Author: Sam "Trilby" Foxall

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TSM|ZeRo Draws First Blood for 2017 at 2GGC: Genesis Saga

Starting as he means to hopefully go on, TSM|ZeRo has claimed the first spot in the 2GG Championship Finals, with a victory at 2GGC: Genesis Saga. With no Saga Curse to work against him, ZeRo was operating at his max power for this tournament, taking the event from Winners’ Side. For the most part, his path to victory was unopposed, defeating eM|Elegant, SS|Mr. E, eM|Zenyou, CLG|VoiD and 2GG|komorikiri in top 48 to take the whole tournament. His only close match was against Zenyou in Winners’ Semis, going to game 5 and clutching out the win with a crucial edgeguard against the SoCal Mario. Mario players seem to have ZeRo’s number as C9|Ally, IMT|ANTi and now Zenyou have all given the current world number one a fair share of trouble in recent tournaments. Zenyou seemed to be channeling ANTi during the set, even landing ANTi’s infamous ladder combo from The Big House 5 to take game 3 against ZeRo. Watch out for this plumber next week, I tell you.

His opponent in Grand Finals, 2GG’s own komorikiri, had a dicey run to reach that final match, dropping down to Losers’ bracket uncharacteristically early on after losing to Fox main Eon. He then had to battle through an absolute onslaught of players, taking down 2S|Scizor, FS|Fatality in an explosive five game set, RNG|Dabuz, MKLeo’s cousin Javi, fellow Sonic player Circa|6WX, Zenyou, Tweek and VoiD to make it all the way to Grands. His final two games versus Tweek and VoiD were particularly close, with komorikiri squeaking out 3-2 wins over both US contenders. In the Cloud mirror versus Tweek, it was all down to who kept stage and Limit advantage the longest, with komorikiri eventually taking control and closing out the set with a two stock in game 5.  While he may not have won Singles, at least he and FOX MVG|MKLeo took victory in Doubles, with their dual Cloud team looking borderline broken in the face of the competition.

Against VoiD, he switched off Cloud by game 3, opting to use the Blue Blur Sonic for the rest of the set. Even with this character switch, VoiD remained relentless with a two stock victory in game 4 to force yet another game 5 showdown. It looked like VoiD was set to guarantee a second place finish, with komorikiri being at over 105% before VoiD took any damage on the final stock of the set. Unfortunately for Hawaii’s hero, Rage looks fit to swap VoiD’s fourth place curse for the third place curse in 2017, rewarding komorikiri with the victory as VoiD died to a Sonic up air on the center of Duck Hunt at 64%.

The Duck Hunt stage seems to like VoiD in one set, then despise him in the next. VoiD racked up another win against MKLeo in Winners Semis, with the set being decided by VoiD’s decisive victory on the stage to clinch the series 3-2. VoiD is now positive in sets against MKLeo, with one win here and another at 2GGT: ZeRo Saga.

MKLeo was looking quite comfortable before facing VoiD, winning against Mewtwo main Rich Brown 3-1 in the first round of top 48, before having to fight against his cousin Javi in Winners’ Quarters. There was no familial mercy in this set, with Leo defeating his cousin 3-1 before his fight with VoiD. In Losers’, it was another Cloud mirror as Leo had to fight off Tweek to stay alive in bracket. After some back and forth for the first three matches, Leo decided to switch to his other swordsman Marth to try and claw back the set. While his Marth has worked wonders before, Marth’s Falchion could not match Cloud’s Buster Sword, with MKLeo losing 3-1 to Tweek and finishing at fifth place.

Cloud players were definitely acting as gatekeepers for the whole of top 8 of Genesis Saga, with both 6WX and YG|JK losing to Cloud in Losers’ Side, earning them both seventh place. While he may not be breaking his Limits in winning a US major anytime soon, he’s certainly going to stop anyone else from doing it.

With top threats like Mr. R, ANTi, MSF|Larry Lurr, NRG|Nairo and more absent from 2GGC: Genesis Saga, Genesis 4 still remains anyone’s game. The spirit of Smash 4 remains as mischievous as ever, with the convergence of global talent guaranteeing upsets at the supermajor. You can check out all the top 8 games, as well as a smattering of Doubles match by watching the below playlist from 2GG’s YouTube channel.

RESULTS:

1. TSM|ZeRo (Diddy Kong, Sheik/USA)
2. 2GG|komorikiri (Cloud, Sonic/Japan)
3. CLG|VoiD (Sheik/USA)
4. Tweek (Cloud/USA)
5. FOX MVG|MKLeo (Cloud, Marth/Mexico)
5. eM|Zenyou (Mario/USA)
7. Circa|6WX (Sonic/USA)
7. YG|JK (Bayonetta/USA)

Sources: smash.gg; 2GGaming

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Panda Global Begin Listing Their Top 50 Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Players, with the Panda Global Ranking v2

It’s finally here folks. After a slight delay in proceedings, Panda Global’s second world ranking is finally being released for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Starting with numbers 50-41 today, the rankings will be released with a new batch of nine players being released every day until January 19th, the day before Genesis 4 kicks off.

