View source for Template:Samus and Dark Samus in competitive play (SSBU)

<noinclude>Use this template to store information relevant to the metagame of {{SSBU|Samus}} and {{SSBU|Dark Samus}} in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.
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===Most historically significant players===
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''See also: [[:Category:Samus players (SSBU)]]; [[:Category:Dark Samus players (SSBU)]]''

*{{Sm|Abadango|Japan|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - Plays Samus alongside {{SSBU|Meta Knight}} and {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|Kagaribi 8}}, 3rd at {{Trn|VCA 2022}}, 4th at {{Trn|Shinosuma HEROES 1}}, 5th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 24}}, and 9th at {{Trn|KOWLOON 3}}, with wins over players such as {{Sm|takera}}, {{Sm|Peli}}, and {{Sm|alice}}. 
*{{Sm|IcyMist|United States|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - One of the best Samus players in North America in the post-online metagame, peaking at 76th on the [[UltRank 2022]]. She is considered one of the best players in the [[Midwest]], regularly placing top 8 at Midwest events including 4th at both {{Trn|Riptide 2023}} and {{Trn|The Big House 11}}. Outside of the Midwest, her best results including placing 9th at {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves 2022}} and 13th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con: Fall Fest}}, while her best wins include {{Sm|Sonix}} at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2023}} and {{Sm|Riddles}} at Fall Fest.
*{{Sm|Joker|Mexico|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - The best Samus player in North America in the early metagame, peaking at 95th on the [[OrionRank 2019]], and was a top 10 player in Mexico during this period. His best results during this period were in the United States, placing 7th at {{Trn|2GG: SwitchFest 2019}} defeating {{Sm|Nicko}} and {{Sm|WaDi}} as well as 9th at {{Trn|Low Tier City 7}} defeating {{Sm|ESAM}}. Although less active since then, he still places highly at Mexican events when he does attend.
*{{Sm|Parme|Japan|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - The best Samus player in Japan in 2019, placing highly at multiple Sumabatos including 9th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 6}} and 13th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 5}}. Although his results have since declined, he still remains a threat in [[Chūgoku]] and has seen some decent results at majors, including placing 33rd at {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 13}}.
*{{Sm|quiK|Germany|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - The third-best Samus player of all-time who was the definitive best in 2019, ranked 37th on the [[OrionRank 2019]]. He was the second-best player in Europe during this time as well, notably placing 2nd behind Glutonny at {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}}, {{Trn|Ultimate WANTED 2}}, and {{Trn|Valhalla III}}, and also placed 7th at {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019}} and 9th at {{Trn|Albion 4}}.
*{{Sm|Sisqui|Spain|c1=Samus|c2=Dark Samus|g=SSBU}} - One of the two best Samus players of all-time, peaking at 21st on the [[LumiRank 2023]], and is one of the best players in Europe in the post-online metagame. He regularly places top 8 at European majors, including 2nd at {{Trn|Ultimate Fighting Arena 2023}} and 5th at {{Trn|COLOSSEL 2022}}, while internationally he has notably placed 4th at {{Trn|Rise 'N Grind}} and 5th at {{Trn|Smash Factor X}}. 
*{{Sm|Teaser|United States|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - One of the best Samus players in North America in 2022, peaking at 134th on the [[OrionRank 2022]]. He was a consistent threat in the [[Southeast]], especially with wins over some of its best players such as {{Sm|Kola}}, {{Sm|Wrath}}, and {{Sm|Fatality}} and placing highly at Southeast majors, including 17th at {{Trn|Let's Make Moves Miami}} and 25th at {{Trn|MomoCon 2022}}. Outside of his region, he notably placed 17th at {{Trn|GENESIS 8}}.
*{{Sm|Toura|Japan|c1=Samus|g=SSBU}} - The second-best Samus player in Japan especially in the post-online metagame, peaking at 97th on the [[OrionRank 2022]]. He frequently places highly at Japanese majors, most notably 5th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 9}} and 9th at both {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 8}} and {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 9}}. 
*{{Sm|Yaura|Japan|c1=Samus|c2=Dark Samus|g=SSBU}} - One of the two best Samus and Dark Samus players of all-time who regularly places top 8 at major Japanese events, most notably 4th at the supermajors {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 10}} and {{Trn|DELTA 5}}, and has wins over three of the [[four Horsemen]]. He is the only Samus player ever ranked in the top 20, with his highest being 18th on the [[LumiRank 2023]].
*{{Sm|YB|Japan|c1=Dark Samus|g=SSBU}} - Mainly known for dominating the early [[Smashmate]] ladder, including ranking 1st on half of the first ten Smashmate rankings. He has only made a handful of appearances offline but is best known offline for his appearances in the United States, which includes placing 13th at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga}} defeating {{Sm|VoiD}} and {{Sm|WaDi}} as well as top 8 finishes at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga Kickoff}} and [https://start.gg/tournament/mega-smash-mondays-185/details Mega Smash Mondays 185], where he also defeated {{Sm|Ally}} in the latter.

===Tier placement and history===
Initial impressions of Samus and Dark Samus in ''Ultimate'' were negative, largely due to comparisons with Samus's previous iteration. Players pointed out how she lost the combo potential of her dash attack, one of her most useful tools in ''Smash 4'', along with her general lack of mechanical changes compared to fellow veterans such as {{SSBU|Link}}. Her unsafe jab, seemingly unchanged from ''Smash 4'' and once again acknowledged in in-game tips, became a common point of mockery. However this viewpoint did not stick for long, as Samus players began demonstrating how her improved projectile game, KO potential, and Charge Shot shield break potential allowed her to compete in the top level, although the latter was eventually nerfed in updates. Early Samus representation came from {{Sm|YB}}, who despite being a relatively unknown player from Japan shocked the world by placing 13th at {{Trn|2GG: Prime Saga}}. Other Samus players later followed suit, most notably {{Sm|Joker}} and {{Sm|quiK}}, both of who became one of the best players in Mexico and Europe, respectively. As such, players in the early metagame considered the Samuses as a high-tier character.

This viewpoint was maintained in the post-online metagame, which saw the Samuses' overall representation improve significantly, notably entering the top 10 by 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gRlzy4z_dpqb2ZRhGoqtbDcuvUKz_ROsMZHGegon53M/edit#gid=329450080|title=OrionRank character data for July-December 2022}}</ref> This rise was due to the continued success of older Samus players alongside the appearances of several other Samus players on the global scene, including {{Sm|Sisqui}}, {{Sm|IcyMist}}, and {{Sm|Yaura}}. Due to this high representation and strong results, the Samuses were ranked 25th on the first tier list. Since then, the Samuses continued to be a top 10 character representation-wise, and Sisqui and Yaura remained top level threats in the metagame. As such, the Samuses received a large boost on the second tier list, and they are currently sitting at 15th in the A-tier.
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