Mann Co. Supply Crates are tool items obtainable through the item drop system. They are shown as open-style wooden shipping crates, wrapped in chains held with a large padlock. Mann Co. Supply Crates can be opened with the use of a Mann Co. Supply Crate Key. Anything unboxed using an untradable key will become tradable on the date the key was supposed to become tradable.
When a crate is opened, a five second timer ticks down, alongside a sound effect of chains jangling and wood creaking. Once opened to the tune of a cheering crowd, identical to when an achievement is unlocked, the player will receive one of a set of items which are listed in the crate's description and are dependent on its series. This item is announced to the server in a similar format to regular dropped items. The crate and key are removed from the player's inventory and replaced with the uncrated item.
While Mann Co. Supply Crates are obtained through the item drop system, they do not add to the total cap of items a player can obtain each week. Furthermore, crate drops are completely independent from weapon or hat drop rates.[1] Scorched Crates were an exception as they were not dropped, and could have been the only item inside a Pile of Ash.
Though the notion and concept of a crate suggests that the contents should be predetermined, Robin Walker has confirmed the mechanics are such that item drop is determined at the point of opening the crate; moreover, items are not mapped to crates and thus there is no distinction to be made between two crates of identical series.
Contents
- Note: Rare item statistics assume drop rates are equal regardless of series. It is also assumed that the series of the crates are dropping in a uniform distribution.
Active series
The following crates are currently available via the item drop system:
Series #53 – Nice Winter Crate 2012
Nice Winter Crate 2012
Level 10
Crate Series #53
This crate's contents are unknown.
Only Nice Keys fit the lock.
After 01/03/2013 this crate will disappear.
This item will expire on Thursday, January 03, 2013 (23:00:00).
Added to drop in the December 13, 2012 Patch.
Series #52 – Naughty Winter Crate 2012
Naughty Winter Crate 2012
Level 10
Crate Series #52
This crate's contents are unknown.
Only Naughty Keys fit the lock.
Some, but not all of the items in this crate are Strange...
After 01/03/2013 this crate will disappear.
This item will expire on Thursday, January 03, 2013 (23:00:00).
Added to drop in the December 13, 2012 Patch.
Series #49
Added to drop in the October 9, 2012 Patch.
Series #47
Added to drop in the September 4, 2012 Patch.
Series #45
Added to drop in the May 17, 2012 Patch.
Series #40 – Salvaged Mann Co. Supply Crate
Salvaged Mann Co. Supply Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #40
You need a Mann Co. Supply Crate Key to open this. You can pick one up at the Mann Co. Store.
Added in the game files in the March 22, 2012 Patch, added to drop in the March 28, 2012 Patch.
These particular crates are given to players much less frequently than a normal Mann Co. Supply Crate. Unlike event crates, it has no special key or expiration time.
Retired series
The crates in this section can no longer be found via the item drop system; however, any existing ones can still be traded, gifted, or opened with a Mann Co. Supply Crate Key.
Series #51 – Eerie Crate
Eerie Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #51
This crate's contents are unknown and only
Eerie Keys fit the lock.
A sinister presence lurks within.
After 11/08/2012 this crate will disappear.
Added to drop in the October 26, 2012 Patch, removed from player backpacks on November 8, 2012.
An Eerie Key was required to open this crate.
Series #48 – Fall Crate
Fall Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #48
This crate's contents are unknown and only Fall Keys fit the lock.
A sense of community can be felt emanating from the inside.
After 9/20/2012 this crate will disappear.
Added to the game in the September 4, 2012 Patch. A Fall Key was required to open this crate. All unopened Fall Crates disappeared after September 21, 2012.
Series #46 – Scorched Crate
Scorched Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #46
This crate's contents are unknown and only Scorched Keys fit the lock.
It feels strangely warm to the touch.
After 7/11/2012 this crate will disappear.
Added to the game in the June 27, 2012 Patch (Pyromania Update). This crate did not drop normally. Instead, you could obtain this crate by crafting together four mysterious items and opening the resulting Pile of Ash. A Scorched Key was required to open this crate. All unopened Scorched Crates disappeared after the July 11, 2012 Patch.
Series #44
Added to drop in the May 17, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the October 9, 2012 Patch.
Series #43
Added to drop in the April 27, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the September 4, 2012 Patch.
Series #42
Added to drop in the March 22, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the May 17, 2012 Patch.
Series #41
Added to drop in the March 22, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the May 17, 2012 Patch.
