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Metagame: Difference between revisions
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m (→Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Wolf's decline is probably one of the most infamous declines for a character, to one of the most popular and widely considered a contender to the best, to being not even top 20 rep-wise and not even being a top 20 character) |
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===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''=== | ===''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''=== | ||
*The early metagame favored fast, agile characters who either had disjoints and good reach or could overwhelm opponents, with notable examples being {{SSBU|Wolf}}, {{SSBU|Pichu}}, and {{SSBU|Lucina}}. As such, competitive play during this period was often populated by these characters, with players such as {{Sm|MkLeo}}, {{Sm|Marss}}, and {{Sm|Nairo}} being some of the best players of this era. However, as the metagame progressed, it began shifting towards characters who required more patience to fight against due to having campy or touch-of-death playstyles, with notable examples being {{SSBU|Steve}}, {{SSBU|Sonic}}, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}, and {{SSBU|Snake}}. This shift was attributed to the nerfs of the early metagame's top tier characters, as well as the impact of the online metagame during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], where not only were many of these slower playstyles first developed, but some of the best players of the post-online metagame, notably {{Sm|acola}}, {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}, and {{Sm|Sonix}}, first became notable threats. This metagame shift was the most apparent by 2023, which saw MkLeo's decline and the rise of the [[Four Horsemen]]. | *The early metagame favored fast, agile characters who either had disjoints and good reach or could overwhelm opponents, with notable examples being {{SSBU|Wolf}}, {{SSBU|Pichu}}, and {{SSBU|Lucina}}. As such, competitive play during this period was often populated by these characters, with players such as {{Sm|MkLeo}}, {{Sm|Marss}}, and {{Sm|Nairo}} being some of the best players of this era. However, as the metagame progressed, it began shifting towards characters who required more patience to fight against due to having campy or touch-of-death playstyles, with notable examples being {{SSBU|Steve}}, {{SSBU|Sonic}}, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}}, and {{SSBU|Snake}}. This shift was attributed to the nerfs of the early metagame's top tier characters, as well as the impact of the online metagame during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], where not only were many of these slower playstyles first developed, but some of the best players of the post-online metagame, notably {{Sm|acola}}, {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}, and {{Sm|Sonix}}, first became notable threats. This metagame shift was the most apparent by 2023, which saw MkLeo's decline and the rise of the [[Four Horsemen]]. | ||
*Coming off the previous point, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} was initially seen as potentially one of the worst characters in the game, due to his best tools being weakened or removed from ''Smash 4'', including his up aerial — removing his "Toot-Toot" KO confirm — his up smash having less invincibility frames, and a new forward aerial that lacked priority and was heavily punishable. As a result, his representation was initially worse than his already sub-par representation in ''Smash 4''. However, players later discovered that Mr. Game & Watch's kit was actually incredibly strong, most notably possessing strong combo and juggling potential, with a neutral aerial that covers the area around him; an oppressive up aerial that lasts for a long time and allows him to act as soon as the hitboxes cease; a damage-racking tool at the ledge in [[Chef]]; his new forward aerial being very safe on shield, allowing him to easily punish opponents for shielding; safe and spammable smash attacks, including a down smash that can [[bury]] opponents; mostly low ending lag on his attacks; and the best out-of-shield option in the cast, [[Fire]]. These strengths were showcased extensively by {{Sm|Maister}} in the early metagame, leading many to reassess Mr. Game & Watch as a top tier, which was reflected in his 18th place ranking on the first [[List of SSBU tier lists|tier list]]. Following {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}'s debut on the scene and his list of major victories in the post- | *Coming off the previous point, {{SSBU|Mr. Game & Watch}} was initially seen as potentially one of the worst characters in the game, due to his best tools being weakened or removed from ''Smash 4'', including his up aerial — removing his "Toot-Toot" KO confirm — his up smash having less invincibility frames, and a new forward aerial that