How to use the Dead Ringer for TF2 Spy

A lot of people seem to be having issues learning to use the Dead Ringer for Spy. When you first realize that you can’t control your cloak anymore you may start to freak out. Don’t worry because this has to be one of the best updated weapons for Team Fortress 2.

In order to use it you have to right click to bring it up. Keep it up right until you are about to kill someone. With the watch in your hand you lose the ability to fire your gun, sap buildings or stab people.

Once you’re sure of the kill pull the watch down by right clicking again and go for the stab. Quickly re-disguise and right click to bring the Dead Ringer back up.

While it’s up you will automatically cloak if you take direct or indirect damage. Once you’re cloaked you have 8 seconds to make it to safety. You can right click to stop the 8 seconds short and thus rebuild your cloak faster than if you use the full timer. If you don’t need the full 8 seconds stop the timer once you’re safe so you can recharge quicker.

I suggest while using the Dead Ringer you continually disguise as a Spy. Since the update when you disguise as an enemy Spy you are given a random mask from the other team. This makes it much easier to just walk right into enemy territory without anyone suspecting you’re a Spy. It’s a lot harder to do this with any other class.

Make sure to use the Dead Ringer if you’re on fire. If you do manage to catch fire you can pull up the Dead Ringer to extinguish yourself and instantly cloak. Be warned that if you get set on fire again for those 8 seconds of stealth you will be vulnerable again.

The Dead Ringer appropriately makes a sound when you die. Once people start getting used to the sound it’s going to be a little harder to pull this off. Take this time to practice while everyone else is still getting used to the new sounds. Also when you come out of the 8 second cloak you will make a loud sound that others can hear. If people are paying attention they will more than likely get you.

Here’s a good visual guide for those that want to see the Dead Ringer in action. We did not make this video, all credit goes to it’s author.

Team Fortress 2: All the Disappointments

In the last week many players have been throwing a fit over the new TF2 update. Some like it some don’t but most are very confused. Valve has released a small fix for the update on May 22, 2009. This only fixed bugs in the system that was immediately causing players to have issues.

There is talk of a new update coming today (Memorial Day) but I wouldn’t hold my breath for it. If there is a new update coming today to fix bugs it won’t be very large or have much of an impact on the last update.

The big debate here is if the old system or the new system works better. Some people were completely against the old system and some people are against the new one. Each system has its flaws but both give everyone the chance to get their weapons.

I think Valve could have done a much better job in preparing people for the chance in gaining weapons. A lot of people have figured it out but a lot of people that don’t visit forums, blogs or news sites still don’t know.

Valve also stated that they will be implementing a new trading system with the next update. Players are getting duplicate items right now and deleting them. No one wants to wait two or three months for the next update with duplicate items taking up space.

Valve should have released the trading system with this update or held off on giving out duplicate items. Just like Left for Dead Valve had a really good idea but a poor implementation of it. If they would spend a little more time with their updates and content working I think they would really hit the nail on the head.

Team Fortress 2 has gone from a goofy FPS to a mixed FPS/MMORPG farming and grinding game. Again, the idea was good but the delivery was poorly planned. Hopefully Valve will come back with a bang and clean up a lot of this mess they made.