Self-sacrifice is credit to team!
Most of the veteran Team Fortress 2 players miss the “Good old days.” The days without unlocks, the days without the Demoman nerfs, and soon, the days before hats. I’m by no means a veteran TF2 player, but I’m already missing those days. Specifically, one part of those days in particular.
I miss the lack of Medics
That’s right. I miss the days where I sometimes toyed with the idea of changing my name to “The Lone Medic.” In those days, I had to heal the entire team. It was crazy and hectic, but I loved it. I loved popping that Uber and watching my team swarm after me and my glowing pet Heavy. It was stressful, but it was the kind of stress that makes you a better person. Back in those days, I was topping scoreboards all over the server, but the real reward was the little “Thanks” voice command my grateful patients would always flash when I healed them.
All right, that was a complete lie. I liked the points more because they made me feel competent.
Of course, I couldn’t heal everyone. There was always the annoying flaming Scout who ran around me faster then I could get a lock on him. There was always the wounded Heavy who fell to a crit rocket. I wasn’t the Ubermensch, but I was alright.
But then something happened to a good friend of mine a few weeks ago. She got sick, very sick. The doctors said she might not make it. It was up to me to save her, even if it meant I had to give up ze Healing, ze Hurting, and hang up the Medigun for a Wrench or a Sandvich.
Team Balance got sick
It’s pretty common these days for me to hop on a server and find myself on a team of eight (including me) with two Spies, a Sniper, a Medic, two Scouts, and a Soldier. This is a problem for a career Medic like me. The only suitable healing target is being monopolized by the other Medic. This is the least of my team’s problems, however. And did I mention that the Spies are terrible and we’re supposed to defend Steel with this team makeup?
So I go Engineer, because a defending team needs at least one. I won’t be as effective as I would with a Medic, but hey, Engineer is credit is to team, right?
Oh wait, there’s a Spy on the other team, and he’s actually really good. Ten minutes into this steamroll, I quit.
It’s how most of my games are turning out these days, so I have a request—no, a plea. It’s to all the Team Fortress 2 players out there. When you join a team, please look at the other classes on your team and choose the class that your team doesn’t have. Even if you don’t like the class you’ll have to play. Being a Sniper can be fun, but sometimes you have to pick up that Rocket Launcher and take your Uber like a man, and who knows, you just might discover a new love for the class you play. Save the all-Sniper teams for shenanigan night, and everyone will thank you.
Stumble it!
Alexander responded on 05 May 2009 at 11:35 am #
I think we all miss those days when playing Medic actually meant something.
Perhaps I’m too polite, or perhaps it’s nostalgia, but I always give the “thanks” anyway, when it’s not too hectic.
also, first.
Obscure responded on 05 May 2009 at 11:46 am #
Ah, the thanks command. It takes two button pushes and does not impede a player in any way, yet it is one of TF2 best kept secrets. People with completely rebound keyboards and more explode buttons than movement keys seem to forget about its existence. Personally, I love the thanks command. It’s just a way to give another person, at the very last, a feeling of helpfulness, and, at most, it gets you a medic buddy.
Wazzle responded on 05 May 2009 at 11:52 am #
Actually, I have the “Thanks” command bound to the click of the mouse wheel. I use it when I’m healed, when I’m assisted, when I’m dispenser’d, when I kill someone, and randomly. Frankly, it’s my most used, probably more so than medic, in a 2:1 ratio.
And Sheepshifter, I completely agree with you. I never really played medic in the earlier stages, but I used to be one of the few who would choose scout in nearly any situation. Now, it seems there are always enough for my choice of scout to be useless
. I miss being able to choose my favorite class. Also, you write excellent articles.
Combyne responded on 05 May 2009 at 11:53 am #
Yes, more people need to actually look at the team balancing before choosing your favorite (but least helpful) class. Putting the “team” in “Team Fortress”.
Duals responded on 05 May 2009 at 12:18 pm #
I missed the days where team was in team fortress 2. Now with more unlocks and stuff, individuals tend to hold off their own fights most of the time. (btw pyro’s flame range is overpowered at the moment, where’s the “team” component of the game if the pyro can handle a 4 vs 1 and win without external help?)
