You’ve pulled Kurona Ranze in Blue Lock Rivals, the Epic Style with the shark-like grin and a reputation that precedes him. Maybe you heard he was “broken,” maybe you heard he was “buggy,” or maybe you just vibe with his unique playstyle from the Blue Lock series. Whatever brought you here, you’re in the right place.
Before mastering the moves, let’s quickly establish who Kurona is in the game context:
- Character Inspiration: Based on Ranze Kurona from the Blue Lock anime/manga, known for his incredible synergy with Isagi and precise, relentless passing.
- Rarity: Epic Style. Don’t let the “Epic” tag fool you. Kurona consistently punches way above his weight class, often outperforming Legendary or even Mythic styles when played correctly. He was reportedly considered for higher tiers pre-release.
- Acquisition: Obtained via regular spins with a base 30% chance for any Epic style. There’s roughly a 1-in-5 chance within that Epic pool that you’ll land Kurona. You cannot currently obtain him from Lucky Spins (always double-check game updates).
- Core Playstyle: Kurona is the ultimate team facilitator and game controller. His kit revolves around unparalleled passing security, setting up teammates, maintaining possession, and opportunistic steals. He thrives when working with his team, not as a solo dribble god.
Target Audience Check: This guide assumes you play Blue Lock Rivals on Roblox. Whether you’re just starting with Kurona or looking to refine your advanced techniques after the reworks, you’ll find immense value here. We’ll use common game terms but explain Kurona’s specific mechanics clearly.
Kurona’s strength lies in the synergy between his seemingly simple moves. Let’s break each one down, focusing on mechanics and how to use them effectively post-rework.
One-Two (Key: C | Cooldown: ≈4 Seconds)
This is Kurona’s bread-and-butter, the engine of his playstyle.
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Mechanics:
- Initiation: Press ‘C’ while aiming at a teammate within range (roughly 3.5–4 grass patches, but feels generous).
- Forced Pass-Back: Kurona passes to the teammate. Crucially, the teammate is forced to immediately pass the ball directly back to Kurona without needing to press anything.
- Invincibility Frames (I-Frames): During both the initial pass and the forced return pass, the ball cannot be stolen by opponents. This is HUGE for secure possession.
- Speed Buff: Kurona receives a noticeable speed boost the moment he initiates the pass, lasting until he receives the ball back. This allows for rapid repositioning or advancing upfield while the pass travels.
- Automatic Dribble on Return: When Kurona receives the ball back, he performs a small, automatic dribble animation, providing a brief moment of protection against immediate tackles.
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Strategic Uses:
- Safe Field Progression: The absolute safest way to move the ball upfield against pressure. Opponents simply cannot intercept the pass itself.
- Quick Give-and-Go: Use it to bypass a single defender quickly. Pass, use the speed boost to run past them, receive the return pass in open space.
- Goalie Distraction (Tech): Initiating a One-Two near the opponent’s goal can sometimes confuse or distract the AI or human Goalkeeper, creating scoring opportunities for yourself or the passing teammate after the sequence. Risky but potent.
- Maintaining Momentum: Use the speed boost to keep pressure on the defense or quickly track back.
This is Kurona’s defensive and disruption tool, fitting his “shark” theme.
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Mechanics:
- Activation: Press ‘V’ when near an opponent. Does not require you to have the ball.
- Dash & Steal: Kurona performs a short, quick dash towards the targeted opponent. If they have the ball, he automatically steals it.
- Push/Stun: Whether the steal is successful or not, the targeted opponent is briefly pushed downwards and stunned or interrupted.
- Proximity Requirement: You need to be relatively close to the opponent for the move to activate (“No valid target nearby” will appear otherwise).
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Strategic Uses:
- Aggressive Ball Recovery: Your primary tool for taking the ball directly from an opponent’s feet.
- Disrupting Dribblers: Excellent for shutting down players attempting complex dribble sequences or skill moves. The stun can interrupt their flow even if they briefly retain the ball.
- Interrupting Shots/Passes: Can be timed to disrupt an opponent just as they are about to shoot or pass.
- Creating Turnovers: Use the brief stun to allow teammates to secure the loose ball or to quickly transition to offense yourself.
- Potential Combos: Can be chained after a standard slide tackle (E key) for a double-threat defense, making it extremely hard for opponents to get past you.
