Armada vs. Mew2King - The End of an Era

[@turndownforwalt]

Go to buyraycon.com/turndownforwalt for 15% off your order, plus free shipping! Brought to you by Raycon.

[@joemkdd]

I wonder why people like these comments, given that it's literally just a simple ad. Is it people at raycon, or is it a hivemind with the mindset of "a youtuber posted this, therefore i must like it"?

[@TheRealMew2king]

it really was an awesome set, we were 5-5 in games that tourney (and i just beat hbox 3-0 to get there in top 3), and the final 2-3 years we were going exactly even in sets/battles so the improvement was clear. I had no idea Armada would stop playing then, it's 1 of many reasons I did too. (Others being I was trying to focus on and finish my book in 2018 but I failed that goal and it's still a work in progress of 400+ pages atm that i need to get back to eventually. And of course Ultimate on the horizon was a major reason too). I did truly get really nervous at the very last stocks of the final game where I crumbled, but outside of the last stocks of game 10 I think I played marvelously (especially considering I didn't have both Pivot/UCF advantages that a Marth might have nowadays for Fthrow Pivot Fsmash wasn't on the table at all cuz it was too unreliable and I got hit once for trying it). I am still open minded to returning in the future but I wouldn't do it without financial backing. I haven't practiced in 1-2 years really, but my knowledge is great so my coaching/analysis and even commentary is easier due to sheer knowledge, and I still stream watching events too sometimes cuz it's fun. For those interested to support me check this Google Doc I wrote btw(will update it periodically) - docs.google.com/document/d/14_OH8c3Ru3Tg-DdJ75ALvwUnyK_fi7zSeEDN8hcAchQ/edit#heading=h.3n44kzbbhh02 if people have questions i can answer on stream or whatever any time, i might even go over these sets sometime (I did before but it never got uploaded). Armada was a great rival and friend and was definitely the goat by the moment of his retirement, and he pushed me to keep improving cuz I wanted to overcome him.

[@adamquenano8563]

I always thought it was dope How you 2 are the top 2 greatest smash players in history and were great friends.

[@Senbaek]

1 thing I liked that people tend to forget about this GF is how you RPS'ed for port priority every game, as a viewer it felt like I was watching 2 experts of their craft paying attention to every detail of this game. A truely refined Melee set, I already knew watching it that it would stay as something special. I gotta admit I was frustrated you couldn't clutch this as for a revenge from UGC but this is life. Take your time writing your book, I know you want it to be as good as you can make it; I'll be among the first ones to buy it whence you publish it. I know for a fact that if you decide to come back to the competitive Melee scene, you'll be able to come back to the top (I'm not talking #1 but major winning potential for sure). But if you never come back, that's fine too as long as you're happy with everything. You already gave us so many years of joy I'm glad I could follow your tournament runs all the way from France for all these years (been watching you play since 2009/2010!)

[@amirhurwitz1789]

Jason you are so good at melee, I will forever respect your gameplay. So many moments of sheer genius.

[@Bluex12345]

hi Jason hope you're doing well

[@jchud13]

I would love to see you back in the scene, even as just a commentator. One of the greatest thing about current melee is it’s long and storied history and I think it helps to have as many people that were apart of that history around as can be.

[@fordmooney8404]

"where the fuck was my confetti last year! Mango wants confetti!" One of my favorite melee qoutes

[@Wheatsolo]

That's the Mango.

[@AndreasSaag]

@@Wheatsolo also: where's our confetti these days???

[@bhamilton32]

He got his confetti at Super Nova

[@theomcinturff1213]

Scar interrogating M2K "Specifically, how?" is such an interesting moment. Like, M2K really is at the top of his game with Marth, this is before a lot of new tech came out. It's so relatable that he waffles, like "What are you asking me?" But then he finds an answer, it's such a great pro moment to be so hard on yourself, have someone question it, find no answer, and then break past that barrier.

[@shady8045]

Scar saying all that kinda reminded me of how my therapist talks to me. I definitely get how m2k felt in that moment.

