The Flamethrower is a Weapon found in various modifications, including a highly modified one in DROP DEAD. This Weapon appears identical to a Grenade Launcher, but is incendiary.
This Weapon is selected by pressing the Grenade Launcher impulse twice. It can also be chosen by impulse 50 in DROP DEAD. The player can set themselves on fire by using impulse 187; this feature was removed from DROP DEAD and TeamFortress.
Though no pickup message is shown, this Weapon is acquired when the Grenade Launcher is picked up. It is used by the Pyro class in TeamFortress.
This Weapon was originally made by Steve Bond. While originally intended to go with the Rocket Launcher, it was decided to go with the Grenade Launcher due to the overall popularity of the former. It also used Shells to make it more appealing to spam.
Strategy
This Weapon is about as powerful as a Nailgun and somewhat behaves like one in its rapid fire nature. Unlike the Nailgun however, the Flamethrower has a very short range, you need to be relatively close to your opponent to cause any damage. This means it is often ideal to Circle Strafe or a weaving attack. Note the greatest weakness of this Weapon is Water, whereby it is entirely useless as it will just produce a couple bubbles.
The main power of the Flamethrower however is its possibility to set foes alight. There is an uncommon chance with every shot that an enemy will get caught on fire. Enemies on fire will continue to receive injury (even if doesn't appear to be doing anything) until they eventually die. Note that Water can douse an opponent that is on fire. A player that is on fire will have the message "You are on fire! Find WATER!" or "You are on fire!" in TeamFortress momentarily displayed.
Note that Fiends have a resistance to the Flamethrower in DROP DEAD, taking half the damage of a normal opponent and being unable to be set on fire.
Properties
Advantages
- A rapid-fire use for Shells, while initially weaker than a Shotgun, the automatic nature means the damage per second can actually be higher. Note this advantage is removed in DROP DEAD.
- Takes Shells, the most common type of Ammo. Note this advantage is removed in DROP DEAD.
- Can set opponents on fire, which means additional injuries on top of normal attacks.
- TeamFortress is notably lethal, with Pyro attacks being able to decimate a Heavy Weapons Guy in seconds.
Disadvantages
- Cannot be used for sniping or any sort of ranged attacks.
- Entirely worthless if underwater.
- Eats through Ammo rather quickly.
- While using Rockets in DROP DEAD, it takes 5 shots to consume 1 Rocket. This results in only half the damage of a normal explosive, while at the same time requiring more shots and having more limitations.
Death Messages
- "Player" is invited to "Attacker"'s barbeque
- * "Player" is fried by "Attacker"'s fire (TeamFortress)
- "Player" is grilled by "Attacker"'s flame (TeamFortress)
- "Player" is reduced to ashed by "Attacker" (TeamFortress)
Sounds
| Sounds | |
|---|---|
| Flamethrower being fired | |
| Flamethrower being fired (TeamFortress variant) | |
| A longer clip of the Flamethrower being fired (TeamFortress variant, unused) | |
| Flamethrower no longer being fired (TeamFortress variant) | |
| Fire being extinguished (TeamFortress variant) | |