When does Spy work best?

[@HintShot]

The intro alone took about 40 hours to make. Enjoy :) My Patreon - www.patreon.com/hintshot My Discord Server - discord.gg/Z3PUnw8

[@Neardrop]

Dude nice vid!

[@Kat-fs1oj]

40 hours sounds about the right amount of painfully long definitely worth it lol

[@yaaqelo]

Hey what's the hud you're using?

[@ThatNoobKing]

The best intro by far

[@trevormullery8946]

Worth

[@gaidencastro9706]

Spy is a reverse engineer. An engineer focuses on stabilizing their own team, while a spy orchestrates chaos in the enemy's backline.

[@coinfactory123]

This is probably my favorite way of thinking of Spy now, Reverse Engie works so well

[@Spork888]

The rules in this video also apply to Engineer. Especially the point about how both are most effective when the teams are balanced. I have played many games where the team pushes to fast for me to properly set up buildings, and also ones where we are getting stomped so hard that the same is true.

[@Spork888]

More engineers are less effective, if the enemy has lots of stock uber medics, soldiers, heavies, demos, and snipers engineer is less effective. As the time goes on, the enemy learns the locations of buildings. And of course, certain maps make buildings less valuable.

[@Spork888]

Oh and like spy, Engineer is better on defense =w=

[@Spork888]

It is also funny that the classes that counter spy are opposites of those that counter engineer, and engineer's counters are the best prey for spy. Engineer prey: Scouts and pyros Engineer counters: Medics, heavies, snipers Spy prey: Medics, heavies, snipers Spy counters: Scout, pyro Soldier and demo are generalists and thus basically counter everyone, but they counter engineer slightly more.

[@Moss_Dude]

0:53 this engie was actually a huge help here, shooting at you to make the enemies you were going for see you as a retreating teammate who was merely out of place and safe not to check

[@strangejune]

It would've helped, but I don't think anyone actually saw it. That being said, I have been fooled by spies pretending to be friendly spies. For some reason it's the only disguise that actually fools me, and it makes for some hilarious situations. Underrated disguise.

[@quocano933]

@@strangejune spy is best for spy

[@justafurrywithinternet317]

@@strangejune I always disguise as a spy. When you see a pyro on your backlines acting sus it's pretty obvious. Spies are just built different so you don't really pay attention to them.

[@TrialDubz]

@@strangejune spy is spy!

[@sentientlvl.5mortar886]

@@TrialDubz That spy is a spy

[@maxedoutmaximous9737]

Loved that later alligator intro recreation, that was scarily accurate for a tf2 SFM

[@PsychadelicoDuck]

I knew I recognized it from somewhere!

[@StickMaster500]

The points brought up are also why Spy is actually quite good in Competitive, especially in 6v6 where the enemy team doesn't have the thought that a Spy or even 2 Spies are sneaking around and only thinks that the opposing team has 2 Scouts and with this mindset, it's going to be much easier for a Spy to sneak up and kill their Medic where other classes may have a harder time doing so. But the downside of this is that it's something you can only do once or twice before the enemy team becomes more Spy aware. There's a reason why the Spy is marked as a "Support" in the Class Selection Screen.

[@destarker1340]

If spy has harassed the enemy team enough to make them waste time spy checking a non-existent spy, then they have successfully done their job.

[@MoustachioFurioso83]

There's also the important matter of having one less person in the teamfight while you're sneaking around waiting to strike.

[@NepSpoon]

In comp, people are a lot more likely to actually be communicating with each other, and it’s easy to notice a Spy when you only have six people on your team compared to 12. Sniper does Spy’s job better and from a distance

[@Spork888]

@@NepSpoon Sniper shouldn't even be in the game imo. Every other class fights by deathmatching eachother. Spy is the only class that can kill without deathmatching.

[@jblazerndrowzy]

@@Spork888 And even then, to get to that point with Spy, you’d have to sneak pass the entire enemy team. With Sniper, you can pitch a tent miles away and pick people off before they even know you exist. Sniper isn’tthe most unfun class to fight against because you don’t even fight the dude. You either kill him, or he kills you, both without a fight(except for the pisswacka combo, that’s the equivalent to attempting a no damage boss fight).

[@littleumbrella1763]

Sometimes 2 spies can be good because once they kill one of you they drop their vigilance drastically. They simply werent expecting the second spy

[@irregularassassin6380]

Two spies is the ultimate double-edged sword. The enemy either lets their guard down because they've "seen or killed the spy," or they're extra aware because they saw the other spy, but then think you were him.

