TF2 Mann-Conomy Update

[Malakili]

I'm not sure why you're letting other folks' playstyles dictate yours. I snipe on pretty much every map (unless the numbers are whacked), almost regardless of what other folks are doing. I don't see this changing due to the new gear.

Its not about not being able to play the class I choose, its there being so many permutations of loadouts now that you can't really make good decisions about what to do in given situations.  Thats alright to some degree I suppose, but it is a bit of a turn off for me.  One of TF2s very best design choices, which they talk about in the dev commentary, is making the game very readable.  I think the huge number of loadouts has made the game far less readable, and introducing this many new options at once has just multiplied the problem in a major way.  Its one of the problems I have with games with loadouts to begin with.

Basically, I end up with situations in which my reaction to dying was "damn, if I had know he was carrying X, I would've played it different", and given that there is no good way to know he was carrying X, it just leaves me disgusted and frustrated.

This is all probably a side effect of the way I approach games in general though, I don't just play "for fun," (though I find the way I play fun, but whatever, I'm not getting into that argument right now), but I like to analyze, plan, and improve, and to the extent that TF2 updates have made that less and less possible on public servers, the game has become less and less worth playing for me.  Yes, competitive play still exists, but my schedule doesn't allow for much planned gaming time these days, so thats right out.  Perhaps unfortunately, that competitive play mentality remains for me.

Personally I agree that the game was at its best immediately after launch, with no gear and only a few maps.

I problem is I'd have no interest in logging in again ever if it was still exactly the same the game I played three years ago.

I think the second part is where we differ then, I would definitely love a classic server like that.  Heck, even keep some of the mechanics changes like spies recovering cloak from ammo, and engineers being able tp upgrade teleporters and dispensers.

[Strazos]

I still think you're way over-analyzing this. For the most part, the classes still play the same, and this should not change your approach. I suppose some of the largest deviations would be demoknights (just shoot them, assume stickies) and battle engineers (just shoot them, then shoot their gun...or reverse as needed). The classes are by and large still the same (though not identical) as they were at launch.

[Malakili]

I still think you're way over-analyzing this. For the most part, the classes still play the same, and this should not change your approach. I suppose some of the largest deviations would be demoknights (just shoot them, assume stickies) and battle engineers (just shoot them, then shoot their gun...or reverse as needed). The classes are by and large still the same (though not identical) as they were at launch.

We just don't play the same way, its fine.

[Nightblade]

It isn't that any one class is OP because of the new weapons, its that the game has too much diversity now.

 

*shrugs* More isn't always =  better.

Personally I agree that the game was at its best immediately after launch, with no gear and only a few maps.

I problem is I'd have no interest in logging in again ever if it was still exactly the same the game I played three years ago.

I don't know... Im not sure if I miss demomen low spamming grenades that exploded on impact in any circumstance.

[Malakili]

It isn't that any one class is OP because of the new weapons, its that the game has too much diversity now.

 

*shrugs* More isn't always =  better.

Personally I agree that the game was at its best immediately after launch, with no gear and only a few maps.

I problem is I'd have no interest in logging in again ever if it was still exactly the same the game I played three years ago.

I don't know... Im not sure if I miss demomen low spamming grenades that exploded on impact in any circumstance.

To be fair, I'm not even sure if that made it out of beta, if it did it was squashed within a couple weeks of launch.  Realistically I think he was referring to the game prior to the medic update.

[Nightblade]

It isn't that any one class is OP because of the new weapons, its that the game has too much diversity now.

 

*shrugs* More isn't always =  better.

Personally I agree that the game was at its best immediately after launch, with no gear and only a few maps.

I problem is I'd have no interest in logging in again ever if it was still exactly the same the game I played three years ago.

I don't know... Im not sure if I miss demomen low spamming grenades that exploded on impact in any circumstance.

