Yes, i would say you have to use your mic. Also i don't think people would mind if you don't sound mature because its more about you acting mature.

A microphone is most definitely required. A majority of pugs do not allow you to play if you don't have a mic/don't use it.

Edit: I think the other posters have better information than I do. :P

Nobody should care how you sound, being able to respond to comms is always better than not. Just being in mumble is usually enough though, unless they expect you to maincall.

Don't be annoying, act mature, and play the game and make your calls and do your role and people will be fine with you in pugs.

Pugs need a mic generally. The point is to play actual comp matches where you need the voice communication to coordinate with you team. Usually, you will have to join a specific mumble to play a pug.
At least that is how it goes on pug.na and tf2pickup.net

You could always use a voice changer if you really don't want to be heard. Although it might annoy people if you use a stupid one.

If you're voice isn't mature there probably will be a few dicks that will make fun of you for it. Just ignore them and soon enough they'll stop making fun of you. Make sure not to lash out or anything, you don't wanna be the kid that got mad because someone said his voice was squeaky.

If they think you're a girl gamer just go with it and ask for a hat or something.

You pretty much do need a mic, yes.

As a lot of people have said, you do need a mic. In pugs, communication is a lot more important than in lobbies, since most players play them a lot closer to real match-quality/are higher-level players than in lobbies.

Here's the thing about pugs, though - as long as you actually prove yourself by playing well, or at least making an effort to play well (knowing your callouts, not taking bad contests, working with your whole team, etc) then most players won't mind that you don't sound mature. I've played with kids whose voices haven't broken, or are obviously in their early-mid teens by the sound of their voice, who are worlds better at this game than I am. I'm not going to judge you based on your voice, I'll judge you based on what you show me you can do.

Then again, there are people who will care. They're the minority who needs to get some maturity themselves. Ignore 'em.

once you're really good though you can come in and rage mute and act like a bad ass

In my pug group theres a guy whos 11 and he's a bit annoying. But he's still fun to play with. I really could care less about how you sound (unless you stand 50 feet away from your mic) as long as you act mature. Good luck!

Alright, thanks for the info. I think that I will start with some pugs then :)

You are lucky. Tf2pickup just went back up.
Although I guess nobody stops you from blasting right into pug.na I guess if you can handle it.

I did a pug once, and didn't have the right beta of mumble or something, so I couldn't talk.
People were mad, forced me to play pocket instead of roamer (then complained it was the pocket being unable to comm) and the pug degraded from there.

I'd say people would want you to have a mic, regardless of your voice

you can be banned from tf2mix if you dont have a mic

Apparently there's this deaf guy in power pugs who does not have a mic, and being deaf cannot hear, but he is allowed in power pugs, not many people approve of this but overall he is technically allowed to play.

you can be banned from tf2mix if you dont sign your comms over skype video using the standard ASL signing techniques

Judging by your post it seems that you are mature. The fact that you don't want to upset people shows character. Don't worry if you don't sound as old as must people in the pig.

man, you don't need a mic for pugs over here. someone rents a server, makes a steam group announcement somewhere with the connect string, people join up and invite mates. the only communication used generally is if people in a mumble share the string then fuck around and talk about silly shit.

Mostly they're not too serious but occasionally you get a really interesting game of both teams trying to work together and win with barely a word of communication beyond "pop"

It doesn't matter what you sound like so long as the mic isn't complete shit. If it's about age, you're fine, most people won't be dicks about and those who are will be shit on by everyone else for it. If it's a speech impediment or something, you're still good. But someone who sounds like they're 9, doesn't enunciate, and uses a shitty mic is still better then no comms. Go for it.

Played a pickup with some 13 year old today, he had a bit of a squeaky voice and didn't know where he has to be as roamer and made stupid mistakes I didn't really get angry or w/e because I never do. Just try your hardest and don't go for spy plays or weird stuff like that and you'll be fine.
Everyone started a little insecure at the beginning but most of us are forgiving

for pugging purposes its kind of important to have a microphone, not to be a detriment to your friends but rather to learn a lot more about the game. pugging with better people will teach you discipline regarding comms and foci and other things, and it helps to broaden your horizon so to speak when you play more to learn what kind of comms and teammates you do or don't like so when you do want a team and what your job should be when people ask you to cover x or flank y or kill z.

(not to mention its a hell of a lot easier to make tf2 pals in pugs when no one knows you but you have a distinct voice and good attitude!)

just play #tf2mix or play newbie nights. there are plenty of young guys on there, it's all a learning process, and i have really never heard someone get cussed out on mumble due to their voice unless they deserved it (screaming, homophobic phrases, trying to tell everyone what to do) just sound confident and listen to your team.

If you are young but aren't immature then who cares? There are a lot of young people that clutter comms just because of immaturity then some that just make giant fools of themselves because of it (ahem toaster) so don't be one of those guys and I don't think anybody will care.

The difference between lobbies and pugs are comms. depending on where you go of course.

If people really find your voice itself annoying and/or you just don't want to comm a lot or are self conscious, just comm the important stuff and stay quiet most of the time :)