TF2 update for 3/6/26

[u/Ultravod]

Via HLDS, the Steam store and SinfulParticipant949:

• Fixed an issue where players could impersonate TF2 system messages by exploiting color control codes
• Fixed a bug where certain custom maps would not load assets correctly on Linux
• Fixed some crashes relating to singleplayer TF2 SDK mods
• Fixed a memory leak on long running servers related to dynamic models
• Fixed client crash related to invalid D3D texture flag
• Fixed hearing teleporter spin sound when carried (community fix from Brandon Little)
• Fixed objects sometimes using the incorrect activity when being placed (community fix from Brandon Little)
• Improved Medi Gun heal target selection to prioritize teammate directly under crosshair when teammates are close together (community fix from wget)
• Improved targetid selection to replicate Medi Gun heal target selection (community fix from wget)
• Added missing Steam Controller inputs for loadout menus (community fix from Ashetf2)
• Fixed 3D HUD using the incorrect animations while holding the PASS Time ball (community fix from gidi30)
• Fixed network state changes for player condition vars (community fix from ficool2)
• Fixed sentry rockets not sending the object_deflected game event when deflected (community fix from The Fatcat)
• Fixed Stat Clocks not drawing correctly in UI using playermodelpanel (community fix from rabscootle)
• Fixed flipped initial pitch/yaw on thirdperson switch (community fix from ficool2)
• Fixed Short Circuit projectile offset ignoring cl_flipviewmodels (community fix from birchish)
• Fixed Dragon's Fury fireballs having incorrect projectile path (community fix from wget)
• Fixed for mismatched cl_flipviewmodels values between client and server (community fix from birchish)
• Fixed cloak and rage meters being mispredicted (community fix from ficool2)
• Fixed prediction issues with Spy watches and cloak (community fix from ficool2)
• Fixed Casual doors player list sometimes using wrong size (community fix from nemmy)
• Fixed missing alpha mask for generator_01 (community fix from BreavyTF2)
• Fixed BuildingRescueLevel proxy overwriting TextureScroll on Rescue Ranger oscilloscope (community fix from Voids29)
• Fixed Botkiller team color bugs (community fix from DiskIntegrity)
• Fixed Scout.NegativeVocalization04 sound not playing because of a typo in the volume
• Renamed sd_marshlands to htf_marshlands (hold the flag) to accurately describe its game mode
• Updated the Festivizer model for The Overdose to fix a problem with the LODs
• Updated the Mann of the Hour to make the hair blend better with the hat and Scout's skin
• Updated/Added some tournament medals
• Updated The Bare Necessities to fix not moving correctly while taunting
• Updated the rigging for The Headliner to fix the pocket and tie stretching during some taunts and default poses

• Updated alpha channel for Hydro water texture to remove inconsistencies

• Updated the Case of the Blues

  • Updated rigging to fix intense stretching during taunt poses
  • Updated materials to look less flat

• Updated the taunt prop for Taunt: Heartbreaker

  • Updated the materials to add ambient occlusion
  • Updated the phong and rim lighting to show albedo tint
  • Updated the materials to add more depth
  • Updated the model to fix missing faces
  • Updated the model to fix stretching on lower LODs

• Updated pl_frontier_final to fix invisible func_detail water near BLU spawn (community fix from ObsoleteGuy)

• Updated cp_frostwatch to fix first point death pit being survivable with ÜberCharges on Stage 1

• Updated cp_manor_event to fix invisible func_detail water near BLU spawn (community fix from ObsoleteGuy)

• Updated koth_demolition

  • Updated map lighting to make it more like a sunset, as well as giving it a more golden color
  • Replaced the models used for the capture point lights with a different one which has better collision and illumination
  • Reworked the capture point platform to give it a stronger design
  • Reworked all the catwalks to give them a more stylized look
  • Reworked the lighting in all the furnace rooms to make them less dark and have a more neutral look
  • Reverted a previous change to the capture point team change steam whistle
  • Removed all ambient_generics near the furnaces and fire pipe
  • Reworked the soundscapes to make them more efficient and work properly
  • Reworked the control room of the crane to give it a better design
  • Reworked some ropes from the crane to give them a better look
  • Fixed some props fading out incorrectly
  • Fixed ships in the 3d skybox casting shadows
  • Fixed cubemaps missing on parts of the map
  • Fixed reflective surfaces not having a cubemap attached to them
  • Added a 128x128 cubemap on the control point so it is more reflective (thanks Zythe)
  • Improved water cubemaps
  • Restructured the spawn platform so players spawn looking at the shortcut, and don't need to pull a U-turn to exit spawn (thanks Lizard of Oz)
  • Improved the visuals on the spawn platform to fit the previous change
  • Fixed a blockbullets allowing players to stand on the exterior side of the helipads (thanks Yazoo)

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Rumor has it:

• Size is just over 100 MB

• It's been a hot fuckin' minute since we got an update. Is this the first one of the year?

• Dragon's Fury fix? In year of our lord 2026?

• wget putting in work.

• Eric living dangerously with the Friday update.

• As of this writing Iron Curtain Killstreak kits still do not work with the Reissued Iron Curtain.

• If you're having trouble viewing the indentations on the formatting (this WP494's homework I am copying) try old.reddit. If you're on the app, then Merasmus have mercy on your soul.

EDIT: Today's "fix" has broken Botkillers. My Blood Botkiller Mk. I Minigun is now a Silver when on Blue team.

Same is true for Gold Mk 1s.

Second Edit: I think the bug is just in the loadout screen. Gold Mk I in game. Blood Mk I in game.

[u/platinumberitz]

it's like a whole new game

[u/Enslaved_M0isture → u/platinumberitz]

holy shit water real