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:''"Meta" redirects here. For the Chilean Snake smasher, see [[Smasher:Meta]].''
:''"Meta" redirects here. For the Chilean Snake smasher, see [[Smasher:Meta]].''
: ''For the Chilean Ridley smasher, see [[Smasher:Meta (Los Ríos)]].''
: ''For the Chilean Ridley smasher, see [[Smasher:Meta (Los Ríos)]].''
: ''For the documentary, see [[Metagame (documentary)]].''


The '''metagame''' refers to the collective decisions that are made outside of a game that affect [[tournament]] play.  A metagame is said to have a "shape" or "state" which refers to the commonly employed practices and strategies in tournaments. In ''Smash Bros.'', the most basic decisions that give form to the metagame are the [[player]]'s decisions on what characters to use and what stages to practice on. More complex decisions include deciding on what character and stage combinations will counter the most popular characters and styles.
The '''metagame''' refers to the collective decisions that are made outside of a game that affect [[tournament]] play.  A metagame is said to have a "shape" or "state" which refers to the commonly employed practices and strategies in tournaments. In ''Smash Bros.'', the most basic decisions that give form to the metagame are the [[player]]'s decisions on what characters to use and what stages to practice on. More complex decisions include deciding on what character and stage combinations will counter the most popular characters and styles.
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===''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
*{{SSBM|Marth}} was initially seen as relying too heavily on C-stick spamming and roll dodging, traits that led to a negative low-level image of him despite a high tier placing. {{Sm|Ken}}, however, is often credited with single-handedly bringing him to a top tier level of the tier list, particularly with the introduction of tactics such as [[dash dancing]] and utilizing [[wavedash]]ing, as well as a greater focus on aerial combat in matches (including innovating the infamous [[Ken combo]]).
*{{SSBM|Marth}} was initially seen as relying too heavily on C-stick spamming and roll dodging, traits that led to a negative low-level image of him despite a high tier placing. {{Sm|Ken}}, however, is often credited with single-handedly bringing him to a top tier level of the tier list, particularly with the introduction of tactics such as [[dash dancing]] and utilizing [[wavedash]]ing, as well as a greater focus on aerial combat in matches (including innovating the infamous [[Ken combo]]).
*{{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} was initially a middle tier character, being ranked 15th on the first tier list tied with {{SSBM|Young Link}}. With the discovery and innovation of Falcon's potent aerial and combo potential, as well as how deadly and effective his [[knee smash]] was as a combo finisher, Falcon jumped up the tier list to high tier, where he has since perpetually hovered around the top-high tiers and is 6th on the current tier list.
*{{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} was initially a middle tier character, being ranked 15th on the first tier list tied with {{SSBM|Young Link}}. With the discovery and innovation of Falcon's potent aerial and combo potential, as well as how deadly and effective his [[knee smash]] was as a combo finisher, Falcon jumped up the tier list to high tier, where he has since perpetually hovered around 8th place in top-high tiers.
*{{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} was initially a lower middle tier character, being ranked 17th on the first tier list tied with {{SSBM|Ness}}, who then jumped up to middle tier, and hovered around the 8th-11th spot in middle/high tier from the 2nd tier list to the 8th. With the advent of {{Sm|Mango}}, who has shown how dominant Jigglypuff was in the air, and how powerful its pressure game and combo abilities were, saw Jigglypuff jump to high tier at 6th tied with Captain Falcon. Then with the continued dominance of ''Melee'' tournaments with Jigglypuff from Mango and the rise of another nationally dominant Jigglypuff player in {{Sm|Hungrybox}}, Jigglypuff jumped up to top tier in the 10th tier list, being ranked 3rd under {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Falco}}. Currently, Jigglypuff is ranked 3rd in the tier list.
*{{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} was initially a lower middle tier character, being ranked 17th on the first tier list tied with {{SSBM|Ness}}, who then jumped up to middle tier, and hovered around the 8th-11th spot in middle/high tier from the 2nd tier list to the 8th. With the advent of {{Sm|Mango}}, who has shown how dominant Jigglypuff was in the air, and how powerful its pressure game and combo abilities were, saw Jigglypuff jump to high tier at 6th tied with Captain Falcon. Then with the continued dominance of ''Melee'' tournaments with Jigglypuff from Mango and the rise of another nationally dominant Jigglypuff player in {{Sm|Hungrybox}}, Jigglypuff jumped up to top tier in the 10th tier list, being ranked 3rd under {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Falco}}. Currently, Jigglypuff is ranked 5th in the tier list.
*{{SSBM|Mario}} was initially a high tier character, being ranked as high as 5th in the first tier list, which can be attributed to his relatively low learning curve and simple yet effective combos. As the metagame advanced, the discovered abilities of other characters surpassed the rather standard abilities of Mario, and Mario's rather low KO power became more problematic. This led to Mario gradually dropping with each tier list, reaching a low of 15th in the low-mid tier in the most recent tier list, and his [[clone]] {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} being recognized as the superior character (who, on the most recent tier list, is two spots higher than Mario) primarily in part due to his much superior KO power.
