HOME | DD

Menaria β€” Strict Soldier Guide for MvM: Spy (Part 1)

#fortress #guide #mvm #sfm #soldier #spy #strict #team #tf2 #2
Published: 2015-07-29 17:21:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 7367; Favourites: 98; Downloads: 11
Redirect to original
Description Well Strict, that rough approach DID backfire right at you, didn't it? Then again, people can be only so patient when it's a matter of life of your team.

next: [coming soon]
Previous:Β  weapons
Intro: fav.me/d6ehk9m

In the first part of Spy Guide we're going to talk about overall purpose of this class in MvM. Spy's loadout will be featured in Part 2 of Spy Guide.

Spy and Sniper are classes that find a lot of difficulty in keeping their place in MvM teams, because both of them have a very skill/experience - based play-style. Unfortunately, these classes are very popular among newcomers, which in most of the cases barely know the mechanics of the mission and simply put - do a bad job.

That's why both of them (but especially Spy) gained on a terrible reputation, often called to be an useless class. But that's not true. In fact, Spy is straight-out the most useful class in MvM if played right.


Why it is so hard to be a good Spy?

First of all, it's a very specific class, which play-style differs a lot from most of the other classes. It's a game of sneaking, patience and the perfect timing. Newbies usually lack in all of these aspects, which is one of the reasons I don't recommend playing as Spy to any of the MvM newcomers. People need to take a step back, understand the mechanics of this game mode, know where robots are coming from and what are their paths/behaviors.

So what does a Spy in MvM do?

Like it was said in the comic, Spy's job is to sneak up behind the robots, away from your teammates and focus his heavy damage on the hardest enemies. The massive damage coming from backstabs is able to destroy giants alone and in a matter of seconds. But Spy is also a very fragile class. That means he can do such a thing once in a while, when nothing is threatening him and the target appears to be separated from the rest of the robots.

When the robots appear, Spy is the one to run all the way to their spawn in disguise, follow behind and wait patiently until the right moment to sap and stab, then using a cloak to get away as soon as the robots started to aim at him. It's a very risky job, but extremely effective when done well.

The easy disguise system allows Spy to run freely between the robots, picking up money without bigger risks. That means, an experienced and thoughtful Spy could replace Scout in the team.

the ability to collect money, deal massive damage, disable a horde of robots at once and freely pick Β money makes Spy to be the only class that can work as a Crowd Control, Support and Anti-Medic at once (Read more about it here ).

You can rarely find people that do a good job as Spy (I'm not any amazing myself), but if you do, you're basically dealing with the most useful class in MvM.

Related content
Comments: 47

mochi277 [2022-09-30 13:25:38 +0000 UTC]

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Katuend [2015-09-27 20:11:21 +0000 UTC]

I really love this lil series you've done on strict soldier and I've been following it silently for a while now, I can't wait for more updates in the future!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Katuend [2015-10-01 09:14:18 +0000 UTC]

yup, gotta get to it eventually

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

GrayLantern13 [2015-09-06 15:33:17 +0000 UTC]

Like I said in one comment, I was once on a team with 2 spies and one of them stopped a group of scouts that almost got he bomb in the hatch but he/she sapped them all, allowing us to destroy them. SO, I now have a big respect for spies in MvM.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Awdren [2015-08-23 02:15:49 +0000 UTC]

This is a good approach, I notice that where you get a lot of disagreements happen when a reader has a misinterpretation of their fav class's primary job. Just because Heavy can run pretty fast with a Buffalo Steak Sandvich and a pair of G. of R.U. doesn't mean he is best suited for collecting cash. Β One may use a load-out to wreck noobs on pubs, but bots aren't as skilled at missing, mistaking you for a friendly, run out of ammo, etc. Β but on a MvM mission such load-outs can leave no room for mistakes. Β 

I've tried almost all of your recommended load-outs for MvM in bootcamp servers. Β With classes I already have a knack for, it felt like I could carry the team. Β With classes I suck at I became useful, even adequate. Β 

With Scout, even though I had kill-streaks befitting a Gibus, and the accuracy of the Panic Attack, I had teammates thanking me profusely for my contributions. Β I focused first on Marking Giants with my Fan of War, and using my upgraded Mad Milk on Scouts, Bot Clusters, and Crit Giants. Β I wasn't the sole cash grabber, we had a Sniper and a Pyro, it took the whole team to take down the bots, collect all the money, and complete all the waves. Β What I contributed was noticed by my team, and Scout's my second worse class.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Awdren [2015-08-24 21:44:23 +0000 UTC]

