Pyro weapons (competitive)

This article is for competitive play, based on the standard community competitive format.
The community competitive scene changes frequently. Some or all info may be outdated.

The Pyro's weaponry is best suited for medium to close range encounters, focusing heavily on a fire-based arsenal to get the job done. However, this leaves the Pyro with a lack of reliable long-range weapons, encouraging him to ambush enemies at close range.

Primary Weapons

All of the Pyro's primary weapons have damage ramp-up. The flames of the flamethrowers become unpredictable at maximum range. Fire damage dealt causes afterburn. Fire particles will penetrate players and buildings. If the weapon can airblast, airblasts will deflect projectiles, converting them into mini-crit projectiles. Airblasts will knock back players and planted stickybombs. Airblasts will extinguish friendly burning allies. Flame throwers will not deal fire damage underwater.

Flamethrower

The Flamethrower deals standard damage, and deals significant afterburn.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Flamethrower	0-200 Units: 6.2 per particle. (139.5 per second) 200-384 Units: Linear decrease from 6.2 to 3.72 per particle. (83.7 per second) Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 3x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. (418.5 per second) Mini-Crit: 1.35x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. Mini-Crit Afterburn: 4 damage every 0.5 second for 10 seconds. (80 damage total)	Attack Interval: 0.04s Ammo Consumption Interval: 0.08s Compression Blast Interval: 0.75s	Can airblast. Airblasts cost 20 ammo each, for a total of 10.

Backburner

The Backburner deals increased damage from direct fire, but the same amount of afterburn as the stock Flame Thrower. It also deals critical hits in a 90º radius behind players. Its airblasts cost 50 ammo, as opposed to the standard 20, requiring precision use of airblasts.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Backburner	0-200 Units: 6.82 per particle. (153.4 per second) 200-384 Units: Linear decrease from 6.82 to 4.09 per particle. (92.07 per second) Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 second for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 3x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. (460.3 per second) Mini-Crit: 1.35x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. Mini-Crit Afterburn: 4 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (80 damage total)	Attack Interval: 0.04s Ammo Consumption Interval: 0.08s	Can airblast. Airblasts cost 50 ammo each, for a total of 4.

Degreaser

The Degreaser deals -10% damage from the default Flame Thrower as well as reduced afterburn. It allows for 65% faster weapon switching.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Degreaser	0-200 Units: 6.2 per particle. (139.5 per second) 200-384 Units: Linear decrease from 6.2 to 3.72 per particle. (83.7 per second) Afterburn: 2 damage every 0.5 second (3 damage every fourth tick) for 10 seconds. (45 damage total)	Critical: 3x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. (418.5 per second) Mini-Crit: 1.35x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. Over 512 units Mini-Crit: 8/hit Mini-Crit Afterburn: 4 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (80 damage total)	Attack Interval: 0.04s Ammo Consumption Interval: 0.08s Compression Blast Interval: 0.75s	Can airblast. Airblasts cost 20 ammo each, for a total of 10.

Phlogistinator

Note: The Phlogistinator is banned in almost all leagues.

The Phlogistinator deals -10% damage from the Stock Flame Thrower, but gains Mmmph! while dealing fire damage. When the meter fills, it can be activated with a taunt to grant critical hits for 10 seconds and 75% damage reduction for the duration of the taunt. However, the Phlogistinator cannot airblast.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Phlogistinator	0-200 Units: 5.6 per particle. (126 per second) 200-384 Units: Linear decrease from 5.6 to 3.35 per particle. (75.4 per second) Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 second for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 3x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. (378 per second) Mini-Crit: 1.35x base damage, then rounded to the nearest whole number. Mini-Crit Afterburn: 4 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (80 damage total)	Attack Interval: 0.04s Ammo Consumption Interval: 0.08s	Cannot airblast. Gains Mmmph! for all fire damage. Meter fills after 225 points of damage. Critical hit duration lasts 10 seconds. Activates on alt-fire or taunt. Taunt refills health. 90% damage reduction while taunting, except for backtabs.

Primary Weapon Usage

The stock Flame Thrower and the Degreaser both provide 10 airblasts, the most of any Flame Thrower. Airblasts tend to be quite useful with large quantites of projectiles. The Backburner can be good for a Pyro who is confident in their ambushes, or in case of a large quantity of enemies. The Phlogistinator provides strong hit-and-run tactics, but a lack of airblasts greatly counterbalances the guaranteed critical hits. The Degreaser's decreased switch time allows it to pair well with the Flare Gun or the Axtinguisher, making it a popular choice.

Secondary Weapons

The Pyro's secondary weapons tend to be for finishing off enemies, rather than taking up the brunt of their health. All Pyro secondaries perform the Hadoken taunt.

Shotgun

The Shotgun deals well with other Pyros, as they are not effected by afterburn. It deals large quantities of damage at close range, and moderate damage at medium range.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Shotgun	Point-Blank: 90 512 units: 6/bullet, avg 6 hits Over 1024 units: 3/hit	Critical: 18/bullet Point-Blank Mini-Crit: 121 Over 512 units Mini-Crit 8/bullet	Attack: 0.625s Reload Start: 1.0s Reload More: 0.5s	Affected by fixed weapon spread (1 extra pellet at center).

Flare Gun

The Flare Gun has the ability to set enemies on fire from afar. It deals impact damage, and if the enemy is already on fire, it deals critical impact damage. It causes afterburn identical to the Flame Thrower.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Flare Gun	Base: 30 Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 90 Mini-Crit: 41	Attack Interval: 2.02s	Deals critical hits on already burning targets.

