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SSBU Tier List: Super Smash Bros.

Published

9 months ago

July 10, 2023

In our SSBU Tier List, we’re showcasing every playable character in the fifth installment of the beloved SuperSmash Bros. Series.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest title in the popular fighting game. And this time, it’s bigger than ever. With more battle stages and playable characters to choose from, it’s no wonder the game was so well received. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features characters from a whole slew of games, including Nintendo’s best — Mario, Pokemon Kong, and The Legend of Zelda. But it also has characters from other game developers. For example, you can play as Cloud from Final Fantasy, Joker from Persona 5, and even Steve from Minecraft! And this diversity is exactly why Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is perfect for avid gamers.

Although, with so many characters in the roster, it can be difficult to pick the best. Sure, you can go with whoever your favorite character from your favorite series is. But if you really want to get better at this game, you’re going to need to pick the most optimal character in terms of build and personal playstyle. That’s where our SSBU Tier List comes in handy.

Let’s get to it!

SSBU TIER LIST

With 88 characters in the roster (and possibly more incoming), newbie players might find it overwhelming to pick their main. Luckily, our SSBU Tier List features every playable character available. We rank each character based on how useful their moveset is and their overall handling, so this list should give a good idea of who’s most optimal in the current meta.

S-Tier

Chrom
Daisy
Inkling
Joker
Lucina
Olimar
Peach
Pikachu
Pyra & Mythra
R.O.B
Snake

A-Tier

Bowser
Cloud
Falco
Fox
Ike
Kazuya
Ken
Link
Mario
Mega Man
Ness
Palutena
Roy
Ryu
Sephiroth
Shulk
Terry
Wario
Wii Fit Trainer
Wolf
Yoshi
Young Link
Zero Suit Samus

B-Tier

Bayonetta
Byleth
Corrin
Dark Pit
Dark Samus
Greninja
Hero
Incineroar
Isabelle
Lucario
Lucas
Marth
Mii Brawler
Mii Gunner
Mii Swordfighter
Mr. Game & Watch
Pac-Man
Pichu
Pit
Pokemon Trainer
Richter
Ridley
Robin
Rosalina & Luma
Samus
Simon
Sonic
Steve
Toon Link
Villager
Zelda

C-Tier

Banjo & Kazooie
Bowser Jr.
Captain Falcon
Diddy Kong
Donkey Kong
Duck Hunt
Ice Climbers
Jigglypuff
King Dedede
King K. Rool
Kirby
Luigi
Meta Knight
Mewtwo
Min Min
Piranha Plant
Shelk

D-Tier

Dr. Mario
Ganondorf
Little Mac

SSBU TIER LIST: ITEMS

Now that you know our best picks for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, we need to discuss the types of items you can utilize in battle. These items spawn randomly on stage, and the player who first gets to it can then use it. There are countless items in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, so it’s important to learn what each one does, so you know what to do in case you see one pop up.

NORMAL ITEMS

Normal items come in many different forms and with various uses. For example, food items can recover around 9-12% of the player’s health. On the other hand, weapons, such as swords, bats, and guns, can be used to deal additional damage with an otherwise normal attack.

Additionally, there are items with special capabilities. For instance, Timers can slow down the opponent, the player, or both depending on chance. Meanwhile, Super Mushrooms enlarge the character, while Poison Mushrooms shrink them.

There’s also yet another type of item that summons another character to assist you in the fight. These include the Poké Ball, the Master Ball, and the Assist Trophy.

POKÉMON

When picked up and thrown, Poké Balls and Master Balls release a random Pokémon. The Pokémon then uses a specific move to aid the player who released them. Note that Poké Balls release regular Pokémon, like Abra, Meowth, or Vulpix. But Master Balls call forth rare or Legendary Pokémon, like Arceus, Deoxys, or Kyogre, who are more powerful.

ASSIST TROPHIES

Similar to Poké Balls, Assist Trophies summon a random character from a series featured in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. These are often characters that aren’t present in the roster. And, much like the Pokémon, they have different moves. Some examples of assist characters include Alucard from Castlevania, Knuckles from Sonic the Hedgehog, and even Rodin from Bayonetta.

Let’s go back to SSBU Tier List!

CONCLUSION

While certainly not as realistic (or should we say graphic?) as other fighting games like Mortal Kombat, the Super Smash Bros. series holds a special place in every fan’s heart. And Super Smash Bros. Ultimate just gives them more reason to fall in love with the franchise. Its improved gameplay, new features, and, of course, new additions to the character roster make it the right mix of new and old. No doubt, there’ll be something for fans of all ages to enjoy. And even outside of the nostalgia, the game is an excellent platform to test your fighting game prowess — from picking the right character for you to practicing their moveset until you’ve committed it to memory. We hope our SSBU Tier List has helped you on that journey!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on Nintendo Switch, so if you want more details on how to download the game as well as your favorite characters, check out their official website. Best keep an eye on it in case they release teasers for a new playable character!

If you enjoyed this list, don’t forget to check out our other tier lists: