Team Fortress 128

[Kyo Tanaka]

So, I haven't gotten any of the newer Pyro weapons since before the Phlogistonator and Manmelter came out, and haven't had the opportunity to play around with them. How do they fare against the average Puff'n'sting Degreaser/Axtinguisher combo? Would the Manmelter or that new bubble gun be worth using and getting used to, or should I stick to my Detonator/shotgun secondaries? Is the Phlog and Rainblower interesting enough with new mechanics to switch out of my Attendant set?

I'd say that the Phlog is a great weapon to ambush with. And I don't know if this is actually what it is or just what I think, it uses twice as much ammo, so it probably dishes out a bit more danage? The big disadvantage with this weapon is the lack of airblasts, so you just really can't W+M1 to everyone and expect it to give you a kill. You'll have to be careful so you won't get rolled so badly from a class like demoman or solly.

The rainblower is pretty much a stock flamer with Pyroland. It dishes out more ammo than the Phlog I noticed, but the damage is pretty much the same. It's basically just a reskin with happy stuff.

I got a spare Phlog on me right now if you wanna give it a try.   

[Esoterica]

So, I haven't gotten any of the newer Pyro weapons since before the Phlogistonator and Manmelter came out, and haven't had the opportunity to play around with them. How do they fare against the average Puff'n'sting Degreaser/Axtinguisher combo? Would the Manmelter or that new bubble gun be worth using and getting used to, or should I stick to my Detonator/shotgun secondaries? Is the Phlog and Rainblower interesting enough with new mechanics to switch out of my Attendant set?

As stated, Rainblower's just a reskinned flamethrower with PYROVISION and a (badass) taunt kill.

Phlogistinator's a little weird, it's tough to use against good players but steamrolls low-skill servers (i.e. 35:1 kdr on valve servers).  It trades airblast and lower damage output for a self-heal+self-kritz for every 225 fire damage you do (all fire weapons count for this).  Generally speaking good players will just camp you until Mmmph's animation ends and kill you before you do anything though, so it's probably best to just use for self-healing when roaming.  In general it's not worth giving up airblast for.

Manmelter's...pretty bad.  I guess you could replace the Flare Gun with it in Backburner/Phlog loadouts so you can extinguish teammates, but unless there are Pyros constantly diving into your team it's a straight downgrade from all the other secondaries.

Scorch Shot's also pretty horrible.  15 damage to shove people around...at long range.  At close/mid range the knockback is negligible and at long range it's unpredictable.  It has niche uses like shoving people off the Badlands spire or knocking an ubered medic away from his patient, but you have next to no combat capabilities when using it.

[Amraphenson]

You do have a swanky taunt though.

[Gpop]

I killed some people at spawn with that taunt before it got patched :V

[Barrakketh]

As stated, Rainblower's just a reskinned flamethrower with PYROVISION and a (badass) taunt kill.

The hard part is not using the Degreaser.  The minor damage buff that the other flamethrowers got doesn't feel that great.

And in a weird twist of fate, Flamethrower damage is now back to where it was two years ago :V

[Esoterica]

The hard part is not using the Degreaser.  The minor damage buff that the other flamethrowers got doesn't feel that great.

It's a lot more noticeable on servers without damage spread.  I wrote up a thread on it here.  But yeah, I've actually been occasionally running stock over Degreaser now.

And in a weird twist of fate, Flamethrower damage is now back to where it was two years ago :V

It's still like 5 DPS off or something.

100 * 0.8 * 1.1 * 1.1 = 96.8%

[Barrakketh]

It's a lot more noticeable on servers without damage spread.  I wrote up a thread on it here.  But yeah, I've actually been occasionally running stock over Degreaser now.

Most servers use damage spread, and disabling damage spread makes servers ineligible for quick-play.  I think it's going to be hard for me to go back to slow weapon switches for a small damage boost...but I still traded for a Strange Rainblower anyway :3

It's still like 5 DPS off or something.

100 * 0.8 * 1.1 * 1.1 = 96.8%

I don't think that is how Valve is handling their math.  The patch notes specifically mention the Backburner and Degreaser damage staying the same as a result of the changes to the base damage.

Current Flamethrower with -10% damage: 138.105 DPS (right about the Degreaser's wiki value of 138.15 DPS).
Current Degreaser (and pre-Pyromania Flamethrower) with +10% damage: 151.965 DPS (less than the Flamethrower's wiki value of 153.45 DPS).

That might explain the DPS difference you see with your math.

[Esoterica]

I don't think that is how Valve is handling their math.

Well, there's an easier way to prove this directly:



Damage was listed as 180 at launch.

EDIT: Which reminds me of a long-standing flamethrower bug that hasn't been addressed.  I doubt they'll fix it now but I may as well e-mail Valve about it just in case.

[Agent of the BSoD]

The Pyro is Ronald btw. (just needs a little more fire rainbows) :V

Notice what the landscape looks like too. I swear Valve watched this.

