Characters With The Least Major Tournament Wins In Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Key Takeaways

Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournaments are a true test of character potential, stressful yet diverse.
Some characters have seen far fewer tournament wins than others.
Each character in the roster has unique strengths and weaknesses, impacting their competitive viability.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these character profiles truly transport me back to my younger days when I was just starting out in the world of competitive gaming.

In major tournaments of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, characters have the opportunity to fully demonstrate their competitive prowess, showcasing the game’s rich character diversity at its best. However, the intense nature of these events can also be stressful due to the vast array of possible matchups. This complexity is particularly pronounced for players who specialize in a single main character rather than having secondary or backup characters to fall back on, making tournament brackets more challenging to navigate.

Over time, various characters have triumphed in multiple major tournaments of “Super Smash Bros Ultimate”. Some characters like Steve, Mr. Game & Watch, Aegis, and Wario have been more consistent winners, while others have won fewer majors but still impressively so. The accomplishments of each character are documented on specialized “Super Smash Bros” websites such as the Smashwiki and Liquipedia, serving as motivation for other players who main these characters to keep striving. Each character possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, making it an achievement for a player to overcome their character’s shortcomings and reach the grand finals.

14 Pikachu

Triple Sparks

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A
Esam: (from Miami, Florida) Top 5 player in Florida/Central Florida Power Rankings Q1 2023
ShinyMark: (from Guatemala, Central America) ranked 19th on LumiRank 2024.1

Pikachu has been the undisputed champion, dominating the game’s strategic landscape since its debut. He boasts one of the best combo sequences, enabling him to transition from any attack with minimal risk due to his safe moves. Even his disadvantage is manageable, as he can return from off-stage using his special movement abilities. His impressive arsenal of options earned him significant victories at Glitch 7 Minus World 2019, Glitch 8.5 Konami Code 2021, and most recently, at S Factor 11 in March 2024, courtesy of ShinyMark.

What surprisingly hinders the advancement of the upper echelon is his extreme technicality. His combos, while relatively simple for players to execute, necessitate precise input framing and particular sequences of multiple hits. Multihit attacks are unreliable in Super Smash Bros because of the varying hitboxes and hurtboxes that constantly shift positions.

In simpler terms, because Pikachu is quite lightweight, he can’t handle much damage. As players get better at linking their attacks, even a single hit against Pikachu could be lethal. It can be nerve-wracking to face off against characters that control the battlefield from afar like Samus and Roy who use zoning or swords.

13 Princess Peach

Royal Trinity

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: S-
Samsora: (from Slidell, Louisiana) ranked 2nd in Fall 2019 PGRU
MuteAce: (from South Florida, US) ranked 17th on LumiRank 2024.1; Top 2 player in Texas Power Rankings

Princess Peach is the most technical top tier with her advanced options. Her float mechanic allows her to linger in the air, making her disadvantage and offstage attacks especially strong. Her normals are quick and impactful as both combo and KO utilities. She can even use her turnips for ranged zoning or item drop combos. She was showcased early in the competitive meta by Samsora who took majors like Defend The North 2019 and Shine 2019. Even as the meta changed, MuteAce represented her prowess in Patchwork 2024.

The royal fighter presents a tough challenge due to her steep learning curve. Unlike other fighters, she isn’t managed in the same way because her performance relies on her float and turnip mechanics. She excels with advanced techniques such as float cancels and item drops for dealing substantial damage. Her rewards are significant, offering consistent damage output and unpredictable movement to Peach players. However, mastering these benefits requires practice.

12 Palutena

Divine Trinity

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A
Nairo: (from Passaic, New Jersey) ranked 4th on Fall 2019 PGRU
Raflow: (from La Courneuve, France) ranked 35th on the LumiRank 2024.1

After the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Palutena’s reception hasn’t undergone significant transformation. In fact, she has significantly improved compared to her appearance in Super Smash Bros Wii U. She now boasts superior neutral moves such as nair and fair. Moreover, she possesses invincible frames on moves like bair and dash attack, making it possible for her to withstand any incoming attacks. Notably, she has clinched several major victories in tournaments such as Mainstage 2019, Suplex City Smash 2019, and Let’s Make a Big Move 2020, under the skilled hands of Palutena’s main player, Nairo.

