Anatomy of the Spy 1.0
The Types of Spies 2.0
Countering spies 3.0
Conclusion 4.0
Comments 5.0

The Spy has 125 health, and is a class that is geared toward tricking enemies and then instakilling them with a backstab. Spy is a class all about dealing lots of damage, and unseen at that. The Spy has a revolver, a weapon that is not used that much unless the Spy ends up in a firefight. The Spy also has a Knife. This, along with certain revolvers, is the best weapon in the Spies arsenal. The Knife provides Instant KIlls on a sucessfull backstab, when the spy performs a stab aimed at the back of the target. The Spy also has a sapper, which, as the name entails, saps engineer buildings, immobilizing them until the engineer removes the sapper, and eventually destroying the building. The last Item of trickery the spy posseses is none other than a watch. Some watches allow the spy invisibility for a certain time, while some allow him to feign death and come back alive to stab another day. In this section, i will be covering ALL of the spies weapons, and their stats. This section will be a bit long, but bear with me. OH!. The spy also posseses a disguise kit, which allows him to disguise as an enemy player. HOWEVER, the spy will not take on the speed boosts, and instead move at his normal speed, about that of a pyros.




Primary Weapons (Revolvers)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Revolver:
Point Blank: 55-60
Mid-Range: 35-45
Long range: 15-25
The stock revolver, no drawbacks and no benefits.

L E'trangeur
Point Blank: 44-48
Mid-Range: 28-36
Long Range: 15-18
This revolver has some stats, at the cost of 20 percent less damage, any sucessfull hit the spy lands will now fill his cloak meter by 15 percent, regardless of what watch is equipped. Also, The
Spies cloak duration is upped by 40 percent, regardless of what watch is used. This revolver is for the stealthy spies that love their cloak.

The Enforcer
Point Blank: 70-72
Mid-range: 41-55
Long Range: 24-26
This is a dangerous weapon. When the spy is undisguised, it deals 20 percent more damage! However, it fires 20 percent slower, and it cannot deal a random critical hit. This is the last resort for a spy, when a pyro comes down that corridor, a panicked spy will whip it out and start blasting away. Sometimes he wins, and sometimes the pyro wins. But this is the last resort. It has a very loud sound, so it is not used by stealthy spies.

The Diamondback
Point Blank: 46-51
Mid-Range: 31-37
Long Range: 15-19
This is another dangerous weapon in the spies arsenal. At the cost of 15 percent less damage and no random critical hits, the spy gains a dangerous ability. any backstab or any sucessfully sapped and destroyed building gives the spy a guaranteed critical hit on the Diamondback. These crits are recorded in the crit counter on the spies hud. The critical does 102 damage, and can very well kill most enemies if they have taken 25 points of damage. You see why this is dangerous? But, if the spy doesn't have a backstab yet, he is weakened by the 15 percent damage reduction. So watch that kill log, and be vigilant! Also, the diamondback makes an extremely loud noise when it fires a crit, so pay close attention and listen to the battlefield!

The Ambassador
Point Blank: 46-51
Mid-Range: 31-37
Long Range: 15-19
Ah, the best revolver out there, at least in my opinion. It's my favorite one, and i frequent spy quite a lot. This one, is in my opnion, the most dangerous, as it is like a mini sniper rifle, and i'll tell you why. At the cost of 15 percent damage reduction and no random critical hits (seeing a recurring theme here?), the user of the ambassador is granted the ability to deal critical hits on a successfull headshot, a solid 102 damage. This is the one you have to look out for. But, it has a cooldown. 1.25 seconds after firing the ambassador, you cannot deal a critical hit with it, even if you hit the head. There is nothing i can say except you better look out, and make sure none of your "Teammates" is pointing their crosshair at your head. Snipers beware, as this is the counter to your beloved razorback.

That concludes it for the revolvers, now on to the secondaries!!!
The Big Kill: Reskin of revolver, same stats


Secondary (Sappers)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The stock Sapper:
This saps buildings, slowly draining their health and immobilizing them while doing so. Engineers, a common method is for a spy to sap your building, so you can go and repair it, and then backstab you while you are doing so, so keep your back to the wall and crouch repeatedly so a spy cannot get you.