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 05 May 2009 at 12:33 pm #
“There’s a Spy on the other team, and he’s actually good”? =D
Personally, I dislike it when newbies go Spy for themselves (or alternatively, as part of the Copycat effect. Along with Scout, Demoman, and (Train God, forgive me) Sniper, it’s one of the difficult classes to play.
If you can’t do it, don’t. It’s much harder to not contribute as Medic, Engy, Heavy, Pyro, or Solly (with varying degrees, of course).
And remember kids: if you’re in the top two or three (with more than 7 players), you’re excused. =P
Kentucky Gomez responded on 05 May 2009 at 12:34 pm #
I miss when I was the lone pyro on my team, and there werent 8 snipers on a server. I also miss being spy because I wanted to, and not because the two my team have don’t do anything about the 3 sentries the opposing team has.
I always say thanks to engineers and medics.
Katzcynski responded on 05 May 2009 at 12:36 pm #
I still have the same trouble on some games (especially Arena matches and Dustbowl) that we end up with 3 or more spies and a handful of snipers. On most maps, one sniper is enough or too much, giving the other team an easier advance. Snipers are only effective for some potshots to take out, let’s say, the rest of a forward base or some retreating enemies. Sniper should be a class for only a round so you can help your other team clear out the area before you switch to a Medic or Heavy.
J responded on 05 May 2009 at 12:48 pm #
I think that’s a big part of the game people don’t seem to get. There are 9 classes for a reason. You usually play what you’re good at … and sometimes you play what the team needs.
setcamper responded on 05 May 2009 at 1:21 pm #
Man, I must play on the wrong servers (24-man pubs, try to find nocrits). Maybe because I always get the spots vacated by the rage quitters because their team has no medic and is getting rolled.
Lately I feel like I can instantly identify if my team is going to lose (no medics). Sure I should probably buck up and play one then, but then I get even more frustrated because 50% of my team are bad spys, scouts, or snipers.
I really need to learn to play enginee, but like you said, it’s even more frustrating because the losing team is usually getting dominated by a nasty spy.
Jokerine responded on 05 May 2009 at 1:53 pm #
Jesus Christ, I haven’t even bought the game yet and I already miss the good ol’ hat-free days.
I guess people are so used to playing with the same classes over and over again that they just don’t know what to do when playing, say, Sniper or whatever. But still, if what they need is practice, there’s always the possibility of creating a private server only for them to fool around in.
But I’m just speaking outta my ass, so yeah. I totally agree with this article. Well played!
Baggie responded on 05 May 2009 at 2:00 pm #
I miss the days when I could play as the only pyro, because I seemed to be the only pyro in the world that knew how to ambush properly, back before the unlocks. While I like the new weapons I miss the feeling of owning people with what was considered an inferior class.
kanodin responded on 05 May 2009 at 2:42 pm #
I couldn’t agree more, I almost always go for whatever class my team needs, it’s great to be atleast competent with all the classes because your never dead weight.
And yet lately, whenever I go to a class we have none of, soon enough we’ve got 3 or 4, why I don’t know, the copycat effect probably plays a small part but not a huge one. All I know is the other two have no interest in correcting this so I get to play class roulette all day.
The only time I ignore class balance is if I’ve been on incompetent teams a few too many rounds, then it’s time to relax and snipe for a while.
Cupcake, Darn It! responded on 05 May 2009 at 3:35 pm #
The classes I avoid most are soldier, demo, heavy, and engineer. But whenever I do force myself to play them, I figure i can alway spam with the first three, and engineers tend to help regardless.
I don’t know if that’s the right approach, but I try :]
CharlesMan responded on 05 May 2009 at 4:04 pm #
I say thanks for heals AND teleports, as well as occasional assists and dispensers. Yeah, I’m that badass.
2tone responded on 05 May 2009 at 6:14 pm #
Communication between doctor and patient is critical to the success of proper Medic play.
Yes, the ‘Thank You’ command is a godsend, filling a medic with bubbling pride…
But when I play Medic, I am constantly using “Good Verk!”, “Nice shot, Komerad!”, “Help!”, and “Incoming!”.
