Battle Arena Discussion: Mushroom Grove

[Yaggleberry Finn]

A new week means a new arena to discuss! You're still free to go back and talk about the Cyclops Square if you like. In the meantime, let's consider the Mushroom Grove:



This arena is much different than Cyclops Square, as there is very little open space. Instead, multiple elevations are present, with three bounce pads and two ramps providing access. The two teleporters will place characters at the top middle of the screen on the highest plateau. It is there that exploding mushrooms can appear, damaging participants. This is the only arena hazard, and I don't know at the moment how powerful they are. I'm sure someone can chime in, or I will when I have a chance to play again.

Your job this week is to play some matches on Mushroom Grove and let us know what you think! What are good strategies here? Which types of characters benefit or suffer from the terrain? Are there any particular Skylanders you think are more useful here?

[TheWanderer]

I haven't had a chance to run through this arena for any length of time, however I do think that close combat characters will do well here.

The differing height and the close proximity to walls and other obstacles mean that long range characters will only get a few shots off while the other closes the gap using obstacles and elevation as cover.

The two teleporters leading to the same, small location will also increase the chances of a close quarter fight.

Characters like Bash, Stealth Elf and Ignitor (not that I have tried them) will probably do well here while flying characters, unless extremely well controlled, will struggle to manoeuvre around all the differing heights.

Well, that's my take on the arena.

I have only played a few games with Eruptor at level 1 against a level 1 Dark Spyro (newly acquired with the DS starter pack)

[Yaggleberry Finn]

Just finished playing several matches here. First off, I can say that I really like the arena. I think the elevations limit the value of speed, making most battles more competitive. The exploding mushrooms only do 10 damage, and that's only if you blow them up. They won't explode on their own.

I owned this map with Hex. She's able to pick some good spots for bone wall+rain of skulls. Ignitor's mega slam (Blademaster path) plays very well here.

[Tashiji]

I love Mushroom Grove. The elevations and close quarters do a great deal to diminish the strength of playing keep-away, and force the two combatants to bring the fight to one another. This gives a lot of the lesser characters a chance to actually shine, because their biggest issue is just inability to connect with those in the tiers above them. You're right; speed is severely limited.

Characters who play keep-away, such as Cynder and Drobot, are still major threats here, but not quite as unapproachable as they can be in other areas.

Working on multiple levels is a champion's best friend in this arena. Prism Break, like Hex, can make use of Mushroom Grove to really transcend his tier, scoring wins over many of the game's absolute best with seemingly little effort. He's still fresh meat to dashing melees, though...

Wii Eruptor is incredible here. Definite top-tier character if all fights were fought in Mushroom Grove.

The close-quarters combat of Mushroom Grove will force fights to be more explosive and exciting, because there's really no time to be methodical here.

My personal favorite area.