Editing Zero Suit Samus (SSBU)

|image = {{tabber|title1=Zero Suit|content1=[[File:Zero Suit Samus SSBU.png|250px]]|title2=Casual Outfit (Zero Mission)|content2=[[File:Zero Suit Samus-Alt6 SSBU.png|250px]]}}

'''Zero Suit Samus''' ({{ja|ゼロスーツサムス|Zero Sūtsu Samusu}}, ''Zero Suit Samus'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. She was officially revealed on June 12th, 2018 alongside {{SSBU|Wii Fit Trainer}} and the rest of the returning roster. Once again, Zero Suit Samus is unconnected to [[Samus (SSBU)|her Power Suit-equipped self]]; however, she temporarily equips her Power Suit during her [[Final Smash]]. As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{iw|wikipedia|Alésia Glidewell}}'s portrayal of Zero Suit Samus from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' was repurposed for ''Ultimate''. Zero Suit Samus is classified as [[Fighter number|Fighter #29]].

Zero Suit Samus is currently ranked 30th out of 82 characters on the current ''Ultimate'' [[tier list]], placing her at the bottom of the A- tier. This is a significant drop from her top-tier position in ''SSB4'', where she was ranked 6th out of 54 characters, and is her worst placement in the series to date. Zero Suit Samus possesses fantastic movement that allows her to be fantastic as a hit-and-run character and even a time-out character, while also giving her a strong disadvantage state. Zero Suit Samus also possesses a long and fast recovery thanks to [[Flip Jump]], [[Boost Kick]], and her [[tether]]. She also possesses safe aerials and a projectile that complements her strong neutral game and grants her a strong aerial game.

 

However, Zero Suit Samus also has some notable weaknesses. Zero Suit Samus has issues closing out stocks consistently and her damage racking capabilities are unimpressive compared to other top-tier characters, making her ability to make comebacks rather poor. She also has poor endurance due to being a tall lightweight, making her susceptible to early KOs. Finally, Zero Suit Samus' out-of-shield options aren't as flexible as other melee-oriented characters, due to hers requiring more precision due their limited coverage.

 

Zero Suit Samus was initially considered to be among the best characters in the game and had strong representation thanks to {{Sm|Marss}} and many players in Japan, including {{Sm|Choco}} and {{Sm|Kuro}}. However, nerfs to her strengths, buffs to other characters, metagame shifts due to the addition of DLC characters, and a lack of activity from her best players led to a noticeable decline following the online era. Nonetheless, she remains a highly viable character.

*Clear {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with {{SSBU|Fox}} or any character in his unlock tree, being the 2nd character unlocked after {{SSBU|Captain Falcon}}.

With the exception of the third method, Zero Suit Samus must then be defeated on [[Brinstar]]. In World of Light, she is fought on the [[Ω form]] of [[Brinstar Depths]].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the end, Zero Suit Samus retains much of her playstyle from ''SSB4'', being a hit-and-run character with a strong punish game, while the transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate'' has improved her overall mobility and [[neutral]] tools at the cost of her potent ladder [[combo]]s and overall KO power.

Zero Suit Samus was previously considered a dominating top tier character throughout the lifetime of ''SSB4'' (6th out of 55 characters), with a combination of excellent mobility, impressive recovery and a highly deadly punish game that could easily turn the tables on a careless opponent. Likely as a result of this, Zero Suit Samus has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition to ''Ultimate'', but was nerfed overall.

Zero Suit Samus significantly benefits overall from the universal changes to gameplay mechanics. The faster movement speed further enhances her already excellent mobility, improving her approach and as such, her "hit and run" playstyle. The changes to [[air dodge]] mechanics improves her juggling capabilities, while not affecting her as much thanks to her great recovery and options to escape pressure. The universally reduced landing lag and more limited [[out of shield]] options allow her to retain some of her setups while improving on her mediocre neutral game, one of her most notable weaknesses in ''SSB4''.

She has also directly received some useful buffs. [[Down tilt]], arguably her worst move in ''SSB4'', has reduced ending lag that gives it combo potential at low percentages. Up smash has reduced base knockback and significantly increased knockback scaling, turning it into a reliable all-purpose attack with combo potential at low percentages and KO power at high percentages. Aside from her lost ability to string lengthy and devastating punishes off of a down throw, Zero Suit Samus' grab game has been improved as a whole: her grab, previously one of the laggiest in the game, has been sped up, making it less risky to use; her new [[forward throw]] sends opponents in a lower angle, granting it the ability to set up [[tech-chasing]]; and [[up throw]] has increased knockback, granting her an emergency KO move at high percentages.

