Unsportsmanlike or just good strategy?

[Cygnus_X-1]

So I was wondering, in tournaments, is it seen as unsportsmanlike to counterpick your opponents main during the first game of a match?

For example, you're a Marth main who is playing Armada, who of course is going to use Peach. Is there any stigma around playing as a character that counters peach in the first match instead of your main to gain the matchup advantage against him?

This would be a smart choice on your part, but also a total **** move imo.

 

[Kati]

Play to win. There is no obligation for a player to stick with a character. M2k will pick Peach upon seeing Ice Climbers and no one gives him a hard time for it.

 

[unrendered]

Play to win. There is no obligation for a player to stick with a character. M2k will pick Peach upon seeing Ice Climbers and no one gives him a hard time for it.

There has been some complaining about it. But generally no, I think you should play the char that you have the best chance winning on.

 

[popsofctown]

It would be unsportsmanlike not to try your hardest to win.

Like picking Pichu, that's unsportsmanlike. Counterpicking is the opposite of that.

 

[Gea]

It's your tiny advantage for knowing who they play. If you can juggle multiple characters and beat their main, you deserve it. They can always request a double blind pick.

 

[Altanic]

I don't see how that's a **** move... That's just smart decision making. Why wouldn't you choose a counter if you're playing to win? It'd be more unsportsmanlike to rub it in their face after or something. If you're just being strategic than there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[JohnnyDelMidwest]

This is going to be extremely unpopular, but the point of competitive play is to win. If you have to camp in order to win, do it. If you have to spam in order to win, do it. When there's a prize at stake, you have to do whatever you can to increase your odds of winning (however if there isn't a prize there's no need to be a douche)

BTW, if you're wondering where this philosophy comes from, it'd be useful for you to know that I'm a Survivor fan. In Survivor, you are supposed to do whatever it takes to win and disregard what is right and what is wrong. I think Smash should be played the same way.