[@jacobamidon3114]

I’ll always love scar, he’s the goat commentator and such an awesome legend of the community

[@shalokshalom]

​@@jacobamidon3114 The story when Scar showed up late at work at his dad's company with Mang0 attached was too awesome. My favorite smash story ^^

[@Riako]

He kind of was having a mental short circuit though. With how frustrated he was getting with being told to put it into words instead of just latching onto a generalized statement. "Just be better and not suck!!" "You don't suck, so how do you be better?" "WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?!?"

[@ericwong3868]

@@shalokshalomI’m just getting into the lore. What happened?

[@scannerooni]

This was the only major I've ever been to. I was the guy in the lime green with the visor by Armada's face on the player cam. I will never forget this set. I know you don't have time to go over the more detailed parts of the gameplay when making a doc like this, but it was unlike anything I've ever seen. There were all sorts of unusual situations that both players had to adapt to on the fly, and watching each player adjust when put into positions that did come up more than once was beyond impressive. You could tell there was some kind of magic in the air that night and that something special was happening. That special something ended up being different from what almost anyone in the venue was hoping for, but I'm glad it played out the way it did. I'm a huge M2K fan, but I wasn't disappointed when he lost. I was just amazed at everything that happened and was happy to be there. Armada announcing his retirement later added another layer to it all. I'm glad I was able to see him play in person, even if it was only once. This tournament created so many memories for me. Thank you for covering this set.

[@typhlosion7872]

Absolutely love M2K. Not just my favorite Melee player, hell, not even just my favorite smash player, my favorite player in all of esports. I don't know if you plan to tackle a lot of older tournaments, but one I'd definitely like to see covered is M2K's losers run at UGC (I believe that was the name. It was that or something similar)? A player who notoriously struggles once sent to losers pulling off one of his best tournament runs and climbing all the way to second

[@TheRealMew2king]

yea i wish i closed it out, armada stopped a ton of runs i coulda dominated and Smashcon/UGC are some big examples

[@typhlosion7872]

​@@TheRealMew2king Yeah, your streak was insane. I'd put it on the same level of dominance as your Shine 2016 run if Armada wasn't at either tournament

[@peeron6829]

​@@TheRealMew2king the man himself🔥

[@ThePharphis]

Even though he narrowly got 2nd at that tournament, UGC was my favourite run by M2K. Well other than the time he 6-0'd leffen, rotating characters on him

[@97MarioDude97]

LMAO 20:10 at Mango "WHERE THE F*CK WAS MY CONFETTI LAST YEAR???" 😂😂😂

[@TheDancingSaxophone]

Peak Mango lmao

[@AvyriRose]

My heart sank into the floor the moment Armada took the last stock. You really brought that moment to life-the despair, the celebration, the beauty of Melee. Thank you for this, Walt

[@IthinkitsaDanny]

Will never forget that armada hits us with the Nixon when he won lmfaoooo 20:04

[@jakemauro5677]

He cracks me the up

[@003scorn]

M2k isn’t the melee goat, he’s the smash bros goat. A legit top contender in every single title in the series

[@sebdot_]

Crazy how this set completely revitalized M2K and the overall discussion in where he places among the gods. The amount of people I heard sleeping on his Marth was embarrassing.

[@TheRealMew2king]

yea i think i was always underrated (Around my prime for sure)

[@Bludgeoned2DEATH2]

@@TheRealMew2kingI love you Yayson, you’re absolutely right. At your prime, not a single soul could touch you I was there. We still play this game because of your contributions on and off the game. Marth is top tier because of how you dismantled Spacies on FD. As soon as any Marth counter picks FD against a Spacie it’s your skill with which that Marth is being judged against. You’ll always be the King of the Mews and a God of Melee, never forget that 👑

[@MrNocturnalEmission]

@@TheRealMew2king Your Marth is still incomparable, your consistency with tipper set ups still hasn't been matched.

