Editing Randomness

{{redirect|Luck|the ''[[Project M]]'' Diddy Kong main from Texas|Smasher:Luck}}
{{for|the ''[[Melee]]'' player from Sweden|Smasher:Random-ness}}
{{Out of date|March 2019|Ultimate data}}

'''Randomness''' is the concept of unpredictable events. It is a critical factor in many video games, including the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series. Random events challenge players to think quickly and cause a game to never be played the same way twice.

==Mechanics of computer-generated random numbers==
Computers are unable to generate truly random numbers. They can only create a series of pseudo-random numbers. If a computer were to start out with a certain seed (initial number), one could predict the entire sequence of pseudorandom numbers to follow. It is believed this is how [[Replay]]s are saved; the system only saves the seed instead of all random events.

==Random events in the ''Smash Bros.'' series==
===General===
*[[AI|Computer players]] do things randomly: the higher the computer's level, the more likely it is to do a specified action.
*Random [[item]]s appear in predetermined places at random times, with preset ratios.
*When strong enough knockback to cause [[tumbling]] is inflicted on a character with at least 100% damage after getting hit, there is a 30% chance they will be sent [[reeling]] instead. The difference is purely aesthetic, except in ''[[Smash 4]]'', where reeling decreases [[hitstun]] by one frame and prevents characters from [[tech]]ing on the ground while in hitstun.
*[[Tripping]] is a random event that may occur in two ways:
**In ''[[Brawl]]'' only, whenever characters initiate a [[dash]] or turn around from a run, with chances of 1% and 1.25% respectively.
**From ''Brawl'' onward, by any attack with knockback that keeps targets on the ground. These have both a base trip chance of 13.5% (7% starting in version [[1.1.4]] of ''Smash 4''), which requires knockback to be higher than 55 units, and a bonus trip chance exclusive to specific attacks, which is added to the base chance to determine the final trip chance (for example, a move with a bonus trip chance of 30% will have an effective trip chance of 43.5% or 37% respectively).
*KOs that occur on the upper [[blast line]] are randomly chosen from being a [[Star KO]], a [[Screen KO]] or from ''Smash 4'' onward, a [[Blast KO]].
*In the [[Name Entry]], a name can be picked randomly from a predefined list.

===Random character/stage select===
The following are random occurrences during character and stage selection.

*In ''[[SSB]]'', there was no feature to allow players to select a random character directly. However, computer players were selected randomly once entered. Random stage select would choose one of the eight or nine available stages.
*In ''[[Melee]]'', once all characters are unlocked, placing one's selection token on either of the two blank corners of the selection grid would move the token onto a random character. CP players would be randomized. Random stage select would select from any of the unlocked stages. Once all stages are unlocked, the player can choose which stages to exclude from the selection list.
*In ''Brawl'', ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'', the character selection screen has a designated space for choosing a random character. A "?" appears on the player's selection bracket and no one will know who that player will be until the match begins. (The system will choose and begin loading the character as soon as Random is selected, however.) This random function also selects a random [[Palette swap|costume]] for the character, and is how [[CPU]]s are entered by default. Randomly choosing a stage behaves the same as ''Melee'', but the player cannot choose to leave out individual [[Stage Builder|custom stages]]. In addition, custom stages saved on the [[SD card]] cannot be randomly chosen.
**When the player selects the [[Mushroomy Kingdom]] stage in ''Brawl'', it will randomly choose between the above ground level and the underground level, though which stage it chooses can be controlled through holding a specific button. The same applies to which Pokémon will appear when [[Spear Pillar]] is chosen, and which Metal Gear will appear when [[Shadow Moses Island]] is selected.
**When {{SSBB|Pokémon Trainer}} is selected without selecting any of his Pokémon, he will start off with a random one.
*In ''Smash 4'', when playing a local battle with CPUs, if the player is fighting CPUs with randomly selected characters while the player is using the same character for every match, the random character selection will never choose the player's character. This only seems to work for 1 player.

===Random events intrinsic to a character===
The following are random occurrences that apply to individual characters.

