First-Person Shouter

Or perhaps they are slyly introducing the first wearable item. I know it doesn’t go on ‘head’ but still. The only way this would work, I think, is if you could somehow take time out and repair it or maybe throw ‘finely crafted shards’ at people.

‘Finely crafted pieces’ excuse me.

Maybe you can use it as a melee weapon, as well? Not a suitable alternative to the knife, in my opinion; still, I look forward to spying the crap out of these people.

It’s probably going to replace the SMG, dude. I strongly doubt it will replace the Machete.

Some will criticize the Razor Back, but I suppose it has some merit. I think it sounds like a respectable deterrent against enemy Spies, although like you said, Chris, any competent Spy would probably just switch to the Revolver for the job (although it still isn’t as smooth or as quick as a stab to the back). Also, I doubt this will can be used effectively in conjunction with the Huntsman; slower movement speed with a weapon that is better used up close may not be practical.

One thing’s for sure, this ain’t going to be used in competitive gaming.

I just realized something. Judging by the description, it might not even necessarily replace any of the weapons.

Also, we’re going to have to stop calling them unlockables since we won’t need to unlock Achievements to get them, right?

I agree, it might not replace any weapon at all. Blog update doesn’t mention anything about it, usually Valve mentions “weapon X will replace Y”. That would actually justify the slowdown.

Maybe Spies should start working in pairs…

Spies are always at an advantage in pairs.

I thought this wasn’t a team fortress 2 blog anymore

Maybe it will offer some limited degree of protection against melee weapons in general (IE scout bat).

I hope it’s a replacement for the smg.

Hmm…I think it’s gotta replace SOMETHING the “Slows” is not a big enough downside, as, well, lets face it, if you’re a sniper, you won’t be moving around much. I’d think it’d replace the SMG, with the Jar o’ Urine replacing the Knife. If it doesn’t replace anything, why NOT always have it?

Oh, and I predict 5 seconds before the “OMG Valve wreckn TF2!” from all the spies.

@Ozku: The Huntsman never mentioned being the replacement for the sniper rifle.

THE HUNTSMAN REPLACES THE KUKRI, SO WE CAN HAVE THE SNIPER RIFLE TOO!

I get the feeling it hurts the spy when he attacks it, and likely works for anyone trying to attack a sniper from the back, regardless of class.

It IS a rather odd unlock yes, if a sniper has this out what’s to stop me busting several caps in his ass? Not like he can fight back, being so slow and all.

Whoa, guys, twice already a cloaked spy has been spotted behind the Sniper on the Razorback page, also, notice anything different about the dead Spy’s gun?

Tom90deg is correct “OMG Valve wreckn TF2!”. But I am holding out hope that there is some way for spies to get their backstabs, or at least know what if a sniper has it.
This new item also has an advantage for snipers though, now instead of having 3 weapons they will have 2, making it easier for gamers to change weapons similar to how it is done in Halo.

There is totally a cloaked spah behind the snipah. I seen it with me own eye.

@Awcko

Yeah, I agree, not only is it the wrong color, it looks slightly more slender.

It looks less like the Colt Python and more like Colt Single Action Army.

Anybody else see this?

“But any poor SAP dumb enough to backstab you while you’re sporting one is getting a surprise to the tune of 10,000 volts.”

Maybe, just maybe, the battery needs to be sapped before the sniper can be stabbed? Who knows, sure is an odd unlock.

GAME BREAKER! Now my brother will be an unstoppable sniper! DAMN IT.

And although I think it’s a neat design - prepare for the inevitable backlash from politically correct groups about the use of an indigenous themed shield by a white guy. PREPARE VALVE, FOR THE BACKLASH!

It is a sensitive topic here in Australia - the indigenous people tend not to like it when aspects of their culture are used without permission, even in a virtual world. Then again, the Indigenous lobby is also unlikely to care very much about this sort of thing. I don’t personally think there’s anything wrong with it, but you can expect some hippies to get all indignant.

@Jake: So he can’t still report TF2 news? Go be picky somewhere else.

If you COULD sap it, Oh I Love Valve!!!!!

It’s not a replacement for anything. It’s one of those “extra” items, for which the extended backpack is for.

the huntsman/razorback relationship Is perfect.

The huntsman asks you move closer to the enemy to fire, while the Razorback slows your movement speed. They are not dessigned to be used together unless you like being pyro chow.

The Razorback is dessigned for the sniper who sticks with the rifle, and stays on the battlements and snipes the enemy.

And that’s why it’s perfect. It creates a clear split and choice for snipers. There is going to be a reason to switch back to the standard weapons to use the alternative unlock.

@Aenir

No, they didn’t explicitly state that the Huntsman replaces the rifle, but based on the previous postings on the TF2 blog it is a perfectly reasonable assumption to make. Your proposal of replacing a MELEE weapon with a non-melee weapon is just plain dumb.

Of course, you could just be doing a moronic troll post. So which is it - dumbass, or pretend dumbass?

@Urh
“Your proposal of replacing a MELEE weapon with a non-melee weapon is just plain dumb.”
The Sandman comes to mind. Also, if anything, you are being a damn troll.

It’s a good thing Chris had finally managed to rid of the TF2-Valve fanboy image, and have a general gaming blog. That has only had Valve and TF2 related posts since April 20th (well except Chartcore Gamer).

