Primarily using Pyra/Mythra and Steve, DM is 107-24 (82%) with eight local wins and no placement worse than 9th since returning to locals May 23, 2021. Click to expand.
DM made four Top 8s at PGRU-rated events in 2019. Click to expand.
Fighters Pass 2 marked the beginning of a new era for DM, as not one but TWO of his most wanted characters—Steve from Minecraft and Pyra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2—made it into the game. With WiFi on its way out, he decided to return to weeklies with a self-imposed challenge: No more Pikachu.
“Originally before locals came back I said I would play only Pyra/Mythra and Steve until PR comes back,” says DM. This challenge didn’t last too long, however, as during Grand Finals at Bay State Beatdown Week 4 he opted to swap his old friend back in during match point vs. Pelca. The counterpick didn’t lead to the outcome he had hoped, with Pelca ultimately taking the set and winning the tournament.
This solidified DM’s resolve to drop Pikachu altogether in favor of the newer characters, “the only reason I tried playing him was because he was my best character, so it sounds really stupid to drop him. That’s the only reason I was using him. It’s stupid to drop Pikachu or Joker or Palu or someone really stupid and broken.”
From a competitive standpoint, it may make little sense to drop one of the best characters in the game, especially when you are a player like DM who is known for being one of the best in the world using them. He rationalized the decision, “The reason I’m okay with dropping him is because I think the tier gap between Pikachu and Pyra/Mythra isn’t that big. I think they’re Top 5, whereas I think Steve is high tier. I was comfortable being able to say I can drop Pikachu because they’re still just as broken.”
Another deciding factor in the decision to drop Pikachu came from DM’s overall enjoyment playing the character. He had been using the electric mouse consistently since Brawl, it was time for a well-deserved break. “It was all business with Pikachu. No fun allowed.” says DM, “Pikachu was only fun if I won, if I didn’t win I was just pissed off or sad. With Pyra/Mythra I had fun even though I lost.”
His philosophy is one many who play Smash can relate to. The game is full of characters referencing countless iconic video games and franchises. Having a character that clicks with your playstyle or is from one of your all-time favorite titles is reason enough to enjoy your time with them.
Best character does not automatically translate to most-fun either, as DM says the changes made to Pikachu’s kit from Smash 4 to Ultimate made him less interesting overall. “They changed a lot in Ultimate with him. No quick attack combos, no footstools, all auto combos. He was better as a character but he didn’t feel as fun.”
DM has been a bit more open about using Pikachu in bracket lately. Since bringing the character out against Pelca at Bay State Beatdown Week 4 he’s used the character in a handful of sets. At the most recent Bay State, though, he stayed true to his goal of making Pyra/Mythra his new true main, defeating Pelca with only them in Grand Finals.
