From: BoshStrikesBack | #001
-how's the learning curve? will it take a while to get good enough to play online?
Obviously, that depends on what server you go to, but on most of the pub play, if you know what your class does and can point in their general direction most of the time, you're golden. Don't let the barrage of info on the TF2 wiki intimidate you, I say its one of the most accessible FPS out there, where solid teamwork will make up for any lacking twitch-shooter skillz(and unless you're playing Scout, its not even all that necessary).
-what classes are best for a newbie, and which are most useful long-term?
While everyone has their favorites, the great thing about TF2 is how easy to understand the classes are. Its not like in Battlefield where even the medic has a machine gun; in TF2 your class has a specific set of weapons designed for particular roles. As a Medic, you get behind people who need healing, have them protect you, but don't rush after them into bad situations(which is just something you'll learn to judge over time and experience, like the bad situations in real life!). As a Sniper, you try to get your sniper sight onto the other teams' heads, and then pull the trigger. With the inclusion of the various side weapons you can gain through random drops, the shop, crafting, or trading, some of the roles have expanded without breaking the game, but you can get by just fine with the default weapons for the time being.
What I mean by all that is don't think of it like a fighting game, where you pick a main character and try to stick with them. I have favorites(Soldier, Scout), but I switch between classes all the time depending on what I think can help my team best in the current game. If we don't have any Medics, I'll be the doctor. If we're trying to hold the fort, I might pick the Heavy. If everybody has their attention diverting, I'll pick the Spy to pick off easy kills.
I say, for someone just getting into the game, start with the Soldier. You aim your rockets at their feet(you jump every time you shoot for better angle), they take a lot of damage, rinse and repeat for success. You got a lot of health, you can rocket jump for extended mobility, and your a great class for offense and defense, no matter the gametype.
-any general tips I should know?
-Learn the maps. Learn where Sentries are generally put, what areas are usually defended more prominently, where the health/ammo packs are when you're low on either, when its time to push, when its time to fallback, etc. That just takes time.
-Don't worry about the hats. They are purely cosmetic and have no effect on the gameplay whatsoever.
-2Fort is glorified Team Deathmatch, so know what you're getting into going into those 24/7 TF2 servers.
-If you're a medic, for the love of God, heal your other teammates. I know the Heavy is powerful and sexy, but it'll take two seconds to heal me, he'll be ok.
-Don't get discouraged. You're gonna lose sometimes, and that's just how its gonna work. Hell, sometimes its not even really your fault in particular, but the fault of your team as a whole. All you can do is keep trying to do what your class does best and help to win the game.
edit: or...just follow what Mega Mana said >_>
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