Character Analysis - Zero Suit Samus - Patch 1.1.5

Zero Suit Samus (ZSS) has been on of the reigning champions of the top tier since the games release. Her grab combos, ability to paralyze, and early kill options made her very deadly. But recently, as of patch 1.1.5, she isn't looking like she is going to be as deadly, here you can check out all the changes she got.

ZZS main issue from this patch is the changing of her play style. She was a high risk high reward character so to speak, that put everything on the line to connect her grab, down throw into tons of aerials and possibly a boost kick (Up special) to finish a stock. These grab combos were honestly ridiculous when pulled off by a skilled player such as Nairo. Now this combo is much more underwhelming, performing much less damage, and not being able to set up into the up special boost kick kill as successfully. Her grab just simply isn't smart to do anymore. She has one of the longest durations of grab animation in the game, and her tether grab now has a shorter length that it can reach making it harder to land. She is going to have to adapt to remain in the top tiers.

I suggest that ZSS begin playing more in the air. She has great spacing and aerial moves, that tack on damage and can lead into early kills with her paralyze gun to down b combo. Her aerial moves still combo very well and utilizing just these make the character scary. She has great aerial mobility and combo game, amazing recovery, and early kill options. I believe fully that Zero Suit still is able to compete even after all the nerfs she received this patch. It is going to be allmost as if she is a new character though. She won't rely on grab as much, only using it in very safe situations, she won't be able to get as many early kills off of boost kick, and will ultimately have to play more of the neutral since she can not extend her combos as long. I feel that she is still a very fun character to play, but many people are going to discontinue playing her after these changes that happened to her.

Now, I want to address the change. Did I feel a nerf was needed for ZSS? No. Not really. But, that being said, I still do completely understand why she was nerfed. Nairo performed exceptionally well with her at a major event that Sakurai was attending, and he did not like what he saw. When played at a high level, a skilled ZSS player was very scary and probably the best character in the game. However, at low levels she was not nearly as scary, and it hurt many people that were playing her.  I do sympathize with the people who were affected, but I feel they need to move on from her or face the facts and adapt.