SmashWiki:Stub

This page documents an official SmashWiki policy, a widely accepted standard that all users should follow. When editing this page, please ensure that your revision reflects consensus. If in doubt, consider discussing changes on the talk page.

In a nutshell, a stub is a short or incomplete article that could be expanded. If you see an article that does not adequately discuss its subject, you should mark it as a stub, by typing "{{stub}}" at the end of the page. This template adds a couple of sentences indicating that the article is a stub. It also categorizes the incomplete article as a stub (see the stubs category), so that editors can identify and expand the needy articles.

You should, however, hold some discretion before tagging articles as stubs. Not every short page should be labeled a stub. This page provides policy on when and where to wield the stub template.

Which articles are stubs?

In terms of length, a stub is an article that is only a few sentences long. This length, however, is not a fast and steady rule. You shouldn't, for instance, add a stub tag to a short article about an unimportant topic. On the other hand, some subjects are so important (like Super Smash Bros. Melee or wavedash) that even a description of several paragraphs might be short enough for the article to be deemed a stub.

How can you figure out whether or not an article can appropriately be tagged a stub? That depends on the subject.

• Crew and Smasher articles: a minor, regional-level player (such as Aftermath) should never be tagged a stub, because SmashWiki just has too many short Smasher articles. On the other hand, a Smasher that competes on the national level (such as Isai Alvarado) or has great significance in the Smash community or tournament scene (such as Matt Deezie) should be tagged a stub if the subject's influence isn't adequately discussed. These same guidelines apply to crews as well.
• Gameplay articles: every gameplay-related article requires a description or definition of the subject, or else it is a stub. You should also tag important gameplay elements (such as wavedash) as stubs if they do not discuss how the subject relates to the community or to tournament play.
• Character and stage articles: each of these subjects is important and requires a substantial article. A character article is a stub if it does not discuss the character's techniques and strategies in tournament play. A stage article is a stub if it does not at least describe the stage's layout (or provide a picture), or does not indicate the stage's legality in tournaments.

Removing the stub tag

If a former stub has been lengthened so that it adequately discusses its subject, you may remove the stub tag. You do not need to request permission to take it off. In some cases, however, it would be nice if you made a note of it in the article's talk page, especially if the page's stub status is controversal.