Recently I had the pleasure of introducing my wife to Smash Bros. She has been watching me play since Brawl but has yet to partake. While I assumed that since she knew her way around a controller (enough to play turn-based RPGs) she would be quick to learn the nuances of the game. What we found was that her tendency to mash everything and forget which buttons I'm talking about when I say 'Up-B' to recover led me to start making some suggestions as to which character would better fit her (lack of) playstyle. Since I've also been playing exclusively online (much more potato controls due to latency and Nintendo's poor structure even with good connections), mainlining Smash tournament videos on YouTube, as well as running my schools' Gamer Club, I've seen a number of characters, players, and playstyles. The combined frustrations led me to this: the EASY MODE NEWBIE CHARACTER TIER LIST
The purpose of this list is simple: To provide suggestions of characters for new players to get started in the game without making them toss the controller in the trash, as well as to shame the rest of you for picking stupid easy characters and playing like hot garbage online. As with all tier lists, most of you will take offense at what I've posted so feel free to tell me specifically in what ways I am delusional for putting your
in the 'easy' category when you clearly spent many long hours perfecting your Up-B out of shield, or something about adapting to projectile spam... whatever I wasn't listening.
POTATO - The 'Extra Easy' tier. One-button wonders and die-hards, generally forgiving recoveries for those who are challenged to find the Up-B without looking for it. These are characters that, while they may certainly be deadly in the hands of a technical master, are also slightly-less deadly in the hands of a button masher. Even if you're a pro, nobody is going to be particularly impressed when you win. If your significant other is wondering what all the fuss is about but doesn't play games with action faster than Skyrim, have them pick one of these:




EASY MODE - These characters tend to be high-tier picks that take advantage of the distinct changes to SSBU over previous installments: Quick and nimble; large, disjointed hitboxes; spammable projectiles; etc. The point of 'Easy Mode' isn't that these characters are necessarily less technical, but that even low-tech players can find advantages with boneheaded playstyles. You will definitely need to know how to Up-B and move around the stage, (probably by rolling or air-dodging). If your self esteem is tied intimately to your ability to win games against your 'friends' at all costs, or if you play online smash with items and Smash Balls, these picks are for you:
























RESPECTABLY REGULAR - Regular, everyday, normal mother functions. A mix of good, bad, ugly, with a splash of spectacular. Button mashers will find some difficulty gaining ground, while technical players get the respect they deserve for mastering the ins and outs. A great play with one of these guys or gals as a main gets some attention because you know it took some practice to get right:


































WTF JUST HAPPENED? - Playing these characters means you've spent months in training mode fighting against fated tier list oppression just so you can put the smackdown on that stupid Inkling jerk and have the room pop off afterwards. These characters are harder than most for newbies to grasp but once mastered can and will surprise just about anyone all the way to the blast zone. Yes, Peach and Daisy are here because you try doing top-tier plays by button mashing. Yeah, that's what I thought.













The purpose of this list is simple: To provide suggestions of characters for new players to get started in the game without making them toss the controller in the trash, as well as to shame the rest of you for picking stupid easy characters and playing like hot garbage online. As with all tier lists, most of you will take offense at what I've posted so feel free to tell me specifically in what ways I am delusional for putting your
POTATO - The 'Extra Easy' tier. One-button wonders and die-hards, generally forgiving recoveries for those who are challenged to find the Up-B without looking for it. These are characters that, while they may certainly be deadly in the hands of a technical master, are also slightly-less deadly in the hands of a button masher. Even if you're a pro, nobody is going to be particularly impressed when you win. If your significant other is wondering what all the fuss is about but doesn't play games with action faster than Skyrim, have them pick one of these:
EASY MODE - These characters tend to be high-tier picks that take advantage of the distinct changes to SSBU over previous installments: Quick and nimble; large, disjointed hitboxes; spammable projectiles; etc. The point of 'Easy Mode' isn't that these characters are necessarily less technical, but that even low-tech players can find advantages with boneheaded playstyles. You will definitely need to know how to Up-B and move around the stage, (probably by rolling or air-dodging). If your self esteem is tied intimately to your ability to win games against your 'friends' at all costs, or if you play online smash with items and Smash Balls, these picks are for you:
RESPECTABLY REGULAR - Regular, everyday, normal mother functions. A mix of good, bad, ugly, with a splash of spectacular. Button mashers will find some difficulty gaining ground, while technical players get the respect they deserve for mastering the ins and outs. A great play with one of these guys or gals as a main gets some attention because you know it took some practice to get right:
WTF JUST HAPPENED? - Playing these characters means you've spent months in training mode fighting against fated tier list oppression just so you can put the smackdown on that stupid Inkling jerk and have the room pop off afterwards. These characters are harder than most for newbies to grasp but once mastered can and will surprise just about anyone all the way to the blast zone. Yes, Peach and Daisy are here because you try doing top-tier plays by button mashing. Yeah, that's what I thought.