TF2 - Christmas Update

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Brand new teaser comic posted on the blog (http://www.teamfortress.com/truemeaning/)

Looks like Engie and Pyro aren't going to be forgotten this go-around.

[Revising Ocelot]

It's one of those Grocket things. Like the one that delivered the PewPewLaser Soldier weapons a little while back.

[Doc ock rokc]

Oh god...Why do I think the pyro sitting like a little child is so funny. Its just so morbidly wrong its cute.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

This pleases me!

I've gotten back into playing pyro lately. Pissin people off with degreaser puff 'n flare action hasn't been funner. Gonna be watchin this update like a hawk.

on fire.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Oh god...Why do I think the pyro sitting like a little child is so funny. Its just so morbidly wrong its cute.

Pyro always struck me as a child at heart. Mind you, the kind of child who burned ants with a magnifying glass.

[Arcanum]

Pyro always struck me as a child at heart. Mind you, the kind of child who burned ants with a flamethrower

FTFY

[Aldurin]

Nah, I think the pyro just dumped gasoline on the whole yard and then threw a molotov cocktail into the middle, and only took up the flamethrower when he became more refined about it.

[Loyal]

Well, this certainly didn't take long. (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2288983)

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Man, I didn't even notice until I saw the bubble-less images on the artist's DA that Pyro has their brain slug with a Santa hat sitting there. This thing just gets cuter and cuter.

[Seil]

SNEAKY SNEAKY PYRO TIME!

[Yrcrazypa]

This makes me happy, since the pyro is the only class I really play now, since I'm awful at all the others.

Also, I haven't gotten a new worthwhile pyro weapon since the degreaser, which was over a year ago now.

[Ryong]

This makes me happy, since the pyro is the only class I really play now, since I'm awful at all the others.

Also, I haven't gotten a new worthwhile pyro weapon since the degreaser, which was over a year ago now.

I hope it's good enough to make me stop using the Gas Station Attendant set. Because holy fuck, I suck at using the Powerjack ( goddamnit I wish I had the original Powerjack ).

[PyrosNine]

Pyros is a pyro and I totally sit like that all the time! Except when it makes my feet go to sleep and then someone wants me to immediately start running after something, like a jerk. One time, someone punched my foot when it was all tingly and I was all "GAH!"

I wish I had a nice new flamethrower for christmas, as I"m still stuck with the default. I don't play enough to get a nice chance at a Backburner drop.

Also, the Pyro likely built his flamethrower at age 5, whereupon he used it whenever lamer kids used a knife and flint, or a zippo, and he never sets fire to Pyros's creatures, because fire ants are cool.

...but if the Ants just happen to be a marching on his driveway while he was mowing the lawn like a boss (with a flamethrower) than it was just collateral damage. Like most of his teammates!

[Doc ock rokc]

I wish I had a nice new flamethrower for christmas, as I"m still stuck with the default. I don't play enough to get a nice chance at a Backburner drop.


I have a few in excess if you want one. I also have a spare degreaser

[Doc ock rokc]

New ITEMS (http://www.teamfortress.com/australianchristmas2011/)
Pyros stuff looks interesting Im curious about the Third degree and the man melter.
The Eureka Effect though looks like a downgrade to me...

[Kerensky287]

Eureka Effect looks like a fucking godsend for defending engies on the final point.

Looking at you, Dustbowl.

Meanwhile, the Phlogistinator sounds really fun for my playstyle. Might even make the Detonator useful if the blast can grant you some quick Mmmph.

The Third Degree seems gimmicky, especially when the Pyro has such great alternatives as the Axtinguisher, Powerjack, and Backscratcher, but that model is pretty cool.

[Arcanum]

The Third Degree seems... interesting. Though I'm not sure how often a pyro will be attacking a medic+something combo with an axe instead of with fire.

e- And yeah the Eureka effect seems like it will be vary in effectiveness depending on the map, the current point being contested, and even your playstyle. And depending on the speed of the teleport it can be used to save your life and avoid a long respawn.

[Doc ock rokc]

I think with the Third degree You can attack a Heavy and hurt the medic as well. Making it so if you ambush correctly and hurt them both you hurt them twice as much.

[Arcanum]

Yeah that's what I think it is and that it also works the other way around, where attacking a medic will hurt who he's healing. It could be used to try and stop the medic from healing in order to save himself, giving your team an opening to kill the heavy. But really if I see a heavy I would rather use an Axtinguisher.

