Basic Medieval Mode strategy
Medieval mode is a game mode added in the Australian Christmas update. Currently, it is only used by default on the map DeGroot Keep. As only certain weapons are allowed, class balance (and therefore class strategies) are drastically altered from normal gameplay.
Contents
Scout
The Scout remains the fastest class in this mode. However, without the close range bursts of his Scattergun, different strategies are needed to play effectively.
Secondary weapons
Since you aren't allowed to use the Pistol and the Winger, always equip a lunchbox item or a throwable.
Bonk! Atomic Punch + reskins
Because you no longer need Bonk! for most of its conventional purposes, this weapon becomes less necessary. Use it to bypass enemy lines or as a distraction or retreat tool.
Crit-a-Cola
Many of the strategies for using Crit-a-Cola in normal gameplay remain effective in Medieval mode. Use it to give yourself a boost before an ambush. Remember that without a ranged weapon, you won't be as powerful an ambushing force, so take extra precautions to avoid damage. The additional speed also helps in getting in and out of range fast.
Flying Guillotine
This throwable weapon will inflict both decent direct damage and additional bleed damage against enemies - because of this, it becomes an excellent weapon for an offensive, ranged playing style. The long-range mini-crits make for a great hit and run tactic as well. Pair it with the Sandman to stun enemies and slow them down and then deal devastating critical hits against them.
Mad Milk
Use Mad Milk in an area with many people so you and your team can maintain healing in a push. Also use it for Spy checking, as Pyros no longer have a Flamethrower and Snipers no longer have Jarate, making a Scout the best at tracking Spies in this situation.
Melee weapons
Bat + reskins
You deal the least amount of melee damage per hit on the team, but you can swing rapidly. Use your speed to your advantage and land hits on enemies while outmaneuvering them to avoid damage.
Sandman
The Sandman gives the Scout a ranged weapon at the cost of 15 health. Use it to stun other classes before moving in for the kill, or simply let your nearby teammates do it while you collect the ball to set up another stun.
Holy Mackerel + reskins
These weapons function identically to the stock Bat except that they announce each hit in the kill feed. Since a hit that triggers a Spy's feign death will appear as a hit, not a kill, use this to track down Spies using the Dead Ringer.
Candy Cane
Since there is only the Ullapool Caber dealing explosive damage in Medieval mode, this weapon is almost a direct upgrade. It will drop a second health pack in addition to the pack that is always dropped upon kills in Medieval mode. Use this to keep your momentum in a prolonged fight. Just make sure not to miss a pack or keep it lying on the ground, lest the enemy may use it for themselves.
Boston Basher + reskins
Since this weapon requires you to be precise with your attacks, it eliminates the tactic of swinging wildly. Use this weapon only when you're sure it will hit. Keep in mind that the bleed effect can be deadly against Spies, effectively rendering their Cloak useless, so make a habit of hitting your teammates and try to keep an eye out for any bleeding.
Sun-on-a-Stick
With few ways to ignite enemies in Medieval mode, this weapon can be difficult to use effectively. Consider using a different, more reliable weapon, unless you have a Pyro using the Sharpened Volcano Fragment or your Snipers are shooting flaming arrows frequently.
Fan O'War
The Fan O'War allows teammates to finish off a marked opponent, but leaves you next to defenseless. Use hit-and-run tactics if you want to use this weapon, and stay out of fights otherwise.
Atomizer
The Atomizer's triple jump allows you to get to a couple places you couldn't normally, as showcased in this video, but use the triple jump sparingly, as it deals 10 damage each time you jump a third time in mid-air. However, with less damage and slower swings, you're much less effective in combat. Use the triple jump to move around enemies and reach advantageous positions, but stay away from direct fights.
Wrap Assassin
The Wrap Assassin is similar to the Sandman but does not stun and deals very little melee damage. The bleed effect is also somewhat ineffective due to the large amount of health packs in Medieval mode. This makes the weapon very hard to use effectively. If you do use it, be sure to pick up the ball after a throw, as it will be your main method of damage.
Soldier
The Soldier, without his powerful Rocket Launcher, becomes much less mobile and more of a support class in Medieval mode. Use your banners to provide assistance to the team in the absence of ÜberCharges.
Secondary weapons
The Gunboats, Shotgun, Reserve Shooter, and Righteous Bison aren't allowed.
