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'''Cruel Melee''' and '''Cruel Brawl''' are [[Multi-Man Melee and Brawl|Multi-Man]] modes in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Brawl]]'', respectively. They challenge the player to defeat as many opponents, with high handicaps and increased aggressiveness, as possible ([[Fighting Wire Frames]] in ''Melee'', and [[Fighting Alloy Team|Fighting Alloys]] in ''Brawl'') before falling from the [[stage]] or [[Self-destruct|self-destructing]] themselves. In Cruel Brawl, the Fighting Alloy opponents mimic the characters [[Mario (SSBB)|Mario]], [[Kirby (SSBB)|Kirby]], [[Zelda (SSBB)|Zelda]], and [[Captain Falcon (SSBB)|Captain Falcon]], though they cannot make use of the corresponding characters' [[special attack]]s, making them slightly easier to knock-out as they have little ability to [[recover]] using their own moves, because they can't grab edges, either. These are unarguably the most challenging of all Multi-Man Melees and Brawls, as the opponents faced are immensely harder than those who appear in the other modes.
{{ArticleIcons|ssbm=y|ssbb=y|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}
'''Cruel Melee''', '''Cruel Brawl''' and '''Cruel Smash''' are [[Multi-Man Melee and Brawl|Multi-Man]] modes in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', respectively. Like [[Endless mode]], this mode challenges the player to defeat as many opponents as possible ([[Fighting Wire Frames]] in ''Melee'', [[Fighting Alloy Team]] in ''Brawl'', and [[Fighting Mii Team]] in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate''), with no [[KO]] limit or time limit before the mode ends; high scores in this mode are recorded by the number of opponents defeated.


The high scores of Cruel Melee and Brawl are recorded by the amount of opponents knocked out.
However, Cruel mode features a complete reversal of what is normally encountered in other Multi-Man modes. While all other modes give the opponents a low [[AI]] level and cause them to take high [[knockback]], making them very easy to KO in one hit, Cruel mode instead gives all of the opponents a high AI level (making them very aggressive), boosts their attack damage and applies the high knockback modifier to the player, making them the one who is very easy to KO in one hit. In addition, no [[item]]s will spawn at all in the mode.


==Strategies==
With up to five opponents on-screen at once, all ganging up on the player and with any single one of their attacks being an easy [[OHKO]], while the player must try to fight up to five aggressive high-AI opponents while only dealing regular knockback with their own attacks and without items to assist, attaining high scores in this mode is considered one of the toughest accomplishments in the game. Due to the relentless difficulty, players often have to resort to exploiting the AI; for example, in Cruel Melee, scores in the thousands can be obtained by exploiting an AI standstill bug, performed by standing absolutely still on the rightmost edge of the small right platform. This causes any CPUs, including the Wire Frames, to cease all movement and stand indefinitely unless the player is within attack range. In both Cruel Melee and Cruel Brawl, [[planking]] can be an effective strategy; stalling under the stage will often cause the Wire Frames or Alloys to [[self-destruct]] when attempting to [[edge-guard]] the player (as they still do not have any [[recovery]] special moves). In ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', most possible exploits have been fixed as enemies will no longer follow the player if they jump far off the ledge, and will instead wait until the player gets back on stage. There are still some exploits that can help, a common one including using a fighter with large, horizontal hitboxes in their [[up special]]. Grabbing the ledge, dropping, double-jumping, then using the up special to grab the edge causing minor damage to the fighters on stage and occasionally tricks them into jumping off the stage and SD'ing. The most common fighter for this strategy is [[Lucina]], as she specifically is able to complete two challenges at once in {{forwiiu}}. Without AI exploitation, getting scores even higher than single-digit numbers is considered extremely difficult.
===[[Pikachu]]===
'''Melee only!'''
A very simple way to gain 5 kills in Cruel Melee with Pikachu is to gather all five Wire Frames in one corner and use Pikachu's Down Smash. The Wire Frames should fly out of the attack early with just enough [[knockback]] to keep them from returning to the stage.


