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The Gloriousness of TF2: Debates, discussions, and general tuftoo buffoonery

Lindsay Bluth FunkeLindsay Bluth Funke Registered User regular
edited May 2010 in Games and Technology
Nerds assemble here. Consider yourself warned.

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Old thing.

THE Servers

Hey You & Quaz and Wally's
TF2PRO.COM / TEAM ZISSOU SERVER Donate!
Come test custom PA made maps and mods for the PAMTU (Contact an admin to join).
Server IP: 208.167.242.188:27015
Password: wang

Job's
Hyperbolic Drama Chamber Donate!
Normal server with SourceMod.
Server IP: 216.155.146.69:27015
Password: wang

JonXP's
JonXP's server Donate!
Regular vanilla server. No plugins whatsoever.
Server IP: tf2.finalmeasure.com
Password: wang

PMAvers'
House of Non-Conformity Donate!
Custom map server.
Server IP: 208.167.243.68:27015
Download the Map Pack. 232 MB download.
Contents of the map pack (updated: US Tax day!/ April 15, 2010):
cp_coldfront_rc1
cp_indulge
cp_generator_b4b
cp_mainline_rc5
ctf_cloudburst_b3
ctf_landfall_a9
ctf_mercy_b5
koth_garbage_day
koth_lighthouse_rc5
koth_moonshine_rc
koth_persia_b4
koth_switcheroo_b3
koth_trainwreck_b1
pl_cashworks_rc2
pl_swiftwater_frc3a1
Extract to: Steam\steamapps\<your account>\team fortress 2\tf\maps
Password: wang

UEAKCrash's
+2 Pub of Pubbing Donate!
Public Server
Server IP: 68.232.172.181:27015
No password required.

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And for all you Flippy_D lovers and haters out there....
nealcm wrote: »
he was the only person we killed

i'd call it worth it

the net worth of a flippy kill is directly proportionate to the amount of green text used to whine

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COMMUNITY ITEMS
Okay, here's the list of new items

Weapons
-The Homewrecker: Level 5 Sledgehammer for the Pyro. Double Damage to buildings, 3/4ths damage to players
-The Pain Train: Level 5 Makeshift Club for the Soldier and Demoman. +1 Capture Rate on wearer, 10% bullet damage vulnerability on wearer
-The Dalokohos Bar: Level 1 Lunchbox Chocolate for the Heavy. +50 max health for 30 seconds.

Hats
-Physicians Procedure Mask (Medic Mask)
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-Hound Dog (Heavy Hair)
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-Hustler's Hallmark (Demoman Hallmark)
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-Magistrate's Mullet (Spy Noble Hair)
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-Hotrod (Engineer Welding Mask)
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-Troublemaker's Tossle Cap (Scout Beanie)
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-Triboniophorus Tyrannus (Pyro Brain Sucker)
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-Killer's Kabuto (Soldier Samurai Hat)
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-Shooter's Sola Topi (Sniper's Pitch Helmet)
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So, you want to play competitive TF2?
This guide will set up you up with the basics on how to get in on some quick 6v6 competitive play without having to commit to a clan, schedule, practice, etc. This is purely for 6v6 and not Highlander (9v9 with a class limit of 1 for each class) because I do not believe highlander has their own pug gather system yet.

PUG stands for Pick Up Group, which is what it sounds like; A group of players interested in playing a tight 6v6 game. The 'gather' system is a system built into the #tf2.pug IRC channel that automatically assembles players who've opted in into teams and provides a server with league rules to play on.

This is done through 2 programs:

-Mumble, for voice chat
-IRC, for the gather system.

Personally, I love getting in a few 6v6 matches here and there, especially when the PA servers are empty. It's active at all times of the day, and you'll be set against players of a wide range of skill, ranging from merely interested folk like maybe yourself, to ESEA and CEVO level players.

As well, I think the gather system is a great way for people who knock 6v6 or have the wrong impressions about it to try it out for themselves and see what people like myself mean when we described it as just another level of play.

IRC
Open up your preferred IRC client it, be it something like mibbit.com or mIRC.