[@izmizzle]

Always saw M2K as the wizard when it comes to the game

[@omlett6482]

i wonder how many more "Greatest sets of all time" will involve Armada. Even though he retired 6 years ago now the legacy he left behind can't be overstated enough. I'm glad he'll be back again as a commentator sometimes, and hell maybe modern Melee can rekindle that flame inside him again too (though that's just a fantasy probably)

[@DesTr069]

I’m thinking we’ll him again in Hbox vs him at Evo 2016. That’s the set that made me a fan of this game

[@shinji136]

Hbox vs Armada at Evo 2016, Armada vs Mango at Genesis 2, PPMD vs Armada at Pound V or Apex 2015. Armada just defined the era of the Five Gods.

[@Izquierda]

Pretty much all of them will, except maybe Summit 11 and Big House 10 (but I think these two as great as they are don't have as strong a case as other classic GFs).

[@Oakwin_mb]

Seeing as it was pretty rare for grands finals not to include him when he played, it makes sense he's in a lot of them.

[@jimmyfrigginpage]

@@IzquierdaI think Summit 11 has to be the #1

[@tenebrisdumplin4583]

Melee is so fascinating because it's one of the only competitive games with a long enough history that it really feels like pro sports. The 5 gods "era" really evokes the same sense you get when people talk about NBA or NFL stars of the past. You can watch old footage and they don't seem much better than top players today, if at all. But you really did just have to be there. The things these players did were revolutionary for their time, and even with decades of advances in tech, training, and theory crafting, only the absolute peak of top pros can stand alongside people who had none of the advantages or catalogued knowledge we have today.

[@SMALLSandJOE]

I was at the venue for the set and so was my sister! She had never watched a major tournament ever or any competitive smash really. Even she was getting into the energy in the venue over this set. She didn't know what was happening, who anyone was, or anything but... she knew something wonderful was happening before a huge room FULL of many excited peoples' very eyes. This set was massive. The entire time everyone was on the edge of their seat (I stood. There's no way I could stay seated LOL... ah I'll say it for ol times sake... LOLM2K) what a fantastic set between two titans and legends of the game.

[@kneo12]

I pray this series does well man That intro section was an amazing hook man I wish the video started with it and had the prologue after!

[@adamquenano8563]

I realized a Majority of the greatest players in smash all wore glasses.

[@ekaan1223]

HungryBox ?

[@LoneCreeperHunter]

Mang0???

[@hiya20xx7]

Nope only the uncool ones, besides ppmd

[@LoneCreeperHunter]

Yeah, edit that comment

[@MilfSlayr]

@@ekaan1223 majority does not mean all bro 😭

[@Izquierda]

Fantastic tribute not only to an unforgettable set in its own right, but to two GOATs of the game that unfortunately are no longer playing but gifted us with so many amazing moments. BTW, worth noting how the montage in the beginning showing other big classic tournament wins also had Armada in GFs. That kind of stuff along with many other statistics make me feel like he still has a solid GOAT argument even so many years after retirement.

[@hushpuppi3]

This was (and still is) the only tournament I've ever been to, even saw M2K in the flesh heading to the main stage from the friendly setups, and watching it in-person was electric

[@camro14]

I am “old” and started playing Ultimate competitively 15 months ago. Videos like this fuel my passion to keep playing and improving at the game. Thanks Walt

[@ThatOneScienceGuy]

Marth is such a hard fight for Peach and the fact that Armada is able to beat one of the best Marth's of all time with this character is a testament to his talent.

[@CalebBlack]

always humbling to see my art in a video (4:11) I feel like it's only because my newgrounds post of the art was so high in google SEO for a while, but it makes me very happy to have made any kind of mark on the community.

[@Akoustikus]

This is the greatest melee channel yet. Thank you Walt

[@SSB_Seal]

Incredible set, I remember watching it live during my lunch break at work and trying not to lose my mind. This video is a really nice cover of it. The graphics were awesome and I thought the lines at 23:36 were super well written too. Great job on this one!

[@pandaforce6162]

i didnt start really following melee until after armada retired. always exciting to see these time capsules and live a history i've heard about but wasn't present for, you tell these stories beautifully

[@Indubitably_Pol]

Damn this actually got me a bit teary, thank you walt, great video as always.

[@farmingsim9813]

This set definitely felt like the end of an era being one of the last tournaments to still play the game through disc without UCF and Armada's final tournament (along with being the last year M2K actively competed entirely throughout). Crazy this was six years ago now.

