What are the best spirits in Smash Ultimate?

On top of bringing back all the fan favorites we’ve come to know and love, one thing that sets Super Smash Bros. Ultimate apart from previous installments is the introduction of spirits.

For those of you who are unfamiliar (and if you are do yourself a favor and go buy this masterpiece) spirits are player enhancements. Think ‘equips’ in a traditional RPG. They can do a number of things, such as increase basic stats, grant temporary invincibility, etc.

While this new mechanic is undoubtedly a plus, going through the trouble of deciding which of the 1000+ spirits to use can be a headache. Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most valuable spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Without further ado, we begin with number 10.

10. Deoxys (Normal Forme)

Deoxys, The DNA Pokemon 

The DNA Pokemon makes its list debut at number 10. Boasting a maximum power level of 12,704, it’s no secret why it’s a must have for any spirit arsenal. What this spirit brings to the table is a respectable defense, paired with an absurd attack stat. Additionally, its perk grants a boost to PSI attacks, meaning you’ll get the most out of Deoxys if you main Ness or Lucas. The lack of support slots keeps it from being higher up on this list.

Strengths/Rating:

• 6000+ attack stat.
• Grants boost to PSI attacks.
• Solid 4000+ defense stat.
• 90/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: Ness, Lucas
• Supports: This character has no support slots

How to Get: 

• Spirit Board
• Buy from Vault Shop

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ob4_6PtQP0

9. Zero (Z-Saber)

Zero, the popular hero from the Megaman series

Next up, we have the fan favorite of the Megaman franchise: Zero. Possessing a maximum power level of 12,026 with a focus on the offensive side of things, this is an invaluable spirit for any playthrough. Beyond the numbers, equipping this spirit grants a boost in movement speed, as well as weapon damage. He’s the ideal fit for sword wielding characters (looking at you, Fire Emblem). 

Strengths/Rating:

• 6000+ attack stat.
• Grants boost to weapon-based attacks.
• 4000+ defense stat.
• Increases movement speed.
• 91/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: Fire Emblem Characters, Cloud, Shulk, Mii Swordfighter, any of Link, Toon Link, or Young Link, Pit/Dark Pit
• Supports: Super Star

How to Get: 

• Enhance the Zero (Zero Buster) spirit

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxFuCJ1chZY

8. Akuma

Akuma, one of Street Fighter's greatest villains

Street Fighter was a huge part of my childhood, and one thing I vividly remember was going straight to Akuma when I was in desperate need of a win. Years later, his role in Smash Ultimate is no different, with one of the highest attack stats in the game, and an overall maximum power of 13,235, this spirit is nothing but raw firepower. Unfortunately, the lack of a perk, or any support slots traps it near the bottom of this list.

Strengths/Rating:

• Near 8000 attack stat.
• 5000+ defense stat.
• Third highest base power in the entire game
• 93/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: no character benefits more than others here
• Supports: This character has no support slots

How to Get: 

• World of Light (Dracula’s Castle)
• Spirit Board
• Vault Shop

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QtcVvFFUok

7. Galacta Knight

Galacta Knight, Meta Knight's counterpart

What Galacta Knight lacks in perk strength, and support slots, it makes up for in the numbers. With a maximum power level of 13,345, this spirit is one of the most powerful in the game, and can only be acquired via summoning. With a perk that boosts the power of sword attacks, those of you who main fire emblem characters will find this spirit all the more valuable. 

Strengths/Rating:

• 6500+ attack stat.
• 5500 defense stat.
• Second highest base power in the entire game.
• Extra useful for sword wielders such as Marth, Link, Shulk, etc.
• 93.5/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters:  Fire Emblem Characters, Cloud, Shulk, Mii Swordfighter, any of Link, Toon Link, or Young Link, and Meta Knight.
• Supports: This character has no support slots

How to Get: 

• Summon with cores from:
  • Shovel Knight
  • Knight Man
  • Meta-Knights

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n76lMgdvg4

6. Mega Diancie

The Jewel Pokemon

One of my personal favorites, Mega Diancie’s spirit stays true to its defensive nature in the Pokemon games. With a defense stat of over 6000 it’ll be difficult to make any sort of dent in this 24 karat armor. Although its maximum power level resides just below 12,000 it makes up for this with a generous three support slots. On top of this, its perk equips the Franklin Badge; meaning all projectiles can be reflected.

