Tier list

In gaming, a tier list is a list that ranks all characters in a game based on the strength of their fighting abilities, as well as their potential to win matches under tournament conditions, assuming players are of equal skill. Tier lists are most commonly made for fighting games that are played at a high competitive level. However, no one wants to play this game, let alone know of its existence in the first place. Due to the circumstances of this game's popularity a true tier list is hard to make out with many players claiming multiple far fetched claims nor even taking the time to learn some basic mechanics resulting in unseen or inaccurate placings. Therefore there truly is no reliable tier list that exists as the player-base is far too spread apart on playing level to construct an accurate list.

Ruleset XL version
The most common ruleset is to use custom game and set a 3 stock match with no items or assists. Punch Time Explosions are allowed as it is an unremoveable feature as well as adds new strategy to the game to prevent boring stale matches. In addition it aids low tiers who already having trouble killing without their Punch Time Explosion and removing them would further make the game more unbalanced. Most are also easily avoidable and can't kill at low percents forcing the player to have to use them at the right time, or in the case for one specific character, possibly not at all.

Stage Legality
Once again there are many different opinions on which stage should and shouldn't be banned. These are the currently legal stages. Though for others who have played, Final Boss is usually the go to stage for competitive, sometimes being the only legal stage at all.
 * Final BossFinalboss.png
 * A fairly flat stage with floating platforms extending slightly near the end of the ledge (similar to Kalos Pokemon League in Smash Bros. series.) . The blast lines are typical with the vertical one being average (around 180% to K.O.) and horizontal blast line being a little further from the stage (around 150% to K.O.)
 * The gimmick of this stage is that platforms located on the main body near the left, center, and right of the stage will fall under, creating a short death plane. This can be used as an advantage mostly for camping or cornering opponents into your Punch Time Explosion. In addition, any character using grounded Punch Time Explosions standing on these platforms should be wary that there is a chance that it could fall and result in a self destruct.
 * Samurai Jack 2Samuraijack2.png
 * Samurai Jack 2 is a wide stage with a large main body, a floating platform in the center of the stage, and one elevated platform on the right side of the stage, creating a wall. The blast lines on this stage are pretty much Final Boss flipped around, creating a short vertical blast line (around 130% to K.O.) but longer horizontal blast lines (around 200% to K.O.).
 * There is a hazard that activates underneath the center platform when attacked. After a certain time a robot will blow up in the background, dealing 19%, creating 4 power cubes.
 * There is also a gimmick on this stage that allows players to destroy the background. As a result this may affect certain characters such as K'nuckles' neutral signature as the background counts as a hurtbox. Although this hurtbox will go away after being attacked multiple times.
 * Due to how the stage isn't entirely flat and has more levels of elevation, camping with projectiles isn't as encouraged compared to Final Boss. In fact, one may argue that Samurai Jack 2 is a much more competitively viable stage than Final Boss. as the only major problem is the robot hazard and background hurtbox. The wall nullifies projectile spamming, and there aren't any infinites or any degenerate strategies that can be used with it. If there is an opponent camping from the wall platform, it can easily be bypassed by simply jumping to the top floating platform, or even timing a projectile of your own to counterattack by jumping and quickly taking cover.
 * Ben101-1.pngBen101-2.png 10 1
 * Ben 10 1 is a duo stage. The first half starts on the roof of a building in Bellwood. The next is an unknown location in the null void. It will stay in the null void for the rest of the match.
 * The city stage is a large main body with a slope in the middle leading to a higher ground. There is a floating platform on the right side and another on the left under the ledge. The Mr. Smoothie sign can be damaged and fall down dealing 10% dropping 2 power cubes. There are other buildings to the left and right, blocking horizontal killing almost enitrely. It is possible to stand on these buildings as well.
 * Sometimes as a rule for this stage, it is suggested to wait until the transition into the Null Void section and to cease fighting in the city portion of the stage entirely.
 * The Null void consists of a large main body as a rock, with two stairs and metal platforms to combine with it. There are three floating platforms that circle around each other on a set path and an alien that will come in occasionally to shoot a laser as a hazard. The laser itself does no damage, however the alien's body will damage the player for 10% dropping 2 power cubes.
 * The Null void consists of a large main body as a rock, with two stairs and metal platforms to combine with it. There are three floating platforms that circle around each other on a set path and an alien that will come in occasionally to shoot a laser as a hazard. The laser itself does no damage, however the alien's body will damage the player for 10% dropping 2 power cubes.

Tier List (XL)
This tier list was formed on 4/18/2022 by Amaterachu1, situated in the Punch Time Network discord (https://discord.gg/AK7jxzq). This reflects the current meta game as it is now with the exception of B+ reflecting characters who are strong enough to eventually compete. B tiers are characters who have one or more abusive traits with an otherwise poor or mediocre playstyle, while those in B+ have a much more varied playstyle and are less abusive in comparison

Basic Overview
This is a very basic overview of the most popular high tier picks and how or why they are considered strong or viable in a competitive environment.


