MOTHER 2 and MOTHER 3 - two games, famous in Japan, and overlooked in America. They've each gotten a rep in Smash Bros. Brawl, and the two characters seem quite similar - however, they've VERY different.
Lucas is a "hit and run" character. His attacks, for the most part, deal multiple hits with little damage, while he runs back and forth avoiding attacks until he can give them a big smash. More manuverable.
Ness is a "smash" character. He smashes. His attacks do more damage, but are slower, making him a good character to pursue enemies. He's also heavier... I think...
So which do YOU think is better?
Shades fan
I like Lucas better,but I can't win against either of them when other people play them, and I can't use there B up move because I die everytime.
MetaNite
I think they're both pretty bad. They can't recover! I only like Lucas better because he looks cooler.
DarkWolf
Lucas. I don't really like either of them that much, but I would choose Lucas over Ness. Lucas is faster, a powerful Up A, and a more easy Up B control, making it easier for him to use it to get back on the stage.
Heroic Monkey
I like Ness better. I refuse to let a newcomer replace a great veteran. I do like Lucas too-- I'm just better with Ness. And Ness got a great buff from Melee, so I find that he plays more like he was in the N64 version.
Bloody the Marro Stinger
I don't like either of them, but if I had to choose, Ness. Lucas's problem is that his smash attacks are slow, his B move sucks (just like Ness's...), his Side-B is inferior to Ness's, and his Down-B is also inferior. Only his Up-B is better at all by B moves, and not by much.
But there's more! On top of that, his Final Smash is TERRIBLE. At least Ness's does 20% when it hits the first (and likely only time) in the attack. Lucas does 14%, and if the opponent is stupid enough to get hit multiple times, the difference is even more glaring.
Add that to the fact that he has inferior smash attack moves (the Yo-Yo is better than anything Lucas can come up with) and he's not my choice.
Lord Pyre
I like Ness better, though it's probably just because I haven't played Mother 3, yet...
I never was very good at him in the last two games, but he seems pretty good this time around.
And generally, Lucas is considered better. His <B is actually more useful than Ness's, if used right. His smash attacks are like Ike's; powerful, but rarely should be used. But compared to Ness, his air game isn't as good. So generally, if you like fighting on the ground, pick Lucas. If you like the air, use Ness.
And Ness's FS is much harder to dodge.
Bloody the Marro Stinger
On that last point, it's not saying much, since both of them are pathetically easy to dodge. Just stand still. That way, you only get hit by the last one.
Lord Pyre
I have trouble dodging Ness's sometimes, because if you roll out of the way, they still hit you because they're coming down at an angle.
Lucas's I never have problems with....
killercactus
I'm not sure who is better out of these two. I'm better with Lucas because, for some reason, I love characters with really strong Up-Smashes (I abuse Zelda's all the time).
Ness is way better in the air. PK Flash can actually be used for something. He can combo his PK Fire into a smash move or his dash attack (which is very strong). His PK Cannonball is also stronger, though a bit tougher to do. He has a better final smash.
Lucas has more kill moves than Ness. His Up Smash, while slow, has amazing range and is great if someone jumps in at him. PK Freeze sucks, but I suppose could net a kill or two if you're edge-guarding with it. PK Thunder / Cannonball is easier to control and thus, easier to recover with. He has a tether recovery with his throw, and more range on it. His PK Thunder passes through objects, making it very easy to get the smash ball with him, even though his final smash isn't as good.
Heroic Monkey
Although I still prefer Ness, there is one advantage that Lucas has that I forgot to mention. Lucas' shield is a great offensive weapon. When you deactivate it, anyone close to it takes damage and a pretty good amount of knockback for a move that's supposed to be defensive. You can even kill opponents with it. Ness can offensively use his shield too but it's not as useful because it surrounds his whole body, so it has shorter range.
