"possible solution on how to make the metal even more useful"

Just imagined how it could be done (though I was thinking about the same theme* a lot, during veeery looong time):
1. Make it so that the crafted items would give any special stats on any special map / gamemode (new or old) (For example, on MvM: the crafted weapons give extra cash per destroyed bot).
2. If the item has been crafted by its owner (the person who equips it), the bonus is even bigger (or it is even changed in a quality, not just in a quantity).
This way people would have choice to buy the key and open the chest OR to craft the hat / weapon to use it with the (additional) bonuses. And the metal would have more options to be used!
(Again: on special map or in the gamemode, not during the vanilla gameplay!)

(*Of course, the item_origin and/or the item_quality could be used in some user's modification, to make the gameplay more variative. "Crafted" items (even cosmetic ones) could have 1 kind of bonus, and the items "Found in crate", or "Gifted", would have another bonus, in very specific gamemode and map. On that special map, even hats would give special bonuses to their wearer.)

Source (my post in the thread "Let's talk: Keys", on SPUF)

Cluster Bombs ("Math-Riotka").

Only small parts explode. The bigger ones just separate to the smaller parts. There is a delay between the separating explosions.

Sleep, my darling Sentry...

What if the Sandman's ball attract the attention of the enemy's sentry for a couple of seconds?
Throw the ball and run while the Sentry is shooting the ball.
Remember: don't run between the ball and the Sentry - because it chooses the closest enemy.

Idea for Minigun.

The spreading decreases after the 1st hit or kill (?plus xN speed of shooting ?)

Idea for Medigun

The closer to the mate, the faster it heals. Or vice versa.
Just an idea.

"Sentries's Fault".

Disguise Kit that attract Sentries' attention to you, though they don't shoot.
Maybe, it works only few seconds.

Just an idea, needs more thinking.

/to be continued.../

Different Trajectory for the Pipes.

The old one is /\. The one I suggest is \/, i.e. it goes down, firstly, then it flies up.
New grenade launcher, probably.

Map of the requests (2nd slot) for Engineer.

You see the images of the requests (Need a sentry here! Need a teleport here!) on this Map.
You can disable somebody's spamming requests (there is an option on this Map).
It could be special 2D Map or special Glasses to see 3D-images (like that ones which you see, while being Trained by Coach).

Mechanics for the Rocket Launcher.

Next shoot only after the previous rocket has been exploded.

Existing Slots. New and old ideas.

This post is about existing slots and idea about placing (old/new) items into them.

I.Action Slot
1)old (existing) items:
a) hats -- throw up, if you win (random exchange with others, who threw the hat too?);
b) weapon -- if somebody wins you, he takes yours, though he must placed his weapon too;
c) scrap metal(lvl 1) -- drop the ammo-box (only engy?);
d) alien parasite* -- throw it onto the enemy (the same effect as in Alien Swarm); if the enemy dies, then the parasite returns, else - it dies;

2)new...

II.Misc-Slot
1)old (existing) items:
a) hats -- mini-version of the hat is input into the special frame [{icon of the hAt}]
b) weapon - mini-version of the weapon [{icon of the weapon}] warns your enemy that you have a skill with this weapon;
2)new...

/to be continued.../

Bonk! (Small Idea)

If you were attacked under the Bonk! Effect, it's duration will be longer.
See that "MISSED!"? Stop attacking this Scout!

Gamemode: MultiArena.

The idea is simple: your team and enemies have N lifes (like in Mario). In general, it's Arena.

Double Agent.

/Very old idea from my drafts./
As you can see from the title, Spy will be double agent...for both teams.
It means that this unlock (Then I thought that there would be unlock for the Disguise Kit; now it's only the idea) gives Spy ability to switch teams in combat.
Here are versions how it could work:
1a)fake killing teammate
1aa)DR for the mate (he becomes invisible for a few seconds)
1ab)mate-corpse is on the ground (until time is over OR he presses M1)
1b)real killing teammate (+1\-1\0 points to your score)
2a)there is no FF(friendly fire) for the Spy
2b)there is FF for the Spy (full/ partial)
3a)changing team-color (ТAB doesn't show) like you switched teams
3b)changing team (ТAB shows)
4a)fake killing "teammate" (=enemy)
4b)real killing "teammate" (+1/-1/0 points to your score)
5a)there is no FF for the Spy while in enemy's team
5b)there is FF for the Spy while in enemy's team (full/partial/increased)
 The best version I think is: 1aa(only if you use DR)-2b(full/partial)-3a-4b-5b(increased).

