XiD
01-08-2010, 03:51 PM
Note this isn't finished yet. I plan on recording myself in some melee combat so you all can see what I am referring to first hand.
Melee combat in TF2 is an interesting thing. Player-box collision plays a large part in melee combat, along with player mouse sensitivity and movement patterns.
* It should be noted that in high-level play of this game, melee is rarely, if ever, used in an honest attempt to kill the enemy: very good players don't get cornered or allow the enemy to get close enough to be effective. Time is often better seen reloading your weapon so you can output more damage over range. Thus, this is mainly a pub tactic.
New players to the game do not understand melee combat very well in TF2. This is because new players are often sucked into the common "mouse1 + w" noob trap that Pyros are so notorious for. In other words, excellent use of melee weapons is not derived from simply charging headlong into your enemies - it takes positioning, superior dodging ability, and excellent use of angling to ensure you will catch your enemy.
These three things means melee combat actually requires a huge amount of patience in a highly stressful environment: you are getting fired at by the enemy you are charging, and he will actively try to avoid you with your melee weapon out. However, if you lose focus and simply beeline it to him, you will more often than not simply have a free trip to spawn.
When you are in someone's face and meleeing them, you shouldn't have to run forward too much. Instead, you should be circle strafing around your opponent (using your mouse and a/d keys) bashing him. Of course, you will have to continue to run at him to keep distance closed, but the point is that you aren't mashing W the whole time - its a much more controlled movement.
A good player will track your movements if you circlestrafe in one direction, so you might have to alternate directions a few times. The key to winning a melee v melee fight is always keeping the enemy player within your view. The moment your enemy leaves your field of vision, you're in for a world of hurt. You can't hit the enemy player without seeing him, so don't swipe your mouse - it must be controlled, focused, and smooth in scrolling. Getting in the habit of this will raise your melee game tenfold.
Melee combat in TF2 is an interesting thing. Player-box collision plays a large part in melee combat, along with player mouse sensitivity and movement patterns.
* It should be noted that in high-level play of this game, melee is rarely, if ever, used in an honest attempt to kill the enemy: very good players don't get cornered or allow the enemy to get close enough to be effective. Time is often better seen reloading your weapon so you can output more damage over range. Thus, this is mainly a pub tactic.
New players to the game do not understand melee combat very well in TF2. This is because new players are often sucked into the common "mouse1 + w" noob trap that Pyros are so notorious for. In other words, excellent use of melee weapons is not derived from simply charging headlong into your enemies - it takes positioning, superior dodging ability, and excellent use of angling to ensure you will catch your enemy.
These three things means melee combat actually requires a huge amount of patience in a highly stressful environment: you are getting fired at by the enemy you are charging, and he will actively try to avoid you with your melee weapon out. However, if you lose focus and simply beeline it to him, you will more often than not simply have a free trip to spawn.
When you are in someone's face and meleeing them, you shouldn't have to run forward too much. Instead, you should be circle strafing around your opponent (using your mouse and a/d keys) bashing him. Of course, you will have to continue to run at him to keep distance closed, but the point is that you aren't mashing W the whole time - its a much more controlled movement.
A good player will track your movements if you circlestrafe in one direction, so you might have to alternate directions a few times. The key to winning a melee v melee fight is always keeping the enemy player within your view. The moment your enemy leaves your field of vision, you're in for a world of hurt. You can't hit the enemy player without seeing him, so don't swipe your mouse - it must be controlled, focused, and smooth in scrolling. Getting in the habit of this will raise your melee game tenfold.