Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest entry in Nintendo's platform fighter. It features a wide selection of characters from Nintendo franchises and third-party series. Players can choose their favorite characters or a top-tier one. We recommend playing whatever character fits your playstyle, but a top-tier makes winning easier.
An "official" tier list was put out by UltRank, ranking all characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With extensive playtime, we generally agree with this list. However, just because a character is high-tier doesn't mean you can pick them up and play them easily or that a low-tier cannot win tournaments. Here are all characters ranked in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Please note that the term official does not mean that Nintendo endorses this tier list. This list was created from data from tournaments and top players. The subreddit also generally agrees on this list.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List
Tier | Character |
S | + Steve/Alex, Pyrah/Mythra, Joker * Sonic, Fox, R.O.B., Kazuya, Roy, Peach/Daisy - Cloud, Wolf, Diddy Kong, Pikachu, Pac-Man, Snake, Min Min, Palutena, Mr. Game & Watch, Shulk |
A | + Yoshi, Mario, Lucina, Pokémon Trainer, Wario, Samus/Dark Samus, Zero Suit Samus, Sephiroth - Olimar, Young Link, Terry, Sora, Byleth, Greninja, Ken, Sheik, Ryu, Mii Brawler, Megaman |
B | + Captain Falcon, Ness, Falco, Corrin, Chrom, Hero, Bayonetta, Inkling, Luigi - Rosalina, Toon Link, Bowser, Meta Knight, Pit, Link, Marth, Pichu, Ice Climbers |
C | + Wii Fit Trainer, Lucas, Jigglypuff, Ridley, Mii Gunner, Robin, Mewtwo, Incineroar - Ike, Banjo & Kazooie, Duck Hunt, Richter/Simon, Villager, Donkey Kong, Lucario, Bowser Jr. |
D | + Isabelle, King K. Rool, Zelda, Kirby, Piranha Plant, Mii Swordfighter, Dr. Mario, King Dedede - Little Mac, Ganondorf |
Best S-Tier characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Steve
Steve and Alex, the female skin, is easily one of the best characters in the game. They have incredibly fast attacks, powerful combos, and versatile options against most of the cast. Steve/Alex can struggle against rush-down characters, as his playstyle requires players to mine blocks to use his full moveset. Steve/Alex has seen many major tournament wins, especially from Onin and Acola.
Pyra/Mythra
Pyra/Mythra are extremely good characters. You can swap between the fast Mythra and dominate neutral and Pyra, who can take stocks early. Many top players picked up the pair, and while some have dropped them, Pyra/Mythra are often pocket picks for these players. When Pyra/Mythra first released, they dominated the meta and still have great success. Cosmos is a great player to watch for a Pyra/Mythra main.
Joker
Joker saw great success and still does, especially by MKLeo, considered the world's best Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player. Joker has fantastic speed and attacks, but his true power lies in Arsene. This passive ability allows him to summon his Persona, amplifying and modifying his attacks. Joker can take stocks easily without his Persona, but he can kill extremely early with it.
Best A-Tier Character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Yoshi
Yoshi is an interesting character and is viewed differently depending on the region. Yoshi has an incredible combo game and super armor on his jump, but the character can be difficult to play. This has seen little use of Yoshi, but character specialists such as Yoshidora and Suarez have shown what this character is capable of.
Mario
Mario is one of the most fundamental characters in the game, but he also features incredible combos. Mario has several ways to get an opening, allowing him to kill off the top or horizontally. Cape and F.L.O.O.D. also give him versatility and unique ways to edge guard. Picking up Mario is generally pretty safe, but mastering him takes time. We recommend watching Kurama and Dark Wizzy to learn how to play Mario.
Lucina
Like Mario, Lucina is a character that relies on fundamentals. She is also a sword user, meaning she has great range and can space other characters out. Unlike Marth, she does not have additional tipper damage, which means all her strikes deal consistent damage. Protobanhan and Mr. E can show you exactly how good Lucina is.
Related: Masahiro Sakurai reveals how Sora made into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Best B-Tier Character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Captain Falcon
Captain Falcon is an explosive rush-down character. He has great combos and can deliver powerful strikes. While his recovery seems bad, players like Fatality have proven how versatile it can be to return to the stage and offensively. You don't want to give your opponent breathing room when playing Captain Falcon, so keep the pressure up.
Ness
Scend, Gackt, Syrup
Due to PK Thunder and PK Fire, Ness is easily one of the most annoying characters. Ness has great frame data outside of these and can perform deadly combos. He suffers off-stage, as his recovery is not the best. But Ness can be a real menace against many characters, as proven in tournaments by Scend, Gackt, and Syrup.
Falco
Falco was slept on compared to Wolf and Fox, but this spacey is a great combo character. Though Falco's recovery is limited, his high jumps come in handy for recovery and chasing opponents due. A single up-tilt can lead to devastating combos and rack up high damage. Check out players like Tilde and Larry Lurr to improve your Falco game.
Related: What is the Unlock Order in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Best C-Tier Character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Wii Fit Trainer
Varun, Red Oolong, John Numbers
Wii Fit Trainer has fallen off in popularity, but this character is still a great pick. Wii Fit Trainer's primary tool is their side special. The angle this is hit can be changed, allowing you to cover numerous options. It is also great for stalling at the edge and punishing overzealous edge guarders. Varun, Red Oolong, and John Numbers still show Wii Fit Trainer some love and can help you learn this character.
Lucas
Lucas is the lesser version of Ness, but he is still a fun and strong character. He has different strengths than Ness but is played similarly. A tether grab gives Lucas more recovery options but it can also carry opponents across the stage with z-combos. Regalo, Blucas, and Nitox are pushing the Lucas meta, and they are great players to watch to learn this character.
Jigglypuff
BassMage, Hungrybox
Jigglypuff has several weaknesses such as her light weight, floatiness, and short range, but Jigglypuff is one of the best edge-guarding characters in the game. She also has the constant threat of Rest, which can steal kills at an incredibly early percentage. Sing and Pound provide great tools, but she also has good combos. Bassmage and Hungrybox are great players to learn from when mastering Jigglypuff.
Best D-Tier Character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Isabelle
Isabelle is adorable but ultimately not as good as Villager. She focuses more on a trap-based playstyle but also has a good range. Her fishing pole provides pressure and can be used as a recovery tool. You will need to play around her Gyro trap if you want to succeed as Isabelle, and Kept is a great Villager player who also plays Isabelle.
King K. Rool
King K. Rool is a heavyweight, which automatically means you have an uphill battle in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's fast-paced gameplay. But King K. Rool has one of the best recoveries for a heavyweight, which helps tremendously in disadvantage. While there are few King K. Rool players, Kirbykid and Kingrobo can showcase this character's skillset.
Zelda
Zelda is one of the least-played characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but this means few players truly know the matchup. Her moveset does leave a lot to be desired, but Zelda excels at ledge-trapping and edge-guarding. With few players to watch, Ven is one of the best Zelda players to learn how to play this character.
For more on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, check out Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Ver. 13.0.1 will be the final fighters adjustment update on Pro Game Guides.
Published: Mar 22, 2023 11:38 am