Spy-checking doesn't work properly on these Spies - though they take damage - because Spy can be shown as a Spy of your own team with any mask on his face, even he can use weapons(fake killing his "enemies") plus drop his disguise like he's your teammate-Spy. He can't destroy buildings while he's "in your team" (anyway, he can't destroy buildings of his team, but he can use fake sapper). To switch teams, he must kill teammate (real or fake, depending on color). It's so easy to be killed by your teammates' weapons. Double Agent is always risky job. But this new playstyle for Spy is worth it, I think (that's why I like this idea so much).
(And remember: your imagination is better than details I've written here. You're welcome into comments!)

Calling for <...>

Usually, you see the Cloud with Red +, if you're playing Medic and somebody's calling you.

Now, about other possible Callings:
1) <<FIRE!>> (Cloud with the icon of the Bonfire inside of it)
There are some classes that can extinguish their teammates. If you're screaming <<FIRE!>>, they could see it and help you. Also, making the position of Pyro noticeable.
2) <<HELP!>> (Cloud with the icon <<!>> inside of it)
So, anybody who turn this option ON (in options) will see your callings for help.

/to be continued.../

T.E.A.M.F.O.R.T.R.E.S.S.2.

We all know the game "S.T.A.L.K.E.R."
This game has different kind of patch-system.
You can see the number of your current game's version. And you can play on the servers with the number equal to yours. Example: your ver.1.5.0.05, servers are - 1.4.0.61, 1.4.5.23, 1.5.0.05, 1.7.2.34, etc.
Different version of the client (and server) means that you're agree to play with/without known(fixed by patch) bugs. So, there is an option to play the lower version game.
Now imagine this... ok, now pause: I was speaking about linear style of the updates STALKER uses. Now imagine, that you can mix patches, and you have "N-dimensional" update-system. You can choose bugs to be fixed in your version and your server.
Now imagine this in TF2. You choose bugs fixed (by ALL known updates) and any bugs not-fixed (if there is compatibility between those bugs/glitches). Then you start search for the servers with the EXACT version of the choice you did. Or you can search for all servers and then choose the one you want to play on (also, your search could ignore servers with the different - than the most patched version is - version of the game). As you understand, there would be no (death)matches between players with different version of the game.

I hope it'll be done one day...

More teamwork.

There are a lot of ideas on forums about how any class could help his teammates. (I will write any of them later with links to the posts.)
I will use system "Class #X helps class #Y" as "X-Y" for my ideas.

Examples:
4-3: Bottle that broken at the 1st time makes afterburn longer.
6-8: Metal Arrow, that could go through multiple enemies.

/to be continued.../

Project 'TeamFireStress'

This post is about teamwork and Pyro - how his help can help each other.

For example, shields (Demoman's and Sniper's). Imagine that you can ignite your teammates' shields.
Protective shields (as Sniper's ones, on his back) could burn Spies that touched these shields on Fire.
Offensive shields (as Demoman's one, in his left hand) could burn enemy (as Burning arrow) if Demoman touches the enemy by Chargin' Targe.
Or eatable items: Sandvich, Dalokohs, Buffalo Steak Sandvich, Bonk!, Crit-a-Cola (can be eaten/drunk faster); Mad Milk and Jarate (not food) can be recharged faster.
Also, the Sandman's Ball could be ignited too to have additional Afterburn damage. (Or Fire Ball could take sentry's attention for a short time.)

/to be continued.../

Project 'Reloading' (before Polycount Update, but renewed now).

It's not about existing reloading. It's more about default button R(most used for reloading) and about 2nd Alt.Fire (1st one is bound to RMB, known as M2).

As I often do, let's start with classification:

Chapter I: Classification of the weapons.

I'm going to use the symbol "^" to mark weapons that already have function of the alternative fire and the symbol "^*" if you can use ALT.FIRE-button when this weapon is equipped. Also, I will include weapons that have option to be reloaded to this classification with remark "R". (?X?)-mark is for items that can't be switched to.