*{{SSBM|Mario}} was initially a high tier character, being ranked as high as 5th in the first tier list, which can be attributed to his relatively low learning curve and simple yet effective combos. As the metagame advanced, the discovered abilities of other characters surpassed the rather standard abilities of Mario, and Mario's rather low KO power became more problematic. This led to Mario gradually dropping with each tier list, reaching a low of 15th in the low-mid tier in the most recent tier list, and his [[clone]] {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} being recognized as the superior character (who, on the most recent tier list, is four spots higher than Mario at the top of middle tier) primarily in part due to his much superior KO power.
*For the first five years of ''Melee's'' existence, {{SSBM|Sheik}} was considered well and beyond the best character (with her [[chain throw]] being especially powerful in the early metagame), and at some points, she was considered so good that players contemplated banning her. With the incredible potential of {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Falco}} being recognized, as well as the aforementioned surges of Marth and Jigglypuff, Sheik was later dethroned as the best character in ''Melee''. Despite her fall, she's still seen as one of the best characters and is currently ranked 5th in the top tier in the most recent tier list.
*For the first five years of ''Melee's'' existence, {{SSBM|Sheik}} was considered well and beyond the best character (with her [[chain throw]] being especially powerful in the early metagame), and at some points, she was considered so good that players contemplated banning her. With the incredible potential of {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Falco}} being recognized, as well as the aforementioned surges of Marth and Jigglypuff, Sheik was later dethroned as the best character in ''Melee''. Despite her fall, she's still seen as one of the best characters and is currently ranked 4th in the top tier in the most recent tier list.
*{{SSBM|Pikachu}}'s all time low on the tier list was 18th on the eighth tier list, barely close to the bottom tier. However, {{Sm|Axe}}'s dominance made opinions change more positively about Pikachu, as it has shown its effective KOing moves, edge-guarding game, and pressuring were powerful, even against some high tiers. Pikachu eventually rose in the tier list, now ranked 9th in the current tier list.
*{{SSBM|Pikachu}}'s all time low on the tier list was 18th on the eighth tier list, barely close to the bottom tier. However, {{Sm|Axe}}'s dominance made opinions change more positively about Pikachu, as it has shown its effective KOing moves, edge-guarding game, and pressuring were powerful, even against some high tiers. Pikachu eventually rose in the tier list, now ranked ninth in the current tier list.
*The {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}} were initially considered mid-to-low-tier characters due to their sub-par aerial game and the crippling weaknesses acquired when playing [[Sopo]]. However, thanks to the contributions of {{Sm|ChuDat}} and {{Sm|Wobbles}}, as well as the discovery of [[desynching]] and [[wobbling]], the Ice Climbers now sit around 8th place on more recent tier lists.
*The {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}} were initially considered mid-to-low-tier characters due to their sub-par aerial game and the crippling weaknesses acquired when playing [[Sopo]]. However, thanks to the contributions of {{Sm|ChuDat}} and {{Sm|Wobbles}}, as well as the discovery of [[desynching]] and [[wobbling]], the Ice Climbers now sit around eighth place on more recent tier lists.
*For a while, {{SSBM|Yoshi}} was considered a low-tier character at best due to his mediocre movement, limited OoS options, and abysmal recovery. Now, thanks to the contributions and results of {{Sm|aMSa}}, Yoshi sits in the high-tier at 10th place for his double-jump super armor, [[parry]], great aerial and combo game, and potentially potent projectile in his [[Egg Throw]].
*For a while, {{SSBM|Yoshi}} was considered a low-tier character at best due to his mediocre movement, limited OoS options, and abysmal recovery. Now, thanks to the contributions and results of {{Sm|aMSa}}, Yoshi sits in the mid-tier at the twelfth place for his double-jump super armor, [[parry]], great aerial and combo game, and potentially potent projectile in his [[Egg Throw]].


===''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===
===''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===
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*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]]''===
*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}}, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} and {{SSBU|Snake}}. 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 playstyles first 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. This metagame shift was the most apparent by 2023, which saw MkLeo's decline and the rise of the [[Four Horsemen]].
*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. While there is not an official tier list, general consensus is Mario is a top 20 contender.
*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 aerial 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 kit was actually incredibly strong, most notably possessing a strong combo and juggling potential, with a neutral aerial that covers the area around him, an oppressive up aerial that lasts for a long time and allows him to act as soon as the hitboxes cease, a damage-racking tool at the ledge in [[Chef]], his new forward aerial being very safe on shield, allowing him to easily punish opponents for shielding, safe and spammable smash attacks, including a down smash that can [[bury]] opponents, mostly low ending lag on his attacks and the best out-of-shield option in the cast, [[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.  
*{{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. This allowed Mr. Game & Watch to be seen as a potential high-tier character in the current metagame.
*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.
*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.
*{{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==

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