I'm just going to take care of this straight away since one of the characters I've been nominating for quite some time finally has his day today.
This will be a long post, but I HIGHLY encourage to read it anyway, especially if you didn't read the thread I linked to the day before.
Jean Descole
Chance:
5%
Though I might be a little too optimistic with the chance rating I gave him, I'll be the first to establish the key points everyone will discuss. Descole’s chances for a Smash Bros inclusion are
really slim. For starters, he is a third party character, and when it comes to third parties, the characters that usually get in are the most iconic ones, such as Megaman, Sonic, and Pac-Man. Descole is nowhere near the celebrity status as those listed third party characters. Second of all, he practically has
no ballot support at the moment, and we all know popularity is important to consider with the next batch of DLC characters.
What really hurts Descole's chances the most is that Professor Layton has the higher priority of getting into the roster compared to him. Professor Layton is the mascot and main hero of the Layton franchise, and we all know the mascot characters are the ones that got the automatic shoe-in when it comes to representing their respective video game franchises. He is also
far more requested for a Smash Bros inclusion compared to Descole. More importantly,
Professor Layton has yet to appear on the Smash Bros roster. Thus, if Descole were to join the Smash Bros roster, he would only do so after Professor Layton is included. Once Professor Layton is included, then there would be more support to add other Professor Layton characters on the roster compared to the support we have now. However, Professor Layton's chances are debatable, so depending on how likely you think Layton will join the roster, Descole still doesn't have much of a chance regardless. Simply put, It's
definitely unlikely for Descole to join the roster over Professor Layton.
Now, it is important to keep in mind the possibility of two newcomers coming from a single third party company isn't completely impossible. Ryu's inclusion into Smash Bros proves this as he is the second Capcom rep. Thus, it has opened the doors for third party companies to include at least 2 reps from any of their games as well. Of course, it should also be noted that even though Ryu and Megaman are Capcom represents, they both represent different video game franchises entirely. Like I previously stated, the third party characters that are automatic shoe-ins are the ones that are the mascots/main protagonists of their respective video game company. The secondary protagonists and villains from that third party video game are nowhere as likely. However, if the secondary protagonist and villain is iconic such as Tails, Eggman, Dr. Wily, Zero, Ken, M.Bison, etc. it does give them some sort of chance, but Descole doesn't have the kind of celebrity status like those listed characters do.
Now, if we were to look at Descole simply as a third party character from Level 5 rather than another character from the Layton series (and likewise, if one were to look at Ryu simply as a third party character from Capcom rather than a representative of his own video game series), one can see why Ryu's inclusion have slightly opened the doors for Descole to a certain degree. Many will agree, however, that the Professor Layton series is one of those video game franchises that is good with one rep and that's it, and said people will also agree that Level 5 series as a whole should have only rep and that's it because it is nowhere near as famous as Capcom, Konami, Sega, and Namco are. If Level 5 were to get a second rep, the most likely candidate would be Jibanyan because it is the star-character of its own video game series, is becoming an iconic Level 5 rep (at least going off his status in Japan right now), and has far more support for a Smash Bros inclusion compared to Descole. This too also hurts Descole's chances.
But even with all of the issues Descole is facing, he does have several traits going for him that doesn't necessarily throw his chances entirely out of the window.
Though a very slim possibility, there are a few facts that make a second Professor Layton rep somewhat possible, as I am one of those people that thinks Professor Layton already has a solid chance chance for a Smash Bros inclusion. For starters, Level 5 and Nintendo have a very good relationship with each other. Level 5 has been commonly producing its games for the Nintendo consoles since 2007, and more importantly, Nintendo is in charge of licensing the Level 5 games for the international audience. With the Professor Layton games being among them, all of the Professor Layton characters are Nintendo characters to a certain degree.
Another important point to consider is that the Professor Layton series have become one of Nintendo's flagship series in the portable gaming spectrum thanks to their tremendous success. Though sales for the 3DS games have not been strong as the DS ones, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask was the best selling 3DS launch title when the 3DS was first released in Japan, so it's a considerable sign of success as well. The Layton games also have a large female demographic, so the possibility of two Layton reps could be considered to bring more female gamers to Smash Bros and thus allowing Nintendo to make more money..
With all of that established, there are several other traits that Descole has going for him as well, if he were to be the second Layton rep.
1) Descole has appeared in a video game that was released on a Nintendo console.
This one is obvious. I believe that as long as the character appeared in a video game released on a Nintendo console, it already gives them a chance compared to a third party character who has only been appeared in Xbox/Playstation games. With Descole's case, he already appeared in
three games that were playable on Nintendo consoles.
2) Descole has moveset potential that can make him unique.
Descole is a character that can actually fight. For starters, he is equipped with a sword and is a very capable fencer too, as demonstrated in Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (the Professor Layton movie) and Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. However, there's more to him than that. He is also capable of hand-to-hand combat, as demonstrated in Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask. While he did lose to another character capable of that in the same game, we still learned he was capable of unarmed combat to a certain degree; heck, he even had the strength to throw a young woman off his shoulders to the point she started rolling a really good distance and found herself on the edge of falling off a high point. Descole is shown to very agile in the games and the movie, pulling off parkour-like stunts quite often, so I wouldn't be surprised if he'd be the kind of fighter who could use some aerial dropkicks and flip-kicks.