Mantreads
The Mantreads are next to useless in Medieval Mode, as melee weapons cause very little knockback. Also, their ability to cause high fall damage is almost redundant as well, since the only way that fall damage can occur is by falling or jumping from the castle's battlements. Consider choosing another weapon instead.
Buff Banner
If you can stay alive long enough and deal enough damage to fully charge it, use the Buff Banner to help your team push to the final point. The mini-crits provided can help you overpower the other team. You can also use it to nullify the effects of an enemy Soldier's Battalion's Backup, though the odds of these two banners being deployed at the same time on opposing teams in Medieval Mode are rather slim.
Battalion's Backup
If you manage to deal enough damage to build up a charge, you can use it to defend against a push, especially against the final point. As with the Buff Banner, the Battalion's Backup can be used to negate an enemy's Buff Banner. Even without a charge the extra 20 health can assist in outlasting opponents.
Concheror
Once you deal enough damage to fully charge the Concheror, assuming you survive long enough, it can be useful for supporting your team in a rush as in melee combat they take and deal more damage than when using ranged weapons, so the health steal mechanic is arguably more useful than in regular gameplay, especially when capturing the final point. The speed boost is marginally helpful as it assists in dodging enemy attacks, but it is not a huge help. Since this secondary requires 120 less damage dealt to fully charge and passively heals the user, out of the 3 secondaries that require rage to activate, it is the most likely that you will be able to activate it before dying.
B.A.S.E. Jumper
Without a means of rocket jumping this weapon's uses are more limited. It can be used from high ground, such as castle battlements, to cover more distance and manoeuvre around opponents.
Melee weapons
Shovel + reskins
The Shovel is a strong melee weapon that deals consistent damage. However, since Medieval mode makes many of the Soldier's weapons direct upgrades, you may want to use another weapon instead.
Equalizer
The Equalizer starts out weaker than the basic Shovel, but becomes more powerful as you take damage. This can be used to kill enemies easily when you are weak.
Pain Train
Since there are almost no bullets in Medieval mode, the Pain Train is generally a direct upgrade to the Shovel. Use it to help capture the points on offense, and switch to another weapon when on defense, as it provides no defensive benefit.
Be aware of Demomen with shields, as charge damage counts as bullet damage.
Half-Zatoichi
Since you are generally bound to your melee weapon anyway, the Half-Zatoichi is much easier to use and can also be seen as a direct upgrade to the Shovel. The healing it provides can allow you to continue fighting for long periods of time, which can be useful in building up the Battalion's Backup. Remember, however, that enemy Soldiers or Demomen also wielding the Half-Zatoichi can kill you in one hit and vice versa; keep this in mind: cover up your weakness and simultaneously use it to your advantage to plan your attacks wisely.
Disciplinary Action
The Disciplinary Action allows you to speed up slower classes like Heavies, Demomen, and other Soldiers, but makes you weaker, making the Soldier even more support based. Avoid the front lines of combat if you intend to use this weapon.
Market Gardener
Since there is no way to rocket jump in Medieval mode, this weapon is a direct downgrade from the Shovel. Disregard this weapon entirely.
Escape Plan
The Escape Plan will increase your speed as you take damage. Use this to your advantage while ambushing, escaping from strong enemies and providing quick support to your team.
Pyro
Since the Pyro loses its Flamethrower, is given no secondary weapons, and has many situational melee weapons, the Pyro is a very difficult class to use in Medieval mode.
Melee weapons
Fire Axe + reskins
Without the close range Flamethrower, the Fire Axe gains more utility. Use it if you lack the Back Scratcher or Sharpened Volcano Fragment.
Axtinguisher + reskins
Since you have no way to start fires, the Axtinguisher is a very difficult weapon to use. Unless you pair up with a Pyro using the Sharpened Volcano Fragement, you'll be very ineffective.
Homewrecker + reskins
Since Engineers cannot build buildings and Spies do not have Sappers in Medieval mode, the Homewrecker becomes a straight downgrade to the Fire Axe. Disregard this weapon entirely.
Powerjack
The increased speed you get for having the Powerjack out can be helpful for general movement or escaping from a fight. Also, kills with the Powerjack will give you a boost in health, which can be useful in prolonged fights. However, since you take 20% more damage, you'll find yourself dying much more quickly. If you use this weapon, attack enemies who are unaware of your presence, and if they discover you before you kill them, retreat.
