The Ultimate Showdown: Unveiling the Strongest Move in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The age-old question in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate echoes through the online forums and heated local tournaments: “What is the strongest move in the game?” The answer, however, isn’t as straightforward as slamming a fully charged F-Smash. It’s a complex equation involving damage output, utility, frame data, character matchup relevance, and risk/reward assessment.

There is no single, universally agreed-upon “best” move. That being said, after weighing all these factors, the argument can be made that Ike’s Neutral Air (Nair) is the strongest move in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Why Ike’s Neutral Air Reigns Supreme

Ike’s Nair boasts an impressive combination of factors that elevate it above the competition:

• Speed and Frame Data: Despite Ike’s reputation for being slow, his Nair comes out relatively quickly, making it a viable option for interrupting opponents and controlling space. It’s not the fastest in the game, but it’s fast enough to be surprisingly effective.
• Range and Coverage: The sword swing provides excellent coverage around Ike, hitting opponents above, below, and to the sides. This makes it a versatile move for approaching, retreating, and punishing mistakes.
• Damage and Knockback: Nair deals a substantial amount of damage and can effectively knock opponents away, setting up for edge-guarding opportunities or stage control.
• Safety on Shield: While not entirely safe, Ike’s Nair is relatively safe on shield, especially when spaced correctly. This allows Ike to apply pressure without being severely punished.
• Versatility: It functions as a decent out-of-shield option, a spacing tool, an aerial approach, a combo breaker, and even a semi-spike when used near the ledge.

While other moves may be stronger in specific situations, Ike’s Nair’s overall utility, reliability, and effectiveness across various scenarios make it a top contender for the strongest move in the game.

The Contenders: Other Moves Worthy of Consideration

While Ike’s Nair is a strong candidate, several other moves deserve an honorable mention:

• Pikachu’s Thunder Jolt: Excellent for edge guarding and controlling neutral game. The projectiles’ speed and trajectory are tough to deal with.
• Joker’s Arsene Specials: When Arsene is active, Joker’s specials are incredibly powerful and can turn the tide of a match instantly.
• Steve’s Forward Air: Safe on shield, hits multiple times, and is effective for edge guarding. It’s a versatile tool in Steve’s already powerful kit.
• Sephiroth’s Gigaflare: While punishable, Gigaflare is a devastating move that can cover a huge area and deal massive damage.

The Nuances of “Strongest”

Ultimately, the concept of the “strongest move” is subjective. The best move in the game depends heavily on the player’s style, the character they are playing, and the matchup they are in. What works for one player might not work for another.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about strong moves and characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate:

1. Who is considered the strongest character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?

While tier lists are subjective and constantly evolving, Pikachu is often considered one of the strongest characters in the game due to his excellent mobility, edge-guarding capabilities, and overall versatility. Other top-tier characters include Joker, Steve, and Roy.

2. Which Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character does the most damage in one hit?

With the right setup, Sephiroth can potentially deal an absurd amount of damage (over 59,000%) in one hit using a glitch. However, in regular gameplay, characters with powerful smash attacks like Ganondorf and Bowser can deal significant damage with single hits.

3. What is the most overpowered character in Super Smash Bros. in the entire series?

Each game in the Super Smash Bros. series has its share of characters deemed “overpowered.” In Smash 64, it was Pikachu. In Melee, it was Fox. Brawl had Meta Knight, and Smash 4 saw Bayonetta rise to dominance.

4. Who are the “Five Gods” of Super Smash Bros. Melee?

The “Five Gods” are five players who dominated the competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee scene for many years: Armada, Hungrybox, Mango, Mew2King, and PPMD. Their skill and dominance are legendary within the Melee community.

5. Which character is easiest to learn in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?

Mario, Captain Falcon, and Ganondorf are often recommended as beginner-friendly characters due to their straightforward movesets and balanced gameplay. These characters allow new players to grasp the basics of movement, attacking, and recovery.

6. What does “frame data” mean, and why is it important?

Frame data refers to the specific timing of each move, measured in frames (1/60th of a second). Understanding frame data allows players to know how quickly a move comes out, how long it lasts, and how vulnerable they are during its execution. It’s crucial for advanced players to understand frame data in order to optimize their gameplay.

7. Why is Steve such a strong character in Smash Ultimate?

Steve’s strength lies in his ability to create platforms and walls with his Mine/Craft/Create Block. This grants him incredible stage control, recovery options, and gimping potential. His unique mechanics and adaptability make him a formidable opponent.

8. What’s the maximum amount of damage a character can take in Smash Bros.?

The maximum damage percentage in Super Smash Bros. is 999%. While reaching this number doesn’t automatically KO a character, it significantly increases their knockback, making them much more vulnerable.

9. Why is Fox considered “broken” in Super Smash Bros. Melee?

In Melee, Fox received substantial buffs that made him incredibly fast, powerful, and versatile. His moves, particularly his shine, were considered overpowered due to their speed, utility, and ability to lead into devastating combos.

10. How much does it cost to play in professional Super Smash Bros. tournaments?

Entrance fees for Super Smash Bros. tournaments vary widely, from small local events charging a few dollars to major national tournaments costing upwards of $50 or more. Players often have to pay separate fees for venue access and individual events (e.g., singles, doubles).

11. How can I improve my Super Smash Bros. Ultimate skills?

Improving in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate requires practice, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Some tips include:

• Mastering basic movement and techniques: Short hopping, fast falling, shielding, and dodging are essential.
• Learning your character’s moveset and combos: Experiment with different moves and find combinations that work for your playstyle.
• Analyzing your replays: Identify mistakes and areas for improvement.
• Watching professional players: Learn from the best and adapt their strategies to your own game.
• Practicing against stronger opponents: The best way to improve is to challenge yourself.

12. How does the ranking system work in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features a Global Smash Power (GSP) system for online play. Your GSP increases as you win matches and decreases as you lose. Higher GSP values indicate better performance. Elite Smash is the top tier of online play, reserved for players with exceptionally high GSP.

13. What is “edge guarding,” and why is it important?

Edge guarding refers to preventing an opponent from recovering back to the stage after being knocked off. It’s a crucial aspect of Super Smash Bros. gameplay, as effectively edge guarding can secure KOs and control the flow of the match.

14. What is the meaning of the different symbols that some players add to their username?

The symbols that some players add to their usernames often represent their tag, team, or main character. Sometimes, these symbols can also represent their personality, culture or a reference to the player’s name.

15. Is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate easy to play?

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is designed to be accessible to new players, with simplified controls and intuitive mechanics. However, mastering the game requires a deep understanding of its systems, frame data, and character matchups. While button mashing can get you started, true mastery requires skill, strategy, and practice. The Games Learning Society aims to advance knowledge of how digital games play a role in learning and development. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While the debate over the “strongest move” in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will likely continue for years to come, Ike’s Nair offers a compelling combination of factors that make it a top contender. Its versatility, range, speed, and damage output make it a valuable tool in any Ike player’s arsenal. Ultimately, the “strongest move” is the one that works best for you, but don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed Nair!