[@NoSkill_fr]

@@irregularassassin6380 Tbh I use the second spy as a partner in crime for example when I pyro is tunnel visioning and chasing me I walk back while shooting and let the second spy backstab him works everytime somehow

[@joanaguayoplanell4912]

A propely used Dead Ringer will do the job just fine (unless the attacker is keeping track of their kill count on the scoreboard, or notices you still have the number of your Killstreak still on, but that's your problem, why would you play Killstreak weapon with the Dead Ringer, you dips*)

[@reimuhakurei2123]

2 good spies is pretty good combo for a pub

[@icyferaligatr9908]

Mr president a second spy has backstabbed the pocketed heavy and medic combo

[@bliponthe]

A few seconds in and this is already a good video. Like seriously that was a phenomenal intro you’ve just made

[@alex.g7317]

Later Alligator? More like Later Spy! (I apologise)

[@ajobapplication9707]

Agreed, love the stop motion (is that what its called?) animation style.

[@coolsodapop12]

@@ajobapplication9707 Stop-Motion specifically refers to taking pictures of real life objects (often clay sculptures made to mimick larger creatures/people/etc) and moving them slowly over time, taking pictures during the process. Putting the photos together creates the illusion of movement, though many stop motion pieces do have a sort of "choppy" look to them. This is traditionally done 3d animation, simply done at a lower framerate for stylistic/ease of animation purposes! This isn't to say its poorly done, as it oozes with style and flavor, but rather to merely to demonstrate the difference between different genres of animation.

[@Doodle128]

One of the main things every considerate person will do is to shoot at your own spy

[@ms-bosko]

Yeah that intro is a direct parody of Later alligator’s intro.

[@shawnwebb4278]

The "Later Alligator" Trailer scene-for-scene recreation was actually incredible. Such a random reference for me to get but I loved how well made it was. Great video.

[@Blinimies]

Dang, I knew engie was quite handy with the guitar but I didn't expect him to absolutely obliterate it out of the park. Amazing production, especially the intro.

[@theeliteofficer625]

Amazing intro

[@Markm8]

Its so good

[@zEr-ne5ri]

it’s quite similar to the intro of later alligator.

[@p4rad0x701]

@@zEr-ne5ri its a game reference bruh

[@zEr-ne5ri]

@@p4rad0x701 what am I not allowed to Point out of the obvious like how you obviously look like a broke tv

[@p4rad0x701]

@@zEr-ne5ri lol did u really get mad for that comment. it wasn't even to make you rage

[@PotatoPatatoVonSpudsworth]

You son of a gun! I finally played through Later Alligator yesterday, and you hit me with this magnificent opening? You're taking "Spy main" too literally!

[@Orthros]

Totally agree with this. As a spy main, I really dislike getting into games where my team is getting absolutely rolled, but I've also found that being on the team DOING the rolling isn't much fun either, even if I'm one of the main contributors. Sure, decimating a casual match is fun, but if the teams aren't at least close to balanced, then the fun dies out quick.

[@Underworlder5]

basically, effortlessly easy is not much fun. you want to feel like you contribute to the team, and need at least some challenge to be entertained. i understand that feeling

[@Casual_PKBeats]

Stellar content, the information gone over is exactly what I think to myself when going through the motions as spies, organized in a really clean manner. And that intro was so clean, dude your content is popping off

[@Succer]

Love your smash content

[@honk1419]

smash 4 lightning kick combos

[@RocketManFran]

0:11 well who’s that handsome chad playing on his iPad? ;) Great video man! Keep up the awesome work!

[@DrFrankenMax]

That Later Alligator opening was THE SHIT good stuff

[@trainershade1937]

10:42 FUCKING TRUE!! As someone who mains "crit magnet", it does really help to play the frail class that is Spy on a server without the instant-death mechanic.

[@mold7530]

The clarinet in the intro was godly

[@IInferno]

The new mic sounds fantastic, the intro was glorious, and as always Hint, your video production, visuals AND points are all presented wonderfully, great video. Stay well.

[@ninjakidkat12]

It took me till the end of the intro to realize what exactly it was referencing. That's some phenominal work, dude.

[@phuocvohuu655]

0:20 [H E I S W A T C H I N G]

[@Small_child_punter]

Spy is something really special. He’s the most unique and nuanced class of any first person shooter. We’re lucky to have him here to study and get better with together. ❤️

[@xobtf2]

My god, that into animation... I'm never gonna get this close to making frame-by-frames with this much character - EVER! Great video! - surprising how much info you cram into a 11 minute video, good job!

