In a previous blog post, I broke down the current characters, their stats as they are right now, as well as their playstyles. This post is going to talk about the possible dlc characters that can come as well as their possible stats and playstyle. So far, there has been no word on when the "free post launch" updates will arrive or how many characters we will be getting. My mind says that there will be ten more but I really hope that we get fifteen to twenty more. I personally don't think twenty characters will be enough. This is not be including different play modes, arenas, other unlockables and quality of life features that I mentioned in my review of the game. Let's discuss and speculate!
Keep in mind that I'm going to do the stats of the characters just like they are in the game, and I will also keep all the base stats between 9 and 17 with a total of 63 - just like every character in the game to this point. I'm also going to mention characters that weren't spoken of in previous posts about this game.
I'm obviously going to start with Daisy, as she should have been in the game to start.
In the first Strikers game, Super Mario Strikers, she was an offensive player. In Mario Strikers: Charged, the second game, she flipped and was a defensive player. The only thing that remained the same was that she was always fast on her feet. Across many of the Mario sports games, Daisy also has surprisingly good strength to go with her mobility. Usually she's compared to Peach in some of these games and the difference between them are usually precision or accuracy going in Peach's favor while Daisy is stronger.
Strength: 15
Speed: 17
Shooting: 12
Passing: 10
Technique: 9
My guess is that she will still be defensive and similar to Waluigi but more offensive than him. I think being a speedy defender suits her and fits her style. She'll be strong, but not to the level of Bowser, Donkey Kong or Wario but, if these stats are true, she can have maxed strength, too, with the current gear in game.
Next up, we'll have the first unlockable character from Charged, Bowser Jr.
His only appearance in the Strikers series was as an unlockable character after being him in the Fire Cup finale in Mario Strikers Charged. He was an offensive character that specialized in shooting and passing. He's normally a little tricky in other sports games but he was made defensive, to my surprise, in Mario Tennis: Aces. I did his stats here based on him being considered tricky in other sports games.
Strength: 10
Speed: 9
Shooting: 15
Passing: 15
Technique: 14
This stat line would probably have him replace many a player's Yoshi, unless they are running more than one Yoshi on their team. His shooting and passing is slightly weaker than Yoshi but has a vastly better technique stat to make up for it if this were to be his stats.
Next up, Diddy Kong. He was the second boss and unlockable character from Charged.
You unlocked him after being him in the Crystal Cup finale in Charged. He was a playmaker captain, specializing in speed and passing, just like Peach, and the sidekicks Boo and Toad. He is usually speedy across his appearances in other sports spinoffs.
Strength: 9
Speed: 16
Shooting: 10
Passing: 16
Technique: 12
I went with playmaking for him in the midfield with these stats. He never was one to have a lot of power, hence the minimum strength. I could see him being paired up with other players' Toad or Peach if this was his stat line.
Now, it's time for Petey Piranha.
He was the Charged final boss at Stormship Stadium in the Striker Cup finale. Across all his appearances, he has been very large and very powerful. As a playable character in Charged, he played for power: strong on defense and great shooting but slow.
Strength: 17
Speed: 9
Shooting: 17
Passing: 10
Technique: 10
He's nearly identical to Bowser with this stat line, so I'm not sure this would be it for him, but if this wound up being his stats, he could replace Bowser as someone with a different look or team up with Bowser for some heavy hitting and dangerous high speed shooting.
Next up, Shy Guy. His voice actor is in the credits for Battle League so he should be in.
Shy Guys are generally balanced in their spinoff appearances, never usually having a specialty. Even in his only soccer appearance, Charged, he was a balanced sidekick. Only the tennis games was he considered anything else (technique).
Strength: 11
Speed: 13
Shooting: 12
Passing: 12
Technique: 15
I balanced him out with a little emphasis on his technique stat as a nod to his tennis game playstyle. With gear, he's likely a backup shooter/passer/ball handler. Which would make him a fit on any team if this were to be his stat spread. I do hope that, if he does get in, that players are allowed to have multiple Shy Guys on their team like Toad and Yoshi.
Let's bring in one of Bowser's stronger minions, the Hammer Bro.
