Welcome to Video Game Terms for Noobs, my series of helpful guides that explains video game lingo no one else cares to explain.
Today, we will be defining the term MELEE.
Melee Definition:
MELEE defines a character, trait, weapon, ability, and so forth that is primarily used close ranged.
A variety of game related objects and situations can be defined as melee. The word is pretty versatile.
- Characters in action role playing games–such as Warriors–that use sword as their means of attacking are considered melee characters.
- Punches and kicks used by characters in fighting games are melee attacks.
- And any weapon that can be used at close range is considered melee.
Melee attacks are often used in fighting games such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, DragonBall FighterZ and Xenoverse 2, and in the Mortal Kombat series.
For example, here are just a few examples of melee attacks:
- punches
- kicks
- throws
- grapples
- tackles
- uppercuts
- jabs
- hooks
- grabs
- and close range weapon attacks
These would all be considered melee attacks.
Why? Because the moves listed are all attacks used from up-close.
Melee VS Ranged
Melee is often compared to the term ranged.
You can think of ranged as the opposite of melee: Ranged is long distance while melee is close distance.
Gamers will often have lively discussions about what type of weapon or character in a specific video game is better, melee or ranged. It really comes down to personal preference.
Why do players prefer melee gameplay?
Because we are focusing on melee in this guide, I can say with certainty that melee play style suits players who are looking to experience engaging, proactive gameplay.
- Fighting from up-close can make you feel as if you are really participating in a game, moment by moment.
Most games often offer a melee play style along with ranged for this very reason: to give action-oriented players, advanced players, or those who simply prefer melee gameplay an opportunity to play from up-close.
Now that you know the definition of melee, let us take a look at examples of melee gameplay applied in popular video games.
Video Game Examples of Ranged Explained:
Fortnite
Publisher: Epic Games
(Available on Nintendo Switch eShop)
The primary form of dealing damage in the online, multiplayer game Fortnite is via ranged gameplay.
Melee combat, however is an option.
True: most weapons in Fortnite teeter towards ranged enthusiasts. It is a shooter, after all.
But, there is one weapon that every player automatically has in Fortnite that is melee 100%.
The pickaxe.
The pickaxe is good for
- Chopping down trees
- Destroying walls, structures, and buildings
- Using as a backup weapon
The pickaxe is a great tool for melee players of all skill levels.
The game revolves around building and destroying other player’s forts which means beginners to advanced Fortnite players will have to use the pickaxe from time to time.
The pickaxe can only be used at close range and cannot be thrown making it the perfect example of what a melee weapon looks like in a video game.
Fortnite, however, is a ranged-enthusiast’s playground and the pickaxe is largely used for non-combat purposes such as acquiring resources by chopping down trees and houses.
By not relying heavily on melee combat, Fortnite remains open to beginners who want to start playing without the fear of knowing they will have to get up close and personal during every enemy encounter.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Publisher: Nintendo
(Available on Nintendo Switch in both digital and physical versions)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a party fighting game with a large roster of fighters with plenty of characters that rely on fighting hand-to-hand from close up.
Melee characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate include
- Mario (from the Super Mario Bros. series)
- Link (from The Legend of Zelda series)
- Kirby (from Kirby series)
- Ryu (from Street Fighter series)
All characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate have melee attacks but not all would be considered a melee character.
Why are Mario and the rest of the characters listed above considered melee while others are not? Because these characters primarily rely on attacking from close range to do damage.
Mario can throw his trademark fireball as a special move, but it is just one of his few ranged options. He overwhelmingly relies on using punches and kicks to beat his opponents. Thus, he would be considered a melee fighter.
Samus–on the other hand–has multiple blast attacks, a missile launcher, homing missiles, bombs, and a grappling beam that are all best used when away from foes. Thus, she would be considered a ranged fighter.
Melee characters in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate series are great to play as because they allow players to deal damage and eliminate opponents at close range, giving you instant satisfaction of victory as it happens.
Paladins: Champions of the Realm
Publisher: Hi-Rez Studios
(Available on Nintendo Switch eShop)
An online multiplayer game with a first person perspective, Paladins provides players with an ever growing roster of playable characters that are both ranged and melee oriented.
A majority of the characters (called Champions) in the game are considered ranged because they deal damage from a distance with guns, throwing axes, explosive projectiles, and a barrage of bullets. This is to be expected from a shooter game.
But, there is one Champion that is a melee combatant.
- Terminus the living construct does close range damage with a giant axe.
Melee characters can exist in games that are primarily competitive and fast paced.
Terminus was created to allow variety among the roster by giving players a close range character for those looking for melee gameplay in an otherwise ranged game.
Street Fighter series
Publisher: Capcom
(Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection and Ultra Street Fighter II are available on Nintendo Switch in both digital and physical versions)
What would a definition about melee be without a traditional fighting game as an example?
The Street Fighter series is probably the most well-known fighting game franchise in the world and uses a combination of ranged and melee maneuvers in its gameplay.
With that said, melee combat forms the blueprint of versus combat found in this series.
Players pick a character and fight each other in hand to hand, martial arts combat.
Each character uses an arsenal of kicks, throws, punches, and uppercuts alongside a variety of other close ranged attacks to score a victory on an opponent.
Street Fighter really is a series for those looking for melee oriented gameplay to the max.
Conclusion: Melee Recap
Melee, no matter the game or thing being described, always means playing from close range.
Weapons, characters, abilities, and items can all be classified as melee as long as their intended primary use is from close range.
Congrats, curious reader! You are no longer a noob and now know what melee means. The next time someone brings up the word in conversation when talking about their favorite game, you will surely be able to keep up.
By Wally
(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages on the Nintendo website. Logos, characters, and images are owned by their respective owners)