[Ramary]

Plus it, chances are, stacks with the 100% crit thing from the new flamethrower.

So, hit heavy, one shot medic. Die for the cause.

[Doc ock rokc]

The thing that gets me though is Medic BEAMS as in plural. Does it mean you hurt entire medic chains? or does it mean that the medic gets a new medigun? or will it effect him in AMPUTATER healing

[Kerensky287]

Just realized that the Engie teleport wrench has excellent synergy with the teleporters themselves. Herp derp.

Basically, the end result is you get a buff to nest construction, but a nerf to nest relocation.

[Ryong]

Well then, that settles it, Gas Station Attendant set no longer obligatory for me.

[Ramary]

Yeah I am really liking these new items.
In theory. Not sure how they work in game yet.

[Doc ock rokc]

Then again Everything works in Theory.

[Ramary]

I am not sure if you always had that location this whole time, I could just not been paying attention.

[Arcanum]

Plus it, chances are, stacks with the 100% crit thing from the new flamethrower.

So, hit heavy, one shot medic. Die for the cause.

Ok, yeah, considering the combo with the new flamethrower it's a lot better than I thought. Plus if you ambush properly you can kill both the heavy AND the medic, since it takes, what, two or three axe-crits to kill a heavy? (it's been a while since I played TF2, let alone axtinguished a heavy).

edit- Haha, yeah Doc had that Location for a while now.

[Ramary]

I takes 3 hits to take down a fully overhealed heavy.

[Arcanum]

So if the Heavy isn't paying attention you can take him down. Otherwise he's gonna be pretty hurt and minus a medic. Either way I'm liking the look of this new combo simply for its anti heavy+medic abilities.

[Doc ock rokc]

this just in Competitive TF2 has already deemed that all these weapons are Overpowered

No one is surprised

[Ryong]

There will be nerfs, probably. Also hidden downsides, like with the previous Grordbort weapons.

Still: Hey, some guy had an idea for a "pyromania" gauge that worked nearly the same as the "Hmmph" thing, so, hey, props to that guy on SPUF.

Edit: Guys, Hmmph would be crazy with anything. Backscratcher does 244 damage on a crit, Powerjack would make you a fuckton harder to kill for as long as the Hmmph lasts and there are people close to you.

[Doc ock rokc]

Maybe Hmmph works only with the Flamethrower? Or it could be hard to build. The lack of airblast is a HUGE downside though.

[Ramary]

WIIU WIIU WIIU WIIU WIIU

WATCH OUT, IT IS THE NO FUN POLICE.

I hate "pro" gamers sometimes.

[Ryong]

IF it works with everything: No airblast, have the ability to engage murder mode every now and then is totally worth it.

IF it doesn't: Situational crits, requires you to not suck, doesn't involve as much ~skill~ as backburner crits, fair enough?

[Aldurin]

I like the look of this new set, particularly how the new pyro gun encourages you to actually put out fires on your team mates (when does that ever happen normally?)

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

I just hope the new flamethrower doesn't operate like the Sodapopper. I'd prefer to choose when to unleash the mmph.

[Jagos]

WIIU WIIU WIIU WIIU WIIU

WATCH OUT, IT IS THE NO FUN POLICE.

I hate "pro" gamers sometimes.

Have any links? Also, I love the Third Degree.

[Doc ock rokc]

Check out the Steam Forums Usually the ones with 5 stars calling bullshit and doing REALLY bad arugements are Competitive members. The place has become the Competitive's Bitching point ever since a few Comp members became admin there.

[akaSM]

Hey pros, shut up and take your competitive gaming out of my hat game! :argh:

[Arcanum]

Oh shit. Hop to it boys and girls, especially if you want enough random crap to be able to craft the new loot.

Just because the update’s coming tomorrow doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be playing RIGHT NOW, because guess what: Double drop rates start tonight! They’re only around until next Wednesday, so get in there and take advantage of all the double dropping!

[Doc ock rokc]

After finals I can play
Otherwise I can not say
it doesn't matter any way
I have tons of stuff I can craft away
...
Shit that rhymes

[Loyal]

I just hope the new flamethrower doesn't operate like the Sodapopper. I'd prefer to choose when to unleash the mmph.

For the record, Soda Popper only builds Hype when it's actually out. Run around to build up Hype till it's almost full, then pull out one of your other weapons till you see someone you want to shoot.