Finally, her special moveset has seen many improvements, as [[Paralyzer]] charges and fires shots faster, while [[Plasma Whip]] has had some of its lost KO power from ''Brawl'' restored and has a new version where opponents can be sent towards her for new setups if the button is held. [[Flip Jump]] executes faster in the air, both the jump and footstool stomp have less ending lag, and the manual kick can be inputted faster, which allows her to combo into it from her neutral aerial much more consistently and take stocks at very early percentages.

However, despite these changes, Zero Suit Samus has received some significant nerfs that generally halt the buffs she received. The most notable direct nerfs were to her outstanding punish game, which while still potent, has been toned down as a whole: her [[down throw]] has more knockback and ending lag, losing almost all its combo potential past extremely low percentages; [[up aerial]] has more ending lag, and both her down smash and Flip Jump's bury hitbox (especially the former) have less hitstun and knockback, worsening several of her setup moves and making it more difficult to capitalize on them and on KO confirms. Furthermore, the changes to the knockback physics make it more difficult for her to string her moves into the other. As a result of this, her combo game is significantly less varied and effective, now requiring Zero Suit Samus to utilize her improved mobility in order to land hits.

Zero Suit Samus' recovery, previously one of the best in the game, was also nerfed, as Plasma Whip takes much longer to grab an edge and has reduced tether range. Her KO ability, one of her previous weaknesses, has also been further defined due to the nerfs to [[forward smash]]'s sourspots and forward aerial's power, back aerials and [[Boost Kick]]'s hitboxes, and Boost Kick's reduced knockback (unless started from the ground), making it much harder for her to score KOs. Finally, in terms of indirect changes, while the faster mobility is a boon to Zero Suit Samus, it also allows many other characters to keep up with her and thus catch her more easily than before, slightly weakening her already problematic disadvantage.

In the end, Zero Suit Samus' nerfs have made her "hit and run" gameplan shift completely from ''SSB4''. She plays less linear thanks to a wider array of options, as opposed to her more polarized kit in ''SSB4'', though while she retains many of her advantages from the previous game and still possesses devastating punishes, her watered down combo game makes her early punish game and advantage less oppressive than before, now requiring her to play a much more patient neutral game, using her mobility to weave in and out and more carefully punishing mistakes, lest she be put at a disadvantage. She has also received slight nerfs through game updates, though these haven't drastically affected her viability. However, this all culminates in Zero Suit Samus performing worse than in ''SSB4''.

{{SSB4 to SSBU changelist|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

==Update history==

Zero Suit Samus has received a mix of buffs and nerfs via game updates, but has been nerfed overall. Patch 2.0.0 nerfed her forward smash by adding a sourspot at close range while her Flip Jump has reduced base knockback, hindering her ability to KO aerial opponents at an early percentage from a back throw.

Patch 3.0.0 nerfed her Flip Jump further as it travels a less horizontal distance, hindering her recovery.  

 

However, her buffs in patch 2.0.0 allow her to grab ledges earlier when using forward aerial and up aerial while patch 3.1.0 allows her Plasma Whip to connect more reliably. Her Flip Jump has been reverted to how it was before patch 3.0.0, improving her recovery. Patch 7.0.0 would then reduce Flip Jump's knockback scaling on the burying hit, nerfing its confirm into Boost Kick, to the point where sufficient mashing will result in it being very difficult to get the followup at high percents although still possible if the player acts fast enough. Patch 11.0.0 increased the landing lag of Neutral Aerial and increased the startup time for Boost Kick. This reduces her safety on shield, and it weakens Boost Kick as an out of shield option and makes ladder combo kills using the second hit of Boost Kick harder. The increased lag on both moves make her combos have a tighter window but are still doable and she remains a highly viable character.  

