Dragon Ball FighterZ It is one of the final fighting games of the eighth generation of consoles that has had great support from the developer, distributor and the community. Proof of this has been his constant participation in important events of the genre, such as Red Bull Kumite or EVO, during his four years of life. Additionally, On February 24, Bandai Namco released Android 21 (lab coat) as a playable character through Dragon Ball FighterZ.
The arrival of a new character in a fighting game is interesting, as it can affect the balance of the game. However, sometimes a new character like Android 21 (lab coat) can totally break the balance and make some players or tournament organizers think about ‘banning’ or banning the use of a fighter.
Is it possible to ban Android 21 (lab coat) from tournaments? Dragon Ball FighterZ?
Recently, tournaments Dragon Ball FighterZ in Brazil y USA have had the presence of Android 21 (lab coat) on most of the top 8 teams. This has alerted the gaming community ahead of Combo Breakerone of the most important tournaments in the world that will be held from May 27 to 29 in Schaumburg, Illinois.
For this reason, you we have asked four questions to three of the best players in Dragon Ball FighterZ in Colombia to know his opinion about Android 21 (lab coat). A similar story, but harmless to the competitive scene, happens with the franchise The King of Fighters XV. This story also has a space on PS5.
Do you think the release of Android 21 (lab coat) affected the current state of the meta of DBFZ
?
NK Naiwin
Android 21 (lab coat) directly affected the competitive state of the game, since since 2020 the title had received an update, where they modified mechanics that allowed for greater variety in team creation. Having said that, Android 21 (Lab Coat) turned the game into something monotonous, in which the teams consist of a lineup where it is mandatory that one of the characters in the group be Android 21 (Lab Coat).
You can learn more about NK Naiwin in his twitter profile.
Wul3 Haroll
In my opinion, Android 21 (lab coat) is the most unbalanced character that has come out so far in Dragon Ball FighterZ. She has ridiculous tools, which hurt the opposing team in every way, with a special that increases the damage scaling to 21%. Thanks to this, the opponent is forced to play with this character. So I do think that Android 21 outrageously damaged the meta of the game.
Wul3 RCFOM
Yes, Android 21 (lab coat) affected the game. She is an extremely strong character. Typically, a character’s strength is measured by several metrics: neutral play, ability to mix up, pressure, and unique defensive mechanics. Android 21 (lab coat) has it all and added to that she can take 21% damage off you, which makes many characters not viable against her, in that vein, if you don’t have her on your team for the competitive scene , you are not playing the meta, she is the current meta.
What do you think of the character?
Wul3 Haroll
When they announced Android 21 (lab coat) I didn’t expect it and was quite glad that they continued to support the game, not knowing what was coming. They presented her as a single character, making it clear that there will not be a fourth season —something she expected— and to top it off, they assign her tools that go beyond the normal rules of the game. Even characters like Vegeto, who was considered one of the best of Dragon Ball FighterZ, is fully erased against the abuses of Android 21 (lab coat).
Some combos make Android 21 fun to play, but it does so much for the player that it becomes quite boring for the user and even more so for the player facing it.
You can learn more about the Wul3 and Haroll team on their fanpage.
NK Naiwin
The announcement of the arrival of Android 21 (lab coat) to DBFZ It was a source of joy in the community. This because it was the first news about new content for DBFZ made since the launch of Gogeta (SSJ4). However, this character received an exclusive mechanic known in the community as ‘debuff’, or “photon pulse” as listed in the game, which consists of weakening the affected character’s damage by 21% and increasing the same. percentage to Android 21’s attack (lab coat).
So far everything would be fine, the problem comes when this movement is a command grab with low ‘recovery’ or recovery, which only consumes one energy bar. This breaks the meta that was being played at a competitive level in Dragon Ball FighterZ since before your arrival.
Wul3 RCFOM
Personally, I feel like Android 21 (lab coat) is unbalanced to the point where it feels like a final boss. She has it all and no weaknesses like other characters have. Also, the ‘debuff’ or “photon pulse” that causes a 21% damage decrease on the opponent’s attacks is absurd.
Will they get to ban it like Rugal in KOF?
Wul3 RCFOM
Currently, in Colombia we have not had the conversation to ban it. This is because tournaments are not held as often. However, in the last event organized by a Spanish community there was not a single Android 21 (lab coat). I feel like our community doesn’t feel comfortable with her.
In the US community they did this debate and the results were 50/50. Some professional players feel that he is very strong and breaks the game more than Bardock, Goku GT and Ultrainstinct at the time. At the moment, some local tournaments in the United States are banning it, so at this time – and until it is corrected – the decision is up to the organizers of each tournament.
You can learn more about Wul3 RCFOM in its twitter profile.
Wul3 Haroll
Recently, Sonic Fox had dropped out of the game a bit. He picked it up for a few days and managed to get a second place —in a tournament with good participation— beating quite a few players who constantly play using Android 21 (lab coat). I don’t want to diminish the skills and genius of Sonic Fox for fighting games, but he himself accepted how important the character was to his victory. I find it difficult to ‘ban’ or ban Android 21 (lab coat). However, the only option I see is for Arc System Works and Bandai Namco to act.
NK Naiwin
Honestly, I think that the use of this character should not be prohibited, after all in a competitive environment the objective is to win and the best tools must be available to achieve this goal. The only change I would ask for her would be the cost of 3 charge bars to use the “photon pulse”.
How do you counter opponents who have Android 21 (lab coat)?
Wul3 Haroll
For me, the only way to defeat Android 21 (Lab Coat) is to be 100% aware of every move and not drop or miss any combo. This is because Android 21 (lab coat) can use the “photon pulse” special as a ‘reversal’. In neutral, she can suddenly appear in front of you with a ‘multi hit’ attack that hits both sides and reinforce it with an assist. If the attack connects, Android 21 (lab coat) can kill the character in a single combo. So whether in neutral, defending or attacking there is always the fear of what Android 21 (lab coat) might do.
Wul3 RCFOM
Many players say Cooler counters her, others say Jiren or Hit. The truth is that the best way to counter or defeat Android 21 (Lab Coat) is by playing her. Additionally, I think Gogeta (SSJ4) is a good counter pick to defeat her. For example, Wawa in the last tournament in the United States showed that Gogeta 4 —along with A 21 (bl) herself— are the best characters to defeat Android 21 (lab coat).
Personally, to defeat Android 21 (Lab Coat) I think playing it cool and being patient is the best solution. I don’t like her so I don’t use her, but I do use Gogeta (SSJ4). So playing a smart neutral and taking her out first will always be the best idea to take down Android 21 (Lab Coat).
NK Naiwin
My strategy for defeating Android 21 (Lab Coat) is to try to play the neutral as cleanly and bug-free as possible to take her out before the other characters. I think that Gogeta (SSJ4) character is a direct ‘counter pick’ for her, as it’s an awkward match up for a player wearing Android 21 (lab coat). The foregoing, without a doubt, can mark the fate of a game.
The future of Android 21 (lab coat) in Dragon Ball FighterZ
On May 2 Bandai Namco announced that they are working on a balancing patch, which will include adjustments for Android 21 (lab coat). This patch does not yet have a release date. However, the Japanese developer will be announcing in the coming months the release date of the patch that will balance Android 21 (lab coat).
Meanwhile, the debate about the banning or prohibition of Android 21 (lab coat) is still open. We would like to see your opinion in the comments.
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