User:Howardcorn33/Heavy

Tamzin moved page User:Howardcorn33/Heavy to Heavy (Team Fortress 2) requested by author over WP:DISCORD

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{{Use American English|date=June 2026}}{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2026}}

{{Infobox character

| series = Team Fortress 2

| caption = The Heavy wielding the default minigun, nicknamed "Sasha"

| voice = Gary Schwartz

| full_name = Mikhail

| nickname = Misha

| alias = Heavy Weapons Guy

| occupation = Mercenary

| position = Defensive

| origin = [[Soviet Russia]]

}}

The '''Heavy Weapons Guy''', better known as the '''Heavy''', is a [[playable character]] in the [[team-based shooter]] game ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' (''TF2'') as one of the nine classes. Depicted as a large, intimidating [[Soviet Russian]] mercenary primarily wielding a [[minigun]], he is the second iteration of the class known as the Heavy Weapons Guy, succeeding the original iteration in ''[[Team Fortress Classic]]'' (1999). The Heavy is categorized in-game as one of the defensive classes, alongside [[Engineer (Team Fortress 2)|the Engineer]] and [[the Demoman]].

== Development history ==

The Heavy Weapons Guy was first introduced as a new playable character in the Version 1.1 update to ''Team Fortress'', a 1999 [[Video game modding|video game mod]] of the first-person shooter ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' (1996) which was released later that year by [[Valve Corporation]] as the stand-alone game ''[[Team Fortress Classic]]'' (''TFC'').{{Cite magazine |last=Brown |first=Steve |date=July 1999 |title=Hot Prospect: Making Class an Issue; Team Fortress 2: Brotherhood of Arms |magazine=Ultimate PC |publisher=Rapide Publishing |location=Woking |pages=30-31 |volume=2 |issue=12}} According to the [[uncorrected proof]] of ''Half-Life 2: Raising The Bar'', Version 1.1 was designed by the team of developers (consisting of [[Robin Walker (game designer)|Robin Walker]], [[John Cook (game designer)|John Cook]], and [[Ian Caughley]]) in response to player feedback to the original release of the mod, which only featured five characters of the eventual roster. According to the proof, the Heavy Weapons Guy soon became the "cover star of the game".{{Sfn|Hodgson|2004|pp=95-96}} Slow-moving yet heavily armed, the Heavy of ''TFC'' plays a defensive role in the team.{{Cite magazine |date=June 1999 |title=Team Fortress Clasic |magazine=[[PC Games]] |publisher=[[Computec]] |location=Nuremberg |pages=32-36 |language=de |issue=81 |issn=0947-7810}} A later patch [[Buff (gaming)|buffed]] the character to increase its movement speed combined with a lower [[Ping (networking utility)|ping rate]], which Keith Pullin of ''[[PC Zone]]'' said made the Heavy "much easier to use".{{Cite magazine |last=Pullin |first=Keith |date=October 2000 |title=Dear Keith |magazine=[[PC Zone]] |page=121 |issue=94|publisher=Dennis Publishing|location=London}} In ''TFC'', the Heavy's weaponry consists of his signature [[minigun]], a [[crowbar]], shotgun, super shotgun, standard grenades, and cluster grenades.{{Cite magazine |date=1999 |title=Half Life: Team Fortress Classic |magazine=Ultimate PC Strategies |publisher=Rapide Publishing |location=Woking |pages=80-85 |volume=2 |issue=5}} The initial development of the sequel to ''Team Fortress'', then subtitled "[[Team Fortress 2: Brotherhood of Arms|Brotherhood of Arms]]", conceived the Heavy as a more realistic heavily armored soldier wielding shotguns, an assault cannon, and grenades.