lacked priority and was heavily punishable. As a result, his representation was initially worse than his already sub-par representation in ''Smash 4''. However, players later discovered that Mr. Game & Watch's kit was actually incredibly strong, most notably possessing strong combo and juggling potential, with a neutral aerial that covers the area around him; an oppressive up aerial that lasts for a long time and allows him to act as soon as the hitboxes cease; a damage-racking tool at the ledge in [[Chef]]; his new forward aerial being very safe on shield, allowing him to easily punish opponents for shielding; safe and spammable smash attacks, including a down smash that can [[bury]] opponents; mostly low ending lag on his attacks; and the best out-of-shield option in the cast, [[Fire]]. These strengths were showcased extensively by {{Sm|Maister}} in the early metagame, leading many to reassess Mr. Game & Watch as a top tier, which was reflected in his 18th place ranking on the first [[List of SSBU tier lists|tier list]]. Following {{Sm|Miya|p=Honshu}}'s debut on the scene and his list of major victories in the post-pandemic metagame, Mr. Game & Watch's reputation grew even further, and as such he shot up to 3rd on the following tier list. | ||
*Conversely, {{SSBU|Wolf}} highlights the decline of several meta-relevant characters in the early metagame. Wolf especially was widely considered one of the best characters in the game, courtesy of a strong neutral game and advantage state, incredible combo game, and strong edgeguarding tools. As such, many players used him as a secondary or pocket character and Wolf regularly ranked amongst the most popular characters in competitive play. However, nerfs to some of his strongest moves, most notably down smash, alongside his weaknesses becoming more apparent, primarily his linear recovery and struggle to take stocks at higher percents, weakened his reputation as the metagame progressed. Wolf's decline was the most apparent in the post-pandemic metagame, especially as Wolf could not catch up to other characters who had stronger advantage states and had an easier time taking stocks. As such, Wolf's representation greatly declined and he fell 10 spots between the first and second tier lists. | |||
*Upon his release, {{SSBU|Joker}} saw little tournament representation, due to many noting his short range, low damage output, and lack of KO ability without [[Arsène]] (who mainly requires Joker taking damage to be summoned). However, this general consensus shifted greatly upon {{Sm|MkLeo}}'s numerous first place winnings with the character in tournaments, causing many to quickly take note of Joker's combo game (particularly in his drag down up aerial), edgeguarding potential, ability to quickly fill the [[Rebellion Gauge]] with [[Rebel's Guard]], huge hitboxes when Arsène attacks in tandem with him, and a very generous counterattack and reflector, resulting in many believing that Joker is a top-tier or even potentially the best character, eventually leading him to be ranked 3rd on the first tier list. Since then, MkLeo's decline and precise playstyle has mellowed out opinions on Joker's viability, but he remains a strong and popular character in the metagame. | *Upon his release, {{SSBU|Joker}} saw little tournament representation, due to many noting his short range, low damage output, and lack of KO ability without [[Arsène]] (who mainly requires Joker taking damage to be summoned). However, this general consensus shifted greatly upon {{Sm|MkLeo}}'s numerous first place winnings with the character in tournaments, causing many to quickly take note of Joker's combo game (particularly in his drag down up aerial), edgeguarding potential, ability to quickly fill the [[Rebellion Gauge]] with [[Rebel's Guard]], huge hitboxes when Arsène attacks in tandem with him, and a very generous counterattack and reflector, resulting in many believing that Joker is a top-tier or even potentially the best character, eventually leading him to be ranked 3rd on the first tier list. Since then, MkLeo's decline and precise playstyle has mellowed out opinions on Joker's viability, but he remains a strong and popular character in the metagame. | ||
*{{SSBU|Corrin}} notably had among the worst representation in the early metagame, largely due to his slow mobility, being overshadowed by other swordfighters, and nerfs from ''Smash 4''. Corrin's representation got to the point where he was ranked dead last for metagame representation in the second half of 2022. However, opinions on Corrin would change during and after the online metagame, first due to buffs received from patches, then from dedicated players breaking out onto the scene, most notably {{Sm|SHADIC}} in 2022 and {{Sm|Neo|p=Japan}} in 2023, and finally from {{Sm|MkLeo}}'s brief tenure with the character in mid-2022. This led many to reassess Corrin, and he was ranked 42nd on the first tier list. Since then, his representation has only improved as many of these players