Garuda G3, known as Maximum Garuda (マキシマムガルーダ, Makishimamu Garūda) in Japan, is an Energy Layer released as part of the Burst System as well as the God Layer System. It debuted with the release of the B-87 Random Booster Vol. 7 Maximum Garuda.8F.Fl on July 15th, 2017. It later debuted in western countries with the release of the SwitchStrike Starter Pack Garuda G3 8Flow Flugel.
Description
Garuda G3 is a Stamina Type Energy Layer, that features a wide, almost perfectly round and smooth edge only interrupted by shallow bumps, akin to the Flying Defense Attack Ring from the Original Plastic Generation. As part of the SwitchStrike/God Layer System, Garuda G3 features a gimmick; connecting the perimeter to the center are five blades that create Upper Force.
In theory the Upper Force will "lift" the Beyblade off of the Stadium and decrease friction between the Performance Tip and the stadium floor to improve Stamina. In practice however, the blades instead create air resistance when spinning and slow the Beyblade down, an issue that becomes exacerbated the harder the Garuda G3 Layer is launched.
The Takara Tomy release of Maximum Garuda features only one shallow tooth. The rest of the Layer is supported by shallow slopes akin to those found on Hasbro Energy Layers. While such a feature may imply poor Burst resistance, the almost perfectly round perimeter creates little to no recoil which prevents both Bursts and KOs, creates high Life After Death and creates high resistance to Spin Equalization Combinations. Furthermore, despite the air resistance created by the gimmick, this Layer still has high Stamina, capable of Out Spinning Layers such as Alter Chronos. As a result, Garuda G3 becomes an ideal Layer for Stamina/Defense Combinations.
Use in Stamina/Defense Combinations
Maximum Garuda can be used in the Stamina/Defense Combination (MGC) Maximum Garuda 2/4/5/7 Cross/Glaive Atomic/Orbit. The heavy weight of the 2/4/5/7 bolsters Maximum Garuda's KO resistance while Cross/Glaive further bolsters Life After Death. Atomic further bolsters Life After Death with its free spinning ring and boosts Burst resistance with its free spinning ball while Orbit's free spinning ball can perform comparably to Atomic as well as granting higher Burst resistance with its stronger spring lock at the cost of Life After Death.
Overall
Maximum Garuda is a Top-Tier Layer for Stamina/Defense Combinations due to its high KO and Burst resistance and Life After Death to the point of being banned.
While now legal for tournament play once more, Maximum Garuda is still a must have for competitive bladers due to its excellent performance.
Differences in the Hasbro Version
Hasbro's Garuda G3 is virtually unchanged from Takara Tomy's Maximum Garuda with the Upper Force gimmick, large size and Stamina potential intact. The slopes of Garuda G3 also grant the Layer greater Burst resistance than its Takara Tomy counterpart, making Garuda G3 banned in tournament play as well.
As such, despite the ban, Garuda G3 is still a must have for competitive bladers in either format.
Products
Takara Tomy
- B-87 Random Booster Vol. 7 Maximum Garuda.8F.Fl - 01: Maximum Garuda 8Flow Flugel (Yellow)
- B-125 Random Booster Vol. 12 Dead Hades.11T.Z' - 04: Maximum Garuda 7Lift Sword
- BG-08 Random Layer Collection Vol. 8 - 04: Maximum Garuda (Translucent Red)
Hasbro
- E1036 Garuda G3 8Flow Flugel
- E5955 Garuda G3 6Star Defense
Gallery
Takara Tomy
Hasbro
Trivia
- Garuda is an Indian deity represented by a man with the head and wings of an eagle.
- Maximum Garuda is the second widest Beyblade part ever just below Trypio from Bakuten Shoot.