The Red Tape Recorder
This is another variant of the sapper, but instead of destroying buildings, it makes them go back levels, for example, a level 3 sentry can be turned into a level one, and a level one can pop right back into its case and leave a nice little present for that engineer.

The Ap-Sap
Reskin of sapper.

Melee (Knife)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Stock Knife;
Point Blank: 34-46
This is the stock knife, no drawbacks, and no benefits. Nothing else i can say but watch your back, and be very vigilant. Spycheck lots.

The Spy-Cicle
Point Blank: 34-46
Ok, this is a kinda weird weapon. it's an icicle. Yes, you heard that right. The effect is that when the spy performs a sucessfull backstab, the victim will not scream (Silent Killer effect0, but instead will turn into a nice ice sculpture. When the spy is ignited by a flamethrower, the spy cicle will melt and give the spy a 2 second immunity to fire. However, the spy will shout the fire related response for the class he is disguised at, thats how you distinguish a spy cicle spy. If you see an ice sculpture, look out, because a spy is in that vicinity!!

The Connivers Kunai
Point Blank: 34-46
This is another odd knife. The spy starts off with only 60 health, but when the spy performs a sucessfull backstab, he absorbs the victims health, and adds it to his own. Just look out, and a spy who has not had that first backstab yet will be immensely vulnerable, so a well aimed rocket or scattergun blast will kill him.

The Your Eternal Reward
Point Blank: 34-46
At the cost of the spies disguise kit, the spy gains an ability. On a sucessfull backstab with the YER (Your Eternal Reward), the spy rapidly disguises as the backstab target, almost instanteoneously. BUT, before the spy gets that first backstab, he is so noticeable, as he has no disguise kit. This is an immense advantage to you. The eternal reward also has the silent killer ablilty, gauranteeing no screams on backstabs, as well as the body dissappearing. VERY stealthy. AND, the backstab/facestab kill with the knife will not show on the enemy death feed. So this is THE stealth knife. Watch your back, and look out for spies. This is also used in great conjunction will the dead ringer, soif that spy dies too obviously, be on your guard.

The Big Earner
Point Blank: 34-46
This is another stealth related knife, but less heavily so. At the cost of 25 health, any sucessfull kill with the spies loadout will add 30 percent of charge to his cloak, no matter what watch. So this is a knife for stealthy spies, but just spy check often and watch your back and you should be fine.

The Black Rose: Reskin of knife. Looks cool.
The Sharp Dresser: Reskin of knife. Assasins creed style knife. Looks cooler.
The Wanga Prick; Reskin of Your Eternal Reward. looks rather stupid.

Thats it for The melee!!!!!!

The Watches (Fourth Slot)---------(Continued Next Section)--------------------------

The Stock Watch: This lets the spy go invisible for a short interval of time between recharges (About 8-10 seconds) This can be recharged by ammo boxes though, so a really

So where were we? Ah, the stock invis watch. Anyways, a really good spy can get all the way across a map staying completely invisible. Well, the watch makes a sound when uncloaking sorta like a whoosh. watch for that. Watch for it. That will tell you if a spy is there.

The Cloak And Dagger
This is anotehr watch that allows the spy the ability to become invisible. However, the cloak drains faster. But, the spy cdan stand still while cloaked and have the cloak recharge, all while cloaked. So he can cloak while he cloaks so he can cloak. Exactly. Anyways, this watch too makes a whoosh when uncloaking. When i've played spy, most people won't notice the noise because they are so engrossed in their sniper rifle scope. So do not be like those people. Be vigilant, and you will suceed.

