uh, need help.

[Hoovy Wepons guy]

Here's the thing, I know how to map ok, and I can, but I have no idea how to design a map at all.

so yeah how do you and i know this is probably a hard question to answer in the first place.

maps I want to do are koth_, 5cp's and pl_ eventually.

 

[McLovin]

crash's design theory video (take note of viaduct formula)
valve developer wiki article on payload (dated, but still may help you)
valve developer wiki article on tf2 in general

these are p much the only resources i know of. there was a forum thread on here years back asking about "why don't we post more design / gameplay theory articles for new players?" and iirc most people answered by citing how vague "theory" is. truth is, best way to learn is to examine maps you like, maps you don't like, recreate what you like in the editor, playtest, get shit on, and improve. it's hard to vocalize what makes a map work.

 

[nesman]

https://tf2maps.net/threads/tf2-mapping-link-resources.22471/ the literal bible of tf2 mapping

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/TF2_Design_Theory

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Payload_Design_Theory

 

[JackHundeswald]

best I could say is look closely on the fun existing maps. For example, on Koth, I've noticed that almost all koth points have some sort of cover, like on Lakeside, Viaduct, Nucleus, etc. The ones that lack this, like Brazil, compensate with other things like the high ground, but are generally less appealing