Smash Ultimate Tier List 2026: Best Fighters Ranked
Welcome to the most comprehensive Smash Ultimate Tier List for March 2026. As the meta continues to evolve, determining the best character to main can be difficult. Whether you are a competitive grinder or a casual fan, this ranking aggregates data from top professional players, tournament results, and current patch analysis to give you the definitive ranking of the entire 89-fighter roster.
A Tier List in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ranks characters based on their viability in competitive play. Factors include frame data, recovery potential, combo ability, and tournament representation. This list separates the overpowered “S-Tier” titans from the lower-tier fighters, helping you pick the best main to dominate your local scenes or online matches.
Ranking Factors for This Tier List
To ensure accuracy, I analyzed data from top sources like the LumiRank aggregate, SmashBoards, and pro player opinions (such as MkLeo, Sparg0, and Tweek). Here are the key factors I used:
- Tournament Results: Characters consistently placing Top 8 in majors are ranked higher.
- Frame Data: How fast do attacks come out? Safe-on-shield moves are prioritized.
- Matchup Spread: Can this character deal with top-tier threats like Steve or Sonic?
- Recovery & Survivability: Characters with poor recovery often land in lower tiers.
- Skill Ceiling: Some characters are ranked lower because they require near-perfect execution to be viable.
S-Tier Table (God Tier)
These are the absolute best characters in the game. They possess broken mechanics, overwhelming advantage states, or tools that invalidate entire playstyles. If you want to win, pick these fighters.
| Character | Tier | Archetype | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joker | S | Rushdown | Arsene comeback mechanic & speed |
| Pyra/Mythra | S | Sword/Zoner | Mythra’s speed + Pyra’s kill power |
| Steve | S | Zoner/Trapper | Block building & minecart pressure |
| Kazuya | S | Heavy Brawler | Touch-of-death combos & super armor |
| Sonic | S | Hit-and-Run | Unparalleled speed & camp potential |
| ROB | S | Zoner/Mix-up | Gyro mechanics & strong recovery |
| Peach/Daisy | S | Technical | Turnip combos & float mechanics |
| Pikachu | S | Rushdown | Best edge-guarding & combo game |
| Snake | S | Trapper/Zoner | Explosive traps & high survivability |
| Cloud | S | Swordie | Limit Break & massive disjointed hitboxes |
| Shulk | S | Swordie | Monado Arts offering 5 playstyles |
(Note: This list reflects the consensus meta of 2026.)
A-Tier Table (High Tier)
A-Tier characters are tournament viable and extremely strong. They may lack one specific tool that S-Tiers have, but they are consistent winners.
| Character | Tier | Archetype | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palutena | A | Zoner/Brawler | Excellent aerials & invincibility frames |
| Wolf | A | Brawler | Lasers & fantastic survivability |
| Fox | A | Rushdown | Blazing speed & shine combos |
| Mario | A | Brawler | Best combo throw & cape gimps |
| Game & Watch | A | Glass Cannon | Up-B out of shield & disjointed hitboxes |
| Zero Suit Samus | A | Rushdown | Flip kick mobility & down-special spikes |
| Wario | A | Mix-up | Waft kill move & air mobility |
| Pac-Man | A | Trapper | Hydrant & fruit zoning |
| Diddy Kong | A | Rushdown | Banana peel setups & command grab |
| Inkling | A | Rushdown | Ink mechanic & roller kills |
| Min Min | A | Zoner | Long-range arms & dragon beam |
| Sephiroth | A | Swordie | Massive range & One-Wing Angel mode |
| Olimar | A | Zoner | Pikmin pressure & high damage output |
| Terry | A | Brawler | Go Mode & super special moves |
| Lucina | A | Swordie | Consistent tipper & edge-guarding |
B-Tier Table (Mid Tier)
These characters are solid choices. They have losing matchups against top tiers but can win with dedicated practice and good fundamentals.
