Difference between revisions of "Horseless Headless Horsemann"

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{{recent addition}}
 
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[[Image:HHH.png|350px|right|The Horseless Headless Horsemann]]
 
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{{Quotation|'''The Soldier''' on undead horseless horsemen|This is my world! You are not welcome in my world!|sound=Soldier_taunts17.wav}}
 
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The '''Horseless Headless Horsemann''' (often abbreviated to '''HHH''') is a neutral enemy in [[Mann Manor]], released with the [[Scream Fortress]] update. The not-quite-dead form of [[Non-player characters#Silas Mann|Silas Mann]], this character will crawl out of the currently contested [[control point]] after a pre-determined time, before hunting down and killing any player on either team until he is defeated. The amount of damage the Horseless Headless Horsemann can deal is above 20,000 as proven against Saxton in the Saxton Hale Mod. Even Spies equipped with the [[Dead Ringer]] will be killed by attack.
 
  
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Players too close to the monstrosity when it makes a kill will be designated as "It", whereupon they become the primary target. The current "It" is marked with a floating white skull-and-crossbones symbol (the same symbol used for the [[G.R.U.]]). The person marked as "It" can pass on their status by smacking someone on the opposing team with their [[melee]] weapon. After 30 seconds, the Horsemann will abandon chasing whoever is "it". He will then choose the first player that is within range as the new "it".
+
{{Hazard infobox
 +
  | image      = HHH.png
 +
  | health      = 3,000 <small>+200 for each player in the server</small>
 +
  | damage      = 80% of the victim's base health
 +
  | backup      = No
 +
  | bonk        = Yes
 +
  | candy-cane  = No
 +
  | targe      = No
 +
  | dead-ringer = Yes
 +
  | gunboats    = No
 +
  | jumpers    = No
 +
  | mini-crits  = No
 +
  | uber        = Yes
 +
  | maps        = {{map link|Mann Manor}}, {{map link|Bloodwater}}, {{map link|Carnival of Carnage}}, {{map link|Hellstone}}, {{map link|Brimstone|Brimstone (map)}}, {{map link|Gravestone}}, {{map link|Graveyard}}, {{map link|Slasher}}, {{map link|Bonesaw|Bonesaw (map)}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Quotation|The TF2 Blog|Listen closely! What's that you hear? Is it the clip clop of haunted hoofs? Nope. It's the terrifying, completely foot-generated clomping of the Horseless Headless Horseman! He's come to steal your soul! And, if you have one, your horse!}}
 +
 
 +
The '''Horseless Headless Horsemann''', the undead form of [[Non-player characters#Silas Mann|Silas Mann]], is a neutral enemy that first appeared in [[Mann Manor]] and can now be found in several [[Halloween map]]s, both Valve-made and community-created. In Mann Manor, approximately every 8 minutes, he spawns at the currently contested [[control point (objective)|control point]] and hunts down players from both teams, provided there is at least 10 players in the server. He has a great deal of health, deals devastating damage in a single attack, and continues to rampage until defeated by the players. In [[Carnival of Carnage]], he spawns in the Bumper Car Soccer and Falling Platform bumper car games after a certain amount of time, carrying the [[Necro Smasher]] instead of his [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker|normal weapon]]. On [[Hellstone]], he spawns when the BLU team captures the second point, and there is a modest chance of him spawning in any game on [[Brimstone (map)|Brimstone]], [[Gravestone]], and [[Slasher]].
 +
 
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann is referred to as "''Team Fortress'''s first boss monster" on the official [https://www.teamfortress.com/screamfortress/ Scream Fortress Update] page.
 +
 
 +
== Mechanics ==
 +
[[File:Horseless Headless Horseman HP Chart.png|250px|right|thumb|Damage graph showing the number of players vs. the health of the Horseless Headless Horsemann.]]
 +
=== NPC entity ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann is classified as part of the map's environment; any kills made by him count as environmental deaths for the victim. On-hit effects, such as the charging of the [[Buff Banner]], healing provided by the [[Black Box]], or the [[L'Etranger]] refilling Cloak, do not trigger upon a successful attack against the Horsemann. Additionally, the Horseless Headless Horsemann is completely immune to all status ailments, such as [[Jarate]], [[slowdown]], or [[bleeding]]. He is, however, affected by Critical hits and damage ramp up/fall off.
 +
 
