Lets clear up any confusion on Steam.
Its an independent platform, you do not need either money or any game in your account to add friends. You do not need the same game as someone else to add them as a friend, all you do is search, add and then wait for them to accept.
Please do not think that if you bought the game from CD Keys, Steam Direct, an other retailer, that you are unable to play against each other. All they provide is a key, its the same for everyone... its a key that validates the installation in Steam (like a DRM) to give you access to the game and its online features.
DO NOT add money to Steam if you just want to add a friend.
Dont panic
Post and search using the correct username (not account name)
Wait for acceptance
Its an independent platform, you do not need either money or any game in your account to add friends. You do not need the same game as someone else to add them as a friend, all you do is search, add and then wait for them to accept.
Please do not think that if you bought the game from CD Keys, Steam Direct, an other retailer, that you are unable to play against each other. All they provide is a key, its the same for everyone... its a key that validates the installation in Steam (like a DRM) to give you access to the game and its online features.
DO NOT add money to Steam if you just want to add a friend.
Dont panic
Post and search using the correct username (not account name)
Wait for acceptance