Stage Builder

Stage Builder
{{{content1}}} {{{content2}}} {{{content3}}} Stage Builder as it appears in Smash.
Universe	Super Smash Bros.
Appears in	Brawl SSB4 (Wii U) Ultimate
Availability	Starter (Brawl and SSB4) Downloadable (Ultimate)
Crate type	Varies
Maximum players	4 (Brawl, Wii U) 4-8 (Ultimate)
Music Bolded tracks must be unlocked Brawl See Music (SSBB) for Wii U See Music (SSB4-Wii U) Ultimate See Music (SSBU)
Tournament legality Brawl Singles: Banned Doubles: Banned Smash 4 Singles: Banned Doubles: Banned Ultimate Singles: Banned Doubles: Banned

The Stage Builder (ステージ作り, Stage Maker) is a feature in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that allows players to create their own custom stages by using the given stage parts, and in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's case, drawing on the GamePad and the Nintendo Switch, respectively. Players can also choose from a variety of backgrounds and pick any song on the games' soundtracks.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

An example of a stage created with the Stage Builder in Brawl.

Builders must choose to create a small, medium, or large stage, which will affect the number of parts that can be placed and the location of blast lines. Next, the builder selects a theme: a mountain, a building in ruins, or a futuristic chamber. Each theme has its own set of special stage elements which allow for slight variations in stage design depending on what theme is used. The final step before building is picking music, which can be any track that has been unlocked. Only one track may be chosen per stage, though the player may change it to a different track after the stage has been built. Users must place a minimum of four horizontal areas (for spawning points) for the game to allow their stage to be saved.

There are different structures and building materials the player can use depending on the background chosen earlier. There are three different sizes for most of the structures, with the one exception being the ladder. The player can use a limited number of parts per stage (unless they remove the limit by hacking). Each piece used will use up a certain amount of memory for the map, and some pieces take up more memory than others. Once ready, the player can test the stage through the editor; however, the player is limited to using Mario with the default controls for the controller being used. One can also switch back to the editing screen to make more changes. Custom stages are compatible with SD cards. The limit to the number of custom stages a player can have depends on how much room one has in their internal Wii memory or SD card. The player can also send stages to their friends.

Types of parts the player can use in this mode come in three categories:

• Standard pieces include objects such as like blocks, platforms, ramps, and stairs.
• Structures include trees, mushrooms, crates, and rock arches.
• Features include Drop Blocks, springs, ladders, and conveyor belts

Custom stages could be uploaded to a Brawl server, with players also receiving a random stage uploaded by a different player via the Smash Service.

The game comes with three sample stages to demonstrate how the Stage Builder works.

Stage Parts

There are three categories of parts: floors, structures, and features. The following table gives the name (unofficial), size, and description of each part.

Type	Piece	Name	Sizes	Description
Floors
		Platform	1x1; 2x1; 3x1	A drop-through platform.
		Diagonal Platform	1x2; 2x2; 3x2	A slanted drop-through platform.
		Short Platform	1x1; 2x1; 3x1	A half-sized drop-through platform. When placed in a line, small gaps are set in between each of these.
		Block	1x1; 2x2; 3x3	A normal block that has a ledge.
		Stair Block	1x2; 2x2; 3x2	A simple stair block.
		Ramp Block	1x2; 2x3; 3x4	A right-angle triangle-shaped block.
		Long Ramp Block	2x2; 3x2; 4x2	A larger version of the ramp block.
Structures (Mountains)
		Stone Table	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	A short stone platform.
		Stump	3x2; 4x3; 5x4	A short, narrow tree stump.
		Hollow Tree	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A hollow tree stump with a ceiling.
		Dead Tree	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A dead tree with 2 walkable, drop-through branches.
		Mushrooms	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A patch of 3 drop-through mushrooms of different heights. The stems act as walls.
		Stones	4x2; 5x3; 6x4	A structure of 2 stones, one larger than the other.
		Withered Cave	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A cave with a ceiling.
		Baboon Statue	3x3; 4x4; 5x5	A tall statue of what appears to be a baboon.
Structures (Ruins)
		Pillar	3x3; 4x4; 5x5	A tall, intact pillar.
		Rubble Heap	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	A big heap of rocks.
		Broken Lift	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	An old lift with a ceiling.
		Ancient Ramp	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	An old elevated ramp.
		Ramp-Pillar	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	A ramp hitting the ground right at the base of a pillar.
		Stacked Pillars	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A set of 3 pillars, one resting on top of the flat surface that the other 2 make.
		Ancient Crate	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	An old crate resting on the side of a floor.
		Old Room	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A piece of an old room, complete with structure supports and a drop-through ceiling.
Structures (Chamber)
		Machine	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	A machine with a slight slant on one side.
		Tunnel	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A tunnel with a ceiling.
		Watch Platform	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	An elevated platform with a ramp leading to it.
		Round Platform	3x2; 4x3; 5x4	A thick platform in the shape of a circle.
		Machine Crate	4x2; 5x2; 6x3	A platform with 2 elevated walls on either side.
		I-Frame	4x3; 5x4; 6x5	A tall frame in the shape of an I. The top is drop-through.
		Server Tower	3x3; 4x4; 4x5	A tall, thin machine tower.
		Machine Roof	4x2; 5x3; 6x3	A roof-like machine piece.
Features
		Horizontal Moving Platform	3x1; 4x1; 5x1	Drop-through platform that moves slowly left and right.
		Vertical Moving Platform	1x5; 2x6; 3x7	Drop-through platform that moves slowly up and down.
		Ice Block	1x1; 2x1; 3x1	Slippery block with no ledges.
		Drop Block	1x3; 2x4; 3x5	Block with no ledges that moves downwards when stood on for a certain period of time.
		Spikes	1x2; 2x2; 3x2	Causes 15% damage with set knockback when a character lands on it.
		Ladder	1x1	A climbable ladder with only one size.
		Spring	1x2; 2x2; 3x2	A spring that bounces characters upwards. Green or orange (green goes higher).
		Conveyor belt	2x2; 3x2; 4x2	Moving conveyor belt that moves all things in one direction.
		Rotating Platform	4x5; 5x6; 6x7	Spins four platforms in a Ferris Wheel motion.

