LeonClaw (blade review)
Hello community,
I am back with some testing on LeonClaw, the blade.
Ever since the release of LeonClaw, the community has been very hyped to see a new beyblade that isn't defensive/stamina oriented. Our wishes were fulfilled when LeonClaw was released as a Balance type. While the beyblade has been out for a while now, I have only got the time recently to test it due to midterms.
LeonClaw presents an interesting dilemma for the Beyblade X analysts. While previous generations relied on aggressive blade (attack ring) design and aggressive movement drivers (rubber drivers) in conjunction with weight, Beyblade X seems to have relied very heavily on its rail system to utilize kinetic energy to KO opponents. While testing LeonClaw, unfortunately it has also fallen into the trap of being too dependent on its rail gimmick.
Abstract:
This study examined the performance of LeonClaw blade in different configurations. I used LeonClaw 5-60 on Needle, High Needle, Ball, Tapered, Flat, Low Flat and Point. Since High Tapered, Orb, Spike and Rush were not available, those were not tested. I hypothesized that while the shape of LeonClaw isn't aggressive enough to be a strong attack type, it would also not be a good defensive type because of its weight distribution. It is also lighter than Hells Scythe.
Methodology:
LeonClaw was tested on 5-60 ratchet on Needle, High Needle, Ball, Flat, Tapered, Low Flat and Point. Since HellsScythe 4-60 Ball is the premier defensive/stamina beyblade, the LeonClaw blade was tested against that combo.
Results:
Hells Scythe 4-60B 60% (5 outspins, 1 KO) vs Leon Claw 5-60T 40% (2 Xtreme, 2 KO)
Hells Scythe 4-60B 60% (5 outspins, 1 burst) vs Leon Claw 5-60LF 40% (3 KO, 1 Xtreme)
Hells Scythe 4-60B 70% (4 KOs, 3 outspins) vs Leon Claw 5-60HN 30% (1 burst, 2 KOs)
Hells Scythe 4-60B 70% (6 outspins, 1 KO) vs Leon Claw 5-60B 30% (1KO, 1 burst, 1 outspin)
Hells Scythe 4-60B 80% (8 outspins) vs Leon Claw 5-60P 20% (1 Xtreme, 1 KO)
Hells Scythe 4-60B 80% (5 outspins, 2 KO, 1 burst) vs Leon Claw 5-60F 20% (1 outspin, 1 KO)
Discussion:
I am not surprised that Leon Claw was not able to win against Hells Scythe. It is extremely hard to consistently win against Hells Scythe combo. But, let's discuss the actual battles from the most success Leon Claw had vs the lowest success.
Leon Claw on Needle surprised me as it went against my hypothesis. I am still not sold on that combo and would like to test it in person with other people. One of the common themes that you will find is that Leon Claw blade's weight distribution isn't the best. It is very prone to getting destabilized which was often found in this matchup. Since Needle does not outlast Ball, it relies on its hits to drain stamina from Ball. Unfortunately, Leon Claw's blade isn't aggressive enough to do that. In fact, Hells Scythe actually hits harder than Leon Claw. Nevertheless, stats are stats and Leon Claw did end up winning 50% of its matches against Hells Scythe. However, use this combo at your peril because I feel this win is fraudulent.
Leon Claw on Tapered, Low Flat and Point relies heavily on the rail system to use its momentum to KO the opponent. The rail leverages the kinetic energy and if Leon Claw can take the rail early in the match and get a clean hit, it can KO the opponent (provided it does not self KO). There is absolutely no other way it can win. The blade itself does not have a good design to actually be an attack type. I feel naming it after a lion, an animal regarded as the king of the jungle, makes it even more of a disappointment.
Leon claw on Flat was ONLY able to win on an angled launch because it had a chance of destabilizing Hells Scythe. When it failed, it was again, unable to mount any sort of resistance against the dominance of Hells Scythe combo.
Overall, Leon Claw is a sad blade. While it looks extremely flashy, its just a paper tiger akin to a Hyundai Sonata with big spoiler, loud exhaust and fancy rims. It is also not able to take hits from Hells Scythe as well as other blades. The blade is light so its hits don't translate well into KOs. It also doesn't have an aggressive enough shape to generate any recoil. Overall, its a forgettable blade that is only acceptable because of its ratchet and bit.
Further research is required to see how Leon Claw performs with different ratchets because there is a possibility that 5-60 is not the best ratchet for Leon Claw.
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