Saint's General Pyro Guide
The Pyro is an offensive class in Team Fortress 2. When the game came out this maybe true but the class is an ambush/support hybrid. Pyro is by far my most played class (with 170 hours at time of writing) so I know what I am talking about here. In this guide I will give you a good idea of how the Pyro should be played and will kill what I consider to be misconceptions about the class.
The weapons
Flamethrower- This is the bread and butter of any Pyros arsenal. This does 153 damage per second at closest and 90 at farthest range. When you touch an enemy that isn't a Pyro they will burst into flames which will cause further damage to the enemy, 60 damage, over the course of 10 seconds. This also comes with an alternate fire that is called the compression blast. This compression blast is the tool that will make or break a Pyro and show you the difference between pro and newb.
Shotgun- 4 classes share this gun but it makes no difference as it is effective for you. The gun does 80-90 damage at point blank and is your secondary weapon. The shotgun is a good tool for backing away from enemies. My favorite thing about it though is that if you use the taunt command (g by default) you will enter third person and commence a hadouken. This hadouken will 1 hit kill the enemy and is the worst humiliation you can do to them.
Fireaxe- The Pyro's out of the box melee weapon. The weapon isn't overly useful when you get the counterpart but it does 43-87 damage. This is better used if you do not know how to “Puff and Sting”. It is an OK weapon but the Axtinguisher is by far the better and more widely used weapon.
Backburner- This is the Pyros alternative weapon and is usually overshadowed by the flamethrower. The backburner is the weapon that cators to the flanking Pyro more than the support/ambush Pyro. This does the same damage as the flamethrower but is guaranteed critical hits from the back (same area as the Spy's backstab). The critical hits cause 459 damage per second. This weapon is good if the map has hiding spots but don't use this in the open because unlike the flamethrower this has no compression blast.
Flare Gun- This is the Pyros alternative to the shotgun. The weapon is near useless considering the tradeoffs but it can shoot enemies from far away to set them on fire. The damage is only 22-27 so you need to rely on afterburn (fire damage) to kill them. This should only be used in wide open maps where Snipers are annoying you and you need a quick fix to obscure their vision. DO NOT use this on maps with a lot of water as it is useless underwater compared to the shotgun.
Axtinguisher- This is the Pyros melee trade-off and is the best melee weapon in the game hands down. It does 23-44 damage when the target isn't on fire but when they are it is guaranteed a critical hit which does 195 damage, killing any class but a heavy in 1 hit. There are a few way I will mention later in this guide that can make this from being useless to an utter killing machine. Do not use this with the flare gun though, all your weapons will be useless underwater and you should always have the shotgun with this for that defense, I like to use the water to flank so if I am caught by a scout without my shotgun I am dead.
General Rules
Let's get this out of the way right now, DO NOT W+MOUSE 1. The reason people call Pyro a newb class is the idiots rushing to their deaths. This is an ambush class first and support class second.
Don't try to ambush a group of enemies by yourself unless you know they are all weak. You are a class built to hit and run but you can't do that if you enemy overpowers you the second you get within flamer range.
Try to single out targets and only go for a kill if you see the chance. You are more useful to the team alive with them running away hurt, they are forced to call for a Medic or steal his health pack.
Camp health packs when their Medic gets a full Ubercharge while continuing hit and run tactics so you can wear him down.
When a Medic has a full Ubercharge do what you can to rush him even if you die, I said not to do this before I know but the Ubercharge is the most game breaking tool and if you destroy that tool then they are seriously crippled making your team much better off.
ALWAYS go for the Medic first, the Heavy in front of him will continue to shoot no matter how much you hurt him but a Medic will turn tail and run usually leaving you with much better odds then a Medic and an angry Heavy.
Try to hit a group quickly setting a few of them on fire and then backing off with the shotgun or using compression to knock back rockets if needed.
If the Medic uses an Ubercharge then get as close as you can while compression-blasting the Ubercharged pair back.
When a Demolitions Man spams sticky bombs then use your shotgun to destroy them or if they are around a corner duck around it just enough to have the compression hit them and knock them away then shoot them with your shotgun.
