u/Delicious_Island_695

Newcomers Potentially Chosen Based on Improved Capabilities of the Switch 2

One thing I don't see people take into consideration with newcomer predictions is the possibility of characters being chosen based on the improved capabilities of the Switch 2. It's a more powerful console that's been able to run current 9th gen games like Resident Evil Requiem, and games like Donkey Kong Bananza were able to reach their full potential because of this. This could potentially have an impact on which characters are chosen, or at least some of the choices.

One example could be who they choose as the Fortune's Weave rep, which could mostly boil down to Cai or Leda. Cai because of him being a riding unit and riding his giant bird throughout the whole battle, or Leda because of her summoning demonic beasts, which would have these giant creatures active on the battlefield and maybe even controlled by the player.

Another example could be the Howard Twins with their Legions. I wouldn't be surprised if they were like Rex & Pyra, where the legions with the twins couldn't be handled in Ultimate due to the weaker power, but with the Switch 2 they could use the Legions to their full potential.

Speaking of Rex & Pyra, maybe this is when we actually get the Driver and Blade mechanic due to the increased capabilities, since this was what the Smash team was originally going for with a Xenoblade 2 rep.

What are some other characters you think could get added or would simply be able to take better advantage of their toolkits because of the Switch 2's increased capabilities.

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My own predictions for a 2026 Smash Ultimate Switch 2 Edition

I do think it's still possible we get a Smash Ultimate Switch 2 Edition this year while waiting for Smash 6, especially if Smash 6 is still a way off and only just started development after Kirby Air Riders. Also please forgive the weird size difference with the characters.

These are my own predictions for the newcomer roster in this expansion. It would essentially be like a base roster newcomer list, except the number of characters matches what Ultimate had at launch, but with a bigger ratio of unique fighters.

Octoling and Shadow would be echo fighters. I know being semi-clones would be more preferrable, but I think Smash would just take the easy way out and make them echoes.

I'm predicting the roster would be a mix of highly requested characters/fan favorites and relatively newer characters. Since this is for a 2026 release, it would have Raven Beak, Meowscarada and Mio instead of Sylux, a Winds & Waves Pokemon or Xenoblade 4 rep who would probably be saved for Smash 6.

Alear is probably the most noticeable absence, since they're the newest main FE protagonist. I honestly believe they're gonna skip over Alear due to Engage already having representation with the older protagonists and the backlash from Byleth. Maybe if it was just one of these reasons they'd get in, but both applying makes their case worse.

What are your thoughts on this prediction roster. Do you think it seems reasonable for a 2026 Smash Ultimate Switch 2 Edition?

u/Delicious_Island_695 — 8 days ago