Another strategy is to drop off one of the ledges and use Thunder (Down+B), then using Agility (Up+B) to return to the ledge, and repeating. "ssmb4ever," a youtube account name, has gotten 99+ kills with this technique in Brawl. It cannot be done in Melee because if Pikachu uses [[Thunder]] in that game, it becomes helpless.
==Rewards==
===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
*Defeat 5 opponents: [[Mr. Resetti]] trophy.  


===[[Roy (SSBM)]]===
===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===
Using [[Blazer]] is an effective way to KO the wire frames. The best time to use it is when five of them are together.
*Defeat 5 opponents: [[Fighting Alloy Team|Red Alloy]] trophy.
*Defeat 10 opponents: [[List of stickers (Metal Gear series)|Liquid Snake]] sticker.


===[[Toon Link (SSBB)]]===
===In {{for3ds}}===
Simply hang on the ledge, use a jump so you're positioned diagonally from the ledge, and use [[Spin Attack]] to return to the ledge. If an Alloy gets far enough from the ledge, d-air them, and use the "bounce" and his recovery to return to the ledge. After jumping, you can use any of your projectiles. You could also hang on the ledge, drop down, and use his uair to attack through the ledge, then use Spin Attack to rise up to the ledge.
*Play Cruel Smash once: [[Character customization|Spiny Hat]] headgear.
*Defeat 2 opponents: Shield Exploder Protection Badge [[equipment]].
*Defeat 4 opponents: [[Character customization|Lion Hat]] headgear.


=== [[Jigglypuff]] ===
===In {{forwiiu}}===
Simply float away from the stage, baiting the Alloys to jump off the ledge, and return to the ledge to refresh jumps. An example of 10+ KOs: [[http://www.youtube.com/v/bJ7TN3zcyvM]] Another effective way is to jump of the ledge and quickly jump back on (Use 4 of your jumps).
*Defeat 1 opponent (Solo only): {{b|Duck Hunt|stage}} stage.
**This will also challenge the player to defeat {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}} in order to unlock them, provided they have not been unlocked yet.
**This challenge is immune to the [[Golden Hammer]].
*Defeat 8 opponents: [[List of SSB4 trophies (Super Mario Bros. series)|Toadsworth]] trophy.
*Survive for 1 minute as {{SSB4|Luigi}} (Solo only): [[List of SSB4 trophies (Super Mario Bros. series)|Mr. L]] trophy.
*Defeat 4 opponents as {{SSB4|Pit}} (Solo only): [[Reaper]] trophy.
*Defeat 8 opponents as {{SSB4|Lucina}} (Solo only): Vampire Brawn Badge [[equipment]].
**This challenge is immune to the Golden Hammer.


=== [[Kirby]] ===
===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''===
Jump off the ledge and go under the ledge, then use Final Cutter. Another effective way is to jump of the ledge and quickly jump back on (Use 4 of your jumps). Another strategy is to repeatedly jump high up, so that the wire frames/alloys gather below you, then use down+B. Make sure that you hit all enemies, and jump up again as soon as possible, because Kirby is extremely fragile and any left-over enemy will easily finish him off when he's jumping back up.
*Defeat 3 opponents (Solo only): [[Captain Falcon]] Challenge.


===[[Ike (SSBB)]]===
==Names in other languages==
In the Cruel Brawl, just hang on the edge of the stage. When all the alloys are grouped together quickly drop and use Aether. The alloys should jump after you. Some will hop to safety off of others heads. Some will fall to their doom.
{{langtable
|ja={{ja|情け無用組み手|Nasake Muyō Kumi-te|?}}
|jaM=
|en=Cruel Melee {{GameIcon|SSBM}} <br/> Cruel Brawl {{GameIcon|SSBB}} <br/> Cruel Smash {{GameIcon|SSB4}} {{GameIcon|SSBU}}
|fr=Smash cruel
|frM=
|es=Asalto intrépido
|esM=
|de=Brutalo-Smash
|deM=
|it=Mischia spietata
|itM=
|nl=Gemene smash
|nlM=
|ru={{rollover|Жесткая битва|Zhestkaya bitva|?}}
|ruM=
|ko={{rollover|극한 스매시|Geukhan Seumaesi|?}}
|koM=
|zh_cn={{rollover|无情对打|Wúqíng Duìdǎ|?}}
|zh_cnM=
|zh_tw={{rollover|無情對打|Wúqíng Duìdǎ|?}}
|zh_twM=
}}


