Pyro Update Details

[DigiQ8]

So tomorrow is a big day for all Pyros around the world, the next major update for Team Fortress 2 will include new achievements and unlockable weapons for the pyro as well as some significant changes to the class. Now for the details:




The Maps:


CP_fastlane (created by Arttu "skdr" M?ki): A control point map with five points, in the style of Badlands. Its symmetrical layout provides for high-speed and well balanced gameplay, while the multiple indoor routes, connected to larger outdoor arenas, provide a wide set of interesting and varied combat spaces. The arena-style control points require solid teamwork to capture and hold.

CTF_turbine (created by Bill Johnston): A CTF map inside a large industrial compound. It's clean and straightforward, making it easy to learn, but its well balanced layout ensures there are still a wide variety of strategic choices for teams to make, and for individual classes to shine. Competitive teams and players have already popularized this one.

The Weapons:



1. The Flare Gun: The first Pyro unlockable is The Flare Gun, which replaces the shotgun. It allows the Pyro to ignite an enemy at long range, but does require careful aim on their part. It?s particularly useful for causing havoc on Snipers and Engineers who want to keep their distance.



2. The Backburner: The second Pyro unlockable is The Backburner. This flamethrower is built for the Pyro who likes to ambush their opponents. It removes the compression blast capability, instead guaranteeing critical hits whenever it?s used on an opponent from behind. To aid in survivability, it grants the Pyro an extra fifty health.



3. The Axtinguisher: The third Pyro unlockable is The Axtinguisher. This mighty axe guarantees critical hits on any enemy that?s currently on fire, although it?s significantly weaker against enemies who aren?t. A great combination with the The Flare Gun, or with another Pyro buddy riding alongside doing the igniting.



In addition to the three unlockable Pyro weapons, there is significant addition to the base Pyro flamethrower. By hitting the alt-fire key, the Pyro is able to produce a blast of compressed air that knocks enemies away, and redirects enemy projectiles. It?s a highly versatile tool, allowing Pyros to get away from nearby enemies after igniting them, to kill enemy soldiers with their own rockets, or to separate enemy Medics from their healing targets. In particular, it allows a skilled Pyro to contain an enemy invulnerability push, and even to separate the Medic completely if the surrounding terrain supports it.



To view the full list of the achievements and for more info about the new update, click here.



I'm so hyped right now, too bad i have exams this weekend , can't wait to burn you online.

[Druckles]

Took your time .

My personal opinions on the issue:

It sounds to me with the new ability of compression, most people will be sticking with the flamethrower over the backburner but use the other two unlocks, similarly to the medic ones. It'd be a finer line, though, as I do quite like the idea of a backburner. Extra crits are just awesome. But then the new compression thing sounds equally useful. Also necessary for some of the achievements.

I'm hoping there won't be extra crits in the Soldier unlocks.

I'm looking forward to playing Fastlane, although I would have preferred a new pl map. I'm not at all surprised at turbine being selected .

Originally Posted by Druckles

I liked turbine, and they only have one official ctf map, so I wouldn't be surprised if that were released.

As for the achievements, there are a couple of silly ones, which aren't unexpected like Makin' Bacon, BarbeQueQ and Got a Light? but they weren't unexpected. I don't think I'll be farming for any of these. Not anymore than I do usually.

God, I'm also bloody hyped. Fuck yeah!

[Pulse]

Pyro confirmed for god tier, this is incredible. Those maps look pretty sexy as well.

[Lobster]

I was pretty surprised when they contacted me about it last month, I told my friend that Valve had obtained Turbine and he goes "They own Lord of the Rings Online now?".

These Unlocks are pretty impressive, I wonder how bad that Backburner will be, makes me wonder what the rest of the classes are gonna end up with!

[GM)Paravin.]

Why must the achievments be so hard!?

[Druckles]

Originally Posted by Lobster

These Unlocks are pretty impressive, I wonder how bad that Backburner will be, makes me wonder what the rest of the classes are gonna end up with!

Just lots more pyros hiding behind things. Will be a lot more useful for defence. But then so will the compressed air. I think the compressed air will be a lot more useful for the team, though.

[-Psy-]

These achievements are awesome! Far less silly then the medic ones.

[DigiQ8]

Originally Posted by GM)Paravin.

Why must the achievments be so hard!?

I think it's easier than the Medic achievements

[GM)Paravin.]

Still, some will require farming. Especialy the Rocket one. I can't even touch a soldier without getting killed.

[Druckles]

Originally Posted by GM)Paravin.

Still, some will require farming. Especialy the Rocket one. I can't even touch a soldier without getting killed.

Maybe practice over farming

Or just take your time like you're supposed to.

[NeoNight]

OHhhh sounds like a very nice buff for the pyro.

[PvtRyan]

OMGWTFBBQ: Kill an enemy with a taunt.

Haha, I didn't even know this was possible?

KAAMEEEEHAAMEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Anyway, awesome update. But, 35 achievements? How does that work, 12 for flare gun, 12 for the backburner and 12 for the axetinguisher right?

[Reginald]

This will re-ignite my playing of TF2. These are aweomse!

EDIT: Pun not intended. Made me giggle though.

[organizedcrime]

The achievements aren't that hard - if they were retroactively rewarded, most people who regularly play Pyro would have over half of them already.

Of course, that means you still have to farm for them, since they don't reward shit back in time...

EDIT:

Firewall, Got A Light, Hotshot, and OMGWTFBBQ are the only ones that I can imagine not getting from regular play (my beef with firewall is that if you're a good Pyro, spies shouldn't be reaching the buildings anyway).

[Epsi]

Compared to the Medic acheivements, none of them make you do anything really, really stupid (like ubering a Heavy, and having him go forth and punch things) while most of them encourage good team-play (like, stand on the point and set every single everyone capturing it on fire!).

It's good to see Valve have been listening!