Ness (SSB4): Difference between revisions

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|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]] (3DS)<br>[[Starter character|Starter]] (Wii U)
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]] (3DS)<br>[[Starter character|Starter]] (Wii U)
|tier = C
|tier = C
|ranking = 28
|ranking = 28-29
}}
}}
'''Ness''' ({{ja|ネス|Nesu}}, ''Ness'') returns as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Ness was officially confirmed on October 3rd, 2014, alongside {{SSB4|Falco}} and {{SSB4|Wario}}, coinciding with the Western release of {{for3ds}}. As in every previous ''Smash Bros.'' installation, Ness is once again voiced by Makiko Ōmoto, who has now recorded new voice clips for both versions of the game.
'''Ness''' ({{ja|ネス|Nesu}}, ''Ness'') returns as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Ness was officially confirmed on October 3rd, 2014, alongside {{SSB4|Falco}} and {{SSB4|Wario}}, coinciding with the Western release of {{for3ds}}. As in every previous ''Smash Bros.'' installation, Ness is once again voiced by Makiko Ōmoto, who has now recorded new voice clips for both versions of the game.


Ness is ranked 28th out of 55 characters on the [[tier list]] (tied with {{SSB4|Lucas}}), placing both him and Lucas as the lowest C tier characters and the lowest high tier characters. This is a vast improvement from his 26th out of 38 in ''Brawl'', and his best placement relative to previous ''Smash Bros.'' games. Ness no longer suffers from having 10 extra [[grab release]] frames, which was a huge detriment to his survival. Besides that, Ness possesses arguably the best grab game among the entire cast (competing with {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}'s and {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s), with his forward and up throws leaving opponents in very unfavorable positions, his down throw being a great combo starter at lower percentages and his back throw being the most powerful throw in the game, on top of being difficult to DI properly. Other notable strengths include an effective [[projectile]] game with [[PK Fire]] and [[PK Thunder]], a formidable air game courtesy of his powerful aerials, and a versatile combo game thanks to his throws and aerials. Despite being a middleweight, he also has high raw KO power and high damage output, a prime example being his aerials, forward smash, PK Flash and PK Thunder 2. Finally, due to the strengths above, Ness possesses very useful options to cover getups from a ledge or on the ground.
Ness is ranked 28th/29th out of 54 characters on the [[tier list]] (tied with {{SSB4|Lucas}}), placing both him and Lucas as the lowest C tier characters. This is a vast improvement from his 26th out of 38 in ''Brawl'' and is his best placement in the series. Ness no longer suffers from having 10 extra [[grab release]] frames, which was a huge detriment to his survival. Besides that, Ness possesses arguably the best grab game among the entire cast (competing with {{SSB4|Mewtwo}}'s and {{SSB4|Luigi}}'s), with his forward and up throws leaving opponents in very unfavorable positions, his down throw being a great combo starter at lower percentages and his back throw being the most powerful throw in the game, on top of being difficult to DI properly. Other notable strengths include an effective [[projectile]] game with [[PK Fire]] and [[PK Thunder]], a formidable air game courtesy of his powerful aerials, and a versatile combo game thanks to his throws and aerials. Despite being a middleweight, he also has high raw KO power and high damage output, a prime example being his aerials, forward smash, PK Flash and PK Thunder 2. Finally, due to the strengths above, Ness possesses very useful options to cover getups from a ledge or on the ground.


However, Ness has rather sub-par mobility and range, which often forces him to be methodical with his approaches, or play defensively in order to gain the lead, which can leave him at a disadvantage against characters with greater range on their attacks such as Cloud. Lastly and the most problematic is his recovery. Despite being greatly improved, PK Thunder remains quite gimpable as the lightning bolt can clang with other attacks, while opponents can forcibly push Ness out of the way or even take a hit from the lightning bolt, making his recovery fail.
However, Ness has rather sub-par mobility and range, which often forces him to be methodical with his approaches, or play defensively in order to gain the lead, which can leave him at a disadvantage against characters with greater range on their attacks such as Cloud. Lastly and the most problematic is his recovery. Despite being greatly improved, PK Thunder remains quite gimpable as the lightning bolt can clang with other attacks, while opponents can forcibly push Ness out of the way or even take a hit from the lightning bolt, making his recovery fail.
