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[Yasae]

If a spy is using the dead ringer, steal all the metal around you as fast as you can. They have 90% damage reduction while cloaked, so you're not going to kill them for about six seconds (even with crits or backstabs or them getting hit by a train - I've tried them all.) This is the key component in understanding why people say this watch is OP. It isn't, but it has very high survivability unlike other methods (i.e. disguises and/or "regular" cloaks, which grant little or no damage reduction.)

They also require a second or two to decloak (though this has a high chance to lag,) so if they push past you via a DR feigned death, they're gonna kill you, somebody else, or sap - and you may not hear them decloak due to a high noise floor. Just knowing they're around already puts them at a disadvantage.

 

[Netrunner2k2]

sorry, but how do i not get owned by a spy? they look just like my teammates, and when i try to kill them they just go invisible. one kileld me like 10x in a row.

You'll get a feel for who is a Spy and who isn't a Spy over time. You'll see something that doesn't look right, like a "teammate" running back to the spawn area. When in doubt: shoot it.

As a Pyro, the best thing is to just go around puffing fire all over the place. Just a little tap here and there scares the crap out of them. Also, keep an eye on the kill recorder on the top right. If you see your team getting killed by a Spy/Spy weapons, it is time to Spycheck for a while until the threat dies down. The other person gets as frustrated getting killed as a Spy as you do getting killed BY a Spy. Always keep that in mind.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone up to a real teammate and started hacking them up, setting them on fire, or shooting them in the face.

 

[Sober]

Well, unless they changed it, the damage reduction the Dead Ringer only lasts about 6 seconds (the length of a full cloak) and any extra charge doesn't count. A pyro also helps, if you think it's a Dead Ringer, just keep firing, and if an immolated cloaked figure is running about, he's still alive.

Funny is when I purposefully lead a team around while on fire with the dead ringer.

 

[Chesskid1]

yeah i'm starting to get it. when i see a spy cloak i just watch my back and make sure they never get near me and wait for the time to expire. if they are TOO many spies i switch to pyro.

i like supporting my team and healing, and try to get some easy kills with the shitty medic gun which i don't like at all atm.

i like to stay back and not face the blunt of everyone, and just try to get easy kills. that's my playstyle usually.

i was mad addicted to enemy territory so i might be to this as well.

 

[Sober]

Also, make a habit of trying to run through people. The ones you bump into will be spies. Some people are dumb as hell trying to avoid you when they really shouldn't.

 

[Yasae]

It's also vitally important to look at the pyro as a defensive class. Their damage ramp up when getting near enemies was nerfed a lot in their update (2010,) but the airblast cost was lowered, the flare gun got better, and there were various other items added which changed their playstyle significantly.

If anyone thinks pyro is W+M1 anymore, they're dumb as dirt. In no weapon configuration does the pyro get the damage they used to, so you can't rely on that anymore. Those days are long over, dead, and beaten with a shovel.

I get a lot of points from blowing people out. You can rise to the top if there's an enemy pyro setting your team on fire, getting 4 or 5 or 6 points in one click. You can also help keep sentries alive longer by blasting away enemy fire, though I don't think you get points for this (?)

 

[Sober]

Most airblasting doesn't get rewarded (thankless/pointless work), but I've see so many pushes stopped dead in its tracks from some good blasting. Disconnecting uber heavy/medic combos so the team can just destroy them is absolutely fascinating to see.

 

[Yasae]

Well, unless they changed it, the damage reduction the Dead Ringer only lasts about 6 seconds (the length of a full cloak) and any extra charge doesn't count. A pyro also helps, if you think it's a Dead Ringer, just keep firing, and if an immolated cloaked figure is running about, he's still alive.

Funny is when I purposefully lead a team around while on fire with the dead ringer.

I've seen it last up to about 10 seconds. Extra charge counts, and makes it borderline overpowered.

