Steve was added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2020, bringing a mix of excitement and surprise to the community. His unique move set, pulled directly from Minecraft, initially intrigued players. However, it quickly became apparent that Steve’s mechanics were game-breaking. From powerful moves to disruptive glitches, Steve’s impact on the game shifted the meta, leading to debates about his inclusion in competitive play.
Glitches and Issues Steve Introduced
From the start, Steve brought a series of glitches that disrupted normal gameplay. One of the most notorious issues involved characters getting stuck in his blocks. King K. Rool and Bowser, for instance, would float unnaturally when blocks broke beneath them. Players even encountered instances where Steve’s interactions with custom stages caused the game to crash. This led to frustration and calls for immediate patches to resolve these issues.
Despite ongoing patches, not all problems were fixed. Some glitches remained for extended periods, making Steve feel inconsistent. These issues, combined with his disruptive style, sparked controversy. Many questioned how a character with so many bugs could still be allowed in competitive play, highlighting how broken Steve was at times.
Steve’s Powerful Moves and Mechanics
Beyond glitches, Steve boasts some of the strongest moves in the game. His Up Tilt, one of the fastest in Smash Ultimate, can be chained into devastating combos. His Forward Smash also stands out due to its low end-lag, allowing him to spam the move without much risk. Steve’s ability to upgrade his tools, especially to Diamond, amplifies his damage and knockback, turning him into a significant threat.
The versatility of Steve’s Minecart further solidifies his dominance. This move can serve multiple purposes—it can grab opponents, act as a kill move, and even start combos. Combined with his blocks, which he uses to stall and control space, Steve creates a chaotic battlefield where most opponents struggle to find openings.
Unique Tech and Combos Steve Introduced
Steve’s mechanics allow for a range of technical plays and combos. His down air, for example, can set up zero-to-death combos when paired with his blocks. Placing blocks near the ledge lets Steve trap opponents in disadvantageous positions, often leading to easy kills. He also can manipulate blocks mid-air, giving him opportunities to recover resources or regain stage control while airborne.
Steve’s tech not only redefines his playstyle but also opens the door to countless possibilities for advanced players. While it’s challenging to master, those who dedicate time to learning Steve’s setups find themselves at an overwhelming advantage, particularly in edge-guarding and ledge-trapping scenarios. These combos make it difficult for opponents to mount a counteroffensive, which is why Steve is viewed as one of the most problematic characters to face.
Impact on the Meta and Tournament Scene
Steve’s introduction reshaped the competitive Smash Ultimate scene. Players like Onin, who took SmashCon 2022, showcased Steve’s unmatched potential in tournaments. His ability to control space, stall opponents, and utilize advanced combos gave Steve players a clear advantage, leading to a surge in his popularity. However, Steve’s dominance also brought controversy, with some players calling for his ban.
As Steve’s influence grew, regions like Australia and certain events like The Coinbox started enforcing Steve bans. While some tournaments only banned specific tech like Phantom MLG (PMLG), which allowed Steve to bypass hitstun, others opted for outright bans. These restrictions highlighted the character’s unbalanced design and further cemented his reputation as broken.
PMLG Tech and Its Controversy
The discovery of PMLG in 2023 intensified the debate surrounding Steve’s place in competitive play. This technique allowed him to escape hitstun and counterattack almost immediately, creating an unfair advantage. While some tournaments banned only the tech, others, frustrated by Steve’s overall dominance, chose to ban the character outright.
Although the relevance of PMLG has waned, its introduction caused lasting damage to Steve’s reputation. The controversy it sparked showed that Steve wasn’t just another strong character—he was one capable of breaking the competitive balance of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate entirely.
Steve’s Current Status in the Meta
Despite initial bans and backlash, Steve remains a top-tier character in Smash Ultimate. Several regions have lifted bans, and Steve continues to see strong placements in tournaments. His glitches and powerful move set remain an issue, but his popularity shows no sign of slowing. Steve players, like Acola and Onin, have consistently achieved major wins, further proving his dominance.
While some might argue that Steve’s dominance has lessened, his presence is still felt across the competitive scene. His potential to warp the game’s meta, combined with the frustration he brings to opponents, keeps Steve at the center of Smash Ultimate discussions.
Conclusion
Steve’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been nothing short of game-changing. His glitches, powerful moves, and the tech he introduced have shifted the meta in ways previously unseen. While patches and bans have attempted to balance Steve, he remains one of the most dominant and controversial characters in the game’s history. For now, Steve stands as a testament to how one character can break the boundaries of what competitive Smash was meant to be.
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