Team strategy
| “ | If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight
— Sun Tzu
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In Team Fortress 2, it can be difficult for a uncoordinated players to effectively combat the enemy team. Working with the other classes on your team is an vital aspect for success. For a guide on improving your own game, see Strategy. For map-specific strategies, see the individual pages for each map.
Contents
General Strategy
Communication
Due to the absence of a mini-map or radar, and Team Fortress being a class oriented game, communication and cooperation is always a key element to achieve victory. Coordination between the team players and having the right balance of classes will always lead the team towards victory. Even regardless of skill levels, communication is the most important ability to learn. Either through the use of a third-party voice chat application or the in-game voice chat, a team with good communication and synchronization can defeat skilled players that lack teamwork. Effective team communication and coordination is especially desired in the more competitive venues of the game.
Voice commands and typed messages are a very useful way to communicate, but, since allies may not hear voice commands if they are far away, and some players may not concentrate on the text chat, a microphone will always be a more reliable way to communicate with your team. For example, vital information such as the location and Disguise of enemy Spies, the place of enemy Sentry nests and Stickybomb traps, and the timing of attacks and Übercharges (by the enemy or by the team) simply cannot be communicated as easily without the use of voice chat.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that some servers use the AllTalk feature, which allows every player in the server to listen to both teams' voice chat. In such circumstances, it may be best to use the team text chat for more vital information, since sharing this by voice chat may cause the enemy team to be ready to counter your attacks. AllTalk is enabled on some public servers in which the game is played more for the social interaction of every player, rather than playing with a competitive mind.
Team Composition
Team Fortress 2 is a class-based, teamwork game in which players on a team usually have to cooperate and coordinate to some extent in order to achieve victory. The nine different Classes have their own strengths and weaknesses and their own unique styles of play. However, it is impossible for any one player, no matter how skilled, to completely compensate for the weaknesses of the class they are currently playing. One player may be less skilled than the other, but they could still win in an encounter in which their current class has the upper hand (such as a less-skilled Pyro beating a skilled Spy). This makes the choice of which class to play very important, and the player will be rewarded for learning more about different classes, and at the same time it makes cooperation equally important.
A mistake many new players commit, is to view Team Fortress 2 outside of the team context, focusing instead on the class(es) they prefer to play and thinking of strategy only in terms of a series of one-on-one match-ups against. However, most combat situations in Team Fortress 2 will be between groups of players performing as different classes. Therefore to be successful, one most think and work as a team, rather than as an individual unit. This include being aware of what classes currently make up your team and the opposing team, and this is known as team composition. It is often possible to gain an advantage by having several players play as classes that counter the classes that the enemy team plays as (An example being, using Demomen pair with Medics, to counter a team that has many Engineers). However, over-compensating may happen some times (For example, if a team is having trouble with enemy Spies, too many players might decide to switch to Pyro, leaving the team vulnerable to other classes). It is a better idea to check the scoreboard periodically to keep an eye on your team's current classes and recommend adjustments accordingly, but you must also be willing to change your class if the time requires it.
Practice
It is important to practice with every class and not only with the class you like the most. Learn every class’s strengths and weaknesses in order to be ready when your team needs you to change class. It is also vital to know the role that every class plays on the game, since asking your team's only Engineer to switch to Medic may not be the most effective way to protect the Intelligence, while also making a push to get the enemy’s Intelligence. If you are not playing a vital role in the game, it would be better that you chose to change to class and fulfill the role that is in need at the moment. However, if there is a player who more skillful with the class that is needed, you shall let that player to take the job.
The heart of Team Fortress 2’s gameplay is the diversity of the nine different Classes and how they interact with both friend and foe. It is important to know how each class works. Each class has unique attributes that determine their strengths and weakness: health, movement speed, weaponry, and other innate abilities such as health regeneration or the ability to double jump.
The Scout
The Scout's main attribute is his mobility. Scouts are the fastest class, and they can also double jump to take shortcuts or throw off enemies' aim. He also captures Capture Points twice as fast as other classes, and his Scattergun can pack quite a punch at close range.