===[[Pit (SSBB)]]===
==Trivia==
Use your B-up to fly under the stage from one ledge to the other. Like Ike's strategy, the alloys will jump after you. You can KO ten alloys this way in under three minutes.
*The ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' incarnation of this mode is infamous for its involvement in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (universe)#Sonic and Tails hoax|Sonic and Tails rumor]] spread by ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' magazine as an April Fools' joke. The rumor suggested that after defeating 20 Fighting Wire Frames in a single round, the player would be challenged to defeat [[Sonic]] and [[Tails]] of the {{uv|Sonic the Hedgehog}}, where victory would result in [[unlockable character|unlocking]] the characters.  
 
*In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', the track ''{{SSBBMusicLink|Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Cruel Brawl}}'' that plays during Cruel Brawl cannot be played from ''Brawl''{{'}}s [[Sound Test]], and it cannot be selected as music for [[custom stage]]s. It would later become available in ''Smash 4''{{'}}s Sound Test.
===[[Samus]]===
**Said track is renamed "Cruel Smash", likely due to being re-used for ''Smash 4''{{'}}s Cruel mode, which is called Cruel Smash. It retains this changed name in ''Ultimate''{{'}}s Sound Test.
Grab onto one of the ledges with your Grapple Beam, and use your ledge attack to knock the alloys away, and if any alloys are knocked away from the platform, use your d-air to spike them.
*In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'''s Cruel Brawl, some Fighting Alloys are given stronger handicaps than others. This can be seen even further by modifying their knockback values with hacks.
 
*In ''Melee'', {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}'s [[Rest]] is strong enough to [[OHKO]] the wireframes in Cruel Melee.
===[[Zero Suit Samus (SSBB)]]===
Do a Full Jump off the side of the main platform, then use Plasma Whip (Side+B) to grab the ledge. When all of the alloys group together at the edge, do a ledge attack (press A twice in  rapid succession to ensure you go up to the ledge and attack almost instantly, before they can hurt you), then jump back and grab the ledge with Plasma Whip again. If your Whip is too short, drop down and use Plasma Wire (Up+B) to grab the ledge again. You can KO ten alloys with this method very quickly, as the lower you are from the ledge, the more likely they are to SD below you.
 
===[[Sonic (SSBB)]]===
Go to the bottom of the stage and spam Homing Attack. If done correctly, Sonic will spin up, then bump the bottom of the stage. The Alloys should SD themselves.
 
===[[Ganondorf (SSBB)]]===
Jump on the ledge of the platform, then do a ledge-attack(Only use this if ALL enemys are near the ledge). Some enemys will fly behind you off the stage, so you can easily KO them by using A-Down. Then jump with second/third jump back to the ledge. You have to take care you don't jump over the ledge, the alloys will KO you. Do this again until you've made enough KO's
 
===[[Lucas]]===
Hang on to the ledge of the platform, and jump up and away from the platform. Direct PK Thunder so that it propels Lucas into the Alloys and racking up damage (the first hit most likely will not kill the Alloys). Repeat, swapping sides whenever necessary. PK Thunder should guard against most aerial attacks, and some Alloys will SD themselves trying to reach Lucas. Repeat as necessary.
 
