Mann vs. Machine (MvM) is a co-op mode where up to six players defend against waves of robots carrying a bomb. You can try it for free on community servers right now. Official Mann Up play needs a paid Tour of Duty ticket. This guide explains how it works, what to buy with your in-game money, which classes are friendly and what Valve has said about the mode's future. Checked on October 14, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Up to 6 players, 5 difficulty levels (Normal to Nightmare) and money-based upgrades.
- Community servers are free and have every mission, but no official rewards or tour progress.
- A Tour of Duty ticket costs $0.99 in the Mann Co. Store (as listed in the Mann Up FAQ) and is used only when you finish a mission.
- Valve announced an MvM update in June 2025. In July 2026 it said work continues. No release date is announced.
- Do not trade for tickets or items from strangers outside Steam.
How a match works
Robots spawn in waves and walk toward your base to deliver a bomb. You stop them, and fallen robots drop cash. Pick up the money to give credits to the whole team, then spend credits at the Upgrade Station between and during waves. The wiki says you can respec between waves, and upgrades stay on that class if you switch away and back, but you cannot switch classes during a wave.
Players can ready up once at least three people are on the server, and the countdown shrinks as more ready up. A defeat means restarting the wave or mission. Wave grades run from F to A+, and collecting every credit gives a bonus.
These screenshots may contain violence.
Images are provided by Steam and belong to their publishers.
Boot Camp, Mann Up and community servers
| Mode | Where | Cost | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot Camp | Official matchmaking | Free | None, a place to practice |
| Mann Up | Official matchmaking | Ticket from the Mann Co. Store | Item drops and tour badges |
| Community MvM | Community servers | Free | No tour rewards, normal timed drops |
The Mann Up FAQ says a ticket is used only when you complete a mission, so a failed or disconnected attempt does not consume it. Squad Surplus Vouchers cost extra and give your teammates more drops, and the FAQ lists them at $1.99. Prices can change, so check the store. Boot Camp is mentioned on the wiki as official practice play; we did not re-test its availability in the matchmaking menu today.
How to join MvM on a community server
- Open Play, Find a Game, Community.
- Type mvm in the map filter and press Quick refresh.
- Choose a server with a few players and a ping you like. Servers can run custom missions, so read the name.
- Press Connect and ready up when you are in the lobby.
You can also see live MvM servers below, or open the full TF2 server list and filter by mode.
Our community server guide has connect commands and fixes.
Which class should you pick?
| Class | Role in MvM | Beginner friendly? |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier | Strong all-round damage | Yes |
| Heavy | Tough damage dealer | Yes |
| Medic | Heals and builds Ubercharge | Yes, helps the team a lot |
| Engineer | Sentries and teleporters | Medium |
| Sniper | Long-range kills | Medium |
| Pyro, Demoman, Scout, Spy | Control, speed, stabs | Medium to hard |
This table is our own advice, based on the wiki's description of the class roles and on how the classes play, not an official ranking. The wiki confirms all nine classes have upgrade lists. Beginners can start with Soldier or Medic, then try others.
Upgrade tips
- Spend early credits on damage and survival first.
- Collect cash quickly. Missing money slows the whole team.
- Canteens hold up to three charges of one effect, and a different effect replaces the current one.
- Respec after a wave if an upgrade did not help.
A sample first session
Here is a calm way to spend your first hour. Join a community MvM server with at least two other players and say hello in chat. Pick Soldier or Medic. In the first wave, stay near your teammates and near the money. After each wave, spend your credits on one damage upgrade and one survival upgrade, and read what each upgrade does before you buy it. If the team loses, do not rage quit; ask in chat what went wrong. Most players are glad to explain a mission to a newcomer. After two or three missions you will know the robot types, and then you can try a harder difficulty or a new class.
Is MvM getting an update?
In June 2025 Valve asked mappers and mission makers to send content for a coming MvM update. PC Gamer reported on July 18, 2026 that Valve said it is still in progress and is taking longer than planned, with no release date. The official updates page lists only a small MvM fix in March 2026 (a Scout sound). Treat any leak or date as a rumor until Valve posts it.
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Common mistakes
- Switching class mid-run and losing upgrades you cannot use.
- Leaving an official Mann Up match early, which can lower your queue priority.
- Standing still in the robots' path while collecting money.
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Join a free community server, finish two missions and decide if tickets are worth it. See the TF2 hub for live streams, or read about other community modes. TF2 is rated ESRB M, so younger players should play with a parent aware.