I'm curious about the Engineer's new gun. Since it has nothing but upsides listed I can only imagine its function is entirely dissimilar to the Shotgun - like how the Shortstop doesn't have any listed stats but nonetheless behaves differently from the Scattergun.

Also curious about the exact specifications of the Third Degree Burn. It's kind of vague. Does it transfer all the damage, or is it more of an even split? Does "all players connected by medic beams" mean every single enemy player who happens to be on the giving or receiving end of a medic gun, or just the ones connected to your target?

[Aerozord]

personally I haven't looked forward to new weapons in awhile. The game is becoming a balancing nightmare and valve only keeps putting things out to encourage sales. There is a point where adding things starts to hurt your product instead of helping it and TF2 reached that a few updates ago.

I dont want to argue it, its my opinion. The completist in me just hates the continual updates making it impossible for me to have anywhere near all the weapons. The gamer in me dislikes the inability to rely on certain support from certain classes which is especially hard for a generalist like myself. Then the developer in me just continually groans at how much of a mechanical and artistic nightmare it is becoming. Should be playing a game for fun not for a compulsion to get more stuff.

Though to their credit atleast its actual weapons instead of more worthless, character design violating, hats. Thats right I said it, from a critical point of view TF2 is less for including hats at all.

[Doc ock rokc]

personally I haven't looked forward to new weapons in awhile. The game is becoming a balancing nightmare and valve only keeps putting things out to encourage sales. There is a point where adding things starts to hurt your product instead of helping it and TF2 reached that a few updates ago.

I dont want to argue it, its my opinion. The completist in me just hates the continual updates making it impossible for me to have anywhere near all the weapons. The gamer in me dislikes the inability to rely on certain support from certain classes which is especially hard for a generalist like myself. Then the developer in me just continually groans at how much of a mechanical and artistic nightmare it is becoming. Should be playing a game for fun not for a compulsion to get more stuff.

Though to their credit atleast its actual weapons instead of more worthless, character design violating, hats. Thats right I said it, from a critical point of view TF2 is less for including hats at all.
Its cool that you think this because people like you help soldify and verify various aspects in the game.

I on the mean hand Like new weapons and seeing rapid adaptions I utterly hate how many games slowly become boring and predictable because everyone uses the EXACT SAME LOADOUT. There is rarely experementation past the 5th month when all the statistical data is secured and everyone is using the Highest damaging loadout. TF2 though is consantly changing. Sometimes I love the changes bringing about ways to not only change stratagy but the way players think in specific roles. Some weapons even got me hooked on classes I hate (like the sandman got me into scout and the Original DR addicted me to Spy)

but I can see what you say about hats. But honestly to me ITS COSMETIC IT DOESN"T MATTER. If i hate a hat I can replace it's textures with transparent ones. very rarely do they actually contribute more then a better target to the head. but then again it doesn't have to.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

For the record, Soda Popper only builds Hype when it's actually out. Run around to build up Hype till it's almost full, then pull out one of your other weapons till you see someone you want to shoot.


Goodness me, I had no idea how it worked! :I

What I meant was, and it really shouldn't have had to be clarified, was I hope the new flamethrower's mmph is activated through an alt-fire, unlike sodapopper's hype. The time it takes to switch weapons is a wasted opportunity to use the gun to its best effect. I can see why they did it, doesn't mean I like that they did it.

As for the game additions: I'd prefer not to see TF2 suffer stagnation. Variety is what is keeping TF2 alive, that and going free-to-play. Nonetheless, a person can be just as effective using vanilla weapons as someone who isn't because new weaponry is balanced around never negating the effectiveness of said vanilla weapons.

Plus, weapons and hats give a means of community participation. Is silly to accuse Valve being focused on making money. Of course they are. They're a business. Businesses are in the business of making money and in this case that business is gaming. Don't forget that the players who make hats, accessories, and weapons that get incorporated into the game get a split of the proceeds off of any purchase of their item. Hell, if I had the wherewithal and programs on hand I'd make shit too in the hopes of seeing players wear something I made. Same applies for the map makers with stamps. But hey, that's just my opinion on the other side of the spectrum that Doc Ock Rock touched on.

Also, I like hats.

Hats are a merc's romance.

[Doc ock rokc]

OI! I like hats too! I don't think they are critical. However I do know how to make them. I just am A) not good at it and B) lacking the time to improve and submit.