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/2.0.0|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/3.0.0|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

 

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|4.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/4.0.0|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|6.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/6.0.0|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|7.0.0}}'''

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/7.0.0|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

 

'''{{GameIcon|ssbu}} {{SSBU|8.0.0}}'''

 

{{UpdateList (SSBU)/11.0.0|char=Zero Suit Samus}}

|neutralname=Level Chop ({{ja|レベルチョップ|Reberu Choppu}}) / Gun Hook ({{ja|ガンフック|Gan Fukku}}) / Elbow Smash ({{ja|エルボースマッシュ|Erubõ Sumasshu}})

|neutraldesc=A knifehand strike, followed by a [[wikipedia:Pistol-whipping|pistol-whip]] with her Paralyzer, followed by a {{iw|wikipedia|12-6 elbow}}. It is tied with {{SSBU|Little Mac}}'s neutral attack as the fastest of its kind, coming out instantly on frame 1. The first hit can [[lock]], but the height of the hitbox causes it to miss small or crouching opponents on non-slanted terrain. It also has a poor damage output, only doing a total of 6% if all three hits connect. Its main purpose is to disrupt grounded approaches or combos, as well as finish a combo on its own due to its instantaneous startup.

|ftiltname=Spin Kick ({{ja|スピンキック|Supin Kikku}})

|ftiltdesc=A roundhouse kick. It can be angled, with the downward-angled version potentially [[tripping]] the opponent at low percentages. Its main usage is for spacing, due to its low overall lag and average knockback.

|utiltname=Headstand Kick ({{ja|ヘッドスタンドキック|Heddosutando Kikku}})

|utiltdesc=A butterfly kick performed from a variation of the {{iw|Wikipedia|2000|b-boy move}} (a breakdancing move) followed by an upward scissor kick. It hits on frame 3, making it Zero Suit Samus' fastest tilt attack. It is also one of only two moves that hit in front of and behind her, with the other being neutral aerial, making it a good replacement to her down smash to hit both sides.

|dtiltname=Ground Sweep ({{ja|グラウンドスイープ|Guraundo Suīpu}})

|dtiltdesc=A legsweep. This lowers her hurtbox more than her crouch, allowing her to duck under most projectiles with proper timing. Unlike in ''SSB4'', it also works as a decent combo starter, as it can combo into forward aerial, up aerial, and dashing up smash at low percentages.

|dashname=Jumping Kneebutt ({{ja|ジャンピングニーバット|Janpingu Nībatto}})

|dashdesc=Activates her Jet Boots to perform a jet-propelled knee strike. It functions very well as a burst option and a whiff punish, due to it coming out on frame 7. However, it does not have much of a function otherwise, due to it lacking KO potential or the ability to set up up combos.

|fsmashname=Jet Boot Kick ({{ja|ジェットブーツキック|Jetto Būtsu Kikku}})

|fsmashdesc=A mid-level side kick followed by a spinning side kick at a slightly higher angle. Due to it activating her Jet Boots, the second hit has a visible sweetspot in the form of a small, [[Flame|fiery]] blast at the tip of her foot. Unlike typical sweetspots, it has the same damage output as the sourspot; the only change is that it has slightly higher knockback scaling. Her side smash can be angled, but only the second kick changes in angle. It is often considered one of the worst forward smashes among the cast, because, despite its moderate startup, it is extremely weak, and it has very high ending lag despite this, making it a high-risk move with low reward.

|usmashname=Shocker String ({{ja|ショッカーストリング|Shokkā Sutoringu}})

|usmashdesc=Converts her {{iw|metroidwiki|Paralyzer}} into its Plasma Whip configuration and spins in place while twirling her Plasma Whip overhead. It possesses deceptively high hitstun with low ending lag, making it a solid combo starter at low to mid percentages, while still possessing decent KO power. It is also a very strong anti-air, as the attack has a huge disjoint above her head. All of these traits, combined with its long-lasting and disjointed hitboxes, have garnered it a reputation as one of the best up smashes in the game.

|dsmashname=Slant Paralyzer ({{ja|スラントパラライザー|Suranto Pararaizā}})

|dsmashdesc=Aims her Paralyzer downward in front of herself and fires a [[Paralyze|paralyzing]] energy blast at the ground. This move has poor KO potential, instead, it is used to initiate combos. The move has slow startup as it comes out on frame 20, but has very low ending lag with only 17 frames of cooldown which makes it excellent for leading into other moves such as Boost Kick for a potential KO at high percentages. Opponents are paralyzed much longer at higher percentages. It can [[2 frame punish]] opponents, giving her true followups if it is timed correctly. Based on the ability to shoot her Paralyzer downward in ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid: Zero Mission}}''.

