Blue Lock: Rivals NEL Isagi

NEL (Neo Egoist League) Isagi isn’t just a cosmetic change. This World Class style represents Isagi after his significant growth during the Neo Egoist League arc in the Blue Lock manga and anime. Think heightened game sense, sharper instincts, and the terrifying ability to “devour” opponents’ plays and create goals seemingly out of nowhere.

In Blue Lock: Rivals, NEL Isagi is classified as a World Class rarity style. This puts him in the absolute top tier, alongside other legends. He’s designed to be incredibly versatile, capable of flipping the game on its head from almost anywhere on the field, excelling in both offensive creation and disruptive defense. He’s described in-game as “Truly, an out of this world player,” and frankly, that’s not far off.

This is where NEL Isagi truly shines (and sometimes confuses!). His base moveset is a powerful toolkit for controlling the game before even thinking about Awakening. Let’s break each move down (default keys shown, check your settings!):

Lefty Shot (Key: C – Off Ball)

• Cooldown: 30 Seconds (relatively short for its impact!)

• Mechanic: This is arguably one of NEL Isagi’s signature disruptive moves. When an opponent has the ball (even while dribbling!), you activate this. NEL Isagi performs a quick maneuver to steal the ball directly from the opponent. Immediately after the steal, he takes a powerful shot with his left foot in the direction your camera is facing.

• Key Info & Quirks:

  • Requires Opponent Possession: You absolutely must target an opponent who currently has control of the ball.

  • Surprise Factor: Its speed and immediate shot can catch opponents (and sometimes even goalies) completely off guard. Excellent for sudden counter-attacks.

  • Potential Bug/Lag (“Teleporting Ball”): Sometimes, due to lag or bugs, after activation, the opponent might keep moving with the ball for a brief moment while your NEL Isagi is frozen. Then, the ball might suddenly “teleport” back to Isagi for the shot animation. It’s weird, but the steal/shot usually still happens.

  • The “Devour”: This move perfectly embodies Isagi’s ability to “devour” opponents by taking their momentum and turning it into his own scoring chance.

  • Post-Rework: Visual effects (VFX) were added/improved in the rework, making the move feel more impactful.

Direct Shot (Key: C – On Ball)

• Cooldown: 30 Seconds

• Mechanic: When you have the ball, pressing C triggers this move. NEL Isagi flicks the ball up slightly into the air in front of him and then unleashes a powerful, direct volley shot.

• Key Info & Quirks:

  • Fixed Trajectory: Unlike some shots, looking up or down doesn’t significantly change the shot’s height or distance. It’s quite literally direct.

  • Power: It’s a strong shot, capable of scoring from decent range.

  • Initial Bugs: Upon release, this move was notoriously buggy and sometimes wouldn’t fire correctly. Reworks aimed to fix this, but occasional glitches can happen in Roblox games.

  • Setup: The initial flick-up provides a tiny window for defenders to react, but the shot itself is fast.

Metavision (Key: V)

• Cooldown: 45 Seconds

• Mechanic: Activating Metavision gives NEL Isagi a temporary buff. It increases his movement speed without draining stamina and provides enhanced awareness. Visually, the field might turn blue with puzzle-piece overlays, and NEL Isagi gains a distinct blue aura or forcefield around him. Crucially, it allows you to see all other players’ styles displayed above their heads.

• Key Info & Quirks:

  • Enhanced Awareness: Seeing enemy styles helps you anticipate their potential moves and threats (e.g., knowing if someone has a Nagi trap or a Kunigami power shot).

  • Speed Boost: The stamina-free speed boost is great for repositioning, chasing down opponents, or creating space.

  • Forcefield/Hitbox: The visual forcefield effect essentially shows your character’s hitbox, which can be useful for understanding spacing.

  • Eye Strain?: Some players noted in the rework video that the intense blue visual effects could be a bit much during extended use.

  • Base vs Awakening: In base form, Metavision primarily shows styles. Seeing detailed cooldowns seems linked to the Awakening passive (more on that later).

  • Not Unique Name: Sae Itoshi also has a move named Metavision, but the mechanics differ. This reflects the concept in the manga where Metavision isn’t exclusive to one player.

Dash (Key: B)

• Cooldown: 40 Seconds (for full recharge after 2 uses)

• Mechanic: This provides a quick, significant burst of speed covering a good distance. Crucially, you get two charges of this dash.

• Key Info & Quirks:

  • Two Charges: You can use the dash twice in quick succession.

  • Cooldown Mechanics: There’s a very short internal cooldown after the first dash. The main 40-second cooldown only begins after you use the second dash (or if enough time passes after the first without using the second).

  • Optimal Use: It’s generally best to use both dashes close together if you need maximum distance quickly, as the long cooldown doesn’t start until the second use.

  • Versatility: Fantastic for closing gaps, escaping pressure, reaching loose balls, or setting up combo plays.

  • Movement Requirement: Some early reports suggested the dash might not work correctly if standing still or in certain areas, but later gameplay shows it working more consistently after reworks. It functions best when already moving.

  • Post-Rework Speed: Videos after the rework emphasize how effective this dash is, covering significant ground quickly.

