The Pyro is a hardy class that excels at close range combat, particularly in confined areas where his Flamethrower is difficult to avoid. Due to the Flamethrower’s wide damage spread, the Pyro can focus more on outmaneuvering their opponents than aiming and has leeway when fighting at close range. Additionally, the Pyro has access to the compression blast, a powerful source of utility that allows them to forcibly reposition enemies or reflect projectiles. The overall theme of the Pyro’s available weapons is close range power; because they lack strong ranged weaponry, they are most vulnerable when distant from enemies or when in open areas.

Weapon Anti-Pyro strategy



Shotgun + reskins The Shotgun is the Pyro's best secondary weapon against foes barely outside the Flamethrower's range. Maintain a wide distance to reduce the effectiveness of all the Pyro's weapons.



Flare Gun + reskins The Flare Gun's projectiles should be easy to avoid in open areas, even at close range, as long as your movement is unpredictable.

The Flare Gun's projectiles deal guaranteed critical hits to burning enemies. If you are set on fire from a distance, extinguish yourself before re-engaging the Pyro. If lit up close, move erratically to avoid being finished by a critical flare.



Detonator The Detonator's flares can be remotely triggered by the Pyro to explode, creating a small blast that can ignite multiple targets. Stay away from your teammates to minimize potential splash damage.

Detonator flares only deal mini-crits to burning players, making it less effective at finishing enemies off.

A Pyro can use the Detonator to perform a small Flare Jump at the cost of health. Stay aware of all possible routes that the Pyro can take to reach you.



Reserve Shooter The Reserve Shooter is capable of landing mini-crits on targets airborne through every type of knock back excluding airblast and bullets. A Pyro might deploy it to deal mini-crits on enemies that have been propelled in the air by a teammate.

The Reserve Shooter's reduced magazine size makes the Pyro far less effective at anywhere outside close range, especially since it will not deal mini-crits on targets launched by the Pyro's airblast.



Manmelter The Manmelter has unlimited ammunition and faster projectiles, making it effective at continuous long-range harassment. Keep moving to reduce this weapon's effectiveness.

The Manmelter's projectiles do not deal increased damage to burning players, making it less effective at finishing foes off. A Pyro will likely engage you with their Flamethrower instead.

If an enemy is set on fire, try to finish them off before a Manmelter Pyro can extinguish them and gain a critical hit.



Scorch Shot The Scorch Shot can ignite multiple targets with one hit. Don't stay clustered with teammates.

The Scorch Shot's main draw is how its flares can knock enemies back; the knock back increases if you already are on fire. Don't idle while crossing places with long falls or other environmental hazards.

The Scorch Shot focuses on keeping enemies on fire rather than finishing them off. Remember where you can find healing to negate afterburn.



Panic Attack The Panic Attack deploys quickly but suffers from massive bullet spread with consecutive shots. Survive the first shot, and the following ones are easier to dodge.



Thermal Thruster The Thermal Thruster grants the Pyro extreme mobility they otherwise lack. When fired, the Pyro launches into the air, knocks nearby enemies back, and deals triple fall damage to enemies landed on.

In combat, the Pyro can use the Thermal Thruster to enter close range quickly. It takes one second to launch, so pick the correct direction to move away.

The Pyro can switch weapons in mid-flight. As such, they may already have their primary out and ready to attack before they even land!

The Thermal Thruster stores two charges which take 15 seconds to recharge. If the Pyro has recently used both charges, they are very vulnerable to attack.