[@luismarioreyes7033]

Great video man. I know the rest of this will keep this quality, it's just mind blowing how good these are

[@sitowitz6888]

My favorite video of yours so far. Very excited for this series

[@suntzu6122]

Can someone tell me what they are playing on at 18:44. Doesnt look like a gamecube? Is it a mini PC?

[@alexandre526]

Armada was truly the goat, his retirement was a great shock, M2K was and is still one of my fav players of all times, truly an incredible set, and the smash 4 grand final at the same event was also a Peach vs Marth set !

[@bigshamille]

another incredible video!! this might be my favourite series you’ve ever created!!

[@witz]

in love with this series please do more! that ending section was perfectly done

[@Skantaq]

glad we agree this is the greatest. The end of that Final D match is the best end to a game I've ever seen

[@Skantaq]

just watch the set, no doc could do it justice

[@YoungSimbaFGC]

Thank you Walt your videos are always the best. I always walk away with tears in my eyes cuz I'm rewatching my adolescence retold in such an amazing way, it's great for me to send to my non smash friends to get where I'm coming from when i say i love smash bros

[@elysianpositron661]

It's been far too long since we've have had a crowd chant MEW2KING. It just sounds right.

[@sk8erpty917]

This is the type of video that we need, thanks for you work

[@JigChu7]

yo thanks for commentating my set with WatchingTime against Aklo/Foxy Grandpa, hope I can get top 8 in doubles sometime👍

[@TrueYankeeFan]

I'm kind of sad to say that Smash Con 2018 was the only major I ever attended, as my friends and I stopped playing Melee shortly after and now we're just spectators... but what a major to have picked. Armada's last Singles tourney and what a crazy Grand Finals.

[@J0aF]

I feel like M2K was the only competitor Armada played where he would feel bad when he won. You could always see it in his face.

[@FBBHRULEZ]

I love this set so much! Two Gods at their best battle it out for almost a full hour, and the story told both inside and outside of gameplay is remarkable!

[@kode-man23]

This was an absolute banger dude. Always top tier content. This set will always live in my mind. I won’t lie, I had gotten some of the details incorrect, and perhaps I remember the gameplay being a bit better than it actually was, but given it’s context I agree that this is one of the best sets of all time. Also, someone needs to do a deep dive on that UGC run that M2K had. That has to be the single greatest tournament performance in the history of Melee?

[@YokaiNels]

this was my first major ever and this still remains one of my favorite sets of all time

[@Insignia6]

Armada's dominance of the game is unmatched. People forget how consistent he was. That's why he is arguably the GOAT.

[@TheWumbologistt]

Their SKTAR 3 set is my favorite, I comment it on every video that talks about historic sets. The first couple of games go slow, but by god does it go crazy to the end. Everyone who hasn’t seen, highly recommend. Great video Walt!

[@raptoria1705]

I’m still pretty new to the melee scene, so videos like these mean a lot and it’s interesting to see the game’s history!

[@sppl623]

walt is easily one of youtube’s best storytellers, he reveals melee as the anime it’s always been

[@carloszagal1934]

I was working at a coffee shop while the set was happening. I literally took my lunch later just to watch this set, it is one of the greatest sets of all time. Thank you Walt

[@peteranatskiy7897]

the production value on this one is insane, youre a legend dude

[@tedheinrich]

great stuff. your editing is excellent. I subbed.

[@DekFocs]

I’m not that familiar with the Smash scene, can someone help me understand the intro disclaimer? Which one of them was accused of misconduct? I know there was a case against Zimmerman that was pretty much debunked as far as I know, so was it something new, or was that event in particular what the disclaimer was talking about?

[@rodrigojre98]

DJ Nintendo, one of the comentators

[@DekFocs]

@@rodrigojre98Ah, thank you for the clarification. It’d probably have taken me a while to figure it out by myself, thank you for helping to clarify the confusion for me.

[@partiallyimpartial]

@@DekFocs These disclaimers do nothing but confuse newcomers to the scene.

[@the_doc_martin]

@@partiallyimpartial yeah thank you. should not have a disclaimer. what if i showed this to someone i was trying to get into melee and they see that with 0 context and it has no relevance to the game.

