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Simon Belmont and Richter Belmont are unlocked through Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s normal fighter-unlock systems; neither requires a paid Challenger Pack. Simon is the 18th fighter in the VS. unlock sequence, while Richter is the 35th. You can also reach both through Link’s Classic Mode unlock tree or encounter each in World of Light. Whichever route you use, you must win the resulting challenger battle to add the Belmont to your roster.
Unlock routes at a glance
Choose the route that best matches how you play. VS. matches use the game’s regular unlock sequence, Classic Mode offers a known Link-based path, and World of Light places each Belmont in the story campaign. The route changes the way you meet the fighter, but not the final requirement: victory in the challenger battle.
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| Fighter | VS. sequence | Classic Mode route | World of Light | Battle stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Belmont | 18th character to unlock | Link’s tree; third character unlocked after Ice Climbers | Reach Simon’s encounter, then win his fighter battle | Dracula’s Castle |
| Richter Belmont | 35th character to unlock | Link’s tree; seventh character unlocked after Young Link | Reach Richter’s encounter, then win his fighter battle | Dracula’s Castle |
The VS. numbers describe each Belmont’s position in the game’s unlock sequence. They are not promises that a specific number of matches will always produce the fighter, so use the sequence position as your target rather than as a match-count estimate.
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VS. play is the straightforward choice if you want to unlock fighters while playing ordinary matches instead of following a story map or a Classic Mode chain.
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- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
- From the main menu, open the game’s Smash/VS. play option and start regular matches.
- Continue playing until Simon appears as the 18th character in the VS. unlock sequence.
- When the challenger battle starts, fight Simon and win.
- After the victory screen, check the fighter roster for Simon Belmont.
The important trigger is the challenger battle, not merely reaching the point where Simon is announced. If you leave the encounter without winning, Simon has not yet been added to the roster; complete the battle successfully before checking for him.
What “18th” means for Simon
Simon’s designation as the 18th VS. unlock identifies his place in the normal sequence of fighters. It does not mean that every player will see him after exactly 18 matches, because the game’s unlock progression is expressed as an ordered sequence of challengers. If another fighter appears first, defeat that challenger and continue the sequence until Simon’s encounter arrives.
How to unlock Richter through VS. matches
Richter uses the same general method, but his position in the sequence is later.
- Start regular VS. matches from the Smash/VS. play menu.
- Keep progressing through the normal challenger sequence until Richter appears as the 35th character to unlock.
- Enter Richter’s challenger battle and win.
- Confirm that Richter Belmont is now selectable on the fighter roster.
Richter’s 35th-position designation is separate from Simon’s 18th-position designation. Unlocking Simon does not automatically unlock Richter; Richter still requires his own encounter and a victory in that battle, or one of the alternate routes below.
How Link’s Classic Mode tree unlocks both Belmonts
Classic Mode gives you a more predictable route when you want to target the Belmonts without relying on the VS. sequence. The relevant branch is Link’s unlock tree. You can begin with Link or use a character that belongs to Link’s branch, then clear Classic Mode runs until the appropriate challenger appears.
Simon’s position in the Link tree
Simon is the third character unlocked after Ice Climbers in Link’s Classic Mode route. To use this route, select Link—or a character in Link’s unlock tree—then complete Classic Mode. Follow the resulting challenger encounters until Simon appears, and win his battle.
- Open the Solo section and choose Classic Mode.
- Select Link, or select a fighter that the game places in Link’s unlock tree.
- Complete the Classic Mode run.
- When the challenger battle is offered, fight Simon and win.
The phrase “third character after Ice Climbers” describes Simon’s location in the branch, not a requirement to play Ice Climbers yourself. Ice Climbers is the reference point used to identify Simon’s place in the tree.
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Richter is the seventh character unlocked after Young Link in the same Link-based tree. Start Classic Mode with Link or another character in that branch, clear the required runs, and win Richter’s challenger battle when it appears.
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- Choose Classic Mode from the Solo menu.
- Use Link or a character connected to Link’s unlock tree.
- Finish the run and proceed through the next challenger encounter.
- Continue until Richter appears at his seventh-after-Young-Link position, then defeat him.
Simon and Richter occupy different positions in the tree. A Classic Mode run that reaches Simon’s point does not by itself complete Richter’s later point; continue through the branch or use another route for Richter.
Why Classic Mode can be the better option
- Known branch: Link’s tree identifies where each Belmont appears relative to Ice Climbers and Young Link.
- Repeatable activity: You progress by clearing Classic Mode rather than waiting for a story-map encounter.
- Character choice: You can use Link or a fighter already connected to that branch, rather than being restricted to one starting character.
- Same final test: The unlock is complete only after you win the challenger battle.
How to unlock Simon and Richter in World of Light
World of Light provides a story-driven route for both fighters. Instead of counting VS. challengers or following Classic Mode positions, progress through the campaign until the relevant fighter joins the party and then complete that fighter’s battle.
Simon in World of Light
- Enter World of Light and progress through the story map.