These early rankings will be particularly volatile, with only four of the nine players in ranks 41-50 listed on last year’s PGR, with the rest being previously unranked. Two of the new contenders are Kirihara and Taiheita, Japanese players who really made an impact on both their local and international scene this year. As Japan becomes a more prominent region, it’s fair to expect more Japanese players creeping onto this list.

Check out the video below for a detailed explanation of each player pick and look out for continual updates to the PGR v2 as we approach Genesis 4.

Source: Panda Global (YouTube)

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PlayStation Store Pre-Order Page for Injustice 2 Reveals Darkseid as a Bonus Fighter

Following the release date unveiling for Injustice 2 earlier this month, details have started to trickle in about the game at large, after a long period of silence. It seems that a small leak has emerged from this drip feed of information, as the PlayStation Store page for Injustice 2 has revealed that Darkseid will be a pre-order bonus for the DC fighter.

Caught by notable FGC YouTuber Maximilian Dood, it seems that the DC villain will be similar to Goro in Mortal Kombat X, being a special pre-order bonus for those who really want Injustice 2 on launch day. While Goro was not the strongest character on launch, Darkseid is infamous within the DC universe for being one of the strongest villains out there, so I imagine he may be quite the formidable character.

With command of the disintegrating Omega Beams, speed and strength to rival Superman and near omnipotence, this long-time rival to the Justice League should be a force to be reckoned with in Injustice 2.

Source: maximilian via TestYourMight

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Watch Your Landings as the Beefy Smash Doods Brief Us about RCO Lag in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

A carry over from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, some characters in Smash 4 can suffer increased landing lag after being knocked out of certain special moves. Termed “Recovery Carryover Lag” or RCO Lag for short, this engine quirk can leave characters open for a punish after having a move interrupted.

Initially documented in Smash 4 by ESAM, the Beefy Smash Doods have taken their magnifying glass to RCO Lag to explain how players can potentially use this extra landing recovery to queue up a specific punish. RCO Lag is actually split into two separate divisions: Soft and Hard RCO Lag. If a character does not fastfall from their interrupted special move, or falls from a low height, they will undergo Soft RCO Lag. If you fastfall however, you will experienced Hard RCO Lag, which is significantly longer that the Soft variant.

There are ways to cancel the RCO Lag, mainly by either teching the ground, grabbing a ledge, or landing with an aerial. However, landing a tech or trying to autocancel an aerial will involve you suffering RCO Lag, so just be aware of that when trying to return to stage. You can also effectively “store” RCO Lag if you land with a special move like Fox or Falco’s Phantasm, meaning you’ll receive the extra recovery upon your next landing. However, you can cancel this stored lag by performing any of the previously mentioned cancel methods.

Sources: Smashboards; Beefy Smash Doods

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Misfits Signs Larry Lurr as Their First Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Player

Joining Super Smash Bros. Melee player Ryan “The Moon” Coker-Welch on the roster, esports team Misfits have signed Larry “Larry Lurr” Holland as their first Super Smash Bros. for Wii U player. Larry had parted ways from Team Elevate at the very end of 2016, entering 2017 as a free agent and on the hunt for a new team.

Based on his latest performances, including first at PPT Winter, second at 2GGT: ZeRo Saga, second at LA City Smash, and second at 2GGT: Abadango Saga, it was no question that a top level esports team would be looking to sign the world’s best Fox main, With this pick up signalling Misfits’ entry into Smash 4, it’s clear that they are here to play.

With Misfits recently partnering with the Miami HEAT, Larry not only has a huge brand name backing him on his future endeavours, but technically means that he and The Moon are players for the Miami HEAT. That’s definitely something to put on the resume.

Larry is currently in the Netherlands, competing at NHSmash 3 over the weekend before taking the long trip across the Atlantic to compete at Genesis 4. Expect him rocking a brand new Misfits jersey as his Fox tears its way through the brackets.

Source: Team Misfits

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ARMS Launches Onto the Nintendo Switch This Spring

Well, it’s not quite the announcement many were hoping for, but Nintendo has revealed at least one fighting game for their new console. Titled ARMS, this fighter is part boxing, part shooter and part platformer, as various colorful characters bounce around a wild arena, trying to land that desperate one-two knockout.

