Use this template to store information relevant to the metagame of Samus and Dark Samus in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Initial impressions of Samus in Ultimate were negative: players pointed out how she lost the combo potential of her dash attack, one of her most useful tools in Smash 4, along with her general lack of mechanical changes compared to fellow veterans such as Link. Her unsafe jab, seemingly unchanged from Smash 4 and once again acknowledged in in-game tips, became a common point of mockery. This viewpoint, however, quickly changed as the metagame progressed. Players cited her improved projectile game and KO potential, as well as her terrifying shield-break potential with Charge Shot as one of her primary strengths. While patches have nerfed the latter, Samus retained most of her previous strengths and benefited from the nerfs to some of her most difficult matchups such as Wolf, Olimar and Pichu. Furthermore, both Samus and her echo fighter Dark Samus, who is preferred by some players due to her marginally better hitboxes and roll, continued to see success in tournament: players such as Joker and quiK have placed highly at several national tournaments, including 17th at The Big House 9 for the former and 2nd at Syndicate 2019 for the latter. As a result, most players agree that the Samuses are at least a mid-tier, however several other players argue that they could potentially be a high-tier character, especially following their buffs in version 7.0.0.
Most historically significant players
Numbers in parentheses denote a smasher's placement on the Fall 2019 PGRU, which recognizes the top 50 players in the world in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from July 13th, 2019 to December 15th, 2019.
See also: Category:Samus and Dark Samus professionals (SSBU)
- Advo - The best Dark Samus player in the United States. Placed 7th at The Amuka Smash Cup, 9th at Guardian I, 17th at Holiday Heist 5, and 33rd at The Big House 9 with a win over CaptainZack. Currently ranked 8th on the Michigan Power Rankings
- IcyMist -
- Joker - One of the best Samus players in the world. Placed 7th at 2GG: SwitchFest 2019, 9th at both Low Tier City 7 and Smash Fest to the Sky, 17th at The Big House 9, and 33rd at GENESIS 7 with wins over players such as ESAM, WaDi, and Rivers. Currently ranked 8th on the Mexican Power Rankings.
- Koyu - Placed 5th at The Ultimate Performance, 9th at Heroes of Dutch Comic Con Spring 2019, 13th at Elysium: Yggdrasil, and 33rd at Syndicate 2019 with wins over players such as Supahsemmie, iStudying, and Young Eevey. Currently ranked as an Honorable Mention on the Dutch Power Rankings.
- parme - The best Samus players in Japan. Placed 9th at Sumabato SP 6 and Sumabato SP 12 as well as 13th at Sumabato SP 5 and Sumabato SP 9 with wins over players such as T, Nishiya, and Kie. Currently ranked 48th on the Japan Player Rankings.
- quiK - The best Samus player in the world. Placed 2nd at both Syndicate 2019 and Valhalla III, 3rd at VCA 2019, and 7th at Ultimate Fighting Arena 2019 with wins over players such as Samsura, Glutonny, and KEN. Currently ranked 2nd on the European Smash Rankings.
- sisqui - Placed 2nd at both Tizona and Codec Call 5 as well as 3rd at Codec Call 4 with wins over players such as MVL, Greward, and AC. Currently ranked 2nd on the Spanish Power Rankings. He is also considered one of the best European online players, placing 1st at both EnvySnakes Crew Collab Edition and Get On My Line 2021 Europe as well as 2nd at SWT: Europe Ultimate Online Qualifier.
- Toura
- Vizard
- YB