TF2 Update is out

[RandoM51]

[-]December 11, 2008 - Team Fortress 2 Update Released

Updates to Team Fortress 2 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The specific changes include:

Team Fortress 2


The Engineer's teleporters can now be upgraded to level three. It will recharge faster the higher level it is

The Engineer's dispensers can now be upgraded to level three. It will give out metal and heal faster as it is upgraded

Spies will be able to recharge their cloaking ability by picking up ammo off of the ground or from health cabinets

Some changes to the second part of the first stage of Goldrush to give the attackers more of an advantage

Any weapons that fire bullets (shotguns, sniper's machine gun, heavy's minigun, etc.) can now break apart the Demoman's stickybombs

The icon on the HUD for a person calling for Medic will now give more information to the medic (if the target is low on health, on fire, etc.)

Added an achievement tracker that will allow people to choose specific achievements that they are trying to get

There is now a custom icon for death messages when the player was killed from a critical hit

Added a new particle effect for when a player enters the water

Added smoke to the feet of a rocket jumping soldier

Players will now have some particles swirling around them so other players can see when they are overhealed


Another demoman nerf, have to continue gimping the skill classes while upgrading the classes you can play by running around with your fire button pressed. Engineer buff very needed/nice, spy buff sounds interesting too.

[Wackman3000]

Did you get a chance to tinker with it yet? We played for a bit tonight and you can really cover ALOT of ground as a spy without the need to be nearly as sneaky/resourceful as before.

Only played engie quickly, but the level 3 teleport has practically no spawn time, and you can really crank out the units.

As for the demoman, I find even though they can shoot them, when it's frantic people rarely do. Most of my stickies are usually around tight corners or above ceilings where they can't be seen/shot.

[axion]

So does shooting the stickies blow them up? Or did they just make it so EVERYONE can push them around?

[Disgustipated]

Wow, those engineer/spy changes are huge! Makes me want to play... must... resist.

[tombofsoldier]

Woo, let's make engies and spies even more powerful! I'm glad I stopped playing this... bleh.

[J Arcane]

Any weapons that fire bullets (shotguns, sniper's machine gun, heavy's minigun, etc.) can now break apart the Demoman's stickybombs

OH for fuck's sake. Was this even remotely necessary?

[Spectre-7]

So does shooting the stickies blow them up? Or did they just make it so EVERYONE can push them around?

They disappear with a little flash, just like when the Demo dies.

[Ink Asylum]

Well, it looks like the Demoman is going to have to babysit his stickies if he uses them to defend a cap point, since now every class can easily remove them. Utterly lame.

[Wackman3000]

Oh, they actually disappear? That's totally fucking lame.

[Heresyte]

I haven't played this game in a year. I really liked playing Demo when it was first released, but afterwards every time I played him he had changed and I never knew how I was supposed to be playing. My windows drive is currently fubar but hopefully I can fix it and try this game again next week.

[Arphahat]

Meh, the demo planting a bunch of stickies and being able to wait endlessly was lame. If the other team has enough time to clear all the stickies, demo's team has earned the loss.

[Lint of Death]

If the other team has enough time to clear all the stickies, demo's team has earned the loss.

I'm with Arphahat on this one.

[Deadend]

I don't think the sticking being destroyable is bad, but I do think they should explode when shot.

I can remember running down a hall and seeing a sticky mine in the middle of the floor and not being able to do anything about it if I was not the right class.

I also used to try and put my sticky mines out of easy LOS for the other team. This just means stickies are now going to have to be placed sneaky style.

[Ink Asylum]

I don't think the sticking being destroyable is bad, but I do think they should explode when shot.

I could live with this. Would force the shooting player to be a bit more careful and hang back from the stickies. Just having them poof out of existence means they can stand in the trap and easily shoot at them.

[Lint of Death]

Having shot stickies blow up would create some TKing/griefing opportunities that would be really obnoxious when exploited.

[Ink Asylum]

Having shot stickies blow up would create some TKing/griefing opportunities that would be really obnoxious when exploited.

Easily fixed by having the exploded stickies become damaging only for the player that blows them up.

[axion]

Easily fixed by having the exploded stickies become damaging only for the player that blows them up.

But then you'll have one guys sacrificing himself so the rest of his team stays unharmed by the stickies.

[BrassGecko]

Easily fixed by having the exploded stickies become damaging only for the player that blows them up.

At that point, you might as well have it just stay as is. If the demoman notices the number of deployed stickies decreasing, he can blow the rest. Either the person will be in range and get hurt or killed, or the demo should have been sneakier or stayed close by in the first place. It changes how the demo plays a bit, but it's hardly made him worthless.

