Change Character Based on Tier

I never even knew about the Tier List till not long ago.

I have researched it, and it's impossible there is NO tire.( Existence of Tiers)

Link, the character I have been using since 64, is second to last on the currently "accepted" tier list. ( Tire List)

Now even if this tier list is "off", it is realistic to think that Link is absolutely in the low Tier.

Though I am quite skillful with Link, I have never really put an effort to play with anyone else, so maybe I could be better with someone else after much much practice.

My questions: Should I change to a high tier character if I want to do better when playing against other people, or do you think the Tier is not big enough to really effect my ability to win (I do play to win)? And do you think Tier is something we should look at when choosing our main character?

Use whoever you want. The tier list isnt a guide for who you should use if you want to win.
I've used Yoshi since SSB64 and Link since Melee, and I do just fine. I dont need to use Meta Knight to win.

No. If you like the playstyle of a character then keep playing it. If you eventually feel limited with that character then you should try out some other characters.

Anyways, if you could stand to play Link in the original and you were good with him. I'm sure you can play SSBB Link.

Oh and offtopic. What is with all the people with those koopa's who were the first boss of paper mario as their avy?

These are the opinions I was expecting. But it's good to hear anyway, I don't think I would ever actually betray Link. Cause I was good with Link even in SSB64.

At least I know MetaKnight is the a high tier... so I'll be fighting against him a lot for practice now.

But just because Meta Knight is high tier doesnt mean all Meta Knights are going to be tough to beat. It just means that if two people are at an equal skill level, Meta Knight is most likely to win. As long as your skill is higher, you're fine

And even with Meta Knight being at the top, if you decide to start playing in tournaments, you will find he will often be banned.

I'd stick to whatever character you enjoy playing. Yes, eventually people get bored of their main, but then you just try out another character for a while, and then you will enjoy your main again, as well as being skillful with 1 or 2 more charcaters.

I main Ike, and yes, I get a little bored sometimes. Hence, I have also learned to play Toon link and Falco, and I am currently working on Marth.

You should main whoever you have the most fun playing as. However, I suggest you start trying out some high/top tier characters to be your secondary characters if you ever want to enter tournaments for money.

Originally Posted by Lord Insizor

I'd stick to whatever character you enjoy playing. Yes, eventually people get bored of their main, but then you just try out another character for a while, and then you will enjoy your main again, as well as being skillful with 1 or 2 more charcaters.

Well, some do, I have played Link since the 64 and never played anyone else... :S.

Originally Posted by Captain TMS

You should main whoever you have the most fun playing as. However, I suggest you start trying out some high/top tier characters to be your secondary characters if you ever want to enter tournaments for money.

So the Tier List does make that much of a difference?

If you use Link, I suggest switching to Toon Link. There's not much change in style and he's a lot faster.

Tiers exist, there is no doubt there, but there are different styles of play that can alter the of a tier list.

What I've found is that being a low tier character main and trying to switch to a high tier is a long painful process (e.g. I cant use meta knight for my life, and I have tried). That's why if your character has a higher tier clone I'd say use that, but otherwise stick with what you've got.

If you use Link, I suggest switching to Toon Link. There's not much change in style and he's a lot faster.

I disagree. TLink can't do a DACUS. And a big part of Link's strategy is the SH-Z attack. Whereas TLink uses a lot of BAir.

Originally Posted by Sign of Madness

I disagree. TLink can't do a DACUS. And a big part of Link's strategy is the SH-Z attack. Whereas TLink uses a lot of BAir.

Man, ok, I do pretty well in Brawl, but I have never herd of a DACUS until now, and looked it up... that is awesome! I didn't know you could cancel a dash attack.

I'll be looking for more of these tricks, this will improve my game big time. Anyway recommended FAQs or guides for more of these tricks?

Smash World Forums

That is pretty much the best Smash site out there. Just hop into the character forums and go into Link and watch some videos or read some guides.

Here is the link to.. well... Link

Smash Character Discussion - Link

If tier lists were all that matters, I'd only ever lose to the people who use the characters that are higher in the tier list.

Basic tier lists are formed by creating 1v1 lvl 9 cpu matches and running a certain number of them and then formulating brackets based on win/loss ratio in certain character matchups, actual human usage factors in after the fact, and that is what causes the tier lists to be edited.

Eventually it will be somewhat set in stone, but honestly, personal skill matters more than what character you play.
Granted using someone like Snake guarantees a good chance at victory simply because some of the top few characters are ridiculous in their power. MK is an exception however, since he isn't a jump in and rock everyone else character.

I wish tiers mattered, but in the end it is all simply meta game theory, none of that really matters in an actual fight.

I find Tiers to be based by a set of things.

