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Marth (SSBM): Difference between revisions
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<!--This character has a fifteen player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines --> | <!--This character has a fifteen player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines --> | ||
<!--If you are planning to add a player you consider to be notable, please provide tournament results in some shape or form in the edit summary (be it a link to a results thread or bracket of placing high in a tournament of other notable players or a video of them beating a notable player). Winning tournaments without notable players present is generally not enough to warrant a spot.--> | <!--If you are planning to add a player you consider to be notable, please provide tournament results in some shape or form in the edit summary (be it a link to a results thread or bracket of placing high in a tournament of other notable players or a video of them beating a notable player). Winning tournaments without notable players present is generally not enough to warrant a spot.--> | ||
''See also: [[:Category:Marth players (SSBM)]]'' | ''See also: [[:Category:Marth players (SSBM)]]'' | ||
*{{Sm|Azen|USA}} - Top old-school Marth player from MD/VA. Considered one of the best on the East Coast in the pre-''Brawl'' era. Won {{Trn|MLG Atlanta 2004}}, {{Trn|Tournament Go 6}}, and {{Trn|MLG New York Playoffs 2006}}. | *{{Sm|Azen|USA}} - Top old-school Marth player from MD/VA. Considered one of the best on the East Coast in the pre-''Brawl'' era. Won {{Trn|MLG Atlanta 2004}}, {{Trn|Tournament Go 6}}, and {{Trn|MLG New York Playoffs 2006}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Jakenshaken|USA}} | *{{Sm|Jakenshaken|USA}} - One of the best Marth players in the world. Placed 5th at {{Trn|Fight Pitt 9}}, 9th at {{Trn|Full Bloom 5}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 5}}. Has wins over {{Sm|Lucky}}, {{Sm|MikeHaze}}, and {{Sm|Jerry}}. | ||
*{{Sm|KDJ|USA}} - One of the best players from 2006-2008; triple-mained with Fox and Sheik before retiring. Placed 1st at {{Trn|MLG Long Island 2007}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Cataclysm 3}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Apex 2012}}. Has wins over {{Sm|ChuDat}}, {{Sm|La Luna}}, and {{Sm|DJ Nintendo}}. | *{{Sm|KDJ|USA}} - One of the best players from 2006-2008; triple-mained with Fox and Sheik before retiring. Placed 1st at {{Trn|MLG Long Island 2007}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Cataclysm 3}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Apex 2012}}. Has wins over {{Sm|ChuDat}}, {{Sm|La Luna}}, and {{Sm|DJ Nintendo}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Ken|USA}} - Ranked player in SoCal. Commonly referred to as the "King of Smash" and undisputed best smasher from 2003 to 2006. Invented and named the Ken combo. Won multiple MLG tournaments and {{Trn|EVO World 2007}}. | *{{Sm|Ken|USA}} - Ranked player in SoCal. Commonly referred to as the "King of Smash" and undisputed best smasher from 2003 to 2006. Invented and named the Ken combo. Won multiple MLG tournaments and {{Trn|EVO World 2007}}. | ||
*{{Sm|KoDoRiN|USA}} - One of the best Marth players during the COVID-19 pandemic. Placed 3rd at {{Trn|Mainstage 2021}}, 5th at {{Trn|SWT: NA West Melee Regional Finals}}, 7th at {{Trn|Riptide}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Mainstage}} with wins over {{Sm|iBDW}}, {{Sm|Ginger}}, and {{Sm|SFAT}}. | *{{Sm|KoDoRiN|USA}} - One of the best Marth players during the COVID-19 pandemic. Placed 3rd at {{Trn|Mainstage 2021}}, 5th at {{Trn|SWT: NA West Melee Regional Finals}}, 7th at {{Trn|Riptide}}, and 25th at {{Trn|Mainstage}} with wins over {{Sm|iBDW}}, {{Sm|Ginger}}, and {{Sm|SFAT}}. | ||
*{{Sm|La Luna|USA}} | *{{Sm|La Luna|USA}} - One of the best Marth players in the world. Placed 25th at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}}, 17th at {{Trn|Pound 2019}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2019}}. Has wins over {{Sm|HugS}}, {{Sm|moky}}, and {{Sm|Colbol}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Mew2King|USA}} | *{{Sm|Mew2King|USA}} - One of the [[Five Gods]]. Widely considered to be one of the best Marth players of all time. Has contributed largely to the advancement of his metagame, along with {{Sm|PPMD}}. | ||
*{{Sm|PewPewU|USA}} - The best Marth player in California and one of the best in the world before retiring. Widely known for his proficiency in doubles with static partner {{Sm|SFAT}}. Placed 4th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2018}}, 5th at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}} and {{Trn|Mainstage}}, and 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2016}} with wins over {{Sm|Hungrybox}}, {{Sm|Mew2King}}, {{Sm|Plup}}, and {{Sm|iBDW}}. | |||