   1. Scout:

• Scattergun                              R
• Force-A-Nature                     R
• Shortstop                               R
• Pistol                                      R
• Bonk
• Crit-A-Cola
• Mad Milk
• Bat
• Sandman                      ^
• Holy Mackerel
• Boston Basher
• Candy Cane
• Sun-on-a-Stick
• Fan O'War

   2. Soldier (I think he will never have any alternative fire, because of his character)

• Rocket Launcher                     R
• Direct Hit                                R
• Black Box                               R 
• Rocket Jumper                        R
• Shotgun                                  R
• Buff-Banner
• (?Gunboats?)
• Battalion's Backup
• Concheror
• Shovel
• Equalizer
• Pain Train
• Half-Zatoichi

   3. Pyro

• Flamethrower               ^
• Backburner                  ^
• Degreaser                    ^
• Shotgun                                     R
• Flaregun
• Fire Axe
• Axtinguisher
• Homewrecker
• Powerjack
• Back Scratcher
• Sharpened Volcano Fragment

   4. Demoman

• Grenade Launcher        ^*        R
• Loch-n-Load                ^*       R
• Stickybomb Launcher   ^         R
• (?Chargin' Targe?)        ^
• Scottish Resistance       ^          R
• Sticky Jumper              ^          R
• Bottle                           ^*
• Eyelander                     ^*
• Pain Train                     ^*
• Scotsman's Skullcutter  ^*
• Ullapool Caber             ^*
• Claidheamh Mor           ^*
• Half-Zatoichi                  ^*

   5. Heavy

• Minigun                         ^
• Natascha                       ^
• Brass Beast                   ^
• Shotgun                                  R
• Sandvich                       ^
• Dalokohs
• Buffalo Steak Sandvich ^
• Fists                             ^
• KGB                            ^
• GRU                            ^
• Warrior's Spirit            ^
• Fists of Steel                ^

   6. Engineer

• Shotgun                        ^*     R
• Frontier Justice             ^*
• Pistol                           ^*      R
• Wrangler                      ^
• Wrench                        ^*
• Southern Hospitality     ^*
• Jag                              ^*
• Gunslinger                    ^*
• BuildPDA                    ^
• DestroyPDA

   7. Medic

• Syringe Gun                        R
• Blutsauger                           R
• Crusader's Crossbow
• Medigun                      ^
• Kritzkrieg                    ^
• Bonesaw
• Ubersaw
• Vita-saw
• Amputator

    8. Sniper

• Sniper Rifle                 ^
• Huntsman                   ^
• Sydney Sleeper          ^
• Submachine Gun                  R
• Jarate
• (?Razorback?)
• (?Darwin's Danger Shield?)
• Kukri
• Tribalman's Shiv
• Bushwacka

    9. Spy                              ^(activating any watches)

• Revolver                             R
• Ambassador                       R
• L'Etranger                          R
• Electro Sapper
• Knife
• Your Eternal Reward
• Conniver's Kunai
• Disguise Kit
• (?Invisibility Watch
• Cloak & Dagger
• Dead Ringer?)

 Let's continue with ideas of possible alternative fire for these items:

Chapter II. Ideas and analyzing. (Press R.)

First idea was: while Taunting, if you press R - your Taunt stops. I just wanted to write it here, nowadays I don't like this one. So, it's 0th idea.

1st idea. Melee weapon: throwable by pressing R. Non-melee: use like a melee by pressing R.

Other ideas, step by step:

1. Bonk

<...to be continued from drafts...>

(Old) Ideas 2009

Uff, this will be a big work to list here (not)all my old ideas (part of some of them is in-game already, but this isn't my merit, though I'm happy to see them in game).

Let's start with "New Ideas for Unlocks".

1.Scout

Pistol-replacement:
a)Paint aerosol.
Color anything you want to any color (RMB - change RED/BLU colour of the paint)

b)Boots with spikes.
You can jump onto the walls.

Bat-replacement:
a)Bat with nail.
You can head'shot' enemy. Also, you can destroy medical kits and ammo boxes, if you don't need them.


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2.Soldier.

Rocket Launcher-replacement:
a)Healing rocket.
It heals mates, while flying close to them.

Shotgun-replacement:
a)Acid shotgun.
Enemy will die faster by bullets, because acid destroys his clothes and armor, not effecting health so much.

Shovel-replacement:
a)Shovel with mirror.
Lets you check corners. Hold RMB to rotate it.

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3.Pyro.

Flamethrower-replacement:
a)Nitroglycerine thrower.
Make your explodable bobbles. LMB - start inflating bubble, RMB - release it (airblast still works).

Shotgun-replacement:
a)Chili (food).
Burn all your ammo during next couple of seconds. And then find anything that could axtinguish the fire in your stomach! Or you will die from inside.

Axe-replacement:
a)Cleaver.
Hot melee weapon that has charge-bar in opposite way: it goes down if you use weapon. The less you hit per time, the hotter your weapon, and more damage. The faster you hit, the colder it comes, and less damage.

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4.Demoman.

Grenade Launcher-replacement.
a)"Untouchable".
Makes your enemy giving you less damage(-N%), but also gives other enemies possible to give you more damage (+N%). After the effect gone, this enemy has more chance of critical hits.

