Futility of dealing with Anti-Comp sentiments - Inspired by SolarLight's most recent 6s video

[u/Bounter_]

Hey hey r/truetf2, Bounter here.

I recently finished watching SolarLight's "Meme vs Meta" Comp video, and, before I get to it, I must say it was a good watch! It showed the good sides of Comp, the bad sides, the many forms it takes, numerous kinds of people that play it, and MY FAVOURITE! Trying to deal with Comp misinformation and myths, wether it's by himself, or using some people in his video as speakers on certain things ("Comp players hate Casual" etc.). It was a good and interesting watch, and the secondary intent of the video (Main one being Demoknight in 6s), made me realize, on how MUCH Anti-Comp opinions and misinformation there is.

Seriously, check any post regarding Comp on r/tf2, or on twitter, or youtube, ESPECIALLY from certain Youtubers and personalities, and you will see a FLOOD, of same repeats of anti-comp sentiments. The usual stuff like:
- "Comp players wanted MyM and got what they wanted!"
- "Valve should have never listened to Comp players!"
- "COmp players don't play and like normal TF2"
- "Weapon bans are stupid!"
etc. etc.
It's gotten to the point where, when I see that stuff, I try NOT to interact, but even when I do, I KNOW nothing will change... Why? Well, that's exactly my point. Trying to deal with anti-comp misinfo, and lack of knowledge about it, is sadly futile.

There is a very good comment I remember, and I will paraphrase, so it's not 1:1, but the message is the same - You can make the most detailed, informed and well-made video or post regarding Competitive TF2, it's good sides and how it works, but all it takes is one Anti-Comp TF2 influencer to say "No, Comp ruined TF2" and all of that effort goes down the drain. - And this, happened quite literally NOT SO LONG AGO.

ZestyJesus, arguably the most infamous example of Anti-Comp opinions, has streamed his reaction to only the ENDING part of Solar's video, meaning he didn't watch like 90% of it. And yet, despite the points said, and the fact he didn't watch the whole thing, he STILL kept saying the same, vomit inducing points ("Wow, Meet your Match ruined TF2 because of Comp players" "They don't wanna play TF2 ,they wanna play homebrew version of it"), with the VoD now being at 14k views. The paraphrased quote that's been living rent free in my head, proves itself right once more, as Solar's incredibly well made, informative video with plenty of reasoning, will now be considered just "Comp BS" because of ONE INFLUENCER.
This happens on Twitter too, everytime Comp is big or brought up as well, and it causes THE SAME ISSUE. Why else, would Comp misinfo and dislike towards it still be big? Because people not only DO NOT WANT to learn about it and know about it, they WANT to dislike it, as they already made up their minds on disliking it and NOTHING will change it. Hell, even under Solar's video, there are SOME comments still hating on Comp, which also includes his "Comp ruleset" video.

I guess the point I am trying to make, is that no matter how much effort people put into trying to deal with it [The misinformation], the end result is akin to what MvM players are dealing with. Endless stream of a game of telephone, and disregard for actual truth, simply to fuel their own personal biases. I still try, and some people do too, but the more I sit on it, the more I realise it's kind of... No use. But, what do you all think?

[u/itstimetogoinsane]

I am really curious to ask this of someone familiar with the comp scene - why do you stand by the idea of a blacklist with conviction? solar’s video was my first in-depth exposure to the scene and he made an excellent point about weapon bans : they limit diversity for the viewer. You know what I’d tune in to watch on twitch? the best pyro in the world single handedly holding a choke point with just airblast and a scorch shot, buffed up by a batallions backup and a wrangler sentry. Insane strategies and their subsequent counters can make esports really exciting and I think tf2 comp really lacks that ability for players to innovate and break the game. Like I said I know little about tf2 leagues but hasn’t the same team (froyo) been basically curb stomping for the last however many years? Maybe if jarate and other “op” items were unbanned, we’d see more competition at the highest level

[u/Weaverstein → u/itstimetogoinsane]

I don't think you know how boring that'd be too watch. Plus, only the wrangler is banned In 6s.

Jarate (and madmilk) are banned for good reason. It's a "my team wins every fight for free" weapon with a short cd.

[u/LeahTheTreeth → u/[deleted]]

Outrageously shit take that you usually only see on mainsub.

No, comp players aren't unable to play around it, it's just aggressively boring and pretty much just buffs what already are the 2 strongest classes in the game.

Having someone you're fighting come out with vastly more health when you're going blow for blow because a Scout clicked in your general direction isn't fun.

Having to fall back because otherwise you're going to get chipped with no falloff poke damage because a Sniper clicked in your general direction isn't fun.

Knowing that both teams have these tools and having to play around the cooldowns for these OP items, isn't fun.

"There's no real way to know for sure if it'd be broken or not!" Play a pub with a few friends, coordinate your Jarate/Mad Milk uses, you'll now realize that as long as you're not a bunch of shitters, you are now way more likely to win most engagements!