===[[Snake (SSBB)]]===


Similar to Ike's. Use [[Cypher]] while under the ledge. Snake should grab the ledge. Drop and repeat. The [[super armor]] in this move makes it nearly impossible for the alloys to attack you while using it, and they will eventually SD.
==Videos==
Cruel Melee:
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFYGCSPKQuk Ganondorf AI exploit]


==[[Mario]]===
Cruel Brawl:
 
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ7TN3zcyvM Jigglypuff Demonstration]
'''Brawl Only!''' Grab the edge of the stage, then drop off and use Super Jump Punch. The Fighting Alloys should jump off and eventually SD. Sometimes they will be stage spiked by the Super Jump Punch. The green alloy can take more time to KO, since he mimics Kirby and is able to float.
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifha0Qlhf9E Marth Demonstration]
 
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBBSD9AWHtY Mr. Game & Watch Demonstration]
==Rewards==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZvxYTiZc-g Toon Link Demonstration]
===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''===
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MMIZDI5-k4&feature=related Luigi Demonstration]
* Defeating five opponents in Cruel Melee will result in unlocking the [[Mr. Resetti (trophy)|Mr. Resetti]] [[trophy]].
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt3U2P0gRzc Meta Knight Demonstration]
 
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcU4hwtRlu8 Lucario Demonstration]
===In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''===
* Defeating five opponents in Cruel Brawl will result in unlocking a trophy depicting the [[Fighting Alloy Team|Red Alloy]].
* Defeating ten opponents in Cruel Brawl will result in unlocking a [[sticker]] depicting [[Liquid Snake]].
 
==Trivia==
* The ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' incarnation of this mode is famous for its involvement in the [[Sonic (universe)#Sonic & Tails Rumor|Sonic and Tails Rumor]] spread by ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' magazine. The rumor suggested that after defeating 20 Fighting Wire Frames in a single round would challenge the player to defeat [[Sonic]] and Tails of the [[Sonic (universe)|''Sonic'' series]], where victory would result in [[unlockable character|unlocking]] the characters. This rumor was proven false both in premise and in practice. Cruel Melee strategies proved very quickly that Sonic and Tails did not actually appear after knocking out 20 opponents.


== External Links ==
Cruel Smash:
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ7TN3zcyvM] Jigglypuff Demonstration
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwgk2pk-Fw4 Opponent aggressiveness demonstration - inflicting 205% damage in the span of about 0.5 seconds]
*[http://www.youtube.com/v/Ifha0Qlhf9E] Marth Demonstration
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnzvZtEkFkE] Kirby Demonstration
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZvxYTiZc-g] Toon Link Demonstration 1
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPU-DqHzwVU] Toon Link Demonstration 2
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MMIZDI5-k4&feature=related] Luigi Demonstration
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt3U2P0gRzc] Meta-Knight Demonstration


{{stub}}
{{SSBUMenus}}


[[Category:Co-op Modes]]
[[Category:Co-op modes]]
[[Category:Multi-Man Melees]]
[[Category:Multi-Man modes]]
[[Category:Single Player Modes]]
[[Category:Single-player modes]]
[[Category:SSBB modes]]
[[Category:Modes (SSBM)]]
[[Category:SSBM modes]]
[[Category:Modes (SSBB)]]
[[Category:Modes (SSB4-3DS)]]
[[Category:Modes (SSB4-Wii U)]]

Latest revision as of 17:36, September 27, 2024

Cruel Melee, Cruel Brawl and Cruel Smash are Multi-Man modes in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, respectively. Like Endless mode, this mode challenges the player to defeat as many opponents as possible (Fighting Wire Frames in Melee, Fighting Alloy Team in Brawl, and Fighting Mii Team in Smash 4 and Ultimate), with no KO limit or time limit before the mode ends; high scores in this mode are recorded by the number of opponents defeated.

However, Cruel mode features a complete reversal of what is normally encountered in other Multi-Man modes. While all other modes give the opponents a low AI level and cause them to take high knockback, making them very easy to KO in one hit, Cruel mode instead gives all of the opponents a high AI level (making them very aggressive), boosts their attack damage and applies the high knockback modifier to the player, making them the one who is very easy to KO in one hit. In addition, no items will spawn at all in the mode.

