After reading the reddit thread on BBatts' tweet, I was surprised I didn't see much discussion on how it applied to an international player's reality throughout melee's entire history and even up until now. The scene's default perspective since 2003 was that North America (NA) is the only region that mattered until you sent your region's best player to get some big upset at an NA major. But even then, top NA players rarely go to events outside of NA. According to Liquipedia's defintion of a Major, there has been only one major outside of North America since the end of 2016 (which was Fete 3). The result of this is unsurprising, 91 of the top 100 SSBM Rank 2023 were players from NA. The last time there was a major in Asia was Japan's Jack Garden Tournament back in 2005. Where Ken decided to take on Captain Jack, Masashi, and the rest of Japan's best. Almost 20 years later, Japan has a top player, aMSa, who peaked at 2 in the rankings and not once did we send enough players over to even be in the same timezone as him to make an an Asian/Australian tournament a major.

A pattern we have seen with nearly every region's top player is that they prove that they were bare minimum top 100 (Chape, Rocket, Jah Ridin, Frenzy, etc.). Then when given the opportunity to travel more consistently for a few years, through well earned sponsorships, they shoot up to around top 10-30 at least (ex: Armada, Leffen, aMSa, Joshman, trif, n0ne, etc.). That is only considering the players who even have the opportunity to come over to America in the first time. A melee player from South America has a herculean task to even get to enough melee tournaments to get ranked once. If we look back at melee history, there has been signs of players who were clearly good enough to be top players but weren't given the opportunity. Look at Ariquenuubs and Perfect Dark two combo videos from the Chilean melee scene back in 2011 and tell me that gameplay shown wasn't good enough for them to have had a top 10-20 player if they were given an opportunity.

Even now it hasn't gotten any better. Despite u/_Nicki beating nearly half of the top 10 this year he has to campaign for a nouns sponsorship because he can't afford to go to enough events next year to be ranked. (side note: if you want to help him by voting for free in the nouns round click here for some information)

One parallel I like to make to how the scene could be is Arslan Ash and Pakistan Tekken. Its the story where a phenom comes from region that no one in the wider scene even knows exists, comes to over perform amazing, then beats a god of the game. Except I'm not talking about Pakistan and Arslan, I'm talking about n0ne and Nicaragua. When n0ne came over he quickly became one of the best players in Canada almost immediately. Then within 2 years of moving to an entirely different country he beat mew2king in Falcon/Shiek. A feat which was considered impossible at the time as it was one of m2k's best matchups and all throughout he kept mentioning to anyone who would ask how good the players back home in Nicaragua were. The main difference between melee and tekken was Knee, the god of tekken who Arslan beat, went to Pakistan to play their top players after being told how good their top players were and that spotlight gave the pakistan scene the ability to send more of their players to events.

I don't think I'm qualified to give the solution to this problem but I think it should be discussed as a real problem that people smarter than should me want to solve. I hope Melee Stats and the wider community as a whole can find a way to give under discussed scenes in our game a spotlight. If we want to grow the game we should seriously consider growing internationally like other esports

1. Salt won Smash At The Commune, beating tanooki and Oswald (TX)

2. Agent won Cash Chronicles, beating MOF and Aidanafoo (Online)

3. Mot$ won THE CLIMB, beating Womb! and plush (NJ)

4. Mave won Smash Bros Ñuñoa, beating hp and NDJ (Chile)

5. Seal won Southside Sundays, beating Life and Calico (IN)

6. Slump won The Nest, beating Wacco and BushyMushy (NV)

7. Defy won REVIVAL, beating Zephan and Fiddle (AZ)

8. BlusterKTK won Hamilton High Grounds, beating Rollsafe and Sprocket (ON)

9. NIRVANA won BrickBox Brawl, beating PimpinSpicy and Trucknuts (AZ)

10. Species won You’ve Got Mail, beating Willow and BiggestBird (Online)

Yahoooo! Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread! Have a very cool day! Luigi numbah one!

Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread. This is the place for asking noob questions, venting about netplay falcos, shitposting, self-promotion, and everything else that doesn't belong on the front page.