Backgrounds

• 

  Mountain scenery

• 

  Ruin scenery

• 

  Chamber scenery

Unlockable Parts

There are also certain parts and features that can be unlocked to use in the Stage Builder.

• Edit Parts A: Play 10 times or more on created stages.
  • Unlocks a new piece for every setting, as well as the spring.
• Edit Parts B: Create 5 or more stages in Stage Builder (not including the 3 sample stages).
  • Unlocks a new piece for every setting, as well as the conveyor belt.
• Edit Parts C: Create 15 or more stages in Stage Builder (not including the 3 sample stages).
  • Unlocks a new piece for every setting, as well as the rotating platform.

Use in modding

Because of how Stage Builder loads custom data, a common method to hacking the Wii console involves exploiting this loading mechanism. Referred to as the Smash Stack, forcing Stage Builder to load a file that is too large can allow for a user to load custom data; this method of hacking is common in order to add the Homebrew Channel to the Wii, and it is also the main method of loading gameplay mods.

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the Stage Builder was changed immensely. Players now have much more freedom when creating stages, with the ability to draw platforms of any shape using the Wii U's GamePad. An option is given to either make the platform grabbable by players or not. However, there are much less stage parts than Brawl, being limited to cannons, springs, moving platforms and magma. Jump-through platforms can be made by making a line, and tapping it. All objects' and platforms' locations snap to an invisible fine grid. A visible grid can be displayed by pressing the X button for easier alignment when placing or drawing. The visible grid has a "resolution" measured in units, while the invisible grid allows accuracy to one-fifth of a unit. The grid also shows where in-game boundaries will be, with a green border showing where the camera boundaries are, and a red border for the blast lines. Walk-off stages can be created because of their placement.

Custom Stages are not available in 8-Player Smash. All Custom Stages have Star KOs and Screen KOs, regardless of layout.

When testing a stage, pausing and pressing ZL or ZR on the GamePad will allow players to select their character, an opponent character (including a second player), and customized controls and names, with the exception of Mii Fighters.

The ability to download and share stages online became available with update 1.0.6, but can no longer be used after the shutdown of Miiverse.

Five new backgrounds share two textures that can be given to drawn platforms, whilst they have three unique textures of their own.

A cloudy sky, similar to the backgrounds of Battlefield and Temple. Floating pillars appear in the background.	A rocky mountain area. A volcano is in the background and its lava flows all over the rock.	A view of an ocean. Rocky structures appear in the water.	An area in outer space. A giant space craft appears in the background.	A modern city-like structure made of rounded shapes. The Super Smash Bros. logo acts as the sun.
Crate Type: Normal	Crate Type: Normal	Crate Type: Normal	Crate Type: Futuristic	Crate Type: Presents

There are four types of special features that can be inserted.

