14 DAY TRIAL // Team Fortress 2 has finally received its Mann versus Machine Update on the Steam digital distribution service for PC and Mac platforms, so Valve has posted a comprehensive FAQ about the new mechanics that will be introduced by this cooperative mode.
Team Fortress 2 came out many years ago and Valve has managed to keep players interested in the experience by adding hats and various items, not to mention by making it a free-to-play experience last year.
Now, the game has received its biggest update yet, in the form of the Mann vs. Machine one, which introduces a completely new six-player cooperative mode.
We have already heard about the mode’s new mechanics and the special RPG-like features that are introduced by the update.
Now, Valve has posted a lengthy FAQ about various other aspects of the Mann vs. Machine mode, including things like Tours of Duty, which tasks players with completing missions on various maps, and the special Mann Up mode, which gives them cosmetic loot.
Check out the whole FAQ below.
Q: Do I need to buy anything to play Mann vs. Machine? No. You can play the game as much as you like on any non-Mann Co. server. All Missions are available for free, and all play time in Mann vs. Machine will count toward your standard timed loot drops.
Q: What is a Mission?
A Mission is a set of robot attack waves staged on a single map. A Mission is “completed” when your team survives the entire set of waves in a single session.
Q: What is a Tour of Duty?
A Tour of Duty is a collection of Missions that may span multiple maps. Tours of Duty only exist in Mann Up Mode. Mann vs. Machine is shipping with one Tour of Duty. We’ll be releasing more Tours of Duty in the future.
Q: What is Mann Up Mode?
When you play Mann vs. Machine on an official Mann Co. server, this is called Mann Up Mode. Mann Up Mode allows you to earn special item rewards and track your progress through various Missions. To enter Mann Up Mode, you must possess a Tour of Duty Ticket.
Q: What is a Tour of Duty Ticket?
A Tour of Duty Ticket gives you access to Mann Up Mode, and can be purchased from the Mann Co. Store for $0.99. You do not need a Tour of Duty Ticket to play Mann vs. Machine on non-Mann Co. servers (i.e.: not in Mann Up Mode).
Q: What is a Tour of Duty Badge?
A Tour of Duty Badge (ToDB) tracks your progress through a Tour of Duty. It will be automatically granted to you the first time you successfully complete a Mission in a Tour of Duty while in Mann Up Mode. Each successful Mission will be marked as completed on your ToDB. When you complete an entire ToDB, you'll receive a random rare item reward and an upgraded ToDB of a higher rank, allowing you to complete each Mission again to earn more items.
Q: Q: Do the new items earned in Mann Up Mode affect gameplay?
No. All items unique to Mann Up Mode are cosmetic. They are equippable throughout all of TF2, and are tradable.
Q: How do I earn these items?
There are three ways to earn Mann Up Mode items: Each time you complete an unfinished Mission on your ToDB in Mann Up Mode, you'll earn an item. This will consume the Tour of Duty Ticket you presented to enter Mann Up Mode. When you complete all of the Missions on a ToDB, you’ll earn a random rare item. These rare items can only be obtained by completing ALL Missions in a Tour of Duty. You can also obtain items using Squad Surplus Vouchers (see below).
Q: What is a Squad Surplus Voucher?
If you present a Squad Surplus Voucher prior to starting a Mission in Mann Up Mode and then beat the Mission, you and every person on your team will receive an item, even if they did not present a Voucher themselves. Squad Surplus Vouchers are available in the Mann Co. Store for $1.99.
Q: Can a Squad Surplus Voucher be redeemed when not in Mann Up Mode?
No. Vouchers can only be redeemed in Mann Up Mode.
Q: What if more than one person on my team uses a Squad Surplus Voucher?
Everyone on your team will receive an ADDITIONAL item for each Voucher used. For example, if all six players in a Mission use a Voucher, everyone will receive six extra items upon completing the Mission. If only one person uses a Voucher, then everyone will receive one extra item upon completing the Mission. If the Mission is NOT completed, no Vouchers will be consumed, and no items will be granted.
Q: Are my Tickets or Vouchers consumed even if we lose the game or are disconnected?
No. Tour of Duty Tickets and Squad Surplus Vouchers are ONLY consumed upon successful completion of a Mission. If you do not beat the Mission for any reason, then your Tickets and Vouchers will not be consumed and can be used again later.
Q: What if I complete a Mission that I have already completed on my Tour of Duty Badge?
In this case, your Tour of Duty Ticket will not be consumed, and your ToDB progress will not be updated. Squad Surplus Vouchers, however, will always be redeemed for items when a Mission is completed successfully. The Team Fortress 2 Mann vs. Machine update is now live on Steam. Share your thoughts about this new experience below.