|nairname=Whip Guard ({{ja|ウィップガード|Wippu Gādo}})

|nairdesc=Converts her Paralyzer into its Plasma Whip configuration and spins in midair, swinging her Plasma Whip laterally around herself. It is often considered her best aerial and one of the best neutral aerials in the game for a multitude of reasons, the most notable of which is its combo potential. It can combo into all of her aerials in a very wide range of percentages, starting at 0%, and at high percentages (around 80%), it has a KO confirm into back aerial. At lower percentages (around 40%-60%), it has a notorious KO setup into Flip Jump, although it is sometimes inconsistent because of the sweetspot's small hitbox. Another reason it is so versatile is that it is extremely difficult to punish when landing with the move; against shield, its [[electric]]al properties and disjointed range make it difficult to punish, even on whiff or out of a parry. On shield, it is -4 at best, making it safe against out-of-shield options that can even be as fast as frame 5. Altogether, these traits make Zero Suit Samus' neutral aerial one of her best moves overall.

|fairname=Twice Kick ({{ja|トワイスキック|Towaisu Kikku}})

|fairdesc=A hook kick followed by a roundhouse kick. At very high percentages, the first hit has trouble connecting into the second hit; however, this, in return, makes it a good combo starter on landing. At low percentages, it can combo into itself, up smash, and forward tilt. At high percentages, it has KO confirms into back aerial, Boost Kick and Flip Jump. The attack by itself is decently strong, KOing offstage at around 100% and potentially even earlier, due to Zero Suit Samus' excellent mobility enabling her to go very far offstage and still be able to recover.

|bairname=Sobat ({{ja|ソバット|Sobatto}})

|bairdesc=A spinning hook kick. Very high knockback for an attack of its type, being able to KO opponents earlier than each of her uncharged smash attacks. It works very well as a combo finisher and KO confirm, being able to combo out of her landing neutral aerial, the first hit of her forward aerial, and her up aerial.

|uairname=Air Kick ({{ja|エアキック|Ea Kikku}})

|uairdesc=A bicycle kick. Thanks to its minimal start-up and ending lag, very low base knockback, very high knockback scaling and low landing lag, it boasts excellent juggling potential.

|dairname=Slash Dive ({{ja|スラッシュダイブ|Surasshu Daibu}})

|dairdesc=A diagonal flying kick, similar to {{SSBU|Sonic}} and {{SSBU|Sheik}}'s down aerials, though unlike most moves of its kind, it [[meteor smash]]es throughout its entire duration. Has the slowest startup lag of all of her aerials. Due to this move being a [[stall-then-fall]], it is extremely risky to use off-stage, leading to a [[self-destruct]] in most cases, though its aforementioned properties make it effective as a quick and unexpected [[sacrificial KO]], as the opponent will be KO'd first if hit below the edge. Even when she lands on the ground, there is a high landing lag, making it easy to punish. Despite this, its extremely fast descent speed can enable it to counter a juggle if there is sufficient distance between Zero Suit Samus and the opponent.

|zairname=Aerial Plasma Whip ({{ja|空中プラズマウィップ|Kūchū Purazuma Wippu}})

|zairdesc=Converts her Paralyzer into its Plasma Whip configuration and performs a whip lash in front of herself. It shares most of the same combos and KO confirms that her neutral aerial has, such as into back aerial and Flip Jump at high percentages; however, due to its lower knockback, it has an additional KO setup into Boost Kick.

|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})

|pummelname=Grab Kneebutt ({{ja|つかみニーバット|Tsukami Nībatto}})

|pummeldesc=A knee strike. Average power and speed.

|fthrowname=Short Kick ({{ja|ショートキック|Shōto Kikku}})

|fthrowdesc=A side kick. It is arguably her most useful throw, as it is essential to her excellent tech-chasing capabilities due to its very low launch angle. It can even combo into dash attack against some characters, although the window for it to be true is rather tight.

|bthrowname=Kick Throw ({{ja|キックスルー|Kikku Surū}})

|bthrowdesc=A mid-level roundhouse kick. It can launch opponents offstage and, if the opponent's reaction is read, it can combo into Flip Kick. However, this combo is extremely risky, as Zero Suit Samus has a very good chance to self-destruct if Flip Kick misses due to its high ending lag.

|uthrowname=Hold Somersault Kick ({{ja|ホールドサマーソルトキック|Hōrudo Samāsoruto Kikku}})

|uthrowdesc=A backflip kick. The most damaging out of all of her throws, as well as her strongest throw; however, it doesn't KO middleweights until around 165%. To make up for this, however, its extremely fast startup makes it impossible to react to with DI.

