Particle effects

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Particle effects are used frequently in Team Fortress 2 to serve as decorations or visual cues for both various in-game events and cosmetic purposes. Any particle effect can be attached to any item or model theoretically, however, some effects appear exclusively on items of a particular quality; for example, the Unusual effects only appear on items with the Unusual quality.

Status effects

Status effects are used to indicate a change in player state to other players. A common example would be the overheal particles emitted from an overhealed player or one that recently picked up a health kit.

Overheal effect

Main article: Overheal

When a player is overhealed by the Medic, the player will emit medical crosses. The Overheal effect is also emitted when injured players pick up Health kits. It is also used on the Medi Gun beam itself, as well as the trail of the Crusader's Crossbow.

  • In-game screenshot

  • The healing particle emitted for RED players.

  • The healing particle emitted for BLU players.

Critical spark effect

Main articles: Critical hits, ÜberCharge

The Critical spark effect is used to indicate that a player's weapon will deal critical damage. This is accompanied by a team-colored tint on the weapon itself. It is also used on the Medi Gun, Kritzkrieg and Quick-Fix to indicate that a charge is ready to be deployed.

  • In-game screenshot of a weapon charged with critical hits.

  • In-game screenshot of a fully charged Medi Gun.

  • Spark sprite

Weapons missing effect

Currently these weapons are missing the critical glow effect. This means the effect is either purely cosmetic, or it hides the visibility of the weapon being boosted, often confusing the weapon holder and enemies. As of now, the following weapons do not glow while crit boosted:



Burning Player effects

The Burning Player effects is used during the burning of players.

  • In-game screenshot

Marked For Death effects

The Marked For Death effects are used to indicate that the player is marked for death. A player that is marked for death receives Mini-Crits from all oncoming damage.

  • Icon displayed above a marked player.

  • HUD Icon displayed when 'marked for death'.

Weapon effects

Most non-hitscan weapons have particle effects. These include the Rocket Launcher and Flamethrower.

  • The Flamethrower fire effect sprite sheet.

  • The Rocket trail effect sprites.

Gameplay effects

Particles are used to indicate gameplay events.

Intelligence paper trail effect

While the Intelligence is being carried, it emits a stream of papers.

  • In-game screenshot.

  • The papers emitted from the Intelligence carrier.

Australium laundry trail effect

While the Australium is being carried, it emits a stream of boxer shorts and socks.

  • In-game screenshot of Australium carrier particles.png

    In-game screenshot.

  • Particle Boxers animated.png

    Boxer shorts with a heart motif emitted from the Australium carrier

  • Particle Socks animated.png

    Socks with a checkered pattern emitted from the Australium carrier.

Balloon effect

While birthday mode is activated, players will spurt balloons instead of blood.

  • Birthday mode gibs

  • The balloon sprite emitted.

Decorative effects

Decorative effects are not used to indicate any gameplay changes and are used purely for aesthetics.

Holy glow effect

The holy glow effect is attached to the Cheater's Lament.

  • In-game screenshot

Community sparkle effect

The Community sparkle effect is attached to Community or Self-Made items.

  • Selfmadedalokohs.png

    In-game screenshot

  • Sparkle sprite.png

    Sparkle particle sprite

  • Sparkle sprite2.png

    Sparkle particle sprite

Treasure Hat effect

Main article: Treasure Hat

There is no known localized name for the Treasure Hat effect, but it is attached as a new particle system defined as "coin_spin". The particles from this effect are influenced by the movement of the wearer and will only be emitted when the player is in motion.

  • In-game screenshot

  • The sprite sheet used in the effect's spinning animation.

Genteel Smoke effect

The Genteel Smoke effect is attached to the Lord Cockswain's Novelty Mutton Chops and Pipe, Soldier's Sparkplug, Soldier's Stogie, Backpack Broiler, Bubble Pipe, Waxy Wayfinder, Aladdin's Private Reserve, Bearded Bombardier, Nine-Pipe Problem, Steam Pipe, Outback Intellectual and the Gentle Munitionne of Leisure. The Spy also has a thinner version of this while undisguised.

  • Genteel Pipe Smoke.png

    In-game screenshot

Map Stamps effect

Main article: Map Stamps

The map stamps effect is attached to the World Traveler's Hat. These render similarly to the purple and green Unusual confetti effects, but use stamp sprites instead. Like the Treasure Hat, the effect is influenced by the movement of the wearer and will only be emitted when the player is in motion.

  • In-game screenshot

  • Stamp sprites.png

    The sprite sheet used for the effect's spinning animation.

Musical notes effect

The musical notes effect is attached to the Earbuds and Noise Maker (see below section).

