Denmark’s Anders "F2" Carstensen has deliberated and cogitated on your questions, now bear witness to his pearls of wisdom
In Team Fortress 2’s second stab at the popular Ask series we pinned down Anders 'F2' Carstensen of I Don’t Know? the ETF2L Champions and currently ranked European Number 1 right here at Cadred.
Having cut his teeth with The Imperial many moons ago, Anders went on to find his home at idk? where he has played soldier and more recently medic at the highest level.
Consider yourself lucky that we have tracked down the elusive healer, and even more so that he has chosen to illuminate the shady character we know only as “F2”. So sit back and enjoy his reactions to your myriad of questions.
I don't think it's much of a stretch to say you are a pillar of the TF2 community. You have coded and administrated for the biggest pickup channels most notably #MPUKTF2.pickup. You spawned the legendary gossip.krus.dk which led on to Resupply.eu and then on to VanillaTF2.org.
Where do you find the motivation to do all this and still play at the top level for several seasons?
What is it about the TF2 community that makes it worthy of your time and effort? (Admirable)
Making the community happy makes me happy and that's all the motivation I need. I wouldn't do it if it wasn't any fun. Coding the bot was a great experience for me, it is by far my biggest project. When I did Gossip it was the first place where you could get all sorts of TF2 news in real-time which made it feel like a privilege to write for it. The bottom line is that it is not "work" for me, it is just a kind of productive entertainment.
The reason that I feel this way is probably because I actually play the game and am very active within the community. If I stopped playing I would probably also stop all my other activities within the community.
Was playing medic again for idk? your choice or do you feel you were pushed into it?
Bearing in mind you left Imperial so you did not have to medic, correct me if im wrong... (shifty-)
The reason I left Imperial was because I got bored of playing medic - I stopped to care about how I played and showing up every night felt like a duty. I can't quite put my finger on why I felt this way - maybe it was because we were struggling for months to get play at a div1 level and then 2 days before ETF2L week 1 two of our core players left.
I have always liked playing medic. I'm so crazy that I sometimes play medic on pubs! But in the end it just wasn't fun for me in Imperial and I wanted to try something else. When idk offered me a soldier spot I immediately said yes because I had been mercing for them before and knew they were fun to play with.
After playing soldier for idk for a year I was asked if I wanted to play medic. I had a feeling that I could bring something positive to idk by going medic but I was also fearing that I would get tired of it like I did in Imperial. So I spoke from the heart and said that I would go medic for 1 season and then after that I could decide whether or not I wanted to stay medic.
So in the end it was 100% my choice and with our current team I do enjoy it very much.
Do you think having a 3 scout (JH, Piece, Shintaz) and 3 soldier (Cube, Night, Wai) rotation works? Is it part of idk?'s success or a distraction? (JimmyBreeze)
We almost always play with the same 6 players, so I wouldn't say we have a rotation going. But some time ago we did have 3 scouts and 3 soldiers (which effectively makes 9 different lineups). In terms of skill it is definitely a distraction. If you play with the same 6 people every day you learn how they play and how they think, and that makes your teamplay much stronger.
I feel like when I medic I needle at sometimes the wrong times. Under what circumstances should you ALWAYS needle? Also, blutsauger or syringegun... my friends says blut always but what's your take? (synthos)
I'd say there are two situations where needling can be helpful: 1) When there is no one from your team near you and you want to escape and the other team knows where you are, then you can run backwards while needling. If the enemy doesn't know where you are then you shouldn't reveal your position by needling. 2) If you for example are healing a soldier and your soldier is full health but suddenly an enemy scout/soldier shows up behind you to kill you (the medic) then you might try to needle him because he is unlikely to kill your soldier, so if you damage him -20 that might be deciding factor of whether you survive or not. Generally if you have team mates around you, you should only use needles if they are healthy and someone is shooting at you at close range.
The Blutsauger is better for retreating alone but that only happens rarely. So the Syringegun is the weapon of preference because you have much quicker health regeneration.
How many hats do you own? (IN THE REAL WORLD) (infussle)
Zero. I wonder if more teams would be tempted to go to LAN if it was possible to win hats.
What's your favorite thing about being Danish? Also, do you like pandas in bunnysuits? And if you had a panda, what would you call it? (illii)
Danish milk. Yes. Eyjafjallajökul.
What was it like playing for the old Imperial team that literally nobody remembers? (hykleri)
What clan?
Do you have anything bound to the F2 key? (hykleri)
Nothing - I don't like pushing myself.
Can you feel the love tonight? (cubeth)
I definitely felt something
Where does your nickname come from? (Sturmis)
Many years ago I wanted to connect to Undernet (an IRC network) and call myself F, but since I couldn't do that I just added a 2. It's the only nick I have ever had and I had it for at least 10 years.
We really need more F2 pictures :(
Why don't you be more tolerant about #mpuktf2.pickup2? We need more active players! (BuN)
Instead of being more tolerant in pickup2 I think a better idea would be to be less tolerant in pickup1, especially after TF2Lobby. Maybe put some stricter requirements in pickup1?