| Character | Tier | Archetype | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link | B | Swordie/Zoner | Bomb combos & remote detonation |
| Samus/Dark Samus | B | Zoner | Charge shot & morph ball tricks |
| Ness | B | Brawler | PK Fire pressure & back-air kill power |
| Captain Falcon | B | Brawler | High speed & knee of justice |
| Ike | B | Heavy Swordie | Nair-to-nair combos & power |
| Mega Man | B | Zoner | Pellet pressure & metal blade |
| Roy/Chrom | B | Rushdown Swordie | Hilt damage rewards aggression |
| Yoshi | B | Brawler | Double jump armor & egg lay |
| Greninja | B | Rushdown | Shadow sneak & high aerial mobility |
| Villager | B | Zoner | Pocket mechanic & bowling ball |
| Ryu/Ken | B | Brawler | True inputs & combos |
| Byleth | B | Swordie | Massive reach & down-air spikes |
| Sora | B | Zoner | Magic projectiles & multiple jumps |
| Steve (Ban Ver.) | B | Zoner | Limited blocks restrict viability |
| Banjo-Kazooie | B | Zoner | Wonderwing armor & grenade eggs |
C-Tier Table (Low-Mid Tier)
These fighters struggle in the current meta. They require significantly more effort to win compared to higher tiers.
| Character | Tier | Archetype | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luigi | C | Grappler | Zero-to-death combos but slow movement |
| Mewtwo | C | Glass Cannon | Huge tail disjoint but very light |
| Bayonetta | C | Rushdown | Witch time gimmick but struggles to kill |
| Meta Knight | C | Rushdown | Dash attack combos & multiple jumps |
| Toon Link | C | Swordie/Zoner | Fast aerials but low kill power |
| Young Link | C | Swordie/Zoner | Projectile spam but lacks finishers |
| Rosetta & Luma | C | Puppeteer | Luma separates but recovery is linear |
| Simon/Richter | C | Zoner | Cross/Axe zoning but poor recovery |
| Kirby | C | Brawler | Copy ability & multiple jumps |
| Pichu | C | Glass Cannon | Stronger Pikachu but self-damage |
| Isabelle | C | Zoner | Fishing rod & Lloid trap |
| Corrin | C | Swordie | Counter & pin attack |
| Lucas | C | Zoner | PK Thunder recovery & PSI Magnet |
| Wii Fit Trainer | C | Zoner | Deep breathing buffs & header |
| Mii Brawler | C | Brawler | Custom moves allow variety |
D-Tier Table (Bottom Tier)
Characters with significant flaws in frame data or recovery. Only recommended for dedicated mains.
| Character | Tier | Archetype | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marth | D | Swordie | Tipper mechanic inconsistent in Ultimate |
| Ganondorf | D | Heavy Brawler | immense power but terrible frame data |
| Little Mac | D | Brawler | Best ground game but worst recovery |
| King Dedede | D | Heavy Zoner | Gordos & survivability but slow |
| Incineroar | D | Heavy Brawler | Revenge mechanic but slow speed |
| Dr. Mario | D | Brawler | Strong attacks but terrible recovery |
| Jigglypuff | D | Glass Cannon | Rest kills but extremely light |
| Ridley | D | Heavy Brawler | Large hitboxes but huge hurtbox |
| Piranha Plant | D | Zoner | Ptooie & long-range smashes |
Detailed Character Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of every fighter on the roster, explaining exactly why they landed in their respective tiers.
S-Tier Analysis (The Best of the Best)
Joker Joker is arguably the most complete fighter in the game. He has the speed to keep up with rushdown characters and the projectiles to annoy zoners. His Arsene mechanic is a game-changer; taking damage actually benefits him by building his Rebellion Gauge. Once Arsene is out, his kill power skyrockets, making him a terrifying opponent at any percentage. I recommend him for players who love aggressive, stylish gameplay.
Pyra/Mythra Pyra and Mythra offer the best of both worlds in one character slot. Mythra is incredibly fast with “Foresight” dodges that slow down time, allowing her to punish opponents easily. When you need to secure a KO, you switch to Pyra, who has massive kill power on nearly every smash attack. This versatility makes them a top pick for 2026 tournaments.
Steve Love him or hate him, Steve changes the game’s mechanics entirely. His ability to place blocks allows him to create his own platforms, gimp recoveries, and trap opponents. His minecart provides a unique command grab, and diamond tools give him brief moments of extreme power. He is difficult to master but essentially breaks the rules of traditional Smash play.