Sticky Bombs Launcher-replacement:
a)"Sticky paper"
Stickies stay on the enemy's body, with dealing some damage once. Enemy will be alert by the picture of the sticky bomb near his HP-bar+. They fall if enemy jumps. Less sticky bombs (<<8) you can use.

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5.Heavy

Minigun-replacement:
a)Mascha.
See the enemy far away? Focus on him - and your weapon become more accurate!
b)Glascha.
Supersonic bullets. Infernal pushing back (you!).Random aim. Loud noise. Victims' cries. Faster wasting bullets.
c)Dascha.
Emm...sniperish minigun, useless in close-combats 'cause of spread, but useful against enemies far away 'cause of concentrating there bullets. =C>

Fists-replacement:
a)Dumbbells.
The more you practice with dumbbelss, the more damage you deal.

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6.Engineer.

Shotgun-replacement:
a)"Nuts and bolts".
This shotgun uses metall if the clip is empty. Longer loading.
b)Rusty shotgun.
This shotgun spoils enemy's metal and ammunition.

Pistol-replacement:
a)Scanner.
It shows you enemy's nickname, health and count of his ammo.
b)Wave-catcher.
You can catch and hold enemy for a few seconds on the same place. Time: few seconds. No damage, but enemy can shoot you. Dealing damage to him makes him free.
c)RevEngie.
After you falling down dead, you have a chance to make 1 shot with your revolver. (Your body must be the whole safe.)

Buildings-replacement(without details, just names):
a)Offensive set.
b)Defensive set.
c)Support set.
d)Selfish set.

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7.Medic.
Needlegun-replacement:
a)Vaccination.
Your enemy's health go down to 1HP, but if he survives after 10 seconds, he will be rewarded by x1.5 maximum health.

Medigun-replacement.
a)Stealer.
You take enemies' ammo and give it to friends. No healing.

Bonesaw-replacement:
a)"Inspection" (little reflex hammer).
After you hit enemy, he can't jump during few seconds.
b)Stapler.
You sew up an enemy's wounds together with bullets, burns, fragments (also it stops bleeding, though). And his maximum health goes down (eg., -10HP per hit by the stapler). Can be deleted only in respawn room.

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8.Sniper.

Sniper Rifle-replacement:
a)SnipEar.
You rifle detects sounds of steps (and shows loudness in the scope). Of both teams. The range and the view of the scope are lowered.

SMG-replacement:
a)Cerberus.
Fake second sniper's head. 50/50 that you will be headshotted to the wrong head.
b)Paintball rifle gun with sticky paint.
[The system of this weapon is really complicated?!]
LMB - shooting, RMB - small scope.Effects of the hitting enemy to any part of the body are different: arms - less speed of fire and reloading, legs - less speed of running, body - change the colour of the enemy and give you point anyway(that's how paintball-game works?!), head(only front, with eyes) - makes enemy temporary blind (2shots to engineer, medic and sniper - 'cause of the glasses; 1.5 shots(depends on the time between shots) to pyro, soldier and scout - 'cuase of the protective "helmets"; 1 shot to heavy, spy and demoman - because their 5 eyes are open).

Kukri-replacement:

a)FinISHER.
If enemy has damage during previous N seconds, this special knife with jags hammers bullets and fragments more deeply, also baring burns and thus making enemy bleeding.
b)Raw meat.
The knife for butchering the corpses. Your victims - your "trophies". Except that everybody will hate you after the first case of the cannibalism - so, you can be killed even by your mates. Try to (m)eat stealthy.
c)Escalibur.
As the legend sa-...forget, just stick your knife into the enemy's body and run away, leaving him alone with his sooner death by unstoppable bleeding! (If he touches wall, the knife will go deeper - note and remember this!) That blade could be destroy only by other enemy weapon.

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9.Spy.

Revolver-replacement:
a)Bullets of titan.
You can destroy projectiles mid-air. But these bullets make your pockets heavy, so your speed decreased.

Knife-replacement:
a)Vendetta
After the enemy kill your teammate, your receive critical hits for your knife and revolver. Minus of this weapon? You need to undisquise few seconds before backstabbing enemy.

Sapper-replacement:
a)Sapper that can break any of 3 kind of weapons: melee, with powder and with electric parts. Choose before you leave respawn.

Invisible watch-replacement:
a)"Shade".
The longer cloacking, but your shadow is visible.

Disguise kit-replacement:
a)Stranger.
After you were hit by enemy, your disguise drops and your speed is increased.
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Next time I will post about ideas to change existing (for that moment) weapons.