[Esoterica]

The Pyro is Ronald btw. (just needs a little more fire rainbows) :V

Notice what the landscape looks like too. I swear Valve watched this.

Oh my. :V

Also, quoting myself from elsewhere:

http://www.tf2items.com/id/esoterica
Selling 2 scorched crates, and I suppose assorted regular crates.

 Looking for:
 -Metal
 -Wrap Assassin
 -Unarmed Combat
 -Overdose
 -Perhaps a last charred/roasted item so I can make one last ash pile (or I'd trade the three I have for any of the above as well, since I have a feeling I'll just get another crate anyway)

 1 scrap or weapon per, I guess. Not really sure what the crate market's like.

[Dr.Strafe]

I have a spare Overdose that I give to you. I'm not terribly interested in crates :V

[Gc]

[...]
 -Overdose

This one is still up for trade

[Gpop]

Yeah got one scorched crate to trade, already used money for 4, don't want to spend any more :<

[DX7.EP]

Used keys for 3 here and they keep coming. These time-only crates really do emit that feeling.

[Esoterica]

This one is still up for trade

Unless you mean for crates I don't think I'm interested in a strange overdose necessarily.  I'm a crossbow medic at heart, I just want an overdose because I don't have one. :V

[Fetch()tirade]

shameless plug

I also have a bunch of crates I'm never going to open, including 2 #46s. HOORAY

[yuyukos]

Used keys for 3 here and they keep coming. These time-only crates really do emit that feeling.

I know that feeling, these 46s compel me to open them due to that silly line about disappearing after 7/11.

Highlight of the night, kill an enemy pyro 1v1 in a hallway with degreaser, immediately get called a cheater. Clearly my tactic of blocking the exit while enemies walk into my m1 is a terrible cheat and I should be banned. :V

[N-Forza]

I don't think you'll be able to get an Unarmed Combat for just a scrap. They still go for a bit more than that, since you can only get them through crafting or drops.

[Edible]

Yes!

[Amraphenson]

custom scripts (mostly making the hugeass ambassador not visible while firing) make some things so much easier.

[Barrakketh]

custom scripts (mostly making the hugeass ambassador not visible while firing) make some things so much easier.

All of my scripts basically handle mucking around with keybinds and aliases.  For instance, my basic weapon select stuff looks like:

Code: [Select]

bind "1" primary
bind "2" secondary
bind "3" melee

alias vm_state "r_drawviewmodel 0";
alias vm_on "r_drawviewmodel 1; alias vm_state vm_on"
alias vm_off "r_drawviewmodel 0; alias vm_state vm_off"

alias primary "slot1; alias nextwep secondary; alias prevwep melee; vm_off; alias qswitch secondary; fov90"
alias secondary "slot2; alias nextwep melee; alias prevwep primary; vm_off; alias qswitch primary; fov90"
alias melee "slot3; alias nextwep primary; alias prevwep secondary; vm_on; alias qswitch primary; fov90"

mwheelbinds //sets mwheelup and mwheeldown to nextwep/prevwep

alias qswitch secondary

bind "q" qswitch

alias nextwep secondary
alias prevwep melee
Unless I left out something, that sets up my mouse buttons and scrollwheel to use the weapon select aliases I configured, which toggles the viewmodel, sets the FOV (which I set to 75 for a "zoom" effect on the Ambassador, but only on the spy), and sets my quickswitch to toggle between my primary and secondary weapon.  It also makes sure that if I happen to use the scrollwheel that it still follows my preferences.  But when I'm playing medic:

Code: [Select]

alias secondary "slot2; alias nextwep melee; alias prevwep primary; vm_on; alias qswitch primary"
alias melee "slot3; alias nextwep primary; alias prevwep secondary; vm_on; alias qswitch secondary"

bind "g" "+use_action_slot_item"
bind "ALT" "taunt"
Enables viewmodels for my medigun (which helps me remember which one I have selected, especially when the item servers shit their selves) and rebinds my taunt key so it uses my action slot (Meet The Medic taunt).  Rebinds alt to the normal taunt so I can use the Amputator's taunt.

I also use a handy Engineer quick-switch macro.  In autoexec.cfg:

Code: [Select]

alias lastClass "join_class engineer"
alias urgentClassChange "lastClass"
bind BACKSPACE urgentClassChange
In engineer.cfg:

Code: [Select]

alias urgentClassChange "lastClass"
For the other class configs, lines like this:

Code: [Select]

alias lastClass "join_class medic"
alias urgentClassChange "join_class engineer"

Code: [Select]

alias lastClass "join_class heavyweapons"
alias urgentClassChange "join_class engineer"
Long story short, I can hit backspace to switch to engineer (for quickly removing sappers, every second counts) or upgrading teleporters.  Then I hit backspace again to return to my previous class.

[Gc]

Oh so we're talking scripts, now?

