The Definitive Guide To Dustbowl

dust bowl: n a semiarid area in which the surface soil is exposed to wind erosion

Hello there.

If you're here, it's either because you searched for information about the dustbowl in the mid US in the 1930s, or you wanted to know more about the TFC map Dustbowl, or you were trying to order a bowl to keep some dust in (a recently cremated friend, perhaps).

If it's the US 1930s dustbowl you're after, try this.

If it's the bowl-for-keeping-dust-in thing, try this.

Hang on, you may have stumbled here under the impression it's something to do with bowls, the game. Perhaps yours are dusty and need a clean. For all things bowls related, try here.

Oh, you could also try www.dustbowl.com, but this doesn't seem to have any connection with dust, bowls, TFC or the 1930s at all. How odd.

But, if it's the TFC map Dustbowl, then you're in the right place, because this is where you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about this slice of TFC map heaven. You'll find out how to make the best use of each class, where to pop a sentry up, what not to do, how to spot a spy, and lots of other top tips.

But before all that, it's time to get negative, because this is where I bring a downer onto proceedings and mention what isn't here. Bah, how dull. Well, this isn't a complete guide to TFC, so don't expect a complete rundown of how to play the game. Also, it's mainly geared towards newbies, because Dustbowl seems to attract a lot of these, and they nearly always ask the same questions. If you're a seasoned player, you probably won't find too much here to interest you, but if you're still in those difficult early weeks of Dustbowling, read on.

Right, so what can you find here? Here's what we've got:

1) The Basics - how the map actually works.
2) Class Guide - what to do when playing each class
3) Sentry Locations - The most effective
4) Spy Detection - how to spot a spy easily
5) Rocket And Conc Jumps - mega jumps explained
6) Playing Tips - avoid being a bellend
7) FAQ - Those crucial Dustbowl questions answered
8) A Dusty Pick n Mix - Just some general Dusty bits really.

Enough of the babble, let's get cracking as I explain what Dustbowl is actually all about and prevent you ever having to ask other people on the server 'What the bleedin' flip am I actually meant to be doing on this map?'. It's embarrassing, it doesn't make you look good, and it's just plain wrong. So let's proceed to The Basics pronto (thank gawd for that, says everyone).

A pocket-sized guide to terms and abbreviations used on this site:

TFC - Team Fortress Classic, of course.
DB - Dustbowl
Dustie - Dustbowl
Gren - a grenade
Conc - concussion grenade
Cap - the point you have to take the flag to
Respawn - the area where you restart after being killed
SG - sentry gun
RJ - rocket jump
Fatty - HWGuy
Det - detpack
ty - thank you
Bellend - an idiot
Spam - Lots of explosions or messages at once, slowing down everyone's connection. Makes you a bellend (see above)
FF- friendly fire, a server setting where you can kill players on your own team as well as the enemy.
Bind - binding an action to a key. You may bind the action of firing your gun to the mouse button, for example.
TK- team kill. This is when you purposely or accidentally kill someone on your own team. Do it on purpose and you'll be asked to leave the server, do it accidentally and a quick 'sorry' should calm things down a bit.
TODave - hey, that's me.
MeTa - and that's the bloke who designed and built the site.