Versatility vs. Specializing?

BitterBeerFace · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 11:56 am Post subject:

I just looked at my stats, and aside from noticing I only have 445 kills in the last week, (I've been slacking off, I guess) no weapon accounts for more than 20% of my kills... what do you think, is it better to have versatility or specilization?

I know this is purely opinion, but I want to hear those opinions!

Lin Sivvi Defiant Hero · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 11:59 am Post subject:

When I used to play cs, it was highly sugested that you were specialised in one weapon, and could use some others if you needed to. In TFC, I think it's different, you need to be the class your team is in need of. I like to play defense, so I have many sg kills. When you play offense, you'll have to use faster classes most the time, and use the shotgun more. I'd say it's good to have a versitly weapon use ability.

Albino Gibbon · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 12:21 pm Post subject:

Specializing can usually only increase your skill in that certain class. Versatility is good when your team needs a certain class "medic/sniper". I pretty much stick to demoman and every once in a while medic.

_________________
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kjeldorian Royal Guard 42 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 12:32 pm Post subject:

Versatilty is an important skill to have. Each map has a certain character that can perform special and important tasks for that map. Take Warpath for example. Your team needs a good engy and a demo to be completely effective.

Then again, you don't have to be a wiz at any class to be versatile, but it helps. Say your team is being decimated by the nmy medic. Go medic and heal your team mates. Bam, you are now versatile. Helping your team is all that matters. As long as you are trying to help your team, your "skill" doesn't matter.

_________________
Recipient of POTM award
Creator of Warz/Ville Golf Classic
<TVB> Member/Event Coordinator/Council - Retired
=US-V= Member/Event Coordinator - Retired
<eVa> Founding Father/Leadership/Webmaster - Retired
Ville Admin - Retired

JollyRoger · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 12:54 pm Post subject:

While becomming a grand master in just one class is probably a bad idea, becomming rather good in 3-4 in exchange for the rest, i think is better... Depending. Sometimes it's useful to just be, ok across the board, but, when you really think about it, of those four classes, there is little you can't get done, save very specific tasks.

It's a tough call to make. I'm trying to get good at the classes i like (Medic, Pyro, HW, Spy), and then i can move on to working on my other stuff.

I'd say it all depends on person to person. Which do -you- like?

_________________

The ladies man,
JollyRoger.

Hamese · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 1:04 pm Post subject:

It becomes a mute point if you can specialize in all the classes

Then it is a win win situation.

_________________

Kjeldorian Royal Guard 42 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 2:32 pm Post subject:

True Hamese. But you can't all be as amazing as I.

If you are going to learn any classes, I recommend learning engineer, demo, spy, scout, and medic. Not in that order. Those five classes can do everything on every map just about. Once you get those down, you can study the others. Snipers, HWG, and pyros are very effective but I rarely see them change the flow of the game.

I wonder who will be the first to say I'm wrong about that?. . . . .

_________________
Recipient of POTM award
Creator of Warz/Ville Golf Classic
<TVB> Member/Event Coordinator/Council - Retired
=US-V= Member/Event Coordinator - Retired
<eVa> Founding Father/Leadership/Webmaster - Retired
Ville Admin - Retired

Turbo! · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 2:39 pm Post subject:

Ill be the first, not really, you have a good point. But on a map like 2fort I have seen like 2 snipers make it almost impossible for the other team to snipe and use the bridge. But yeah, besides that you're right.

_________________

*Props to Mad-Hammer on the Sig*

R.I.P. Blue: Gone But Never Forgotten

Bakuryu · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 2:43 pm Post subject:

I enjoy being specialized in all of the classes

CyC0Dad · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 2:51 pm Post subject:

Kjeldorian Royal Guard 42 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 3:53 pm Post subject:

I can't believe I forgot soldier! Doh! Oh well. I have seen many amazing players play every class. I have never seen a pyro change the flow of any game I have ever played. I have learned all of the classes and I am pretty good with all of them. I was just stating that you should start with the "base" classes first not the easy ones. Everyone should learn engineer. There is not a map yet that an engy isn't needed. (as far as CTF goes)

By "base" classes I mean

Engineer teaches defense..
Scout teaches offensive flag capping. .
Demo teaches opening holes on certain maps.
Spy teaches you how to take out nmy defense.
Medic teaches you to play both offense and defense at the same time.