Code: [Select]

alias "nmeuber" "say_team === ENEMY UBER POPPED ==="
alias "nmekritz" "say_team === ENEMY KRITZ POPPED ==="

alias "+alt" "bind "PGDN" "nmekritz""
alias "-alt" "bind "PGDN" "nmeuber""
bind "PGDN" "nmeuber"
bind "ALT" "+alt"
Tells my team when the enemy team uses an Uber or a Kritz.

PGDN: Uber
Alt+PGDN: Kritz
(Page Down is really useful because it's my mouse's 6th button. I use my mouse's Page Up for my local surf server's teleport command)

Code: [Select]

// Aliases
alias "+flamer" "slot1; +attack"
alias "-flamer" "-attack"

alias "+shotgun" "slot2; +attack"
alias "-shotgun" "-attack"

alias "+axe" "slot3; +attack"
alias "-axe" "-attack"

alias "+airblast" "slot1; +attack2"
alias "-airblast" "-attack2"

// Binds
bind "mouse4" "+airblast"
bind "mouse1" "+flamer"
bind "mouse3" "+shotgun"
bind "mouse2" "+axe"
This is every class-specific config I use, slightly modified to fit my loadout for each class.
No I can't use the Detonator properly with that config. I don't like the Detonator anyway.

Code: [Select]

bind "KP_END" "join_class scout"           // 1
bind "KP_DOWNARROW" "join_class soldier"   // 2
bind "KP_PGDN" "join_class pyro"           // 3
bind "KP_LEFTARROW" "join_class demoman"   // 4
bind "KP_5" "join_class heavyweapons"      // 5
bind "KP_RIGHTARROW" "join_class engineer" // 6
bind "KP_HOME" "join_class medic"          // 7
bind "KP_UPARROW" "join_class sniper"      // 8
bind "KP_PGUP" "join_class spy"            // 9

bind "KP_SLASH" "load_itempreset 0"
bind "KP_MULTIPLY" "load_itempreset 1"
bind "KP_MINUS" "load_itempreset 2"
bind "KP_PLUS" "load_itempreset 3"
So I can use my numpad to select a class and a loadout preset

And then I use a maxgraphics config. Without HDR, antialiasing, gibs and ragdolls.

[Barrakketh]

Last night I scored an Infernal Orchestrina for what would come out to about 1 ref 1 rec thanks to an incorrect (perhaps default) price at TF2WH.  Which is probably why they were disappearing before most people could managed to reserve one...I think a user bot was auto-reserving them or something.

I paid 5,950 credits for it, it has since been adjusted to 19,690.  Ka-ching! 

Spoiler:

I actually wanted one, I'm not one of those users who were buying them on the cheap to resell elsewhere.

[Esoterica]

Scripts, eh?

...well, I actually have barely anything to share here :derp:

Code: [Select]

alias +primary "slot1; viewmodel_fov 90"
alias -primary "viewmodel_fov 0"
alias +secondary "slot2; viewmodel_fov 90"
alias -secondary "viewmodel_fov 0"
alias +melee "slot3; viewmodel_fov 90"

bind 1 +primary
bind 2 +secondary
bind 3 +meleeHides viewmodels for non-melee weapons.

Code: [Select]

bind mouse4 "voicemenu 2 6"For easy thumbs-up killcams after reflect kills :derp:

Code: [Select]

alias +detjump "+attack; wait 5; slot1"
alias -detjump "-attack;"
bind mouse4 +detjumpNice script to bypass the increased self-damage when wielding the Detonator, but I haven't had it in active use for awhile since 80% of the servers I'm on don't allow wait commands.

[Amraphenson]

've mostly been using Stabby's scripts, myself, since I had the wonderful idea of actually reading the description to his videos. *gasp*
Fiddles around with my HUD, turned off the PVHUD crosshair and used the scripted one.  75POV on Ambassador use, hides it, and 90POV when I bring up my watch, knife, or sapper. Small crosshairs on Spy are really useful.

And my pyromania loot boils down to a Hazmat's Headcase, a Birdman of Aberdeen, and a Business Casual. Keeping the Casual for myself, but the Hazmat's and Birdman are up for grabs at the listed prices on the spreadsheet.

[Messiah]

I demand a meet up, with actual gameplay and prismriver concerts should be banned.

[Kyo Tanaka]

I demand a meet up, with actual gameplay and prismriver concerts should be banned.

Objection overruled.

[Dr.Strafe]

And my pyromania loot boils down to a Hazmat's Headcase, a Birdman of Aberdeen, and a Business Casual. Keeping the Casual for myself, but the Hazmat's and Birdman are up for grabs at the listed prices on the spreadsheet.

I'd like to purchase the Hazmat Headcase if I could. Would a Key suffice? (I used up all of my Refined in other trades..)

[Amraphenson]

's cool with me. Just look for nathelis on Steam and add.
Edit: Pleasure doing business. Still got a demo's shoulder bird up.

[Hanged Hourai]

Woo trade stuff?

Clean Fancy Fedora and Liquidator Lid for personal use each selling for 1.22  or a key for both.

sold