Being Aware of Your Surroundings

**enf** · 07-18-08, 11:41 AM

Im not really an article writer, but more of a moderator for an open discussion. With that being said, I have noticed a lot of people (even some regs) that seem to have a one track mind while playing TF2. Its pretty much they have their mini-mission to do something, whether it be throwing stickies around a corner, building a sentry, or healing someone, and they are just oblivious to everything going on around them. Just senseless deaths that could have been prevented if people payed attention more. Ive seen a spy get 4-5 backstabs on a group standing around not paying attention to the kills going up on the screen and the sound of people being stabbed behind them. Ive seen 3-4 people blow up because a demo layed stickies by their feet 5 seconds ago with another person on the group's team watching him do so and not saying anything on the mic or even in chat. The list goes on....

I dont know how you tell someone to pay more attention, but thats why I open it up to you all. We need to get people to explore more instead of having the same strategies they act on for every side of every map of any class they choose. Put your sentry in a spot that usually isnt used. Try a flank you never really attack from. Play a class that you never really play. Believe me, it opens up more ideas and widens your skill base for different scenarios on a map.

Thank you.

<steps off soapbox>

**_BuRn_** · 07-18-08, 01:28 PM

How about we include pay more attention to your teammates surroundings as well.

And most importantly, say something.

Let me know I am about to get stabbed or backburned... I am often busy providing suppressive fire against groups and it becomes very difficult to watch my back.
Just calling my name will make me check my six.
Don't say 'Spy is a pyro!' Then not tell me where.
Don't say 'Look out behind you Bur.....' cuz Ill already be dead.
Just holler my name. Or say Heavy - Behind you! The only direction I worry about is my six, I know what is in front of me. So upon hearing my name I will immediately 180 and mow anything behind me.
I will do the same for you.

And enf is spot on about some peeps getting too caught up in their job, even myself sometimes will get to focused on one goal.
Always try to keep the bigger picture in your mind.
As for playing other classes, that is the best advice you can give in this game.
You can adjust your tactics once you know how the other classes respond.
They WILL flank, they WILL send spies, they WILL set sentries in tricky spots.
You MUST pay attention.

**Langrad** · 07-18-08, 01:44 PM

When I call out a spy I dont have time to worry about the persons name so I generaly just holler out the class and the warnin. Seems alot of the time the people dont turn around (not sure if its the lag between me talking and it going out or just not listening). I try and pay attention to my surroundins but most of the time I dont have the ammo loaded to react and save someone/myself.

**Silent_Crow** · 07-18-08, 02:01 PM

THANK YOU!

I agree with all of this and will now submit my next major gripe:

STOP HOLDING DOWN "W" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can move left, right, and even BACKWARDS when things are too crazy to push forward.

If you hold the high ground, STAY ON IT until you get a kill or two, THEN jump off to cap/etc.

/rant

**Captain Coors** · 07-19-08, 03:11 PM

And if joecrow is playing medic, make sure you play smart and call out for him to heal you, or he is going to rip you a new one. Case in point last night with me

**KidWithTheFace** · 07-19-08, 04:23 PM

Uhg, yes...I can't stand this. USE YOUR MIC and let your team mates know when they are about to get raped from behind!!! It helps so much, and those who don't have mics GO BUY ONE. please

**Ficet99** · 07-19-08, 06:08 PM

Sometimes I do get one tracked :P Which a lot of times as Pyro, I'll pull off some crazy suicide rush to kill a medic or engi as he's trying to set up a sentry and ignore everything trying to get to them.

A lot of times it can resort in death, other times i get them

As a medic, I'm usually very keen on my surroundings.

**TehSpaz** · 07-19-08, 10:33 PM

for CTF, if you have the flag, CONSTANTLY CALL OUT WHERE YOU ARE!

that way, when you die, they can just go "huh...what was the last place he said...OH YEAH!"

ex. I'm a socut and I get enemy flag on 2fort...

"Okay, got flag, coming up spiral....halfway up spiral...top of ramp room.....down grate....outside...bridge...HOME FREEE"