to make plays on open maps.
Spy lands in C-tier because experienced players spy-check constantly, and in 12v12, there is always someone watching your back. Spy requires the most skill investment for inconsistent returns.
Competitive 6v6 Tier List
The standard 6v6 lineup is two Scouts, two Soldiers, one Demoman, and one Medic. Other classes are run situationally. This tier list reflects both generalist and specialist value.
| Tier | Classes |
|---|---|
| S | Medic, Demoman |
| A | Scout, Soldier |
| B | Sniper |
| C | Heavy, Spy, Engineer |
| D | Pyro |
Medic is the most important player in 6v6. Losing your Medic almost always means losing the fight. UberCharge advantage dictates when teams push or hold. Demoman deals the most damage by far and controls chokepoints with stickies.
Scout and Soldier form the backbone of every team. Scouts capture points at double speed and clean up kills. Soldiers provide damage and bombing potential. Both are S-tier in terms of always being played, but their individual impact is slightly below Medic and Demo.
Sniper is run on last defense or when a player has exceptional aim. A single headshot can swing a round. Heavy appears on last point holds. Spy gets occasional use for critical picks. Engineer sometimes builds a Sentry on last. Pyro sees almost no competitive play due to limited range and mobility. For optimal loadouts in these formats, check our builds page.
Highlander Tier List
Highlander runs one of each class. Every class is played, so this tier list measures relative impact within the format.
| Tier | Classes |
|---|---|
| S | Medic, Demoman, Sniper |
| A | Scout, Soldier, Heavy |
| B | Engineer, Spy |
| C | Pyro |
Sniper jumps to S-tier in Highlander. With nine players on each team, sightlines are always contested, and a good Sniper dictates the pace of play. Medic and Demoman remain essential for the same reasons as 6v6.
Heavy rises to A-tier because the slower, more methodical pace of Highlander suits his defensive playstyle. Engineer and Spy exist in a constant chess match, each countering the other. Pyro still sits at the bottom because his effective range limits his impact on most maps, though good Pyros protect the Medic well.
Mann vs Machine Tier List
MvM has a well-established meta. Some classes are practically mandatory, while others actively hurt your team if picked.
| Tier | Classes |
|---|---|
| S | Engineer, Medic, Heavy |
| A | Scout, Demoman, Soldier |
| B | Pyro, Sniper |
| D | Spy |
Engineer is the most important MvM class. The Sentry Gun deals enormous DPS, the Dispenser keeps the team alive, and Teleporters save time between waves. Medic with Kritzkrieg keeps damage output high and revives fallen teammates. Heavy with a fully upgraded Minigun melts tanks and giant robots.
Scout collects money (critical for upgrades) and provides Mad Milk healing. Demoman with upgraded stickies clears waves efficiently. Soldier with Buff Banner boosts team damage.
Pyro works with airblast to push bomb carriers into pits on certain maps. Sniper with Explosive Headshots can carry on specific missions. Spy struggles because robots turn around unpredictably and sapping is slow. For details on MvM progression and tours, see our walkthrough.
Class Strengths and Weaknesses
Every class in TF2 has clear strengths and counters. Understanding these matchups helps you adapt on the fly.
| Class | Key Strength | Key Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Scout | Speed, capture rate | Low HP, weak at range |
| Soldier | Versatility, mobility | Slow base speed, self-damage |
| Pyro | Airblast, ambush | Short range, low DPS at distance |
| Demoman | Area denial, highest damage | Weak close range, no hitscan |
| Heavy | Highest HP, sustained damage | Slowest class, target priority |
| Engineer | Area lockdown, team support | Setup time, vulnerable buildings |
| Medic | Healing, UberCharge | Low damage, high priority target |
| Sniper | Instant kills at range | Lowest HP pool, weak close range |
| Spy | Instant kills, intel | Fragile, countered by awareness |
No class is unplayable, and TF2 rewards players who understand when to switch. The best players read the match and adapt. If you are just starting out, our beginner's guide covers which classes to learn first, and the tips page goes into advanced class-specific techniques.