Day 61/1000 Player: Laudandus Mains: Sheik Region: NorCal / PA Years active: 2011, 2013–20, 2023 Peak Global Rank: 33rd, 2016 Best Wins: S2J, Westballz, Swedish Delight, n0ne, PewPewU Summary: Laudandus was one of NorCal’s strongest Sheik players during Melee’s mid-2010s resurgence. Originally from Pittsburgh, he made his first major statement by winning the inaugural NorCal Arcadian in 2014. He followed that breakthrough with four consecutive global rankings, peaking at 33rd in 2016 and establishing himself as a consistent threat against the game’s elite. His defining performance came at Pound 2016, where he placed 5th after a remarkable losers-bracket run featuring victories over Ryan Ford, Westballz, Nintendude, and S2J. He followed that success with 7th at DreamHack Austin 2017, proving Pound was no fluke. Laudandus helped cement NorCal’s reputation as one of Melee’s deepest regions, standing out as a Sheik specialist in an era dominated by Fox and Falco.

Day 60/1000 Player: Trulliam Mains: Falco / Fox Region: Ontario, Canada Years active: 2014–19 Peak Global Rank: 63rd, 2017 Best Wins: Ryan Ford, KJH, Ginger, moky, Legend Summary: Trulliam emerged as one of Southern Ontario’s leading Falco players during the late 2010s, steadily establishing himself in one of Melee’s most competitive regions. His consistency earned him three consecutive global rankings from 2016 through 2018, including a peak of 63rd in 2017, while he climbed as high as 3rd on the Southern Ontario Power Rankings. He reached the height of his career in 2018, winning The Ryegional with double victories over Ryan Ford and moky. He followed that run with wins over KJH and Ginger at Saints Gaming Live before placing 7th at DreamHack Montreal, which he had announced would be his final tournament. Though his career was relatively brief, Trulliam played a defining role in the heart of melee Falcos golden era.

Day 59/1000 Player: JOJI / MilkMan Mains: Fox Region: VA Years active: 2014 Peak Global Rank: 67th, 2023 Best Wins: Chudat, JuneBug, Polish Summary: JOJI, FKA MilkMan, is one of Virginia’s longest-standing Fox players and a veteran of multiple eras of competitive Melee. Originally from Sacramento, he became a fixture of the MDVA scene, competing nationally while building a reputation as one of the region’s strongest players. His longevity is remarkable, stretching from the early days of competitive Melee through the modern Slippi era. JOJI’s career has been defined by regional consistency and a willingness to keep competing as the game evolves. He reached 3rd on the MDVA rankings in 2020 and climbed to 2nd in 2022, behind only Zain. His 67th-place global ranking in 2023 marked another milestone in a career spanning well over a decade. Through multiple tags and generations of competition, JOJI has remained one of Virginia’s most enduring Fox representatives.

Day 58/1000 Player: Jman Mains: Fox Region: Tri-State Years active: 2007–14 Peak Global Rank: 6th, 2010 (RetroSSBMRank) Best Wins: Mew2King, Mang0, PPMD, KoreanDJ, Zhu Summary: Jman was a leading Fox player during Melee’s early competitive era, active from 2007 until his retirement in 2014. he developed into one of the first Fox specialists capable of consistently challenging the game’s strongest competitors. His defining achievement came at Apex 2009, where he defeated Mew2King twice to win the tournament. Jman remained a major presence through the early 2010s, placing 5th at Pound 4, 7th at Apex 2010, and winning Don’t Go Down There Jeff over Mang0, Zhu, and Lucky. Beyond his results, his aggressive punish game and signature Jman Shine helped establish Fox’s early metagame and demonstrated the character’s ability to contest even the era’s most dominant. When discussing vintage players that could still play today JMan is one of the first names that should be said.

Day 57/1000 Player: ESAM Mains: Samus Region: FL Years active: 2005– Peak Global Rank: 68th 2016 Best Wins: WestBallz, Wobbles, The Moon, DizzKidBoogie Summary: ESAM is one of the most recognizable crossover competitors in Smash history, building his early competitive roots in Melee before becoming one of the world’s premier Pikachu players in later Smash titles. His Samus was part of Florida’s early competitive scene, where he developed the fundamentals and matchup knowledge that would eventually carry him to international success. Although ESAM’s greatest tournament achievements came outside Melee, his history with the game connects two generations of competitive Smash. He went from playing Samus in Melee to becoming a defining Pikachu specialist in Brawl, Smash 4, and Ultimate, making him a rare example of a player whose competitive career spans multiple eras of the franchise with pinnacle success every step of the way.

Day 56/1000 Player: Spud Mains: Marth Region: New Zealand / Australia Years active: 2014–22 Peak Global Rank: 38th, 2019 Best Wins: n0ne, moky, Professor Pro, SFAT, Hax$ Summary: Spud is one of Oceania’s most influential Melee players and arguably New Zealand’s greatest competitor. After moving to Australia, he dominated the regional scene with multiple Battle Arena Melbourne titles before breaking through internationally. In 2018, he became the first player from Australia or New Zealand to earn a global ranking. His international highlights included winning Bridgetown Hyper Blitz over n0ne, moky, and Professor Pro, then placing fifth at Don’t Park on the Grass 2018 with wins over SFAT, Hax$, and Kalamazhu. Spud peaked at 38th in the world in 2019 and earned an invitation to Smash Summit 8, helping establish Oceania as a serious force in global Melee.

Day 55/1000 Player: Cruz / OkayP. Mains: Pikachu / Fox Region: UT Years active: 2017– Peak Global Rank: 37th, 2025 Best Wins: Joshman, Axe, n0ne, L, Army Summary: Cruz is Melee’s strongest new Pikachu player and Utah’s top competitor. After years of local success, he broke onto the national stage with a career-defining 3rd-place finish at Smash Camp 2025. His run included a win over Axe, Pikachu’s most influential player, before he fell to Joshman in losers finals. That performance earned Cruz his first global ranking: 37th in the world in 2025. In a character history shaped by Axe, Cruz has become one of the few Pikachu players able to challenge elite competition. His Smash Camp run marked a new chapter for Pikachu and established Utah as home to one of Melee’s most exciting rising talents.

Day 54/1000 Player: Santi Mains: Falco / Sheik Region: SoCal Years active: 2013– Peak Global Rank: 32nd, 2019 Best Wins: Shroomed, Captain Faceroll, Westballz, Lucky, HugS Summary: Santi, also known as Santiago, was one of Southern California’s strongest Falco players during the late 2010s. Competing in one of Melee’s most competitive regions, he established himself as a dangerous national-level threat with wins over Shroomed, Captain Faceroll, Westballz, and Lucky. His career peaked at 32nd in the world in 2019, following consecutive top-50 finishes in 2017 and 2018. Santi’s legacy is tied to Southern California’s deep pool of talented Falco players. In a region that produced legends like Mang0 and Westballz, Santi carved out his own place through consistent performances and an ability to challenge established names. His rise into the world’s top 32 helped carry SoCal’s Falco tradition into another generation.

Day 53/1000 Player: Taj Mains: Mewtwo / Marth Region: AZ Years active: 2006–07, 2009–18, 2023 Peak Global Rank: 24th, 2013 Best Wins: Mang0, PPMD, Hax$, Ken, Colbol Summary: Taj is the greatest Mewtwo player in Melee history and one of Arizona’s most legendary competitors. His iconic Shadowclaw combo videos helped introduce an entire generation to Mewtwo’s creative potential, showcasing movement and combos few believed the character was capable of. His 17th-place finish at Apex 2010 with solo Mewtwo remains the gold standard of Mewtwo performances. But Taj’s greatest moment came with Marth at GENESIS 2 in 2011. Entering as a massive underdog, he defeated PPMD, Hax$, and Mang0 on his way to 3rd place, becoming the first player outside the Five Gods to defeat multiple Gods at a major. More than a decade later, Taj returned at GENESIS 9 and finished 33rd using only Mewtwo, proving that one of Melee’s most beloved low-tier specialists still had plenty of magic left.

