Metagame: Difference between revisions

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (→‎Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: cleanup and a few notable additions)
Line 50: Line 50:
*Though initially viewed as a mid-tier, opinions on {{SSB4|Mewtwo}} plummeted not long after its release, with many eventually regarding it as one of the worst characters in the game. Such negative opinions were generated mainly by its unusual combination of very low [[weight]] and large hurtbox, which made it highly susceptible to both combos and early KO's, its lack of a reliable combo throw, and its generally worsened frame data coming from ''Melee,'' along with Mewtwo being adversely affected by the loss of advanced techniques like [[wavedashing]] and [[L-cancelling]]. However, in updates [[1.1.3]] and 1.1.5, Mewtwo received a plethora of buffs to its mobility, frame data, range, and damage output, as well as a slight increase to its weight. Furthermore, it would gain strong results from its mains, with {{Sm|Abadango}} going as far as to win [[Pound 2016]] using mostly Mewtwo. Mewtwo's placement at 37th in the low tier of the tier list was partly a result of its previously poor status, and this is widely thought to be outdated in light of recent results. As of now, many players view Mewtwo as a high-tier character, with some believing it to be a top-tier, and with a few considering it as one of the best characters in the game. In retrospective, some players say Mewtwo's once poorly regarded status was too harsh, and that it was underrated as a whole. These players were eventually successful in their argument, as it is now 10th on the tier list.
*Though initially viewed as a mid-tier, opinions on {{SSB4|Mewtwo}} plummeted not long after its release, with many eventually regarding it as one of the worst characters in the game. Such negative opinions were generated mainly by its unusual combination of very low [[weight]] and large hurtbox, which made it highly susceptible to both combos and early KO's, its lack of a reliable combo throw, and its generally worsened frame data coming from ''Melee,'' along with Mewtwo being adversely affected by the loss of advanced techniques like [[wavedashing]] and [[L-cancelling]]. However, in updates [[1.1.3]] and 1.1.5, Mewtwo received a plethora of buffs to its mobility, frame data, range, and damage output, as well as a slight increase to its weight. Furthermore, it would gain strong results from its mains, with {{Sm|Abadango}} going as far as to win [[Pound 2016]] using mostly Mewtwo. Mewtwo's placement at 37th in the low tier of the tier list was partly a result of its previously poor status, and this is widely thought to be outdated in light of recent results. As of now, many players view Mewtwo as a high-tier character, with some believing it to be a top-tier, and with a few considering it as one of the best characters in the game. In retrospective, some players say Mewtwo's once poorly regarded status was too harsh, and that it was underrated as a whole. These players were eventually successful in their argument, as it is now 10th on the tier list.
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===
*At the very start of the metagame, {{SSBU|Mario}} was considered to be a mid-tier character. While he was not necessarily a bad character, he looked worse as opposed to ''Smash 4''. Many swordfighters were also then considered to be top tiers or high tiers, especially {{SSBU|Chrom}}, {{SSBU|Ike}} and {{SSBU|Link}}. This gave Mario a difficult time faring with the cast. However, many players realized how strong Mario is, seeing how he had the combo potential, edgeguarding, punish game, kill power and speed he had from the last game, and many professionals were getting favorable results with Mario. {{Sm|Dark Wizzy}} in particular has gotten top 8 at Glitch 7 and Shine, both of which are supermajors. Dark Wizzy has also defeated other professionals like {{Sm|ESAM}}, {{Sm|MVD}}, {{Sm|Dabuz}}, and {{Sm|Light}}. This in turn, makes Mario agreed to be a high tier, and is now 21st on the official tier list.
*The early metagame favored fast, agile characters that either had disjoints and good reach or could overwhelm opponents, with notable examples being {{SSBU|Wolf}}, {{SSBU|Pichu}}, and {{SSBU|Lucina}}. As such, competitive play during this period was often populated by these characters, with players such as {{Sm|MkLeo}}, {{Sm|Marss}}, and {{Sm|Nairo}} being some of the best players of this era. However, as the metagame progressed it began shifting towards characters who have campier playstyles that require more patience to fight against, with notable examples being {{SSBU|Steve}}, {{SSBU|Sonic}}, and {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}. This shift was attributed to the nerfs of early metagame top tier characters as well as the impact of the online metagame, where not only were many of these slower playstylesfirst developed, but some of the best players of the post-online metagame, notably {{Sm|acola}}, {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}, and {{Sm|Sonix}}, first became notable threats in the online metagame.
