::MF(-H) Scythe Pegasis II CH120RF::
Note: This thread refers to Hasbro's Metal Fury Scythe, as opposed to the 4D one which is banned in Limited Format, which this thread is for. I figure this is common sense but some people apparently haven't quite caught on yet so I'll just put this here for them.
So I got my Metal Fury Scythe today and this was one of the first things I tried, I had reasonably high expectations for it, but figured Libra would probably edge it out overall as I hadn't heard much about Scythe having any serious Attack ability. My initial trials more than exceeded my expectations, throwing defense around and then outspinning what is arguably the format's top Defense combo, MF-H Bakushin Leone 90RSF (also making it scrape itself out once).
Played around some more, played with part variations and got to testing. Have you guys ever tested something you thought was broken only to watch on in horror as it tore through things you actually thought would still beat it? Well after this, I sure do.
What I'm saying is this thing is ridiculously broken. It's not *quite* at Basalt's level but it's definitely stronger than anything I've tried with Hell IMO (if only because scythe's attack and defense are more balanced vs Hell which isn't quite so good defensively). Scythe isn't as heavy as either of them however at 33.7g, it's still one of the Heaviest wheels in Limited, and unlike Libra it has the distribution to use it to ridiculous effect.
As for what to classify it as, personally I'd just say "ridiculously broken", while its setup resembles Anti-Attack (and indeed this is probably the closest classification) it trades off some of the performance against attack for a significant amount of stamina. Could put it under balance, I guess, but yeah.
At least, that's what my tests show. I'd really appreciate everyone who can do so testing this, as I'd like to find out if I'm just getting particularly lucky or whatever, seeing as Ingulit seemed highly skeptical when I was raving at him about it.
Part Choice: (Click to View)
Launch/CH120 Height Guide: (Click to View)
Likely/Possible Counters: (Click to View)
TESTING
Note: The L/R String Launcher I'm using for launching Scythe has lost string length due to fraying over time, and as such is only slightly more powerful than an LL2. Worth keeping that in mind as you look through these, I think.
Scythe is slightly worn, only used it today but it does wear fast though I don't see this having that big an effect on it, its main contact points are slopes and it's hard to do much to those (the side on contact points might wear a bit but they're not super important).
vs MF-H Earth Aquario GB145RSF
120 Height, Sliding Shot. RSF Worn, as it's capable of OSing while being harder to KO (Fresher RSF are easier to KO)
Standard Testing Conditions – Any bad launches etc redone, so if you include them it'll probs get a bit lower, but it's still hardly a challenge.
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 15/20 = 75% (All KO)
The RSF was a bit more aggro here than it was later and this is slightly higher than I thought Scythe would be able to get, so I might give it another shot tomorrow just to be sure, though really that's probably me being paranoid.
vs MF-H Bakushin Leone 90RSF
Standard Testing Conditions. RSF Near Mint/Slightly Used, 120 height, sliding shot, gonna try to KO it but as we'll see that's not actually necessary
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 10/10 = 100% (2KO, 8OS)
Stopped after 10 rounds because this was absolutely no contest. Bakushin's only hope is to get a chance KO and Scythe is heavier and larger, thus a little more likely to find the wall.
Either way, it was this matchup that set alarm bells off for me. Scythe has a bevelled lower edge so it can kinda force smash Bakushin to make it scrape or generally wear away at its stamina, or just straight up KO it.
vs MF-H Gravity Perseus (ATK, Counter) R145R2F (Left Spin)
R2F worn but moves fast in left - used because I like the direction tips in the opposite direction, find it works well. Launches alternated, Gravity launched first R1.
Both beys Straight shot, tends to be the best option in RF vs RF stuff. 120 Height.
Standard Testing Conditions, however worth noting that Gravity's launcher has a longer string and thus launches a little more powerfully. This was unavoidable.
