Many newcomers to competitive fighting games have come face to face with their first “broken” character through Guilty Gear Strive. While it’s obvious that Sol Badguy is in fact top tier and likely the best in the game, some are reluctant to call him broken. But what is the difference? Aren’t top-tiers usually the best because they’re broken? We set out to find a clear answer to these two contrasting tiers.
What is a top tier character in fighting games?
First let’s ask, “What makes a top tier?” Top tier characters that simply fall under the “great” category have some of the best tools in the game. These tools can feel unbeatable given certain matchups or playstyles. Other times they’re rendered useless thanks to adaptation and counterplay. Sol Badguy is a perfect, albeit controversial example.
Sol Badguy is not broken
Sol is a well-rounded character that can be nigh-unstoppable with enough practice. He may be strong but there’s a stark contrast between carried players and optimal Sol gameplay. This top tier has some incredibly powerful options, just not enough to put him at the level of truly broken characters.
Sol’s tools make him the number one rule breaker in Strive:
- His dragon punch special is a true meterless reversal that can barely be punished on block or whiff.
- He has some of the best damage output in the game.
- Sol can convert certain hits to near touch-of-death combos through mechanics like Risc meter and additional counter damage.
- He also has the best matchup spread in the game.
- Plus, his infamous Far Slash and Standing Kick.
Far Slash or f.S is a lunging punch with amazing range for a poke. This plus on block move even brings Sol closer with every hit. Players can fish for easy counter hits, then follow up for some of the hardest-hitting combos in the game. It leads to easy tick throws, beats fuzzy jump, and denies counter-mashing.
Sol’s 5K is another lethal offensive option:
- It has 3 frames of startup.
- The move is an amazing anti-air that sets up high damage combos.
- His 5K works as a god-tier frame trap thanks to its two hits.
- This scramble tool has great priority.
These tools may have broken the balance between risk versus reward because they’re easy to use and lack downsides, but nothing is unstoppable. Out-neutraling Sol with just as great buttons like Ramlethal or Leo’s f.S. are effective countermeasures. Top players like Hookganggod even found success against Sol through “low tiers” like Faust. The mental battle is another big part of the matchup. You can get into a Sol player’s head instead of solely countering him in-game.
Sol has already proven to be beatable in major tournaments like Evo 2021 Online, despite being the best character in the game. That is the mark of a true top tier, not a broken character.
Pet Shop is an actual broken character
There are real broken characters in fighting games. I’m not talking Brawl Meta Knight. We’re going even further.
Introducing Pet Shop, the most infamous character in the arcade and Dreamcast fighting game, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future. This bird is the model for broken fighting game characters everywhere. A quick look at this video shows you how busted he is at a glance.
Pet Shop can carry even the worst player to victory, allowing a complete beginner to beat someone experienced with ease. He’s always flying and doesn’t have to ever block low. His constant airtime also makes him almost impossible to hit. If that wasn’t enough, Pet Shop has some of the easiest high damage combos in JoJo’s. For example, Pet Shop can perform a 90% combo starting from an unblockable attack.
These reasons led to Pet Shop’s ban in both competitive and casual play. He’s so broken it’s not even fun to play against him for a giggle.
Top tier characters aren’t always broken
The moral of the story is that just because a top tier is braindead and tends to carry bad players, they aren’t broken. Characters like Sol, Vergil, and UI Goku are beatable. Remember there’s a clear distinction between those three and actual broken characters like Pet Shop. Instead of arguing back and forth about character labels, just follow Marvel vs Capcom 2 God Sanford Kelly’s advice: “Find and…”
“Pick a top tier.”