Basic strategy: As a Scout, your main role is to lead your team in the front lines, flanking and initiating Control Point captures, or capturing the Intelligence. Use your fast speed and double jump to evade enemies, and deal impressive damage with your Scattergun.
The Soldier
The Soldier's Rocket Launcher can pack quite a punch, and he can also use it to rocket jump to higher places or to travel faster. Also, the Rocket Launcher is one of the most powerful weapons in the game, and its splash damage allow for damaging of multiple enemies in one shot.
Basic strategy: The Soldier is a good all-around class, he is a powerful asset to an assault, and he is also useful while defending. Utilize your splash damage well to damage multiple enemies or to increase your chances of hitting while in an enclosed space.
The Pyro
The Pyro's main ability is to set enemies on fire, damaging them with the afterburn. After igniting an enemy, you may switch to another weapon to continue inflicting damage on them, or retreat and depend on the afterburn to damage them further. The Flamethrower's and the Degreaser's compression blast can be used to extinguish teammates or reflect enemy projectiles back at them.
Basic strategy: The Pyro excels at close-range combat, and on defense, but does not perform well in other situations. The flamethrower can deal a good amount of damage, and utilizing the compression blast to reflect projectiles helps you protect your team and hurt enemies at the same time. Pyros are also good at spy-checking, as disguised and cloaked Spies will catch on fire.
The Demoman
The Demoman is a versatile class, both useful on offense and defense, and also has the mobility of Sticky jumping and pipe jumping to access out-of-reach places, or travel faster. The Stickybomb Launcher can be used to set traps, and detonate them once enemies come through. It is also handy for taking out enemies or destroying buildings.
Basic strategy: Demomen can place sticky bombs as traps to defend an area, or they can help in an offensive push. Either way, their Grenade Launcher and Stickybomb launcher both deal impressive damage, and their splash damage helps them to hurt multiple enemies or buildings at once. Use your explosive weapons to quickly take out Engineer buildings.
The Heavy
The Heavy can both dish out and take damage in large quantities. Heavies have the most health, very good firepower, but are also the slowest class. Heavies paired with Medics are difficult to take down.
Basic strategy: Even though the Heavy is classified as a defensive class, he can still be effective offensively. His high damage output and health help him to stand up to enemies, but his slow speed makes him a prime target for explosives. While paired with a Medic, Heavies can survive for longer and be much more of a threat to the enemy team. Heavies are also a good choice for a Medic's Übercharge, as they can mow down groups of players or buildings in little time.
The Engineer
The Engineer can create, upgrade and repair buildings. Sentry Guns, which act as defensive turrets, Dispensers, which heal and give ammo and metal to teammates, and Teleporters, which provide fast transportation for teammates.
Basic strategy: As an Engineer, your main job is to support your team. Protecting your ground with your Sentry Gun, keeping your teammates healed and stocked with ammo with your Dispenser, and transporting them to the front lines with your Teleporters are all things that any good Engineer should do. Sentry Guns are better suited for defensive tactics, however, using the Gunslinger's Mini-Sentry provides for some more offensive opportunities. You can also pick up, haul, and re-deploy your buildings as the battle progresses.
The Medic
The Medic's main ability is being able to heal his teammates. Using Übercharges, the Medic can provide invulnerability or guaranteed Critical Hits to his heal target for a limited amount of time.
Basic strategy: Medics should always be healing their teammates, and looking out for team members that are calling for Medic. While using their Medi-gun, Medics can overheal their patients, giving them health points past their regular maximum. Once their Übercharge meter is filled, they may deploy it to provide additional boosts to the player they are currently healing.
The Sniper
The Sniper works best from long ranges, and his Sniper Rifle Crits on a successful headshot, if his rifle is zoomed in. The shots also do more damage the longer that the Sniper is scoped up. Using the Huntsman, the Sniper functions best at medium range.
Basic strategy: A Sniper's main job is to take out key enemies from a distance. Headshots are the most effective way to do that. Try not to let enemies be aware of your presence, for this will make them inclined to avoid your sights.
