The General Advice Thread: Because You Were Too Afraid to Ask.

[Wumbo]

Not really a question for advice but yeah.. So I heard there was an 8v8 format in tf2. Which class is usually left out then?

Also, I keep blowing myself up with grenade launchers, but if I don't fire pipes, I would get killed anyway (People moving too close, not close enough for bottle) What happens is that if a pipe hits the enemy I get killed because of blast damage. I also can't keep enough distance to avoid the blast. This happens to me with soldier too but then I should've considered equipping my shotgun. So what should I do? I don't like being a kamikaze demoman 24/7.

[Darkwater]

[QUOTE=Wumbo;41926520]Not really a question for advice but yeah.. So I heard there was an 8v8 format in tf2. Which class is usually left out then?

Also, I keep blowing myself up with grenade launchers, but if I don't fire pipes, I would get killed anyway (People moving too close, not close enough for bottle) What happens is that if a pipe hits the enemy I get killed because of blast damage. I also can't keep enough distance to avoid the blast. This happens to me with soldier too but then I should've considered equipping my shotgun. So what should I do? I don't like being a kamikaze demoman 24/7.[/QUOTE]

If you're being chased as a demoman, backpedal, switch to your sticky launcher, and shoot directly under you. By the time it's armed, you won't get the damage, but your enemy will.

As a soldier, using a shotgun would be the best choice. But if you can't live without your gunboats (like me), you could shoot the floor left or right of your enemy to focus the damage on him.

[Drury]

[QUOTE=Wumbo;41926520]Not really a question for advice but yeah.. So I heard there was an 8v8 format in tf2. Which class is usually left out then?[/QUOTE]

8v8 is an alternative to 6v6, not Highlander.

There are two medics and two demomen. It's very prone to stalemates and barely anyone plays it.

[Venezuelan]

[QUOTE=Magic Scrumpy;41925063]Ping =/= how well you are connected to the server.

Even with a low ping, you could be experiencing lots of choke and packet loss, which leads to that awful rubberbanding effect.[/QUOTE]

Is there anything I can do client-side to prevent this

[Magic Scrumpy]

[QUOTE=Venezuelan;41927923]Is there anything I can do client-side to prevent this[/QUOTE]

you can change your update rate and download rate. make sure to use net_graph to get a graph that shows losses/chokes

here are some commands you can use (put one configuration in your autoexec)
if you have generally good connection:
cl_cmdrate 66 //the amount of times you send the server client info per second
cl_interp 0 //sets how far character models are interpolated from the actual character
cl_interp_ratio 1 //this divided by the updaterate equals the interp
cl_lagcompensation 1 //allows clients to tell the server that they don't want their own commands lag compensated.
cl_pred_optimize 2 //not repredicting if there were no errors in receiving packet update from server
cl_smooth 0 //does not smooth the character's motion if there was a packet receiving error
cl_smoothtime 0.01 //smooths client's view after prediction error over this many seconds
cl_updaterate 66 //number of packets per second you request from the server
rate 60000 //Max bytes/sec the host can receive data

if you generally have "bad" connection
cl_cmdrate 40
cl_interp 0
cl_interp_ratio 2
cl_lagcompensation 1
cl_pred_optimize 2
cl_smooth 0
cl_smoothtime 0.01
cl_updaterate 40
rate 35000

you can read more about some network settings here:
[url]http://tf2.co.za/news/rates-guide/[/url]

hope I could help :downs:

[Drury]

I already have the same values in my config, except cl_cmdrate and cl_updaterate which are both set to 67.

Is there a way that could be a problem...?

[Magic Scrumpy]

[QUOTE=Drury;41928541]I already have the same values in my config, except cl_cmdrate and cl_updaterate which are both set to 67.

Is there a way that could be a problem...?[/QUOTE]

Try setting them to 66 and see, because most servers are 66Tick.

Does this happen on all servers? Some servers just aren't very powerful.

[dolphin]

How can I become a better demoknight? Landing charge kills is near impossible for me. I have had a Strange Charge N Targe Sheild for 2 months but only 11 kills...how can I improve on this?

[chenhonkster]

[QUOTE=dolphin;41929023]How can I become a better demoknight? Landing charge kills is near impossible for me. I have had a Strange Charge N Targe Sheild for 2 months but only 11 kills...how can I improve on this?[/QUOTE]

Use nade launcher instead of wee booties if you happen to use them, just a single shot on a weak-ish class and then bash them. Alternatively you can use LnL against other demo(knight)s or pyros/soldiers. An easy way is to charge and shoot a grenade at the opponent so he's surely got low health when you get the bash.

[Zannabluke]

[QUOTE=dolphin;41929023]How can I become a better demoknight? Landing charge kills is near impossible for me. I have had a Strange Charge N Targe Sheild for 2 months but only 11 kills...how can I improve on this?[/QUOTE]

umh, you don't need to be a master targe killer if you want to be a good demoknight: you just have to be decent at aiming pipes and choose your fights wisely.
Otherwise, if you play FULL demoknight (with booties), then get a controller, find the turning script and put it in your demoman.cfg. Don't forget to equip the claid too.
But imo, full demoknight is way less viable than demoknight with gl.