Recently, Palutena hasn’t been as dominant in tournaments as she once was. Although she still possesses strong neutral moves, she struggles to secure a knockout. Her reliable knockout options are somewhat limited, which opponents can easily detect and counter. However, despite these limitations, Palutena remains a popular choice among players who require a character with solid neutral gameplay.

11 Kazuya

Three Eyed demon

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A+
Riddles: (from Toronto, Ontario) ranked 29th on LumiRank 2024.1
Tea: (from Tokyo, Kantō) ranked 16th on LumiRank 2024.1

It’s widely believed that Kazuya is the most powerful representative in fighting games, thanks to his extensive move set. Many of his moves come equipped with either super armor or invulnerable frames, allowing him to execute moves even during an attack if timed correctly. Additionally, he boasts a unique dash from Tekken, which makes his upper body invincible, enabling him to dodge low-profile attacks.

His broken utility is rewarding, but challenging to do in matches. It’s hard enough to train his difficult inputs and combos in training mode. His stubbier attacks and bad disadvantage state make his tournament matches more troubling, especially against characters like Min-Min, Fox, and Aegis. It took some time, though he won some majors like Collision 2023 and Big House 10 by Riddles. Even Tea was able to take Ultimate Fighting Arena 2022 with him.

10 Megaman

Dual Geared Robot

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: B-
Kameme: (from Tokyo, Kantō) ranked 11th on Fall 2019 PGRU
Peabnut: (from South Carolina) ranked 47th on LumiRank 2024.1

Megaman stands out as one of the best-designed characters in the game, offering an authentic experience akin to playing a classic Megaman game. His move set performs exceptionally well at medium range with his powerful ranged normals and specials, such as a leaf shield for self-defense. This versatile character helped Kameme win Umebura Japan Major 2019 and 2GG Switchfest 2019 tournaments.

Initially, his strategies proved effective in the early stages of the meta, but as time went on, they became more evident to opponents. More players figured out when to activate their shields or counterattack, making it harder for him to inflict damage. To stay competitive, he had to utilize complex combos and inputs. However, against zoners or faster characters, Megaman found it challenging to devise strategies and set up his moves.

9 Luigi

One Of Two Brothers

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: B+
Raru: (from Kansai, Japan) ranked 11th on LumiRank 2024.1
WaKa: (from Tijuana, Baja California) ranked 79th LumiRank 2024.1

Luigi can be a bit tricky to evaluate due to his unique design that deviates from the norm. He’s often referred to as a ‘glass cannon,’ meaning he has high damage potential but is vulnerable in combat. However, when the right circumstances align, such as when using his grab, he becomes incredibly powerful. Since his grab functions as a tether attack, it allows him to catch opponents off-guard from a distance, setting up lethal combos known as ‘zero-to-death.’ In 2024, Raru managed to defeat both Sumabato SP 47 and Sumabato SP 50 using Luigi’s quick and safe normal aerials that seamlessly connect with each other.

Because he’s a glass cannon character, his weaknesses significantly limit his performance. Sluggish air speed poses difficulties for him to return to the stage swiftly. However, it’s relatively simple for opponents to catch him, although his side special move can suddenly accelerate with impressive speed and force, helping Luigi make it back to the stage. This advantage can be problematic when he flies too far at an awkward angle, exposing him. Nevertheless, mastering his combo potential will only enhance his strength as players become more skilled.

8 Corrin

Dual Horned Swordsman

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A-
Shadic: (from Texas, US) ranked 7th on LumiRank 2024.1; Top 1 player in Texas Power Rankings Season 1 2024
MkLeo: (from Mexico City, Mexico) ranked 25th on LumiRank 2024.1; Honorably Mentioned Top 50 Mexican Power Rankings 2024

In the game Super Smash Bros Wii U, Corrin was a standout character. However, in the subsequent game, they were classified as mid-tier. Their statistics, particularly their speed, seemed reduced, giving the impression of weakness early on in the meta. Interestingly, every other character in the roster appeared faster in the new engine, but Corrin moved at a pace reminiscent of the slower engine from the previous game.