|dthrowname=Knee Stamp ({{ja|ニースタンプ|Nī Sutanpu}})

|dthrowdesc=Pins the opponent on the ground and performs an axe kick. Unlike in ''SSB4'', it is a very poor combo starter due to having much higher ending lag; the only way it can combo into attacks is to read the opponent's reaction.

|floorfdesc=A modified butterfly kick performed from a {{iw|wikipedia|windmill|b-boy move}} (a breakdancing move).

|floorbdesc=A modified butterfly kick performed from a b-boy move (a breakdancing move).

|nsdmg=4%-6%

|nsdesc=Assumes a {{iw|wikipedia|kneeling position}} to fire a paralyzing energy blast from her Paralyzer. It can be charged, which increases its damage output the duration of its paralysis but at the cost of lowered speed. Targets hit by paralysis cannot be paralyzed again until making contact with the stage.

|ssdesc=Converts her Paralyzer into its Plasma Whip configuration to perform a twirling whip lash in front of herself. The whip hits repeatedly, while its sweetspot, which is located at the whip's tip, launches opponents away, and can KO at high percentages. Alternatively, holding down the special move button will have the tip of the whip launch the opponent upward and toward her. While the held version deals less damage, it gives Zero Suit Samus an opportunity for followups.

|usdmg=5% (hit 1), 1.2% (hits 2-6), 4% (hit 7)

|usdesc=Activates her Jet Boots to perform a jet-propelled diagonal split-legged flying kick, followed by a spinning hook kick. One of her best KO moves against a midair opponent. It can also be angled forward or backward, which allows it to catch an opponent's air dodge, rolls, and edge get-up reactions. The move is also a great [[out of shield]] option as it is very fast at frame 6 and is a potential KO option at high percentages, although the hitbox is directly in front of Zero Suit Samus and is very small, limiting its utility as an OoS option to very close range as it will very likely lead to a punish if it is whiffed.  

|dsdesc=A 720° Ce Kong Fan{{ref|a}}, a jumping technique used in contemporary Wushu. It functions as a third jump and grants intangibility on frames 3-12. It can deal damage in two ways: upon contact at the end of the jump, or by pressing either the attack button or special button during the jump. Upon contact, Zero Suit Samus performs a [[Footstool jump|footstool]] stomp, which buries grounded opponents and meteor smashes aerial opponents. Pressing the attack or special buttons makes her perform a diagonal flying kick, which is very powerful. The flying kick also has a sweetspot at her foot that can meteor smash aerial opponents but has slightly less knockback against aerial opponents. Overall, due to its sheer versatility as a combo finisher, recovery option, and an excellent tool for breaking out of disadvantage, it is commonly considered one of the best moves in the game and is arguably Zero Suit Samus’ best move.

|fsdmg=1.2%/1.6% (laser loop), 20%/25% (final burst)

|fsdesc=Zero Suit Samus leaps upward and, while offscreen, equips her {{iw|metroidwiki|Power Suit}} before landing atop her {{iw|metroidwiki|Gunship}} in the background. A player-controlled crosshair then appears, and after a short amount of time (or when the attack button is pressed), the now-Power Suit equipped Samus begins firing her Zero Laser with an area roughly equal to that of the crosshair. Like the [[Zero Laser|version]] used by her [[Samus (SSBU)|Power Suit-equipped self]], it hits multiple times. Opponents take more damage closer to the center of the crosshair. At the end of the move, there is a brief pause, then one final burst is fired with enough power to launch opponents. Once the move concludes, Samus reverts to her Zero Suit and returns to her previous position.

===[[Idle pose]]s===

*'''Left:''' Lashes the air twice with her Plasma Whip and says "Be still."

*'''Up:''' Uses [[Flip Jump]] and then performs a jet-propelled somersault while grunting.

*'''Right:''' Performs a stretch kick and then swings her leg into position to perform a modified [[wikipedia:Glossary of ballet#Passé|passé]] while grunting. Her leg motions and ending pose seems to "draw out" her [[series symbol]], with the stretch kick being the "circle" and the ending pose being the "S".

[[File:MetroidUniverseTheme.ogg|thumb|A flourished remix of the theme that would play when [[Samus Aran]] obtained a new power-up or addition to her {{iw|metroidwiki|Power Suit}}. It would also play when Samus defeated [[Ridley]] or [[Kraid]].]]