The Dead Ringer
This is a weapon that will get you scolded on some servers. I really do not know why people think it is such a "controversial weapon'. In the hands of a beginner, it is wasted, and feigning death on a shotgun clipshot that nobody believes. but in the hands of a sensei spy, they become nigh on unkillable. once you seemingly take them down after what seems like hours shooting rockets at them, other players walk around in a daze. Did i kill em'?? No. They didnt. Then they get backstabbed. Dont get backstabbed. Get direct TV. I'm sorry im dithering. The dead ringer gives the spy the ability to feign death, to seemingly be killed but to still be alive. I personally love it, and have been fooling people with it since the 1870s (I'm a time traveler for your information). But yeah, it can be annoying to play against, but hilarious to use, as you watch the people stumble around, trying to find you. But this watch makes a harsh ringing when you uncloak, so it is very noticeable. One way to check for dead ringer spies is when once you kill them (seemingly), you check areas where players are not likely to pass through. That is where that spy will be hiding. SOmetimes they just uncloak 2 feet away from you, hoping you have your volume off. Oh spies, won't you learn? tsk tsk tsk. Just be aware and you'll be fine. Listen for that uncloaking sound!!!.

Then theres the disguise kit which allows the spy to disguise. do you need an explanation for that? nah, so we'll skip to the next section.

The Newborn Spy "Wow, insta kills with a knife! Sounds interesting"
Well people, this is the spy that just joined. He's not experienced, and doesn't know a thing about spy mechanics at all. He is not hard to beat whatsoever.
How to spot him:
1. No hats
2. all stock loadout
3. butterknife charges from the front and shoots from the back
Tactics:
None whatsoever. Not hard to beat, at all. you'll be fine. Unless you are a panda with down syndrome. You might have a problem there.

Advantages: Not really anything but random crits.
Disadvantages: Everything. These guys have not learned that snipers have one hit kills, that other spies can backstab them too (*gasp* Really?!), and that well, lets just put it this way,you'll be fine.


The Sphee"My first hat! I'll wear it all the time!"
The gibus, that is. Hats are not skill repeat hats are not skill. But when you see someone with a set
of pyrovision goggles and a mercenary proudly displayed, you think oh boy heres another one. So let's get to the good stuff. These guys are just well, they are just, ummm, bad. They might get a kill or two, but it's not hard to stop them.
How to spot him
1. Gibus
2. Pyrovision goggles
3. Mercenary proudly displayed on bare suit

Advantages: Can backstab occasionally, knows some stuff about spy
Disadvantages: Above all, m1 pyros. Everything else too. Just be careful and watch the death log and turn around lots, just to be sure. The key to spychecking is huge paranoia. If you're paranoid, that sphee won't catch you. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you're not backpedaling too bad

The Spy
Again, another average player who likes spy. They know most mechanics and can backstab well as well as occasionally ambassador headshot. They know when to get out of certain situations, and can maintain at least a kill per life, mabye 2. This guy is pretty good at spy. He's not the best, he's not the worst. He has a decent amount of points on a server and can backstab ok.
How to spot him
1. Decent amount of points on the server list (tab)
Well thats really it. You wont see any chat messages saying "wow this guy is boss" but you won't see any messages saying he sucks either

Advantages: Decent at spy, not too arrogant, knows their situation,.
Disadvantages: If you turn around a lot, you'll catch him. Thats all i can say. Shoot at the corners and snipers, zoom out once you fire a shot, and check around.

The Trickstabber
This is the spy who mastered the art of the knife, the one who pays no attention to his revolver and instead focuses on nothing but backstabs. He can strafe and snap, matador stab, stairstab, and do a bunch of crazy crap that you can't even comprehend. Then you get backstabbed, and you get sad. Thats not fun. However, he will backstab you the same time he has every life you've lost. Thats the flaw. if you know how to anticipate, you can win and get him, then he'll get mad and it will be fun to watch. For a stairstab, slow as you approach the ramps. For a sidestab (walking by and then turning around and backstabbing) shoot him or push him back before you come into stabbing distance. For the matador stabs, don't go into melee combat with him if you know hes a trickstabber just shoot him to death and keep out of his stabbing range. For strafe and snaps, do the same thing. Keep your gaze riveted straight ahead and spam m1 until he dies.
The point is, do not get within stabbing range. The gun is your best friend. DO NOT ENGAGE IN MELEE. It will not turn out nicely for you, or for your panda with down syndrome.
How to spot them:
1. Teammates scared to go near stairs.
2. Teammates going pyro a lot.
3. Seeing him at the top of the stairs.
Advantages: REALLY REALLY REALLY (says really for 7 years) good with that knife. melee is their forte.
Disadvantages: You can't stab me if you can't reach me. Employ those principles, and the trickstabbers will be foiled.