[@enickma910]

I'm glad this set is getting some publicity, I go back and watch it every so often and even though neither m2k nor armada are my favorite players, this is my favorite set of all time.

[@Jowannabe]

I agree, this set is insanely good, easily among the top 5 sets ever. The lore behind it, the amazing skills of these players, how close it felt and damn even the commentators were really good! This one is a 10 out of 10. I rewatch it from time to time just to have fun and enjoy. I am so glad you are covering it! Thanks!

[@tonybaykey4788]

This video is so expertly crafted that people are so sucked into the story that's the only thing they're talking about. That's the mark of a great video. Keep it up Walt

[@WiiGi]

The analyzing, insights, and especially the editing. Thanks for always uploading quality content!

[@mercyweapon3791]

Competitive sets between these two is peak Melee for me. Incredible stuff from both players.

[@Scorpio3002]

Hope this series eventually covers The Big House 9. Such an important tournament in melee history. First, there's the backdrop, where melee felt like it was in decline after Evo 2019. Then there's Hbox: he had lost before in his time on top, but in hindsight, TBH9 marked the end of his reign. It also marked Zain's ascent to the top-level, after he made quick work of everyone on his way to grand finals winners side. Then there's Mango, who finally broke out of his years-long slump, overcame a grueling losers run (he had to play 20 games in top 8 to get to grands, whereas Zain only played two clean 3-0 matches). And finally, it was just an incredible set. I'll always remember Scar's commentary on the chaotic last stock of the FD game: "WHAT IS HAPPENING?! What... MORE MELEE TO PLAY, TOPH!"

[@shinji136]

Mango already got a victory covered. There's a lot of other players' victories to cover first before doing him again, if doing him again at all.

[@Scorpio3002]

@@shinji136 I don't follow? My understanding was that this series was about the best and most significant sets in melee history, not a dedicated player spotlight. Why should it matter if the arguable-GOAT is in more than one video?

[@shinji136]

@@Scorpio3002 And there are sets from other players who qualify as well. It's not just unfair to the legacy of other players, but also a bad move from a quality control standpoint to do more of the same when matches of equal significance involving people who haven't been featured are available.

[@Scorpio3002]

@@shinji136 Prioritizing the "legacy of other players" would be unfair to the legacy of melee. I listed all the reasons why I believed TBH9 merited consideration for the "Best Sets of All Time" series, especially considering how these videos have focused on inflection points in melee history. Your only rebuttal appears to be "they already did a Mango video". Imagine a list that excluded Summit 11 because they'd already included a Mango set.

[@shinji136]

@@Scorpio3002 It wouldn't be unfair. I know it's hard for you mango nation frogs to understand, but the legacy of mango is not the legacy of melee. Now get out of here with your worthless, biased, extremely limited view of such a vast history.

[@JC-ql1bq]

So glad you did this one. For my money, THE greatest set of all time. The pinnacle of melee.

[@MrDVNNY]

Absolute germ of a video, per usual. Loving this new series about greatest sets ever. Summit 11 should be next.

[@stajj8173]

Someday your videos will be getting millions of views because this kind of production quality is unmatched

[@hanyun287]

Sweet set to make a video on, especially with Armada commentating at Tipped Off this weekend! The sight of his double peace sign with all the confetti falling around him was such a cool way to end a career

[@xxThunder07xx]

Best set I have ever watched live

[@xbrucehunter]

The music for these is always so melancholy. It pulls me out of how hype these sets were

[@derekedgar1676]

I literally just rewatched this set last night. Lets freakimg go

[@callingblades]

I was front row for this Grand Finals. Truly a spectacle.

[@user-wn7ko1uu3b]

tbh this one was even better than the first one, can’t wait for the rest of this series

[@Basrohs]

I remember watching this live, it was pretty hype, and it was awesome to see these players give us a game 10 grand finals

[@josiahmacfarlane4344]

2 of my friends started that "USA" chant, and it made me so happy to hear it for M2K

[@BestSomebodyNA]

I love how M2K mained Marth, Sheik and Fox and now in the new era of melee, we have a (Green!) Fox main, a Marth main and a Sheik main all grinding out for top 3 after his retirement. It's almost like M2K split his soul into three players to take those characters to the next level.