Back Scratcher
As everyone drops a health pack on death in Medieval mode, this can be a very effective weapon and can be regarded as a direct upgrade to the Fire Axe. Even the small health packs can heal you a great deal, plus the weapon deals more damage. Medic-based healing is severely lessened, so use the health packs more than your Medics.
Sharpened Volcano Fragment
With the exception of lit Huntsman arrows from Snipers, this is the only way to set enemies on fire. The afterburn will make up for the lack of initial damage, so it is an upgrade to the Fire Axe. Pair up with Scouts equipped with the Sun-on-a-Stick or other Pyros with the Axtinguisher or Postal Pummeler to make a deadly combination. This also gives you a method of Spy checking.
Third Degree
Mediguns are not allowed in Medieval Mode, but the weapon does transfer damage to Medics taunting with the Amputator. The weapon also has no downsides, so use it if you have nothing else.
Neon Annihilator
There are currently no areas of standing water in Medieval Mode maps, making the Neon Annihilator a very difficult weapon to use. Unless you pair up with a Scout using Mad Milk, you'll be very ineffective.
Demoman
As the Demoman has many weapons suited for melee-only combat, he is a force to be reckoned with in Medieval mode.
Primary weapons
The Grenade Launcher, Loose Cannon,and the Loch-n-Load are not allowed.
Ali Baba's Wee Booties + reskins
These will give you some, though small, turning control with your charges, give a speed boost and put your health on par with the Soldier (or will balance it out to normal if you use the Eyelander).
B.A.S.E. Jumper
Without explosive projectiles this weapon is more difficult to use than in normal gameplay but can pair with a shield or the Ullapool Caber to fly over the battle field.
Secondary weapons
The Stickybomb Launcher, Scottish Resistance, and Sticky Jumper are not allowed.
Chargin' Targe
This weapon loses its usual advantages of increased fire and explosive damage resistance when compared to the Splendid Screen, because such damage only occurs rarely in Medieval mode. It is useful only against other Demomen using the Ullapool Caber, Pyros using the Sharpened Volcano Fragment, and Snipers using the Huntsman and firing ignited arrows. However, it still has the ability to charge to obtain critical damage and to bash enemies, so equip it if you don't have a Splendid Screen or Tide Turner.
Splendid Screen
Since there are few ways to deal fire or explosive damage in Medieval Mode, the halved resistances are negligible. The Screen can deal charge impact damage at any range, dealing 70% more damage than the Targe, and also will allow critical hits at any charge distance. Use this in most situations instead of a Chargin' Targe.
Tide Turner
Like the Spledid screen, the reduced resistances are of little consequence so use over the Chargin' Targe. This shield offers less raw damage in exchange for the ability to regain charge time and to turn while charging making it good for hunting down multiple spaced out targets. Be careful when charging as damage taken reduces charge time and can only gain minicrits a opposed to full crits.
Melee weapons
Bottle + reskins
Each weapon is capable of killing most classes in three hits, unmodified. With a successful charge, this can be reduced to a bash and an immediate hit, for critical damage. However, since some of the Demoman's weapons become direct upgrades in Medieval Mode, you're better off using one of those instead.
Eyelander + reskins
The Eyelander and its equivalents have a longer melee range and the ability to gain speed and health with each kill, with the downsides of spawning with 25 less health and being unable to score random critical hits. After you get four kills with one of these weapons in one life, you will have 210 health at max (235 with the Ali Baba's Wee Booties). This extra health is useful when fighting several enemies. Additionally, you will gain 15 health with every kill if you are not at maximum health. These weapons should be used with one of the shields to be able to score critical hits.
Pain Train
Since there is no bullet damage except for charges in Medieval Mode, The Pain Train becomes a direct upgrade from the Bottle. Use your doubled capture rate with your ability to charge (using either of the shields) to beat even Scouts to the point.
Scotsman's Skullcutter
The Scotsman's Skullcutter has a longer melee range and deals 20% more damage, at the expense of 15% slower movement speed. It is especially useful with the Targe or the Screen as the speed of the charge will make up for the base speed drop and a critical hit will one-hit any class except a Heavy, which will require two hits. Also, unlike other Demoman's enlarged melee range weapons it is capable of dealing random critical hits.