 +
If the Horseless Headless Horsemann is under half health, he will hold his axe in one hand instead of two-handing it.<ref>game\server\tf\halloween\halloween_behavior:L432-448</ref>
 +
 
 +
=== Player targeting ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann designates any player on RED or BLU as "it" if they are within 1500 [[Hammer unit]]s of the current [[Control point (objective)|Control Point]] that BLU needs to capture. If there are no players within this 1500 Hammer unit range, he stands at the Control Point.
 +
 
 +
The player designated as "It" is notified via an on-screen message and marked with a floating white skull and crossbones icon. The Horseless Headless Horsemann changes targets if "It" is killed, to whoever killed "it", unless they are far away enough, is more than 2000 Hammer units away from the currently contested Control Point, gets [[ÜberCharge|Übered]], or is in an area inaccessible to the Horseless Headless Horsemann, such as the respawn room. Additionally, a player can hit an enemy with a melee weapon to pass the "It" status to them, in a manner similar to tag.
 +
 
 +
Every now and then when attacking players, the Horseless Headless Horsemann may spread his arms and release a loud "Boo!" Any players within 500 Hammer units are stunned and placed into a state of fear. Players wearing the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] or [[Saxton Hale Mask]] are immune to being stunned by the Horseless Headless Horsemann's taunt.
 +
 
 +
=== Health ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann has a base health of 3000 that increases by 200 for each player in the server. His actual minimum possible health is 5000, as he does not spawn if there are fewer than 10 players in the server, while his maximum possible health is 9400, in an increased slot 32-player server. With the addition of {{code|-unrestricted_maxplayers}} in the {{Patch name|7|25|2023}}, the maximum may be even higher (up to 23000 max with 100 players).
 +
 
 +
=== Death ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann begins to "shiver" when he has been defeated before exploding shortly afterwards. His defeat is announced via a sound and on-screen message to all players on the server. The last three players to damage the Horseless Headless Horsemann are credited with killing him.
  
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If no one is "It", he may perform a "Boo" taunt. He crouches and then spreads his arms wide, releasing a loud ghostly "BOO!" and scaring anyone in a range of 500 [[Hammer unit|units]]. This is similar to the [[Ghost]]'s effect and also grants the ''Scared Stiff'' [[Scarechievement]]. Wearing the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] provides immunity from being scared in this way.
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=== Audio cues ===
 +
These sounds play during the event:
 +
* [[Media:halloween_boss_summoned_fx.wav|Halloween Boss has spawned]]<sup>‡</sup>
 +
* [[Media:halloween_boss_chosen_it.wav|You have been tagged as 'it'.]]<sup>†</sup>
 +
* [[Media:halloween_boss_tagged_other_it.wav|Another player has been tagged as 'it'.]]<sup>†</sup>
 +
* [[Media:halloween_boss_defeated_fx.wav|Halloween Boss has been defeated.]]<sup>‡</sup>
 +
<sup>‡</sup>Accompanied by a notification Popup.
  
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Contributing in killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards the Sleepy Holl0wnd achievement and drops the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] hat. If a player delivers a single blow with a melee weapon he will drop an [[Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap]], specifically when the Horsemann "shivers" when he is about to die. Contributing to the kill is not specific to melee or ranged damage. Dealing damage in any form to him awards you with credit for his death if you are alive at the time of his death.
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<sup>†</sup>Shown through in-game chat.
 +
 
 +
== Holiday items ==
 +
Contributing to killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards both the ''Sleepy Holl0wnd'' [[Ghostchievements|Ghostchievement]] and the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] [[Cosmetic items|cosmetic]]. If a player is credited with killing the Horseless Horsemann with a melee attack, the player receives an [[Haunted Metal Scrap|Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap]] and the ''Gored'' Ghostchievement.
  
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The Horseless Headless Horsemann has a base health of 3000, increasing by 200 per player in the server, making his maximum possible health a massive 7800 (24-player server) or an even higher 9400 (32-player server). The Horsemann spawns every 8 minutes (plus or minus 1 minute). He will not spawn if there are under 10 players in the server (meaning the minimum health would be 5000 unless the console is used to spawn him).
 