To be fair, I'm not even sure if that made it out of beta, if it did it was squashed within a couple weeks of launch.  Realistically I think he was referring to the game prior to the medic update.

Know what else I miss? Pyros being almost completely useless instead of just marginally useless. Those were the days.

[Malakili]

Know what else I miss? Pyros being almost completely useless instead of just marginally useless. Those were the days.

Like I said, the mechanics changes can stay, leave in airblast.

[Prospero]

The wrangler has also drasticly changed the game, and in my mind, greatly improved it.

[taolurker]

New update live with fixes to Mannconomy items:

Team Fortress 2
General Fixes
   * Fixed an issue that caused some old demos to crash.
   * The server browser now sorts by ping by default.
   * The Trading dialog now starts with the chat window having focus.
   * Fixed a bug that caused overheal to not work properly.
   * Fixed the Sandvich cooldown not occurring when the Heavy is hurt.
   * Fixed the Heavy's hands being invisible.
   * Soldiers no longer maintain their rage level when changing loadout.
   * Alerts now sort on top of achievement status.
   * Prevented a bad state occurring when someone tried to trade with themselves.
   * Fixed a dueling related crash caused by custom scoreboard UIs.
   * Fixed players not being able to set their default FOV correctly.
   * Fixed being unable to equip customized shotguns & pistols on some classes.
   * Improved the explanation of the item set bonus in set item descriptions.
   * Fixed a bug where items with particle systems would show up at the player's feet or pelvis.
   * Fixed the wrench number for the Golden Wrench not displaying properly.
   * Fixed the medal number for the Gentle Manne's Service Medal not displaying properly.
   * Fixed client seeing incorrect message when changing team while participating in a duel.

Economy Changes
   * Added Remove Name and Remove Paint features.
   * Achievement items and store promotion items are now usable in crafting.
   * Gifted items are now craftable and tradable.
   * Attempting to craft a non tradable item will result in a warning that the items produced by the craft will also be marked as non tradable.
   * Community, Self-Made, and Valve items are not tradable or usable in crafting.
   * Changed "Not Craftable" description to "Not Usable in Crafting" to increase clarity.

Item Changes
   * The TF badge on the Glengarry Bonnet is no longer team colored.
   * Restored the missing PDA2 Slot Token.
   * Restored the appearance of the Tippler's Tricorne to the version prior to the Mannconomy Update. This item is now paintable.
   * Added a new paintable hat, the 'Rimmed Raincatcher' that has a new Tricorne style appearance.
   * The Earbuds are now nameable.
   * Duel fixes:
   * Fixed Dueling badges using the wrong texture.
   * Fixed an issue where dueling stats did not show up on dueling badges above Bronze.
   * During a duel, the Dueling mini-game item used to initiate the duel cannot be deleted, traded or crafted.
      * The following hats now allow the paint to affect their color more (colors should not be washed out):
      * The Pugilist's Protector, The Hard Counter, The Bombing Run, Football Helmet, Fancy Fedora, Cowboy Hat, Engineer's Cap, Viking Helm, Respectless Rubber Glove, Batter's Helmet, Brigade Helm, Master's Yellow Belt, Killer's Kabuto, Backbiter's Billycock
   * Dueling Mini-Game now drops with 5 uses.

Weapon Changes
   * The Battalion's Backup no longer gives rage for falling damage.
   * The Shortstop is now affected by tf_use_fixed_weaponspreads.
   * The Gloves of Running Urgently now using the boxing taunt and boxing glove weapons are now of the type "Boxing Gloves" instead of "Fists."
   * Your Eternal Reward no longer disguises the Spy if the victim survives the backstabbing attempt (because of Ubercharge, The Razorback, etc)
   * Your Eternal Reward no longer disguises the Spy if they are carrying the flag.
   * The Holy Mackerel no longer displays a fish hit message when a Spy disguised as the attacker's team is hit.
   * The Holy Mackerel no longer triggers other death events (like achievements or stats mods) improperly.
   * The Sydney Sleeper no longer penetrates targets.
   * The Sydney Sleeper no longer randomly crits.
   * Milk will no longer spray from the barrels of other Scout weapons when switching from the Mad Milk.