If a Soldier shoots rockets at you dodge them but if you see a chance to hit him use your compression blast to knock them back dealing serious damage to him (you can even kill them doing this).
As a Pyro your goal when you are stuck at a chokepoint is to check the surroundings and impede attempts to flank your team by flaming them and then backing off before you are noticed unless the group is larger than 3 or 4 people in which case you just tell your teammates.
Another thing you should be doing while waiting for a push is check for spies, if you see one call him out right away so your Medic or combat classes do not die.
If you see a Sniper call him out and try to flank him without going into direct line of sight or you will be dead if he is worth his salt.
Use any means in your power to flank the enemy because the time they do not notice you is valuable time to damage and possibly kill them.
When you set an enemy on fire and they escape you should camp any nearby healthpacks to make sure they cannot heal up.
Hug corners when facing enemies who overpower you, when you get the chance pop out of cover and flame them for about a second or until you hit 100 health then back off while pelting them with your shotgun.
Never use the axtinguisher unless the enemy is on fire since it is a fairly weak weapon on it's own.
Since you play the role as ambush specialist you also are behind enemy lines a lot of the time which is an ideal position for calling out attempts to make a major push against you.
If you team up with another Pyro he can set a Pyro on fire while you use your Axtinguisher on him.
When you are on a big open map with a Sniper giving your team trouble and you have no place to flank the Sniper then use the flare gun, this can set him on fire which makes him unable aim so he will have to back off making a hole in their vision of the area allowing for an easier time pushing.
With the backburner you can take out large amounts of enemies if you flank the enemy, this is ideal for killing key targets which is why I call it “Medic-killer”.
If a Heavy if shooting at you knock him around with your air compression as it will really mess with his aim.
Use corners with your compression so you can set an enemy on fire and knock them away so they don't kill you but still take that potent damage.
Axtinguisher Section
Below I will give you some General tips for the best Axe in the game along with a one versus one strategy if you want to use the tactics mentioned versus them. Note, this should only be used in one versus one or if you need to kill a medic QUICKLY.
“Puff and Sting”, this is the most efficient way to pick off targets that are giving your team a lot of trouble along with guaranteeing you a kill if they are not healed by a Medic. The idea behind it is simple, you set an enemy on fire with your flamethrower (do not use backburner for this), compression blast them into the air if they are near a surface and then switch to the Axe and whack them good.
You do not want to use this if the enemy is overhealed because the idea is a quick kill so they can't escape and regroup.
Use your ambush skills and set one up so you can kill them quickly with the Axtinguisher before they call you out.
Make sure if you go for an Axtinguisher kill the enemy doesn't have friends that can kill you while you attempt to Axtinguish them.
If the map has no water you can use the flare-gun to set the enemy on fire and move in for a quick and swift kill against snipers since they will most likely back off.
Don't get cocky with this, you can 1-hit kill them but that doesn't mean you are some kind of pro who can soak up 20 hits before dieing.
Match-Up's
This is for 1 versus 1 if you want to go for Axtinguish kills.
Scout- If you set this guy on fire don't even attempt to Axe him if you are in the open, just back off because he can outmaneuver you and ultimately turn your own trick against you. If you are against a wall or near one them airblast him once and wait for him to double-jump and airblast again and then go for the kill.
Credit to Rizz for mentioning the double-jump airblast.
Soldier- If you kill his medic try to circle him a little bit and then knock him into the air or just pull out the Axe after he uses all his rockets. Most don't expect a Pyro to rush straight at them with the Axtinguisher.
Pyro- Don't do it, simple as that. You have better tools to kill a Pyro with.
Demolitions Man- Usually these guys are camping a point or hiding in a sticky bomb infested tunnel. What you want to do is flank him if possible or shoot his stickies or even make him blow them up and then simple rush him with the flamer. Once he is on fire you can knock him against a wall since they like to camp near them because of stickies and Axe him.
