After the recent announcement that Pyra and Mythra would be joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from the Xenoblade series, fans have been eagerly anticipating the latest patch. It's an important time in the world of competitive Smash as players see whether their favourite (or most hated) fighters have received any kind of nerf or buff. With that in mind, let's take a look at the Super Smash Bros Ultimate update for March 5 ver. 11.0.

What's changing?

The latest Super Smash Bros. Ultimate update brings a raft of changes. Most importantly, Pyra and Mythra join the battle along with a brand new stage and plenty of music. They will also bring with them a bunch of brand new Xenoblade-focused Spirits, some new Mii Fighter costumes and the heavily anticipated balance changes.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate update for March 5 - 11.0 full Patch Notes

Nintendo has released the full patch notes as follows:

  • Offline
    • The following spirits will appear in the Shop on the Vault menu:
      • Lora
      • Amalthus
      • Jin
      • Malos
      • Pneuma
    • You can now enhance Rex's spirit.
    • When multiple controllers are connected, unused controllers can now be disconnected using other controllers in the fighter-selection screen in Smash.
      • This can be done by pressing the A Button over the player bracket of the controller you want to disconnect.
  • General
    • The following downloadable content will be usable after purchase:
      • Pyra/Mythra Challenger Pack
      • Arthur's Helm + Armor
      • Felyne Hat
      • Hunter's Helm + Mail
      • Rathalos Helm + Mail
      Note: You cannot make videos of replays that contain DLC you have not purchased (fighters, stages, music, Mii Fighter costumes, etc.).
    • The Toad Power-Up Band (Amiibo) is now supported.
      • If you go to Amiibo in Games & More and tap the Toad Power-Up Band, you can receive a reward. The Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and Yoshi Power-Up Bands can be used as Figure Players.
    • Game-balance adjustments have been made. Please see the details of fixes and changes to fighters.
    • Several issues have been fixed to improve gameplay experience.
Fighter Adjustments
Fighter Move Change
Link Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Captain Falcon Up Special Reduced vulnerability after hitting an opponent.
Jigglypuff Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Zelda Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Pichu Side Smash Attack Decreased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu Neutral Air Attack Made the ears invincible during the attack's high-damage window.
Pichu Forward Air Attack Decreased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu Forward Throw Decreased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu Side Special Decreased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu Up Special Decreased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Ganondorf Up Special Reduced vulnerability after hitting an opponent.
Zero Suit Samus Neutral Air Attack Increased the vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Zero Suit Samus Up Special Decreased attack speed.
Wario Up Tilt Attack Decreased the amount of time the hit detection lasts.
Wario Down Special Decreased attack speed for the third level charge. Decreased attack speed of the max charge.
Diddy Kong Down Special Increased the amount of time until you can throw another banana peel after throwing one.
King Dedede Side Special Reduced vulnerability. Increased the chance the Gordo will get stuck on a wall. Increased the speed you can hit back Gordos that were reflected by the opponent.
R.O.B. Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Villager Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Little Mac Up Smash Attack Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Mii Brawler Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Mii Swordfighter Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Mii Gunner Side Smash Attack Increased attack range.
Mii Gunner Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Palutena Dash Attack Increased vulnerability.
Palutena Forward Air Attack Increased the vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Palutena Grab Attack Decreased the grab range of the normal grab.
Shulk Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Isabelle Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Joker Side Special Increased vulnerability for Eiha.
Joker Down Special Increased vulnerability when Arsene is present and a counter is not triggered.
Hero Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Banjo & Kazooie Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Byleth Down Smash Attack Extended launch distance.
Byleth Down Air Attack Extended launch distance. Increased power against shields.
Byleth Side Special Increased the opponent’s downtime when shielding from the tip. Reduced vulnerability when using the move in the air.
Byleth Up Special Extended launch distance when stepping on an opponent with high accumulated damage. Increased attack speed.
Byleth Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Min Min Air Dodge Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when performing an air dodge.
Min Min Side Smash Attack Shortened the amount of time you can charge a smash attack.
Min Min Side Smash Attack Reduced the launch distance for the dragon's lasers while using the Dragon ARM.
Min Min Other Matched the vulnerability with other fighters when falling in place.
Steve & Alex Down Smash Attack Increased attack range.
Sephiroth Down Special Made it easier to hit multiple times.
"Falling in place" means when the fighter gets hit with a certain attack and falls down to the ground slowly in that spot.

What does this mean and what's next for Smash?

Characters like Byleth, Sephiroth, Steve and Pichu have all received buffs, while the likes of Min Min, Joker and Wario have been nerfed. As for the future of Smash, it's likely we'll continue to get these balance updates for a long time. Pyra/Mythra's addition also means we now have just two characters remaining in the second Fighter Pass! Who do you hope it is? Let us know in the comments below.