Since Smash Bros Ultimate Patch 1.20, ZeRo and Leffen have each created an updated Smash Ultimate Tier List. Unlike the pre-launch tier lists, the pros have now had a chance to get hands-on with each character and test their viability. There’s quite a lot of difference between the two lists, but there are still some commonly agreed upon top tier characters.
Here are the new Smash Bros Ultimate Tier Lists from each player, created with Nairo’s Smash Bros Ultimate Tier List Maker.
Smash Ultimate Tier List December 2018 by ZeRo
Very Good – Inkling, Chrom, Pikachu, Peach, Daisy, Olimar, Lucina, Marth, Yoshi
Above Average – Richter, Simon, Lucario, Roy, Link, Young Link, Mewtwo, Palutena, Ike, Cloud, Samus, Dark Samus, Lucas, Pit, Dark Pit, Snake, Chrom, Ryu, Ken, Pichu, Pokemon Trainer, Mega Man, Sonic, Donkey Kong, Bowser, King K Rool, Ness, Isabelle, Villager, Wario, Wolf, Toon Link, Rosalina & Luma, Fox, Wii Fit Trainer, Luigi, Zero Suit Samus, R.O.B., Robin, Corrin, Meta Knight, Dr. Mario, Duck Hunt Duo
Feels Decent – Diddy Kong, Mario, Sheik, Bayonetta, Incineroar, Captain Falcon, Ganondorf, Falco, Pac Man, Zelda, Ice Climbers, Mr. Game & Watch, Ridley, Greninja, Mii Gunner, Mii Swordfighter, Jigglypuff
Below Average – Bowser Jr., Little Mac, King Dedede, Mii Brawler, Kirby
With many characters seeming to be competitively viable in the stacked Smash Ultimate roster, ZeRo has avoided splitting them up too much. However, there are some which fall above or below the mark.
Surprisingly, Bayonetta has plummeted from being considered top tier to a lower tier character. Characters like Inkling, Chrom, and Pikachu look particularly strong so far.
Smash Ultimate Tier List December 2018 by Leffen
Leffen explained his new Smash Ultimate Tier List in a Youtube Video.
S Tier – Inkling, Mewtwo, Chrom, Roy, Peach, Daisy, Richter, Pokemon Trainer, Simon, Falco, Pikachu, Pichu, Yoshi
A Tier – Chrom, Marth, Lucina, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Meta Knight, Wolf, Sonic, R.O.B.
B Tier – Fox, Incineroar, Palutena, Bowser, King K Rool, Ike, Young Link, Zero Suit Samus
C Tier – Lucario, Ridley, King Dedede, Olimar, Mii Gunner, Jigglypuff, Mii Brawler, Ryu, Luigi, Wario, Toon Link, Ken, Sheik, Corrin, Cloud
D Tier – Mario, Dr. Mario, Ness, Mii Swordfighter, Duck Hunt Duo, Robin, Lucas, Mr. Game & Watch, Rosalina & Luma, Dark Pit, Pit, Bayonetta, Captain Falcon
E Tier – Pac Man, Snake, Ice Climbers, Zelda, Ganondorf, Bowser Jr., Villager, Isabelle, Mega Man, Kirby, Dark Samus, Samus, Little Mac, Link, Greninja, Wii Fit Trainer
There are some interesting differences between the two lists. Leffen rates characters like Snake and Link much lower while rating Falco and Diddy Kong higher than ZeRo.
Both players agree that Inkling, Chrom, Peach, Daisy, Pikachu, and Yoshi are Top Tier characters.
It’s likely a lot will change over time- especially as new patches come out and more tournaments are played. But, for now, this gives players some idea of who will be the best characters in Smash Bros Ultimate.