*The barrels launched from when {{SSBB|Diddy Kong}}'s [[Up special move|up special]], [[Rocketbarrel Boost]], if broken have a random trajectory.
*{{SSBB|Ivysaur}}'s side special, [[Razor Leaf]], curves in a random direction (up, down, or no curve).
*{{SSBB|King Dedede}}'s [[side special]] move in ''Brawl'', [[Waddle Dee Toss]], can produce a Waddle Dee (71.4%), a Waddle Doo (20.4%), or a Gordo (8.2%). There's also a small chance that a [[Capsule]], containing a random item, is produced. A Capsule will not appear, however, if it is turned off on the [[Item switch]], and only items turned on will appear from the Capsule.
*{{SSB4|King Dedede}}'s Gordos from [[Gordo Throw|his side special in ''Smash 4'']] can either stick to a wall they come in contact with, or rebound off it, with a 50% chance of each. If the wall doesn't allow [[wall jump]]ing, however, they will always rebound off it.
*King Dedede's [[Final Smash]], [[Waddle Dee Army]], produces random minions in the same proportions as the Waddle Dee Toss.
*[[Kirby]] has a {{fractions|1|32}} chance of losing his [[Copy Ability]] when hit by an attack. He can transform into 6 different objects when he uses [[Stone]], though this only affects the move aesthetically, and has no effect on gameplay.
*[[Luigi]]'s side special, [[Green Missile]], has a {{fractions|1|8}} chance of misfiring in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', and {{fractions|1|10}} in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate''.
*Luigi's Final Smash in ''Brawl'', [[Negative Zone]], can cause a variety of random, harmful effects.
*[[Mr. Game & Watch]]'s side special, [[Judge]], has 9 randomly-chosen attacks, each with different strengths and effects. The chance of pulling each number is equal, and Judge will not pull the last two numbers pulled. When the move has not been used in a match, 1 and 2 are considered to be the previous two moves pulled. In ''[[Smash 4]]'', Mr. Game & Watch can get any number regardless of the last two he got, giving every number an equal chance of appearing.
*The sausages from Mr. Game & Watch's neutral special, [[Chef]], travel in the air randomly.
*{{SSBB|Olimar}}'s [[Neutral special move|neutral special]], [[Pikmin Pluck]], produces a random [[Pikmin]] species. It is influenced by what type of ground Olimar's standing on. This is no longer the case in ''Smash 4'' where Pikmin are pulled in a set order.
*After making a full loop, {{SSB4|Pac-Man}}'s [[Bonus Fruit|galaxian]] will randomly fly either straight or in a 30° or 45° angle.
*{{SSB4|Pac-Man}}'s up taunt will randomly choose between 19 different Namco characters or items to show. Three of these are unique to the Wii U version, while two are unique to the 3DS version.
*{{SSBB|Peach}}'s [[forward smash]] can hit with 3 different weapons: a frying pan, a golf club or a tennis racket. Each weapon has an equal chance of being pulled, and the same weapon will not be pulled twice in a row. This was changed in ''Smash 4'': Peach's forward Smash cycles between a tennis racket, golf club, and frying pan, in that order.
*Peach's [[Down special move|down special]]'s [[Vegetable]]s can have a variety of random faces, with the faces signifying the power of the turnip. The most powerful turnip, which has stitches on its face, has a {{fractions|1|58}} chance of being pulled. There's also a very small chance of a [[Beam Sword]], [[Bob-omb]], or a [[Mr. Saturn]] being pulled instead of a vegetable. And unlike with Capsules being thrown by Waddle Dee Toss, the chance of pulling these items is not affected by whether they are turned on or not. In ''Smash 4'', Beam Swords can no longer be obtained from this move, but the chances of getting Bob-ombs, Mr. Saturn, or the stitch-faced vegetable are slightly higher.
*The trajectory of the projectile launched from {{SSBB|Snake}}'s [[up smash]] can deviate slightly to the right or to the left.
*Snake has a {{fractions|1|6}} chance of planting a C3 instead of a [[C4]] when his down special is used. This only affects the move aesthetically, and has no effect on gameplay.
*There is a rather large chance that {{SSBB|Wario}} will fall from his bike when turning it in ''Brawl''.
*{{SSB4|Villager}} has a random chance of attacking with either one (30%), two (30%), or three (40%) turnips with his up and down aerials.

===Random events intrinsic to a stage===
The following are random occurrences that occur in specific stages.

====In ''Super Smash Bros.''====
*In [[Hyrule Castle]], the tornado hazard appears at random.
*When entering a pipe in {{SSB|Mushroom Kingdom}}, the destination pipe is chosen at random.
*On [[Saffron City]], the Pokémon that appears from the door to the Silph Co. building is chosen at random.

