Getting into Team Fortress 2: Possibly this late on?

[Alssadar]

I'll give some quick tips
-It doesn't show K/D ratio, only points gained, which can be earned through kills, assists, point, etc. Don't care about your D count
-There's an objective for a reason. Do it.
-Suspect everyone of being a spy. Even if you just spawned at the same time--spycheck by shooting them twice.
-If you find the CalculatedChaos fun server, join it. Loads of fun no fun on the fun server BREAKFLOOR EGYPT.
-Every map is different in its own way. After your first couple of deaths, you'll get a hold of where people camp, where spies can hide, and where sentries will most likely be built. Use this to your advantage, and react accordingly.
-Most importantly: have fun. Joke around with people in chat. If everyone else is taunting, taunt with them. If someone's shooting a railing because it "called him a whore", aid him in shooting it. Goof off and enjoy the game. The game's atmosphere is good for it.

Spoiler: Classes

Every class has a limit--there is no "All around good" guy that is basic. Leave your assault rifle at the door.
Offense:
-Scouts are fast, quick capturing insects that like to move around. Never charge directly into anyone, always try and sneak around--your scattergun is very powerful at close range.
-Soldiers are durable, rocket-wielding* professionals. They are rather slow, but are an effective adversary, with clumps of AoE rocket damage and a close range shotgun. Rocket jumping is a cool technique, but you can learn that over time.
*Note: go into advance options and turn on auto-reload. Helps so much as soldier.
-Pyros have flame throwers; They charge and use the mouse 1 button to burn stuff. Very good spycheckers, as they ignite. Turn on "Sound when dealing damage" to hear the bells echo after your death.
"Defense":
-Demomen are difficult to get a hold of, but, when you do, they're loads of fun. Arc-shaped firing into AoE explosives (It's annoying getting used to this), as well as clutches of remote-detonated stickybombs that blow up everyone.
-Heavies are big, bulk men with miniguns. They perform well at close range, as their shots are rather inaccurate the farther distance they travel. Heavies are slow, a good push-maker, and a big target--stick with your medic healer buddy. At least toss him your sandvich (Right click) once in a while.
-Engineers are nifty little buggers. They ain't combat specialists--they make machines that heal and dispense ammo, shoot, and teleport. All of which are useful to the team, as teams with a good engineer (there shouldn't be more than 2) are often winning teams.
Support:
-Sniper is the sniper. Headshots, yadda yadda. Gets backstabbed by spies. There are always too many of them on the bloody team.
-Spies disguise themselves as enemies. Try not to act suspicious and head for anyone whose death might go unnoticed. Stab 'em in the back for a one hit kill. Repeat until burned by a pyro.
-Medics heal people, and allow the team to get shit done by allowing men to not die. Follow heavies, soldiers and demos, and uber them when they are clusters of enemies to kill, allowing invulnerability to the two of you. Many games have been won by a semi-decent medic ubering at the right time.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

It's not that hard to understand the basics of, obviously you will find some hardcore players that will likely mop the floor with you but mostly it's just a casual game with casual players, at least from my experience.

May as well at least try it out, being a free game and all.

 

[Professor Lupin Madblood]

Um, there's something which I thought was obvious, but I suppose not, so I'm just gonna point it out.

Guys, when you're trying to teach someone about something, don't use terms they don't know to teach them. If someone is so unfamiliar with TF2 that they don't know how the item drop/hat system works (arguably TF2's most widely known aspect), telling them that, say

unlockables are only better in certain situations, bonk for getting past sentries for instance

is probably one of the most counterproductive things you can do, since he a) might not know what unlockables are in the context of TF2, b) has no idea what the hell Bonk, which should be spelled with a capital B, is, and c) doesn't know what sentries are.

I'm not trying to start anything here with anyone in particular, but really, folks. You might as well be speaking in Klingon.

 

[Islet Battle]

Don't be afraid of the other team, run up and finish them off. The closer you are, the better.

Yes, you put yourself in danger and will probably die yourself, but there's nothing that's more frustrating then seeing players run aimlessly around the map, trying to find the perfect moment to surprise the enemy, which of course never happens or fails badly. This applies especially to arena mode (no-respawn, deathmatch).

