Snowplow

Snowplow
Basic Information
Developer(s):	Unknown
Map Info
Environment:	Alpine / Snow
Setting:	Daylight, sunset
Hazards:	Train, pitfall, crushing

Snowplow is a two-stage Attack/Defense map released with the Gun Mettle Update. It was intended to be released alongside the End of the Line Update, but wasn't included, as Valve deemed it "too confusing and challenging for new players".^[1] A portion of the money made from the sales of the Gun Mettle Campaign Pass goes to the authors of the map.

Unlike traditional Attack/Defense maps, the map objective centers around a train carrying a Payload, though it does not function like a Payload map. The BLU team's goal is to escort the train to the end of the map by capturing three control points on each of the two stages, for a total of six points. At each control point, the train is impeded by a buffer stop, where a RED device or "trap" attacks it every 35 seconds that it is stationary. In the first stage, the first device is a minivan, suspended by the rear bumper, with an Eyelander attached to the front bumper, the second is a collection of anvils, and the third is a collection of pianos. In the second stage, the first device is a collection of refrigerators, the second is a grouping of large logs, and the third is a laser cannon, similar to the one atop the final Control Point on Gravel Pit.

Every 35 seconds that BLU fails to capture or contest the active control point, the train loses 10% of its health. The 35-second countdown is paused whenever the control point is actively contested and resets when the control point is captured by BLU. When BLU successfully captures a control point, 10% of the train's health is restored and it destroys the buffer stop, proceeding to the next control point, where the next countdown begins. The train's health carries over between stages, so it is not refreshed upon completing the first stage. BLU wins if they successfully capture all control points on each stage before the train is destroyed, while RED wins if they hold the control points long enough for the devices to destroy the train.

Overview of Snowplow Stage 1.

Overview of Snowplow Stage 2.

Video

Locations

Note: If you're having trouble with finding the locations listed here, you can scroll down to the Helpful overview section to see their exact position marked on the map.

Directions are described from BLU's perspective.

Stage 1, Point A (sword van)

BLU Spawn, first stage

Snowplow, first stage, point B

Snowplow, first stage, point C

BLU Spawn: There are three exits, left, middle, and right. The right exit has two entrances outside on the front and right sides.

Train Tracks: From the left side of the BLU Spawn is a train tunnel where the train carrying the bomb will appear from. Crossing Guards will lower to indicate when it's coming. The train track path leads straight to Control Point A. Make sure you're not near the tracks when the train comes.

Left exit Building: Next to the left door, a large structure by the left side of the tracks contains a medium Health and Ammo kit. Entrances to the structure on the left side up a snowy incline. To the right are several openings to jump down from as well as a ramp to the other structure. The forward path of the structure leads straight to Control Point A.

Right side Building: A small structure overlooks Control Point A. Inside is a small Health and Ammo kit.

Control Point A: Control Point A is on a small train platform to the left of the train trap.

Stage 1, Point B (boulders)

Secondary BLU Spawn: Along the right side of the track near Point A is a small resupply room with a lone cabinet. Upon the capture of Point B, this room becomes the new BLU Spawn.

Left hallway: There's an interior path to the left that can be used as a shortcut to the Point. The hallway contains a one-way door though, so use caution before passing. Inside is a Max Ammo kit and medium Health kit.

Right side path: Through a small wooden structure is a path straight to Point B. Inside are medium Health and Ammo kits.

Structural Path: To the left of the Control Point is an entrance into the large structure. The area around that entrance contains a medium Health Kit and a second-floor vantage point for Snipers.

Control Point B: Point B is inside a small shack above the train trap. The shack has several large openings, and the entrance is from the left side, and right.

Stage 1, Point C (pianos)

Structural Path: A large structure is used as a pathway for the train. There is a medium Health and Ammo kit to the left of the tracks. On the second floor are several Health and Ammo kits as well as a resupply room for RED. The third floor has a lookout for Snipers.

Control Point C: To the right of the train trap is the final control point of the area. Point C has two entrances into the red structure, allowing for ambushes on unaware players capturing the point.

RED Spawn: RED's primary spawn is located in a small barn behind the control point. There are two exits in the front and right and a second-floor balcony exit.

Stage 2, Point A (washing machines)

Snowplow, second stage, point A

Snowplow, second stage, point B

Snowplow, second stage, point c

BLU Spawn: There are two exits, on the left and right.

Supply Shed: A small supply shed on the left side of the train tracks contains a small Health and Ammo kit.

Left Platform: After exiting the left exit of the BLU spawn, there is a concrete platform path that will lead you straight to Point A. Along the path is a medium Ammo and small Health kit.

