Valve seem to be messing with us. As the Sniper update rolls out, suspicious things have been happening. Suspicious, sneaky, back-stabby things. Spy-like things. Yesterday saw the reveal of a new game mode (the one hinted at in the background during the Scout update), the Payload Race. Two carts, one per team, uphill. Today brings us the Sniper’s second unlockable – the Razorback – a “tribal shield” wired up to a battery, designed to protect the Sniper from being backstabbed by Spies. But it gets weirder.
The rivalry between Sniper and Spy is one of TF2’s most passionate, and giving the Sniper an anti-backstab device is going to infuriate Spy players. Sending 10,000 volts through the knife into anyone who should try a backstab, it’ll also make the blade too hot to use for a short while. Which is a good job, since the shield can only withstand one stab before breaking into bits.
But then a funny thing happened. It’s controversial, various Steam forumites absolutely adamant the whole thing is a hoax perpetrated by a photoshopping mischievous few, but a number of people are reporting (and posting screen grabs as proof) that for about ten minutes earlier today, a Spy appeared behind the Sniper on the update page. You can see the full thing here.
The hot hot speculation on the Valve forums is that the Sniper update may well be concealing a potential simultaneous Spy update. Because if the Spy is uncloaking behind the Sniper, then perhaps the dead Spy body on the ground is a feigned death decoy type thing. Well, I dunno. Two Spies makes more sense. But then, why would Valve have performed this peculiar act? If they did. It’s tempting to assume fakery. Or that Valve are deliberately messing with people. They’re like that. (Update: The Spy appeared again, this time the full length of his body, but still as if coming out of cloak. Something’s definitely up.)
Also of note are the new Arena maps announced yesterday. Not fan made, but by Valve themselves. The first is Sawmill, which will be the first TF2 map to feature interfering weather: rain. Another sneaky Spy mention appears here, with the information that the central cap point is above “a hidden undergroung spytech base”. There’s also a couple of spinning saw blades making the cap point all the more dangerous.
Second is Nucleus, which is described as “A diabolical doomsday device is the foundation of this circular arena map, which features long sightlines and a bottomless radioactive pit underneath most of the game area. The cap, located in the center of the arena, is only accessible by catwalks suspended over a chasm, which open after the timer has run down.”
So, is there a secret Spy update in the works too? Is there a reason why the usual main update page menu is absent, so we can’t see how many updates are planned? The Sniper’s new bits and pieces are expected to go live on Tuesday. Everything else is up in the air.
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Isn’t this more likely to simply be visualising the weakness of the item? On first look it seems very overpowered, but a second spy is there to get in the idea of a one-shot?
No?
EDIT – Actually, I stand corrected. The uncloaking isn’t that interesting, but the gold item in the dead Spy’s hand is. They’re claiming it’s a pocket watch.
Does the rain on Sawmill allow you to see cloaked spies?
Oh Valve, you tease!
@Psychopomp
True the Kukri is the better weapon, but depending on how much the shield slows you down you might actually be too slow to close to melee range, effectively costing you two weaponslots for a bit of backstab protection.
There is definately something in that spies hand, but I’m more amused by the fact that it seems more people comment on the mystery hand object rather than the more obviously different revolver lying next to him. Maybe it’s too obvious and most people don’t think it’s worth mentioning? Still looks neat to me, more like an old timey Smith & Wesson. Quick draw and rapider fire maybe?
Also @Shadowmancer, err are you sure there’s a second track? Do you mind pointing it out, because I can’t see it, I just see a raised walkway and some stairs. Not to mention the fact that the theme of the map in the razorback background is completely different to the theme of the double payload map in the scout update background.
Devil’s advocate: remember that sort of enhanced inventory type thing we got with the scout update… is it possible the shield doesn’t replace any weapon? Because to be useful, it would have to be wielded, yeah, and not just selected?
I mean, a weapon that isn’t wielded? Bonk is wielded, sandvich is wielded, disguise kit is wielded… but surely shield is ment to be used when sniper rifle is wielded. Right?
@ hermit – you mean there might be tradeoff’s… in TF2 OMG :D
I’m liking it but all the spy nonsense is quite funny and someone has even http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ma3djsVZpY youtube it to prove it was visible there on the real site…
Good thing its next week as I am away this weekend! Oh and yeah that looks like a new pl map as I certainly can’t see the other track.
Oh and if you choose the bow n arrow + plus shield surely you should be allowed a red indian stylee headdress to complete the look!
pocket watch – rewind time? undo a death? I’m clutching at straws here
Evidently. ¬_¬
I’ve not played TF2 for so long, the revolver looked the same to me. I can only make out the handle though.
We need another Meet The Team video! <3
Other hand mike – there are claims he’s holding a Gold Watch
its probably the golden compass… *slaps self*
Well, they have stated that some classes, like the sniper, shouldn’t be updated on their own, so if this story about the background image changing is true, it would be likely that the spy will also get his update.
Or maybe he’ll steal the spotlight with Meet The Spy..!
@Shadowmancer Hmm, on second thought can’t quite see it myself. But I hope that would mean it’s a multi stage map a la Dustbowl or Gold Rush, if that hasn’t been found out yet. As I can’t imagine having to work from all the way outside to inside in one swoop. Plus one can see end points in the outside shot and one end point in the inside shot.
But here’s still hoping for a new regular Payload map. :)
Shark well and truly jumped now
I don’t have a link handy, but Valve did say they wanted to do multi-class updates with the sniper, as they didn’t like the idea of all the servers being sniper-dominated for days after the update.
The revolver that’s on the floor next to the Spy’s corpse is just the regular Spy revolver. I’m pretty sure it has a mother-of-pearl handle.
Banderbeak – you have a strange understanding of “duped”, since we state that it could all be a trick.
That would be my first guess. They’re just fscking with us. Doing something weird to see if anyone notices.
Or maybe it’s an exceptionally slow animation, which will end wih the fully visible spy being electrocuted.
But it doesn’t have to mean something.
its a SPYper update
GET IT?!
This is confusing. Not really concerned with the potential spy update as I have never and will never play spy but this Razorback thingie is just odd.
Anyone who has played TF2 for any length of time will know that the Spy is not the anti-sniper but the anti-engineer. The anti-sniper is simply another sniper OR a Demoman; The spy simply does not get a look in and flatly has more important stuff to be doing. This new unlockable is therefore really, truly pointless… =(
@Howard: i kill snipers all the time as spy.
so there.
The anti-engi is the demo or a good pyro.
@tigger
Well sure, Spies kill anything but it’s a waste of the class. Snipers are much better dealt with in different ways and using a spy to take them out is just bad form. It’s like spies who hang around at spawn to simply grind kills. I’m talking about how spies are used in competitive play, not on pubs
I always hear people shouting ‘will the spy please kill the snipers?’ when I play, as if my only purpose in life is to cloak and stab snipers :(
Gosh, even here people are raging “OH I’M DONE WITH THIS GAME”. I seem to recall that the Orange Box deals we’ve had plenty of generally price TF2 at between £5 and £10. I mean, honestly, has the game really been made “unplayable” on public servers? Do you /honestly/ feel like you haven’t got your moneys worth from this game in the year and a half it’s been out? x-D
Anyway, lots of <3 to Valve for teasing us with all these lovely things. I can’t wait to play the dual payload map. :-3
I don’t think anyone’s saying it’s not value for money. Just that these aren’t really necessary modifications. And almost all servers will adopt them.
Wait, did an angry internet man just suggest this game jumped the shark? you are aware of the art style, ultra violent gibs and identical teams of men fighting over pointless cp’s and boxes intelligence at the very START of the game pretty much tell you that TF2 is not serious business. Given the silly nature of this and the past updates weapons you give up now by just noticing?
