Team Fortress 2: Too late to jump in?

[yourbeliefs]

I've obviously seen that Valve is doing a free weekend of TF2. I started to look into the game's mechanics and style, and quite frankly the amount of planning and information involved with just doing simple things like forming a decent class-based team is staggering. I feel like I need an introductory 2-week course to the game before I even jump online. And I don't want to just jump into a game and burden my teammates with my extreme lack of knowledge, nor do I think it's fair for them to guide me through some sort of live tutorial while we play.

I'm willing to learn the nuances of a game if a fun experience can be achieved, but is what is required to be more than a meat puppet achievable in this free trial period? Also, how is the gaming community? Is it open to new users and willing to do a little hand holding, or is it like the Counter-Strike, kill all noobs and declare pwnage community?

 

[Abedeus]

No, why? It's a pretty easy to learn, but hard to master game. You can just follow people around playing Engineer or Soldier and study maps. They aren't hard, so it will take you 2-3 days.

Try out the free weekend, I bet you'll like it.

 

[Curtmiester]

I cant fine this free weekend download. where is it?

 

[yourbeliefs]

I cant fine this free weekend download. where is it?

Go into steam, pick the game in the store, then click on the Pre-Load link. DO NOT add it to the cart..

 

[LoopyDood]

Don't worry about it. The community is definitely the fun-loving type, and because of the free weekend there will be tons of people like you.

 

[Curtmiester]

I cant fine this free weekend download. where is it?

Go into steam, pick the game in the store, then click on the Pre-Load link. DO NOT add it to the cart..

Thanks man. That was quick and easy.

 

[pirateninj4]

TF2 is fun, the community is fun and the people won't give you too much shit for being new. My advice is rock a medic and follow the heavy's round till you get the idea of the maps and game play.

 

[Rossmallo]

Yeah, its fine, but it might be a bit strange due to the upcoming spy and sniper spamming due to an upcoming update.

 

[Mehplep]

As long as you don't pick an advanced class, like the Spy or the Medic, right off, you should be fine. As previously mentioned, the community is the direct opposite of xbox live and are generally really friendly, loving, and don't flame n00bs to death. Find a great server, have fun and buy the game. Seriously, it's most likely the best multiplayer game of this generation.

 

[Biek]

Its a pretty accessible shooter. I dont see why you couldnt jump in. Youll get pwned at the start but hey. You can always play as engineer and go defensive. And sniper is mostly a matter of having low ping and fast reflexes.

I think spies are one of the harder classes to play. But the enemy has every right to fear you if your good.

 

[Yorgmiester]

The way i dealt with being new was to go pyro and commit dozens of kamikaze strikes. It was actually very effective.

 

[Warrior Irme]

Pyro is the easiest class to figure out in my opinion. You do W+Mouse1 to do damage up close, and then after you have torched everyone you go shotgun and back away while firing. Get healed by a medic/dispenser/health pack and repeat.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Another question: Does this game "require" a microphone? I have a headset, but I used it maybe once and not on the computer I'll be playing with. The cord simply may not be long enough. Am I and my team in a major disadvantage if I can't talk with everyone, or can typing/macros be used effectively instead?

 

[oliveira8]

As long as you don't pick an advanced class, like the Spy or the Medic, right off, you should be fine. As previously mentioned, the community is the direct opposite of xbox live and are generally really friendly, loving, and don't flame n00bs to death. Find a great server, have fun and buy the game. Seriously, it's most likely the best multiplayer game of this generation.

Medic advanced? Its the easiest class to pick.

You don't need to know the maps as you will be folowing everyone, you don't need to worry in killing people as thats not your job, you always get the feeling that you helping the team in some way and its the best class to hide your newb skills when you pick up the game. ^^

Another question: Does this game "require" a microphone? I have a headset, but I used it maybe once and not on the computer I'll be playing with. The cord simply may not be long enough. Am I and my team in a major disadvantage if I can't talk with everyone, or can typing/macros be used effectively instead?

No you don't. The game is too loud to hear anyone. Also after a few plays you get the gist of the game and everything will start to feel natural.

Edit: By loud I mean, explosions everywhere, bits of corpses blowing up, the characters shouting, miniguns, flametrowers etc etc etc.

 

[Signa]

As long as you don't pick an advanced class, like the Spy or the Medic, right off, you should be fine. As previously mentioned, the community is the direct opposite of xbox live and are generally really friendly, loving, and don't flame n00bs to death. Find a great server, have fun and buy the game. Seriously, it's most likely the best multiplayer game of this generation.

Medic advanced? Its the easiest class to pick.

You don't need to know the maps as you will be folowing everyone, you don't need to worry in killing people as thats not your job, you always get the feeling that you helping the team in some way and its the best class to hide your newb skills when you pick up the game. ^^

I was going to say the same thing because that's what I started with and still play today. He might have meant that the medic is hard to be used for combat, and that is true. I can pull it off sometimes, but I'm usually just wasting my time NOT healing teammates. Really though, if I can pick off a few stragglers, it's a help. I'm also in a good position to spot spies. Not as good as the pyro, obviously, but the pyro doesn't have the time to sit there and read names and watch them change classes.

 

[beholdmycape]

What does 'free weekend' mean exactly? Do I have to already own the game?

 

[toasterslayer]

What does 'free weekend' mean exactly? Do I have to already own the game?

nope.

also, start with a pyro or engineer. easy to learn.

 

[oliveira8]

What does 'free weekend' mean exactly? Do I have to already own the game?

Free weekend means free weekend. ^^

You can download the game for free and play it during the weekend for free. When monday arrives your free trial is up. And you buy the game or not.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It's easy to learn and, because us PC folk are nice, people will help new guys.

 

[beholdmycape]

Thanks for the prompt response guys, I'll give this game a shot!
Any idea where I can get a decent guide for complete newbs?