[@ethribin4188]

That last point is perfection. This is what spy is for. The same as things like ubercharge. To break stalemates.

[@Jontohil2]

At 5:53 the video froze on the exact frame where you were gibbed to then abruptly play an ad and for some reason that was really funny to me

[@HANKSANDY69420]

*I'm sorry how tf did your comment go unnoticed*

[@justanotherstupididiot]

​@@HANKSANDY69420 he is the spy

[@ivansanchez143]

4:34 One of the greatest jokes I've heard in a long time

[@cryptidtd7294]

A recreation of the Later Alligator opening... that is AMAZING.

[@boneman9751]

Great points, I’d like to add onto the fact that he’s a support class: Spy and medics rolls aren’t too dissimilar when it comes to team comp. You’re power classes effectively have to play like their down a player (this is because both medic and spy get folded in 1v1 combat). Spy isn’t supposed to win the race for his team, he’s supposed to be tying his opponents shoelaces together so his teammates can win. That’s why he has a sapper, a sentry can be the central point of a foothold, a dispenser prolongs and centralizes your teammates fight, and a teleporter keeps you’re numbers up so you don’t get over ran. Spys job is to be able to pull all of this out from underneath the enemy, and cripple them so his team can make a push. Medic is like this but the opposite, he keeps your team alive and has a tool to help your team break through a hold. You’re 100% right when you say that you control the paranoia and chaos when you’re the only spy. And that control is vital. Because when you have control, you make the enemy paranoid and you get to make the necessary picks. When you have 3 spies, you have 3 people who are fighting for that. 3 people who are all gunning to stab that one heavy, and since everytime you turn around there is a spy, their pyro is already onto you all and is ready to drop all 3 of you. Not only are you useless (and this goes back to my earlier point), your team now has to put in 33% more effort/skill each just to compensate for the 3 players they’re down.

[@sheepgrass500]

Why does this not have more views!??! This is so gooood

[@cadesanderson6896]

I’ve never watched your channel before, but that intro earned my sub before I even watched the whole vid

[@tommasogambini9930]

4:25 best line of the century. Im dead💀💀💀💀

[@dtweeb128]

Probably one of your best vids so far and very useful to someone that is very cautious of being the one spy too many.

[@jussijusti]

That music transition at 3:33 is so damn good.

[@LasCosasDeBrunin]

Ok, the intro is down right INSANE

[@PineappleSquuid]

Holy shit that intro animation was good

[@coldbluebrownie]

i kid you not, this is the best intro ive seen

[@theandromedaeffect979]

That intro is a masterpiece, Jesus christ. Later Alligator is so underrated and i’m so glad to see it get some love.

[@DefinitelyMisery]

man, can't believe we got the real alligator on this vid, great job on the sfm shots

[@gabrielfornetgodina]

A strategy that would be pretty cool to pull of would be getting in the base of the enemy team (with the invisibility cloak and taking advantage of hide spots to preserve charge), go to your own base disguised as the enemy spy (using the invisibility cloak wouldn't alert anyone), tell your team's pyro to 'kill' you and use the dead ringer, tricking the team and letting you backstab them by surprise. You could do something similar shooting a teammate spy (disguised as the other team's spy) at a range that he can see that you're the one shooting and make him use the dead ringer, increasing the credibility of your disguise. Although none of this can save you from paranoiac pyros.

[@connormcpherson8793]

Love the Later Alligator reference! Love the jokes! Love the style! But most of all, love your clear love and dedication to this game. Cheerio!

[@elemangell2981]

In terms of editing and pacing this is definitely one of your best vids yet, but OH MY GOD THAT INTRO I FORGOT HOW MUCH I LOVED LATER ALLIGATOR AND YOU PAID HOMAGE TO IT SO WELL

[@electroAM]

Thank you KZbin for bringing me back to this channel exactly once a year so I can watch this top-tier content

[@mikoajczechowicz1652]

I also always felt that spy is better on defense, simmilar to scout. Since in some way when blue is keeping to move forward all to you have to do to get in their back lines sometimes can be just not moving at all. Red is sitting in one place and is more aware as they are "protecting" their ground when blue will make an actual effort to extend their back line for you.

[@alexlloyd5354]

If you ask me the reason why is more on offence, blu is constantly orchestrating something, whether a push or uber or healing. On defense, more players are waiting for blu to make a move, and waiting players are players that can and will spy check.

