What difference does level make

super-smash-bros-melee

In VS mode, players may set the difficulty level of CPUs (bots). What're the differences from levels 1 to 9?

Best Answer

Higher difficulty levels make the opponents "better", but they do have an upper limit. I personally found it to be around level 7-8. Level 9 opponents are harder to beat but only because they have inhumanly good timing. For example, they will frequently power shield your projectiles (much higher % chance than most humans, even very good ones), especially in a situation that would be too fast for most players to see coming (e.g. immediately after a missed attack or recovery).

Also they tend to abuse directional influence more at level 9 than you can with a controller as a human, so in some aspects of the physics engine, they are cheating. That may be better or worse for your enjoyment.

If you are a very good player or play with any, practicing against level 9's (alone) won't really help you become highly skilled. SSBM's AI is not particularly good. A human partner at/somewhat above your skill level is best, combined with learning advanced skills (L-canceling, wavedashing, boost canceling, etc).