When it comes to fighting games, there are a number of strategies that players can use to ensure that they earn a victory. Some of these strategies are less-respected by the fighting game community than others, like spamming cheap attacks. One strategy used bySuper Smash Bros. Meleeplayer and Jigglypuff main Alejandro “Chango” Gastelum at the Battle of BC 3 tournament has been widely criticized since he used it on March 31 to frustrate his opponent into quitting mid-match.
In theSuper Smash Bros. Meleetournament match, Chango was taking on Chaucer “Fauxhebro” Gilson, who mains Ice Climbers. Chango used a controversial Jigglypuff strategy where he barely engages the opponent head-on, mostly just using Jigglypuff’s floating ability to flee from conflict. This frustrated Fauxhebro to the point that he literally stopped playing mid-match, and left the Ice Climbers standing motionless. Chango didn’t make any moves either, as he had more lives than Fauxhebro at this point and had no reason to fight him.
Eventually, Fauxhebro decided to quit the match altogether, unplugging his controller and storming off-stage. Since the incident, Chango’s strategy has been the subject of debate by the fighting game community, with some agreeing with those in attendance that booed the play, and others applauding Chango for utilizing Jigglypuff so effectively.
Others have expressed concern thatSuper Smash Bros. Meleetournament play like this may turn people off from watching the game. If people aren’t watching others playSuper Smash Bros. Meleecompetitively, it could mean less tournaments being held with the game, which has already been snubbed by major tournaments, likeEVO2019.
Instead of featuringSuper Smash Bros. Melee, EVO 2019 will feature the most recent game in the series,Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis popular in its own right, thanks to its modern visuals and massive roster of fighters, which includeseverySuper Smash Bros.fighter in history, but some still preferMeleeover it. With competition from its own sequels and the potential for players to use “boring” but effective strategies like Chango did with Jigglypuff, it’s easy to see how more tournaments may be dropping the game in the future.
Debate about the legitimacy of Chango’s strategy will continue, and if there’s enough of an uproar from the community, perhaps future tournaments will regulate defensive strategies. This may upsetSuper Smash Bros. Meleepurists, but it may be what keeps the game’s tournament scene alive.
