First Tournaments

[Fish&Herbs19]

Around a month back, I went to my first tournament and had a blast. After having attended my first, I kind of want to hear what memorable experiences others had at their first tournament.

My first tournament was SSS 2 (I think), and my favorite part was probably playing Connor the Kid in pools. I got utterly destroyed, yet it was extremely satisfying to see myself adapt and actually take stocks off of him. I remember game 2, Dreamland, 100% and 3 stocks left for me, while he was at 120% and all 4 stocks left. To not get four-stocked and to feel like I was putting up somewhat of a fight made me feel accomplished. I also remember playing a game of friendlies against S2J. Only got 29% on him. Nonetheless, I beat one player in my pools and ended up playing lots of friendlies prior to pools so I'd like to think that I had a great first tournament experience. Now share yours!

 

[TerryJ]

My first Melee tournament was at Northwest Manifest, Lynnwood WA. I got to play against AXE and I got a Ken combo off on him but I'm pretty sure he was sandbagging and let me because when we started the match I just stood there like I was trying to examine his game or something. I'd like to play against him again some day. :D

 

[Jagoffian]

Is your tag Fish? If so I played you in pools at that SSS. (I was the Samus). Glad to know you had a good time.

My first tournament was a Rule 6 (Norcal regional) back in February. I managed to beat one person in my pool while avoiding getting 4-stocked, so I was pretty damn happy with my performance. Even though I didn't play as many friendlies as I wanted to (dat timidness) I had a great time. The tournament atmosphere by itself was a unique experience, and made me realize most smashers are chill as **** and fun to talk to. The most important thing I took away from it was feeling like I was a part of the community.

 

[Comatose]

My first tournament was Crossfire. I entered singles and teams with a friend of mine. Singles he managed to win a round, I was not so fortunate (first round I had to play CT Vex... needless to say I was four stocked) and then I lost to a marth, though I did well for having such a bad matchup against marth (I play doc).

The friendlies and the people I met there were the fun part though. I had the privilege of meeting Prog, and my friend had a chance to play M2K. And as far as friendlies I remember four stocking a falcon player 5 times in a row, and getting 2 stocked consistently by his marth playing friend. Overall the fun of the tournament didn't come from the bracket play, but the people and the overall atmosphere.

 

[EpixAura]

First tournament for me was a Gamestop tournament the night before Brawl's release. I just played Link and spammed ^B nonstop back then. Lost immediately to a G&W because rolling bodies scrubs like me, lol. I don't know if that counts, though.
Picked up Brawl for a few years before coming back to Melee and trying to get into the competitive side. After that, I went to Carolina Games Summit and did reasonably well. Most people there were just playing for the nostalgia. I got pretty far but ended up losing because I Dair'd of the side of the stage with Falco. Couldn't see where the stage was below me, and I thought I'd either land on it or spike the opponent. If I had done either, I probably would have won, but NOPE. It was pretty funny. Since most people there were complete casuals at best, that may not count either though. It helped me improve a hell of a lot though. I remember playing against a Fox who was very even with me, but all he did was bait and punish. I was so proud of myself for adapting and winning.

My first REAL tournament with actual competitive players was Dockside at ECU. I didn't get last place, at the least, but it wasn't a great performance. I ended up getting bodied by most of the people who entered, but it was some of the most fun I'd ever had playing the game. I learned a lot about mixing up my neutral and aerial game. That said, there were a lot of players there who didn't enter who I TOTALLY could have beaten, so I can at least attempt to justify me failures. Either way, it was a lot of fun.