I Appear to Have Burst into Flames
I am one of those people that rants when he keeps getting killed by a pyro. I fully admit to that, and I admit to it without guilt because when I stop playing, I realize that it’s my fault the pyro ever killed me. Unfortunately, some people don’t see that light. They see him as “W+M1! Noob class! RAAAAAAEEEEGGGGG!” but never admit that pyro is a difficult class to play. Let’s take a look, shall we?
What makes a Pyro so easy to hate?
You may recall way back when Clank stated that afterburn from the pyro’s flamethrower does sixty damage alone. This, according to the tf2wiki,, is true, and is one reason that the pyro is hated–the strong afterburn, which goes on for six seconds, and any smart pyro will lay shotgun/flare gun fire on you as you run, so it’s a bit inaccurate to say that 60 damage is all you’ll take in afterburn damage after facing a pyro.
Another thing the Pyro is hated for is his dps (damage per second). The flamethrower fires at 22.5 particles per second, each particle dealing 4 to 6.8 damage per particle, depending on range. That means the flamethrower, at point blank range, deals 153 damage per second. That means that the Pyro can kill five classes in less than a second, and is capable of killing two classes is approximately seven or eight seconds (153 close range + afterburn, assuming the pyro is killed while laying down the initial 153 damage). So basically, the pyro deals a lot of damage really quickly.
Lastly, a pyro could be hated for his stale style of gameplay. Surely, we’re all familiar with the W+M1 method of Pyro, where a Pyro relies entirely on the W and Mouse 1 keys to play. While this can be entertaining for some, this makes the pyro seem less skillful than other classes like the soldier and demoman. Obviously, as with any other class, there are some extremely skillful pyros (such as the well-known Don Newman)
What’s to not hate about the Pyro?
As stated above, the pyro does a lot of damage in a little bit of time. I probably stated those details in a manner that makes the pyro seem OP. But, surprise, he’s not. Let’s take a look.
The Pyro is the close range/ambush class. The only exception to him being close range is his flare gun, and that’s not a good long range weapon, it does 13-15 damage on impact with six seconds afterburn, a total of maximum 75 damage. Most of the time, it’s used to annoy enemies to run to the nearest health pack and annoy snipers. So, the Pyro is almost entirely close range. That means the Pyro has to get really close to you to reach its full potential. If you can’t spot the close range class running towards you, you’re doing something wrong. A good player is fully aware of his surroundings–mostly for ninjaneers and spies.
Afterburn is a tricky subject. It is surprisingly powerful, and it can easily cause a lot of rage due to the potential of dying right before you get to a health pack or resupply. However, there are a couple of things to consider. When the Spy/Sniper update was initiated, the unlockable weapon Jarate was introduced. Jarate, among other things, was capable of extinguishing fire. After that, an update was made that Pyros can extinguish flames with their compression blast. Heavies have the Sandvich, a transportable health kit that can be used to render the afterburn useless in terms of damage dealt. Every decent team hopefully has at least one medic and at least one engineer who has a dispenser at a minimum level two. Both of which heal at a rate faster than afterburn can destroy. Most medics have the mindset that burning “lit” allies deserve healing the most, then lit allies, then burning allies. With all these to get rid of afterburn’s effects, what’s to complain about?
W+M1 is a tricky subject. Most of the time, that is what a pyro does. He runs ahead, spewing fire everywhere. However, that’s an incredibly legit tactic, and I refer to paragraph one to explain why–Pyro’s still have to get really close to you. Besides, W+M1 is pulled by other classes. I’m looking at you, Heavy Weapons Guy. The Heavy does the very definition of W+M1. And what makes it different from when the pyro does it? Nothing, that’s what. You can’t argue that it’s different because the pyro can move at 100% speed when he spams, because the Heavy’s range (as short as it may be) makes up for his lack of mobility when pursuing targets.
Pyro = Dead.
In summary…
A lot of people that hate the Pyro are only frustrated because there’s a Pyro killing them, otherwise they’re usually quiet about it. Really, the best thing to do when somebody complains about a Pyro is to just do nothing. When somebody becomes frustrated, they are most likely not going to base their arguments on logic. All you really should do is just keep going on, arguing with them is pointless. I hope that I’ve changed some opinions with this article.
