This tag should be used for any question that's about the Spy class from Team Fortress 2, Valve's free-to-play team-based multiplayer shooter.
This tag should be used for any question that's about the Spy class from Team Fortress 2, Valve's free-to-play team-based multiplier shooter.
The TF2 Spy is one of the two assassins in the game, operating behind enemy lines to sow confusion and pick off key targets to aid his team's advance.
The bulk of Spy play involves two parts. Phase one involves the usage of a cloaking device to infiltrate enemy territory and disguise as one of them. Phase two is where the Spy moves amongst the enemy team, identifying particular classes as targets for elimination via a swift stab in the back. In this way the Spy can quickly take out charged Medics, Snipers that are keeping the Spy's team pinned down, or built-up Engineers and their nests (the latter of which is accomplished with the building-destroying Sapper). Indeed, a skilled Spy can easily allow his team to run away with a game by constantly depriving the opposition of Übercharges and buildings.
Spies rely on deception and discord, using faked deaths and strategic disguise choice to appear as an ally until it's too late. A team with strong communication skills should have no trouble with Spies, as no disguise is perfect and a discovered Spy is little more than fodder in direct combat. But the best counter to a Spy is simply a competent Pyro, whose flamethrowers will instantly reveal Spies for several seconds. Spies are also one of those classes that becomes less effective as more players choose it - one Spy that still has the element of surprise is far more effective thatn several that are constantly being found out and disposed of.
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