The character design of the Heavy in the sequel underwent a drastic change as compared to its previous appearances,{{Cite web |last=Avery-Weir |first=Gregory |author-link=Gregory Avery-Weir |title=Analysis: Personality in Team Fortress 2 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/analysis-personality-in-i-team-fortress-2-i- |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |language=en}} which alongside the new designs of the other characters was formally unveiled by Valve on July 19, 2006.{{Cite news |last=Leichtamer |first=Sam |date=August 11, 2016 |title=Team Fortress 2 Timeline |url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/2014-07-29-team-fortress-2-timeline.html |work=[[Shacknews]] |via=[[Yahoo Finance]]}} As the development of the sequel shifted from the realistic aesthetics of ''TFC'' and ''Brotherhood of Arms'' to the more cartoony aesthetics of ''TF2'', so the Heavy became more expressive and responsive. In October 2006, Valve senior artist Ted Backman stated "the range of expression that, say, the Heavy goes through, getting ready to fire, getting hit and those types of things, is fully fledged".{{Cite magazine |date=October 2006 |title=Team Fortress 2: Seven-year Switch |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]] |location=Boulder, CO |pages=72-77 |issue=267}} In a first of a series of animated shorts about the characters of ''TF2'', Valve released "Meet the Heavy" in 2007,{{Cite news |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=June 17, 2014 |title=Watch Team Fortress 2's biggest, most elaborate short film, 'Expiration Date' |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/17/5819276/team-fortress-2-short-film-expiration-date-valve/ |access-date=June 22, 2026 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}} the same year as the official release of the game.{{Cite magazine |date=February 2008 |title=Delay of Game |magazine=[[Games for Windows: The Official Magazine]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |location=Boulder, CO |page=32 |issue=15}}

Valve announced the first free character-specific update to the Heavy in August 2008,{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2008 |title=TF2 Heavy update drops August 19 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tf2-heavy-update-drops-august-19/1100-6234518/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}} released on the 19th under the title "A Heavy Update".{{Cite web |last=Kidson |first=Ben |date=2012-05-22 |title=A history of violence: the 13 best updates in the TF2 history |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/tf2/history-violence-13-best-updates-tf2-history |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US}} In addition to several new [[Achievement (video games)|achievements]] for the character, the update provided 3 new unlockable weapons to the Heavy's arsenal: the "Killing Gloves of Boxing," the new minigun "Natascha", and a consumable healing item known as the "Sandvich".{{Cite news |last=Ralph |first=Nate |date=August 19, 2008 |title=Team Fortress 2 Gets Heavier, Cries Some More |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/08/tf2-heavy-updat/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}} The reveal of the Sandvich was promoted by Valve with the animated short "Meet the Sandvich".{{Cite web |last=Thang |first=Jimmy |date=2008-08-19 |title=TF2 Meets the Sandvich |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/19/tf2-meets-the-sandvich |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}} The first in-game cosmetic for the Heavy, a [[football helmet]], was added in a May 2009 update.{{Cite web |last=Meija |first=Ozzie |date=2014-07-29 |title=Bonk! A Team Fortress 2 timeline (Part 1) |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/85534/bonk-a-team-fortress-2-timeline-part-1 |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[Shacknews]] |language=en}} In 2016, Valve launched the major "Meet Your Match" update, which involved a contest between the players siding with either the Heavy or Pyro classes—the winning side being determined by victories in competitive or casual play—where only the winner would receive a major class update.{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Alice |date=2016-07-08 |title=Team Fortress 2 Launches Matchmaking |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/team-fortress-2-matchmaking-update |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |date=2016-07-08 |title=Meat vs Match: play Team Fortress 2 and help Heavy or Pyro secure a class upgrade |url=https://www.vg247.com/meat-vs-match-play-team-fortress-2-and-help-heavy-or-pyro-secure-a-class-upgrade |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[VG247]] |language=en}}{{Efn|It was alleged by Rich Stanton of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' that Valve had actually promised one major update each for both classes.{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Rich |date=2023-02-15 |title=Valve backtracks on Team Fortress 2 update wording after people got way too excited: 'We've been bamboozled' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-backtracks-on-team-fortress-2-update-wording-after-people-got-way-too-excited-weve-been-bamboozled/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}}} As the side of Pyro prevailed, the Heavy did not receive a major update, although the latter did receive the "Second Banana" consumable item in the promised Pyro update in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Meija |first=Ozzie |date=2017-10-19 |title=Here's Everything Featured in the Team Fortress 2 'Jungle Inferno' Update |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/101778/heres-everything-featured-in-the-team-fortress-2-jungle-inferno-update |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[Shacknews]] |language=en}}

