Archerous' M1R12 Delibs

Quality

Did you see that? I don’t think I got a good look before it passed. Something moving at such speeds… it must’ve been Match 12! Yankee Valiente, hired bodyguard for P.I.N.D.R.O.P. vs Pluto Hendrix, icy sculptor from the Heart of the Rose! And given the skills our combatants bring to the table, we’re in for quite the action-packed deathmatch!

Starting with Yankee, we begin with suppression fire, using the Dust Grenade and Sticky Ammo to limit Pluto’s movement while the bodyguard sets up. He quickly makes a protective layer of armor around Voz and takes the time to create the Metal Mule. Overall, a solid play.

He then goes over his two combat options, each in impressive detail. I appreciate how thorough these sections are in regards to this fight with Pluto. And I believe its warranted. Pluto is a dangerous foe if left on his own as well as up close and personal, so he makes sure to apply plenty of pressure as soon and as carefully as he can.

Some notable techs include the Room Clearers and the Shield Breaker, allowing Yankee to account for any hard-ice constructs Pluto could forge throughout the match. When in close quarters, Yankee is particularly prepared. He takes care to address the chilling aura of both Pluto’s constructs, as well as [My Collection]’s imposing build. Using Iron Slug armor to throw the Stand aside is a smart play, focusing on the weaker user rather than going to-to-toe with the much stronger Stand.

Overall, I’m going to give this strategy an 8. I think this strat covers a lot of ground, and clearly understands both its opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as their own. With this in mind, I think Yankee puts up a hell of a fight, despite his age.

Onto Pluto, we start with an immediate dash to the bar to avoid Yankee’s shotgun, throwing high powered ice to keep him away while [My Collection] is working. At this position, Yankee grabs his frozen bar and makes a charge towards Yankee, with it acting as both ram and shield. A good start, one that works to get immediate control of the stage.

Pluto accounts for Yankee’s interference with this plan, going over the various combat options at his disposal against the bodyguard. Throughout these techniques, I appreciate the effort put into chipping away at Yankee’s endurance. Some notable examples include freezing the ground and imbuing attacks made with the Big Ahh Hammer skill for additional sting. Both the Wrapping technique and the pouring water play are both effective in slowing him down. One point of critique, however, is that I believe the strat could’ve spent a little more time addressing Yankee’s True Grit skill in the close quarters sections. The aforementioned tech does ultimately hinder the capabilities of this skill, but that’s mainly due to inference. Otherwise, this is a solid gameplan.

Moving onto the finisher, Pluto gathers a large mass of ice to form the Death Engine and then moves forward, forcing everything in front of him out his path towards Yankee. As the name implies, this is a deadly piece of tech, leaving no real room for escape, ending things with an icy blow to the chest.

Overall, I’m going to give this strategy a 7. Pluto makes a great effort to freeze out his opponent, making the train car a frozen hell to exist in. And even if there were a few instances that could’ve been expanded upon, I think Pluto has a solid game plan for taking out this intruder.

Jojolity

As for Jojolities, I don’t have many notes. I think both teams made great use of the environment, allowing for some creative, yet robust plays. Yankee's Metal Mule gives him not only good cover, but an opportunity to deal some ram damage as well. The Pop Cans also allowed him to make use of his slugs for surprises, while also giving him options for slug play without his shotgun.

Pluto made good use of the mass of chairs for the Death Engine, and his Big Hammer plays involved various stools and countertops. His use of water bottles to effectively give Yankee a hypothermia timer was also very fun. I’m giving both teams an 8! Well done to both sides!