Team Fortress 2: Newbie Advice Thread

More Advanced Tips:

• See that Pain Train? Afraid of the bullet vulnerability? Equip it in Medieval Mode, since there's no bullets, rendering the drawback nonexistent.
• The Buff Banner and other banners use a pseudo-Ubercharge. To activate it, switch to it and hit LMB (it will automatically switch back to your previous weapon). Be mindful: Rage meters are filled in different ways, depending on Banner.
  • Speaking of which: Don't be afraid to deploy it if you're being attacked. Like the Ubercharge, it's better to use it than to lose it.
• If you get a Sticky Jumper or Rocket Jumper, practice Rocket/Sticky jumping offline...and maybe even use it online, if you get creative.

With this new shovel for Soldier, it is actually possible to use Rocket Jumper very efficiently(It crits while rocket-jumping). If one's skill in rocket jumps is significant, he can also equip Manthreads to goomba stomp enemies instead of just gunning them down with Shotgun.

Back to the topic, classes are made to counter another ones. Each of them has their advantages and disadvantages against certain opponents. Of course, it can change, depending on one's loadout(Direct Hit Soldiers are at disadvantage against Scouts, for example), but I do believe we can assume some axioms:

• Scouts are good at eliminating key targets: They have the edge against Snipers, Spies, Demomen(The latter lacks hitscan weapon, so scoring a hit on agile and nimble Scout can be a pain) and a slight one against Medics. He's at disadvantage when facing Soldiers, Heavies and Sentries(Though he can kill a lone Engieneer with ease).
• Soldiers are good at fighting many weak opponents, thanks to their Rocket Launchers. Soldier is also profiecent at destroying Sentries. Basically, he's both good and bad when fighting with any other class(Save possibly for Spy).
• Pyros are(now) a supportive version of a Soldier, so they're, again, both good and bad when fighting anyone. However, Pyro is a very good - one would say, natural - counter against Spy and that's what makes him different in circle from the Soldier.
• Demomen are good against slow or barely moving targets such as Heavy, Soldier or Sniper(Though the last one only to some extent), as well as Engieneer's buildings. They're bad when fighting quicker classes such as Scout or Medic, they also have a slight disadvantage against Pyro and Spy(Ability to reflect grenades and slightly better speed respectively).
• Heavies are good against classes that cannot inflict enough damage in time, such as Scouts and Pyros. Their slow speed, however, make them vulnerable against Spies, Snipers and Demomen.
• Engieneers by themselves are at disadvantage against any class, but their Sentry gives them the edge against Scouts, Pyros and - to lesser extent - Medics and Snipers. Sentry is, however, vulnerable against Demomen, Spies and - to lesser extent - Soldiers.
• Medics, because of their unique abilities and very high probability to team up with another class, have no weaknesses or strengths against anyone. On their own, they're at disadvantage against heavier and bulkier classes like Soldiers or Heavies. Scouts are their bane as well, though not to such degree as the former ones.
• Sniper is good at eliminating slow moving targets, such as Heavies, Demomen and - to a lesser degree - Soldiers. They're at disadvantage against Scouts and Spies(Though a skilled Sniper is more likely to assasinate Medics, Engieneers and other Snipers).
• Spies are good against Heavies, Soldiers, Demomen, Snipers and Engieneers and at disadvantage when facing Scouts and Pyros. One should note, however, that should Spy fail at his task, he becomes a cannon fodder for everyone.

Best Regards

A few tips for Demoman players

• Sticky bombs are your friend. Like pyros, your best areas are around corners behind doors and above.
• you can use sticky bombs on the go but it is tricky
• You can shoot over cover. Use the trajectory to your advantage.
• Sticky bombing your enemies Capture point and blowing up all defenders is useful.
• Sentries are to be destroyed. Demos are the best man for the job.
• Grenades bounce you can shoot around corners using this knowledge
• If your in a hurry you can sticky bomb jump but it's risky.
• Swords and Axes are generally better than your base bottle get them.

Something that's not been mentioned yet is that if you want to get a handle on what to do as __ class, swap to spectate mode and spec the high scoring players, it'll give you a better idea on how to use that particular class on that particular map.

Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions, just tune out the idiots who "LOL NOOB" you, you'll usually find on any team there are players who will give you a decent answer. Much better to feel a little silly in asking than making a massive screwup that costs you later because you were afraid to ask.

