Team Fortress 2 new class: VS Saxton Hale explained
With the first big update in years, many players are wondering about if there's a new class in Team Fortress 2, and who exactly this Saxton Hale person is that everyone is excited about.
Team Fortress 2 is one of the original hero shooters that's inspired a tonne of modern games like Overwatch and Apex Legends. The game initially released on PC and console back in 2007 as part of The Orange Box, attracting a dedicated audience that's remained for years, even through the drought of updates and meaningful changes.
With this new update energising the playerbase and setting a new concurrent player record, it's worth explaining whether there is a new character in Team Fortress 2.
- As Team Fortress 2 set the blueprint for the hero shooter and Overwatch, check out 10 Games Like Overwatch 2.
Is there a new Team Fortress 2 class?
Click to enlargeTechnically, there isn't a new Team Fortress 2 class, and the core nine classes that have made up the game since release are still the only playable characters in most modes.
However, the exception to this is the newly added VS Saxton Hale mode, which originated as a community mode based on a character from the comics, finally being made official as part of the Summer 2023 update.
It's unlikely a new Team Fortress 2 class will be added to the game anytime soon, though it's certainly a possibility for a potential sequel if Valve ever learns how to count to three.
Who is Saxton Hale in Team Fortress 2?
Click to enlargeSaxton Hale is the president and CEO of Mann Co., which in the TF2 lore is a multinational company that specialises in munitions and hat production.
He's a satire of the Übermensch (superior man) concept, characterised by excessively masculine traits, with identifying features such as a thick moustache, rippling muscles, a crocodile-tooth hat, and Australia-shaped chest hair.
He made his debut in the official Team Fortress comics before being added to the game as part of a community mode called VS Saxton Hale.
What is VS Saxton Hale?
Click to enlargeThe Team Fortress 2 VS Saxton Hale mode is a community-created asymmetrical multiplayer mode where one player takes on the role of Saxton Hale, with the other players being tasked with killing him.
Hale has an increased health pool and multiple abilities that make him difficult to kill, requiring the other team to work together to defeat him and win the game.
VS Saxton Hale was added to the game officially as part of the Summer 2023 update, introducing the character to a wider audience of players.
That's all for our explanation of whether there is a new class in Team Fortress 2, and now you know while there's no new class, there is a new character called Saxton Hale, who is exclusive to the official VS Saxton Hale mode.
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