Control Point A: To the left of the train trap is Point A. Near the point is a medium Health and Ammo kit.

Stage 2, Point B (logs)

Secondary BLU Spawn: To the left of the train trap is a second spawn/resupply room for BLU.

Battlements: There is a two-story structure over the train tracks that has a few balconies for a vantage point.

RED Resupply Room: To the right of the town is a small resupply room for the RED team.

Control Point B: Point B is on a catwalk above the train trap. Access can be gained from the left and right structures.

Stage 2, Point C (laser)

Left path structure: A long red structure lays to the left of the train tracks. It contains several Health and Ammo kits, as well as several openings. The path leads straight to the final Point.

Control Point C: The point is adjacent to the train trap. Behind the point and to the right are entrances into the RED spawn.

RED Spawn: To the right of the train trap is the RED spawn. There are three exits: To the left, the middle, and a balcony exit to the right.

Helpful overview

Stage 1

1.Left Exit Building
2.Right Side Building
3.Right Side Path
4.Structural path
5.Warehouse
6.Wooden Tower

Red/blue diagonal lines: Red/Blu first spawn
Red/blue double diagonal lines: Red/Blu second spawn

Yellow circle: First control point
Green circle: Second control point
Pink circle: Third control point

Stage 2

1.Supply Shed
2.Left House
3.Battlements
4.Left Path Structure

Red/blue diagonal lines: Red/Blu first spawn
Red/blue double diagonal lines: Red/Blu second spawn

Yellow circle: First control point
Green circle: Second control point
Pink circle: Third/final control point.

Strategy

Main article: Community Snowplow strategy

Control Point timing

Control Point 1-1

×1

12

.000

×2

8

.000

×3

6

.545

×4

5

.760

Control Point 1-2

×1

12

.000

×2

8

.000

×3

6

.545

×4

5

.760

Control Point 1-3

×1

8

.000

×2

5

.333

×3

4

.364

×4

3

.840

Control Point 2-1

×1

22

.000

×2

14

.667

×3

12

.000

×4

10

.560

Control Point 2-2

×1

20

.000

×2

13

.333

×3

10

.909

×4

9

.600

Control Point 2-3

×1

12

.000

×2

8

.000

×3

6

.545

×4

5

.760

Changelog

This is the changelog of the map before it was added to the game.

Changelog:

