This is Team Fortress 2. Please remember to stay on the move.
What is Team Fortress 2? It is a team-based first-person shooter that offers nine distinct classes to play as. Rather than simple deathmatch, TF2 requires players to work together to achieve objectives such as point control or objective theft. Work together, or fail.
Unlike many shooters, TF2 streamlines the process, making it very easy for new players to learn the ropes yet remain compelling to the hardened veterans. The game also features a very stylized look that sets it apart from the competition. If the movies
The Incredibles and
Austin Powers had a violent lovechild, it'd be Team Fortress 2.
So read on, and join in on the fun.
Costs and Technical Stuff
Team Fortress 2 has two purchasing options. First is the Orange Box package for $49.95. That includes new puzzle game Portal and the complete Half-Life 2 Saga released so far (if you already have HL2 and Episode 1, you can give them away! Use
this thread for that). If you are just itching for Team Fortress, the game is available alone on Steam for $29.95
System Requirements:
Minimum:
1.7 GHz Pentium 4
512 MB system RAM
DirectX 8 compatible video card
Recommended:
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3000 MHz
DirectX 9 compatible graphics card
1024MB
Hay guyz, Gamertags? X-Box Liev?
Stop right there! We do not understand your Bill Gates moon language! Gamepads frighten us, and nobody here trusts an analog stick.
Seriously, there's now a thread for X-Box 360 styled Team Fortress.
This thread will take you there, but remember that the 360 currently has only the "Orange Box" package. If you want to JUST buy TF2 for a bit less, you're stuck with Steam (and therefore, PC).
Penny Arcade Servers
If you wish to join us for gamings on, join the PA Steam group!
Do not ask for invites in this thread. Just join our chat in Steam Community and ask there. It'll ensure faster results.
Server owners: Please PM me if there are any changes to your servers.
Job's server
66.55.142.242:27015
jonxp's server
tf2.finalmeasure.com
PMAvers's server (custom maps)
208.167.246.56:27015
Download pack for custom maps
(Unzip to Steam\steamapps\<your account>\team fortress 2\tf\maps)
Maps in the pack:
cp_sidewinder_b5,
cp_science,
cp_junction_v2,
ctf_turbine_v3,
ctf_quarry_v2, ctf_impact_b4, cp_grand_canyon_b4,
ctf_jinxed_b3,
cp_shockSE++ ZF's West Coast
64.156.14.133
Password for all PA servers:
wang
Server status:
CONSUMERISMTeam Fortress 2 Shirts are in! Buy them and support your class. Or...be a spy and just
pretend to support a class.
Nifty posters are also available.
Of course, our benefactors at the Penny Arcade Industrialized Fun Conglomerate have designed a wonderful shirt that conjures up wonderful memories of matches long past. You can exchange currency for it over
here.
Meet the Classes
Classes are grouped into three categories.
THEY ARE MOSTLY FOR GIVING NEW PLAYERS A HINT AT WHAT EACH CLASS DOES AND HAVE NO IMPACT ON BALANCE AND SUCH.
I've added some tips gathered from the boards, but keep in mind that these are mostly basic hints for people new to the class.
DefenseMeet the Heavy
Role: Suppressive fire, meat shield.
Weapons: Chain gun, Shotgun, Ham-like Fists
Hit Points: 300
Special: Can right click to start up his gun. This allows for instant firing without slowdown. If he presses no keys (or doesn't use the Chain Gun), his speed increases.
Tips: Heavy does well with the Medic, obviously. Watch your medic and make sure he is safe. Communicate to make sure that you can quickly answer any threat that might be trying to ambush from behind. Do not sit still! Even if you are getting healed, try to make it harder to be shot. A sniper's bullet can kill you even if ten medics are at your command. Also, make sure your minigun is spinning as you turn corners. And keep the ammo filled!
Meet the Engineer
Role: Base defense
Weapons: Shotgun, Pistol, Wrench
Hit Points: 125
Special: Can construct a variety of machines, including sentries guns and ammo dispensers. Can upgrade sentries and repair machines with the wrench. Has a teleporter which can allow for instant travel across the map.
Tips: Turrets should be in a spot that keeps attackers out, but also requires the enemy to expose themselves if they wish to take it down. Watch your machines for enemy spies, and make sure you get out of the base from time-to-time and set up a good teleporter exit. If you're going to be an "assault" Engineer, lay down a Teleporter entrance right outside your spawn point, run back in to refill, then go do your thang. You'll be at most 5 seconds or so behind the other guys, who will be giving you the distraction you need to start setting up a Teleporter exit once you reach the front lines.
Meet the Demoman
Role: Clearing grouped enemies, taking down sentries, protecting objectives
Weapons: Grenade Launcher, Sticky Bomb Launcher, Beer Bottle
Hit Points: 175
Special: Can jump higher with his sticky bombs.
Tips: With good aim, you can bounce grenades around to get kills without having to expose yourself. Also, sticky mines can protect more than control points! Put them at spots such as chokepoints or maybe behind a medic/heavy team to prevent attacks from the rear.