Credit to Toakal for once more helping me when I’m out of pictures. (He made the second one.)
Stumble it!
Fried Gold responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 4:31 pm #
You’re dismissing the flare gun too much, it does 30 damage on impact, and if the enemy is on fire, it does a mini crit of 40 damage. Not to mention the afterburn.
Jackal responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 4:44 pm #
Uh… the flare does 30 damage regardless of range. Also afterburn is 60 damage over 10 seconds(6 damage per tick)
spydra responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 4:46 pm #
Bonk also neutralizes afterburn.
Kentucky_Gomez responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 4:59 pm #
The flare gun is a nasty little jerk when you know how to use it properly. If you’re good enough you don’t even need to see the target for more than an instant, the yelp they inevitably make afterword is confirmation enough. On that note, it is also easier to neutralize because it is assumed the Pyro isn’t close enough to you to keep adding additional burns to that. In most instances the flare gun does add up to nothing more than an annoyance when one of the 4 classes and medical packs that immediately neutralize the fire are around.
When they aren’t though, that flare gun can be vicious.
sub responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 6:02 pm #
Disagree with heavy, but others were sorta right, and saying the afterburn was “surprisingly powerful” is a bit much too, still a good article.
Dismal responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 6:21 pm #
The Heavy is the complete opposite of the Pyro; one rewards patience and careful positioning while the other rewards running forward while holding your mouse button down.
Not_Matlock responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 6:36 pm #
Isn’t this article kind of old? I remember seeing it here a while ago.
Not_Matlock responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 6:37 pm #
Never mind, the picture is old. I really need to pay more attention to the articles….
Aftershock responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 7:42 pm #
If you get killed by a W+M1 pyro, you deserve to die. Because you either stuffed up badly, or are generally shit.
I am unicorn responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 9:01 pm #
That’s right, folks. If you’re focusing on another task at hand and get attacked by a w+m1 pyro, it means you’re a bad player.
Eating a sandvich?
Bad player.
Being an engineer with a level 1 sentry?
Bad player.
Out of ammo?
Bad player.
You god damn idiot.
Gee-Man responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 9:21 pm #
I completely agree, as a player who plays all classes, but has always had a soft spot for the Pyro. Let’s be honest, W+M1 will work occasionally. TF2 is largely a game of chance, what with crits, ubers, and jars of piss flying everywhere. When there’s so much going on, that occasional Pyro spamming M1 while running in a straight predictable line will get close enough to get lucky. But for the most part, if you know what you’re doing, just about every class can fight off the Pyro to a certain extent. Scout can outrun+pistol. The Soldier can just rocket jump away. Hell, even the Medic can ward off a Pyro if they aim their blutsauger correctly.
It used to be funny, but now it’s kinda pathetic to read posts by players who obviously just ragequitted because they were killed by a Pyro, regardless of how.
@ I am unicorn- If you were eating a sandvich in an obvious spot, placed your level 1 sentry in a place that was easy to circle strafe, or were out of ammo, those would indeed be signs of a bad player. There’s no excuse for that.
Soylent Robot responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 10:23 pm #
This is kinda my point. If you let a Pyro kill you, its your own fault for letting him get that close, and I say that to myself when one gets me.
Tho Pyro is my most played class, and Ive been trying to be more ambushy n less W+M1y
Arthur responded on 06 Nov 2009 at 10:43 pm #
What you say in sence, but there are times, were they get a kill on you that you just couldn’t avoid, often on a very narrow corner like the under ground tunnel of dustbowl.
UnCool responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 12:45 am #
Complaining about the Pyro is so faux pas now a days. Honestly, I don’t see why people still rage about it. If there is a Pyro on your team running straight into danger and holding M1, someone is going to rage. If you’re walking about and get killed by an “M1″ Pyro you didn’t see (how the class is supposed to be played, mind you) then someone is probably going to rage. If a Pyro does something in between those lines, than someone is going to rage. I see no difference between this and any another class, except for the fact of fire damage.
