Respect the Melee.
Many of you will remember this phrase, yet for others who have been cursed to stumble in the darkness of this "competitive" era of TF2 these words may be completely alien. While our people have made great strides to push back against the perverted ways of round limits and unjust nerfs, and even as the spirit of Quickplay grows stronger by the day, our efforts to restore Team Fortress 2 to it's rightful glory remain far from over. There still remain those who would see our once great pastime reduced to nothing more than another soulless "hero shooter". Heretics who reject the holy RNG and instead cling to their falsehoods of "predictability" and "skill". Tyrants who would impose class limits and enforce a meta that is antithetical to the very foundation of this glorious game. It is for this reason I now chronicle the teachings that were passed down to me in hopes that future generations may kindle this fading spark of joy so that it may yet again grow into a raging inferno of bliss. That from the ashes of match making may once again rise what was known to one and all as The Most Fun You Can Have Online.This will not be a guide on melee combat. Rather it is a code of conduct that will provide you as well as your opponents and teammates ample opportunity to sharpen your skills and have fun doing it.
1) Fight with honor
If you encounter an enemy with their melee weapon out, draw your own. Should they switch to a ranged weapon you are free to respond in kind.
2) Accidents happen
If you shoot a melee wielding enemy by accident, don't panic, quickly switch weapons to signal that you've realized the error of your ways.
Optional: If you have the means to heal them, either with a sandvich or by allowing them access to a nearby health kit, allow them an opportunity to top off before dueling. If no such means of healing are available you may instead permit them the first strike against you before continuing as normal. Some opponents will engage without a hint of fear despite already being wounded making this step optional based on the given situation.
3) Respect the Melee
Never knowingly fire on a melee duel. If you see a one-on-one melee fight, do not interfere. Either go about your business or stand aside and observe. Should the player from the enemy team emerge victorious you may engage them for round 2 at your discretion. If you encounter a melee-based team fight you may join it.
Noteworthy exceptions:
Demoknights
Due to their increased melee range, passive explosive/fire resistances, and charge attack crits, Demoknights are expected to be capable of fighting enemies who use ranged weapons. If you wish to melee fight a Demoknight do so at your own discretion.
Combo Pyros
Unless an Axtinguisher Pyro backs away after igniting you to allow the afterburn to wear off as a signal that they hadn't realized you had your melee weapon out, shoot them. Even if they square up for a fair fight be ready to shoot them anyway as most Pyros are batshit insane and will fight dirty.
Spies
Similar to Demoknight, Spy is far more dangerous than the average class in a melee fight. Due to the very real possibility of accidental facestabs, intentional trickstabs, and the nature of Spy's role in the game, you are under little to no obligation to melee duel a Spy outside of a Spy-vs-Spy knife fight.
By taking these rules to heart you will die horribly. You will get crit. You will throw matches on the last control point. You may even succumb to overwhelming guilt and kill bind over shooting an unarmed mann.
Yet by upholding this code of honor you will transcend the limitations of the scoreboard. You will overcome the monotony of the meta. You will spit in the eyes of those who would bridge the gap between casual and competitive play by forcing their ways upon all players.
Instead though the thrill of battle you will come to understand The Crits. You will discover the true power of your melee weapon as more than a utility item to gain passive effects from. You will become the missing link between tryhards and friendlies. You will help restore the balance that once made this a game that everyone and their medic gf could enjoy.
You will become the true spirit of Team Fortress 2.
