What does it take to play a real pyro

So I have often fiddled around with many a class, and have yet to try out the pyro. I know that you must know maps well, think outside the box, and those kinds of things, but what does it take to become a pyro that is viable in competitive play?

I'd say Pyro in comp play has a similar mentality to the Scout on offense, in that the player should aim to harass the opposing team while they're concentrated on the rest of your teammates. Using a hit-and-run style of play really helps out against large groups, blaze the whole group quickly (usually you can take out at least one of them doing this) and back off so you can get out of there alive, and then heal up and attack from another angle; basically you should try your best to stay behind the opponent's ranks and be a constant pain in the ass (much like a scout) and keep putting pressure on them. Defensive Pyro (for CTF and A/D) usually involves picking particular areas of the map and run laps around the perimeter of this area (ex. the tunnels of DB stage one, and the upper tunnel), making sure that you can stop enemy advances before they're ready or force an uber. There's also the obvious things like Spy patrolling and using your compression blast to contain an uber push.

Mouse1 + W

Hey Majin?

I've figured out why most players don't try to kill the Pyro that's airblasting them into the air while they're uber.

Simply because the bouncing horribly screws over your aim.  Anything other than explosives simply isn't going to make a dent on the Pyro for the single reason that when you're being bounced in the air, you can't aim worth a damn.  Not downwards anyways.

To the sides, and around is easier.  Straight down is altogether impossible.  This is because when you get bounced into the air, your aim gets bounced up as well. 

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The ability to have precision accuracy with the hadoken taunt.

OP said:

What does it take to play a real pyro?

Something flammable + lighter/matches

/rimshot

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It's ignorant comments like that which make no one take the class seriously, BoC, if you're not going to be helpful and just post dumbass comments then please go elsewhere. Let the people who actually PLAY Pyro as a main give the tips.

Some of the best Pyros's I've seen are masters at ambushing.  They'll use commonly traveled spots and hide around corners, utilizing the deadly power of the Backburner on those not checking.  And they will also put you in the flames and then run out of your line of sight to let you burn, moving to flank you or engage you again when you thought they left you to die.  They're also smart enough to pull out the Shotgun when an enemy is out of range of their Flames, rather than chasing at them blindly with a Flamethrower.

Good Pyros will use air blasts to nullify many invuln Ubers which is a great feat in itself.  And then there are those who go for the crit damage of the Axetinguisher.  Coupled with their Speed and their ability to get the drop on ya, they are very dangerous people to come across.

Burn and Poof. Forget about the axe.