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Skylanders: Swap Force - Roller Brawl
Score: 80%
Developer: Activision
Device Type: Accessory
Compatible With:


Stats:

Roller Brawl
Element:Undead
Health:260
Speed:50
Armor:12
Critical Hit:8
Elemental Power:25

Attacks:

Skylanders: Swap Force - Roller Brawl starts off with a charge attack called Derby Dash and some handy blades called Roller Claws. The result is that she starts off as a close-ranged melee fighter because even though her Derby Dash can take her far, she doesn’t actually deal any damage unless you use the Roller Claws while coasting around the screen.

Roller Brawl’s first upgrades help to balance her out a bit. For one, her third move, Skateblades, shoots spinning blades out in front of her and spin in place for a bit, dealing damage to enemies that walk into them. Roller Brawl’s remaining pre-path upgrades increase the damage her claws deal, increase the damage dealt by any attacks landed while dashing, and add a charge to the Derby Dash that will let her clothesline enemies and dole out some hurt just by passing by opponents.

Roller Brawl’s paths will either upgrade her Skateblades, or her dashing/clawing attack. The Shadow Skater branch starts by adding a spin-ability to Roller Brawl’s arsenal so that she can do a bit of area-of-effect damage mid-dash. Another upgrade increases her armor and the last one for this option lets you rush enemies and hurt them even more when you finish your dashing attack.

The Skateblades path starts by letting you drop Skateblade landmines behind you as you dash. The other two ups Roller Brawl’s Critical Hit rating and adds a collection of spinning Skateblades around the character to hurt any enemies who actually try to get close to this roller-derby character.

Roller Brawl’s Soul Gem ability (found in Rampant Ruins) adds a head-butt to her dashing attack. As a bonus, this causes a glowing chain to form between the enemy and Roller Brawl. Any other enemies that get hit by this chain take damage. I found this technique was a little hard to get used to - but it comes in handy when you are in a tight space with a lot of enemies.


Features:
  • Compatible with:
    • Skylanders: Swap Force
  • Series 1

Comments:

Skylanders: Swap Force - Roller Brawl is an interesting character. I feel like she is a new version of Flameslinger (a personal favorite), at least when it comes to her ability to move fast, but still be controllable. I also think she is a character designed primarily to appeal to girl gamers, though possibly the ones that are a bit more of the tomboy persuasion. While I’ve definitely heard of girls playing Skylanders, many of the figures seem more appealing towards boys. Of course, Whirlwind might say otherwise, but with Swap Force’s introduction of characters like Roller Brawl and Star Strike, it seems like the designers are trying to widen the market just a little more than simply for the girls that like rainbows and unicorns.

While I enjoy playing as Roller Brawl, I find that I don’t go to use her very frequently. I tend to find someone else to fit the niche she fills. That being said, a new player could easily find Roller Brawl a primary Undead-type character.


-J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications
AKA Chris Meyer

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