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*{{buff|Ness' grounded [[grab release]] has much less ending lag (FAF 41 → 30), now matching the rest of the cast, and making him significantly less vulnerable to grab release follow-ups especially when combined with the removal of [[chain grab]]bing. The changes to air releases also benefits him as he is far less susceptible to air release followups.}}
*{{buff|Ness' grounded [[grab release]] has much less ending lag (FAF 41 → 30), now matching the rest of the cast, and making him significantly less vulnerable to grab release follow-ups especially when combined with the removal of [[chain grab]]bing. The changes to air releases also benefits him as he is far less susceptible to air release followups.}}
*{{buff|[[Air dodge]] has less startup lag (frame 4 → 3) and ending lag (FAF 49 → 34).}}
*{{buff|[[Air dodge]] has less startup lag (frame 4 → 3) and ending lag (FAF 49 → 34).}}
*{{change|All of Ness's [[electric]] attacks except for his specials are now a [[magic]] effect.}}
*{{change|All of Ness's [[electric]] attacks except for his specials are now a {{b|magic|effect}} effect.}}
*{{change|Ness' gravity is higher (0.0711 → 0.077).}}
*{{change|Ness' gravity is higher (0.0711 → 0.077).}}
*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have less ending lag (FAF 32 → 31).}}
*{{buff|[[Roll]]s have less ending lag (FAF 32 → 31).}}
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**{{nerf|The second hit of dash attack deals less damage (4% → 2%) and as the first hit no longer deals consistent damage, dash attack as a whole no longer deals consistent damage (13% → 9%/11%/13%).}}
**{{nerf|The second hit of dash attack deals less damage (4% → 2%) and as the first hit no longer deals consistent damage, dash attack as a whole no longer deals consistent damage (13% → 9%/11%/13%).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Forward smash deals drastically more knockback (50 (base), 62 (scaling) → 70/67) (now having the same knockback values as its Japanese ''Smash 64'' counterpart), going from a forward smash of below average power in ''Brawl'' to one of the most powerful forward smashes in ''Smash 4''. Its reflector now has a speed and power multiplier, drastically improving its punishing utility.}}
**{{buff|Forward smash deals drastically more knockback (50 (base), 62 (scaling) → 70/67) (now having the same knockback values as its Japanese ''Smash 64'' counterpart), going from a forward smash of above-average power in ''Brawl'' to one of the most powerful forward smashes in ''Smash 4''. Its reflector now has a speed and power multiplier, drastically improving its punishing utility.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash's strongest tipper hitbox has been completely removed, so that its maximum damage potential when uncharged has been lowered (24% → 22%). Its other hitboxes are also smaller (2.9u/3.6u/3.8u/4.099983u → 2.3u/2.6u/3.0u) and its reflector now has a limit, where if he tries to reflect a projectile that is too strong to reflect, Ness will experience about 300 frames (5 seconds) of ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash's strongest tipper hitbox has been completely removed, so that its maximum damage potential when uncharged has been lowered (24% → 22%). Its other hitboxes are also smaller (2.9u/3.6u/3.8u/4.099983u → 2.3u/2.6u/3.0u) and its reflector now has a limit, where if he tries to reflect a projectile that is too strong to reflect, Ness will experience about 300 frames (5 seconds) of ending lag.}}
*Yoyo:
*Yoyo:
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|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|18}} (low), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|20}} (mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|22}} (tip), 2× damage (reflected projectiles)
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|18}} (low), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|20}} (mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|22}} (tip), 2× damage (reflected projectiles)
|fsmashdesc=Swings his bat. It is the second strongest forward smash in the game when sweetspotted at the tip of the bat and still one of the strongest forward smashes when untippered, but it has some start-up and ending lag. The bat itself will [[reflect]] incoming projectiles when he swings it. However, reflecting a projectile that is too strong to reflect will result in Ness experiencing five full seconds of ending lag, although this is uncommon since it requires a strong projectile to be reflected multiple times.
