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 with a particular quality; for example, 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.

G.R.U. skull

The G.R.U. skull particle effect is emitted when the Gloves of Running Urgently are wielded by the player.

Overheal

Main article: Overheal

When a player is overhealed by a Medic, the player will emit medical crosses. The particle effect is also emitted when injured players pick up health kits. It is also used on the Medi Gun beam itself.

Critical spark

Main articles: Critical hits, Übercharge

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

Weapon effects

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

Gameplay effects

Particles are used to indicate gameplay events.

Intelligence paper trail

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

Balloons

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

Decorative effects

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

Holy Glow

The Holy Glow particle effect is attached to the Cheater's Lament.

Community sparkle

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

Treasure Hat

Main article: Treasure Hat

There is no known localized name for the Treasure Hat's 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.

Map stamps

Main article: Map stamps

The map stamp particle 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.

Musical notes

The musical note particle effect is attached to the Earbuds and to Noise Makers (see below section).

Noise Maker effect

Main article: Noise Maker

The Noise Makers emit musical note or ghost particles when used.

Flying Bits

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

Nemesis Burst

Unusual effects

Unusual particle effects are attached to Unusual quality items. The different particle effects are viewable in this animation, as well as in this video.

Other effect

Effect particle 1 used during the burning of players.

Notes

  • A Spy disguised as a person with items that have attached particle effects currently does not reproduce the particle attachment.
  • Particle effects that are attached to an item will not be visible to the player wielding it in first-person view.

External links