With up to five opponents on-screen at once, all ganging up on the player and with any single one of their attacks being an easy OHKO, while the player must try to fight up to five aggressive high-AI opponents while only dealing regular knockback with their own attacks and without items to assist, attaining high scores in this mode is considered one of the toughest accomplishments in the game. Due to the relentless difficulty, players often have to resort to exploiting the AI; for example, in Cruel Melee, scores in the thousands can be obtained by exploiting an AI standstill bug, performed by standing absolutely still on the rightmost edge of the small right platform. This causes any CPUs, including the Wire Frames, to cease all movement and stand indefinitely unless the player is within attack range. In both Cruel Melee and Cruel Brawl, planking can be an effective strategy; stalling under the stage will often cause the Wire Frames or Alloys to self-destruct when attempting to edge-guard the player (as they still do not have any recovery special moves). In Super Smash Bros. 4, most possible exploits have been fixed as enemies will no longer follow the player if they jump far off the ledge, and will instead wait until the player gets back on stage. There are still some exploits that can help, a common one including using a fighter with large, horizontal hitboxes in their up special. Grabbing the ledge, dropping, double-jumping, then using the up special to grab the edge causing minor damage to the fighters on stage and occasionally tricks them into jumping off the stage and SD'ing. The most common fighter for this strategy is Lucina, as she specifically is able to complete two challenges at once in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Without AI exploitation, getting scores even higher than single-digit numbers is considered extremely difficult.

Rewards[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[edit]

  • Play Cruel Smash once: Spiny Hat headgear.
  • Defeat 2 opponents: Shield Exploder Protection Badge equipment.
  • Defeat 4 opponents: Lion Hat headgear.

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

  • Defeat 1 opponent (Solo only): Duck Hunt stage.
    • This will also challenge the player to defeat Duck Hunt in order to unlock them, provided they have not been unlocked yet.
    • This challenge is immune to the Golden Hammer.
  • Defeat 8 opponents: Toadsworth trophy.
  • Survive for 1 minute as Luigi (Solo only): Mr. L trophy.
  • Defeat 4 opponents as Pit (Solo only): Reaper trophy.
  • Defeat 8 opponents as Lucina (Solo only): Vampire Brawn Badge equipment.
    • This challenge is immune to the Golden Hammer.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name
Japan Japanese 情け無用組み手
UK English Cruel Melee Super Smash Bros. Melee
Cruel Brawl Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Cruel Smash Super Smash Bros. 4 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
France French Smash cruel
Germany German Brutalo-Smash
Spain Spanish Asalto intrépido
Italy Italian Mischia spietata
China Chinese (Simplified) 无情对打
Taiwan Chinese (Traditional) 無情對打
South Korea Korean 극한 스매시
Netherlands Dutch Gemene smash
Russia Russian Жесткая битва

Trivia[edit]

  • The Super Smash Bros. Melee incarnation of this mode is infamous for its involvement in the Sonic and Tails rumor spread by Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine as an April Fools' joke. The rumor suggested that after defeating 20 Fighting Wire Frames in a single round, the player would be challenged to defeat Sonic and Tails of the Sonic the Hedgehog, where victory would result in unlocking the characters.
  • In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the track Cruel Brawl that plays during Cruel Brawl cannot be played from Brawl's Sound Test, and it cannot be selected as music for custom stages. It would later become available in Smash 4's Sound Test.
    • Said track is renamed "Cruel Smash", likely due to being re-used for Smash 4's Cruel mode, which is called Cruel Smash. It retains this changed name in Ultimate's Sound Test.
  • In Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Cruel Brawl, some Fighting Alloys are given stronger handicaps than others. This can be seen even further by modifying their knockback values with hacks.
  • In Melee, Jigglypuff's Rest is strong enough to OHKO the wireframes in Cruel Melee.

Videos[edit]

Cruel Melee:

Cruel Brawl:

Cruel Smash: