21 votes

Smash Bros. Ultimate looks amazing. Who are you guys going to main?

Well, of who we know will be in the game so far. I'm maining Pichu because it would be super hype if it won a match.

41 comments

  1. [7]
    balooga
    Link
    Alright folks, win me over. I think the only Smash Bros game I've ever played was Brawl. Possibly Melee once, too. Only a couple rounds each time, and always with super competitive friends who...

    Alright folks, win me over. I think the only Smash Bros game I've ever played was Brawl. Possibly Melee once, too. Only a couple rounds each time, and always with super competitive friends who didn't make much effort to show me anything more than pity. I don't even really get the concept of the battle, I guess you're trying to knock the other players off the level instead of just getting their damage up to 100%? But they can fly back after you knock them off? And the damage can actually go up to 200% or 300% or something, but nobody dies? I was completely bewildered by what I was supposed to be doing.

    Anyway, I like all the characters and stuff, and I have a Switch. So sell me on this game.

    5 votes
    1. [6]
      Emerald_Knight
      Link Parent
      Since no one has replied: You don't have health in these games. That percentage should be thought of not as damage, but as a multiplier for knockback that increases as you're damaged. In other...

      Since no one has replied:

      • You don't have health in these games. That percentage should be thought of not as damage, but as a multiplier for knockback that increases as you're damaged. In other words, the higher the percentage, the farther you'll fly when you get hit.
      • You die when you get knocked out of the arena, which occurs if you fall too far out of bounds in any of the four cardinal directions (even upwards). So the goal isn't to deplete your opponent's health, but to knock them out of the arena, which gets easier the more you damage them.
      • You can indeed fly back toward the stage after being knocked away from it, as long as you weren't knocked too far out of bounds. Some of the strategy involves knowing which characters are lighter and which are heavier--weight making it more difficult to get knocked flying, but also more difficult to get back to the stage if you do get knocked off.
      • Depending on the game mode, you're either trying to get the most arena knockouts or you're trying to be the last person standing, so sometimes knockouts aren't really your goal but avoiding being knocked out is.

      So, those are the rules. The real fun comes after you get used to the game a bit, because then you start trying to find advantageous ground, race toward advantageous items before your opponents get them (poke balls are often incredibly powerful and it sucks when your opponent snags a good one), time your attacks just right to deliver that sweet combo, and get into large brawls with two or three other people trying to get some well-placed hits and dodges in and hopefully not getting slapped around like a punching bag. Sometimes your friends get so busy brawling each other that you can snag a rocket launcher or hammer and send them scrambling away.

      Honestly, words don't really do it justice and one or two games won't really get you into it. You've just gotta play it :)

      7 votes
      1. [5]
        balooga
        Link Parent
        Thanks for the breakdown, that actually helps a lot!

        Thanks for the breakdown, that actually helps a lot!

        1. [4]
          PahoojyMan
          Link Parent
          A couple of additions: Different attacks deal damage and knockback to varying degrees. So you might have a high damage attack that doesn't knock the opponent back and vice-versa. Depending on...

          A couple of additions:

          • Different attacks deal damage and knockback to varying degrees. So you might have a high damage attack that doesn't knock the opponent back and vice-versa. Depending on their current damage level, and position on the map you may want to focus more on one aspect.

          • Because of this, 100% damage is a good baseline for when someone can reasonably be expected to be launched off the screen. But landing in a high-knockback (smash) attack early on may get you the early kill, or you may find that you can only land quick, damage-dealing attacks against a good player, so their damage trickles over 200%. It also adds to the tension when you are sent flying off stage, there is always that chance you might recover, depending on the clean-ness and angle of the hit.

          • The roster is large, and the playstyles that accompany can vary wildly. As mentioned above, you have heavier and lighter characters, but also melee and ranged-focused characters, defensive and offensive-focused characters, and all those in-between. You're bound to find someone you enjoy playing as (iconic characters help too).

          • There are many options to tailor the fight to what you want. Get rid of items to eliminate that random element, restrict levels to simple, flat surfaces and you can focus on raw skill. Or choose only the most destructive items, or play on a moving stage that has you running from the edges for a more casual party mode. There is a lot of control over how much of the random element you want in your game.

          To get the most out of the game, it really helps to play local multiplayer, and with people that are after the same experience as you (serious vs relaxed). But you can throw in a bunch of people with varying skill levels, amp up the randomness with items and crazy levels, and it's anyone's game.

          3 votes
          1. [3]
            balooga
            Link Parent
            It’s sounding like a richer game experience than I realized, no wonder it’s so popular. I may pick the new one up. Is the single-player mode usually worth anyone’s time?

            It’s sounding like a richer game experience than I realized, no wonder it’s so popular. I may pick the new one up. Is the single-player mode usually worth anyone’s time?

            1. DrTacoMD
              Link Parent
              Depends on the version. Brawl (Wii) in particular had a really expansive single player campaign, but they moved away from it in Sm4sh (3DS+WiiU). No word yet on what Ultimate will feature, but I'd...