|fsmashdesc=Swings his bat. It is the second strongest forward smash in the game when sweetspotted at the tip of the bat and still one of the strongest forward smashes when untippered, but it has some start-up and ending lag. The bat itself will [[reflect]] incoming projectiles when he swings it. However, reflecting a projectile that is too strong to reflect will result in Ness experiencing five full seconds of ending lag, although this is uncommon since it requires a strong projectile to be reflected multiple times.
|usmashname=Around The World
|usmashname=Around The World ({{ja|シャトルループ|Shatoru Rūpu}}, ''Shuttle Loop'')
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|9}}-{{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|13}}
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|9}}-{{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|13}}
|usmashdesc=Sends his yo-yo forward and performs "around-the-world" over himself. A decent anti-air and a good out of shield option. It is more powerful if the opponent is behind Ness, but it's still the weakest up smash in the game, not KOing until roughly 137%.
|usmashdesc=Sends his yo-yo forward and performs "around-the-world" over himself. A decent anti-air and a good out of shield option. It is more powerful if the opponent is behind Ness, but it's still the weakest up smash in the game, not KOing until roughly 137%.
|dsmashname= Walk the Dog
|dsmashname= Walk the Dog ({{ja|ヨーヨーショット|Yōyō Shotto}}, ''Yo-Yo Shot'')
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|1}} (hit 1, front and back) {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|1}} (hit 2, front and back) {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (hit 3, front and back)
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|1}} (hit 1, front and back) {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|1}} (hit 2, front and back) {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|10}} (hit 3, front and back)
|dsmashdesc=Sends his yo-yo backwards and "walk-the-dog" with it before pulling the yo-yo back. Covers get up options well, but cannot connect well if the opponent is at the longest range of the move.
|dsmashdesc=Sends his yo-yo backwards and "walk-the-dog" with it before pulling the yo-yo back. Covers get up options well, but cannot connect well if the opponent is at the longest range of the move.
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|fsdmg=8% per hit
|fsdmg=8% per hit
|fsdesc=Summons stars to fall from the sky to annihilate his enemies. The comets descend in a straight line over Ness and can sweep the screen with directional inputs to the left and right.
|fsdesc=Summons stars to fall from the sky to annihilate his enemies. The comets descend in a straight line over Ness and can sweep the screen with directional inputs to the left and right.
}}
===Stats===
{{Attributes
|cast = 58
|weight = 94
|rweight = 33-36
|dash = 1.3
|rdash = 49-55
|run = 1.46265
|rrun = 45
|walk = 0.8635
|rwalk = 51
|trac = 0.0546
|rtrac = 35
|airfric = 0.0225
|rairfric = 4
|air = 0.9588
|rair = 41
|baseaccel = 0.01
|rbaseaccel = 10-54
|addaccel = 0.09
|raddaccel = 5-7
|gravity = 0.077
|rgravity = 46-47
|fall = 1.31
|rfall = 48
|ff = 2.096
|rff = 48
|jumpsquat = 5
|rjumpsquat = 14-41
|jumpheight = 34.476265
|rjumpheight = 22
|shorthop = 16.652296
|rshorthop = 25
|djump = 34.476265
|rdjump = 25
}}
}}


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==In [[competitive play]]==
==In [[competitive play]]==
===Tier placement and history===
Opinions on Ness' competitive viability have shifted throughout the game's lifespan. During the early metagame, smashers immediately noticed the vast buffs made to Ness, including the removal of the 10 extra frame grab-release animations, significant improvements to his combo game, and edge-trumping making his recovery less exploitable. These buffs, alongside Ness having one of the best throw games in ''SSB4'', a highly versatile aerial game, and excellent KO power and damage output, led many players to believe that Ness was at least a high tier, with a few going as far as to call him a top tier. These claims were backed up with above-average results in competitive play throughout the first 2 years of the game's lifespan, with {{Sm|FOW}} playing 5th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}} and 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}} and {{Sm|Shaky}} placing 7th at {{Trn|CEO 2015}} and 9th at GENESIS 3. Ness's positive reception solidified him into the 13th position on the first official ''4BR'' [[tier list]]. This reception continued onto the second tier list, where Ness saw a small drop to 16th, mainly due to the additions of {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} and {{SSB4|Corrin}}.
