New TF2 update: Soldier goes sci-fi?

[r0kle0nZ]

The new weapons are cool and all, but what about the least cared for classes? Does the Engi even have a set? Hell how about someone makes some really simplistic design for a new shotgun? Tired of my choices being limited to my Strange Shotgun and V. Frontier Justice. Also, unrelated sorta but, I would want a new sticky grenade launcher or a another bow. How about a "long bow" longer range & better damage, but 2-3 Seconds longer pull back or something. That's what I want to see.

 

[Amishdemon]

That charge function is Overpowered as shit. They are really hard to reflect as well. haven't seen the pistol yet.

you can't reflect them at all that may be why its so hard

 

[Baneat]

The projectiles seem to travel a bit slower than standard rockets, and they're a lot easier to spot, and therefore dodge. The Mangler's charge shot takes up all five normal shots, so using it requires you to reload immediately after. Add to that the fact that you cannot hold a charge...it fires as soon as the charge is full. Pretty easy for enemies to move behind cover by then and cause you to waste it.

So yeah, the biggest upside to these weapons is never running out of ammo. Well, that, and the kill animation is quite satisfying. They are still outclassed by the black box and buff banner/battalion's backup in many situations, however. Really depends on preference.

Same speed or I'd be missing my airshots with it
Maybe harder to spot without the contrast of the black projectile
You're fine not to use the charge at all
It has no crits, but controlling minicrits is more valuable at range

It fires 5 rockets
It fires 5 rockets
It fires 5 rockets
You can disable sentries and go in with a shotgun, with other people you can just pretty much sap sentries
It has a situational, very powerful charge attack
It's a laser gun

Did I mention it fires five fucking rockets!?

That charge function is Overpowered as shit. They are really hard to reflect as well. haven't seen the pistol yet.

you can't reflect them at all that may be why its so hard

You can reflect the mangler but not the bison.

 

[Amishdemon]

I have to know, what do the levels mean? Whats the difference between level 1 and 30.

on the weapons absolutely nothing but on the engines building the higher the level the better the are at doing what they do

 

[Hungry Donner]

Screw that, I wanna see more Demoman stuff that isn't all melee focused. Srsly, wtf.

I can understand stickybomb variants being difficult to develop and balance - but having just one alternate grenade launcher?

Everyone has at least three options of their primary weapon except the Demoman and Engineer. I understand that "primary" weapon is a bit more nebulous with the Engineer, but clearly it needs some care as well (I like the idea of some alternate buildings).

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

I have yet to venture into TF2, but that stuff looks way too powerful. It's mainly due to the Mangler's pro -- mini-crits and disabled buildings with each shot.

 

[Caffeine Rage]

I have yet to venture into TF2, but that stuff looks way too powerful. It's mainly due to the Mangler's pro -- mini-crits and disabled buildings with each shot.

You're a bit mistaken about the mangler.

Those pros only come into effect with a changed shot and not every, single shot. A charged shot requires a full clip, and a three second spin up in which the Soldier runs at a vastly reduced movement speed. Also, the shot automatically fires. So it takes some good timing to be able to pop out from around a corner, just in time for the shot to fire.

I just don't see this weapon as over the top as some others claim it is. Building up a charged shot is VERY visible; you also have a long reload time before you can fire another charged shot. Plus, Pyros can still reflect the rockets/lasers from the mangler. But, it will still likely end up getting nerfed. Which coincidentally is what it looks like the Soldier is charging up when he pumps these new guns.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Valve stopped caring about aesthetics when hats happened.
Go lsiten to the developer commentary. They spoke about how they took care in making TF2 look good and fit together. They've trashed that.

Only partially. They specifically talk about the character's silhouettes being vitally important, and they're still largely intact. Though I won't deny that the game's look is more...crazy nowadays. Some hats fit, a lot of them don't. Luckily the gameplay is still going strong.

I have yet to venture into TF2, but that stuff looks way too powerful. It's mainly due to the Mangler's pro -- mini-crits and disabled buildings with each shot.

Apparently that charged shot cannot be saved, like for instance Metroid Prime's charge shot, and it takes up all the available 5 shots before it has to (apparently) recharge, leaving your vurnerable. Most of it's cons apparently aren't listed in the weapon's description.

Still, I'll have to see it in action. I don't fully trust these weapons yet.

 

[omega 616]

A good sentry gun can hold off an entire team. An uber heavy destroying 4 senty guns? Impossible even if they were all level 1. Besides, you need to build the uber first, and even then you might die before it gets launched. Also, without dispensers or teleporters, the entire team will be as clueless as a pack of sheep in the middle of New York. As for spies, they are easy to stop if you have an eye, and ear and a brain.

Engies don't guarantee a win, and they need support from their teammates to stay alive. However they are essential when the game is big enough.

Back to the thread, I'm really disappointed. The weapons have no connection whatsoever with the Soldier, and looking at the stats, they do feel quite OP. I just don't understand what is going through Robin Walker's head recently....

No it can't, like I said spies own sentries all day long. Even an attentive engie can be back stabbed and lose his stuff.

An ubered heavy an take down 4 level 1 sentries easily, 4 level 3's might is a bit much but still. Even ubered pyros are very destructive.

Engies are good for all sorts of things but all I see are Engies building a level 3 sentry, a level 3 dispenser and camp it up. I very rarely see teleporters anywhere.

I think teleporters are the most important thing for an engie to build, they can get people back to the fight so quickly.

If you manage to keep out the way and heal hurt people your uber gathers so quickly.

 

[Hungry Donner]

Engies are good for all sorts of things but all I see are Engies building a level 3 sentry, a level 3 dispenser and camp it up. I very rarely see teleporters anywhere.

I think teleporters are the most important thing for an engie to build, they can get people back to the fight so quickly.

I'm part of the newbie F2P crowd, but I certainly agree about teleporters. Teleporters are not only useful in getting people to the front but they also add a degree of shepherding - often it is the team that works together best that wins, and getting everyone you need in one play is a big part of that.

Valve added the gunslinger for more offensive-minded engineers, it would be interesting to see something similar done for more defensive or tactically minded engineers. Perhaps a weaker sentry gun but more powerful dispensers and teleporters, or maybe remove the sentry gun entirely and let them lay out mines.

 

[Hungry Donner]

I played a bit tonight and I didn't find the new weapons too overpowered. However I really hate the new weapon effects, they're too big, too bright, and persist to long. I realize at the moment there are lots of people using them and things will settle down in a week or so but the graphics are still really messy and distracting.