You need to connect to the irc.gamesurge.net server, and go into channel #tf2.pug

There is also a #tf2.pug.na channel, but its regulars are a bit more advanced, most coming from the top place teams, so #tf2.pug is much more entry level, which is what you'll want if you're looking to get into 6v6. Being immediately put up against slardel when you're a scout isn't going to do much good for your skills or your love of the game.

Mumble
Mumble is a third party voice chat software similar to Ventrilo and is used for communicating with your teammates during the match. Every team, clan, what have you uses a third party voice chat program instead of the in-game voice because it allows you to communicate when you are dead in-game.

Mumble is preferred over Ventrilo because of its ease of use and it provides several nifty features like an in-game overlay and pop-up messages telling you who's coming and going.

Download Mumble Here

Once installed it just needs some basic set up, and will ask you to create a certificate. Just enter in a name and an email, and then save it on your Desktop or any other place you keep misc. files.

Once you have Mumble set up, you will want to hit 'Add New' and enter in the relevant information. The tf2pug mumble server is:

Voice server IP : mumble.tf2pug.org:64738
Password : tf2pug

You'll want to keep the user-name you use in mumble and the server the same as the one you use in-game and in the tf2pug IRC channel so you can be easily identified. You will also want to stay in the 'Root' channel until you are assigned a game. Each of the respective channels (Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta) are server locations and each have a Red and Blue channel which you'll use during the matches

It may ask you if you want to run Mumble in compatibility mode when entering the server, just say yes to that.

First thing you'll want to do is make sure your Mumble is set to 'Push to Talk' instead of 'Voice Activity'. If you have it set to 'Voice Activity', your mic will turn on whenever you say anything without having to press a button, which can be annoying for your teammates.

Just go to Configure > Settings
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and under Audio Input changed the Transmit drop down box to Push to Talk. Hit Apply.
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Then go to Shortcuts along the left side, and hit add. It will add a new field into the white box. Double click on the 'Unassigned' and change it to Push to Talk, then double click the blank field under shortcut and select what button you want to use with the voice activation.
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And that's it!


***

Getting into a match
So now that that is all set up, you're ready to look for a game.

Once you enter the #tf2.pug channel, the first thing you typically do is type !players
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This will show you everyone who is queued up to play and what as. Because this is basic 6v6, the class layout that is supported in the pug channel is:
2 Scouts
2 Soldiers
1 Demo
1 Medic

Once there are enough of the above for two teams, the game will start. To add yourself to the queue, just type !add [yourclass]
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I am now added to the match queue.

Now you simply wait. The queue will fill up with 12 players, and the following message will appear
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It will then sort you into teams
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You may sometimes get a message similar to this:
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All you have to do is type !ready into the #tf2.pug channel and it will leave you in the match

Your final message will be:
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This provides the ip and password of the server you will be playing on, but as well as the mumble room you will be using. In this instance, I will be using the Atlanta 1 room, under Red team. Connect to the ip, get on your assigned team, and wait for everyone else to get ready


The Game
So as we know, the standard class make up is as follows:
2 Scouts
2 Soldiers
1 Demo
1 Medic

Demo and medic are limited to 1 per team, and everything else is limited to 2, but you won't see much deviation from this. The most common change is one scout switching to sniper on maps like badlands, gravelpit, or well. Heavies and engies are rare but still appear when some last ditch defense is needed
on gravelpit or badlands, typically when you're down to your last point. Pyros and spies are sometimes used to try and kill the opposing team's medic quickly in a clutch play situation.

The maps you will be playing on mostly are:
cp_badlands
cp_granary
cp_follower
cp_well
cp_gravelpit
sometimes cp_yukon

These are the maps that have just been found to be the most balanced and enjoyable, offering some great back and forth play over the center and second to last points. cp_follower is a custom map that combines the spawn areas of granary with a middle area similar to badlands. It is very fun and worth having in your maps folder.

In terms of gameplay, no matter what class you are, conservation is the key. The only outright battles you'll be fighting are in the opening minutes on the middle point and in pushes (either uber, counter, or when opposing team's medic is down). With everything else, you should be holding back, building uber, sticking with teammates and trying to pick off a few members of the enemy team. Never try to engage alone unless you're a decent scout. Attempting to jump into a group of opposing players alone will only get you killed again and again.