The “Good Job” commands will inspire your patient just as much as a “Thank You” puts a skip in your step.
Personally, I will shout the “Incoming!” command if I am making a b-line to a player in need, and I’ll use “Help!” if we’re being flanked.
One third of the time…my warnings are understood XD
On Topic: Sheep, you really need to play the UC servers more, because time and time again I find myself being the only medic on both teams :O
Evilbob responded on 05 May 2009 at 6:56 pm #
I wouldn’t entirely agree, a team doesn’t need every class all it needs is some diversity. The appropraite classes all depends on the map (Except a few that suit most situations). But yeah I totally agree with filling the void. Most of the time I go engie due to lack of one (Or lack of skilled one). (One point i’d like to make too all those people who say; “Engie is for bad players”. The TRUTH is engineer is a crutch of a BAD TEAM. Engineer is the only class that can offer sufficiant and complete support. (Defence + Healing + Transport))
NotJim responded on 05 May 2009 at 7:11 pm #
Completely agreed with your main point in your article – no matter where or when I’m playing, the first thing that guides me as to what class I should be playing is what’s currently lacking.
Davide responded on 05 May 2009 at 7:38 pm #
agree on this… I’m a carrier soldier, but I like play medic to, and side the points u get at the end of the match, is a good feeling receive the Z+2 (thanks) from team mates…
I always do it, my fellow medic like it, and my team engy as well…try to use it when u just pop out from a teleport in front of the engy…he will feel really credit to team…
Rigel responded on 05 May 2009 at 11:34 pm #
Dunno whats the problem really. If you’re using a mic when you play medic, uber a spy and do some damage.
Or an enemy spy, if for nothing else than for the laughs. 
Random public servers are full of clueless people who have no idea what team play really is so your rant is a bit pointless (I do agree with it though as I play medic in matches). If you haven’t played any pickups/clan wars so far, maybe its time you do. After a while you hit that invisible wall called “BORED!” and you want to do something new, slightly more exciting that makes sense.
bacon responded on 06 May 2009 at 2:42 am #
I play exclusively on pubs and regularly find teams without medics. There’s a good chance your team will be the losing one without a medic, so I try and fill the class whenever needed, although I’m not a career medic (or a career anything, for that matter).
The worst is when you join a 8v8 Arena server and find that your team doesn’t have a medic. I don’t understand how the people playing that game mode can possibly miss the obvious fact that without a medic or engie there’s no way to heal, and your chances of losing grow exponentially larger, especially if the other team has one of those classes.
Several people have noted it here, and I’ve seen it as well, so whats the deal with people spamming servers with snipers/spies/scouts? I’m a team-oriented player that attempts to fill whatever spots are open and so it drives me crazy when I’m stuck with a bunch of useless classes trying to defend the CP on my own. Either that, or I’m stuck healing some noob (I hate that term but sometimes it’s just too applicable) who wouldn’t know how to use an uber if their life depended on it (which is pretty much every time!).
Honatas responded on 06 May 2009 at 3:12 am #
I disagree with the part that you just have to pick a class that is missing in your team. Me, I can’t play demoman. I suck at it. And if i take the demoman slot, it would disencourage others who are better demomen than me.
So, I think the best option is to pick a class that would help your team AND you can play at least a bit with it. Being useless is no help at all.
If my team needs to destroy a sentry nest and there are no demomen, I can try it with a soldier, or a bonked scout to kill the engie from behind. A spy wouldn’t do either, because i’m as good as a spy as I am a demoman.
As another example, if the opposing team is scout rushing, you could try a heavy or a pyro, the one that suits you best, even if there is another player with that class already and no player with the other.
Svan responded on 06 May 2009 at 4:04 am #
Medic is my #1 class by time played, and I have to say, the current fashion for scouts, snipers and engies is just a total drag.
Fortunately my #2 is heavy
Killa-Ewok responded on 06 May 2009 at 4:23 am #
For some reason, I like to play sniper these days. And medic, if it is needed.
What.
n00bie51 responded on 06 May 2009 at 4:47 am #
Baggie, you know, I have similar sentiments regarding the older pre-patch weaker Pyro, when in order to rack up a ton of points and kills, one had to be quite skilled and possess tactical merit and brain power in order to perform better with that class.
