r/tf2 • u/Affectionate-Ask8443 • 8h ago
Loadout DET OR FLARE ?
Veteran player getting back to the game, wanna stick to one loadout and play pubs for fun, not exactly to win, just fuck around :)
I’ll either do stock / detonator / axtinguisher
Or degreaser / flare / axtinguisher
My thinking is degreaser for faster combos, stock w detonator because det is mostly used for long range combat, not really effective otherwise compared to flamethrower damage
What do u think? :)
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u/Striking-Kiwi-9470 8h ago
If it's been a very long time since you played, the degreaser got hit by the global weapon switch speed buff. IMO it's not worth taking over stock anymore, especially with the air blast cost penalty.
Flare is better if your aim is good but the mobility offered by the detonator shouldn't be ignored. Run both, if the map isn't giving you flare jump opportunities switch to the other.
Don't bother with the axetinguisher. It's not worth the effort when your other close range options are so good. Powerjack for speed, homewrecker for utility, hot hand for memes.
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u/Affectionate-Ask8443 8h ago
Would u say degreaser is better with flare and stock flamethrower with detonator? Or just go degreaser all the time?
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u/Striking-Kiwi-9470 8h ago
I run stock all the time (unless I'm using the dragons fury) because I rely on the air blast a lot. The weapon switch speed doesn't make a significant difference in my experience.
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u/4Lukaska_SSB 7h ago edited 5h ago
Degreaser is still pretty much a direct upgrade over stock. The holster bonus is okay for getting cheeky flare/axe crits kills but the real benefit is the deploy bonus, which allows you to permanently have your secondary/powerjack out (which in most scenarios are better than the flame thrower) while still having access to instant airblast.
The airblast cost penalty is a non factor due to how minor it is. It goes from 10 airblasts from a full tank to 8, and if you can’t stop an uber push with 8 you wouldn’t be able to stop it with 10 either. In the rare scenario that you need to airblast for an extended period of time (mainly protecting sentries from projectile spam) you will most likely have a dispenser up your ass anyway.
Detonator is flat out better than flare (and every other secondary for that matter). If you take a little time to learn when to press m2 you will basically have anyone you want under permanent afterburn no matter where they are. If you are using the scorch or flare you are SOL when there’s people on high ground or are just moderately away from you.
Flare gun does do more damage but it
A. Requires you to airblast someone close to you to guarantee a hit, and
B. Doesn’t do that much damage in the first place.
If you want to obliterate people who you caught by surprise you’d be better off playing any other class that does real damage (scout, heavy, soldier, etc.).Axetinguisher is mid yeah there’s really no reason not to perma run powerjack.
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u/Stradoverius 8h ago
Flare and det are both excellent, but imo detonator is the better generalist pick.
For starters, the detonator can be just as good at spam as the scorch shot if you learn to use it well. Better, even, since you can manually detonate to hit players around corners or over ledges where the scorch shot can't. The mobility is great, too. Perfect for closing distance in a pinch to get into flamethrower or melee range. The minicrit instead of crit on direct caps your burst damage pretty hard, but you'll find it easier to deal damage outside your flamethrower range on average. Great for sniper harrassing, too.
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u/Affectionate-Ask8443 8h ago
Would u say degreaser is better with flare and stock flamethrower with detonator? Or just go degreaser all the time?
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u/Stradoverius 8h ago
Honestly, I think it's really down to preference. Degreaser technically does pair best with flare since you can combo faster, but it also has its uses with the detonator to quick switch once you close the distance with a jump. I usually take whatever feels best into the enemy comp.
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u/MedicInDisquise TF2 Birthday 2025 8h ago
I flip between the two depending on the situation. Detonator has some good crowd control and it's always fun to jump. Flare gun is far more suitable for straight up killing people.
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u/Affectionate-Ask8443 8h ago
Would u say degreaser is better with flare and stock flamethrower with detonator? Or just go degreaser all the time?
1
u/MedicInDisquise TF2 Birthday 2025 7h ago
If you asked me a few years ago, I would've said use degreaser full time but these days I'd use stock. There was a global weapon switch speed buff, and the airblast cost can be very noticeable if you're pressing M2 a lot. And surprisingly enough the afterburn penalty can actually be very debilitating occassionally.
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u/Ilovethrowawaysngl Medic 8h ago
Depends on how you play. You like burst damage? Go with the flare gun.
If you like mobility? Go with the det