* Tournament statistics and therefore;
* Metagame
* Personal opinion from the creators of it (no person is totally indifferent)
* Matchups
* Playstyle
* And, statistics.
* (oh yeah something else)

This means, by the perspective of two characters, Meta Knight and Pokémon trainer:

* More people main Metaknight over Pokémon trainer. This brings forth the
* Metagame in Metaknight's favor. This means AT's get easier and more often discovered with MK.
* Some people, I believe, either overestimate or underestimate Pokémon trainer. This can affect the position as it's still very debated.
* Meta Knight has amazing matchups against almost every character in the game. Pokémon trainer doesn't.
* Playstyle? Metaknight can play both a defensive, offensive and gimping playstyle. It's more limited for Pokémon trainer, despite his three choices.
* Statistics is raw data in good moves, damage, weight, and such. MK has, by numbers, a better chance than PT.


I feel these points affect tier lists to the greater extent. There are no even characters.

I have come to look at tiers as simply... an advantage like in any other game.

For example, you have two soccer teams going head to head. Team A is better skilled and ready then Team B. In a soccer game the rules are equal for each side, everything should be fair, right? But no, there some variables. Let's say the sun if behind Team B, so that Team A has it in their eyes. That's a small advantage for Team B... does it mean they are going to win? If Team A has enough skill and gives it their all, chances are a little sun will not keep them from winning, and in no way ensure their failure.

Same with Tiers, they are basically and "advantage" one player may have. Having the sun behind them, having the wind in their favor, wearing green clothes that blend in with the grass or that causes like aerodynamic friction. But in the end, even though those advantages (Tiers) may have have an impact on the game, they can be overcome with skill and practice of the one in disadvantage.

Tiers are really stating what is true in the game. Ken was a amazingly great player in Melee and used Marth, who is currently tied for the highest tier. Metaknight is used by someone that is belived to be the best in Brawl (can't think of name right now lol).

This is pro stuff, now if you want to have fun pick whoever you want, but if are playing seriously play with whom you are good with. DEFINATELY look at the tier list before choosing mains. You need to just play with every character until you find a good main, with who you have the highest winning percentage. Do Random versus Random fights with a friend, I thin kthat is one of the best ways to figure out your best. (Not saying make a huge survey on this with statistics and percentages, just try to keep a mental tally )

Originally Posted by Sign of Madness

I disagree. TLink can't do a DACUS. And a big part of Link's strategy is the SH-Z attack. Whereas TLink uses a lot of BAir.

SH-Z? For those of us who just play like normal people this would be?

Anyways, I have never seen any use DACUS in a fight. Perhaps people do in tournaments, but I haven't seen it anywhere but youtube.

Also, you can use any character anyway you like. I rarely find myself using BAir despite being a Toon Link main. Ok, maybe rarely isn't the right word, it's just not as common as side smash or down air.

What I really meant is that Toon Link has the same basic moveset as Link.

Originally Posted by Tally-chan

SH-Z? For those of us who just play like normal people this would be?

Anyways, I have never seen any use DACUS in a fight. Perhaps people do in tournaments, but I haven't seen it anywhere but youtube.

Also, you can use any character anyway you like. I rarely find myself using BAir despite being a Toon Link main. Ok, maybe rarely isn't the right word, it's just not as common as side smash or down air.

What I really meant is that Toon Link has the same basic moveset as Link.

This is true... though if you really are playing to win (if your in tournaments, or have a really big ego, like I do with SSBB) there are some little techniques that may be helpful, even if it's hard to get used to.

For example, with Link I ALWAYS roll dodge and rarely spot dodge (Sh-down) or power shield (Sh exacly when attached). But I recently learned that Link's roll dodge is quite laggy and a player can be more effective if he/she learns the other dodges. It's a very very very hard habit to change... but I know once I do, it'll work better for me.

But there is definitely a lot of personal style too. In some Link guides, people don't recommend using the gale boomerang much, but it's one of my primary weapons for starting combos... and works fine for me!

So there really is a balance to be found between doing your own thing, and learning the tricks of the trade.

SH-Z? For those of us who just play like normal people this would be?

For people who play on a gamecube controller. It stands for Short Hop to Z attack. Which is that claw shot attack. It comes out fast. Hits twice for a total of 10 damage. And has great range.

Also, you can use any character anyway you like. I rarely find myself using BAir despite being a Toon Link main. Ok, maybe rarely isn't the right word, it's just not as common as side smash or down air.

His BAir is best for his version of the WoP. Has pretty good range. And is pretty dificult to punish.

The DACUS is pretty situational for most people except Snake. But it is definitly worth learning.

Originally Posted by Sign of Madness

For people who play on a gamecube controller. It stands for Short Hop to Z attack. Which is that claw shot attack. It comes out fast. Hits twice for a total of 10 damage. And has great range.

I've been working on that one. I never was a big user of short hops... but now that I've seen some youtube videos and stuff... I see the benefits.

That and spot dodging instead of roll dodging every 2 seconds. But braking habits truly is harder than making them. It really sucks.