The Stealthy Spy
This is a spy that goes for stealth, they use the letranger, the big earner, and any watch. They are invisible until performing a backstab, and can be so masterful at disguises they recieve ubercharges and watse them for their team to win, the backstab their medic. They might also use the yer. These guys are the stealthiest spies you have ever seen, however, they tend to use the knife more. They use the revolver for it's cloaking bonuses (letranger). They usually perma cloak until they reach a backstab target. They strike like a snake, fast, quick, and hard. Your body will be sinking into a floor before you even realized what happened. So, these guys are very useful. However, they do have one fatal flaw. Cloak. These guys abuse their cloak. ESPECIALLY with the yer, and that is how you beat them. Listen for the sound, and you have them beat. Remember, if a spy is confronted in open combat, most of the time he will die. Other classes have a much stronger advantage over him. Even a n00b medic can beat the pants off of a well trained spy. So listen, be vigilant, and you will beat him
How to spot him:
1. Paranoid Teammates
2. You Don't unless you hear the cloak sound.
Advantages: Really stealthy, can take out engy nests easily, REALLY STEALTHY
Disadvantages: He has to wait a bit to attack after he uncloaks, uncloaking sound, random paranoid spycheckers.

The Troller: Yep, this is one we have all met and have had to suffer through. As the description suggests, he likes nothing more than to elicit a mad reaction out of players. He is not hard to beat, only certain kinds. They are just generally annoying. There are some who pull on a gibus and act like a n00b until they get an amazing chainstab and amby headshot a rocket jumper. Very annoying. So basically i can't list any advantages and disadvantages, for they don't really play, only spawncamp. JUst be wary of that gibus and you'll be good to go.
How to spot him:
1. People being mad.

The Crit master:
This guy is the one with all the crits. He can amby headshot abnormally well, and sometimes uses a diamondback. "Oh, you're a pyro? Thats cute" (pyro is confused) 2 shots are heard. Headshot/crit icon is shown, spy walks away victorious without a scratch on him. so yeah, these guys are the ones with the revolvers. BUT, they make use of their knife too, especially the diamondback ones. So, the reason i've named these guys the crit master is because they are really good at crits with any weapon. Knife, revolvers, sapper.. oh wait, that last one you weren't supposed to hear. Shhh, keep it a secret. Well anyways, these guys are precision. HOwever, they only do well against 1 person, mabye even 2 people, but thats stretching it. Much like other spies, if you swarm it, he will die. No question. His loadout usually consists of: Amby/Diamondback Stock Knife Stock sapper and thats really it. These guys are good with the revolver, and with a knife.
How to Spot them:
1. ALWAYS gets crit kills
2. Says : sorry for the non crit kill
3. A lot of crit sounds are heard.
Advantages: REALLY good with getting crits, is a very good player, much like the warrior scout in my last guide.
Disadvantages: Much like the warrior scout, thsi guy might not show it, but he feels he is equipped to handle any situation that is thrown at him. Get a group of two, turn around lots, and you should be fine. Let his arrogance work for you. Don't go rage pyro, it makes it easier for him.

The Loud Spy: Lets take a giant step back here. This guy mains enforcer. Enforcer is love enforcer is life. No enforcer bullets?
Nope, im leaving. He runs back to spawn. Enforcer bullets are the world, enforcer bulets are.... well i think you get the point, (continued next section)

Well, you get it, as does my panda with down syndrome. Or is it your panda. I don't know. Whatever you want, ill tell you what, you get the panda, you keep reading the guides i make. Deal?
Yeah, great. Ok this is the one thats fully undisguised blasting away with his enforcer. He can actually be helpful by pestering the other team. Eventually the shot of an enforcer will bring them to tears.
How to spot him:
1. Undisguised, shooting (gasp) with an enforcer!
2. Thats it, besides lots of enforcer kills in the death log.
Advantages: Enforcer pro, is really good with that enforcer.
Disadvantage: Uses nothing but enforcer. You can figure out the rest.

