Mann vs Machine TF2 Update - Day 3

[Omnomnick]

The final day of Mann vs Machine is here! The third day of the update reveals a new map, Decoy, as well as the new Mann Up mode. Mann Up mode features the ability to receive extra special loot for the small price of $0.99 which gives the player a 'Tour of Duty Ticket' and takes the player on a Tour of Duty, a selection of MvM maps which, when completed, provided the player with a new 'Tour of Duty Badge' and some extra special loot for their troubles. Although this extra little incentive costs players $0.99, players do NOT have to pay to play any of the new content, only for a significantly improved chance to get special loot.

Also revealed today is the addition of 35 brand new MvM specific achievements, which you can view at the bottom of the Bounty page. For more information on Mann Up mode and the new map, click here.

The Mann vs Machine update is now live! Remind me, why exactly are you reading this post? You have robots to kill!

 

[Danny_ZQ]

wow. this was just... disappointing.

edit: day 3 was disappointing not the whole update. just to be clear

edii edit: decoy wasn't though. decoy looks awesome! :bounce:

 

[Lobster]

If you collect 100'000 tickets, can you exchange them for a strange imported iPad covered in Taiwanese writing?

 

[Omnomnick]

If you collect 100'000 tickets, can you exchange them for a strange imported iPad covered in Taiwanese writing?

Signed by Saxton Hale himself.

 

[Russian Mafia]

Update is live, downloading now!

 

[MFL]

They pulled a Blizzard.

 

[lord_raken]

They pulled a Blizzard.

So you don't have a connection to the MvM servers too? I can't even access my items or the store.

I'll see if it's better tomorrow morning.

 

[kineaesth]

Got to play a round earlier, was actually really fun. Managed to finish it despite very little teamwork because of a few glitches. Then spent an hour or so trying to find another server to play in, got in to one that was locked at just before the first wave, and gave up. Seems like the problem is that MVM servers have to be 32 maxplayers, when in fact only six people can play at a time. So server load is completely ****ed, as you've got 24 specs for six guys, and everyone's constantly trying to join because they see 23/32 and go YAY, AN OPEN SERVER. Pretty much a disaster, needs way way more servers. Matchmaking is terrible also. Then again, I'm sure it'll be a bit more operational in a few days...

 

[Ooiman]

So this sums up in pretty much this:

You can play this mode for free, but if you want any kind of reward or, in other words, loot you need to pay.

Speaking of which, do you automatically get instant access to a server with Mann Up?

 

[ríomhaire]

So this sums up in pretty much this:

You can play this mode for free, but if you want any kind of reward or, in other words, loot you need to pay.

Yeah, but the loot is entirely cosmetic.

 

[Schru]

So this sums up in pretty much this:

You can play this mode for free, but if you want any kind of reward or, in other words, loot you need to pay.

Speaking of which, do you automatically get instant access to a server with Mann Up?

Isn't having a good time with the new game mode some kind of a reward?

 

[lord_raken]

So this sums up in pretty much this:

You can play this mode for free, but if you want any kind of reward or, in other words, loot you need to pay.

Speaking of which, do you automatically get instant access to a server with Mann Up?

The $0.99 item is to INCREASE your chances of getting cosmetic items. If you don't want to pay you can still get those items, you will just not receive them as often.

Also, the real fun is the new game type. I couldn't really care about new cosmetic items.

 

[bobtheskull]

ok, what gives? I've tried to get into the MvM games and it searches for free games and it tells me to wait for 58 minutes... then 10 minutes of waiting later it goes up to 71 minutes... Not impressed... How can it tell us there are 247 empty servers, but have 12000 players waiting?

I'm gonna go sulk now and play Isaac instead!

 

[Schru]

It's easier to get in through the server browser. Just type in 'mvm_' in the map filter and pick a server that has less than six people, or one with only several more, as then you can wait in spectator mode until some one leaves. I's not a nice thing to do, but if you have a fast PC, then you can outpace current players to picking a slot when there's a map change.

I read on SUF that the number of bots is equal to remaining player slots, so it's best to play on 32-player servers, and it also means that spectators occupy slots which would otherwise spawn additional robots. I do not know if this is accurate, however.

On another note, it's a shame that Valve chose to not use both colours for the players' team. The way it is now the players' team is Red, and the robots are painted blue. I don't know whether it was confirmed or if it's just speculation, but it's reasonable to assume that they did so to avoid confusion on the account of players who don't follow the story, or because Blus looked too much like Greys. It could also be because grey would be hard to make out on the mvm_mannworks map.