Throughout the series, Descole is also shown to be a brilliant inventor, capable of inventing various gadgets that has helped achieve his plans. In Smash Bros, he could use some original gadgets we haven't seen him use before in addition to archaeological digging machines (or at least the arms of those machines). Another interesting aspect to him is his ability to perfectly disguise as someone else. In Smash Bros, we have never really seen this concept to disguise as the opposing fighter. Sure we had Zelda and Sheik, but like I said, I'm talking about Descole temporarily transforming into another fighter like Mario, Bowser, Ike, Lucario, Villager, etc. While in-game transformations are no longer a thing, it would still make Descole very unique nonetheless if one of his moves could do that.
To further prove my point about Descole having a workable moveset,
you can go to the Descole support thread I shared yesterday and you'll see I managed to create an interesting moveset for him. Personally, I can see Descole using a blend of sword-fighting, brawling, and weapon-use in his moveset. While Link already fills that sort of "fighting-style blend" already, very few of Link's attacks involve physical attacks, and Link uses different weapons from Descole. Descole, on the other hand, would be more balanced with all three fighting styles. When it comes to weapons, rather than using arrows, boomerangs, generic bombs, and grappling hooks, he would use more modern weapons like smoke bombs, parts from giant excavating diggers, mechanical ropes for tether recovery, etc. He could also use ancient weapons that could potentially shoot out lasers or magical energy to reflect his archaeological side. One way or the other, I'm sure Descole's moveset would stand out in some sort of way.
3) Descole is an important character from his home video game series, and he is fairly new for newer video gamers to recognize.
Although he may not be the main mascot of the video game franchise he comes from, Jean Descole is the main villain of the prequel trilogy of the Layton series, and he is also the main villain of the Professor Layton movie. That alone proves he is important to the series. Of course, one can also make the argument that Don Paolo fits a similar status as well, except he was the main villain of the original trilogy and thus could be considered a bit more iconic because many are more familiar with said trilogy, and he also fills the role of weapon-use and disguise as well as Descole does. However, Descole does have a few things going for him that Don Paolo doesn't have. Descole is much more of a one-on-one fighter compared to Don Paolo; that is, Descole can be better pictured as a Smash Bros fighter compared to Don Paolo.
Descole is also a newer video game character that newer players can recognize. Examples of characters that joined the roster due to recent releases include Greninja, Robin, and Lucina. While popularity may be another important aspect that they had going for them, it is important to understand Sakurai decided to add Greninja to the roster
before Pokemon X/Y was released to the general public. For Sakurai back at 2012, he wanted to pick a Pokemon that would represent Kalos considering it will be the newest generation around by the time Smash Bros 4 was released, and after looking at concept art, he thought Greninja seemed to be the most fitting for Smash. Thus, Greninja joined Smash to represent the newly released Pokemon games. In the same light, Descole could fit well as the new trilogy rep, while Professor Layton would fit the role of the original trilogy rep (in addition to being the series mascot).
And for those who still aren't convinced Descole is important to the Professor Layton series, here's some official artwork I'm interested in sharing.
Notice how Descole is placed in the middle among all the villains present at the top. Interpret it how you want, but personally, his placement in the middle of the villains indicates his status as one of
the main villains in the Layton universe and how recognizable he is for a newer Layton character.
4) Descole is a villain, and the Smash Bros roster could use some more villains.
Like I mentioned with the last point, Descole is a major villain from the video game franchise he hails from. The villain status is an important aspect when it comes to Smash. How so? It is one of the main reasons why characters like King K. Rool and Wolf are highly requested in the first place. I remember this was especially present back in the days leading up to Smash Bros WiiU's release where many smashers wanted to see more villain-representation on the Smash roster considering it is almost dominated by heroes, so that's why fans were clamoring for Mewtwo, Wolf, Ridley, and King K. Rool for Smash Bros. While we did end up getting some more villain representation thanks to Mewtwo's inclusion as DLC, it is agreeable that the Smash Bros roster could still use some more villains. While I will admit the Professor Layton series is nowhere as famous as the likes of Star Fox or the Donkey Kong franchises, being a villain is still a key reason to support a character's inclusion when the Smash Bros roster could use more of those.
Now remember, these four points, along with the brief points about the Layton franchise's success beforehand, I discussed are within the marginal advantages keeping from Descole's chances from reaching zero.
The problems Descole faces still outweigh the advantages TREMENDOUSLY for reasons I already stated.