New Players:

If you're completely new to Melee and just looking to get started, welcome! We recommend you go to https://melee.tv/ and follow the links there based on what you're trying to set up. Additionally, here are a few answers to common questions:

Can I play Melee online?

Yes! Slippi is a branch of the Dolphin emulator that will allow you to play online, either with your friends or with matchmaking. Go to https://slippi.gg to get it.

I'm having issues with Slippi!

Go to the The Slippi Discord to get help troubleshooting. melee.tv/optimize is also a helpful resource for troubleshooting.

How do I find tournaments near me or local people to play with in person or online?

These days, joining a local Discord community is the best way to find local events and people to play with. Once you have a Discord account, Google "[your city/state/province/region] + Melee discord" or see if your region has a Discord group listed here on melee.tv/discord

It can seem daunting at first to join a Discord group you don't know, but this is currently the easiest and most accessible way to find out about tournaments, fests, and netplay matchmaking. Your local scene will be happy to have you :)

Also check out Smash Map! Click on map and then the filter button to filter by Melee to find events near you!

Netplay is hard! Is there a place for me to find new players?

Yes. Melee Newbie Netplay is a discord server specifically for new players. It also has tournaments based on how long you've been playing, free coaching, and other stuff. If you're a bit more experienced but still want a discord server for players around your level, we recommend the Melee Online discord.

How can I set up Unclepunch's Training Mode?

First download it here. Then extract everything in the folder and follow the instructions in the README file. You'll need to bring a valid Melee ISO (NTSC 1.02)

Alternatively, download the Community Edition that features improvements and bug fixes! Uncle Punch, the original creator of the training mode, will not continue supporting the original version but Community Edition will be updated regularly.

How does one learn Melee?

There are tons of resources out there, so it can be overwhelming to start. First check out the SSBM Tutorials youtube channel. Then go to the Melee Library and search for whatever you're interested in.

But how do I get GOOD at Melee?

Check out Llod's Guide to Improvement

And check out Kodorin's Melee Fundamentals for Improvement

Where can I get a nice custom controller?

https://customg.cc/vendors

I have another question that's not answered here...

Check out our FAQs or post below and find help that way.

Upcoming Tournament Schedule:

Upcoming Melee Majors

Melee Online Event Calendar

Make a submission to the tournament calendar here. You can also get notified of new online tournaments on the Melee Online Discord.

• Current DDT Dynamic Link — Previous DDTs

I main mewtwo and I played falco once when I was trying to decide a secondary and I really liked him but I don’t like to play the best characters in games most of the time because I don’t like to feel like I’m getting carried any help?

1. MOF won STARBRAWL, beating Voo and Judas (FL)

2. Slowking won Who’s On Ledge?, beating Reesch and Dronu (IA)

3. Electroman won Final Round, beating Tommy and kuro (CT)

4. Epoodle won Super Smashed Out, beating Rabbit and Arn255 (CT)

5. Squid won Terry Christmas, beating Fugu and OliPîpe (QC)

6. OkayP. Won New Horizons, beating Easy and Tre (UT)

7. Soltrain won Spudfest, beating SuperCuak and Cassettetape (Online)

8. Lord English won Smash on Main, beating Sheu and YoshQ (WI)

9. Dr. Lame won Basement Smash Friendsgiving, beating thronebutt and Yifu (ME)

10. Walmart Shoes won Prodigy Proving Grounds, beating Reviewer and Blackout (FL)

11. ReLaxn won Cyberland Melee, beating doctahdylan and lilybombchu (Online)

12. Veldor won Trondheim Monthly, beating Viktor Alsos and bears (Norge)

13. Lengüitas won Felones, beating 007 (Celaya Gto. Mex.) and Sheikan (Mexico)

14. Castbros won Blast Zone, beating Kiro and Shasta (TX)

15. King Funk won Super Nørre Bros, beating heyheylo and Haso (Denmark)

16. y0sami won Lab Monster, beating tony olsen and LPMageMan (SoCal)

17. belfami mart won Z-Drop, beating Stella and Sabo Crown (Deutschland)

18. DeveLy won THE CRT, beating Mr.Riz and Sieg (France)

19. 12YOweaboo won Platforms On The House, beating MaYo and Jbari (TN)

20. NadiA won Smashkatoon, beating spore and PYK (SK)

Does the fiotok gamecube controller work with slippi or dolphin? I couldn’t find anything on google about it. I plan on using the mayflash adapter. If it’s bad, what controller would you guys recommend? (Idk if this is even the right sub for this)

Yahoooo! Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread! Have a very cool day! Luigi numbah one!

Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread. This is the place for asking noob questions, venting about netplay falcos, shitposting, self-promotion, and everything else that doesn't belong on the front page.

New Players:

If you're completely new to Melee and just looking to get started, welcome! We recommend you go to https://melee.tv/ and follow the links there based on what you're trying to set up. Additionally, here are a few answers to common questions:

Can I play Melee online?

Yes! Slippi is a branch of the Dolphin emulator that will allow you to play online, either with your friends or with matchmaking. Go to https://slippi.gg to get it.

I'm having issues with Slippi!

Go to the The Slippi Discord to get help troubleshooting. melee.tv/optimize is also a helpful resource for troubleshooting.

How do I find tournaments near me or local people to play with in person or online?

These days, joining a local Discord community is the best way to find local events and people to play with. Once you have a Discord account, Google "[your city/state/province/region] + Melee discord" or see if your region has a Discord group listed here on melee.tv/discord

It can seem daunting at first to join a Discord group you don't know, but this is currently the easiest and most accessible way to find out about tournaments, fests, and netplay matchmaking. Your local scene will be happy to have you :)

Also check out Smash Map! Click on map and then the filter button to filter by Melee to find events near you!

Netplay is hard! Is there a place for me to find new players?

Yes. Melee Newbie Netplay is a discord server specifically for new players. It also has tournaments based on how long you've been playing, free coaching, and other stuff. If you're a bit more experienced but still want a discord server for players around your level, we recommend the Melee Online discord.

How can I set up Unclepunch's Training Mode?

First download it here. Then extract everything in the folder and follow the instructions in the README file. You'll need to bring a valid Melee ISO (NTSC 1.02)

Alternatively, download the Community Edition that features improvements and bug fixes! Uncle Punch, the original creator of the training mode, will not continue supporting the original version but Community Edition will be updated regularly.

How does one learn Melee?

There are tons of resources out there, so it can be overwhelming to start. First check out the SSBM Tutorials youtube channel. Then go to the Melee Library and search for whatever you're interested in.

But how do I get GOOD at Melee?

Check out Llod's Guide to Improvement

And check out Kodorin's Melee Fundamentals for Improvement

Where can I get a nice custom controller?

https://customg.cc/vendors

I have another question that's not answered here...

Check out our FAQs or post below and find help that way.

Upcoming Tournament Schedule:

Upcoming Melee Majors

Melee Online Event Calendar

Make a submission to the tournament calendar here. You can also get notified of new online tournaments on the Melee Online Discord.

• Current DDT Dynamic Link — Previous DDTs

Not melee facts like link's nair not ending properly, but in competitive Melee. For example (and here are my favorite ones):

Isai was haxdashing in the early days of melee

Plup is the only player to defeat each of the gods twice

Facts like those. What are your favorite competitive Melee facts?

Hey yall, as of recently I've been getting weired ping. Most matches start around the 40s and after the first stock it starts dropping ping around 200-300 I'm using an ethernet cable for my setup and have the textures on low Any help would be appreciated

I am a total beginner to melee and have minimal experience with any character. I do have expierance with Ultimate and I main Link (the adult, not young link or toon link). I briefly played smash 4 where I mained Greninja but I barely played that game. I am uninterested in the spacies but I don't want a total low tier like Melee Link and Young Link. What are some tips anybody has for picking a main or just good beginner characters to start with?

I play keyboard and I wanna do shield drop motifiers but it doesn’t pull up the same menu and on all the other videos it shows the software they use is faster melee any help

Cincinnati Melee has been thinking of this and so far we got ideas like Green Ranger, Yingling, Rudolph, and NEO. Any ideas?

