The Summit Champions League continued for Super Smash Bros. Melee, with Season 2 Week 2 on April 18. The event brought many unexpected results, from Edgard “n0ne” Sheleby dropping out of the SCL for the first time ever, to every qualifying player winning their relegation matches. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament.
Zain has his first perfect run at the Summit Champions League Season 2 Week 2
The Summit Champions League Season 2 Week 2 marked Zain Naghmi’s fourth SCL win, and thus, it was hardly a surprising outcome. However, this week he claimed victory without dropping a single game, marking his first perfect run.
After facing difficult match-ups with Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma and Johnny “S2J” Kim last week, Zain had a comparatively easy road to the finals this time around. The spacie slayer got back-to-back Fox match-ups against Kurtis “moky” Pratt and Zachary “SFAT” Cordoni. Even after SFAT upset Cody “iBDW” Schwab, marking his first win over iBDW in the Slippi era, he still incurred his 19th consecutive loss against Zain.
Predictably, Joseph “Mang0” Marquez was waiting for Zain in the finals. Mang0 also had an easy bracket, dominating Captain Falcon mains Justin “Wizzrobe” Hallett and S2J without dropping a game. However, crucial self-destructs in his first two games against Zain kept Mang0 behind for the entire set. Zain on the other hand, made no such mistakes and carried the momentum into a destructive four-stock to end game three and win the Summit Champions League Season 2 Week 2.
Best part about netplay is when you play like absolute shit you just walk 10 steps to ur bed and its all over
Those flights home were a real bummer ROFL
— 🐐 🐐 🐐 🐐 🐐 🐐 🐐 (@C9Mang0) April 19, 2021
nice
see everyone again in two weeks
— Zain (@ZainNaghmi) April 19, 2021
Gahtzu scores big upsets on his path to Division 1
Jason “Gahtzu” Diehl established himself as a clear Division 2 contender last week when he unexpectedly defeated Jeffrey “Axe” Williamson. But this week, Gahtzu scored even more upsets to claim a spot in Division 1 for the first time.
Gahtzu’s run began with a dominating 3-0 win over fellow Captain Falcon main Edgard “n0ne” Sheleby. Notably, Gahtzu also convincingly beat n0ne the last time they played at the Galint Melee Open in January.
Then, in Division 1 Relegation, Gahtzu faced moky. He took an early lead, winning the first two games convincingly using a mix of reaction tech chasing and explosive, both unorthodox punish options. While moky started to mount a comeback over the next two games, Gahtzu managed to hold his ground and win game five.
These Relegation matches are REALLY heating up 🔥
We get a Game 5 and a victory from @Gahtzu, as he moves into Division 1! 🤯
📺 https://t.co/gTvtiwXfa6 pic.twitter.com/rxdAzo1esO
— Beyond the Smash (@BTSsmash) April 18, 2021
Ben lands in the SCL for the first time
At only 18 years old, Sheik main Ben Strandmark has continually proven throughout the online era how quickly his skill levels are increasing. Ben’s improvements led him to another milestone at the Summit Champions League Season 2 Week 2, where he secured a spot in Division 2 of the SCL for the first time.
To qualify for Division 2 Relegation, Ben won a last-hit set over Hungrybox en route to a third place at Frame Perfect Series 5: Online. Once in the League itself, Ben faced a lower-ranked but equally intimidating opponent, John “KoDoRiN” Ko.
Though Ben had beaten KoDoRiN before, KoDoRiN seemed to have his number during most of their recent weekly Training Mode Tournaments sets. In addition, KoDoRiN beat Justin “Plup” McGrath, arguably the best Sheik in the world, at last week’s SCL.
Nevertheless, Ben came out on top after a close, five-game set at the Summit Champions League Season 2 Week 2. On their last stock, Ben repeatedly pressured KoDoRiN’s shield, often forcing KoDoRiN to retreat to the ledge. In addition, he punished KoDoRiN’s repeated grab attempts, maintaining offensive control and ultimately finding the kill to win the set.
https://twitter.com/Ben_SSBM/status/1383895275014475778
Next week, the SCL will go on a brief hiatus. Beyond the Summit will return with the Smash Summit Champions League Season 2 Week 3 on May 2.
