Ken (SSBU): Difference between revisions

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==In [[competitive play]]==
==In [[competitive play]]==
===Tier placement and history===
In the early stages of ''Ultimate'', Ken and his original fighter {{SSBU|Ryu}} barely had any representation. This was due to their high technical learning curve thanks to their fighting style inputs, and problems with approaching due to their mobilities and issues against projectiles. Due to the perception of Ryu at the time being lackluster from the nerfs he received from ''Smash 4'', Ken was viewed more positively as he had access to his input kicks and slightly better mobility, though he was nonetheless perceived as a mid-tier at the time.
In the early stages of ''Ultimate'', Ken and his original fighter {{SSBU|Ryu}} barely had any representation. This was due to their high technical learning curve thanks to their fighting style inputs, and problems with approaching due to their mobilities and issues against projectiles. Due to the perception of Ryu at the time being lackluster from the nerfs he received from ''Smash 4'', Ken was viewed more positively as he had access to his input kicks and slightly better mobility, though he was nonetheless perceived as a mid-tier at the time.


Patches slowly improved the perceptions of both Ryu and Ken, with most of their current buffs being shared between them. Patch 3.1.0. granted Ken some noteworthy buffs to encourage his close-quarters fighting style, with his held jab being retooled into an excellent combo starter, and giving more leeway for him to input special moves from many of his attacks. Ken's buffs widened the gap between his counterpart Ryu and significantly improved his perception in the metagame in comparison to him, as they granted Ken a newfound, formidable combo/damage racking ability that could end stocks from a single string of attacks. As a result, Ken gained more representation and was seen as a high tier character.
Patches slowly improved the perceptions of both Ryu and Ken, with most of their current buffs being shared between them. Patch 3.1.0. granted Ken some noteworthy buffs to encourage his close-quarters fighting style, with his held jab being retooled into an excellent combo starter, and giving more leeway for him to input special moves from many of his attacks. Ken's buffs widened the gap between his counterpart Ryu and significantly improved his perception in the metagame in comparison to him, as they granted Ken a newfound, formidable combo/damage racking ability that could end stocks from a single string of attacks. As a result, Ken gained more representation and was seen as a high tier character.


Following that, patch 7.0.0. gave Ken even more buffs, with Tatsumaki Senpukyaku having intangibility on the legs and being able to cancel down smash into any special. Considering Ken's already high perception, this further improved him in the eyes of professionals, and he is often considered a dark horse candidate for a top tier or upper high tier. As with previous patches, Ken was commonly considered significantly better than Ryu due to his access to better mobility, a wider array of combos, a useful Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (which could initiate combos) and a feared KO tool in Shoryuken, which could KO as early as 90% and was easy to combo into. As a result of this, Ken has consistently been granted widespread representation from professionals especially when compared to Ryu, with players such as {{Sm|Riddles}}, {{Sm|Nito}}, {{Sm|Venom}}, {{Sm|Sandstorm}}, and {{Sm|takera}} earning good results with the character. More recently, however, his standing relative to Ryu has become more debatable, following metagame developments and buffs exclusive to Ryu coming in update 13.0.1; many Ken players have since picked up Ryu as a co-main and rank both fighters very close. Regardless, Ken remains a solid high-tier character in the eyes of most professionals.
Following that, patch 7.0.0. gave Ken even more buffs, with Tatsumaki Senpukyaku having intangibility on the legs and being able to cancel down smash into any special. Considering Ken's already high perception, this further improved him in the eyes of professionals, and he is often considered a dark horse candidate for a top tier or upper high tier. As with previous patches, Ken was commonly considered significantly better than Ryu due to his access to better mobility, a wider array of combos, a useful Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (which could initiate combos) and a feared KO tool in Shoryuken, which could KO as early as 90% and was easy to combo into. As a result of this, Ken has consistently been granted widespread representation from professionals especially when compared to Ryu, with players such as {{Sm|Riddles}}, {{Sm|Nito}}, {{Sm|Venom}}, {{Sm|Sandstorm}}, and {{Sm|takera}} earning good results with the character. More recently, however, his standing relative to Ryu has become more debatable, following metagame developments and buffs exclusive to Ryu coming in update 13.0.1; many Ken players have since picked up Ryu as a co-main and rank both fighters very close. Regardless, Ken remains a solid high-tier character in the eyes of most professionals, ranked 34th on the first and current tier list.
===Most historically significant players===
===Most historically significant players===
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