And another thing: can people stop complaining about “W+M1″ Pyros? I’m more tired of hearing WM1 complainers than getting killed by WM1 Pyros. Not all Pyros can be Don Newman. Some people have their own play styles and it’s effective for them. Believe it or not, Team Fortress is an FPS, and you’re going to die in an FPS; you are not an unstoppable crocket shooting machine; you are not John Woo flying through a hail of bullets; you are going to die just like everyone else and sometimes it might just be as simple as being “puffed on fire”.
Yes, there are newbs who are out there, but then again they are newbs. If you really want to be credit to team then give them a hint, like “You can press M2 to extinguish people” instead of looking like a noob yourself and screaming “W+M1! W+M1!”
Wolf responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 12:45 am #
“Most medics have the mindset that burning “lit” enemies deserve healing the most, then lit enemies, then burning enemies.”
What the hell does this phrase means?
Matt` responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 1:15 am #
@Wolf: “lit” = low health, so the line you quoted was ranking players in order of the priority the medic gives them – heal the ones who are low on health _and_ on fire first, then the ones who are low on health, then the ones who have a good amount of health but are burning.
Galenor responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 1:43 am #
“The Heavy does the very definition of W+M1. And what makes it different from when the pyro does it?”
The fact that if a Heavy pulls off a W+M1, he is subject to easy pickings by Sniper headshots, and Spy backstabs. Hell, given his movement speed, you could very easily set up a foolproof stickytrap in his path, which you wouldn’t have time to do against a Pyro.
dekichan responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 1:50 am #
@Goldcrusader, re: Wolf. “lit” is a specifically confusing term for non-comp players.
My guess for W+M1 rage is that there are those learning the game that have not differentiated strategy for staying alive beyond merely killing your opponent. Except for the pyro, you usually live if you kill your opponent. Without learning about situation awareness, actively checking flanking routes to you, working with teammates, etc., one can get frustrated by the idea that you kill your opponent and you still died. By not being aware of other existing strategies, it is easier to vent your frustration on the pyro.
My second way of thinking, is that W+M1 pyros often die after one kill, thus the idea that it lacks skill. If you were the one to die from that that one kill, then, it feels cheap and worthy of rage.
Fortunately, I am happy to see W+M1 rage die down. Unfortunately, it seems to have been replaced by hat rage, but it seems that that is dying down too.
Brian_Black responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 1:54 am #
As a primary pyro player, it’s my personal delight when people rage over me slaying them (thanks valve for making it an achievement!). I’d mock I am Unicorn, but it doesn’t seem necessary. All of the things you were doing you should have been doing with the support of TEAMmates.
Arthur, that’s called playing your area. A pyro in a confined area like a corridor keeps his opponents (particularly scouts) from dancing all over the place or fleeing like predictable cowards. Think about the threat that a pyro offers in an area like the buildings at center point on badlands versus a pyro in the middle of the open, a la cp_well. That’s like complaining about a demoman laying sticky bombs on chokepoints.
A lot of the complaints that you hear seem to be from people who don’t give the pyro enough respect. A scout can easily weapon heckle a pyro to death. An aware heavy will have you dead before you can light him on fire, and smart demomen choke off your approach with stickies, forcing you to go where they want you to (straight to hell).
Lastly, there are plenty of good pyro tutorials to learn how/where to airblast, flare, and even backburn, almost all of which were on UC at some point. maagnetro’s five clip set is my personal favorite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8-00nwyK9Q (on youtube, obviously, though he has his own site with them on.)
Wolf, “lit” is a reference from the competitive guides (I think), meaning that the player is at low health. Thus, you heal in the following order: burning, severely wounded players > severely wounded players > burning players.