1. Michael won Tripoint, beating ORLY and Certified (IL)

2. glock in my toyota won Pho Tai Melee, beating Kalvar and Dulcetones (NH)

3. Khryke won Broom Hatter Sweep, beating HOPE and Timebones (Online)

4. Enderdxg won Man on a Ledge, beating VI and Charlie Brown (PGH)

5. Odin won SAIT Smash, beating Venison and Jam (AB)

6. Matt Masterman won Choke With Your Friends, beating Useth and Unity (UK)

7. Spark won Revival of GCC, beating TruTodorf and Water (Online)

8. rabit! won Zony Smash, beating justsayyes and nolain (LA)

9. kzgrobb won Prodigy Smash Weekly, beating 22K and Estrogen Sizzurp (MA)

10. Josh MagBrag won Green Door Smash, beating TheMilkMan and Stin (NB)

11. Maunorr won ANC Smashweekly, beating Eideeiit and Valtsu (Suomi)

12. ADBDA won Brock Smash Meet, beating RSQ and Shaky (ON)

So, for a little bit there have been a multitude of times where I feel like I play very exceptionally well on game, and then garbage the next, like flubbing inputs, missing certain strings that I’ve practiced before and drop for no apparent reason. It’s becoming pretty upsetting and I know consistency isn’t a straight forward thing, but I feel like it’s been very polarizing in between games. What is some advice I can follow to make sure that I’m staying consistent across all of my games rather than just a few, if that makes sense?

Yahoooo! Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread! Have a very cool day! Luigi numbah one!

Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread. This is the place for asking noob questions, venting about netplay falcos, shitposting, self-promotion, and everything else that doesn't belong on the front page.

New Players:

If you're completely new to Melee and just looking to get started, welcome! We recommend you go to https://melee.tv/ and follow the links there based on what you're trying to set up. Additionally, here are a few answers to common questions:

Can I play Melee online?

Yes! Slippi is a branch of the Dolphin emulator that will allow you to play online, either with your friends or with matchmaking. Go to https://slippi.gg to get it.

I'm having issues with Slippi!

Go to the The Slippi Discord to get help troubleshooting. melee.tv/optimize is also a helpful resource for troubleshooting.

How do I find tournaments near me or local people to play with in person or online?

These days, joining a local Discord community is the best way to find local events and people to play with. Once you have a Discord account, Google "[your city/state/province/region] + Melee discord" or see if your region has a Discord group listed here on melee.tv/discord

It can seem daunting at first to join a Discord group you don't know, but this is currently the easiest and most accessible way to find out about tournaments, fests, and netplay matchmaking. Your local scene will be happy to have you :)

Also check out Smash Map! Click on map and then the filter button to filter by Melee to find events near you!

Netplay is hard! Is there a place for me to find new players?

Yes. Melee Newbie Netplay is a discord server specifically for new players. It also has tournaments based on how long you've been playing, free coaching, and other stuff. If you're a bit more experienced but still want a discord server for players around your level, we recommend the Melee Online discord.

How can I set up Unclepunch's Training Mode?

First download it here. Then extract everything in the folder and follow the instructions in the README file. You'll need to bring a valid Melee ISO (NTSC 1.02)

Alternatively, download the Community Edition that features improvements and bug fixes! Uncle Punch, the original creator of the training mode, will not continue supporting the original version but Community Edition will be updated regularly.

How does one learn Melee?

There are tons of resources out there, so it can be overwhelming to start. First check out the SSBM Tutorials youtube channel. Then go to the Melee Library and search for whatever you're interested in.

But how do I get GOOD at Melee?

Check out Llod's Guide to Improvement

And check out Kodorin's Melee Fundamentals for Improvement

Where can I get a nice custom controller?

https://customg.cc/vendors

I have another question that's not answered here...

Check out our FAQs or post below and find help that way.

Upcoming Tournament Schedule:

Upcoming Melee Majors

Melee Online Event Calendar

Make a submission to the tournament calendar here. You can also get notified of new online tournaments on the Melee Online Discord.

• Current DDT Dynamic Link — Previous DDTs

I dont know if this is just a me issue, but I cant grab consistently. Its not that I dont press the button, but it throws out light shield instead of grabbing. Am I doing something wrong? Is it a controller issue?

Edit:

Answer :Buffering light shield out of ending lag. Didnt know you could buffer shield like that tbh.