Difference between revisions of "PDA"

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{{hatnote|This article is about the Engineer's PDAs. For the weapon type, see [[Primary PDA]].}}
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{{Other uses|this=the Engineer's Build and Demolish tools|PDA (disambiguation)}}
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{{Item infobox
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| type          = weapon
 +
| image          = EngineerPDA.png
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| 3d-image-1    = PDA
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| 3d-image-2    = PDA Alt
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| 3d-image-3    = Toolbox
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| 3d-button-1    = default_half
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| 3d-button-2    = default_half
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| 3d-button-3    = colored_pair
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| 3d-viewname-1  = Construction PDA
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| 3d-viewname-2  = Destruction PDA
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| 3d-viewname-3  = Toolbox
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| hide-kill-icon = yes
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| used-by        = {{used by|Engineer}}
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| slot          = [[Weapons#PDA|PDA 1]] <small>(Construction PDA)</small><br>[[Weapons#PDA|PDA 2]] <small>(Destruction PDA)</small>
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| custom-slot    = yes
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| availability  = {{avail|stock|crate50-strange}}
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| trade          = no
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| gift          = no
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| marketable    = yes
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| rename        = Construction PDA only
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| numbered      = no
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| show-ammo      = none
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| loadout        = yes
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  | quality      = normal
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  | item-kind    = {{item kind|PDA}}
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  | item-level  = 1
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}}
 +
 
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{{Quotation|'''The Engineer''' explaining how the PDA functions|This button here, builds Teleporters. This button, builds Dispensers. And this little button makes them enemy sum-bitches wish they'd never even been born!|sound=Cm engie pregamefirst rare 07.mp3}}
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The '''PDAs''' are default [[Weapons#engiepda|weapons]] for the [[Engineer]], consisting of the '''Construction PDA''' and '''Destruction PDA''', which the Engineer uses to respectively construct or destroy his various [[buildings]]. The Construction PDA is a calculator-style device, whereas the Destruction PDA looks similar to a stereotypical hand-held detonation device. 
 +
 
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These gadgets are not regular weapons, as they cannot be used to attack, mainly serving as a visual cue to players. Upon selecting one of the PDAs, a superimposed HUD appears in the middle of the player's view, allowing the player to either build or destroy buildings. Though it lists all four available buildings, only the highlighted choices can be selected. Selection of the buildings is done through the preset numbered keys.
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The selection keys only function on the appropriate PDA under the right conditions. Should the player have insufficient [[Metal]] to construct a building or have already deployed it, they are denied access to that slot on the Construction PDA. Conversely, the Destruction PDA destroys buildings owned by the player that have already been deployed, including buildings that are still under construction or performing an upgrade. The Destruction PDA cannot, however, be used to destroy buildings currently being sapped by a [[Sapper]] of any kind.
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If a player chooses to construct an available building from the Construction PDA, the player model then appears to hold a Toolbox, and the player sees a template on the ground in front of them. This template shows the orientation of the chosen building. While the template is visible, secondary fire adjusts the building's orientation by 90 degrees counter-clockwise, and primary fire starts the build process.
  
{{Weapon infobox
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Pressing the last weapon used key or primary fire key cancels either PDA menu, and returns the player to their previous weapon.
| weapon-slot = [[Weapons#Primary PDAs|PDA]] and [[Weapons#Secondary PDA|PDA2]]
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| used-by = [[Engineer]]
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{{Weapon Demonstration}}
| level-and-type =Level 1 PDA
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| weapon-image = EngineerPDA.png
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== Strange variant ==
| ammo-loaded = N/A
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{{Strange item info
| ammo-carried = N/A
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| item-name = {{item name|Construction PDA}}
| display-loadout-stats = yes
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| custom-icon = Backpack_PDA_builder.png
| backpack-image = pda destroy
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| item-type = {{item kind|PDA}}
| availability = Standard
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| rankson = sentry kills
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| rankson2 = health dispensed to teammates
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| rankson3 = teammates teleported
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| can deal damage = no
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| can deal gib damage = no
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| can headshot = no
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| can reflect projectiles = no
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| can deal posthumous damage = no
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| can extinguish = no
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer''' on who built what|I built that.|sound=Engineer_specialcompleted06.wav}}
 