Kazuya Kazuya is a heavy hitter with super armor on many moves, allowing him to trade hits favorably. His “0-to-death” combos are infamous in the community; if he touches you near the ledge, you might lose a stock instantly. While his recovery is linear, his survivability and sheer damage output place him firmly in S-Tier.
Sonic Sonic dictates the pace of the match. His speed allows him to camp aggressively, forcing opponents to chase him. His spin dash and spin charge are difficult to punish if used correctly, and his back-air is a potent kill move. In a timed match, Sonic’s ability to run the clock is unmatched.
ROB (Robot) ROB has evolved into a top-tier threat due to his Gyro and Robo Beam. The Gyro acts as a versatile item that can be picked up and thrown, creating complex setups. He has a fantastic recovery with his Robo Burner and a back-air that kills early. He is arguably the easiest S-Tier character to pick up for beginners.
Peach/Daisy These echoes are technical powerhouses. Their “float” mechanic allows them to approach with aerials while moving backward, making them tricky to hit. The Turnip pull gives them a projectile that can lead to devastating combos, including instant kill setups. They require high execution but reward the player with unmatched advantage states.
Pikachu Pikachu is the ultimate glass cannon. He has incredible frame data, a spammable projectile (Thunder Jolt), and arguably the best edge-guarding kit in the game with Quick Attack. His recovery is unpredictable and travels far. The only reason he isn’t considered broken is his light weight—he dies very early.
Snake Snake plays a different game than everyone else. He uses explosives (C4, Grenades, Nikita) to control the stage. He is heavy, meaning he lives to high percents, and his traps force opponents into uncomfortable positions. His recovery involves a risky C4 detonation, but a skilled Snake player is a nightmare to approach.
Cloud Cloud excels due to his massive sword hitboxes and the Limit Gauge. When Limit is full, he becomes faster and gains access to powerful single-hit moves like Cross-Slash and Climhazzard. His back-air is one of the best spacing tools in the game. He dominates the neutral game against most of the cast.
Shulk Shulk is a wild card because of his Monado Arts. He can switch between Jump, Speed, Shield, Buster, and Smash modes on the fly. This allows him to improve his recovery, rack up damage, or kill incredibly early. The high skill ceiling required to manage these arts in real-time makes him a menace in the right hands.
A-Tier Analysis (Tournament Favorites)
Palutena Palutena is the queen of safety. Her back-air and neutral-air have invincibility frames, making them extremely hard to challenge. Her Explosive Flame and Auto-Reticle give her zoning tools, while her Super Speed allows for unpredictable movement. She is incredibly well-rounded and fits almost any playstyle.
Wolf Wolf is a fantastic fundamental character. His Blaster creates a hitbox that clanks with approaches, and his Reflector helps against zoners. He has a powerful spike and smash attacks that kill very early. He is heavier than Fox, making him more forgiving in neutral.
Fox Fox is the definition of speed. His drill and shine (Reflector) combos allow him to rack up damage instantly. He can seamlessly transition from the ground to the air. While his recovery can be linear and he is light, his ability to overwhelm opponents with pressure keeps him in High Tier.
Mario Mario is the “standard” by which all characters are measured, but in Ultimate, he is legitimately strong. His combo game off of his down-throw is legendary, and his Cape can gimp recoveries or reflect projectiles. Super Jump Punch offers upper-body invincibility, making it a great out-of-shield option.
Mr. Game & Watch G&W is a bucket of weird hitboxes. His Up-B (Fire) is an incredible out-of-shield option that launches him high, and his down-smash buries opponents. His bucket (Oil Panic) absorbs projectiles and can unleash a devastating attack. He is light but plays heavy due to his disjointed moves.
Zero Suit Samus (ZSS) ZSS is a slippery rushdown character. Her Flip Jump is an incredible movement tool that can spike opponents or dodge attacks. She has high damage output and kill setups with her down-throw and up-air. However, she requires precision to play effectively.
