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Hero (SSBU) (edit)

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==In [[competitive play]]==
==In [[competitive play]]==
===Tier placement and history===
Hero's place in competitive play has been controversial even before his introduction into the game; players were immediately divided due to the sheer amount of [[randomness]] in his toolkit, which some argued as too unpredictable for him to work as a competitively fair character. Despite the controversy, Hero initially had little impact on the metagame; while it was common to see him in pools and small-scale tournaments, he has not gone far in high-level tournaments, with his most notable national placements coming from {{Sm|Salem}} and {{Sm|Tsu}}, who either used him as a co-main or eventually dropped him. This can be attributed to Hero's slow frame data, lack of reliable combo breaking options, and his reliance on MP, all of which can be exploited by opponents. Hero's randomness also plays a part in his unreliability, as it can be just as common to roll an undesired move as it is to get the best option. As a result, most players initially considered him a mid tier character at best.
More recently, however, {{Sm|Akakikusu}} had made waves with Hero by placing top 8 at several Japanese nationals, and even defeating several top Japanese players. These placements, despite being during the pandemic, were nonetheless more impressive than anyone else up to that point, leading some players to believe that Hero is better than what the general consensus is, currently ranked 44th on the first tier list.
===Most historically significant players===
===Most historically significant players===
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*{{sm|Salem|USA}} - Co-mained Hero and {{SSBU|Snake}}, and was considered the best Hero player in the world prior to his ban. He used both characters to win {{Trn|Port Priority 5}}, and also made 4th at {{Trn|Thunder Smash 3: Clash of the Pandas}} and 7th at {{Trn|Mainstage}}, taking sets over {{Sm|Shuton}} and {{Sm|MuteAce}} with Hero. His 25th place at {{Trn|Frostbite 2020}} was also considered the best solo Hero supermajor result pre-pandemic. He is the only Hero player to be ranked top 50 in the world with 30th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].
*{{sm|Salem|USA}} - Co-mained Hero and {{SSBU|Snake}}, and was considered the best Hero player in the world prior to his ban. He used both characters to win {{Trn|Port Priority 5}}, and also made 4th at {{Trn|Thunder Smash 3: Clash of the Pandas}} and 7th at {{Trn|Mainstage}}, taking sets over {{Sm|Shuton}} and {{Sm|MuteAce}} with Hero. His 25th place at {{Trn|Frostbite 2020}} was also considered the best solo Hero supermajor result pre-pandemic. He is the only Hero player to be ranked top 50 in the world with 30th on the [[Fall 2019 PGRU]].


===Ban controversy===
===Tier placement and history===
Hero's place in competitive play has been controversial even before his introduction into the game; players were immediately divided due to the sheer amount of [[randomness]] in his toolkit, which some argued as too unpredictable for him to work as a competitively fair character. Despite the controversy, Hero initially had little impact on the metagame; while it was common to see him in pools and small-scale tournaments, he has not gone far in high-level tournaments, with his most notable national placements coming from {{Sm|Salem}} and {{Sm|Tsu}}, who either used him as a co-main or eventually dropped him. This can be attributed to Hero's slow frame data, lack of reliable combo breaking options, and his reliance on MP, all of which can be exploited by opponents. Hero's randomness also plays a part in his unreliability, as it can be just as common to roll an undesired move as it is to get the best option. As a result, most players initially considered him a mid tier character at best.
 
The pandemic period saw the rise of {{Sm|Akakikusu}}, who by the end of 2021 was considered a top 10 player in Japan and a top 30 player in the world. This was due to his strong set of results, which includes placing top 8 at the major {{Trn|Kagaribi 3}} and supermajor {{Trn|Kagaribi 4}}. Although Akakikusu's consistency has since declined, opinions on Hero nevertheless improved, and as such Hero is ranked 44th on the current tier list as an upper-mid tier. Since then, Hero's results have remained strong despite having below-average tournament representation, thanks to Akakikusu's continued presence in the top 100 as well as the rise of {{Sm|BeastModePaul}} in 2023.
 
