Which pyro loadout is best for YOU?

Here’s a quick and easy guide to figuring out which pyro loadout is best for you! Unlike the medic weapons, which were mostly upgrades, the pyro weapons just depend on the situation and the person using them. This is from my experiences and from what I’ve read on the forum. If you think I’ve got something completely wrong, tell me. If you have any suggestions, tell me. If you think this is a complete waste of time, please tell me gently.

This works kind of like a “choose your path” story. Choose which option you like better (might depend on the map you’re playing or the classes you’re up against) and right next to each option is your weapon. You must then go to the number next to the weapon you picked, where you will find another set of options and your next weapon.

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1. You would rather:

Be an assault/rushing pyro = Flamethrower (Go to #2)

Be an ambush pyro = Backburner (Go to #5)

2. You would rather:

Be able to do normal bullet damage at medium range/be effective against other pyros at medium range = Shotgun (Go to #3)

Be able to do fire damage at medium to long range/be effective against classes other than pyro at medium to long range/be able to set up for axtinguisher kills = Flaregun (Go to #4)

3. You would rather:

Be more effective at close range against enemies that are not on fire/be more effective at close range against other pyros/be more effective underwater = Fireaxe (Final Loadout: Flamethrower, Shotgun, Fireaxe)

Be much more effective at close range against enemies that are on fire/be able to conserve ammo for compression blasts = Axtinguisher (Final Loadout: Flamethrower, Shotgun, Axtinguisher)

4. You would rather:

Be much more effective against other pyros at close range/be more effective at close range against enemies that aren’t on fire (less useful considering you can set enemies on fire from anywhere)/be able to fight with any chance of success underwater = Fireaxe (Final Loadout: Flamethrower, Flaregun, Fireaxe)

Be much more effective at close range against enemies that are on fire/be able to conserve ammo for compression blasts = Axtinguisher (Final Loadout: Flamethrower, Flaregun, Axtinguisher)

5. You would rather:

Be able to more easily defend yourself when spotted while at medium range/be more effective against other pyros = Shotgun (Go to #6)

Be able to set people on fire and then retreat or find an alternate route, possibly setting up for surprise axtinguisher kills = Flaregun (Go to #7)

6. You would rather:

Have a backup weapon that is good against all classes in case you run out of ammo or have to reload/be more effective underwater = Fireaxe (Final Loadout: Backburner, Shotgun, Fireaxe)

Have a backup weapon in case you miss the hitbox for the backburner’s crits and the enemy turns around (not good against pyros) = Axtinguisher (Final Loadout: Backburner, Shotgun, Axtinguisher)

Very nice. I've determined for myself that Backburner, Shotty, and Axtinguisher, and this pretty much backs it up.

Yeah, Back Burner, flare, and axtinguisher, didn't expect to come out differently :/

Currently running Backburner/Shotgun/Axe of Happiness



On D-Bowl and Gold Rush I just switch to another class like solly/demo/heavy.

Thanks for the comments.

Does anyone know any tactics/attributes I forgot to add?

Quote:

Mine tends to be Flamethrower, Shotty/Flares (depends on the situation), and Axtinguisher. I do enjoy being a tech pyro currently, but I still prefer the Shotgun to better defend myself in a battle; but the flare is incredibly useful for softening up the attack force a bit if you're witth a few teammates...they soon become axtinguisher bait!

I like Flamethrower, Shotty and Axtinguisher. I did a 3 hour session with airshot when I hated the compressed air and now I love it because of how easily you can bounce people among other things. Shotty is for defending myself and the axtinguisher is for humiliation.

I use Flamethrower / Flare Gun / Axtinguisher now. Backburner just doesn't seem to do damage since the update.

True, the Backburner lost a good deal, but it tends to further favor ambush over rush which was the weapons purpose.  I liked the pre-fix version, but oh well.