==In [[competitive play]]==

===Most historically significant players===

<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->

 

 

*{{Sm|Choco|Japan}} - One of the best Zero Suit Samus players in Japan. Placed 3rd at {{Trn|Umebura SP 5}}, 5th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 4}}, and 9th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 2}}, {{Trn|Umebura SP 7}} and {{Trn|Umebura Japan Major 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Gackt}}, {{Sm|Shuton}}, and {{Sm|Tea}}. Ranked 26th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].

*{{Sm|Es|Japan}} - Placed 7th at {{Trn|TSC 11}}, 17th at both {{Trn|Umebura SP 3}} and {{Trn|Umebura SP 6}}, and 49th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 5}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|shky}}, {{Sm|Songn}}, and {{Sm|Nanchan}}. Ranked 58th on the [[Japan Player Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Kuro|Japan}} - The best Zero Suit Samus player in Japan pre-quarantine. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Umebura SP 6}}, 7th at both {{Trn|EGS Cup 2}} and {{Trn|Umebura SP 7}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|Umebura SP 3}} and {{Trn|Umebura SP 4}}. Ranked 18th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].

*{{Sm|Marss|USA}} - The best Zero Suit Samus player in the world and one of the overall best players in the world prior to the pandemic. Placed 1st at {{Trn|GENESIS 7}}, 3rd at {{Trn|Pound 2019}}, {{Trn|MomoCon 2019}}, and {{Trn|Mainstage}}, and 4th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}}. Ranked as high as 3rd on the [[Spring 2019 PGRU]] and is currently ranked 24th on the [[LumiRank 2023]].

*{{Sm|melon|Canada}} - One of the best Zero Suit Samus players in Canada. Placed 7th at {{Trn|VORTEX}}, 13th at {{Trn|Play With Heart}}, 17th at {{Trn|The Big House 9}}, and 33rd at both {{Trn|CEO 2019}} and {{Trn|Frostbite 2020}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|MVD}}, {{Sm|MuteAce}}, and {{Sm|Lui$}}. Ranked 12th on the [[Smash Canada Rankings Ultimate]]. Online, placed 13th at both {{Trn|The Quarantine Series: Major Tournament 1}} and {{Trn|Get On My Line 2020}}. Ranked as high as 1st on the WWR, and was last ranked 32nd on the [[Wi-Fi Warrior Rank v6]].

*{{Sm|shky|Japan}} - One of the best Zero Suit Samus players in Japan. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 1}}, 4th at {{Trn|Kagaribi}}, 7th at {{Trn|EVO Japan 2020}}, 9th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 4}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|Umebura Japan Major 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Gackt}}, {{Sm|Kameme}}, and {{Sm|Kuro}}. Ranked 18th on the [[Japan Player Rankings]].

*{{Sm|sirjon|Germany}} - The best Zero Suit Samus player in Europe. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|Unismash 7: Ultimate Birthday}}, 3rd at {{Trn|Calyptus Cup X: Powwer Up}}, 4th at {{Trn|Calyptus Cup X: Purple Age}}, 25th at {{Trn|Albion 4}}, and 33rd at {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Light|p=Germany}}, {{Sm|Space}}, and {{Sm|Flow}}. Ranked 21st on the [[European Smash Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Yamanyon|Japan}} - Placed 7th at {{Trn|EGS Cup}}, 17th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 3}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Umebura Japan Major 2019}}, {{Trn|Umebura SP 5}}, and {{Trn|Umebura SP 6}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Lea}}, {{Sm|Kuro}}, and {{Sm|Raito}}. Ranked 62nd on the [[Japan Player Rankings]].

 

Zero Suit Samus had a lukewarm reception when ''Ultimate'' was released, as she was seen to be considerably nerfed from her last appearance, where she was a top-tier character. Many of her tools were watered down, most notably her throw combos and ladder setups. However, this lukewarm reception was reversed thanks to the myriad of outstanding results from Zero Suit Samus players. In particular, {{Sm|Marss}} established himself as one of the best players in the world after winning a few majors, while Japanese majors often saw many Zero Suit Samus players place highly, including but not limited to {{Sm|Kuro}}, {{Sm|Choco}}, and {{Sm|shky}}. As a result of these strong results, the general consensus believed the character to be a solid top tier, with players such as {{Sm|Maister}} as well as many top players in Japan even arguing the character could be one of the best in the game.

