[Smash Bros. SP] Summary of tactics that have grown after updates stopped | Meta evolution of the final environment and player-driven tactics

Since Nintendo distributed the final balance patch (Ver.13.0.1) for “Super Smash Bros. SPECIAL (Super Smash Bros. SP/Ultimate)”, official large-scale adjustments have been completed. As a result, the game’s basic performance and character adjustments have been fixed, but the current situation is that “strategy and battle meta” are still evolvingthrough research from the competitive community and top players.

In this article, we will introduce “extended tactics and tactics” that are attracting attention in the final environment, and explain why they are effective in the current environment.

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1. Changes in evaluation of tactics are driven by “research evolution”

The first thing to remember is that the meta will change even after official updates stop.
In fact, in the 2024-2025 Tier list comparison, we have confirmed cases where a certain character’s rating significantly increases, or conversely, their rating decreases. For example, there are reports that Luigi, Olimar, etc. are increasing their ratings, while Mars, etc. are relatively decreasing in their ratings.

Author: “Meta evolution after updates stop is progressing based on “player understanding, tournament results, and success stories in the scene”.The environment changes even outside of balance changes.”

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2. Tactics ①: “Deep understanding of options” in the battle is directly linked to winning rate

In the updated environment, even with the same technique and the same situation, “deeper understanding and mutual understanding of choices”** is increasingly the difference between victory and defeat.
In other words, it does not depend on simple strong skills or strong characters.

• Mixed behavior that breaks passiveness
• Fine adjustments using trajectory differences in air attacks
• Risk management off the cliff

There is a growing emphasis on “reading and application” in detailed aspects, such as

.
This is a common trend seen in tournament reports and match logs of top players in the community.

Author: “Since the final environment has a high degree of perfection in basic tactics, it is important to have the ability to make decisions for each situation,” which can easily differentiate you from other players.

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3. Strategy 2: Further progress in combo optimization

In Super Smash Bros. SP, research on coordination (combo) for each character has been carried out for a long time. In the final environment, combo routes have become fixed and optimization for specific situations has progressed, so understanding true damage and kill lines has become more refined among players.
As a result, combos that were previously considered “unstable” are now being used as routes with a high probability of success.

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4. Strategy 3: Deepening risk management and “choices”

In addition to using the same technique, it is now important to act by reading the opponent’s next choice.
For example,

• Shifting the timing of preventing recovery
• Weaving together different return routes
• Intentionally use aerial dodges and guards at the timing of offense and defense

The quality of mutual reading is becoming more and more popular as a strategy that leads to winning.
This is knowledge gained not only from official guides but also from actual battles with top competitors.

Author: “Now that updates have stopped, it is the accumulation of improvements on the part of players that is creating the evolution of the meta.”

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5. Strategy 4: Re-evaluate character characteristics based on tournament results

After the balance adjustment has stopped, the results of the tournament remain as “evaluation = tactical value”.
Specific characters can accumulate tournament results

• More examples of tactics used by top players
• Research is concentrated
• Measures to address weaknesses mature

A virtuous cycle is being created.
On the other hand, characters who don’t get results in big tournaments have a tendency to have difficult spread of effective strategies.

Author: “Tournaments are more than just wins and losses; they also serve as an indicator of which strategies will work.”

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6. Strategy 5: “Revealing potential” by fixing the environment

After the update, the environment is stable for a long period of time, and hidden strengths may come to the surface.
This is a flow that can lead to results by establishing specific tactics, even with characters that have not been used for a long time.

Author: “When the environment stabilizes, only the “really strong maneuvers and strategies” remain, and the value that was hard to see becomes apparent.”

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7. Typical examples of growth (overview)

The following changes can be seen in the tier trends from 2025 to early 2026:

• Luigi’s rating increases
• Re-evaluation of Olimar etc.
• Maintaining Sonic’s stable rating

Examples such as

have been confirmed.

Author: “It can be said that the reason these characters are growing is because, more than their simple performance, “strategies that can be used as tactics are becoming more widespread.”

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8. Summary | Evolution of tactics in the final environment

Even after official balance changes have stopped, the Smash Bros. Ultimate environment continues to evolve in the following ways:

• The quality of mutual reading is improving
• Combo optimization is standardized
• Tournament performance determines tactical value
• Potential tactics are emerging

Author: “The update stopped = the game is over.” It is in the final environment that the player-driven meta evolution influences the winning rate.”