Wat do you guys think about an Echo Fighters Pass?
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about how I predict the rest of the Smash Ultimate DLC will play out. I'd like to alter that slightly. Specifically, I think a third pass would actually be an echo fighters pass, containing 4 characters. Why an echo fighters pass and why 4 characters? Ironically, I have four reasons:
1. As stated previously, there was a datamine containing 16 extra characters, which would be the 12 DLC we know of plus 4 more (presumably, echo fighters would count, though I would like some confirmation from someone)
2. After Pass 2, there is still room for four more characters on the CSS (could be either echo or new).
3. After Pass 2, the roster with echo fighters stacked is a perfect rectangle, leading to the assumption that 4 echo fighters would get in, to keep a perfect rectangle in the stacked roster and to make the regular roster a perfect rectangle.
4. After Pass 2, there are 4 slots left for the stage select screen (actually 5, but that last slot is used for random stage select or something).
In summation, I think this would lead to us to getting 4 echo fighters after Pass 2, and they'd each some with a stage and music. Presumably, they'd be listed on the css after Pass 2 and before the Miis (I'm hopeful that we will have an option to organize characters and stages however we want after DLC, but I wouldn't bet heavily on that anyways). In any case, the echo fighters I picked could easily be placed next to their originals without messing up the roster too much (in a complete roster, echo fighters and originals should be on the same row).
Here's a rundown of how I think Pass 2 will play out, largely the same as before.
FP 7: Geno (Announce between August and Sept 2020. Release Oct 2020.)- Geno is probably the most requested character at this point, so I definitely think he should be added. Also, I feel we will get a fighter from Mario this year due to the 35th anniversary. Could also coincide with an announcement of Super Mario RPG either coming to NSO or getting a full remake!
FP 8: Urshifu (Announce Pokemon Day 2021. Release Mar 2021.)- Used solely to promote Sword and Shield, especially the DLC. I feel Urshifu is the most likely, but I really don't care that much who it is as long as SWSH gets a rep. Would prefer Cinderace though.
FP 9: Lloyd Irving (Announce E3 2021. Release after presentation.)- Gives Namco Bandai a new rep.
FP 10: Rayman (Announce E3 2021. Release Sept 2021.)- Gives Ubisoft a rep, and is basically their mascot. Also widely requested (probably third, after Geno & Crash). Could see Rayman and Lloyd reveals mirroring Banjo and Hero, in terms of appealing to fanbases.
FP 11: Crash Bandicoot (Announce Sept 2021. Release Nov 2021.)- One of the most requested third party characters, probably second to Geno at this point. Release would also coincide with a Switch version of Crash 4.
Now for the new stuff:
Crash's release in Nov 2021 would be during a Smash Ultimate Direct (dubbed the final presentation, like with 3DS/Wii U). Sakurai would announce the echo fighters pass and reveal all four characters, as well as their stages and music. At the end, he would go through a rundown of everything in the game like he did with the 3DS/Wii U presentation. The pass would release in January 2022, in order to give Crash some time in the limelight.
Since it's DLC, I could see them making the echo fighters possibly stand out slightly from their originals. Some quick ideas for the four I picked:
Impa: Different Down Special from Sheik and different FS
Dixie Kong: Different Up Special from Diddy and different FS.
Octoling: Different Side Special and different FS.
Tails: Slight size difference. Also, different FS and maybe Up Special too.
There could be other differences too, especially related to speed and power.
The pass would probably be about $15 because it has less characters, and they are very similar to past characters.
Outside of balance patches, Smash DLC would end with the release of the Echo Pass in January 2022.