September 5th, 2014 (B7)
Fixed some chimneys not spinning. (Amazing what some WD40 can do!)
Continued detailing work in various places.
Removed instant spawn for red players dying shortly after a blu capture*
Removed the delay between the train impacting a trap and the trap being activated.*
Blu ÜberCharges on a point no longer pause the trap. Red ÜberCharges still resume.
Removed a nobuild on some crates by point 1 in stage 1.
Swapped "We're running out of time" (heard only by blu) with "Mission ends in 30 seconds" (heard by both teams)
Added a stairwell on the cross-over between Stage 2, point 1 and 2 that goes from the bridge to upper balcony overlooking Stage 2, point 2.
August 31st, 2014 (B6)
Fade distances!
Blood curdling screams!
Adjusted a doorway (Fancy, right?)
Red now use their forward spawn in stage 1 until after point 2 has been capped. We'll be keeping an eye on this change and how it affects the difficulty of 1-2. If you have feedback on, please tell us!
Red's respawn time for 1-1 and 1-2 has been adjusted to reflect the above change
Rebuilt secondary spawn for red's final point, stage 2.
Reworked trap timer entities to show the time until impact on the HUD.
Added Overtime back in. The final 10% of train health still has the same effect as it does in b5, blu can stop the trap, but red can only stop point capture progression, not restart the trap.
Roughly halved delay before initial trap activation. (That is, the trap doesn't get stunned as long. All times were basically halved)
Changed snow surfaceprop to dirt (Removes footprint and snow puff effect)
All pickup overlays now match existing white-health, red-ammo conventions.
Adjusted HP/Ammo in some locations so they weren't as dense.
August 27th, 2014 (B5)
Added exterior route to upper left level of Stage 2, Point 2.
The building between Stage 1, Point 2 and 3 has been made to look not weird.
Added extra doorway through buildings separating points 2 and 3 in stage 1.
Minor detailing added.
Removed a boulder between Stage 1 Point 1 and 2. Replaced it with something else. Spoiler: It's crates.
Increased the distance between Stage 1, Point 1 and 2.
Increased the distance between Stage 2, Point 1 and 2.
Widened the area infront of Stage 1, point 3.
Removed a bug where the trigger_hurt on the train would still be active during the time the trap was stunned.
Added a nice awning by Stage 2, point 3. It's actually quite nice. Can keep the porch cool during the day, but catch the nice evening breeze. Barring the toxic sludge barrels, it'd be a nice place to have supper, or a read a newspaper.
August 22nd, 2014 (B4b)
Removed standard Overtime and made it so that the device will not fire while blu is onpoint, regardless of reds contention. This is only in affect during the final 10% of the trains health.
Train warning gates by 1-1 won't stay down as long
Slowed the train down so that it doesn't break the sound barrier every time it moves (speed reduced by 40%, but still an increase of 50% from b3)
August 22nd, 2014 (B4)
Added Overtime.
Removed train slowing with damage.
Train now 'stuns' the traps on initial impact with barricade.
New upper path on point 2 in stage 2, giving access to the roof.
Train warning gates now animate properly.
Hopefully fixed some bells playing when they shouldn't.
Lengthened Red respawn time on stage 2, point 2.
Various poles have been clipped.
Updated Localization Files.
Added one or two health kits and ammo packs.
August 18th, 2014 (B3)
Revised stage 2 point 1.
Adjusted stage 2, Primary BLU Spawn exit to be wider. It is know that the doors clip through walls. + This will be revised in later versions.
Reverted stage 2 point 2 to a pre-beta version.
Minor adjustments to spawn times.
[Hopefully] fixed some blu players spawning inside each other.
Pointed players in the right direction when spawning in blu forward, stage 2.
Added some cover before point 2 in stage 1.
Adjusted door overlooking point 3 in stage 1.
Increased quantity of arrows.
Tracks.
Log clipping and crush trigger.
 ???
Added gates to warn those of an incoming runaway train
August 13th, 2014 (B2)
Ammo/HP condensed or moved around.
Simplified layout in a building by Stage 1, point 2.
Moved Red resupply locker back in Stage 1, point 3 spawn.
Removed secondary Red spawn room from Stage 2, point 3.
Adjusted stage 2, point 3 respawn times for both teams.
Fixed clipping exploit stage 1, point 1.
Added A/B/C signs for points in both stages.
Increased light level stage 1, point 2.
Opened skybridge over stage 1, point 3, into a balcony.
Adjusted spawn times for stage 2, point 3.
Increased setup time for both stages.
Replace Glass with temporary easier-to-see textures.
Moved stage 2, point 1 onto the bridge.
Increased height of several capture point areas.
August 11th, 2014 (B1)
First public beta release

Update history

July 2, 2015 Patch #1 (Gun Mettle Update)

Added Snowplow to the game.

Bugs

It's possible to get stuck on a Control Point trap by simply jumping on it, though the player will automatically escape after few seconds. However, when the traps starts to elevate with the player on it, the player is stuck there until killed or until the trap starts going all the way down again.
It's also possible to get trapped on the snowplow train by jumping onto the back with the bomb; while the train is moving, the player is not allowed to leave the bomb.
Sometimes, parts of a trap will disappear; the parts are still there, but are invisible.

Trivia

As it was intended to be shipped alongside the End of the Line Update, the map makes numerous references to the video.
- At the beginning of a round, and as RED comes close to winning at defense, one of a few varied shortened versions of the soundtrack "Rumble" from the movie End of the Line will play.
- The destroyed BLU mountain base at the end of the video can be seen behind the Stage 1 BLU spawn.
- In both Stages, some Pigeons flying with a bomb can be seen above the trees in the skybox next to the cliff.
- In the BLU spawn in both Stage 1 & 2, there is a pile of toy ducks over by Pyro's locker space.
- In the Resupply room at BLU spawn, there is a colored drawing by the Pyro on the wall. The drawing is of the Pyro wearing the Wartime Warmth with a kitten.
In Stage 1, a cardboard cutout of a Yeti can be seen next to a cliff. The Yeti is wearing J.Axer's Dapper Topper.
The suspended minivan with an Eyelander (that is, a "Sword Van") is a reference to one of KC Green's Custom Comix.^[2]
In Stage 1, near the second point, a series of doors can be found. Behind 2 are rubber ducks. Behind the left door is a Hat of Undeniable Wealth And Respect.
Above the wooden lockers in the Stage 2 BLU spawn, there is a drawing presumably made by the Spy. The drawing is Spy hitting Scout with a car, and Scout has rainbows coming out of him. This is a reference to a similar drawing that Scout made of the Spy in Expiration Date, and the rainbows are presumably a reference to Spy's Scout domination line "This is Scout! Rainbows make me cry!"
The Train on Snowplow is branded 'Saxton Rail'. In End of the Line video it was branded BLU Mountain Railroad.