Why is it that Denmark has only got 1 good player in TF2? (Tumpel)
All the kids play CS1.6 and all adults don't have time to play competitively. There actually is a decent public community and recently more danish players have been interested in 6v6. There have been some danish 6v6 mixes so maybe there is hope!
Why the obsession in Euro TF2 with the Demo, to the exclusion of buffing others?
Why do Euro Soldiers play so defensively?
Given the choice of a Soldier, Demo and Scout in an equally-weakened state (say, 50%), who do you buff first? (rk-)
The assumptions are incorrect and therefore the questions are invalid.
What games did you play competitive before TF2? Did you play a similar class there and what does this game bring you in TF2? (Exfane)
I played some CS many years ago (when it was in beta) where I played in a clan but it was nothing serious. Other than that, the three games I have spent most time on are Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Rocket Arena 3 and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch. But only as a pub hero. I can't use much of my experience from those games in TF2 except for awareness, a bit of movement and a tactical sense.
After winning this ETF2L season what are your, idk's, future plans? Maybe getting picked up by an MGO? (Exfane)
We just want to keep playing and having fun. We have had plenty of offers from MGOs but I don't see us joining one unless we get an offer we just can't reject.
What was the biggest factor in the change of your team's performance in Season 7 compared to Season 6? (SnowiE)
We played Season 7 with one lineup for the first half and another for the last half. Both of the lineups worked great for us. In Season 6 however we had a very unstable lineup so we never really got into the game. Furthermore we recruited some players for Season 7 that brought great gamesense to our game.
Who is the most attractive player in idk? excluding you? (Minimoose)
Slick, the pornstar.
What in your opinion is the single best quality you bring to your team? (Sparks)
Calling when and where to push. Of course I'm not the only one calling pushes but I do believe that we are faster and more unpredictable when I make an effort of calling.
What is your dream team, with only currently active players? (Sneis)
idk! I could also mention a series of star players but that didn't seem to work out well.
You seemed unflappable this season in those high pressure situations.
Which is your favourite flightless bird? (Admirable)
EMU
What are your thoughts about which unlocks should be banned/allowed? (kattkuk)
I look at the unlocks and ask the question "which of these unlocks truly contribute positively to 6v6 gameplay?" And the answer is: not many. So I would prefer to ban all unlocks and then only allow a few (like medic/heavy unlocks, bonk drink and some others). TF2 with equalizer, TDH and FaN is definitely not a more enjoyable game for me than without those unlocks. And if it is not more enjoyable then why allow them in the first place.
What do you think of TF2Lobby?
Has it distancing itself from the anachronistic IRC taken some of the player base from pickup1?
It seems that pickup1 is nowhere near as busy as it was a few months ago - any idea why? (Jase)
TF2Lobby is a very good way of bringing the 6v6 gameplay to more players - namely those players that don't use IRC regularly (or have never used it). I haven't actually tried it so I can't say anything specific about it.
The activity in pickup1 has indeed dropped a lot, one of the reasons probably being TF2Lobby. Another reason is that I have been very busy lately so I haven't been able to cater for pickup1. I have some plans for my spare time in the Summer that hopefully will make pickup1 popular again.
Do you ever find yourself screaming in righteous fury (or maybe just a little quip) to any of your teammates? (Morphine)
I never insult my teammates. If someone does something that is obviously wrong and it is my impression that he doesn't know about it, then I might explain what he should do instead in the future.
Do you feel you perform better when "keeping your cool" and playing as nonchalant as possible, or when you get more excited and emotionally invested in the game you're playing? (_Bash)
I perform better when I am playing a match that really matters and the adrenaline is pumping. In pcws I don't feel I play at the same level as when I play (important) officials.
Do you like bacon? (Swarley)
Mmmmmmmmmmm.... bacon..
What keeps you playing TF2? (hocz)
There is something about this game and this community that is compelling. Think about it, TF2 has been out for 2.5 years now, there has been a lot of games released in this time and yet the number of TF2 players is rising. There has been a lot of players trying to quit tf2 only to return some months later. TF2 is addicting.
Do you take drugs? (KELViN)
No, I am naturally happy.
How many lines of code did you write and do you feel like that has anything to do with your online prowess? (Akasazh)
One of the files in the code for the pickupbot has 14000 lines (bad coding style, I know, but if it works don't fix it!) There's no doubt that the more lines of code you write the more pro you are. You need to least 4000 lines of code to reach skill 70.
What do you think is the reason for TF2 having almost no major offline events? (Freekje)
It's a new kind of game compared to classic LAN games like CS, CoD, Fifa etc. LAN arrangers and sponsors need to realize how competitive TF2 is and what a great spectator game it is. It sounded like i39 was a great LAN and i40 is going to be three times that, so maybe this is the beginning of TF2 as a LAN game.
