I wanted to make a separate thread to discuss it more holistically.
The most recent update featured several changes and balance updates related to weapon switch speed. Globally every class is now slightly better at comboing. I'd argue demo and soldier benefit the most from this, and this almost seems like a 6s conscious decision from valve, since it now allows soldier to more consistently 1-2 a scout with the shotgun. It could encourage the return of shotgun pocket who knows I guess?
The big weird change that should probably be discussed is the axtinguisher: a weapon now balanced because of draw speed. The axt is like, unique in tf2 now. No other weapon has a strong upside balanced by being a slow draw. The fists of steel are similar, but they're a global switch and weapon switching isn't a big thing for heavy. The main point to consider I guess is that valve shows they want to use switch and draw speed as a serious consideration in weapon selection like CSGO.
Is this a good move for tf2? Could an OP shotgun be balanced by a double draw time? Its a change that allows for a lot more subtle fine tuning of class balance obviously, but should it be differentiated on a core level? Should the shotgun universally have a faster draw time than the RL for example? Could giving all melees a fast draw speed be a balance change to encourage the stock melees to not be shit? What weapons should have their draw times altered?
idk