Starting Stats:

Weapons Chart:

Ever thought you would make a good James Bond character? Well, here's your chance to try. As the Spy, your job is infiltrate the enemy base and ... wreak havoc.

Special Commands ...

Put this in your spy config file, or just manually enter it in the console:

bind (key) "disguise"

Where key is whatever key you want to press to bring up the disguise menu. The menu will allow you to change your skin (your class appearance) and your color so you can blend in with the other team.

bind (key) "feign"

This allows the Spy to demonstrate his or her acting talents by "playing dead". You dramatically scream in agony and fall to the ground, looking just like a corpse. Wise enemies will notice that they did not just score a kill (no kill message) and finish you off easily since you're pretty vulnerable on the ground. It's a better idea to feign in an area when no enemies are around to see you do it. You can still look around and get back up when things have calmed down.

As the Spy ...
First rule to being a good Spy: Be sneaky. If you're going to change skins/color, make sure no one on the other team sees you. Don't walk out of your base and into theirs so easily. Players are going to suspect you're a spy, simply because most gamers don't walk back into the base after they leave. Best thing to do: sneak in via an alternate route or enter while the enemy team is distracted.

The first thing you should do is to change your skin in your base. If the other team sees that there is a spy on the loose, they'll be on the watch. Then change your color when you're near the enemy base, change it preferably under the cover of darkness or where you know you won't be spotted. Changing color in your base can distract your own teammates since they can't tell its you either without taking the time to ID you. Normally, in a public game this isn't too critical, but in a clan match when things can get close, you don't want to let these small things get in your team's way.

Also, it would be a rather dumb idea to choose the skin of a Soldier or Hwguy. Your movement doesn't match that of the skin you chose, so someone's going to notice that their teammate is moving faster than normal. (It would be a good idea to change your speed) Also, don't have your axe out unless you're a Medic or Engineer. Indeed, it is to backstab people, and it's nice to have it ready. But again, people are going to suspect a Demoman or Pyro if he's running around with an axe. Just remember, though, if you are a Medic or Engineer, some players are going to expect you to "heal" them. If you really want to, go ahead and have a laugh. :)

If the server has the Spy disguise set to invisibility, take note of the fact that your invis is limited by your cell count. Move quickly, and try to go behind enemy players. Although you're only a pair of floating eyes, many players will be able to spot your movement.

Using grenades fortunately will not reveal yourself. Use your normal ones against Sentries if no one is watching. Use the Hallucinogens during your getaway or perhaps in a crowded room (can we say, respawn area?). Beware, however, that while your disguise is still in place, the enemy team will be on extra alert for you, if they didn't know a Spy was in their presence already.

As for the hypodermic needle, it's a fun toy, but not really a weapon. It annoys players, for sure, since it slows them down considerably, but often they're still able to hit you if they have a long-range weapon. If you have to use it, then go ahead. Just don't expect to kill anyone with it. (At least you've prepared your foes for teammates) Then again, if you combine the needle with a hallucinogen grenade ... nasty things can happen. :)

Sometimes, when you know you're not going to escape with the flag, it's best to just wreck havoc with the enemy team's minds. You can obviously cause a lot of confusion by throwing grenades about, destroying Sentries and whatnot. While enemy players are chasing after you, your team's offensive units will have a prime opportunity to launch their attack.

Finally, be an informant! It's really nice to know what to expect deep inside enemy base. Tell your teammates where sentries are, if defense is heavy, etc. They'll appreciate any knowledge they can get.

Against the Spy ...
Remember that Scouts can uncover Spies. So it might be a good idea to set a "Spy Check" point using a Scout if Spies are particularly annoying in a game. Have your teammates swing their axe or fire at a wall when they enter a defensive area. Also, be sure to have a Sentry or two next to the flag/key. They won't catch him on the way in, but they'll most certainly nab him on his way out.

Another way to catch Spies is through the "shotgun test". Any damage you make on the Spy will force him to 'grunt', just as any enemy would. If you suspect someone is a spy, pull out your shotgun and fire a round. If he reacts, cry out "Spy!" and get to work! Why a shotgun? What if you were wrong? A rocket in the face of a teammate is not very nice. :)

Watch out for particularly strange things, like teammates leaving a battlefield, Snipers facing the wrong way, Soldiers moving fast, Pyros carrying axes, etc. Also, although somewhat cheap, use the score list to see if the enemy has any spies. Check if there are any discrepencies between a player's TEAM and COLOR. If there is, you know the enemy has a Spy.

Also, watch out for your own team's spies. Try not to blow their cover, for example, by walking along side them in the middle of the courtyard. Also, don't keep wasting your ammo and their armor if you find an "enemy" is not twitching with each shot. It's a Spy, and fortunately, he's on your side.

More Information:

How to Spy, by Sir Weasel of The Knights Who Say Ni!

Last updated: November 16, 1997