December Global Whitelist Changes

The Jungle Inferno update was introduced mid-season, and some provisional measures were taken by the admin team. This included bans for both the new weapons (Dragon’s Fury, Gas Passer, Thermal Thruster, Hot Hand, Second Banana) as well as the majority of the changed weapons (Panic Attack, Pretty Boy’s Pocket Pistol, Mantreads, Beggar’s Bazooka, Backburner).

These changes meant the previous whitelist was modified in favour of an updated whitelist. Since this was only a short-term adjustment which be improved upon, let us look at the changes needed for the next iteration of the Global Whitelist. With some downtime during the holidays we’ll be approaching the whitelist slightly differently; due to there being limited playtest data available for the new and changed weapons since the update.

The following weapons will be unbanned in a provisional whitelist for a short amount of time, after which we will make a decision on the temporarily allowed weapons. The final decision will be made in early January.

• The Gas Passer
• B.A.S.E Jumper
• Bonk! Atomic Punch
• Sandman

We ask you to try out these weapons and provide feedback here so we can make the best decision!

Apart from testing weapons we also ask you to give feedback on the Pyro class as a whole. We want your thoughts on Pyro’s old weapons, as well as the new one that will be unbanned by this whitelist.

Changes to the whitelist

Below is a summary of changes that will be part of the whitelist, followed by an explanation for each weapon as to why it is allowed, banned or being tested.

Multiple Classes

• Panic Attack -> Unbanned
• B.A.S.E Jumper -> Unbanned for testing

Scout

• Sandman -> Unbanned for testing
• Bonk! Atomic Punch -> Unbanned for testing

Soldier

• Cow Mangler 5000 -> Banned
• Beggar’s Bazooka -> Unbanned

Pyro

• Backburner -> Unbanned
• Gas Passer -> Unbanned for testing
• Thermal Thruster -> Unbanned
• Hot Hand -> Unbanned

Heavy

• Natascha -> Banned
• Second Banana -> Unbanned
• Gloves of Running Urgently -> Unbanned

Medic

• Vita-Saw -> Unbanned

Sniper

• Darwin’s Danger Shield -> Unbanned

Reasoning behind (un)bans

Panic Attack – Unbanned

Although heavily changed from its previous version it still isn’t a standout weapon. Its reduced bullets per shot and damage penalty lead to the weapon doing worse than the default shotgun in most cases.

Pocket Pistol – Banned (Unchanged)

Although its initial bug of always getting +7 health has been fixed; the weapon maintains to be an issue. This due to its faster firing speed combined with the healing while having a minor downside. Due to this the weapon will remain banned.

Cow Mangler 5000 and Natascha – Banned

Both of these weapons have been discussed in depth in the past. With both of them getting buffed in the update, we opted to ban them.

Beggar’s Bazooka – Unbanned

Although there is still a bug (of which abuse is easily proven) that persists with the Beggar’s Bazooka its effect on the weapon isn’t enough to warrant a ban of the weapon.

Backburner – Unbanned

Banned recently due to a bug. With this getting fixed in the update of 13-12 we will be unbanning the weapon.

Dragon Fury – Banned (Unchanged)

The weapon itself does have a larger range than the base flamethrower and its projectiles don’t match their visual. The reduced airblast rate is a significant downside and its overall damage does match to the other flamethrowers (Although this might be because they seem bugged). But with the Pyro class already changing a lot as well together with new Pyro weapons that haven’t seen competitive play yet we will keep this banned.

Thermal Thruster – Unbanned

A very unique tool for the Pyro that brings new opportunities for the class. The weapon has a slow recharge as well slow weapon switching speed. The weapon’s unique ability isn’t amazing, because Pyro’s overall mobility is still far from Soldier or Scout. For this reason the weapon is unbanned.

Hot Hand – Unbanned

This weapon doesn’t add much to Pyro. Although slapping people is a very satisfying thing to do the weapon in itself isn’t strong.

Second Banana – Unbanned

The weapon doesn’t stand out too much (So much that we initially missed it in this post). It’s made to commemorate the Heavy losing to Pyro in the race for the update. And thus the weapon isn’t an original design and feels like a Sandvich with slightly altered stats. With the Sandvich already being allowed the Second Banana can get added on in as an somewhat situational alternative.

Gloves of Running Urgently – Unbanned

These gloves got changed quite heavily. Instead of having a mini-crit effect on equip you now drain your maximum HP. Although getting to mid fast is now possible, getting there fast with lots of HP isn’t. Since you need considerable time to recharge your HP and your buff is also affected, the weapon is unbanned.

Vita-Saw – Unbanned

The Vita-Saw’s stats have finally changed after being in the game for 7 years(!). The weapons ability to maintain a % of your ÜberCharge after death is still something that shouldn’t be underestimated. But due to it only allowing you to maintain it after hitting an enemy with it, it is more skill rewarding. It doesn’t overshadow the Ubersaw and vice versa but both will have their situational benefits. Due to this the Vita-Saw is unbanned.

Darwin’s Danger Shield – Unbanned

It blocks fire damage instead of bullets and doesn’t give +25 max HP on the wearer. With the amount of Pyro’s running rampant on pubs it has its utility there but in 6v6 its effects won’t show as much leading to it being unbanned.

Global & Provisional whitelist

So here we are, our provisional whitelist is done and can be found here. (ID:8192)

We are aware that there are still some bugs with the weapons that are being allowed in this whitelist, however these don’t completely break the weapon. Any abuse will get handled by the respective league that they occur in.

The only weapon that maintains a major impact bug is the Gloves of Running Urgently. This bug however has not been reproduced yet with consistent results. While our testing period with the provisional whitelist is going on we ask players to see if they can replicate any bugs with the GRU, and if so the weapon’s status in the whitelist will change accordingly. If players have this bug happen during a match we ask of them to act as honorably as possible. Here is the only noted case of the GRU bug occuring.

That’s all for now, we will be actively reading any discussions that go on in regards to the whitelist and appreciate anybody that tries to take part in the discussion.

We won’t keep you any longer than we already have: Happy Holidays to everybody! <3
Here’s to another amazing year of TF2!

-Your Global League Administrators

Thank you to NYK and Wiethoofd for their help in this writeup.