Sheik (SSBM): Difference between revisions
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:''See also: [[:Category:Sheik players (SSBM)]]'' | :''See also: [[:Category:Sheik players (SSBM)]]'' | ||
*{{Sm|Amsah|Netherlands}} - One of the greatest Sheik players of all time and one of the best overall players to come from Europe. Considered the best player in Europe before the rise of Armada, he showed dominance in the country, winning tournaments | *{{Sm|Amsah|Netherlands}} - One of the greatest Sheik players of all time and one of the best overall players to come from Europe. Considered the best player in Europe before the rise of Armada, he showed dominance in the country, winning a variety of tournaments, including {{Trn|Epita Smash Arena 2}}. With this, Amsah became the second solo-sheik to win a major. Outside of Europe, he notably placed 3rd at {{Trn|Pound 4}} where he took sets over {{Sm|Armada}} and {{Sm|Jman}} in losers. Even past his peak, he still managed to make notable results at majors with 17th at {{Trn|Get On My Level 2018}} and 33rd at {{Trn|EVO 2018}}, as well as being ranked 64th on the [[2018 MPGR]]. | ||
*{{Sm|Captain Jack|Japan}} - The best player from Japan and one of the best players during the "Golden Age" of ''Melee''. Previously made runs at some of the most notable ''Melee'' tournaments at the time with winning {{Trn|MLG San Francisco 2004}} and placing 2nd at {{Trn|Tournament Go 6}} and 7th at {{Trn|Jack Garden Tournament}}. He was the only player from Asia and solo Sheik player to win a North American major/supermajor until {{Sm|aMSa}} won {{Trn|The Big House 10}} and Jmook won {{Trn|GENESIS 9}} respectively. | *{{Sm|Captain Jack|Japan}} - The best player from Japan and one of the best players during the "Golden Age" of ''Melee''. Previously made runs at some of the most notable ''Melee'' tournaments at the time with winning {{Trn|MLG San Francisco 2004}} and placing 2nd at {{Trn|Tournament Go 6}} and 7th at {{Trn|Jack Garden Tournament}}. He was the only player from Asia and solo Sheik player to win a North American major/supermajor until {{Sm|aMSa}} won {{Trn|The Big House 10}} and Jmook won {{Trn|GENESIS 9}} respectively. | ||
*{{Sm|Drephen|USA}} - A top 10 player from 2007 and one of the best solo Sheiks during the Golden Age. Placing 8th on the 2007 [[RetroSSBMRank]] of the best Sheik players in the world due to his placements at 5th at {{Trn|Zero Challenge 3}} and {{Trn|Viva La Smashtaclysm}}. While his recent results vary, he has remained a top 100 player into the next decade, currently ranking 53rd on the [[SSBMRank 2023]]. | *{{Sm|Drephen|USA}} - A top 10 player from 2007 and one of the best solo Sheiks during the Golden Age. Placing 8th on the 2007 [[RetroSSBMRank]] of the best Sheik players in the world due to his placements at 5th at {{Trn|Zero Challenge 3}} and {{Trn|Viva La Smashtaclysm}}. While his recent results vary, he has remained a top 100 player into the next decade, currently ranking 53rd on the [[SSBMRank 2023]]. | ||
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*{{Sm|Faceroll|USA}} - A dominant top Sheik player from SoCal, commonly winning notable events in the local area. He hit a peak in 2019, winning regionals such as {{Trn|Fête}} and {{Trn|DreamHack Atlanta 2019}} by double-eliminating {{Sm|Setchi}} and Mew2King respectively and 9th at {{Trn|GENESIS 7}}, beating {{Sm|Cody Schwab}} and {{Sm|Wizzrobe}}. He ranked 17th on the [[2019 MPGR]], becoming the third best Sheik player of that year under Mew2King and Plup. | *{{Sm|Faceroll|USA}} - A dominant top Sheik player from SoCal, commonly winning notable events in the local area. He hit a peak in 2019, winning regionals such as {{Trn|Fête}} and {{Trn|DreamHack Atlanta 2019}} by double-eliminating {{Sm|Setchi}} and Mew2King respectively and 9th at {{Trn|GENESIS 7}}, beating {{Sm|Cody Schwab}} and {{Sm|Wizzrobe}}. He ranked 17th on the [[2019 MPGR]], becoming the third best Sheik player of that year under Mew2King and Plup. | ||
*{{Sm|Ice|Germany}} - Formerly a triple-main of Sheik, Marth, and Fox, focusing primarily on Sheik and became the best Sheik in Europe and one of the best Sheik players in the world in 2013, being ranked 13th on the [[2013 SSBMRank]]. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 3}} and 3rd at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 4}}, and went undefeated in European tournaments between those events. Internationally, he placed 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2013}} and 9th at {{Trn|Apex 2014}}. He later switched to Fox as his primary main and slowly phased out his other characters, including Sheik. | *{{Sm|Ice|Germany}} - Formerly a triple-main of Sheik, Marth, and Fox, focusing primarily on Sheik and became the best Sheik in Europe and one of the best Sheik players in the world in 2013, being ranked 13th on the [[2013 SSBMRank]]. Placed 2nd at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 3}} and 3rd at {{Trn|B.E.A.S.T 4}}, and went undefeated in European tournaments between those events. Internationally, he placed 7th at {{Trn|EVO 2013}} and 9th at {{Trn|Apex 2014}}. He later switched to Fox as his primary main and slowly phased out his other characters, including Sheik. | ||
