Detonator vs. Flare Gun: Which Pyro Flare is King in TF2?

The question of whether the Detonator is better than the Flare Gun in Team Fortress 2 isn’t a simple yes or no. It boils down to play style, map, and the role you want to fulfill. The Flare Gun offers consistent, reliable burst damage with its critical hits on burning players, making it a powerful damage dealer at medium range. The Detonator, on the other hand, sacrifices some of that raw damage potential for unparalleled mobility and area denial with its detonating flares and self-knockback. So, is one better? Not necessarily. It depends entirely on what you’re trying to achieve.

The Flare Gun: Consistent Damage and Reliable Crits

The Flare Gun is the bread-and-butter secondary for many Pyros. Its strength lies in its simplicity: it’s accurate, has a decent projectile speed, and guarantees a critical hit on any enemy that’s already on fire. This makes it an excellent tool for finishing off weakened opponents or bursting down tougher enemies. Its reliability makes it ideal for players who prefer a more straightforward, damage-focused playstyle. Its simplicity and consistent damage output make it a valuable weapon in almost any situation.

• Pros: High burst damage, guaranteed crits on burning targets, accuracy.
• Cons: No utility beyond damage, requires burning enemies to maximize effectiveness.

The Detonator: Mobility and Area Denial

The Detonator offers a completely different approach. While its direct hit damage is lower than the Flare Gun, its true power lies in its detonation ability. You can detonate the flare mid-air, creating a small explosion that sets enemies on fire. More importantly, the explosion also propels you in the opposite direction. This allows for:

• Detonator Jumping: Using the explosion’s knockback to reach higher ground, cross gaps, and flank enemies. This significantly increases Pyro’s mobility, allowing you to access areas other classes can’t reach.
• Area Denial: Detonating flares in chokepoints or around objectives to deter enemies and deny them space.
• Afterburn Stacking: Multiple detonations can increase Afterburn damage duration.

However, this versatility comes at a cost. The Detonator deals self-damage when used for detonator jumps, requiring careful health management. It also demands a higher skill ceiling; mastering detonator jumping takes practice and precise timing.

• Pros: Exceptional mobility, area denial capabilities, versatile.
• Cons: Lower direct hit damage, self-damage on jumps, requires skill to master.

Playstyle and Map Considerations

The choice between the two weapons is heavily influenced by your preferred playstyle:

• Aggressive Pyro: If you favor a high-pressure, in-your-face playstyle, the Flare Gun’s consistent damage will likely serve you better.
• Mobile Support Pyro: If you prefer a more supportive role, focusing on flanking, area denial, and mobility, the Detonator is the superior choice.

Map design also plays a crucial role. Open maps with long sightlines favor the Flare Gun, as you can effectively harass enemies from a distance. Maps with tight corridors and verticality are where the Detonator shines, allowing you to utilize detonator jumps to surprise enemies and control key areas.

Conclusion: It’s All About Preference

Ultimately, there is no definitive “better” weapon. The Flare Gun is a reliable damage dealer, while the Detonator provides unparalleled mobility and utility. The best choice depends entirely on your playstyle, the map, and the specific situation. Experiment with both weapons to discover which one suits you best. Both weapons encourage different aspects of gameplay, and offer varied styles. The choice between them is down to your personal preference and playstyle.

Don’t forget the power of modding!

The TF2 Community is vibrant with mods, many of which can add different perspectives to the original game. For learning more about game development, modding, and the science of gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Detonator and Flare Gun to further clarify their differences and uses:

1. How much damage does the Detonator do?

The Detonator deals relatively low direct hit damage, around 30-40 points. The primary damage source is the afterburn, which can be increased and refreshed via multiple detonations. It also has a 50% self-damage penalty.

2. How much damage does the Flare Gun do?

The Flare Gun deals approximately 30 direct hit damage, but the real potential is its guaranteed critical hit on burning targets, dealing around 90 damage. Afterburn is similar to the Detonator.

3. Can the Detonator be used to “rocket jump” like the Soldier?

While not technically “rocket jumping” in the same sense, the Detonator’s self-knockback allows for similar maneuvers. Mastering detonator jumping can provide significant vertical and horizontal mobility, allowing you to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

4. Does the Detonator’s self-damage affect Medic’s ÜberCharge?

Yes. The self-damage inflicted by the Detonator contributes to the Medic’s ÜberCharge build rate. However, the amount is relatively small compared to damage taken from enemies.

5. Does the Flare Gun’s crit damage stack with other damage buffs?

Yes, the Flare Gun’s critical hits can be further boosted by damage buffs such as Kritzkrieg or banner buffs. This can result in extremely high burst damage.

6. Is the Detonator’s explosion radius affected by distance?

Yes, the further the flare travels, the larger the radius becomes.

7. Does the Detonator’s explosion trigger friendly fire?

No, the Detonator’s explosion will only affect the player that fired the projectile.

8. Can you ignite multiple enemies with a single Detonator explosion?

Yes, a well-timed and placed detonation can ignite multiple enemies within its radius.

9. What are the best maps for the Detonator?

Maps with verticality, tight corridors, and flanking routes are ideal for the Detonator. Examples include Badwater Basin, Granary, and Snakewater.

10. What are the best maps for the Flare Gun?

Open maps with long sightlines, such as Dustbowl, 2Fort, and Gold Rush, allow the Flare Gun to shine, as you can effectively harass enemies from a distance.

11. How does the Scorch Shot compare to the Detonator and Flare Gun?

The Scorch Shot is another flare gun alternative that offers long-range harassment and knockback. However, it lacks the burst damage of the Flare Gun and the mobility of the Detonator, making it less versatile overall.

12. Does afterburn stack from multiple sources?

Afterburn from different Pyros can stack, but afterburn from the same Pyro’s weapon doesn’t meaningfully stack in most cases; it simply resets the duration. The Detonator allows for rapid application and re-application of afterburn, effectively maintaining a consistent burning effect.

13. Can the Detonator be used to extinguish teammates?

No, the Detonator’s explosion doesn’t extinguish teammates who are on fire. However, using the Gas Passer followed by any flame weapon including either Flare Gun can extinguish allies.

14. Is it possible to get airshots with the Flare Gun?

Yes, skilled players can predict enemy movement and land direct hits with the Flare Gun mid-air, resulting in critical hits if the target is already on fire.

15. Which weapon is better for spy checking?

Both the Flare Gun and the Detonator can be used for spy checking. The Flare Gun’s consistent accuracy makes it a reliable choice, while the Detonator’s area-of-effect detonation can reveal cloaked spies hiding in corners or behind objects.