Anyway, I was waiting for a new post to tell Chris that he should drop the post limit to a week after he stopped posting (it is a week, right? Something like that.), because not only does he not post for a week, you can’t comment stuff on the site, making the place feel deserted.

And regarding the Sniper Update, no Spy shall complain about Valve ruining their class. At very, very long last, Valve had finally prodouced NIGHT AND SHOWDOWY maps, giving Spies an advantage.

I think the odd revolver is one of these “cosmetic changes” Valve was talking about when asked about drops.

It’s probably a SMG replacement.

BONK! didn’t say it was replacing anything.

And a mod on the steam forums said “Yes it is visible” which IMO makes this a temporary solution. Spies might get surprised by it a few times, but then they are just going to magnum the sniper at that range, which will kill him before he can react anyways.

@Nonomu198: In Chris’s defense, this is a general gaming blog. Can he help it if Valve happen to make the best games and then give you loads of free stuff to go with it later on?

And furthermore, if the shield disintegrates after being hit by a knife, how is the sniper at the top of this page holding said shield with a knife sticking out of it? How? HOW???

And please don’t try to convince me that it’s not real and it’s only a game. I won’t have it.

hey Chris, they are ZOMBIE dolphins. read the almanac.

My thoughts.

Snipers will be brilliant for spy checking now. Just stand there, wait for a backstab…bang, the spy tries to stab, gets shocked, everyone glares at the spy, and the spy tries to crab his way out of there.

I can see how it’ll work, by protecting against one form of counter camping you open yourself up to getting counter sniped more easily. I was hoping for the one upper magnum from Tom Francis’ ideas for a replacement smg but ah well.

Plus this whole “Is it a spah update?” shennanigans are giving me a headache Valve.

Still, a mupper fupping Bow and Arrow! *Quivers in excitment on floor*

I thought my favorite blogger might want to be the first in the blogosphere to take notice of the various pictures of the razorback.

Look at the page currently, then look at the photo Kotaku got..

http://kotaku.com/5255109/the-snipers-new-shield-makes-his-posterior-spy+proof#comment

They didn’t seem to take notice of it, but the steam forums sure did.

Supposedly valve has changed the page several times. There has been a nearly full uncloaked spy, partially cloaked spy, and barely visible cloaked spy during the page’s life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ma3djsVZpY

I’m not thinking it will be a spy update, but there is a good chance the feign death abbility jsut might be given to the spy, as there is a picture of a dead spy, and ANOTHER spy, supposedly the same one, right behind the gloating sniper.

Interesting, very interesting. NOW HURRY AND BLOG POST BEFORE THE OTHERS FIND OUT.

I played on some non-Unlockable servers the other day. The game is so much better without all the crazy unlockables.

There are nine well-balanced and distinctive classes that can team (yes TEAM) up for great effect. All these unlocks just muddy the class distinctions and remove incentives for teamwork.

Now we have medics who can rambo in with a huge self-provided health bonus/recharge (and a self-provided invulnerability if need-be). We have pyros who can rambo in unsupported because if they can get behind you, you die. We have heavies who can bring enemies down to their speed, so team-mates don’t have to provide a close-range defense. And Jesus Christ the scout!

Quite frankly it is turning into an MMORPG. Where everyone is on the same server, playing what is an almost single-player experience.

This shield thing seems to turn around the much-feared “oh it’s a hat that prevents a single headshot” - but now against spies. Garbage.

I did that obv because I love you and your blog, and aside from Pentadact, it’s the only blog I care enough about to post in.

Hey guys, we made it THIRTY-THREE posts without someone bitching about the unlockables! NEW RECORD!

EGTF:
I hope you realize the funnyness that you said “quivers” on floor with excitement after talkin’ bout the bow and arrow.

Putzy Von Putzingburg The Third:
I work on many levels. You’re the only one to appreciate it though :(.

Frankly, I think this is the worst unlockable (or new item) yet. It inconveniences the Sniper during all the times he’s NOT getting backstabbed, and makes the Spy’s life meaninglessly harder by forcing him to blow his cover more obviously to kill the Sniper. The Sniper is still dead, but neither player is having more fun.

I really don’t know what to make of this.
Thus I am very glad that I neither play Sniper nor Spy much (9th and 7th place on playtime).

Forget the shield! Anyone notice the spy’s weird looking revolver? Or that new map behind him?

If you go to the site and keep refreshing, you might notice something.. different.

I WAS SPY ALL ALONG

http://www.teamfortress.com/spyupdate/ Valve wins the universe.

I accessed the site right when they were updating, so I saw a blank page and was like “What”. Then reloading yielded to me the fruits of Valve’s awesome garden.

This is the best update ever. ALso, pyro’s a girl omg.

Ok, I’m taking everything I ever said about that spy suggestion back. You rule. I lose.

I think it’ll block against all attacks, but it’ll have a damage limit. If it’s a weapon replacement he’ll probably hold it infront and be able to block attacks from infront of him, but if he’s not using it it sits on his back and blocks attacks from behind. I bet there’s a chargeup refill time on it too, like the baseball.

It might be a new type of equip slot. Maybe instead of a hat they’re going to give him the shield. (I bet that HEAD EQUIP will be changed to GEAR EQUIP or something similar)