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 11/20 = 55% (9KO, 2OS)
An MF-H should improve scythe's results slightly, in a tournament situation I'd generally prefer to be using Scythe, but RF vs RF is like this anyhow and 55% is a lot better than most things manage against this Gravity combo (pretty sure it's the best attack combo in limited).
vs Earth Aquario 85D
120 Height, more banking than usual, launch HARD because this isn't an easy matchup.
Standard Testing Conditions
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 7/10 = 70% (All KO)
Stopped here after giving 145 height another shot and finding it much easier to use (much more forgiving if you don't nail the launch).
vs Earth Aquario 85D @145
145 Height, more banking than usual, launch HARD because this sill isn't an easy matchup despite what you might think.
Standard Testing Conditions
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 16/20 = 80% (All KO)
Was tempted to stop the carnage after 10 rounds but Ingulit raised this as a potential counter and I initially had some trouble with it (I've had caffeine now haha).
vs MF-H Beat Lynx 90LRF
Standard Testing Conditions, 145 Height (seems to put you out of Beat's ideal range. I don't really like Beat much). Scythe is tornado stalled, aim is to get there before beat does as you move at a similar speed or slightly faster depending on the state of its tip and whether it uses RF or a faster Directional Rubber Flat, and then try to slip round from behind and KO it, or at least go fast enough avoid it doing the same to you. Both launched with generally straight shots.
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 7/10 = 70% (2KO, 5OS)
I actually expected Beat to win this as it does wreck Scythe if Scythe uses 120, but it seems to struggle to hit 145 hard (I'm not a big fan of Beat tbh, it's mostly round walls which hurts consistency).
I only realise now I didn't go back to this to do the full 20 rounds because I was worried about my RF getting too worn, so I moved onto more defensive opponents. I'll do another 10 tomorrow.
vs MF-H Earth Aquario 230RSF
Worn RSF, 145 Height.
Standard Testing Conditions
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 19/20 = 95% (16KO, 3OS)
This was better than I expected but I didn't use Pegasis II much in pre-testing against it I guess and when I did Scythe did really well. This RSF was able to OS Scythe in pre-testing, maybe I was using Cancer instead of Aquario on Earth then, but a fresher one would likely only get you KO'd more often and it's not a huge difference anyway, not worth me re-testing any time soon.
vs MF-H Libra CH120RF
Standard Testing Conditions, Alternating launches with libra launching first R1. RF's are about the same state really.
Detailed Results (Click to View)
Scythe: 9/10 = 90% (3KO, 6OS)
Libra managed an OS somehow but there was seriously no point in continuing after 10 rounds, it couldn't KO scythe and Scythe outspins it very reliably. Maybe if it had a faster RF than Scythe did or its user had a stronger launch it might but yeah, at least in testing Scythe has a clear advantage.
Libra 85RF might be able to OS it if you have a stronger launch, you might get a KO but scythe might KO you back sooooo.
I was playing around with MF-H Earth 85CS/RSF when my launcher disassembled internally. Got a new string today and I find that particular older enclosure doesn't fray strings much but as its string has lost length over time (I think it came from another launcher and it definitely frayed previously), I'm going to take the opportunity to transplant the new, longer string and lube up the inside to prevent future fraying and hopefully make a launcher that I won't break in a couple of hours of heavy use, so I'm done for the night. More tomorrow.
Other Members' Tests
None yet!
TO DO LIST:
Last 10 rounds against MF-H Beat Lynx 90LRF
VS MF-H Earth Aquario 85RSF and CS
VS Libra 85D/MF-H+CS
Vs Libra R145RSF (Libra GB145 is less of a threat than earth because of its underside, maybe R145 will help???)
VS MF-H Libra 230CS
VS Gravity Perseus (Stamina) B:D and maybe MLD 100EWD
VS Lightning 90/CH120RF (Maybe Gravity too)
Tidy up the formatting etc as this looks awful but I'm tired and hungry right now so later/tomorrow.
Also may not test all this stuff, if something looks hopeless in pre-testing I'll probably skip it unless it's something I feel is worth demonstrating as a warning to the format/Ingulit's ideas for counters/notions that this isn't hilariously broken.
Stuff I can't test that needs testing:
Vs MF-H Scythe ___ GB145RSF (go for 120 and aim to KO it)
Vs Gravity F230CF/GCF