Basic Pyro strategy
The Pyro is a moderately tough class that specializes in close range combat and excels at ambushing enemies with his Flamethrower. The afterburn he inflicts will steadily damage fleeing foes, making him decent at hit-and-run tactics. His compression blast is extremely disruptive and can be used to reflect projectiles or forcibly shove enemies around. His flames nullify Cloak and disguises, making him a hard counter to the Spy. While easy to learn, mastering how to properly use his various weapons takes time. A good Pyro will often switch between weapons to maximize damage. At longer ranges, the Pyro is vulnerable to hitscan weaponry, such as the Minigun or Sniper Rifle.
Primary Weapons
Flamethrower
To easily get into range to use your Flamethrower, take alternate paths to ambush your opponents. Circle-strafe foes to reduce the amount of damage you take. Do not rely on afterburn to finish off enemies, as there are many ways to extinguish it. If opponents flee, switch to your secondary weapon to give chase. Spy-check suspicious teammates by firing short bursts of flame.
Backburner
Your options are more limited when using the Backburner. You must rely even more on ambushing and use the increased damage to quickly dispatch foes. Without the compression blast, you have no way to defend yourself at long range and cannot disrupt ÜberCharges. Overall, you sacrifice defense for offense.
Degreaser
Because there are already so many ways to extinguish afterburn, the Degreaser is the most versatile of your primary weapons. After igniting an enemy, airblast them and quickly switch to another weapon, such as the Shotgun or Axtinguisher, to deal severe burst damage.
Compression blast
Use the compression blast both offensively and defensively. Offensively, use it to force enemies into map hazards or into corners, where you can then easily finish them off. Defensively, use it to reflect projectiles and shove dangerous enemies away. The compression blast can even move invulnerable players, including those under the effects of an ÜberCharge.
Secondary Weapons
Shotgun
The Shotgun is your most reliable ranged weapon. Use it to engage enemies at medium range, especially when they retreat out of the short range of your Flamethrower. The Shotgun is powerful and is the weapon of choice against other Pyros, who cannot be ignited.
Flare Gun
The Flare Gun gives you a way to harass enemies from long range. Flares travel in a slow arc, so aim and lead your target accordingly. Use the Flare Gun's bonus damage on burning enemies to finish them off from a distance.
Melee Weapons
Fire Axe
Because you are already fighting at close range, you will rarely use the Fire Axe. Use the Axtinguisher or Powerjack, both superior weapon choices.
Axtinguisher
After igniting an enemy, combine the Axtinguisher with the compression blast to easily reposition and kill them from full health. This is the greatest amount of burst damage you can perform as the Pyro.
Homewrecker
Use your Flamethrower and Homewrecker to defend friendly Engineer buildings from enemy Spies. Offensively, it will destroy any unshielded building in no more than two hits. Because of its limited range, it is still more effective to approach a Sentry Gun with your Flamethrower instead.
Powerjack
Unless you are reliant on random critical hits, the Powerjack is essentially a straight upgrade to the Fire Axe. When fighting alone, use the health granted by the Powerjack to stay healthy. Compared to similar methods using the Axtinguisher, you sacrifice a moderate amount of burst damage in exchange for survivability.
Back Scratcher
Use the Back Scratcher in Medieval Mode or when your team lacks a Medic. If a Medic has no other target to heal, you can greatly help him build his ÜberCharge meter when injured.
Sharpened Volcano Fragment
Because your primary weapons already set enemies on fire, you are best off using the Sharpened Volcano Fragment in Medieval mode, where it is the only weapon that can reliably ignite enemies.
Item sets
The Gas Jockey's Gear
Your increased move speed allows you to outrun any class but the Scout. Use it to position yourself for an ambush more easily. Overall, you gain mobility but lose survivability.
See also
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