Zekersaurus
Smash Journeyman
There are a lot of issues and misconceptions revolving around tiers. I’ve been getting annoyed with some of these arguments to say the least and I know I’m not alone. I’m not trying to startup the inevitable skill vs character debate. This thread has little or nothing to do with that. I just felt that there are a few things that need to be said. I focus on Melee in this thread, but this can apply to other Smash games as well.
1. Some people say things like “Melee is broken. There are only like 5 good characters in the game”.
· This is false. There are currently 8 characters in top tier, not that it matters because actual “TIERS” are what matters. The tier list can change and may not be 100% accurate but the characters themselves do not change. Instead of using the tier list a guideline and applying your own common sense to figure the rest out, some people follow it blindly.
· Balance is an issue with almost every fighting game. Don’t keep picking on melee.
2. Melee is one of if not the deepest fighting game ever, but some people look at the game way to linearly.
· First off, the tier list does not consist of Top Tier and GARBADGE. Putting a high tier character in the same category as a low, mid, or bottom is incorrect. Difficult matches and near impossible matches or terrible matchups and average matchups are all different extremes.
· Also, these are characters, not numbers. We should treat them as such. For example, just because 10 is better than 15 on the tier list doesn’t mean that 15 can’t beat 5 just because 10 can’t. Characters in this game play very differently from each other, even clones. They all have their pros, cons, counters, and good and bad match ups. Some characters are undoubtedly better than others but you’re playing with apples and oranges.
3. “Only the top tier characters are viable”?
· This is not true. More than 8 characters in melee can be competitive, if only a few more. Now, I could give examples by throwing around a bunch of names but it won’t necessarily prove anything because you still have to take into account the skill of the individual and the fact that the majority of the best players play top tier characters anyway.
· Tiers only matter significantly when you’re playing at really high levels of play and/or you know a certain matchup EXTREMELY well. Other than that, almost if not any match can be won with skill, even when playing with bottom tier characters.
4. The main reasons people play low tiers.
· They don’t realize how bad there character is.
o Then they should definitely be informed.
· They want to prove their character can be competitive.
o They are just making it harder on themselves.
· They play just play who they like playing.
o It’s a good reason! You want to enjoy the game, if not why play?
Honestly though, I think a lot of smashers fall into a trap, where they put way to much focus into playing the character and not playing the game. To be successful you need to make sure that your skills as a PLAYER advance. The character is just a tool. By all means, main who you want but when you’re in a tournament match make sure you’re playing a character you know you can win with. That’s what it comes down to.
In closing, that’s how I feel this topic. Tiers are always a very touchy subject but I think the most important thing in any discussion is to just respect one another. We are all entitled to our opinions, it’s ok to be wrong, and disagreeing with someone doesn’t mean that your response has to be an insult.
Later Days!
1. Some people say things like “Melee is broken. There are only like 5 good characters in the game”.
· This is false. There are currently 8 characters in top tier, not that it matters because actual “TIERS” are what matters. The tier list can change and may not be 100% accurate but the characters themselves do not change. Instead of using the tier list a guideline and applying your own common sense to figure the rest out, some people follow it blindly.
· Balance is an issue with almost every fighting game. Don’t keep picking on melee.
2. Melee is one of if not the deepest fighting game ever, but some people look at the game way to linearly.
· First off, the tier list does not consist of Top Tier and GARBADGE. Putting a high tier character in the same category as a low, mid, or bottom is incorrect. Difficult matches and near impossible matches or terrible matchups and average matchups are all different extremes.
· Also, these are characters, not numbers. We should treat them as such. For example, just because 10 is better than 15 on the tier list doesn’t mean that 15 can’t beat 5 just because 10 can’t. Characters in this game play very differently from each other, even clones. They all have their pros, cons, counters, and good and bad match ups. Some characters are undoubtedly better than others but you’re playing with apples and oranges.
3. “Only the top tier characters are viable”?
· This is not true. More than 8 characters in melee can be competitive, if only a few more. Now, I could give examples by throwing around a bunch of names but it won’t necessarily prove anything because you still have to take into account the skill of the individual and the fact that the majority of the best players play top tier characters anyway.
· Tiers only matter significantly when you’re playing at really high levels of play and/or you know a certain matchup EXTREMELY well. Other than that, almost if not any match can be won with skill, even when playing with bottom tier characters.
4. The main reasons people play low tiers.
· They don’t realize how bad there character is.
o Then they should definitely be informed.
· They want to prove their character can be competitive.
o They are just making it harder on themselves.
· They play just play who they like playing.
o It’s a good reason! You want to enjoy the game, if not why play?
Honestly though, I think a lot of smashers fall into a trap, where they put way to much focus into playing the character and not playing the game. To be successful you need to make sure that your skills as a PLAYER advance. The character is just a tool. By all means, main who you want but when you’re in a tournament match make sure you’re playing a character you know you can win with. That’s what it comes down to.
In closing, that’s how I feel this topic. Tiers are always a very touchy subject but I think the most important thing in any discussion is to just respect one another. We are all entitled to our opinions, it’s ok to be wrong, and disagreeing with someone doesn’t mean that your response has to be an insult.
Later Days!
