Espio
Kokomo
Blue Beetle For People In A Hurry: Legendary Edition
Intro/Gameplan:
Blue Beetle is a character that allows immense creative freedom because of how much of a well rounded jack of all trades character he is in this game. He has very strong zoning with superb frame data alongside good normals up close, solid frame traps with float and high mobility as a result of float as well. He is incredibly safe due to shield bash, sweep, back 1 and a safe footsie tool help to compliment his footsie and chip game. He has superb jump normals in jump 1 and jump 3 that are great for air to airs, plus frames and conversions. His down 2 also heavily compliments his anti-air game and with trait he has excellent footsies, air game and even better anti-airs.
Blue Beetle is a character for players who like to do a little bit of everything and enjoy being given a high degree of latitude in how you develop your play style. Blue Beetle is a solid character that rewards players who are highly innovative and have a very well developed neutral.Intro/Gameplan:
Blue Beetle is a character that allows immense creative freedom because of how much of a well rounded jack of all trades character he is in this game. He has very strong zoning with superb frame data alongside good normals up close, solid frame traps with float and high mobility as a result of float as well. He is incredibly safe due to shield bash, sweep, back 1 and a safe footsie tool help to compliment his footsie and chip game. He has superb jump normals in jump 1 and jump 3 that are great for air to airs, plus frames and conversions. His down 2 also heavily compliments his anti-air game and with trait he has excellent footsies, air game and even better anti-airs.
Disclaimers:
This guide is in no way shape or form intended to be an exhaustive look at tech or set ups, its main purpose is to allow new players to pick up the character quickly and easily while sifting through the useless and less pertinent information to save time for players. The goal is for players to leave this guide with a comfortable grasp of the character so they make pick him up relatively quickly and grasp the fundamental nuances of the character.
Pros:
+High mobility
+ Good zoning
+Extremely versatile at all ranges
+Excellent meter build
Cons:
-Inconsistent hitboxes on some strings
-Long whiff recovery
-String gaps
Core Normals:
Down 1- 7 frames, minus 3 on block with pretty decent range this poke is very solid not only because of these traits but also because he can combo off of it into low stab for a bar or block pressure with shield bash or MB Energy Cannon allowing to set up poke into special, poke into throw and other mind games.
Down 3- An 11 frame sweep that is -6 on block, making it totally safe. This sweep also has the ability to low profile mids like Swamp Thing’s forward 2 for example as well as some jump ins and in concert with Back 2 shield bash gives Beetle an Overhead/low mix up that while low damage is safe.
3- A 9 frame mid that is primarily used in combos, but is also good when combined with shield bash on block or hit. It is also a reliable mid to combo into low stab.
Down 2- A 6 frame poke that is punishable on block, but is great for anti-airs into full combo. It can also be special cancelled into projectile, low stab and shield bash for a post blocked mix up option. His fastest normal and all around great poke/gap interrupting normal. It is even more potent with trait active.
Back 1- A 10 frame mid that is neutral on block with push back making it an ideal normal for setting up counter poke baits into forward 2, 3 for full combo or forward 2 shield bash. Back 1 is also an ideal shield bash cancel since it gives him the highest pushback making it very hard for the opponent to check him on block. His meter burn energy cannon is also a great plus, gapless option off of back 1.
Back 2- Is a 15 frame overhead normal that is unsafe on block at -9 by itself, but when combined with shield bash gives him a safe, decent damage overhead. This and sweep give him a safe, low damage 50/50 to annoy opponents. Back 2 meter burn energy cannon is a good use for a gapless overhead into plus frames and back 2, low stab when mixed up well with back 2,3 can be a decent mix up.
Forward 2- A 14 frame advancing mid that is safe at minus 6. It is a very potent footsie tool when combined with shield bash to give him a safe poking footsie check on opponents.
Jump 1- This is a superb air to air and combo extender that is special cancellable on hit and block. In combination with his down 2 it creates a wall of sorts that can severely hinder characters that rely on strong air games to get started.
Jump 2- Can be used in combos, set ups, air to airs, and cross up/mix up scenarios, this jump normal is incredibly versatile.
Jump 3- One of his best air attacks, jump 3 can be used to create ambiguous jump in scenarios into full combos. Jump 3 cancelled into float is plus on block allowing pressure follow ups. Jump 3 by itself is also plus allowing Beetle to do jump in throw, jumps in block string and other forms of stagger pressure.