Heavy- If you see him set him on fire and then back off and find another flank. Shooting him into the air will do nothing here so avoid it if you can. When you catch him from behind Axtinguish him twice (if he isn't revved it will take about 1 ½ hits for him to realize you are there and start firing by which time he will be dead before you are).
Engineer- If you see him away from his sentry gun then Puff and Sting him as he isn't a big threat without his sentry. Be careful not to be pulled into a trap with it though, you can hear the sentry so you don't run into it.
Medic- Flame him and then Axtinguish him before he notices you. Knocking him against a wall will do wonders if there is one but if there isn't you can usually get a good swing off before he realizes you are there.
Sniper-ONLY TRY THIS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FLANK HIM! A sniper is an annoying target and can kill you faster then you would expect. Set him on fire while he is scope and Axe him. There is no need to shoot him into the air as his movement and vision are impaired while he is scoped.
Spy- Just flame him then Axe him then proceed to taunt him for no apparent reason.
One versus One normal Matche-Up's
Unlike the other section this is a section where you will use all your tools to kill them instead of just the Axe, no matter how fun it is you need to use all the tools at your disposal to kill your enemies.
Scout-When you see one get within range of you just spam the fire button while moving up and down so you set him on fire, once he is on fire he will either back off or continue to engage you. If he backs off then try to set up a flank where you can get the drop on him and set him on fire for long enough to do over 70 damage (afterburn does 60 damage). If the scout stays and engages then try to match his maneuvers while trying to make him push back. Good scouts will continue to follow you when you are low on health so try to fake him out into retreating so you both live but he is really damaged.
Soldier-I remember when this guy used to kill a Pyro 90% of the time 1v1. How the times have changed... When you see a soldier try to go from side to side pretending to move in while he shoots rockets at you. When he shoots the rockets try to reflect them back with your compression blast. The Soldier will get scared and switch to his shotgun which is an ideal time to rush him with you flamer. If you are low on ammo or you know he is low on health then just go straight for an Axe kill. If he continues to reload while firing don't get closer but try to kill him with his rockets or make him back off.
Pyro- This is an easier matchup then you would think. If he rushes you with his flamethrower then simply back off while flaming, he takes more damage then you and will die faster then you will. If he pulls out his shotgun follow suite while moving to cover to try and get closer. If he doesn't rush/notice you I find it best to flank him and use the shotgun to whittle down his health.
Demolitions Man-If you see stickies and hear them then likelihood a Demo is nearby. Try to find out his location and then think of your options. If he is hiding in a tunnel then you can peek around the corner and knock his stickies that are in the way with compression. If you see him in a 2 way tunnel then try to move into the entrance that isn't occupied unless the enemy is built-up then don't even bother. He will be looking at his stickies and probably not notice you. Just continue flaming until he goes down if you can flank him.
Heavy-This guy shouldn't even be attacked unless you have proper support because he usually has a Medic. If he doesn't have a Medic though set him on fire and then circle him when he winds up his gun while switching to the Axe. The Axe is much quicker than simply trying to flame him to death.
Engineer- The Engineer is no threat if he isn't by his Sentry. If he is by his Sentry then don't bother. If you catch him off-guard just flame him to death. Make sure you don't get tricked into a trap of his own.
Medic- This guy is no thread what-so-ever because they usually turn tail and run when set on fire. Try to get behind him and continue flaming because it will do damage to him and his partner. If you can kill the Medic then your life is worth it. If he is alone however I wouldn't get close unless you know you can kill him. His needles do enough damage to kill you very quickly. If he pulls out his Ubersaw then flame him to death.
Sniper- Do not attempt to kill him unless you can flank him. If you can flank him then set him on fire and continue until he is dead.
Spy- Nothing unusual here, keep an eye out for him. Puff every teammate and if one sets on fire he is a Spy. The spy is weak when you set him on fire but don't give him time to get out his revolver. Make sure to call one out if you see one for your teammates.
I hope this helps out people who wants to play Pyro. This is a great class and needs a bit of practice but once you get it you will never forget. I do not claim to be the best but I hope this helps the newbs to the class.
By Saint aka Whiteblade