Engineer Update is Here!

[TheBladeRoden]

What's wrong with this picture?

 

[Retroid]

The engineer stuff covering the achievements?

 

[Okrag]

"and advance."

 

[Terr]

Tomorrow I'll post some GcfDiffer output so everybody of a mapping-persuasion can see what new props and textures (etc.) were added during the update. (There are likely other sources of this information too.)

But tonight is sentry-night.

 

[PMAvers]

I was going to say "the sleeve color", since the HUD indicates he's BLU.

 

[honorum646]

Yea, the sleeve and isn't his glove on that hand too?

 

[Pocket]

Rock props in Upward have bump-mapping!

 

[Tekku]

Awesome, atlast a non desert map Can't wait to play..

 

[Engineer]

Damn sweet lookin' update.

-Engineer

​

 

[grazr]

I thought that too, but that's not what it is. It's an L4D-style through-the-walls glow. Both teams can see the cart at all times.

Ah, yea i just noticed in some screen shots.

I'm trying to avoid playing during this class update... i just get frustrated over people not playing for the objectives.

 

[Retroid]

Ah, yea i just noticed in some screen shots.

I'm trying to avoid playing during this class update... i just get frustrated over people not playing for the objectives.

Go for class limited servers, Highlander mode and to a lesser extent Arena. Class limited and Highlander speak for them selves and in Arena people tend to be more competitive and dick around less because of the one life thing.

 

[Icarus]

Upwards is a work of art. Other than the bland 2D skybox, it's by far the best valve map this update

Hightower is short and sweet, but I'm just not a fan of Thunder Mountain. It's so random and DM-like

 

[Pocket]

Just found a new glitch with sappers. Someone got a sapper on their dispenser that couldn't be knocked off. So we just kept hammering at it, repairing the damage the sapper continued to do, until he picked it up. While he was carrying it around, the blueprint version was visible to other players, and it had the sapper sparks coming off of it. It was pretty funny.

 

[Numerous]

Item tuning:

-The Sandvich now uses a cooldown timer, instead of the health pack recharge mechanic.

About god damn time.

-The Gunboats now reduce self-damage by 60% (was 75%)

Hardly anyone uses the boots anyway, how does this balance the item?

-The Tribalman's Shiv bleed duration reduced to 6 second (was 8), and its damage penalty increased to 50% (was 35%).

I never considered this a good melee alternative. Unless you're looking out for cloaked spies this is a completely situational weapon that will probably get you killed more than save your arse.

-Added a glow effect to Payload carts.

Why was this necassery? It already had the flashing blue light on it when being pushed and as an objective mechanic it already stands out...

-I use the gunboats. Fun as hell, you're faster than a scout no matter what health you are.
-The shiv is great for those crappy servers with masses of failspies, and stopping spies in general. Shiv + SMG was hella effective.
-People tend to forget the cart, especially when they can't see it. It's just one more reminder that the aim is to PUSH THE GODDAMN CART ALREADY, not team deathmatch. The L4D effect helps.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

I don't have the glow. Anyone else?

Map wise, I give Upwards an 8/10. I don't like the last point, but before that it is amazing. The 2d skybox is just a gradient, and some of the 3d skybox looks rushed, or the textures are badly tiled. Still, in general, the best map of the update.

Hightower is a 6/10, as the map its self plays quite well until you get to the stage of the hills. At that point, both teams forget about the cart, and it turns to deathmatch. After one of the teams push it above that point, it becomes fun and unique again. The lift is pure genius.

Thunder mountain...Well, from what I have seen from this update, stage 2 and 3 are bad, but this is in the middle of thousands of engies. From what I have seen, stage 3 is abysmal, with convolutions, an open tower, random points, and random crap. Right now its a 4/10, as it has incredible detailing.

 

[McNuggetFiend]

I really liked Hightower, and Upwards is not too shabby for PL.

But ThunderMountain. I hope to not really play it too much, I hope it doesn't get overplayed like Bad-Rush

 

[Hawk]

I'm pretty thrilled with this update, except...

No "Meet the _____" videos! They did plan on finishing those, didn't they?


As a side note, I've been able to enjoy this glut of engies by being a Spy! Engineers using the Wrangler are sitting ducks if no other sentries are nearby. And there's a pretty big lack of spychecking right now, as everyone is so focused on getting and playing with their new toys.

 

[what would jesus do?]

Silly detailing on thunders stage 2 red spawn
Theres also a locomotive with "choo-choo" and smoke and a camping sniper somewhere in the unreachable areas

 

[Mr.Late]

Did there come any new hats? Or do I have to wait for polycount update?

 

[MrAlBobo]

-The Tribalman's Shiv bleed duration reduced to 6 second (was 8), and its damage penalty increased to 50% (was 35%).

I never considered this a good melee alternative. Unless you're looking out for cloaked spies this is a completely situational weapon that will probably get you killed more than save your arse.

Wait what?
The shiv was hands down better then the kukri, based solely on the fact that 2 hitting a 125 class meant they were dead, instead of the 2-3 it took otherwise. The only way it could be considered worse is that a crit was less effective.

Now they've just made it completely useless <_<