Image	Name	Information
	Spring (small)	Works just like the spring in the predecessor. Bounces players 17 units from spring's base. 2.2 units wide, 2.2 units tall.
	Spring (large)	A larger spring that bounces players higher. Bounces players 32 units from spring's base. 5 units wide, 3.2 units tall.
	Cannon (weak)	Similar to Barrel Cannons. When facing upward, launches players 25 units from bottom of cannon. Can be aimed in any direction. Launched players deal 4% upon contact. 5 units tall, 5 units wide, but may freely overlap platforms. A guide ring 7.6 units in diameter aids in placement and aiming.
	Cannon (strong)	A larger cannon that shoots players further. When facing upward, launches players 43 units from bottom of cannon. Launched players deal 8% upon contact. 3.8 units tall, 3.8 units wide, but may freely overlap platforms. A guide ring 7.6 units in diameter aids in placement and aiming.
	Moving Platform (small)	Slowly moves from one point to the other, with an unlimited path. 6 units wide. Moves 3 units/second. May overlap any object or platform, but endpoint must be at least 2 units away from start.
	Moving Platform (large)	Over three times longer than the small one. 20 units wide. Moves 2.25 units/second (will move 9 units in 4 seconds). May overlap any object or platform, but endpoint must be at least 2 units away from start.
	Magma (thin)	Painted over platforms, and damages 10% to players. Oddly, it can cause more weight depending on how much was drawn, no matter how much is used in the final result. Unlike Danger Zones, it doesn't instantly KO a fighter if they have over 100% Damage. 1.2 units thick.
	Magma (thick)	Works just like the thin one, but 2 units thick.

	Shared Textures
	Cloudy Textures
	Volcanic Textures
	Ocean Textures
	Space Textures
	City Textures

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

On April 9th, 2019, an advertisement released by Nintendo discreetly revealed the Stage Builder icon on the menu, confirming that a stage builder mode was in development at the time of the advertisement's release. A promotional video on April 16th confirmed the inclusion of Stage Builder in the version 3.0.0 update scheduled to release the following day.

The stage builder was greatly revamped since the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U iteration. Besides the player-accessible layer, terrain can be placed in three additional decorative layers. Various materials are accessible to be used. Platforms can be drawn freehandedly, or using rectangle or oval tools. Their material can be changed at the player's leisure with the Fill tool. Instead of sets of moving platforms, rails can be freely placed by the player in order to make any platform follow it. Rotation effects can also be added to platforms, and both the rotation and travelling of platforms across rails can be toggled on or off mid-battle by placing switches. Many objects can be changed with a properties menu, allowing tweaks such as adjusting rail speed or enabling terrain gravity. However, unlike in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, custom stages cannot be used in Training Mode or Custom Smash, both of which notably enable the player to modify the gameplay speed.

Unlike previous games, custom stages can support up to eight players by default, although that limit can drop back to four if the stage becomes too complex, as shown by a weight gauge at the top of the screen. Going through a 4-Player stage with five or more players in Local Wireless will instead choose one of the game's normal stages instead.

Stages created using the editor are able to be shared or downloaded on the online Shared Content page.

When testing stages, the default characters for player and CPU are two Marios. However, as in for Wii U the player may change the default fighters via the pause menu when testing, and are retained for all future uses of Stage Builder.

When creating a stage, the stage size (small, medium, and large) can be chosen, as well as the background, and the music track. Neither the size nor the background can be changed later, but the music track can be changed at any time. The track can also be chosen among any of the musical tracks in the game, including ones that are normally unable to be played on any of the normal stages, such as Lifelight and Step: Subspace.

Backgrounds

Unlike the Stage Builder from Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the backgrounds available to choose from are from stages in the game itself, being:

• Battlefield
• Tomodachi Life
• Wrecking Crew
• Kalos Pokémon League
• Coliseum
• Find Mii
• Summit
• Final Destination
• Magicant
• Luigi's Mansion
• Rainbow Cruise
• Mario Galaxy

These backgrounds are static, though, meaning that they do not have depth and things that normally move in their original stages do not move (clouds, water, etc).

Hazards and tools

Image	Name	Description	Adjustable
	Cannon	Player will be launched out of the cannon in the direction it faces.	Direction
	Spring	Player will bounce upwards. They will do a high jump if they time their jump correctly. Unable to be rotated. Has no effect on physics terrain, unless it is attached, in which it will only forbid rotation.	None
	Warp Zone	Player will teleport to the pair Warp Zone. Has no effect on terrain, but items that come into contact with it will also be teleported.	None
	Bumper	Player will be launched from the bumper, similarly to to the item of the same name. Has no effect on terrain.	Rotation
	Ladder	Player can climb ladder. Unable to be rotated, even if attached to physics terrain, causing it to stay upright.	Length
	Bomb Block	When attacked, it will explode, hitting nearby Bomb and Explosive Blocks.	Rotation, respawn, grabbable edges
	Explosive Block	Will explode when nearby Bomb or Explosive Blocks explode.	Rotation, respawn, grabbable edges
	Wind area	Produces wind to push a player in a certain direction. Has no effect on terrain. Its effects can be reduced or negated by equipped Spirits.	Speed, direction, dimensions
	Gear	Rotates the attached terrain around the Gear as an axis.	Direction, range, speed, smooth reverse
	Rail	Causes terrain to travel on a selected path.	Path, speed, starting location, smooth movement, hinged terrain, return after collision, return at edge, show rail
	Terrain	Acts as ground, ceiling, and walls for players.	Shape, material, dimensions, rotation, gravity, respawn, grabbable edges
	Switch	When attacked, toggles gears and rails on the attached terrain.	None

