Powerjack feels highly overrated.

[<#76428a>Sharkbilby]

I get to move barely any quicker and take extra damage while doing so, so what's the point?

It seems greatly outclasses by the backscratcher where, unless you are really trying to pybro an engi, you get almost twice as much health from health packs and medics can still effectively heal you with the crossbow, or when you haven't taken damage for a while.

Every time I've tried it, the speed boost is barely noticeable. I've also never been able to differentiate a spy disguised as someone holding a powerjack vs someone actually using it, and this seems to extend to everyone I've played with. Running from A to B on upward saves 4 seconds of walking at most compared to normal movement, at which point any enemies there would've become apparent anyway and you'd have already been able to do damage from the flanks. Retreating with it is even worse as you take 20% extra damage using it. Keep in mind the supposed 15% increase in walking speed is actually just a 1.05% multiplier to pyro's already existing speed, and not a flat 15% increase.

The only time I can really see the powerjack not being outclassed is when you're being pocketed or are trying to pybro, but for both those cases your flamethrower already does both jobs great when it comes to setting spies on fire, and with airblast so powerful often you can get away without as much overheal as other classes. Your medic could pocket a different class for better results.

I want to hear the arguments from the side of the powerjack users, to have my mind changed, or at least see more reason. I am not here to try to argue.

[Banafrit™]

The movement speed matters a lot more than you think. And the extra damage you take while having it is only if its in your hands while getting hit. You shouldn't really be using your melee anyway as Pyro, considering your flamethrower is generally the better close range weapon in your arsenal, next to the shotgun; should you decide not to grab a flare or the thermal thruster. Backscratcher's good and all, but most of the time when a Medic is healing me, I need health FAST and a pack won't be by in some cases.

Usually the go to is powerjack, but if your team is lacking a Medic or the Medic(s) you have playing on your team aren't good, backscratcher is good if you have a good bit of map knowledge on health pack respawns.

[SonukYildiz]

i love being speedy close to the scout

jokes aside axtinguisher was on par with powerjack before nerf

I just don't use axtinguisher anymore cuz of the nerfs and powerjack didn't really have much competition left

[<#76428a>Sharkbilby]

Originally posted by Banafrit™:

The extra damage you take while having it is only if its in your hands while getting hit. You shouldn't really be using your melee anyway as Pyro.

My problem is though, it is a nice tool for just moving quicker, but the extra damage makes retreating when enemies around a bad idea (which is probably the only time you'll retreat anyway).

[Shiro]

Keep in mind the supposed 15% increase in walking speed is actually just a 1.05% multiplier to pyro's already existing speed, and not a flat 15% increase.

This is an outright lie, that can be easily debunked by yourself just by counting time it saves. Or checking a weapon demonstration video on the wiki.

As for how much this speed matters? A lot. Time is often invaluable, you reach the key point just few second sooner -> you get a drop on an enemy and are more likely to win the fight or at least deal too much damage. And those 45 hu/s speed, however small, is still often what makes a difference between you catching up to a fleeing enemy so you can attack them with primary, or not.

Faster retreating is not the main selling point due to damage vulnerability, however, you being faster means 1) you leave enemy's LoS faster, 2) you dodge a bit better, 3) you put more distance between yourself and whoever chases you (unless it's a scout or dk but you know how to deal with those). So even here it ls often good to deploy anyway, as you take less shots.

[guestley]

honestly the axtinguisher is my go-to pyro melee over the powerjack but I definitely see the latter's benefits

[<#76428a>Sharkbilby]

Originally posted by W4FFL3Z:

honestly the axtinguisher is my go-to pyro melee over the powerjack but I definitely see the latter's benefits

I can see use in the powerjack, but the axetinguisher got murdered and is practically useless imo.

[Shiro]

Axti seems fine for combo pyro with detonator. Ignite the enemy, then blastjump onto him. Got repeatedly killed by one such pyro some time before I think. But skill floor is high; I for once am still bad at det jumps so I wont try this for a time being.

