Colored Chat in TF2 Casual

This is a full tutorial on how to type colored text in TF2

Overview

As many of you may be aware, colored chat has seemed to pop up out of nowhere in TF2 casual and you may be wondering how to do it yourself. Luckily, an explanation has been posted publicly, so now I feel it is okay for me to share as I love the extra layer of customization it allows.

Here are some examples of what you can do with this newfound power :







This isn't a cheat, or specific to Linux users, anyone with a functioning copy and paste function can do this.
Also, there is a YouTube tutorial posted by "re" if a video format is more your style :

Why This Happens

I'd be lying if I said I understood why this happens myself, but I was lucky enough to meet an individual who does.

As per AndrewBetson :

"It's an oversight in how the game strips hex color control codes from chat messages, where it basically skips over the first character after the byte sequence. So if the next character after it is *another* control character, it doesn't get stripped.

The reason it only works in team/dead/spectator chat is because those don't use the COLOR_USEOLDCOLORS control, which manually formats the message such that the player's name is colored, and everything after is normal."

Here is where the bug in the TF2 code occurs.[github.com]

There are working patches not currently implemented in the game, meaning there is a good chance it will be fixed soon. Use it before you lose it!

Tools

There exist multiple website tools to help you out with more detailed customization, so I'll be compiling them in this section below.

Easier Coloring

Coloring messages by hand can be a bit clunky, so here[sourcecolors.neocities.org] is a website tool to help you color messages easier. This tool was made by user Mr.GHOSTS to be sure to thank them!

Gradients

In order to create gradients a lot easier, skylar has made a tool to generate them automatically!
Here are some examples of what you can do :














Here[skywur.github.io] is a link to the website tool. You can even save your colors on the right side on the website. Super cool!

Single Colored Messages

Now, onto the explanation :

The way this works is by pasting a specific string of characters in chat followed by a hex code WHILE YOU ARE DEAD. If you are alive, I've noticed that it's around a 50% chance it will appear as if it is working, but the rest of the people on the server will only see a broken message, flooding the chat with hex codes.

Only paste in chat while you are dead, in team chat, or in spectator.

This is the necessary string :

XXXXXXX

Using this you can follow a three step process to color any message you want :

1. Paste "XXXXXXX" into the chat
2. Paste (or type) your desired hex code after the last ''.
3. Type your message!

For example :

XXXXXXXff3333TEST

Pressing enter will return this message :









For single colored messages, this is all you need to do.
Paste the string, paste (or type) a hex code, then type your message.

Multi-Colored Messages

Now, my favorite part about this glitch.

The premise is exactly the same for multi colored messages, however you have to paste the string for each individual character (or string of characters) you wish to color.

For example, a seemingly simple lenny face with red eyes requires four usages of the string.

1. One for the first red eye
2. One changing the color back to white
3. One for the second red eye
4. One for the end parentheses to color it back to white

( ͡XXXXXXXfe0000°XXXXXXXffffff ͜ʖ ͡XXXXXXXfe0000°XXXXXXXffffff)

Pressing enter will result in this message :





For a full rainbow you will need to paste the string for every single color.

Here's what the string looks like for the thumbnail of this guide :

★XXXXXXXfe0000mXXXXXXXff9700aXXXXXXXfcff00gXXXXXXX52ff33iXXXXXXX0125b7cXXXXXXXa700a6aXXXXXXX39c1dfl

Pressing enter will result in this message :

Setting Chatbinds & AutoHotkey Script

There are currently two ways to bind the colored messages :

1. Regular Chat Binds (Easy but Temporary)
   
   
2. AutoHotkey Script (Flexible & Reusable)

---

Regular Colored Chatbinds

Since the regular colored message chatbind is formatted a little weird, I thought I should add a tutorial for that as well.

If you wanted to set any one of the examples we have provided as a bind in chat, simply follow this format :

bind o "say message"

Replace the letter 'o' with the character you'd like and the word 'message' your message!
The quotations go in front of the word 'say' and after the last character of your chatbind.

So, if you wanted to bind the red eyed lenny I created and you wanted to set it to ']', this is what you'd type in the console :

bind ] "say ( ͡XXXXXXXfe0000°XXXXXXXffffff ͜ʖ ͡XXXXXXXfe0000°XXXXXXXffffff)"

(Regular colored chatbinds reset / break on every restart of TF2. You will have to rebind your message every time you close and reopen the game.)

---

AutoHotkey Colored Chatbinds Script

After a bit of research & vibe coding, I created a little script that copies the message to your clipboard, and then you just Ctrl+V into the chat.

This method lets you create multiple custom messages and cycle through them with hotkeys.
The only downside? You’ll need to press Ctrl+V to paste the message into chat after pressing your bind.

Takes a bit of time to set up, but works consistently by running a file.
Check out this quick 3-minute video to see how the AutoHotkey script works in action.

Setting up the AutoHotkey Colored Chatbinds Script is very simple.