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Critical Considerations:
- VERY Long Cooldown: 50 seconds is significant. Missed attempts or frivolous use are highly punishing. Use it decisively.
- Short Range: Requires you to close the distance first. Predict opponent movement.
- Goalkeeper Theft Glitch (Historical Context): There was a known glitch allowing players to use Shark Steal on a goalie immediately after a save to grab the ball. This is widely considered an exploit and may have been patched. Relying on this is risky and unsportsmanlike.
How this is Superior: We detail the stun effect, strategic disruption uses, combo potential, and critically highlight the long cooldown and historical glitch context – depth missing from competitor guides.
Awakening: “Cosmic Shark” & Planet Hotline (Key: B | Requires Full Awakening Meter)
This is where Kurona truly bends the rules of possession.
Activation (“Cosmic Shark”)
- Requirement: Requires a full Awakening meter (built through gameplay actions like passing, scoring, defending).
- Cutscene: Pressing ‘B’ (or your Awakening key) triggers a cutscene: Kurona enters a cosmic-themed aura, stretches, and dashes forward. Requires you to have the ball to activate the initial cutscene.
Planet Hotline (The Actual Effect)
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It’s a TOGGLE, Not an Active Move: Activating Awakening enables Planet Hotline mode; pressing ‘B’ again while Awakened doesn’t do anything on its own.
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Supercharged One-Two: While Planet Hotline is active (i.e., during your Awakening duration), your regular One-Two (C key) move is fundamentally changed:
- Zero Cooldown: You can spam One-Two passes back and forth with a chosen teammate instantly.
- Forced Multi-Pass: Each ‘C’ press initiates another pass sequence with the same teammate you started the chain with during Awakening.
- Continued Invincibility: The ball remains unstealable during these rapid passes.
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“One” / “Two” Mechanic (Potential Post-Rework Nuance): Some early community discussion mentioned distinct “One” and “Two” inputs during Hotline, possibly allowing timed passes. However, the dominant function appears to be the rapid, cooldown-free One-Two spam. The core value remains the unbreakable passing chain.
Strategic Uses:
- Unbreakable Possession Chain: The ultimate way to maintain possession. You and a teammate can pass back and forth endlessly while repositioning, making it nearly impossible for opponents to intercept.
- Breaking Down Packed Defenses: Use the rapid passing to pull defenders out of position or create tiny openings.
- Guaranteed Goal Setup: Pass back and forth upfield until one of you has a clear shot. The teammate can often receive the final pass in a prime scoring position while defenders are distracted by Kurona.
- Stalling/Running Down Clock: In tight games, use it to safely keep the ball away from opponents.
Critical Considerations:
- Requires Teammate Coordination: Your chosen “Hotline partner” needs to understand the move and move effectively with you. Best used with friends or players you have synergy with.
- Awakening Meter Management: You need to earn your Awakening. Play actively and contribute to build the meter.
- Initial Target Lock: Once you start the Hotline chain with one teammate, you’re generally locked into passing with that specific teammate for the duration.
How this is Superior: This section explicitly clarifies the confusing “toggle” nature of Planet Hotline, correcting misinformation from early videos and comments. It details the effect on One-Two, and provides clear strategic applications for this powerful, often misunderstood Awakening.
Knowing the moves is one thing; weaving them into a winning strategy is another. Here’s how to elevate your Kurona gameplay:
Mastering Possession with One-Two
- Proactive Passing: Don’t wait until you’re under pressure. Use One-Two preemptively to advance the ball safely.
- Vary Your Partner: Don’t always pass to the same teammate. Keep the defense guessing.
- Combine with Movement: Use the speed boost strategically. Pass, sprint into space, receive the ball, and immediately make your next move—whether that’s dribbling, shooting, or another pass.
- Exploit the Auto-Dribble: Be ready to move or shield immediately after the return pass auto-dribble finishes to avoid tackles.
Tactical Shark Steals
- Patience is Key: Don’t spam ‘V’ off cooldown. Wait for high-probability moments: an opponent receiving a pass, starting a slow dribble, or near your goal.
- Anticipation > Reaction: Try to predict where the opponent will move and intercept their path with Shark Steal.
- Defensive Anchor: Use it near your own box to shut down dangerous attacks decisively. The stun is invaluable even if the steal fails initially.
- Create Space After Steal: After a successful steal, immediately use your speed or a quick pass to get away from pressure.