ARMS has players holding two JoyCons like boxing gloves, firing off punches with giant springy arms. You can curve punches round your opponent’s guard, jump and dash round your opponent’s extendo-limbs and unleash big special attacks to knock out your enemy. I could see ARMS becoming a great side event at big events, as opponents duck and weave in real life to dodge their opponent’s blows. Combine this with the ability to pair eight Switch systems together in local multiplayer, and tournaments would be a breeze to set up. ARMS would definitely suit CEO’s wrestling ring or the Mandalay Bay arena, I’ll say that much.

The Nintendo Switch will launch simultaneously in all regions on March 3rd, costing $299.99, with ARMS set to release sometime in the spring.

Source: Eurogamer

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Tafokints Talks to PPMD About His Road to Recovery, His Potential Attendance at Genesis 4 and the Current State of Super Smash Bros. Melee

While one of the Five Gods of Super Smash Bros. Melee, Kevin “PPMD” Nanney is a player that has been absent from many high profile events, due to continued health problems which have impacted his ability to play Melee. While he is almost there to return to competition, PPMD fans will have to wait that little bit longer to see the good doctor’s Falco and Marth in action.

As a general check-up for the community, Cloud 9’s Tafokints recently interviewed PPMD to get a status update on his road to recovery, along with finding out his general thoughts about how Melee’s meta is progressing, ahead of competition in 2017. His progress is coming along nicely and he may be able to attend Genesis 4, just to do some commentary and interact with the fans, rather than to actually compete in the tournament. We at Shoryuken wish PPMD all the best as he gathers his strength and hope to see him back in top 8s very soon.

Source: MeleeItOnMe

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Armada Sets Sail for Victory in This “Road to Genesis 4” Hype Trailer

We’ve heard about Mango’s path to Genesis 4; now let’s here about Armada’s. The Best of All Time to Mango’s Greatest of All Time, the Genesis rivalry is currently at two tournaments to one going into next week, as Armada was able to snatch victory at last year’s event. With Hungrybox seemingly out of commission for really threatening the top spots, it may be fate that Mango and Armada are set to clash in the Grand Finals of Genesis 4.

Even nicknamed “The Terminator” by Mango, Armada can seem absolutely unstoppable when he is on form. His lowest placing in 2016–not including the one forfeit at EGLX 2016–was fifth, and he is currently on a tournament winning streak, winning the last five tournaments back-to-back. Having said this, Mango and Armada have traded sets throughout 2016, so any potential clashes will be explosive.

There isn’t long to wait, with Genesis 4 kicking off next Friday, so get ready for a jam-packed weekend of sensational Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Source: finallyjames

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No One Man Should Have All That Power: Last Stock Legends Tell the Tale of PPMD vs. Hungrybox at The Big House 3

Regaining your composure during a close set is one of the hardest things to do at the highest level of competition. With all eyes on you–with money and prestige on the line–coming back from that mental brink can be almost impossible. In the latest episode from Last Stock Legends, the crew document the case of how putting on headphones and immersing yourself in an album can leave you jamming your way to victory.

The set in question is the Losers’ Finals of The Big House 3, where Super Smash Bros. Melee gods Hungrybox and PPMD battled for third place and their relative positions within the Melee pantheon. It was a southern showdown that had played out over several events, with Hungrybox taking the initial wins until PPMD finally cracked the Jigglypuff/Falco match-up, resulting in a series of wins for the doctor. So, with a convincing loss in game 1 of Losers’ Finals, Hungrybox was at the precipice of this mental break.

Delving into his pocket, he pulled out his headphones, whacked on “Yeezus” by Kanye West and the rest is now history. Delivered from the perspective of Hungrybox, as well as from commentators Scar and Toph, the three recount the rest of this historic set and how heavily amping yourself up can effect both you and your opponent’s performance over the course of a long set.

Source: Last Stock Legends

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The Jump-In Podcasts Starts Off 2017 with Saunic and a Discussion about the State of Laura in Season 2

A new year, a new series of the Jump-In Podcast. To kick off a year’s worth of FGC discussion, Kim1234 and Logan Sama are joined by French Laura main Saunic to talk mainly about how the elder Matsuda sibling performs in Season 2 of Street Fighter V, among other subjects. Seeing as Wolfkrone just took KiT 2017 with her, there is certainly the potential for this character to do major damage in this season.

Along with talking about the changes to Laura from Season 1 to 2, the group talks about general Season 2 changes, who to look out for in 2017 on the Capcom Pro Tour, who are the potential threats coming out of Saunic’s current home of Hong Kong, as well as a quick discussion of Cooperation Cup and the super-engaged crowd watching 3rd Strike. Let’s hope that the new characters in Season 2 can bring some of that energy to Street Fighter V.

Source: The Jump-In