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Super Smash Bros. Melee in competitive play: Difference between revisions
Super Smash Bros. Melee in competitive play (edit)
Revision as of 07:32, August 30, 2018
, 6 years ago→The "Platinum Age" (2013-present)
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The excitement and energy generated by these three tournaments led to increased attention from the eSports scene as a whole, despite the fighting game community's persistent refusal to recognize ''Smash'' as one of their own. Many of the largest names in the competitive gaming industry, such as [[Cloud 9]], [[Team Curse]], and [[Evil Geniuses]], began sponsoring ''Melee''{{'}}s top players, creating further growth and interest from other members of the gaming community. [[Nintendo]] was initially extremely hostile towards the competitive ''Melee'' scene, as showcased by its attempt to block the streaming of the ''Melee'' portion of EVO 2013 (and, as later discovered, to shut down the event entirely). However, 2014 saw a completely unexpected turnaround, as [[Reggie Fils-Aimé]] of Nintendo of America made a guest appearance through video at EVO 2014 just a year later, congratulating the tournament's top eight finalists, and the company has even sponsored tournaments such as [[Apex 2015]]. 2014 also marked the release of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' for the newer Wii U console, but the game's release had no real effect on attendance for the ''Melee'' scene, as the ''Melee'' fanbase continued to play the older game instead of moving onto ''Smash 4'' due to the latter game having slower and less technical gameplay, much like the heavily criticized ''Brawl'' (but not to the same extent). Since ''Smash 4''{{'}}s release, ''Melee'' has continued to set new attendance milestones; Apex 2015 broke the 1,000 entrant mark in the winter of 2015, and [[EVO 2015]]'s 1,869 entrants topped even its previous years, setting a record for the largest ''Melee'' tournament of all time. | The excitement and energy generated by these three tournaments led to increased attention from the eSports scene as a whole, despite the fighting game community's persistent refusal to recognize ''Smash'' as one of their own. Many of the largest names in the competitive gaming industry, such as [[Cloud 9]], [[Team Curse]], and [[Evil Geniuses]], began sponsoring ''Melee''{{'}}s top players, creating further growth and interest from other members of the gaming community. [[Nintendo]] was initially extremely hostile towards the competitive ''Melee'' scene, as showcased by its attempt to block the streaming of the ''Melee'' portion of EVO 2013 (and, as later discovered, to shut down the event entirely). However, 2014 saw a completely unexpected turnaround, as [[Reggie Fils-Aimé]] of Nintendo of America made a guest appearance through video at EVO 2014 just a year later, congratulating the tournament's top eight finalists, and the company has even sponsored tournaments such as [[Apex 2015]]. 2014 also marked the release of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' for the newer Wii U console, but the game's release had no real effect on attendance for the ''Melee'' scene, as the ''Melee'' fanbase continued to play the older game instead of moving onto ''Smash 4'' due to the latter game having slower and less technical gameplay, much like the heavily criticized ''Brawl'' (but not to the same extent). Since ''Smash 4''{{'}}s release, ''Melee'' has continued to set new attendance milestones; Apex 2015 broke the 1,000 entrant mark in the winter of 2015, and [[EVO 2015]]'s 1,869 entrants topped even its previous years, setting a record for the largest ''Melee'' tournament of all time. | ||
While The Five Gods have continued to dominate ''Melee'' majors in the new era, notably featuring {{Sm|Mango}}'s two wins at EVO 2013 and 2014, {{Sm|Leffen}} and {{Sm|Plup}} have emerged as true challengers to them, and are the only two players who have defeated all five in a tournament set. Following his rise in 2014, Leffen won [[B.E.A.S.T 5]], marking the first non-God victory at a major with at least two in attendance since 2008; he won his first American major, [[CEO 2015]], that same year, with three of the gods present. He has also won [[Get On My Level 2016]], defeating four gods all in a row without dropping a set. Plup became the second player after Leffen to win a major with two or more gods in attendance, taking [[DreamHack Atlanta 