• Chemical Reaction (Mention – Likely Outdated/Bug)

  • Initial information suggested a special “Chemical Reaction” with the Kurona style.

  • Community consensus and testing indicate this was likely a bug or unimplemented feature. As of current knowledge, there’s no specific, functional chemical reaction passive between NEL Isagi and Kurona in the game. Don’t count on this.

Okay, you pulled him (congrats!) or you’re planning your strategy for when you do. How do you actually use NEL Isagi effectively?

General Playstyle – The Versatile Playmaker/Predator

NEL Isagi isn’t just a striker; he’s a force multiplier.

• Offense/Defense Hybrid: Use his speed and Lefty Shot to pressure opponents high up the pitch, steal the ball, and create instant offense. Don’t be afraid to play midfield or even track back.

• Spatial Awareness (Player Skill): Think like Isagi. Use Metavision (and your own observation) to understand field positioning. Where are the gaps? Where are the threats? Where can you best receive a pass or intercept one?

• Exploit Blind Spots: Use Dash to appear suddenly in unexpected areas, mirroring Isagi’s off-the-ball movement from the manga.

Offensive Tactics

• Dash Combos: Use the double Dash to blow past defenders and quickly get into shooting range for a Direct Shot or Two-Gun Volley (if Awakened).

• Lefty Shot Counter: Steal the ball near the opponent’s goal. The immediate shot gives the GK minimal reaction time.

• Metavision Positioning: Activate Metavision to spot openings or identify defenders’ styles before making your move. The speed boost helps you reach those spots.

• Awakening Finisher: Pop Awakening when you have a clear opportunity near the goal. Demon King on an aerial ball is devastating. True Direct Shot can surprise everyone if a teammate has the ball in a good spot for you.

Defensive Tactics

• Aggressive Interception: Lefty Shot isn’t just for scoring. Use it defensively in the midfield or even your own half to disrupt opponent build-up and start a counter.

• Metavision Tracking: Use the speed boost and style awareness to track dangerous opponents and anticipate their plays.

• Dash Recovery: Made a mistake or got beat? The double Dash is excellent for quickly recovering your defensive position.

Specific Techniques & Combos

These combine his moves for greater effect:

• Dashing Direct Shot (Tech from Wiki)

  1. Get relatively close to the goal with the ball.

  2. Use Dash (B) to move quickly towards one side of the goal. This often baits the goalkeeper into moving or diving towards that side.

  3. Immediately use Direct Shot (C) aiming for the opposite side of the goal.

  4. If the GK committed to your dash direction, they likely won’t recover in time to save the shot.

• Sneaky Lefty (Tech from Wiki/Community)

  1. Target an opponent who is dribbling, especially air-dribbling, but might momentarily pause or be predictable.

  2. Use Lefty Shot (C) unexpectedly during their brief pause or predictable movement.

  3. The sudden steal and shot can confuse them, creating a scoring chance or an opportunity to pass if the shot isn’t ideal.

  4. Can potentially work against airborne styles like Nagi if timed perfectly as they land or are briefly vulnerable, though requires good timing and prediction.

• Dash > Lefty Shot Pressure

  1. Use Dash (B) to rapidly close the distance on an opponent with the ball.

  2. As soon as you’re in range, activate Lefty Shot (C) for a surprise steal and potential shot. The speed of the dash makes the steal harder to anticipate.

Flow Synergy – What Works Best?

While NEL Isagi is strong on his own, pairing him with the right Flow enhances his potential:

• Prodigy: Often cited as a universally good flow, works well with Isagi’s versatile kit.

• Dribbler: Enhances his ability to maneuver with the ball, synergizing with his Dash for offensive pushes.

• Speed/Dribble Boost Flows: Anything that further increases speed or dribbling control complements his already potent movement and offensive capabilities.

• Awaken Genius (World Class Flow): This flow, which seemingly became World Class around Isagi’s release, boosts dribble amount, shot power, and gives Flow on activation. It’s a natural fit, enhancing his core strengths.

So, after all this, should you pour your resources into chasing NEL Isagi?

Pros:

• Incredibly Powerful: One of the strongest, most versatile styles in the game.

• Game-Changing Abilities: Lefty Shot disruption, high mobility, devastating Awakening.

• High Skill Ceiling & Fun Factor: Mastering his kit is rewarding and leads to spectacular plays.

• Faithful to Source Material: Captures the essence of evolved Isagi very well.

• Top Tier Meta Pick: Consistently relevant in competitive play.

Cons:

• Extreme Rarity: Requires immense luck or resources to obtain. Frustration is likely.

• Potential for Bugs: Complex styles can sometimes break with game updates.

• Requires Skill: Just having him isn’t enough; you need good game sense and mechanical skill to use him effectively.

• Awakening Dependency?: While strong in base, his peak power is locked behind Awakening.

Verdict: If you love Isagi, enjoy a high-skill playstyle, and have the patience (or luck) for the grind, absolutely. He offers a unique and powerful experience. However, if you get easily frustrated by low drop rates or prefer simpler styles, you might aim for more accessible options.