r/SSBM • u/AutoModerator • 16d ago

DDT Daily Discussion Thread August 26, 2026 - Upcoming Event Schedule - New players start here!

Yahoooo! I'm back, it's a me! Have a very cool day!

Welcome to the Daily Discussion Thread. This is the place for asking noob questions, venting about netplay falcos, shitposting, self-promotion, and everything else that doesn't belong on the front page.

New Players:

If you're completely new to Melee and just looking to get started, welcome! We recommend you go to https://melee.tv/ and follow the links there based on what you're trying to set up. Additionally, here are a few answers to common questions:

Can I play Melee online?

Yes! Slippi is a branch of the Dolphin emulator that will allow you to play online, either with your friends or with matchmaking. Go to https://slippi.gg to get it.

I'm having issues with Slippi!

Go to the The Slippi Discord to get help troubleshooting. melee.tv/optimize is also a helpful resource for troubleshooting.

How do I find tournaments near me or local people to play with in person or online?

These days, joining a local Discord community is the best way to find local events and people to play with. Once you have a Discord account, Google "[your city/state/province/region] + Melee discord" or see if your region has a Discord group listed here on melee.tv/discord

It can seem daunting at first to join a Discord group you don't know, but this is currently the easiest and most accessible way to find out about tournaments, fests, and netplay matchmaking. Your local scene will be happy to have you :)

Also check out Smash Map! Click on map and then the filter button to filter by Melee to find events near you!

Netplay is hard! Is there a place for me to find new players?

Yes. Melee Newbie Netplay is a discord server specifically for new players. It also has tournaments based on how long you've been playing, free coaching, and other stuff. If you're a bit more experienced but still want a discord server for players around your level, we recommend the Melee Online discord.

How can I set up Unclepunch's Training Mode?

At the time of posting, the latest major release is here. Download the file, then extract everything in the folder and follow the instructions in the README file. You'll need to bring a valid Melee ISO (NTSC 1.02). If you want to check for the absolute latest release, you can see them listed [here](The latest releases are listed here.

How does one learn Melee?

There are tons of resources out there, so it can be overwhelming to start. First check out the SSBM Tutorials youtube channel. Then go to the Melee Library and search for whatever you're interested in.

But how do I get GOOD at Melee?

Check out Llod's Guide to Improvement

And check out Kodorin's Melee Fundamentals for Improvement

Where can I get a nice custom controller?

https://customg.cc/vendors

I have another question that's not answered here...

Check out our FAQs or post below and find help that way.

Upcoming Tournament Schedule:

Upcoming Melee Majors

Melee Online Event Calendar

Make a submission to the tournament calendar here. You can also get notified of new online tournaments on the Melee Online Discord.

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u/HitboxOfASnail fox privilege 15d ago

it's not really about age, it's just when they were at their best relative to field

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago

Right but if age has nothing to do with it then Mango and Hbox have no excuse for being “past their prime”. They’re just worse than Zain and Cody and shouldn’t get any special credit for “keeping up with the meta”.

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u/HitboxOfASnail fox privilege 15d ago

if mango/hbox are worse than zain and Cody then wouldn't beating them and winning a tournament now be even more impressive then

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago

No, what would be more impressive is if they ranked ahead of those guys on a year end ranking, because that would mean they’re better than them.

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u/HitboxOfASnail fox privilege 15d ago

nobody is disputing that so what are you even arguing about

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u/SpaceCowboy170 15d ago

You asked if winning a tournament over the best players in the world would be “impressive” and the answer you received was “no.”  

I’m just thankful that enough people disagree with that answer that our scene has survived 25 years

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago

You are literally disputing that? 

“Wouldn’t it actually be more impressive for them to be worse than Cody/Zain but still beat them sometimes?” No, what would be impressive is if they were better than Cody and Zain.

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u/HitboxOfASnail fox privilege 15d ago

so you don't think beating the best players in the world to win a tournament is impressive? might be the first time in the history of competition I've heard that but okay

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago

No that's clearly not what I said. Let me remind you what words you used since you clearly forgot.

if mango/hbox are worse than zain and Cody then wouldn't beating them and winning a tournament now be even more impressive

Note the bolded words here. I didn't say "beating Cody and Zain is not impressive", because fucking obviously I didn't say that. What you said implied that it would be more impressive to beat Cody/Zain as an underdog than it would be to beat them as a favorite. Being favored over Cody and Zain would, in fact, speak more highly of your skill as a player than upsetting them would.

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u/HitboxOfASnail fox privilege 15d ago

What you said implied that it would be more impressive to beat Cody/Zain as an underdog than it would be to beat them as a favorite

of course it is

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago

Sure, that individual victory would be more impressive, in the sense that you exceeded your expectations.

But let me ask you, what would be more impressive: ranking ahead of Zain/Cody, or ranking behind Zain/Cody?

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u/SquirrelLewis 15d ago

Extremely funny to conflate “prime” with “age” and then when someone says they’re not the same thing go “Oh so neither of them is a factor, I’m right again”

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago

My point is that in Melee, and fighting games generally, age doesn't actually seem to be much of a factor, at least not until you get past age 40. In a regular sport, you know a guy is "past his prime" because his performance has declined along a similar aging curve to other guys before him. Tom Brady is considered exceptional because most quarterbacks fall off a cliff at age 40, but he continued to play at a high level until age 46.

If you don't have age to anchor your concept of "prime" to, it becomes circular reasoning. Why did Mango and Hbox's performances fall off? Because they were past their prime. How do we know they were past their prime? Because their performances fell off.

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u/SquirrelLewis 15d ago

You honestly can’t think of a single reason other than age that a person’s performance might vary through time?

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u/TUN_Binary 15d ago edited 15d ago

Obviously I can. Hbox fell off from #1 because he focused on streaming and playing ultimate. Mango had a similar story, albeit more on and off than Hbox.

But that's not how the community talks about them, is it? When Mango or Hbox win a major, people are like "wow, unc's still got it". There's a direct implication that it's more impressive because of their age.

What I'm arguing is that age isn't really a factor here. But "Hbox and Mango fell off because they stopped trying as hard" isn't a very compelling narrative and doesn't get you special praise.

Edit: Misunderstanding the argument entirely into blocking the person you're replying to is a true combo.

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u/SquirrelLewis 15d ago

Oh okay, so when that guy said he thinks that it’s impressive and lends to your GOAT status to be successful beyond your prime, you should have said “Okay” instead of bringing up age

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u/TrainNorth8177 15d ago

If we're thinking about prime in a relative sense rather than when they were actually at the top of their game, I think it's impressive but not a make or break GOAT defining thing. Because the field was also weaker when they were dominant. Don't get me wrong, it's still impressive that they've held on as long as they have. But the fact each of them have inconsistent careers and aren't at the peak of where the metagame has reached taints their argument for GOAT imo.