#spy-cicle

*Spy* "The Administrator's heart is colder than my Spy-cicle on a 15th of January in Coldfront."

Once in a while, you may hear a salty someone complain about “crutches.” They’re probably repeating something they heard somewhere, like a parrot, or else they might be having a good discussion about game design.

Although it’s typically used negatively, like a lot of words in this game, “crutch” or “training wheel” items (or strategies) aren’t necessarily bad.

Although this kind of term isn’t really properly defined by anyone, I would define a crutch as:

an item or strategy that allows a less-skilled player to get a hand up on a more-skilled one

while also not contributing much to a unique style of gameplay (thereby often hindering a player that does not need them)

Prime examples include the Vita-Saw, Razorback, and Spy-cicle. They offer very little except helping with a particular weakness of the class using them.

Now, are crutches bad? Based on how I’ve been talking about them and what you might’ve heard, you might think I’m going to say no. But that’s not true; they do serve a role in the game design of TF2.

Although the aforementioned skilled player (say, a Pyro) might hate getting killed by the less-skilled player with the Spy-cicle, so too might the less-skilled player hate being unable to play with said Pyro always finding them and killing them. The Spy-cicle allows them to get a leg up and ensures that the fun won’t be as one-sided.

Of course, it’s not a perfect system there; someone is likely to be unhappy some of the time. However, if the weapon is balanced properly, it’s possible to have even-footing gameplay that leaves both players feeling like they’ve got a shot at victory.

It isn’t just newbies that can benefit from crutch items; more skilled players can too. Sometimes you just need the fire protection the Spy-cicle affords to have a good game. I may not like these items because they don’t have playstyles of their own, but they still contribute to the balance of TF2.

Sometimes, though, the crutch item is actively hurting gameplay. If it:

allows a player to consistently win in a situation they would otherwise lose

is so powerful that it can easily be used in situations where its niche isn’t really necessary

The best example would be the pre-Jungle Inferno Darwin’s Danger Shield. Because of its ability to nearly always secure a win in Sniper duels, it was the choice pick for most snipers out there - both professional and less-skilled.

I WAS TAGGED BY : eunbi-and-risae-are-so-wonderful.tumblr.com/

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are suppose to write a note with 92 truths about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

What Was Your… Last beverage: Water Last phone call: My dad Last text message: My roommate, Katherine Reads: Mangas and books for school and to many personal books Last song you listened to: War of Hormones - BTS Last time you cried: I think from the TD “thank you” commercial

Have you ever… Dated someone twice: Yeah Been cheated on: Yep Kissed someone and regretted it: No Lost someone special: Yes Been depressed: Yes Been drunk and threw up: No

List three favorite colors: Purple! and black and white :)

Last year (2013) have you: Made a new friend: Yes :) Fallen out of love: No Laughed until you cried: Yes xD Met someone who changed me: I don’t think so… Found out who your true friends are: Umm.. maybe? Found out someone was talking about you: Not that I remember Kissed someone on FB friends list: Yeah but he was my boyfriend xD

General: How many people on your FB friends list do you know in real life: Like 99% of them? Do you want to change your name: Not really, I like my name Do you have pets: I have 4 cats and 2 dogs so yes :p What did you do for your last birthday: Um.. nothing I don’t think; besides having dinner with my families :p What time did you wake up today: 8:40 am What were you doing at midnight last night: Reading Godly Bells Name something you CANNOT wait for: Christmas vacation so I can go hoome and see my family and little brother :) Last time you saw your Mother: Thanksgiving What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: SO MUCH STUFF but mostly I want to do better in school and maybe have a few more friends and maybe find a boyfriend because i miss that a bit.. What are you listening to right now: Park Hyo Shin’s Wild Flower Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: I’ve seen someone who I knew was named Tom.. What’s getting on your nerves right now: Jacob from my tutorial Most visited webpage: Tumblr, youtube and facebook, maybe Mangafox? Blood type: I dunno but I feel like I should.. Nickname: De, DD, Dunham, Dunbam, peanut Relationship Status: single Pronouns: umm? what? she I guess if that’s what you’re asking?? Elementary: Met my bestfriend, had so much fun in school, there was some drama though…. I knew my principal well.. High School: Enjoyable for the most part with some rough patches.. College: Fuck uni… so much work and readings suck and HS doesn’t prepare you for shit.. -.- Hair color: dark brown I guess? Long or short: is mid-back considered long? Height: 5’8”/9” Do you have a crush on someone: Are biases counted? If not I might have a slightly more than friend thoughts about a boy I’ve known for years not.. What do you like about yourself: I have long legs and that’s about it and I don’t even really like that. Tattoos: Needles suck so no.. Righty or lefty: Lefty :p

Firsts:

Surgery: Wisdom teeth Piercing: none First best friend: Robbie :3 First sport you joined: Swimmming lessons? and gymnastics. First vacation: Probably to the beach, I went there a lot. First pair of trainers: like shoes? Right now: Eating: Nothing Drinking: Nothing I’m about to: Read and finish this thing

Your future… Want kids: Yes Get married: Hopefully Career: Novel editor Which is better… (I think this means ideal type peeps) Lips or eyes: neoui nun, ko, ip  (<lol) it doesn’t matter but I do like looking into people’s eyes :) Hugs or kisses: All of the aboce xD Older or younger: Older but I don’t really care Romantic or spontaneous: IDC Nice stomach or nice arms: idc Sensitive or loud: idk Hook-up or relationship: Relationships.. hook ups piss me off; commit or fuck off. Troublemaker or hesitant: hesitant

Have you ever… Kissed a stranger: No Drank hard liquor: Never Lost glasses/contacts: When i’m not wearing my glasses I can’t see them so it’s very hard to find my glasses without my glasses.. Broke someone’s heart: I think so but it was awhile ago Been arrested: Nope Turned someone down: Yeah and it sucked.. was a tad awkward for a bit.. Cried when someone died: Yes… so much.. even cry over character deaths too.. Fallen for a friend: Yes sir..

Do you believe… Miracles: No Love at first sight: No Heaven: Maybe Santa Claus: No Kiss on the first date: Depends on feelings after said date Angels: I like the thought of them but no

I’ll tag:

Ahh oh my god you're so lucky, they're perfect!