  
The [[Engineer]] possesses two '''PDAs''', the '''Build Tool''' and the '''Demolish Tool''', which he uses to construct and destroy his various [[building]]s respectively. The devices are not 'regular' weapons (cannot be used to attack) and mainly serve as a visual cue to the player and those that see the player's character. While the player is using a PDA, a special on-screen menu appears to allow the player to build or destroy available [[building]]s.
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== Update history ==
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{{Update history|
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'''{{Patch name|9|26|2007}}'''
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* Fixed some truncated strings in the destroy menu.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|2|28|2008}}'''
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* Changed PDA menus to accept keys bound to "slot1", "slot2", etc., and "slot10" cancels.
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* Fixed Engineer being able to detonate buildings that are being sapped.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|1|19|2011}}'''
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* Fixed the Engineer PDA view models (build/destroy) having [[RED]] skins while on the [[BLU]] team.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|3|22|2012}}'''
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* {{Undocumented}} Added Construction PDA slot to the Engineer's loadout screen.
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* {{Undocumented}} Made the Construction PDA [[Name Tag|nameable]].
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* {{Undocumented}} Construction PDA and Demolish PDA now appear in [[backpack]] when viewing stock items.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|9|4|2012}}'''
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* {{Undocumented}} Fixed PDAs using the wrong animations.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|3|12|2013}}'''
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* Added [[Strange]] quality for the Construction PDA.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|6|11|2014}} #1'''
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* {{undocumented}} Added a white line above the names of the buildings on the PDA menus.
 +
 
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'''{{Patch name|6|11|2014|no-link=yes}} #2'''
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* Fixed the Engineer's build menu staying open after changing class.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|6|18|2014}}''' ([[Love & War Update]])
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* Converted the PDA models to use the <code>c_models</code> system.
  
===Usage===
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'''{{Patch name|12|10|2014}}'''
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* Fixed the Engineer PDA being stored as the last weapon used.
  
By default, the player uses weapon slot 4 to build and weapon slot 5 to demolish (destroy).  A superimposed HUD graphic then appears which lists all four [[building]]s. 
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'''{{Patch name|3|28|2018}} #1'''
[[Image:Building PDA Display.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Build Tool: Menu]]
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* Fixed the Engineer's PDA not always honoring the "Use minimized viewmodels" option.
[[Image:Backpack PDA builder.png|thumb|right|The Build tool's unused backpack image]]
 
When the player selects the build or demolish weapon slot, the number keys 1 - 4 map to the building types (PC version).  There is also a cancel key ([[Default key]]: Q) to exit the PDA menu; this key is whatever is mapped to "Last weapon used" in settings.
 
  
* 1 key: [[Sentry Gun]] / [[Combat Mini-Sentry]]
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'''{{Patch name|12|15|2023}}'''
* 2 key: [[Dispenser]]
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* Fixed the Engineer's Destruction PDA using the wrong animation in the 3D [[Heads-up display|HUD]] player model (community fix from gidi30).
* 3 key: [[Teleporter Entrance]]
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}}
* 4 key: [[Teleporter Exit]]
 
* ''Last weapon used'' key: Cancel building / demolition. ([[Default key]]: Q)
 
  
These keys will only function on the appropriate PDA under the right conditions.  If you have insufficient [[Metal]], you will be denied access to certain buildings on the Build tool. When you gather metal, the PDA will enable building choices that would have their cost met. The PDA will not allow a player to build more than one of any building type. Similar to the Build PDA restrictions, the Destroy PDA will only destroy builds that have already been constructed. The Demolish tool cannot be used to destroy buildings currently being sapped by the [[Electro Sapper]].
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== Unused content ==
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* The [[item schema]] contains a list of ranks related to 'Health Dispensed', intended to be used by the PDA's strange variant. However, it instead simply ranks up based on Sentry kills and uses generic names and values.
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* A texture for a generic PDA exists, as v_pda, this file dates back to <tt>PatchVersion 1.0.0.0</tt>, making it an old leftover.
  
