Spy School - Ninja Pwnage 101

[[BDB] Puppy Stomper]

Ok. I'm starting a Spy School. I don't know how to play a spy, so don't take any of my advice just yet.

Although, we need to put a contingency on Rek. He's only allowed to play each day that he posts a helpful hint on this thread. If not... everyone goes pyro and Rek lives a sad life until the hereafter.

Anyone else that can hit more than the wall or a fatty should post some tips too.

[Ice.Vu]

I remember being taught: When in doubt, use your revolver.

[[BDB] Puppy Stomper]

The only real thing I've figured out is...

Be aware of sentry guns. And always sap them before you bother killing the engineer. Also, a sapped sentry is a dead sentry. It's helpful for the heavies and soldiers who are trying to kill them.

And... Fire = Bad

[TrashedDT]

Another helpful tip: When you start a round with setup time disguise as a friendly class. This way the other team will think you're just another pyro, demo, etc. Once the setup time ends, cloak and change to the opposite team's color. By doing so the other team won't be so "spy paranoid" and it will make it easier to get behind them. If you don't know already you can switch team colors after selecting the disguise kit by pressing "-".

[rek]

First of all: ROFL @ this thread...

I don't really "know" anything about playing spy. I moved home and use a laptop and have no desk, so I use the arm of the couch as a mousepad and that made sniping (my addiction from my hardcore CS days) very hard to do. So I started playing spy for fun.

As you can see by my KPD, I don't have a 'get a great score' strategy; so if that's your goal.. don't listen to me.. I'm the rush in and die type.. I've gotten better as spy simply because my reactions to situations get better as time goes on. I get a decent amount of points not because I'm 3:1 all the time but because rushing is rewarded by 10 point caps among other bonuses like sapping.

I don't have a strategy. I run in, I see what I can see, and I make it up as I go along. I do have a general thought process, here's some of it...


Identify high profile targets. These are targets you go for at all costs. No strategy involved here, just personal preference, I for one love the fatties. This step is the reason I've killed Tubby 106 times, he's my favorite fatty! Getting slaughtered is totally worth it if it means stabbing a 'high profile' target. Also any chance to get satan should be taken at this point because if you stab his team before him expect a rocket to the face really quickly (I let this slide, though, if it means stabbing another higher profile target like a fatty).

Where have all the fatties gone? So, you rush in but there are no fatties, now what? Gotta think quickly here: what's the best way to help your team. A couple suggestions:

Is a medic charging an uber charge? If so, taking him out before he can use it could mean saving your team from eating an uber soldiers rockets for dinner or saving your engi's base from getting wiped out by an uber pyro. Even if his team turns around and owns you before you can do anything, taking out the uber is a great sacrifice when your goal is to win the round.
If a medic is alone with a teammate like a soldier or heavy, consider going for the soldier or heavy first - especially if you know they are good players. Noobs wont turn around and you can knife 5 in a row, good people WILL. You should be able to fight a medic 1v1, or at least run from him. Note: often this results in the medic using his uber to save his teammate (assuming he realizes what is happening); that's ok too, it's a wasted uber and all you do is disappear and run before the teammate realizes why the uber got used.
Consider running all the way back to the enemy snipers. Usually you can pick off the sniper far away from his team and then launch another attack on the others after (or run if they turn and look at you).

Keep an eye on your cloak meter, and use your time wisely. Whenever possible I try to pretend I'm not disguised - I assume anyone good will shoot me even if I look like I'm on their team. So it's a lot better to not be seen AT ALL. Don't uncloak right when someone runs by, think about his team! Peek around the corner behind him, is anyone coming? Analyze the situation FIRST, then act (unless you have no time left, then just get to stabbing).
Dealing with engis. So you're alone, with one engi and his base, now what? This is another 'think fast' situation with a lot of factors. Here's a couple I run through:

If it's a level one sentry and he's anywhere near it, just stab the bastard then sap the sentry AFTER. This way you get the kill and he's not around to stop you from sapping the whole base.
Is he upgrading the sentry? Most engis will run to the resupply or metal box often, if it's around a corner (or even near one) then knife him while he does this then QUICKLY get out of the sentry's line of sight; come back after for the sapping. He should never see you at all, even disguised.
Is he right next to (or on top of) a sentry? Even a level 3, if you can get behind him, with the sentry facing away from you, you CAN knife him then sap it without dying. You gotta be damn fast here, but it works well and always makes me smile :] Again he should never see you, even disguised.
If he's a good engi, consider not even killing him if you have time. Run around, sap EVERYTHING, he'll save his dispenser and the sentry if he's good but just sap them again, and again. Run away so he has to choose between you or his stuff, and if possible keep the sentry between the two of you (so he cant hit you). Get it down to a 1v1 then pull out your magnum and kill him (usually don't knife, that fucking wrench is strong).
Multiple engis? Either play the sap everything game, or even better just wait until your team is about to attack and sap sentries when they do. It's cool if your team is smart enough to coordinate, but usually they aren't, so just wait for someone to attack and help them by sapping.

I'm tired of writing and it's dinner time so I'll give more hints later...


Most my strategy is just reaction to a situation, which means I only get better by experiencing more situations (but with 1600 some-odd knife kills, I've been in a couple). When you die, use the 15 seconds to come up with what you should have done then do that next time.

Every strategy changes based on who you are playing with. Is it that armpit guy or another good medic and he's probably just healing a noob? If so, get the good medic first or you could have syringes in your back before you even turn to face him.

[[BDB] Puppy Stomper]

Well... after some trial and error... I've figured it out some. But I've never gotten more than three consecutive kills, and my overall life span hasn't exceeded about 90 seconds.

Should I just expect to die often and kill quickly as a spy or is there a way to keep my head on my shoulders a little longer?

Also... need tips for how to handle large groups of opponents. I've found some success in working my way to the back of the pack and trying to pick them all off from behind. Usually starting with snipers and maybe a medic. Is there a good way to work from the middle of a crowd and avoid immediate death? Or is it just a matter of prioritizing and going 1:1 each time?

[Worry]

That sounds like you're doing pretty good to me. With the exception of those that mostly play soldier, very few have kpd's much above 1:1.

I might try playing spy for a week or two once I get the new system up and running. right now I'd be stabbing too much air. I better get plenty of back stabs while standing 2 feet directly in front of the enemy though or I'll be pissed. Happens to me all the time so it better work for me. :mad:

[Mephisto]

meh.. its quite easy if you get the right chance. if you can get behind a team that is all facing the same direction (like the beginning of the 3rd dustbowl map) just take out the furthest back and work your way up. usually one or two people cant take you out til you take out half the team.

i think i'm still in positive kpd vs. rek as an engie... but that has to do with playing engie and being paranoid...

[rek]

Puppy Stomper;405'](...)

Well, you should probably expect to die a lot unless you're playing really careful or against really big newbies. The best way to not die is to not be seen and to strike at 1-2 player groups (not rush into a big group of them).

That requires some patience, though. Usually I prefer to just die, my goal is win the round for the team so if I can take out a medic but am sure it'll get me killed I'm going to do it anyway. The respawn times aren't that long anyway.

My record is 13 backstabs (w/ 29 points). I've gotten 13 three times and ALWAYS get owned right after the 13th bleh... It really depends on the map, your strategy, and who is on the other team. Like I said in my other post, if someone smart like satan is on the other team you need to kill him FIRST unless the situation is worth dying for.

Also, try to have some cloak left after you go for a kill. Most the time not dying depends on how quickly you can hide. Before you stab have some idea what you'll do next, know where some good spots are to hide. Disappear while running a common direction (away) but once you're completely cloaked pull a 180 and get behind the people who thought you ran away, etc.