2017]] over Hungrybox and Mew2King; he would go on to win [[GENESIS 5]], winning over Mango and Armada, and double eliminating Hungrybox. | While The Five Gods have continued to dominate ''Melee'' majors in the new era, notably featuring {{Sm|Mango}}'s two wins at EVO 2013 and 2014, {{Sm|Leffen}} and {{Sm|Plup}} have emerged as true challengers to them, and are the only two players who have defeated all five in a tournament set. Following his rise in 2014, Leffen won [[B.E.A.S.T 5]], marking the first non-God victory at a major with at least two in attendance since 2008; he won his first American major, [[CEO 2015]], that same year, with three of the gods present. He has also won [[Get On My Level 2016]], defeating four gods all in a row without dropping a set. Plup became the second player after Leffen to win a major with two or more gods in attendance, taking [[DreamHack Atlanta 2017]] over Hungrybox and Mew2King; he would go on to win [[GENESIS 5]], winning over Mango and Armada, and double eliminating Hungrybox.{{Sm|Zain}} would later win Shine 2018. | ||
There are several players whose level of skill lies just below the top players; {{Sm|Wizzrobe}}, {{Sm|aMSa}}, {{Sm|Zain}}, and {{Sm|Axe}} are currently the players most commonly considered the "demi-gods". These four players are known to frequently earn high placings in large tournaments, as well as for occasionally taking sets off of the gods and Leffen/Plup, but have yet to achieve the skill level or consistency of the players above them. In addition, {{Sm|Fly Amanita}} and {{Sm|Wobbles}} have each taken sets off of four of the gods, except for {{Sm|Armada}}. Westballz, <!--https://twitter.com/TempoAxe/status/556216820450209793 Axe does not consider his Pound 4 win over PPMD to be a "god victory".-->Axe<!--Please do not add wins against PPMD that happened prior to Revival of Melee 3 (for example, don't include Lucky's or Axe's wins from Pound 4 against him, as PPMD was not considered in contention for "god status" at the time) or wins where Mango was playing as Scorpion Master.-->, Shroomed, {{Sm|PewPewU}}, SFAT, and | There are several players whose level of skill lies just below the top players; {{Sm|Wizzrobe}}, {{Sm|aMSa}}, {{Sm|Zain}}, and {{Sm|Axe}} are currently the players most commonly considered the "demi-gods". These four players are known to frequently earn high placings in large tournaments, as well as for occasionally taking sets off of the gods and Leffen/Plup, but have yet to achieve the skill level or consistency of the players above them. In addition, {{Sm|Fly Amanita}} and {{Sm|Wobbles}} have each taken sets off of four of the gods, except for {{Sm|Armada}}. Westballz, <!--https://twitter.com/TempoAxe/status/556216820450209793 Axe does not consider his Pound 4 win over PPMD to be a "god victory".-->Axe<!--Please do not add wins against PPMD that happened prior to Revival of Melee 3 (for example, don't include Lucky's or Axe's wins from Pound 4 against him, as PPMD was not considered in contention for "god status" at the time) or wins where Mango was playing as Scorpion Master.-->, Shroomed, {{Sm|PewPewU}}, SFAT, ChuDat, and Zain have each beaten three of the gods. | ||
Moreover, the ''Melee'' metagame has seen a major shift towards {{SSBM|Fox}}, the current undisputed best character in the game, sitting at the #1 spot on the [[tier]] list. Fox's incredible speed, mobility, combo ability, and KO power has given him a major increase in popularity far above the rest of the top tiers. Many former mains of other characters have picked up Fox as a main, attempting to improve their results by playing a more tournament-viable character. Most notably, Armada picked up the character to complement his {{SSBM|Peach}}, while {{Sm|Hax}} switched over completely from {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}. | Moreover, the ''Melee'' metagame has seen a major shift towards {{SSBM|Fox}}, the current undisputed best character in the game, sitting at the #1 spot on the [[tier]] list. Fox's incredible speed, mobility, combo ability, and KO power has given him a major increase in popularity far above the rest of the top tiers. Many former mains of other characters have picked up Fox as a main, attempting to improve their results by playing a more tournament-viable character. Most notably, Armada picked up the character to complement his {{SSBM|Peach}}, while {{Sm|Hax}} switched over completely from {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}. | ||