If a player chooses to construct an available building from the Build tool, the player model will then hold a toolbox, and the player will see a template on the ground in front of them showing the orientation of the chosen building.  While the template is visible, right-clicking adjusts the building's orientation by 90 degrees anti-clockwise, left-clicking starts the build and "last weapon used" cancels the build.
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== Bugs ==
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* If a Strange Construction PDA is equipped in [[Mann vs. Machine]], the Engineer can lose upgrades and the money spent on them if they are using the [[Upgrade Station]] at the same time as another player using the Engineer's Dispenser or Teleporter.
 +
* If a Construction PDA is in use when hit by a object or projectile, the options to build disappear.
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* The Destruction PDA does not always play the draw animation.
  
''Note:'' The Xbox 360 version does not have a separate Demolish tool. Instead, both are handled by one PDA. After choosing the proper weapon slot to activate the PDA, the player uses the right trigger to construct the selected building (if you have enough [[Metal]]) and the left trigger to demolish the selected building (if it is already built).
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==  Notes ==
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* Switching between PDAs and the last weapon active does not result in the usual delay caused by weapon switching.
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* The [[Pip-Boy]] cosmetic changes the look of the Construction and Destruction PDAs' superimposed HUD.
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* The console versions of ''Team Fortress 2'' do not have a separate Destruction PDA. Both are instead are handled by the Construction PDA, which serves as a single PDA for both functions. After choosing the proper weapon slot to activate the PDA, the player uses the right trigger or ''''R2'''' to construct the selected building if enough Metal is available, and the left trigger or ''''L2'''' to demolish the selected building if it has already been built.
  
==Trivia==
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== Trivia ==
*The PDAs possess a [[normal weapon]] variant.
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* The Construction PDA is based off the Texas Instrument's TI-2500 Series Datamath Calculators, which first appeared in 1971.
*There is a PDA Token in the items_game.txt file, but it is currently unused. Internally, the Engineer's Build tool and the Spy's Disguise Kit fall under this slot.
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* Enabling the {{cvar|tf_build_menu_controller_mode}} console variable can make the PDA act as both a build and demolish tool, like on consoles.
**The PDA2 token is used for crafting the [[Spy]]'s unlockable watches, which fall into the PDA2 slot, and can be made by crafting together 3 Spy watches. This is the only use for the token as of yet.
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* The {{cvar|pda_click}} console command plays the animation of the Engineer pressing a button on the PDA, but it is only visible to other players. Using this command neither constructs nor destroys a building, and it is presumably a left-over debug command. The animation is not played if the user is crouched when the command is used.
*Upon selecting the Build PDA, the Engineer flips the small red switch located at the top of the device.
 
*Upon selecting the Destroy PDA, the Engineer extends (pulls out) the small antennae located at the top of the device.
 
*The build command now seems to support a number of different versions of the same building, perhaps hinting towards differing types of the same building being released in the Engineer update.
 
