This is one of the unlockable items that came with the Spy update, functioning exactly the same as the Invisibility Watch in that it toggles invisibility. The main difference with the Cloak and Dagger is that the charge is based upon movement as opposed to time. This means if you stand still, your charge replenishes and vice versa if you fall, it will drain in about one second.
Having a watch that allows you to stay invisible forever standing still, but less mobility means this watch is for locking down an area. In my previous tutorial, I described how the default watch has the best mobility. You kill an enemy, cloak and vacate the area. With the Cloak and Dagger, you kill the enemy, cloak and find somewhere nearby to hide until any persuers get bored.
The best use for this watch is to set up shop in a particular area free from chaos and kill any enemies that go through your zone. If I was using the Cloak and Dagger, I would choose a suitable location that’s between the enemy spawn and the objective as they’ll usually be running in a straight line waiting to get to the frontline.
Two of the most important features on maps for Spies are open space and height. For some magical reason, players never seem to look up. The game takes place in a 3D world, but most of the time people play as if the game is a 2D plane. The general consensus is a Spy with height has the advantage. Leapstabs and stairstabs are two backstab methods that have an extremely high success rate (in personal experience) and they completely rely upon having a height advantage.
As I have a penchant for analogies, imagine a Cloak and Dagger Spy as an eagle sitting in its nest. Find a rock, shelf, ledge, whatever – something you can perch on and observe the surroundings whilst invisible. When the time is right, you uncloak, jump down and kill the target. Immediately cloak and return to your spot.
As a new Spy, you might have more luck setting up camp on a path less travelled by the enemy. For example, if you’re defending C on Gravelpit, most of the blue team will come through A and a handful through B. Find a suitable spot where you can observe and kill the enemy. The Cloak and Dagger trades mobility for a bit more security. I mentioned previously how the default watch is risky due to the potential to run out of cloak if you mis-plan your route or someone else takes the ammo boxes. With this watch, you can simply stand still and let it charge while you stay invisible.
Now that I have pointed out the playstyle for the Cloak and Dagger I will describe some large issues I see with inexperienced Spies. The watch allows the Spy to stay invisible forever, unfortunately the vast majority of Spies I have witnessed with this watch don’t do anything, turning my eagle analogy into a sloth. I would strongly encourage new Spies to use the default watch as it will force you to keep moving and be useful to your team. There will be many times when you might think to yourself “hmmm, there’s a risk if I uncloak now I’ll die”. Playing Spy is a risk as it’s such an underpowered class if you play it like the others, so you have to know what you’re doing. Take risks, it’s how you learn. There have been many occasions when I’ve taken risks and been rewarded with multiple kills. There are other times when I’ve died instantly.
If you choose this playstyle, please be credit to team and not a gargoyle like so many I have seen.
A well written and insightful guide to the Spy and the Cloak and Dagger.
It may tempt me to play the spy some more.