[Magic Scrumpy]

[QUOTE=Zannabluke;41929168]umh, you don't need to be a master targe killer if you want to be a good demoknight: you just have to be decent at aiming pipes and choose your fights wisely.
Otherwise, if you play FULL demoknight (with booties), then get a controller, find the turning script and put it in your demoman.cfg. Don't forget to equip the claid too.
But imo, full demoknight is way less viable than demoknight with gl.[/QUOTE]

The controller turning script also works with a mouse iirc

[Zannabluke]

[QUOTE=Magic Scrumpy;41929235]The controller turning script also works with a mouse iirc[/QUOTE]

yeah, but it's a pain in the ass.

[Drury]

[QUOTE=dolphin;41929023]How can I become a better demoknight? Landing charge kills is near impossible for me. I have had a Strange Charge N Targe Sheild for 2 months but only 11 kills...how can I improve on this?[/QUOTE]

Spy.

[Magic Scrumpy]

[QUOTE=Zannabluke;41929168]umh, you don't need to be a master targe killer if you want to be a good demoknight: you just have to be decent at aiming pipes and choose your fights wisely.
Otherwise, if you play FULL demoknight (with booties), then get a controller, find the turning script and put it in your demoman.cfg. Don't forget to equip the claid too.
But imo, full demoknight is way less viable than demoknight with gl.[/QUOTE]

gl, targe and eyelander is a fantastic loadout

eyelander and targe can make you practically unbeatable, and if you can aim your pipes then you're a monster.

[Zannabluke]

[QUOTE=Magic Scrumpy;41934212]gl, targe and eyelander is a fantastic loadout

eyelander and targe can make you practically unbeatable, and if you can aim your pipes then you're a monster.[/QUOTE]

yeah, you become a very viable class even after only one head. Light classes should be free opportunities to hoard your heads but as i said before, choose your battles wisely: losing 4 or 5 heads is no fun. And be careful of soldiers, they're your worst enemy: they can juggle you with little effort and block all your movements.

[Creeper]

What's the best way to learn how to effectively rocket jump? Any particular maps I should get?

[kariko]

[QUOTE=heinous;41924174]turn off mouse acceleration[/QUOTE]

Oh my God, this. I couldn't aim at all, and then yesterday found out I've had mouse acceleration on since I started playing TF2. Barely now I am getting better at aiming. :suicide:

[Robotnik]

[QUOTE=Creeper;41934691]What's the best way to learn how to effectively rocket jump? Any particular maps I should get?[/QUOTE]

I think this series of videos explains rocket jumping pretty well, despite being ancient

[video=youtube;pRnw1SV06lk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRnw1SV06lk[/video]

You should also grab a rocket jumper and try out some jumps on any map you like (cp_orange is actually very good for learning pogo-jumping because it's a big flat space, but do it offline).

[Dat Lobo]

Another good vid that can help with RJing is STAR_'s vid. It helped me quite a bit.

[video=youtube;v9notxSwwdY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9notxSwwdY[/video]

[Spectre1406]

What's the right time to use the Scottish Resistance? What are the tactics to use it?

[Darkwater]

[QUOTE=Creeper;41934691]What's the best way to learn how to effectively rocket jump? Any particular maps I should get?[/QUOTE]

There are lots of jump_* map servers if you want to practice.

[Kurahk]

What is mouse acceleration and why is everyone telling people to turn it off for better aiming?

[Drury]

It increases your mouse sensitivity as you move your mouse.

Useful when playing with controller, absolutely screws up your aim with mouse.

[ChrisR7]

1. Is there a console command to force an attempt to retrieve the item schema in the event losing my loadout due to a crash? (I can usually fix this by restarting the game completely, but I just wanna know if there's an easier way.)

2. For some reason, whenever I get into a map with water, my fps drops like a sack of bricks. Is there a reason / fix for it?

[Dat Lobo]

[QUOTE=Spectre1406;41937410]What's the right time to use the Scottish Resistance? What are the tactics to use it?[/QUOTE]

Scottish Resistance is a great defensive tool. Also great on offensive, just takes a lot more practice. It's a trappers best friend. Lay down multiple spots around corners, doorways, and such. Say you're playing on badwater, you're on D, and its the last point. A great place for a ScotRes user to set up is in the back area where there are the 2 doors, and that little stairwell that leads to that sniper nest. That is a great place cause it has plentiful health and ammo to keep you stocked to prevent anyone from coming into that area. It's great for area's like that. Also, on offensive, what you can do is fire past your opponents, and then use your pipe launcher to push the enemy back onto your stickies. Just remember to pull out your ScotRes and taunt as they blow up, if you get the chance :P.

[Kurahk]

What is a good, reliable way to improve my skills? I've been out of the loop for months and I want to get better. I know that one good way is to simply play for extended of periods of time, and your skills will improve. Are there any other ways to improve?

[Magic Scrumpy]

[QUOTE=Kurahk;41957412]What is a good, reliable way to improve my skills? I've been out of the loop for months and I want to get better. I know that one good way is to simply play for extended of periods of time, and your skills will improve. Are there any other ways to improve?[/QUOTE]

All you really can do is play for extended periods of time against people better than you. Make sure to practice many different things with many different classes to up your gamesense and overall reaction time and skill.