Detonator

The Detonator is very similar to the Flare Gun. Its flares can be detonated with alt-fire, setting enemies on fire within a small radius. It deals increased damage, allowing Pyros to jump with it in the same manner as a Soldier's rockets, if less effectively. If it strikes a burning target without being detonated, it deals mini-crit damage. After hitting a target in any manner, it will cause afterburn equivalent to the stock Flame Thrower.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Detonator	Base: 30 Explosion 16 Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 90 Mini-Crit: 41	Attack Interval: 2.02s	Deals mini-crits on already burning targets. Flares can detonate to deal reduced damage and set multiple players alight. +25% damage to self

Reserve Shooter

Note: The Reserve Shooter is banned in almost all leagues.

The Reserve Shooter allows the Pyro to deal increased damage to airborne targets. With decreased switching time, the Pyro can make it active and fire off a shell, dealing mini-crits to any airborne target. It has a reduced clip, but otherwise deals identical damage to the Shotgun.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Reserve Shooter	Point-Blank: 90 512 units: 6/hit, avg 6 hits Over 1024 units: 3/hit	Critical: 18/hit (max 180) Point-Blank Mini-Crit: 121 Over 512 units Mini-Crit: 8/hit	Attack: 0.625s Reload Start: 1.0s Reload More: 0.5s	Affected by fixed weapon spread (1 extra pellet at center). 15% faster weapon switch speed. Mini-Crits airborne targets for 3 seconds after switch. Has a halved clip size. Functions identically to the Soldier's Reserve Shooter.

Manmelter

Note: The Manmelter is banned in many leagues.

The Manmelter deals identical damage to the Flare Gun, with the added benefit of alt-fire extinguishing nearby players to store guaranteed crits. The Manmelter can not crit opponents that are on fire.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Manmelter	Base: 30 Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 90 Mini-crit: 41	Attack Interval: 2.42s	Projectile travels 50% faster. Has infinite ammo. Alt-fire: Extinguish nearby teammates, earning one guaranteed crit per extinguished player.

Secondary Weapon Usage

The Shotgun deals consistant close range damage, whereas the Flare Gun and Detonator can be great for sniping a particular class with continued crits or Mini-Crits. The Detonator offers more flexibility, allowing the Pyro to navigate the map more intricately. The Manmelter provides stored critical hits, but only has use versus another Pyro. The stock Shotgun tends to be chosen, since it helps conserve primary ammunition while having a significant clip itself.

Melee Weapons

The Pyro has a variety of Melee weapons, which deal damage in specialized ways.

Fire Axe

The stock Fire Axe deals consistant damage, and can be used if the Pyro is out of or low on ammunition.

The Third Degree has the same stats as the stock Fire Axe, but deals damage through players connected by MediGun beams.

Note: The Third Degree is banned in most leagues.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Fire Axe	Melee: 65	Critical: 195 Mini-crit: 88	Attack: 0.8s	Stock melee weapon.

Axtinguisher

The Axtinguisher deals critical hits to players who are on fire. It pairs well with the Degreaser, but is useless against another Pyro.

The Postal Pummeler has the same stats as the Axtinguisher.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Axtinguisher	Melee: 33 (65 against buildings)	Critical: 195 Mini-crit: 44	Attack: 0.8s	100% Critical-hit chance against burning players. Deals 50% less damage to non-burning players. No Critical-hits on non-burning players.

Homewrecker

The Homewrecker deals with buildings as opposed to players. It deals increased damage versus enemy buildings, and removes Sappers from friendly buildings. It deals reduced damage versus players.

The Maul has the same stats as the Homewrecker.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Homewrecker	Melee: 49 Melee against buildings: 130	Critical: 146 Mini-crit: 66	Attack: 0.8s	Deals double damage to buildings. Destroys Electro-Sappers on friendly buildings. 25% less damage against players.

Powerjack

The Powerjack grants the Pyro 75 health on kill, with the ability to gain overheal (with standard decay) from it. The Pyro cannot be overhealed beyond 150% base health. It makes the Pyro take 20% increased melee damage while active.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Powerjack	Melee: 65	Critical: 195 Mini-crit: 88	Attack: 0.8s	75 health gained on kill. Can overheal. Cannot overheal beyond 150% +20% damage from melee sources while active.

Back Scratcher

The Backscratcher offers Pyros more independence. It provides increased melee damage, bonus health from health packs, but a severe reduction of health gained from medics and Dispensers.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Back Scratcher	Melee: 81	Critical: 244 Mini-crit: 109	Attack: 0.8s	+25% damage done +50% health gained from packs on wearer -75% health gained from healers on wearer

Sharpened Volcano Fragment

The Sharpened Volcano Fragment deals reduced damage on hit, but causes afterburn on the target.

Weapon	Damage	Critical Damage	Function Times	Special
Sharpened Volcano Fragment	Melee: 52 Afterburn: 3 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (60 damage total)	Critical: 156 Mini-crit: 70 Mini-crit Afterburn: 4 damage every 0.5 seconds for 10 seconds. (80 damage total)	Attack: 0.8s	-20% damage

Melee Weapon Usage

The Axtinguisher provides the quickest source of damage, whereas the Homewrecker is useful in the presence of Engineers or Spies, such as on Payload or Attack/Defend maps. The Powerjack is useful for the Pyro to quickly regain health on a kill, but leaves the player vulnerable to melee damage. The Backscratcher helps a Pyro to survive longer without a Medic, but makes him impossible to heal. The Volcano fragment deals afterburn, but provides few other benefits. The Third Degree can always be used in place of the Fire Axe, but still deals low damage. The Axtinguisher tends to be a favorite for Pyros, and the Powerjack can help them recover from near-death. The Backscratcher can also be useful if the Pyro is separated from the team.

See also

• Pyro (competitive)