Spy Disguises and Tactics Overview

Introduction

• Disguises often misunderstood; they can be effective.
• Disguise is for blending in, not getting behind the enemy.

Basics of Disguises

• Disguise Kit: Used to change appearance but not effective for stealth.
• Player Models: Turn on in HUD settings for better disguise management.
• Changing Disguises: Quicker to change when already disguised.
  • Press B key to use last disguise without opening kit.

Weapons and Disguises

• Weapon Switching: Pressing B changes disguise weapon to your current weapon.
  • Revolver (primary), Sapper (secondary), Knife (melee).
• Example weapons based on class when disguised:
  • Pyro: Flamethrower
  • Scout: Scattergun
  • Soldier: Rocket Launcher
  • Heavy: Minigun

Mechanics of Disguises

• Identity Theft: Takes on identity of a random enemy player of the same class or appears with a stock loadout if none available.
• Disguised Smoke: Visible smoke cloud when disguising; cloak before disguising to prevent visibility.
• Fake Reloads: Reloading while disguised makes the disguise appear to reload.

Visibility and Detection

• Spawn Wall Visibility: Uncloaked disguised spies can be seen by respawning enemy players.
• Team Interactions: Disguised spies can walk through teammates but not through enemies.
• Debuffs: Afterburn, Mad Milk, and Jarate effects visible even when disguised.

Strategies for Effective Disguises

• Attention Drawing: Less attention means less chance of detection. Use teammates for distraction.
• Movement: Look towards teammates to blend in, and moving backwards can also be effective.
• Acting as the Class: Mimic behavior based on the class you're disguised as.
• Player Model Awareness: Use HUD to observe cosmetics and act accordingly.

Advanced Disguise Techniques

• Creative Acting: Use environment and situations to enhance disguise effectiveness.
• Subtle Movements: Switching weapons, faking, and using voice commands can convince opponents.
• Request Team Shooting: Having teammates shoot at you can help in deception.
• Disguise Variety: Rotate disguises frequently to avoid patterns being recognized.

Class-Specific Disguise Tips

• Scout: Move erratically to hide speed discrepancies.
• Soldier: Act like preparing for combat and utilize slower speed advantages.
• Pyro: Mimic close-range behavior with secondary weapon.
• Heavy: Use as a wildcard; rely on acting skills more than speed.
• Engineer: Pretend to set up a sentry or run away to avoid suspicion.
• Medic: Use medigun and crossbow defensively while moving in.
• Sniper: Stand still and pretend to scout for targets; avoid direct confrontation if recognized.

Final Tips

• Mind Games: Effective disguises rely on understanding player psychology.
• Continuous Learning: Experiment with different disguises and strategies for improved effectiveness.
• Engage with the community for feedback and improvement in disguise tactics.