====In ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''====
*The layout of the track in [[Big Blue]] is randomly generated.
*The rate at which the acid in [[Brinstar]] rises and falls is randomly chosen from preexisting patterns.
*The stage in [[Brinstar Depths]] turns in a random direction when hit by [[Kraid]].
*Arwings and Wolfens appear at random on [[Corneria]], as well as have randomly chosen flight paths, and attack at random.
*The stage hazards on [[Flat Zone]] appear at random.
*The two lower platforms on [[Fountain of Dreams]] slowly move up and down in a random pattern.
*On [[Green Greens]], whether a falling block is a normal block or bomb block is chosen randomly.
*Which direction the stage moves in on [[Icicle Mountain]], as well as the speed it moves, is random.
*On [[Mushroom Kingdom]], [[? Block]]s instead of normal blocks spawn randomly.
*When and which cars drive by on [[Onett]] is random, though a sound and visual warning is given before they drive by.
*On [[Pokémon Stadium]], which stage transformation occurs is chosen at random. However, it'll cycle through all four transformations before repeating, and a long warning is given before the stage transforms.
*Switches and [[Banzai Bill]] will appear on [[Princess Peach's Castle]] at random.
*Like on Corneria, Arwings and Wolfens appear at random on [[Venom]].
*On [[Yoshi's Story]], [[Shy Guys]] appear at random in packs up to six, which carry food if items and food are turned on. These Shy Guys can be attacked, and will drop their food if carrying it.
*When the [[Star Fox Smash Taunt]] is performed, a random dialogue plays.

====In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
All returning ''Melee stages'' retain their random elements from ''Melee''.

*Donkey Kong wakes up at random on [[75m]], and the amount of time he is out is random.
*[[King Bulblin]] appears at random on [[Bridge of Eldin]], and will drop a bomb on the center of the stage at random (though he'll always drop a bomb during his first appearance). Bulblins straggling behind King Bulblin, which can be attacked, will also appear at random.
*The order of the locales in which [[Delfino Plaza]] stops at is random. When the stage rises up to move from a stopped at location, its platform arrangement is chosen randomly from preexisting patterns.
*Platforms appear at random during the beginning portion of [[Flat Zone 2]], as well as the treasure diver to collect items. Which game the stage transforms to is also chosen at random.
*How often the stage flips on [[Frigate Orpheon]] is chosen randomly from preexisting patterns.
*Where the checkpoint lampposts appear on [[Green Hill Zone]] is random. Different portions of the stage will also crumble away at random if players do not destroy these stage portions themselves.
*On [[Halberd]], the Combo Cannon on the bridge portion of the stage will attack players at random, with a randomly chosen weapon. When the stage rises up from the bridge, whether or not the camera is properly zoomed in until the next bridge stop, also occurs randomly.
*The stage on [[Lylat Cruise]] slowly tilts at random and the background appears randomly.
*When and which stage hazards on [[Mario Bros.]] occur is random.
*When and where the Ultimate Chimera spawns on [[New Pork City]] occurs randomly.
*Stage hazards on [[Norfair]] occur at random. Similar to Brinstar, the pattern of the lava's rising and dropping is chosen randomly from preexisting patterns.
*Which transformation on [[Pictochat]] occurs is random, though, like Pokémon Stadium, it'll cycle through all possible transformations before repeating.
*Stage events on [[Pirate Ship]] occur at random.
*Like with Pokémon Stadium, which stage transformation occurs on [[Pokémon Stadium 2]] is chosen at random, with the stage cycling through the four transformations before repeating, and gives players a long warning before transforming.
*Which location is stopped at on [[Port Town Aero Dive]] is chosen randomly. Cars will also drive by some of these stops at random.
*When and which Metal Gear appears in the background on [[Shadow Moses Island]] is chosen randomly. However, this has no impact on gameplay.
*The starting position of the floating platform on [[Smashville]] is random, as well as the occurrence of the balloon.
*The background Pokémon in [[Spear Pillar]] attacks at random, with randomly chosen attacks.
*Food from ''{{B|Ice Climber|game}}'' spawns randomly on [[Summit]].
*On [[WarioWare, Inc.]], the stage transforms into a randomly chosen microgame. When a player wins one of these microgames, they are randomly rewarded with the effects of a [[Starman]], [[Super Mushroom]], [[Food]], or nothing.
*On {{SSBB|Yoshi's Island}}, the support ghost appears in predetermined places at random. Like Yoshi's Story in ''Melee'', Shy Guys carrying food (if items and food are turned on) will appear randomly in packs up to four, which can be attacked to cause them to drop their food. Which season the stage starts on is also chosen randomly, though this has no effect on gameplay.

