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JWA Opinion: The Problem with Panthera Blytheae

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Introduction

We have guest writer, Agent Allosaurus, here again to share his thoughts. Legendary creatures have become top choices for starter players in PvP and tournaments since the themed passes started back in June 2022. Actually, it has been revealed by the meta that hybrids like Fukuimimus, Alloraptor, Thylaconyx, Pyrosuchus and Spinoceratops had made their way into the Legendary tournament formats through their recent inclusions and buffs in merely a few months time in recent updates. In addition to these hybrids, 2022 also introduced 2 brand new creatures to join Parasaurolophus Lux into the non-hybrid Legendary category.  One of them joined because of the release of Jurassic World Dominion and her extreme popularity within the franchise, while the other one, is the main topic I’m going to discuss and how the inclusion of this Legendary creature broke the formats it currently lives in.

How Was The Meta Before Panthera Blytheae Came To The Game?

For newer players, before this snow leopard came to the game, you would always have to mention the Legendary meta by covering Rexy and Fukuimimus. Both of them are considered team demolishers by their horrendous moves - 2 healing moves and a Group Cunning Rampage for Fukui, Dominant Roar and Fierce Devouring Rampage for Rexy. Rexy has to be the more annoying one, but Fukuimimus isn’t far behind on the list alongside other honorable mentions like Segnoraptor, Tarbognathus and Thylaconyx. Their moves could just come on par with almost everything, from tanks to flocks as well. Although as powerful as they are in these columns, there is one thing all of these lack: a precise move (aka bypassing dodge). This information listed here will be pretty important as the ‘star’ we’re discussing will be foiling their moves in the meta.

Stats On The Snow Leopard And Why Do I (And Much of the Community) Hate It:

To be honest, I don't think anyone's thrilled to see a random snow leopard get into the game as a Legendary creature when popular movie creatures like Microceratus, Mamenchisaurus, Corythosaurus and Ceratosaurus have yet to be added to the game. But by looking through its stats, you would probably know why Ludia would like to put it in the Legendary category. Panthera Blytheae is a cunning cannon that preys on any unsuspecting fierce creatures living in the same Legendary format it is in. As with it having a priority move in the name of Evasive Hunt, which grants Panthera Blytheae a 100% chance to dodge 100% of any non-precise attack while also increasing its speed and attack. This move here is genuinely one of the reasons why I maintain a hatred of it. Not because it doesn’t depend on RNG, but it COMPLETELY dodges everything (other than resilient moves) that hits you for the next 2 turns, just like the old days, right? But the real issue comes next. Every time you hit even the tiniest strike on it, no matter if you have any attack or speed boosts and shields on yourself, it all just gets nullified in a matter of seconds with its coconut attack. As I just mentioned, you still CANNOT attack it even with a priority move, because it still has the dodge ON. And then, it would either decide to maul you with its Cunning Rampage, or pounce on you with not one, but two precise strikes. This makes a huge disadvantage for any Rexy or Thylaconyx users, especially after they got tricked into using Dominant Roar or Crushing Prowl with the existence of Evasive Hunt and just being nullified afterwards. Speaking of attack boosts, let’s talk about the stats of an unboosted Blytheae. It has roughly 1550 attack and 3900 health along with 126 speed which is quite decent for a Legendary. But after boosting everything through Evasive Hunt, it gains 775 extra attack and 31 speed, outrunning everything in the meta! And with that devastating damage along with a 20% critical hit chance, no one could imagine what would happen if that comes by. On top of its unusually amazing stats, this snow leopard has immunity to stuns, which are bad news for any swap in stunners like Ankylomoloch. As well as the usual immunity to distraction, critical chance reduction and speed reduction. Speaking of swappers, it could also swap in, reduce your speed and bleed you for 2 turns as well. Now, with its stats being noted, let’s move on to its time ruling over the Legendary meta and its counters.

How It Demolishes Almost 90% Creatures In The Legendary Meta

Although you may have made notes of its weaknesses, it is still a very powerful Legendary creature. As usual, Panthera Blytheae completely destroys other top tier choices like Rexy, Thylaconyx and Alloraptor in 2 turns with Evasive Hunt and Cunning Rampage. Flocks, like Tarbognathus and Coelhaast, also get demolished by it in two to three turns with Precise Double Strike and its counter attack. In fact, its moves are so widespread that it isn’t even safe for Wildcards and some other relevant creatures to survive, despite PB here being a pure Cunning creature. Segnoraptor will lose. Ankylomoloch will lose. Parasaurolophus Lux will lose. Lystrosuchus will lose. Indominus Rex will lose. Scorpios Rex will lose. Phorusaura will lose. I can go on forever! Not even Fukuimimus or Pyrosuchus can defeat it which tells you how broken it is. The main problem for its incredibly broken moveset is because of two of its main moves: Evasive Hunt And Medium Nullifying Counter, which we will go through later. Before this, let’s find out its worst matchups