Hit and run strategies are never frowned upon, and knowing when to fight and when to fall back is a key skill you'll need to learn quickly.

As well, the opening moments of the game, where each team are heading to the middle, are critical. You'll soon pick up on the paths each class takes for each map, but generally scouts and demos should arrive first, with soldiers and medic not far behind, with medic sitting at about 50-60% uber. As a soldier/demo, you really should only be walking the last few bits of the map towards the center, the rest should consist of rocket/sticky jumping. The medic will heal you as you go down.

The following are some general strategies and expectations from the standard classes:

Scout
-Typically, unless stated otherwise, the two scouts are supposed to act as 'roamers': They move away from the rest of the team and work in tandem to try and take out the enemy medic or pick off fleeing soldiers/demos.
-They also play a crucial role in the opening of the game, as they will, along with the demo, be the first people to get to the middle point, where they will engage the opposing scouts/demo for about ten to twenty seconds. Any kills or damage that can be done during this time is integral for your team's position post-mid-fight.
-Do not try to engage a combo (soldier + medic) alone
-Engage demo + medic combos, try to get into close and try to take out the medic or jump around him and peck off the medic if you can
-When all else fails, just kill the medic. You are expected to die much more than anyone else, but if you get this one job done, it is worth it in spades.

Soldier
-You and the other soldier are the blunt force of the team. You deal the damage, jump the jumps, and protect the medic.
-The soldiers are typically designated as pocket and roamer.
-Pocket soldier stays with the medic and protects him from everybody. He is not expected to go rocket jumping onto points or pushing the objective (unless the medic has an uber)
-The Roamer is exactly that, he has some leeway to rocket jump onto points and push without a medic, but typically, unless he wants to get screwed over, he will stay close to the pocket combo or the team demo
-Pockets should always use the normal rocket launcher and shotgun as it is the best to counter to scouts
-Roamers can use the DH if they're good but it's not expected.
-You should know how to rocket jump everywhere. This takes practice.
-Airshots are balla and will look nice in your frag videos

Demo
-You got to know the sticky jumps. For pretty much all the maps listed above, you must be able to sticky jump decently enough to get to the middle point at the same time the scouts would, or just behind them. This is particularly critical on badlands and granary, where a good few stickies set up at where the enemy team are coming out could decide who gets mid.
-You're a bigger damage dealer than the soldiers, and can fire more indirect. But you're all alone, so you dieing is kind of a big deal. Hang back and spam pipes into the middle point, and sticky up essential choke-points.
-This pretty much applies for both attack and defense.
-Stickying up choke-points is particularly essential when you're getting pushed back. A sticky trap on the gates on cp_well can practically turn the game to your favor.
-Personally not a big demo, so can't say much either way, but you have to be fairly competent in sticky usage and knowing when and where to fight, but also how to use your regular pipes to smack down scouts and soldiers

Medic
-You're the key to a lot of what goes on. Your uber and kritz are essential, and your death means your team is unsupported and will probably get pushed in on.
-That said, hang back. Stick with your pocket soldier at all times, don't try to advance ahead of him
-Scream ungodly sounds into the mic when being attacked
-Don't pull out your needlegun or saw unless you are completely and utterly alone and there is nowhere to run to. You will have people defending you, your job is to keep them up and to build the uber/kritz
-Jump a lot
-You can pop your uber if you're in trouble, no one will blame you, just stay alive.


That just about covers the basics of it.

GotFrag has a great page that goes a little more in depth not just into general strategy, but particular strategies for specific maps and such

Click here for GotFrag's Tips & Tricks section

Of particular interest should be Jaeger's general tips and tricks videos. There's only 5 so far, but they look at some specifics that are definitely worth knowing if you're looking to pursue this type of game-play a bit further

Tips & Tricks Volume 1 - Scout Energy Drink
- A few points about the Bonk, although the recent Valve fix made the first-person tip impossible :(
Tips & Tricks Volume 2 - Soldier Jumps on cp_gravelpit, point C
- Examples of how to quickly get up the C tower on cp_gravelpit out the left and ride side of spawn.
Tips & Tricks Volume 3 - Spamming Through Doors on cp_freight
- This is technically a glitch, and is not allowed by ESEA.
Tips & Tricks Volume 4 - Pre-firing Rockets
- Some safety tips for soldiers about spamming around corners.
Tips & Tricks Volume 5 - Medic Healing
- A little love for our healers as guest star creepin outlines the basic healing order, and why.