== Story and character ==

The Heavy Weapons Guy, better known simply as the Heavy,{{Sfn|Lindgren|Gate|Eladhari|2025|p=103}} is portrayed in ''TF2'' as a minigun wielding Soviet man of Russian origin.{{Cite web |title=Team Fortress 2 - Heavy |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/classes.php?class=heavy |access-date=June 22, 2026 |website=teamfortress.com}} He is the physically largest and toughest playable character of the game, and while intimidating, has a softer side which he especially shows towards his primary minigun nicknamed "Sasha".{{Sfn|Lindgren|Gate|Eladhari|2025|p=103}} The Heavy is voice-acted by [[Gary Schwartz (voice actor)|Gary Schwartz]], who doubles as the voice of the Demoman.{{Cite web |last=McMullen |first=Chris |date=2023-07-14 |title=All Voice Actors in TF2 |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/all-voice-actors-in-team-fortress-2/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |language=en-US}} According to the official tie-in comics, the Heavy was born with the given name [[Misha (name)|Misha]] (short for [[Mikhail]]) to a father executed for counter-revolutionary activity. His family was imprisoned in a North Siberian [[Gulag|Gulag camp]] as a result, although they eventually managed to break out during a [[prison riot]] instigated by the Heavy. His family hiding in Siberia, the Heavy decided to take up mercenary work to support them, which is what led him to join the team of mercenaries depicted in the game.{{Multiref2|{{Cite comic |date=May 5, 2011 |title=Update Comics |story=Meet the Director |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]] |access-date=June 22, 2026 |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/meetthedirector/?p=4 |page=4}}|{{Cite comic |date=April 2, 2014 |title=TF Comics |story=A Cold Day in Hell |issue=3 |publisher=[[Valve Corporation]] |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/tf03_cold_day_in_hell |access-date=June 22, 2026}}}}

== Gameplay ==

{{Quote box

| quote = [T]he wind-up time before firing{{mdash}}and the heavy's reduced speed while firing{{mdash}}force players to learn to anticipate both the start of combat and incoming enemy attacks.

| author = Keith Huggins

| source = Gravel Pit developer commentary{{Cite video game|title=[[Team Fortress 2]]|developer=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|publisher=Valve|level=Gravel Pit Developer Commentary|platform=PC}}

| align = right

| width = 24em

}}

The Heavy is categorized in the game as one of the defensive classes, alongside the [[Demoman]] and [[Engineer (Team Fortress 2)|Engineer]].{{Sfn|Moore|2011|p=2}} His primary weapon is a minigun, which must be first readied by spooling to begin shooting. By default, his secondary weapon is a shotgun, but this can be replaced with a consumable health item such as the Sandvich. The Heavy's fists serve as his melee weapons, with bare fists as defaults and wearable implements as replacements. The Heavy has the highest damage output and [[health points]] of all playable characters in the game, but also the slowest speed. His size and slow speed makes him an easier target for enemies such as Spies and Snipers, whereas his health and power make him ideal for support by friendly Medics as well as leading team pushes.{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Tim |date=2011-06-30 |title=Team Fortress 2 Heavy guide |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/team-fortress-2-heavy-guide/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}} The Sandvich is considered a crucial item for healing in the absence of Medics, allowing the Heavy to restore himself back to his maximum 300 health, and can furthermore be thrown as a consumable health kit for teammates.{{Cite web |last=Aurelio |first=Azriel |date=2020-05-18 |title=Team Fortress 2: 10 Weapons That You Should Own |url=https://gamerant.com/team-fortress-2-best-weapons/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[GameRant]] |language=en}}