Support
Role: Healing
Weapons: Healing Gun, Needle Gun, Bonesaw
Hit Points: 150
Special: Healing gun can heal an ally pass their normal maximum hit points, to a limit of 150% their normal hit points. If the medic heals long enough, a special "Ãœbercharge" becomes available that makes the Medic and the person being healed invincible for 10 seconds. Cannot make flag carriers invulnerable. The medic always has a passive regeneration effect, allowing them to heal up over time.
Tips: Don't get "tunnel vision" and just focus on healing your heavy. Heal any nearby wounded players if you can afford to, as it'll fill the ubercharge faster. Don't stay in one spot, as it might give a sniper or other player a chance to line up a killing shot. And be aware of your rear, as pyros/spies can quickly bring you down.
Role: Infiltration, Assassination
Weapons: Knife, Pistol, Electro-Sapper, Spy Kit
Hit Points: 125
Special: Can disguise self as a member of the opposing team and as any class (even a Spy). Can cloak in 10 seconds intervals. If done from behind, the knife is an instant kill. In addition to being undetected by sentries while disguised, has an electro-sapper that shuts down enemy machines until an engineer puts it back online. But the sapper will quickly destroy the machine if it is not fixed by the engineer in time. While disguised, the spy does not show signs of taking damage from enemies, making "spy checks" worthless unless they kill the spy.
Tips: Cloak is valuable! Use it to get behind enemy lines so your disguise is more believable. Don't linger uncloaked for too long, stay on the move and quickly take out targets. Never become too comfy with a single disguise, but make sure the disguise fits. Chances are you'll take a medic's name if you become a medic, so don't switch if medics are the target! And always be aware of enemy locations when cloaking or disguising, as both will give betray your allegiance to the enemy.
Role: Head-shotting
Weapons: Sniper Rifle, Submachine Gun, Machete
Hit Points: 125
Special: Shots get more powerful the longer you stay zoomed in.
Tips: You want a spot that allows for quick cover in case of retaliatory fire, and gives you plenty of shots. You're going to be alone in most cases, so be wary of any friendly player that approaches you.
Offense
Role: Reconnaissance, Grabber of Enemy Things, Takes Control Points Faster
Weapons: Shotgun, Pistol, Steel Bat
Hit Points: 125
Special: Counts as two people when taking control points. Can double jump and is faster than other classes.
Tips: You need to, generally, be constantly on the move. Take advantage of your double jump, as it allows for quick direction changes. Don't linger too long in combat if things are getting rough. Flee the battle, heal up, and head back in.
Meet the Soldier
Role: Basic Attack Class
Weapons: Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, Shovel
Hit Points: 200
Special: Can "Rocket Jump" by aiming rocket launcher at feet.
Tips: Another popular Medic target, so be aware of your wingman should you have one. Aim towards the ground when attacking, as rockets have splash damage. Take advantage of rocket jumps to allow for quick travel or prime ambush points.
Role: Close Quarters Combat
Weapons: Flamethrower, Shotgun, Fire Axe
Hit Points: 175
Special: Can set people on fire, which obstructs their vision and slowly deals damage to them over time. Only medkits, the medic's healing beam or water can put the fire out.
Tips: Try to find ways to get behind the enemy, allowing for brutal ambushes. Also, your fire will light up cloaked or disguised spies. Don't be afraid to torch the area if you think a spy is around. Do not underestimate your shotgun. It's your only weapon of choice if you're trying to actually attack someone who might actually run away, instead of ambush them.
Features
Look on the Bright Side: If your "round" is a personal best (most damage inflicted, kills made, time alive), the game will let you know when you die.
Capture the Moment: Kodak invites you take a screen of your murderer.
Taunts!: You can do a variety of animations. They depend on your class and current weapon. The Medic, for example, will play his Bonesaw like a violin. You temporarily leave first-person view when this is done.
Criticals: Some shots do more damage. This is indicated by the attack having a special glow with equally special sound effects and a nice "CRITICAL HIT!" above your target's head. How often this occurs is based on A) where your shot landed (head shots tend to be criticals) and
How well you are doing (better play = more crits).
Other Fun StuffGame developers wear TF2 costumesMore TF2 costumesGarry's Mod TF2 picturesScreenshots!
Type
bind f5 jpeg into your console to take screenshots as .jpg instead of .tga. Use
Paint.NET to convert .tga files to another format.
Profile -> Signature Settings -> Hide signatures always. Then you don't have to read this worthless text anymore.
Posts
I wasn't all that impressed with it, but then again I hate life.
This is one of Craig Mullins' sketches, the only alteration is the text.
I really wish.
Points of interest:
- The sniper moves a lot like me but is far more accurate, which scares me witless.
- That Wombat dude playing the soldier is brilliant.
- A lot of the team-work is obviously due to voice chat and really... I think the individual skill level displayed (apart from a few cases) is not much higher than us.
The commentators obviously need a little more experience but they do an okay job.
Fun watching.
Technically TF2 does have bots. They just don't have any AI.
systematically took out the sentries one by one and made the final uber push to win it. Textbook case of ownage
Would you settle for bad 80's music piped over voice chat?
