Team Fortress 2 Gets (Beta) Grappling Hooks

The latest update to Team Fortress 2 has enabled two beta maps which are slightly altered, to allow the use of a new item. Fire the grappling hook - useable by all classes - and it will reel you in towards it. Let go of Fire to let go early. It's part of Manpower Mode.

If you want to do one of the things a Spider-Man can, it's simple:

Click on Play Multiplayer, enable Play Beta Maps checkbox, and then choose Mannpower Mode.

Of course, there is more to the update than simply grappling hooks on Ctf_foundry and Ctf_gorge.

Manpower Mode also enables nine power ups - as this is currently all a beta release, the power ups may change or be tweaked, depending on feedback. Currently they are:

• Strength: Double damage for all weapons. Distance damage fall-off immunity.
• Resistance: Reduces incoming damage by 50%. Immune to critical hit damage multiplier.
• Vampire: All damage dealt is returned as health. 25% damage resistance. Max health increased by 40%.
• Warlock: 50% of damage received is reflected back to the attacker (reflected damage cannot directly cause death). Max health increased by 50%.
• Haste: Double weapon firing and reload rate. Double clip size and max ammo count. Movement speed increased by 30%.
• Regeneration: Ammo, health and metal regenerate. Rate of health regeneration inversely proportional to max health.
• Precision: Greatly reduced bullet spread. Distance damage falloff immunity. Rocket and grenade travel speed increased 250%.
• Agility: Movement speed increased by 50%. Grapple speed increase. Jump height increased by 80%. Instant weapon switch.
• Critical Hit: temporary full crit power for 30 seconds. Respawns in the same place after 60 seconds.

You can drop these power ups at any time, though they will automatically be dropped when you die.

Also as part of the Smissmass Update, there are three new weapons: The Iron Bomber, The Quickiebomb Launcher and The Panic Attack. There are 29 new cosmetic items, as well as a little special something for everyone who plays - a Stuffed Stocking.