== Reception ==

In 2021, the Heavy was ranked the 27th most iconic character in [[PC gaming]] by ''[[PC Gamer]]'' magazine, which commented that of any class in ''TF2'', it is the Heavy who "truly represents the game".{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=2021-11-12 |title=The 50 most iconic characters in PC gaming |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-50-most-iconic-characters-in-pc-gaming/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}} In 2012, ''[[IGN]]'' ranked the Heavy's minigun 61st among the "Top 100 Video Game Weapons".{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/61-sasha-team-fortress-2-igns-top-100-video-game-weapons |title=#61: Sasha (Team Fortress 2) - IGN's Top 100 Video Game Weapons - IGN |date=2012-03-27 |language=en |access-date=2026-06-22 |via=www.ign.com}} [[Gregory Avery-Weir]] presented the Heavy as an example of ''TF2'''s character personalities educating on their gameplay styles. S.V. Kostrova and Ya.O. Markukhova have analyzed the character as an instance of [[Stereotypes of Russians|Russian stereotypes]] in video games, comparing Heavy's appearance and personality to that of a bear, a [[Russian Bear|common symbol of Russia]].{{Sfn|Kostrova|Markukhova|2019|pp=207-208}} Within the ''TF2'' [[fandom]], the Heavy is often [[Shipping (fandom)|shipped]] in a homosexual relationship with the Medic.{{Sfn|Lindgren|Gate|Eladhari|2025|p=109}}

== Appearances in other media ==

The Heavy appears as a rival player in the [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] poker video game ''[[Poker Night at the Inventory]]'' (2010) together with Tycho Brahe of ''[[Penny Arcade]]'', [[Strong Bad]] of ''[[Homestar Runner]]'', and Max from ''[[Sam & Max]]''. Tie-in unlockable Heavy items for ''TF2'' included a cosmetic [[green eyeshade]] and the "Iron Curtain" minigun.{{Cite news |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=2010-11-04 |title=Win TF2 items in Poker Night at the Inventory |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/win-tf2-items-in-poker-night-at-the-inventory/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=2010-11-04 |title=Poker Night At The Inventory TF2 Rewards |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/poker-night-at-the-inventory-tf2-rewards |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |language=en}} In January 2013, the Heavy, Spy, and Pyro were introduced as playable characters in ''[[Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]''.{{Cite news |last=Sykes |first=Tom |date=2013-01-20 |title=TF2's Pyro, Spy and Heavy join Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/tf2s-pyro-spy-and-heavy-join-sonic-all-stars-racing-transformed/ |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}} A free June 2013 update to ''[[Surgeon Simulator]]'' features a level where a surgical operation must be performed on the Heavy.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2013-06-21 |title=Operate on the Team Fortress 2 Medic and Heavy with free Surgeon Simulator 2013 update |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/operate-on-the-team-fortress-2-medic-and-heavy-with-free-surgeon-simulator-2013-update |access-date=2026-06-22 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en}} The Heavy and his Sandvich is also featured in a free DLC level of ''[[I Am Bread]]'' (2015).{{Cite news |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=2015-08-13 |title=I am Bread bakes up free Team Fortress 2-themed DLC |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/i-am-bread-bakes-up-free-team-fortress-2-themed-dlc |access-date=2026-06-22 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en}}

== Notes ==

{{Noteslist}}

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{Refbegin}}

• {{Cite book |last=Hodgson |first=David SJ |title=Half-Life 2: Raising The Bar |publisher=[[Prima Games]] |year=2004 |edition=Uncorrected proof |place=Roseville, CA}}

• {{Cite journal |last=Kostrova |first=S.V. |last2=Markukhova |first2=Ya.O. |date=2019 |title=Tendencies in Representation of Russian Culture in Computer Games. Culture and technologies studies |url=https://cat.itmo.ru/en/2019/v4-i4/221 |journal=Culture and technologies studies |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=204-213 |doi=10.17586/2587-800X-2019-4-4-204-213}}

• {{Citation |last=Lindgren |first=Sofia |title=Finding Queerness in Gaming: How Players See LGBTQ+ Themes in Non-queer Games |date=2025 |work=Interactive Storytelling |volume=15468 |pages=100–115 |editor-last=Murray |editor-first=John T. |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-031-78450-7_6 |access-date=2026-06-21 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer Nature Switzerland |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-78450-7_6 |isbn=978-3-031-78449-1 |last2=Gate |first2=Nora |last3=Eladhari |first3=Mirjam Palosaari |editor2-last=Reyes |editor2-first=María Cecilia}}

• {{Cite journal |last=Moore |first=Christoper |date=2011 |title=Hats of affect: a study of affect, achievements and hats in Team Fortress 2 |journal=Game Studies |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=1-14 |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30041568 |via=Deakin Research Online}}

{{Refend}}

{{Primary sources references section}}