User:Zeldasmash/Tier List Reception
Just me reviewing tier lists from Brawl. My friends wanted to give they're reviews as well.
First tier list (September 1, 2008)
While many players wanted to have a tier list within a month or two of Brawl's release, the SBR decided to wait before making the first tier list. The idea was that making a tier list too early would result in it quickly becoming outdated, forcing the SBR to make a second one on short notice. Players' predictions of the tier list changed dramatically between the game's release and September. The most noticeable fluctuation was Snake's placing, who was first considered about mid tier, then sky rocketed to the perceived #1 spot above Meta Knight, this opinion being backed up by tournaments where Snake took almost all the top spots (in one case, the top 5 placings were all Snake). It wasn't until Mew2King began dominating with Meta Knight that players started believing that Meta Knight was a superior character, a belief that is widespread and undisputed today.
Reception
This tier list received mixed reviews. My review consisted as follows: "The list has characters in good placings, notably the high tiers, but the low tiers are, excuse the word, fu#@# up". Over half of the criticism came from the low tiers, notably the bottom 3. Xenjix008 shows a deep hatred for Ganondorf and he said "Why is Ganondorf above Link and Falcon, get that guy to the bottom, F@#$ that guy". Mario is arguably currently the only character in the low tier who is well placed.
Second tier list (January 5, 2009)
By this time, no player doubted Meta Knight's placing in the old tier list. In many players' opinions, Meta Knight wasn't just better than every other character, but better by a noticeable gap. Meta Knight was considered so good that it caused a huge debate on whether Meta Knight should be allowed in tournaments. After many heated discussions, the SBR decided by vote that Meta Knight should be left alone and no one should be banned.
Snake was also elevated above other characters to a similar degree, though not to the point of being considered banned. This resulted in both of these characters having their own tiers. Diddy Kong also received a huge bump up the tier list after NinjaLink successfully beat Mew2king by abusing Diddy's bananas to a level not seen before.
Reception
This tier list was received significantly more positively than the first one. My review "This tier list really fixed the low tiers unlike the screwed up ones from the first one and Link made a comeback from his very low position in the first one and the high tiers are very well placed". Almost everyone agreed with the tier list but one gave it a negative review saying "This tier list is definitely an improvement from the first one, but they forgot to put Captain Falcon above Ganondorf, Wolf's very strong decrease was not necessary at all and Bowser being above Fox, Ike and Sheik is an outrage". Arguably, this is the 2nd best tier list in Brawl, only losing to the 6th Brawl tier list.
Third tier list (June 4, 2009)
The first tier list to not have Captain Falcon last on the list. Instead, Ganondorf is last because of his very slow attacks, terrible recovery, and lack of mobility.
In this list, Wario and Sonic made a large jump. Wario's change is due to the newly found usefulness of his great air mobility, coupled with great recovery and heavy weight, making him a very defensive character that is hard to KO. While most of the community perceived Sonic as a bad character, dedicated mains continued to defy the tier list of Jan 1, 2009 by placing high in tourneys. In this tier list, their efforts were finally recognized.
Reception
This tier list received mixed reviews. We really did not know what to say about this tier list but Sonic's rise from the low tiers was definitely a plus for this tier list.
Fourth tier list (February 26, 2010)
This tier list once again placed Meta Knight at his own separate tier. Another noticeable difference was Ness' rise. In previous tier lists, Ness was ranked low, but is now placed in the lower part of the middle tier, tied with Bowser for 26/27th place. Diddy Kong also has a notable rise, now being #3 on the tier list.
Reception
This tier list received mostly negative reviews. My review "This tier list destroyed absolutely everything from previous tier lists and most of my predictions for this tier list did not come true, one of them being Link rising from his 36th position". Xenjix008 said "Sonic decreased a bit, Ike in the low tiers, Ice Climber's suddenly incredible rise and Ness away from the low tiers are things i did not want to happen in this tier list, and unfortunately they did". This tier list is currently the worst tier list in Brawl ioho and arguably for us one of the worst in Smash history, ranked #2 losing to Melee's 1st tier list (which is a critical disaster).
Fitfh tier list (September 24, 2010)
This tier list was released on September 24, 2010 by the Smash Back Room.
While Meta Knight had previously set a record for having his own tier at the top, Ganondorf sets a more dubious one by having his own tier at the bottom. This is also the first tier list to have a spot for Zelda and Sheik used as a pair. Other notable things about the new tier list are Fox's and Ike's high rise on the tier list (Ike's streak of falling down on each tier list was ended and he returned to his position on the original tier list), Bowser's significant drop and introduction into the low tiers, Zero Suit Samus' introduction into the high tiers, and this was the first Brawl tier list to have a character repeat in the #3 spot with Diddy Kong (in previous tier lists, the character in the #3 spot was different for each tier list).
Reception
This tier list received positive to mixed reviews. Like the 3rd one, we really did not have much to say about this tier list but it definitely had more praise than the 3rd one.
Sixth tier list (July 4th, 2011)
For the first time in Brawl's history, Snake is no longer in the number 2 position; Diddy's rise from 11th in the first tier list continues to as far as most people expect it to go. The biggest position change from the last list is Wolf, who jumped up six places.
Other notable notes are that Toon Link is now considered high tier for the first time, and Yoshi is no longer considered a low tier character.
Reception
This list was a success and its currently the best Brawl tier list in our opinion. My review "Link rose back to its 2nd tier list placing, the low tiers and mid tiers are very well placed, Wolf's awesome rise and Yoshi out of the low tier makes this tier list definitely a 4th Of July present". Other than Toon Link being in the high tiers, this tier list received little to no criticism and this list must deserve a spot on the tier list "Hall Of Fame" if they ever make one.