The Immortal Spy:
This guy never dies. Much like a god, he does not die. EVER. Killing one of these guys is something you should pat yourself on the back for. As you've already guessed, they use the dead ringer to great effect, and strike very hard, very fast. Someone catches them? 2 shotguns to the face, see ya later spy. Nope. As soon as that rocket hits the ground, the spy uncloaks, the explosions and sounds of battle expertly muffling his dead ringer noise. Backstab. 45 kills, 0 deaths. That is the nature of an Immortal spy. Obviously, that ws an exaggeration, mabye 45 kills, 10 deaths. But it still is an impressive feat. I really respect these guys. Even though people might be calling them f2ps or some crap, they just keep on stabbin. You go, immortal, you go.
How to spot them:
1. Never dies
2. people saying that hes a n00b over chat
3. Rage
Advantages: Almost never dies, also good at stabbing, doesnt use revolver much, usually letranger.
Disadvantages: Im not saying they are bad, im just saying they abuse the ringer a little too much, sometimes you have to die to fool the enemy. But every kill on this guy will result in frantic pyros shooting flames everywhere. No matter how good you are, they will eventually catch you.

The Sensei Spy: Yup, the other teams already dead. "Sensei spy does leap off of hightower, chainstabs 5, vanishes into the night, ambassador headshots an incoming heavy to death, trickstabs spy trying to backstab him, laughs, vanishes again" This is the true spy. This is the one who put in that 150 hours, and learned everything there is to know about spy, as well as making up some new tricks to challenge himself. He is a team player, and busts the sentries like a demo stampede. He takes out key targets, and you never know who he might be. Also, whenever he plays, Secret Agent Man is automatically played over the mic. But yeah, this guy is simply the best spy there is, hence sensei. He has mastered everything, can adapt to any situation. I just made up the scenario but the true thing is that i cannot document someone who leaves no trace of what they do. JUst watch out, spycheck often, and hope you catch him. He combines the immortal spy with the crit master and the stealthy spy. HE is the 50 kills 0 deaths spy. He is the one you fear.

Well folks, this is it. You've learned what spies there are, and their weapons of choice. This is where you learn to beat them!

Countering Spies as a Scout:
Scout is one of the biggest weaknesses of spy, as well as our friend the pyro. However, cotrary to popular belief, the scout is the best equipped to handle spies. Why, you ask, well because, good sir, the scout almost never gets backstabbed. Only the better half of spies know how to beat a scout, and it's very hard. The 2 methods are trickstabs and backpedaling into a knife, as well as amby headshotting. Thats really it. And trust, me as i frequent spy, scouts are HARD to backstab. So, you are the spy hunter. Stairstabs don't work on you. You are too fast for us to reach. You turn around a lot. All you need to worry about is someone pointing at you. You see a spy, you kill him, that will greatly help your teammates, as they won't be troubled by him anymore, and then be able to cap the point wit you.

Countering Spies as a Soldier:
You are a target for spies, however, rocket jumping usually foils them, as they want to catch you before you jump, but they almost never do. But, you need to turn around, and turn around A LOT, you are a main target for spies, as you can wreak havoc on an opposing team as well as you being a very slow class. Stick to the high ground, where spies can get up, but have to take some time to do so. Always be moving, always be watching. Be vigilant, listen for ringer and cloak sounds, you have to be the most alert. Well, aside from heavies. In one on one combat with a spy, you will get him. Immortal spies will usually take a rocket, unless it's a crocket, and then run in the opposite direction they were going. For ringer spies i have a huge secret, ready?. Keep track of the number of kills you have, lets say i have 5 kills, and i "kill" a ringer spy. MY KILLS WILL NOT CHANGE.
So press tab and find out if that was a fluke, or if it was a real kill. Then, start rocket blasting corners or where the spy would go after he ringered.

