Pyrokinesis, also known as firestarting, is the psychic ability to set flammable objects on fire using one's mind. Like Marksmanship, Pyrokinesis can cause serious injuries or even fatalities if uncontrolled[1]. Its counterpart is cryokinesis.
Razputin learns pyrokinesis after reaching PSI Cadet Rank 10 and earning the badge from Ford Cruller. This psi-power allows Raz to set flammable things on fire, including wood, enemies, and even people. When using it, a thermometer gauge will appear above the object. The gauge will quickly increase, turn red, and upon reaching the top, the enemy/object will be set on fire. It cannot be used on everything, and is only useful in limited situations. The PSI-Cougars can use this ability to attack Raz. At PSI Cadet Rank 45, Raz gains the Thermal Detonation upgrade, which creates a chain explosion of fire after setting something on fire.
Strategies[]
With Thermal Detonation, Pyrokinesis becomes a decent alternative to Marksmanship as it is great at handling clusters of enemies or setting off a chain.
Thermal Detonation must be used with caution, as enemies that touch Raz will also set Razz on fire, which disables Raz's ability to attack. If this happens, look for SHALLOW pools of water to put the fire out.
Character reactions (Psychonauts)[]
Although Raz can only set a few characters actually aflame (Boyd and the rainbow squirts), most characters will still have a reaction to him attempting it.
Character reactions to being burned with pyrokinesis. (Click expand to open)
Note: Not all characters physically appear in the game and thus cannot have reactions.
Augustus Aquato: Augustus only exists in pre-rendered cut scenes and cannot be interacted with by the player.
Evil Augustus: Evil Augustus cannot be set on fire and does not have a reaction to Raz attempting it.
Becky Houndstooth: "Hot flash! Hot flash! Must be another panic attack! Keep cool Becky, keep cool."
Bonita Soleil: "Thanks kid, but the problem isn't that my fire has gone out. The problem is I AM Gloria's fire and I REFUSE to go out. On stage, that is."
(Psychonaut Cruller): "I didn't train you in that so you could set me on fire. Now knock it off!"
(Admiral Cruller):
"Aye!"
"Ow!"
"Oof!"
"I will take one of these paddles to your psychic behind if you dont knock that off!"
"I'll make a canoe out of your hide, if you try that one more time!
"I will sink you so deep in that lake, no dredge crew would ever find ya!"
(Chef Cruller): "I will take out your intestines, fry 'em into hashbrowns, and sew 'em back into your body before you ever get the chance to try that again!"
(Ranger Cruller):
"Aye!"
"Oof!"
"Ow!"
"I'll rake you into the next dimension if you dont knock that off."
"I will whittle you into a neckerchief holder, you hear me?"
"I know places in these woods, so I could hide a body so nobody would find it, ever."
"I will burn you like a pile of autumn leaves if you do that again."
(Janitor Cruller):
"Hey! I should wring you out like a wet mop!"
"If I wasn't the one who'd have to clean it up, I'd mash ya into a puddle of goo."
"Aye!"
"Ah, looking to get whacked on the head with a broom handle too, I see."
"Ow!"
"Oof!"
"How about I clean your clock instead of the floor, eh?"
Trashcans/Fire hydrants/Mail deposit boxes: Raz can set the fire hydrants, mail deposit boxes and trashcans aflame in the Milkman Conspiracy. They will jump around in panic while on fire.
Napoleon Bonaparte: "Huh huh! My blood runs hot with passion for battle!"
Oatmeal: Oatmeal cannot be set on fire and does not have a reaction to Raz attempting it.
Party Dancers: The party dancers cannot be set on fire and do not have a reaction to Raz attempting it.
Pyrokinenis returns as a useful tool in the VR game. Raz is able to set things on fire which can help with game progression. It can also be used in conjunction to Clairvoyance whilst Raz can flare things through another person's mind, including in the mental world. Pyrokinesis does not work under water. During Raz's capture and exposure to Psilirium he will only be able to use pyrokinenis with help from Lili.
Character reactions (Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin)[]
Character reactions to being burned with pyrokinesis. (Click expand to open)
Note: Not all characters have reactions.
Razputin Aquato: "Gotta be careful. I burn easily."
Sasha Nein
(Raz, before Psilirium poisoning): "Burning Sasha is rarely the solution to any problem."
(Raz, during Psilirium poisoning): "Burning Sasha is rarely the solution to any problem."
(Raz, post Psilirium poisoning): "Burning Sasha is rarely the solution to any problem."
(Escape scene): "A little heat never bothered me. I'm not letting go!"
Coach Oleander
(Before Psilirium poisoning): "Thanks - AH! FIRE IN THE HOLE!"
(Raz, during Psilirium poisoning): "Eh, heating him up would only make him more excited."
(Post Psilirium poisoning)
[yelp]
"Ouch, ouch ouch!"
(Escape scene)
(Raz): "Maybe a little heat? That helps with lids sometimes."'
(Coach): "Too hot! Too hot!"
Rhombus Fish (Raz): "I might need this fish I want to get out of here."
Lili Zanotto
(Before Psilirium poisoning): "Raz, quit it. I know it's you."
(Raz, during Psilirium poisoning): "I don't think I could even light a match right now. My pyrokinesis is all outta wack!"
(Raz, post Psilirium poisoning): "I would never want to start a pyro war with Lili. Also, I don't think that would help the mission."
(Escape scene) Lili has no dialogue, but will flinch away from Truman.
Milla Vodello
(Before Psilirium poisoning): "Thank you, Razputin, but its quite warm enough in here, darling."
(Raz, during Psilirium poisoning): "I don't think I could even light a match right now. My pyrokinesis is all outta wack!"
(Raz, post Psilirium poisoning): "I don't think I could even light a match right now. My pyrokinesis is all outta wack!"
(Raz, escape scene): "Not now."
Dr. Caligosto Loboto: Dr. Loboto has no dialogue but will shake his arms around.
Pyrokinesis in an early Psychonauts 2 development video.
Pyrokinesis returns in Psychonauts 2. Instead of locking onto an object and setting it aflame, Raz can create a growing bubble of heat that can set things on fire if it touches them.
Uses[]
Pyrokinesis catches flammable objects on fire, including destructable environmental objects as well as most enemies. When an enemy catches fire, they will be distracted from other actions until they extinguish themselves. Smaller enemies like small and medium Censors, Bad Ideas, and others will run around on fire, unable to take any more actions. Larger enemies like the large Censors, Judgement, and Panic Attacks barely react at all.
Specific actions:
Enemies distracted by being aflame will be unable to dodge attacks such as Marksmanship
Doubts can only be dispatched quickly by lighting them on fire. This goes both for the enemies and the piles of goo they leave behind.
When they catch fire, Enablers are distracted from buffing nearby units, leaving all open to attack.
Using Pyrokinesis, it is possible to light large patches of flammable objects, potentially collecting large amounts of health and dropped psitanium. Mental Worlds with large amounts of incidental objects such as Bob's Bottles are excellent for this. Destructable objects can be identified by the orange aura when within the area of effect prior to ignition. Getting the wide-area Pyrokinesis upgrade makes this easier.
Strategies[]
For most common enemies, use Pyrokinesis to light them on fire to distract them and keep them from attacking. Fire can spread from one enemy or object to another, doing additional damage. While an enemy is on fire, use PSI-Punch to attack or, if they are moving too quickly, hit them with Marksmanship as they cannot dodge.
Fever Reducer - Fire hazards and attacks won't drain as much of your Mental Energy!
Goonade - Doubts explode when you take them out with Pyrokinesis!
Trivia[]
In Psychonauts, trying to firestart NPCs usually only results in the gauge remaining stuck at the bottom, with the target only experiencing a harsh temperature increase. However, for unknown reasons, some characters like Boyd and the Rainbow Squirts actually do catch fire. Boyd claims it is "spontaneous combustion" and blames it on government LSD tests.
In Psychonauts, Ford comments that it is not recommended to use this power near people who use hairspray.
In Psychonauts: In the Rhombus of Ruin, passing a flaming toilet roll to Coach Oleander yields the achievement: "Fire in the Hole!"
References/Notes[]
↑Phoebe Love has trouble controlling her Pyrokinesis and it's implied that she has accidentally set people on fire in the past.