  • In-game screenshot

  • The music note sprite.

Noise Maker effect

Main article: Noise Maker

The Noise Maker effect emits musical notes or ghost particles when used. Noise maker particles are colored to distinguish them from Earbuds.

  • "Noise" particle effect.

  • "Noise" particle effect.

Flying bits effect

Intended to be used for rendering flames on gibs, the flying bits effect is also attached to certain Valve weapons.

  • In-game screenshot

Nemesis burst effect

  • Nemesis burst effect

Unusual effects

See also: Unusual

Unusual effects are attached to Unusual quality items. The first fourteen effects ("1st generation") were added to the game with the Mann-Conomy Update in 2010. Eight more unusual effects ("2nd generation") were added with the August 18, 2011 Patch, and seven more ("3rd generation") were later added with the June 19, 2013 Patch. Ten more unusual effects were added with the Robotic Boogaloo update in 2013, these effects can only be obtained through opening a RoboCrate. Four unusual taunt effects were released with the Love & War Update in June 2014, prompting the first series of Taunt effects, available only from the Mann Co. Director's Cut Reel and Mann Co. Audition Reel. Four more unusual effects were later added with the End of the Line Update in 2014, these effects can only be obtained through opening an End of the Line Community Crate.

Four Halloween-only unusual effects were added with the Very Scary Halloween Special in 2011, another five with the Spectral Halloween Special in 2012, another eight as part of the Scream Fortress 2013 (as an undocumented change in the October 29, 2013 Patch) update, and another eight (two of which are Taunt effects) as part of the Scream Fortress 2014 update. Those can only be obtained during Halloween events, but from any crate that can be opened (including RoboCrates during that time window).

The different particle effects are viewable in this animation, as well as in this video.


Standard Series

Standard Unusual effects can be found in specific crate series.

Gen 1

The first generation of standard Unusual effects was added in the Mann-Conomy Update. They can be obtained in crates Series #1 onward.

Series 1 Unusual effects
Cosmetic effects
Unusual Green Confetti.png
Unusual Purple Confetti.png
Unusual Haunted Ghosts.png
Unusual Green Energy.png
Unusual Purple Energy.png
Unusual Circling TF Logo.png
Green Confetti Purple Confetti Haunted Ghosts Green Energy Purple Energy Circling TF Logo
Unusual Massed Flies.png
Unusual Burning Flames.png
Unusual Scorching Flames.png
Unusual Searing Plasma.png
Unusual Vivid Plasma.png
Unusual Sunbeams.png
Massed Flies Burning Flames Scorching Flames Searing Plasma Vivid Plasma Sunbeams
Unusual Circling Peace Sign.png
Unusual Circling Heart.png
Circling Peace Sign Circling Heart


Gen 2

The second generation of standard Unusual effects was added in the August 18, 2011 Patch. They can be obtained in crates Series #26 onward.

Series 2 Unusual effects
Cosmetic effects
Unusual Stormy Storm.png
Unusual Blizzardy Storm.png
Unusual Nuts n' Bolts.png
Unusual Orbiting Planets.png
Unusual Orbiting Fire.png
Unusual Bubbling.png
Stormy Storm Blizzardy Storm Nuts n' Bolts Orbiting Planets Orbiting Fire Bubbling
Unusual Smoking.png
Unusual Steaming.png
Smoking Steaming


Gen 3

The third and current generation of standard Unusual effects was added in the June 19, 2013 Patch. They can be obtained in crates and cases Series #59 onward.

Series 3 Unusual effects
Cosmetic effects
Unusual Kill-a-Watt.png
Unusual Terror-Watt.png
Unusual Cloud 9.png
Unusual Aces High RED.png
Unusual Aces High BLU.png
Unusual Dead Presidents.png
Kill-a-Watt Terror-Watt Cloud 9 RED BLU Dead Presidents
Aces High
Unusual Miami Nights.png
Unusual Disco Beat Down.png
Miami Nights Disco Beat Down


Community Sparkle

An exclusive Unusual effect was added in the First Community Contribution Update. It is automatically applied to Community and Self-Made items.

Scream Fortress Series

Scream Fortress Unusual effects can be found in specific Scream Fortress crates. During Scream Fortress events, they're available in all other crate series.

Very Scary Halloween Special

The first Scream Fortress generation of Unusual Effects was added in the Very Scary Halloween Special. They could be obtained in any crate during the event.

Spectral Halloween Special

The second Scream Fortress generation of Unusual Effects was added in the Spectral Halloween Special. They could be obtained in any crate during the event.

Scream Fortress V

The third Scream Fortress generation of Unusual effects was added in the Scream Fortress V update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event.

