What Rank Is King Dedede? An In-Depth Look at the Self-Proclaimed King’s Standing
King Dedede’s ranking is a multifaceted question that depends heavily on the context. In the Super Smash Bros. series, King Dedede’s highest placement is 12th on the tier list, placing him at the top of the mid-high tier. This represents his peak competitive standing within the fighting game. However, when considering his power level within the wider Kirby universe, his rank is far more complex and nuanced. He is not the most powerful character, but he is certainly a formidable force and significant threat. Let’s delve into the various aspects that define his rank, both in and out of the Smash Bros. arena.
King Dedede in Super Smash Bros.
Tier List Ranking
As mentioned previously, King Dedede’s most prominent ranking is his 12th-place standing in a specific Super Smash Bros. tier list. This position indicates that he’s a solid character, capable of competing at high levels, but not quite in the top echelon of the roster. Tier lists are often player-created rankings of characters from best to worst, based on their potential in competitive play, which involves character move sets, speed, and recovery.
King Dedede’s placement in the mid-high tier suggests he has a good balance of strengths and weaknesses. He has strong attacks, but these can be slow and punishable if not used effectively. His size makes him an easy target, but his heavy weight also allows him to take more hits than some other fighters. His inhale ability, while not allowing him to copy abilities like Kirby, deals more damage and can suck up projectiles. This ability, coupled with his powerful hammer attacks, gives him a unique fighting style that sets him apart.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Within the game, King Dedede has several strengths that boost his ranking. His heavy weight allows him to survive many hits, making him a difficult character to KO. His hammer attacks are powerful and have a wide reach, making them effective for controlling space and landing strong hits. His ability to inhale projectiles is a very useful advantage, allowing him to neutralize threats.
However, King Dedede is not without his weaknesses. His large size makes him vulnerable to combos and juggling attacks. His slow air speed and lack of fast escape options can make him vulnerable to skilled opponents who can take advantage of his movement deficiencies. He relies heavily on his hammer, and if the attacks are predicted and countered, he can be quickly overwhelmed.
Fighter Number and Voice
King Dedede is classified as Fighter #39 in the Super Smash Bros. series. Interestingly, his voice clips from Super Smash Bros. 4, where he was voiced by series creator Masahiro Sakurai, have been reused in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This gives him a consistent feel across different game entries in the series.
King Dedede in the Kirby Universe
Power Level
Outside of Super Smash Bros., King Dedede’s power level is more challenging to rank objectively. While not at the power level of cosmic entities like Void or Zero, he is a formidable opponent in the Kirby games. He wields a large hammer with great force, can inhale objects, and has the ability to hover and even fly. His strength, however, is not primarily in brute force alone but in his cunning and his ability to command the inhabitants of Dream Land.
He’s often depicted as Kirby’s arch-frenemy, frequently causing trouble for Kirby but sometimes acting as an ally, particularly when faced with greater threats. His role fluctuates from a full-on villain to a neutral character to a heroic deuteragonist, making his alignment and thus his ranking in terms of overall good vs. evil very complex. He is a ruler who acts in his own interests, often selfishly, but also with some degree of a sense of responsibility towards his subjects when necessary.
Compared to Other Characters
When comparing him to other characters in the Kirby universe, King Dedede stands out for his size and strength. While he lacks the ability to copy enemy powers, he compensates with his innate physical strength and the power of his hammer. He is generally considered to be stronger than most basic enemies, though significantly less powerful than true antagonists.
Comparing him to Meta Knight, for instance, is interesting. While Dedede possesses more raw strength and durability, Meta Knight is faster, more agile, and more versatile in combat. In a straight fight, either could win, depending on the circumstances. This highlights that power levels in the Kirby universe aren’t as cut and dry and are often situational.
A Ruler, Not Just a Fighter
It’s also essential to remember that King Dedede is the self-proclaimed ruler of Dream Land. His rank in the Kirby world is about more than just fighting prowess. He commands and leads, and often uses his resources and subjects to his advantage. His position as a ruler plays a crucial part in defining his overall rank and impact within the universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the best counter to King Dedede in Super Smash Bros.?
Lucina/Marth with their counters (down special) are very effective against Dedede. Their counters punish his slow, powerful moves, turning his strength against him.
2. How old is King Dedede?
King Dedede is originally from Kirby and is over 300 years old. This long lifespan is likely due to him being part of the Pengi race, and it is a significant part of his lore.
3. Is King Dedede a villain or hero?
He is a complex character who has acted as a full-on villain, a neutral deuteragonist, and a hero. He often causes trouble but occasionally helps Kirby out in a pinch, making him a frenemy rather than a pure villain.
4. Can King Dedede inhale like Kirby?
Yes, King Dedede can inhale objects and spit them out with great force, and he uses this to hover. However, he cannot copy abilities from inhaled enemies, like Kirby. In Smash, this inhale ability is used for damage and projectile absorption.
5. Is King Dedede obese?
Yes, he is depicted as an anthropomorphic and obese penguin. This physical trait is often emphasized in the games and his character design.
6. Does King Dedede wear pants?
Yes, he wears pants for bed. When not in his usual royal attire, he is seen wearing a shirt with his royal emblem, a nightcap, and a pair of pants in his pajamas.
7. Is King Dedede smarter than other characters?
He is described as greedy, smart, bossy, spoiled, and somewhat aggressive. These traits indicate that he is indeed intelligent and capable, using his wits to achieve his desires.
8. What are King Dedede’s weaknesses in Super Smash Bros.?
His weaknesses include his slow air speed, large hurtbox, heavy weight, and lack of fast escape options. These make him vulnerable to combos and juggling.
9. Why can King Dedede inhale but not copy abilities?
Dedede’s Inhale is for damage and projectile absorption in Super Smash Bros. In the lore, he is unable to copy powers because he isn’t of the same make-up as Kirby.
10. Does King Dedede have fingers?
While his in-game sprites show him with gloves, older artwork depicts him with human-like fingers. This detail adds to the complexity of his design.
11. Is King Dedede a girl?
King Dedede is male. The confusion might stem from misinterpretations or jokes made by fans.
12. Does King Dedede like chips?
Yes, he loves chips. This fact is a recurring gag in some series interpretations of him and helps add some extra personality quirks.
13. What is King Dedede’s race?
King Dedede is of the Pengi race, an anthropomorphic penguin race native to Planet Popstar.
14. Is Bowser more powerful than King Dedede?
Generally, Bowser is considered more powerful than King Dedede. Bowser has feats like punching Mario to another planet and lifting castles, which are greater than Dedede’s power.
15. What is the best King Dedede boss fight in the Kirby series?
The article refers to a separate ranking of 25 Kirby Bosses. This question remains open to each player’s opinion.
Conclusion
King Dedede’s rank is far from straightforward, ranging from his specific tier list position in Super Smash Bros. to his ambiguous power within the Kirby universe. While his 12th place in the tier list solidifies him as a powerful contender, his overall role is complex. He’s a strong, resilient character with strengths and weaknesses, and his status as a self-proclaimed king adds another dimension. He is undoubtedly a figure of power and consequence in his domain and remains a favorite character for fans due to his intriguing personality and gameplay style.