Terrain material

Unlike the Stage Builders in previous installments, the textures - now called terrain materials - are universal regardless of the background. Additionally, the ice block and magma are now treated as terrain material, rather than unique elements.

Each material has various physics attributes affecting how it interacts with other objects with gravity enabled. The attributes only affect the terrain's interaction with objects, not fighters. In the following table, the physics attributes are defined as:

• Gravity - acceleration downwards.
• Density - mass per unit volume.
• Friction - resistance to being moved across other terrain.
• Restitution - momentum conserved in rebounding objects; bounciness.

Image	Name	Gravity	Density	Friction	Restitution	Notes
	Grass	0.7	5	0.2	0.2
	Dirt	0.9	30	0.5	0.2
	Sand	0.8	40	0.9	0.1
	Wood	1	100	0.7	0.4
	Steel	1	200	0.6	0.5	The heaviest and fastest-falling material.
	Marble	1	100	0.6	0.3
	Rubber	1	40	1	0.1
	Denim	0.8	5	0.8	0.3
	Carpet	0.9	10	0.8	0.2
	Paper	0.3	0.05	0.4	0.1	The slowest-falling material.
	Yarn	0.4	0.01	0.4	0.1	The lightest material.
	Sponge	0.6	1	0.8	0.3
	Bouncy Rubber	1	30	0.8	1	The bounciest material.
	Ice	1	30	0.0001	0.4	The most slippery material. It also reduces traction, causing fighters to slide.
	Lava	0.8	50	1	0.1	Deals 14% damage to fighters on contact and launches them away, meteor smashing them if they hit it from below.

Trivia

• Ultimate's version of Stage Builder is the only version in which it is possible to have platforms extend beyond the blast lines, which can be accomplished by the use of rails.
• In Brawl, the game does not load the custom stages at the same time that it loads the stage select screen, and thus the game does not let the player select custom stages from the stage select screen until they are done loading.
• The futuristic chamber background image of Super Smash Bros. Brawl is similar to the background in the Subspace Emissary's Research Facility II where players fight the two False Samuses or when Samus first encounters Ridley. Similarly, the ruins background image can be seen in the distance behind part of The Ruins.
  • Unusually, the futuristic chamber in Stage Builder uses wooden crates and barrels instead of their futuristic counterparts.
• In Brawl, if the player tests a stage, self-destructs, return to the Stage Builder menu before Mario respawns and quickly tests it again, Mario will spawn on-stage briefly and then disappear with the camera scrolling to where he self-destructed then reappear on a revival platform.
• There are two glitches associated with the Drop Block in Brawl: The Flop Block and the Teleport glitch.
• Prior to version 1.1.3 of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, a regular Final Destination-like stage without any platforms filled with magma below (in a way that the magma seemingly covers the whole stage but doesn't hurt characters walking along the main ground) will cause all CPUs to indefinitely stand on place doing absolutely nothing, even at level 9, without even defending against attacks or recovering. This also works against amiibo. [1]
• In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U's Stage Builder, if the original Ryu Stage Type A or Ken Stage Type A songs from the Street Fighter series are selected, the music will not change regardless of the match's present situation.
• In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U's Stage Builder, if start and select are pressed during testing (which will pause the game then go back to the Stage Builder menu if done correctly), nothing but the background music will be heard until the game is paused again.
• In Ultimate, Wing Blitz allows Ridley to fly through thin walls drawn with the line tool.
• In Ultimate, fighters with a run speed higher than 2 (Diddy Kong, everyone faster than him, and anyone with Speed Art) can gain distance running against horizontal wind at maximum speed.
  • Most special moves will not gain distance against maximum speed horizontal wind over time, but Wario Bike completely ignores wind.
• In Ultimate, terrain with gravity enabled will ignore players in its path. They will be unable to push or redirect terrain without the assistance of switches to toggle rails or gears.
• In Ultimate, a bug results in horizontal soft platforms being treated as though they have very narrow 45 degree slopes at the edges.

See also

• CD Factory
• No KO
• Modes
• Vault

External links

• Super Smash Bros. for Wii-U's Map Creation Tool
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Stage Builder promotional video