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Build Tool 1st person cropped.png|Build Tool 1st person view.
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File:Build Tool 1st person.png|Construction PDA first-person view.
File:Build Tool 1st person.png|Build Tool Full 1st person view.
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File:Build Tool with Gunslinger 1st person red.png|Construction PDA RED first-person view with the [[Gunslinger]] equipped.
File:Build Tool with Gunslinger 1st person red cropped.png|Build Tool RED 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Build Tool with Gunslinger 1st person blu.png|Construction PDA BLU first-person view with the Gunslinger equipped.
File:Build Tool with Gunslinger 1st person red.png|Build Tool Full RED 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Demolish Tool 1st person.png|Destruction PDA first-person view.
File:Build Tool with Gunslinger 1st person blu cropped.png|Build Tool BLU 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Demolish Tool with Gunslinger 1st person red.png|Destruction PDA RED first-person view with the Gunslinger equipped.
File:Build Tool with Gunslinger 1st person blu.png|Build Tool Full BLU 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Demolish Tool with Gunslinger 1st person blu.png|Destruction PDA BLU first-person view with the Gunslinger equipped.
File:Demolish Tool 1st person cropped.png|Demolish Tool 1st person view.
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File:Toolbox 1st person red.png|Toolbox RED first-person view.
File:Demolish Tool 1st person.png|Demolish Tool Full 1st person view.
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File:Toolbox with Gunslinger 1st person red.png|Toolbox RED first-person view with the Gunslinger equipped.
File:Demolish Tool with Gunslinger 1st person red cropped.png|Demolish Tool RED 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Toolbox 1st person blu.png|Toolbox BLU first-person view.
File:Demolish Tool with Gunslinger 1st person red.png|Demolish Tool Full RED 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Toolbox with Gunslinger 1st person blu.png|Toolbox BLU first-person view with the Gunslinger equipped.
File:Demolish Tool with Gunslinger 1st person blu cropped.png|Demolish Tool BLU 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Building PDA Display.png|Construction PDA: Menu.
File:Demolish Tool with Gunslinger 1st person blu.png|Demolish Tool Full BLU 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Building PDA Display with Eureka Effect.png|Construction PDA: Menu with the [[Eureka Effect]] equipped.
File:Toolbox 1st person red cropped.png|Toolbox RED 1st person view.
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File:Building PDA Display with Gunslinger.png|Construction PDA: Menu with the [[Gunslinger]] equipped.
File:Toolbox 1st person red.png|Toolbox Full RED 1st person view.
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File:Destruction PDA Display.png|Destruction PDA: Menu.
File:Toolbox with Gunslinger 1st person red cropped.png|Toolbox RED 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Eureka effect PDA Display.png|Eureka Effect's unique PDA: Menu.
File:Toolbox with Gunslinger 1st person red.png|Toolbox Full RED 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Build Menu - PipBoy.png|Construction PDA: Menu with the [[Pip-Boy]] equipped.
File:Toolbox 1st person blu cropped.png|Toolbox BLU 1st person view.
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File:Building PDA Display with Gunslinger - PipBoy.png|Construction PDA: Menu with Pip-Boy and Gunslinger equipped.
File:Toolbox 1st person blu.png|Toolbox Full BLU 1st person view.
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File:Demolish Menu - PipBoy.png|Destruction PDA: Menu with Pip-Boy equipped.
File:Toolbox with Gunslinger 1st person blu cropped.png|Toolbox BLU 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Eureka effect PDA Display - PipBoy.png|Eureka Effect's PDA: Menu with Pip-Boy equipped.
File:Toolbox with Gunslinger 1st person blu.png|Toolbox Full BLU 1st person view with [[Gunslinger]].
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File:Backpack PDA builder.png|Backpack icon for the Construction PDA.
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File:Backpack PDA destroyer.png|Backpack icon for the Destruction PDA.
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File:Backpack Toolbox.png|An unused [[Backpack]] icon for the Toolbox found in the game's files.
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File:V_pda.png|An unused texture meant for a generic pda.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
==See also==
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== See also ==
*[[Buildings]]
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* [[Buildings]]
 
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* [[Demoman PDA]], a [[Unused content|scrapped item]] for the Demoman
  
 +
{{Standard Weapons Nav}}
 
{{Allweapons Nav}}
 
{{Allweapons Nav}}
<br/>
 
 
{{Engineer Nav}}
 
{{Engineer Nav}}
 
__NOTOC__
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:PDA1 Weapons]]
 
[[Category:PDA2 Weapons]]
 
 
{{Languages}}
 

Latest revision as of 17:11, 12 September 2024

This article is about the Engineer's Build and Demolish tools. For other uses, see PDA (disambiguation).

The PDAs are default weapons for the Engineer, consisting of the Construction PDA and Destruction PDA, which the Engineer uses to respectively construct or destroy his various buildings. The Construction PDA is a calculator-style device, whereas the Destruction PDA looks similar to a stereotypical hand-held detonation device.

These gadgets are not regular weapons, as they cannot be used to attack, mainly serving as a visual cue to players. Upon selecting one of the PDAs, a superimposed HUD appears in the middle of the player's view, allowing the player to either build or destroy buildings. Though it lists all four available buildings, only the highlighted choices can be selected. Selection of the buildings is done through the preset numbered keys.

