September 2014 Preview

September is historically the weakest tournament month on the Melee calendar. Going into 2014, only one Melee tournament of 100+ entrants has ever occurred in September: you have to go all the way back to Super Champ Combo in 2007. This can be attributed to the tournament hangover that often proceeds a packed summer season of majors, and the return of many Smashers to school as the academic calendar begins. However, with the platinum age still at a feverish peak in addition to a recent push to cultivate college Smash scenes, it will be interesting to see if any regions can leverage the beginning of the school year to produce an excellent local collegiate turnout.

Last month, Zenith coasted its way into the history books, producing 281 entrants and setting a new August record for Melee turnout, surpassing EVO World 2007 (270 entrants). Mayhem made everyone’s jaws drop the next weekend by producing a massive 227 entrants with mostly local attendance. Carrollfest 5, SMYM 15, and SSS 24 also produced successful turnouts each. As expected, regionals ruled the month of August, with a 100+ entrant tourney occurring on every weekend of the month (just the second time that feat has ever been accomplished).

September 6

Armada, Ice, Overtriforce, and Strawhat Dahean have all confirmed for Hit & Stun Tournament 2, taking place in Barcelona, Spain on the first weekend of September. Europe has been somewhat quiet on the Melee regional front since RoF 3 in May. With Armada coming off his record-breaking 10th tourney win in his 10th different country, the promotional opportunity for Spain to host a 100+ entrant tourney has never been better. Prediction: 90 entrants.

August was sweet to Mayhem, which produced a whopping 227 entrants in its first post-EVO installment. The SoCal scene first experienced a surge in attendance after EVO 2013, and the same effect can be seen to an even greater extent after EVO 2014. With a new venue, new schedule, and a continuing influx of new players, MacD and company could approach 200 again at this installment in early September. It’s remarkable that these tourneys finish in one day considering the giant Melee and PM crossover, although this installment will not have PM as usual, which may ease attendance compared to last time. Prediction: 170 entrants.

Also on the first weekend of September, Avalon V will take place in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. Unfortunately for the Dutch scene, the tournament date clashes directly with HST 2; this one is unlikely to attract too many out-of-country names, considering Armada and Ice are heading to Spain on the same weekend. Prediction: 70 entrants.

September 13

Super Smash Sundays 24 takes place on the second Sunday of September. This series is notorious for pushing through even on holiday weekends; there have been installments on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Labor Day weekend. The latest holiday SSS was the most successful one yet, producing a massive 178 entrants on August 31. Considering the EVO effect’s lift and the newly-renovated Super Arcade venue, it’s very possible we could see 100+ entrants at every SSS from now until the end of the calendar year. The tournament brand and player base built by TheCrimsonBlur and Team OXY are just that strong. Prediction: 150 entrants.

September 20

FullMetal and the Georgia community are set to host Tipped Off 10 this weekend. Last year, Tipped Off cracked 100 entrants for the first time in its history, finally ending the South’s four-year drought of 100+ entrant tourneys in the ninth outing of the Tipped Off series. Since then, CEO has accomplished the feat twice and the platinum age of Melee has been put into full swing. This next edition of the Tipped Off series should add further to last time, especially if top players such as PPMD and Axe attend, as it’s been rumored. Prediction: 150 entrants.

GUTS 3, hosted on the same weekend, boasts a casino venue and two established TOs at the helm, MattDotZeb and Solid Jake. While the New England scene has surged recently, this tourney may have to overcome the three-day schedule and high-roller perception that comes with the setting of the event. New England Smashers who are used to cheap $5 locals inside school classrooms or restaurant venues will have to put a conscious effort to travel for multiple days, and it remains to be seen how many will do that. The presence of PM will help boost numbers. Prediction: 90 entrants.

September 27

The weekend of September 27 will be home to Shape V, hosted by Coffeemug in Kirtland, OH. It will also mark the much-anticipated return of Armada to the United States, just 11 weeks after his heartbreaking 3rd-place exit from EVO 2014. The beast from Sweden is flying into the United States on September 24, starting a three-week stay in America that will include attendance at Shape V, The Big House 4, and Justice 4. Although his primary destination is TBH4, Armada’s willingness to stay an extra couple weeks to make his trip more cost-effective will directly benefit the two regionals surrounding it. The Shape series has seen tremendous growth in its past few installments, from 30 entrants to 48 entrants to 80 entrants. That is expected to continue, especially with Armada in town for the first time at an Ohio tourney. Prediction: 140 entrants.

See you next month.

MIOM | Juggleguy