Claidheamh Mòr
The Claidheamh Mòr has a longer melee range, increases charge duration by one half second and on kill recharges charge metre by 25%. The downsides are that it cannot produce random critical hits and that you spawn with 160 health (or 185 with the Ali Baba's Wee Booties). This weapon is obviously best used with a shield, as you will be able to charge further. The shields will also allow you to get critical hits. Without a shield, this weapon becomes a direct downgrade, so use it only with a shield.
Ullapool Caber
On hitting an enemy or a solid part of a map (wall, rock, ground, etc), the Ullapool Caber will explode, dealing damage to all the enemies (as well as you) in the surrounding area. This weapon is best used when charging into a large crowd. It can one-hit kill all classes if it crits. This weapon is especially good for clearing the final point on DeGroot Keep. The Ullapool does pitiful damage once it has exploded, so return to a supply locker, if you have the chance, to replenish it. Pair it with the Chargin' Targe or the Splendid Screen to negate some of the explosive damage or for a quick getaway.
Half-Zatoichi
Since the Demoman has no other weapons to switch to and the fact that you are bound to your melee anyway, the Half-Zatoichi can be seen as a direct upgrade to the Bottle. Coupling it with a shield can allow you to pull off quick kills to restore your health and continue fighting for a long time. However, remember that enemy Soldiers or Demomen also wielding the Half-Zatoichi can still kill you in one hit and vice versa.
Persian Persuader
The Persian Persuader cuts the recharge time for either shield in half and allows you to pick up dropped weapons for charge recharge instead of refilled ammo. The downside is no random critical hits. Using it with a shield can help combat this, since your more frequent charges allow you to use the crits that the shields offer more often.
Heavy
Due to the loss of the Minigun and slow movement speed, it can be difficult to use the Heavy effectively in Medieval mode. However, his large health pool, especially when combined with the use of his lunchbox items, means that he can be involved in prolonged fights.
Secondary Weapons
The Shotgun and the Family Business aren't allowed.
Sandvich + reskins
The Sandvich is useful for patching yourself up in between fights. However, you are helpless during its long consumption time. A thrown Sandvich can also be used to help keep teammates healthy.
Dalokohs Bar + reskins
The Dalokohs Bar cannot heal you as quickly as the Sandvich and when dropped for allies only produces a small health kit. However, because it has less cooldown, you can eat it at any time to heal minor wounds and continuously keep your increased maximum health. The Dalokohs Bar can be beneficial if your team lacks a Medic but does have a constant source of healing from dropped medkits.
Buffalo Steak Sandvich
The Buffalo Steak Sandvich can be useful in Medieval mode since it increases the Heavy's speed and deals out Mini-Crits; the usual disadvantage of being locked into melee mode is obviously not a concern. However, try to feint and dodge enemy attacks as their attacks will deal extra damage to you. It can still be thrown onto the ground to heal injured teammates.
Melee Weapons
Fists + reskins
Although Fists are a good melee weapon to use, Medieval mode causes other Heavy melee weapons to generally be upgrades. Switching to those may give you a stronger edge in combat.
Killing Gloves of Boxing
Take out the Killing Gloves of Boxing when you have the enemy in a corner and can easily land your punches. Once you've obtained the critical hit boost, make the best use of it by finding a chain of people to attack. Crits deal out 195 damage so you can one hit kill most other classes.
Gloves of Running Urgently
The increased speed is helpful, but remember that you will take increased Mini-Crit damage. Dance around your opponents to get them off guard to counteract this and your decreased melee damage.
Fists of Steel
The Fists of Steel are not a good weapon due to the fact that most fights in Medieval mode are melee-based and the increased melee vulnerability will mean that you tend to die faster than you otherwise would. Unless, Snipers or Medics are giving you trouble with ranged weaponry, disregard this weapon.
Warrior's Spirit
The slight damage increase does aid in killing enemies faster. Since there are frequent sources of healing from the dropped medkits on top of the small heal on kill bonus, the health penalty can be negliged. Also it can be temporarily removed when paired with Dalokohs Bar.
Eviction Notice
While the Eviction Notice deals as much damage as the Scout's Bat, it attacks faster, meaning that it can be used well with the Buffalo Steak Sandvich. The mini-crits, and extra movement speed can help in taking down opponents with faster punches.
