Key conclusions
- The meta in Smash Ultimate has evolved with better players and strategies, making early hype characters less common.
- Belmonts and Ike showed potential at launch, but ran into weak spots as players adjusted to their lagging attacks and limited options.
- Lucina, Alimar, and Pichu have undergone changes in the meta due to their predictable playstyles and nerfs affecting their competitive performance.
Current goal in Super Smash Bros Ultimate is very different from its launch version. While there were certain lows, there were a few fighters who showed their highest potential. At the time, the game was still new and the characters were still hiding their undiscovered prowess.
While some characters felt hyped and powerful at launch, they are not so in the current meta. Players now improve their advantage state by making fewer mistakes when guarding, juggling, and ranged attacks. Tournaments are still vibrant with many fighters, although some characters are not as common compared to the early years. This is due to improved player base, stronger counter strategies, DLC, balance changes and other issues. These fighters still have potential, but they are becoming less relevant in the meta.
10 Belmonts
Perfect flaw hunters
Simon and Richter were well-known for their demonic launch range, long-range whips both on the ground and in the air. They are equipped with several projectiles to keep their enemies at bay, including a holy cross, an ax and holy fire. They did a great job of pushing opponents away, especially against networks like T3 Dom.
As the meta developed, the Belmonts' weaknesses became more apparent. While their attacks still had range, they were laggy and ranged specific. The experience helped players recognize their setups before timing the move around holy projectiles. With their limited close-range capabilities, one mistake is enough for hunters to lose their advantage. As players get better at protecting the rim, it becomes harder for Belmont to recover. They weren't much better when DLC characters like Byleth, Sephiroth, and Min Min entered the fray. The Hunters still have one of the best ledge traps in the game, but they have a lot of work to do to achieve that advantage.
9 Ike
A fencer was killed
At launch, Ike was a fantastic heavy swordsman who emphasized strength. His neutral air and direction were his best neutral tools. He could effectively knock out his opponents with “Back Lift”, “Up”, “Lean Forward”, “Special Lift”, etc.
As the game progressed, however, Ike didn't get much better. Players understood his basic strategy, which allowed them to control by reacting to his choreographed attacks. His speed is below par, making it difficult for him to deal with fleeing and evasive characters. It didn't help that more of the DLC characters had better ranged tools, pushing the slow swordsman away. Despite his drop in the tier list, Ike's staples like Ravenking are still competitive.
8 Mega Man
Robot Zoner
Megaman excels at mid-range with his projectile-based moves, such as his downward missile strike, shot blasts, neutral special blade, and mid-air spin. His few melee attacks are quite impressive, especially his powerful upswinging shoryuken.
However, this special design holds back the character. Megaman combo takes time and tweaking to get decent percentages. It takes a lot of work for him to maintain his momentum compared to other fighters who do the same amount of damage with fewer moves. Players like Peabnut have great results with Megaman, but it's always difficult to work with his lower damage.
7 chrome
Glass Swarm
At launch, Chrom was discussed as a better swordsman than Roy. The main differences between the two are damage, elemental attacks, combo routes, and buffs. Like his daughter, Chrom's attacks deal consistent damage. It had a strong presence in the competitive scene at the time of its launch.
As the meta evolved, Chrom struggled to escape improved player defense tools. Unlike Roy, his recovery options are limited. Although he has the same trait as Ike, he doesn't have a hitbox to cover over him, making him defenseless. He cannot risk being put at a disadvantage, even if he seeks his own benefit. This puzzle lowers the character's potential.
6 Bowser
Grappler Koopa
Bowser is one of the best heavies in the game. His damage output is carried by his minimal combo routes, including his neutral flame breath special. He can deal a lot of damage with his aerials and smash attacks while taking a lot.
As time goes on, players improve their combinations more and more consistently. A big heavyweight like Bowser makes it easy to string together any attack effectively. At a disadvantage, he has few options, leaving him vulnerable to being juggled and attacked offstage. Bowser's main body still features King Koopa, but the combo-oriented characters and DLC make it difficult to use.
5 Lucina
Neutral swordsman
Most of the player base will attest that Lucina is better than Marth. It tilts down and the antennae are excellent at hitting targets at a good distance. Her quick walk helps her maneuver around the stage with care, while her floating air drift allows her to linger offstage a bit longer. She requires patience, but she can put pressure on her targets when necessary.
Lucina's main weakness that has hurt her position in the meta is her default fighting style. Her victory conditions require her to put her opponents at a disadvantage. With the smaller ball, she relies on her opponent's risky attacks to punish her. Faced with enemies with greater speed, range, and zoning, she has a hard time overcoming this.
4 Alimar
Little explorer
Alimar was a dormant threat in the early competitive years. Its design allows you to control different types of Pikmin with elements such as fire and electricity. Some even have advantages, such as yellow Pikmin's longer range and blue Pikmin's stronger throw. This allows him to adapt to his needs, whether he needs Pikmin with better range or damage power. Players like Shutan showed their potential early in several tournaments like Umebura SP and Frostbite 2019.
The character is still strong, but his reliance on Pikmin is his biggest flaw. As Pikmin die, Alimar is forced to pluck more, which can only be done on the ground. When he's in the air without Pikmin, he's at a huge disadvantage. He needs an active Pikmin since he only has 5 weak unarmed attacks. Its light weight means that any mistake can be fatal.
3 a hint
The freshest Woomy
Inkling was the most hyped rookie to join the current roster. At launch, the character showed off his fantastic neutral, safe aerials, small injury boxes, and devastating combos. Their attacks include weapons from their house series: sprays, blasters, splat bombs, ink brushes and rollers. Cosmos has been one of the top Inklings, placing highly in early tournaments such as Umebura Japan Major 2019 and Smash Ultimate Summit.
Relatives
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What lowered the Inkling's competitive presence was their simple design. This character is limited by his combo routes and pressure play. Players began to recognize the character's shallow setups, making it easy for opponents to react and dodge. Players also improve the spacing between them, making it risky for the Inkling to sniff out any chunky attacks. The character is still great in their moves, but they have a hard time escaping the choreography of their confusion.
2 I'm drinking
A spark of goodness
Pichu is a veteran who came back with a dominant early contest. The community took him a lot more seriously at launch thanks to his improved mobility and bait and chase gameplay. While some of his moves are self-damaging, the payoff is worth it, especially his forward tilt. Players like Void would earn great spots in tournaments like Genesis 6.
Shockingly, Pichu was short lived after a few nerfs. Not only was his hitbox bigger, but his best tools were also weaker and tougher. Each attack of self-harm increased exponentially, making breathing more committed and risky. Pitch was already having a hard time controlling his loss percentage, especially with his lower weight. He needs to be careful when he gets close to an early KO percentage, especially against characters that deal heavy bursts or damage.
1 Shulka
Technical potential
Shulk was discussed as one of the sleeper classes at launch. What made his tier placement debatable was his broken neutral Monado Arts special. He can adapt to any situation, but that potential comes at a price: Shulk's high technical and artistic shortcomings. Each limited art gives different buffs and debuffs. It depends on knowing when to use what arts are available throughout the match. Wasting art will greatly hinder its benefits.
Worse than anything else Xenoblade Chronicles representative that has similar mechanics with lower risks. His complex, risky design has led some players to prefer a lighter character. Top players like Kome still reach high places in tournaments like Umebura SP 11. Shulk still has the potential to be good, but his enhanced abilities make the effort useless.