              Depends on the version. Brawl (Wii) in particular had a really expansive single player campaign, but they moved away from it in Sm4sh (3DS+WiiU). No word yet on what Ultimate will feature, but I'd love something more substantial than the barebones modes we saw last.

              1 vote
            2. PahoojyMan
              Link Parent
              The single-player experience has varied from game to game (fingers crossed they nail it with Ultimate, there's no details out yet). There's a standard classic/arcade mode, random fight after fight...

              The single-player experience has varied from game to game (fingers crossed they nail it with Ultimate, there's no details out yet).

              There's a standard classic/arcade mode, random fight after fight until you reach the boss, with some modifiers to fights (fight a giant enemy, fight a horde of mini enemies etc. and minigames in between.

              The minigames can be played as a standalone to practice and go for the record, with additional games not encountered in classic mode.

              Event Match is like a mission mode, where you need to play with strange conditions and win requirements.

              The last mode has varied the most between games, from a simpler adventure in Melee to a loooong story mode in Brawl.

              Worst case scenario, there will be online multiplayer if you don't end up enjoying the solo gameplay much.

              1 vote
  2. [2]
    DrTacoMD
    Link
    Snake? Snake? SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!

    Snake? Snake?

    SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!

    4 votes
    1. LetsTalkAboutDnD
      Link Parent
      You better believe it! "Colonel, it's me! I'm fighting myself!"

      You better believe it!

      "Colonel, it's me! I'm fighting myself!"

      1 vote
  3. [3]
    TreeBone
    Link
    I main Samus now, it I saw her hit Ridley with an UpSmash and all of the hits actually connected, so that's cool. Also she can charge charge shot in the air, so that's a definite plus. I'm excited...

    I main Samus now, it I saw her hit Ridley with an UpSmash and all of the hits actually connected, so that's cool. Also she can charge charge shot in the air, so that's a definite plus. I'm excited to try her out. Definitely going to stay a Samus main.

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      panic
      Link Parent
      I main Samus in Melee, but in Brawl and Sm4sh she feels so weak, I had to switch away. I'm looking forward to giving her a try in Ultimate!

      I main Samus in Melee, but in Brawl and Sm4sh she feels so weak, I had to switch away. I'm looking forward to giving her a try in Ultimate!

      1. TreeBone
        Link Parent
        I have a love/hate relationship with her in smash 4. Getting a sick bomb combo or a tricky setup feels amazing but then I'll get hit between jab 1 and 2 and it makes me cry.

        I have a love/hate relationship with her in smash 4. Getting a sick bomb combo or a tricky setup feels amazing but then I'll get hit between jab 1 and 2 and it makes me cry.

  4. [3]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [2]
      PahoojyMan
      Link Parent
      I'm really interested to see how they've translated the ink-recharging across to Smash. Hopefully it doesn't spoil the flow. Also, play Splatoon already, they're both fantastic games. A real novel...

      I'm really interested to see how they've translated the ink-recharging across to Smash. Hopefully it doesn't spoil the flow.

      Also, play Splatoon already, they're both fantastic games. A real novel take on the over-saturated shooter genre.

      1 vote
  5. PapaNachos
    Link
    Zero Suit Samus is where it's at, but the changes to dodging may make it hard to play really light characters. So I might need to branch out.

    Zero Suit Samus is where it's at, but the changes to dodging may make it hard to play really light characters. So I might need to branch out.

    2 votes
  6. burntcookie90
    Link
    The answer is always falcon

    The answer is always falcon

    2 votes
  7. [3]
    Raven
    Link
    I always main Ganondorf through the series. He's heavy and if you get the timing of his lumbering slowness down you can annihilate.

    I always main Ganondorf through the series. He's heavy and if you get the timing of his lumbering slowness down you can annihilate.

    2 votes
    1. PahoojyMan
      Link Parent
      Such a frustrating character when you can't get a good hit in. But so damn satisfying when you choreograph a punch for an eternity and see it land.

      Such a frustrating character when you can't get a good hit in. But so damn satisfying when you choreograph a punch for an eternity and see it land.

    2. burntcookie90
      Link Parent
      ganon in PM is ultimate ganon, and it makes me sad I'll never get that again.

      ganon in PM is ultimate ganon, and it makes me sad I'll never get that again.

  8. hutty
    Link
    Waluigi and I refuse to play until they add him. (wolf gets 2nd place)

    Waluigi and I refuse to play until they add him.
    (wolf gets 2nd place)

    2 votes
  9. clerical_terrors
    Link
    Yo they actually confirmed Ridley, I need that cash to get a Switch now

    Yo they actually confirmed Ridley, I need that cash to get a Switch now

    1 vote
  10. [5]
    TrialAndFailure
    Link
    Long live the Pichu Master Race!

    Long live the Pichu Master Race!

    1 vote
    1. [4]
      Chopincakes
      Link Parent
      I don't get it though-- what is the benefit of Pichu over Pikachu?

      I don't get it though-- what is the benefit of Pichu over Pikachu?

      1. [2]
        TrialAndFailure
        Link Parent
        Benefits of Pichu: It's adorable. It's more adorable than Pikachu. It's less unadorable than Pikachu.