Series #39
Added to drop in the February 23, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the April 27, 2012 Patch.
Series #38
Added to drop in the February 2, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 22, 2012 Patch.
Series #37
Added to drop in the January 11, 2012 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 22, 2012 Patch.
Series #36 – Nice Winter Crate
Nice Winter Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #36
This crate is unusually festive.
Its contents are unknown and
normal keys don't fit the lock.
This item will expire on Jan 01, 2012 (23:00:00).
Added to drop in the December 9, 2011 Patch.
This crate contains 14 community items created for the Australian Christmas 2011 event.
On January 01, 2012, these crates expired and were removed from player backpacks.
Series #35 – Naughty Winter Crate
Naughty Winter Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #35
This crate is unusually festive.
Its contents are unknown and
normal keys don't fit the lock.
Some, but not all, of the items in this crate are Strange...
This item will expire on Jan 01, 2012 (23:00:00).
Added to drop in the December 9, 2011 Patch.
This crate contains Festive versions of signature weapons from each class. The Festive versions feature decorative Smissmas lights wrapped around each weapon.
On January 1, 2012, these crates expired and were removed from player backpacks.
Series #34
Added to drop in the December 1, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the February 23, 2012 Patch.
Series #33
Added to drop in the December 1, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the February 2, 2012 Patch.
Series #32
Added to drop in the October 25, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the January 11, 2012 Patch.
Series #31
Added to drop in the October 13, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the December 1, 2011 Patch.
Series #30 – Salvaged Mann Co. Supply Crate
Salvaged Mann Co. Supply Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #30
You need a Mann Co. Supply Crate Key to open this. You can pick one up at the Mann Co. Store.
Added to drop in the October 13, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 28, 2012 Patch.
These particular crates were given to players much less frequently than a normal Mann Co. Supply Crate. Unlike winter and summer crates, it had no special key or expiration time.
Series #29
Added to drop in the September 20, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the December 1, 2011 Patch.
Series #28
Added to drop in the August 18, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the September 20, 2011 Patch.
Series #27
Added to drop in the August 18, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the October 25, 2011 Patch.
Series #26
Added to drop in the August 18, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the October 13, 2011 Patch.
Series #25
Added to drop in the July 12, 2011 item schema update. Removed from drop in the August 18, 2011 Patch.
Series #24
Added to drop in the July 12, 2011 item schema update. Removed from drop in the August 18, 2011 Patch.
Series #23
Added to drop in the July 12, 2011 item schema update. Removed from drop in the August 18, 2011 Patch.
Series #22 – Refreshing Summer Cooler
Refreshing Summer Cooler
Level 10
Crate Series #22
The cooler's contents are unknown and normal keys don't fit the lock.
You'd better hold onto it. There'll probably be a way to open it later.
The cooler contains an item, but it isn't clear what. The cooler will disappear on July 11th, so you should open it before it's gone!
This item will expire on Jul 11, 2011 (23:00:00).
Added to drop in the June 28, 2011 Patch.
These particular crates could not be opened with the normal Mann Co. Supply Crate Key. Instead, they required a Refreshing Summer Cooler Key, which were available through the Mann Co. Store as of the July 1, 2011 Patch.
On July 11, 2011, these crates expired and were removed from player backpacks.
Series #21
Added to drop in the June 23, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the July 12, 2011 item schema update.
Series #20
Added to drop in the June 23, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the July 12, 2011 item schema update.
Series #19
Added to drop in the June 23, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the July 12, 2011 item schema update.
Series #18
Added to drop in the April 7, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the June 23, 2011 Patch.
Series #17
Added to drop in the April 7, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the June 23, 2011 Patch.
Series #16
Added to drop in the April 7, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the June 23, 2011 Patch.
Series #15
Added to drop in the March 23, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the April 7, 2011 Patch.
Series #14
Added to drop in the March 23, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the April 7, 2011 Patch.
Series #13
Added to drop in the March 23, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the April 7, 2011 Patch.
Series #12
Added to drop in the March 15, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 23, 2011 Patch.
Series #11
Added to drop in the March 15, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 23, 2011 Patch.
Series #10
Added to drop in the March 15, 2011 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 23, 2011 Patch.
Series #9
Added to drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 15, 2011 Patch.
Series #8
Added to drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 15, 2011 Patch.
Series #7
Added to drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the March 15, 2011 Patch.
Series #6 – Festive Winter Crate
Festive Winter Crate
Level 10
Crate Series #6
This crate is unusually festive.