====In ''Super Smash Bros. 4''====
All returning stages from previous games (including DLC stages) retain their random elements.

*The ducks in [[Duck Hunt]] appear in different starting positions and travel along differing paths. Grass patches also appear somewhat randomly in Duck Hunt.
*The behavior of [[Metal Face]] in [[Gaur Plain]] is random.
*The stage hazards in [[Midgar]] are selected at random each time one occurs.
*The layout of the stage in [[Super Mario Maker]] is randomly arranged. The theme also randomly switches between ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', ''[[Super Mario World]]'' and ''New Super Mario Bros. U''.
*In [[Umbra Clock Tower]] platforms and debris can appear in a randomly selected pre-determined arrangement.
*The behavior of the [[Yellow Devil]] in [[Wily Castle]] is somewhat random. The platforms also travel random paths.
*? blocks in [[3D Land]] spawn in random items.
*5 different variations of [[Arena Ferox]] can appear at random.
*The [[Balloon Fight]] stage has 3 layouts, selected at random. Sparks will also randomly be fired out of clouds.
*In [[Find Mii]] the [[Dark Emperor]] will randomly upgrade or downgrade the fighters wearing certain color clothing, fly into the foreground, damaging fighters who he touches and make one of the platforms sink. The cage contains either a prince or princess Mii.
*In [[Living Room]] blocks and other objects will randomly fall onto the stage. The puppy in the background is randomly selected.
*In [[Magicant]] Dungeon Man and Flying Men will occasionally appear. Various stage elements can also appear. A rip will occasionally appear in the background, showing points in [[Ness]] and [[Ninten]]'s adventures.
*Pac-Dots and Bonus Fruits appear on the [[Pac-Maze]] stage. Where the Power Pellets appear each time 100 points is collected is also random.
*Drawings will randomly appear on the [[PictoChat 2]] stage.
*In [[Rainbow Road]] the platform will land in several areas, but not necessarily in every area.
*Birds will occasionally carry platforms onscreen in [[Spirit Train]].
*The interior of each of the six rooms in [[Tomodachi Life]] is random.
*The layout of the [[Tortimer Island]] stage is random.
*N's Castle in [[Unova Pokémon League]] will occasionally rise, summoning ramps to crash into the sides of the stage. In this state, Reshiram and Zekrom can attack with flames and electricity. In the Battlefield/Omega versions of the stage, Whimsicott, Shaymin, and Milotic can appear in the background. However, this has no effect on gameplay.
*Platforms can appear and disappear at random in [[Coliseum]].
*The games in [[Flat Zone X]] are selected in a random order.
*The layout of [[Gamer]] is randomly selected from several arrangements. 5-Volt will also randomly appear and look at various sections of the stage, dealing high damage to anyone she sees.
*A Peckish Aristocrab will occasionally run across the stage in [[Garden of Hope]]. The Pikmin will also occasionally appear to repair the bridge, stick, and pot.
*The foreground or background of [[Jungle Hijinxs]] will occasionally sink. Cannons appear randomly.
*The stage in [[Kalos Pokémon League]] will randomly transition between the Dragonmark, Blazing, Ironworks and Flood chambers, which themselves have 2 different variations.
*The stage will stop in various locations in [[Mario Circuit]].
*The posts in [[Miiverse]] appear somewhat randomly.
*The exact pattern of transitions in [[Mushroom Kingdom U]] is random.
*Ridley's behavior in [[Pyrosphere]] is partially random.
*The stage in [[Skyloft]] will stop in various locations.
*The platforms in [[Wii Fit Studio]] appear in random positions.
*The platform in [[Wuhu Island]] stops in various locations.
*In [[PAC-LAND]], it's random if the healing balloons or the "Super-Pac" item appears.

====In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''====
All returning stages from previous games (including DLC stages) retain their random elements.