[Locke cole]

The new flamethrower will probably activate Mmmph via right-click, since it has no airblast.

[Aerozord]

Its cool that you think this because people like you help soldify and verify various aspects in the game.

I on the mean hand Like new weapons and seeing rapid adaptions I utterly hate how many games slowly become boring and predictable because everyone uses the EXACT SAME LOADOUT. There is rarely experementation past the 5th month when all the statistical data is secured and everyone is using the Highest damaging loadout. TF2 though is consantly changing. Sometimes I love the changes bringing about ways to not only change stratagy but the way players think in specific roles. Some weapons even got me hooked on classes I hate (like the sandman got me into scout and the Original DR addicted me to Spy)

constantly changing isn't good. If the game is balanced, there is no perfect load out. The more they add the more likely that there will be some ideal setup because as you add more there is more to balance against and combinations to consider.

but I can see what you say about hats. But honestly to me ITS COSMETIC IT DOESN"T MATTER. If i hate a hat I can replace it's textures with transparent ones. very rarely do they actually contribute more then a better target to the head. but then again it doesn't have to.
I think this (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/extra-punctuation/7071-Darksiders) details my issues but since its bad form to let someone else argue for you.

The article uses TF2's original character design as an example of good character design. Though can see why altering it would be bad.

Two major points. First is game play effect. Especially in class based first person shooters being able to quickly and accurately figure out your opponent is key. That from a distance you can easily identify that target on the other side of the map as an enemy sniper. By adding and changing their appearance, especially the silhouette like a hat does.

The other is the more artsy importance of a narrative. Valve is very good at telling a story through visual design. This kind of kicks it in the balls. The vast majority of the hats now dont tell us anything about the character or the setting, they are just silly hats. I know not everyone cares about art aspect of games, but when perhaps the only example of visual design in a first person shooter is flooded with gimmicky hats that undermine one of its strongest features, the medium is lesser for it.

I do get your point, the disinterest, it was one I used to share. But as I grew to care more about gaming I learned how things like this are bad. When the most sought after (and I assume highest selling) "feature" of a game are accessories that do nothing but harm an otherwise excellent aesthetic

[Doc ock rokc]

constantly changing isn't good. If the game is balanced, there is no perfect load out. The more they add the more likely that there will be some ideal setup because as you add more there is more to balance against and combinations to consider.
Thing is even on a perfectly balanced game. There is always the "preferred" loadout the one that fits a playstyle so often used or fitted to your needs that it is demanded in every situation. Nearly every game has this. You see it plastered all over the net. The "one two punch" in bioshock, the noob combo in halo, various others. In tf2 there is change and sometimes its bad but most of the time it builds on gameplay and tips the scales just enough that everything that was stagnate now has to improve. And yeah some times there will be the ideal set up in tf2 (dr enforcers to show a example) but usually there will be another change that will throw even that for a loop (the new engie shotgun).

(respond to rest after sleep)

[Arcanum]

I like the constant flux of TF2. Yeah it might be game-breaking at times but I get bored of stagnant games. Halo, Gears of War, those shooters devolve into the same thing every match (Battle Rifle or DMR + power weapon dominance for the former and gnasher fuckfest for the latter). Meanwhile in TF2 I can completely change my style of play just by switching up a few weapons, despite there only being 9 classes.

Sure it can be rough for people who don't have all the weapons, and that's probably the worst part about all of it. I actually just got lucky earlier today and a Persian Persuader dropped for me, completing my weapon collection (of course as soon as the new update drops I'll have new items to chase after). Hopefully they do more of these double drop rate events over the next year.

[Locke cole]

Seriously looking forward to some of these weapons. The Eureka Effect sounds like it's gonna be amazing for an entrenched defensive Engie. Being able to zap to Spawn for another 200 metal on demand is going to be great once you set up a Teleport to your base.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

The manmelter is going to put a kink in my puff puff flare sting funsies. Nothing like cornering a scout and finishing off with a flare

[Doc ock rokc]

I think this (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/extra-punctuation/7071-Darksiders) details my issues but since its bad form to let someone else argue for you.

