The Pyro is a pyromaniac class of indeterminate origin with a muffled voice and a burning passion for all things fire related. As shown in Meet the Pyro, the Pyro may be delusional, visualizing themself in a utopian fantasy world known as Pyroland. The Pyro specializes in fighting enemies at close range using a homemade Flame Thrower. Enemies set on fire suffer from afterburn and take additional damage over time, allowing the Pyro to excel at hit-and-run tactics. Due to the Flame Thrower's short range, the Pyro is weaker at longer ranges and relies heavily on ambushing and taking alternate routes to catch opponents off-guard. Due to the Flame Thrower's limited range and the slow firing speed of their flare guns, the Pyro is fairly weak at mid-to-long range. The Flame Thrower's compression blast, can reflect enemy projectiles, extinguish burning teammates, and forcibly reposition enemies, even those who are invulnerable to damage. Because enemies hit by fire visibly burst into flames, the Pyro is the best class for catching Spies, as briefly bathing an area or suspicious teammates in fire can instantly nullify an enemy Spy's cloak and disguise. Additionally, they can use the Homewrecker, the Neon Annihilator, or the Maul to protect a friendly Engineer's buildings from an enemy Spy's Sapper if the Engineer himself is not present. While the Pyro does not have many mobility options by default, the Thermal Thruster can be used to launch the Pyro into the air and onto places normally inaccessible to the Pyro. Additionally, the Detonator and the Scorch Shot can be used to make much smaller flare jumps. A skilled Pyro may even use an airblasted enemy projectile for mobility, delivering swift immolation to enemies who may have believed they were outside of the Pyro's range. They wear an asbestos-lined suit that nullifies the afterburn of other Pyros and all flame-related weaponry (except for the Dragon's Fury and Gas Passer), although it does not provide any resistance to direct fire damage. The three incendiary grenades that they carry are purely cosmetic and cannot be used.