I suppose. When it appropriate. For instance play "We didn't start the fire" when 1 pyro kills 6 Scouts. Or the Benny Hill Theme when everyone is running around not being able to hit each other.
Yeah, I just spent around an hour looking through it. I picked up a whole bunch that I think I was missing about how to play a scout. Just went in on a pub that usually has decent games and did way way better than usual.
The soldiers do some amazing rocket jumps. I wish I had the patience to pick that up.
Origin: Broncbuster
am i not sufficiently frightening enough for you?
that hurts me.
probably my best k/d ratio of recent times. i just like this one because all of those points were acquired as a scout... same with the one above. stats aren't too bad, either. a decent day.
i don't know how to put this, but... i'm kind of a big deal.
[/ego stroking]
most of all, most of all
someone said true love was dead
but i'm bound to fall
bound to fall for you
oh what can i do
My CPU is around 3Ghz, RAM is 512MB and my Graphics card is nothing amazing. I can run Portal just fine but an online game is a whole nother' thing. Also I have doubts with my University internet. Also I'm not too good at online FPS's in general.
So anyone else in a similar situation can let me know if it's playable in such a situation or should I just ask for computer parts for Christmas?
Because it's a very stylised game it looks great even with very low texture detail settings, so if you can cope with some fuzziness and harsh lines just go for it.
Bunting, Owls and Cushions! Feecloud Designs
Good to hear, expect me to be on the servers come January.
I never played the first one and the only recent shooter I've played a lot of multiplayer in is Halo 3... Is this pretty easy to pick up? And, what if anything should I know going in?
Steam: Jacobontap
LoL: FutureBlues
I dunno, I think I could've taken some more -- maybe a few stickies under my feet or something. Bloody snipers.
Spoilered for evil H-scroll and 56k.
The enemy of my enemy
Spies are annoying but they have redeeming qualities.
Appropriate.
Gory.
A sniper is a sniper is a sniper is my revenge.
That sniper is hurt! He's got a nosebleed.
um.... yeah. I wonder if I got points for that kill
Toxic Cizzle..
..is dead...
..and explains how we both died.
White scouts can dunk
I get up! And nothing gets me down. Might as well...
Death from above.
Ministry of [guess the obvious]
Bugs
2 Heavy guns are shooting.
The fire from the rocket is still there.
That thing appeared instead of a lot of other things in that game. Also, most of the players had the scout model.
Invisibility.
Fall into the abyss.
switch weapons fast. Hit "g."
Assorted awesome
A little fire never hurt anyone.
This engineer disagrees.
There must be an original of this. Artists, get to work! [whipcrack]
2fort is fun!
Okay. Maybe a little sleep-inducing.
If people would really make an effort to not only take initiative & coordinate attacks.. and actually listen when someone does.. every game would be epic. Yes, even on 2fort.
Really, how awesome is it when a coordinated effort kills the 'tunnel base' on dustbowl ? or sets one up? Jonxp is the most vocal person I have ever played with... and he gets shit done.
Librarians harbor a terrible secret. Find it.
I only watched Episode 2, but the scouts were great and the one sniper they showed was pretty good.
However it showed why I'm not too keen on the 7v7 competition. You pretty much saw all the teams made up of 2 soldiers, 1 medic, 2 scouts, 1 demoman and 1 sniper. At least for Well it was that way, I'm not sure if they play differently on the other maps or if they even play competitively on the other maps.
Where were the pyros, the engineers, the spies, the heavies? I know being a spy in a 7v7 serious match is likely really hard and ineffective. Which is why I feel it should be 10v10 or 12v12 matches. I dunno, I've not actually played competitively and likely won't due to time restraints, but that's just my opinion.
Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy watching it anyways.
For sequential maps, class imbalance begins with Engineers. Whoever captures the first point will likely push onward to win the match. As setting up a sentry gun at the first contested point is not viable in a game against anyone with so much as an inkling of grey matter, for each player that goes Engineer a team is down one useful player in the crucial fight for the first point. Teleporters are largely useless; Scouts and Medics run quickly enough, Demomen and Soldiers can propel themselves to speed up travel and Snipers should not die often. Dispensers are worthless.
Because there are no teleporters, noone would use a Heavy for anything but defending the final point. Heavy is slow.
Because there are no sentry guns or Heavies, noone in their right mind would play a Spy. All of the classes popular in sequential maps would destroy a Spy; Scouts and Medics are too fast, Demomen and Soldiers will use explosives against anyone who comes near, Snipers generally don't use charged shots (they aim without the scope, then snap to the scope just before firing) so they aren't the easy targets that they are in public games. That aside, the Spy needs a lot of help and seems to be largely balanced around the XBox 360 version of Team Fortress 2 and gormless fucks who don't turn around when they hear a squishing sound and death scream six feet behind them. You know who you are. I was right to call you an idiot, PA regular or not.
Because there are no Spies, ha ha, Pyros. A Pyro will lose to a Soldier in close-quarters combat so, really, what's the point? Expect Pyros to be a rarity in almost all circumstances.
Totally unrelated, has anyone tried the Zombie Master mod? Downloading atm