Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Screengrab via Nintendo
Category:
FGC
Guides

What are the legal competitive stages in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?

It's time to throw down.
Image of Adam Newell
Adam Newell
|

Published: Aug 9, 2019 08:33 am

This article is over 5 years old and may contain outdated information

If you want to turn yourself into the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitive player, then you need to learn about the various legal stages in the game.

Recommended Videos

“Legal stages” refers to stages and arenas in-game that are deemed playable in professional competitive Smash Bros. matches.

Legal stages fall into three categories: A neutral/starter stage that’s always played in the first game, a counter-pick stage that’s chosen after the first game of a set that gives slight advantages to certain characters, and banned stages that can’t be chosen at all for various reasons.

All stages used competitively will also always turn off stage hazards and transformations to remove RNG from the game. This gives stages like Pokémon Stadium 2 the chance to be potentially viable.

In most cases, each tournament organizer or the Smash community might have their own idea on which ones are viable and most will likely use different stages depending on where you go. As such, we advise asking your local competitive community on what its legal stages actually are before trying to compete.

Legal stages could also change over time to accommodate for external factors, such as a character being too overpowered on a particular stage. Meta Knight’s rise in Brawl is one example of this since players banned any stage where he had too much of an advantage.

The Smash Ultimate competitive scene argues with itself when deciding on which stages are legal for competitive play. Every tournament organizer will have its own idea on which stages are legal and which aren’t, but these are usually the main stages you should see at events.

Starter

  • Battlefield
  • Final Destination
  • Pokémon Stadium 2
  • Smashville
  • Town and City

Counter-pick

  • Yoshi’s Story
  • Yoshi’s Island (Brawl)
  • Lylat Cruise (Can be Starter at times too)
  • Unova Pokémon League
  • Kalos Pokémon League (Can be Starter at times too)

Mixed

These stages rarely show up, but can be at certain events from time to time. Most of the time, though, they’re just banned. Be sure to check your tournament’s rules and banned stages before practicing on any of these.

  • Rainbow Cruise
  • Warioware, Inc.
  • Frigate Orpheon
  • Skyloft
  • Wily Castle
  • Halberd
  • Castle Siege
  • Mementos

Of course, this list could be changed in time, so we’ll be sure to restructure it based on competitive and community feedback.

Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
related content
Author
Image of Adam Newell
Adam Newell
Assigning Editor
Assigning Editor. In 2015, Adam graduated from the University of Aberystwyth with a bachelor's in Media and Communications. Working in the industry for over ten years. If it has anything to do with Nintendo and Pokémon chances are you will see me talking about it, covering, and likely not sleeping while playing it.
twitter