Over time, however, Ness' flaws came to be more apparent, with players noticing that his subpar mobility, mediocre ground game, and notably gimpable recovery made him struggle against several high and top tiers, most notably {{SSB4|Rosalina & Luma}} and {{SSB4|Corrin}}. As a result, opinions on Ness began to fall off drastically: his results stagnated as many of his best players became less active by the end of 2016. In addition, Ness's EarthBound pseudo-clone Lucas saw a shift in perception: while Lucas was initially considered inferior to Ness, over time opinions shifted the other way around due to Lucas' buffs received from patches and his commendable results thanks to {{Sm|Taiheita}}. At the same time, Ness gained new counters in the form of {{SSB4|Marth}} and {{SSB4|Lucina}}, whose buffs also helped create a large spike in popularity. Although Ness still saw strong results, such as FOW placing 17th at {{Trn|2GGT: ZeRo Saga}} and {{Sm|S1}} placing 5th at {{Trn|BEAST 7}}, it didn't compensate the loss of his stagnant results he had already suffered. This resulted in a much larger decline to 24th on the third tier list, being tied with {{SSB4|Pac-Man}} for the largest tier drop between the second and third tier lists; this drop also had him reassessed as a mid-tier character.
Throughout 2017, several mains began to return to the scene, with FOW briefly coming out of retirement to place 13th at {{Trn|2GGC: Nairo Saga}} and 25th at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}} respectively. NAKAT, despite using Ness as a secondary in favor of Fox in 2016, began to co-main Ness. With Ness, NAKAT saw great results such as 3rd at {{Trn|Smash Factor 6}}, 13th at {{Trn|EVO 2017}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|GameTyrant Expo 2017}} and {{Trn|2GGC: Fire Emblem Saga}}. Other notable players include {{Sm|The Great Gonzales}}, who placed 5th at {{Trn|Royal Flush}} and 17th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 3}}, and {{Sm|Gackt}}, who had a breakout performance at {{Trn|The Big House 7}} by defeating {{Sm|ANTi}}, {{Sm|Locus}}, and {{Sm|Mistake}}, ultimately placing 17th. These improved results, however, failed to shift opinions on Ness as many top players, including {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|Dabuz}}, {{Sm|MkLeo}}, and {{Sm|Nairo}}, widely believed that Lucas was superior to Ness. Due to this, Ness dropped once again on the fourth and final tier list to 28th, now sharing the spot with Lucas, though due to the expansion of the tiers, he was once again considered a high tier character.
This placement, as well as his tie with Lucas, was challenged in 2018 as several dedicated players, including Gackt, S1, and {{Sm|BestNess}}, continued to see above-average placements at a national level, with Gackt placing 17th at {{Trn|EVO Japan 2018}}, S1 placing 5th at {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 11}}, and BestNess placing 13th at {{Trn|The Big House 8}}, to name a few. Furthermore, Lucas's results dropped significantly as {{Sm|Taiheita}} entered retirement. With Ness's rise by the end of the game's active lifespan as well as improved results over characters such as {{SSB4|Greninja}}, {{SSB4|Villager}}, and {{SSB4|Bowser}}, players such as Dabuz once again believed that Ness was the superior ''EarthBound'' character and deserved to be higher on the tier list.
Despite the ups and downs Ness had faced, he is unanimously considered superior to any of his previous incarnations, although several players use secondaries in order to complement the character on a national level.
===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===
===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===
{{OfficialCustomMoves
{{OfficialCustomMoves
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<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->


''Any number following the Smasher name indicates placement on the [[PGR 100]], which recognizes the official top 100 players in [[Super Smash Bros. 4]] of all time.''
''See also: [[:Category:Ness players (SSB4)]]''
 
*{{Sm|BestNess|USA}} - A known Ness player for most of competitive ''Smash 4'', as well as the best Ness player in the world in 2018, with some of Ness's best regional performances, such as winning {{Trn|Super Smash Fight Club 4}} over {{Sm|Elegant}} and {{Sm|Ned}}, and placing 7th at {{Trn|SCR 2018}} defeating {{Sm|Zenyou}}. He also had some of Ness's best major performances since FOW, placing 13th at {{Trn|The Big House 8}} defeating {{Sm|Vinnie}}, placing 25th at {{Trn|GENESIS 5}}, and defeating {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}} at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2018}}.
