Anti-Pyro strategy

“

Go to hell and tell the devil I'm comin' for him next! Click to listen — The Demoman

”

The Pyro is a relatively bulky class that excels at close range combat, particularly in confined areas where his Flamethrower is difficult to avoid. Due to the Flamethrower’s wide damage spread, the Pyro can focus more on outmaneuvering his opponents and has more leeway when fighting at close range. Additionally, the Pyro has access to the compression blast, a powerful source of utility that allows him to forcibly reposition enemies or reflect projectiles. The overall theme of the Pyro’s available weapons is close range power; because he lacks strong ranged weaponry, he is most vulnerable when distant from enemies or when in open areas.

General

Attributes	Anti-Pyro strategy
Role	The Pyro tends to find more success in ambushing opponents rather than approaching them head-on. Be aware of your surroundings; if you see an enemy Pyro, take note of what available routes he can take to ambush you and reposition yourself accordingly.
Health	The Pyro has an above average amount of health and can be a hassle to take down if allowed to enter close range.
Speed	Although the Pyro is relatively bulky, he only travels at the standard movement speed and is susceptible to being kited or even defeated before he gets too close.
Power	The Pyro is strong at close range but has very weak long range weaponry. Keeping your distance will prevent much of the Pyro's possible damage.

Weapon-specific

Main article: Pyro weapons

A list of useful tidbits about the Pyro's tools, and how to counter them:

Primary weapons

Weapon	Anti-Pyro strategy
Flamethrower / Festive Flamethrower / Rainblower	It is very difficult to escape the reach of the Pyro's Flamethrower, so avoid being caught by taking note of routes the Pyro can take so that you can repel him before he reaches you. If caught, continue fighting the Pyro instead of running; if you can't survive, you can at least weaken the Pyro so your teammates can finish it off. Extinguish yourself as soon as possible once you are on fire; if the afterburn doesn't kill you, a Pyro might use its other weapons to finish you off instead. Note the locations of medkits and bodies of water, or stay close to classes that can put out fires: Pyros, Snipers, Scouts, and/or Medics.
Backburner	Watch your surroundings at all times to reduce the chances of a successful ambush by a Pyro using the Backburner. Never turn your back on a Pyro using the Backburner, especially while fleeing from one. The Backburner uses much more ammunition for compression blasts; forcing a Pyro to reflect projectiles with it will quickly deplete the weapon's ammo. Knowing this, many Pyros will use their compression blast less often, further increasing their vulnerability to projectiles.
Degreaser	The Degreaser allows a Pyro to quickly switch weapons. This makes weapon heckling ineffective. The Degreaser is not as strong as the Flamethrower; a Pyro may choose to finish you off with another weapon. A popular combination is using the Axtinguisher alongside the Degreaser for fast close-quarters kills.
Phlogistinator	The Phlogistinator promotes an aggressive playstyle. Don't allow the Pyro to easily enter close range or it will quickly fill its "Mmmph" meter. Retreat from any Pyro that has activated the Phlogistinator's ability, while retaliating from a distance. While a Pyro is taunting to activate the Phlogistinator's ability, you can try backstabbing it, have your team focus fire on it, or use stickybombs or a Sniper's primary weapon to instantly kill the Pyro after the taunt ends. The Phlogistinator has no compression blast, so you can freely use rockets, grenades, and other projectiles against the Pyro without fear of them being reflected.
Compression Blast	The compression blast's most obvious use is to shove you into stage hazards, such as bottomless pits, or into corners, where you are easier to target. Stay out in the open, away from areas where a Pyro can easily pin you down. The compression blast can also reflect projectiles; use bullets on a Pyro, or fire your projectiles away from its line of sight to reduce the chances of being struck by a reflected one. While the compression blast can reflect projectiles, there is a small cooldown time. Try overwhelming a Pyro with more projectiles than he can reflect. The compression blast uses a significant amount of ammunition; if you can trick the Pyro into wasting compression blasts, his offense will be diminished.