 
== Strategy ==
 
== Strategy ==
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[[File:Horseless_Headless_Horseman_HP_Chart.png|250px|right|thumb|Damage graph showing the number of players, vs. health of the Horsemann.]]
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{{main|Community Mann Manor strategy}}
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*One basic strategy for "It" is to act as bait for the Horsemann while all other players inflict as much damage as they can.
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{{main|Horseless Headless Horsemann match-ups}}
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*Another is to have a [[Heavy]]/[[Medic]] duo camp the control point where he will spawn next, building up a [[Kritzkrieg]] charge, and unleashing it upon him spawning, killing him after his spawn animation is complete.
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*It might be a good idea for a Scout who is "It" to flee while the Horsemann pursues him towards your team's spawn room. If not, then lure the Horsemann towards the enemy team's spawn room to provide a distraction.
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== Related achievements ==
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*A Scout can keep the Horsemann running back and forth at the Control Point nearest to Red team's spawn by jumping over the bottomless pits, and then jumping back over them when the Horsemann gets close.
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=== {{Achiev type link|scarechievements}} ===
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*Playing as [[Scout]] while being "It" allows you to dodge the Horsemann's attacks and pursuits due to your agility and ability to double/triple jump. As a [[Demoman]] using the [[Chargin' Targe]], it is also possible to outrun him by charging repeatedly in a single direction across open ground.
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{{Achievement table
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*The [[Spy]]'s [[Deadringer]] will allow a player to survive the Horsemann's attacks. However, the monster will still pursue you recklessly and kill you as your damage reduction runs out.
+
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Scared Stiff}}
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*Because the Horsemann does not suffer afterburn damage, using the Pyro against the Horseless Headless Horsemann is not recommended. In addition, the short effective range of the Pyro makes attacking head-on a very deadly prospect. However, using the Backburner while he is distracted can be effective in defeating him.
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}}
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*Using the [[Scottish Resistance]], the [[Demoman]] can deal a considerable amount of damage with multiple stickybombs. Use the increased firing rate of the Scottish Resistance to your advantage. You can also plant stickybombs to the Horsemann's spawning point before he appears. This would deal a huge amount of damage in an instant.
+
 
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*As the Engineer, [[Sentry Gun]]s will not target the Horsemann. However, you can use the [[Wrangler]] to hurt and slow down the Horsemann. The Horsemann's is not affected by the Sentry Gun's knockback.
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*As a [[Scout]] you can use Bonk! Atomic Punch if you are "it" to distract the Horsemann to aid your team although this would run out over time so caution is advised.
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=== {{Achiev type link|ghostchievements}} ===
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*The Horsemann has a specific search radius around the active control point.  It is possible to stop him chasing you by running away from the control point and evading him until he loses interest in you.  This will cause him to attack someone else, or if there is nobody in his search radius, to run back and stand upon the control point to await more victims.
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{{Achievement table
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*The control points are still active while The Horsemann is out.  Use this time to take control of the point while the enemy is distracted!
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| 1 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Sleepy Holl0wnd}}
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*A strategy regarding RED on C is to stay as close as possible to spawn and retreat into the spawn as soon as a player on said team is 'IT'; this way, the HHH will spend most of the time chasing BLU, thus defending your point. This strategy works great with Sentry Guns aiming at the point.
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| 2 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Gored!}}
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*The Horsemann sees through the Spy's invisibility.
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}}
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*Though the HHH can chase IT onto the roof of B, he cannot chase a player onto the roofs of the buildings near it, therefore it is still possible to deal damage without the risk of being killed.
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*The Horsemann appears to be completely immune to most, if not all, status ailments such as being coated in [[Jarate]], [[Mad Milk]], afterburn, [[Natascha]] slowdown, [[Sandman|The Sandman's]] ball, knockback, and [[headshots]]. However, the Horsemann is affected by Critical damage and damage ramp up/falloff.
 
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*Like a building, the Horsemann does not activate any on-hit effects such as the [[Buff Banner]]'s rage building, the healing of the [[Black Box]] or [[Blutsauger]], or the damage text and hit sound.
 
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*The Horsemann will attack anything blocking his path, this includes untargeted players and buildings. Keep in mind wrangled [[Sentry Gun]]s can survive a few hits, allowing you and your team to profit from the distraction.
 
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*The Horsemann runs slightly faster than a backpedalling [[Scout]].
 