*{{Sm|FOW|USA}} - Ness's most well-known representative, as well as the best solo-Ness player of all-time, ranking as high as 12th on the [[PGR v1]] thanks to strong major performances such as 5th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}} and 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}. His activity at national-level events dwindled in mid-2016; however, he remained a strong threat at events he did attend, including placing 13th at {{Trn|2GGC: Nairo Saga}}, and was ultimately ranked 57th on the [[PGR 100]], the highest-ranking solo-Ness player on the list.
*{{Sm|Gackt|Japan}} -  Japan's best Ness player in the game's later years and one of the best Ness players in the world in 2018, having become infamous for his offensive usage of PK Thunder 2. His breakout event was at {{Trn|The Big House 7}}, where he defeated {{Sm|ANTi}} and {{Sm|Locus}} to place 17th, and although he remained inconsistent, he nevertheless remained one of Ness's most notable representatives after FOW's inactivity, placing 5th at {{Trn|Rikabura 8}} defeating {{Sm|Abadango}}, as well as 9th at {{Trn|Umebura 32}}.
*{{Sm|NAKAT|USA}} - One of the best Ness players of all-time, co-maining the character alongside {{SSB4|Fox}}. He primarily played Ness to place 7th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2015}} and 13th at {{Trn|Pound 2016}}, but played more Fox as time went on. However, he once again began focusing on Ness in 2017, most notably using primarily Ness to place 13th at {{Trn|EVO 2017}} and 17th at both {{Trn|GameTyrant Expo 2017}} and {{Trn|2GGC: Fire Emblem Saga}}. He was ultimately ranked 49th on the [[PGR 100]] with both Fox and Ness, the only Ness player in the top 50.
*{{Sm|Shaky|USA}} - The second-best solo-Ness player after FOW in the early metagame, placing 5th at {{Trn|Paragon Los Angeles 2015}} and 7th at {{Trn|CEO 2015}} and ranking 16th on the [[PGR v1]]. Despite low activity for the rest of competitive ''Smash 4'', he was still recognized as one of the game's best Ness players, ranking 83rd on the [[PGR 100]].
*{{Sm|S1|Netherlands}} - The best Ness player in Europe, as well as one of Europe's best players overall, ranking 5th on the [[European Smash 4 Power Rankings]]. He regularly made top 8 appearances at European events, which includes some of Europe's largest events such as 7th at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 6}} and {{Trn|Syndicate 2017}}. Internationally, his best performance was placing 5th at {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 11}}.
*{{Sm|taranito|Japan}} - Japan's best Ness player in the game's earlier years, placing 5th at {{Trn|Umebura 25}} defeating {{Sm|Tsu}} and 13th at {{Trn|Sumabato for THE BIG HOUSE}} defeating {{Sm|9B}}. Although eventually surpassed by Gackt, taranito remained the second-best Ness player in Japan, with placements such as 17th at both {{Trn|EVO Japan 2018}} and {{Trn|Umebura 34}}.
*{{Sm|The Great Gonzales|USA}} - Although already a known player in Tristate, having defeated {{Sm|ScAtt}} at {{Trn|KTAR XIX}} and placed 9th at {{Trn|Apex 2016}}, he became best known for his run to 5th at {{Trn|Royal Flush}} defeating {{Sm|Mr.E}}, {{Sm|Pink Fresh}}, and {{Sm|WaDi}}. He has since become one of North America's best Ness players, with performances such as 17th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 3}} and 25th at {{Trn|Frostbite 2018}}, defeating {{Sm|Lima}} in the latter event.
 
===Tier placement and history===
Opinions on Ness' competitive viability have shifted throughout the game's lifespan. During the early metagame, smashers immediately noticed the vast buffs made to Ness, including the removal of the 10 extra frame grab-release animations, significant improvements to his combo game, and edge-trumping making his recovery less exploitable. These buffs, alongside Ness having one of the best throw games in ''SSB4'', a highly versatile aerial game, and excellent KO power and damage output, led many players to believe that Ness was at least a high tier, with a few going as far as to call him a top tier. These claims were backed up with above-average results in competitive play throughout the first two years of the game's lifespan, with {{Sm|FOW}} playing 5th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}} and 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}} and {{Sm|Shaky}} placing 7th at {{Trn|CEO 2015}} and 9th at GENESIS 3. Ness's positive reception solidified him into the 13th position on the first official ''4BR'' [[tier list]]. This reception continued onto the second tier list, where Ness saw a small drop to 16th, mainly due to the additions of {{SSB4|Bayonetta}} and {{SSB4|Corrin}}.