This is of course situational and depends on class. However, you don't need to be on the other side of the map to play sniper, just outside of lethal range of the attacker is enough, which is surprisingly close.

 

[Dagda Mor]

Pick three classes and get good at them. Mine are Pyro, Soldier, and Medic, and I occasionally dip into Demoman and Engineer.

 

[TomSeyborg]

I have been playing TF2 for about 4 months now, and don't worry about it, you'll get the hang of it really easily. You say you have played shooters before, so playing shouldn't be too hard, and all of the classes are really easy to play as after you play as each of them for a bit. And as for the community, they are fine as long as you don't do anything too stupid or offensive. You'll love TF2 in no time!

 

[sextus the crazy]

Personally when I started I want with the spy right away. I picked it up fairly quickly and have been having fun ever since.

Hell, no. Spy is the class with the largest difficulty curve. You should focus on getting experience with the game before you start as a spy. I personally recommend Heavy, and especially medic, as both classes are the easiest to play effectively with. Medics are generally rare and having even a bad one on your team is handy.

 

[Sooint]

<youtube=jRSW0Y1SgoA>

The video above is from early 2008, so there's no mention of alternate weapons/items/hats. However, most of the strategies shown still apply. It's a good place to start, if nothing else.

Anyway, you shouldn't have too much trouble jumping in to TF2 as a newbie. I recommend using the matchmaking system to start, as it's faster than sifting through the browser for a decent server. Either that or play on the Valve servers, which are full of low skill players. The matchmaking usually puts you in a Valve server anyway, so I would just go with that.

That's pretty much the only advice I can give. Watch that video to get a sense of the basics, and just start playing. Experiment with all the classes; watch tutorial videos if you have to, but the most effective and most fun way to learn is to play! Play around with the different game types, as well (ctf_2fort isn't as bad as most people say, but it's not the only map you should play, either). Once you get a hang of the basics, I would suggest getting involved in a TF2 community. The best way to do this is to find a (non-Valve) server, play on it regularly (you can add the server to your favorites so you don't have to search for it in the browser every time), and make friends with the other regulars (if they're not assholes, of course). Obviously this is optional, but I've met some really great friends on online games (not just TF2), so I highly recommend getting involved in one of these communities.

Also, just for fun:
<spoiler=Here's some high level scout play ><youtube=W3ONJpa8aCc>

 

[Palademon]

Every person I know who joined it recently had a while of going "this sucks" as we forced them to keep playing. Then they love it. It jsut takes a while to get into a groove and find classes you like.

Just remember things have counter classes. It isn't just picking the powerful class. Early on you may fall into the trap of playing whatever class keeps killing you regardless of how good you are at it.

Individual tips would be:

Pyro:
Use your axe, especially when things are on fire.
Check corners for spies.

Spy:
Press b to default to last disguise.
When disguised, enemy dispensers will heal you and recharge your cloak.
Discloak from a disctance, it makes noise.

 

[bartholen_v1legacy]

This far into the thread and no one's mentioned that TF2 has its own tutorials and a practice mode? Well it does.

Other than that though I don't have much else to say about the classes. I say the Scout is loads of fun to play, just don't expect to find yourself topping the scoreboard. I've played Scout the most (40+ hours whereas the soldier comes second at mere 22 hours), but my point record in a single life is only 26. Scout is useful for getting back into action fast, plus you rarely have to worry about snipers or spies, since you often move too quickly for them to be able to hit you. The key to playing scout is to keep moving and never attacking straight on. The double jump is one of the best abilities in the game, because it gives you vastly superior mobility and ability to reach areas.

Also, only boring people play Sniper. The moooost dull and frankly selfish classes to play as.

