TF2 "Smissmas 2014" Update Released - New "Mannpower" Gamemode Revealed

Omnomnick

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As we predicted on this week's Round-Up, this year's Holiday-themed update for Team Fortress 2 has been revealed in the form of "Smissmas 2014". The update will introduce a new beta game mode, free Stocking Stuffer items, new festive-themed weapon variants, 29 new cosmetic items, and three brand new weapons.

As shown below, the three new weapons include "The Iron Bomber" and "The Quickiebomb Launcher" for the Demoman, and the "Panic Attack" shotgun for the Pyro, Heavy, Engineer, and Soldier.

NewGun1.png NewGun2.png NewGun3.png

The new game mode, known as Mannpower, features as a fast-paced CTF-style set up with grappling hooks and nine different power-ups. Once a grappling hook is equipped in the Action Slot, it can be used to shoot out a hook which will reel the player towards the target destination at high speed a la Dota 2's Timbersaw. The power-ups on the other hand appear similarly to Dota 2's many Runes, providing temporary ability and statistical buffs to aid the player in battle, as explained within the spoiler tab below.

Mannpower Power-Ups
  • Strength: Double damage for all weapons. Distance damage fall-off immunity.
  • Resistance: Reduces incoming damage by 50%. Immune to critical hit damage multiplier.
  • Vampire: All damage dealt is returned as health. 25% damage resistance. Max health increased by 40%.
  • Warlock: 50% of damage received is reflected back to the attacker (reflected damage cannot directly cause death). Max health increased by 50%.
  • Haste: Double weapon firing and reload rate. Double clip size and max ammo count. Movement speed increased by 30%.
  • Regeneration: Ammo, health and metal regenerate. Rate of health regeneration inversely proportional to max health.
  • Precision: Greatly reduced bullet spread. Distance damage falloff immunity. Rocket and grenade travel speed increased 250%.
  • Agility: Movement speed increased by 50%. Grapple speed increase. Jump height increased by 80%. Instant weapon switch.
  • Critical Hit: temporary full crit power for 30 seconds. Respawns in the same place after 60 seconds.
gamemode_powerup_beta.png

Currently, Mannpower is still early in development and will only be officially playable within the Beta matchmaking section on modified, CTF-only versions of Foundry and Gorge. The game mode is extremely insane at times, but thankfully Valve are ready to take any and all feedback you may have regarding Mannpower. For a quick preview of the new Mannpower gamemode and to find out just how crazy it can get out there, be sure to check out our gameplay preview video linked below!


By loading up the game during the Smissmas period, every player will receive a free "Stuffed Stocking" item with more "goodies for good little Mercenaries", much like last year. That's not all, however, as the Naughty and Nice crates we spoke about on the Round-Up can now be opened to receive either one of the 29 new cosmetic items, or one of several new Limited Festive weapon variants, depending on the crate type opened.

Like the Dota 2 and CS:GO Holiday updates released last week, Smissmas 2014 will also be introducing a rather large number of balance tweaks to a several of the game's character classes and weapons. These include a reduction to the damage variation for the Demoman's explosives, an extra 25% to the Demoman's charge meter upon getting a charge kill with the Bootlegger or Claidheamh More, and several others.

There's a bunch more details regarding this year's Smissmas update for Team Fortress 2 which will likely satisfy those previously disappointed by the community-made End of the Line update released earlier this month. Despite being described as "almost upon us", the Smissmas 2014 update and all of the content we just mentioned is now available within Team Fortress 2 itself. Happy Smissmas, everyone!
 
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Anyone checking out the comments of this thread who may have missed the updated article: Be sure to check out our 9 minute gameplay preview video, where I try to show off the majority of the new gamemode's Power-Ups in offensive and defensive situations. It can get really crazy at times.

 
This mode shouldn't be hard for new players to pick up, Cp_Snowplow on the other hand...
 
Well looks like the days of pinball demo men are over.

It was nice while it lasted
 
simple fact of the matter is that if you can absolutely do incredibly well with the demo you do well with the demo because you know how the grenade launcher works. I equipped the loch n load for one round once, but whoops, I lose my advantage of being able to predict where people will be. Demo needs no buff
 
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Man, if they get that grappling hook polished, that'll add a huge dimension to the gameplay. I remember those things in Quake II, and you could fly all over the map with 'em.
 
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