Pyre – FAQ/Strategy Guide

Characters

The Sap

Basic Controls

Cast: Sprouts a sapling at the target location; the sapling generates its own aura

Jump: cannot jump; instead creates a shield that reflects enemy auras

Sprint: a short-range teleport

Strengths: large aura augmented by sapling; can reflect enemy auras back at them

Weaknesses: cannot jump to block airborne opponents; very slow; unique skillset takes adaptation

Masteries

Legacies of Old Hundred-Minds

Tier 1

Guardian Sapling: If the Sap is banished, a Sapling shall automatically spawn near his Pyre until he returns.

Tier 2

Sturdy Sapling: After casting Sprout, the Sap’s Sapling spawns faster than usual, and gains a larger Aura

Unstable Sapling: After casting Sprout, the Sap may remotely detonate his Sapling in an Aura-Burst.

Tier 3

Numbing Gust: While the Sap and his allies are banished, adversaries are slowed and cannot use abilities.

Grasp of the Philosopher

Tier 1

Final Kindling: Once per Rite, if the Sap’s adversaries extinguish his Pyre, it is restored by 10 health instead.

Tier 2

Guardian Shield: While using his Shield ability, the Sap shields his allies as well.

Steadfast Hope: The Sap permanently gains +5 Hope, hastening how quickly he returns from banishment.

Tier 3

Miracle Kindling: Once per Rite, if the Sap’s adversaries extinguish his Pyre, it is restored by 40 health instead (stacks with similar effects).

Summary

The Sap is a great defensive character once you learn to use it. It has a massive aura. The sapling can block off paths and doesn’t despawn until the Sap is banished. The shield ability lets the Sap turn auras back on enemies and can be sustained as long as the Sap has stamina. Its major weakness is its inability to block airborne enemies. Anything that can fly or jump a good distance can sail right over your Sap. The Sap is also incredibly slow. The teleporting sprint helps, but it’s too stamina-intensive to use it to move down the field quickly. Saps are great for limiting enemies’ movement options, but they’re not very good at scoring. The Sap builds for defense regardless of which tree he pursues. I prefer the tree that focuses on the Sapling because it gives better area control. The other tree is more of a panic button tree that gives you a second chance if you're really behind. If you're playing on a super high difficulty, it might be worht considering.