Character archetypes

Character archetypes are used as a way to define a character's playstyle in a fighting game. In these games, it's common to see characters that function in a particular manner, so much so that they can be divided up into different categories that give the player an indication of what to expect when fighting them. Often times, these archetypes are used by game developers as a tool for balancing characters while maintaining diversity in playstyles.

Attribute-based archetypes
Typically, characters have three basic stats: attack, defense, and speed. Attribute-based archetypes are those that are primarily driven by the character's stat spread. In platform fighters such as the Super Smash Flash games, these stats can be attributed to the following traits:


 * Attack - Damage, knockback, KO power, combo game, shield-breaking ability
 * Defense - Weight, shield strength, armor, recovery, dodge speed/intangibility, combo-escaping capabilities
 * Speed - Movement speed, jump height, gravity, fall speed, frame data

Jack of All Trades
Sometimes referred to as master of none, all-rounder, or balanced. These characters are capable of doing most tactics at a competent level due to their balanced stats and overall design. Usually they are easy to learn, being designed to introduce new players to the basic concepts of the game. When mastered, they are often have solid matchups across the board, being capable of taking on any character in the game due to their flexibility granting them unprecedented adaptability. However, they are by no means the best at anything, and will often times fall behind more specialized characters that are better in specific areas that grant them a greater advantage in the meta.

Fragile Speedster
These characters have low attack and defense, but a very high speed.

Mighty Glacier
These characters have high attack and defense, but a very low speed.

Glass Cannon
These characters have high attack and speed, but a very low defense.

Stone Wall
These characters have low attack and speed, but a very high defense.

Gradual Grinder
These characters have high defense and speed, but a very low attack.

Squishy Wizard
These characters have low defense and speed, but a very high attack.

Lightning Bruiser
These characters have high attack, defense, and speed, but often have some other weakness to keep them balanced, or a steep learning curve.

Joke Character
These characters have low attack, defense, and speed, but sometimes have some other gimmick that makes them lethal in the right hands.