Frank

Frank is an aggressive-control type brawler whose purpose is to act as a distraction for his teammates to help aid him in the heat of battle. It’s a different type of aggression that isn’t going around and getting kills, but a type of aggression that involves pushing for control and position on the map using your stats.

It’s generally unwise for a Frank to run into the opponents to try and get a kill. The best description is a Clash of Clans example, if Frank was a golem and the rest of your opponents were witches and wizards. The golem is there to provide health and distract the opposing targets to allow the squishier units to move up the map, who are providing most of the damage. Because of this, Frank will be doing a lot of dodging in order to give his teammates as much time as possible to move up the map.

This game style works best in passive modes such as Bounty and Knockout where the types of brawlers played are more passive and struggle to be able to kill high health targets. Also the maps tend to have enough cover to be able to allow Frank to hide behind while still being decently open (Belle’s Rock, Flaring Phoenix, Layer Bake)

In the event that Frank is facing more lane type brawlers that may not have the greatest stats to burst him down, he generally works in the rest of the other modes as more of your typical aggro tank that is similar to Buster. The best modes dedicated for Frank outside the passive ones previously stated are Brawl Ball, Hot Zone, and Gem Grab in that order.

Effective Gears:

Health: Having the highest health pool in the game, Frank benefits the most from this additional healing to help maintain his role as a meat shield. Is the most top priority Gear.

Damage: Additional damage never hurts, and Frank’s health gives a lot more room for when the Gear can be activated and used. Just note that in matchups where Frank is more focused on tanking as opposed to attacking, this may not be the best pick.

Speed: When Frank is unable to reach the enemies and is more focused on providing protection for his teammates, speed ads on Frank's pressure and survivability.

Gadget Cooldown: Pairs well with Active Noise Canceling in the case of fighting more CC than intended. But generally not as useful as some of the other Gears.

Ineffective Gears:

Shield: A miniscule amount of additional health that does not prioritize itself enough over other Gears.

Vision: Rarely seen unless used in conjunction with other brawlers on map-wide bush maps such as Snake Prairie.

When optimally playing Frank as a distraction, you want to spend as much time in the front lines while still trying to stay alive as best you can. Frank on average has around 15k health, so put that health to good use as it’s no good having a Frank stay in the back of the map and letting the opponents rush in and take position.

Dodging: Similar to playing any of the other mainline tanks (Jacky, Rosa, Bull, Primo), you want to slowly work your way up the map by having an unpredictable dodging pattern as well as stepping out of the opponents' range. Frank has the most HP in the game, and while previously stated that you should put your health to good use, that does not imply you are free from dodging as at the end of the day, you are still a super sponge for the opponents.

Use many types of dodging patterns ranging for side stepping, moving diagonally and hiding behind cover in order to slowly push yourself up the map. Frank also has the added benefit of having a bit of range to his main attack which allows him to more easily move up the map, but in return makes him much more vulnerable when it comes to defending himself due to his windup.

super management: Frank’s super is a bit of a double edge sword as while it is a strong tool at keeping the opponents away from him and to get an easy kill from behind the wall, he shapes the map which makes it disadvantageous for Frank in the long run. He is still a tank at the end of the day, and as such needs some sort of cover. So be mindful that whenever using your super, you do not destroy too much of the map.

Unpredictability: Being one of the few attacks in the game with a windup, it makes Frank incredibly easy to react against, however some people tend to push their luck too much when rushing a Frank. Take advantage of this and throw out supers or 2nd gadget type attacks whenever the opponents least expect it when they try to overextend. If the opponents feel threatened to go in, the opponents will then give you more distance which in turn allows you to more easily move up the map.

Brawl Ball Wallbreak: Like many other brawlers with a wall break, Frank is able to pass the ball back to himself and unleash a quick super to break the wall for an easy goal. Frank is by far the easiest and best at this as not only does he have a wide super, but also stuns the opponents which allows Frank to pass the ball freely through the opponents.

Frank is also to some extent able to do this with his 2nd gadget due to the pull mechanic, however isn’t as common or seen as Frank generally has the health to walk in most goals.

Gene: Frank’s noise canceling gadget is immune to nearly all CC, including Gene’s pull. To time it, Frank must be hit by the Gene pull first and must be in the pull animation before he’s able to cancel out of it. Do it too early and Gene will still pull you while in gadget.

Mr. P: By having additional porters on the field, they act as an additional distraction alongside Frank which gives him pockets of time in order to heal. As well as also being a great threat to force opponents to run away which allows Mr. P to benefit more from his suitcase style attack.

Gus: Having an easy to hit shot and kill confirm tool pairs himself well with Frank, alongside having a shield and ghost to aid in Frank’s survivability.

Healers: Healing on any aggressive tank is generally beneficial as they are able to make the most use out of it. Frank in particular is able to get back into the fight easier to continue tanking and acting as a vital distraction. Note that the best kinds of healers are ones that can run into the fight with Frank and have an easy time with confirmed kills. (Poco, Kit, Gene)