Meta Knight (SSBU): Difference between revisions

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As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{s|mariowiki|Eric Newsome}} and {{s|wikipedia|Atsushi Kisaichi}}'s portrayals of Meta Knight from ''Brawl'' were repurposed for the English and Japanese versions of ''Ultimate'', respectively.
As in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', {{s|mariowiki|Eric Newsome}} and {{s|wikipedia|Atsushi Kisaichi}}'s portrayals of Meta Knight from ''Brawl'' were repurposed for the English and Japanese versions of ''Ultimate'', respectively.


Meta Knight is ranked 50th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing him at the bottom of the B- tier. This is a significant drop from his 16th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4'' and is his worst placement in the series. Meta Knight's strength centers around his amazing ground and air mobility, granting him a strong neutral game, advantage and disadvantage state. He retains excellent frame data, which combined with his mobility grants him an amazing combo game and edgeguarding ability, including his signature up aerial [[ladder combo]]s which, while nerfed, still has effective setups. Said combos have also been retooled to give him options for combos that KO vertically ([[Shuttle Loop]]) or horizontally ([[Mach Tornado]]) depending on the opponent's reaction. He also boasts a long, safe recovery which makes it very unlikely for him to be KO'd while recovering, as he has multiple double jumps and all of his special moves function as [[recovery]] moves with large or lingering hitboxes, making Meta Knight one of the hardest characters to [[edgeguard]].
Meta Knight is ranked 50th out of 82 on the current [[tier list]], placing him at the bottom of the B- tier. This is a significant drop from his 16th out of 54 placement in ''SSB4'' and is his worst placement in the series. Meta Knight's main strength lies in his great mobility and frame data, which grants him an amazing edgeguarding and combo game. Meta Knight's gameplan is heavily centralized around his deadly ladder combos that can lead to high damage and/or early KOs of the top, but he's also got a variety of horizontal combo finishers to hit opponents who DI uncooperatively. He also boasts a fantastic [[recovery]], with multiple midair jumps and special moves that all function as recoveries with large or lingering hitboxes, making Meta Knight one of the hardest characters to [[edgeguard]].


However, Meta Knight's main weakness is his poor endurance. He is a lightweight character, and combined with his fast falling speed makes him susceptible to combos and early KOs. He also possesses a relatively small shield, which leaves him vulnerable to shield stabbing. While he can work his way through projectiles and zoners with his relatively small size, quick ground speed and Mach Tornado, his approach options are fairly predictable, so they often carry the risk of losing neutral. He also has lackluster range and below average damage output for a swordfighter which makes it difficult for him to space his attacks, and requires him more effort to rack up damage. His grab game, while better than most other swordfighters, is still mediocre: his standing grab range is one of the worst in the game, and his up throw is his only consistent KO throw that KOs at reasonable percents without [[rage]], while his other throws do not have consistent combo ability beyond mid percents. He also struggles in KOing opponents due to having finishers that are difficult to land, and most of his attacks have very few active frames (with his most useful attacks having only 1-3 frame hitboxes). This forces Meta Knight to rely on precision to hit opponents and especially to finish them off. Finally, his combos are very susceptible to SDI, forcing him to mix up his combos and kill confirms and keep track of the opponent's reaction, and his best combo tools are very prone to [[staling]] due to their low base damage (with some such as up aerial able to drop to as low as 2% per hit even with the [[1v1 multiplier]]).
As a likely balancing factor for their combo potential, Meta Knight's normals suffer from carrying some of the worst hitboxes in the game, often being significantly smaller and less active than their animations suggest. This not only makes his range deceptively short, but also makes landing attacks unusually difficult and unintuitive, demanding more precision to perform combos and take stocks than most other fighters. His lightweight status combined with his fast falling speed makes him susceptible to both combos and early KOs, and while he can work his way toward zoners with his small size, quick ground speed and [[Mach Tornado]], his approach options are fairly predictable. His grab game, while better than most other swordfighters, is still mediocre: his grab range is some of the worst in the game, none of his throws reliably KO below 160%, and none of them have significant damage output or combo potential outside of [[Meta Knight (SSBU)/Down throw|down throw]]. Finally, his best combo tools are very susceptible to DI and [[staling]], due to their low base damage (with some such as up aerial able to drop to as low as 2% per hit, even with the [[1v1 multiplier]]), and repeated usage in many situations, forcing him to mix up his combo routes and keep track of the opponent's trajectory.


