Team Fortress 2 Beta

[FadedOasis]

Apparently, the changes for TF2β are being made for competitive and public use, so I figure we can start discussing them. This is the Steam thread about it, and below are my thoughts on it. I've quoted all the confirmed information in the thread, so the only real reason to read in there is to look for updated info.

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Looks like they're trying to get rid of scripting. *cough THANK YOU VALVE cough*

> There is now a menu option that will reload all clip-based weapons when enabled - however, this feature currently is in the testing phase and may get tweaks.
This means +reload is staying in the form of a GUI menu option

> The heavy appears to have gotten a KGB replacement of sorts that makes him go around pyro speed when their out. This would explain the "vanguard party" achievements that were popping up earlier.
> The heavy's minigun cone has been tightened; however there is no confirmation whether this change will remain permanent.
> There are going to be changes to the sandvich. However, these changes are still mostly in the planning phase.
Cool, Heavy sorta needed a boost.

> There are improved particles to show when players are using Kritzkreig more easily.
lolparticles

> As of the moment the Sandman reduces the scout's health to 95 and returns his double jump. There are planned changes to the stun mechanic, but none have been implemented yet.
> FaN knockback has been adjusted significantly; it now knocks back targets based on damage and distance.
Cool, a nerf to the always-far-too-annoying griefer scout.

> Pistol scripts will apparently no longer work. The pistol fires every 0.175 seconds at its maximum rate as opposed to .1 seconds
> Pistol now fires at the rate of 1 shot per 0.175 seconds while holding down attack button
There will no longer be a need for pistol scripts, since holding the button would be the new fastest firing rate.

> The engineer is receiving a wrench that allows him to build his buildings faster. It does not allow him to upgrade them and repairs them at the same rate as before, however.
Okay, I can see where this would be useful, I guess it works.
...
Alright, I gotta say it. WOO ARENA ENGIE IS AWESOME

> The spy is apparently getting not one, but two suits. However, it is currently unsure if both suits or just one will make it past the beta.
> The first suit is as heard of before, giving the spy 90% damage reduction from flames and takes the place of his revolver.
> The second suit is also geared against pyros, but its effects and abilities are currently unclear
Very interesting, drop the revolver for pyro-resistant suit.

[Whatsit]

I heartily approve of all the above changes. Especially the heavy stuff :)

Actually I found this the most interesting;

There are some proposed changes to the demoman and soldier's self-damage; however no specifics are available as of yet.

I'm guessing that they'll increase the self-damage somewhat, which should do a good job at improving close-range classes' chances against them. Currently soldiers have far too easy a time fighting scouts and pyros.

Maybe something like; soldier takes full damage from his own rockets if they directly hit an enemy, and 65% of full damage if any enemy is damaged by the explosion? That way he still gets to rocket jump, and isn't too disadvantaged when shooting the ground near close enemies, but can't just shove a rocket down the throat of people at close range.
Maybe that's too harsh. In any case, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.

[blasty]

The spy stuff is absolutely useless. The only time i could ever see them being helpful is in a 32 man pubby with pyro spychecking every inch. Giving up revolver is fail

[phevnil]

What Blasty said. Some of the other changes sound nice though.

[brianblack]

Are the spys still ignited? Can they still be axetinguished? These matter. Like now.

[atenthirtyone]

As long, I keep my ability to turn off most of the game's non-required graphics (FPS script), I'll be happy. I play with a LOLaptop so I need every way to improve my FPS as possible.

Also... YEAH, COMBAT ENGIE!

[blasty]

Aug 11, 2009 22:58:22 GMT -5 brianblack said:

Are the spys still ignited? Can they still be axetinguished? These matter. Like now.

Not really. Almost no one will use it

[pneuma08]

Yeah, I dunno about the spy stuff, but I do recall a large group of people going, "The Dead Ringer's going to be too obvious, it won't help at all, and no one will use it..."

If it makes them immune to pyros...that can be conditionally useful. I don't know what pyros will be able to do against them, so the whole team has to be more vigilant. It may be interesting, but I'd have to try it for myself.

[Whatsit]

If I had to guess, I'd say that the suit just prevents spies from being set on fire, but they still take full damage from the initial flames, just like pyros now can't be caught on fire.

That might sound less than useful, but don't forget that setting people on fire is currently a great way of detecting spies. The suit will mean that pyros will never really know for sure if teammates are spies just because they don't light up after a quick puff of flame.
Also, the suit would make the dead ringer about a million times more useful around pyros.

[Whatsit]

On the other hand, ninja's can't catch you if you if you're on fire.

[rhench]

Dan McNinja, you crazy man.

[Jeziah]

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