The article uses TF2's original character design as an example of good character design. Though can see why altering it would be bad. Yes yes Yahtzee talking about Joe Mad's loud character design. I have read that before. (he didn't read the FUCKING MANUAL explaining both the arm and the loincloth)

Two major points. First is game play effect. Especially in class based first person shooters being able to quickly and accurately figure out your opponent is key. That from a distance you can easily identify that target on the other side of the map as an enemy sniper. By adding and changing their appearance, especially the silhouette like a hat does.There is NEVER a hat that completely changes the silhouette in such a manor that you can't distinguish between two classes (minus DISGUISES which is their whole reason of being). Not a single one. You still can from any distance distinguish a Scout from a Heavy Even with the most Silhouette changing hats. I have never seen anyone say, "Fuck I didn't know I was facing a heavy/medic/whathaveyou because of that hat!!!!!"

The other is the more artsy importance of a narrative. Valve is very good at telling a story through visual design. This kind of kicks it in the balls. The vast majority of the hats now dont tell us anything about the character or the setting, they are just silly hats. I know not everyone cares about art aspect of games, but when perhaps the only example of visual design in a first person shooter is flooded with gimmicky hats that undermine one of its strongest features, the medium is lesser for it. Your probobly just looking at promotion materials and not you know looking at the actually good hats created from the community that have a lot of love care and thought put into them and fit and fill various anesthetics. Yeah there is some gimmicy hats that don't fit but the fair majority fit in perfectly.

I do get your point, the disinterest, it was one I used to share. But as I grew to care more about gaming I learned how things like this are bad. When the most sought after (and I assume highest selling) "feature" of a game are accessories that do nothing but harm an otherwise excellent aesthetic
again the aesthetic is still there and kicking. its got some tid bits that don't fit but otherwise its still there and kicking.

[rpgdemon]

What the heck sentence fragments. Don't sense.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Aw shit son, Part Deux is live (http://www.teamfortress.com/australianchristmas2011/part2.html)

[Kerensky287]

Oh geez, I thought those holiday items were just modelswaps at first. Turns out they do real stuff, some of which seems pretty freakin' cool!

Spy-cicle seems like the Newbie Spy's best friend, with its temporary flame immunity. It teaches people to flee after a failed attack attempt, too. Very nice.

Looking forward to trying the Wrap Assassin, too, and depending on how the Holiday Punch works (laugh-taunt, or just laugh-sound?) I could see some serious Spy Heavying going on.

EDIT: New comic (http://www.teamfortress.com/asmissmasstory/) features Scout in fancy suit; Spy being responsible mentor figure; Soldier spreading holiday cheer.

[Loyal]

I'd guess by the lack of damage on crits that the laughter is an incapacitating taunt.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/6821/whateeq.png appears to be one of the items in the Nice crates.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Aaaauuuuugh, I closed out of Steam to try and reboot it and now it isn't reconnecting.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Nevermind, fixed.

[Locke cole]

I want the Spy-Cicle. If there's anything that's a death sentence when I'm playing Spy, it's getting tagged by a Pyro. I'd gladly give up 15 seconds of Knifey time in order to escape from that.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Uuuuuuuf, I feel so dumb for crafting my metal and token into a medic hat right before the update. Especially since all I got was a Gatsby :C

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

the pyro weapons...so good. so GOOOOOD. Have yet to get a kill with the new axe, but the sound effects are awesome.

when on ground you taunt as you activate it the mmph. so brotip: jump and activate it for great justice

[Doc ock rokc]

Something Fucked up and I have to verify my TF2 files...So See you on monday

[Ryong]

For whatever reason, my TF2 now keeps stuttering. People on the server I was were complaining about it, too. Anyone got the same issue/know how to solve?

[Loyal]

Weapon demonstrations: Pyro, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rekFQQeCU8I) Spy, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HnWS_0vX-E) Engineer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6s3EjCf38s)

[Ryong]

"blah blah the new flamethrower is pretty terrible because you have to charge it for crits first and it encourages W+M1" it encourages playing decently enough not to kill yourself all the goddamn time, which happens to people who just W+M1! Also "why help people, there's no point about crits" don't use it and hear people complaining about fire the same way they did when backburner didn't have the airblast.

Also, Hmmph crits only working on Flamethrower: If they worked on the shotgun or melee, you'd be pretty much unstoppable. Backscratcher crits kill everything but overhealed soldiers, heavies and buffed up demoknights in a single hit, everything else in two, powerjack would give you a ton of HP...

Granted, meleeing like crazy like that is a reward for, y'know, getting in melee range but the pyro would turn into a complete murder machine.

