Horseless Headless Horsemann

File:Horseless Headless Horsemann.jpg

The Horseless Headless Horsemann

The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a neutral enemy in Mann Manor, released with the Scream Fortress update. The not-quite-dead form of Silas Mann, he appears at random on the currently contested control point, after which he will proceed to hunt down and kill any player on either team until he is killed (again). His attack power and other attributes (such as whether he takes critical damage) are currently unknown. However, one hit from his axe will instantly kill a player who is not under any invulnerability effects.

Players too close to the monstrosity when it makes a kill may be designated as "It", whereupon they become the sole target. Hitting an enemy with a melee attack makes them "It". The current "It" is marked with a floating white skull-and-crossbones symbol (previously only used for the G.R.U.). The person marked as the target can pass on their status by smacking someone on the opposing team with their melee weapon.

Contributing in killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards the Sleepy Holl0wnd acheivement and drops the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head hat. Occasionally there is a chance he will drop an Unusual Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker, and 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.

The Horseless Headless Horsemann has 3000 lifepoints by default, increasing by 200 per player in the server. The frequency of the Horsemann's spawning is possibly based on the number of players in the server, along with the Gift drop rate.

Trivia

• The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.
• A belt identical to The Horsemann's is attached to the Ghastlier Gibus.
• The Horseless Headless Horseman's mechanics are based on a community made mod called VS. Saxton Hale. Where a blue team member would become Saxton Hale and be able to instantly kill anybody with a single hit, as well as startle groups of enemies.^{[citation needed]}

Strategy

• One basic strategy is for whoever is IT to kite the Horsemann around while Red and/or Blu deal damage to him.
• If it's in you and your team's best interest, have a Scout kite the Horsemann around close to your team's spawn.
• Playing as Scout while IT allows you to dodge the Horsemann's attacks and pursuits due to your agility and ability to double/triple jump.