It took some time for Corrin to show its true potential in competitive play, but MkLeo’s victory at the Delfino Maze RETA 2022 major significantly changed people’s perceptions of the character. Although Corrin moves relatively slowly, its normals are well-spaced and linger long enough for easy combination conversions. Moreover, due to minimal end lag in their moves, opponents have a limited window to retaliate. Gradually, more players who main Corrin began placing highly in competitive events, such as Shadic’s win at Cirque Du CFL 3 in March 2024.

7 Pokemon Trainer

Best Paired Team

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A-
Quidd: (from Westchester County, New York) ranked 56th on LumiRank 2023
Tweek: (from Burlington, New Jersey) ranked 5th on LumiRank 2024.1; Top 1 Player on New Jersey Ultimate Power Rankings Q1 2024

The perception of Pokemon Trainer was always high throughout the game’s lifespan. Their down special allows the character to change into one of three fighters: Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. Each character is designed with a different role, raising their adaptability for different interactions. This great strength made him popular in early competitive scenes, allowing Tweek to earn Low Tier City 7 in July 2019 before Quidd would win Let’s Make a Big Move 2022.

Even though Pokemon Trainer has numerous powerful choices, characters grow and evolve over time, making their battles more intricate. This progression, however, introduces a significant issue with Pokemon Trainer: since he controls three fighters, players must keep track of different strategies for each one. This involves mastering gameplay at a disadvantage, a skill that none of his Pokemon are particularly good at.

As a dedicated fan, I find it challenging that their battle system rotates the use of special changes, making me constantly swap Pokémon to get my desired one. Although their designs highlight their strengths, they lack swift ways to counter weaknesses, unlike Shulk’s Monado or Aegis’ switch. These problems might diminish their competitive impact, but won’t tarnish the overall appreciation I have for them.

6 Lucina

Solo Swordsman

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A-
MkLeo: (from Mexico City, Mexico) ranked 1st on Spring 2019 – Fall 2019 PGR; ranked 1st OrionRank Ultimate and 2019
Mr.E: (from Copiague, New York) ranked 100th on LumiRank 2023; Top 2 player on New York City Power Rankings Q2 2024
Protobanham: (Kanto, Japan) honorably mentioned top 100 on LumiRank 2023; ranked 23rd on LumiRank 2023 Japan

Lucina was very strong and popular in the early years of Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Her simple swordsman skills and decent speed made her accessible for anyone to play as she had decently safe disjoints. Her strong advantage was proven at Genesis 6 in February 2019 by one of the best pro players, MkLeo.

Over time, as more downloadable characters joined the game, her influence gradually waned. Although her neutral moves remain potent, her knockout power and sword range are less expansive compared to her counterpart Marth in an echo battle. It often takes multiple engagements for her to reach her average knockout level, while other characters can inflict more damaging combos, even a zero-to-death one. This situation necessitates her to frequently switch up her tactics with limited options. Currently, she struggles to maintain relevance in the game meta, making it necessary for players to consider her as an alternative primary or secondary character.

5 Yoshi

A Gulp Of Victory

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A+
Yoshidora: (from Kansai, Japan) ranked 26th on LumiRank 2024.1
Ron: (Tottori, Chugoku) ranked 53rd on LumiRank 2024.1

Yoshi is known for being an outstanding character, particularly with his excellent air drifts and high jumps. His most notable feature is his armored double jump, which serves as a combo breaker. In battle, he uses oversized, prolonged attacks to protect himself during landing, almost as large as a sword. His defense stands out because he’s the only character immune to shield pokes, enabling him to employ out-of-shield strategies and advances. These impressive traits allowed Yoshidora to secure a Top 8 win at Maesuma in June 2022.

Yoshi’s design is straightforward but deviates from typical fighter designs, notably his recovery method. Much like Jigglypuff, using a double jump as an escape strategy can be risky because he lacks the ability to use his up special move for recovery. Characters with low mobility, such as Yoshi, are harder to manage due to their limited defensive options, making them more susceptible to attacks. In competitive play, despite not being as widely popular, Yoshi remains powerful.

