The Bittersweet Reality of Tournament Play

As a 36-year-old Aussie dad and Beyblade X enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like the electric buzz of a tournament: the clatter of launchers, the cheers and groans, the thrill of seeing your combo zip down the Xtreme Rail. But as any seasoned blader will tell you, not all Beyblades are created equal—especially when it comes to competitive play. My personal favourite, Knife Shinobi, is a perfect example: a blade that’s full of character, potential, and raw speed, but one that’s almost impossible to rely on for consistent wins in the current tournament meta.

Knife Shinobi is, in my opinion, a striking Beyblade X release, known for its aggressive slopes and jagged attack points. It’s a variant of Rhino Horn, but with a slightly more rounded shape and a lighter build. On paper, it’s an attacker’s dream—designed to rocket along the X-Celerator Rail, aiming for those high-reward, high-risk Xtreme Finishes that can net you three points in a single round. But as most competitive bladers have found, Knife Shinobi is notoriously difficult to use consistently at tournaments.

The main issue? Poor stamina and high recoil. If Knife Shinobi doesn’t land a decisive hit in the opening seconds, it’s likely to be outspun or, worse, self-destruct due to burst risk or recoil release. Its lightweight build makes it vulnerable to being knocked out or burst by heavier, more stable opponents. Even with optimal setups—using low-height ratchets like 4-60 and aggressive bits like Low Flat or Gear Flat—the blade demands near-perfect launches and a bit of luck to avoid self-KOs or quick outspins.

My own tournament journey with Knife Shinobi is a story of both elation and disappointment. At my first Beyblade X tournament—a small but spirited local event with six players—I ran Knife Shinobi on Gear Flat (GF). The adrenaline was real: Knife Shinobi’s explosive speed caught my opponents off guard, and I scored a string of Xtreme and Over Finishes, snatching victory and taking home my first tournament win.

But the joy was short-lived. At my next event, up against a stronger field and more experienced bladers, Knife Shinobi’s flaws became painfully clear. Heavier combos like Wizard Rod and Leon Crest shrugged off my attacks, while my own blade’s lack of stamina and burst resistance left me vulnerable. A few dramatic self-KOs and outspins later, and I was out of contention—my beloved Knife Shinobi just couldn’t keep up with the meta-dominant combos.

Beyblade X tournaments are defined by their scoring system: 3 points for an Xtreme Finish, 2 for an Over Finish or Burst, and 1 for a Spin Finish. The most reliable way to win is to use combos that can consistently secure these points—usually heavy, balanced attackers or stamina types that can outlast or outmuscle their opponents. Knife Shinobi, for all its speed and flair, simply doesn’t have the consistency or staying power to match up, especially in longer matches where every point counts.

Yet, for all its shortcomings, there’s still something magical about using Knife Shinobi. Every blader loves an underdog, and nothing gets the crowd going like a surprise Xtreme Finish from a “trash-tier” blade against a meta titan. When Knife Shinobi connects just right, sending a heavy opponent flying into the Xtreme Zone, the stadium erupts. Those moments—rare as they are—remind us why we play: for the excitement, the unpredictability, and the chance to see our favourites shine, even if only for a round or two.

As much as I’d love to see Knife Shinobi dominate the tournament scene, the reality is that Beyblade X’s current meta rewards consistency and reliability over flash and flair. Still, I’ll keep bringing Knife Shinobi to every event, hoping for those moments of brilliance. Because at the end of the day, tournaments aren’t just about winning—they’re about fun, community, and the thrill of seeing your favourite Beyblade defy the odds, even if just for one glorious match.

As a dad, I want my kids (and myself) to have fun at tournaments, to experiment with wild combos, and to feel the excitement of a close match. But I also understand the drive to win, and the reality that not all Beyblades are created equal under the current rules. It’s a bit disappointing to leave my favourite blades on the bench, but it makes those rare underdog victories all the sweeter.

So here’s to the bladers who keep spinning their favourites, win or lose. And here’s hoping that future rule tweaks or part releases will shake up the meta and give every Beyblade a fighting chance in the stadium. Because at the end of the day, it’s the fun, the surprises, and the community that keep us coming back for more