The Spy
The Spy is unique in that he can disguise as a member of the other team (still appearing as a Spy to his own team), cloak to turn invisible, and backstab enemies to achieve a one-hit kill. Spies do most of their work behind the enemy lines, and they rely on not being detected by their enemies.
Basic strategy: While disguised as an enemy, act like an enemy. Most players will be able to recognize a disguised Spy if they see one of their allies in a place that they aren't expected to be. While cloaked, if a Spy bumps into an enemy, their cloak will flicker for a moment. Spies may not attack when cloaked, but they may attack while disguised. Try to score backstabs, by attacking with your knife at an enemy's back, to instantly kill them. Do not forget that your Revolver is a good alternative for dealing with enemies.
Team Tactics
These are the strategies of the game that most players should learn and understand if they want to help their team. Using these in combat will allow you to get a leg up on the competition.
- Find alternate routes and use them (even if they take longer than direct route). This allows you to take enemies by surprise, and also may ley you to cause havoc behind enemy lines. Don't take the same flanking route too often to avoid becoming predictable -- the enemy will quickly learn to anticipate your strategy.
- Wait around corners and surprise your enemy. You and a few of your allies could wait around corners and ambush any enemies that walk by as a defensive or offensive tactic.
- Communicate with your Medic buddy. Try not to waste your ÜberCharge, but remember that it's better to spend your charge and survive, than to die with a charge ready. Have a plan for what you will do when Übered.
The Barrage
- Overview: a creeping hail of explosives moves though an area to clear the way for the rest of the team.
- Details: Demomen and Soldiers fire continually into an area to make it a no-go zone for the opposing team. Attackers follow the barrage by moving into the cleared area and holding it.
The Demomen and Soldiers must use a spread of fire across the intended area to ensure it is all cleared.
Über push
- Overview: the attacking team coordinates a series of ÜberCharges to clear an area.
- Details: Two or more Medics build up an ÜberCharge. The first Medic activates his charge and enters the area; after 9 seconds the second Medic follows and moves into the area. If the situation allows, the second Medic can follow immediately, taking advantage of the distraction provided by the first Über pair and moving deeper into enemy territory before activating the second charge. Communicating who will Über first is key.
Minefield
- Overview: Demomen lay series of Stickybombs over an open area.
- Details: a spread out carpet of Stickybombs is laid over an open area in sequence by several Demomen. When attackers push forward, detonate each set of Stickies in series to kill multiple waves of attackers. It is important that the other Demomen wait for the previous set to be detonated before detonating the next set. Using the Scottish Resistance makes this strategy more efficient, easier to pull off, and somewhat lessens the need for multiple Demomen, as a single Demoman can have up to 14 stickies and selectively detonate them.
Coordinated Sap
- Overview: Spies sap Sentry Gun emplacements to enable an attack by teammates.
- Details: a Spy or Spies sap Sentry Gun emplacements just before an offensive push, enabling teammates to safely attack the disabled Sentry Guns. Communicate when you have sapped the Sentry Gun to enable the attack to commence immediately. Continue to sap to enable the attacker to take out the Engineer first.
Medic Luring
- Overview: a "Soldier/Heavy" disguised Spy lures Medics into ambush points.
- Details: instead of attempting to kill an enemy Medic, a Spy disguised as an enemy assault class can lure an unaware Medic into an ambush. Thinking you are a member of his team, the Medic may follow you into your team's base, allowing your team to ambush him with a Sentry Gun or a group of allies. Remember that Spies look less suspicious when they appear to be trying to help the team.
Rushing
- Overview: All players select the same class to overwhelm the enemy.
- Details: All players or a majority of the players choose the same class. The class usually depends on the situation. For example, a Scout rush allows your team to reach and capture the first point very quickly, hopefully before the entire enemy team arrives.
Tactical Direction
- Overview: In certain maps your team will have to decide whether to go one path or another.
- Details: this decision usually comes into play in 3-CP maps such as Gravel Pit.
See also
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