The (Actual) Counters Of This Legendary Creature

When talking about the bad matchups on this cunning snow leopard in the meta, you would probably name a few Resilient creatures, as they should be the ones to defeat it, right? But it turns out, only 5 of them could actually beat it to the ground. And you guessed it, all 5 of these hybrids are Resilient types. (Although Spinoceratops is half Fierce and Ankylodactylus is half Cunning) They are Spinoceratops, Ankylodactylus, Alankylosaurus, Tragodistis and Nodopatotitan. The first counter on Spinoceratops uses Lethal Wound as Blytheae is exposed to bleed. This ceratopsian could just bleed it on the 1st round, and use Brace to increase your armor. And finally, depending on the feline’s movements, go for Heavy Strike or Instant Rend to get the job done. Using Ankylodactylus can be quite risky to fight this panther, since both of them have the same speed and instant moves. But at least it could beat it if you are fast enough. As for Alankylosaurus, its heavy armor and Resilient Rampage just makes this snow leopard look like a joke. It can take PB out in two turns, quicker than any other mentioned here. For Tragodistis and Nodopatotitan, you could heal and get good use on the shields while imposing it with vulnerability, another one of Blytheae’s flaws, until you take it out. Although this list still isn't quite perfect as Blytheae here has a pretty high critical chance. Relying on RNG with it is the hardest thing to take it out entirely, that’s why even with these 5 counters, it’s still hard to predict whether it will get itself the dreadful critical hit, especially when it’s using Precise Double Strike on you.

The Problem In Its Moves

Let’s talk about Evasive Hunt first, as mentioned above it will grant you a 100% chance to dodge 100% of any attack other than precise moves, but isn’t that just ridiculous? Although it doesn’t technically distract you like Scoprios Rex’s Camouflage, it still gains numerous advantages. Even though it has a 2 turn cooldown, it actually signifies that PB could use it again and again after dealing humongous damage from Cunning Rampage and Precise Double Strike. (As long as it survives another hit or doesn’t lose its 9th life). Like Dominant Roar, which is a move exclusive to Rexy, Evasive Hunt only applies to PB, and I completely understand that it’s supposed to be a counter to Dominant Roar. But it doesn't have to let you get a free turn every time you use it in exchange for a counter attack to deal damage to the opponent back, right? This move itself is one of the main reasons why many spenders invest on this feline to strike not in Legendary tournaments, but in their PvP teams as well. I’ve seen a level 25, boosted PB in Aviary, and not only did it demolish the majority of my team, but I just found this situation very ridiculous that Ludia made it unbeatable without the right counters. Do you really need to waste all your money and invest more Resilient creatures just because of this Legendary creature’s existence? I mean Rexy can still be defeated easily with prediction and various cunning abilities in the Legendary meta, but the case is different for PB. Sometimes even creatures with resilient moves can still be taken out by it. The game’s about balancing, not relying. The second move that would make you rage is its Medium Nullifying Counter. Meaning every positive effect you had earned from your creature will instantly get removed. Although a lot of creatures like Pyrosuchus have similar techniques, this one also attacks which isn't really necessary to me when it already has such high damage output.

The Second Problem Is Currently Not Only In The Legendary Meta But Also On How To Obtain It

As everyone knows, Ludia has established themed passes that rotate every month that would allow every player to gain DNA of certain creatures that are related to the pass. Isla Events were also introduced merely 6 months later, the same time when PB was added to the game. And with that being introduced, Isla Events started to give out PB DNA through 10 courses of battles, increasing the rate of how people obtain it. Although Isla Events don’t technically cost money, the passes on the other hand do. With a choice of selecting premium, players can get more DNA than regular passes. And it doesn’t just end here. With regular shop sales, more PB DNA can be exclusively received. Leading to more boosted snow leopards in Legendary tournaments. Look, it may be beneficial to you, but it would be unbalancing to other players. How would you feel if you're the one facing it?

Parting Words

That's Panthera Blytheae, and so far as it reaches out to you, I would say this snow leopard needs to be nerfed by a majority of its moves. The best bet I could get is from toning down Evasive Hunt's chance of dodging from from 100% to at least 75% to match up with other creatures. By now, we know how far this creature could get you to a far area in PvPs and tournaments, but it has gone too far. It completely messed up the expectations of a Legendary creature. However, since it was introduced in merely 2 updates, it is a matter of time that we have to see if it will continue to rule over the Legendary meta or not. And lastly, thank you for reading this article, and if there's anything you would like to discuss with us, feel free to comment on our server and tell us your thoughts on this snow leopard as well as the current meta, and of course you can feel free to request any similar articles as well. Have fun playing!

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About the Author(s)

Kelly resides in Scottsdale, AZ, proud cat mama of her girls, Payton & Cat Tillman. A JWA player since about day one, she spends much time hunting in the park outside her home and thrives in leading the great folks of Kelliance. 

An Allosaurus and Atrociraptor hybrid enthusiast, glad to be on the prowl in search for some creative ideas for GamePress articles. Whether it’s diving into the world of JWA creatures or working on community projects, they’ll sure have you enjoy reading them.