[@bezzaboyo]

It's easier to play spy on defence, but it's *much* more impactful on offense. The defending team generally builds their strategy around being turtled, taking advantage of terrain and being able to react to whatever pressure the enemy throws at them at any time. If you dismantle a key portion of defenses (such as a sentry nest, removing the medic, killing a couple power classes) then the offensive team can turn that small crack into a canyon and power through (and use their momentum to prevent red regaining a foothold, or at least forcing them to regroup much further back on the map). If you're at the end of the map, then killing the blu team's medic barely does anything other than wasting time, but killing the red team's medic could be a literal game ending play.

[@mikoajczechowicz1652]

@@bezzaboyo Agreed. You speak the truth brother.

[@sl_50]

i rewatched that intro like 12 times just to catch all the little details, amazing work

[@idk_what_im_doing04]

okay, that later alligators opening is insane. Props for the amazing reference

[@donanilao7724]

That intro was so, f*cking amazing with the cameos and references. That's not even to mention that's it's a Hintshot explanation video. So much quality...

[@americantoastman7296]

Oh my god dude I *adore* the intro! Such a great callback. Loved every second of it man!

[@BenTheMelon]

My last comment didn’t sum up how amazing this video was so I wrote another one! But holy shit this is amazing! So many little references! Keep making amazing content!

[@mr.looper7935]

Another point although not readily picked up is team communication. Teams that are proactive in their communication will alert team mates about spys who backed stabbed them, and if the team is cohesive, someone will change class to better deal with the spy. I find this communication increases if the spy is equipped with your eternal reward, as the enemy is more likely to report the spy and their subsequent disguise. But a team that fails to communicate means that you can play spy for longer against such an oblivious players. But this is not something that can readily be picked up unless actively paying attention to your enemies reactions, or you get auto-balanced and know your old team was really good at communicating.

[@Luksed12]

Probably the best video you've made so far. Incredible work. It's obvious you actually know what you're talking about and more importantly - that it's personal. You're speaking from experience and that makes it much more relatable, enjoyable and easier to understand. And of course the production quality was awesome. Keep doing what you're doing. You deserve more subs. Edit: The comedy/humor is on point as well!

[@mccoolfriend6818]

That intro dou Amazing I thought the song that was playing was the spy Ma Petite Chou Fleur song but it was similar amazing

[@hubbzjunkyard821]

that intro was magnificent

[@cook_it]

30 seconds in and that intro is already an absolute banger, damn how are you so amazing XD

[@tubanotuva]

That later alligator intro :) great work

[@jacobbarnett2656]

Ok I’ve just seen the intro and my god that’s got to be one of the coolest intros I’ve ever seen. Very well done!

[@lagplus]

Ya it's a really impressive recreation of the later alligator intro

[@gabestew262]

Intro was absolutely superb. Also felt like i was going crazy - spy has always felt v similar to engineer and his gameplay loop to me. Engineer sets up, repairs, retreats, and sets up. A spy saps or stabs, retreats and tries again. He and engi are the only classes with a selector tool in the 4th weapon slot as well. In the games code, a sapper is considered a building as well.

[@trollmanl8801]

The SFM part at the start is so good, and the rest of the video screams high-quality. Good stuff as always 👌

[@veryloudcat8839]

Great video! The Later Alligator intro was wonderful and the ratio of comedy to info kept the pace going nicely!

[@chimeradev]

The intro itself won my Like. Good Work

[@SwiftBlitz.]

5:26 the demoman mumbling makes this 10x better

[@marcodragon4995]

That intro was godly, ty so much for putting so much effort into it

[@fearanger1]

OH MY GOD that intro is phenomenal! Absolutely stellar!

[@dr.cheeze5382]

Wow, I never realised just how well Later Alligator and it's ost work for a video about spy.

[@thefirstsalty3055]

my god this is well made

[@AzureFoxen]

Another banger from HintShot, I am pleased by this.

[@decca1810]

That intro was one of the coolest recreations I’ve seen done in sfm

[@j-game]

Amazing work on that Later Alligator intro!! That was so good

[@lestevegmbh2637]

This feels like FUNKe came over and helped extensively, im still searching for an appropriate adjective for this great work.

[@nategraham1487]

This is actually facts on god no cap and perfectly describes so many of my grievances with my fave class

[@candlesonfire5195]

this is a really good video. you get all of your points across well, the editing and graphics is on point and every punchline hits amazingly. good job!