Also, a sniper/spy update would be pretty cool. I can finally get my axe/scoped sniper achivements with my Pyro. Personally I’d be happy with a Meet The Spy video too.
not to jump into an absurd debate over whether TF2 has jumped the shark with too many tweaks, upgrades and achievements, but…
i’ve started playing again recently after a 6 month (?) long hiatus. the only unlocks i have are some ones from the medic and pyro, and i don’t think i use any of them (sometimes the flare-gun, but i like my shottie). and here’s the thing: the game still plays GREAT. no one should shy away from TF2 because they think Valve’s added too many vegetables to the pot. if you’ve just gotten tired of it and want to move onto better pastures, well, that’s a different story. TF2 remains the only online shooter i’ll play because:
1) i don’t have to be that good to make a contribution
2) the variety of classes still offer completely different gaming experiences
I hadn’t realised that a joint spy update had been mentioned along with the scout, but it really does make a lot of sense that it would be paired with the sniper. A team full of just snipers is going to be hell, so why not encourage people to mix it up with his counter (yes spies counter snipers, no one cares about competitive play.) I also seem to recall that Valve have said they wanted to stop servers being full of just one class (could be wrong on this) so joined updates make sense.
As for what we know about the sniper, the razorback does seem overpowered initially, but I think in practice it will just postpone his inevitable death. If everyone can see the shield then spies will just shoot him with the revolver with no problem, making the weapon completely pointless, and if you can’t see it then you just stab and switch to the revolver. It does seem to just give the sniper a bit of a fighting chance, but not very much.
I’m most interested in the new dual payload map, which has some real potential. Surprised by new Arena mode maps, as the common consensus seems to be that Arena mode is a bit uninteresting. I personally don’t mind it too much, but only a few games of it. Would much prefer some more Control Point or Payload maps. A new Meet The video would be excellent.
It could just be a graphical update to the picture to help demonstrate the pupose of the Razorback. But that doesn’t remove the fact that it seems a bit poor. Especially since it won’t kill the spy and only gets one use and has absolutely no offensive application what so ever.
2 packs released at once would combat the crazy class whorage but I can’t see valve putting the work in, that is unless they want some content out before they drop it all to work on their next project…..again.
It would be clever of Valve to pull of a ’stealth’ spy update, with no announcements or in game mention of it whatsoever.
I really want Valve to do a map that involves a jet-ski and a shark-infested pool of water.
Can’t believe the Fortress backlash from many people on here, I love that Valve are keeping the game fresh with imaginative unlocks that give the classes more options and the game has always been a comedy. The height of ridiculousness was a Sandwich unlock surely and I didn’t see many people complaining at the time.
That said, I feel the anti-stab shield seems (from the little info I know about it) to be a bit useless for Sniper. I guess it stops side-swipes as well as backstabs, but a Spy could probably kill the Sniper with the revolver before the Sniper has a chance to retaliate. Snipers should be setting up near friendly sentries anyway, if at all possible, to get a much more effective level of backstab cover. I hope there’s more to this one than we have figured out because I don’t think I’d use the Razorback, even though it looks cool.
Remember, also, that they might modify the weapons after only a few days of “in the wild” testing!
Remember how quickly the health buff from the backburner was removed? Took them a while to get Natascha up to speed but we can trust rough edges to be smoothed out over time.
Both the shield and the hunting bow are big gambles. I was convinced that the replacement for the rifle was going to be a WW1 era iron sights rifle or something. My guess for the Kukri replacement is it might be something crazy like a decoy sniper you unfold, kind of like the cut out cows you see in the levels outside the playing area.
I’m pretty crap at sniper, so I’ll just stick with torching them all on release day.
I come back every time to play after an update, although the scout one held me less than the others (I actually stopped playing L4D for a while after the update that came out around the same time).
Thinking about the Razorback, somebody above pointed out that this could be the melee replacement, not the SMG, which would make sense. Having a one-shot defense that leaves you without any midrange defense would suck. This has gotta replace the kukri since you will be slowed down.
