Rules

The Rules menu is a set of options available in Versus Mode in all of the Super Smash Bros. games. These options allow players to customize the upcoming game, including the format, win condition, order of operations, frequency of certain events, and the in-game physics to an extent.

Rules

Super Smash Bros.

Rule	Description
Rule: Time	Players gain one point for each KO and lose one point for each fall. The player or team with the most points when time runs out is the winner. If a tie occurs, then it will go to Sudden Death. The time limit can be set to any number of minutes from 1 to 99, or to infinite. Defaults to 3:00.
Rule: Stock	Each player has a number of lives which can be set from 1 to 99. The last player or team standing is the winner. Defaults to 3 stocks.
Time	The time limit for time matches. Defaults to 3 minutes.
Handicap	Changes knockback given and received by each player, on a scale from 1 to 9. Setting this to Auto sets each player's handicap based on previous wins and losses.
Team Attack	Sets whether characters on the same team can damage each other. Disabled by default.
Stage Select	When turned on, any player can select the stage to play on. When turned off, stages will be picked randomly.
Damage	Sets how much knockback is received from attacks. The default percentage is 100%. The higher the number, the further the player will be launched.
Item Switch	Sets which items can appear in the match. The item spawn rate can be set to None, Very Low, Low, Medium, High, or Very High. Must be unlocked by playing 100 Versus Mode matches.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Rule	Description
Rules: Time	Players gain one point for each KO and lose one point for each fall. The player or team with the most points when time runs out is the winner. If a tie occurs, then it will go to Sudden Death. The time limit can be set to any number of minutes from 1 to 99, or to infinite. Defaults to 2:00.
Rules: Stock	Each player has a number of lives which can be set from 1 to 99. The last player or team standing, or the player/team with the most lives when time runs out, is the winner. Defaults to 3 stocks.
Rules: Coin	Smash coins are produced when players are damaged. The player or team with the most coins when time runs out is the winner. Shares time limit setting with Time mode.
Rules: Bonus	The player or team with the most points' worth of bonuses when time runs out is the winner. Shares time limit setting with Time mode.
Handicap	Changes knockback given and received by each player, on a scale from 1 to 9. Setting this to Auto sets each player's handicap based on previous wins and losses.
Damage Ratio	Sets how much knockback is received from attacks. The default ratio is 1.0. The higher the number, the further the player will be launched. Players can set the ratio from 0.5 to 2.0, in increments of 0.1.
Stage Selection: On	Any player can select the stage to play on.
Stage Selection: Random	Stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Selection: Ordered	Stages are played in a set order.
Stage Selection: Turns	Players take turns to choose stages, starting with Player 1.
Stage Choice: Loser	The loser of the match gets to pick the next stage.
Item Switch	Sets which items can appear in the match. The item spawn rate can be set to None, Very Low, Low, Medium, High, or Very High. This setting is saved to memory.

Additional Rules

Rule	Description
Stock Match Time Limit	Sets the time limit for stock matches. Defaults to "None".
Friendly Fire	Sets whether characters on the same team can damage each other. Disabled by default.
Pause	Sets whether players can pause during gameplay.
SD Penalty	Selects how many points a player loses upon self-destructing: -1 point, -2 points, or 0 points.
Random Stage	Sets which stages can be chosen when the stage choice is set to Random. Unlocked when all stages are unlocked. This setting is saved to memory.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Rule	Description
Rules: Time	Players gain one point for each KO and lose one point for each fall. The player or team with the most points when time runs out is the winner. If a tie occurs, then it will go to Sudden Death. The time limit can be set to any number of minutes from 1 to 99, or to infinite. Defaults to 2:00.
Rules: Stock	Each player has a number of lives which can be set from 1 to 99. The last player or team standing, or the player/team with the most lives when time runs out, is the winner. Defaults to 3 stocks.
Rules: Coin	Smash coins are produced when players are damaged. The player or team with the most coins when time runs out is the winner.
Handicap	Sets each player's damage percentage at the beginning of each stock, from 0% to 300%. Setting this to Auto sets each player's handicap based on previous wins and losses.
Damage Ratio	Sets how much knockback is received from attacks. The default ratio is 1.0. The higher the number, the further the player will be launched. Players can set the ratio from 0.5 to 2.0, in increments of 0.1.
Stage Choice: Choose	Any player can select the stage to play on.
Stage Choice: Random	Stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Choice: Turns	Players take turns to choose stages, starting with Player 1.
Stage Choice: Ordered	Stages are played in a set order.
Stage Choice: Loser's Pick	The loser of the match gets to pick the next stage.
Item Switch	Sets which items can appear in the match. The item spawn rate can be set to None, Low, Medium, or High. This setting is saved to memory.

More Rules

The More Rules section must be unlocked by getting a total of 200 KOs in versus matches.