 * Grim
 * Grim's range and power combined with a great edgeguarding tool make him a near unstoppable force.
 * Aku
 * The famed Aku laser is one of the strongest edge guarding tools in the game and has many glitch techs that aid it, combined with his up special which has great power and the ability to cancel out incoming melee attacks, as well as having the best recovery in the game make Aku an undoubted force.
 * Vilgax
 * Vilgax's mastery of spacing and extreme damage output are all he needs to put up a fight. He also comes equipped with arguably the best PTE in the game, which when used properly is essentially a free guaranteed KO.
 * Billy and Mandy
 * Billy and Mandy's tools help them in having the easiest time of getting their strong PTE attack, possibly being the quickest characters expected to get their PTE, which is arguably the best in the game. This PTE essentially powers them up and increases damage by 1.5x making most moves provide 4 power cubes and generate PTE even faster than before.
 * Samurai Jack
 * Samurai Jack's combo ability and dominating play style make him a potential high tier pick. He is a quick character who racks up damage quickly, which only gets increased by 1.5x after use of his PTE.
 * Dexter
 * Dexter comes with many ranged gadgets and mind game like tactics that help him simply toy around with his opponents. He also has the greatest use of the left flicking tech, with side special, which can be used as a mind game option. He is a jack of all trades, and an impressive one at that.
 * Numbuh One
 * Numbuh One has comes equipped with a versatile kit, and great recovery with many zoning options that keep the opponent busy. He can get his PTE relatively fast and has a high damage output on his PTE.
 * Captain K'nuckles
 * Captain K'nuckles is notable for his high speed and power and multiple gimping and anti-air/edge guard options. While he lacks range compared to other characters on this list, he has many tools that help him close in on opponents.
 * Blossom
 * The most commonly claimed S tier to the general playerbase. Although she has no infinite, she can combo ice breath into itself and other strong moves such as thunder. She also has fairly great combo potential even without ice breath.
 * Mojo Jojo
 * Mojo Jojo is a fast character that has multiple projectiles, high mobility, and powerful close range attacks that make him a highly formiddable opponent with high damaging combo ability.

Other Characters in XL Version
This is a basic overview of the rest of the cast in no given order, and a brief reason on why they are strong or may struggle in a competitive environment.


 * Ben Tennyson
 * Ben Tennyson is a decent character. His signature moves particularly are what make him strong. He also has fair combo potential and is overall just an average character. Ben and his aliens are mostly centered around punishing the opponent for using a wrong move.
 * Chowder & Kimchi
 * Chowder is another decent character. Although his PTE K.O's at much later percentages, it's his side signature that makes him strong, being the only command grab attack in the game. Another note is his up signature, which has a larger hitbox than one may expect and deals considerable high knockback. Chowder lacks range but his multiple jumps and signatures help him combat this.
 * Buttercup
 * Buttercup is a popular high tier choice for many players. This is due to her combo game being compared to Blossom's as well as having a projectile, therefore getting rid of the fear of approaching other characters if ever necessary. Her lack of range options and power compared to other high tiers makes her placement with them highly questionable.
 * Bubbles
 * Bubbles is an overall underwhelming character. She has great combos and speed, but is held back tremendously by her lack of knockback power, usually K.O.ing opponents at 300% on Final Boss with her down knockout attack being her best kill option (which is hard to land to begin with). Bubbles lacks K.O. power, but her aerial mobility and speedy attacks save her from being a complete train wreck.
 * Flapjack
 * Flapjack is a weak character. His attacks can be too slow and have weak knockback to begin with. He also has very poor range options and has trouble moving around the stage. He'll mostly be using side aerial to keep opponents away.
 * Mac & Bloo
 * Mac & Bloo are an underwhelming pair. They have one of the strongest PTEs in the game, which can be used to deny certain characters recovery as an edge guard. They rely mostly on neutral signature and up signature to K.O. opponents otherwise. However they have trouble comboing, as their moves are slightly too slow to follow up with anything. They can also be exploited easily (ex: Side signature has Mac throwing Bloo ahead, but Bloo will count as a hurtbox. If Bloo is hit, both characters will be knocked away from Mac's position.) Mac & Bloo are characters where they mostly must read the opponent and react accordingly.
 * Monkey
 * Monkey is a below average character. He has somewhat low speed on multiple moves and not so impressive knockback power. His recovery is also easily exploitable.
 * Captain Planet
 * Captain Planet is a decent character that has many strong moves. He has the best horizontal recovery in the game due to an oversight that allows him to use side signature multiple times. He is mostly held back by his range and is overall a very basic character with nothing special behind him other than having the fire attack oversight.
 * Father
 * Father is a decent character. He has high speed and power but is held back by lack of range and mediocre air options/recovery.
 * Kevin Levin
 * Kevin is a decent character who has high power. He can rack up damage quick and as a result can get his PTE very fast. He is held back slightly by speed and held back by lack of range. To compensate for range his side signature is used to close in and utilizes side signature vertical influence. His neutral signature also blocks every attack in the game including projectiles (only exception is grab).
 * Johnny Bravo
 * Johnny Bravo can't do too much but still manages to be a decent character due to his power and fair range. Johnny focuses mostly on his signature attacks, and especially his up signature which has higher knockback. The most basic way to land this is to use his neutral signature at a distance. The opponent will be forced to approach by either jumping over the projectiles or shielding. Jumping is the easiest way to avoid them, however once the opponent is close would be the time Johnny lands a strong up signature attack. Even if the opponent decides to shield through the projectiles, Johnny can either grab once they are close or try to land an up signature.
 * Him
 * Him is a somewhat average character that has average power, and nice range. However many of Him's attacks are somewhat slow and have significant end lag. He has arguably the worst PTE in the game as it has tremendous start up and is easy to avoid.
 * Young Ben
 * Young Ben is basically Ben Tennyson but without the combo potential as his normal attacks are too slow to follow up. He relies mostly on his alien attacks to perform.
 * Scotsman
 * Scotsman is a decent character who has powerful attacks and good range. He is held back by his mediocre speed, and large character being able to get hit easily.
 * Hoss Delgado
 * Hoss Delgado is an underwhelming character with good range, but is held back tremendously by his slow speed. He'll mostly be zoning the opponent at low percents and trying to land his stronger attacks at higher percents.
 * Toiletnator
 * Toiletnator is a below average character. Many of his attacks have low knockback power. His up knockout however is his strongest move and is a good K.O. option. Toiletnator's side knockout is also his quickest and generates a great amount of power cubes that can allow him to gain his PTE quickly.