I love you guys. I may now be able to enter this game and not out myself as a noob within the first minute.

Although it depends on one's preferences, I disagree. SMG is accurate, but runs out of ammo very quickly and lacks damage output. You need to empty a whole clip in order to kill Scout/Engie/Spy/other Sniper, your target won't stand in one place too, there's also damage falloff on longer distances, meaning that you need to be close to have a chance to kill your opponent. Meanwhile, being that close to the action is probably the wrongest thing that a Sniper can do. Unless he's extremely effective in quick-scoping, he has little or no chances to win the encounter, even with Engie(Who still has damaging Shotgun and a Pistol with 212 rounds).

However, save for Jarate, secondary unlockables for Sniper are highly situational at best(Darwin's Danger Shield) or downright useless at worst(Razorback: If you're alone, good Spy will simply shoot you with Revolver, rendering the shield useless). Your role is up to choosing the appropiate Primary. Vanilla Sniper Rifle for long-range fighting when being far from front lines. Huntsman(Bow) for middle-ranged combat, suited for being even with others. Sydney Sleeper for supporting your teammates with Mini Crits.

Ah, that's it. If you want to play as a Sniper, but lack good aiming, get the Sleeper to be much more useful. Seriously, who needs headshots when you can aid your team and actually do something?(Just to refresh, Mini Crits deal 33% more damage. Now combine it with effects like bleeding or afterburn)

General Medic tip: Your goal is to heal people. Do NOT get involved in front-line fighting if there's someone else to heal that can do it better. Your melee weapon is pretty deadly and crits often, however, so if the enemy gets too close, whack him. Also, try to hide whenever possible. Your health may regenerate, but it does so slowly. You'll go down hard if you try to stay to rely on your self-healing. Don't be afraid to run if things get too bad, especially if your Medic Buddy is hot-headed and stubborn and believes that a Medic renders him invincible.

My personal preference for Sniper secondary is Jarate, if you're having issues getting shots in for whatever reason, it's a pretty cool switch to run in Jarate in hand, blast a load of opponents and watch the assists come rolling in. You can also use it to control where your oppenents go on some maps. If you block a choke point with constant Jarate throws, the other teams soon starts looking for other ways to get to the objective, which you can exploit

Scouts:

• Force of Nature is a beautiful weapon. and is a clear upgrade over the standard shotgun
  • For the record so is the shortstop when you can get it
• Shoot the Medic First
• Avoid sentries like the plague.
• Pyros are bad kill them with your pistol.
  • DONT EVER MELEE A PYRO.
• reload whenever you can.

Disagree, completely disagree. The sole fact that Fa N has only two bullets in one clip while Scattergun has six of them says something. Also, it's a very risky weapon: You can inflict glorious damage with it in even shorter time than with vanilla primary, but you also need to be even closer to opponent. If they see you coming, you're screwed. It improves your mobility, that's true. However, Fa N is a weapon that can be hard to use properly. Therefore, I recommend sticking with vanilla primary and get basics of it first.

About Shortstop, it's a completely different weapon than the previous two. It's basically a mid-range semi-automatic derringer. Paired with Crit-a-Cola! can give you a punch strong enough to help your allies while staying at safe bay. However, if enemy closes to you, he will murder you, as Shortstop isn't suited for a short-range combat(Especially another Scout).

About Sentries, you can use Bonk! Atomic Punch to render yourself immune to damage for about six-seven seconds, so enough to ran past Sentry's line of fire. You still need to watch out for knockback though, as Bonk! doesn't protect from it. Also, you render yourself without any long-range weapon(unless you're using a Shortstop), so generally avoiding Sentries is the thing you should do. Let your teammates handle it.

A good Bonk! tactic (if you don't mind taking one for the team) is to use the Bonk to avoid sentry fire until you can pull the attending Engineer into the line of fire. Sure you'll most likely die, but so will the Engy, leaving his buildings as sitting ducks.