Countering Spies as a Pyro:
You are the Spies second biggest weakness, that flamethrower can devastate as well as keeping a long range for spies to get lit on fire. Especially C and D spies that are perma cloaking. So, you just have to watch out, cause spies have devised tricks to kill pyros. They can hide behind walls and intersect you, or trickstab you as they pass. You are the spy killer, but you need to be the most vigilant. Well, aside from soldiers and heavies. So, you kill a spy, or think you did, look at tab, and if you didnt, start blasting flame at corners and corridors. AND, go to a place where teammates are not going. I cannot stress that enough. The spy will uncloak in the most random place ever. BUT, what ive seen stupid pyros do, is they let spies live after they ringered. NO, you search out that spy, you weed him out, cause he culd be causing trouble to your teammates as we speak. a spy left alive can cost you the game. Trust me, one spy can make all the difference.

Countering Spies as a Demoman:
Spies are a bit faster than you, so if they run behind you, they will get you eventually. You need to turn around, and turn around often. Because you can take apart a spy the besst in oen combat. Not the soldier, but you. Sticky bombs can take any spy apart. Of course this is all providing you can aim good enough to hit them. BUt don't hit the panda with down syndrome. I brought him back with me on one of my time travel trips. He's currently writing an essay about the self esteem of clouds. It's a very important issue, but i digress. So, you need to turn around, shoot at corners, and when you come out of an opening, turn around. Some spies like to camp there because they can catch even a scout if they are fast enough. When a spy ringers, check tab (jesus im sounding like a broken record) and if they ringered, shoot stickies everywhere around you, down corridors, at corners, and blow them up. The spy couldent have gone far, you will hit him, and then you will kill him.

Countering Spies as a Heavy:
Well, this is a gamble, playing as Heavy, and trying to counter spies. This will be rather short as you only need to do one thing. Shoot everything in sight, check your corners, and turn around a lot. If you catch him, hes dead, if he catches you, you're dead. Thats it, and thats how it is.

Countering Spies as an Engineer:
If you see the sapper icon, tread carefully, and proceed to the sentry, but stand against a wall and repair, it, as spies will often try to backstab you as you go to the sentry. If you're using the gunslinger, just let it go and build another one. if you see spomeone suspicious approaching your level 3 sentry immediatly shoot repeatedly at them. A spy will be deterred, for they must run or die. But, you can make a wide berth around your sentry if you want, you don't have to turtle behind it all the time.

Countering Spies as a Medic:
So, you gotta watch your patient, and the patient can win games. An overhealed heavy can do a lot of damage camping a control pont, especially one that knows what he is doing. But, you have to check for pesky spies, as they can one shot the patient, and possibly ruin the game. So, how to check for spies, hmm. Well, check often, check all the time, attack everyone who approaches you, even if it is for some healing. Or alert the patient, they will kill him for you.

Countering Spies as a Sniper:
Much like the heavy, you can check all you want, but either you catch him, or he catches you, no matter how much you spycheck, he'll eventually get you. Can i give you one piece of advice? Wear a freaking razorback. A razorback stops spies. if they amby you, melee them, you can still live. Or just run away. because you are a great asset to your team. Much like a spy, you can take out key targets.

Countering Spies as a Spy:
Counter Espionage, how i love it. I once backstabbed a spy who backstabbed a sniper. BAckstab train! (Train whistle) But, you will rarely run into spies. If you do, there is basically a grudging agreement to let each other go. You should let them go. If you let them go, they will as well. Most spies will. Your teammates will be well skilled in spychecking, and you can still help them by taking out heavies and soldiers that wreak havoc on their lines. The point is, you won't really run into other spies, as you'll be in their base and they'll be in yours.

Well guys, i have a suprise for you! The Great Digitic will be adding 2 sections!!! SPychecking, and how spies give themselves away. I really hope you enjoyed this. The next guide will be, well, you tell me.