He was in every soccer game as a hard hitting sidekick that was specialized in Charged as offensive. He also made appearances in the baseball games as a power hitter so, we should have an easy idea on how his stat spread will look.
Strength: 15
Speed: 9
Shooting: 15
Passing: 15
Technique: 9
This stat spread makes him a stronger Yoshi, which could render Yoshi obsolete. Current gear would prevent him from maxing out the shooting stat but strength and passing is still possible. I went with a power + an offensive look for him since that is what Hammer Bro did best in previous games. I'm also hoping for the ability to have multiple Hammer Bros on a team just like Yoshi and Toad. Or even Hammer Bro, Boomerang Bro (blue), Fire Bro (Red) as alternate color options with the same stats.
Next up is another sidekick from Charged, Boo.
Boo, like Toad, was a playmaker sidekick in Charged. They controlled differently due to their deke but shared a high speed with good passing while being frail and prone to the big hit. Most of their appearances in spinoff games have them being tricky.
Strength: 9
Speed: 16
Shooting: 11
Passing: 15
Technique: 17
Focusing on the playmaking ability, Boo would be and excellent midfielder with this build. Some players may even opt to make Boo a captain due to the high speed of their stats - something very commonly seen online with Toad as a captain. I think it's possible that there could be multiple Boo on a team if they get in the game.
Going to Koopa Troppa, who I think is likely to get in.
Much like Shy Guy, Koopa Troopa tends to be balanced in the soccer games while emphasizing speed with his balance in other games. Yet another candidate to have multiples on a team, I think a balanced stat spread with a slight emphasis on speed is ideal for him.
Strength: 10
Speed: 14
Shooting: 12
Passing: 14
Technique: 13
I see him being balanced, like Shy Guy, but leaning towards offense and playmaking that could make him a good addition to a team as a backup to the primary, also like Shy Guy.
Now, to the tougher version of the Koopa Troopa, Dry Bones.
In Charged, they were fast and tough defenders that helped protect the back line. In other games, they can vary on their stats depending on the game.
Strength: 14
Speed: 15
Shooting: 9
Passing: 13
Technique: 12
Keeping them in line with his defensive minded gameplay, I could see them being a slightly weaker version of Waluigi or the proposed Daisy above. I think highlighting the passing stat was best to have them be able to clear the ball out of his team's zone when needed. I'm not sure if multiple Dry Bones would be ideal so, I can't say that I am too in favor of it.
Now, we take a look at Birdo.
Based on her soccer stats from Charged, she's power based. In her other sports appearances, she's actually balanced quite well. This makes it tough for me to give her a stat spread.
Strength: 13
Speed: 11
Shooting: 15
Passing: 13
Technique: 11
I went with balance the best I could while keeping her relatively strong. She was a good striker, passer and packed a good punch in Charged so, I did what I could to keep her on that path without her being a clone of other characters. While she can be in other colors, she was a sidekick in Charged, I think she stays as a solo character in this version of soccer if she gets in.
Monty Mole is next.
In Charged, he was built in the same mold as Birdo, power sidekick. I've said in a previous post that I have my doubts that he returns but, if he does, he shouldn't share the same stat spread as her. In other sport games, he has vastly different stats. Especially in baseball.
Strength: 12
Speed: 14
Shooting: 11
Passing: 16
Technique: 12
Taking away from his offense and power a bit to lean him more towards the speed he had in baseball, making him a playmaker. He likely wouldn't be able to a multiple of him on a team so, he gets to be his own character this time around.
This covers all the characters from the previous two soccer titles (again, sorry Super Robot Team). Now, I'm really speculating from here on out about the next group of characters. As I said at the top, a few of these characters were not in the previous blog post, as well.
Dixie Kong
I think fans want to see her in. If the developers were picking out characters to get in, I think she has the best shot of any of the characters not previously mentioned outside of maybe keeper options that I will add at the end. I could see her maybe being a bit more balanced than Diddy Kong.
Strength: 9
Speed: 15
Shooting: 13
Passing: 13
Technique: 13
Tiny Kong
Dixie's taller and younger sister would be an interesting choice. We haven't seen her much in the spinoffs since her debut in Mario Super Sluggers on the Wii. She actually one of the faster and more agile Kongs, so I figure a stat spread to show it is in order.
