EPTIntro to Tribes Ascend
Tribes Ascend is a fast paced sci-fi shooter. It has the free-to-play model(dubbed pay-or-grind). Pub games are 16v16 but competitive games are 8v8. The only real competitive game mode is capture the flag. Matches can last up to 25 minutes. First team to five flag captures wins. NASL has also stated they are going to get into Tribes Ascend and ESL has said they are going to support it online as well.
Short Overview of the Classes
You can either check my short synopsis of the classes below, or you can check out this beautiful youtube video portraying all of the classes in action. + Show Spoiler +
Light classes
1. Pathfinder + Show Spoiler +
The Pathfinder is the fastest class in tribes. It is the class to capture and chase flags. It is also used to do harassment on the enemy base. I recommend this class if you are new to Tribes.
2. Sentinel + Show Spoiler +
The Sentinel is the sniper of Tribes. Sentinel is all about gunning down and weakening flag cappers and covering friendly flag cappers. This is no easy task, but if you enjoy sniping, then this is for you. In competitive play, you are only aloud one sniper.
3. Infiltrator + Show Spoiler +
The Infiltrator is the sneaking class of Tribes. Think of him as the Snake from Metal Gear Solid. He can turn invisible and is used only for putting pressure on flag stands and destroying enemy defenses.
Medium Classes
4. Soldier + Show Spoiler +
The soldier is an incredibly easy class to learn. But it is not the most useful class in competitive play. I like to compare it to a bad X Wing from Star Wars. It can do everything but not very well. The main weapons for this class is an assault rifle and a thumper.
5. Raider + Show Spoiler +
The Raider is one of the best base harassers in the game. With an incredibly powerful grenade launcher that can shoot three grenades in one second. and a submachine gun to boot, it is one of the best 1v1 classes and is excellent at disrupting enemy defenses.
6. Technician + Show Spoiler +
The Technician is a very important support class in Tribes Ascend. It can place light turrets to control important places on the map, such as the flag stand or the generator. It can also repair important structures such as heavy turrets, sensors, vehicles, and your generator.
Heavy Classes
7. Juggernaut + Show Spoiler +
The Juggernaut is a long range artillery class used almost exclusively to destroy base defenses and clear flag stands from extreme distances. Though quite simple, it is one of the most effective ways to get a timing attack(see what I did there you starcraft nerds 
on flags.
on flags. 8. DoomBringer + Show Spoiler +
This is the best defensive class in the game. I like to relate it to the siege tank from Starcraft. Once it gets a position, that position is not contestable. With a huge chaingun, homing missile launcher, and deployable forcefield that does damage to any enemy that passes through it, the DoomBringer can kill any capper and control important points of the map better than any class, the only problem is getting this fat guy there in time.
9. Brute + Show Spoiler +
I don't really know shit about this guy. He isn't used competitively, and doesn't really do anything better than the DoomBringer or Juggernaut. So I'm just not going to cover him. Don't buy him until you get really comfortable with 2 or 3 other classes.
There is an upcoming newbie friendly tournament to get new players foot in the door for competitive Tribes Ascend. All the majors details are in this thread here http://forum.hirezstudios.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=307&t=68428&p=857853#p857853
But I'll summarize the important details. Signups end by May 13th, matches starts May 20th, 8v8, NA server, we choose what date/time we play. But you have to sign up with a team. But there are not very many low level teams, so I'm looking start a TL.net team :D. If your interested post the information below this. This is for NA players only.
If you have never played Tribes Ascend before but want to get into the scene then this is still for you. As Matches in this tournament don't start until May 20th.
If you are interested in joining us for this tournament please post below the following information.
In Game Name:
Classes/roles played:
Availability:
Have a mic/Teamspeak:
You can download the game and get your free account here https://account.hirezstudios.com/tribesascend/
If any Tribes vets see that I've missed anything please add it below and I'll add it to the OP.