  
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==Related Achievements==
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=== {{class link|Scout}}  ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
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| {{Show achievement|Halloween|Sleepy Holl0wnd}}
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| 1 = {{Show achievement|Scout|Foul Territory}}
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| {{Show achievement|Halloween|Gored!}}
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| 2 = {{Show achievement|Scout|Fall Classic}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== {{class link|Demoman}} ===
 +
{{Show achievement|Demoman|He Who Celt It}}
 +
 
 +
== Update history ==
 +
{{Update history|
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|27|2010}}''' ([[Scream Fortress Update]])
 +
* Introduced the Horseless Headless Horsemann to the game.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|28|2010}}'''
 +
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann can now climb the ladder at point B.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|11|1|2010}}'''
 +
* Fixed a minor issue with the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|5|5|2011}}''' ([[Replay Update]])
 +
* Fixed the Horseless Headless Horsemann displaying the burning material in DirectX8.
 +
* {{Undocumented}} [[Sentry Gun]]s and [[Bots]] now properly target the Horseless Headless Horsemann as an enemy.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|27|2011}}''' ([[Very Scary Halloween Special]])
 +
* {{Undocumented}} Damage notifications and hitsounds now appear when damaging the Horsemann, if they are enabled.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|29|2014}}''' ([[Scream Fortress 2014]])
 +
* Added HHH to [[Carnival of Carnage]].
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|30|2014}}'''
 +
* Updated [[Carnival of Carnage|{{code|sd_doomsday_event}}]]
 +
** Updated HHH to use a giant [[Necro Smasher]] when attacking players.
 +
** Soccer game
 +
*** Added HHH, spawns 45 seconds into match.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|28|2015}}''' ([[Scream Fortress 2015]])
 +
* HHH's axe has dulled a bit and no longer guarantees death, but is still very lethal.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|6|21|2022}}'''
 +
* Fixed laggy animations on Halloween bosses, [[skeletons]], [[ghost]]s and other ghoul-like beings.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|9|2023}} #1''' ([[Scream Fortress 2023]])
 +
* Fixed {{code|ghost_pumpkin}} effect not playing correctly for the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
 
}}
 
}}
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==Gallery==
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 +
== Unused content ==
 +
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann has several unused animations that can be found in the game files. These include the "Cheers" thumbs up action and [[Medic]] calls. This is due to the Horseless Headless Horsemann using many of the Demoman's original animations.
 +
** Even though the Horseless Headless Horsemann never jumps, an unused jump animation exists from the original Demoman animations. The Horsemann walks around high obstacles or changes his target if confronted with an enemy on a higher ledge.
 +
* Aside from animations borrowed from Demoman, there are 2 unused animations for [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=924618081 "failing" a hive five taunt], which only the Horseless Headless Horsemann has.
 +
** The names of the unused taunt files are {{code|taunt_highfivefail}} and {{code|taunt_highfivefailfull}}.
 +
 
 +
== Bugs ==
 +
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann may, in semi-rare cases, move right into players, rendering them completely stuck and vulnerable to a quick and painful death.
 +
 
 +
== Trivia ==
 +
[[File:Silas Mann.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Presumably '''Silas Mann''' in the Mann family portrait. Notice that he is holding keys and that something is burning in the fireplace.]]
 +
 
 +
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story ''[[w:The Legend of Sleepy Hollow|The Legend of Sleepy Hollow]]'' by [[w:Washington Irving|Washington Irving]].
 +
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann's kills count as environmental deaths. Therefore, achievements such as ''Foul Territory'' for the Scout can be achieved by stunning someone about to be killed by the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
 +
* Despite avoiding hazards such as pits, the Horsemann can be killed by other environmental hazards if he is spawned somewhere other than Mann Manor. He is killed in one hit by the trains on [[Well (Control Point)|Well]], for instance.
 +
* If The Horseless Headless Horsemann is spawned with other bosses (Merasmus or Monoculus), he still kills them in one hit.
 +
* In Carnival of Carnage, Merasmus frequently refers to the Horseless Headless Horsemann as the "Headless Horseless Horsemann".
 +
* The internal name of the Horseless Headless Horsemann is [[vdc:headless_hatman|{{code|headless_hatman}}]].
 +
 
