Basic Pyro strategy
The Pyro is a moderately tough class that specializes in close range combat and excels at ambushing enemies with his various flamethrowers. The afterburn he inflicts will steadily damage fleeing foes, making him/her decent at hit-and-run tactics. His compression blast is extremely disruptive and can be used to reflect projectiles, extinguish burning friendlies, 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
All of your primary weapons burn through ammunition quickly, so frequently pick up dropped weapons, collect ammo boxes, and visit friendly Dispensers to stay replenished.
Flamethrower
To easily get into range to use your Flamethrower, take alternate paths to ambush your opponents. Circle-strafe around your 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
Although you will deal substantially more damage when using the Backburner, rely more on ambushing to quickly dispatch foes from behind. You'll find that the increased compression blast cost will make it more difficult to disrupt ÜberCharges as well as defend yourself at long range. Overall, you sacrifice defense for offense.
Degreaser
Because there are so many ways to extinguish afterburn, you shouldn't rely on it to finish enemies off. Thus, the Degreaser is arguably the most versatile of your primary weapons. The faster weapon switch time pairs particularly well with your compression blast; after igniting an enemy, 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 ignited enemies into map hazards or into corners, where you can then easily finish them off with powerful weapons like the Axtinguisher. Defensively, use it to reflect projectiles, shove dangerous enemies away, and extinguish teammates who are on fire. 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 your weapon of choice against other Pyros, who cannot be ignited.
Flare Gun
The Flare Gun gives you a way to harass enemies at longer ranges. Flares travel in a slow arc, so aim and lead your target accordingly. The Flare Gun deals critical hits to burning enemies, allowing you to finish off retreating foes from a distance.
Detonator
Much like the Flare Gun, the Detonator is useful for harassing enemies that are far away. The ability to manually detonate your flares gives you a bit of leeway when aiming and allows you to ignite multiple enemies at once. However, the Detonator only deals mini-crits to burning enemies, making it less effective as a finishing weapon. You can use the explosion to flare jump upwards to unusual locations at the cost of a small portion of health.
Melee Weapons
Fire Axe / Saxxy
Because you are already fighting at close range with your Flamethrower, you will rarely use the Fire Axe. Use a different melee weapon to give yourself some utility.
Axtinguisher / Postal Pummeler
The Axtinguisher is arguably your most powerful weapon. After igniting an enemy, combine the Axtinguisher with the compression blast to easily reposition and kill him from full health. It pairs particularly well with the Degreaser and its faster weapon switch time.
Homewrecker / Maul
Use your Flamethrower and Homewrecker to defend friendly Engineer buildings from enemy Spies and their Electro Sappers. Offensively, it will destroy any unshielded building in no more than two hits. Because of its limited range, it is still more effective to initially approach a Sentry Gun with your Flamethrower instead.
Powerjack
When fighting alone, use the health granted by the Powerjack to stay healthy. Unless you're in Medieval Mode, don't worry too much about the melee vulnerability; as the Pyro, you hold a clear advantage when it comes to close range combat. Compared to similar melee combat methods using the Axtinguisher, you sacrifice a hefty 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
At melee range, your primary weapons already deal significant damage and set enemies on fire. Thus, you are best off using the Sharpened Volcano Fragment only in Medieval mode, where it is the only weapon that can reliably ignite enemies. In Medieval mode, teaming up with another Pyro using the Axtinguisher or a Scout using the Sun-on-a-Stick can be very effective.
Item sets
The Gas Jockey's Gear
Your increased move speed allows you to outrun any class but the Scout, allowing you to position yourself for an ambush or retreat more easily.
See also
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