Meta Knight's drastic decline in the tier list is based more on his below-average representation throughout ''Ultimate'''s lifespan rather than the character not being very capable of viability. Despite that, Meta Knight still retains a fairly noticeable playerbase, with players such as [[Abadango]], [[BONK!]], and [[Metara]] achieving commendable results with the character.
Overall, Meta Knight, while seen as a step down from even his [[SSB4]] counterpart, is still a viable fighter. Though Meta Knight's playerbase has been below average for most of ''Ultimate'''s competitive lifespan, he has nevertheless retained fairly noticeable success, with players such as {{Sm|Abadango}}, {{Sm|Metara}}, and {{Sm|Yei}} achieving commendable results.


==How to unlock==
==How to unlock==
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==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''==
Meta Knight was infamous for being the best character in ''Brawl'', to the point where he was universally considered to be [[broken]]. Although ''SSB4'' nerfed him significantly at launch, Meta Knight managed to secure a spot as a high tier character (16th out of 54 characters), thanks to the combination of his excellent mobility and recovery, great edge-guarding potential, numerous buffs from game updates and, most notoriously, his deadly punish game that allowed him to perform zero-to-death combos with his up aerial and [[Shuttle Loop]]. Possibly as a result of these strengths, Meta Knight has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition from ''SSB4'' to ''Ultimate'', though despite his comparatively numerous buffs, he has been objectively nerfed overall.
Despite his infamous reputation in ''[[Brawl]]'' leading to nerfs in ''Smash 4'', Meta Knight remained a strong character in the game thanks to the combination of his excellent mobility and recovery, great edge-guarding potential, numerous buffs from game updates and, most notoriously, his deadly punish game that allowed him to perform zero-to-death combos with his up aerial and [[Shuttle Loop]]. Possibly as a result, Meta Knight has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in his transition to ''Ultimate'', though despite his comparatively numerous buffs, he has been objectively nerfed overall.