Wario Wario’s main draw is the Wario Waft. It charges over time and becomes a kill move that can come out instantly. He has amazing air mobility and drift, allowing him to weave in and out of danger. His forward-smash is also a devastating kill option.
Pac-Man Pac-Man is a set-up heavy character. Using his Hydrant and Bonus Fruit, he creates complex traps that control the stage. His recovery is versatile with the trampoline, and his Bell fruit stuns opponents, setting up for kills. He is difficult to learn but has a huge reward.
Diddy Kong Diddy relies on his Banana Peel to control space. It forces opponents to trip, giving Diddy free grabs or smash attacks. His monkey flip is a great approaching tool, and he has a solid kill throw. He defines the meta for item-play characters.
Inkling Inkling uses ink to deal extra damage and bury opponents with the Roller. Their movement is incredibly fluid and fast, making them hard to hit. They have great edge-guarding tools with their splattershot. Managing ink levels is the key challenge.
Min Min Min Min dominates neutral with her long-range arms. She can hold a charge shot (Dragon) that kills early and use arms to cover multiple angles. Her Ramram controls space effectively. Her weakness is her poor close-range options and linear recovery.
Sephiroth Sephiroth is a “range king.” His sword, Masamune, has the longest disjoint in the game. He can safely poke from a distance. When he takes enough damage, he enters One-Wing Angel mode, gaining super armor and kill power. He is light, so survival is key.
Olimar Olimar commands an army of Pikmin. Different colored Pikmin offer different effects (Red=Fire, Blue=Water, Purple=Power). He can rack up damage from across the stage. His recovery relies on Winged Pikmin, which can be gimped if he runs out of Pikmin.
Terry Terry Bogard brings “Fighting Game” mechanics to Smash. He has auto-turnaround at the ledge and access to “Super Special Moves” (Power Geyser and Buster Wolf) when at high damage. His damage output is massive, but he lacks a traditional double jump recovery.
Lucina Lucina is the epitome of consistency. Unlike Marth, her sword does equal damage along the entire blade. This makes her incredibly reliable for spacing and edge-guarding. She is the perfect character for learning Smash fundamentals.
B-Tier Analysis (Solid Choices)
Link Link has been buffed significantly in Ultimate. His remote bomb allows for creative combos and kill setups. He has good survivability and strong projectiles. He is a bit slower than Toon/Young Link but hits much harder.
Samus / Dark Samus Samus plays a strong zoning game with missiles and Charge Shot. Her morph ball allows for tricky ground movement. She is a heavy character with a good recovery, making her a solid pick for beginners and intermediate players.
Ness Ness is a mid-tier terror online. PK Fire traps opponents, and his back-air kills early. His recovery (PK Thunder) is unique and can be used to hit opponents, though it is vulnerable to interruption.
Captain Falcon The Captain is all about speed and style. His Raptor Boost and Falcon Kick provide horizontal movement, and the “Knee of Justice” (forward-air) is one of the most satisfying kill moves. He struggles with characters who have long disjointed hitboxes.
Ike Ike is a heavy swordsman. His neutral-air combos into almost anything, and his smash attacks are devastating. He is slow, but his massive sword (Ragnell) keeps opponents at bay.
Mega Man Mega Man plays uniquely, using his Mega Buster to shoot pellets while walking. He controls space with Metal Blades and Crash Bombs. He is a technical zoner who excels at ledge trapping.
Roy / Chrom Roy and his echo Chrom are rushdown sword fighters. They want to be in your face, hitting with the hilt of their swords for maximum damage. Their recovery is their main weakness—Roy’s is mediocre, and Chrom’s is purely vertical and can be spiked easily.
Yoshi Yoshi is a tanky brawler with a unique double jump that has armor. This allows him to escape combos that would kill others. His Egg Throw is a versatile projectile, and his down-air can deal massive shield damage.
Greninja Greninja is a high-skill ninja character. He has immense speed and kill setups involving his Water Shuriken. His Shadow Sneak can catch rolls, but it leaves him vulnerable if predicted.
Villager Villager is the ultimate camping character. They can pocket projectiles and items, turning the opponent’s strength against them. Their bowling ball kills at the ledge, and the tree provides a massive hitbox.
