You kind of explained why I'm not too fond of swords toward the end there a little bit.
Yes, most of the swordfighters play nothing like each other, but the specials are usually what really make them play different. Take those away and then you really do have a certain type of character who plays very similar to anyone else with the same weapon That problem exists with characters who fight with their hands and feet too, but it's not nearly as bad. Punches, chops, slaps, kicks, and leg sweeps offer more variety than swinging a sword a certain direction.
I just want more swordfighters handled like Corrin, where both the specials and the standard moves are really unique compared to the rest of the cast.
I still have to disagree. There are waaaaay more differences between the characters than just the specials, especially when it comes to the Fire Emblem characters.
For example, an easy one is Marth vs. Lucina, or Roy vs. Chrom. The first of both pairs has a specific gimmick with the tip and hilt of their swords specifically. If Marth spaces their opponent correctly, the player can KO the opponent early with a tipper smash. Lucina does not have this gimmick, and the trade off is that she can more liberally throw out attack rather than fishing for a tipper.
Roy has plenty of power, and because he deals more damage and knockback if he strikes at close range, it's effective if one plays aggressively. Chrom doesn't have this gimmick, so he can deal damage in any way he pleases, while also maintaining aggressive play.
Ike is his own man, with his dtilt really only similar to Corrin, and combo capability. Otherwise, he's entirely unique in the way he plays.
Simply focusing on the weapon, and not
how the moves are used, is effectively a surface level assessment of the character. It's a valid criticism, but it's surface level and no deeper. They're all unique from one another, regardless of the weapon they use. Their attacks have different knockback, effects, strengths, weaknesses, speeds, etc...
Can we argue our points for our positions, while not dismissing someone else's? Yes, to a hardcore Smash player who can use terms like "forward smash" and "back aerial", you can notice the nuance in the sword characters. But to a casual player, who has no experience with the character previously, they become essentially interchangeable. I can't tell most FH characters apart, despite having as much exposure to them now as I have.
That being said, I would agree that people shouldn't be *surprised* at more sword characters. Swordfighter is one of three character classes represented by the Mii Fighters, and invariably future characters are going to fall into one of those categories. The onus is on the game devs to make them as unique as possible, and it's perfectly okay for people to say, for them personally, that hasn't been the case with many sword characters and have become ambivalent to them in the process.
I don't entirely disagree with you. But again, if the assessment is that sword users all "look" or "play the same" that is a surface level assessment. It's a valid surface level assessment, but no deeper.
There is more than meets the eye to each character, in ways than more than the attacks they use. I used to also view characters as, "Wow, they fight the same way. How lame!". But to
truly succeed with the character, you have to know what their strengths are, as well as their weaknesses.
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I'm finding the "animu swordfighter" argument is effectively judging the book by its cover, but it's by the weapon. I'm actually entirely for new, interesting weapons for characters to use, but the most likely Nintendo candidate for that is...Fire Emblem. Byleth uses a weapon that is entirely unique from any of the sword users in Smash, as he could easily be a mix of Sword-using Belmont, but then you have Edelgard with an Axe, Dimitri with a Lance, and Claude with a Bow and Arrow. Zacian from Pokemon is another option, but I don't know any of his abilities other than it being a doggo with sword.
biting the dust 100%, just me tho