If you want to play scout, which happens to be my favourite and most played class;

1. Don't play scout if you already have 3 players on your team playing scout already
2. Stock items are the best, the unlockables are only better in certain situations, bonk for getting past sentries for instance. You can still change up your loadout for fun and variation, but I've found the stock loadout to be the best one.
3. Never stand still, use your speed and agility for all it's worth. This shouldn't really have to be said, but I've seen far too many scouts stop to shoot.
4. Learn the maps, not just what's where, but escape routes etc.
5. Use aforementioned map knowledge to flank and get behind people and try to make every pellet hit from as close range as possible, scouts are very fragile and the element of surprise is your best friend against soldiers and heavies.
6. Don't play payload race maps, they're far too cramped and action packed for the scout to be of much use. CP and CTF maps are where I find the scout shines the most.

I feel like I should be able to give better advice due to how much I've played scout and how well I do, but I guess I'm not a very good teacher.

I feel different on 2 points. 1: I've used the Force-a-nature scattergun a lot more than the stock scattergun since it effectively allows you to triple-jump and the kickback effect is very very useful. 2: Since the Scouts 2x capture rate also applies on Payload, you can be the vital element in moving the cart forward. Just take cover behind the cart while the team does the shooting.

 

[natster43]

It is pretty easy to get into, and most new weapons are considered not as good as the stock ones, since they are much more situational. I guess I can give some things I like doing that seem as pointers, though I am pretty sure most people have already said a lot better stuff.
General Tips: Work with your team, push the cart, protect medics and engineers, and try different shit to see what works for you.
Scout: Keep moving always.
Sniper: Use the Machina, it is amazing.
Engineer: Pretty good starter class, just set up a sentry some place and protect it. Also once you get it, the frontier justice is amazing.
Soldier: Learn how to rocket jump.
Demoman: Set up traps with the sticky bomb launcher, and try to manipulate people to move into your traps with the grenade launcher, and learn to sticky jump.
Pyro: Fucking spy check always. Check corners, teammates, near engineer buildings, everywhere, airblasting is helpful,especially near cliffs.
Heavy: Good starting class, can take a lot and dish out a lot of damage. Spin up your minigun before entering battle, and grab a medic to heal you.
Medic: Good starting class, heal everyone when they need it, but try to keep on a soldier or heavy as well, they are the best people to be overhealing.
Spy: Cloak and sneak behind enemies, then uncloak in an area where people can't see you, always be disguised.

 

[teebeeohh]

just play the game. if people are being dicks mute them, if the server is full of dicks change the server, tf2 is meant to be fun and most people are pleasant even when loosing.
crafted weapons are never plain better than the default ones, they are just better in certain situations/for certain play styles.
and what i can recommend is checking out the tutorials, learn how an Übercharge works and play medic(unless you really dislike not actively fighting) being a decent medic is a lot easier than being a decent anything else and people love you

oh and if you just suck with a class don't worry, i have played hundreds of hours of tf2 and still can't play scout or spy to save my life, and not for a lack of trying.

 

[pffh]

I'm just going to give some quick tips for a sniper if you decide to play that class since that's what I'm best at:

-The Machina is useless
-The Razorback is useless

Learn to quick scope and don't stand still like an idiot with your face glued to the scope. The only time you should be firing charged shots at all is against overhealed heavies and that's only when you can't fire on the medic. The rest of the time you should be on the move (yes even if it's in just in a small square) and getting quickscope headshots. Sometimes a charged body shot or a partially charge headshot is better then the quicscope but those times are the exception and not the rule for good snipers.

 

[vun]

unlockables are only better in certain situations, bonk for getting past sentries for instance

is probably one of the most counterproductive things you can do, since he a) might not know what unlockables are in the context of TF2, b) has no idea what the hell Bonk, which should be spelled with a capital B, is, and c) doesn't know what sentries are.

I'm not trying to start anything here with anyone in particular, but really, folks. You might as well be speaking in Klingon.

If OP has any past experience with FPS, or gaming in general, it shouldn't take long to pick up. Seeing as he stated he wanted to play scout I assume he's already taken a look at it and knows the basics of it, so he should know what a sentry is and what it does.
TF2 has a fantastic official wiki [http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Wiki], I suggest the OP consult that if anything is confusing.

