The third edition of The Way of the Spy takes a slightly different direction than the previous entries. The Way of the Spy is a series that focuses on locations within maps that spies should notice. Part 1 was a spy path in cp_fastlane that let you travel halfway across the map while remaining cloaked, setting up a good strike. Part 2 was a prowling location on cp_dustbowl that let a spy harass the enemy rear and keep engies at bay. This edition is about a deathtrap on pl_goldrush that can be set up by a single engineer.

I noticed this deathtrap when playing this map earlier tonight in a 12 v 12 match. A single engie had set up a forward defense on stage 1 that almost completely stopped me from getting behind enemy lines and harassing the enemy players as they were moving around. In this scenario, I was on defense and the engineer was on offense. It only becomes very useful to do this once the payload cart is well past the first control point…

Once the cart is in this location, the majority of defending players will be in the area around the RED spawn room, focusing on the tunnel, the doorway to the right of the cart, and the windows above and to the left of the cart. Every enemy except the spy, that is – the spy will be trying to move through the tunnel and into enemy territory to harass the rear of the offensive forces. This tunnel is the only path from the RED spawn area to the large area between BLU spawn and the first control point. There are other ways for BLU players to move forward, but no other ways for RED to push past and into the enemy rear. This bottleneck is easily defended by a single sentry.

This sentry will not only cover RED soldiers, heavies, demomen and pyros from moving into enemy territory, but that dispenser next to it allows the engineer to bunker down in a very strong defense. The dispenser will keep the engie full of metal as he repairs while under fire, and will also keep him full on ammo as he randomly fires shotgun blasts into this tunnel.

From this spot, the engineer only needs to spray shotgun blasts into the tunnel to cripple a spy. Should he hit the cloaked spy, he will cause the cloak to flicker, and can easily follow up with the kill (or nearby allies can jump in to finish the spy off). Even if the spy is wise to this plan, while waiting for an opening (the engie has to reload his shotgun sooner or later), precious cloak time is lost. Not only is cloak time lost, but this tunnel is the focus of frantic action – the kind of action no spy wants to be in.

As a spy, I was crippled by this simple setup. I rarely managed to get by the engineer without losing so much of my cloak, I had to uncloak in the front lines, which is very risky. Even if he never caught me, he hindered my movement so thoroughly as to make me useless.

My team still won this match and defended until time ran out, but I was little help to the effort. Kudos to the engineer who set this up, and I recommend other engies try this defensive tactic to keep spies at bay. Even though I did occasionally get by, and even once disabled this nest, I was quickly killed and before I could make my next incursion, he had set the defense up again.

As a spy, I can’t really think of a counter to this, so if any of you can think of a counter (or better yet, point out an alternate route I was unable to find), please let me know.

Unlike Part 1 of The Way of the Spy series, this isn’t a particular path to run, but it’s more like a holding pattern. In the first part of this series, I showed you how to get from the middle of cp_fastlane into the depths of the enemy base without uncloaking. This time, I’ll show you an area of cp_dustbowl that is good to prowl while staying cloaked, waiting for an enemy. This area is only useful if you are on defense, and doesn’t become useful until after your team has lost the first control point on stage one.

The central pillar of this prowling area is the two ammopacks at the first control point on stage one of cp_dustbowl. After the enemy has taken this control point and is actively sieging the next control point, you can prowl this area, disabling teleporter entrances and stalking high priority targets. The plan is to move back and forth between the two highlighted ammopacks, using those to keep your cloak full.

However, should your cloak meter drop, you can always back off a bit to get this ammo pack right around the corner in the farther tunnel on the right.

As you move around, you have a great view on the main entrance from the BLU spawn point, and this is an area that BLU engies will often set up teleporter entrances. Keep an eye out on this area, and anytime you see a teleporter, move in for the kill.

There is a shack next to the BLU spawn exit with a narrow gap against the wall. You can move into this gap and wait to move. I recommend against attacking anyone right here, and instead just sap the teleporter entrance when you get a moment of opportunity. Note that there is an ammopack inside the shack, grab it to refill your cloak.

While you wait in this area, watch for heavy/medic combos, snipers and soldiers moving through the area. When one passes by, just jump in behind him, uncloak and strike. As usual, try not to strike too close to your prowling area, since you don’t want suspicion around that capture point.

In the past week, I have been spending a lot of time playing as a spy in Team Fortress 2, and one thing has really stood out – know the map and especially know where ammopacks spawn. On cp_fastlane, I’ve figured out a particular path that I like to run that gets me far behind enemy lines, and lets me advance forward with little suspicion.

The path can start as early as inside your own base, but I tend to start it right before I hit the middle capture point.

The path will start immediately inside the door on the left side of the image. Cloak right before you leave here, and you won’t uncloak until you are deep in the enemy base and ready to move forward alongside the enemy. Your first waypoint is the ammopack that spawns on the concrete landing to the side of the central capture point, which is highlighted in the image.

After you grab that ammo pack, the next waypoint is the ammopack next to the center door. Once you grab that, enter the door to move onto the next area. This building can be a bit hairy, as it is a narrow passage with moderate traffic. Keep an eye out for enemy players and make sure to not bump into anyone.

You will leave this room through the first door on the left, but keep an eye straight ahead – you are looking at a common sniper hangout. If you see a sniper here, you are in a great position to take him down, but be sure to grab his rifle to refill your cloak. Head across the platform to the left for the next ammopack.

If you see no snipers, head into the small building and refill your cloak with the ammopack here. Move straight through the building and go out the door on the opposite site.

After leaving this building, drop down and go into the final building – the enemy base. There is an ammopack immediately inside.

You will be coming from the doorway on the right. Grab the ammopack and head through to the corridor on the left.

At this point, get ready to uncloak – so make sure you have your disguise on. As you go up this final path, you will leave through the first door. If you have plenty of cloak remaining, you can always poke your head into the second door to scope out the final capture point and report back to your team on its defenses. Otherwise, uncloak and go through the first door.

You will be coming from the right door, with many enemy players coming from the left door. Join up with them and head out the front doors, which is to the right of the image.

If you play this path well, you can merge into enemy forces without being noticed. I wouldn’t recommend attacking anywhere near the place you uncloak, however, as that may lead suspicion to that area. Try to wait a little while and move a bit before uncloaking. You don’t want the enemy to know where you come in from.