[@mojorisin069]

scar knew exactly how to deal with m2k. love that interaction.

[@jjy3k10]

What's the track @1:09?

[@jermainelol6851]

Patrolling at night - Chris Doerksen

[@mindcraftbuscuits7725]

I remember this so well i was in awe the whole time, probably my favorite set ever

[@15MinuteUpload]

Their smash summit grands might honestly be my favorite set of all time, it's just so good

[@RebelliousTreecko]

A "product of its time" disclaimer about something from just 6 years ago. Time really does move fast for me at my age.

[@mnm1273]

As in they didn't know what the people had done.

[@Boyzby]

@@mnm1273 It's still such a weird disclaimer, basically saying "I'm sorry I have to show these people who were part of Melee". I think people should be able to understand context. If they don't, that's their problem.

[@mnm1273]

@@Boyzby But why is it a problem? All he's doing is acknowledging the elephant in the room. It doesn't take up much time, doesn't make any wild claims... he's just giving a heads up.

[@wonkywombat12]

loved this video, very excited for the rest

[@MiloMusx]

Aye big thanks to you walt, keeping the wind in the sails of our lil boat

[@MaraudingManiac]

I always loved any tournament that had these two in attendence.

[@dustinseth1]

It’s funny that M2K was in a place where he thought “I don’t win,” considering there was a good stretch of time where he didn’t lose

[@meee_5155]

Great video best one I’ve seen from you in a while not that your previous ones are bad

[@Sherizati]

What's the clip at 24:08 from?

[@rafaelarevalo8047]

absolutely fantastic mini-doc walt

[@Heisenbear]

This is incredible content, yo. Should get this added to IMDb!

[@SynysterEskimo]

Such an amazing set. Miss these two. ❤

[@Jabrahamos711]

I can’t be the only one who heard that song at 4:00 and went “Waaaaait… Summoning Walt?”

[@fuevue2913]

I loved how during that era, we all rooted for Mew2King during these big games

[@charc0al_tv]

11:50 is the greatest thing I've ever seen 😆

[@Landmasters]

23:20 Look all I'm saying is Hungrybox went from being down to Mango 26-4 going in to Evo 2015, it is now 48-51 in Mango's favor. If you told people at the start of 2015 after how Hbox was struggling in 2014 that he would eventually be on pace to tie that set count you'd be paraded in the streets in your underwear I'm inclined to agree on this being the best set if only because it was effectively the last hurrah of the greatest Smash player of all time and the greatest Melee player of all time...but damn Smash Summit 11 is close

[@hoovR]

unrelated but every time new info pops up on the video and the grand chase "select" noise comes i get genuinely confused for a fraction of a second

[@marthflores3515]

thx for making me cry walt

[@Angel0ndeado]

What a video man, it gave me goosebumps

[@arh1307]

8:29 Scar's best therapist !! 😉😎

[@jmlj913]

Seeing M2K pop off is just too good, I love it

[@happyhour4670]

high quality video, i mean that sincerely

[@xenocide1307]

The music during finals reminded me so much of Shining Force 1

[@kungfurabbits]

I was in the crowd for this set. This was definitely a memorable Melee moment to watch, even though M2K didn't get the W.

[@napstackzz]

So good man, well done to all involved

[@stanjones5341]

The community did Armada dirty… but we are Americans and have our flaws. Still have much love for Armadas gameplay. USA ALL DAY

[@loveislife77]

@7:57 - is Armada wearing an earpiece?

[@FirePuff12]

Mango Armada G1 is the best imo, but shoutouts to this set forreal

[@shinji136]

Mango Armada G2 is better.

[@Izquierda]

@@shinji136 Mango Armada G3 has a strong claim too.

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

This set is in my top 3 of all time. I watch it every year or so. Some how I forget who wins this set every year so it's always a nail biter. Even if I didn't have memory issues I'd still watch because it is just pure melee.

[@benhayesnet1234]

19:25 armada's smile at m2k is so cute haha