Oh noez the pyros!

So the update has come along and kicked us in the tuckus with a pyro upgrade that has made them lethal as hell in close range combat.

Most likely you're going "What can I do now? I keep getting owned by the pyros!"

The solution: Stop sucking.


The Pyro requires a single thing in order to dominate you, and that is getting up close and personal.  Even then, if you're /facing/ the Pyro they'll still not be able to kill you off as fast as you can.  Never turn your back to a Pyro, ever.

Know the major ambush spots, what tactics the Pyros tend to use, and when you should be turning around to spray at someone who is probably creeping up on you.
For example, on Mach4 the most common tactic of a Pyro with a backburner is to drop into the sewers, creep up into your base and then run out in front of your base, hitting the people who've extended past the bridge from behind.
While it'll slow down your advance, keep your eye out for those movements.  If you see a pyro heading into the sewers you can always position yourself ahead of him and start revving your gun.

If you are put on fire do not panic, panic will only cause you to die.  Kill the Pyro first.  Kill anyone nearby.  Then retreat and recover.  The Heavy is a slow mover, so you can not ignore threats especially when on fire, a flaming Heavy is a very big target that people know is injured.

The Shotgun will get you killed.  While I love the Shotgun, you can not equal the Pyro's up-close DPS if you're using the shotgun and he's using a flamer.  Use the Minigun in a Pyro situation, save the Shotgun for finishing off running people and messing with Snipers.


But Arlan, the Pyro just airburst me into the air!
Which means he isn't shooting you.
Shoot him before he can shoot you.
If you can't get a bead on him then spray randomly in his general direction, you'll nick him at least and force him to either stop air bursting or run.

I am going to tell you all right here and now that, while the Pyro has been updated, the Heavy is still #1 in the close-range situation.  If you don't believe me I can pull a few Pyro players in here who'll back me up on this.
Don't be disenchanted with the Heavy due to the Pyro rush, instead dream happy thoughts about what we'll be getting.

Yeah, wait till the heavy gets his unlocks. Just don't let it be the "Fistinguisher" for the melee weapon ><

yeah if you jump you win but if you dont watch your ass your dead=)

The only time a Pyro will win if he gets the jump on you is if he takes out an axtinguisher and hacks away.

But other than that they will be reduced to mush, every time. That is, unless, you are garbage at Heavy. Being able to kill things when they're dancing in front of your face is a #1 priority. Pyros are good practice.

If you're a real man, you'll punch them in the face. Never fails, even with their spiffy new unlocks. (Although I'll have to admit, the 225 HP backburner Pyros can be a nuisance).

And we all know what's coming for the Heavy: a Cannon, a Musket, and the ability to rip out the hearts of your foes, fatality style. You then gain health.

I'd like to see Boxing gloves



Heavyweight Champion Heavy, he's the heaviest Heavy around.

heavy needs a body slam!
that got to be scary when you see some fat guy diving towards you

Even with the Axetinguisher, if you practice a bit with those big meaty Heavy Fists, there is a decent chance you can come up on top, but i cant really explain how to melee, its something that comes with time. As always if you get caught by a pyro with your shotgun out, pop 2 or 3 shots then go for the punch, and when they get overconfident, go for that satifying punch. unless you have the distance to whip out your Minigun and shred them, in which case it wasnt a very good pyro to begin with.

Here's what happens whenever I play as heavy, no matter how careful I am about pyros:

I join in the brawl in the middle of the map. Since a lot of people play as pyros, I have to stay toward the back while the rest of my more flame-resistant friends go ahead. I take out a few with my minigun, but find that someone has come around behind me with a flamethrower and has nearly taken out my medic. If i manage to take out this attacker, another one has come up from the main brawl and torched me again. since i'm already weak from taking out pyro 1, pyro 2 usually gets me. if he doesn't get me, then he takes my medic and I'm doomed to a stray bullet from a scout or something.

no matter how smart you play heavy, his gun has too short of a range to take out enemies from far away, but pyros can team up on you close range.

Well obviously your intelligence does not effect the range of your minigun but you don't have to blindly rush at the enemy as heavy, try flanking the pyros as they flank you. As long as you are vigilant pyros should have little chances to ambush you and your medic.

Quote:

Actually his Medic might appreciate the gesture.