1. Download AutoHotkey[www.autohotkey.com]
   
2. Download any of my themed pre-made scripts from Ernoldus' Discord[discord.com], from GitHub[github.com], or use the clean template below to make your own.
   
3. (Optional) Download & use Notepad++[notepad-plus-plus.org] (not the normal notepad) to edit the scripts.
   
4. Double click the .ahk file to run it, and you are ready to go!

Using the AutoHotkey script requires a few steps :

1. Press Y or U
   (colored messages work only as dead, spectator or in team chat!)
   
2. Press your hotkey (like Numpad 0–9).
   It copies the message to your clipboard just like Ctrl+C
   
3. Press Ctrl+V to paste the bind in the chat.
   
4. Press Enter to send it.

Here's how I have the pre-made script set up, but everything is fully customizable!
Numpad 0 - Fake Achievements
Numpad 1 - has found: "Legit Looking Item"
Numpad 2 - has crafted: "Legit Looking Item"
Numpad 3 - has unboxed "Legit Looking Item"
Numpad 4 - has found: "Completely Fake item"
Numpad 5 - has unboxed: "Completely Fake item"
Numpad 6 - has crafted : "Completely Fake item"
Numpad 7 - Red Team Player Chat Color
Numpad 8 - Default White Chat Color
Numpad 9 - Blue Team Player Chat Color
Numpad * - Save the currently copied text to "/" for later use (think of it like putting an item in the other hand in minecraft)
Numpad / - Overwrite clipboard with whatever has been previously saved
F12 - Resets the Script

---

If you would rather start from scratch, you can use this template :

#NoEnv
SendMode Input
SetTitleMatchMode, 2
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%

; === SETTINGS ===
delay := 150  ; Delay in ms

; === MESSAGE GROUPS ===
group0 := []
group0.push("Your Message Goes Here")

group1 := []
group1.push("Your Message Goes Here") 

; === GROUP INDICES ===
index0 := 1
index1 := 1

; === HOTKEY BINDS ===
;You can see the names of all keys here https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v1/KeyList.htm
Numpad0::CopyMessage(group0, index0) ;Replace Numpad0 with your preferred bindkey
Numpad1::CopyMessage(group1, index1) ;Replace Numpad1 with your preferred bindkey

; === FUNCTION TO COPY TO CLIPBOARD ===
CopyMessage(group, ByRef index) {
    Clipboard := group[index]
    ClipWait
    index++
    if (index > group.MaxIndex())
        index := 1
}

---

💬 Need Help?
If you get stuck or just wanna say hi, join Ernoldus' Discord[discord.com] for support and script help.

Trolling & Name Stealing (Serverblight Method)

Once you’re familiar with how the colored chat message exploit works, and have an optional AutoHotkey script in place for your keybinds.. (trust me, it makes life way easier!)
You can start utilizing everything we learned so far for some heavy duty trolling!

Demonstration

To see how this works in practice, you can check out this compilation:

---

Step 1: Set a Blank Steam Name

To impersonate other players, your name must be invisible.

Copy this character:

ุ 

(this symbol appears as blank in-game)

Paste it into your Steam profile name, and click apply.
If your name is showing as <blank> it didn't work.


Here's how the end result should look:


This allows you to send messages that appear to come from anyone on the server.

---

Step 2: Faking Messages

To create a fake message that appears to come from another player, follow this format: use the team color hex code, type the player's name, then switch back to the default white text color before adding your message.

Example 1:

XXXXXXX99CCFFSaul Goodman
 : Identity theft? Credit ruined? You know who to call - Better Call Saul!

Breakdown:

1. XXXXXXX - This is a special formatting string used in the chat.
   
   
2. 99CCFF - The hex code for the blue team color.
   
   
3. Saul Goodman - The placeholder name of the player you're mimicking.
   
   
4. 
   - A special character to reset to default white chat text color.
   
   
5. : - To replicate the format of in-game messages.
   
   
6. Then type your message as usual.

This will appear in chat as though Saul Goodman sent it.

---

Example 2:

XXXXXXX99CCFFSaul Goodman
 has found: XXXXXXXFFD800$7.000.000 in cash!

Breakdown:

1. XXXXXXX - This is a special formatting string used in the chat.
   
   
2. 99CCFF - The hex code for the blue team color.
   
   
3. Saul Goodman - The placeholder name of the player you're mimicking.
   
   
4. 
   - A special character to reset to default white chat text color.
   
   
5. has found: - To replicate the format of in-game messages.
   
   
6. XXXXXXX - The same special string to reset formatting.
   
   
7. FFD800 - The hex code for generic items.
   
   
8. Then type your message as usual.

---

Tips

• Use AutoHotkey’s save/load system to quickly switch between fake messages.
  
  
• Combine with colored name formatting for more believable results.
  
  
• Outdated team colors (Red: FF3D3D, Blue: 9ACDFF) ,
  
  
• Use these team colors instead (RED: FF4040; BLUE: 99CCFF) to match the player’s team.
  
