User blog comment:DerpyDoodle/First SSB4 Tier List Released/@comment-1608607-20160203061436

I'd say, in all honesty, the restrictions placed on tournaments do create a sort of tier list. This is not a bad thing, it just means that, under certain conditions, some characters will be better. Combo fighters will benefit in the hands of highly skilled players who practice their craft intensely, but in a casual match, anything can happen. The game is relatively balanced when you factor everything in, I think. In tournaments, some characters suffer because speed and combos tend to be everything. Take Ganondorf. His poor speed and recovery means he'll be thumped by the swiftest fighters at the really elite level, but in a more casual game, the fact he hits like a truck means people are going down. And those who excel at one-on-ones may suffer in free-for alls. But, in the conditions of a tournament, certain fighters will excel and that's just the way it rolls. It's not an insult to your favourite character. If you want to play casual, dismiss them and roll with what happens.