Don't continuously fire while they're cloaked with the DR. That's a waste of ammo, especially as pyro where you need all the metal you can get. If you can set them on fire and chase them down, go for it, but don't go out of your way.

 

[Orayn]

It's also vitally important to look at the pyro as a defensive class. Their damage ramp up when getting near enemies was nerfed a lot in their update (2010,) but the airblast cost was lowered, the flare gun got better, and there were various other items added which changed their playstyle significantly.

If anyone thinks pyro is W+M1 anymore, they're dumb as dirt. In no weapon configuration does the pyro get the damage they used to, so you can't rely on that anymore. Those days are long over, dead, and beaten with a shovel.

I get a lot of points from blowing people out. You can rise to the top if there's an enemy pyro setting your team on fire, getting 4 or 5 or 6 points in one click. You can also help keep sentries alive longer by blasting away enemy fire, though I don't think you get points for this (?)

I've been playing Pyro as a crowd control and ambush class since the flamethrower nerf - It's all about finding where the other team is being sloppy, and punishing them for it by igniting, airblasting, axing, and flaregunning everything in sight. If you throw the Backburner into the mix, it's kind of like playing a Spy with a really long reach and no cloak.

 

[Yasae]

I've been playing Pyro as a crowd control and ambush class since the flamethrower nerf - It's all about finding where the other team is being sloppy, and punishing them for it by igniting, airblasting, axing, and flaregunning everything in sight. If you throw the Backburner into the mix, it's kind of like playing a Spy with a really long reach and no cloak.

Yes. You should also have the homewrecker equipped if you're not axetinguishing. Killing sappers in one hit is nice.

 

[undrtakr900]

To all NEW TF2 players check out my...

~~ TF2 Thread of "How to Play..." Videos ~~

over at the official Steam forums, it has many videos/tips for playing each class.

sorry, but how do i not get owned by a spy? they look just like my teammates, and when i try to kill them they just go invisible. one kileld me like 10x in a row.

At the link above I made a Spy detection guide...

How to Spot a Spy:

• You can pass through Teammates but Spies will block your path
• Cloaked Spies will flicker when they are hit or touch an Enemy
  NOTE: Spies using Dead Ringer do Not flicker/shimmer when hit/bumped
• Someone who goes out of their way to avoid you
• Anyone with the Same name as you
• If you see anyone(besides an Engineer) standing on a Dispenser/Sentry they are a Spy
• If an Engineer is sitting on a building with his Shotgun(ie Primary) out, do a Spy check to make sure
• If anyone is standing on your own buildings they are a Spy
• Don't let THIS happen to you (Youtube)
• Spies getting healed by (enemy) Medics will appear to have Buffed HP
• If you see a teammate standing next to a Dispenser but their Health bar does Not increase, they are a Spy
• If you see a Health or Ammo Pack disappear with no one around, a cloaked Spy took it
• If there are X players on a Control Point/Payload, but the Capture Speed is LESS than X someone is a Spy
  Note: Remember Scouts capture at 2X speed
• If you shoot a Sticky and it bounces off thin air, immediately detonate it, because it hit a Spy (stickies don't cause cloaked Spies to shimmer)
• Sometimes the Spy's will let off a (disguised character specific) emote taunt after sapping and destroying a Sentry/Building
• If a Spy's "Death" seemed way too easy they might be using the Dead Ringer, so stay alert or continue spamming(Pyros). Also pay attention for the very distinct Dead Ringer de-clock sound
• If you have your knife out and come near an "ally's" back and you get into backstab stance (Knife held high, pointed down), stab. It's an enemy spy
• If a friendly spy dosen't have a ski mask then he is an enemy spy, since you always get one when you disguise
• If you killed a spy but his thrown weapon didn't gave you ammo, the spy you killed is a dead ringer spy
• Spies will Burn with their class-specific color
• *** Check out How to Effectively Detect Spies Guide by Kurrus

 

[Professor Beef]

How do I find some of these weapons that people are carrying, like the bow/arrow the Sniper has? Are they things you have to pay for?