*{{Sm|PewPewU|USA}} | |||
*{{Sm|PPMD|USA}} - One of the [[Five Gods]]. Considered the best Marth in the neutral game and against floaty characters, and among the two greatest Marth players, alongside {{Sm|Mew2King}}. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Apex 2014}} and {{Trn|Apex 2015}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Apex 2013}}, and 3rd at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}. Currently inactive due to health reasons. | *{{Sm|PPMD|USA}} - One of the [[Five Gods]]. Considered the best Marth in the neutral game and against floaty characters, and among the two greatest Marth players, alongside {{Sm|Mew2King}}. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Apex 2014}} and {{Trn|Apex 2015}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Apex 2013}}, and 3rd at {{Trn|EVO 2015}}. Currently inactive due to health reasons. | ||
*{{Sm|reaper|Germany}} - Previously the best Marth player in Europe. Placed 13th at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 6}}, {{Trn|Syndicate 2016}}, and {{Trn|Syndicate 2017}} with wins over {{Sm|Jeapie}}, {{Sm|Fuzzyness}}, and {{Sm|Däumling}}. | *{{Sm|reaper|Germany}} - Previously the best Marth player in Europe. Placed 13th at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 6}}, {{Trn|Syndicate 2016}}, and {{Trn|Syndicate 2017}} with wins over {{Sm|Jeapie}}, {{Sm|Fuzzyness}}, and {{Sm|Däumling}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Rishi|USA}} | *{{Sm|Rishi|USA}} - One of the best Marth players in the world. Placed 13th at {{Trn|GENESIS 6}} and 17th at both {{Trn|The Big House 9}} and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}}. Has wins over {{Sm|moky}}, {{Sm|Westballz}}, and {{Sm|HugS}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Shroomed|USA}} | *{{Sm|Shroomed|USA}} - Primarily mains Sheik, but has a strong Marth that sees the most use on certain stages or character counterpicks. Placed 4th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 4}}, 5th at {{Trn|Low Tier City 7}}, and 7th at {{Trn|Shine 2018}}. Used Marth to beat {{Sm|Wizzrobe}}, {{Sm|ChuDat}}, and {{Sm|Lucky}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Spud|New Zealand}} | *{{Sm|Spud|New Zealand}} - The best player in Australia/New Zealand. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Battle Arena Melbourne 11}}, 2nd at {{Trn|Phantom 2019}}, and 33rd at both {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} and {{Trn|The Big House 10}} with wins over {{Sm|Professor Pro}}, {{Sm|SFAT}}, and {{Sm|S2J}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Zain|USA}} | *{{Sm|Taj|USA}} - Although most famous for his {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} play, Taj was one of the best Marth players in the world during the post-''Brawl'' era, and frequently relied more on Marth in later stages of the bracket. Placed 5th at {{Trn|MELEE-FC Diamond}}, 3rd at {{Trn|GENESIS 2}}, and 13th at {{Trn|EVO 2013}}. Has wins over {{Sm|PPMD}}, {{Sm|Mango}}, and {{Sm|PewPewU}}. | ||
*{{Sm|Zain|USA}} - The best Marth player in the world with wins over {{Sm|Mango}}, {{Sm|Hungrybox}}, {{Sm|Plup}}, and {{Sm|Leffen}}. Won {{Trn|GENESIS 8}}, {{Trn|GENESIS 7}}, and {{Trn|Pound 2022}}. | |||
===Tier placement and history=== | ===Tier placement and history=== | ||
Very early in the ''Melee'' [[metagame]], Marth | Very early in the ''Melee'' [[metagame]], Marth had a negative low-level perception despite being high-tier, as players generally relied on [[rolling]] and [[C-stick]] abuse to play him. However, this impression would not last very long, as Marth players such as {{Sm|Ken}} and {{Sm|Azen}} would emerge in the scene shortly before the third tier list iteration (June 2003) to show the world how the character was played at a high level. Notably, Ken decisively won [[Tournament Go|Tournament Go 4]] with Marth, introducing the uses of [[dash-dancing]], [[chaingrabbing]], and a higher focus on [[spacing]] and [[aerial]] combat, including the creation of the infamous [[Ken Combo]]. He and Azen would continue incorporating advanced techniques into Marth's metagame, developing the foundation for his precise movement through dash-dancing and [[wavedashing]], and showed how powerfully he could punish enemies off small mistakes and reads. | ||