 +
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:HHH_chase.jpg|The Horseless Headless Horsemann attacking some members of both teams
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File:HHH chase.jpg|The Horseless Headless Horsemann attacking some members of both teams.
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File:Horsemann.png|An in-game screenshot of the Horseless Headless Horsemann
+
File:Horsemann.png|An in-game screenshot of the Horseless Headless Horsemann holding the axe with one hand, indicating he's low on health.
 +
File:HHH Necro Smasher.png|An image of the Horseless Headless Horsemann with the [[Necro Smasher]], used on [[Carnival of Carnage]].
 +
File:Marked for death Skull Hover.png|The icon displayed above "It".
 +
File:Ghost Yikes!.png|The icon which appears above a scared player .
 +
File:The HHH has appeared.PNG|Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann spawns.
 +
File:The HHH has been defeated.PNG|Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann is defeated.
 +
File:Bonesaw hhh.jpg|An in-game screenshot of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, used on [[Bonesaw (map)|Bonesaw]].
 +
File:HHH Bonesaw.png|An image of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, from Bonesaw.
 +
File:Gibbed Horsemann.png|Horseless Headless Horsemann's gibs
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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=== Kill icon ===
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== See also ==
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{{see also|Weapons|l1=List of kill icons}}
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* [[Horseless Headless Horsemann voice responses]]
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{{Kill notice|extend = yes|width = 25%|weapon = horseless headless horsemann&#39;s headtaker}}
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* [[Scream Fortress Update]]
 +
* [[MONOCULUS]]
 +
* [[Merasmus]]
 +
* [[Pocket Horsemann]]
 +
* [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker]]
 +
* [[Pocket Halloween Boss]]
 +
* [[Skeletons|Skeleton King]]
  
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== Trivia ==
+
== References ==
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*The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.
+
<references/>
−
*A belt identical to The Horsemann's is attached to the [[Ghastlier Gibus]].
 
−
*The Horseless Headless Horsemann's mechanics are similar to a community made mod called [[VS Saxton Hale Mod|VS. Saxton Hale]], in which everyone is on [[RED]] except [[Saxton Hale]], who is able to instantly kill anybody with a single hit, as well as startle groups of enemies.
 
−
*The Horsemann appears to use 2 different Demoman animations, specifically, the [[Bottle]] animations when turning around on the spot to attack his next target and majority of the [[Eyelander]] animations for his attacks and movement.
 
−
*The Animation the Horsemann uses when walking changes depending on how much health he has. After he loses a certain percentage of health ( currently not known, presumably 50%) he stops using the [[Eyelander]]/[[Skullcutter]] walk animation and starts using the [[Bottle]]/[[Pain Train]]/[[Frying Pan]] walk animation.
 
−
*The Horsemann will not cause damage notifications to show up on any player's screen (the same applies with the hit sound).
 
−
*The Horsemann is purple and leaves a purple glow, perhaps referencing the fact that he is on neither RED or BLU and, therefore, targets both teams. Additionally, he leaves a trail of smoking purple footprints, allowing him to be easily tracked.
 
−
*By using the console command "ent_create headless_hatman", it's possible to spawn the Horseless Headless Horsemann in any map (requires cheats). However, like other bots, he won't move or attack unless the map has nav meshes. Another command to spawn the Horseless Headless Horsemann is the following command: tf_halloween_force_boss_spawn (requires cheats).
 
−
**By using the former code to spawn multiple Horsemenn at once they will attack each other as well as players.
 
−
*The Horsemann kill's count as environmental deaths. Therefore achievements such as Foul Territory for the Scout can be achieved by stunning some one about to be killed by the Horsemann.
 
−
[[Image:Silas_Mann.jpg|thumb|right|Presumably '''Silas Mann''' in the Mann family portrait. Notice that he is holding keys, and something is burning in the fireplace.]]
 
−
*The Horseless Headless Horsemann is referred to in the game files as "Hatman", presumably because of his role in providing the players with a free hat, should they kill him.
 
−
*The Horsemann has several unused animations that can be found in the game files. These include the "Cheers" thumbs up action and [[Medic]] calls. This is due to the Horsemann using many of the Demoman's original animations.
 
−
**There is also an unused jump animation, also left over from the Demoman. This animation is unused as the Horsemann never actually jumps, though he will fall from a higher level if he is chasing someone. He will otherwise walk around height obstacles or change his target.
 
−
*Originally, it was possible to evade the Horsemann by staying on the roof of point B, as he would fall through the playerclip ladder. This was fixed in an update on [[October 28, 2010 Patch|October 28, 2010]].
 
−
*While not identical, the symbol shared by both the belt of the HHH and the band of the Ghastlier Gibus strongly resembles the 'Mustachio' character icon from Left 4 Dead 2.
 