 

[Archie]

How do I find some of these weapons that people are carrying, like the bow/arrow the Sniper has? Are they things you have to pay for?

Random drops.

 

[Drkirby]

I thought Valve made it so spies disguised as spies do get masks.

 

[Orayn]

How do I find some of these weapons that people are carrying, like the bow/arrow the Sniper has? Are they things you have to pay for?

Each class has three weapons that you unlock by getting achievements, specifically three "milestones" that each grant one weapon from that class's first major update. The rest of them can be bought in the store, found randomly, or crafted out of metal, which is in turn something you get by combining extra weapons you get through the drop system. As far as random drops go, you get approximately one item per hour for the first 8-10 hours you play each week. (Apparently the "week" resets on Thursday evenings, Pacific time.)
You would do well to poke around the rest of TF2 Wiki from the link in my post. There's a lot of good information there.

 

[undrtakr900]

I thought Valve made it so spies disguised as spies do get masks.

They did? When did they do that, cause I haven't really been keeping with all the updates.

eDIt: Oh I get it now, but we were both saying the same thing. Since you do get a mask when disguised, then Spy-Spies won't have a mask.

 

[Hop]

I thought Valve made it so spies disguised as spies do get masks.

They do. If a Spy disguises as a Spy who is himself disguised, then to the enemy he gets the same mask as the Spy he's disguised as, while to his friends he's a Spy wearing a Spy mask.

Spies can be confusing.

 

[Burli]

Most airblasting doesn't get rewarded (thankless/pointless work), but I've see so many pushes stopped dead in its tracks from some good blasting. Disconnecting uber heavy/medic combos so the team can just destroy them is absolutely fascinating to see.

I can't live without air blast any more, it's deadly if there's a rush with one or two soldiers firing from a group, I've air blasted two rockets in one for 5 kills before. Great for splitting up ubers, forcing soldiers to switch to shotgun, firing back arrows at snipers, slowing a rush in a narrow area.

 

[Jack Scofield]

They do. If a Spy disguises as a Spy who is himself disguised, then to the enemy he gets the same mask as the Spy he's disguised as, while to his friends he's a Spy wearing a Spy mask.

Spies can be confusing.

I read this post and now the word "Spy" has no meaning to me.

what the fuck

 

[Drkirby]

If there are weapons you want, and are on the gaf server, just ask politely if anyone has it. Most people will do just about any 1 to 1 trade or just give it away. Mind you, you won't be able to get the brand new stuff this way, since most people them selves are going to use them as collateral to get the new weapons they don't own.

Also, older weapons are easier to trade for obviously, though new players likely don't know the order in which weapons released. Some rules of thumb to tell the age of a weapon on glance if you haven't mauled over update history yet, pre-Mann Co Weapons are not part of sets, sets are from the Mann co update an on, the shogun items (The Japanese stuff) is from before the medic update, and the medic update is well, the stuff part of the uber update.


Some promotional items can still be obtained. You can get a hat from Alien Swarm and Spiral Knights, which are both free, and you will retrieve a hat from buying any item off the Mann Co Store (Which, if you have a free account, I would suggest picking up some $.49 item just to get the larger backpack)

You can also get 4 items from Poker Night at the Inventory, but these are all cosmetic items anyway (Love the watch though)

You can also get a few item though Space Chem, a Pin and a Fish Cake.

The Rift items can be crafted directly (Though aren't to useful), and the Three-Rune Blade and Maul can be crafted with generic recipes (Though they are just cosmetic reskins, so don't worry to much about them)

 

[Orayn]

I can't live without air blast any more, it's deadly if there's a rush with one or two soldiers firing from a group, I've air blasted two rockets in one for 5 kills before. Great for splitting up ubers, forcing soldiers to switch to shotgun, firing back arrows at snipers, slowing a rush in a narrow area.

And it's a truly lethal weapon on any map with bottomless pits or other stage hazards.

 

[CountAntonius]

Current Players Peak Today Game

61,805 69,241 Team Fortress 2

Wow @ the power of free. Already surpassed the CS games overnight. I wonder how much money they are gonna rake in from the item shop now.

 

[Drkirby]

Of minor note, I am annoyed there is now two weapons that are direct upgrades to the Bonesaw. Both the Amputator and Solemn Vow have the same stats as the Bonesaw, just added abilities.

 

[speculawyer]

How do I find some of these weapons that people are carrying, like the bow/arrow the Sniper has? Are they things you have to pay for?

If you are new, some of the 99 cent starter packs may be worth the small amount of money if you an item quickly. I'm not sure if the sniper starter back has the bow but take a look.

 

[demosthenes]

How do I find some of these weapons that people are carrying, like the bow/arrow the Sniper has? Are they things you have to pay for?

Get the sniper achievements, I think that might get you it. Or when you get drops, offer it to people for the bow if you don't get it yourself as a random drop.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

If you are new, some of the 99 cent starter packs may be worth the small amount of money if you an item quickly. I'm not sure if the sniper starter back has the bow but take a look.

It does, but I wouldn't bother with the starter kits. I took a look, and they're all incredibly common items, usually 2 items from that class's update. They have 1 class-specific hat in them, though! (not very good hats, though)

 

[Professor Beef]

I read this post and now the word "Spy" has no meaning to me.

what the fuck

If you are new, some of the 99 cent starter packs may be worth the small amount of money if you an item quickly. I'm not sure if the sniper starter back has the bow but take a look.

I'll do that. Thanks for the replies, everyone.

EDIT: Maybe not the starter packs after all, I guess? :lol

 

[Sober]

The TF2 wiki is back up: http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Main_Page

If you happen to be looking for a specific weapon, check the page. The older weapons can be unlocked with achievements, along with the rest of the new items which can be obtained either from random drops or from crafting.

Can't seem to find what crafting limitations are for F2P players; though if you can buy something in the MannCo store you should just do that for all the benefits of being able to trade, get hat drops and probably craft hats.

 

[thetechkid]

They do. If a Spy disguises as a Spy who is himself disguised, then to the enemy he gets the same mask as the Spy he's disguised as, while to his friends he's a Spy wearing a Spy mask.

Spies can be confusing.

 

[Sober]

I remember back in my day, when Spies took the teleporter they'd still have that glowing trail behind them for 10 seconds.

Also, if you are a sniper, please just walk back, don't take the teleporter when there are other people who could use it. (Scout too)

 

[SpacLock]

My '08 MacBook Pro doesn't run it very well, but I guess it's playable because I finished in second place in my first game ever played.

Used a spy and kept knifing dudes in the back.

 

[Gilby]

My best advice for people starting Engineer is to Spectate other Engies and watch where they put their teleporters/sentries as there's always "sweet" spots for holding/advancing on checkpoints.

This too. The best way to learn the ways a specific class can play each map is to pay attention to how and where they specifically kick your team's asses on a map.

 

[Cipherr]

goddamn, the servers are packed to the goddamn gills. All my favorites filled damn near. Crazy.

 

[snack]

Current Players Peak Today Game

61,805 69,241 Team Fortress 2

Wow @ the power of free. Already surpassed the CS games overnight. I wonder how much money they are gonna rake in from the item shop now.

Those are some pretty strong numbers. Gabe must be smiling with so much joy right now.

 

[markot]

The real question is will they stay? AND WILL THEY BUY HATS?!

 

[Hop]

No, no. Save that image for when a Spy disguises as the enemy Spy who's disguised as him. You'll have a Spy disguised as a Spy disguised as himself.

 

[speculawyer]

Also, if you are a sniper, please just walk back, don't take the teleporter when there are other people who could use it. (Scout too)

Yeah . . . there should be some rules of TF2 teleporter etiquette.

When there is a line:
-If the Tele is level one, consider becoming an engineer for a couple minutes and pounding it into a level 3 then going back to your usual class.
-If you are a Scout . . . forget it. Go run and use your speed.
-Let the Heavy and soldier go ahead . . . they are front-line fighters and they move slow.
-If there is an engineer with a toolbox, let him go ahead . . . he may be setting another teleporter, a dispenser, or a gun to protect the teleporter
-Spy check while waiting

 

[Professor Beef]

No, no. Save that image for when a Spy disguises as the enemy Spy who's disguised as him. You'll have a Spy disguised as a Spy disguised as himself.

My god...

 

[Salsa]

Am i the only one that when playing as Spy diguises as a class from his own team to throw enemies off? specially during the setup. Disguise as a Heavy, shout some stuff, they either jump out as another heavy or waste a ubercharge. Works wonders, doesnt seem to be too popular in my community.

 

[thetechkid]

No, no. Save that image for when a Spy disguises as the enemy Spy who's disguised as him. You'll have a Spy disguised as a Spy disguised as himself.

 

[crazyjah2003]

I am installing steam and making an account for because of this, I still don't trust them and won't give them any of my money.
Can anyone recommend me any good free stuff on there?

 

[w00tkins]

They do. If a Spy disguises as a Spy who is himself disguised, then to the enemy he gets the same mask as the Spy he's disguised as, while to his friends he's a Spy wearing a Spy mask.

Spies can be confusing.

SPYCEPTION

 

[Inferno313]

I am installing steam and making an account for because of this, I still don't trust them and won't give them any of my money.
Can anyone recommend me any good free stuff on there?

crazyjah2003
Junior Member
(Today, 10:13 PM)
Reply | Quote



But seriously, download Alien Swarm. Spiral Knights is good fun too.

 

[thetrin]

They do. If a Spy disguises as a Spy who is himself disguised, then to the enemy he gets the same mask as the Spy he's disguised as, while to his friends he's a Spy wearing a Spy mask.

Spies can be confusing.

This is why as a Pyro, I spy check EVERYTHING.

 

[Thorndyke]

Am i the only one that when playing as Spy diguises as a class from his own team to throw enemies off? specially during the setup. Disguise as a Heavy, shout some stuff, they either jump out as another heavy or waste a ubercharge. Works wonders, doesnt seem to be too popular in my community.

I remember when I first started playing, and I saw spies doing this on the enemy team (disguising as their own team). At first I thought I had some random glitch that meant on my computer it showed spies as their own color, and I cackled with glee. Then when I found out that they were doing it on purpose I felt sad and used.

 

[Drkirby]

They do. If a Spy disguises as a Spy who is himself disguised, then to the enemy he gets the same mask as the Spy he's disguised as, while to his friends he's a Spy wearing a Spy mask.

Spies can be confusing.

Spies disguised as Spies disguised as Spies disguised as Spies

 

[Sober]

Am i the only one that when playing as Spy diguises as a class from his own team to throw enemies off? specially during the setup. Disguise as a Heavy, shout some stuff, they either jump out as another heavy or waste a ubercharge. Works wonders, doesnt seem to be too popular in my community.

Rare but good. Depends on the respawn rates. If it's instant most of the time noone gives a shit but even if I see a heavy hobbling down a corridor and I'm low on HP, I will run away rather than give him a chance to spin up on me. Pyro also works wonders at scaring people.

 

[Sober]

LOL, the elitism begins:

https://forums.alliedmods.net/showthread.php?t=160049

Oh my.

Spoiler

Yes I know, good for trade servers but who knows

 

[Oreoleo]

Spies disguised as Spies disguised as Spies disguised as Spies

Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

LOL, the elitism begins:

https://forums.alliedmods.net/showthread.php?t=160049

Oh my.

Spoiler

Yes I know, good for trade servers but who knows

Hilarious. I think they need to put in some noob servers or something for those of us that need to figure out what we're doing.