Why Matchup Charts Should Be Opinion

Hi everyone,

*Please note it is essential you read the link at the end of the blog or else you will miss the entire point of the blog*

Matchup Charts are created by many to see how a character fares against another character. You can see when to counterpick your opponent and decide on which strategies to use.

Why should you use your own opinion on matchups?

Contents:

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I. Why Not to Rely on Others

II. Your Own Comfort

III. When to Change Your Matchup Chart

IV. Why Matchup Charts Should be Your Own

V. Using Guides

VI. Closure

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Before we start, post a picture of your personal matchup chart in the comments, if you are up to it.

I. Why Not to Rely on Others

Many professionals (A Pikachu main in specific) can underrate characters I call it "The Top Tier Effect."

What is this Top Tier Effect?

Well when you play with a top tier for a while, you will probably know a lot about the best characters. But that said, you have little/seldom experience with mid and low tiers. You probably know you also win a lot of matchups.

When you are so used to play the best in the game you often lose sight of some other characters. Specifically counterpick and mid tiers. All of a sudden that top player is struggling against a Link. Mid tiers and counterpick characters are often not considered the best in every matchup. But they destroy some top tiers.

If you look at Kirby, Kirby has a few bad matchups. But if you are a Fox main you are more likely to see Kirby as;

-Weak Kill power

-Equal Weight to Fox, same survivability

-Less Mobility

-Slower attacks

In reality, that is not the matchup at all. We are in a day and age where it isn't unusual for a top tier character to lose or go even to a midtier or a few. There are some people stubborn to it that there isn't a Melee Fox or Brawl Metaknight in Smash 4.

Why Top players are Not Reliable

Before this I would like to mention that according to Esam, the world's best Ike main is Rango, RIP Ryo's Smash career. (But he kind of has a point, Ryo plays Corrin and Roy a lot. Either way he forgot San and Waldo)

And that mentions my first point. Some top players forget other notable players. It seems silly, but it does happen.

Plus, top players can not like a matchup. So then Top Diddy Kong main 3 doesn't like the Charizard matchup. Not every other Diddy Kong is going to agree.

Also if Ike mains do not like the Diddy Kong Matchup and Diddy Kong mains do not like the Ike matchup who is correct? You can't say one wins because both don't like the matchup.

So that means top players cannot be as reliable as well.

II. Your Own Comfort

"Megaman wins the Sonic Matchup"

Whether you agree with the statement or not, you should rely on your own comfort. If you are a Sonic main, and you like the matchup stay with it. You might win no matter how bad it is. You may not change the popular opinion, but you should feel fine.

Never go into a matchup you don't like. No matter how good it is for your character, never force yourself into the matchup. Counterpick if you have to.

Your mindset will determine the outcome of the match. Ness mains could like the Rosalina matchup no matter how bad it is. It is unusual, sure, but it's what works.

Personally, I like facing Diddy Kong as an Ike main. Some people consider it one of Ike's worst matchups. But I feel it is even. Yeah, I have no matchup experience vs. ZeRo, JJRockets, DYR, or any other Diddy mains, but I have versed Diddy Kongs at my level of skill. Plus, there is no significant evidence Ike loses the matchup. In fact, many other level matches come down to last hit, ing this claim.

Anyways, it all comes down to your comfort and mindset.

III. When to Change Your Matchup Chart

So something you may be asking is:

"How do I know whether or not to change my own chart?"

Once again, it can come down to comfort. But your opinion can change over time. The more matchup experience you have, the better you are at knowing who wins. For example, For Glory players probably know the Cloud and Little Mac matchups pretty decent.

Keep on playing a matchup. If you consistently win against a character, maybe you should reconsider the matchup. If the matchup is already +2 or +1 in your favor, you should not worry about changing your own chart. If the matchup is even, -1, or -2, you may want to change the matchup.

And the same goes the other way. If you notice a struggle in a matchup, you may want to change your opinion. It always depends on you.

If it helps create what I call a "Grand Matchup Chart." It lists every character in the game and who you should pick against what character. It also lists your second and third choices for your secondaries and pockets. That way, you know who to pick in a tournament scenario.

And if you want to go further in-depth write down your strengths and stuff you want to do in the match. You want to know and learn a matchup.

IV. Why Matchup Charts Should be Your Own

Opinion

The worst word in the dictionary to some people. It's not bad at all though. Having your own opinion makes us all different. No two people are going to like the same matchups, especially with different playstyles. That's why you should always try and create the matchup to your liking.

Sometimes it may be the difference between Cloud being a -2 vs a -1 on your matchup charts.

And no opinion is right. When people create matchup charts, I often see comments saying "This is wrong. [Character] should be +1 instead of even." While you believe the matchup is different, maybe the other person has good reason. It's not uncommon. In fact, I could use the same facts as someone else to argue a completely different opinion. It all depends on how to interpret the matchup.

Make sure you always acknowledge an opinion, because every opinion has to come from somewhere. Unless you think that Ike is the worst character in of strengths. Then your opinion is invalid.

Anyways...

Never let someone else decide your opinion, because you may become uncomfortable in a matchup and that is what it comes down to.

V. Using Guides

If you are reading this, there is a 99.99% chance that you have an Amino . Shoutouts to anyone reading this from an alternative source.

Why did I mention this? Amino is a wonderful place for Guides and Matchup charts. There are also so many nice people on here willing to help you out as well. Use that to your advantage. Many people have made matchup analyses and guides teaching you how to play a matchup.

If you are undecided on a matchup, this may help make your decision. Even if you can't find a guide in specific, you can always ask someone who is comfortable. Once you learn the matchup a little better, you can play effectively. Here of some examples for you to check out:

Zero Suit Samus vs. Pikachu

Ike vs. Ganondorf

Lucina vs. Mario

Self-Promotion (Ike vs. Sonic)

Still can't find a decent guide on Amino? Don't worry. There is Smashboards and other online sources for your reference. These work just as fine, if not, better than Amino. You can get multiple opinions from players, even professionals.

Now you are one step better to making your own perfect matchup, but wait, there's more!

For only $5.99 you can change your whole matchup.... yeah... I am just going to stop there.

VI. Closure

Something I would like to mention; I have a terrible habit of clicking "submit" before I finish a post on here. So that is why I didn't post within almost a week. If you have any suggestions to avoid hitting submit by accident, I would really appreciate it. Also, I think I posted this way too early in the morning, whoops.

As always, thanks for reading!

Also here something you may want to check out for future reading on this topic! Another Article