Huntsman

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"Now, hold on," you keep saying. "Aren't bows and arrows primitive and harmless?" Why don't you ask the dinosaurs? Except you can't, because the cavemen bow and arrowed them to death. — Huntsman publicity blurb

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The Huntsman is a hardwood longbow which serves as the unlockable Primary weapon for the Sniper class. In exchange for decreased damage at longer ranges as well as a smaller ammo count, the Huntsman requires less time to achieve a fully-charged, maximum damage shot and allows the Sniper to move at a faster speed while charging (45% compared to 27%). You can start charging it while you're jumping or falling, but you can't fire until you're on the ground. Also, since there is no scope, the Sniper must get closer on his target to use it effectively. Pressing alternate fire with an Arrow drawn will release the arrow gently, conserving the Huntsman's scarce ammunition. If the arrow is drawn for too long the accuracy decreases and the shot will go wide of the crosshair. The arrows have a tendency to arc over long distances; however, this effect is reduced based on the strength of your charge. Arrows travel around 1875 hammer units per second (about 80 miles an hour) in a snap-shot; fully charging the Huntsman for 1 second increases speed by around 25%. Unlike the Sniper Rifle, the Huntsman cannot be fired underwater. The Huntsman also has the cosmetic effect of pinning ragdolls to walls and map objects.

If a friendly Pyro enflames a Huntsman, the arrow is set on fire, and will gain the ability to inflict the fire effect on a successful hit. The Bow can be lowered without losing the lit arrow.

The Sniper can stab a nearby enemy with an arrow by taunting with the Huntsman equipped.

Damage

• Bodyshot: 44-58 (0% charge), 103-137 (100% charge)
• Headshot: 153 (0% charge), 360 (100% charge)
• Mini-crit: 68 (0% charge )), 203 (100% charge)
• Critical hit: (humiliation or Kritzkrieg only): 150

Note: Distance from the target does not affect the Huntsman's damage. Damages are approximate and determined by community testing.

Function times

• 100% Draw: 1.0
• Inaccuracy starts: 5.0
• Attack Interval: 1.94

All times are in seconds. Times are approximate and determined by community testing.

Trivia

• The Huntsman was first announced publicly on May 12, 2009 in the Team Fortress 2 Blog. It was the first weapon announced for the Sniper vs. Spy Update.

• The Huntsman's view model was originally left-handed, but was mirrored because it was hard to use.

• The Huntsman is the name of a type of spider common in Australia.

• If a flaming arrow results in a kill, it produces its own special kill icon. The flaming arrow from the Huntsman will only give a kill point to the Sniper. No points are given to the Pyro who lit the arrow. An enemy Pyro cannot light your arrow; instead, you will be set on fire.

• Huntsman arrows can collide with other projectiles (such as rockets and other arrows) in mid air. When this occurs, the arrows will break. (See Video)

• Arrows stick to any enemy, even Scouts under the effects of Bonk (although it will still cause no damage). Huntsman arrows can also stick to most environmental objects.

• Arrows can even stick to friendly buildings without damaging them. However the arrows won't stick from the angle expected when you release them.

• On the television show Freakazoid!, there was a character named the Huntsman who has a somewhat similar appearance as the Sniper and his main weapon is a bow. (See Video)

• The Huntsman is the only primary weapon in the game to possess a taunt attack.

• The Sniper has the ability to taunt with the Huntsman, even whilst stunned by another taunting Huntsman Sniper. (See Video).

• The Huntsman has Developer weapon variants.

• Although it is made of wood and string, the Huntsman gives 100 metal to Engineers who pick it up, like the Sandman or the Tribalman's Shiv.

• According to the "Sniper vs. Spy" Publicity blurb, the Huntsman originally had 18 arrows. It is unknown why some were removed.

• Due to the arrow's classification as a projectile, it has a large hitbox. Combined with player hitboxes, the Huntsman often scores hits on targets that it appears to miss.

• The Huntsman is the only weapon to possess 4 kill icons.

Related Achievements

	Beaux and Arrows Kill a Heavy & Medic pair with the bow.		Dropped Dead Kill a Scout in midair with your Sniper Rifle or the Huntsman.
	Jumper Stumper Kill a rocket or grenade-jumping enemy in midair with your Sniper Rifle or the Huntsman.		Dead Reckoning Kill an enemy with an arrow while you're dead.
	Pincushion Hit an enemy with 3 arrows, without killing them.		Robbin’ Hood Take down an intelligence carrier with a single arrow.
	Shafted Stab an enemy with an arrow.		William Tell Overkill Pin an enemy Heavy to the wall via his head.

See also

• Skewer
• Headshot
• Huntsman Strategy

External links

• The Sniper Update- The Huntsman
• TF2 Official Blog- The arrow, the wall and you.