Competitive Formats

6v6

See 6v6.

6v6 is considered by most to be the most highly competitive format, being ESEA's favored format, and as the playerbase is arguably more structured. The format utilizes class limits of 2 on all classes save for Demo, Medic, Heavy, and Engineer, which have a class limit of 1. 6v6 is mostly played on 5cp maps.

Highlander

See Highlander.

Highlander (Also known as 9v9) is another popular form of TF2. The format is mostly played in UGC and ETF2L, though IGL and ESA have shown interest in it. The game is played with class limits of 1 for all classes, with far more lenient weapon bans than 6v6 in most cases. Highlander is played on payload, KOTH, 5CP, and A/D maps.

Other

4v4, 7v7, 8v8, and ADS game modes should be fleshed out here.

Offclass 6v6

A format popularised by the Kritzkast Lo-fi Offclass Cup, where a 6v6 format game is played, but with the Scout, Soldier & Demoman classes being banned from competition. (Video)

Prolander

Prolander is a 6v6 gamemode where each team has, at most, one of any particular class. The gamemode promotes prolific switching between classes as certain situations call for certain resources. Most commonly, a team will run one each of Scout, Soldier, Demoman, Medic, and have two extra players switching between utility classes.

Ultiduo

Ultiduo is a competitive format consisting of two players on each team, usually a Soldier and a Medic. The objective is similar to King of the Hill, capture and defend the point from the opposing team. To win, you must run down the timer, which is done so by capturing the point. Since this gamemode consists of only a Soldier and Medic, it is heavily reliant on deathmatch skills.

BBall

BBall is often considered the "bar pool" of TF2, as many high and low level players across different leagues play it, and little infrastructure is needed to start games or tournaments in it. The game is played on a replication of a basketball court, with the intel being used as a ball. Players must use a combination of rocket jumping and DM to take the ball from their opponents, and jump into (on top of) their hoop while holding it. The ball initially spawns in the center of the court. When a side scores a point, the intel spawns near the opposite sides hoop, giving the team (to most recently lose a point) an advantage in the next play. The majority of weapons are banned in Bball, usually save for the Original, and in some cases the Escape Plan and Gunboats. There is usually a two-second respawn timer to encourage faster paced gameplay.

MGE

The only established form of one v. one competition in TF2, MGE is a mod created by Lange that offers players the chance to play 1v1 games where the first to twenty frags is the winner. In particular, the format is popular among Soldiers, and, to a less commonly, Scouts and Demoman. It is used both as a common form of practice, and as a competitive format in and of itself; as of July 2013, ETF2L runs a monthly MGE cup powered by AVerMedia. There are multiple populated MGE servers in all regions where players can practice their skills for use in various other competitive formats.