Greninja (SSBU): Difference between revisions

*{{Sm|iStudying|Netherlands}} - One of the best Greninja players in Europe in the early metagame, with his best results being placing 7th at {{Trn|Tech Republic IV}} defeating {{Sm|quiK}}, placing 9th at {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019}}, and defeating {{Sm|Stroder}} at {{Trn|EVO 2019}}. He remained the second-best European Greninja player in the post-online metagame, most notably placing 9th at {{Trn|Temple: Hermès Edition}} defeating {{Sm|Tilde}}, but became inactive by the end of 2022.

*{{Sm|JW|Canada}} - The second-best Greninja player in North America in the early metagame and the best player from Canada for the first half of 2019. He is best known for defeating {{Sm|MkLeo}} at {{Trn|Pound 2019}}, ultimately placing 9th, and he has also placed 13th at {{Trn|Shine 2019}} defeating {{Sm|Goblin}} and 17th at {{Trn|The Big House 9}} defeating {{Sm|Kola}} and {{Sm|ESAM}}. Although less active in the post-online metagame, he remained Canada's best Greninja player, notably placing 4th at {{Trn|Pinnacle 2021}} defeating {{Sm|Ouch!?}}, before becoming inactive in 2023.

*{{Sm|Lea|Japan}} - The best Greninja player of all-time who spearheaded Greninja's early metagame, ranking 21st on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]] and placing 5th at several {{Trn|Umebura|series}} majors as well as 7th at {{Trn|2GG: Kongo Saga}} defeating {{Sm|Shuton}} and {{Sm|Dabuz}}. He remained the best Greninja player in the world until his hiatus in mid-2022, notably placing 7th at {{Trn|Kagaribi 7}} during this time, and has sporadically competed since with mixed results.

*{{Sm|Somé|Japan}} - The second-best Greninja player in Japan's early metagame, winning {{Trn|Karisuma SP 4}} and {{Trn|TSC 11}}, and also placing 7th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 4}} defeating {{Sm|Etsuji}}, 9th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 6}} defeating {{Sm|HIKARU}}, and 13th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 4}}. He took a hiatus from offline competitive play due to the pandemic and did not return until 2023.

*{{Sm|Stroder Ame|USA}} - Plays a variety of characters and primarily played Greninja in the early metagame. He was the second-best Greninja player in the world during this time, ranking 29th on the [[Spring 2019 PGRU]]. He is best known for winning {{Trn|Crown}} over {{Sm|Kurama}} and has also placed 5th at {{Trn|Ultimate Nimbus}} defeating {{Sm|Tweek}}, 5th at {{Trn|Glitch 8 - Missingno}} defeating {{Sm|Cosmos}} and {{Sm|Maister}}, and 13th at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga}} defeating {{Sm|ESAM}}. He has since switched to other characters but continues to use Greninja as an occasional secondary.

*{{Sm|Tarik|Germany}} - The second-best Greninja player of all-time and the best Greninja player after Lea's hiatus, ranking 55th on the [[LumiRank 2023]]. He is one of the best players in Europe in the post-online metagame, having placed 7th at several European majors such as {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2023}} and {{Trn|King Con}} and having multiple wins over {{Sm|Bloom4Eva}} at ranked events. Internationally, he is known for placing 5th at {{Trn|Rise 'N Grind 2023}} defeating {{Sm|SHADIC}} and defeating {{Sm|Shuton}} at {{Trn|Port Priority 8}}, {{Sm|Onin}} at {{Trn|GENESIS X}}, and {{Sm|ShinyMark}} at {{Trn|Battle of BC 5}}.

*{{Sm|Tsuna|Japan}} - A known Greninja player in Japan since the early metagame, having placing 2nd at {{Trn|Karisuma SP 6}}, 5th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 10}}, and 9th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 11}} during this time. He has since become the best Greninja player in Japan following Lea's hiatus, frequently placing at or near the top 8 at {{Trn|Sumabato}} events, including 5th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 46}} over {{Sm|Asimo}} and {{Sm|Jogibu}}.

 

In the early metagame, players quickly noticed that Greninja had been buffed from ''Smash 4'', with improved versatility and speed, and despite losing its [[footstool]] combos, it gained a stronger combo game thanks to improved frame data on moves such as its dash attack, up throw, down throw, and neutral air. Greninja's high learning curve did not deter players such as {{Sm|Stroder}}, {{Sm|Jw}}, and {{Sm|Lea}} from seeing success with the character. Due to Greninja's buffs and its strong representation, it was considered an upper-high tier character in the early metagame.

 

This perception, however, began to shift following the end of the online metagame. Greninja players began pointing out frustrating traits in the character's movesets, most notably how inconsistent Greninja's multi-hit moves could be. Furthermore, Greninja's best players from before the pandemic either became less active, changed mains, or saw a decline in results. Greninja still saw strong results on a national level from Lea and {{Sm|Tarik}}; however, Lea went on a hiatus in mid-2022 due to health issues, while Tarik often used {{SSBU|Kazuya}} alongside Greninja. This led to a noticeable drop in representation: while Greninja had the 10th highest representation in the game in the second half of 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AJs-mj5TTdkmkl7nhj4twJymVPTLTUdT0MBToL1cxDs/edit#gid=342014565|title=OrionRank 2019 character score}}</ref> that had dropped all the way to 33rd by the second half of 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gRlzy4z_dpqb2ZRhGoqtbDcuvUKz_ROsMZHGegon53M/edit#gid=329450080|title=OrionRank 2022 character score}}</ref> As it stands, Greninja is still considered a high tier character by many players; however, a declining playerbase has led to slightly lower opinions compared to the early metagame.