Gus Chiggins responded on 06 May 2009 at 4:54 am #
I’m always amazed by the person that presses the comma button, sees there are already 2/3/5 spies/snipers and thinks to themselves “yeah, we really do need another support class”
ExAstris responded on 06 May 2009 at 6:03 am #
@Gus Chiggins:
It’s not that they see it and think “gee, we need MOAR of those,” it’s that they think “well, I’m only good at Sniper so I’ll go that” or “I really lurve spy” or they just don’t care about teamwork or are new to the game.
Despite my many TF2 failings, I often find that this is one of the few things I do RIGHT. I actually make an effort to take a useful class when it’s needed (when it’s not, I nearly always go Spy. Damn, I do love spy). The only classes I won’t take are demo/sniper, because I suck, suck, SUCK at them. Everything else, I’ll take based on what the team needs, even though the only classes I reliably play well are Pyro, Medic, Spy and Soldier.
n00bie51 responded on 06 May 2009 at 7:06 am #
The “Thanks” command is useful and is something I use frequently.
The problem I have with switching to the Medic when there is none on our team is that if we’re getting steam rolled and losing to superior opponents, trying to heal and support incompetent and unreliable team mates feels like the LAST thing that would help my team achieve victory. Not to sound conceited, but if our team wants to win, somebody should be a Medic and heal ME as I play Soldier or Heavy. Otherwise, if there were better players than me, I would happily switch to Medic and support them to the best of my ability.
In the end, I don’t mind switching to another class if it helps the team more than if I go as a lone Spy or Sniper or an ineffective Soldier and there are better players who should pick those classes. I can enjoy and derive the appeal of each and every class. I can have fun back stabbing, maintaining my Sentry Gun, getting head shots, mowing down opponents with Sasha, launching rockets, burning Spies, or Übering team mates, especially if it helps our team win than if I were to be a different class.
Dark Master responded on 06 May 2009 at 7:07 am #
“Sniper, you should change classes. You aren’t useful on a 4 person attack team on payload.”
“Damn it sniper, change classes! Be a team player and use a class that can get objectives effectively.”
“You’re new to the game? Then you should play soldier or medic, those are great classes for newcomers.”
“You know sniper, the goal of this game isn’t to kill as many people as possible, its to push that damn cart, and snipers are very bad at that job.”
“Please sniper! Please change classes, anything but sniper would be great right now, ANYTHING!”
You Fail! Boo…
ExAstris responded on 06 May 2009 at 7:49 am #
@Dark Master: That’s me. Every time I’m on a serverwith less then 5v5. Sigh.
@n00bie51: I know the feeling… but ya gotta do what ya can.
Besides, I like Medic. And I ALWAYS use the “thanks” command, even for dispensers!
Niphrendil responded on 06 May 2009 at 9:37 am #
Oh that is the worst to be a second medic and have no one to heal that is worth it. Though it also sucks to be that other medic who is stuck chasing after that lone soldier who usually is very sucidal and has bad aim.
Niphrendil responded on 06 May 2009 at 9:40 am #
btw– Glad to know the thanks command is so appreciated b/c I use it at every oppurtune time it makes sense. In fact I was almost worried I was using it too much.
Waffle responded on 06 May 2009 at 10:50 am #
Wow, for I while I thought I was spamming the voice commands (I even thanked an engineer who was defending the last CP with me ). A month ago I began trying to become decent in each class instead of just pyro, so when my team needed a medic or sniper I could be one. It’s going quite nicely now and I can say I’m not being useless. Demoman is still too tricky though.
ubermensch responded on 06 May 2009 at 11:37 am #
play arena maps they offer slightly less stacking of vertain classes specialy medics
Svan responded on 06 May 2009 at 12:13 pm #
lol I love to read n00bie51’s self-righteous comments on every new UC article.
n00bie51 responded on 06 May 2009 at 12:19 pm #
Thanks, they’re just dripping with pride and conceit, aren’t they?
Troll moar plz.