Also, there will definitely be a graphic to show the shield in use. When has ANYthing on TF2 not been shown? Every single unlock has been distinguishable from the original — hell, even Natasha is different and you begin to look for these things.
I’ll probably pop on to see what’s happening next week, but we’ll see if I stick with it. But at least let’s have a new Meet the Team!
The Razorback could at least be a dump spy distraction tool at best. If this update unglues snipers asses from the battlements of most TF2 maps it’d be awesome really.
I seriously doubt that the Spy update will be snuck in with the Sniopah, but instead I personally believe they’re hinting at the next Meet the Team video.
I’m not sure if anyone else noticed, or whether this is a detail from the game I have forgotten (I haven’t played TF2 for a while now), but why is a triangle-shaped icon with a question mark in the middle floating above the dead spy’s head? That looks pretty suspicious.
OHSHI-
Corvus, that question mark is above the capture point in the background, not the dead spy.
“Razorback collapses into a million finely crafted pieces after a single stab.” that is written at the bottom of the pic so wouldn’t it make sense that the sniper killed the spy after a failed backstab and is throwing away the shield while a second spy is about to kill him.
Ah, so it is. It’s been waaaay too long since I last played, almost forgot what an uncaptured control point looked like.
Is the item in the spy’s hand not his cigarette lighter?
seein as its electrical….can u sap the shield? Then stab him in the back!!
the shield is not a very good update, in my opinion. Since you can kill a sniper so very quickly with a revolver, it is sometimes my preferred way of doing so. Stationary scoped snipers all but can’t react quickly enough to stop the spy, and their SMG is considerably weaker than the spies revolver, which will easily kill a sniper in 3 shots (4 at most, which is very easy to do when the sniper is immobile for at least some of it, surprised, and injured from the off because you’ve got the first shot. I don’t think I’d want any of my weapons to be replaced with that shield. so it’s a good thing it’s optional. :) I don’t know how it could be given more utility though, because the basic premise isn’t all that bad.
If there really is a Spy Update coming out as well, then Valve have got this update out in record time.
I saw a great idea over on the steam forums which solves both the problem of it appearing to be of extremely limited (and situationally-specific) use, and the question of what purpose it serves when actively selected in the weapon menu in-game.
Basically, when the rifle/bow or kukri is equipped, the shield is on the sniper’s back, discouraging spies. But equipping the shield swaps it to the sniper’s front, where it can be used to block incoming enemy fire. This allows an isolated sniper a degree (maybe 50-100pts) of damage mitigation in the face of an oncoming attack while allowing him to make a break for safety (partially compromised, of course, by the weight of the shield). It also helps the fragile sniper retain a presence in key areas he needs to help his team-mates control (helping blu snipers find a ‘fit’ with the offensive role).
The trade-off of speed + no offensive capability + the loss of the SMG (which despite the complaints of many, is one of the better mid-range weapons in the game, yielding fruit against onrushing scouts, pyros, engies, medics and spies if skilfully used) would be an effective trade-off, and thus the item would (in-line with the other secondary unlocks’ purported intentions) encourage players to play the class in a different way. As it is, I worry the razorback only encourages snipers to set up camp as far away from the fighting as possible, much as they always have.
Also, the idea of whipping out the razorback as a cocksure heavy bears down on you with his meaty fists aloft, allowing a punch to connect! – only to hear the sweet sound of bacon sizzling… that’s pretty much got to have universal appeal, right?
“I’m talking about how spies are used in competitive play, not on pubs.”
Who the hell uses spies in comp play?
Okay it seems that it is already gone, but for a bit the Day 3 update page was pretty drastically different. There was a bunch of foggy smoke stuff instead of the map. All you could see was the dead spy, the sniper, and the spy de-cloaking behind him.
Edit: Okay apparently refreshing the page a few times brought the image back. Just hit F5 a few times.
Edit Edit: Bah, my amazing discovery has been trumped! See below.