SSBU Tier List: Best Characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Looking for the best Super Smash Bros Ultimate character? We’ve got you covered with our SSBU tier list.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is another wild fighting game that’s similar to Injustice 2 and Tekken 7, and although you’ll be able to win with anyone, some characters are better than others.

So here’s an SSBU tier list for you! It’s based on our experience with the game and what we’ve seen other players do online as well. Keep in mind that there’s no way this list can cover every possible scenario or combination of characters.

With that in mind though, let’s check out our SSBU character rankings, we’ll start off first with the best of the best (S Tier) and slowly move towards the weakest in the game (D Tier).

January 8, 2023: We have updated our SSBU Tier List.

SSBU – Tier S Characters

Best SSBU characters

These SSBU fighters are the best in the game, and you should expect to win most matches with them. They have a good chance of winning against every other character in the game.

  • Joker
  • Lucina
  • Mr. Game and Watch
  • Palutena
  • Peach / Daisy
  • Pikachu
  • Roy
  • Snake
  • Wolf
  • Zero Suit Samus

Another Great Fightning Game: Brawlhalla Tier List

SSBU – Tier A Characters

Tier A SSBU characters

These Super Smash Bros Ultimate characters are extremely powerful and versatile fighters that can do well in any matchup.

However, they might have some weak matchups or be less effective against certain characters Tier S characters or even the ones ranked in the same group as them. Still, they can win any tournament and have a clear advantage over lower-tiered characters on this Smash Ultimate tier list.

  • Chrom
  • Cloud
  • Diddy Kong
  • Shulk
  • Fox
  • Greninja
  • Inkling
  • Mario
  • Mega Man
  • Min Min
  • Pichu
  • Pokemon Trainer
  • Pyra / Mythra
  • R.O.B.
  • Sephiroth
  • Sonic
  • Young Link

Couple of words about some of the SSBU characters ranked A-tier:

  • Mario – He’s pretty fast, has great smash attacks, and some of his specials are really good for comboing into other attacks
  • Sonic – Sonic is one of my favorite characters to use because he’s super fast and has strong smash attacks. He also has multiple recovery options which makes it easy to get back on stage if you’re knocked off by an opponent’s attack

Don’t miss this one also: MultiVersus Tier List

SSBU – Tier B Characters

Tier B Super Smash Bros Ultimate Characters

The tier B SSBU characters are great, but they don’t quite match up to the Tier A and B Super Smash Bros Ultimate characters. All of these characters can be played at a high level and will be successful if you play them well.

  • Captain Falcon
  • Falco
  • Hero
  • Ike
  • Kazuya
  • Ken
  • Link
  • Lucario
  • Lucas
  • Marth
  • Mii Brawler
  • Ness
  • Olimar
  • Pac-Man
  • Rosalina
  • Samus / Dark Samus
  • Sheik
  • Sora
  • Steve
  • Terry
  • Toon Link
  • Wario
  • Yoshi

Players using characters like Olimar and Ike are still around, but their viability has become increasingly limited due to the higher skill level required to play with these lower-tier characters.

The problem is that there are better options for skilled players in this group, so if you want to win tournaments, it might not be the best choice.

However, if your goal is just to have fun or play casually with friends then these SSBU characters will work great for you!

Love playing fighting games? Check out: Rivals of Aether Tier List

Super Smash Bros Ultimate – Tier C Fighters

SSBU Tier C Fighters

Tier C is where the vast majority of characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate reside. A lot of them are still viable, but some have been relegated to this tier for their lack of versatility or usefulness.

  • Banjo-Kazooie
  • Bayonetta
  • Bowser
  • Byleth
  • Corrin
  • Duck Hunt
  • Ice Climbers
  • Isabelle
  • Jigglypuff
  • Kirby
  • Luigi
  • Meta Knight
  • Mewtwo
  • Mii Gunner
  • Piranha Plant
  • Pit / Dark Pit
  • Ridley
  • Robin
  • Ryu
  • Simon / Richter
  • Villager
  • Wii Fit Trainer
  • Zelda

Some of the Super Smash Bros Ultimate characters in this category also have potential for growth and can be played at a high level if you find the right player using them effectively.

