How to Unlock Characters Fast in Smash: A Veteran’s Guide

So, you’re itching to brawl with every fighter in Super Smash Bros., but that initial roster looks a little…sparse? Don’t worry; I’ve been there. Unlocking characters in Smash can feel like a marathon, but with the right strategy, you can significantly speed up the process. The fastest way to unlock characters is to utilize the “one stock, no time limit” method in World of Light. This guarantees a new challenger fight after each match. Alternatively, triggering challenger fights via VS mode on the “smallest legal stage” and restarting the game to shorten the wait time between them will greatly increase your unlocking speeds.

Understanding the Unlocking Mechanics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand how character unlocks work. While the specifics vary slightly between Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS, and older titles, the core principles remain similar:

• Challenger Approaching! The most common method involves defeating newly spawned characters after completing a set of battles. These “Challenger Approaching!” scenarios are triggered in various ways.
• World of Light (Ultimate): This Adventure Mode offers a structured way to unlock characters. While not always the fastest, it guarantees unlocks as you progress.
• Classic Mode (Ultimate): Completing Classic Mode with different characters unlocks specific fighters.
• Smash Mode (All Games): Playing standard Smash matches triggers challenger fights based on conditions like play time or total matches played.

The Fastest Method: The One-Stock World of Light Trick (Ultimate)

This is the undisputed champion of speed unlocking in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Here’s how it works:

1. Start a new file in World of Light. Yes, you’ll need to start a new save file. This is crucial for maximizing your unlocks.
2. Play through the initial World of Light sections. You can’t exploit this method without clearing a few stages with Kirby.
3. Once you unlock at least one new fighter, use the exploit. Set up your matches with one stock and no time limit on the easiest difficulty.
4. Defeat your opponents and a challenger will appear. Each Challenger should spawn shortly after the match is over.
5. Lose to the challenger on purpose. Yes, you read that right. Losing is faster than winning in this method.
6. Close the application, and start it up again. This will put you back on the main menu.
7. Play another match in World of Light with one stock. Set up your matches with one stock and no time limit on the easiest difficulty.
8. Rinse and repeat steps 4-6 until you have unlocked all the base characters.

Why Does This Work?

The game has an internal “unlock timer.” Playing through World of Light and losing the Challenger fight will satisfy that condition faster than any other game mode. The reboot is what resets the timer, allowing you to trigger a new Challenger faster. This is the absolute fastest method, and it’s how many competitive players unlocked the entire roster early on.

Alternative Method: Smash Mode Restart (Ultimate)

If World of Light isn’t your jam, this method is a close second:

1. Choose VS. Mode. Set up a match with one stock, no time limit, and the smallest legal stage. Final Destination versions are often ideal.
2. Play a quick match. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.
3. A Challenger Approaching! screen will appear.
4. If you win, you’re done.
5. If you lose to the Challenger, close the game and restart it. This resets the waiting period to spawn more fighters.
6. Repeat steps 1-5.

A Note on Patience

Even with these methods, unlocking all the characters takes time. Be prepared to invest several hours. Think of it as a fun mini-game within the game!

Unlocking in Older Smash Titles

While the above methods primarily apply to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, here’s a general guide for older games:

• Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS: Play Smash matches, clear Classic Mode, and complete challenges in the single-player modes. Look up the specifics for each character online, as unlock requirements vary.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Play the Subspace Emissary mode and complete specific challenges. This game has the most lengthy unlock process.
• Super Smash Bros. Melee: Play a certain number of VS. matches, complete Classic Mode, and fulfill character-specific requirements. This game has the most stringent unlock requirements.
• Super Smash Bros. (N64): Beat Classic Mode and fulfill certain requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does the difficulty setting affect character unlocks?

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, no, difficulty does not influence Challenger frequency. Focus on speed and efficiency.

2. Does playing with specific characters increase my chances of unlocking certain fighters?

No, the character you play as does not influence who you unlock.

3. Is there a limit to how many characters I can unlock in a single session?

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, there is a cool down period after consecutive losses. Closing the game and restarting it will reset this cool down and unlock more fighters at a faster rate.

4. What’s the deal with the “Gourmet Race” trick in Super Smash Bros. Melee for unlocking Ness?

For Super Smash Bros. Melee, you must complete Gourmet Race in under a certain time limit in order to unlock Ness.

5. Do I have to beat Classic Mode with every character to unlock everyone?

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, no. Classic Mode unlocks some characters.

6. Can I unlock characters in Training Mode?

No. Training mode is for practicing, not unlocking. You need to be in VS. Mode or World of Light.

7. What’s the best stage for triggering challenger fights in VS mode?

The smallest stage available will help you beat characters at a fast rate. This allows you to engage in more Challenger fights.

8. Can I use Amiibo to unlock characters?

No. Amiibo can train alongside you in matches and unlock in-game benefits, but will not unlock any characters.

9. Are there any cheat codes to unlock characters?

No. There are no cheat codes that can unlock characters in Super Smash Bros.

10. Is there a way to see which characters I haven’t unlocked yet?

Yes, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has an icon grid, but it may not show you everyone you haven’t unlocked.

11. What do I do if I keep losing to the challenger?

Practice! Study the characters movesets in training mode, and make sure to select a character that benefits your unique playstyle.

12. Does Super Smash Bros. Ultimate have an unlockable character roster different in each version of the game?

No. There is no unlockable character roster that differs between the base and downloaded versions of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

13. Does the number of players involved in a VS match affect the character unlock rate?

No. There is no change in the character unlock rate based on the number of players involved.

14. How important is the Spirit Board in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for character unlocks?

The Spirit Board doesn’t directly unlock characters, but it’s important for powering up existing fighters. Character unlocks are independent.

15. Where can I learn more about the history of Super Smash Bros. and its impact on game design?

Check out the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for resources and discussions on the educational and cultural significance of games, including Super Smash Bros. You can find resources for game history, game design, and game impact on society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Unlocking characters in Smash is a rite of passage. While it can be a grind, these methods will significantly speed up the process. Remember, patience is key, and most importantly, have fun experimenting with new fighters as you unlock them! Now go forth and conquer the Smash universe!