# Team Fortress 2: Now free to play (forever) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 24, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659 "2011-06-24T02:45:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/41 "2011-06-25T08:35:16Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > By moving the F2P, it’s a very strong signal that the situation isn’t going to get better. That’s what I don’t like about it. I would like the game a lot more if I thought I would _ever_ get to use the weapons I’d like to try. In a purchase-funded game, Valve might try to make that possible, so that I’d like the game more and recommend it to my friends. In a micropayment-funded game they won’t, because they want people to be sufficiently unhappy with the drop rate that they’ll pay to make up the difference. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/42 "2011-06-25T13:14:34Z")
Let’s see if they actually do that before we start assuming they will. Valve has never done anything in their entire history that has been a dick move. I don’t know why people always assume the worst of them. Nothing has changed about the drop rates, if you want to be able to do the full trading and all of that you can spend a buck on some paint in the store. There are enough spare weapons floating around that very often on our server people just say they’re interested in something and 5 other people offer to give them one. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/43 "2011-06-25T14:43:20Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Nothing has changed about the drop rates, Drop rates are actually lower for new weapons, because they don’t have the achievement-based unlocks like the Class update weapons. And even if the drop rate had remained the same from the beginning, the random nature of the drops means that the more weapons there are, the less likely you are to get the ones you want. > [@](#): > > if you want to be able to do the full trading and all of that you can spend a buck on some paint in the store. How is that any better than just telling me to buy the weapon myself? ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/44 "2011-06-25T14:50:55Z")
Cool, downloading now. Thanks for the info **Wack-A-Mole** ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/45 "2011-06-25T15:02:45Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Drop rates are actually lower for new weapons, because they don’t have the achievement-based unlocks like the Class update weapons. And even if the drop rate had remained the same from the beginning, the random nature of the drops means that the more weapons there are, the less likely you are to get the ones you want. True, but there’s a crafting system at least so that if you get spares of stuff you don’t want you’ll eventually be able to work towards crafting what you do want. > [@](#): > > How is that any better than just telling me to buy the weapon myself? People will generally trade or give you the stuff you want. You need a premium account to trade, but that only takes a dollars - not exactly a huge investment. I don’t really worry about it - I just play the game and eventually you’ll get everything. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/46 "2011-06-25T17:24:05Z")
> [@Estilicon](#): > > I have a new notebook. Will it run? > [@Palooka](#): > > Without more information you can expect between 15 and 250 frames per second. > [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](#): > > If you spent less than $1,000 than no. I have a $450 off-the-shelf Acer Aspire laptop with no dedicated graphics card and it runs on my machine. It’s a bit choppy but it playable. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/47 "2011-06-25T23:15:14Z")
It’s been awhile since I played so have been brushing up against bots. It is apparent to me that I suck but I’m down for the 8p gathering tonight if others are. Although I have had this game for ages I am in reality a noob at it so count me in the camp of new players as a practical matter. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/48 "2011-06-26T02:37:02Z")
That was good times. Thanks for the fun despite my noobness. That was my first FPS since Doom back in the 90s. I need to read up on the commands/controls and figure out more of what I’m doing but that was an enjoyable couple of hours 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/49 "2011-06-26T21:25:40Z")
After a few sessions with bots it’s clear I need way more practice. It seems the key here is to memorize the environments. Is there any way to bring up a map in game to see where you are in relation to the gaols? Or do you just need to play enough to know your way around? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/50 "2011-06-26T22:11:07Z")
I’ve noticed that I have no clue what my secondary powers ever are. I recently noticed (from a loading tip) that the Pyro can force players back and the Heavy has something to do with a Sandvich but damned if I know what. I was playing some random server today though and got top MVP in one of the matches so that was kind of rewarding. Or maybe everyone else just really sucked. How are item drops decided? Upon a team victory? Upon killing an enemy? Just at random? I’ve gotten a few things and haven’t paid any attention to notice any rhyme or reason to it. Edit: just Googled up [TF2Strategy.com](http://TF2Strategy.com) – Learning! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/51 "2011-06-26T22:30:18Z")
So I had some good games as a medic, then decided to try engineer against the bots and have been doing miserably at it; also totally unsure how I got the items I have gotten, though one of them is the sandwich, which kind of makes me want to try heavy out. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/52 "2011-06-26T22:35:37Z")