[Strazos]

Wow, so the sleeper cannot headshot and just applies jarate...

Think I'll be staying with the stock rifle...again.

[Megrim]

It can crit randomly however, and i've been reading that it also apparently goes through multiple players (if they line up). I'm  not sure i can confirm that though. All-in-all the vanilla rifle is far better for anyone with aim, at least in all but the most specific circumstances.

Helps if i read the notes. WHAT THE HELL, why would you get rid of those. That would have made it awesome!

[Strazos]

Eh, it simply made it competitive. Now, the only reason to use the Sleeper is to get the set bonus, which is still defeated by full-power scope shots.

[dusematic]

Eh, ok I know this is going to seem super dumb but can anyone link me or briefly describe "what is up" with items and shit in TF2?  I got the game as part of Orange Box a long time ago and rarely log in. I like the gameplay, it's crisp, but team based FPS without storylines or friends to play with aren't "sticky" for me. 

So, like, if you kill a dude do you have a chance of getting an item or what?

[Nightblade]

Eh, ok I know this is going to seem super dumb but can anyone link me or briefly describe "what is up" with items and shit in TF2?  I got the game as part of Orange Box a long time ago and rarely log in. I like the gameplay, it's crisp, but team based FPS without storylines or friends to play with aren't "sticky" for me. 

So, like, if you kill a dude do you have a chance of getting an item or what?

Items drop at random during gameplay, you can also get most of the class items through achievements. Also; you can trade with others or just craft your found items into scrap metal to be used in the creation of hats or other weapons.

[Kail]

To be clear, it's not like there's an actual item in the map that you pick up.  It's just that once every hour or so you'll get a new (random) weapon in your inventory (or as Nightblade said you can grind achievements if there's a specific one you want to unlock).  You have a persistent inventory that tracks your weapons and hats and things along with your achievements.

[Prospero]

I'm finally starting to play with the new toys. The new pyro flamethrower is underwhelming, but I'm enjoying the new hammer. The new rocket launcher is pretty damned awesome as well. It's really nice to be able to spam a chokepoint with three rockets to get your health up quickly.

[Nightblade]

I'm finally starting to play with the new toys. The new pyro flamethrower is underwhelming, but I'm enjoying the new hammer. The new rocket launcher is pretty damned awesome as well. It's really nice to be able to spam a chokepoint with three rockets to get your health up quickly.

The new pyro flamethrower is a direct upgrade. The burn damage penalty is only for afterburn; furthermore - if take advantage of the decreased weapon switch time; you can use the axtinguisher without puffing people into a corner. You can weapon heckle with the flare gun / shotgun easily too.

[Prospero]

Are you sure about the only afterburn part? I swear I sat roasting a scout forever.

[Nightblade]

Are you sure about the only afterburn part? I swear I sat roasting a scout forever.

http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Degreaser

The burn is in your mind.

[dusematic]

How do they determine how long until an item drops in your inv?  Does everyone on the server get the same one?  Or is it achievement related?  Or random?

[Samwise]

Random item drops are random per-player; about every hour or so of personal playtime (random interval that's recalculated after each drop) you get a randomly chosen item (sometimes weighted toward certain items, e.g. after a new item update they tend to increase the odds of getting the new items).  There's a cap on how many random item drops you can get per week, something like twenty or thirty, I think.

Achievement-related item drops are not in any way random; when you get a certain class achievement milestone, you will get a specific item that goes with that milestone.  Achievements don't influence random drops.

[Prospero]

On top of the random drops items through seem to be pretty common these days. I think I found 4 items this weekend in 40 minutes between 2 random drops and 2 gifts.

And yes; Degreaser + Axtinguisher is luv.