Lately I have wondered if there are better stage rulesets for Melee. I really think that the current ruleset favors Fox too much (note I do main Fox and I do think it's a bit absurd). And I think that we could probably have even more viable characters at the top level if we do change up some things in the ruleset. I also think that there's some people complaining about wanting Frozen or Unfrozen Stadium. And I have a potential solution.

Maybe we just take Pokemon Stadium out of the mix completely?

I obviously am not a top player or have the most insight from every matchup because I only play Fox in this game and maybe I'm completely wrong. But please hear me out. Fox feels strong in Bo5, and even stronger in Bo3.

This is because Fox is so strong that he really only has 1 "bad" stage in most matchups. For example, Sheik really wants to go on Battlefield, Jigglypuff really wants Dreamland, Marth wants FD. This 1 ban in every Bo3 matchup heavily impacts the meta as it negates Fox's weakest stages and makes it even easier for the Fox player in almost EVERY matchup.

Not only this, but in Bo5s, Fox is exceptionally strong having access to Pokemon Stadium (frozen or unfrozen or w/e) AND Final Destination. These two stages are just so strong for Fox in some matchups that it's crazy that the opponent doesn't even get a ban in Bo5 and has to win in the first game on the most "neutral" stage, otherwise the odds are suddenly very against them.

- VS Jigglypuff, Fox has 2 really strong counterpicks in FD and PS. And then even Yoshi's Story is good for him too.

- VS Sheik. Fox again has great counterpicks in FD and PS.

- VS Peach. It's similar again except she actually likes FD and doesn't want PS.

I do recognize that removing Pokemon Stadium slightly nerfs ICs, Falcon, and Marth against Fox. BUT... The main reason I want to propose an idea like this is because I believe that the current ruleset helps Fox more than it hurts him. Removing stadium also makes the Frozen vs Unfrozen a non-issue.

Here is an example of a ruleset I wouldn't mind having fleshed out.

Starter Stages: 
Yoshi’s Story 
Battlefield 
Dreamland 

Counterpick Stages (Bo5 only)
Fountain of Dreams
Final Destination

In Bo3, maybe starter stages only?

In Bo5, you get access to FoD and FD as counterpick stages.

We could even have versions of this ruleset where you can only ban 1x per set (in bo3 and in bo5), or something where you can't go back to any stage even if you won or lost on it. There's a lot of different things that haven't even been tried. I just think the current stagelist is tired, gives Fox too much of an advantage, and I think having Stadium + Final Destination buffs Fox more than it hurts him. Discussions around Frozen/Unfrozen Stadium are also tired.

I'm not saying that this example is it or the best idea ever. Just saying that we need to experiment more instead of just doing the same thing over and over again because I think a better stagelist ruleset does exist out there, and will make Melee more interesting (since it will shake up the meta).

Let me know what you guys think or if I'm too crazy

tl;dr
- Fox is already the strongest character, and current stagelist benefits him.
- We could just remove PS completely and maybe that helps in some ways?
- Regardless of what we choose to do... in the end, if we don't test anything with new rulesets, we won't know.
- There's a lot of creative options to explore, but no one is really trying anything which is a bummer.

I randomly found these online and tried looking for reviews for them, but came up short. Anyone have past experience with these?

Edit: I own phobs.

Anyone have any good tips/tricks for a Young Link main? It seems to be a pretty lonely road, but I am committed to it! So far, I only really know YL's ledge recovery options, I'm looking for some combo options, as I feel like I can only ever get 3 hits at a time. I typically have a tough time against Falcos/Foxes and Falcons, so any tips for those specific matchups would be great.