HEAVY LOVE SANDVICH The Sandvich is a secondary item that you can replace the Heavy’s default secondary weapon (Shotgun, IIRC) with. Left-click (or ‘g’ which triggers screen animations otherwise) will cause the Heavy to OM NOM GROM NOM his sandvich down to replace some health - 120pts? Can’t remember off the top of my head. Otherwise right-click will drop said sandvich for a tiny, squishy teammate to consume. I believe if someone kills you while you have your sandvich out you then drop it and anyone can pick it up. I try not to get killed with sandvich in hand. My personal Heavy loadout is Sasha (default minigun), Sandvich and Killing Gloves of Boxing. I never do melee attacks, so the default gloves are my preferred. I do need to play around with the guns though. I love Sasha, but she is pretty bare bones compared to the other guns. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/53 "2011-06-26T22:53:57Z")
> [@Sierra\_Indigo](#): > > HEAVY LOVE SANDVICH > > The Sandvich is a secondary item that you can replace the Heavy’s default secondary weapon (Shotgun, IIRC) with. Left-click (or ‘g’ which triggers screen animations otherwise) will cause the Heavy to OM NOM GROM NOM his sandvich down to replace some health - 120pts? Can’t remember off the top of my head. Otherwise right-click will drop said sandvich for a tiny, squishy teammate to consume. I believe if someone kills you while you have your sandvich out you then drop it and anyone can pick it up. I try not to get killed with sandvich in hand. > > My personal Heavy loadout is Sasha (default minigun), Sandvich and Killing Gloves of Boxing. I never do melee attacks, so the default gloves are my preferred. I do need to play around with the guns though. I love Sasha, but she is pretty bare bones compared to the other guns. The fact that I understand about 50% of that shows what a noob I am. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/54 "2011-06-26T23:04:59Z")
Jopheil, As mentioned, the sandvich can be dropped on the ground as its secondary power. It doesn’t give as much health back as eating it does, but it’s great in that you can toss it to others (that includes enemies too so watch out!) and they replenish their health immediately. You can do it to yourself, too- just toss the sandvich in front of your feet and walk over it. It’s great for when you need some health but you don’t have the time or safety to sit there and munch away on the sandvich. The pyro’s air blast is great for ricocheting back rockets, pipebombs, etc. when you are able to master the timing. You can also blow back enemy ubers. You’ll probably get hurt and die in the process but it buys your team precious time and wastes the enemy’s uber. You can also put out teammates that are on fire using the air blast. ---
**Author:** ![Mekhazzio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b38774/32.png) [@Mekhazzio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mekhazzio)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/55 "2011-06-26T23:52:22Z")
If you’ve just started playing the game, you don’t have the sandvich for the heavy. It’s an alternate “weapon”, replacing the shotgun, that you get from drop, crafting or getting 10 heavy achievements. It’s popular enough to get its own loading tip (heck, it got [its own Meet the Team video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_prZ0JrbQrU)) Weapon drops are awarded randomly for time spent in the game, not for any actions. Actions only award you weapons through the achievement system. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/56 "2011-06-27T00:12:59Z")
How do you unlock the unlockable weapons in the game? I’m sort of aware of them, but I’m not sure how to get them. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/57 "2011-06-27T01:27:56Z")
If you have a free-to-play account, you either need to complete achievements to get new weapons or purchase them. If you have a premium account (anyone who spends or has spent money), you randomly get weapons and items as you play, in addition to the free-to-play methods. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/58 "2011-06-27T01:33:39Z")
The faq says that free accounts get weapon drops too, just not cosmetic items. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/59 "2011-06-27T01:45:00Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > The faq says that free accounts get weapon drops too, just not cosmetic items. So if you aquire a new weapon is it yours forever or just for the current game? Is there a manual? How does a newbie get up to speed quickly? All I know so far is that is’t a team capture the flag type game. > [@zoid](#): > > After a few sessions with bots it’s clear I need way more practice. > It seems the key here is to memorize the environments. Is there any way to bring up a map in game to see where you are in relation to the gaols? Or do you just need to play enough to know your way around? Is there anyplace to get info like maps and info on how all the other ame elements work? For example I’ve seen youtube videos of players jumping incredibly high - how does that work? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659/60 "2011-06-27T02:03:13Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > The faq says that free accounts get weapon drops too, just not cosmetic items. I have definitely gotten some free drops. (the sandvich, a sniper rifle, and the engineer robot arm). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/team-fortress-2-now-free-to-play-forever/586659.md?page=4)