4 Bayonetta

A Witch In Time

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A-
TamaPDaifuku: (from Japan) ranked 8th LumiRank 2024.1
Lima: (from Dallas, Texas) ranked 37th LumiRank 2024.1; Top 1 player on Dallas-Fort Worth Power Rankings Q3 2024

Bayonetta proved to be unbeatable in Super Smash Bros Wii U, a status that led to her being adjusted for the following game. Her earlier version boasted numerous zero-to-death combos due to her special moves and attacks, allowing her to quickly force opponents towards the nearest edge of destruction. She was essentially an instant kill machine, even post-balance adjustments. In this particular game, those deadly combos persist, but they now demand precise positioning and careful setup by the player. Additionally, opponents can now use SDI (Shield Directional Input) more effectively to dodge her knockout strategies.

Despite experiencing a setback, she remains robust with her combinations and advantages. Her latest version didn’t impede TamaPDaifuku from winning Seibugeki 17 on July 2024. She thrives on her powerful offensive abilities and specials, compelling adversaries to reconsider their actions when jumping or challenging in the air. Her unique special moves also adapt her playstyle while allowing her to linger off-stage more effectively compared to other characters.

3 Pichu

A Spark Of Glory

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: C+
Nietono: (from Tokyo, Kanto) ranked 108th on LumiRank 2023
Yone_pi: (from Kansai, Japan) ranked 57 on LumiRank 2024.1

In simpler terms, Pichu quickly became one of the strongest characters due to his immense power and speed in the early stages of the game. He’s like a riskier version of Pikachu because he can harm himself with certain moves, making his attacks more decisive. However, these risks are often worth it given his high damage potential and smaller target area. It was easy for players to inflict damage on opponents while being tricky to catch due to Pichu’s small size. In the Umebura SP 3 tournament held in April 2019, a player named Nietono won using Pichu.

In the realm of developer support, his reign wouldn’t persist for long due to balance adjustments. These alterations affected his size and self-inflicted damage moves, making his missed attacks (whiffs) easier to counterattack, causing more damage. Furthermore, his vulnerable area (hurtbox) expanded, which reduced his effectiveness in competitive play. Essentially, he became more fragile than powerful, leading to a significant decrease in his competitive presence.

2 Ryu

The Heart Of Battle

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: B+
Asimo: (from Okayama City, Okayama) ranked 15th on LumiRank 2024.1
Ikan: (from Chicago, Illinois) ranked 105th on LumiRank 2023; Top 1 player on Fall 2021-Spring 2022 Chicago Power Ranking

In the eyes of the community, Ryu was considered the least formidable fighting game character, with Ken, Terry, and Kazuya being seen as stronger opponents. Ken, a version similar to Ryu, stood out due to his increased speed, additional input attacks, and multiple-hit special moves. He had more opportunities for dealing damage and converting combos, while Ryu had fewer combo paths but slightly better projectiles. This early on, it seemed that Ken was the superior version of Ryu, which wasn’t beneficial when Terry and Kazuya were added to the roster.

It required some time, but the character finally tapped into his hidden abilities, growing stronger with each update. He acquired new methods to retaliate and initiate combos, such as his down smash becoming special-cancellable. Additionally, his Hadoken received an enhancement, enabling him to control opponents from a distance. In the final stages of the game, Asimo was the sole committed Ryu player who won the Sumabato SP 51 tournament in September 2024.

1 Sora

Unlocking Oneself

Lumirank 13.0.1 Fighter Tier: A
Zachray: (from Tokyo, Kantō) ranked 20th on LumiRank 2024.1
Kameme: (from Tokyo, Kantō) honorably mentioned Top 50 LumiRank 2024.1

Sora is created as a straightforward sword-wielding character for ease of use. Unlike other swordfighters, his combo abilities and slower falling speed in the air offer unique characteristics, allowing him to stay offstage for extended periods, applying pressure or recovering more easily. Compared to characters like Shulk and Marth, Sora’s attacks are less extensive, but he stands out as one of the few with projectiles, providing coverage for mid to long-range engagements.

Prior to the community having a chance to verify his rank or analyze his playstyle, Zachray claimed victory using this character in Kagaribi 5 tournament held in October 2021. As a result, Sora became the quickest DLC character to secure a major win following its release.

Sora possesses well-rounded abilities in all areas, but this versatility doesn’t set him apart like Joker’s speed or Kazuya’s close combat skills. His moves are straightforward, which makes it easier for stronger opponents to anticipate his strategy. Despite not being a common choice, he can still compete effectively within the current game dynamics.

2024-10-26 05:34