So, you want to get started with Beyblades

Maybe your child mentioned Beyblades, and you have no idea what they’re talking about.  Perhaps you’ve stumbled across some battle videos online and thought, “that looks amazing!” Or even still, you remember older days, of plastic tops and metal weights, and the desire to “Let it rip!” has stayed lodged in your soul til now.

In any case, welcome to one of the most exciting games you never knew you needed! You’re about to discover why millions of people around the world are obsessed with these little spinning warriors.

What exactly IS Beyblade?

At its heart, Beyblade is very simple; it’s two (or more!) spinning tops in a stadium, trying to out spin or knock out the other. But calling Beyblades “just spinning tops” is like calling chess “just moving pieces on a board;” technically correct, but still very, very wrong.

Beyblade is a perfect mix of strategy, physics, and skill. Choosing the right parts for your play style, understanding weight and momentum, and mastering launch techniques adds up to a game of pure excitement, where clashes unfold at lightning speed or stall into a game of endurance and strength. Think of it as the greatest fusion of competition, engineering, and fun!

Quick History

Beyblade started the year 1999 in Japan as an anime under the name Bakuten Shoot Beyblade, and has evolved from there to Metal Fight, then Beyblade Burst, and now its current form of Beyblade X. Each generation added new unique pieces or play styles that built on the previous generation, and X is no different; with the implementation of the X-rail, battles can swing in different directions at any time and finishing moves are always interesting to watch.

Why are people so passionate about Beyblades?

For kids, it’s like having their own personal robot gladiator. The combination of customizing, competing, and collecting creates an irreplaceable hobby that will grow with them and build important skills for later. Many adults find that Beyblade offers surprising depth; the engineering is amazing, the strategies are genuine, and the nostalgia factor is very real. Plus, Beyblades is one of the few games where kids and parents can play on equal footing! Finally for collectors, there are limited editions, unique recolorings, and beautiful designs that make Beyblades highly collectible. Some rare Beys are even worth hundreds of dollars! (Looking at you, AeroPegasus…)

The three types of Beys (and the hidden fourth type!)

Every Beyblade initially falls into one of three categories; Attack, Defense, or Stamina. The fourth type is called Balance, combining characteristics of the three and is typically something you build yourself.

Attack types are fast and aggressive; they try to win as fast as possible, because they typically lack the stamina for a drawn out fight. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy, where you can win big or lose big in a matter of seconds! They’re perfect for players who love aggression and high-octane battles!

Defense types are opposite; heavy, stable, and built to absorb the hits from other Beys. Consistent and reliable, defense Beys are great for strategic players who prefer a more dependable play style that can take punches and throw them back.

Then there’s the Stamina type. If Attack types dish out hits and Defense types take the hits and counter, Stamina types don’t want to really hit at all! They manage their spins efficiently, outlasting opponents and draining their stamina, perfect for the patient player who enjoys trials of endurance.

Finally, we have the Balance type. Balance is hard  to describe; the best would be, “it means whatever you want it to.” Take an attack blade and put an endurance ratchet and defensive bit on it for a reliable second wind, or take a defense blade made for ricochet and give an aggressive movement bit; however you want to define Balance, there isn’t a wrong answer!

Anatomy of a Beyblade

In the last section you read about some parts, ratchets and bits. These are 2 of the three parts (four for CX Beys) that make up a Beyblade. The other parts are the blade, and the assist blade for CX Beys. What does each of these parts do?

Blade

The blade is the most distinctive part of the Bey, and affects its performance in means of contact. A more pointed, aggressive blade is found on attack types, while more rounded blades are found on stamina and defense types. 

Assist Blade

Assist blades are only usable on CX Beys, and are additional sections of plastic that attach to its primary blade and affects its contact performance.

Ratchet

The ratchet affects the height and burstability of your Bey. You’ll notice different ratchets have different designations, like 9-60 or 3-80, and might be wondering what they mean. The first number tells how many protrusions are on the ratchet, which are both good and bad; Good, because those protrusions are additional weight spread around the Bey, and Bad, because if those protrusions get hit hard enough you will burst. The second number is the height of the ratchet; remove the zero, and that’s how high in millimeters that ratchet is. Being taller or shorter does not always give a straight answer on whether it’s good or bad for your Bey, but it does effect how easy it is for your ratchet to get hit.

Bit

The bit determines how you move, and how much burst resistance you have. Different bits have various amounts of surface area that touch the stadium, and depending on the launch angle you can have entirely different outcomes. On the shaft of the bit is a bit of plastic; the thicker that plastic, the higher the burst resistance, making it harder for your opponent to burst you.

Building Beys with different parts lets you try out totally different play styles, so experiment with the different combos and find one that fits you!

Getting Started

To get started playing, you’re going  to need a few things. First is a stadium, where your Beys can duke it out. There are several different styles, but the most common are the Takara Tomy X Stadium and the Hasbro X Stadium. The next thing you’ll need is the Beys: I would recommend 2-3 different Bey types with various parts, so you can start mixing and matching to find what suits you. You’ll also need a launcher, but most Beys come with a launcher to at least get you started; Takara Tony Beys typically come with a winder launcher, but several come with a string launcher or with none at all, and Hasbro Beys come with a very small proto-launcher that I would recommend replacing as soon as possible. Lastly, you’ll need an opponent! This could be a person you met at a local event, or a family member you got hooked onto…we mean, introduced to Beyblades! You can play solo, but it doesn’t feel as fulfilling and you won’t be able to practice counter-launches as well.

Why start with Beyblade X?

If you’re jumping in now, you’re joining at the perfect time. Beyblade X is the result of 25 years of excellence, with an amazing game and active community across the globe. It’s beginner and competitor friendly, with a growing tournament scene and regular new releases that keep it fresh and exciting. Whether you’re 8 or 80, the magic of launching your Beyblade into battle with precision and power is truly something to experience.

Come visit us in Asheville to see Beyblade X for yourself, get some advice for your first purchase, or even try the game out! Trust me, once you experience your first K.O., you’ll understand why I’m so excited for this game. Your Beyblade adventure awaits, so go out and have a Fan-Tastic day!

Next week; The First Four BX (and some launching techniques!)