*[[Dracula's Castle]] has candles that will drop a random item when destroyed, assuming items are on.
*Trains will randomly drive pass on [[Mementos]], the one below the train able to damage fighters. A third platform decorated with a cracked screen will occasionally appear on the right. Finally, a large triangle-shaped wall will appear on either side or the top of the stage for a limited amount of time.
*The Super Mario Players and Pauline will randomly float by in the background in [[New Donk City Hall]]. Touching them will have their respective instrument be added to the music if the music is set to "Jump Up, Super Star!" or "Ground Theme (Band Performance) - Super Mario Bros."

===Random events intrinsic to an item===
The following is random behavior of specific items.

====In all ''Super Smash Bros. games''====
*Which items appear from [[container item]]s is chosen randomly from what items turned on. There is also a random chance of containers not containing any items and instead being explosive (with the exception of [[Sandbag]]).
*Characters have a random chance of dropping an item when hit, which depends on the damage the attack deals. In ''SSB'' and ''Melee'', this chance is determined by the formula '''damage/60''' for all items, meaning an attack that deals at least 60% damage will guarantee that the item is dropped. In ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4'', the formula is '''CEIL(damage)/70''', but certain items use their own formula:
**In ''Brawl'', the [[Dragoon]] parts and [[Smash Ball]] use '''INT(damage)/50'''.
**In ''Smash 4'', the Dragoon and [[Daybreak]] parts use '''INT(damage)/100'''.
*What Pokémon a [[Poké Ball]] spawns is random, with each Pokémon having a different chance of appearing. If the Pokémon targets a specific player, which opponent is targeted is also chosen at random.

====In ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''====
*When [[food]] spawns, the specific food that appears is random.
*The Hammer head on a {{b|Hammer|item}} will drop off at random when the Hammer is picked up.

====In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
All returning items from ''Melee'' retain any random elements they had in ''Melee''.

*Like with Poké Balls, which character an [[Assist Trophy]] spawns is chosen randomly. Which opponent the Assist Trophy character targets (if any) is also random.
*Occasionally, [[Electrode]] will fail to explode. However, after a short time, Electrode will explode anyway, and will explode when thrown.
*[[Golden Hammer]]s will occasionally spawn as a Golden Squeaky Hammer at random, which while indistinguishable from appearance, produces hitboxes that are completely harmless, and produce a "squeaky" noise when it hits someone.
*Instead of turning all opponents small, [[Lightning]] may randomly turn the player who grabbed it small, or turn all opponents giant.
*Instead of slowing all opponents down, a [[Timer]] may randomly slow down the player who grabbed it, or slow down all players.
*Similarly to Electrode, [[Smart Bombs]] occasionally fail to explode when thrown or hit. They will eventually explode if left uninterrupted, or will explode if they come in contact with a hitbox that deals [[flame|fire damage]].

====In ''Super Smash Bros. 4''====
All returning items from previous games retain any random elements they had.

*If there are at least 2 opponents, the [[Boss Galaga]] item will target a player at random.
*While its exact pattern is unknown, the spawning position of the multiple [[Cucco]]s that attack players seem to have some element of randomness to them, even if they are targeting a specific player.
*The item generated from plucking [[Grass]] is selected at random from a list of potential items.
*Similarly to the [[Poké Ball]] the Pokémon spawned from the [[Master Ball]] is selected at random from all the legendary Pokémon in the game (as well as [[Goldeen]]).
*If all possible targets have the exact same damage and score/number of stocks, then the [[Spiny Shell]] will pick a target at random.

===In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
All returning items from previous games retain any random elements they had.

*[[Killing Edge]] will randomly glow purple, dealing double damage and knockback during this time.
*[[Abra]] will get close to an opponent, teleporting with them to a random spot, often times off stage.

==Randomness in competitive play==
While some randomness that can be controlled and/or has little impact on gameplay is considered acceptable (if undesirable) in competitive play, excessive, uncontrollable randomness is usually considered degenerative to competitive play. The reasoning is that if randomness has too much of an impact on gameplay, the winner of the match could simply win by being luckier with random events, rather than outplaying their opponent. Therefore, to prevent people from winning by being the luckier player and to ensure the more skilled player wins, steps are taken to limit the effect of randomness in competitive play. These steps include turning off all items, using [[stage striking]] instead of random select to choose the stage for the first game in a [[tournament]] set, and banning stages whose random events have too large of an impact on gameplay within the stage (such as WarioWare). 

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
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