I've seen posts on SAM LB, but what are folks' thoughts on Meteodrive?

[Cidel]

I agree with you that it is annoying, sometimes even toxic. Because in fl mnk can just lb you then kick you back into their alliance. Pretty much 100% death. It is very personal. It is like a 'I pick you to die moment'

I disagree with your perspective about SAM's LB in that other thread, but on this, we can agree on.

It's not so much about how game-changing it is compared to other LBs (though I'd argue it can be if you're using it on a high-value target like a shot-calling DRK), but that it, as correctly pointed out in the OP, basically has no counterplay against it and is quite basically a "hey, F you" button.

It doesn't matter if the LB's innate damage isn't normally enough to kill you, you are forcibly turned into a sitting duck no different from a sandbagger for a few seconds. You are free to get hit by other enemies while it's happening, and in large skirmishes like FL, that's lethal for anything not rocking one of the more potent defensive skills at that moment. You could have BH5 and have full MP and Purify ready, and the reflexive awareness to Guard a MCH's LB, and be doing everything right, but if a MNK with any level of proficiency picks you for their LB while you are even marginally in a position for their allies to follow-up with during the animation lock, you are dead. That's why it's essentially a "F you" button.

I remember when MNK got nerfed a few patches ago (maybe around the same time as AST's nerf?) and people absolutely thought it was justified because up until then it was just a toxic job to play against in CC with a free kill button every couple minutes or so.

Fortunately, I find actually skilled MNKs in FL to be mercifully rare. Most MNKs, a lot like your run-of-the-mill MCHs, have a trigger finger on their LB and will just use their LB with no set-up or thought about timing, and then you can just pull your pants back up and walk/run away after a couple Recuperates.

Meteo drive doesn't take control from the player for 5+ seconds like reaper or DNC LB

Except it absolutely does? The whole time your character is locked without access to Recup or Purify getting knocked into the air for about 3 whole seconds? I'd say it lasts just as long as RPR or DNC's LBs unless the DNC manages to follow-up with something.