Svan responded on 06 May 2009 at 12:59 pm #
it’s weird that you would go right out and admit t-… oh, wait, sarcasm?
lollin
Bunni responded on 06 May 2009 at 2:19 pm #
I try to go for a class no one’s taken yet. But not heavy or engi because then it’d be impossible for me to be credit to team.
And I should really bind “thanks” to something one of these days, or I’ll feel like an ungrateful jerk forever.
sam responded on 06 May 2009 at 5:45 pm #
“ubermensch responded on 06 May 2009 at 11:37 am #
play arena maps they offer slightly less stacking of vertain classes specialy medics”
When I play 6v6 arena, our team typically consists of four scouts, a sniper/spy and me (Usually being soldier, since there aren’t good medic buddies on my team, or an engineer to provide a dispenser and a sentry).
It’s not like we never win with a composition like that, but it feels like we’re not winning because we are good, but because the enemies are bad. And then they go heavy and decimate our team.
If you ask me, people are most selfish and worst teamplayers on arena. Or then I play on the wrong servers. Either way, it’s a shame because I really like arena. It’s a real test of skill (And should be a one of teamplay too), while still being “team” fortress.
Chagrin responded on 06 May 2009 at 9:18 pm #
My least favourite is when I see that nobody on my team is playing sniper, so I choose that, and immediately the copycat effect takes over and suddenly there are two or three other snipers on the team.
Honatas responded on 07 May 2009 at 12:09 am #
There is also a funny side-effect when there are some clueless good-hearted players on our side. Someone yells: “Hey, we’re loosing and there are no medics, someone pick a medic please”, and then suddenly there are four medics on the team.
Anonymous responded on 07 May 2009 at 3:28 am #
my favourite classes are sniper and spy, and i’ve played them the most and try to play them the most, but if our team is losing very badly, then i try to play a more suitable class.
Paper Shadow responded on 07 May 2009 at 6:05 am #
I miss the days where there was enough Medics for everyone…
Also, the situation you were in Sheep reminds me of the one I was in in my article about the “Anti-Kritz Defence”…
Sarda responded on 07 May 2009 at 7:51 am #
I don’t use voice commands because I have a mic. And if it’s all-talk, and I need to say something the other team shouldn’t hear, I stop and ask myself, “Why do I need to say this again?” because all-talk generally means strategy is replaced with fun for all.
Darkninja094 responded on 07 May 2009 at 12:02 pm #
Sheepshifter i get where you’re coming from. When Im on red defending dustbowl and there’s 4 snipers and a pyro and medic on my team i think, “Hey, maybe engie of heavy.”
ps. im new to the game so i was never a part of the “glory days”, hell i first played the game right before the scout update!
Clyde Frog responded on 07 May 2009 at 8:30 pm #
I ‘ve reseted my stats and began to play more “vanilla”. I’m starting to pay more attention to which class I’ll play. Sometimes you can do very good work as the only pyro on a team, or being engineer when you’re attacking
Scattergunner responded on 08 May 2009 at 3:20 am #
I started playing tf2 on d Xbox and thx to that I can have an idea of what kind of game was tf2 at d good ol’ days…
Scattergunner responded on 08 May 2009 at 3:22 am #
I started playing tf2 on d Xbox and thx to that I can have an idea of what kind of game was tf2 at d good ol’ days… Oh and I actually loved pyro.. Such a great class has lost a lot of it’s original gameplay
Scattergunner responded on 08 May 2009 at 3:24 am #
Srry about that double-post, my connection is RLY laggy
Toakal responded on 12 May 2009 at 1:49 am #
Wait… A month or two ago people were complaining about the lack of Medics. Eh well.
???? responded on 23 May 2009 at 4:56 am #
?????????! ??????? ?? ??????.
Anony1200 responded on 24 May 2009 at 5:25 pm #
The problem is when you get into a game and the classes they need are the ones you’re horrid,putrid at,in fact ones that you’re so bad at you actually make the team worse overall.Ones that you can’t do right even if you practice 24/7.What would one DO in this situation?
Would he go that class anyway,and be anti-credit to team?Would he spectate and try the other team?Would he sit there fapping at the class menu until someone rageswitched?Would he be Heavy number 4?Or would he just ragequit?