====Ban considerations====
Hero's moveset, specifically [[Command Selection]], has been controversial due to its randomness. Comparisons have been drawn between Command Selection and [[items]], with the argument being that the unpredictable nature of both of them result in a less competitive environment, in which skill alone is not sufficient to win matches (coincidentally so as certain spells like Hocus Pocus grant abilities otherwise only found with items such as the [[Super Star]] and [[Timer]]). Furthermore, specific spells have also been the subject of controversy, such as Zoom invalidating any attempts at edge-guarding, Whack and Thwack being able to KO at any percentage, or Magic Burst's blast radius easily covering the edge and preventing a large portion of the cast from recovering without taking significant damage in the process. Hero's Critical Hits from his smash attacks have also stirred conversation regarding Hero's skill factor, though not quite to the degree as Command Selection.
Hero's moveset, specifically [[Command Selection]], has been controversial due to its randomness. Comparisons have been drawn between Command Selection and [[items]], with the argument being that the unpredictable nature of both of them result in a less competitive environment, in which skill alone is not sufficient to win matches (coincidentally so as certain spells like Hocus Pocus grant abilities otherwise only found with items such as the [[Super Star]] and [[Timer]]). Furthermore, specific spells have also been the subject of controversy, such as Zoom invalidating any attempts at edge-guarding, Whack and Thwack being able to KO at any percentage, or Magic Burst's blast radius easily covering the edge and preventing a large portion of the cast from recovering without taking significant damage in the process. Hero's Critical Hits from his smash attacks have also stirred conversation regarding Hero's skill factor, though not quite to the degree as Command Selection.


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Conversely, supporters bring up languages that do not use the Latin alphabet, such as Japanese and Russian, saying that these are much harder to learn and react to in such a short amount of time, and they argue against hosting games over arenas by bringing up factors such as input lag, midmatch slowdowns and crashes. To alleviate the effects of language barriers, most tournaments in countries will usually play in English instead of the regional language due to English being the standard language used in major tournaments, especially since countries such as Portugal, Denmark and Sweden do not have their language available in ''Ultimate'' and Hero's spells in Dutch are not translated.
Conversely, supporters bring up languages that do not use the Latin alphabet, such as Japanese and Russian, saying that these are much harder to learn and react to in such a short amount of time, and they argue against hosting games over arenas by bringing up factors such as input lag, midmatch slowdowns and crashes. To alleviate the effects of language barriers, most tournaments in countries will usually play in English instead of the regional language due to English being the standard language used in major tournaments, especially since countries such as Portugal, Denmark and Sweden do not have their language available in ''Ultimate'' and Hero's spells in Dutch are not translated.


Many prominent smashers, such as {{Sm|Leffen}} and {{Sm|Dark Wizzy}}, have advocated banning Hero, while others such as {{Sm|Dabuz}} and {{Sm|ESAM}} have come out against a ban, arguing that the character has significant counter-play and has not achieved overwhelmingly high results at tournaments to the same degrees as a top tier character. The first region to ban Hero from tournaments was South Australia, where the ban was put into effect on August 15th, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sqvsvl|title=Twitlonger on South Australia's Hero ban}}</ref> This was met with criticism, with players in the community (such as {{Sm|D1}} and {{Sm|ZeRo}}) stating that it was too early to declare whether Hero should be banned or not.
Many prominent smashers such as {{Sm|Leffen}} and {{Sm|Dark Wizzy}} have advocated banning Hero, while others such as {{Sm|Dabuz}} and {{Sm|ESAM}} have come out against a ban, arguing that the character has significant counter-play and has not achieved overwhelmingly high results at tournaments to the same degrees as a top tier character. Despite this debate, only one notable region made efforts to ban the character, that being South Australia on August 15th, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sqvsvl|title=Twitlonger on South Australia's Hero ban}}</ref> The ban was ultimately lifted, and since then no other region had attempted a ban aside from Nintendo France, who very briefly placed a ban on all DLC fighters released after September 23rd, 2019 and as such was not necessarily targeting Hero.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-france-bans-hero-and-future-dlc-characters-from-official-smash-bros-ultimate-tournaments/|title=Nintendo France bans Hero and future DLC characters from official Smash Bros. Ultimate tournaments}}</ref> With only a few minor cases since, the ban debate had been effectively settled.
 
Notably, Nintendo France also banned Hero and DLC fighters released after September 23rd, 2019 from future tournaments in their area,<ref>[https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-france-bans-hero-and-future-dlc-characters-from-official-smash-bros-ultimate-tournaments/ Nintendo France bans Hero and future DLC characters from official Smash Bros. Ultimate tournaments]</ref> making Hero the first instance a character has been banned in Nintendo-sanctioned tournaments. No official reason was given for the ban by Nintendo France at the time. However, as of September 26th, 2019, Nintendo France announced on Twitter that they have overturned the ban, making Hero and DLC fighters released after the aforementioned date legal in Nintendo-sanctioned tournaments for the area.<ref>[https://www.twitter.com/NintendoFrance/status/1177164762997755905 Nintendo France's DLC Fighter ban overturn]</ref> The controversy has died down in the years since, and Hero is currently legal in all regions with no major flare-ups.


=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: A History of Heroism==
=={{SSBU|Classic Mode}}: A History of Heroism==
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