Soldiers, snipers, HW, and pyros are all equally amazing when handled correctly. Don't get me wrong. However, they are some of the harder classes to master. As far as being "globally" effective with them.

Notice I use the word "I" when I say, "I have never seen a sniper, HW, or pyro change the flow of a game". That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It just won't happen against me!

_________________
Recipient of POTM award
Creator of Warz/Ville Golf Classic
<TVB> Member/Event Coordinator/Council - Retired
=US-V= Member/Event Coordinator - Retired
<eVa> Founding Father/Leadership/Webmaster - Retired
Ville Admin - Retired

sSdD · Registered User Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Posts: 634

i think that you should have a little skill in all classes..and not just be awesome at one weapon and stink at the rest...but i just think taht you whould be good at them all b/c when ur team needs sumtin specific, you can go and do it...plus when other classes are taken...you have to do sumtin else...i'm good at about everything but...
1)scout
2)pyro
3)soldier (workin on it)
~~~those are my main weaknesses....

Computer · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 4:12 pm Post subject:

I don't think that you should be ignorant to any class. You should have atleat some competent knowledge of all classes.I don't think every class is for every person either. Anyclass can make a differnce in a game... yes even a pyro. I used to play with someone that could completely shift the odds for whichever team he was on, and yes even with a pyro. Although they tend not to rack up big points and needless to say they aren't fragging machines their use as a support class is unmeasurable. I agree that everyone shoudl atleast make some effort to expand to around 4 classes they can play above average I choose Engy, Soldier, Spy, and then Demo because I feel that I am.
A: most effective with those classes especially the first two, engy for d, sol for O
B: I'm pretty versatile with all of those class aside from the fact that I lack a pure capper, but hey that ain't my thang.
my 2 cents

hoaxie · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 4:32 pm Post subject:

Well, I have to say this...(leave it to me to go off subject)

but I must first preface it otherwise I know people will rip me apart and say "Oh, not me. I never do that."

Preface: This is not true of everyone.

It can be difficult at best at times to learn a new class especially if you are on a map with a bunch of rude mouthed jack@$$e$ who are unforgiving of newbies. I have heard (seen) people be horrific toward engies, for expamle. The name calling and such is sometimes appauling. I realize that we all like to be on the victorious team, but isn't there something to be said for a game well played? I have even seen some regulars be awful to newbies. But on the other side I have seen some be wonderful (remember the preface).

And, nothing can lead a team to defeat as quickly as a bunch of people wasting time typing only to yell, cuss, and be otherwise rude and annoying. Save the chat for vital team info.

My thought on playing on a team is that you not only have a responsibility to learn, but you have a responsibility to teach as well.

Teamwork, in my opinion, controls the flow.

Thank you and have a nice day!

_________________
Let it never be said that your anal-retentive attention to detail never yielded positive results.

~Dogma

[ This Message was edited by: one big hoax on 2002-02-21 16:34 ]

BitterBeerFace · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 4:37 pm Post subject:

Well, I consider myself a "good" medic, HW, engie, and demoman, and a competent soldier pyro and sniper (when lag allows). But I have yet to change the whole game by playing any of those.

When people say one class changing the whole game, I think it's more that one player changes the game... certain gurus play X class, and their team gets MUCH better. pwning everyone on the other team, and all that...

Obviously, the best team is one with 9 different people, who all specialize in a different class... but since that'll almost never happen... I'm gonna say that being versatile is the best (since I think I'm closer to that ideal than a guru of a certain class)