Next weekend, Golden Guardians will bring back the sequel to their Super Smash Bros. Melee exhibition series, the Octagon 2. It will feature four first-to-five show matches pitting some of the best Melee players in the world against each other.
Melee fans can watch the Octagon 2 on the Golden Guardians Twitch channel at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 5, but here’s what to expect from each set.
Hungrybox vs. Ginger
Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma versus Avery “Ginger” Wilson brings one of the classic match-ups of the Slippi era. They have been two of the most active top players throughout this year, and they face each other frequently at the weekly East Coast Fridays tournaments as a result. Yet even as Hungrybox’s results trended downward and Ginger’s trended up, their set record against each other remains close. Currently, Hungrybox is up 8-6 against Ginger this year.
Given their close record, the outcome of this set is difficult to call in advance. However, Hungrybox’s recent decision to start playing more defensively may be crucial in giving him the edge against Ginger at the Octagon 2.
The first matchup reveal of The Octagon 2 is here 🥊@SsbmGinger and @LiquidHbox take the stage
Saturday, June 5th
2 PM PT/5 PM EThttps://t.co/85lhQUlt2Q pic.twitter.com/56t4yU45H6— Golden Guardians (@GoldenGuardians) May 17, 2021
n0ne vs. moky
Since early 2019, Edgard “n0ne” Sheleby and Kurtis “moky” Pratt have been the top two Melee players in Canada. While they traded sets in the past, n0ne and moky haven’t played each other since late 2019.
Even so, moky is the favorite going into the Octagon 2. He finished in the top four at Four Loko Fight Night and the Galint Melee Open: Spring Edition earlier this year, and even qualified for Smash Summit 11 through the Summit Champions League. Conversely, n0ne failed to stay in the Summit Champions League and has missed top eight at multiple major tournaments this year.
If nothing else, n0ne will have the “home field advantage” as a member of Golden Guardians.
The Octagon 2 takes the fight up North ❄
Match #2 of the card features @moky_dokie taking on @n0ned 🥊
Saturday, June 5th
2 PM PT/5 PM EThttps://t.co/85lhQUD3Uo pic.twitter.com/nZTzo0gn4t— Golden Guardians (@GoldenGuardians) May 18, 2021
S2J vs. iBDW
Currently, Johnny “S2J” Kim and Cody “iBDW” Schwab are safe picks for the top five players in North America, and both could even make a case for No. 3. S2J boasts high peaks, including a win over the current-best player, Zain “Zain” Naghmi. Meanwhile, iBDW has performed at a consistently high level throughout the entire Slippi era, rarely finishing behind players other than Zain and Joseph “Mang0” Marquez.
Likewise, their set record is close; iBDW is up 4-3 against S2J for the year. While iBDW won their previous two sets, the most recent one was a close five-game match. As a result, their bout for the Octagon 2 could be very close.
A fight for the final spot on the podium 🏅
The third match of The Octagon 2 features @iBDWSSBM and @johnny_S2J duking it out for the coveted title of Mr. 3 🥊
Saturday, June 5th
2 PM PT/5 PM EThttps://t.co/85lhQUD3Uo pic.twitter.com/VxXi3V2KKy— Golden Guardians (@GoldenGuardians) May 19, 2021
The Octagon 2 main event: Zain vs. Mang0
Just like Golden Guardians’ inaugural exhibition, two of the best players in North America will headline the Octagon 2: Zain and Mang0. While Zain won 5-2 last year, the circumstances leading up to this year’s event are somewhat different.
Golden Guardians’ star competitor Zain was unequivocally the No. 1 player in North America last year. Though Mang0 was his greatest rival, Zain still boasted a 5-1 set record against him at online events in 2020.
But so far this year, Zain and Mang0 have an even 2-2 record. Zain is still the favorite for their upcoming match. He beat Mang0 3-0 the last time they played and his two wins were much more convincing than Mang0’s two wins. Even so, Mang0 is definitely capable of winning the main event.
Watch the Octagon 2 live on Twitch: https://t.co/rZMyYzpmzp Saturday June 5th 2 PM PST/5 PM EST
TBA vs TBA
TBA vs TBA
n0ne vs TBA
Zain vs Mang0PPMD, Toph, and TBAs on commentary
Stay updated: https://t.co/BIOFso9rdC pic.twitter.com/tSvZhowy8w
— Golden Guardians (@GoldenGuardians) May 13, 2021
