To many, Leffen is known for his candid manner of speaking in which he spares no feelings in discussing his honest opinion, this has garnered him the role of a "villain" in the smash community, a title he has no problems wearing. However, Leffen's true legacy lies in his meteoric rise in the Melee scene, beginning his career in 2010, his unprecedented growth saw him fight the "Gods of Melee" on equal footing as soon as 2014.
The Godslayer
Leffen was the first player in history to defeat the "5 Gods of Melee". Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma was the first to fall to Leffen at Apex 2014. Next was Armada himself at B.E.A.S.T. 4, where Leffen would take his 1st national victory. Following B.E.A.S.T. 4
Leffen would defeat Armada once again at Republic of Fighters 3 in an unprecedented 6-0 victory. Some were starting to believe that Leffen had become the best player in Europe and that Armada's reign was at it's end. His win at Republic of Fighters 3 qualified him for the championship bracket at MLG Anaheim 2014. It was here that Leffen would defeat Kevin "PPMD" Nanney.
Finally at B.E.A.S.T 5 in 2015, Leffen would manage to take his first victory over Joseph "Mang0" Marquez after a string of crushing defeats at the hands of Mang0. This win would be a big boost to Leffen: he went on to defeat Armada again to win B.E.A.S.T. 5 which would be his first tourney win with 2 of the 5 Gods present. Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman was the last God standing now, and at Apex 2015 Leffen brought him to his knees in a 2-1 victory. It was clear to the world of Melee that there was a new member at the top of the food chain, The Godslayer.
Turning the Tide
In the summer of 2015 Leffen was no longer seen as just one of the Big 6, he started to be seen as the best player in the world. If he had continued at that pace he may very well have been the number 1 ranked player for the MIOM 2015 rankings. Unfortunately, due to visa issues, he was barred from entering the US just before The Big House 5 and could not compete against the world's best for the remainder of 2015. This must have been crushing, to have come so far in such a short time only to have your momentum forcibly stopped by factors outside of your control.
Leffen continued to place well in European events but without the training he had before he slowly began to slip. At B.E.A.S.T. 6 Armada managed to turn the tides of battle and defeat Leffen to win B.E.A.S.T. for the first time in 2 years. Leffen wouldn't accept his rivals slipping away from him after he worked so hard to catch up, he would turn the tides back into his favor!
Following his 2nd place finish at B.E.A.S.T. 6 Leffen went on tear, he racked up a couple wins in Europe and then headed to Canada.
Revival of the Godslayer
Leffen was not able to enter America but if he went to Canada the best players of America could come to him. He got to work right away, determined to return to his former glory. Leffen kicked off his Canadian mission with a 1st place finish at The Come Up 2016 in Toronto. Leffen's next tournament would not go as well.
At EGLX in Ontario, Leffen would place 7th losing to Jeffery "Axe" Williamson and James "Duck" Ma, this would be his lowest placing so far this year. Leffen had a lot of training to do if he wanted to be seen as the best in the world again.
Leffen is his own harshest critic. It's what gives him the discipline he needs to not make excuses and put his nose to the grindstone.And grind is precisely what he did, which led him to a 1st place finish at Battle of BC in British Columbia.
Now for what I consider to be one of the top 5 tournament runs in Melee history, we take a look back at Leffen's warpath at GOML 2016 in Toronto. All of the active Gods were in attendance and, in a feat that I do not believe has been replicated since, Leffen defeated every single one of them without dropping a set for a commanding 1st place finish at GOML. He cemented his legacy as the Godslayer once more.
He would close out summer with a strong 1st place finish at DreamHack Summer 2016 over Mang0 and Armada in Jönköping, Sweden, just as he had done in the summer of 2015.
Leffen let the world know that he would always be in contention for the title of best in the world. In fall of 2016 Leffen's visa issues were finally settled and he was once again allowed to enter the US to compete.
Clash of Crowns
Armada broke Leffen's 2 year streak at last year's B.E.A.S.T., and coming into the tournament fresh off of his 1st place finish at Genesis 4, Armada's momentum may just carry him to another victory. However if there's anybody who can stop Armada, it's Leffen without a doubt. The two of them have been locked in a battle for the title of best in Europe for four years now.
B.E.A.S.T. has always been huge for Leffen, it's where he got his first national win and where he took his first victories against Armada and Mang0. B.E.A.S.T. 7 has the potential to set the tone for the entire year of Melee, who will come out on top? Leffen the Godslayer, or Armada the BEAST himself?
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