Its contents are unknown and
normal keys don't fit the lock.
You'd better hold onto it.
There'll probably be a way to open it later.
This item will expire on Dec 31, 2010 (23:00:00).
Added to drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch.
These particular crates could not be opened with the normal Mann Co. Supply Crate Key. Instead, they required either a Festive Winter Crate Key or a Stocking Stuffer Key, which were available through the Mann Co. Store or for free, respectively, during the Australian Christmas event. On December 31, 2010, they expired and were removed from the backpacks of all players.
Series #5
Added to drop in the October 27, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch.
Series #4
Added to drop in the October 27, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch.
Series #3
Added to drop in the October 27, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the December 10, 2010 Patch.
Series #2
Added to drop in the October 6, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the November 19, 2010 Patch.
Series #1
Added to drop in the September 30, 2010 Patch. Removed from drop in the October 19, 2010 Patch.
Notes
- *Drop rate is the observed drop rate.
- **Estimated drop rate is an estimate as to what Valve has set the drop rate to be.
Demonstration
Update history
September 30, 2010 Patch (
Mann-Conomy Update)
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #1.
October 6, 2010 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #2.
October 27, 2010 Patch (Scream Fortress Update)
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #3, #4 and #5.
November 19, 2010 Patch
- Mann Co. Supply Crate series #1 and #2 no longer drop in game. (People with Series #1 and #2 crates still had the attributes set to #1 and #2, but they took on the schema ID of Series #3 and #4 crates, respectively.)
December 10, 2010 Patch
- [Undocumented] Updated the Mann Co. Supply Crate description.
- [Undocumented] Added Festive Winter Crates.
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #7, #8, and #9.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate series #3, #4, and #5 no longer drop in game.
March 15, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #10, #11 and #12.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate series #7, #8, and #9 no longer drop.
March 23, 2011 Patch (Japan Charity Bundle)
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #13, #14 and #15.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #10, #11, and #12 no longer drop.
April 7, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #16, #17 and #18.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate series #13, #14, and #15 no longer drop.
June 23, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #19, #20 and #21.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #16, #17, and #18 no longer drop.
June 28, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Refreshing Summer Coolers.
July 11, 2011 [Item schema update]
- Removed Refreshing Summer Coolers.
July 12, 2011 [Item schema update]
- Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #23, #24 and #25.
- Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #19, #20, and #21 no longer drop.
August 18, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #26, #27, and #28.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #23, #24 and #25 no longer drops.
September 20, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #29.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #28 no longer drops.
October 13, 2011 Patch (Manniversary Update)
- [Undocumented] Added Salvaged Mann Co. Supply Crate and Mann Co. Supply Crate series #31.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #26 no longer drops.
October 25, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate series #32
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #27 no longer drops.
December 1, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #33 and #34.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #29 and #31 no longer drop.
December 9, 2011 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Naughty and Nice Winter Crates.
January 11, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #37.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #32 no longer drops.
February 2, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #38.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #33 no longer drops.
February 23, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #39 .
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #34 no longer drops.
March 22, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #40, 41 and 42.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #37 and #38 no longer drop.
March 28, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Changed Salvaged Crate series to #40.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #30 no longer drops.
April 17, 2012 Patch
- Crates now display their series number in the backpack view
May 17, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #44 and #45.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #41 and #42 no longer drop.
June 27, 2012 Patch (Pyromania Update)
- [Undocumented] Added Scorched Crates.
July 11, 2012 Patch [Item schema update]
September 4, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #47 and #48 (Fall Crate).
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #43 no longer drop.
September 21, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Removed Fall Crates.
October 9, 2012 Patch
- [Undocumented] Added Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #49.
- [Undocumented] Mann Co. Supply Crate Series #44 no longer drop.
Bugs
- Attempting to open a crate whilst disconnecting from a server will result in the timer being set to 1,000 seconds.
- Crates with expiration dates, such as the Festive Winter Crate and the Refreshing Summer Cooler Crate, will not disappear until Team Fortress 2 is started up after retrieving them.
Unused content
- An unused 'Special Crate' backpack icon exists in the GCF.
Trivia
- Although Valve modeled the padlocked chain for the icon, the padlocked box can't be found in the game files; its textures, however, can be found. The crate itself uses a model that appears to be the same as
models/props_hydro/barrel_crate_half.mdl
.
Gallery
The unused 'Special Crate' backpack icon
In-game crate expiry alert
See also
References