Now it's time for....


!!!PRO VIDEOS!!!


Post with any questions for clarifications.

Live free or die
Lindsay Bluth Funke on
«13456762

Posts

  • MEGA MEGA PANZER POPE SANMEGA MEGA PANZER POPE SAN Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Anyone have any idea why my TF2 just stopped working a patch after the soldier/demo thing? It loads up for a while, then at the point it would normally go to the menu it crashes to desktop. Normal tech support and the rest of the internet haven't been helpful.

    MEGA MEGA PANZER POPE SAN on
  • JintorJintor Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I thought for the longest time I would never succumb to the cursed I WANT NEW WEAPONS AND HATS jive, but now I find myself spending an hour or so a night playing in the hope of random drops so I can get scrap so I can get anything. ANYTHING AT ALL. BECAUSE ALL I HAVE ARE EVENT HATS.

    (And a medic spike)

    Jintor on
  • .Tripwire..Tripwire. Firman Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I used to be like you. Then I met my idle.

    .Tripwire. on
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  • Hey YouHey You Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Oh wow, Crash has a server.

    Hey You on
  • TrusTrus Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I'm 1 refined away from my next random hat!

    Trus on
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  • PMAversPMAvers Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    In case anyone was wondering whatever happened with it, I turned the LevelMod back on a minute ago since the first version of the Attributes mod was released as well. (So the levels actually *do* something slight.)

    If anyone wants to hop in and test it with me, that'd be cool.

    PMAvers on
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    COME FORTH, AMATERASU! - Switch Friend Code SW-5465-2458-5696 - Twitch
  • nealcmnealcm Alvarian AlvarianRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    nealcm wrote: »
    he was the only person we killed

    i'd call it worth it

    the net worth of a flippy kill is directly proportionate to the amount of green text used to whine

    i didn't see quaz had put this in the last OP

    its...

    beautiful

    nealcm on
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  • Jelly JigglerJelly Jiggler Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Anyone have any idea why my TF2 just stopped working a patch after the soldier/demo thing? It loads up for a while, then at the point it would normally go to the menu it crashes to desktop. Normal tech support and the rest of the internet haven't been helpful.

    no idea but you may want to try verifying the integrity of the game cache

    Jelly Jiggler on
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  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I'm 1 scrap away from 4 refined. I don't think I'll be able to decide what to use them for.

    DeMoN on
    Steam id : Toxic Cizzle
    *TyCart*_banner.jpg
  • Roland_tHTGRoland_tHTG Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    You could use them to craft a hat.

    Roland_tHTG on
  • BethrynBethryn Unhappiness is Mandatory Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Roland, supporter of Equaliser Naziism. 8(

    Bethryn on
    ...and of course, as always, Kill Hitler.
  • UEAKCrashUEAKCrash heh Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I would like to point out that in the past few days I have gotten the Respectless Rubber Glove as a drop, and crafted the new scoot hat.

    You all envy me. It's ok.

    UEAKCrash on
  • Roland_tHTGRoland_tHTG Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Bethryn I have no idea how to respond to that.

    Roland_tHTG on
  • UEAKCrashUEAKCrash heh Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    That's because Nazi's have a hard time countering the fact that they are Na-- I got nothing.

    UEAKCrash on
  • DeswaDeswa Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Got the Pain Train, was actually useful.

    Also, stop bragging Crash, I want those so bad.

    Deswa on
    gobassgo wrote:
    "It ain't rape, it's surprise sex!"
    wii : 3788 3264 2419 8070
  • BethrynBethryn Unhappiness is Mandatory Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Bethryn I have no idea how to respond to that.
    I bet you tried to rewrite history to portray the Equaliser in a positive light. 8(

    Bethryn on
    ...and of course, as always, Kill Hitler.
  • EndaroEndaro Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I have basically nothing to say, other than Jonxp should add the ability to pick spectator as a team if he has a chance.

