Kuiper
08-15-2009, 11:36 AM
After reading MMZ>eXtine's blog post on closing the gap (http://communityfortress.com/tf2/blog/casuals-and-competitors-closing-the-gap.php), I think that it might be a good idea for us to list several competitive-themed public servers that can be used as an "intermediate" step for people who are interested in getting into competitive play. Inviting someone to try out a public server is a lot easier than inviting them to join a pick-up game, since it doesn't require them to install Ventrilo or an IRC client.
Here are several key characteristics that should apply to servers that run a "competitive" theme:
A competitive map rotation. One of the biggest hurdles to entering the competitive scene is having to learn how to play push maps when you've played nothing but payload. A good "competitive" server should include maps like badlands and freight and exclude maps like goldrush and 2fort.
Competitive settings. This includes nocrit, disabled damage spread, and normal respawn times. This also means no silly mods, like presents or RTD.
A lower player count. Anything above 24 slots is definitely out, and closer to 16 slots is probably better. Lower player counts result in games with less spam and more closely emulate the 6v6 competitive format.
A competitive atmosphere. If a server doesn't have rigid class limits, it's up to gentleman's code to stop servers from doing things like running multiple medics in small games. Whether or not players choose to abide by those rules of etiquette can determine the quality of gameplay on that server.
On to the list:
No competitive pub listing would be complete without mentioning TF2F. They run two competitive-style servers. Both have 16 slots, no crits, and competitive map rotation. The former server runs mostly stock maps like badlands and granary, while the former has some customs like waste and follower. The TF2F community also holds pick-up games every night at 11:30 PM EST (http://www.teamfortress2fort.com/forums/t/TF2FLateNightPUGs-23361.aspx), which are a great way to get a feel of the format.
The TF2F server IPs are:
208.100.17.252:27015
click here to join (steam://connect/208.100.17.252:27015)
208.100.17.253:27015
click here to join (steam://connect/208.100.17.253:27015)
Here are several key characteristics that should apply to servers that run a "competitive" theme:
A competitive map rotation. One of the biggest hurdles to entering the competitive scene is having to learn how to play push maps when you've played nothing but payload. A good "competitive" server should include maps like badlands and freight and exclude maps like goldrush and 2fort.
Competitive settings. This includes nocrit, disabled damage spread, and normal respawn times. This also means no silly mods, like presents or RTD.
A lower player count. Anything above 24 slots is definitely out, and closer to 16 slots is probably better. Lower player counts result in games with less spam and more closely emulate the 6v6 competitive format.
A competitive atmosphere. If a server doesn't have rigid class limits, it's up to gentleman's code to stop servers from doing things like running multiple medics in small games. Whether or not players choose to abide by those rules of etiquette can determine the quality of gameplay on that server.
On to the list:
No competitive pub listing would be complete without mentioning TF2F. They run two competitive-style servers. Both have 16 slots, no crits, and competitive map rotation. The former server runs mostly stock maps like badlands and granary, while the former has some customs like waste and follower. The TF2F community also holds pick-up games every night at 11:30 PM EST (http://www.teamfortress2fort.com/forums/t/TF2FLateNightPUGs-23361.aspx), which are a great way to get a feel of the format.
The TF2F server IPs are:
208.100.17.252:27015
click here to join (steam://connect/208.100.17.252:27015)
208.100.17.253:27015
click here to join (steam://connect/208.100.17.253:27015)