

However, the Heavy is significantly slower than other classes. The Heavy Weapons class is armed with a powerful minigun, and can sustain more damage than any other class. The Medic class is equipped with a super nail gun, concussion grenades and a medical kit that can be used either to heal teammates or expose opponents to a contagious infection that drains health. The original models for the nine player classes. The Demoman class is armed with a grenade launcher for indirect fire onto enemy positions, and a Pipe Bomb launcher for booby trapping places as well as being equipped with a demolition pack capable of opening or closing certain routes on some levels. Soldiers can also make use of nail bombs to cause more damage within close quarters. Rocket jumping, while effective for moving about the battlefield, also significantly damages the soldier. The Soldier class is significantly slower than Snipers and Scouts, but possesses better armor and is armed with a rocket launcher that allows him to rocket jump, along with combat shotguns as sidearms for backup. The Sniper class is armed with a high-powered sniper rifle, and can be used to attack enemies from distant positions. The Scout is armed with a nailgun as well as being able to use caltrops and concussion grenades to slow down and confuse opponents.

The Scout is the fastest class in the game, but is unable to deal much damage in return. Civilians are typically escorted and protected by the rest of the team. In Escort game modes, a player may also choose to play as the Civilian class, which is armed only with an umbrella, no armor and very little health. Finally, each player carries grenades the effects of grenades vary, depending on the player's class. Additionally, each class gets a melee weapon (all classes but the Medic, Spy and Engineer wield a crowbar, a homage to Valve's game Half-Life). Each class comes equipped with at least one weapon unique to that class, and often a secondary weapon which may be common across multiple classes (typically a shotgun or nailgun). In Team Fortress Classic, a player can choose to play as one of nine standard classes. In Team Fortress Classic, a server can hold up to 32 players simultaneously, and matches can be played in a number of game modes, each featuring different objectives. The class-system also encourages players to vary their selection of classes and utilize certain classes in conjunction with one another to gain the advantage. This differentiation between classes makes for rock-paper-scissors-esque gameplay that requires teammates to work together in order to effectively achieve objectives. Each character class has a set of weapons and abilities unique to that class.

Matches in Team Fortress Classic feature two teams, one red and one blue, and nine playable character classes. In the capture the flag map "2fort", a group of blue players attack the red base.
