TF2 Basics - Options Setup

These basic optional settings are considered straight upgrades compared to TF2 defaults:

Enable fast switch to be able to change weapons instantly
Enable console in order to be able to use the ingame console
> Options > Keyboard > Advanced > Enable Fast Weapon Switch & Enable Developer Console
> Options > Keyboard > "Combat" category >\
	\> Click MWHEELUP and then "Clear key". Same for MWHEELDOWN. >\
	 \> This will avoid accidentally switching weapons. Use the keyboard to switch weapons instead (1,2,3,4,5)
> Options > Keyboard > "Miscellaneous" category > Toggle developer console. Choose a key to open the console
> Options > Mouse > Disable Mouse Acceleration and Mouse Filter, Enable "Raw input" (or do "m_rawinput 1" on console)
> Options > Video > Advanced > Move the "Field of View" Slider to 90 (or do "fov_desired 90" on console)

Advanced Options > Combat Options
> Automatically reload weapons when not firing: [ON]
> Fast Weapon Switch: [ON]
> Play a hitsound everytime you injure an enemy [ON]
> Play a last hitsound (killsound) when one of your attacks kills an enemy [ON]
> Display Damage Done as Text over your target [ON]
> Accumulate Combat text damage events into a single number [ON]
> Damage text doesnt prevent overhead effects (eg CRIT) [ON]
[...]
Advanced Options > Class specific options
> MEDIC: Medigun continues healing without holding down fire button [ON]
> MEDIC: Display a marker over the player you're healing [ON]
> MEDIC: Injured teammates automatically call out [ON]
Advanced Options > HUD Options
> Display ping values as text in the scoreboard [ON]
> Use team status display in the HUD [ON]
Advanced Options > Miscellaneous Options
> Suicid	wwwwe after choosing a player class [ON]
> Automatically respawn after loadout changes in respawn zones [ON]

RECOMMENDED LAUNCH OPTIONS
Go to your Steam library - Right Click TF2 - Click Properties - See the "Launch options" field. Copy the following:
-novid -nojoy -nosteamcontroller -nohltv -noquicktime -particles 1 -precachefontchars -console
-novid : skips the intro video
-nojoy, -nosteamcontroller, -nohltv, -noquicktime : Reduce resource usage disabling unneccessary modules related to controllers, SourceTV, and replays.
-particles 1 : Limits particle count | -precachefontchars : Precaches font characters
-console : Opens the console on launch, useful since you cant use your console bind on the main menu.
More info on launch options: https://docs.comfig.app/9.10.1/customization/launch_options/#recommended-launch-options

ADVANCED - NETWORK OPTIONS
TF2 network defaults are notoriouisly bad, adding a full 100ms delay.
To change this,  enable the developer console (Options - Keyboard - Advanced, or "-console" in TF2 Launch Parameters) and paste the following commands in order:
cl_cmdrate 66         // How often your client sends data to the server (per second)
cl_updaterate 66      // How often your client receives data from the server (per second)
rate 200000           // Higher bandwidth limit (bits/sec, avoids choke)
cl_interp 0           // Sets lowest possible interpolation (input delay reduction)
cl_interp_ratio 1     // Ensures interpolation stays at minimum

Special network caveats:
-IF you have a really bad connection you may want a higher interpolation, or leaving the default settings as is.
-IF your FPS consistently drops below 66, you may want to keep cmdrate and updaterate at a lower value like 30.
-IF you have high ping consistently, consider playing hitscan classes for a better experience. Meele also acts as hitscan.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q: My TF2 runs at very low FPS, even with the graphics turned down. What can I do?
A:Make sure to close as many background programs as possible when playing TF2 and install an FPS config to maximize performance. FPS Configs are made up of hundreds of console commands you can’t adjust through the in-game settings menu, in order to optimize game performance. Main FPS Config sites: comfig.app/app/ (most up-to-date) | CFG.tf (older configs)

Q: If I install a low poly mod or a flat textures mod, will that improve my FPS?
A: No. Those mods exist for aesthetic reasons. No-hats-mod may improve framerates but its negligible.