  
• Huge thanks to ManDefense for the correct team chat colors posted on https://pastes.io/colored-chat
  
  
• This approach is meant for harmless fun - use responsibly!

Fun Templates

I've been really enjoying getting to use this for the past week, so here are some fun templates I've made for you all to enjoy.

Also, if you'd like me to personally make a chatbind, leave a comment with what you'd like and Ill try to make as many as possible!

---

Trans Flag 'TRANS' & Rainbow 'RIGHTS' as requested by a user in one of my matches :

XXXXXXX5bcefaTXXXXXXXf5a9b8RXXXXXXXffffffAXXXXXXXf5a9b8NXXXXXXX5bcefaS

XXXXXXXfe0000RXXXXXXXff9700IXXXXXXXfcff00GXXXXXXX01df02HXXXXXXX0125b7TXXXXXXXa700a6S







If you have a problem with this, keep it to yourself. I don't care. Rude comments will be deleted.

---

Bait Unusual Unbox :

has unboxed: XXXXXXX8650ACUnusual Max's Severed Head

---

Bait Trading :

has traded for: XXXXXXXCF6A32The Golden Frying Pan

---

Wizard / Witch Lenny Face :

XXXXXXXfde628★XXXXXXX339cff~XXXXXXXffffff(◠‿◕XXXXXXXefbcec✿XXXXXXXffffff)

---

Cheater Callout Bind :

XXXXXXXff3333!!XXXXXXXfff933AttentionXXXXXXXff3333!!XXXXXXXffffff There is a cheater on the enemy team.

---

Critical Hit! :

XXXXXXX17ff1eCRITICAL HIT!!!

---

Noob Down :

XXXXXXXff3333٠●•۩۞۩[̲̅Ŋ̲̅σ̲̅σ̲̅Ь̲̲̅۰̲̅đ̲̲̅σ̲̅ώ̲̅ŋ̲̲̲]۩۞۩•●٠

---

Color Codes

Below are all of the hex codes of the in game TF2 colors. I got these from u/dogman15 on reddit, but have added the necessary prefix for convenience.

Normal = XXXXXXXB2B2B2

Unique = XXXXXXXFFD700

Vintage = XXXXXXX476291

Genuine = XXXXXXX4D7455

Strange = XXXXXXXCF6A32

Collector's = XXXXXXXAA0000

Collector's (old) = XXXXXXX830000

Decorated = XXXXXXXFAFAFA

Civilian = XXXXXXXB0C3D9

Freelance = XXXXXXX5E98D9

Mercenary = XXXXXXX4B69FF

Commando = XXXXXXX8847FF

Assassin = XXXXXXXD32CE6

Elite = XXXXXXXEB4B4B

Unusual = XXXXXXX8650AC

Haunted = XXXXXXX38F3AB

Community/Self-made = XXXXXXX70B04A

Valve = XXXXXXXA50F79

Rarity2 (unused) = XXXXXXX8D834B

Rarity3 (unused) = XXXXXXX70550F

Achievement Unlocked = XXXXXXX9ec34f

Thanks to https://steamcommunity.com/id/MogTrotter for the achievement unlocked hex code

Conclusion

Overall I love the ability to color messages in chat and I'm sure many of you will as well. I don't know if this will be patched, but I think we should all enjoy it while we have it.

PLEASE use this responsibly. Don't go posting bright red slurs in the chat, be a decent human being, and it isn't necessary to use it on every single message you want to type.

Alright, enjoy everyone! If you enjoyed the tutorial, make sure to like!

[CanonFPV]

Thats literally me in one of the video thumbnails haha

[SPIJUNIRO GOLUBIRO]

If I got a scrap whenever someone said Linux..

To clarify, no you don't need Linux, it's mentioned at the start of the guide. All of this is done on Windows (Win 11 for me personally)

[al.gif.moon]

It started working, by the way
It only works on Linux, because windows doesnt understand this "dot/lamp-like sign" that's necessary for the glitch

also, in Official servers it only works in team chat/dead chat/spectator, while in Community servers it can work anywhere, even if you're alive and typing it in global chat

[maxugo]

i got kick from a server because this mf followed this guide.
10/10, that's was funny.

[clvr]

No it does not, don't waste one figuring it out. I already tried

[korean baller]

doesn't work on name tags / description tags does it?

[clvr]

@The Observer, copying the message you left on this guide works perfectly for me.

It's client side only / bugs out if you do in in all chat while you are alive.
If you'd like everyone on the server to see your colors, make sure you're only pressing enter while

1. In spectator
2. While dead
3. In team chat

In all chat while alive, it kind of bugs out and spams the hex codes.

[clvr]

let me check

[al.gif.moon]

i believe it has been nerfed

[The Observer]

hm, for some reason, when i'm copy np. XXXXXXX17ff1eCRITICAL HIT!!! it sending a full messege without color :/