Hey guys! Digitic here, contributing to this awesome creator's guide. So, we all know that spies are mainly countered by spychecking (if you didn't, now you do). This section is simply going to review the types of spychecking, their effectiveness, their noticibility, and their risk on a 5-star scale. So, let's get right to it!

First up: Shooting at them. Shooting is a good way to spycheck, as it forces the spy to do something or die.

Advantages: Reliable, and it forces the spy to do something.

Disadvantages: It uses up ammo that you may need later, and spies using the Dead Ringer may fool you into believing you've killed them when you haven't. Also, some weapons do hit teammates.

Effectiveness: *** to ***** depending on class
Noticibility: *** to ***** depending on class
Risk: ** to *** depending on class


Next: Calling a friendly a spy. Some spies, upon realizing that they've ben "found out", will either cloak or flee.

Advantages: Less experienced spies panic, more experienced spies glance around.

Disadvantages: Teammates will sometimes start to spycheck, may lead to a "boy who cried wolf" scenario.

Effectiveness: ***
Noticibility: ***
Risk: **


Bumping into enemies is a great spychecking method because it's not very noticable if you do it calmly. However, the real benefit is that most spies back away from enemies.

Advantages: Spies must either be discovered or be a coward, frendlies will spycheck you for being "too creepy" (really).

Disadvantages: Either alerting the spy to your suspicions or getting facestabbed.

Effectiveness: ****
Noticibility: * to **
Risk: ***


Counter-Espionage: Spies will not come across enemy spies often, because if you do, one of you is not in the right spot. However, they have the only way to detect spies without them noticing and while they're cloaked, guaranteed. When you come up behind any enemy spy, disguised, cloaked, or plain, your spy will raise their knife for a backstab. Click to remove spy.

Advantages: Behind the enemy, can detect even cloaked DR spies.

Disadvantages: Hmmm... my teammate is breathing down our spy's neck... Spycheck.

Effectiveness: *****
Noticibility: To spy: * To enemies: ***
Risk: **

If you have any others, leave them in the comments section for others to use. For a more comprehensive Spy types list, check out my guide on spies here (but finish this guide before you do). (Oh, the shameless self-promotion...)
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=230004239

Every Spy has tells that will give him away to the enemy. These are varied and subtle, and mature spies will often not show most of these traits, but they are dead givaways to the spy's existence.

1. Spies are cowards. Shows of force while glaring at a supposed spy (maybe a rocket or spinning up) will cause any spy to cloak or retreat. Just don't take your eyes off of them and keep them pinned down, and you should be fine.

2. Spies don't shoot their weapons. Duh. If you're an overly trusting medic, wait for your teammate to fire before you decide to overheal him. Healing a spy back to full health isn't terrible, since they're fragile, but don't reward them for being clever.

3. Some weapons are dead giveaways to spies. The Holy Mackeral (and one other scout wep I can't remember) gives a special notice on kill, but that doesn't activate on DR spy "kill". The Crusader's Crossbow does not heal disguised spies. Flamethrowers burn or knock them back. All status effects still hit them. Other knives still raise to backstab ANY spy, no matter their disguise, DR, etc. The list goes on.

4. Spies are clueless while on fire. Most spies pull out the oft-used Spycicle to deal with it, but that only delays the Pyro. So where to? The water, of course. You can't see under it, so hop in, cloak, swim away, and recharge your spycicle. However, being underwater while cloaked is like having Jarate on you the instant you leave. You're trapped until your cloak depletes, then you're dead.

5. Strange Dead Ringers announce to the server via chat when they rank up. It's SO obvious they're not dead, even if they play it well.

Well folks, thats all! Wait i said that wrong. Oh darnit, endings are hard to write. Well anyways, i really hope you enjoyed this guide and i really don't know which class to do next. hopefully ill get counsel from the community. Thank you so much for reading thios guide and liking it. The panda waves goodbye, and his essay on the self esteem of clouds should be out soon, ill put a link to it in my next guide. I was thinking pyros next, but what do you guys think? Tell me in the comments. Thanks for reading, and counter those spies! They won't know what hit them!