Meta Knight benefits from some of the gameplay changes to the engine. His already quick mobility has improved even further, and his aerials have considerably decreased [[landing lag]], even compared to most other characters' aerials, improving his [[neutral game]] and [[combo]] game. The changes to [[air dodge]] mechanics highly benefit Meta Knight, as they further strengthen his already scary offstage game, and he isn't as affected by these changes thanks to his excellent recovery; moreover, he can now extend his own or escape combos in a pinch with a directional air dodge.
Meta Knight benefits from some of the gameplay changes to the engine. His already quick mobility has improved even further, and his aerials have considerably decreased [[landing lag]], even compared to most other characters' aerials, improving his [[neutral game]] and [[combo]] game. The changes to [[air dodge]] mechanics highly benefit Meta Knight, as they further strengthen his already scary offstage game, and he isn't as affected by these changes thanks to his excellent recovery; moreover, he can now extend his own or escape combos in a pinch with a directional air dodge.
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|neutraldesc=An extremely fast flurry of slashes followed by a backflipping slash. It is notably the only neutral attack in the game that consists solely of a neutral infinite. However, a whiffed finisher can easily leave Meta Knight punishable, thus this attack is to be used with caution.
|neutraldesc=An extremely fast flurry of slashes followed by a backflipping slash. It is notably the only neutral attack in the game that consists solely of a neutral infinite. However, a whiffed finisher can easily leave Meta Knight punishable, thus this attack is to be used with caution.
|ftiltcount=3
|ftiltcount=3
|ftiltname=Diagonal Slash ({{ja|袈裟斬り|Kesagiri}}, ''Kasaya Cutter/Slash''<br>Counter Slash ({{ja|返し斬り|Kaeshi Giri}}, ''Return Cutter/Slash'')<br>Flip Up ({{ja|跳ね上げ|Hane Age}})
|ftiltname=Diagonal Slash ({{ja|袈裟斬り|Kesagiri}}, ''Kasaya Cutter/Slash'')<br>Counter Slash ({{ja|返し斬り|Kaeshi Giri}}, ''Return Cutter/Slash'')<br>Flip Up ({{ja|跳ね上げ|Hane Age}})
|ftiltdmg=2%
|ftiltdmg=2%
|ftilt2dmg=2%
|ftilt2dmg=2%
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|utiltdmg=7% (sweetspot), 6% (clean sourspot), 5% (late sourspot)
|utiltdmg=7% (sweetspot), 6% (clean sourspot), 5% (late sourspot)
|utiltdesc=A spinning, overhead thrust. It is a decent anti-air move and has a sweetspot located on Galaxia's tip. However, its horizontal range is so poor that it will miss an opponent unless they are at point-blank range in front of Meta Knight. Unlike most up tilts, it also has very minimal combo potential, with its only reliable follow-ups being itself, up smash and up aerial at 0% to very low percentages.
|utiltdesc=A spinning, overhead thrust. It is a decent anti-air move and has a sweetspot located on Galaxia's tip. However, its horizontal range is so poor that it will miss an opponent unless they are at point-blank range in front of Meta Knight. Unlike most up tilts, it also has very minimal combo potential, with its only reliable follow-ups being itself, up smash and up aerial at 0% to very low percentages.
|dtiltname=Lower Thrust ({{ja|下段突き|Gedan Zuki}})
|dtiltname=Lower Thrust ({{ja|下段突き|Gedan Zuki}}, ''Lower Stab'')
|dtiltdmg=5%
|dtiltdmg=5%
|dtiltdesc=A crouching thrust. May cause [[trip]]ping and can [[lock]] at low percentages. Due to its very low overall lag, it is a decent combo starter.
|dtiltdesc=A crouching thrust. May cause [[trip]]ping and can [[lock]] at low percentages. Due to its very low overall lag, it is a decent combo starter.
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|-
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Meta Knight Cheer English SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Japanese SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Italian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Dutch SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer French NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer French PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]
|[[File:Meta Knight Cheer English SSB4 SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Japanese SSB4 SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Italian SSB4 SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Dutch SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer French NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer French PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Description
! scope="row"|Description
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|-
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Meta Knight Cheer German SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer Spanish NTSC SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer Spanish PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Russian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Korean SSBU.ogg|center]]
|[[File:Meta Knight Cheer German SSBU.ogg|center]]||{{NTSC}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer Spanish NTSC SSB4 SSBU.ogg|center]] <br> {{PAL}} [[File:Meta Knight Cheer Spanish PAL SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Russian SSBU.ogg|center]]||[[File:Meta Knight Cheer Korean SSBU.ogg|center]]
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Description
! scope="row"|Description
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*'''Left:''' Performs three slashes with Galaxia, says "Come back when you can put up a fight," then warps away. ("{{ja|もっと強くなって来い。|Motto tsuyoku natte koi.}}", ''Come at me when you've become stronger.''). The warp is a reference to his defeat animation from most of his appearances as a boss.
*'''Left:''' Performs three slashes with Galaxia, says "Come back when you can put up a fight," then warps away. ("{{ja|もっと強くなって来い。|Motto tsuyoku natte koi.}}", ''Come at me when you've become stronger.''). The warp is a reference to his defeat animation from most of his appearances as a boss.
*'''Up:''' Flies into the scene and then spreads his cape, saying "You've much yet to learn." ("{{ja|まだまだだな。|Mada mada da na.}}", ''Not just yet it seems'').
*'''Up:''' Flies into the scene and then spreads his cape, saying "You've much yet to learn." ("{{ja|まだまだだな。|Mada mada da na.}}", ''Not just yet it seems'').
*'''Right:''' Performs two slashes and then twirls Galaxia, saying "Victory...is my destiny." ("{{ja|これも宿命だ。|Kore mo shukumei da.}}", ''This, too, is destiny.'').
*'''Right:''' Performs two slashes and then twirls Galaxia, saying "Victory...is my destiny." ("{{ja|これも宿命だ。|Kore mo shukumei da.}}", ''This too is destiny.'').
[[File:MKTheme.ogg|thumb|An electric guitar rendition of the {{iw|wikirby|Kirby Dance}} theme song performed in quadruple meter.]]
[[File:MKTheme.ogg|thumb|An electric guitar rendition of the {{iw|wikirby|Kirby Dance}} theme song performed in quadruple meter.]]
<gallery>
<gallery>
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''See also: [[:Category:Meta Knight players (SSBU)]]''
''See also: [[:Category:Meta Knight players (SSBU)]]''