Day 52/1000 Player: Daytripper / Kevin Maples Mains: Fox Region: VA Years active: 2017– Peak Global Rank: 33rd, 2025 Best Wins: RapMonster, Spark, SFAT, Junebug Summary: Daytripper, FKA Kevin Maples, has been a staple of MDVA Melee for nearly a decade. After first breaking into the global rankings at 64th in 2019, his career has been a steady climb, eventually reaching a career-best 33rd in 2025. That season included major wins over Spark, SFAT, and Junebug, and top 24 finishes at every event they have attended this year. My favorite fact is that Daytripper has repeatedly found success against RapMonster, one of melees fastest rising stars ever, over the course of his career. turning their sets into a showcase of DTs Fox’s adaptability and punish game in ways not even the greatest foxes in the world have been able to capture. Their history highlights Daytripper’s ability to prepare for and overcome a difficult opponent, making RapMonster one of the most notable and frequent names on his résumé. And in our opinion one of the best “unknown” rivalries in modern melee.

Day 51/1000 Player: Lunar Dusk Mains: Ice Climbers / Jigglypuff Region: Québec, Canada Years active: 2016– Peak Global Rank: 48th, 2022 Best Wins: Joshman, Rishi, moky, KJH, Magi Summary: Lunar Dusk is one of Canada’s premier Ice Climbers players, using the character as a powerful top counterpick against elite competition. His matchup-specific approach helped him reach 48th in the world in 2022 and 59th in 2023. He has scored notable wins over Joshman, Rishi, moky, KJH, and Magi, establishing himself as a threat even against prepared opponents. Often saving his best performances for home soil, GOML being an event series that Lunar has outplaced his seeding 5 times most notably its 2026 edition with a 9th place finish.

Day 50/1000 Player: Jada Mains: Sheik / Zelda Region: PA Years active: 2015– Peak Global Rank: NR Best Wins: Polish, Khryke, BBatts Summary: Jada, also known as “The Beetle King,” is a longtime Pennsylvania Sheik player who has been a fixture of the Pittsburgh scene for more than a decade. Their rise included reaching 9th on the Pittsburgh Melee Power Rankings in 2019 before eventually climbing to 2nd in the region. Jada has also built a strong doubles legacy, most notably teaming with Khryke and becoming a consistent threat at regional events. Jada has had some impressive singles performances as well. With a 5 set loser run at SuperNova 2026 with three seeding upsets on that path. This Sheik continues a great legacy of PA players and is expected great things next season.

Day 49/1000 Player: Gravy Mains: Captain Falcon / Fox Region: FL Years active: 2012–18 Peak Global Rank: 41st, 2016 Best Wins: Axe, DruggedFox, KoreanDJ, Ken Summary: Gravy was one of Florida’s most important Captain Falcon players and a pioneer of the 20GX movement alongside Wizzrobe and Gahtzu. They pushed Falcon’s technical limits by studying movement, frame data, tech chasing, and punish-game theory. As Fox’s global dominance grew, these three Falcons became a North Star for players who chose the righteous path. Gravy reached 41st in the world in 2016 and climbed as high as 4th in Central Florida, earning notable victories over Axe, DruggedFox, KoreanDJ, and Ken. Their best tournament placements included 5th at CEO 2016, 7th at DreamHack Atlanta 2017, and 9th at The Big House 6. Although Gravy eventually added Fox to their arsenal, their time and effort advancing the 20GX movement will never be forgotten.

Player: Ryan Ford Mains: Fox / Sheik Region: Ontario, Canada Years active: 2008–19 Peak Global Rank: 15th, 2013 Best Wins: Plup, Axe, The Moon, Ice Summary: Ryan Ford is one of Canada’s most accomplished Fox players and a defining figure in the rise of Southern Ontario’s Melee scene. He reached 15th in the world in 2013 and remained internationally ranked years later, placing 31st in 2018. His sustained success helped give Canada a consistent presence between the years of early KirbyKaze to modern Moky. Ford’s standout 2017 season included top-10 wins over Plup and Axe, seventh place at DreamHack Atlanta, and second place in doubles with Colbol. Those results, combined with his longevity and regional influence, made Ford a Mount Rushmore Canadian player.