*{{Sm|Jmook|USA}} - The best solo Sheik player in the world post-pandemic, and one of the greatest Sheik players of all time. He rose to prominence after his underdog run at {{Trn|GENESIS 8}}, making upsets over players such as Cody Schwab and Plup. A year later, he became the first Sheik player to win a ''Melee'' supermajor with {{Trn|GENESIS 9}}. He made history again with his 3rd place on the [[MPGR Summer 2022]], being the highest placement seen from a previously unranked player in the game's competitive history. | *{{Sm|Jmook|USA}} - The best solo Sheik player in the world post-pandemic, and one of the greatest Sheik players of all time. He rose to prominence after his underdog run at {{Trn|GENESIS 8}}, making upsets over players such as Cody Schwab and Plup. A year later, he became the first Sheik player to win a modern ''Melee'' supermajor with {{Trn|GENESIS 9}}. He made history again with his 3rd place on the [[MPGR Summer 2022]], being the highest placement seen from a previously unranked player in the game's competitive history. | ||
*{{Sm|KDJ|USA}} - One of the best players from 2006-2008; triple-mained Sheik, Marth and Fox before retiring. He used the character to win {{Trn|MLG Long Island 2007}} where he double-eliminated Mew2King and place 2nd at {{Trn|MLG Las Vegas 2006}} with solo Sheik and taking a win over {{Sm|Ken}}. He eventually retired from competition in 2016. | *{{Sm|KDJ|USA}} - One of the best players from 2006-2008; triple-mained Sheik, Marth and Fox before retiring. He used the character to win {{Trn|MLG Long Island 2007}} where he double-eliminated Mew2King and place 2nd at {{Trn|MLG Las Vegas 2006}} with solo Sheik and taking a win over {{Sm|Ken}}. He eventually retired from competition in 2016. | ||
*{{Sm|KirbyKaze|Canada}} - Previously the best Sheik player in Canada before going on hiatus in 2018. He notably placed 3rd at {{Trn|Revival of Melee 3}}, defeating {{Sm|Mang0}} and {{Sm|PPMD}} in his bracket. He additionally placed 4th at {{Trn|Apex 2012}} beating {{Sm|Hungrybox}} and continued placing well at events throughout the latter half of his career such as 7th at {{Trn|Apex 2015}} and 9th at {{Trn|The Big House 6}} and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2017}}. As such, he was one of the best solo Sheik players in the world for most of the 2010s, peaking at 9th in the world in [[2013 SSBMRank|2013]]. | *{{Sm|KirbyKaze|Canada}} - Previously the best Sheik player in Canada before going on hiatus in 2018. He notably placed 3rd at {{Trn|Revival of Melee 3}}, defeating {{Sm|Mang0}} and {{Sm|PPMD}} in his bracket. He additionally placed 4th at {{Trn|Apex 2012}} beating {{Sm|Hungrybox}} and continued placing well at events throughout the latter half of his career such as 7th at {{Trn|Apex 2015}} and 9th at {{Trn|The Big House 6}} and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2017}}. As such, he was one of the best solo Sheik players in the world for most of the 2010s, peaking at 9th in the world in [[2013 SSBMRank|2013]]. | ||
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*{{Sm|Plup|USA}} - One of the two best Sheik players in the world. He won {{Trn|GENESIS 5}} and {{Trn| Smash World Tour 2021 Championships}} with primarily Sheik and made runner-up and top 8 placements at a multitude of supermajors in the game's history. Has beaten all [[Five Gods]] with Sheik, a feat that no other Sheik player has achieved. | *{{Sm|Plup|USA}} - One of the two best Sheik players in the world. He won {{Trn|GENESIS 5}} and {{Trn| Smash World Tour 2021 Championships}} with primarily Sheik and made runner-up and top 8 placements at a multitude of supermajors in the game's history. Has beaten all [[Five Gods]] with Sheik, a feat that no other Sheik player has achieved. | ||
*{{Sm|Shroomed|USA}} - A top 10 player with Sheik from 2015-2016 and remains one of the best Sheik players in the world. Started primarily playing Sheik after dropping his renowned {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} and continued his top player status with placements such as 4th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 2}}, 5th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2016}}, and 7th at {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} with solo Sheik. While he has recently underperformed in comparison to his previous heights, he remains a top 50 player at 45th on the [[SSBMRank 2023]]. | *{{Sm|Shroomed|USA}} - A top 10 player with Sheik from 2015-2016 and remains one of the best Sheik players in the world. Started primarily playing Sheik after dropping his renowned {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} and continued his top player status with placements such as 4th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 2}}, 5th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2016}}, and 7th at {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} with solo Sheik. While he has recently underperformed in comparison to his previous heights, he remains a top 50 player at 45th on the [[SSBMRank 2023]]. | ||
*{{Sm|Spark|USA}} - One of the current best Sheik players in the world. While he became a respected Sheik player starting around 2017, he found greater success starting the next year where he defeated Mang0 and aMSa at {{Trn|Smash Camp: End of Summer}} and placed 4th, as well as major placements such as 13th at {{Trn|Shine 2019}}. He is | *{{Sm|Spark|USA}} - One of the current best Sheik players in the world. While he became a respected Sheik player starting around 2017, he found greater success starting the next year where he defeated Mang0 and aMSa at {{Trn|Smash Camp: End of Summer}} and placed 4th, as well as major placements such as 13th at {{Trn|Shine 2019}}. Following the pandemic and leading into 2024, He has established himself as a top 20 player with placements such as 4th at {{Trn|Pat's House 4}} and 7th at {{Trn|Supernova 2024}}, and is considered the third best Sheik player in the world, only behind Jmook and Plup, currently ranked 12th on [[SSBMRank Summer 2024]]. | ||
*{{Sm|Swedish Delight|USA}} - One of the best Sheik players in the world pre-pandemic. He remained a top 20 player from 2016 to 2019 and made top 8s at many supermajors such as 7th at both {{Trn|Get On My Level 2018}} and {{Trn|Shine 2019}}. His win on Armada at {{Trn|EVO 2018}} marked the first time a non-top 6 player beat him in tournament in eight years. | *{{Sm|Swedish Delight|USA}} - One of the best Sheik players in the world pre-pandemic. He remained a top 20 player from 2016 to 2019 and made top 8s at many supermajors such as 7th at both {{Trn|Get On My Level 2018}} and {{Trn|Shine 2019}}, an finally grand finals of {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 2}}, placing 2nd. His win on Armada at {{Trn|EVO 2018}} marked the first time a non-top 6 player beat him in tournament in eight years. | ||
===Tier placement and history=== | ===Tier placement and history=== | ||
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Sheik's dominance as a character was faltered with the discovery of the incredible potential of Fox and Falco. With these characters now perceived as having much higher skill caps while still being good against relevant top tiers, they took the top two spots while Sheik dropped to third place. With these developments in place and the growing skill of the playerbase, players soon found that Fox had an advantage over Sheik, as did the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}}, both of which were growing in prevalence in the metagame. Soon after, {{Sm|Mang0}} and {{Sm|Hungrybox}} took {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} to the next level, and demonstrated that it, too, was a very poor matchup for Sheik and possibly her worst, largely due to Jigglypuff's ability to exploit Sheik's laggy recovery by landing [[Rest]] KOs at extremely low percents. With three bad matchups and the meta being more adapted against its strengths, Sheik was no longer considered even a contender for the best in the game. Other top-tiered characters started improving their Sheik matchups as well (most notably Marth and Peach), causing less of an incentive for players to pick up Sheik just to deal with those characters. Due to this, and opinions on Marth improving further due to his better matchups against Fox and Falco, Sheik dropped to 4th in the twelfth tier list, and further to 5th on the thirteenth and current tier list due to the rise of Jigglypuff. | Sheik's dominance as a character was faltered with the discovery of the incredible potential of Fox and Falco. With these characters now perceived as having much higher skill caps while still being good against relevant top tiers, they took the top two spots while Sheik dropped to third place. With these developments in place and the growing skill of the playerbase, players soon found that Fox had an advantage over Sheik, as did the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}}, both of which were growing in prevalence in the metagame. Soon after, {{Sm|Mang0}} and {{Sm|Hungrybox}} took {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} to the next level, and demonstrated that it, too, was a very poor matchup for Sheik and possibly her worst, largely due to Jigglypuff's ability to exploit Sheik's laggy recovery by landing [[Rest]] KOs at extremely low percents. With three bad matchups and the meta being more adapted against its strengths, Sheik was no longer considered even a contender for the best in the game. Other top-tiered characters started improving their Sheik matchups as well (most notably Marth and Peach), causing less of an incentive for players to pick up Sheik just to deal with those characters. Due to this, and opinions on Marth improving further due to his better matchups against Fox and Falco, Sheik dropped to 4th in the twelfth tier list, and further to 5th on the thirteenth and current tier list due to the rise of Jigglypuff. | ||
