This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Even though a long time has passed since the release of “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”, the competitive evaluation and tier list are still being updated.
In the latest tier as of January 2026, the ratings of popular characters that were once ranked at the top of the environment have changed, attracting the attention of both players and spectators.
Author: “The tier list is not just a numerical ranking, but an indicator of character performance that actually affects victory or defeat in the current battle environment. By following the latest movements, you can see how the current Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is evolving.”
Latest trends in Tier list: “Changes” in the environment
The biggest change
As of January 2026, the following major changes have been confirmed in the latest tier list reported by overseas media “EventHubs”:
- Pyra/Mythra drops outside of top 15
- Luigi ranks in the top 10
- Yoshi is also rated as the top 6
- On the other hand, the traditionally strong character Marth is in the low evaluation range
. This can be said to be a change that is not just a matter of intuition, as Pyrrha/Mitra, who had been highly rated in the previous tier, fell to the bottom based on the competitive performance-based evaluation method.
Author: “I believe that the tier changes are not just due to being strong in use, but also due to a review of the ability to adapt to the environment’ and the ability to mesh with the meta.”
Why did Pyrrha/Mitra’s ratings drop
When Pyrrha/Mitra first appeared,
- Anti-aircraft performance
- Strength of cooperation
- Situational response ability
It was sometimes ranked S+ to S, but it fell outside the top 15 in the latest list.
This is
- Difficult to exert power without high operational precision
- Unfavorable matchups have increased due to changes in the battle meta
- The position has changed to a position that is difficult to pass due to bargaining between high-rank players
I can imagine the reason.
Author: “Rather than a “re-evaluation” of Tiers, I think this is a result of the environment becoming more mature and “ease of handling and stability” having an impact on winning or losing.”
The Rise of Luigi: What it means to be in the top 10
On the other hand, Luigi is in the top 10 in the latest list.
This is Luigi, who used to have a strong impression of being a character for experts.
- Landing control (Bezier trigger)
- Reject (counterattack power)
- Breaking performance
.
Author: “The increase in Luigi’s rating is likely due to the frequency with which top players are hired.It is also a feature of Smash Bros. that the battle knowledge of top players is easily reflected in tier formation.”
Other character trends: Yoshi and classic characters
In the latest tier, Yoshi is rated equivalent to the top 6.
One of the reasons for this is thought to be that even in Japan, highly skilled players such as “Yoshidora” have shown their strength in actual battles.
Also, the evaluation of traditionally powerful characters fluctuates due to changes in situations and matchups.
Author: “Tier is not only a universal evaluation of “strong characters,” but also a dynamic indicator of “how much you can win at the moment.” This is also proof of the increased maturity of competitive games.”
Tier list reference information link
The following is the information page related to the current tier:
Latest Tier explanation by EventHubs (January 2026):
https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2026/jan/12/smash-tier-list-miya-acola/
Reference of past tier lists on Smash Wiki (global general):
https://www.ssbwiki.com/List_of_SSBU_tier_lists
Tier consideration: Changes in environmental assessment and its background
Smash Bros. Ultimate has undergone numerous updates and balance adjustments since its release. Although the official patch is nearing its end, tiers continue to be updated at the initiative of players.
The reason is that
- Advanced knowledge sharing between players
- Analysis videos and distribution of top opponents
- Accumulation of actual battle data
, etc., and Tier is not just a number, but also functions as a real-time evaluation of the competitive meta.
Author: “Even if the official patches stop, the player community is still driving the environment. I feel this is the uniqueness of Super Smash Bros. SP.”
Influence on players: How to utilize tiers
Tier list is not necessarily “absolute strength”, but
- Know which matchups are advantageous in the match
- Expand the range of character selection
- Find a character that matches your play style
It has practical value.
Author: “Tier should not be seen as just a ranking, but as an indicator of modern optimal solutions.”
Summary
The main points of the latest tier list are as follows:
- Pyrrha/Mitra fell outside the top 15
- Luigi’s feat of breaking into the top 10
- Ratings of Yoshi etc. increase
- Tier evaluation reflects “changes in the environment”
Author: “This tier trend can be said to be a symbol of Smash Bros. Ultimate’s maturing environment and deepening competitive culture.Understanding tiers from a player’s perspective will directly lead to improved competitive ability.”
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