Rule	Description
Stock Time Limit	Sets the time limit for stock matches. Defaults to infinite.
Team Attack	Sets whether characters on the same team can damage each other. Disabled by default.
Pause	Sets whether players can pause during gameplay.
Score Display	Displays players' scores on the screen in a time match. Disabled by default.
Damage Gauge	Shows the Damage percentage of each player. Enabled by default.
Random Stage Switch	Sets which stages can be chosen when the stage choice is set to Random. Unlocked when all stages are unlocked. This setting is saved to memory.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Rule	Description
Rules: Time	Players gain one point for each KO and lose one point for each fall. The player or team with the most points when time runs out is the winner. If a tie occurs, then it will go to Sudden Death. The time limit can be set to any number of minutes from 1 to 99, or to infinite. Defaults to 2:00.
Rules: Stock	Each player has a number of lives which can be set from 1 to 99. The last player or team standing, or the player/team with the most lives when time runs out, is the winner. Defaults to 3 stocks.
Customization	Set fighters created in Custom on or off.
Handicap	Sets each player's damage percentage at the beginning of each stock, from 0% to 300%. Setting this to Auto sets each player's handicap based on previous wins and losses.
Damage Ratio	Sets how much knockback is received from attacks. The default ratio is 1.0. The higher the number, the further the player will be launched. Players can set the ratio from 0.5 to 2.0, in increments of 0.1.
Stage Choice: Choose	Any player can select the stage to play on.
Stage Choice: Random	Stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Choice: Random: Ω Form	Ω forms of stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Choice: Turns	Players take turns to choose stages, starting with Player 1.
Stage Choice: In Order	Stages are played in a set order.
Stage Choice: In Order: Ω Form	Ω forms of stages are played in a set order.
Stage Choice: Loser's Pick	The loser of the match gets to pick the next stage.
Stage Choice: Host's Pick	The host of the local wireless connection room will pick the stage.
Item Switch	Sets which items can appear in the match. The item spawn rate can be set to Off and On. This setting is saved to memory.

More Rules

The More Rules section must be unlocked by getting a total of 200 KOs in versus matches.

Rule	Description
Stock & Time	Sets the time limit for stock matches. Defaults to infinite.
Team Attack	Sets whether characters on the same team can damage each other. Disabled by default.
Pause Function	Sets whether players can pause during gameplay.
Score Display	Displays players' scores on the screen in a timed match. Disabled by default.
Damage Gauge	Shows the Damage percentage of each player. Enabled by default.
SD Penalty	Selects how many points a player loses upon self-destructing: -1 point or -2 points.
Random Stage Switch	Sets which stages can be chosen when the stage choice is set to Random. Unlocked when all stages are unlocked. Ω forms can be set separately. This setting is saved to memory.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Rule	Description
Rules: Time	Players gain one point for each KO and lose one point for each fall. The player or team with the most points when time runs out is the winner. If a tie occurs, then it will go to Sudden Death. The time limit can be set to any number of minutes from 1 to 99, or to infinite. Defaults to 2:00.
Rules: Stock	Each player has a number of lives which can be set from 1 to 99. The last player or team standing, or the player/team with the most lives when time runs out, is the winner. Defaults to 3 stocks.
Rules: Coin	Smash coins are produced when players are damaged. The player or team with the most coins when time runs out is the winner. Time limit is shared with time mode.
Custom Fighters	Set fighters created in Custom on or off.
Handicap	Sets each player's damage percentage at the beginning of each stock, from 0% to 300%. Setting this to Auto sets each player's handicap based on previous wins and losses.
Launch Rate	Sets how much knockback is received from attacks. The default ratio is 1.0. The higher the number, the further the player will be launched. Players can set the ratio from 0.5 to 2.0, in increments of 0.1.
Stage Choice: Choose	Any player can select the stage to play on.
Stage Choice: Random	Stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Choice: Random: Ω	Ω forms of stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Choice: Turns	Players take turns to choose stages, starting with Player 1.
Stage Choice: In Order	Stages are played in a set order.
Stage Choice: In Order: Ω	Ω forms of stages are played in a set order.
Stage Choice: Loser's Pick	The loser of the match gets to pick the next stage.
Item Switch	Sets which items can appear in the match. The item spawn rate can be set to None, Low, Medium, or High. This setting is saved to memory.

More Rules

Rule	Description
Stock Time Limit	Sets the time limit for stock matches.
Team Attack	Sets whether characters on the same team can damage each other. Disabled by default.
Pause Function	Sets whether players can pause during gameplay.
Score Display	Displays players' scores on the screen in a timed match. Disabled by default.
Damage Gauge	Shows the Damage percentage of each player. Enabled by default.
SD Penalty	Selects how many points a player loses upon self-destructing: -1 point or -2 points.
Random Stage Switch	Sets which stages can be chosen when the stage choice is set to Random. Unlocked when all stages are unlocked. Ω forms can be set separately. This setting is saved to memory.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In this game, custom rule presets using these options can now be saved for easy future access without recreating the exact ruleset every time. Up to 30 (each for Smash/Custom Smash, Squad Strike, and Tourney) rulesets can be saved at a time, and the player can give a name to each of them. When entering a given mode, the saved rulesets for that mode will appear, allowing the player to pick from the list.

