Wondering if it is possible to start players at a location only for the 1st time spawning, then, having them spawn at different locations for the remainder of the round.

VoodooChild

for 2.0 there was an info_player_initial or something that did that, but now i think you have to give the spawns a master and trigger them on/off. usually done with a flag as the master, but you may be able to trigger them off another way
i miss the initial spawns they were a handy entity

I agree. initial_spawns was really handy. However, the big problem was that somehow pple always continue to spawn in initial_spawns as long as they reconnected or connected. Thus, newly connected players would always end up spawning in areas which strictly shouldn't be the case in the heat of a serious battle where 10 min has already passed. No doubt, Molotov could have done something like a default timelimit before initial spawns dissappear or "remove upon spawn" flag, but i guess now the job is up to the mappers to handle it manually.

I think a trigger with a delay or a timer to alter a Master value which swaps/provides/deprives the spawns will provide you with more control. It's possible to make Allies spawn much later and such by handling things manually. Or provide a certain set of spawn points for only the first 1-2 min of the round. You could have spawns that are active at the first 30 sec, and usually low pingers that connect to the server fast enough can get the previledge of using certain important positions where ping is an important factor. Maybe you can reward a special early-bird with a weapon_strip and a sniper building and a message saying "You are a sniper in this building. Cover the road with the sniper rifle there at the table near the window! Hold them off for as long as possible! We are depending on you!". Once the early bird spawns in that building, he touches a button/capture-area which in turn causes his spawn to turn off....etc.etc thus he is the only lucky one that spawns there. You could give certain early pple special roles, maybe commander roles, forward observer, sniper roles, behind enemy lines roles, sabotage, etc.

Sometimes though, i wish there was class-specific spawns as well. And also a flag called "Spawn with Parachute" in the spawn entities.