Player: Seven Mains: Sheik Region: MD Years active: 2018–21, 2023– Peak Global Rank: 54th, 2025 Best Wins: Lowercase Hero, Agent, Jude, mvlvchi Summary: Seven is one of Maryland’s standout modern Sheik players, starting pre-lockdown. But mainly building his career through the post-Slippi era and eventually breaking into the global rankings. His precise punish game and aggressive approach helped him become a fixture of the Maryland scene, including reaching 1st on the Baltimore rankings in 2023. Seven’s breakout came in 2025, when he defeated Agent, Jude, and mvlvchi during a strong run at Creed IV. That performance helped propel him to 54th in the world and established him as an important part of Maryland’s next generation after returning from an early-career break in 2022. Also stupid saucy, like what was that FOD Falco clip?

Player: Khryke Mains: Marth / Ice Climbers Region: MDVA Years active: 2016– Peak Global Rank: 29th, 2025 Best Wins: moky, Wizzrobe, SDJ, Bbatts Summary: Khryke is one of the most unique players in modern Melee, combining Marth with Ice Climbers in a character pool rarely seen at the highest level. His willingness to switch between the two gives him an unusual approach to matchups and has helped make him one of the strongest non-spacies dual-mains in the game. But if there’s one tournament where Khryke consistently seems to step up, it’s Supernova. His 9th-place run at Super Smash Con 2022 included a win over moky, and he followed that up with a career-defining 7th place at Supernova 2025, where he beat Junebug and SDJ to reach his first major top 8. Across Supernova’s history, Khryke has repeatedly collected wins over elite competition. When the lights are brightest, Khryke doesn’t shy away.

Player: Gahtzu Mains: Captain Falcon Region: FL Years active: 2011– Peak Global Rank: 27th, 2018 Best Wins: S2J, Wizzrobe, Darkrain, Scar Summary: Gahtzu is one of the most recognizable Captain Falcon players in Melee history and a cornerstone of Florida’s legendary scene. Known for his aggressive movement and explosive punish game, he helped establish Florida as one of Melee’s deepest regions alongside players like Hungrybox, Plup, Wizzrobe, and Colbol. His 27th-place ranking in 2018 marked the peak of a career spanning more than a decade. Gahtzu has been ranked globally for 11 years, a testament to his consistency and longevity that compares to the biggest names in the game. His continued presence has made him one of the defining Falcon players of the modern era.

Player: Gilbuert Mains: Falco Region: France Years active: 2020– Peak Global Rank: NR Best Wins: Double H, Chewpsi, Valou Summary: Gilbuert is the only brother in Famelee, the French Smash crew he shares with his sisters I4, FecFec, and Mr. Rit. He introduced the family to Melee during the pandemic, when they began playing online together and developed their competitive identities as a group. The four competitors over the last 4 days found their own route through this game in unorthodox ways helping build their own space in this vast competitive landscape. Thank you Famelee for reminding us what this game is about.

Player: Mr.Rit Mains: Marth (White Marth) Region: France Years active: 2020– Peak Global Rank: NR Best Wins: Nuckels, Tekk, HappyMealz Summary: Mr.Rit is the final sister of the four-sibling Famelee crew, one of the most unusual family stories in competitive Melee. The lone brother in this family, Gilbuert; introduced his sisters to online melee. The siblings began playing together online during the pandemic and developed their competitive identities alongside one another, with Mr.Rit forming a dedicated doubles partnership with Gilbuert. Most people can name I4 and Fec for their doubles dominance but Mr. Rit and Gilbuert have also been with them every step of the way.

Player: FecFec Mains: Peach Region: France Years active: 2020– Peak Global Rank: NR Best Wins: MOF, Max, Skullbro Summary: FecFec is the second of four French siblings behind the Famelee crew. A smash player since lockdown. FecFec found their place in doubles, teaming with sibling I4, as highlighted yesterday; to form one of Famelee’s two family teams and one of the best doubles teams in the world. The Famelee story makes FecFec important beyond any individual tournament result. Four siblings started playing Melee together online and turned that shared hobby into a competitive crew of their own. Any guesses on who’s up tomorrow?