Do you ever get bored of playing Medic and wish you concentrated on a different class? (Reece)
It is definitely something I given thought. Playing medic is very different from any other class. You are completely dependent on your teammates' performances and it can get frustrating at times. But so far I have really enjoyed playing medic for idk so it actually hasn't crossed my mind the past many months.
Who is the best Belgian sniper and how much did you pay FB? (SKiNNie)
Did you know that population per km² in Denmark is 125 while it is 335 in Belgium. Pretty crazy, right?
Do you think a lack of enthusiasm/practice/other from top teams in Division 1 helped you win the title?
Not taking anything away from idk? as you're clearly hella skilled, but if Dignitas had practiced more (and without as many mercs) this season, do you think you still would've won? (Abunai)
Dignitas used to beat everyone and if they lost one map it would be an upset. I think that the top teams have matured a lot so I heavily doubt that Dignitas can become as dominating again. It is obvious that if they had practiced more then they would have had better probability of winning but I doubt it would have been instawins for them.
The only previous idk? LAN appearance at UKeSA; only Patrick "Shintaz" P. remains
What should the map pool for ETF2L and other tournaments and LANs be? (Sturmis)
granary, badlands, obscure, gullywash, freight_final1. I do like gravelpit when you play best-of-3-maps but it doesn't fit in well in leagues imo. There are some other promising 5cp maps out there that could be added, like prolane. I think it would be interesting for ETF2L to take 5 safe maps and one 'new' map for the next season, forcing people to practice it. It is really the only way people are going to take a new map seriously.
What part of playing the medic class do you think requires the most skill? (RaCio)
Knowing what to do when ubering and when to use uber.
How do you prepare for big games? Do you spend time away from your PC prior to a game? What keeps you focused and ready? (DouGieBah)
I don't do anything in particular before a big game other than getting myself a big glass of cold milk! I liek milk! But as a team we prepare by reviewing which tactics we want to use against our opponent and discuss which players we need to focus.
Is playing TF2 almost cartoonish at times? and do you find yourself, in matches that are important, wanting to do stupid things? (LancHe)
No, TF2 is as serious as Sam.
Will we see you own up a LAN soon against some top opposition? i40 is hotting up and looks like a few good sides will be there. (LancHe)
idk will go to i40 - hopefully we will have our main lineup there.
Few people know you are also a sick Demoman. Have you ever been tempted to turn your back on your mains (Medic\Soldier) and go for glory as the game's top damage dealer? (Admirable)
Yeah, demoman is my 2nd most played class and one day I plan to join some div7 team as demo. Then maybe later I will join a team I was originally kicked out of.
Who will win the World Cup? (Crasp)
If I knew that I would put all my money on them, profit, and sponsor a bunch of TF2 lans!
In your expert medical opinion, is TF2 dead? (Crasp)
TF2 is more alive than ever!
Do you like Admirable's "I adore you" pretext before everyone of his many questions, or do you think he is a groupie you can use then throw away like the trash you think he is? (Sneis)
Admirable is a pro interviewer - watch and learn
What did you think about idk? dropping from ESL this season? (SnowiE)
We had too many officials so we had to drop from something. That said, ESL makes playing TF2 a challenge rather than a joy. We all know how many crashes the infamous anticheat Aequitas has caused and they furthermore have extremely strict rules. It's not the ESL.TF2 admins' fault though, they just do their job. It's unfortunate for TF2 though - if the TF2 side of ESL was big it could lead to good things.
Are you afraid of dying, just like football goalkeepers? (ViQun)
No, I rarely go backwards for health. If I stay with the team and give them full heals then I am more likely to survive than if I went back.
Who are the 6 most annoying players to play against? And why? (mercu)
Byte for his unpredictable sticky traps. I remember once on gravelpit where he was defending B and he had stickies INSIDE the B house and then waited for like a minute before someone went in there to detonate.
wltrs for his sniping and his two shots as scout.
rybben for their superior teamplay and focus fire
Haunter + Coinz - their rockets are like homing missiles when they jump for me
Which players have inspired your gamestyle, in your opinion? (mercu)
People might laugh but I learned a lot from Kodyl when he played medic in my clan a couple of years ago. He taught me to be aggressive rather than passive and to act quickly when you get some kind of advantage. I also like how agron's aggressive play.
Do you think you guys rely on Extremer and his moods the way the old Power relied on Hymzi and his moods? Are demomen naturally more temperamental or is it just the attention we pay to them that makes them appear like that? (JimmyBreeze)
I think all (top) teams rely on their demoman. But I don't think we rely on him any more than other teams rely on their demomen. I guess playing demoman can be really frustrating sometimes when you don't get cover from your scouts and that could lead to temperamental demomen. I don't think it's an issue in our team though.
Originally published on Cadred.org on Tue, 11 May 2010 19:33:36 +0100 by James J. McDonnell.
Archived from You Asked F2 as part of tf2esports.com's preservation of Cadred.org's TF2 coverage. All rights remain with the original author and Cadred.org; reposted for historical reference.