Team Fortress 2's Jungle Inferno update will launch today - And it includes the announced "Pyro update"
“Typically we ship updates on a Thursday, so those of you expecting the Jungle Inferno Update to flip live today, you might want to sit down for this next part,” a post made yesterday reads. “If you're already in a comfortable sitting position, you might want to sit up straighter, because we're about to tell you we're delaying a day and we don't want you to twist your lumbar.”
It’s almost finished, but Valve’s doing some stress testing right now. It will launch early today, says the developer.
When it does arrive, you’ll be able to check out the new map, Mercenary Park, along with a bunch of community maps, taunts, war paint and Pyro items. Check out the full list of additions here.
Flamethrowers are fundamentally changed in several years. They’re fancied up with new particle effects which are now better synchronised with what the weapon’s actually doing, removing the frustration of flames which look like they should be hitting someone but don’t. Airblasts are changed too, with improved hit detection and player momentum making them less frustrating for pyros, but a modicum of air control making them less frustrating for blasted players. Flamethrower afterburn is tweaked too, going from a fixed time to dependant upon how long someone was burning. All fires burn faster (and fiercer, to counterbalance that), mind.
Then there are the new Pyro items. The Dragon’s Fury is a single-shot flamethrower growing more powerful with consecutive hits. The Gas Passer is a gasoline can creating a cloud which coats enemies then ignites them if they take damage. The Hot Hand is a gloveslap which deals reduced damage but does give a speed boost and leaves an insulting record of slappings in the kill feed. And the Thermal Thruster is the new rocketpack, giving a short burst firing Pyros in the direction they’re aiming and dealing bonus fall damage if they land on an enemy – a bit like the Soldier’s Mantreads do. Expect a great many Pyros to be flying around and trying to land on you.
All these new Pyro items can be unlocked by completing in-game tasks. Oh, and unlocking The Thermal Thruster will also give a taunt letting Pyros light their own farts:
