Anti-Pyro strategy

“

Go home, lassie, MEN are fightin' here! Click to listen — The Demoman

”

The Pyro is a class that is extremely dangerous at close range. Generally, the best way to engage a Pyro is from a distance because the Pyro lacks substantial ranged weaponry. The Pyro excels in close-quarters combat so try and fight him in the open, away from areas where he can trap you. Keep in mind that a Pyro can use his compression blast ability to deflect projectiles back at you, assuming he is not using a Backburner.

General

• Keeping your distance will negate much of the Pyro's strength. The Flare Gun is the Pyro's only long-range weapon, and it is slow to fire and can be hard to score hits with, especially in open areas. The only other ranged weapon the Pyro has is the standard Shotgun, which is only viable at short or moderate distances.
• Use Weapon Heckling to effectively deal with some Pyros.
• Pyros are most successful when they ambush their opponents. If you see them coming, prepare for them! Set up your own ambush, position yourself in a spot with a good escape route if things go awry, or retreat to a more suitable location.

Weapon Specific

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

Flamethrower / Degreaser

• Do not panic if you set on fire as it will take time to lower your health. By running, you expose yourself to more damage, especially if you're playing a class with less speed than the Pyro. Try and finish off the Pyro before running off to extinguish the fire.
• The Degreaser allows a Pyro to almost instantly switch weapons, making close-quarters fighting extremely dangerous. If a Pyro lights you on fire, try and stay out of melee range, as he can quickly bring out his Axtinguisher and finish you off with usually only one hit.

Compression blast

• Pyros will often panic when confronted by a Soldier or Demoman and immediately use their compression blast to deflect projectiles. Fire your rockets or grenades immediately after the airblast to hit the Pyro and avoid being killed by your own weapon.
• Do not fire your explosives straight at the enemy Pyro. This makes it easier for him to both aim and reflect them. Aim near the Pyro and use splash damage instead.
• Each airblast takes 20 units of ammo out of 200 total. Try and make the Pyro waste ammo by firing projectiles into the ground just short of the Pyro before making your actual attack; this also has the benefit of not allowing the Pyro to hit you with your own projectile. The Pyro may already be low on ammo and will have to switch to a much weaker weapon.

Backburner

• The Backburner lacks the Compression Blast ability. Don't hesitate with your shots, as the Backburner deals out significantly more damage than the other two flamethrowers. The Backburner can be recognized by its painted "eyes" and its jaw-shaped ignition port.
• Always try to keep a Backburner Pyro in front of you. If he gets close to you and starts strafing, he may get a lucky Critical hit from behind.

Shotgun

• Like the other standard Shotguns, this weapon is only truly effective at mid-range or closer due to bullet spread. Most classes have much more dangerous ranged weapons to use if the Pyro is forced to engage you from a distance.

Flare Gun

• This weapon is slow to fire and can be difficult to score a hit with. While it can set you on fire, the damage from the flare itself is low and it will take time for the Pyro to hit you again with it. Further, the flare is very easy to avoid in open areas.
• Most Pyros use this weapon as a long-range harassment weapon. It should be easy enough to find a body of water, a Dispenser, or a Medic without having to fight the Pyro up-close. If you do get lit on fire, keep your distance from the Pyro so they can't insta-kill you with the Axtinguisher.

Fire Axe

• Most Pyros will use their Axtinguisher instead of the Fire Axe. If a Pyro is using this, he's either counting on a random Critical hit or he's out of Flamethrower ammunition. Use this to your advantage and press your attack.

Axtinguisher

• This is arguably the Pyro's most dangerous weapon as it usually only takes one hit to kill most classes. You won't usually see the Pyro use this weapon unless you're on fire and in close range of the Pyro because it deals very little damage to a non-burning target.
• Heavies and overhealed Soldiers usually take two (or sometimes three) hits before dying to this weapon. If you're being healed by a Medic, be sure to hit the Pyro with everything you have as that extra second or two can make the difference between life and death.

Homewrecker

• The Homewrecker does decreased damage to players making it less effective as a melee weapon.
• A Pyro will still usually need to be Ubered in order to take down an Engineer's Sentry Gun. Equipping the Wrangler and then switching to the Wrench will make the Pyro spend more time taking down your turret and help waste the ÜberCharge.

Powerjack

• Pyros tend to use this weapon in a similar manner as an Axtinguisher; they will light you on fire and attempt to finish you off with the Powerjack in order to gain back health. However, as there are no Critical hits for Pyros wielding the Powerjack, this tactic gives you extra time to deal more damage and hopefully finish off the Pyro before they can kill you. Keep in mind that this weapon does significantly more damage than most melee weapons.

Back Scratcher

• The Back Scratcher makes it harder for a Pyro/Medic combo to be effective because the Pyro will heal much slower. This makes it a lot easier to take out the Pyro first rather than trying to get around him to kill the Medic.

The Gas Jockey's Gear

• The Pyro has 10% more bullet vulnerability while using this set. Use the Pistol or Shotgun to harass him at long range, and prevent him from getting into close quarters with his extra movement speed.

See also

• Pyro strategy
• Community Pyro strategy
• Pyro match-ups
• Team strategy