Edit: One thing I just realized is that this could make turrets much harder to kill. The standard uber-demo practice for groups of turrets is to shoot all 8 bombs and then detonate them as the uber wears off. If there's someone near the turret shooting them as they land well as increased metal and health coming out of a leveled up dispenser, that might not work so nicely. Then again, the pyro could already airblast them, and it's usually pretty hectic when that's all going on. I guess we'll just have to see!

[roboninja]

Level 3 Teles and dispensers you say? I may never play another class again.

[Ink Asylum]

But then you'll have one guys sacrificing himself so the rest of his team stays unharmed by the stickies.

Only if they're standing in the sticky pile. It's not like people don't already sometimes stop to shoot the stickies from afar. Except before it just scattered them where as now it would explode them. The range of the stickies is not so great that you'd have trouble shooting them safely.

[Ink Asylum]

Level 3 Teles and dispensers you say? I may never play another class again.

You definitely need to check them out. The upgraded dispenser at least also has model changes to look bulkier with additional readouts.

[Wackman3000]

The demo change really doesn't effect my play style for him since I usually kept stickies in hard to see places and corners. And from what I saw last night, most people still don't bother with actually shooting the stickies since they are still inclined to shoot at moving targets, not ammunition on the ground.

Besides, if you aren't placing your stickies in clever places, you need more practice! Only time stickies are visible for me is when I've already been spotted and it's the desperate "shoot stickies whist mashing mouse button 2" technique so I can get the fuck outta there.

[Ink Asylum]

It'll take a little while to see how this shakes out. I don't think most players read the patch notes as closely as we do, and even then it takes a little time to incorporate changes into your playstyle. I'm sure there are spies out there running past ammo because they haven't internalized that you can grab them for stealth.

[Lance Uppercut]

I'm loving the spy buff. Cloaking has never been so easy, now!

[Wackman3000]

Ya, it really does just feel like an easy button for spies who aren't crafty enough to sneak around behind enemy lines. In a quick test yesterday I managed about 7 kills per death and could literally just sit behind them cloaked.

[Ink Asylum]

If it really is too easy I'm sure Valve will scale it back. They did something similar after the extra health for the backburner made Pyros too resilient.

[RandoM51]

But then you'll have one guys sacrificing himself so the rest of his team stays unharmed by the stickies.

...uhh, hasn't that been a valid tactic since day one? :D

The only real change in play I've seen from this so far is that you can't leave your stickies in one spot and then go fight somewhere else with regular bombs. IMHO, there were already plenty of ways to deal with stickies, giving the stealthy spy and the speedy scout easy ninja caps on top of it doesn't make much sense to me.

[MagGnome]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.

[Rogue_hunter]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.

We still play TF2, when the server isn't screwing up because of the hosting company. Buy it, make sure you have a microphone, and join us on Thursdays.

[J Arcane]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.
Frankly, I've sort of written it off, and things like this are exactly why.

I expect a little more consistency and stability from my FPS games. THe constant cycle of ptaches and nerfs and buffs in TF2 now reminds me a little too much of MMOs.

I still pop in every now and then, but I often wind up regretting it. Last time I played was a specatacular example of what I'm talking about: I was playing better than I've ever played TF2, but it wasn't doing me a damn bit of good because they'd apprently nerfed the crap out of pyros since I'd last played, so even though I was finally getting into the class, unfortunately I was getting into a version of the class that didn't exist anymore.

THe last time I had an experience like that in a game was when I logged back into my Warlock in WoW after 6 months.

[LordDon]

Mag listen to Rogue, not J Arcane.

[BLeeP]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.

Team Fortress 2 is probably the greatest online FPS ever. Pick it up and play late (because no one else plays as late as I do so I get no CoG action 8-().

[Lint of Death]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.

A lot of us who got the game when it prereleased over a year ago, myself included, are still playing. Even if it's less than we used to, the fact that we've played it for a year and several months straight - for a long time it was near-daily - is a good endorsement I think.

I also believe that when the next class update comes out (for the Scout if you're curious), we'll be playing a lot more again.

EDIT: And in case you haven't, make sure to watch all the special videos they've released for the classes, since they're free and ridiculously funny.

[Ink Asylum]

Apparently there's a TF2 sale going on, and the game is only $10. If you don't already have it it's a good time to pick it up.

[Telefrog]

Apparently there's a TF2 sale going on, and the game is only $10. If you don't already have it it's a good time to pick it up.

For $10, even with the somewhat lowered playercount thanks to L4D, it's a great bargain. If you don't have it yet, get it.

[Shadowstorm]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.

Dude, go for it! I thought you already had the game. Definitely go for it. $10 is a steal.

I as well as many others still play the game daily.

[Arphahat]

Although, getting the whole Orange Box is still a better deal, at ~$30. If you don't have Portal and HL2, ep1, ep2, get that instead.

[Disgustipated]

Is this game still worth playing, and are there a lot of COGers who play? I only see you guys playing L4D now, so I'm not sure if everyone has moved on from this game or not.

I ask because it's 1/2 off on the weekend deal, so I thought about picking it up.

Definitely get it. Or the Orange Box. Too much awesome for such a cheap price.

Also, to the whiners: what makes you think the game will stay the same forever? It isn't "over"; they've still yet to introduce all of the class updates. Let's take a wait and see approach before we cast down TF2 as undesirable.

[Lint of Death]

Also, to the whiners: what makes you think the game will stay the same forever? It isn't "over"; they've still yet to introduce all of the class updates. Let's take a wait and see approach before we cast down TF2 as undesirable.

Actually the only complaints presented thus far in the thread are precisely because the game changes as much as it does. Not that I agree with them, I'm just sayin'.

[MagGnome]

Dude, go for it! I thought you already had the game. Definitely go for it. $10 is a steal.

I as well as many others still play the game daily.

I do have the game, on the 360. That was a mistake. :p

I've been thinking about picking it up for the PC for ages, along with the rest of the Orange Box. I couldn't justify it though, since I had already dropped $60 on the 360 version.

Someone on here was kind enough to gift me Half-Life 2 and Episode 1, so I figured that sooner or later I would buy the rest of the Orange Box. TF2 for $10 seems like a steal, so I'll pick it up and hopefully catch you guys online. :)

Although, getting the whole Orange Box is still a better deal, at ~$30. If you don't have Portal and HL2, ep1, ep2, get that instead.

Actually this might be the way to go for me. I need Portal, Episode 2, and Team Fortress 2, and it sounds like it would be cheaper to just buy the Orange Box again instead of buying them piecemeal.

Just what I need - more games to play. :p

[Disgustipated]

Actually the only complaints presented thus far in the thread are precisely because the game changes as much as it does. Not that I agree with them, I'm just sayin'.

I get what you're saying, but at what point does everyone want the game to remain static? Pre-Pyro ownage, post-Pyro nerfage? Etc...

[LordDon]

Actually this might be the way to go for me. I need Portal, Episode 2, and Team Fortress 2, and it sounds like it would be cheaper to just buy the Orange Box again instead of buying them piecemeal.

Just what I need - more games to play. :p

Do it Gnome! I'll make sure your health is always topped off!

[MagGnome]

Do it Gnome! I'll make sure your health is always topped off!

Now here is an offer I just can't refuse. I'll buy it the next time I'm on Steam, and I look forward to play with you guys.

[Scaryfaced]

Now here is an offer I just can't refuse. I'll buy it the next time I'm on Steam, and I look forward to play with you guys.

If you join in on Thursdays, you probably wont even be the worst player on the server. That position is saved for me playing a Scout and the whiner pubies.

[KingGorilla]

I get what you're saying, but at what point does everyone want the game to remain static? Pre-Pyro ownage, post-Pyro nerfage? Etc...

I think there are people who would like the fixes and updates they think are needed. The TF2 team is working from a calendar, so some of the updates or fixes that may still be there are not being addressed so much.

Also, how long has it been since a new map?

[RandoM51]

I get what you're saying, but at what point does everyone want the game to remain static? Pre-Pyro ownage, post-Pyro nerfage? Etc...


Reminds me of the great CS version debate, to 1.6 or not 1.6, that is the question.

[Libuke]

I like the changes valve has been making. To use randoms example I think Counter-strike was the best in the early days when it was just a mod and they were adding new weapons and maps with each update, it made it new and dynamic with new stuff to look forward too. I suppose many would disagree as so many still play it in 1.6 relatively unchanged for however many years.

[Wackman3000]

The thing with TF2 is that although they make changes, I find it never quite changes the overall gameplay of your average map. With the abundance of classes to choose from, even if a certain class had major changes, there will still always be a suitable counter attack for those new abilities or changes.

[Glark]

The latest update makes attacking on Dustbowl a real challenge. I've noticed since the update that clearing out the loading dock (the classic SG placement of choice) on the first point of the 3rd leg can be a royal pain if an engie or two sets up level 3 teles and dispensers in there (and puts a fall back SG deeper in the loading dock near the teles after you take out his first placement).

I wish more servers would keep the default respawn times. Fast respawn screwed up the balance before this patch and quick teles just make it worse. Makes spy runs to the enemy base to take out tele entrances pretty important.