The release of Update 22 brought one of the most debated abilities to Volleyball Legends in recent memory: the Magnetic Pull. Instantly, the community was divided. Is it a game-breaking new meta, or just a flashy, “mid” ability that can’t compete in high-level ranked play? The truth, as is often the case, lies somewhere in the middle.
After spending hours testing this secret ability in every game mode, we’ve broken down exactly what it does, its best uses, and its critical flaws. This is your definitive guide to understanding and mastering Magnetic Pull.
What is Magnetic Pull and How Does It Actually Work?
At its core, Magnetic Pull is a utility-focused ability. When activated, your character emits a brief field of energy. If the volleyball enters this field, its momentum is immediately altered, and it is pulled directly toward your character’s position. Think of it as a short-range tractor beam for the ball.
The key to understanding it is recognizing its limitations. The effective range isn’t massive, and the duration is short, meaning you have to anticipate the ball’s path and time your activation perfectly. A poorly timed pull is a wasted cooldown, leaving you vulnerable.
Mastering Magnetic Pull: Offensive & Defensive Strategies
Magnetic Pull is not a simple one-button solution; it’s a creative tool. Its value comes from using it in ways your opponents won’t expect.
Offensive Game Changers
While it may seem defensive, the best use of Magnetic Pull is often to create unexpected offensive plays.
- The Yo-Yo Spike: The most advanced offensive trick is to pull the ball from your opponent’s side of the court just as they are about to set it, yanking it over the net and causing chaos for an easy point.
- Perfecting the Set: If a set from a teammate is slightly off, a quick Magnetic Pull can snap the ball into the perfect position for a devastating spike. This offers great synergy with setters like Kagayyama, whose precise but sometimes tricky sets can be perfectly controlled.
- Bait and Switch: You can use the pull to fake a set in one direction, then spike it in another, completely wrong-footing blockers who were reacting to the ball’s initial path.
Defensive Saves and Control
Defensively is where the ability feels most intuitive, but it requires sharp reflexes.
- Saving the Shank: This is Magnetic Pull’s primary job. When a teammate shanks a receive and sends the ball flying out of bounds, you can use a well-timed pull to rescue it from oblivion and keep the rally alive.
- Taming Wild Passes: In the chaos of 2v2 or 3v3, passes can get sloppy. Magnetic Pull allows you to act as a defensive anchor, cleaning up messy plays by pulling stray balls back into a controlled, playable position.
The Honest Truth: Pros and Cons of Magnetic Pull
No ability is perfect. Before you spend all your cash rolling for it, you need to understand its trade-offs.
Pros:
- Unmatched Save Potential: It can save plays that are otherwise completely lost, making it one of the best recovery tools in the game.
- High Skill Ceiling: In the hands of a creative and strategic player, it can create opportunities no other ability can.
- Extremely Unpredictable: Opponents will have a very difficult time reading your intentions when Magnetic Pull is off cooldown.
Cons:
- Requires Perfect Timing: A half-second miscalculation makes the ability completely useless.
- Can Be Baited: Smart opponents will fake spikes to bait you into using your pull, then punish you during your cooldown.
- Less Effective Against Raw Power: Unlike a dedicated blocking ability, it struggles against abilities like Shield Breaker that focus on pure, unstoppable force.
The Final Verdict: Is Magnetic Pull the New Meta?
After extensive testing, the verdict is in: Magnetic Pull is a powerful, A-Tier utility ability, but it is not a meta-defining offensive force.
It is not an ability you can build your entire playstyle around in the same way you can with a top-tier spiking or setting power. Instead, it is the ultimate tool for creative players and highly coordinated teams who can use its disruptive potential to control the flow of the game. For solo players, a more reliable and straightforward ability might be a better choice. It excels at turning your opponent’s controlled setup into pure chaos, and in high-level play, chaos creates opportunity.
Ultimately, it is a fantastic addition to the game that rewards high-skill players with the power to make truly legendary plays.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
QUESTION: How do you effectively counter a player who has mastered Magnetic Pull? ANSWER: The best counter is to be unpredictable. Vary your shot timing and power. Try to bait out the ability with fake spikes or off-speed shots. Once they’ve used it, they are vulnerable for a short period, which is your prime window to attack with a powerful, well-placed spike.
QUESTION: What is the best position to play when you have Magnetic Pull equipped? ANSWER: While any position can use it, it feels most effective from a Libero or general support position. From the back row, you have a better view of the entire court, allowing you to react to stray balls and position yourself for both defensive saves and surprise offensive pulls.
QUESTION: Can you use Magnetic Pull to intercept or affect a serve? ANSWER: Yes, you can use it to adjust your positioning on a serve receive. If a serve is heading for a corner, you can use the pull to bring the ball closer to your body for a more controlled first touch. However, given its cooldown, using it on a serve might not always be the best strategic choice compared to saving it for a more critical moment in the rally.