 

However, the post-pandemic metagame saw a notable shift in Zero Suit Samus' reception. For one, she received nerfs to some of her best moves, hindering her combo game and KO potential; the nerfs were great enough to cause some players, including Marss and shky, to believe the character was no longer one of the best in the game. In addition, her best players slowly became less active or started to perform worse than before. In particular, Marss began shifting his focus towards content creation while Kuro and Choco began struggling to make it into the top 32 at majors. As a result, Zero Suit Samus' representation declined, from having top 10 representation in 2019 to not even breaking top 30 by 2022. The nerfs to Zero Suit Samus' strongest tools and decline in results and representation collectively mellowed out opinions on her, with most players no longer considering her to be a top-tier.

 

This opinion is reflected in Zero Suit Samus' placement on the first tier list, where she was ranked 26th in A+ tier while also dropping down to the bottom of A- tier at 30th on the second tier list. This also marks the first time that she was ever ranked below [[Samus (SSBU)|her Power Suit-equipped self]].

All but one of Zero Suit Samus' opponents are characters who use [[Tether grab|tether/extended grabs]] and/or [[Tether recovery|tether recoveries]]. The only exception to this theme is {{SSBU|Little Mac}}, who represents the theme of "wires" (as mentioned in the route's Japanese name) by using his wireframe outfit.  

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|1||{{CharHead|Young Link|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Toon Link|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Skyloft]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|The Legend of Zelda|Dark World (for 3DS / Wii U)}}''||

|2||{{CharHead|Ivysaur|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Spear Pillar]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Pokémon Gym/Evolution - Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue}}''||Ivysaur's {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}} is absent.

|3||{{CharHead|Dark Samus|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Brinstar Depths]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior}}''||

|4||{{CharHead|Yoshi|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Peach's Castle]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Super Mario Bros.|Super Mario World Medley}}''||

|5||{{CharHead|Simon|SSBU|hsize=20px}} and {{CharHead|Richter|SSBU|hsize=20px}}||[[Dracula's Castle]]||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Castlevania|Simon Belmont Theme (The Arcade)}}''||

|6||{{Head|Little Mac|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Wire}} (×3) {{Head|Little Mac|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Green}} (×3) {{SSBU|Little Mac}}||[[75m]] ([[Battlefield form]])||''{{SSBUMusicLink|Other|Tunnel Scene - X}}''||Horde Battle (3 at a time). Items do not appear.<br>The stage is also made of wires, and the music track references how the Game Boy game ''X'' has wireframe graphics.

Zero Suit Samus can be found and awakened in the upper-right volcanic area in the World of Light after defeating the {{b|Metroid|creature}} [[List of spirits (Metroid series)|spirit]].

{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"

!style="width:5%;"|No.

!style="width:5%;"|Image

!Name

!Type

!Power

!Stage

!Music

|29

|[[File:Zero Suit Samus SSBU.png|center|64x64px]]

|Zero Suit Samus

|{{SpiritType|Grab}} <center>{{color|#17ba17|Grab}}</center>

|7,500

|[[Brinstar Depths]] ([[Ω form]])

|''{{SSBUMusicLink|Metroid|Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior}}''

{{clr}}

 

While {{SSBU|Samus}} herself appears in a number of spirits, including an unarmored "Young Samus" spirit portrayed by a Zero Suit Samus puppet fighter, the {{iw|metroidwiki|Zero Suit}} itself only appears in Zero Suit Samus' fighter spirit.

SSBU spirit Zero Suit Samus.png|266. '''''Zero Suit Samus'''''

==In Spirit Battles==

|{{SpiritTableName|Urbosa|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=ShortsBlue}} (100 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Young Samus|size=64}}

|''Metroid'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Jody Summer|iw=fzerowiki|size=64}}

|''F-Zero'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Lyn|link=y|size=64}}

|''Fire Emblem'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|•Attack Power ↑<br>•Assist Trophy Enemies (Lyn)

|{{SpiritTableName|Mimicutie|link=y|size=64}}

|''Kid Icarus'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Meryl Silverburgh|size=64}}

|''Metal Gear Solid'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Neutral}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Rosemary|size=64}}

|''Metal Gear Solid'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SpiritTableName|The Boss|size=64}}

|''Metal Gear Solid'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}} (180 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|•The floor is poisonous<br>•Timed [[stamina battle]] (2:00)<br>•The enemy has increased defense when the enemy's at high damage

|{{SpiritTableName|EVA|size=64}}

|''Metal Gear Solid'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Mega Man Zero|size=64}}

|''Mega Man Zero'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}} (160 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|[[Midgar]] (hazards off)

|•Assist Trophy Enemies ({{b|Zero|Mega Man}})

