YellowJacket Guide: Ode to a forgotten buff

pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
in General Discussion
Disclaimer : I am not a Youtuber, all clips in this thread are made to store the videos off my phone.

As you all may know, I am an avid YellowJacket fan. The buff to YJ was made a year ago (i think?) and at the time, my alt account had a duped 6* so I took him up to r2 to test him out. And boy, was I heavily impressed. Over time, he became my second r3 on that account, I grinded for him on my main account in the arena (and r3ed him), and have an r5 on my third (mini account). All the footage shown here are from my three accounts. My main and alt are in a Map7, P2 alliance, and plays T2 wars. My mini is in Tier7/8 (chill) alliance.
So, what makes YJ so good?
1) Extremely high energy resistance.
YellowJacket has an insanely high energy resistance. He ranks 4th in the game at 5134 (at r3), behind mordo (max sig when blocking, 19.4k at sig200 r3), Guardian (8591 at r3 sig200), and WM with Tigra synergy and his own prefight (5.3k approx). He is also the only champion to have such a high resistance, without any requirements or buffs, which makes him incredibly versatile out of the box, with no sig investment.

2) High Physical resistance
YJ has the highest BASE physical resistance in game, at 1185 at r3, making him incredibly tanky along with his energy resist. His block proficiency is also above average due to this.

3) On demand Slow
YJ has an on demand slow on the heavy, at the cost of 10 nuclear core charges. This lasts for 10 seconds. There are not many slow champions in game, and he joins Redguardian, Spidergwen and s99 as the other slow champs in the science class. The reach of his heavy is also surprisingly high which allows a very safe heavy intercept.

4) Passive heal reduction
Nuclear charge reduces opponent regeneration. each charge reduces it by 1% making it obsolete at 70+ charges. This is passive and has no debuff attached to it, which is huge utility for his kit.

5) Sp2 Petrify
If the above reduction wasnt enough, YJ also has access to a very potent sp2 Petrify for 15 seconds at a base 50% potency, plus increased potency for every nuclear core charge. This makes him viable for many powergain matchups as well.

6) Damage reduction from unblockable specials.
If ALL of this wasnt enough, YJ can also reduce unblockable special damage by an astonishing 75%! This further adds to his tankiness as a champion.
Shoutout to a synergy with Kingpin, where inflicting a debuff adds 10 nuclear core charges.

Why isnt he talked about too much?
The main reason is his damage his not very high. His crit rate is average, crit damage is average. He doesnt have big yellow numbers, but his damage is respectable. Middle of the pack. His powerstings pack a decent punch (12-16k damage from 3 stings) at r3 and his mediums can crit for 4k easily, but he doesnt hit very hard.
This is an issue for those who like closing fights very quickly, and is a big reason why folks havent looked at how useful he can be.

Separately, his kit looks good, little bits of utility. But together, they make YJ an incredibly versatile champion, able to be used in a variety of different situations. I have been working on footage showing me use him in T2 wars (season 31), and in content.

Slow utility+ Energy resist :
YJ taking on mixmaster Apoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zwCFsjABq8

YJ vs T2 HighGround ProfX Mixmaster mini : i get hit by an unblockable special with 12+ prowess!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7opEFcYzjSA

Energy resistance Utility:

r5 YJ vs 12k attack HB in variant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OcC6o6GHwo

r5 YJ vs Variant Havok 12k attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wm4AMFS7kk

r5 YJ vs Variant Apoc, 11k attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf0ZGNSrPEI

r5 YJ vs Electro boss, villain Variant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15L8bDSga0Y

Slow utility:
r3 YJ vs T2 brute force mini Thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gogfYczd3bg

r3 Yj vs Strike counter Fury t2 war Thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyOPdHJp0wU

Slow+ heal reduction utility:
R3 YJ vs T2 Brute force Sasquatch mini
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncxSndQiRhQ

Heal reversal utility:
R5 Yj vs Villain Variant, aggression regen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgqe-oaXG10

Energy resist+ heal reduction utility
r5 YJ vs 12k attack 1% regen Vision Aarkus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R89JWTY6NfI

Physical resistance utility:
r3 Yj path 5 T2 war Sasquatch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y9WHqiqpDg

