Oftentimes, players in the Fighting Game Community will allow a tier list to dictate their character choice. Many professionals outright admit that they hunt for top tiers, and even at a casual level it can be hard to make the case for playing a weaker character. But in his analysis of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list that was created by surveying the pros, Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios gives a reason to go with your gut – at least, some of the time.
When it comes to mid-tier characters, Barrios says that representation can warp tier placing. In other words, if a skilled player is known for picking a mid-tier character, that character can be overrated on tier lists. Conversely, if nobody is playing a mid-tier character, then that character is probably underrated on tier lists. Of course, bottom feeders like Little Mac are a different story. But this is a good reminder that a tier list isn’t carved in stone. Even top players have biases, and even pros can be caught off-guard. So all you mid-tiers out there, take heart! The next person to shake the foundations of the tier list could well be you.
To show your support for Barrios, watch the video below and then follow him on Twitter, Twitch, and YouTube.
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