Holiday Punch
Random critical hits are more common in Medieval mode, activating this weapon's ability more often. Get behind the enemy team to disable them with laugh-inducing hits. Just remember that critical hits with this weapon deal no damage.
Engineer
The Engineer loses his main ability in Medieval mode - the ability to make buildings. Additionally, he has no non-melee equipment that functions in Medieval mode. This, combined with his relatively low health and average speed, gives him little to offer anyone save those seeking to challenge themselves.
Melee Weapons
Wrench + reskins
The Wrench can deal out a strong and consistent amount of damage. However, you have less health than other attacking classes while dealing the same damage. Consider using a different weapon.
Gunslinger
The additional health the Gunslinger grants makes you a viable attacking force and the automatic crit you receive after hitting an enemy 3 times can be very useful in prolonged fights. Also you don't need to punch only one enemy in order to get a critical hit, so it can be considered good weapon for fighting groups of enemies.
Southern Hospitality
The bleed effect of the Southern Hospitality can be useful in a one-on-one fight and help to track down Cloaked Spies. Try to avoid Pyros wielding the Sharpened Volcano Fragment and flaming Huntsman arrows, as this weapon has a 20% fire damage vulnerability. However, since there are no other ways for fire damage to be dealt, the fire vulnerability is almost negligible, and can be seen almost as a straight upgrade to the Wrench.
Jag
The Jag has a faster swing speed but lower damage to compensate. A critical can still kill all low health classes in one hit so is suited for a hit and run approach.
Eureka Effect
In Medieval mode, this weapon is a straight upgrade. Return to spawn when you are low on health to dodge long respawn times and keep the fight going.
Medic
The Medic, despite his lack of a Medi Gun, can still be an effective combatant and healer in Medieval mode.
Primary Weapons
The Syringe Gun, Blutsauger, and Overdose are not allowed.
Crusader's Crossbow
The Crossbow is one of the Medic's only two options in terms of healing, and is also the only primary available. Use it if you have it. It can inflict up to 75 damage with a normal hit and can heal friendly players for up to 150 health.
Melee Weapons
Bonesaw + reskins
Each weapon is able to kill most classes in three or four hits. If you are using one of these weapons with the Crossbow, use the Crossbow instead, as it can both heal teammates and hurt enemies. Use the melee if you are forced into a close-combat situation, however, as it will do more damage than the Crossbow can at short range.
Ubersaw
The Ubersaw is a direct downgrade from the Bonesaw in Medieval mode, because you are unable to use your ÜberCharge and the weapon swings slower. Disregard this weapon entirely.
Vita-Saw
The Vita-Saw is a direct downgrade from the Bonesaw in Medieval mode, because you are unable to build up an ÜberCharge and you spawn with 10 less health. Again, disregard this weapon as well.
Amputator
The Amputator is no longer a direct upgrade from the Bonesaw but still preferable. It deals less damage, but health recovers quicker when it is equipped and when you taunt it will heal all nearby teammates, at the cost of leaving you vulnerable for just over four seconds. Use this, instead of the Crusader's Crossbow to heal many teammates at once.
Solemn Vow
The Solemn Vow allows you to enter combat more intelligently, as you can gauge how much health enemy players have at the cost of a slower swing rate. Using this with the Crossbow enables you to select targets which have less health to go for, for a more likely kill.
Sniper
Since the Sniper retains one of his Primary Weapons, which happens to be a ranged weapon, he can still be considered a good class to play in Medieval Mode.
Primary Weapons
The Sniper Rifle, Sydney Sleeper, Bazaar Bargain, Machina, Hitman's Heatmaker, and AWPer Hand are not allowed.
Huntsman + variants
As the only primary weapon the Sniper has, equip it if you have it. It is capable of dealing lethal force with a single shot, if aimed accurately. Additionally, use the various torches located throughout the map to light your arrows on fire to ignite enemies on hit.
Secondary Weapons
The Submachine Gun, Cleaners Carbine and Jarate are not allowed.
Razorback
The Razorback is technically a direct upgrade, but is only useful if the enemy team has a lot of Spies. Use the Razorback if the enemy team has Spies running around or if you don't have Darwin's Danger Shield.