I feel different on 2 points. 1: I've used the Force-a-nature scattergun a lot more than the stock scattergun since it effectively allows you to triple-jump and the kickback effect is very very useful. 2: Since the Scouts 2x capture rate also applies on Payload, you can be the vital element in moving the cart forward. Just take cover behind the cart while the team does the shooting.

1: The unlockables have their uses and it's nice for variation, but I still think the stock loadout is better and more reliable. Doesn't mean you can't do well with the unlockables, but don't think "once I get a Force-a-Nature I'll do better".

2: The concentrated action of PLR combined with the fragility of the scout means that, at least in my opinion, picking soldier or heavy for moving the cart is more useful despite the lower speed.

 

[Altorin]

As a medic, (it's really the only class I feel comfortable commenting on), the most important thing, 9 times out of 10, is to survive. Every little bit of ubercharge you lose from death in the end will make your job harder.. so run around, trying to keep everyone topped up, use your medigun's targeting mechanics to keep yourself as out of the fight as possible, preferably tucked around a corner. The simplest and usually best match for a medic is the heavy but depending on the medigun you're using, you might be better off focusing on something else.

A standard Uber is cake for a Heavy if you have to break a point filled with enemies, whereas a better use for your Uber might be a soldier or demo if you need to break an engineer pillbox. Other gun Ubers though have different priorities. Kritzkrieg Soldier is simply amazing, and if you're using a Quick Fix (which I don't suggest unless you're really good at switching targets in a heated fight), the priorities are almost swapped - suddenly the pyro and scout are great picks because of their enhanced speed and low HP (you can overheal a Heavy by 150hp but a scout at full overheal is increased by 30). another thing about the Quick Fix that's not mentioned in the description is that if you're healing a rocket/grenade jumper, you also get launched along with them, into the air. So if you're really good, a great Soldier/Medic or Demo/Medic team can absolutely destroy.

Another tip could be try to keep your back to a wall whenever possible. Your biggest enemies will be Spies. But if they can't effectively backstab you, they're easy enough to deal with. Other major enemies are Pyros, but there's a certain combination of weapons (I think it's the Crusaders Crossbow and the Amputator) that gives you an additional 1hp per second. This combo makes pyros a lot easier to deal with, because the hp/sec overwrites a lot of the Pyro's residual damage, so if they're skirmishing pyros, you won't have nearly as much trouble with them (also a lot less scrambling for medkits and a lot less TOTAL OVERWHELMING RAGE when other players pick them up when you're right there in pain). Pyros will still annihilate you in a straight fight, but their residual flames (which are the Medic's second worst enemy) will be lessened.

If you're pugging without voice chat, you need to get a feeling for when to Uber. Lots of people complain about medics cooking their ubers (sort of like cooking grenades if you know the expression), but once you get a bit more skilled, you'll get a sense for how much ammo your target has used, and know when to Uber. I don't like to Uber until my healing isn't cutting it. I've had far too many moments where I Uber too early and bad things happen. It's a very short buff and I like to use it to its fullest when I can. Ideally, you'll pair up with someone and get to know them, and then you can figure out the best ways to use your abilities. Best Case scenario, you're playing with a friend in the same room.

On the flipside, you don't want to have 100% uber for very long, so once you get an Uber, find a place to use it, and then hopefully, survive the fight and live to Uber again. A lot of rough nights getting backstabbed with full Uber. Bad times. Also remember that you can't Uber yourself and then switch weapons and go all super rambo - switching weapons will immediately cancel the Uber. And remember that in a pinch, the medic IS capable of going super rambo. The Overdrive is really the best weapon for it, but they also have some great melee weapons. I'm fairly certain the bonesaw is basically the most powerful out of the box melee weapon, except the backstab of course. Other weapons are slightly less punchy, but have interesting powers, the only one I have no use for is the Amputator (except when dealing with pyros as mentioned above). I love the Vita-Saw as it allows you to retain uber after dying and pairs well with the quickfix and overdrive which allows you to be a crazy zipping super rambo bastard.

I'm rambling now, and you might not even want to play medic, and heck, I'm a total scrub so I could be giving you COMpLETELY wrong advice. I just know how I play.