- Reach Simon’s encounter and have Simon join your party.
- Complete Simon’s fighter battle.
- After winning, verify Simon on the roster outside the story campaign.
Simon’s World of Light battle uses Dracula’s Castle. The stage setting connects the encounter to the Belmont series, but the unlock still depends on winning the fighter battle.
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Richter in World of Light
- Continue through World of Light until Richter’s encounter becomes available.
- Have Richter join your party.
- Complete Richter’s fighter battle and win.
- Check the roster to confirm that Richter is selectable.
Richter’s World of Light fighter battle also uses Dracula’s Castle. In World of Light, the stage is presented in its Ω form, so do not confuse the story encounter with an ordinary stage selection in a standard match.
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- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. game
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
When World of Light makes sense
Choose World of Light if you want the Belmont unlocks to be part of the campaign rather than a separate sequence of matches. It is not the shortest route for every player, because you must first reach each encounter on the map. Its advantage is that both fighters can be obtained while you are advancing through the story, with a distinct encounter for Simon and another for Richter.
The challenger battle: the step that actually completes the unlock
All three routes converge on a challenger battle. The game may announce a new challenger, place one at the end of a Classic Mode run, or present the fighter as part of World of Light. In each case, the Belmont becomes playable only when you win that battle.
Stage used for the Belmont encounters
Simon and Richter’s challenger battles use Dracula’s Castle. The World of Light versions use Dracula’s Castle in Ω form. This distinction matters when you are identifying the story encounter: the Ω version is the World of Light presentation, while the ordinary challenger reference is simply Dracula’s Castle.
Practical preparation
- Use a fighter you control comfortably; the unlock route does not require a particular character for the challenger battle.
- Check your controls before starting the encounter so an unfamiliar button layout does not cost the unlock.
- Do not treat the appearance notification as completion. Wait for the battle to finish and confirm the victory.
- Return to the fighter-selection screen after the win and look for the newly available Belmont.
The available evidence identifies the stage and the victory requirement, but it does not establish a special item, controller, amiibo, or purchase that is required to win. A normal successful challenger battle is the operative condition.
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- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
Are Simon and Richter DLC?
No. Nintendo’s official product listing describes the base game as including “new characters Simon Belmont” and the echo fighter Richter Belmont. The listing is for the Nintendo Switch edition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, released on December 7, 2018: Nintendo’s official product page.
Nintendo’s support article explains that additional fighters can be purchased through Challenger Packs 1–11, but neither Simon nor Richter is listed in those paid packs: Nintendo’s Challenger Pack support page. That is why the Belmonts are treated as normal roster unlocks rather than DLC purchases. You do not need to buy a Challenger Pack, a controller, an amiibo, or a separate guide to use the routes described here.
Which route should you choose?
| Your priority | Best route | What you must track | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play ordinary matches | VS. matches | Simon at position 18; Richter at position 35 | You follow the normal sequence and cannot choose the next challenger directly. |
| Use a known character branch | Classic Mode with Link’s tree | Simon’s third-after-Ice-Climbers position; Richter’s seventh-after-Young-Link position | You must clear Classic Mode runs to advance the branch. |
| Unlock through the campaign | World of Light | Reach each fighter’s encounter and win the battle | You must make story progress before either encounter becomes available. |
For a player already spending time in VS. mode, staying with VS. matches is the least disruptive choice. If you want the unlock order tied to a named character, use Link’s Classic Mode tree. If your priority is completing the campaign and collecting fighters as part of that progress, World of Light is the appropriate route.
Common points of confusion
“I unlocked Simon. Why is Richter still locked?”
They are separate unlocks. Simon’s VS. position is 18th and Richter’s is 35th, and they occupy different positions in Link’s Classic Mode tree. Winning Simon’s battle does not count as winning Richter’s battle.
“Do I have to play Link specifically?”
Link is the named starting point for the relevant Classic Mode tree, but the route can also be reached with a character in Link’s unlock tree. The evidence identifies the branch rather than requiring a paid item or a particular peripheral.
“Can World of Light unlock both?”
Yes. World of Light contains a fighter encounter for Simon and another for Richter. You must reach each encounter, have the fighter join your party, and then win that fighter’s battle. Their World of Light battles use Dracula’s Castle in Ω form.
“Is the stage the same for both?”
Yes. The Belmont challenger battles use Dracula’s Castle. For World of Light, the stage is the Ω form of Dracula’s Castle.
Quick Recap
Final checklist
- Decide between VS. matches, Link’s Classic Mode tree, and World of Light.
- For Simon, target the 18th VS. unlock or the third-after-Ice-Climbers position in Link’s tree.
- For Richter, target the 35th VS. unlock or the seventh-after-Young-Link position in Link’s tree.
- In World of Light, reach each fighter’s encounter and have the fighter join your party.
- Win the challenger battle; seeing the challenger is not enough.
- Look for the fighter on the roster after the victory.
- Do not purchase a Challenger Pack for either Belmont; Nintendo lists neither as a paid Challenger Pack fighter.
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