    Endaro on
  • guarguar Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Reposting this,
    wonka.png

    guar on
  • EndaroEndaro Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    guar wrote: »
    Reposting this,
    wonka.png

    I don't really get it. I guess he found it in the chocolate bar? 1 out of every 100 that he eats should randomly give him a golden ticket which acts like the lucky sandwiche.

    Endaro on
  • EvilBadmanEvilBadman DO NOT TRUST THIS MAN Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Decided to craft my only two camera beards into something, was rewarded with Brain Slug. Fair trade, but now my beanie goes unworn.

    EvilBadman on
    FyreWulff wrote: »
    I should note that Badman is fucking awesome
    XBL- Evil Badman; Steam- EvilBadman; Twitter - EvilBadman
  • Quaz and WallyQuaz and Wally Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I've gotten so many hats that it's no longer special when I get one. Like I just got a Miner's Helmet, but it's like, mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

    All I want is the Modest Pile of Hat and the Scottsman's Stovepipe.

    Quaz and Wally on
  • JakorianJakorian Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    All I have is the soldiers stash and the football helmet.

    Jakorian on
  • undeinPiratundeinPirat Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    i can't believe i've reached the point where i don't have too much urge to play this game

    after spending 1033 hours on it

    i think i'm done
    until they update the engy

    undeinPirat on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] steam: undeinpirat
  • JakorianJakorian Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Thats funny, because I really want to play this game but everyone just fucking idles all day.

    Jakorian on
  • That_GuyThat_Guy I don't wanna be that guy Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    When did JonXP's server turn into an idle server? I leave for one weekend and things change!!

    That_Guy on
  • UEAKCrashUEAKCrash heh Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Because idling is totally taking up the time that they really would be playing.

    UEAKCrash on
  • Quaz and WallyQuaz and Wally Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Okay I just finished the entire Half Life series I'm ready to obsessively play this again.

    Quaz and Wally on
  • UEAKCrashUEAKCrash heh Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Quaz and about time.
    I'm sorry, Walnuts. I'm not even trying anymore. You deserve better than me.

    UEAKCrash on
  • Quaz and WallyQuaz and Wally Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    UEAKLazybones

    Quaz and Wally on
  • UEAKCrashUEAKCrash heh Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    More like UEAKTrash, amirite.

    UEAKCrash on
  • Quaz and WallyQuaz and Wally Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Ooo that's a good one

    Quaz and Wally on
  • Undead ScottsmanUndead Scottsman Cybertronian Paranormal Eliminator Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Woo! New thread.

    Did anyone ever find out if the Community items were the update prior to the Engy update; or do we have something else to get in the way.. er.. I mean, look forward to? :D

    Undead Scottsman on
  • SuMa.LustreSuMa.Lustre Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    After a week of not playing I have degenerated into a simply mediocre player

    oh noes

    SuMa.Lustre on
  • UEAKCrashUEAKCrash heh Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    It's ok, I didn't really stop playing but I'm butts now.

    UEAKCrash on
  • TrippyJingTrippyJing Moses supposes his toeses are roses. But Moses supposes erroneously.Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    It's been one of those days where every team you play on loses.

    TrippyJing on
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  • finnithfinnith ... TorontoRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I have this feeling that my sacrificing of a Master's Yellow Belt and Camera Beard for a Brigade Helm wasn't worth it.

    finnith on
    Bnet: CavilatRest#1874
    Steam: CavilatRest
  • Edith UpwardsEdith Upwards Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Woo! New thread.

    Did anyone ever find out if the Community items were the update prior to the Engy update; or do we have something else to get in the way.. er.. I mean, look forward to? :D

    General consensus is that the engi update is RIIIIIght around the corner.

    Edith Upwards on
  • SithDrummerSithDrummer Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Nah. The yellow belt is decent, but the beard is terrible and the brigade helm is fantastic.

    SithDrummer on
  • Edith UpwardsEdith Upwards Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    All sniper hats tell other snipers where to shoot. Beard is awesome.

    Edith Upwards on
  • SuMa.LustreSuMa.Lustre Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    beard with wig seems to have promise

    on that note, i crafted 2 beards into an engy bald hat today

    then i combined that hat with the mining hat to get the tyrant's helm

    booyah

    pot is still better though

    SuMa.Lustre on
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