Ways to counter the phlogistinator

This guide is going to teach you some of ways you can do to counter against this hellish w+m1 weapon that was recently buffed in the most recent update.

Intro

Many of you had probably encountered the phlogistinator. Or maybe you are using the phlogistinator yourself. You're a horrible person. For those who do not know, the phlogistinator is a primary weapon used by the pyro. It was buffed by a recent valve update to Team Fortress 2, Tough Break.

Pros:

Build 'Mmmph' by dealing damage
Alt-Fire on full 'Mmmph': Taunt to refill health and gain crit for several seconds.
Invulnerable during 'Mmmph' taunting.

Cons:

No random critical hits
No airblast





"So what's the big deal about this weapon?" - Random neighbour across the street.

Well, it's not really that special if you compare it side by side with the stock flamethrower, aside from it having a special bar that fills up by dealing damage, its inability to deal random critical hits and not being able to airblast. HOWEVER, do you know what happens when the bar fills up? If you play Team Fortress 2 for a while, you would probably know. By unleashing its 'Mmmph' taunt, or as I like to call it, 'THE DEMON POSSESSING RITUAL'. The pyro gains temporary invulnerability (Similiar to ubercharge) plus knockback immunity (Not stated in weapon stats) while taunting. Health is also recovered. After the taunt, the pyro is possessed by SATAN and has the ability to unleash HELL (Or crits in TF2 terms.) onto the opposing team for 10 seconds.

So now, you probably know why it is so terrifying and overpowered.

OMG SO OP, HOW 2 COUNTER???

So you are probably came to this guide to find ways to counter against it. It's quite simple actually. The phlogistinator requires 225 points of fire damage to completely fill the 'Mmmph' bar. Now think of it this way: What if the pyro cannot deal enough damage to fill the 'Mmmph' bar in the first place?

Now, there are some ways you can 'slow down' the process of the filling of the 'Mmmph bar'.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/tf2/comments/1k2p4m/sfm_the_phlogistinator/

Extinguishing teammates

Having as little afterburn damage done to your team is a great thing. Not only does it save your teammate's time of having to find a health pack, it also makes it so that the pyro using the phlogistinator cannot do enough fire damage to fill his (or her?) 'Mmmph bar'.

Here are some of the ways you can extinguish your teammates:
Using the pyro's airblast to extinguish your teammates. (+Gains back 20 health back to the pyro)
Using the pyro's manmelter to extinguish your teammates. (+1 Guranteed Crit)
Using the sniper's jarate to extinguish your teammates. (+Reduces cooldown by 20%)
Using the scout's mad milk to extinguish your teammates. (+Reduces cooldown by 20%)
Using the heavy's sandvich (Or other food items) to extinguish your teammates.
Screaming in your mic to tell your teammate to get some health. (+Teamwork)
Screaming in your mic to tell your teammate to go into the water. (+Teamwork)

Killing the Phlogistinator pyro before he (Or she?) 'Mmmph'.

Another simple way to counter the phlogistinator is by killing the pyro using it before he or she 'Mmmph's. Without the opportunity to 'Mmmph', the pyro cannot use the phlogistinator effectively.

Since the phlog pyro cannot airblast, it is easier to kill it with a rocket, grenade, and other projectile-type weapons than a pyro with a stock flamethrower.

Simply aim at the pyro's feet and juggle him. DO NOT KNOCK HIM CLOSER TO YOU. Instead, just knock it further away.

Try to keep a distance wih the phlog pyro. Also, try to dodge the secondary shot of the pyro if the pyro is using it.

Source: I cannot find the original source of this. I found this on ironically on this phlogistinator guide.

Taunting after killing the phlog pyro

This is probably the most effective method. This add ons to the last section.
To put it simply: Taunt after killing the Phlogistinator pyro.
It will either make him change to another class to kill you or rage quit entirely.
Source: Steam Screenshots

He/She 'mmmph' before I can do anything! WHAT DO I DO?

Well, there are a few methods you can do to subdue the demon possessing the pyro.

Run from the pyro

Obviously, you don't want to be sent to hell, do you? The taunt is extremely long and gives more than enough time to make a distance between you and the pyro. Run until his/her meter runs out. Then, you can safely kill him/her.

Knocking the pyro away

Note: Only can be done as pyro, soldier, demoman or the scout with the Force-a-nature.
You can knock the pyro away after he or she finished taunting. That would help your teammates get away from the pyro. Be sure not to knock the pyro closer though!

Timing a headshot as a sniper

Note: Can only be done as sniper, or the spy with the ambassador.
You can time a headshot right after the phlog pyro has finished its taunt. A full-charged bodyshot may also work unless the pyro is a simple-minded w+m1. Which is probably the case.

Throwing jarate at the pyro

Note: Can only be done as sniper.
You can throw piss at the phlog pyro to make your team deal extra damage against the phlog pyro.

Using Sentries/Mini-Sentries

Note: Can only be done as engineer.
Since crits does not effect buildings whatsoever, this is an extremely effective method to deal with the phlog pyro. Because you are fighting the demon with the little devil (Mini-Sentry)

Planting stickies at the pyro's feet while he is taunting (Thanks Kinky Fish!)

Note: This can only be done as demoman.
You can plant stickies on the pyro's while the pyro is taunting and detonate it right after it's taunt! A very effective way to to kill the pyro as he cannot move while taunting and definitely will not get away in time.

Using uber

A bit of a overkill, you can use an uber to counter the pyro's crits. Be sure to uber a good player though!

Using Vaccinator

The Vaccinator blocks crits when ubered. Make sure to set the resistance right!

Using Battlion's backup

The Battlion's backup buff is similiar to the Vaccinator. It blocks incoming crit damage. Plus, it has a sexy new horn sound.

Partner taunting

Note: Has 0.0000001% chance to work and if it does work, makes the whole server friendly.
You can partner taunt and hope that the pyro will follow. Has 0% chance to work if the pyro is wearing a gibus or is not wearing a hat at all.

However, if they are using medic + phlog pyro combo, try to run as fast as possible.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/tf2/comments/1k2p4m/sfm_the_phlogistinator/

The End and credits.

So, now you know some of the ways you can do to subdue the phlogistinator pyro while waiting on Valve for a nerf on the phlogistinator!

You can leave comments down below on more ways to counter the phlogistinator.

Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!

Source: http://red-vanilla19.deviantart.com/art/tf2-christmas-344670927

Credits

All pictures used belong to their respective owners. The sources of these pictures are listed below the pictures themselves.

All text is written by me with helpful feedback from the community and some of my own thoughts.

Edit: Thanks for all of your helpful suggestions and tips!
Edit 2: Wow, I never expected this to do so well! Thanks to all of you for making this possible!

[Vee]

taunted after kill, now pyro's focusing me, please help

[Spartan117]

you are very high iq yes

[Autumn]

shoot rocket

he dead

ez

[valklixblooom]

This is such an awesome guide. Hope to see more!

From a CS:GO teammate we played together once,
Applez_

[.nvv]

chuckle fucks just walk forward. shoot rocket at feet while backpedaling, juggle, ez.

back-pedaling, or just straight up walking away does wonders. For added insult, leave the fight, wait for him to get distracted, then kill him while he's not paying attention. Laugh at him in chat.

[55zanaris99]

*hell unleashes*

[55zanaris99]

Mpphhhmmm

[sol <3]

I like the random neighbor across the street

[Jill the something]

distance is a pyros weakness. Shoot them from far to medium range :)

[Funky Town]

i like it
10 atta 10