Team Fortress 2 Update from October 16, 2026: Changes to the HolyHell Map and Balance Adjustments

List of Changes

• Fixed a bug that caused game time to be tracked incorrectly on some maps.
• Fixed the alpha channel in the updated image of the “Cozy Tourist” item.
• The HolyHell map has been updated:
  • Fixed a bug that prevented the skybox from displaying on the Zombie side for users with HDR enabled.
  • The Survivors’ side has been visually improved.
  • The visual design of the central control point has been improved.
  • Spells now consistently appear on the side of the team that has lost control of the central control point (this works both ways).
  • The round timer has been reduced to 5 minutes.
  • If the game ends in a draw 5 minutes after one team captures the central control point, all spells are replaced with rare versions and begin to spawn much faster. Once any point is captured in this mode, the spells return to their normal state.
  • Wave respawn times have been reduced.
  • Gargoyles now only spawn in the center
  • Optimization has been improved.
• The maps Atoll, Blazehattan, Devastation, Murky, Sanitarium, and Woods have been updated:
  • Fixed an issue where player models were invisible in DX8.
  • Fixed the HUD icon for the healing ability.
  • Fixed incorrect number display in the “Auto-Spawn” text in the respawn location selection window.
  • The Zombie Engineer’s beacon has been updated.
  • Instead of being instantly destroyed, beacons in narrow areas will now be placed at the nearest valid location.
  • Fixed the offset of dropped toolboxes from the center.
  • Dropped tool crates now destroy upon contact if they cannot find the nearest valid placement spot.
• The cooldown time for the Zombie Sniper’s spit has been changed from 9 seconds to 6 seconds.
• The Zombie Arsonist has been updated:
  • Melee damage has been increased.
  • Damage increased from 45 to 65.
  • Sticky Spit now slows movement by 20%.
  • Standing in Sticky Spit puddles further slows movement speed by 20%.
  • Sticky Spit puddles are now larger.
  • The movement speed reduction from the shield has been changed from -60% to -70%.
  • Enemies covered in Sticky Spit are now purple instead of black.
  • Deadly Explosion now deals 50 damage, applies the Burning effect, and turns itself and its victims to ash.
• Fixed a bug that caused the Zombie Heavy to explode on stone debris when not holding a stone.
• Fixed a bug that prevented the House Demolisher from destroying electromagnetic grenades.
• Updated the kill icon for the Zombie Demolitionist when killing from a running start.
• Changed the sounds for zombie melee attacks to fist strikes instead of the sloppy hand-to-hand combat sound.
• Fixed a bug that caused the Zombie Spy to deal more damage than intended.
• Fixed queue events for certain zombie abilities.
• Fixed a bug that caused zombies to sometimes move slowly after using an ability.