I'm very happy to heae that, since telling people how to get better is a primary purpose of these comics. Good luck and good loot in mvm!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Guardian105 [2015-08-14 03:42:01 +0000 UTC]

Question: Does the Spy regenerate health as he collects cash?Β  Or is that ability unique to the Scout?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Guardian105 [2015-08-14 05:21:11 +0000 UTC]

only for scout

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

thelakotanoid1 [2015-08-03 06:52:44 +0000 UTC]

flattery was the only thing that could save his ass in that situation...Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Shye-Bird [2015-08-03 02:15:58 +0000 UTC]

Uh, Strict, your grammar could use a few tweaks here and there, but other than that looks good, thanks for taking the time to instruct us!Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Gwestioo77 [2015-08-01 21:33:00 +0000 UTC]

hmmm then again, with the weapon patches in the past what loadout should you suggest if someone plays spy?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

TheOutcast93 [2015-07-31 14:27:23 +0000 UTC]

Ain't the load out dimondback, regular sapper, regular knife and deadringer?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

zimsd619 [2015-07-30 12:56:16 +0000 UTC]

I really dig the posing Menaria, It's almost like Valve quality.

Also nice tips, I don't play MvM a lot myself but this does help when I ever do decide to play it.Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to zimsd619 [2015-07-30 15:55:41 +0000 UTC]

Valve quality?
Damn. Thanks
Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

zimsd619 In reply to Menaria [2015-07-30 16:28:54 +0000 UTC]

No problem.Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

RainbowStr8ghtJacket [2015-07-30 12:18:01 +0000 UTC]

Spy whipping out the flatteryΒ 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Rythmear [2015-07-30 01:46:27 +0000 UTC]

Meet.

I have never meet.

God-damn it Strict, you had one job.

*Dusts off the microphone*

So, how d'you want this Spy voice done ?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Rythmear [2015-07-30 04:51:14 +0000 UTC]

1. ?Β 
2. I'll take it medium rare, please.
In other words, whatever you find suitable. It always comes out amazing. You wanna stick together a video or I should?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Rythmear In reply to Menaria [2015-07-30 05:22:58 +0000 UTC]

I'll let you do it if you want to :3 - I'll whip up ye olde recording.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Rythmear [2015-07-30 05:34:59 +0000 UTC]

Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Rythmear In reply to Menaria [2015-07-30 07:16:44 +0000 UTC]

Totes sent it over btw check your steam chat.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Bab21 [2015-07-29 23:42:27 +0000 UTC]

AWESOME

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

A-Hippocampus [2015-07-29 22:36:33 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, his skills need work.Β 
But he knows how to address people in command and work inside a team- which will pay off in the end.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

SaberMurmeloija [2015-07-29 22:24:27 +0000 UTC]

This Spy is PERFECT! Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

MAGAngel [2015-07-29 22:03:40 +0000 UTC]

Entertaining and InformativeΒ  Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

ALMarkAZ [2015-07-29 21:06:38 +0000 UTC]

Good spy is always useful in MvM,Β 

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Doctor-MeeM [2015-07-29 21:00:41 +0000 UTC]

Spy is probably more of a giant killer/money collector rather than an uberbot picker. He can pick ubermedics, but he will usually have trouble as soon as they come in a swarm or a group bigger than 3. A demo or sniper as the primary medic killer is advised.

One of the hardest parts about playing spy is finding a team capable to work with one. I can’t count the amount of times a pyro/scout drew crossfire at me when I didn’t expect it. Which is why I don’t recommend too many close range classes on the same team. It can work of course, but requires more coordination. And let’s not forget, mastering the class isn’t just reading, but in game practise. Based on what some other good spy guides told me the following missions are excellent for spies: Metro Malice, Bone Shaker, Broken Parts, Botbash, expert decoy and expert coal town.

Personally I find it weird to praise spy as β€œthe most useful class when player right”. All classes have their strengths and weaknesses that can make them an immensely useful addition to the team or dead weight, depending on how they are played. Good soldiers, demoman, heavies and snipers can be brutal too.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Doctor-MeeM [2015-07-30 16:19:22 +0000 UTC]

Spy can do all of the mentioned jobs just fine, but it's a matter of what a spy player focuses to do. Some people can do just one job at once, some can do all of them. Which is why I called Spy to be the "best" class. No other can be so "universal".

