User:Semicolon/Treatise on the Existence of Tiers: Difference between revisions

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It seems that controversy over the actual existence of tiers is far more contentious since the release of Brawl, and since the last tier wars fizzled to a standstill, and as such, we here at SLAPAHO have decided to compile this volume.  Its intent is to put away the idea that tiers do not exist. However, we're not asking you to like that tiers exist; we’re asking that you accept it.  In other words, this treatise is designed to answer a qualitative question, not a normative one.
It seems that controversy over the actual existence of tiers is far more contentious since the release of Brawl, and since the last tier wars fizzled to a standstill, and as such, we here at SLAPAHO have decided to compile this volume.  Its intent is to put away the idea that tiers do not exist. However, we're not asking you to like that tiers exist; we’re asking that you accept it.  In other words, this treatise is designed to answer a qualitative question, not a normative one.


Anecdotes where a player playing with a lower tier beating a player playing with a higher tier does ''not'' disprove the existence of tiers, but it does illustrate a far more important point. Skill is oftentimes greater than tier. Occasionally there will be matches that you lose or win because of the relative tiers, but the tier difference is not insurmountable. A smarter, better player can always win out over tiers. We are not suggesting that you should abandon playing lower tiered characters. Smash is about fun; play whoever you want. We play characters in all tiers, and it helps us become better players. If you’re that serious, play only higher tiered characters in serious matches, but picking a higher tiered character will not overcome the skill difference between a lower tiered main and an unfamiliar higher tiered character.
Anecdotes where a player playing with a lower tier beat a player playing with a higher tier do ''not'' disprove the existence of tiers, but they do illustrate a far more important point. Skill is oftentimes greater than tier. Occasionally there will be matches that you lose or win because of the relative tiers, but the tier difference is not insurmountable. A smarter, better player can always win out over tiers. We are not suggesting that you should abandon playing lower tiered characters. Smash is about fun; play whoever you want. We play characters in all tiers, and it helps us become better players. If you’re that serious, play only higher tiered characters in serious matches, but picking a higher tiered character will not overcome the skill difference between a lower tiered main and an unfamiliar higher tiered character.


Tiers are empirically decided. There are very few statistics, facts, or otherwise rationalistic data to make tier decisions. It takes a long time to get things right, and in the end there may never be a consensus. The original Smash Brothers tier list still has controversies for just this reason.
Tiers are empirically decided. There are very few statistics, facts, or otherwise rationalistic data to make tier decisions. It takes a long time to get things right, and in the end there may never be a consensus. The original Smash Brothers tier list still has controversies for just this reason.
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