Core Strings:
1,1,1- This string starts up at 7 frames on the first hit making it an ideal punisher especially since it yields the most damage off MB bounce cancels for two bars or one bar combos as well. The first hit is only -1 on block, making it viable for stagger pressure scenarios into throw, walk back whiff punish or greater chip.
Forward 2,3- A 14 frame advancing mid string that launches for full combo without meter but is unsafe on block meaning it is almost always best to cancel into shield bash unless you have a hard read on your opponent.
Back 2,3- A string that hits overhead, overhead/cross up making it a useful option to escape the corner, mix up your back 2, low stab option and generally harass the opponent.
1,3, 2, grab- This string has excellent utility as a whole for a variety of reasons. 1,3 which is the core part that allows Beetle to do greater combo extensions via float in trait, block pressure in both stances when combined with float and other mind games. 1,3 also allows Blue Beetle to subvert certain specials like Atom's chemicals that prevent jumps from locking him down since the string raises him off the ground naturally, it allows him to cancel into float even in neutral scenarios.
1,3,2 is the unsafe version of this string that ends in overhead so it can be good as a cross up option on knockdown or to check people trying to get out of 1,3 pressure, but it is unsafe so it is important to be careful. The grab part of this string doesn't come out on block, but when it does it is a good ender to keep your preferred positioning.
Specials:
Shield Slam- 11 frames of start up and only -4 on block. This special is the heart of Beetle’s mace stance game and play style. It gives him a super safe advancing mid with forward 2, safe overhead with back 2 and in combination with sweep a safe 50/50 game. Shield slam off many normal attacks allows him to break armor and just be a general nuisance to the opponent. The move is super unsafe on whiff however so solid spacing and being mindful of whiffs is a must. This move is also good at punishing far out attacks, back dashes and does great chip. The pushback is immense enough to make the opponent have to guess post block making it have extensive utility.
Energy Cannon- Blue Beetle’s ground projectile/zoning tool is a 14 frame high projectile with excellent block advantage (-3) and superb recovery. On hit, it leaves the opponent standing and is plus 15 meaning he gets a guaranteed block string off of various mids primarily forward 2 into shield bash for example mid screen. The MB version of energy cannon hits mid and is plus 2 on block, giving him pressure after on block.
Air Energy Cannon- Slightly slower than the ground version at 15 frames, it is notably less safe on block and whiff at -25 and -26 respectively. The difference is this hits mid with its diagonal trajectory. The MB version of air energy cannon is only -7 making it safe and it hits overhead forcing the opponent to block standing.
Blade Barrage- Blue Beetle’s low combo starter is very unsafe on block at -21 making it something you don’t want to overly abuse/rely on especially since it scales quite a bit. The common mix ups with this are Back 2, low stab or back 2,3 since back 2,3 is overhead, cross up overhead versus back 2, low stab that is overhead low. If mixed up well, you can sneak in Back 2, forward 3 MB bounce cancel for greater damage. Blade barrage allows Beetle to change to blade stance easily mid animation and continue the combo.
Float/Air Flying Scarab- This move can only be performed in the air. Float allows Beetle to float back, forward, down, upward and an air dash esque type. This move has immense utility and can be used for counter zoning, getting in on opponents, pressure, zoning or escaping opponents. It can be made plus when coupled with jump normal attacks like jump 3 and can be canceled into air normal attacks and his air projectile, giving Beetle a great deal of layers to his play style.
Blade Stab- This can be used as an anti-air or combo ender that side switches as the regular version. When you MB blade stab, you can extend your combos while also side switching. The damage also scales notably and blade stab is full combo punishable on block so is best used after you’ve already confirmed your combo. You can change stance mid animation of this special allowing for safe transitions as an added perk.
