The Sword+Shield are absolutely game breaking. I don't know how they made it past "hey guise is this a good idea derp" much less fully into the game. I mean, the sword is ridiculous enough, but the combo is absolutely loving ridiculous. With JUST the sword and shield, it turns the defensive Demoman into a killing machine, whom is almost invulnerable to explosions. He charges into a group and massacres them. I understand the Demoman's purpose in an offensive environment, but this crosses the line. Once he's within reach, you're forgeted, and if he's on a killing spree, you're boned. It takes 3 or more people to combat this stuff, and in a CQC environment, your absolutely loving out of luck unless you happen to be a pyro (because you still ignited him even though you're dead, much good that'll do now that he's all pumped up AND the targe reduces flame damage anyway). Demoman can now reach astronomical killing sprees. This isn't "balanced", this is horse stuff. Either A. Weapons should
NEVER BE PUT IN PAIRS TO COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER or B. A weapon to combat this effectively (The Equalizer does loving stuff against it).
The Sandman wasn't even this bad, and now that's nerfed to near-uselessness anyway. I thought it was fair. It was the only weapon that could stun, and it wasn't a huge thing. It was perfect for defending.
What I would have done:
Flak-Gun, Grenade Launcher replacement
-Destroys enemy stickybombs
-Large radius, lots of projectiles, lower damage
-Projectiles bounce off of flat surfaces(depends on velocity)
Explosives Shield/Suit, Melee replacement
--75% explosive damage
-Reduced speed
-Charge attack, pushes enemies out of the way
Scottish Resistance is fine, perfect for the Demo.
Also, alternatively for the soldier:
I-C-U:
-Remote controlled rocket: When fired, camera shifts to the rocket's perspective. Guide it into an enemy or at a turret.
-Gradually loses speed and maneuverability, drops and explodes
-Can be remotely exploded
-One rocket mag, 8 rockets total
-Lower reload speed
And instead of giving the demoman a sword, the Tenth class:
A goddamn Viking
-No ranged weapons
-Raised health
-Reduced speed (Heavy-ish)
+Big loving battle axe
+Chargin' Targe
+Mutton (healing item)
richards to the sword, I say. I can't wait till they nerf the stuff out of it or someone invents a server mod to remove it.