 

[Danny_ZQ]

it tells me to wait for 58 minutes... then 10 minutes of waiting later it goes up to 71 minutes...

This.

 

[<RJMC>]

spectator vs machines game mode

 

[Absinthe]

Mann Up mode is pretty savage on some waves. Managed to just finish my first mission thirty seconds before Valve took the servers down.

 

[OmegaX]

Beat all three missions last night with some friends. It was surprisingly easy...We only failed a few waves. I don't see myself playing this much more...the novelty wears off pretty fast and it gets repetitive.

 

[Schru]

There are higher difficulty modes, but most servers host normal mode by default. It might be possible to change it by calling a vote.

 

[Russian Mafia]

You can change the difficulty on most servers I've been on. Also, the composition of the waves is completely modable to the server owner.

 

[Adabiviak]

I think this game mode is super fun... the most cooperation I've ever seen on a TF2 server. I think we had it set to advanced. I haven't played enough to know the difference, but we started with very little money, and got our asses handed to us repeatedly. Two tanks in a row on Coal with super-heavy escorts? If you don't start laying relentless critical hurt on them within maybe five tank lengths out the gate, it's curtains.

Also, I'm playing medic, and I'm torn between the kritzkrieg and the medigun. I've been using the kritzkrieg more and more, as it seems like the best way to put some real hurt on those tanks and large enemies, and when it's buffed, it heals pretty well. Preferences?

 

[ríomhaire]

Any infinite money servers? I'd love to just play a round where I was super overpowered.

 

[Omnomnick]

Beat all three missions last night with some friends. It was surprisingly easy...We only failed a few waves. I don't see myself playing this much more...the novelty wears off pretty fast and it gets repetitive.

Come back after you've attempted at least 1 of the advanced modes.

There are higher difficulty modes, but most servers host normal mode by default. It might be possible to change it by calling a vote.

All servers host Normal by default, but Advanced or Advanced2 can be selected via a vote on the menu. Advanced is incredibly hard in comparison to the standard Normal modes.

 

[Adabiviak]

The 8-wave advanced level for Decoy (Data Demolition, I think) is unusually difficult... we could not get past level 8 after a few hours of trying. Having two engineers instead of an extra offensive class was probably our undoing, but once you've got upgraded weapons, it's rough to switch later (as the upgrades won't transfer).

Also, definitely kritzkreig.

 

[MuToiD_MaN]

I'm having an awesome time with this game! Server browser is the way to go, **** matchmaking.

 

[Adabiviak]

Day #2 trying to defeat wave 8 on Data Demolition was met with failure yet again. While optimism remains high, I may need to hook up with a more experienced team.

Anyone here in valvetimedotnetland know how to handle a weapon in TF2? I'm looking for a few good players. As hilariously fruitless previous attempts have been to get more than two of us into a map at the same time, I would seriously like to take a stab at this with people who know what they're doing. I might even subsidize your ticket into Mann Up mode. I'll even throw in this bonus: if we push through all eight waves of Data Demolition in Mann Up mode in 12 or less tries, I'll subsidize the rest of your entire tour of duty in Mann Up mode. I'll also be burning off a Squad Surplus Voucher on Data Demolition, so you'll get something you can craft into scrap. Applicants must demonstrate that they don't suck at their respective class, be able to communicate (mic is preferred, but keyboard screen communication is acceptable), play anything but medic (I've got that covered), and you must have a canteen. If you don't already have a canteen, and have met the other requirements, I will see about making the trades necessary for you to craft one (it's just four pieces of scrap). I'm playing out of California, so if you're playing at a distance from that, you'll need to be able to handle whatever ping lag you have.

Applicants should post below. If we're not already friends on Steam, just add me, and I'll invite you to the party server, which I'll fire up if I get any responses. Moderators, if this post will fork this thread too much, please move it as necessary. Also, feel free to apply for the job!

 

[MuToiD_MaN]

Who has two thumbs and is definitely not qualified? *This guy*

Anybody else adlibbing theremin solos on the character select screen?

 

[morgs]

Gets quite tedious after the first couple of hours, pretty fun though.

 

[Adabiviak]

Skip it - landed a good random bunch of guys and got it done. That was one of the most intense and enjoyable firefights I've ever been in.