        Benefits of Pichu:

        1. It's adorable.
        2. It's more adorable than Pikachu.
        3. It's less unadorable than Pikachu.
        3 votes
        1. Icecapman10
          Link Parent
          Literally makes him the best character automatically

          Literally makes him the best character automatically

          1 vote
      2. atta
        Link Parent
        Probably nothing. Liking Pichu in Smash Bros is kind of a meme.

        Probably nothing. Liking Pichu in Smash Bros is kind of a meme.

        2 votes
  11. elf
    Link
    I've loved Mr. Game & Watch since melee. KOing someone with the 9 hammer is hilarious. Plus you get to make it rain bacon.

    I've loved Mr. Game & Watch since melee. KOing someone with the 9 hammer is hilarious. Plus you get to make it rain bacon.

    1 vote
  12. SaucedButLeaking
    Link
    I've been a Peach main since '07 and am super stoked that they're making my customary Daisy costume a legit reskin. Hopefully she doesn't suck like she did in sm4sh. Project M and now Legacy XP...

    I've been a Peach main since '07 and am super stoked that they're making my customary Daisy costume a legit reskin. Hopefully she doesn't suck like she did in sm4sh.

    Project M and now Legacy XP have spoiled me, I guess

    1 vote
  13. emnii
    Link
    I haven't played a Smash Bros. since Melee, but I always played Samus and I see no reason to stop now.

    I haven't played a Smash Bros. since Melee, but I always played Samus and I see no reason to stop now.

    1 vote
  14. crim001
    Link
    I don't know who I'm going to stick with, but it looks great. I can't wait for xmas.

    I don't know who I'm going to stick with, but it looks great. I can't wait for xmas.

    1 vote
  15. PahoojyMan
    Link
    I was managing my expectations of Ryu making the transition over to Ultimate, but I've been happily surprised. Previously I'd float between Samus and DK. I like storing a charged attack to unleash...

    I was managing my expectations of Ryu making the transition over to Ultimate, but I've been happily surprised.

    Previously I'd float between Samus and DK. I like storing a charged attack to unleash at the opportune moment. And mixing up between a heavy and light character kept it interesting.

    1 vote
  16. Chopincakes
    Link
    I'm all about that Toon Link. Just so spammy and people ignore you until it's too late.

    I'm all about that Toon Link. Just so spammy and people ignore you until it's too late.

    1 vote
  17. Axelia
    Link
    I've never been a huge competitive player and didn't play the Wii U or 3DS versions of the game, but I used to play a lot of Kirby and Ike in Melee and Brawl if I remember right.

    I've never been a huge competitive player and didn't play the Wii U or 3DS versions of the game, but I used to play a lot of Kirby and Ike in Melee and Brawl if I remember right.

    1 vote
  18. Makkiux
    Link
    Toon Link; he's so good at keeping distance with dynamic ranged attacks while chipping damage then finishing with air melees or smashes.

    Toon Link; he's so good at keeping distance with dynamic ranged attacks while chipping damage then finishing with air melees or smashes.

    1 vote
  19. [2]
    TheFaised
    Link
    All these casuals lul; I'll try Pit and if he's not top tier ill just play Sheik

    All these casuals lul; I'll try Pit and if he's not top tier ill just play Sheik

    1 vote
  20. ThirdSquid
    Link
    I'm probably going back to young link. I'm really hoping his final smash is something from majora's mask. Maybe fierce diety mask?

    I'm probably going back to young link. I'm really hoping his final smash is something from majora's mask. Maybe fierce diety mask?

    1 vote
  21. Kernal
    Link
    From what I can tell, they didn't mess with my Smash 4 main (Corrin), too much, so I'll keep maining her. I'm interested in seeing how the Inklings play, so I'll probably end up pocketing them if...

    From what I can tell, they didn't mess with my Smash 4 main (Corrin), too much, so I'll keep maining her. I'm interested in seeing how the Inklings play, so I'll probably end up pocketing them if I like them.

    1 vote
  22. mathbound314
    Link
    Luigi. He looks hilarious in the trailer

    Luigi. He looks hilarious in the trailer

  23. [2]
    acr
    Link
    I don't really play video games. What all can you do with the switch? Can you play stuff online? Is this Smash Bros game going like a couch co op? I'd love to play, but wouldn't have anyone to...

    I don't really play video games. What all can you do with the switch? Can you play stuff online? Is this Smash Bros game going like a couch co op? I'd love to play, but wouldn't have anyone to play with. The developers were bringing their switches in for a while and playing on the conference room tv. Those switches are pretty neat. I loved the 64 Smash Bros so much. It's all I have played so I can't tell you what my main would be. Probably Star Fox or Kirby. I don't know who all is there now. I think Snake from Metal Gear? Is he any good?

    Edit https://gamerant.com/smash-bros-ultimate-online-multiplayer/

    1. Axelia
      Link Parent
      The Switch is pretty awesome, generally you can play games online or in local co-op. I haven't been following this new announcement closely enough to say for certain whether or not it will have...

      The Switch is pretty awesome, generally you can play games online or in local co-op. I haven't been following this new announcement closely enough to say for certain whether or not it will have online play (though I think it should... Mario Kart did...).