Seriously, what I see with this flamethrower and the pistol: Set two people on fire, start attacking someone with the flamethrower, space+M2 when the bar charges and then rampage with the flamethrower. Pistol lets you extinguish teammates in the same range as airblast ( maybe a bit more, don't know ) and, for melee... Well, it depends, I'd say it's either backscratcher or powerjack. Wonder if the axtinguisher crit counts as fire damage, that'd be crazy.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Achievement items are currently bugged it seems. I got the Moustachium bars when I don't even own SpaceChem.

[Revising Ocelot]

Frontier Justice is enabling infinite crits. Again. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r0iE0l0JwM)

[Arcanum]

-Fixed the Frontier Justice getting infinite crits
-Fixed a problem that would allow Pyro Mmmph to activate in the air without taunting
-Fixed Manmelter getting crits from Mmmph
-Fixed an exploit with The Eureka Effect and The Phlogistinator where the effects could activate without taunting in high-lag situations
-Fixed the Brown Bomber not showing up on the Demoman
-Fixed client HUD crash
-Fixed colors on Christmas lights for the Blue team Scout weapons
-Fixed a bug that would cause minicrits when switching weapons rapidly
-Steam Workshop zip file size limit has been increased from 4 MB to 10 MB

Welp no more jump Mmmph-ing.

[Locke cole]

I'm not sure why the Phlogistinator needs to force a taunt before tripping it.

Then again, it's like a combination Sandvich/Steak that doesn't lock you into your melee weapon...

[Revising Ocelot]

I'm not sure why the Phlogistinator needs to force a taunt before tripping it.

Then again, it's like a combination Sandvich/Steak that doesn't lock you into your melee weapon...

Because an instant on-demand full heal would be overpowered. That's exactly why Sandvich locks you into NomNomNom OmNom (or two seconds worth of equipping and tossing sandvich for a half heal).

Buffalo steak Nom time should be shorter, in my opinion. Same with Dalokohs, although it'd still be useless.

[Arcanum]

Oh just so everyone is aware: I will trade my kidney (or something in my inventory if that's more your thing) for a Spy-cicle or a Nice Crate, so if you have a spare of the former or want to dump the latter, let me know.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

I'll trade a vital organ* of your choice for the Outback Intellectual.

(* read, hats)

[Ryong]

I'd like the new flamethrower or the new pyro pistol. I'll trade...A bunch of stuff.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Disregard this, got what I was looking for.

[Kerensky287]

The new pyro flamer is kinda cool, but it won't really be worth using until they remove the taunt that activates Mmmph. Make it an instant effect like uber and you've sold me, but having to stop for 5 seconds while the Pyro does his little dance means that you basically lose any windows you might have had to do serious damage.

It takes a little while to fill anyway, and the damage boost isn't enough to risk a kamikaze attack. It feels like it indirectly buffs the Detonator a bit, since immolating whole groups is a surefire way to fill the gauge quicker, but Flare sniping works just as well if not better. It fills the bar in two or three hits.

Losing airblast is too serious of a drawback at this point, and you'll never fill the bar in a single life without Flare Gun or Detonator, so I recommend against it until a buff comes.

[Locke cole]

Speaking of buffing the Detonator, they increased the size of flare jumps by a bit.

[Arcanum]

When you could still jump and activate without the taunt I would see quite a few people just wrecking everything with it, since the instant-heal and crits made it ridiculous.

Also, judging from FkxV0quu444 you have a massive damage reduction during your taunt, so if that's the case then I think it's more than fine the way it is.

[Kerensky287]

Yes, you have massive damage reduction, but this is a weapon designed to give you a short (but sweet) offensive boost. Giving it a 5-second deploy time is absurd, especially if you can be backstabbed/outmanouvered/fled from during that time.

They should give you a different set of stats, maybe, to compensate for the lack of any delay. Minicrits instead of crits, perhaps, and high regen instead of instant heal. But a speed boost would be cool too - it's basically Pyro super mode, and he trades the fucking AIRBLAST for it. It needs to be worthwhile.

[Arcanum]

It's two and a half, three seconds tops. It's not as horrible as you're making it out to be.

[Aldurin]

http://www.nerfnow.com/comic/image/649

[Arhra]

What are you talking about?

That man uncrated SASCHA, wearing only CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

If Heavy knew what that man has seen, he would be dead man.