Ryu / Ken The original shotos, Ryu and Ken have inputs for special moves that increase their power. They have invincible uppercuts and command grabs. They excel in close quarters but struggle against long-range zoners.
Byleth Byleth is a slow but powerful sword user. Their arrows and axe cover long distances, and the Up-B can snap to the ledge from anywhere. They punish mistakes heavily but struggle against fast rushdown.
Sora Sora has a floaty jump and magic spells that cycle through Fire, Ice, and Thunder. He has a massive recovery and can surprise opponents with his flow. His kill power is somewhat lacking compared to other swordies.
Banjo-Kazooie Banjo relies on the Wonderwing, a move with super armor that kills early. Once the golden feathers are gone, he plays a more standard zoning game with grenade eggs. Managing the resource is key.
C-Tier to D-Tier Analysis (The Struggle Bus)
Luigi Luigi has a zero-to-death combo on much of the cast but suffers from the worst air speed in the game. If you get grabbed, you die. If he misses the grab, he gets punished hard.
Mewtwo Mewtwo is a glass cannon with huge hitboxes but is surprisingly light. He has great projectile spacing with Shadow Ball, but his large hurtbox makes him easy to hit.
Bayonetta Bayonetta was nerfed heavily from Smash 4. While she still has combo potential, her kill setups are much harder to execute. She relies on Witch Time, a counter mechanic that scales down with repetition.
Meta Knight Meta Knight has infinite jumps and great rushdown tools, but his range is short. He has to work very hard to get damage in compared to swordies like Ike or Cloud.
Kirby Kirby is the mascot, but he struggles in competitive play. He has multiple jumps and strong attacks, but his lack of approach options and slow air speed make him easy to zone out.
Little Mac Little Mac has the best ground game and worst air game. If you keep the fight on the stage, he destroys opponents. One grab near the ledge, however, often means a lost stock.
Ganondorf The King of Evil hits like a truck. One read can end a stock at 60%. However, he is slow, has a terrible recovery, and gets comboed easily. He is the ultimate “read-heavy” character.
Jigglypuff Jigglypuff lives and dies by the “Rest” move. It kills incredibly early but leaves her vulnerable if missed. She is the lightest character in the game and dies very early to strong attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best character in Smash Ultimate 2026?
Currently, Joker, Steve, and Pyra/Mythra are widely considered the best characters in the game. They consistently win major tournaments and have tools that invalidate many lower-tier matchups.
Is Smash Ultimate still balanced?
Yes, surprisingly. Smash Ultimate is considered one of the most balanced fighting games in history. While S-Tiers exist, even mid-tier characters can win tournaments if played by a skilled pilot. The patch support has leveled the playing field significantly.
Who is the worst character in Smash Ultimate?
Little Mac and Ganondorf often compete for the bottom spot due to their exploitable recoveries. However, Dr. Mario is often cited as the absolute worst competitively due to his lack of recovery options combined with poor mobility.
How many fighters are in Smash Ultimate?
Including DLC, there are 89 fighters on the roster. This includes the base cast and the Fighters Pass Vol 1 and Vol 2 characters (like Sora, Sephiroth, and Steve).
What does “Tier” mean in Smash?
A “Tier” is a ranking system used to determine a character’s competitive viability. S-Tier is the best, while F-Tier is the worst. It reflects how easy it is for a character to win against top-level opponents.
Is Steve banned in Smash Ultimate?
Steve has been banned in some local tournaments due to the “Phantom MLG” glitch and his polarizing playstyle that forces opponents to approach endlessly. However, he is generally legal at major nationals like EVO or Genesis.
Conclusion
And there you have it—the definitive Smash Ultimate Tier List for March 2026. We’ve broken down every single fighter, from the meta-dominating S-Tier titans like Joker and Steve to the fan-favorites struggling in the lower ranks.
However, remember that a tier list is just a guideline, not a law. While choosing an S-Tier character might give you a slight statistical advantage, player skill, matchup knowledge, and dedication to your main are far more important factors for winning matches. You can absolutely dominate with a C-Tier character if you know the matchup better than your opponent knows their S-Tier pick.