(+) 120 degrees of detection for crits (bumped up from 90)
> All other stats remain the same
Due to how large fire particles are, alongside how projectile flame hitboxes are spewed out of the flamethrower (they have a noticeable spread off to each side), unless you're exactly behind the enemy's back, the backburner won't register critical hits. This is a major drawback if you're even 10 degrees off to the side in your aim, crits will not hit even if they should have.
(-) Airblast reset timer only counts down when the weapon is active
> All other stats remain the same
or
(-) Switch speed back to degreaser is 65% slower
> All other stats remain the same
The degreaser has an action-based downside, with a passive-based upside. This is bad game design, and the M2+q+M1+q (AKA stunlock) strategy that exists because of it is a perfectly highlight of the issue. By using any one of the above suggestions, the faults described by /u/Kairu927 in this comment might be alleviated.
The Manmelter and Phlogistinator have reversed item properties. Each weapon's abilities would fit better with the other weapon.
Ignore any previous stats
(+) Reflecting projectiles adds 1 to Mmmph meter
(+) Airblasting allies adds 3 to Mmmph meter
On taunt: Drains Mmmph meter
>Heals (medigun/dispenser fashion) the user and gives mini-crits for <Mmmph #> seconds
(-) -10% damage penalty
(-) Airblast that do not hit allies or projectiles cost 100% more ammo
This weapon would add a different playstyle to the pyro, one that relies on supporting the team (Manmelter style) and reflecting projectiles. From there the weapon is built to still maintain the "M1" playstyle of the current phlog. This weapon overall would actually reward skillful play, unlike the current design.
Ignore any previous stats
(+) 20% damage against airborne targets (nerf from Mini-criting targets in the air)
(-) 10% damage against targets on the ground
(+) 30% weapon switch speed (non-stacking with Degreaser)
The weapon now has the sole design for being for airborne targets without being overtly powerful. Yet with a buff to the switch speed overall so that the weapon can be used with other Primaries aside from the Degreaser. If the 2nd degreaser nerf option was put in place, this weapon would become rather balanced.
The Manmelter and Phlogistinator have reversed item properties. Each weapon's abilities would fit better with the other weapon.
Ignore any previous stats
(+) Meter fills based on fire damage done (100 for a full meter)
On alt-fire with full meter: Crit shot is fired
Now the weapon can be on somewhat even terms with the Flare Gun, by filling in a niche of being a more controlled/specified version of the Flare, this weapon would be primarily used against Snipers, or as a last resort (where the Flare Gun would likely crit regardless). It allows for users that do not use the Degreaser to have a weapon that provides them with burst damage.
(+) 50% more after-burn damage
(+) 25% longer afterburn duration
The Flare Gun deals burst, the Detonator provides mobility, the reworked Manmelter provides burst, the Scorch Shot could be used to fill the role of prolonged damage.
The +75 health on kill attribute does not match the weapon. It blurs this weapon's role in the same fashion as the Pre-Split Equalizer. +75 health on kill is an attribute that would be fitting for the Back Scratcher.
Ignore any previous stats
(+) 10% movement speed when active (see below for why this is lower)
(-) 20% damage vulnerability when active
(+) 75 health on kill
The backscratcher is purely a lone roaming/surviving weapon. The reduction in healing from allies is a major drawback, while the bonus health from health packs is not a large enough bonus. Adding health on kill would be fitting for the specific role of being a damage dealing weapon.
RIP DeGroot Keep
(+) Afterburn deals 100% more damage
(+) Afterburn lasts 100% longer
The weapon's afterburn simply does not deal enough at the moment. At 52 damage per melee hit, with negligible burning, the current weapon is a joke. By bumping up the afterburn to a more serious level, the weapon will serve as a last resort 'you're going down with me' weapon.
(+) Deals 150% more damage if target has been healed in the last 5 seconds
(=) Deals standard damage to players otherwise connected by medibeams
(-) Deals -50% if a target hasn't been healed in the last 5 seconds
The T.D. now becomes a more specialized, and more powerful version of the old Axtinguisher. Now it can actually serve a functional role if the weapon is needed. Instead of the current state that is practically useless unless you get a random crit.
+ 5-7% base movement speed
Pyro is a flanking class. You can't flank if you move slow or have low mobility (at least compared to the other flank classes).
Fix viewmodels to actually represent fire particles in game
If you are not sure what this means: See here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSkf1yIAjzs and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-DHvpL8aZU
Overall, all the fire you see in the viewmodel is extremely out of sync with the actual in-game particles. And all flamethrowers suffer immensely for it.
Revert airblast to pre-patch version
Previously, airblast would simply add knockback to the enemy in whatever direction the Pyro was pointing (See here: https://youtu.be/iwLfGunep2Q?t=3m24s), but after this glitched with the Reserve Shooter, it was changed to remove enemy momentum, then apply a specific momentum regardless of what the enemy had beforehand. Essentially a skilless stunlock.
Hopefully this set of buffs and nerfs would help pyro have more actually viable weapon loadouts. Instead of simply being reliant on the current Stun+Crit combo.