Scream Fortress VI

The fourth Scream Fortress generation of Unusual effects was added in the Scream Fortress VI update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event.

Scream Fortress VII

The fifth Scream Fortress generation of Unusual effects was added in the Scream Fortress VII update. They could only be obtained by opening a Gargoyle Case during the event. They can still be obtained by opening a Gargoyle Case.

Scream Fortress VIII

The sixth Scream Fortress generation of Unusual effects was added in the Scream Fortress VIII update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event. They can still be obtained by opening a Creepy Crawly Case.

Scream Fortress X

The seventh Scream Fortress generation of Unusual effects was added in the Scream Fortress X update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event. They can still be obtained by opening a Violet Vermin Case.

Scream Fortress XI

The eighth Scream Fortress generation of Unusual effects was added in the Scream Fortress XI update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event. They can still be obtained by opening a Spooky Spoils Case.

Smissmas Series

Smissmas Unusual effects can be found in specific Smissmas crates. During Smissmas events, they're available in all other crate series.

Smissmas 2019

The first and current Smissmas generation of Unusual effects was added in the Smissmas 2019 update. Currently, they can be obtained in any crate.

Robotic Boogaloo

An exclusive generation of Unusual effects was added in the Robotic Boogaloo update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event. They can still be obtained by opening a Robo Community Crate.

Love & War Update

An exclusive generation of Unusual effects was added in the Love & War Update. They can be obtained through Taunt Unusualifiers.

End of the Line Update

An exclusive generation of Unusual effects was added in the End of the Line Update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event. They can still be obtained by opening an End of the Line Community Crate.

Gun Mettle Update

An exclusive generation of Unusual effects was added in the Gun Mettle Update. They can be obtained through Decorated cases.

With the introduction of the Jungle Inferno Update, the Energy Orb effect has been removed from the Unusual effect pool due to issues with it disappearing and/or not fitting some weapons properly. Only the three remaining effects can be obtained now.

Invasion Community Update

An exclusive generation of Unusual effects was added in the Invasion Community Update. They could be obtained in any crate during the event. They can still be obtained by opening a Confidential Collection Case or a Quarantined Collection Case.

Unused effects

Unused Unusual effects

Currently unused Unusual effects
Cosmetic effects
UNUSED AAA AAA.png
UNUSED Balloon.png
UNUSED Beams1 Newstyle.png
UNUSED Beany Green.png
UNUSED Beany Hearts.png
UNUSED Beany Target.png
AAA_AAA balloon beams1_newstyle beany_green beany_hearts beany_target
UNUSED Beany TF.png
UNUSED Circling Glow.png
UNUSED Circling Skull.png
UNUSED Crisp Spotlights Cones03.png
UNUSED Halo.png
UNUSED Orbit.png
beany_tf circling_glow circling_skull crisp_spotlights_cones03 halo orbit
UNUSED Orbit Fullmoon Cloudy.png
UNUSED Sparkler Green.png
UNUSED Sparkler Orange.png
UNUSED Sparkles1.png
UNUSED Sparkles2.png
UNUSED Sparkles3.png
orbit_fullmoon_cloudy sparkler_green sparkler_orange sparkles1 sparkles2 sparkles3
UNUSED Spray Confetti.png
UNUSED Storm Blood.png
UNUSED Stormcloud.png
UNUSED Symbols Parent Ice.png
UNUSED Test.png
spray_confetti storm_blood stormcloud symbols_parents_ice test


G.R.U. skull effect

The G.R.U. skull effect was emitted when the Gloves of Running Urgently were wielded by the player.

  • In-game screenshot

  • Particle effects for teams RED and BLU.

Rotating Birthday Cake

Currently Unused

  • Orbiting cake.PNG

Self-Illumination

Related to particle effects, some items create a glowing effect called Self-illumination.

Demonstration

Update history

July 13, 2010 Patch
  • Improved the performance of the critboost particle effect.

September 30, 2010 Patch (Mann-Conomy Update)

  • Added effects: Green Confetti, Purple Confetti, Haunted Ghosts, Green Energy, Purple Energy, Circling TF Logo, Massed Flies, Burning Flames, Scorching Flames, Searing Plasma, Vivid Plasma, Sunbeams, Circling Peace Sign, and Circling Heart.
  • [Undocumented] Added effect: G.R.U. skull.

December 7, 2010 Patch

  • Added effect: Treasure Hat particle effect.

October 27, 2010 Patch (Scream Fortress Update)

  • [Undocumented] Added effect: Marked For Death.

December 17, 2010 Patch (Australian Christmas)

  • Added effect: Map Stamps particle effect.