[guestley]

Originally posted by Shiro:

Axti seems fine for combo pyro with detonator. Ignite the enemy, then blastjump onto him. Got repeatedly killed by one such pyro some time before I think. But skill floor is high; I for once am still bad at det jumps so I wont try this for a time being.

using axti and detonator is my favorite way of using the axtinguisher

[Mcfighter2]

Originally posted by Shiro:

Keep in mind the supposed 15% increase in walking speed is actually just a 1.05% multiplier to pyro's already existing speed, and not a flat 15% increase.

This is an outright lie, that can be easily debunked by yourself just by counting time it saves. Or checking a weapon demonstration video on the wiki.

As for how much this speed matters? A lot. Time is often invaluable, you reach the key point just few second sooner -> you get a drop on an enemy and are more likely to win the fight or at least deal too much damage. And those 45 hu/s speed, however small, is still often what makes a difference between you catching up to a fleeing enemy so you can attack them with primary, or not.

Faster retreating is not the main selling point due to damage vulnerability, however, you being faster means 1) you leave enemy's LoS faster, 2) you dodge a bit better, 3) you put more distance between yourself and whoever chases you (unless it's a scout or dk but you know how to deal with those). So even here it ls often good to deploy anyway, as you take less shots.

If it is true that getting somewhere faster is very important, then why don’t I see more GRU heavies? Just run the Dalokoh’s Bar to replenish max hp.
Reaching the point faster is more invaluable on Heavy than any other class.

[Artek [General]]

I liked it more when it dealt +25% damage with no critical and healed you for 75 HP per kill. Ever since they changed it - it immediately became meta and thus I refuse to use it.

Speed is inherently something players will gravitate towards because speed is both fun and useful - you can be where you need to be, waste less time on commune and the only downside only plays a role if you use it for running away. As long as you are not in active combat - you will always get value from PJ, simple as.

Personally I refuse the speed supremacy. Instead I farm kills on my stock killstreak fireaxe, lmao.

[guestley]

Originally posted by Sharkbilby:

Originally posted by W4FFL3Z:

honestly the axtinguisher is my go-to pyro melee over the powerjack but I definitely see the latter's benefits

I can see use in the powerjack, but the axetinguisher got murdered and is practically useless imo.

at least it isn't the stock fire axe :P

[Mcfighter2]

Originally posted by Artek General:

I liked it more when it dealt +25% damage with no critical and healed you for 75 HP per kill. Ever since they changed it - it immediately became meta and thus I refuse to use it.

Speed is inherently something players will gravitate towards because speed is both fun and useful - you can be where you need to be, waste less time on commune and the only downside only plays a role if you use it for running away. As long as you are not in active combat - you will always get value from PJ, simple as.

Personally I refuse the speed supremacy. Instead I farm kills on my stock killstreak fireaxe, lmao.

Why farm kills on stock fire axe when you can farm kills with stock fire axe that can remote-♥♥♥♥ medics?

[<#76428a>Sharkbilby]

Originally posted by Shiro:

Axti seems fine for combo pyro with detonator. Ignite the enemy, then blastjump onto him. Got repeatedly killed by one such pyro some time before I think. But skill floor is high; I for once am still bad at det jumps so I wont try this for a time being.

The axti is a combo weapon, so why does it have such a long equip time? Surely valve would understand that the flare gun is better in every way and would nerf that one. They gave the axti minicrits, a slow swing and draw time without random crits but let the flare gun have the same gimmick, do crits and have no downsides other than not having a shotgun or scorch shot. The balance in this game is seems to be completely unreasonable sometimes.

[Mr. Mac with the cheese]

i use stock axe

[Artek [General]]

Originally posted by Mcfighter2:

Originally posted by Artek General:

I liked it more when it dealt +25% damage with no critical and healed you for 75 HP per kill. Ever since they changed it - it immediately became meta and thus I refuse to use it.

Speed is inherently something players will gravitate towards because speed is both fun and useful - you can be where you need to be, waste less time on commune and the only downside only plays a role if you use it for running away. As long as you are not in active combat - you will always get value from PJ, simple as.

Personally I refuse the speed supremacy. Instead I farm kills on my stock killstreak fireaxe, lmao.

Why farm kills on stock fire axe when you can farm kills with stock fire axe that can remote-♥♥♥♥ medics?

I have that thing too, but I wanna put some strange parts on it to truly meme on medics.