Rule	Description
Style: Time	Players gain one point for each KO and lose one point for each fall. The player or team with the most points when time runs out is the winner. If a tie occurs, then it will go to Sudden Death. The time limit can be set to any number of minutes from 1:00 to 99:00 (along with 1:30 and 2:30), or to infinite. Defaults to 2:30. Cannot be selected in Squad Strike.
Style: Stock	Each player has a number of lives which can be set from 1 to 99. The last player or team standing, or the player/team with the most lives when time runs out, is the winner. Can set stock count (defaults to 3) and time limit (defaults to infinite).
Style: Stamina	Players use HP instead of damage percentages, and if it reaches zero, they are KO'd. Launch distance does not scale with knockback. Can set stamina (defaults to 150), stock count (defaults to 1), and time limit (defaults to infinite).
Format: Tag Team	Squad Strike only. Character changes once KO'd. Can only set one name tag.
Format: Elimination	Squad Strike only. Once a player is KO'd, a new game starts, and whoever won the previous game stays in. Name tags can be set individually.
Format: Best of	Squad Strike only. Once a player is KO'd, a new game starts. The first player of the red team fights the first player of the blue team, and so on. Whichever team wins the most games wins the squad strike. Name tags can be set individually.
Max Battles	Smashdown only. Sets the maximum number of battles that players fight.
Mercy Rule	Smashdown only. When one player has enough points to mathematically win the game, the game immediately ends.
FS Meter	Players can get a Final Smash by filling up a meter via taking and dealing damage.
Spirits	Sets whether players can use spirits or not.
CPU Lv.	Default AI level of CPUs.
Damage Handicap	Sets each player's damage percentage at the beginning of each stock, from 0% to 300%. Setting this to Auto sets each player's handicap based on previous wins and losses. Auto cannot be selected in tourney mode.
Screen Shrink	Super Sudden Death only. The screen shrinks when all characters has one stock left.
Drop Bob-ombs	Super Sudden Death only. Sets whether to spawn Bob-ombs once the screen finishes shrinking. Can be set when Screen Shrink is enabled.
Stage Selection: Anyone	Any player can select the stage to play on.
Stage Selection: Take Turns	Players take turns to choose stages, starting with Player 1.
Stage Selection: Loser's Pick	The loser of the match gets to pick the next stage.
Stage Selection: In Order	Stages are played in a set order.
Stage Selection: Random	Stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Selection: Battlefield & Ω	Battlefield and Ω forms of stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Selection: Battlefield Only	Battlefield forms of stages will be picked randomly.
Stage Selection: Ω Form Only	Ω forms of stages will be picked randomly.
Items	Sets which items can appear in the match. The item spawn rate can be set to None, Low, Med, or High.
Random Stage Selection	Sets which stages can be chosen when the stage choice is set to Random. Battlefield and Ω forms cannot be set separately.

Advanced

Rule	Description
First to	Number of games to be won before the results screen shows up. Character selection cannot be changed in between games. When greater than one, two stages (2 Wins) or three stages (3 Wins and higher) are selected, and it plays those in order (repeating if it goes over two/three games). Cannot be set in tourney mode.
Number of Stages	Squad Strike only. Sets the number of stages from 1 to 3. Should the number of stages greater than one, the two or three stages are selected, and it plays those in order, it repeats after two/three games). Available in "Elimination" and "Best of" formats.
Stage Morph	Allows the stage to switch in the middle of a match. It can be set to "Off" (which disables it), "Autopick" (which selects a random interval), and "Every 1:00" through "Every 5:00" in intervals of thirty seconds. Cannot be set if First to is over 1 Win.
Stage Hazards	Sets whether to enable stage hazards or not. Enabled by default.
Team Attack	Sets whether characters on the same team can damage each other. Disabled by default.
Victor's Recovery	Squad Strike only. Sets the number of health recovered, from 0 to 100 in increments of 10, after each game. The default is 30. Available in "Elimination" format.
Launch Rate	Sets how much knockback is received from attacks. The default ratio is 1.0. The higher the number, the further the player will be launched. Players can set the ratio from 0.5 to 2.0, in increments of 0.1.
Underdog Boost	Grants stat boosts to losing players. Cannot be turned on in tourney mode. This is considered a handicap by the game, and will block players from clearing no handicap challenges if turned on.
Pausing	Sets whether players can pause during gameplay.
Score Display	Displays players' scores on the screen in a timed match. Disabled by default.
Show Damage	Shows the Damage percentage of each player. Enabled by default.

Gallery

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  The default rules screen in Super Smash Bros. with Item Switch unlocked.

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  The default rules screen in Melee.

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  The default "More Rules" screen in Melee, with Random Stage Select unlocked.

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  The default rules screen in Brawl.

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  The default "More Rules" screen in Brawl, with Random Stage Select unlocked.

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  The default rules screen in the 3DS version of Smash 4.