Strengths/Rating:

• 6000+ defense stat.
• 4000+ offense stat.
• Grants fighter a Franklin Badge; situationally very useful.
• Three slots for supporting spirits.
• 95/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: Pichu, Greninja, Pikachu, Young Link, Isabelle, Kirby, Jigglypuff
• Supports: Dr. Wily, Ness’s Father

How to Get: 

• Enhance the Diancie Spirit

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngqc8_8Becg

5. Hero Chao

Objectively the best Chao

What’s unique about this particular spirit is that it’s the only entry on this list with less than a 4-star rating. Now you may be wondering just what quality enables it to sit amongst such elite company. The answer, my friends, is in Hero Chao’s perk: Fast Final Smash Meter. As the name implies, equipping Hero Chao causes your fighter’s final smash meter to fill up much more quickly than normal, priming you for an early finishing blow.

Strengths/Rating:

• 5000+ offense stat.
• 4500+ defense stat.
• Faster final smash meter.
• Two slots for supporting spirits.
• 96/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: any and all
• Supports: Ashley, Jeff

How to Get: 

• Enhance the Chao Spirit

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S1RIqVhh6A

4. Nightmare Wizard

Nightmare Wizard, villain of the Kirby franchise

Much like Hero Chao from the previous entry, what makes Nightmare Wizard so valuable is its perk. It’s essentially the opposite of Chao’s; instead of speeding up your own final smash meter, it slows down that of your opponent. Seeing as how this produces a similar outcome, and Nightmare Wizard’s stats are generally higher, it has a slight edge over Chao.

Strengths/Rating:

• 6000 offense stat.
• 5000 defense stat.
• Reduces opponent’s final smash meter.
• Two slots for supporting spirits.
• 96.5/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: any and all
• Supports: Ashley, Jeff, Dr. Wily

How to Get: 

• Enhance the Nightmare’s Power Orb Spirit

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_R4dKnynww

3. Galeem/Dharkon

Galeem, one of the game's most fearsome bosses

Now, this top 10 wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include the final boss spirits Galeem and Dharkon. The reason I have them in the same slot is due to the fact that they’re beat for beat clones of one another. They just make it into the top 3 due to their maximum power level which, at a staggering 13,640, is far and away the highest in the game. Not much to be seen here beyond that though.

Strengths/Rating:

• 6000+ attack stat.
• 6000+ defense stat.
• Highest base power in the entire game
• 97.5/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: any and all
• Supports: this spirit has no support slots

How to Get: 

• Defeat them in battle

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIfio-90shQ

2. Zygarde (Complete Forme)

Zygarde, the Order Pokemon

With a maximum power level of 11,850 you’d be inclined to question Zygarde’s placement so high on this list. The reason, you skeptics, is in the perk: Critical-Health Healing. What this perk entails, is that when your fighter sustains high damage, a large portion of health is recovered. In theory, this grants you 1.5 times more health in every battle, an advantage second only to one.

Strengths/Rating:

• 5000+ attack stat.
• 5000+ defense stat.
• Restores health of fighter when damage is high.
• 98/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: light characters that tend to die early (see Mega Diancie)
• Supports: Metroid, Star Rod

How to Get: 

• Enhance the Zygarde (50% Forme) Spirit

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTNdp1FZ3OE

1. Zelda (The Wind Waker)

Zelda, princess of Hyrule

The one to rule them all is none other than the ruler of Hyrule herself, Zelda. I spent a long time deliberating over this final spot, but given the combination of high stats, and a ridiculously useful perk, my hands were tied. The perk in question is the Double Final Smash; like the name implies, equipping Zelda grants you a chance to use consecutive final smashes. This can make for a devastating finish, and can help you turn the tide of a battle when backed against the wall.

Strengths/Rating:

• 4500+ attack stat.
• 6000+ defense stat.
• Two support slots.
• Grants user chance at a double final smash.
• 99/100

Best Pairings:

• Characters: any and all characters
• Supports: Ashley

How to Get: 

• Enhance the Tetra Spirit

See it in Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9nu-f-GVRU

You may also be interested in:

• Smash Ultimate Best Characters 2019 [Smash Ultimate Tier List]
• 10 Best Smash Ultimate Custom Stages
• Smash Ultimate Tournaments List (All Major Tournaments To Watch)