Flamethrower TK is a constant problem

[Val Arx]

That makes them only useful when you completely turn off friendly damge. I've noticed that vehicles can actually go through inf. when they're not manually controlled, So flames should work in the same way: If you don't manually fire at your own units, they shouldn't get burned alive... That's especially daunting if you have pioneer squads since there's always one flamethrower tightly surrounded by own men. Well I still like keeping friendly fire on for some immersion but flame TK is just too frequent.

[underd0g]

Agreed, having a flamethrower is pretty much a death sentence for other friendly troops in the vicinity.

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

they've always been a hazard in any GEM game.

switching them to hold fire or react when attacked mitigates their TKness.

me? I only ever firect control them.

tbf. they are so deadly when they do work that they do need a counterbalance, perhaps the TK/self immolation risk *is* the balance?

[Saxhorn]

Can't say I use Pioneers in PvP.

In conquest I remove him from my Pioneer squad and keep him solo for special targets like AT guns, mortars and arty. He gets given a rifle ASAP buts keeps the flamethrower as well.

Sometimes I leave him camping a road waiting for something to cook.

Pioneers are mostly armed with rifles so I don't really use them "up close and personal". Even if I forget to pull Mr Flamer out of the squad he is too far away to shoot so doesn't burn the rest of the squad.

If I want to use demo charges or grenades one or two soldiers move up "close and personal" whilst the rest provide covering fire.

[Val Arx]

yeah I mean they're supposed to be fun to play with. A shame that none of us really use them.

[Flan]

They're good if a bunch of infantry are inside one of the indestructible buildings. But WP grenade and molotovs works better since you can still have your normal gun.
Flame tanks are good though.

[Ch53dVet]

Anything or Anybody that spews fire is automatically cut from the squad.

I like using the infantry flamer along counter attack routes the enemy tanks come through, He digs a hole in the ground and hides like an ostrich, when a tank cautiously rolls past him I wake him up and he hoses down the engine compartment and that tank is toast, in seconds a T-34 becomes a roman candle. It's "Awesome" to see him "Working at the Car Wash" hosing down tanks so they will look their hottest at the Victory Parade.

I use Flame tanks for instant "Urban Renewal" long before sending in troops, then i put them back into hiding, they're too vulnerable to be traveling in the open.

[shogomad]

One of my favorite units. The best Flamethrower so far. The sound and the flames are awesome. So much fun use.