*{{Sm|Abadango|Japan}} - The best Meta Knight player of all-time. He was the first player to place highly with Meta Knight, most notably placing 25th at the supermajor {{Trn|Frostbite 2019}} with solo-Meta Knight. After dropping him by mid-2019, he readded him to the roster in mid-2022 and has seen the highest-placements for a Meta Knight player at a major, placing 2nd at {{Trn|Kagaribi 8}} and 3rd at {{Trn|VCA 2022}}.
*{{Sm|Abadango|Japan}} - The greatest Meta Knight player of all-time. He was one of the first notable Meta Knight players, playing him in the early months of competitive ''Ultimate'' and placing 25th at {{Trn|Frostbite 2019}}. He dropped him in mid-2019 but brought him back into his roster in mid-2022, where he used primarily Meta Knight to place 2nd at {{Trn|Kagaribi 8}}, defeating several of Japan's best players at that time, which remains the best tournament performance from a Meta Knight player. Alongside his 3rd-place finish at {{Trn|VCA 2022}}, his results helped improve Meta Knight's perception in the community, though he eventually relegated Meta Knight to a pocket once again in mid-2023. Nevertheless, he remains the only Meta Knight player ever ranked in the top 50.
*{{Sm|BONK!|USA}} - The best Meta Knight player in North America who has seen several strong runs at majors, including 17th at {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}} defeating {{Sm|WaDi}} and 33rd at the supermajor {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves}} defeating {{Sm|Ned}}.
*{{Sm|BONK!|USA}} - One of the best Meta Knight players in North America. He is especially known for his performances from late-2021 to mid-2022, where he placed 17th at {{Trn|Glitch 8.5 - Konami Code}}, {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves 2022}}, and {{Trn|Glitch - Infinite}}, defeating {{Sm|WaDi}} at the first event. He was ranked 143rd on the [[OrionRank Mid-Year 2022]] as the first solo-Meta Knight player ranked globally; however, he was not ranked on the full-year ranking.  
*{{Sm|Lickey|Japan}} - One of the best Meta Knight players in Japan. Placed 13th at {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 5}}, 17th at both {{Trn|Sumabato SP 9}} and {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 1}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Umebura SP 3}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Etsuji}}, {{Sm|Lunamado}}, and {{Sm|Sigma}}.
*{{Sm|Metara|Japan}} - The best Meta Knight player in the post-pandemic metagame, especially since Abadango dropped the character in 2023. Although inconsistent, he has seen some of the best Meta Knight performances of all-time, including winning {{Trn|Ruyubura! Part 2}}, the first ranked event won by a solo-Meta Knight player; placing 13th at {{Trn|Smash Awesome!}}; 17th at {{Trn|Seibugeki 18}} and {{Trn|UltCore Fourth}}, defeating {{Sm|Raki}} at the latter; and upsetting {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}} at {{Trn|Kagaribi 10}}. He was ranked 134th on the [[LumiRank 2023]] as the first and only solo-Meta Knight player ever ranked globally on a year-long ranking.
*{{Sm|sdsg|Japan}} - Placed 17th at both {{Trn|Sumabato SP 14}} and {{Trn|Sumabato SP 17}} as well as 25th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 15}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Kome}} and {{Sm|Atelier}}.
*{{Sm|Yei|Costa Rica}} - The best player from Central America in the early metagame and in the early years of the post-pandemic prior to {{Sm|ShinyMark}}'s rise. He is known for his mastery over many characters but primarily played Meta Knight during this time. He was best known for nearly winning the Mexican invitational {{Trn|Smash Vertex}}, where he defeated {{Sm|Maister}}, placing 2nd at {{Trn|Smash Legends 3}} defeating {{Sm|ShinyMark}}, and placing 5th at the {{Trn|SWT: Central America Ultimate Regional Finals}} defeating {{Sm|Chag}}. He played more {{SSBU|Palutena}} as time went on and was ranked 85th on the [[UltRank 2022]] as a Palutena and Meta Knight co-main before he dropped Meta Knight in 2023.
*{{Sm|Soar|Canada}} - The best Meta Knight player in Canada but has since relegated the character to a pocket. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Terry Christmas}}, 2nd at {{Trn|LAN ETS 2020}}, 17th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}}, and 33rd at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Myran}}, {{Sm|Riddles}}, and {{Sm|Blacktwins}}. Currently ranked 10th on the [[Smash Canada Rankings Ultimate]].
*{{Sm|Uto|Japan}} - Placed 13th at {{Trn|Karisuma SP 6}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Sumabato SP 3}}, {{Trn|Karisuma SP 5}}, and {{Trn|Mēsuma}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Kome}} and {{Sm|DIO}}.
*{{Sm|Metara|Japan}} - The best solo-Meta Knight player in the world who consistently places well at events, including winning {{Trn|Ruyubura! Part 2}} over {{Sm|takera}}, placing 13th at the superregional {{Trn|Maesuma TOP 13.5 "U-22"}} defeating {{Sm|Yaura}}, and placing 49th at the supermajor {{Trn|Kagaribi 10}} defeating {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}.
*{{Sm|Yei|Costa Rica}} - Although known for playing a plethora of characters, he is best known for playing Meta Knight and is one of the best Meta Knight players in the world, primarily using the character 2nd at the invitational {{Trn|Smash Vertex}} defeating {{Sm|Maister}} and {{Sm|Meme}} as well as 13th at the supermajor {{Trn|Smash Factor 9}}.


===Tier placement and history===
===Tier placement and history===
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==[[Spirit]]==
==[[Spirit]]==
Meta Knight's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}}. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Meta Knight has been unlocked. Unlocking Meta Knight in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in ''Ultimate''.
Meta Knight's fighter spirit can be obtained by completing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} as Meta Knight. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 300 Gold, but only after Meta Knight has been unlocked. Unlocking Meta Knight in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a fighter spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. His fighter spirit has an alternate version that replaces it with his artwork in ''Ultimate''.


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