Super Smash Bros. Brawl in competitive play: Difference between revisions

Super Smash Bros. Brawl in competitive play (edit)

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 ''Brawl''{{'}}s release resulted in a temporary drop-off of ''Melee'' tournament activity, as the ''Smash'' scene largely shifted its focus to ''Brawl'' for most of 2008. Many ''Melee'' players, including {{Sm|Mew2King}}, {{Sm|Azen}}, {{Sm|Ken}}, and {{Sm|Chillin}}, actively played ''Brawl'' during its early competitive life. The game, however, was heavily criticized for its radically different gameplay mechanics; many ''Melee'' players disliked the game's slower and floatier gameplay, the ability to act out of hitstun (largely removing potential true [[combo]]s), and the introduction of random [[tripping]]. The removal of [[wavedashing]] and the diminished power of [[edgeguarding]] led many community members to perceive the game as lacking in competitive depth. Because of these criticisms, most ''Melee'' veterans dropped ''Brawl'' and returned to playing the older game once its tournament activity picked up again in 2009. The ''Brawl'' community consisted mostly of newer players who had just entered the competitive scene. ''Brawl'''s activity eventually died down a bit after the initial-release hype in 2008, but still maintained large entrants at its events in 2009.
-{{SSBB|Meta Knight}} and {{SSBB|Snake}} were considered the best characters in the game, and dominated early competitive ''Brawl'', placing high at many tournaments; it was not uncommon to see the top eight players of a tournament all using the two characters. Meta Knight in particular was seen as [[broken|overpowered]] by many players, as his unrivaled attack speed and edgeguarding ability could overwhelm most foes. He was considered so powerful that the community debated whether or not to ban him, but since it was still too early in the [[metagame]] to make big decisions, the [[Smash Back Room]] decided by vote to leave him alone.
+{{SSBB|Meta Knight}} and {{SSBB|Snake}} were considered the best characters in the game, and dominated early competitive ''Brawl'', placing high at many tournaments; it was not uncommon to see the top eight players of a tournament all using the two characters. Meta Knight in particular was seen as "[[broken]]" by many players, as his unrivaled attack speed and edgeguarding ability could overwhelm most foes. He was considered so powerful that the community debated whether or not to ban him, but since it was still too early in the [[metagame]] to make big decisions, the [[Smash Back Room]] decided by vote to leave him alone.
 {{Sm|Mew2King}} was known as the strongest ''Brawl'' player in its early lifetime, placing 1st at almost every large tournament he attended with his {{SSBB|Meta Knight}}. {{Sm|Ally}} rose to fame as one of his few potential challengers, as he defeated him at both [[Apex 2009]] and [[GENESIS]].
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 Following ''Melee''{{'}}s resounding success at [[EVO 2013]], and ''Brawl''{{'}}s shift towards a more unpopular defensive and campy gameplay, tournament activity underwent a significant decline, as many newer players shifted to the more popular ''Melee'' or the ''Brawl'' mod [[Project M]]. ''Melee'' and PM's entrant numbers outclassed ''Brawl''{{'}}s at every large event, and nationals that were formerly centered on ''Brawl'', such as [[Apex 2014]] and [[SKTAR 3]], became dominated by the other, faster-paced ''Smash'' games, while the ''Brawl'' events in comparison remained small, with turnouts being significantly lower than expected. With the expected release of the newer ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' in late 2014, ''Brawl'' players realized that the game's competitive lifespan was nearing an end. Following ''Smash 4'''s release, the vast majority of the ''Brawl'' player base shifted to the latest title, which was more well-received for its increased [[hitstun]], allowing for more [[combo]]s, and the removal of random [[tripping]].
-Unlike ''Melee'', which maintains thriving communities even after the series received more sequels, ''Brawl''{{'}}s scene heavily declined after the release of ''SSB4'' and its metagame came to a complete standstill. The game’s competitive playerbase is now very small, save for tournaments featuring every ''Smash'' game such as [[Super Smash Con]]. However, it is usually relegated to a side event and rarely taken seriously, with entrants consisting mostly of players who formerly played the game looking to make additional money or to simply relish in its now highly casual environment. A few attempts, such as the hosting of [[Revival of Brawl]], have been made to bring the game back into the competitive spotlight, as with the ''Melee'' scene in 2009, but these endeavors have been unsuccessful due to the penury of any interest from both players and viewers.
+Unlike its prequels, which maintain thriving communities well after their launches, ''Brawl''{{'}}s scene heavily declined after the release of ''SSB4'' and its metagame came to a complete standstill. The game’s competitive playerbase is now very small, and the title is rarely featured in tournament outside of tournaments featuring every ''Smash'' game such as [[Super Smash Con]]. However, it is usually relegated to a side event and rarely taken seriously, with entrants consisting mostly of players who formerly played the game looking to make additional money or to simply relish in its now highly casual environment. A few attempts, such as the hosting of [[Revival of Brawl]], have been made to bring the game back into the competitive spotlight, as with the ''Melee'' scene in 2009, but these endeavors have been unsuccessful due to the penury of any interest from both players and viewers.
 Despite the decline, ''Brawl'' still has a few dedicated players. The post-''Brawl'' metagame saw the rise of {{Sm|Cody}}, who started to dominate the metagame in 2017, placing in the top 2 at every tournament he attended since {{Trn|Return to Subspace}}. The game also remains popular in Norway, with the Norwegian regional tournament series Garelaf and {{Trn|Vivaldi|series}} hosting ''Brawl'' as a main event. The [[SSBBRank]] continues to remain active as well, although a new iteration is released every 2 years instead of annually.
 On February 9th, 2016, former top ''Brawl'' player {{Sm|false}} announced that he would make a documentary on ''Brawl''{{'}}s competitive lifespan, titled [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1098411010/smash-3-super-smash-bros-brawl-wii-u-documentary ''Smash 3'']. However, [[Smasher:false#Controversies|due to the lack of communication on the project and controversies surrounding false himself]], it is unlikely the documentary will ever be released.
 ==Criticisms of competitive ''Brawl''==
 ''Brawl''{{'}}s mixed competitive reputation is the result of reactions to the numerous key changes to the gameplay that were altered from ''Melee'', as well as the introduction of various new mechanics that are seen to hurt its competitive viability overall.