Many players will find these low-tier characters viable if they’re willing to put in enough work into learning how they work, while others may not think they’d be worth playing at all because they don’t feel like they have any redeeming qualities about them whatsoever.

So in the end, it’s all about if you like a certain SSBU fighter and if you think it’s worth it for you to invest your time in learning to play them effectively.

Another Fighting Game: Guilty Gear Strive Tier List

Super Smash Bros Ultimate – Tier D Fighters

Tier D Super Smash Bros Ultimate Characters

The Tier D characters are the worst in Super Smash Bros Ultimate. They have low damage, poor recovery and slow speed. You should avoid playing with these characters if you are looking for competitive play.

You should only use these fighters if you want to have some fun or want to increase your skills.

  • Bowser Jr.
  • Donkey Kong
  • Dr. Mario
  • Ganondorf
  • Incineroar
  • King Dedede
  • King K. Rool
  • Little Mac
  • Mii Swordfighter

Related Fighting Game: Best DNF Duel Characters

SSBU Tier List: Final Thoughts

That’s it, you’ve reached the end of our Super Smash Bros Ultimate tier list. This list is based on the opinions of the community, as well as our own subjective experiences with the game. Don’t forget to also check out our Smash 4 tier list if you’re also playing that game.

We will be updating this list as more data becomes available and changes are made to the game, but we do not currently have plans to re-evaluate characters or change their placement.

We hope this SSBU tier list helped provide some guidance on which ones might work best for your playstyle!

And as always if you have any feedback or suggestions please let us know in the comments below. Oh and don’t forget to bookmark this page!

Related Fighting Game: MCoC Tier List

Super Smash Bros Ultimate – FAQ

What is a tier list and do you need one for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?

A tier list is a ranking of the best characters in a fighting game. They’re used to help players decide which characters they should learn to play, and which characters they should avoid (if the player wants to win).

A tier list for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an essential tool for anyone who wants to get good at the game. However, there’s one big problem with using a tier list as your only source of information: that’s not how you actually improve!

The real secret behind becoming better at Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is understanding what makes each character so strong or weak. A tier list only tells you whether or not a character is considered strong or weak in their current state. But the real secret to improving at this game is knowing how to use those specific strengths and weaknesses in order to win more often!

How was this Super Smash Bros Ultimate tier list created?

This Super Smash Bros Ultimate tier list is a culmination of several factors.
First, we looked at the results of tournaments from around the world, and we took into account how many times each character was used and how often they won.

We have also checked out the SSBU Reddit community and Discord server to get even more data and feedback from players.

Then, we considered our own personal experience with each character and their viability in competitive play. We looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each character, as well as their options for recovery, air game, ground game, special attacks, and more. After we compared them all against one another, we ranked them based on their overall strength.

Who is the best character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?

The best character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is, without a doubt, the one you choose to play as, otherwise known as your main.

When you’re playing Super Smash Bros., you get to choose the character who represents you. You’re not just choosing a fighter—you’re choosing an avatar for yourself. You’re saying: “This is me.”

And that’s why every player has their own favorite character—because every player has their own unique personality and interests, which are reflected in their choice of fighter.

In addition to being a reflection of your personality and interests, choosing your favorite character can also be a way of showing off your dedication to the game.

The fact that there are so many characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate means that there’s bound to be at least one who speaks to something specific about yourself—and that’s what makes it so fun!

But if we had to choose, it would be any character ranked high on our Super Smash Bros Ultimate tier list above.


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About Stephen

Stephen - Meta Tier ListStephen has immersed himself in the world of gaming for over 20 years, starting his journey in the 90s with SEGA consoles. With a passion for hack and slash action RPG games, he finds himself drawn to titles like Torchlight, Grim Dawn, and Path of Exile. Stephen's love for FPS games is equally strong, as he honed his skills starting with the legendary CS 1.6 and continues to dominate in CS:GO. Destiny 2 has also captured his heart, with an impressive 1,000 hours invested in each of these games (yes, each!). When he's not slaying virtual monsters or leading his team to victory, you can find Stephen exploring the latest gaming trends and sharing his insights with fellow gamers.

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