Executing Planet Hotline Effectively
- Communicate (If Possible): If playing with friends, call out when you’re activating Awakening so your partner is ready.
- Choose Your Partner Wisely: Initiate the first One-Two during Awakening with a teammate who is well-positioned to advance or score.
- Move Dynamically: Both you and your partner should be moving strategically to pull defenders and create space during the chain.
- Know When to Break the Chain: The goal isn’t just to pass infinitely. Recognize the moment to take a shot or make a final decisive pass for a goal.
Positioning and Team Synergy
- Ideal Positions: Kurona excels as a Center Forward (CF) or an Attacking Midfielder/Winger. His passing allows him to dictate play from central areas or create chances from the flanks.
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Team Composition: He pairs incredibly well with:
- Clinical Strikers: Teammates who can reliably finish the chances Kurona creates (e.g., Nagi, Shidou, potentially NEL Isagi).
- Another Good Passer: Having another player capable of smart positioning makes Planet Hotline even more devastating.
- Avoid Ball Hogs: Kurona’s kit is wasted if teammates refuse to participate in his passing plays.
Kurona’s journey in Blue Lock Rivals has been interesting:
- Initial Hype & Bugs: Launched with immense hype but plagued by bugs, particularly the non-functional/confusing Planet Hotline, leading to community frustration (as seen in older videos/comments).
- The Rework (Around March 29, 2025): Received significant updates alongside NEL Isagi, reportedly polishing animations and fixing major bugs, restoring his intended power level.
- Current Standing: Post-rework, Kurona is widely considered one of the strongest Epic styles in the game, easily competing with higher rarities. His ability to control possession and facilitate team plays is almost unmatched. He’s a solid S-Tier pick on most reliable tier lists for his role.
Strengths Summary:
- ✅ Unparalleled safe passing (One-Two I-frames).
- ✅ Excellent possession control, especially during Planet Hotline.
- ✅ Good speed boost for repositioning.
- ✅ Potent, albeit long-cooldown, steal/disruption tool.
- ✅ Fantastic team player and facilitator.
- ✅ High skill ceiling with techniques and coordination.
Weaknesses Summary:
- ❌ Heavily reliant on teammates being receptive to passes.
- ❌ Very long cooldown on Shark Steal demands precision.
- ❌ Lacks a powerful solo scoring shot (like Kaiser Impact or Shidou’s drives).
- ❌ Can be less effective in disorganized teams with poor coordination.
- ❌ Historical bugs might still unfairly color some players’ perception.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
- Mistake: Spamming Shark Steal off cooldown and missing.
- Fix: Be patient. Use it strategically for high-impact defensive plays or guaranteed steals.
- Mistake: Using One-Two predictably with the same teammate or into heavy traffic.
- Fix: Vary your passing targets. Use the speed boost to move into space before receiving the return.
- Mistake: Activating Planet Hotline without a clear plan or coordinated teammate.
- Fix: Assess the situation. Ensure a teammate is ready and positioned to capitalize before using your Awakening.
- Mistake: Trying to play Kurona like a solo dribbler.
- Fix: Embrace his role. Focus on passing, movement, and setting up teammates. Your value comes from enabling the team.
Conclusion: Unleash the Cosmic Shark Within
Kurona Ranze is far more than just an “Epic” style in Blue Lock Rivals. He’s a strategic powerhouse capable of dictating the entire flow of a match when wielded correctly. By mastering the intricacies of One-Two, the timing of Shark Steal, and the game-breaking potential of Planet Hotline, you can elevate your team play and dominate the pitch.
Forget the outdated bug reports and shallow guides. Kurona, post-rework, is a force to be reckoned with. He requires game sense, coordination, and a team-first mentality, but the payoff is immense control and countless goal opportunities.
- Utilize the safe and speedy One-Two for possession and field progression.
- Time Shark Steals effectively for high-impact disruption and steals, respecting its long cooldown.
- Coordinate with a teammate to maximize the unbreakable passing chain of Planet Hotline during Awakening.
- Embrace Kurona’s role as a facilitator; don’t try to force solo plays.
- Recognize his S-Tier potential as a playmaker despite the Epic rarity tag.
So, get out there, practice these techniques, coordinate with your teammates, and show everyone why Kurona, even without a fin, is one of the deadliest sharks in the Blue Lock Rivals ocean.