Unblockable specials utility :
R3 YJ Vs path5 T1 America Chavez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2a0vqV6nlk

Overall utility Physical+ energy resistance
R3 YJ vs T2 America Chavez boss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkXemWFF95w

R3 YJ vs T2 Mojo boss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqBLDkqIp-A

Current war utility :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAsO2NQtgo4

And of course, the standard 6.2.6 champion solo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn2R2il5QDo

I have a fairly expansive roster of r3s across my two high level accounts (29 and 17 respectively), but I seem to be turning to Yellow Jacket more often than not to solve my problems, especially in war. Many higher skilled players will be able to do a lot more than i can here. I urge everyone to look past the initial lower numbers and take a second look at this wonderful champion, you will be surprised to find a hidden gem.




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Comments

  • The_man001The_man001 Member Posts: 624 ★★★
    One of the best post i have seen in a while. Awesome man!!! Gonna favourite this thread.
    Btw i have r5 yj on my mini i casually ranked him up mainly for heal reversal. Never knew this high energy resistance can be so useful.
  • BitterSteelBitterSteel Member Posts: 9,264 ★★★★★
    Great showcase and write up, OP you'll know that I've been on the YJ hype train for a while now thanks to you. I am a huge fan of his now, and I have an R3 on my mini account but as that's being retired soon - I may well R3 him on my main account too!
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    Thank you @Hector_1475 @BitterSteel @DrZola @The_man001 I hope i could shed some light to more uses of this champ.
    @Chovner thanks for the correction, I did overlook She hulk.
  • SazedSazed Member Posts: 304 ★★
    I did just pull a 6* YJ. Think I could use him for 6.2.5. Mordo?
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    Sazed said:

    I did just pull a 6* YJ. Think I could use him for 6.2.5. Mordo?

    With WHite mags prefight, yes. You just need to get the initial slow on him and you are golden to parry hit him. the slow will help him with evading, KP synergy will keep your nuclear charges up, and petirfy will give you a great cushion to reverse powergain.
  • SazedSazed Member Posts: 304 ★★
    Still hunting 5 or 6* Wags. Wasn't even planning on doing the quest till I had him so that's nice. I'll have to try him out thanks!
  • ChikelChikel Member Posts: 2,108 ★★★★
    I like YJ and I desperately need someone with access to power sting but the major issue with him isn't damage but the max sig requirement. My only awakened YJ is the 6* and I don't have the sigs to spend on him. Even if I do, why would I put them in YJ? He's decent but not versatile enough to deserve it more than some other science champs.

    I really wish Kabam would move away from high sig requirements for science champs. I don't think there's any other class with that many champs requiring either max sig or a decent sig level. It means that I'm always out of science sigs
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    Chikel said:

    I like YJ and I desperately need someone with access to power sting but the major issue with him isn't damage but the max sig requirement. My only awakened YJ is the 6* and I don't have the sigs to spend on him. Even if I do, why would I put them in YJ? He's decent but not versatile enough to deserve it more than some other science champs.

    I really wish Kabam would move away from high sig requirements for science champs. I don't think there's any other class with that many champs requiring either max sig or a decent sig level. It means that I'm always out of science sigs

    Watch the videos. I NEVER use the sig. MY r3 on my main is unduped.
  • Hector_1475Hector_1475 Member Posts: 1,794 ★★★★★
    @Chikel watch the 6* unduped videos above. Not only he does not need max sig, he does not even need awakening, That is a myth that circulated a lot by YouTubers when he got out.
  • ŁŤÇŁŤÇ Member Posts: 351 ★★★
    I have a 6-3 YJ that I ranked up for defense. But I really like him.
  • FintechFintech Member Posts: 178 ★★★
    I’m a fan
  • KnightZeroKnightZero Member Posts: 1,453 ★★★★★
    edited February 2022
    I am in OP's alliance. Used to honestly laugh when he got YJ into war. Then tried him out and he's been the champ I'm using the most this season.
    I've fought multiple nodes and champs with him without a single death.
    Footloose Maw, Various champs on Power Snack and Mix Master, Chavez and Maw bosses and a variety of lanes. Definitely a fan now and he's an amazing champ.
    Chikel said:

    I like YJ and I desperately need someone with access to power sting but the major issue with him isn't damage but the max sig requirement. My only awakened YJ is the 6* and I don't have the sigs to spend on him. Even if I do, why would I put them in YJ? He's decent but not versatile enough to deserve it more than some other science champs.

