NOTE: This guide does not include items received by preordering or purchasing other games, as these items require money to be spent externally. This guide will list every item that can be earned without needing to pay or wait for a drop and how to get them.
Fortunately, Team Fortress 2 holds a wealth of free items that are tied to achievements or timed events that can be obtained by both premium and free players. This is a problem for some players, as some of them have no way or are not allowed to spend money in the game. Free players cannot craft cosmetic items, and have a limited drop system, making hats and other cosmetics almost impossible to obtain without paying.
The Über Update also implemented a system to differentiate free players and premium players who had spent money on the game. With this change came an influx of new players ready to try a great game which was now at no cost. Team Fortress 2 became free-to-play with the release of the Über Update on June 23, 2011.