Darwin's Danger Shield
Darwin's Danger Shield provides 25 extra health, which is very useful in close quarters combat. Bullet and Explosion weapons are a non-issue so the other stats don't affect gameplay. Use this if Spies are not a problem.
Cozy Camper
The health regeneration is a bonus in this mode as there are few sources of healing when not able to pick up dropped health packs. The Cozy Camper will allow you to steady your aim while bleeding and/or on fire. However, you take extra damage making you very susceptible to enemy attacks. Be prepared to retreat to cover and heal if using this.
Melee Weapons
Kukri + reskins
The Kukri is a decent weapon that deals good damage.
Tribalman's Shiv
The Tribalman's Shiv initially does 50% less damage, however, it causes enemies to bleed for 6 seconds. After the bleed effect, the weapon finishes at around 80 damage. However, this leaves the target time to heal himself. Use this where there are few medkits nearby. The Shiv can be used for Spy checking, as Cloaked Spies are noticeable if they are bleeding.
Bushwacka
Due to this weapon dealing crits when it would normally mini-crit, it is more useful than the Kukri in several situations, such as someone being marked for death. However, without a way to create mini-crits yourself, it's not as useful as it would be with Jarate. The 20% damage venerability makes it a poor choice for joining the fray making it a weapon that relies on team strategy.
Shahanshah
The Shahanshah increases your damage by 25% when you are lower than 50% of your max health, but decreases it by 25% when you have more than 50% of your health. If you are planning on melee fighting only, do not use this weapon. The damage increase for low health isn't usually worth less damage at high health.
Spy
While a main job of the Spy - sapping and destroying buildings, is not available in Medieval mode, the Spy still retains his abilities to backstab, Cloak, and disguise. However, loss of the Revolver means that damage output can be very low if you are finding that your backstabs aren't landing.
Melee Weapons
Knife + reskins
The Knife deals pitiful damage in one-to-one combat. It is highly advised that you stay away from fighting unless necessary and stick to backstabbing enemies only.
Your Eternal Reward + reskins
Since you now have lost one of your only tools in Medieval mode, you'll have to rely more on Cloak to hide. Once you have a disguise, feel free to move around freely, but still be careful not to blow your disguise with a stray attack. Remember to Cloak if you need to move around faster or escape.
Conniver's Kunai
The Conniver's Kunai's health reduction makes you very weak. Unless you are under the effects of its overheal, one melee swing from most classes can kill you. Play aggressively and try to land continuous backstabs to maintain your health and eliminate any negative status effects such as afterburn or bleeding. Using the Dead Ringer in conjunction with the Conniver's Kunai will allow you to quickly navigate behind enemy lines without dying quickly.
Big Earner
The Big Earner's health reduction does not make you as weak as the Conniver's Kunai, but the 25 health penalty can be a breaker in one-to-one combat. Play aggressively and get multiple kills to rapidly charge your Cloak for an escape, aided by the on death speed boost.
Spy-cicle
In Medieval mode, this weapon recharges instantly, granting immunity to being ignited. Use this if the enemy has many Sharpened Volcano Fragment-using Pyros or Huntsman Snipers, as it'll negate the afterburn aspect of the weapons. It can be regarded as a direct upgrade to the Knife.
PDA 1
Disguise Kit
Many of the basic strategies for the Disguise Kit hold true in Medieval Mode. Try to act like what that class would be doing. However, pay attention to what weapon your disguise is holding. If your disguise is holding a weapon that cannot be used in Medieval Mode, that gives the enemy team an obvious sign that you are a Spy. Press your "Use Last Disguise" key to change your weapon to melee.
PDA 2
Invisibility Watch + reskins
As Medieval Mode maps are generally small, you won't need to cover a very large distance, which is where the Invisibility Watch excels. However, with few places to refill your Cloak, you'll find it hard to recharge yourself. Equip another watch to give yourself more versatility. However if you consider equipping Big Earner Cloak recharge can get somewhat easier.
Cloak and Dagger
Since Medieval maps have few, if any, places to refill ammo (except for fallen weapons), this is a good weapon to use for Medieval mode. Sneak behind groups of people and then land backstabbing sprees.
Dead Ringer
Since there are few places to refill your Cloak, it will be difficult to get anywhere far with the Dead Ringer. Use it with the weapons that reduce your health to survive in places of intense fighting.
See also
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