Strength: 10
Speed: 17
Shooting: 9
Passing: 14
Technique: 13
Going to wrap up the Kongs with Funky Kong.
While easygoing and laid back, he's still very strong and also a skilled mechanic along with being a surfer. With that, I'd say he's a bit faster and better with technique than Donkey Kong. I doubt he even makes it in, but I wouldn't mind seeing him. Not over other characters, though. I'd like him if the roster is expanded past 20.
Strength: 16
Speed: 10
Shooting: 10
Passing: 14
Technique: 13
King K. Rool. Would he really work?
While I'm not too sure, his inclusion would be welcome. In baseball, he was a power player with poor stamina. I could probably see him as something of an extreme minimum-maximum stat character.
Strength: 17
Speed: 9
Shooting: 17
Passing: 9
Technique: 11
Pauline (this is excellent art by Lev0104 over at deviantart.com)
Ever since we saw her modern debut in Super Mario Odyssey (I say modern because she was the "Lady" being rescued by Mario in the Donkey Kong, who was actually a young Cranky Kong, games from the 80s), we've seen her in Golf, Tennis and Mario Kart Tour. I think it may be a matter of time before she's in either a soccer game or baseball game.
Strength: 10
Speed: 17
Shooting: 12
Passing: 12
Technique: 12
Goomba
I highly doubt they get in, or the flying Paragoomba variant, for that matter, but, if they do, they are also a candidate for having multiple on a team. I just can't see them being a captain. But, if they can be in a baseball game, WITH NOT AN ARM ON THEIR BODY, then why not?
Strength: 9
Speed: 10
Shooting: 10
Passing: 17
Technique: 17
King Boo
While Boo seems rather likely, I have my doubts about the king. King Boo was a power bat in baseball and rather speedy in Mario Kart. I would be very interested to see how King Boo would translate on the pitch if he were to get in. Obviously, there would only be one of him on a team.
Strength: 12
Speed: 11
Shooting: 14
Passing: 9
Technique: 17
Spike
The koopa variant with a buzzy beetle-like shell is tough and strong. He became playable in more recent games (Mario Sports Superstars and Mario Tennis: Aces) after being an enemy or NPC for years. Anyone remember Tubba Blubba or Grubba from the Paper Mario games? Even though you can face multiple of these guys in the games, I think it's best for him to be his own character and not have multiples on a team.
Strength: 16
Speed: 9
Shooting: 11
Passing: 16
Technique: 11
Nabbit
The bunny thief that he is, Nabbit has a bit of charm to him, too, since he's not actually an enemy but more of a antagonist - he just likes to steal stuff. He became playable later on after debuting in New Super Mario Bros. U. Only one allowed, can't have a bunch of him running around stealing everything... I kid, but, it wouldn't make sense for more than one of these guys on a team, in my opinion.
Strength: 10
Speed: 17
Shooting: 12
Passing: 10
Technique: 14
Toadette
She is probably the most unique Toad in all of Nintendo since there are other Toad characters that are female, just play the Paper Mario games and you'll see, but they are all named "something T.". Like Vanna T., for example. However, there is only ONE Toadette. It would be hard to make her different than Toad, outside of only having one of her on a team, being that the stat limitations on base characters are between 9 and 17 and Toad hits those numbers already.
Strength: 9
Speed: 17
Shooting: 9
Passing: 14
Technique: 14
Noki
Able to be in male or female (the one shown here) form, as well as having color variants to allow multiples on a team, she has appeared in only the baseball spinoffs (male forms were not selectable) as playable since her debut in Super Mario Sunshine. She was seen in the audience in the soccer games, why not have her on the pitch as a speedy type? I think this would suit her well for midfield play that would likely need to be enhanced with gear to get the most out of her. Probably to get her speed close to max or improve her other stats that are made a priority by the player.
Strength: 9
Speed: 14
Shooting: 11
Passing: 12
Technique: 17
Pianta
Also coming in male (this form) and female variants with different colors, the Pianta is in the same boat at the Noki as far as actually being playable. He has made far more appearances than the Noki have in other games. Piantas are strong, as both the male and female forms throw Mario around (no damage inflicted, thankfully) in Super Mario Sunshine. In Mario Baseball, he (the male one only appears) hit well but lack in just about every other area except throwing. I could see him being strong and offensive while using his body to help on defense since he lacks speed.