established themselves in top level play. This was most apparent during {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2023}}, which featured three Corrin players enter top 24 on the Winner's side, and {{Trn|GENESIS X}}, where featured three different players who used Corrin in at least one notable top 64 set enter top 8. As such, Corrin has since rose to 27th on the second tier list, with many continuing to believe he should be ranked higher. | *{{SSBU|Corrin}} notably had among the worst representation in the early metagame, largely due to his slow mobility, being overshadowed by other swordfighters, and nerfs from ''Smash 4''. Corrin's representation got to the point where he was ranked dead last for metagame representation in the second half of 2022. However, opinions on Corrin would change during and after the online metagame, first due to buffs received from patches, then from dedicated players breaking out onto the scene, most notably {{Sm|SHADIC}} in 2022 and {{Sm|Neo|p=Japan}} in 2023, and finally from {{Sm|MkLeo}}'s brief tenure with the character in mid-2022. This led many to reassess Corrin, and he was ranked 42nd on the first tier list. Since then, his representation has only improved as many of these players established themselves in top level play. This was most apparent during {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2023}}, which featured three Corrin players enter top 24 on the Winner's side, and {{Trn|GENESIS X}}, where featured three different players who used Corrin in at least one notable top 64 set enter top 8. As such, Corrin has since rose to 27th on the second tier list, with many continuing to believe he should be ranked higher. | ||
*In a similar vein to Corrin, {{SSBU|Bayonetta}} was widely regarded as a shell of [[Bayonetta (SSB4)|her ''Smash 4'' self]] after severe nerfs, with many dismissing her as a "high-risk low-reward" character and her playerbase being below average in size. However, buffs to her kit improved her viability, while her playerbase began growing in size, particularly in the post-online metagame, thanks to {{Sm|Bloom4Eva}}'s success in Europe, {{Sm|Lima}}'s return to top level play after a slump period, and {{Sm|TamaPDaifuku}}'s debut in Japan. As such, Bayonetta is widely considered a high-tier, ranking 26th on the current tier list, and with all three aforementioned Bayonetta players winning large events throughout ''Ultimate''{{'}}s history, many players believe she should be ranked higher. | *In a similar vein to Corrin, {{SSBU|Bayonetta}} was widely regarded as a shell of [[Bayonetta (SSB4)|her ''Smash 4'' self]] after severe nerfs, with many dismissing her as a "high-risk low-reward" character and her playerbase being below average in size. However, buffs to her kit improved her viability, while her playerbase began growing in size, particularly in the post-online metagame, thanks to {{Sm|Bloom4Eva}}'s success in Europe, {{Sm|Lima}}'s return to top level play after a slump period, and {{Sm|TamaPDaifuku}}'s debut in Japan. As such, Bayonetta is widely considered a high-tier, ranking 26th on the current tier list, and with all three aforementioned Bayonetta players winning large events throughout ''Ultimate''{{'}}s history, many players believe she should be ranked higher. | ||
*{{SSBU|Luigi}} is one of the most polarizing characters in competitive play, as he possesses a strong combo game that can zero-to-death opponents, but also possesses a poor advantage state and weak recovery courtesy of his low air speed and linear recovery moves. As such, although Luigi often had great representation in competition thanks to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Elegant}}, {{Sm|Luugi}}, and {{Sm|Raru}}, Luigi himself had historically ranked around the middle of the tier lists. This has led many to call for a reassessment for Luigi's placement on the tier lists, especially with many Luigi players ranking on the [[LumiRank]] and Raru becoming a top 10 player following the second tier list's release and winning several majors, though pushback remains due to his equally polarizing weaknesses. | *{{SSBU|Luigi}} is one of the most polarizing characters in competitive play, as he possesses a strong combo game that can zero-to-death opponents, but also possesses a poor advantage state and weak recovery courtesy of his low air speed and linear recovery moves. As such, although Luigi often had great representation in competition thanks to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Elegant}}, {{Sm|Luugi}}, and {{Sm|Raru}}, Luigi himself had historically ranked around the middle of the tier lists. This has led many to call for a reassessment for Luigi's placement on the tier lists, especially with many Luigi players ranking on the [[LumiRank]] and Raru becoming a top 10 player following the second tier list's release and winning several majors, though pushback remains due to his equally polarizing weaknesses. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||