• Fixed a problem with the how the server reports gamestats

• Added the TF Tomb contest winners and runners-up to the Mann Co. Store
• Fixed AE_CL_BODYGROUP_SET_VALUE animation events not working properly
  • Fixes the Demoman's sticky note not drawing, Soldier's rocket reload missing the rocket, etc.
• Fixed an exploit related to the Sniper’s scope HUD panel
• Fixed being able to pick-up buildings while reloading the Panic Attack
• Fixed the Medic not being able to deploy a Quick-Fix/Vaccinator charge while carrying the flag
• Fixed the Professor Speks moving around on the Soldier's face
• Added the Pubstars vs. Pros 6vs9 medal

The European Team Fortress 2 League is now taking applications as part of the kick-off of its 20th season of 6v6. ETF2L has changed its league system and is allowing more unlocks than ever before, in addition to prizes for all skill divisions. Head to etf2l.org for more information about Season 20.

• Updated Mann Co. Store prices for foreign currencies to current USD equivalents

• Fixed a dedicated server crash related to invalid client commands
• Fixed maps using incorrect soundcache files
• Fixed the Mega Strike unusual taunt effect showing through walls
• Fixed using the Holiday Punch to tickle Mann vs. Machine enemy bots
• Fixed The Quickiebomb Launcher using the wrong death notice icon
• Fixed the grappling hook using the wrong icon in the HUD weapon selection menu
• Added a "no helmet" style for Lord Cockswain's Novelty Mutton Chops and Pipe

• Fixed the air detonation radius for stickybomb jumps
• Fixed stickybombs not using distance falloff during damage calculations for the first 5 seconds after being created
• Fixed grenades not dealing consistent damage against buildings and Mann vs. Machine tanks
• Fixed the Marksman's Mohair hiding the Sniper's hat
• Fixed the Crit Boost material effect for the Panic Attack
• Updated Mann Co. Store prices for foreign currencies to current USD equivalents
• Updated the kill icon for the Panic Attack
• Updated the equip_region for The Person in the Iron Mask
• Updated The Quickiebomb Launcher
  • Fixed stickybombs not destroying enemy stickybombs
  • Fixed stickybombs fizzling faster than they should
• Mannpower update
  • Fixed not always being able to equip the grappling hook
  • Fixed switching to the grappling hook from a weapon that prevents switching
  • Fixed the grappling hook attaching to players that are dead or no longer exist
  • Updated the Vampire powerup to give health for damage done by Sappers
  • Increased the spawn invuln time from 6 seconds to 8 seconds
  • Added enemy team func_nobuild volumes to the capture zone areas in ctf_foundry and ctf_gorge to prevent spawn-camping sentries
  • Updated ctf_gorge
    • Fixed players being able to get outside of the map
    • Opened access to the flat rooftop by the capture zone area

The EdgeGamers Organization presents Arena: Respawn, a ladder-style tournament open to all TF2 players taking place January 23rd-25th, 2015!

Arena: Respawn is a modification of TF2's Arena gamemode developed as an alternative to sixes. The goal is to eliminate the enemy team as quickly as possible. There are no respawn timers, but players can capture the central control point to respawn the dead members of their teams.

It's time for a showdown! Think you have the skills to match up against some of the best in Arena Respawn? Form a five-man team and join the fray!

• Updated Mann Co. Store prices for foreign currencies to current USD equivalents

• Renamed the 'Snow Stompers' in the Nice Winter Crate 2014 to the 'Storm Stompers' to resolve a name conflict with another item

• Fixed a bug related to the Demoman's charge meter
• Fixed a bug related to the Loose Cannon's Double Donk damage calculation
• Mannpower update
  • Fixed disguised Spies using the incorrect grapple color
  • Fixed the grapple still being connected to players after they die and respawn
  • Fixed the Regen powerup preventing players from picking up health kits and ammo packs
  • Fixed the Resist powerup shield drawing for Spies while they are invisible
  • Fixed the Resist powerup shield using the wrong color for disguised Spies
  • Fixed not seeing the powerup icons for disguised Spies
  • Updated ctf_gorge to fix lighting issues
  • Updated ctf_foundry to fix lighting issues and to prevent players from getting outside the playable area of the map
  • When hud_fastswitch is disabled, pressing the ACTION key will select the grappling hook in the weapon selection menu

• Added LBTF2 and FBTF tournament medals
• Reduced the amount of self-damage received from the Loose Cannon

• All Players who play TF2 during the event will receive a Gift: a Stuffed Stocking! Stockings contain goodies for good little Mercenaries.
• Added 29 Limited community-contributed winter items to the Nice crate
• Added new Limited Festive weapons to the Naughty crate
• Limited time items can only be found during a limited window of time. The Naughty and Nice crate items will no longer be available after February 16th, 2015
• Added Naughty and Nice winter keys to the Mann Co. Store.
• Naughty and Nice winter crates cannot be opened after February 16th, 2015.
• Premium Players will receive a Secret Saxton to give to another player
• Item grants from previous events (including the Spirit of Giving and the Winter Holiday noise maker) have been re-enabled for all players, including those who deleted their earlier grants

• Added The Iron Bomber
  • Demoman Grenade Launcher
  • Grenades do not bounce or roll
  • Damage radius reduced by 20%
  • Grenades that self-detonate deal 10% less damage
  • Added The Iron Bomber to the Mann Co. Store, craft list, and item drop list
• Added The Quickiebomb Launcher
  • Demoman Stickybomb Launcher
  • Stickybomb arm time reduced by 0.2 seconds
  • Stickybombs can destroy enemy stickybombs
  • Charge time decreased by 50%
  • Stickybombs fizzle after 2 seconds
  • -15% damage penalty
  • -25% clip size
  • Added The Quickiebomb Launcher to the Mann Co. Store, craft list, and item drop list
• Added The Panic Attack
  • Multiclass Shotgun
  • 34% Faster reload time
  • Hold fire to load up to 4 shells
  • Fire rate increases as health decreases
  • Weapon spread increases as health decreases
  • Added The Panic Attack to the Mann Co. Store, craft list, and item drop list
• Demoman Changes
  • Damage variance on grenades and stickybombs reduced from +/-10% damage to +/-2%.
  • Grenades and Stickybombs now have the same base blast radius as rockets. Changed from 159Hu to 146Hu.
• Grenade Launcher
  • Direct hit grenades now deal full damage to target regardless of where it struck the enemy. Previously full damage would only occur when grenades exploded closer to the target's feet.
• Stickybomb Launcher
  • Stickybombs that detonate in the air now have a radius ramp up, starting at 85% at base arm time (0.8s) going back to 100% over 2 seconds. Stickybombs that touch the world will have full radius.
  • Stickybombs now have a more visible trail while traveling through the air
  • Stickybombs arm particle is slightly more visible
• Loose Cannon
  • Double donk explosive damage now deal full radius damage to victims. Previously double donk explosive damage was reduced by radius distance from the explosion.
  • Removed a hidden penalty where Cannonballs that touched the world would deal 50% less damage in addition to regular grenade damage reduction on world touch.
• Loch-n-Load
  • Changes to base grenade damage variance now ensure the Loch-n-Load does not exceed 124 damage on a single hit
  • Removed +25% self-damage penalty
  • Added -25% radius penalty
  • Changed clipsize penality to -25% (3 grenades per clip) from -50% (2 grenades per clip)
  • Loch-n-load grenades no longer visually tumble when fired
• Bootlegger / Ali Baba's Wee Booties
  • Added +25% Demoman Charge meter on charge kill
• Tide Turner
  • Added Penalty: Taking damage while shield charging reduces remaining charging time
  • Kills while charging now only add 75% meter on charge kills instead of 100%
• Scottish Resistance
  • It is now slightly easier to do sticky jumps with the Scottish Resistance. Increased range check for stickybomb jumping to sticky damage radius of 146 from 100.
• Scotsman's Skullcutter
  • Movement speed penalty now only applies when weapon is active
• Claidheamh Mor
  • Added +25% Demoman Charge meter on charge kill

• To Play. Click on Play Multiplayer, enable Play Beta Maps checkbox, and then choose Mannpower Mode.
• Contains 8 permanent powerups players can find in the map
• Players can only hold 1 permanent powerup at a time
• Killing a player with a permanent powerup forces the powerup to drop
• Contains 1 temporary powerup that can be found in the map
• use the 'dropitem' command to drop the currently held permanent powerup
• Added new Default Stock Action Item Grappling Hook. Grappling hooks are usable in Mannpower mode and servers that enable it. Once equipped, press and hold the action key to use it. Use to move the player toward the hooked object.
• Mannpower Beta plays a modified version of Capture the Flag that requires your team's flag to be at base in order to capture the enemy flag
• Touching your flag will instantly return it to base
• Currently supported on maps ctf_foundry and ctf_gorge
• Instant respawns enabled
• Random critical attacks disabled
• Players spawn with 6 seconds of invulnerability

• MvM : Added chance to find Australium weapon rewards to all Advanced and Expert Mann vs. Machine tours. Previously only available on the Two Cities tour.
• MvM : Added Killstreak kits for Quickiebomb Launcher, Iron Bomber and Panic Attack in to Two Cities MannUp loot tables
• Crafting items that are marked as temporarily untradable will now yield temporarily untradable items instead of permanent
• Fixed a client crash related to the material system
• Removed the Giftapult from the store and added a crafting recipe for it
• Updated the equip_region for The Beastly Bonnet
• Updated the localization files
• Removed the map restriction on players in karts respawning ghost teammates when they touch them

Smissmas is almost upon us, and everybody here on the TF2 team's been busy getting gifts ready and standing as a group under the Valve mistletoe. The smooch count's currently at zero, but we're in this for the long haul. That's right, we'll stand here all damn week if there's some make-outs in it for us. Just try and get past us, DOTA2 team. You too, CS:GO.

While we're all standing around waiting for the smooch maelstrom, dear reader, why not take a look under the Smissmas tree?

Let's see, this year we've we've got:

• A New Beta Game Mode!
• Stocking Stuffers!
• New Festive Weapons!
• 29 New Cosmetic Items!

We've also made a change to MvM loot drops. Specifically, in addition to the usual Botkiller drops, there's now a chance to get Australium weapons (including the incredibly rare Golden Frying Pan) to all advanced and expert MvM tours. The tours affected by this loot drop change are Steel Trap, Mecha Engine and Gear Grinder.

And that's it! Merry Smissmas, everyone! See you next y—

Wait. there's something else under the tree! Way in the back, by that power outlet overflowing with plugs! Is it...? Sweet Smissmas, it is! By popular demand...

• New Weapons!

• All Players who play TF2 during the event will receive a Gift: a Stuffed Stocking! Stockings contain goodies for good little Mercenaries.
• Added 29 Limited community-contributed winter items to the Nice crate
• Added new Limited Festive weapons to the Naughty crate
• Limited time items can only be found during a limited window of time. The Naughty and Nice crate items will no longer be available after February 16th, 2015
• Added Naughty and Nice winter keys to the Mann Co. Store.
• Naughty and Nice winter crates cannot be opened after February 16th, 2015.
• Premium Players will receive a Secret Saxton to give to another player
• Item grants from previous events (including the Spirit of Giving and the Winter Holiday noise maker) have been re-enabled for all players, including those who deleted their earlier grants

Added The Iron Bomber

• Demoman Grenade Launcher
• Grenades do not bounce or roll
• Damage radius reduced by 20%
• Grenades that self-detonate deal 10% less damage
• Added The Iron Bomber to the Store, Craft list and item drop list

Added The Quickiebomb Launcher

• Demoman Stickybomb Launcher
• Stickybomb arm time reduced by 0.2 seconds
• Stickybombs can destroy enemy stickybombs
• Charge time decreased by 50%
• Stickybombs fizzle after 2 seconds
• -15% damage penalty
• -25% clip size
• Added The Quickiebomb Launcher to the Store, Craft list and item drop list

Added The Panic Attack

• Multiclass Shotgun
• 34% Faster reload time
• Hold fire to load up to 4 shells
• Fire rate increases as health decreases
• Weapon spread increases as health decreases
• Added The Panic Attack to the Store, Craft list and item drop list

Demoman Changes

• Damage variance on grenades and stickybombs reduced from +/-10% damage to +/-2%.
• Grenades and Stickybombs now have the same base blast radius as rockets. Changed from 159Hu to 146Hu.

