Downdraft
Smash Ace
The terms "casual" and "competitive" are divisive and vague. All players cannot be reduced to two oversimplified, poorly defined categories, so I propose that we expand those terms into a more clearly defined rating system that will allow us to argue certain matters more maturely and clearly.
It's not possible to create terms or scales that encompass all players precisely; some players may fall between two ratings.
I'd appreciate community input on strengthening these ratings and making them more precise.
Players of a higher rating can compete with or defeat most players of equal or lower levels.
Rating System
0 would represent players that have negligible experience in the game; first-timers, i.e. new players would be rated a 0. These players haven't had the experience or practice to master a game's tech or its characters, especially if they're new to the series as a whole. All the games play differently, so whenever someone plays a new Smash Bros game or a mod, most of the time they'll have a low rating. Some players catch on very quickly, so they may be underrated, but that'll change quickly if they make themselves known to the Smash community via word-of-mouth, YouTube, twitch, etc.
1 would represent low level players. What is a low level player? I'll define low level players as those that ignore technical skill, advance techniques, mind games, spacing, etc., i.e. abilities that are required to become great and win major tournaments. Low level players may be new players that aren't interested in attending tournaments or becoming very good at the game. Players rated 0-2 represent most of the Smash Bros series' sales. Many low level players play just for fun. To low level players, Smash Bros is a party game; they may enjoy items and enable stages that would be banned in a tournament setting.
2 would represent mid-low level players. These players have some grasp of the fundamentals and have made some effort to become good at the game. There is still tons of room for improvement. Mid-low level players play the game at a deeper level than low level players, but they are still lacking in character development, tech skill, etc. Some mid-low level players make the effort to jump to the next level, indicating that they're interested in tournaments and competing against skilled players.
3 would represent middle or medium level players. I consider myself to be in the interval (2, 3]. Medium level players have a few strong suits, but lack of ability or weaknesses in other areas prevent them from competing against higher level players and professionals. I'll use myself as an example. I have low tech skill in Project M; I first started playing this game in Winter 2013, so I'm not a newcomer. I've watched many tournament videos, browse these forums, and play with other players that are medium or mid-high level. I'm aware of the tech, advanced techniques, areas where I could improve, etc. I've got knowledge, but I haven't applied it and struggle against players with greater character mastery, tech skill, fundamentals, etc. I imagine that few players make it beyond medium level play. Some medium level players attend tournaments.
4 would represent mid-high level players. These players are good, yet professional players may whip them. Parts of mid-high level player's game is high-level; the rest is not. The elements of their game/understanding/skill that aren't high level is what prevents them from becoming a household name in the Smash community. Mid-high level players can place well in smaller tournaments and even win them. These players compete in a handful of tournaments and have a solid working knowledge of a game's mechanics, their character, tech, etc. A few of these players go on to become players that we're all familiar with.
5 would represent high level players, which includes all professionals. Professional players such as M2K, Mango, Armada, Ally, etc. are the best of the best. On the lower end of high level players, are the players that have nearly mastered the game. High level players are experts at their character and the game. They've mastered the fundamentals and have little issue performing advanced techniques. Their tech skill is superb. Many high level players are well known in the Smash community and win most of the major tournaments. High level players are some of the best at their characters. Some high level players' grasp of the game is so great that they can play most of the cast against lower level players and win. Whether they main 1 character or 5, the play of high level players can inspire us all. They lead the way in the development of the Smash Bros games' metagames. Their performances carry significant weight in the controversial, tier lists.
This post is long, and I'd like to strengthen these ratings.
If they could be condensed without losing their overall meaning, that'd be great.
It's not possible to create terms or scales that encompass all players precisely; some players may fall between two ratings.
I'd appreciate community input on strengthening these ratings and making them more precise.
Players of a higher rating can compete with or defeat most players of equal or lower levels.
Rating System
0 would represent players that have negligible experience in the game; first-timers, i.e. new players would be rated a 0. These players haven't had the experience or practice to master a game's tech or its characters, especially if they're new to the series as a whole. All the games play differently, so whenever someone plays a new Smash Bros game or a mod, most of the time they'll have a low rating. Some players catch on very quickly, so they may be underrated, but that'll change quickly if they make themselves known to the Smash community via word-of-mouth, YouTube, twitch, etc.
1 would represent low level players. What is a low level player? I'll define low level players as those that ignore technical skill, advance techniques, mind games, spacing, etc., i.e. abilities that are required to become great and win major tournaments. Low level players may be new players that aren't interested in attending tournaments or becoming very good at the game. Players rated 0-2 represent most of the Smash Bros series' sales. Many low level players play just for fun. To low level players, Smash Bros is a party game; they may enjoy items and enable stages that would be banned in a tournament setting.
2 would represent mid-low level players. These players have some grasp of the fundamentals and have made some effort to become good at the game. There is still tons of room for improvement. Mid-low level players play the game at a deeper level than low level players, but they are still lacking in character development, tech skill, etc. Some mid-low level players make the effort to jump to the next level, indicating that they're interested in tournaments and competing against skilled players.
3 would represent middle or medium level players. I consider myself to be in the interval (2, 3]. Medium level players have a few strong suits, but lack of ability or weaknesses in other areas prevent them from competing against higher level players and professionals. I'll use myself as an example. I have low tech skill in Project M; I first started playing this game in Winter 2013, so I'm not a newcomer. I've watched many tournament videos, browse these forums, and play with other players that are medium or mid-high level. I'm aware of the tech, advanced techniques, areas where I could improve, etc. I've got knowledge, but I haven't applied it and struggle against players with greater character mastery, tech skill, fundamentals, etc. I imagine that few players make it beyond medium level play. Some medium level players attend tournaments.
4 would represent mid-high level players. These players are good, yet professional players may whip them. Parts of mid-high level player's game is high-level; the rest is not. The elements of their game/understanding/skill that aren't high level is what prevents them from becoming a household name in the Smash community. Mid-high level players can place well in smaller tournaments and even win them. These players compete in a handful of tournaments and have a solid working knowledge of a game's mechanics, their character, tech, etc. A few of these players go on to become players that we're all familiar with.
5 would represent high level players, which includes all professionals. Professional players such as M2K, Mango, Armada, Ally, etc. are the best of the best. On the lower end of high level players, are the players that have nearly mastered the game. High level players are experts at their character and the game. They've mastered the fundamentals and have little issue performing advanced techniques. Their tech skill is superb. Many high level players are well known in the Smash community and win most of the major tournaments. High level players are some of the best at their characters. Some high level players' grasp of the game is so great that they can play most of the cast against lower level players and win. Whether they main 1 character or 5, the play of high level players can inspire us all. They lead the way in the development of the Smash Bros games' metagames. Their performances carry significant weight in the controversial, tier lists.
This post is long, and I'd like to strengthen these ratings.
If they could be condensed without losing their overall meaning, that'd be great.