''See also: [[:Category:Ness professionals (SSB4)]]''
Over time, however, Ness' flaws came to be more apparent, with players noticing that his subpar mobility, mediocre ground game, and notably gimpable recovery made him struggle against several high and top tiers, most notably {{SSB4|Rosalina & Luma}} and {{SSB4|Corrin}}. As a result, opinions on Ness began to fall off drastically: his results stagnated as many of his best players became less active by the end of 2016. In addition, Ness's fellow ''EarthBound'' representative and pseudo-clone {{SSB4|Lucas}} saw a shift in perception: while Lucas was initially considered inferior to Ness, over time, opinions shifted the other way around due to Lucas' buffs received from patches and his commendable results thanks to {{Sm|Taiheita}}. At the same time, Ness gained new counters in the form of {{SSB4|Marth}} and {{SSB4|Lucina}}, whose buffs also helped create a large spike in popularity. Although Ness still saw strong results, such as FOW placing 17th at {{Trn|2GGT: ZeRo Saga}} and {{Sm|S1}} placing 5th at {{Trn|BEAST 7}}, it did not compensate the loss of his stagnant results he had already suffered. This resulted in a much larger decline to 24th on the third tier list, being tied with {{SSB4|Pac-Man}} for the largest tier drop between the second and third tier lists; this drop also had him reassessed as a mid-tier character.


*{{Sm|ATATA|USA}} - The best Ness player in the Midwest. Placed 9th at {{Trn|Retro Arena}}, 13th at both {{Trn|Frosty Faustings IX}} and {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 12}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 9}} and {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 11}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Ned}}, {{Sm|Tyroy}}, and {{Sm|Dark Wizzy}}. Ranked 3rd on the [[Chicago Power Rankings|Chicago Smash 4 Power Rankings]].
Throughout 2017, several mains began to return to the scene, with FOW briefly coming out of retirement to place 13th at {{Trn|2GGC: Nairo Saga}} and 25th at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}}. NAKAT, despite using Ness as a secondary in favor of Fox in 2016, began to co-main Ness. With Ness, NAKAT saw great results such as 3rd at {{Trn|Smash Factor 6}}, 13th at {{Trn|EVO 2017}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|GameTyrant Expo 2017}} and {{Trn|2GGC: Fire Emblem Saga}}. Other notable players include {{Sm|The Great Gonzales}}, who placed 5th at {{Trn|Royal Flush}} and 17th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 3}}, and {{Sm|Gackt}}, who had a breakout performance at {{Trn|The Big House 7}} by defeating {{Sm|ANTi}}, {{Sm|Locus}}, and {{Sm|Mistake}}, ultimately placing 17th. These improved results, however, failed to shift opinions on Ness, as many top players, including {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|Dabuz}}, {{Sm|MkLeo}}, and {{Sm|Nairo}}, widely believed that Lucas was superior to Ness. Due to this, Ness dropped once again on the fourth and final tier list to 28th/29th, now sharing the spot with Lucas, though due to the expansion of the tiers, he was once again considered a high tier character.
*{{Sm|Awestin|USA}} - The best Ness player in Texas. Placed 9th at {{Trn|Aftershock 2016}}, 17th at {{Trn|Low Tier City 4}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Low Tier City 5}} with wins over {{Sm|Lima}} and {{Sm|Cosmos}}.
 
*{{Sm|BestNess|USA}} - The best Ness player in the world by the end of the game's active lifespan. Placed 4th at {{Trn|Flatiron 3}}, 7th at {{Trn|SoCal Regionals 2018}}, 13th at {{Trn|The Big House 8}}, and 25th at {{Trn|GENESIS 5}} with wins over {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, {{Sm|ANTi}}, and {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}. Ranked 1st on the [[Utah Power Rankings]].
This placement, as well as his tie with Lucas, was challenged in 2018, as several dedicated players, including Gackt, S1, and {{Sm|BestNess}}, continued to see above-average placements at a national level, with Gackt placing 17th at {{Trn|EVO Japan 2018}}, S1 placing 5th at {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 11}}, and BestNess placing 13th at {{Trn|The Big House 8}}, to name a few. Furthermore, Lucas's results dropped significantly as Taiheita entered retirement. With Ness's rise by the end of the game's active lifespan as well as improved results over characters such as {{SSB4|Greninja}}, {{SSB4|Villager}}, and {{SSB4|Bowser}}, players such as Dabuz once again believed that Ness was the superior ''EarthBound'' character and deserved to be higher on the tier list.
*{{Sm|FOW|USA}} (#56) - The best solo-Ness player of all time. Placed 4th at {{Trn|PAX Arena}}, 5th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}}, 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}, 13th at {{Trn|2GGC: Nairo Saga}}, and 25th at {{Trn|2GGC: Civil War}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Ally}}, {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, and {{Sm|VoiD}}.
 
*{{Sm|Gackt|Japan}} - One of the best Ness players in the world. Placed 13th at {{Trn|Umebura 26}}, 17th at both {{Trn|The Big House 7}} and {{Trn|Umebura 34}}, and 25th at {{Trn|The Big House 8}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Abadango}}, {{Sm|ANTi}}, and {{Sm|komorikiri}}.
Despite the ups and downs Ness had faced, he is unanimously considered superior to any of his previous incarnations, although several players use secondaries in order to complement the character on a national level.
*{{Sm|NAKAT|USA}} (#49) - Co-mains Fox and Ness and is considered one of the best Ness players in the world. Placed 9th at {{Trn|CEO 2016}}, 13th at both {{Trn|EVO 2017}} and {{Trn|Get On My Level 2018}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|GameTyrant Expo 2017}} and {{Trn|2GGC: Fire Emblem Saga}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Ally}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, and {{Sm|Salem}}.
*{{Sm|Shaky|USA}} (#83) - The best Ness player in Northern California. Placed 7th at {{Trn|CEO 2015}}, 9th at {{Trn|GENESIS 3}}, and 33rd at both {{Trn|EVO 2016}} and {{Trn|GENESIS 4}} with wins over {{Sm|Ally}}, {{Sm|Tweek}}, and {{Sm|ESAM}}.
*{{Sm|S1|Netherlands}} - The best Ness player in Europe. Placed 5th at both {{Trn|BEAST 7}} and {{Trn|Midwest Mayhem 11}}, 7th at both {{Trn|BEAST 6}} and {{Trn|Syndicate 2017}}, and 9th at {{Trn|Syndicate 2016}} with wins over {{Sm|Mr.R}}, {{Sm|Glutonny}}, and {{Sm|iStudying}}. Ranked 5th on the [[European Smash 4 Power Rankings]].
*{{Sm|taranito|Japan}} - One of the best Ness players in Japan. Placed 5th at {{Trn|Umebura 25}}, 9th at {{Trn|Umebura 26}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|EVO Japan 2018}} and {{Trn|Umebura 34}} with wins over {{Sm|Tsu}}, {{Sm|T}}, and {{Sm|Choco}}.
*{{Sm|The Great Gonzales|USA}} - The best Ness player in the Tri-state area. Placed 5th at {{Trn|Royal Flush}}, 13th at {{Trn|Collision XV}}, 17th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 3}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Frostbite 2018}} with wins over {{Sm|Salem}}, {{Sm|WaDi}}, and {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}.


==[[Trophies]]==
==[[Trophies]]==
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Ness amiibo.png|Ness's [[amiibo]].
Ness amiibo.png|Ness' [[amiibo]].
Ness unlock notice SSB4-3DS.png|Ness' unlock notice in {{for3ds}}.
Ness unlock notice SSB4-3DS.png|Ness' unlock notice in {{for3ds}}.
SSB4 - Ness Screen-1.jpg|Posing with [[Jeff]].
SSB4 - Ness Screen-1.jpg|Posing with [[Jeff]].