August 18, 2011 Patch (Manno-Technology Bundle)

  • [Undocumented] Added effects: Stormy Storm, Blizzardy Storm, Nuts n' Bolts, Orbiting Planets, Orbiting Fire, Bubbling, Smoking, and Steaming.

August 23, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed the Sunbeams effect.

October 27, 2011 Patch (Very Scary Halloween Special)

  • [Undocumented] Added effects: Cloudy Moon, Orbiting Cloudy Full Moon, Eerie Orbiting Fire, Flaming Lantern, Orbiting Shells, and Cauldron Bubbles.

June 11, 2012 Patch

  • Fixed a rare case where the offensive/defensive buff particle effects could get stuck on players.

June 27, 2012 Patch

  • Fixed cases where some clients didn't receive broadcasts about long continuous particle effects being started or stopped.

June 28, 2012 Patch

  • Fixed missing DX8 particle effects.

October 26, 2012 Patch (Spectral Halloween Special)

  • [Undocumented] Added effects: Knifestorm, Misty Skull, Harvest Moon, It's A Secret To Everybody, and Stormy 13th Hour.

February 14, 2013 Patch

  • Increased the particle limit.

May 17, 2013 Patch (Robotic Boogaloo)

  • [Undocumented] Added effects: Anti-Freeze, Electrostatic, Green Black Hole, Memory Leak, Overclocked, Phosphorous, Power Surge, Roboactive, Suplurous, and Time Warp.

June 5, 2013 Patch

  • Attachment point and offset for particle effects on unusual hats can now be adjusted from the character loadout screen.
  • Fixed a bug that would cause unusual effects to float in the air over dead players.
  • Fixed a bug that would cause unusual effects to show incorrectly sometimes when spectating other players.

June 19, 2013 Patch

  • [Undocumented] Added effects: Aces High, Cloud 9, Dead Presidents, Disco Beatdown, Kill-a-Watt, Miami Nights, and Terror-Watt.

July 11, 2013 Patch

  • Fixed Disco Beat Down unusual effect showing through walls.

September 3, 2013 Patch

  • Removed showing the Marked For Death icon over the head of the local player.

October 29, 2013 Patch (Scream Fortress 2013)

  • [Undocumented] Added effects: Arcana, Spellbound, Poisoned Shadows, Chiroptera Venenata, Hellfire, Something Burning This Way Comes, Darkblaze, and Demonflame.

July 30, 2014 Patch

  • Fixed a bug related to orphaned marked for death particles.

June 18, 2014 Patch (Love & War Update)

  • [Undocumented] Added Taunt effects: '72, Fountain of Delight, Holy Grail, Mega Strike, Midnight Whirlwind, Screaming Tiger, Showstopper, Skill Gotten Gains.

October 29, 2014 Patch (Scream Fortress 2014)

  • [Undocumented] Added Amaranthine, Bonzo The All-Gnawing, Ghastly Ghosts, Ghastly Ghosts Jr., Haunted Phantasm, Haunted Phantasm Jr., Stare From Beyond, and The Ooze unusual effects.

December 8, 2014 Patch (End of the Line Update)

  • [Undocumented] Added Death at Dusk, Frostbite, Molten Mallard and Morning Glory unusual effects.

January 30, 2015 Patch

  • Fixed a client crash related to the particle system.

February 11, 2015 Patch #1

  • Added convar r_drawtracers_firstperson to disable the drawing of first person bullet tracer particles.

February 18, 2015 Patch

  • Fixed a client crash related to disappearing particles, props, and players.
  • Fixed some Unusual particle effects not drawing correctly.

March 12, 2015 Patch

  • Fixed a bug that caused some particles to not draw correctly.

[Unknown Date]

  • Added effect: Rotating Birthday Cake.

Bugs

  • The Nuts n' Bolts particle effect has a visual problem. When circle strafing around a player, the Nuts n' Bolts appear to slow right down or even stop moving. This is much easier to detect if crouched.
  • On certain graphics drivers, particles no longer appear to have a distinct bright glow. This applies on the medibeam, unusual effects and energy based weapons. It has also has been reported by DirectX 11 users.
  • Upon death or disconnect, particle effects often stay in the spot the player was, fully animated.
  • The 'Marked for Death' particle effect sometimes appears when the user is not marked for death.

Notes

  • Particle effects that are attached to an item will not be visible to the player wielding it in first-person view, unless the player is using the cl_first_person_uses_world_model console variable.
  • Cosmetic items with particle effects can create multiple effect combinations.
  • Particle effects get hidden by Wheel of Fate big heads effect. However, if being watched as the head expands, the effect will be repositioned and be visually correct.

External links

Retrieved from "https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/index.php?title=Particle_effects&oldid=1918424"