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I've heard this term somewhere in TF2, and it is also sometimes used for other classes, such as 'Pocket Soldier', or 'Pocket scout', although most notably 'Pocket Medic'.

What does the "pocket" mean?

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A pocket medic is a medic that only heals his "pocket", that is one person in specific. The term is typically used pejoratively or neutrally, because the medic is supposed to keep the entire team healthy, not just his friend who's playing Heavy.

In random games, however, pocketing can be effective with friends or people with a clue. You know who you're ubering, you know you can trust them, you know you work well together. Just do make sure you share the heals as you build your uber.

A slightly different use of the word pocket is reserved in 6v6 competitive TF2 in order to distinguish the pocket soldier (who sticks with your medic) and the roaming soldier (who ambushes the enemy medic).

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    So can the term pocket apply to any other class? Pocket heavy? Pocket scout?
    – childe
    Commented Jan 26, 2013 at 16:33
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    @Retrosaur That is correct, although pockets are almost exclusively soldiers, demomen or heavies (or, well, medics). See also wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Glossary_of_player_terms#P
    – badp
    Commented Jan 26, 2013 at 16:35
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    It's worth noting that it's not exclusive to Team Fortress either - it applies to pretty much any class based online game. In WoW for example, you have 'pocket healers' - exactly the same deal as pocket medics in that it's a healer who follows a DPS around.
    – kalina
    Commented Jan 26, 2013 at 17:40
  • +1 for pointing out the different uses of the term, though I wouldn't call the difference "slight". The first is (generally) intended as an insult, while the second is a vital role in an effective team.
    – Austin Mohr
    Commented Jan 26, 2013 at 22:04
  • @AustinMohr The meaning is still only slightly different. The pocket soldier is called "pocket" because he's, uh, the medic's pocket. :)
    – badp
    Commented Jan 26, 2013 at 22:18

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