I agree that big swarms of medics happen to be teoublesome for a spy, but a sapper usually gets all of them sapped. The only real exceptions I can think of are
1. wave 666 with a swarm of robots AND medics for each
2. First wave of Metro Malice, with an incredible amount of medics in it. But playing Spy from the very first wave os something I would not really recommenf anyway.

And that is very well said. Pyros and especially Scouts can mess Spy up pretty bad. Which is yet another reason why I point out that Spy is something for more experienced players.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Rainbowfallout In reply to Menaria [2015-09-07 18:41:39 +0000 UTC]

Spy can't really handle hordes or tanks. If I had to pick out a best class, It'd be soldier, night-universally high Damage, durable, minimal downtime, and supportive abilities or Medic, if played right, is a beast against hordes, revives everyone, and has possibly the best "Solo face to face" tanking potential.

Spy is "Situational" even at the best of times.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Taijutsugirl0 [2015-07-29 20:58:35 +0000 UTC]

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

JohnnyHedgehog1992 [2015-07-29 20:54:33 +0000 UTC]

Another good use is that you can abuse the robot's 2 second attention spam to help your team from focused fire.

Example: 2 giant heavys shooting at an engy's sentry in trouble? Stab one and get their attention while the engy repairs it back with less trouble.

Of course too much attention could create akward scenarios...

Let's say... 14 robots decide to hug your disguised body without knowing you're their enemy...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

zachlky [2015-07-29 19:27:40 +0000 UTC]

I love being a spy main in MVM, only problem is the dumbass players always kick me or threaten to kick me if i don't change.
Damn 9 year olds.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

nightmare-puppet [2015-07-29 19:24:50 +0000 UTC]

I don't see it written here, maybe it will be mentioned later, but any disguise will work against the robots so you don't need to worry about choosing one for each wave. and while disguised the spy can body block robots in small chokes for a little while to give the rest of the team time to get there and kill them if it is too dangerous to attack any of them. just the tips I have been given from spy players in mvm.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Lethal-Deviant [2015-07-29 19:11:09 +0000 UTC]

Well look on the bright side, He can't possibly get any worse. He can only get better!

Or he could stay suckish forever and die on the first wave...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

RingRangBrother [2015-07-29 18:10:35 +0000 UTC]

Atleast he is willing to Learn. That's a good thing. Most Gibusses are'nt willing to do that.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Sgt-Parker [2015-07-29 17:47:47 +0000 UTC]

Oh boy... This one gona take a while to train...

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Kelanich [2015-07-29 17:42:25 +0000 UTC]

The Spy is horrible, but will his blind respect for Strict be enough to become the great?

And how Soldier knows other classes better than themselves?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

grievousvsdarkahsoka [2015-07-29 17:32:57 +0000 UTC]

very nice and informative!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

gdpr-31086436 [2015-07-29 17:32:15 +0000 UTC]

Oh, poor Spy.Β XD

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Sir-Ethin [2015-07-29 17:30:50 +0000 UTC]

Only took 4 hours to load on my works spotty wifi! But it gave me a good laugh!

Great work you crazy fool!
Never actually played spy on MvM.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Sir-Ethin [2015-07-29 17:40:20 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, not my best work though.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Sir-Ethin In reply to Menaria [2015-07-29 17:52:03 +0000 UTC]

Humor can counteract things. Was a great comic strip.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to Sir-Ethin [2015-07-29 17:52:44 +0000 UTC]

thanks a ton

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Sir-Ethin In reply to Menaria [2015-07-29 17:56:05 +0000 UTC]

Hey no problem

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

applejackforever [2015-07-29 17:28:37 +0000 UTC]

after getting some experience with spy in mvm, i would say that a good one can kill medics and pick money, but he needs some help in one of these jobs or you will end up with missed money or popped ubers (if only a few)

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Menaria In reply to applejackforever [2015-07-29 17:30:40 +0000 UTC]

which is why the team usually keeps the Scout or Sniper as a backup. But I've seen one or two amazing Spies in my life, who could kill all the targets and pull the A+ for the team trough entire game.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Ethosaur [2015-07-29 17:24:39 +0000 UTC]

Β  Dis gon b good

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0