  
−
== Demonstration ==
+
{{Scream Fortress Nav}}
−
{{youtube|4cb2HG-6VlM}}
 
  
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{{ScreamFortressNav}}
 
 
[[Category:Halloween]]
 
[[Category:Halloween]]
 +
[[Category:HHH]]
 +
[[Category:Jiggleboned]]

Latest revision as of 14:30, 18 July 2024

Horseless Headless Horsemann
Horseless Headless Horsemann
Kill Icon
Killicon horseless headless horsemann's headtaker.png
Basic Information
Health: 3,000 +200 for each player in the server
Damage Done: 80% of the victim's base health
Affected By:
• Battalion's Backup: No
• Bonk! Atomic Punch: Yes
• Candy Cane: No
• Chargin' Targe: No
• Dead Ringer: Yes
• Gunboats: No
• Mini-crits: No
• ÜberCharge: Yes
Found On: Mann Manor, Bloodwater, Carnival of Carnage, Hellstone, Brimstone, Gravestone, Graveyard, Slasher, Bonesaw
“
Listen closely! What's that you hear? Is it the clip clop of haunted hoofs? Nope. It's the terrifying, completely foot-generated clomping of the Horseless Headless Horseman! He's come to steal your soul! And, if you have one, your horse!
— The TF2 Blog
 ”

The Horseless Headless Horsemann, the undead form of Silas Mann, is a neutral enemy that first appeared in Mann Manor and can now be found in several Halloween maps, both Valve-made and community-created. In Mann Manor, approximately every 8 minutes, he spawns at the currently contested control point and hunts down players from both teams, provided there is at least 10 players in the server. He has a great deal of health, deals devastating damage in a single attack, and continues to rampage until defeated by the players. In Carnival of Carnage, he spawns in the Bumper Car Soccer and Falling Platform bumper car games after a certain amount of time, carrying the Necro Smasher instead of his normal weapon. On Hellstone, he spawns when the BLU team captures the second point, and there is a modest chance of him spawning in any game on Brimstone, Gravestone, and Slasher.

The Horseless Headless Horsemann is referred to as "Team Fortress's first boss monster" on the official Scream Fortress Update page.

Mechanics

Damage graph showing the number of players vs. the health of the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

NPC entity

The Horseless Headless Horsemann is classified as part of the map's environment; any kills made by him count as environmental deaths for the victim. On-hit effects, such as the charging of the Buff Banner, healing provided by the Black Box, or the L'Etranger refilling Cloak, do not trigger upon a successful attack against the Horsemann. Additionally, the Horseless Headless Horsemann is completely immune to all status ailments, such as Jarate, slowdown, or bleeding. He is, however, affected by Critical hits and damage ramp up/fall off.

If the Horseless Headless Horsemann is under half health, he will hold his axe in one hand instead of two-handing it.[1]

Player targeting

The Horseless Headless Horsemann designates any player on RED or BLU as "it" if they are within 1500 Hammer units of the current Control Point that BLU needs to capture. If there are no players within this 1500 Hammer unit range, he stands at the Control Point.

The player designated as "It" is notified via an on-screen message and marked with a floating white skull and crossbones icon. The Horseless Headless Horsemann changes targets if "It" is killed, to whoever killed "it", unless they are far away enough, is more than 2000 Hammer units away from the currently contested Control Point, gets Übered, or is in an area inaccessible to the Horseless Headless Horsemann, such as the respawn room. Additionally, a player can hit an enemy with a melee weapon to pass the "It" status to them, in a manner similar to tag.

Every now and then when attacking players, the Horseless Headless Horsemann may spread his arms and release a loud "Boo!" Any players within 500 Hammer units are stunned and placed into a state of fear. Players wearing the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head or Saxton Hale Mask are immune to being stunned by the Horseless Headless Horsemann's taunt.

Health

The Horseless Headless Horsemann has a base health of 3000 that increases by 200 for each player in the server. His actual minimum possible health is 5000, as he does not spawn if there are fewer than 10 players in the server, while his maximum possible health is 9400, in an increased slot 32-player server. With the addition of -unrestricted_maxplayers in the July 25, 2023 Patch, the maximum may be even higher (up to 23000 max with 100 players).

Death

The Horseless Headless Horsemann begins to "shiver" when he has been defeated before exploding shortly afterwards. His defeat is announced via a sound and on-screen message to all players on the server. The last three players to damage the Horseless Headless Horsemann are credited with killing him.

Audio cues

These sounds play during the event:

‡Accompanied by a notification Popup.

†Shown through in-game chat.

