Paul the Octopus
Slow Starter
I respectfully disagree.No matter what happens there will always be a need for "one more balance patch". Some buffed character is discovered to be ridiculous, some character with seemingly minor nerfs moves 3 tiers lower. There will never be a perfect patch, there will always be really strong characters and really weak ones, there will always be the need for one more patch.
I really *don't* think having a tolerable top tier is this unachievable utopia, and no matter what balance changes are made, a new disgusting top tier will rise to take its place.
Just look at SFV. Top SFV characters are Ryu and Chun at the moment. Despite having ZERO substantial balance patches so far, SFV players are generally pretty content with the game balance. Some characters are better than others of course, but balance as a whole is good. The top characters don't invalidate most the cast, nor do they put entire audiences straight to sleep. Good Chun and Ryu players are admired and not reviled.
Compared to brain dead Alien, who draws jeers and snores from every crowd, is widely despised, and almost no one enjoys playing against.
Melee is another example. The top characters in the game - Fox/Falco - are also two of the funnest characters to play as or against. Perfect balance is probably impossible, but having a fun/tolerable top tier definitely is not.