Brian_Black responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 1:58 am #
Oooh, I forgot, knowing the location of health packs is important: not only for the obvious reason of knowing where you need to go to get health, but also for knowing where your opponent will flee after you light him on fire. An excellent method of getting in a flare either pre- or post-health pickup. No one likes getting lit on fire again after picking up the health kit.
brons0n responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 2:23 am #
I play pyro. The only thing to do when people nerdrage is to troll them into leaving the server. also lulz
ExAstris responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 3:32 am #
Not a single word about the Backburner… Which I think makes the pyro into an uncloaked, undisguised spy. Works surpisingly well.
Stab & Run responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 5:07 am #
“Most medics have the mindset that burning “lit” enemies deserve healing the most, then lit enemies, then burning enemies.”
Medics heal enemies?
Sandman responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 6:56 am #
S&R – good catch, one we all missed.
Very little is written about the effects of adding frustration or discontinuity to a team. When somebody is raging, you can be sure that he’s pissing his team off as well. If I see the opportunity, I’ll absolutely go pyro (or huntsman, or ninjaneer, or…) and try to rub their face in it. I’ve even done the whole “noob W+M1″ rush just to get a reaction. It sounds childish, but I’ve been on the other side of that enough to know that one or two pissed off players can tear a team apart. Once they’re all fighting amongst themselves, make a nice (read: organized) push and wipe them out. Then enjoy the ragequits
Kool4Kats responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 8:08 am #
I swear I’ve already read this article several times.
GoldCrusader responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 8:49 am #
@Stab & Run – …D’oh. That was my biggest failure this week.
Okay, so I messed up the flare gun info. I was going by the Pyro class page when I should’ve gone by the flare gun page itself. My apologies.
@Galenor: The Pyro runs at 100% speed, as do approximately 4 other classes. Most Snipers have adapted to hitting targets that run at that speed, if not, they are too inexperienced to be in an area that could easily be accessed by a Pyro, IMO.
Spies can cut corners to catch their “prey” more easily, and as long as a Pyro doesn’t detect them, a Spy is more than capable of bringing a Pyro down. And saying that it’s unfair that they must remain undetected from the Pyro is unfair, because Spies should remain undetected from everybody until they kill them. Sticky traps are a bit difficult, and easily debatable. True, you don’t have as much time to set up a sticky trap against a Pyro, and as one who is not the best Demoman in the world, I’m not the best one to debate this with.
It only takes three stickies to kill a Pyro (last time I checked), whereas it takes four or five to kill a Heavy (last time I checked). Honestly, setting three stickies doesn’t take very long. Grenades, on direct hit, do 81-111 damage, with 280-300 on direct critical hit. It takes two nades and a bottle (or three nades) to kill a Pyro, assuming they’re all direct, which in most cases, is pretty easy to do on a Pyro. And since Demomen are the most destructive force in TF2, they’re highly likely to crit, so it’s likely that they’re going to kill the Pyro in a single direct hit.
JimH responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 10:38 am #
One legit use for W+M pyro’ing is to “lay down smoke” – that is to obscure yourself and teammates when running through a sniper alley. This works not just for the pyro but for other players running with him. The sniper is denied a headshot except if by chance.
Comissar Cain responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 11:40 am #
Yet another “The Pyro is actually more complex than people give it credit for!” Article? I mean, really? This hasn’t been extensively covered by this point?
I think pretty much everyone who has played TF2 has got it: A good Pyro is a different animal than a bad one, and people who complain are generally complaining because they’re angry, not because the class is somehow broken. And HOLY crap, we know the Pyro is hamstrung at anything outside of close range (Flare Gun not wisthstanding) and so you should keep them away from you.
The only thing I can agree on is it’s the GAME mechanics that further irritate players regarding the Pyro–it is the only class where killing the enemy player can still result in a ‘loss’ (you die to afterburn shortly afteward–which for the Pyro player reinforces what he did “At least I killed someone before I died” and frustrates the opponent– “I killed that guy, but died anyway.” )
Also, comparing the Heavy Weapons Guy to the Pyro as far as W + M1 is a complete and utter fallacy. The Heavy Weapons guy absolutely CAN not succeed in the mentality even slightly. He’s really a deployable turret: You don’t just “CHARGE HIT FIRE BUTTON.” you have to choose when to fire and when to move. Different animal, different mentality.