Grenade Launcher

• Direct hit grenades now deal full damage to target regardless of where it struck the enemy. Previously full damage would only occur when grenades exploded closer to the target's feet.

Stickybomb Launcher

• Stickybombs that detonate in the air now have a radius ramp up, starting at 85% at base arm time (0.8s) going back to 100% over 2 seconds. Stickybombs that touch the world will have full radius.
• Stickybombs now have a more visible trail while traveling through the air
• Stickybombs arm particle is slightly more visible

Loose Cannon

• Double donk explosive damage now deal full radius damage to victims. Previously double donk explosive damage was reduced by radius distance from the explosion.
• Removed a hidden penalty where Cannonballs that touched the world would deal 50% less damage in addition to regular grenade damage reduction on world touch.

Loch-n-Load

• Changes to base grenade damage variance now ensure the Loch-n-Load does not exceed 124 damage on a single hit
• Removed +25% self-damage penalty
• Added -25% radius penalty
• Changed clipsize penality to -25% (3 grenades per clip) from -50% (2 grenades per clip)
• Loch-n-load grenades no longer visually tumble when fired

Bootlegger / Ali Baba's Wee Booties

• Added +25% Demoman Charge meter on charge kill

Tide Turner

• Added Penalty: Taking damage while shield charging reduces remaining charging time
• Kills while charging now only add 75% meter on charge kills instead of 100%

Scottish Resistance

• It is now slightly easier to do sticky jumps with the Scottish Resistance. Increased range check for stickybomb jumping to sticky damage radius of 146 from 100.

Scotsman's Skullcutter

• Movement speed penalty now only applies when weapon is active

Claidheamh Mor

• Added +25% Demoman Charge meter on charge kill

As part of this year's Smissmas Update, we'd like to Introduce Mannpower Mode, a new beta game mode for TF2! There's enough to tell you about it that we thought it deserved its own post.

We want to stress a very important word in that last sentence: beta. All of the art is temp and all of the game mechanics are in flux. This is an unpolished beta game mode we're releasing specifically so we can get playtest feedback from everybody and improve it moving forward. So dive right in! Your feedback will be heard and incorporated into the development process.

What's Mannpower Mode?

It's an in-beta CTF-like game mode with grappling hooks and nine different types of powerups. (A lot of this will change during this mode's development. We'll be tweaking rules and adding/subtracting powerups as we go.) It's currently playable in modified versions of Ctf_foundry and Ctf_gorge.

Mannpower alters a few game rules. For one, random critical hits have been disabled. Additionally, teams won't be able to capture the enemy flag unless your flag is at your base. (When your flag is away from your base, you can touch it to instantly return it to base.)

What was that part about grappling hooks?

Right, that! There's a grappling hook available to all classes in Mannpower Mode. You can equip it in your action slot and use it by switching to slot 6. Press fire to shoot out a hook. As soon as it hits something, it’ll start to reel you in. Release the fire button when you want to detach.

You mentioned powerups?

Yep, there are currently nine with more on the way. Note that these are works-in-progress, so the specifics of these power-up boosts might (and probably will) change as the mode improves:

• 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.

Mannpowers exist in the world and can be picked up by all classes. When picked up they add abilities and enhancements to the player carrying it. Mannpowers can be dropped at any time by hitting your "dropitem" key, and will drop automatically when the player carrying it is killed. Note that you can only carry one at a time, and that you can't take powerups into respawn rooms.

• Fixed a client crash related to ragdolls
• Added a one week delay before items purchased from the Mann Co. Store or the Steam Community Market can be traded

• Fixed a client crash related to ragdolls
• Updated Mann Co. Store prices for foreign currencies to current USD equivalents
• Updated rd_asteroid
  • Began interior art-pass process
  • Reduced respawn times for both teams by 1 second