|{{SpiritTableName|Sharla|size=64}}

|''Xenoblade Chronicles'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|{{SSBUMusicLink|Xenoblade Chronicles|Gaur Plain}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Chun-Li (Street Fighter Alpha)|size=64}}

|''Street Fighter'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}} (140 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Alexandra Roivas|size=64}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Shantae|size=64|link=y}}

|''Shantae'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Ann Takamaki|link=y|size=64}}

|''Persona'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}<br>•Giant {{SSBU|Peach}} {{Head|Peach|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}

|{{SpiritType|Attack}}

|[[Castle Siege]] (Throne Room)

|•Item: [[Fire Flower]]

|{{SpiritTableName|Zelda (Breath of the Wild)|size=64}}

|''The Legend of Zelda'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Zelda}} {{Head|Zelda|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}} (50 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Link}} {{Head|Link|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=White}} (60 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Inkling}} {{Head|Inkling|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Pink}} (30 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Donkey Kong}} {{Head|Donkey Kong|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Yellow}} (60 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Falco}} {{Head|Falco|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Blue}} (50 HP)<br>•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=ShortsBlue}} (50 HP)

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Adam Malkovich|size=64}}

|''Metroid'' Series

|{{SpiritType|Shield}}

|{{SpiritTableName|Phantom Thieves of Hearts|size=64}}

|''Persona'' Series

|•{{SSBU|Joker}} {{Head|Joker|g=SSBU|s=20px}}<br>•{{SSBU|Pikachu}} {{Head|Pikachu|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Libre}}<br>•{{SSBU|Captain Falcon}} {{Head|Captain Falcon|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}<br>•{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} {{Head|Zero Suit Samus|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Red}}<br>•{{SSBU|Chrom}} {{Head|Chrom|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}<br>•{{SSBU|Sheik}} {{Head|Sheik|g=SSBU|s=20px|cl=Black}}

|{{SpiritType|Grab}}

|[[Mementos]] (Haru Okumura background, hazards off)

|[https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Ann_Takamaki Ann Takamaki / Panther]

SSBUWebsiteZeroSuitSamus1.jpg|Zero Suit Samus on [[Wrecking Crew]].

SSBUWebsiteZeroSuitSamus4.jpg|Posing behind [[Samus (SSBU)|her Power Suit]] on [[Gaur Plain]].

===Fighter Showcase Video===

*For unknown reasons, Zero Suit Samus' taunt voice clips are not present in the Sound Test, making her the only character with this distinction.

*In the Japanese version, non-Japanese voice actors and actresses are credited without any transliteration to Japanese in the [[Sound Test]]. In the case of Zero Suit Samus, Alésia Glidewell's name was cut short, resulting in "Alesia Glidew". This has since been fixed.

*On the [[character selection screen]], the icon in the Japanese version shows Zero Suit Samus' name within only one row, while in the English version it is shown with two rows. She shares this trait with {{SSBU|Captain Falcon}}, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}, {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}}, {{SSBU|Wii Fit Trainer}}, {{SSBU|Rosalina & Luma}}, the {{SSBU|Mii Fighter}}s, {{SSBU|Piranha Plant}} and {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}.

*Zero Suit Samus' character showcase video, unlock battles, and Classic Mode credits use "Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior" from ''[[Super Metroid]]'', a game where the {{iw|metroidwiki|Zero Suit}} did not yet exist. This may be a reference to how Samus would appear in various states of undress during the game's ending sequence, as "Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior" serves as the end credits theme for that game.

*This is the first game where Zero Suit Samus' default head icon depicts her hair tie as its standard red coloration, as both previous depictions have matched the Zero Suit's cyan coloration. She shares this trait with {{SSBU|Peach}}.

*If Zero Suit Samus charges a smash attack while holding a [[Star Rod]], she will not vibrate in place during the animation. This also applies to {{SSBU|Byleth}} if he charges a smash attack while holding a [[Death's Scythe]].

*If Zero Suit Samus starts charging her forward smash, the flashing effects will be focused on her {{iw|metroidwiki|Paralyzer}} instead of her left leg. This is a carryover from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', where she uses her Paralyzer for her forward smash in that game. This visual effect quirk is also present in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''.

*Unusually, the angled variants of Zero Suit Samus' forward smash do not cause the flames effects on her boot to terminate after the second kick.

*On the [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site]], Zero Suit Samus' blue casual attire is placed before the orange casual attire, whereas the order of the two costumes is swapped in-game.