Despite being considered one of the best characters in the game, Sheik was well known in the ''Melee'' community for her lack of success as a solo main. Prior to 2023, solo Sheik had won only | Despite being considered one of the best characters in the game, Sheik was well known in the ''Melee'' community for her lack of success as a solo main. Prior to 2023, solo Sheik had won only two major level tournaments ({{Sm|Captain Jack}}'s victory at {{Trn|MLG San Francisco 2004}}) and {{Sm|Amsah}}'s victory at {{Trn|Epita Smash Arena 2}}, and had never won a supermajor, even behind lower-tiered characters such as {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, {{SSBM|Pikachu}}, and {{SSBM|Yoshi}}. This was largely due several factors: the first being that her most prominent top level players, {{Sm|Mew2King}} and {{Sm|Plup}}, switched to other characters in certain matchups, particularly against Hungrybox's Jigglypuff; as a result, her metagame advancements stagnated compared to those of the other top tiers. Most ''Melee'' community members believed that winning a supermajor as solo Sheik required a lucky bracket that avoided running into Hungrybox (the #1 ranked player from 2017 to 2019), as well as extremely optimized play versus the multitude of Fox players that was considered unfeasible at the time. | ||
However, perceptions of Sheik's competitive viability were completely revived following the rise of {{Sm|Jmook}}, who burst onto the world stage in 2022. His breakout performance came at {{Trn|GENESIS 8}}, where he defeated Plup and {{Sm|iBDW}}, two Fox players who were known for hardly ever losing sets to Sheik, en route to a 2nd place finish, only falling to {{Sm|Zain}}, the number one ranked player, in grand finals. Jmook became a consistent tournament threat throughout the rest of 2022, boasting strong records against almost all the other top ten players, and continued to develop solo Sheik even against her most difficult matchups. Many believed that his first tournament victory, and solo Sheik's first supermajor win, was coming in a matter of time. Jmook pushed Sheik's defensive and punish game to never before seen levels. He became well known for utilizing Sheik's incredible [[crouch cancel]]ing abilities, [[Needle Storm]] edgeguards, and landing grabs at significantly higher rates than other Sheik players. In particular, Jmook was the first player to truly optimize Sheik's reaction [[tech chasing]] versus the space animals, being able to consistently convert [[zero-to-death]]s vs. Fox and Falco and off of a single grab. With these advancements, many players began to rethink the Sheik-Fox matchup, arguing that Jmook's unforgiving punish game vs. Fox was enough to tilt the matchup more in Sheik's favor. Jmook finally won his first major at {{Trn|GENESIS 9}}, nine months after his breakout performance, becoming the third solo Sheik player to win a major, the first ever solo Sheik to win a supermajor, and the only solo Sheik to win a major in the modern era. He then won his second major at {{Trn|Collision 2023}} two months later. | However, perceptions of Sheik's competitive viability were completely revived following the rise of {{Sm|Jmook}}, who burst onto the world stage in 2022. His breakout performance came at {{Trn|GENESIS 8}}, where he defeated Plup and {{Sm|iBDW}}, two Fox players who were known for hardly ever losing sets to Sheik, en route to a 2nd place finish, only falling to {{Sm|Zain}}, the number one ranked player, in grand finals. Jmook became a consistent tournament threat throughout the rest of 2022, boasting strong records against almost all the other top ten players, and continued to develop solo Sheik even against her most difficult matchups. Many believed that his first tournament victory, and solo Sheik's first supermajor win, was coming in a matter of time. Jmook pushed Sheik's defensive and punish game to never before seen levels. He became well known for utilizing Sheik's incredible [[crouch cancel]]ing abilities, [[Needle Storm]] edgeguards, and landing grabs at significantly higher rates than other Sheik players. In particular, Jmook was the first player to truly optimize Sheik's reaction [[tech chasing]] versus the space animals, being able to consistently convert [[zero-to-death]]s vs. Fox and Falco and off of a single grab. With these advancements, many players began to rethink the Sheik-Fox matchup, arguing that Jmook's unforgiving punish game vs. Fox was enough to tilt the matchup more in Sheik's favor. Jmook finally won his first major at {{Trn|GENESIS 9}}, nine months after his breakout performance, becoming the third solo Sheik player to win a major, the first ever solo Sheik to win a supermajor, and the only solo Sheik to win a major in the modern era. He then won his second major at {{Trn|Collision 2023}} two months later. |