With the Heavy unlocks:

• Natascha is a little overspecialized, use it if you have trouble gunning down Scouts but otherwise don't bother.
• Brass Beast is great for the traditional "defend stationary target" role of the Heavy, not so much for offensive applications or Payload.
• The Tomislav is very useful for Payload and playing offense, since you don't have to worry about spin-up time. Doesn't sound like much, but trust me, it makes a difference. The RoF penalty might hurt you once a line of stalemate gets drawn, though, so don't be afraid to switch back to the vanilla minigun or Brass Beast mid-game.
• SANDVICH IS CREDIT TO TEAM.
• Use the KGB if you're in a small map with a lot of melee opportunities, the Fists of Steel if you're playing Medieval, and the GRU otherwise. Just be sure only to use the GRU for getting through safe territory quickly or while close to a Medic, Dispenser, or healing items...

+One of the best anti-sentry tactics at a choke point is to have a Bonked-up scout go in and distract the Sentry while his teammates open fire; the Sentry can only track one target at a time, so it winds up tracking the Scout instead of the guys who are actually shooting at it. It's an effective enough tactic that this is one of the issues the Wrangler was designed to deal with ("This thing ain't on autopilot, son!").

The Tomislav's rate-of-fire penalty doesn't make too much of a difference if you can actually get the drop on the other Heavy. By the time he figures out you're there, you're already firing.

edited 27th Jun '11 7:26:30 PM by JakesBrain

I beg to differ about the Fists of Steel. On Medieval mode, it is the worse possible choice in every way:

The increased resistance to bullets is useless since there are no firearms, you take more time to switch between weapons, and, worse of all, you take 100% more damage from melee weapons.

Not suited to medieval mode AT ALL.

Use Fists of Steel for Payload, since most people will be trying to shoot you off the cart, you'll be able to absorb more damage and keep the bomb moving.

Ah, my bad, I got the weakness and resistance backwards. I'd also avoid the GRU in Medieval.

edited 27th Jun '11 8:25:06 PM by NoraOfTheFields

In general, Fists of Steel are a good choice when you simply want a safety belt for Snipers and doesn't bother with meleeing enemies. Yes, you can survive a fully charged headshot with it(Though only on overheal).

Now something about Doublecross. If you're playing as Pyro, make use of your airblast frequently to push enemies off the bridge. You can also do this(Or even you should) with enemy's intelligence carrier, making your briefcase promptly return to your base.

If you're playing as Scout, take use of lower bridge. Sentries in sewers appear from time to time, but most of it, you've got a free room for you to charge in, kill that Sniper and retreat.

If you're playing an Engie, you can try gambling with Fate and attempt to set up your nest in enemy's sewers. Although it may seem difficult to pull of in the first place, if you manage to succeed, you'll give your team a massive advantage and turn the tides of battle.

If you're playing as Sniper, use your battlements. Unlike the ones in 2Fort, here you have almost a half of the upper bridge. You can basically hold your enemies in their gate. Be wary, though, as counter-snipers will appear in no time.

So do any actual noobies read this thread for advice?

Yes, but it's more fun to actually talk about your experiences in the main thread. That, and videos usually make for much better learning material.

Of course, if I have any direct questions of theoretical nature, I might as well post them here. Like this one:

I think I managed to get pretty lucky and got a winger for my scout. Now, the question is, should I be actually using it?

Depends on how good your aim is with a pistol. If you're not good, it's actually a downgrade, since you'll have to reload more often.

I'm not newbie, but where the heck I can find someone who would trade Ol'Snaggletooth or The Attendant to me? And does ANYONE want Black pain thing? Seriously, everyone just ignores me when I ask, I'm desperate to the point where I ask in this thread too

> Meanwhile, being that close to the action is probably the wrongest thing that a Sniper can do

Well yeah, but it's really okay if you wanna shoot back instead of just dying and looking sad while at it.

I can't rocket jump for shit.

I have a training map just for practicing this, but this one section requires me to rocket jump then rocket-wall-jump. How the hell do I do that? M1-Space-W at the same time? M1 and then Space?

ARRRGGGGHHHH

Reminds me of my Quake Live days.

edited 28th Jun '11 4:44:27 AM by GiantRobots

Jump then shoot. That's how you rocket jump. If you need to, crouch jump.

Yeah, there's a few newbies reading this thread. Me, for instance.

Though I've owned the game since it came out on the Orange Box, I've just never really been interested in playing it. I've only dipped my feet in playing against AI from time to time, but do have an interest in playing it a bit more.