*{{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} was initially seen as potentially one of the worst characters in the game, due to his best tools being weakened or removed from ''Smash 4'', including his up aerial - removing his "Toot-Toot" KO confirm - up smash having less invincibility frames, and a new forward air that lacked priority and was heavily punishable. As a result, his representation initially was worse than his already sub-par representation in ''Smash 4''. However, dedicated mains such as {{Sm|Snickeldorf}}, {{Sm|Widget}}, and most notably {{Sm|Maister}} were able to slowly gain more recognizable results as time went on; Maister especially was able to consistently place highly at national-level tournaments, such as 3rd at {{Trn|Smash Factor 8}} and 5th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}}. Furthermore, players realized that Mr. Game & Watch had more strengths than previously perceived: [[Fire]] is considered to be one of the best [[out of shield]] options in the game, and his disjointed down smash can now bury opponents when sweetspotted, allowing for a KO confirm at high percents. Post-quarantine, {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}} has used the character to great success, winning {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 11}} and {{Trn|Kagaribi 8}}. This allowed Mr. Game & Watch to be seen as a high-tier or better character in the current metagame, and is now 18th on the official tier list.
*Coming off the previous point, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} was initially seen as potentially one of the worst characters in the game, due to his best tools being weakened or removed from ''Smash 4'', including his up aerial - removing his "Toot-Toot" KO confirm - up smash having less invincibility frames, and a new forward air that lacked priority and was heavily punishable. As a result, his representation initially was worse than his already sub-par representation in ''Smash 4''. However, players later discovered that Mr. Game & Watch's kitwas actually incredibly strong, most notably possessing a strong combo and juggling potential, safe and spammable smash attacks, and a great out-of-shield tool in the form of [[Fire]]. These strengths were showcased extensively by {{Sm|Maister}} in the early metagame, leading many to reassess Mr. Game & Watch as a top tier, which was reflected in his 18th place ranking on the first [[tier list]]. Following {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}'s debut on the scene and his list of major victories in the post-online metagame, more and more players began considering Mr. Game & Watch as one of the best characters in the world, which led Mr. Game & Watch to shoot up to 3rd on the following tier list.  
*Upon his release, {{SSBU|Joker}} didn't see much tournament representation, due to many noting his short range, low damage output, and lack of KO ability without [[Arsène]] (who mainly requires Joker taking damage to be summoned). However, this general consensus shifted greatly upon {{sm|MkLeo}}'s numerous first place winnings with the character in tournaments, causing many to quickly take note of Joker's combo game (particularly in his drag down up aerial), edgeguarding potential, ability to quickly fill the [[Rebellion Gauge]] with [[Rebel's Guard]], huge hitboxes when Arsène attacks in tandem with him, and a very generous counterattack and reflector, resulting in many believing that Joker is a top-tier or even potentially the best character. He is now 3rd on the official tier list, below later DLC characters {{SSBU|Steve}} and {{SSBU|Pyra}}/{{SSBU|Mythra}}.
*Upon his release, {{SSBU|Joker}} didn't see much tournament representation, due to many noting his short range, low damage output, and lack of KO ability without [[Arsène]] (who mainly requires Joker taking damage to be summoned). However, this general consensus shifted greatly upon {{Sm|MkLeo}}'s numerous first place winnings with the character in tournaments, causing many to quickly take note of Joker's combo game (particularly in his drag down up aerial), edgeguarding potential, ability to quickly fill the [[Rebellion Gauge]] with [[Rebel's Guard]], huge hitboxes when Arsène attacks in tandem with him, and a very generous counterattack and reflector, resulting in many believing that Joker is a top-tier or even potentially the best character, eventually leading him to be ranked 3rd on the first [[tier list]]. Since then, MkLeo's decline and precise playstyle has mellowed out opinions on Joker's viability, however he remains a strong and popular character in the metagame.
*{{SSBU|Corrin}} notably had one of the worst representation in the early metagame, largely due to his slow mobility, being overshadowed by other swordfighters, and nerfs from ''Smash 4''. Corrin's representation got to the point where he was ranked dead last for metagame representation in the second half of 2022. However, opinions on Corrin would change during and after the online metagame, first due to buffs received from patches, then from dedicated players breaking out onto the scene, most notably {{Sm|SHADIC}} in 2022 and {{Sm|Neo|p=Japan}} in 2023, and finally from {{Sm|MkLeo}}'s brief tenure with the character in mid-2022. This led many to reassess the character, and Corrin was ranked 42nd on the first tier list. Since then, Corrin's representation has only improved as many of these players established themselves in top level play. This was most apparent during {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2023}}, which featured three Corrin players enter top 24 on the Winner's side, and {{Trn|GENESIS X}}, where featured three different players who used Corrin in at least one notable top 64 set enter top 8. As such, Corrin has since rose to 27th on the second tier list, with many continuing to believe Corrin should be ranked higher.
*In a similar vein to Corrin, {{SSBU|Bayonetta}} was widely regarded as a shell of her former self after severe nerfs from her ''Smash 4'' appearance, with many dismissing her as a "high-risk low-reward" character and her playerbase being below average in size. However, buffs to her kit improved her viability, while her playerbase began growing in size, particularly in the post-online metagame, thanks to {{Sm|Bloom4Eva}}'s success in Europe, {{Sm|Lima}}'s return to top level play after a slump period, and {{Sm|TamaPDaifuku}}'s debut in Japan. As such, the character is widely considered a high-tier, ranking 26th on the current tier list.


==See also==
==See also==