[@SiPickle]

the editing is actual gold in this video. that “three literal words” edit was hilarious LOL

[@rivera3312]

This video is fantastic and brings up a lot of great points that highlight spy's importance and viability in both competative 6v6 and highlander, though in different ways. A compitent spy like you said can get picks that single handedly swing fights in sixes with patience and coordination. But in highlander, the best thing a spy can do is sometimes to just exist as the fact that there IS a spy somewhere nearby will always be stealing attention away from the opponents for your sniper or scout to get a pick just in time for the medic/engi to suddenly have to take a mysterious leave of absence

[@IInferno]

The intro alone still gives me chills, well worth those 40 hours.

[@ScoutOW2]

OMFG! That was an amazing Later Alligator reference!!!!

[@snozymandias]

So much effort poured into this. All of that sfm animation, tight script and voiceover. Hope this comment bolsters algorithmic potency, this deserves to be seen

[@frozenover_exe]

I love how so many people are praising the intro seemingly without understanding the Later Alligator reference. Either way, if I’m talking about anything and that game in the same breath, that’s how you know it’s damn good, phenomenal job on this video

[@Beelzebeth]

I instantly fell in love with this video solely for the later alligator intro, the well put together and interesting rest of the video was just an extra bonus

[@naveesomeone1583]

Probably the best spy youtuber for info and gameplay, thx for being a good channel (: (loved the see you later alligator intro, I love how you kept the character of the intro)

[@bombboy3427]

This is a great video lol The editing, the comedy, the perfect execution... Great job man!

[@kjkh3104]

7:50 immediately entered the game as you mentioned and played for over an hour

[@champion99999]

that intro is beautiful, i love all the references to tf2 culture and youtubers

[@sogpen6006]

Intro alone is god tier

[@Teng3Cheese]

That intro was great man, don't think that your effort went unappreciated

[@maush.]

I would have never thought someone would make a later alligator x team fortress 2 reference of all things , both are amazing games and both have delightful artstyle.

[@BlueShellshock]

4:41 I have to emphasize this one, 'cause I had a match just like this. One spy on the enemy team was doing real well and stuffing me from getting my Ubers full charged so we could push two sentries. I made a swap to Soldier in an effort to kill the Sentries, and while he got me before I could do damage, I saw where he was dropping from. On the next respawn, I saw him at the same spot, drop down on my team, and blew him up before he could get his kills. People will grow accustomed to your favorite uncloak and stabbing spots if you use them too often, and while three out of four players won't notice, it only takes the fourth to figure it out to ruin your future attempts.

[@hal0byte]

That was seriously the best intro sequence I’ve seen in a while

[@Mr.Electricc]

Love the use of the later alligator sound track. Such a sweet game.

[@CordyBrush]

Holy moly that intro!! I love low frame animation

[@ArmoredLyonell]

10:38 Just wanna point out that gameplay moment was pretty hilarious

[@wolfcl0ck]

Got this as a random recommendation. Very impressive video (for a dirty little spy main), keep up the good work!

[@kiddosjelken4033]

The Intro was just perfect, great video.

[@timtam4596]

Incredible video, great insight! I laughed when you lost your point about balanced teams while talking about Seasonalander, because I had also forgotten what you were talking about walking those sick picks and chains

[@RatchetSly]

Love that Later Alligator intro! Good video as well.

[@humha7613]

Marvelous work on the intro my dude!

[@Hithere-uz6wd]

5:35 wow that backstab must have felt really good huh? And it's a goddamn miracle... Like how?

[@stressedcatinabox]

Woooahh new hintshot video! Intro alone was amazing!

[@amyrosechaqueta]

That later alligator intro inspired was amazing!

[@gavvvvvvvvvvvv]

That intro was beautiful, chefs kiss

[@Schtaron]

Holy the quality on this video is insane, goodjob

[@Mooseshovel]

I will always describe Spys role as this: Imagine a Scale, perfectly balanced. Spys job is to tip the scales in his teams favor just long enough so his team can build momentum to win the game before letting go of the scale.

[@DodgeThatAttack]

Or you could become a trickstab god and repeatedly slam the scales, before realising that the scales are now going to swing in the other direction as you get slammed by 5 pyros

[@highmedic2351]

“The effectiveness of Spy depends on the other teams experience/skill.” This is true the most for Spy, although you can easily argue that your success as any class becomes much better if the enemy is bad. Even as a Medic, this applies, but also hugely based on my own team’s competence.