    I really wish Kabam would move away from high sig requirements for science champs. I don't think there's any other class with that many champs requiring either max sig or a decent sig level. It means that I'm always out of science sigs

    I've used YJ to solo Chavez and Maw bosses in T2 war. Mine is unduped. I never used Sp3 in any fight with him.
  • FluffyPigMonsterFluffyPigMonster Member Posts: 2,069 ★★★★★
    This is fantastic

    I’m so impressed by the write up im going to play my YJ right now
  • thanks4playingthanks4playing Member Posts: 805 ★★★
    This is some really good stuff. I remember someone mentioning how good YJ is but I never found gameplay of it. I'll be watching these and I've already shared it with my alliance and all of my contacts.
  • thanks4playingthanks4playing Member Posts: 805 ★★★
    Quick question: against that Mojo boss, you turned off dexterity right? And yes... you gotta love that AI... great fight tho!
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    thanks4playing said:

    Quick question: against that Mojo boss, you turned off dexterity right? And yes... you gotta love that AI... great fight tho!

    Yep, I turned off dex. I'll be attempting it again today in the war I'm in. Hopefully second time is the charm.
    FluffyPigMonster said:

    This is fantastic

    I’m so impressed by the write up im going to play my YJ right now

    Thank you! Glad my thread is working on convincing you to give him a chance.
  • CosmicGuardianCosmicGuardian Member Posts: 408 ★★★
    Very insightful post! I’ve been quite curious about his buff since it released, but unfortunately haven’t been able to pull a 5 or 6 star version yet. I haven’t really heard much on his buff, so I’m glad to see such an in-depth write up on what he can do. Hopefully I’ll be able to pull him from the 6 star featured, would you say he needs to be awakened? Or is that just an unnecessary but nice bonus?
  • World EaterWorld Eater Member Posts: 3,782 ★★★★★
    Seeing Fintech use him in the summoner showdown was great.
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    Update: I used YJ vs polka dot power Chavez mini (t2) and all you need to do is bait unblockable sp2s with YJ. It does next to no damage! Soloed the mini on both accounts.
    Didnt record because of the current issues going on ( i run android), but YJ is a good option for it.
  • GuytennisGuytennis Member Posts: 420 ★★★
    You turned off dexterity for the mojo fight, right?
  • ChatterofforumsChatterofforums Member Posts: 1,779 ★★★★★
    It's nice to see stuff like this much later after the buff as there were a few people who tried to say/show this was a good buff after the buff but received massive hate (common for big yters to rush new buff champs to be first but then give very inaccurate review which many others take for fact without ever trying).
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    Guytennis said:

    You turned off dexterity for the mojo fight, right?

    I did, yes
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    edited February 2022
    Chatterofforums said:

    It's nice to see stuff like this much later after the buff as there were a few people who tried to say/show this was a good buff after the buff but received massive hate (common for big yters to rush new buff champs to be first but then give very inaccurate review which many others take for fact without ever trying).

    I agree. I dont see a single Ytuber who has nice things to say, even after summoner showdown finalists (especially @Fintech ) gave his utility some slight airtime. Everyone seems to have completely wrong misconceptions about the champion, I hope with such footage some of the higher skilled players give him some more usage. He has some very nice synergies with Vulture, Kingpin, wasp and HB and Mags. He has great utility and just needs ranking, no sig levels or anything of the sort.
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    Update: I used YJ vs path1 vigor Wasp, and r4 doom on buffet. YJ took it like a champ.

    I also used him to solo r3 Nova on Mixmaster.
    I'm not doing videos atm, because it really lags my phone and im currently in T1 wars, so cant take any chances. YJ still shining for me this season.
  • HoitadoHoitado Member Posts: 3,707 ★★★★★
    YellowJacket got buffed? /s
  • pseudosanepseudosane Member, Guardian Posts: 4,008 Guardian
    took r4 doom on powersnack this last war. 4 sp2s on block. still solo with 30% health left and 10% rainbow boosts.
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