Holiday items

Contributing to killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards both the Sleepy Holl0wnd Ghostchievement and the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head cosmetic. If a player is credited with killing the Horseless Horsemann with a melee attack, the player receives an Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap and the Gored Ghostchievement.

Strategy

Main article: Community Mann Manor strategy
Main article: Horseless Headless Horsemann match-ups

Related achievements

Pumpkin.png Scarechievements

Scared Stiff
 Scared Stiff
Kill a player scared by a ghost.


Ghostchievements icon.png Ghostchievements

Sleepy Holl0WND
 Sleepy Holl0WND
Kill the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

Reward: Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head

Gored!
 Gored!
Collect the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Haunted Metal Scrap.


Leaderboard class scout.png Scout

Foul Territory
 Foul Territory
Cause an environmental death by stunning or slowing an enemy.
Fall Classic
 Fall Classic
Cause an environmental death or suicide using the Force-A-Nature's knockback.


Leaderboard class demoman.png Demoman

He Who Celt It
 He Who Celt It
Use the Sticky Launcher to kill an enemy player via environmental damage.


Update history

October 27, 2010 Patch (Scream Fortress Update)
  • Introduced the Horseless Headless Horsemann to the game.

October 28, 2010 Patch

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann can now climb the ladder at point B.

November 1, 2010 Patch

  • Fixed a minor issue with the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

May 5, 2011 Patch (Replay Update)

  • Fixed the Horseless Headless Horsemann displaying the burning material in DirectX8.
  • [Undocumented] Sentry Guns and Bots now properly target the Horseless Headless Horsemann as an enemy.

October 27, 2011 Patch (Very Scary Halloween Special)

  • [Undocumented] Damage notifications and hitsounds now appear when damaging the Horsemann, if they are enabled.

October 29, 2014 Patch (Scream Fortress 2014)

October 30, 2014 Patch

October 28, 2015 Patch (Scream Fortress 2015)

  • HHH's axe has dulled a bit and no longer guarantees death, but is still very lethal.

June 21, 2022 Patch

  • Fixed laggy animations on Halloween bosses, skeletons, ghosts and other ghoul-like beings.

October 9, 2023 Patch #1 (Scream Fortress 2023)

  • Fixed ghost_pumpkin effect not playing correctly for the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

Unused content

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann has several unused animations that can be found in the game files. These include the "Cheers" thumbs up action and Medic calls. This is due to the Horseless Headless Horsemann using many of the Demoman's original animations.
    • Even though the Horseless Headless Horsemann never jumps, an unused jump animation exists from the original Demoman animations. The Horsemann walks around high obstacles or changes his target if confronted with an enemy on a higher ledge.
  • Aside from animations borrowed from Demoman, there are 2 unused animations for "failing" a hive five taunt, which only the Horseless Headless Horsemann has.
    • The names of the unused taunt files are taunt_highfivefail and taunt_highfivefailfull.

Bugs

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann may, in semi-rare cases, move right into players, rendering them completely stuck and vulnerable to a quick and painful death.

Trivia

Presumably Silas Mann in the Mann family portrait. Notice that he is holding keys and that something is burning in the fireplace.
  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.
  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann's kills count as environmental deaths. Therefore, achievements such as Foul Territory for the Scout can be achieved by stunning someone about to be killed by the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
  • Despite avoiding hazards such as pits, the Horsemann can be killed by other environmental hazards if he is spawned somewhere other than Mann Manor. He is killed in one hit by the trains on Well, for instance.
  • If The Horseless Headless Horsemann is spawned with other bosses (Merasmus or Monoculus), he still kills them in one hit.
  • In Carnival of Carnage, Merasmus frequently refers to the Horseless Headless Horsemann as the "Headless Horseless Horsemann".
  • The internal name of the Horseless Headless Horsemann is headless_hatman.

Gallery

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann attacking some members of both teams.

  • An in-game screenshot of the Horseless Headless Horsemann holding the axe with one hand, indicating he's low on health.

  • An image of the Horseless Headless Horsemann with the Necro Smasher, used on Carnival of Carnage.

  • The icon displayed above "It".

  • The icon which appears above a scared player .

  • Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann spawns.

  • Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann is defeated.

  • An in-game screenshot of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, used on Bonesaw.

  • An image of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, from Bonesaw.

  • Horseless Headless Horsemann's gibs

See also

References

  1. ↑ game\server\tf\halloween\halloween_behavior:L432-448
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