Spam and the HW
Most people consider the words "newbie" and "HW Guy" one in the same; not true at all.
— Saint Paul-TPF
Recently, I have been disturbed in the manner which HW Guys are considered. What I am reffering to is the
fact that most people consider the words "newbie" and "HW Guy" one in the same. Their major reasoning
behind this may be found from the frequent use of the class by "Player" and other llama/idiots. The part
that brings my anger is the population of TFC players which look down on the HW class. As a HW Guy, I am a
strong defensive player who uses the class to it's peak effectiveness. I admit that the HW is not the best
class to use in everyone's point of view, but it is my specialty class and I have trained long and hard to
become effective.
But yet I encountered this when I entered a server:(Writer's Note: The Name "Player" is used to protect the
innocent, not an actual "Player")
Saint_Paul Has Joined The Game
Saint_Paul has Joined Team 1
Saint_Paul Is Playing As HW Guy
Player: another newbie as HW
Saint_Paul: WTF?
Player: HWs are useless
Saint_Paul: is that so?
Player: Only newbies use HWs
Saint_Paul: Well, Let's see how much of a "newbie" I am
Saint_Paul Has Changed To Team 2
And Soon......Saint_Paul killed Player with AC
(Writer's Note: This continued until he left the game)
This is terrible. I also recently read an editorial on PlanetFortress which complained on how useless the HW
is on offense and defense.
I can say this: On Defense, I patrol my base and cut the enemy down with my AC. If the flag is stolen and remains in the base, I basically sit on it and deny any attempts to steal it. This is best illustrated in 2fort when the flag is in the basement ramp area; I block the top entrance which forces any scout who wants to get in or out to get by me. On Offense, HWs may not be good flag runners, but I can assure you that the Scout makes it back from the enemy base under fire will thank the HW that provides cover for him. On offense, the HW also ties up enemy forces while his team moves in, and his armor lets him stay on scene and fight.
Now The Second Rant,
Spamming, or the throwing of multiple grenades is a commonly annoying item among most TFC players. However, I have found some cases in
which Spam may be useful. Am I crazy you ask? Well, consider the following and think for yourself:
Situation: Map is badlands, You Are A Demoman, you are outside the enemy main enterance, a scout has just grabbed the enemy flag but is probably being followed. What do I do? I throw a pipebomb trap and then lob everything I have at the door the second it drops.
What my Spamming does: I screen the Scout from whatever class is defending the base so he
can cap the flag. The alternative? only lob grenades from my grenade launcher only when the scout comes out
being followed by the defender
and risk the chance of a defender fragging your teammate. Well, to me the choice is obvious: Spam...Team
Play First.
Another Useful type of spamming is defensive spamming. I defensively spam when my flag is in danger or when falling back. Consider this:
I have just run into a group of non-scout, non-sniper enemies. I am a demoman. I take pretty bad damage in the initial encounter.
What do I do? Well, I run backwards, lobbing MIRVs, regular grenades and Grenades from the launcher. What does that do you ask? Well,
it allows me a window of escape. How you ask? well, all the MIRVs and other explosives keep the enemy from following me and fragging
me then attacking my teammates. After restocking grenades, health, etc.. I can go back and frag em all. I know these messages may cause controversey, and I know Spam is commonly accepted as evil; However, I do not do the common llama-ish "Spray And Pray" Spam...
That is unaceptable because there is absolutely no point in that. Nevertheless, I try to make my team win at all costs. If there is good reason to do a questionable action, I'd probably do it. I will not however, do the following: Changing team and infecting the teamn I join, respawn camp or put myself before my team without good reason.
Think the author was right on target or completely off the deep end? Let us know -- mail us or post in the forums!
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