What Defines a "Pro" Player?

[Larry]

It's higher then most, I can go from being okay, on certain maps, change servers to like Xxl gaming (I think), then stomp. Depends, it's hard to compare communities cause each has it's own "Thing".

Oh, Fano, I think I've gotten better at rocket jumping.

[Cat Square]

I only ever really play on TV6, but it's definitely the best Dustbowl server I've ever played on, skill-wise

[KajiVena]

Most leagues ban everything. As far as I know, the only legal unlocks in most leagues are the Escape Plan, Blutsauger, and Ubersaw, and on top of that since no one plays anything outside of Scout, Soldier, Demo, and Medic, you never see anything else.

Incorrect. Most leagues have whitelists that allow a smaller number than all of the weapons in the game but I've never heard of a league that is as strict as what you describe, besides ETF2L 6v6 which only allows most Medic unlocks that add something to the game or have risk (i.e. no Overdose, Vita-Saw or Solemn Vow).

The most lenient whitelisting league of all, ESEA, is also home to the most skilled players in the game.

Also, all nine classes are played. Even at Division 1 or Invite-level matches. The difference between Highlander and 6v6 is that 6v6 isn't dumb and doesn't force the full-time use of classes that were meant to be situational. Pyro, Heavy, Engineer, Sniper and Spy are all situational specialists classes, and 6v6 uses them like they were meant to be used.

Let me know if you would like more information regarding Competitive TF2, since you aren't really all that informed.

Also keep in mind that it's a whitelist, not a blacklist. They don't ban, they allow.

UGC's ban's isnt a lot, it includes some misc, like ones that produce sound, all of the newer items holiday or doomsday items. The bombnicom thingy is banned cause they say it cause fps loss, my highlander team almost got disqualified cause of that.

They ban all Miscs that produce noise because they screw over Spies, and they ban the bombinomicon for the same reason (explosions are really, really noisy, both visual-wise and audio-wise).

[Eggers]

I would say that there are many types of "Pros". There are some who are actual "Pros" that compete in tournaments and leagues and see some sort of monetary benefit from it.

There are also casual "Pros". I know a lot of people that frequent some of TheVille's servers that will dominate every time they join. Players can also be better depending on the environment. I'm no "Pro" but I often find that switching to a different server environment can really throw my game off in a bad way. If all you do is practice on TV6 then you're only going to be a true "Pro" on that server playing with the same people over and over again. Getting better at any game is all about practice and learning. Where you learn and how you learn is directly related to how "Pro" you are at any given time.

[Fano]

I just find it confusing that some people consider some TheVille regulars "Pros" whereas I consider myself nowhere near pro status and yet I have absolutely no issue going 70-5 on a typical day on TV7 :/

I'm not ragging on anyone here nor am I trying to brag about my so-called skills, I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a much higher standard of play that you just don't see in public servers and it kinda makes me sad.

[Eggers]

I just find it confusing that some people consider some TheVille regulars "Pros" whereas I consider myself nowhere near pro status and yet I have absolutely no issue going 70-5 on a typical day on TV7 :/

I'm not ragging on anyone here nor am I trying to brag about my so-called skills, I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a much higher standard of play that you just don't see in public servers and it kinda makes me sad.

I would agree. There are a lot of good players here that would fit the casual "Pro" but would never have a chance of making a competitive team. There are also large differences between the level of play on the different servers especially at different times. Sometimes the servers are filled with only F2P newbies but other times there are great matches between regulars that happen often on TV6. Just depends.

[Larry]

I remember TV3, and when people would play on it,I felt good about myself then.

[somedude]

I just find it confusing that some people consider some TheVille regulars "Pros" whereas I consider myself nowhere near pro status and yet I have absolutely no issue going 70-5 on a typical day on TV7 :/

I'm not ragging on anyone here nor am I trying to brag about my so-called skills, I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a much higher standard of play that you just don't see in public servers and it kinda makes me sad.

I think the confusion may be due to a matter of perspective and/or terminology. For some folks pro is simply defined as very good, or much better than they themselves are at something, and for others it's defined as professional where specific practice is consistently applied to attain a higher level of skill. Your typical driver that has limited knowledge about cars and looks at them as just a way to get from point A to B might consider someone who does an occasional autocross, has a good fundamental understanding of automotive mechanics, understands vehicle/racing dynamics and can handle a car well a "pro" driver. However, the weekend warrior autocross driver most certainly doesn't consider themselves a "pro" (well, except for "that guy") driver, and that term to them would be defined as someone who races as a profession and are constantly working and focused on developing their driving and other related skills.

As far as the pub servers are concerned. Unless you find a pub server where the "pros" play, I think you will be "a bit sad" indefinitely. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that most people who are playing pub servers just don't take the game that seriously. I know I certainly don't, and have absolutely no desire to do so. Aside from when I'm in the game or maybe on the TV boards, I'm not thinking about TF2. I have a challenging job (which I do enjoy), and plenty of other things to take seriously, but TF2 is my time to cut loose, relax and have some fun. Personally, I don't want to and would not spend time practicing, or being concerned with rankings or any such thing that would turn this into something else to take seriously which would take the care free relaxing fun out of it for me. Some people enjoy that level of competition and will take the time to develop the skills to play at that level, and I think that's great! I'm all for people doing what they enjoy, but realize that when you do that, you are putting yourself in a much smaller subset of the community. The average Joe like me will not have that level of skill or even the desire to attain it. If I can contribute to my team and have some lighthearted fun while doing so, well then my mission is accomplished. So unless you can maybe start a "pro" community that has pub servers restricted to "pros" or join one if there already is such a thing, I think you will always be dissatisfied on pub servers which will rarely if ever have the "much higher standard of play" that you desire.

[InBOUND HD]

well, u can play better w people u know well (example: friend is a medic and knows when 2 be there 4 u) and by going on servers that allow u 2 practice better w a specific class u really like 2 play. although im not a "pro", i define myself as better than average...

other than that PRACTICE and GOOD TEAMATES

[cam]

I remember TV3, and when people would play on it,I felt good about myself then.

TV3 is where i learned to play scout for this very reason. Better than walkway.

[Cpt._Keyes]

I am a pro...I can play while at work, therefore I get paid to play...
...my logic is undeniable

[Larry]

I remember TV3, and when people would play on it,I felt good about myself then.

TV3 is where i learned to play scout for this very reason. Better than walkway.

thats where i learned, but now nobody plays on it that much, i cant practice as much.

[somedude]

I am a pro...I can play while at work, therefore I get paid to play...
...my logic is undeniable

Sure, rub it in buddy

[Pwnstar]

I tried being a Pro at work....It ended up in me being in trouble and having to talk to the principle about playing video games on the job

[Earthworm James]

"Fairly high" is being incredibly generous, IMO. TheVille is certainly a step above a valve server, but it's nothing to write home about considering how I never really see anyone even attempt to rocket jump (and when they do, they go straight up and don't accomplish anything).

I disagree. Considering I can't remember ever seeing you in a Ville server in the last year, your opinion doesn't hold much value. Also, having personally played comp CS for over 6 years, attending multiple international tournaments, competitive tf2 has never gotten near the level of competition that game WAS. And, it never will. Ultimately, being a pro gamer is overrated. To be the best you AND your entire team have to play way too much. Teams prepping for CPL(huge bi-annual tourny) would play atleast 6+ hours a day for 3-6 months before the tournament, that's what it means to be a pro. To have the desire, dedication, & discipline(and team), to play all day every day and to focus on ALL the small details that can possibly give you an edge over your opponent. Ultimately, this is a job that is more fun than most jobs, but takes up too much time and does not pay.