Because of these contributions to Marth's metagame, Ken's and Azen's continued rivalry and dominance over their respective regions, and Ken's eventual rise to the very top of competitive play as the undisputed King of Smash, Marth moved up to the top tier and solidified his place there for the rest of the Golden Era. He would usually place around the second to fourth highest spot on the list, only being considered merely high-tier again once in the eighth tier list (July 2006), where he dropped to fourth place. However, in the ninth tier list (October 2008), he again moved up to second place, in what would become his highest tier placing in all the tier lists. Despite not ever being placed at the top of the tier list, it could be argued that Marth saw the best results in practice for the majority of this era. | |||
In the post-''Brawl'' metagame, however, Marth's results saw a slight decline from what they were before. After {{Sm|Mew2King}}'s absolute dominance with Marth for a short time span around ''Brawl''{{'}}s release, Marth's tournament performance began to fall, as newer players learned to exploit his weaknesses while the representation he had stopped being as dominant. Ken and Azen faded away from competitive ''Melee'', and Mew2King eventually switched to playing primarily {{SSBM|Sheik}} during this era, reserving Marth for very specific matchups on certain stages. There were certainly up-and-coming Marth players around this time, such as {{Sm|Tai}} and {{Sm|PewPewU}}, accompanied by strong veterans such as {{Sm|Taj}}, who kept Marth's results up. However, they were not as dominant relative to the field as those who came before them. This led to players questioning Marth's true viability in the metagame, which coincided with a drop to fifth place on the tenth tier list in September 2010, and a fourth place finish on the eleventh tier list in July 2013. | |||
Marth's playerbase had also seemingly given up on him as a character; these jaded voices about Marth's viability tainted the community's views on him as a whole. Notable examples include Ken himself claiming in 2012 that Marth was now allegedly a mid-tier character who lost in every important top-tier matchup, and Mew2King ranking Marth as 5th in his personal 2014 tier list, claiming that Marth could only ever hope to win on [[Final Destination]] against those characters. However, while some of these top players were complaining, other players were doing serious work in the background to innovate and push the character. Community members such as {{Sm|Kadano}} compiled [http://smashboards.com/threads/kadano%E2%80%99s-perfect-marth-class%E2%80%94advanced-frame-data-application.337035/ Marth's frame data and ways to apply that knowledge], and players such as the aforementioned PewPewU and {{Sm|PPMD}} would put all of this discussion into practice on the biggest stage. | |||
PPMD's pickup of Marth as a dual main was especially notable, as he found that his playstyle was uniquely suited to taking on {{Sm|Armada}}'s {{SSBM|Peach}} and other floaty characters, which other Marth mains had significantly struggled against in recent years. Despite not all of his encounters going his way, the fact that PPMD, who had just developed this Marth recently, was already doing so well in matchups traditionally considered difficult for Marth showed that the character had tons of room to grow past what the metagame had established. Going into 2013 and beyond, Marth would gradually return to prominence. PewPewU would take a set against {{Sm|Hungrybox}} at [[Apex 2015]], demonstrating that [[pivot]] tipper forward smashes allowed Marth to consistently KO Jigglypuff off of a throw. PPMD won [[Apex 2015]] relying mostly on Marth in the final bracket stages, showing that Marth can still win supermajors despite the greater matchup knowledge against him. Mew2King would finally return to playing more Marth in bracket, eventually opting to even use Marth against Armada's Peach himself, and outright forcing Armada off Peach in [[Smash Summit 6]], which he resoundingly won. | |||
All of this culminates into the state of the modern metagame, where {{Sm|Zain}} has risen to prominence as a solo Marth main, blending together all the styles of Marth that came before him to become one of the most dominant players in the game. He has won a significant number of supermajors including [[GENESIS 7]] and [[GENESIS 8]], and boasts a positive record against {{Sm|Hungrybox}}, completely turning the Marth-Jigglypuff matchup on its head with his gameplan in it and consistency in executing pivot tippers. Zain's reign at the top has even led some top players (particularly Fox and Falco players) to begin complaining about how strong Marth is, even sometimes picking up Sheik secondaries to have an easier time with the matchup - the complete opposite of what was said and done in previous eras where Marth's results were more sparse. Reflecting this, the thirteenth tier list released in March of 2021 ranks Marth as the second best character in the game once again, only behind Fox. | |||
====PAL viability==== | ====PAL viability==== | ||