Combos (All Combos Performed On Superman) * Denotes easier combo alternatives:
Forward 2, blade stab MB, 4/trait activate, forward 3, jump 2, 3, mandible strike= 300.67 (one bar)
Forward 2,3, jump 2, 1,1,1, shield bash= 263.64 (meterless)
Forward 2,3, forward 3, jump 2, 3, shield bash= 283.13 (meterless)
(Trait Active), Forward 2,3, forward 3, jump 2, 3, mandible strike= 287.26 (meterless)
(Trait Active), Forward 2, 3, Back 3, jump 3, 3, mandible strike = 313.37 (meterless)
Back 2/3, background bounce, back 3, jump 3, 1,1,1, shield bash= 396.31 (meterless)
Down 1, background bounce, back 3, jump 3, 1,1,1, shield bash= 364.31 (meterless)
1,1,1, background bounce, back 3, jump 3, 1,1,1, shield bash= 428.65 (meterless)
Jump 1, 1,1,1 shield bash= 218.72 (meterless/anti-air)
(Trait Active), 1,3, float cancel, jump 1, forward 2,3, 1,1,1, mandible strike= 269.19 (meterless)
Down 2, jump 2, 1,1,1, shield bash= 211.77 (meterless)
1,1,1, MB Blade barrage, 3, energy cannon, forward 2, shield bash= 367.36 (one bar)
Back 2/3, MB Blade barrage, 3, energy cannon, forward 2, shield bash= 328.50 (one bar)
Jump 3, down 1, MB blade barrage, 1,1,1, shield bash= 347.08 (one bar)
MB Back 3, jump 3, 1,1,1, shield bash= 395.56 (one bar)
MB Forward 3, jump 2, 1,1,1, shield bash= 361.42 (one bar)
Back 2, MB bounce cancel forward 3, jump 2, 1,1,1, shield bash= 396.69 (two bars)
1,1,1, MB bounce cancel back 3, jump 3, 1,1,1, shield bash= 458.26 (two bars)
1,3, MB air energy cannon, Forward 2,3, jump 1, 1,1,1, shield bash= 340.73 (one bar/corner)
*3/Back 2, MB blade barrage, 1,1,1 shield bash= 302.29 (one bar)
*1,1,1, MB blade barrage, 1,1,1, shield bash=343.80 (one bar)
1,1,1, MB bounce cancel forward 3, jump 3, , down 2, energy cannon, 3,3, shield bash= 464.84 (Two bar + corner)
Forward 2,3, jump 2, 1,3, float cancel, jump 2, Back 1, energy cannon= 260.86 (meterless, corner, restand)
Back 1,3, down 2, energy cannon, back 1, energy cannon= 224.78 (meterless, corner, restand)
1,3, float cancel, jump 2, 1,1,1 MB bounce cancel forward 3, jump 3, 1,1,1, blade barrage/low stab= 428 (two bar, corner)
Character Power: Power Blades
Blue Beetle’s character power gives him increased range on all of his fist based attacks, allowing him hegemonic footsie range in the air and on the ground. This includes his Down 1, Down 2, Back 2, Forward 3, Back 3, Forward 2, Standing 1, Standing 2, Jump 1, and Jump 3. The trade off of his trait is that he loses his ability to zone in the air or on the ground with energy cannon. He gets his 2,1, grab transformed into a slam down ender that allows Beetle to change back into mace stance mid animation and his shield bash is replaced with mandible strike.
2,1, grab- 2,1 is plus one on block, giving Beetle a decently ranged frame trap option he can mix up with the full string of 2,1 grab which is a great ender because it allows Blue Beetle to transition out of blade stance into mace stance.
Mandible Strike- Starts up at twelve frames and replaces shield bash as a default move. It has great range and can punish things further out and act as a greater punisher but at the cost of being punishable on block by a large portion of the cast. Spacing can make it very hard to punish in some cases. Mandible strike side switches too, making it a good ender when active to put your opponent back in the corner or get positional advantage.
Float/Flight Timing:
For newer players, this is considered a major stepping stone but a rule of thumb to make it easy to get the timing down is the visual cue of seeing the jet beams from Beetle’s back disappear before inputting the next float input will give the player consistent flight cancels for pressure and mobility. This is a crucial tool to master because it amplifies his rushdown, chip and meter build while also amplifying his zoning and evasive strategies.
Back 1 Restand + Application
Key things about the restand: Because energy cannon is plus 15, Beetle can go for a variety of mix ups including, sweep/down 3, his back 2 overhead, Forward 2, shield bash, standing 3 and various forms of stagger pressure into mix ups making it a truly potent tool when truly mastered.
Flight Cancels, Interactables & You
Flight cancels as discussed previously are a crucial part of Beetle's game as well as interactables and the environment. Blue Beetle like most characters can cancel jump normals into special like flight cancel, his projectile, shield bash and other options. Proper usage of interactables and his air mix ups can open the opponent up with high damage while keeping you relatively safe. This is just a starting point, be sure to lab your options on every stage and perhaps you too can fly forever!
GEAR, LEGENDARY GEAR & THE BEST PAIRINGS:
I decided to make a section on gear/legendary gear, some advice and good pairings. This discussion is not intended to be exhaustive but is intended to give you a feel for how I approach combing gear when I am not using competitive mode.
The Reach's Finest Battle Scarab
This legendary gear allows Blue Beetle to have his power blades activated for the ENTIRE match and Blue Beetle's character power turns into his energy cannon albeit tied to a trait meter similar to Supergirl or Starfire's normal traits.
He also gains damage shield as an added perk that gives him a 20% chance to reduce the damage he takes by 50% when hit. This gear also gives him excellent stats in all categories as seen above, but this gear is not without its cons. The fact that Beetle's safe shield bash is removed from his movelist means that the potency of blade stance and projectile stance is less striking because he loses his safe wake up, safe chip and his projectiles become tied to meter which significantly weakens his zoning so while this gear has excellent strengths, it has notable weaknesses.
In order to help counteract these weaknesses, I recommend using Aculeus Strike for several reasons: It gives Beetle a safe mid chip based special up close and for a bar it becomes a combo launcher an while it doesn't have the wake up invincibility of shield bash, it helps make up for the absence of one of his strongest specials.
The second one I recommend is Air Mandible Strike because it adds greater air mix ups which can help off set the reduced amount of projectiles allowed in a given time since air mandible strike hits overhead and can be combined with jump 3 into over 200 damage.
Tips For Unlocking Legendary Gear Quickly & Efficiently:
- The best advice I can give for the amount of effort and time investment required to get your legendary gear unlocked is to multitask. A good example of this is performing a side kick multiverse. You are going towards your goal of 150 side kick ones, your general multiverse requirement, your match victories requirement, your 1,000 minutes played, earning credits towards your 1,000,000 credits and if you are especially savvy you can further combine your efforts with doing MB mandible strike as your last hit closing move. So you are covering over five categories/requirements at a time.
- For folks that are "In A Hurry" I advise utilizing the A.I. to assist you because many of us have jobs, family, school or other relevant responsibilities that can slow us down from completing the legendary multiverse, there's no shame in dividing up the work with your A.I. as it breaks up the tedious nature of things and allows you to work on other things in your daily grind.
Gear Aesthetics & Workarounds:
If you're looking to make your characters gear stats strong while also not sacrificing style or your favorite helmet, Scarab or other aesthetics, your best bet is to utilize your source crystals to get the best of both worlds: strong stats paired with your favorite looks. Each Transform requires 2,000 source crystals so this advice is mostly recommended for if you are a player like me that is a diehard Blue Beetle main and aesthetics are key to you.
Character stats & What They Mean (Competitive/Non)
Strength- How much damage you do to your opponent which is a fairly simple concept/take on things. Your strength attribute is tied directly to your NORMALS and this includes Back 3's/forward 3's, standing normals, and air normals.
Ability- How much damage your special do. If your character is heavily reliant on special moves to do a lot of their damage/win then a strong ability stat makes a huge difference and in the case of Blue Beetle he uses a lot of shield bash, energy cannon and such to really hammer away at opponents. Since a lot of his combos are tied to low stab, anti-air blade stab and such it is a good attribute to keep in mind.
Defense- The higher your defense points, the less damage you take. If your defense is significantly higher than your opponent's strength or ability, it can be much harder to defeat you in battle.
HP/Health Points- This one is more obvious, but it's the amount of health you have. Having high health is good, but if your defense is extremely weak you can still take a lot of damage quickly from strong opponents.
Final Words:
This is a living guide that is subject to change with various updates in the patches and as the meta evolves organically (as this will be updated with new combo damage details Tuesday-Wednesday morning).
If you are curious to see a variety of different play styles with Blue Beetle and the various kinds of viable strategies you can also check out Deoxy, Atai Prodigy, Hey George, Sesal Snow, Vex Chan, and many others.
I will also provide my Youtube Channel below, I usually upload sets with this character a couple times weekly, enjoy and good luck out there with Jaime Reyes!
My YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/Espio872
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