Strength: 16
Speed: 9
Shooting: 14
Passing: 15
Technique: 9
That will wrap up the characters that I think could be in the game as far as playable. I'm not done yet, though! Admit it, you're enjoying reading this right now. I'm also going to mention a few characters that could replace Boom-Boom as a keeper. Now, I'm not saying that he needs to be taken out, I'm saying that these characters can be added as an option to switch in the goal for Boom-Boom, same stats and all, just to have a fresh and different look.
Pom-Pom
Pom-Pom is literally a female Boom-Boom with a different appearance. She was ALREADY a keeper before, too. In Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she was the keeper in goal. In Mario Sports Superstars, in addition to her being playable in baseball, she was a selectable keeper, along with Boom-Boom in the soccer games. She was also playable in Super Mario Party.
Kritter
I don't have to explain this one, right? I'll just say this, he was the keeper in the previous two Mario Strikers games and has clearly become more of a fan favorite since his removal for Boom-Boom in Battle League.
Chargin' Chuck
This one makes a lot of sense to me. While I think Kritter would be the most popular one used, I believe Chargin' Chuck would be the second most used. While the large koopa is wearing American Football gear instead of something for Association Football (that's soccer), he would be perfect for a keeper. Even with this exact equipment on.
I think just having the option of these three along with Boom-Boom already would improve the gameplay just from a visual standpoint being that you are looking at someone different in goal.
I'm going to end this post with a few honorable mention characters that I considered possibly being playable but ultimately decided against it.
Vivian
She is the shy, caring, kind, and youngest of three sisters (Beldam and Marilyn are the other two) that made up the villainous Shadow Sirens before ultimately joining Mario in his journey in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door against her sisters' wishes. She could have been a speedy tricky type.
Goombario
Goombella
Goombario is a friendly and playful goomba that is a huge fan of Mario and Luigi while having a soft spot for ladies and occasionally breaking the fourth wall. He assisted Mario through his entire journey in Paper Mario after Goombaria, his younger sister, found Mario when was defeated by Bowser. Goombella is an adorable friendly goomba who is a college sophomore studying archeology and, just like Goombario, occasionally breaks the fourth wall and assisted Mario through his entire journey in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door after he saved her from being attacked when he arrived in Rougeport. Either one of them could have taken the place of the generic goomba.
Flurrie
A slightly pompous wind spirit and retired actress, who would resume her career later, that assisted Mario in his journey in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door after meeting him in the Boggly Woods and the Great Tree. Has a similar face to Wendy O. Koopa and hair similar to Ludwig Von Koppa. Could have seen her as a power type.
Princess Shokora
The princess who was a black cat in disguise in Wario Land 4. She assisted Wario through the entire game with items as well as being a guide. The picture above is the princess in her younger form. Her true adult form was seen only when all twelve treasure pieces were collected by the end of the game. Probably a speed + technique type as well as a welcome human-like female to the roster (outside of the more likely Daisy & Pauline).
Wiggler
I would have like to have seen them as a possible keeper option but, I'm not too sure on how it would work. They are playable in other spinoff games, as well as Mario Kart, though, so it's not entirely out of the question.
And that does it. It's a lot and there's no way all of these characters get in, but it's nice to dream until we get official word on what is actually coming. And these are just characters - I haven't mentioned other features that this game desperately needs to improve it as well as extend its replay value. Here's a short list of what I'd like to see:
Spectate Mode (online AND offline)
4 v 4 games by actual players online
More robust single player mode (the cup battles from the first game or Road to the Striker Cup from the second game are examples)
More gear options and the ability to save multiple gear sets (this helps when running more than one Yoshi or Toad on a team)
More item variety
Additional stadiums with hazards (we only have ONE stadium, not FIVE, with visual differences)
Minigames and challenges
Record keeping and achievements
An option to play the classic music from the previous two games
Unlockable features (only the Bushido gear set is unlockable at this point)
More variety in goal animations
I have more but, I'll leave at this for now. At any rate, all we can do is wait and hope that it comes soon. Thank you for reading this far and I'll see you in the next post!
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