Secondary weapons

Weapon	Anti-Pyro strategy
Shotgun	The Shotgun is the Pyro's best secondary weapon against foes just outside the Flamethrower's range. Maintain a wide distance from Pyros to reduce the effectiveness of both their primary and this weapon.
Flare Gun / Festive Flare Gun	The Flare Gun's projectiles should be easy to avoid in open areas, even at close range, as long as you keep moving in ways that a Pyro cannot easily predict. The Flare Gun's projectiles deal guaranteed critical hits to burning enemies. If you are set on fire from a distance, extinguish yourself before re-engaging the Pyro. If lit up close, move erratically to reduce a Pyro's chance of finishing you off with this weapon.
Detonator	The Detonator functions similarly to the Flare Gun, but its flares can be remotely triggered by the Pyro to explode, creating a small blast that can ignite multiple targets. Stay scattered from your teammates to minimize the possible splash damage. Detonator flares only deal mini-crits to burning players, making it less effective at finishing enemies off. A Pyro can use the Detonator to perform a small Flare Jump. Stay aware of all possible routes that the Pyro can take to reach you.
Reserve Shooter	The Reserve Shooter is capable of landing mini-crits on airborne targets, even if the target is simply jumping. A Pyro will typically combine compression blasts with this weapon in order to land these guaranteed mini-crits. The Reserve Shooter's reduced magazine size makes the Pyro far less effective at anywhere outside close range, especially since the Pyro's only way to force an enemy into the air is the compression blast.
Manmelter	The Manmelter has unlimited ammunition and faster projectiles, making it more effective at continuous long-range harassment. Keep moving and remain near sources of healing to reduce this weapon's effectiveness. The Manmelter's projectiles cannot deal increased damage to burning players like other flare guns can, making it less effective at finishing foes off. A Pyro will likely engage you with its primary weapon or melee weapon instead. Try to avoid allowing a Pyro using the Manmelter to be in the vicinity of burning teammates; every teammate extinguished with the weapon earns it critical hits the Pyro can later use against you and your team.
Scorch Shot	The Scorch Shot can ignite multiple targets with one hit. Don't stay clustered, even when away from enemies. The Scorch Shot's main draw is how its flares can knock enemies back; the knock back increases the further the flare has traveled before impact. Don't idle while crossing places with long falls or other environmental hazards. The Scorch Shot deals far less damage compared to the other Secondary weapons, making it less effective at finishing foes off. Try to engage a Pyro using this weapon when there aren't many teammates around.

Melee weapons

Weapon	Anti-Pyro strategy
Fire Axe / Saxxy / Conscientious Objector / Frying Pan / Lollichop / Freedom Staff / Bat Outta Hell / Ham Shank	Most of the Pyro's alternate melee weapons outclass the Fire Axe in terms of utility, since the Pyro is already fighting at melee range with its primary weapon. A Pyro attempting to use the Fire Axe in standard combat is likely out of Flamethrower ammunition; remove all nearby sources of ammo to prevent it from collecting more.
Axtinguisher / Festive Axtinguisher / Postal Pummeler	Observe your surroundings at all times; if ambushed by a Pyro, its Axtinguisher will often ensure its success in killing you. Use knockback to increase your chances of survival. Try fighting a Pyro equipped with the Axtinguisher near water or medkits to reduce the weapon's effectiveness. Equipping the Degreaser and/or the Reserve Shooter allows a Pyro to attack with its Axtinguisher almost immediately. Kill or repel the Pyro before it closes the gap.
Homewrecker/Maul	Pyros equipped with the Homewrecker are often obligated to watch over their team's buildings, to protect them from being sapped by Spies. This duty can leave them more susceptible to attacks from long distances. A Pyro may use the Homewrecker instead of its primary weapon to destroy buildings if it gets close enough and feels safe enough. Kill the Pyro first, or use knockback on it. Spies will have increased difficulty sapping buildings that are guarded by a Pyro equipped with the Homewrecker. Coordinate with teammates to distract or eliminate the Pyro.
Powerjack	A Pyro will usually switch to the Powerjack before finishing you off. This gives you a chance to fend it off before it reaches you with the weapon (unless the Pyro is using the Degreaser and Reserve Shooter). Deter a Pyro from using the Powerjack by fighting in groups. Of course, make sure your team is prepared for ambushes. A Pyro equipped with the Powerjack will be able to outrun every class except for the Scout. Instead of retreating, play aggressively and exploit the damage vulnerability the Powerjack gives to the Pyro.
Back Scratcher	Engage a Pyro wielding the Back Scratcher from a distance, as you will more likely lose in close combat. The Back Scratcher gives a Pyro that roams alone increased survivability. Try to steal any medkits in the vicinity before or after engaging a Pyro. If attacked by a Medic healing a Pyro, consider killing the Pyro first if you believe it has the Back Scratcher in its loadout.
Sharpened Volcano Fragment	A Pyro may use the Sharpened Volcano Fragment to conserve Flamethrower ammo, or as a last resort to lighting enemies ablaze. Regardless, never let the Pyro come close enough to reach you with the weapon. Forcing a Pyro to use the Sharpened Volcano Fragment underwater will minimize the damage it can deal to you.
Third Degree	A Medic and his heal target should consider temporarily breaking off contact when approached by Pyro using the Third Degree, to minimize the damage dealt. The Flamethrower is arguably more effective than the Third Degree when it comes to attacking a Medic and his heal target. Either way, beware of possible ambushes.
Neon Annihilator	A Pyro may try to finish you off with the Neon Annihilator if you are soaked. Keep your distance until you dry up. If you can run fast enough, try luring the Pyro into a trap. Beware fighting Scouts (who throw Mad Milk) and Snipers (who throw Jarate) in enemy territory; they may be assisting a Pyro trying to ambush you with its Neon Annihilator. Only enter water if you know you can outswim or kill a Pyro in pursuit with its Neon Annihilator; even if a Pyro cannot get within melee range, it may resort to its Shotgun or Reserve Shooter.

See also

• Fire
• Compression blast
• Team strategy