The selection keys only function on the appropriate PDA under the right conditions. Should the player have insufficient Metal to construct a building or have already deployed it, they are denied access to that slot on the Construction PDA. Conversely, the Destruction PDA destroys buildings owned by the player that have already been deployed, including buildings that are still under construction or performing an upgrade. The Destruction PDA cannot, however, be used to destroy buildings currently being sapped by a Sapper of any kind.

If a player chooses to construct an available building from the Construction PDA, the player model then appears to hold a Toolbox, and the player sees a template on the ground in front of them. This template shows the orientation of the chosen building. While the template is visible, secondary fire adjusts the building's orientation by 90 degrees counter-clockwise, and primary fire starts the build process.

Pressing the last weapon used key or primary fire key cancels either PDA menu, and returns the player to their previous weapon.

Demonstration

Strange variant


Update history

September 26, 2007 Patch
  • Fixed some truncated strings in the destroy menu.

February 28, 2008 Patch

  • Changed PDA menus to accept keys bound to "slot1", "slot2", etc., and "slot10" cancels.
  • Fixed Engineer being able to detonate buildings that are being sapped.

January 19, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed the Engineer PDA view models (build/destroy) having RED skins while on the BLU team.

March 22, 2012 Patch

  • [Undocumented] Added Construction PDA slot to the Engineer's loadout screen.
  • [Undocumented] Made the Construction PDA nameable.
  • [Undocumented] Construction PDA and Demolish PDA now appear in backpack when viewing stock items.

September 4, 2012 Patch

  • [Undocumented] Fixed PDAs using the wrong animations.

March 12, 2013 Patch

  • Added Strange quality for the Construction PDA.

June 11, 2014 Patch #1

  • [Undocumented] Added a white line above the names of the buildings on the PDA menus.

June 11, 2014 Patch #2

  • Fixed the Engineer's build menu staying open after changing class.

June 18, 2014 Patch (Love & War Update)

  • Converted the PDA models to use the c_models system.

December 10, 2014 Patch

  • Fixed the Engineer PDA being stored as the last weapon used.

March 28, 2018 Patch #1

  • Fixed the Engineer's PDA not always honoring the "Use minimized viewmodels" option.

December 15, 2023 Patch

  • Fixed the Engineer's Destruction PDA using the wrong animation in the 3D HUD player model (community fix from gidi30).

Unused content

  • The item schema contains a list of ranks related to 'Health Dispensed', intended to be used by the PDA's strange variant. However, it instead simply ranks up based on Sentry kills and uses generic names and values.
  • A texture for a generic PDA exists, as v_pda, this file dates back to PatchVersion 1.0.0.0, making it an old leftover.

Bugs

  • If a Strange Construction PDA is equipped in Mann vs. Machine, the Engineer can lose upgrades and the money spent on them if they are using the Upgrade Station at the same time as another player using the Engineer's Dispenser or Teleporter.
  • If a Construction PDA is in use when hit by a object or projectile, the options to build disappear.
  • The Destruction PDA does not always play the draw animation.

Notes

  • Switching between PDAs and the last weapon active does not result in the usual delay caused by weapon switching.
  • The Pip-Boy cosmetic changes the look of the Construction and Destruction PDAs' superimposed HUD.
  • The console versions of Team Fortress 2 do not have a separate Destruction PDA. Both are instead are handled by the Construction PDA, which serves as a single PDA for both functions. After choosing the proper weapon slot to activate the PDA, the player uses the right trigger or 'R2' to construct the selected building if enough Metal is available, and the left trigger or 'L2' to demolish the selected building if it has already been built.

Trivia

  • The Construction PDA is based off the Texas Instrument's TI-2500 Series Datamath Calculators, which first appeared in 1971.
  • Enabling the tf_build_menu_controller_mode console variable can make the PDA act as both a build and demolish tool, like on consoles.
  • The pda_click console command plays the animation of the Engineer pressing a button on the PDA, but it is only visible to other players. Using this command neither constructs nor destroys a building, and it is presumably a left-over debug command. The animation is not played if the user is crouched when the command is used.

Gallery

See also