This week, from March 2nd - 5th, sixteen of the biggest names in Super Smash Bros. Melee will gather to compete at Smash Summit Spring 2017, the fourth installment Melee’s premiere invitational tournament series. With a massive combined prize pool of over $60,000, a new format for singles that includes even more Melee, five of the game’s “Big Six” and numerous other stars highlighting the player roster, this season’s Smash Summit is shaping to be the most entertaining and intense Smash Summit thus far. Here is the official Smashboards viewers guide for Smash Summit Spring 2017, including the livestream information and player storylines.
Viewing Guide
- Streams: BeyondTheSummit and BeyondTheSummit2 (Side Stream)
- Singles Format and Side Events Explained
- Make your fantasy team on smashgg!
- Stream Schedule (all times PST, click to enlarge):
The Competitors
Adam “Armada” Lindgren is the clear favorite to win Smash Summit Spring 2017. He will be looking to continue his lengthy major tournament winning streak that includes wins at Canada Cup 2016, Eclipse 2, DreamHack Winter 2016, Smash Summit 3, UGC Smash Open, Genesis 4 and BEAST 7. Moreover, if Armada can take home the gold this week, he will reach yet another career milestone by winning his fourth consecutive Smash Summit. Though the competition will be some of the toughest he has seen yet, a tournament victory will be well within reach for Armada this weekend knowing the level of play he has shown over the past few months.
Newly recovered from his finger injury, Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma will be looking to pick up his first major tournament win since his historic EVO 2016 run. Though he has consistently made it far in bracket, Hungrybox has often fell short in crucial sets, especially against Armada, who holds 1-7 record against Hungrybox against since EVO 2016. However, if he can come in with the same grit that he has displayed in the past, Hungrybox has a good chance of taking the tournament and avenging his Grand Finals losses to Armada from Smash Summit 2 and 3.
“Never sleep on the kid,” they say. Joseph “Mang0” Marquez reminded Melee fans of that statement at Genesis 4, where bounced back from a disappointed end to 2016 and placed 2nd, beating Hungrybox twice, Mew2King, Leffen and more. While his coach Daniel “Tafokints” Lee will not but at the Summit to support Mang0 in person, the new guidance will certainly take him far this weekend if Genesis 4 is any indicator.
Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman has historically benefited from the format and atmosphere of Smash Summit, placing 3rd at all three previous events. Additionally, he has recently performed well at events such as Smash Conference LXIX, where he won over Hungrybox, SFAT and Wizzrobe; Genesis 4, where he nearly made Grand Finals through the winners side; and Tampa Never Sleeps 7 last weekend, where he took a set off Hungrybox. If he prepares accordingly and comes in with a winning mindset, expect big things from Mew2King.
Making his way into the Summit for the second time, William "Leffen" Hjelte, like Hungrybox, will be aiming to win his first premier tournament in over half a year. Placing at least in the top 6 at major tournaments since Smash Summit 3, even winning Don't Park On The Grass in December over Hungrybox, Leffen has made his way back up to the top. Although he has remained relatively consistent this year, he has been on the losing end of nail-biting game 5 sets at Genesis 4 and BEAST 7. With more preparation, Leffen could make a splash this week.
Returning Players
#6 | Justin " Plup " McGrath |
#7 | Zac " SFAT " Cordoni |
#8 | Weston " Westballz " Dennis |
#9 | Jeffrey " Axe " Williamson |
#14 | Kevin " PewPewU " Toy |
The Fan Picks
#12 | Mustafa " Ice " Akcakaya |
#16 | Johnny " S2J " Kim |
#19 | Joey " Lucky " Aldama |
#22 | Daniel " ChuDat " Rodriguez |
#38 | Hugo " HugS " Gonzalez |
#47 | Jason " Infinite Numbers " Gauthier |
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Who do you think will Smash Summit Spring 2017? Vote below or tweet with the hashtag #SmashSummit and stay tuned to Smashboards for more tournament coverage.