On the case of Demoman, honestly, you’re missing the point. It takes about one-two more Stickies to kill a Heavy Weapons Guy, yes, but you’re barely even considering movement speed. In order to kill them in a single shot you must lay them in enough of an area so that each hits and trigger them before he moves through. a “W + M1 Heavy” will be firing, and thus have almost no movement speed. Even if we assume, for the sake of argument he’s trying to pick them off as you drop them, you have all the time in the world to drop down four and effectively blow him to bits–he’s going to have to either flee (in which case you detonate and heavily damage him as soon as he stops spinning, than go in for the kill) or die. The Demo can *easily* stay out of the Heavy’s effective range and take very little damage. Pyro/demo isn’t anything like that. The Pyro moves considerably quicker and can harass you via the Flaregun as he moves in–assuming he doesn’t blunder into a pre-laid sticky trap (which NO class can survive, save maybe a Spy that the Demo doesn’t suspect), you have to drop 3 mines either on him *before* he clears them or in a place he has to go–without him brushing them off or back. The Pyro in some ways is the natural counter to the Demo as well, getting easily inside their ‘effective’ range. In the case of a Demo, the Heavy Weapons guy barely even compares to the Pyro.
You want a fight that’s lopsided AGAINST the Pyro though? The Soldier. A Weapons guy will generally win most fights against a Soldier–close is where the Soldier does best, Heavy has more health and higher damage–the Soldier NEEDS cover to operate effectively. Against a Pyro? He needs to be amazing with the airblast to close, and is very likely going to end up juggled and dead if the Soldier’s of equal skill.
Anonymous responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 11:46 am #
Heavies ARE different from Pyros by the simple fact that fire particles penetrate and hit numerous targets simultaneously.
In cramped areas with many enemies(ie Dustbowl), a single pyro can easily wipe out an entire group.
So why are Pyros underplayed in competitive play? The same reason Spies, Engineers, and Heavies are: They lack the mobility to cross multiple height levels.
PS: they need to buff Backburner so that it can airblast, stick a -HP on it instead.
Mr Grimm responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 2:47 pm #
Are pyros really that raged at? I very rarely hear any of it when I play…
HelisPoe responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 3:07 pm #
I like how people completely forget how the pyro’s flamethrower range is STILL BUGGED. Fix the god damn range of the stupid “close range weapon” (Sometimes the range is increased by a full rocket launcher length, making it a mid range weapon).
Just fix the stupid range, and I guarantee all this rage will end.
Joe the plumber responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 5:46 pm #
The thing is, pyros are only good at killing new or inexperienced players.
I mean, there’s a reason why pyros aren’t played in pugs or scrims.
For example, the scout can do more damage than the pyro, as one scatter gun blast does 105 damage, and a scout can usually fire off two blasts in about a second.
Also, pyros really have no distinct role.
Everyone calls pyros the “ambush” class, but really, every other class is an “ambush” class.
For example, the soldier has much, much more firepower than the pyro, is effective at range, is more mobile (rocket jumps) and has more health. Why can’t it be an ambush class?
Pretty much the only reason why people say the pyro is an ambush class, though, is because in order to play pyro and get more than one kill, you have to ambush opponents, while other classes you don’t. However, other classes usually ambush better than pyros, so really, what are the roles of pyros?
Finally, everyone says that pyros are a counter to things like scouts and demoman and snipers, which is obviously not true.
Scouts, for example, usually can’t get hit by pyro’s flames, and even then, even a decent scout should be able to two-shot a pyro.
Demoman have grenades, which do like 95 damage each, so two grenades and a w+m1 pyro should easily go down.
Now snipers can also counter pyros. A good sniper has enough time to take a quick headshot and then a no scope, or a headshot and finish a pyro off with an smg.
If you’re a bad sniper, then just run away, and they pyro will never catch up to you.
Finally, people will say that those tactics are disputed by the fact that some pyros are ambushing pyros. Well, those tactics were made specifically to counter W+1 pyros. If a pyro ambushes you, you will most likely die, just as if a soldier, demoman, scout, heavy, spy, or even engineer (level 1 surprise sentry) were to ambush you.
