Calabash, as a new secondary-style shooting game with innovative gameplay, features unique bomb disposal modes and stringing mechanisms (characters can turn into paper-thin figures to dodge bullets), which can be considered the biggest highlights of the game. The core elements that carry the gameplay are the various characters. Today, I will share an introduction to all the characters in Calabash. However, due to the fact that there are over twenty characters in Calabash, I will only recommend ten due to space constraints.
Lavi, as a representative of vanguard-type characters, becomes an indispensable core member of the team thanks to her outstanding reconnaissance abilities. Her Shadow Assault Rifle, combined with the "Shadow Hunter Blade" skill, can accurately capture enemy movements within 15 meters, while the "Shadow Hide and Seek" ultimate move provides excellent tactical maneuvering space for the team. She is a tactical player who, in Season S8, secured a T1 position due to her excellent vision control, making her a top recommendation from me.
Baimo is an explosive type character. His Free Will Shotgun, paired with the "Aerial Dance" string jump, makes him the most threatening reaper on the battlefield. His unique "Hip Hop Color Burst" passive effectively restricts opponents' string movement, while the "Return to the Streets" resurrection beacon significantly boosts his survivability. These characteristics make Baimo sit firmly at the T0 level in Season S8, becoming the first choice for fast-paced team battles.
Xinghui, as a strong support-type character, is a must-have when forming a team. The Polaris Submachine Gun, combined with the armor-boosting effect of "Guardian Starlight," significantly enhances teammates' survivability. Her "Starry Gate" ultimate has the potential to reverse the course of battle, providing critical support to the team in critical moments. In high-level matches, Xinghui almost becomes a mandatory pick, with her group shield and healing abilities being very strong in the current version's team performance.
For control-type characters, two are recommended: one is Madelena, whose Painted Sniper Rifle, combined with the "Paint Bind" skill, effectively restricts enemy movement, while the "Paint Bubble" ultimate provides excellent vision control and vulnerability effects. In comparison, Ling's Dawn Sniper Rifle and "Dawn Curtain" focus more on long-range suppression, with the "Sanctuary Shield" ultimate performing exceptionally well in siege battles. Although the two characters have similar roles, their tactical styles are distinct.
Ming is a duelist type with strong mid-range combat suppression. His "Armor-Breaking Electric Ball" skill not only effectively destroys enemy armor but also creates a slowing electric field, creating an excellent output environment for the team. His passive skill "Energy Absorption and Armor Reinforcement" allows him to regenerate his own armor when dealing damage to armor, a unique sustain mechanism that often makes him a key player in prolonged battles, especially in close-quarters maps. Ming is particularly suitable for fighting against heavily armored enemies and is a powerful tool for the team to break through defenses.
Fisha represents another extreme style of duelist-type characters. She abandons traditional firearms and instead uses unique high-frequency vibration blades for melee attacks. Combined with the enemy location information provided by the "Sonic Detection" skill, Fisha can precisely cut into the weak points of the battlefield. When she activates the "Drone Synergy" ultimate, her attack speed increases, and with the assistance of drones, she can deal devastating blows in a short time. However, she has a relatively high learning curve and requires a certain level of proficiency.
Audrey, as a representative of guardian-type characters, excels in siege battles. Wielding the Crown Machine Gun, she can form sustained and fierce suppression in a set-up state, especially in maps with narrow terrain. Her "Barrage Bombardment" ultimate can launch powerful grenades, instantly changing the battlefield situation. Although her lack of mobility is a clear weakness, she still has strong performance in lower-tier matches. However, in higher-tier matches, this weakness limits her to specialized players.
Michelle, through her unique turret system, focuses on another type of siege play. The "Meow Meow Turret" not only automatically attacks enemies within range but also slows them down, effectively restricting enemy movement. When the "Firing Big Meow" ultimate is activated, the enhanced turrets form a powerful crossfire. However, like Audrey, her low mobility requires players to have excellent positional prediction skills.
Xinxia, as another representative of support-type characters, is a healer. Although the firepower of her Void Pistol is limited, the "Healing Drone" and "Kachuu Reshape" ultimate make her a key player in team sustain. In endgame situations, Xinxia's resurrection ability can often create miracles, but this also makes her a priority target for the enemy.
In the current S8 season, Baimo, Xinghui, and Madelena have become the meta answers due to their comprehensive abilities. Characters like Lavi, Fisha, and Ling, although requiring higher operational skills, can also unleash tremendous power in the hands of skilled players. For new players, it is recommended to start practicing with characters like Xinghui and Audrey, who have a higher tolerance for mistakes, and gradually master the core mechanics of the game. Only by deeply understanding the characteristics of each character and reasonably combining the lineup can one stand invincible on the battlefield of Calabash.