Want:
100%
With such a detailed explanation about Descole's chances, you should have seen this coming. Descole is one of my top 3 most wanted characters for Super Smash Bros 4 DLC. Although I personally believe potentially unique movesets, villain statuses, appearing in a Nintendo console, and being newer but still recognizable to a home video game series are reasons that a character can have some sort of chance for a Smash Bros inclusion, the four main points I previously discussed can fit under my want discussion as well. I think Descole fits Smash Bros really well considering what he is capable of when it comes to fighting as a sword-fighter, a brawler, a weapon-user, and an agile parkour dude. When it comes to Final Smashes, I can definitely see his Final Smash either being the Mecha Specter from Last Specter in order to fill the role of an "absolute destruction" attack, or the ability to disguise as an opposing fighter by transforming into one and briefly fighting as him/her for a brief period of time as a trick/surprise-style attack.
Even his design also fits Smash Bros really well. We really don't have a lot of characters that look mysterious. Descole, on the other hand, would fill that concept perfectly. In addition to acting as a very menacing villain, Smash players could look at Descole on the roster and think, "That costume of his makes him look really villainous and mysterious, like he's trying to hide some sort of secret.I like him!" Descole also has some great alternate costume potential thanks to his other alias, where Smash players could choose to play as that costume if he/she is
dying to know how Descole looks like without the costume.
We also don't have a lot of tragic villains on the Smash roster. In fact, Mewtwo is probably the closest fighter we currently have to a tragic villain, but that's if you think that Mewtwo is the same one from the first Pokemon movie instead of a generic Mewtwo. I won't talk about what makes Descole a tragic villain right now, though if you really want to know, you can find it in the link I previously provided. With Descole's inclusion, we would have a bit more diversity when it comes to villains. Bowser, Ganondorf, and King Dedede would fill the roles of the generic bad guys (though King Dedede can be debatable thanks to the games it recently appeared in), Dark Pit and potentially Wolf would fill the roles of villainous rivals, and Mewtwo and Descole would be the tragic villains on the roster (Descole could also fill the role as a villainous rival as well).
In addition, who wouldn't want to hear some great music with Descole's inclusion? He's got an amazing theme! If you didn't listen to it before reading this post, I will provide it here for all of you to listen to. The one on the top is the Last Specter version, while the one on the bottom is the live version that has been used since Miracle Mask (and it's my personal favorite between the two). Believe me, I think it would be really cool if we got Descole's theme in Smash Bros.
Though Descole is one of my top 3 most wanted characters, Professor Layton still remains my most wanted newcomer for DLC for reasons I previously stated. As such, I won't be hurt if Descole doesn't make into the roster in the end because I already know things are looking grim for Descole. I'm sure many will argue Descole could have better chances as an Assist Trophy, a Stage Boss, or a Mii Costume. In fact, I'd be fine seeing Descole as any of those options as well, because seeing Descole represented in Smash Bros in some sort of way would still make me happy even if he doesn't end up becoming a fighter.
And now I will end my Descole discussion by saying this:
We all have a character we want to see join the Smash Bros roster that sadly doesn't have much a chance, whether it'd be characters like Tetrimono, a Style Savvy rep, Jill Valentine, Adeline, Owain, a character that already appears as an Assist Trophy/Poke Ball/Stage Boss, and so many others. I want to take some time and acknowledge all those who nominated slim-chance characters for this thread in the past. Over the course of the past several weeks, I've noticed that many have used the RTC thread to discuss characters who didn't have much a chance but could still be interesting inclusions; for them, it was a chance to really voice why they were interested in such a character. Their especially detailed explanations about what the character offers depsite having the low chances proves this, and to me, it also gives them the chance to generate support for the character no matter the issues. Likewise, even though the odds are really against Descole, I still believe such a character is capable of getting support. It's because of these kinds of people I gradually became less hesitant in nominating the character you are seeing being rated today. That said, this paragraph is my way of giving a huge and happy thank-you to all these kinds of people.
And with that, let us move on to the next character.
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Mallo
Chance:
5%
He comes from a fairly recent video game series, so if a more modern rep were to be considered, he’d be likely. The Pushmo games are quite popular too. He could have an interesting moveset where he could push and pull blocks and maybe use some sumo-wrestling moves added to the mix (at least, going off his design). Unfortunately, he has the same issues as the Advance Wars reps face. That is, Intelligent Systems have been focusing more on Fire Emblem, the most successful video game franchise the company has worked on, when it comes to Smash Bros compared to the other games it has developed, not to mention it also has very minimal Smash Bros support.
Want:
Abstain
I don’t know much about the Pushmo series aside from the gameplay and its popularity, so I can’t say whether or not i want to see Mallo be included.
Predictions:
Melee/Brawl style Classic Mode:
9.56%
Smash 4 having 10 year wait cycle:
6.23%
Nominations:
Gallade (Pokemon):
x5
Sid-cada
CaptainAmerica
, you probably want to change that too.
Troykv
, @
NintenRob
, and @
Sir Gengar de Èctoplasma
all win for Young Link's rerate.
Delzethin
for becoming the second person to get a perfect prediction! Your Jill Valentine prediction was exact, so you get ten extra nominations.
Erureido
. You knew all of this already. Devoting so many days' worth of nominations toward a character you know won't measure up well is a sacrifice of its own kind, so I have to give you credit for being willing to go through with it.
