Mario (SSBM): Difference between revisions

'''Mario''' ({{ja|マリオ}}, ''Mario'') return as a [[starter character|starter]] character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. He was announced at [[E3]] 2001. He also has a [[clone]], {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}}, whom with he shares a lot of attributes and special moves. He is voiced once again by Charles Martinet, albeit via recycled voice clips from ''[[Smash 64]]''.

Mario is ranked 15th on the current tier list in the E tier. This is a very slight rise from his previous ranking in ''Smash 64'', where he is ranked 7th, and it also places him four places lower than his clone {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} at 11th place. Like in ''Smash 64'', Mario acts as a well-rounded character, with average attributes across the board. He has above average comboing ability due to the somewhat low knockback and the angles at which his moves tend to send on, and a very versatile grab game: his powerful back throw can KO most opponents with ease and [[gimp]] some recoveries, while his up and down throws can [[chain-grab]]. Mario also has a solid [[edge-guarding]] game, with a solid projectile in his [[Fireball]], and his [[Cape]] which can easily and efficiently gimp almost every other character's recovery. Mario, however, lacks a reliable finisher, with many moves with aforementioned low knockback with the exception of his forward and down smash. His recovery is also predictable and short, though he can extend it, which leaves him vulnerable to being gimped by characters such as {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}. His mediocre range also leaves him with trouble against characters with disjointed hitboxes such as {{SSBM|Marth}}. Overall, Mario has average matchups in tournament play, with favorable matchups against most lower tiered characters along with an especially favorable matchup against {{SSBM|Pikachu}}, though some other disadvantageous matchups against higher tiered characters, especially against those who can either gimp or outrange him.  

As a character, Mario falls under the archetype of being of an all-rounder character, with no particularly strong or weak traits; indeed, in terms of [[weight]], [[falling speed]], [[air speed]], size, and [[dashing|dash]] speed, Mario tends to fall in the middle of these attributes.

One of Mario's strengths is his rather good combo ability. While not having an extremely high air or falling speed, Mario can easily and efficiently combo most other characters in the air; Mario has plenty of low lag and low knockback aerials, and the addition of a long [[wavedash]] and fast ground attacks give Mario plenty of combo potential. Mario also has a good [[SHFFL]].

Mario also has a surprisingly good grab game. Despite a rather poor grab range, Mario's throws are notable for their versatility; his forward and back throws can easily set up gimp KOs, especially the latter, while his up and down throws can act as combo starters, as well as very effective chain grabs: Mario's up throw can chain grab fast fallers such as {{SSBM|Fox}}, {{SSBM|Falco}}, and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, while his down throw can chain grab heavy characters, as well as being able to chain grab {{SSBM|Pikachu}} and {{SSBM|Pichu}} up to high percents, if not to a KO.

Mario, however, suffers from some KOing problems. He lacks particularly powerful or reliable finishers; while his forward smash has good range, coupled with a very visible and easy to land sweetspot, his other smashes are rather short ranged. Additionally, while Mario's back throw is strong, it requires grabbing the opponent first; this can be a challenge, due to Mario's poor grab range. Mario's single meteor smash is also rather unwieldy and risky to use.

==Changes from ''Smash 64''==

When making the transition from ''Smash 64'' to ''Melee'', Mario got a mix of [[buff]]s and [[nerf]]s, but was neither strongly buffed or [[nerf]]ed. Overall, Mario is largely a much weaker character, proof as many of his previous KO moves, such as his up and down smashes, can no longer KO under 90-120%. However, his attacks are much faster, giving him better combo ability.

 

 

*{{buff|Mario [[walk]]s faster (0.3 → 1.1).}}

*{{buff|Mario [[dash]]es faster (44 → 1.5).}}

*{{change|Mario [[falling speed|falls]] faster (44 → 1.7), improving his vertical endurance but making him easier to combo.}}

*{{buff|The introduction of [[wavedashing]] improves Mario's movement options.}}

*{{nerf|Dash attack, all tilt attacks and up and down smash all deal less damage.}}

*{{nerf|Dash attack deals lower knockback.}}

*{{nerf|Up smash is much weaker (26 (base)/120 (scaling) → 32/97) and deals less damage (19% → 15%), no longer being one of Mario's reliable KO moves and is no longer the strongest up smash (this title now belongs to {{SSBM|Pikachu}}). It also has slightly more start-up and a much shorter hitbox duration (7-15 → 9-11).}}