And if you die by an ambushing medic or sniper…
Well…
Then you’re just playing wrong
(unless the sniper crits)
Mr. Noobinator responded on 07 Nov 2009 at 8:16 pm #
can we just leave the argument at these statement?
if you got killed by W+M1 pyro, you’re a noob and has no right to complain, so just ragequit. there is no shame for getting killed by PRO pyro, unless you’re a noob.
=p
briankealing responded on 08 Nov 2009 at 12:50 am #
I don’t think the heavy is all about wm1. People who play heavy are good at heavy. And good players know that strafing is important. After all, it’s much easier to snipe a minigun-shooting heavy than a pyro.
Scrub responded on 08 Nov 2009 at 6:52 am #
A couple nights ago Clank disabled the axetinguisher on the server because he kept getting killed by a pyro that was good with it. Sore loser.
SELF CLEANING OVEN responded on 08 Nov 2009 at 8:34 pm #
Less posts about pyros and their supposed overpowered-ness please?
Skwart responded on 08 Nov 2009 at 11:02 pm #
I love playing pyro in pubs
1. Because he’s so awesome and
2. Because everyone thinks you’re a W+M1 noob so when they realise you have the ability to reflect rockets, they have no idea what to do ^^
chipbuster responded on 09 Nov 2009 at 10:09 am #
W+M1 noobs are easy. I just dominated three of them (the ones with backburners are pretty much locked in as W+M1)
OrangeGamer responded on 10 Nov 2009 at 12:26 am #
People, we are forgeting about M2!!!!
Ok, backburner’s cool and everything, but never, NEVER underestimate the airblast, I got millions of soldiers in my dominated list that thougt “Ohshit! W+M1 N00b Pyro! EAT CUH-RIT ROCKET, MAGGOT!!!”
Seconds later, they have the rocket at their feet. Demomans ‘nades are diferent, since they reflect in unpredictable paths, but it’s just to get rid of them until mi 100% runspeed gets them with their backpelading.
One last thing: People, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON’T W+M1 AGAINST SCOUTS OR HEAVYS, NEITHER AGAINST MORE THAN ONE OPONENT!!!! Unless you want to see your ragdoll bonk’d by the scout.
It’s all about knowing when to do wath, I personally never rage against a demoman blowing me with three buildings of distance. Or a sniper headshoting me as soon as I step out of the spawn. It’s all about fun, shit happens, live with it and laugh.
Aldershot responded on 13 Nov 2009 at 4:59 am #
this is a superb article. I will have to direct may community members to read this, as the pyro debate happens much too often
Basilisk1991 responded on 16 Nov 2009 at 10:30 am #
Let me point some things out,
1.only scouts and demomen are incapable of puuting out fires
2.Pyros’ range sucks
3.The good pyros are MUCH worse then the W+M1s
???????? responded on 21 Nov 2009 at 4:04 am #
???????!, ? ????????!
Schizoid responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:38 am #
Good article,just want to point out afterburn lasts 10 seconds,not 6.
The1exile responded on 16 Dec 2009 at 1:45 pm #
To the guy who said that bonk! avoids fire damage – it avoids flamethrower afterburn, but flare afterburn breaks through.
M + W1 responded on 24 Dec 2009 at 11:10 am #
Hello, as a heavy and pyro user I regret to inform you, you all fail.
1st. Heavy and pyro have the same basic mindset but the excecution is different. By this I mean, they both do masses of damage up close but the way they get there (and do damage for that matter) is different
2nd. The Backburner is NOT A NOOB WEAPON!!! (That is of course if it’s in the hands of a w+m1 pyro) The backburner IMO requires more skill than the FT as the backburner requires stratgey if used correctly, ambushes, stealth, alternate routes ect.
3rd. The flare gun is ultimate pwnage but has its ups and downs. For example it cannot be used underwater and coupled with the axetinguisher it makes the pyro useless underwater. But it gives the pyro range, which the shotgun lacks.