How Smash Ultimate’s projectile tournament impacts FPS character DLC chances
Tournament Mechanics and Character Eligibility
The recently announced Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament introduces strict participation requirements that significantly impact potential DLC candidates. Unlike standard competitive events, this competition exclusively features fighters with three or more projectile-based attacks, creating unique balance considerations.
This specialized format effectively eliminates numerous fan-requested characters from first-person shooter franchises, including iconic figures like Master Chief from Halo and Doom’s infamous protagonist. The tournament’s design philosophy favors characters with clearly defined projectile arsenals rather than those relying on hitscan mechanics.
For competitive players, this creates an interesting metagame shift where zoning strategies dominate close-quarters combat. The event’s timing—just before the expected DLC announcement—has sparked intense speculation about Nintendo’s character selection process and how it might influence future balance patches.
FPS Character Analysis
Examining potential FPS representatives reveals fundamental design challenges for Smash Ultimate’s combat system. Characters like Tracer from Overwatch or Apex Legends’ diverse roster would require complete ability overhauls to fit the projectile tournament’s requirements, as their core gameplay mechanics rely on hitscan technology rather than physical projectiles.
Game developers would need to implement creative solutions, such as:
- Converting hitscan weapons into visible projectiles with travel time
- Creating entirely new special moves that fit Smash’s mechanics
- Balancing weapon damage to prevent zoning dominance
The Doom Slayer presents an interesting case study—while his arsenal includes numerous projectile weapons, implementing his signature shotgun would require careful consideration to maintain game balance without compromising character identity.
DLC Timing and Speculation
The tournament’s scheduling has created waves in the Smash Bros community, with many interpreting its proximity to the next DLC release as a soft deconfirmation of projectile-heavy characters. As content creator PapaGenos noted, Nintendo typically spaces out themed events to maximize promotional synergy, making this timing particularly noteworthy.
However, historical precedents like Sephiroth’s release following a 90s-themed event demonstrate that Nintendo doesn’t always follow predictable patterns. Competitive players should consider:
- DLC development cycles often span 6+ months
- Character concepts may predate tournament planning
- Nintendo maintains final say on all roster decisions
With the final Challenger Pack expected by December 2021, the community remains divided on whether this tournament truly eliminates FPS characters or simply represents another layer to Nintendo’s complex DLC strategy.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Multiple fan-favorite Smash Ultimate DLC fighters possibly ruled out How Smash Ultimate's projectile tournament impacts FPS character DLC chances