TF2 Pyro Update Blowout: New Weapons, Maps and Achievements
Along with the previously revealed Axtinguisher, Pyro players will be awarded with the Flare Gun and Backburner for obtaining the 35 new achievements. As with the Medic update, weapons will be unlocked as Achievements are earned, with the Flare Gun coming first, the Backburner second, and the Axtinguisher last.
In addition, the Pyro's stock flamethrower will be updated with a new function, allowing players to blast enemies away with compressed air through a press of the alt-fire button.
Detailing the two community-created maps included with the update, Valve revealed CP_Fastlane as one of the two included maps. CP_Fastlane was created Arttu Maki--somewhat better known around these parts under as Shacker -sk-.
The other new map, CTF_Turbine, was created by Bill Johnston. "Awesomeball didn't make the cut," Valve marketing VP Doug Lombardi told Shacknews. "Sorry."
In celebration of these changes, Valve will be hosting a free Team Fortress 2 weekend Running from the morning of Friday, June 20 morning through the evening of Sunday, June 22, the promotion allows all registered Steam users to download and play the class-based mutliplayer shooter for free.
In related news, don't forget to watch Meet the Sniper, the latest in Valve's humorous and entertaining character portraits. The vignette even includes an in-game glimpse of the Flare Gun.
The complete achievement list and weapon descriptions are as follows:
Unlockable Weapons and Weapon Updates
Flamethrower Update
In addition to the three unlockable Pyro weapons, we've made a 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.
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.
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.
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.
Achievements
- Combined Fire
Use your shotgun to finish off 20 players you've ignited. - Firewall
Ignite 5 Spies who have a sapper on a friendly building. - Cooking the Books
Ignite 5 enemies carrying your intelligence. - Spontaneous Combustion
Ignite 10 cloaked Spies. - Trailblazer
Ignite 10 enemies that have recently used a teleporter.
- Camp Fire
Kill 3 enemies in a row, all within the same area. - Lumberjack
Kill 3 people with your axe in one life. - Clearcutter
Kill 6 people with your axe in one life. - Firewatch
Ignite 10 snipers while they are zoomed in. - Burn Ward
Ignite 3 medics that are ready to deploy an Uber-charge.
- Makin' Bacon
Kill 50 Heavies with your flamethrower. - Plan B
Kill 10 enemies while you're both underwater. - Pyrotechnics
Kill 3 enemies in a single uber-charge. - Arsonist
Destroy 50 Engineer buildings. - Controlled Burn
Ignite 50 enemies capturing one of your control points.
- Dead Heat
Kill an enemy in the same second that he kills you. - Pilot Light
Ignite a rocket-jumping Soldier while he's in midair. - Freezer Burn
Provide enemies with freezecam shots of each of your taunts. - Hot on Your Heels
Kill 50 enemies with your flamethrower, from behind. - Next of Kindling
Ignite an enemy, and the Medic healing him.
- Second Degree Burn
Kill a burning enemy who was ignited by another Pyro. - Weenie Roast
Have 2 enemy Scouts on fire at the same time. - Baptism by Fire
Force 10 burning enemies to jump into water. - Fire and Forget
Kill 15 players while you're dead. - I Fry
Ignite 10 disguised Spies.
- OMGWTFBBQ
Kill an enemy with a taunt. - Got A Light?
Ignite an enemy Spy while he's flicking a cigarette. - BarbeQueQ
Cause a dominated player to leave the server. - Dance Dance Immolation
Kill 3 enemies while they're taunting. - Hotshot
Kill a Soldier with a reflected critical rocket.
- Firefighter
Kill 500 enemies. - Fire Chief
Kill 1000 enemies - Attention Getter
Ignite 100 enemies with the flare gun. - Pyromancer
Do 1 million points of total fire damage. - Hot Potato
Reflect 100 projectiles with your compressed air blast.
Thanks to Shacker bipolar for the heads up.