I changed Melee's metagame forever

[@arJunebugSmash]

This doubled my Link and gave it to the next person

[@Ami-is-Blsd]

Hi bugs it’s me juneguy

[@Tavand]

Give some of your subscribers to Aklo

[@deadfr0g]

Replying to this comment to rank up this social Link

[@ItsMeChair1]

oh god not the link climbers

[@scarnovak5298]

Welcome to 2024 where the meme is already dead

[@MorphBall1]

"Zain, more commonly known by his tag Zain" lol

[@Swiftrun]

I love your sense of humor. Congratz brother. You deserve it.

[@Roge9]

I really love it when the meta evolves in an old competitive game that doesn't receive patches haha.

[@0000-r2b]

Meanwhile T8 players are saying the game is dead because [character] was nerfed

[@danf7411]

Slippi changes the game. You have random shit chars in a high skill bracket showing what they can do

[@islandboy9381]

It helps when that game is truly just that deep enough for any possible kind of expression and experimentation.

[@DrunkenHotei]

This is such an under-represented sentiment imo. Someone could make a video just on how the fact that Melee was both designed to be non-competitive and has "jank" and imbalance that can't be patched, which has _forced everything_ in terms of growth to come from players evolving the rules and meta on their own.

[@Saphsin]

cheers for listing video credits and the songs!

[@Aklossbm]

shoutouts to the editor Gibblez!

[@user-Aaron-]

I recognize Jammin' Sam Miller's restored Donkey Kong Country tracks anywhere!

[@GoldGuard]

Fr! There have been so many videos that have cool songs that I have no way of finding because they're not listed and Shazam can't detect them. So I very much appreciate when KZbinrs actually do list the songs they use in their videos.

[@michaelcarlton1484]

First it was Yoshi, then it was DK. Now it's Link's turn to win a tourney.

[@sora4440]

I'd argue to say it was Axe with Pikachu, and then Yoshi and so on and so on...

[@nathaninnes8945]

First off, god bless your editor for the FE4 and other great music choices. Secondly, I and my dad both got into Melee in these past few months. We started watching the majors starting from Wavelength all the way to now. Your performances in top 8 have been amazing to watch and my dad and I expect your best is coming soon. I’m excited to see what wacky plot lines are to come in 2025. Perhaps we’ll be calling Link a major winner?

[@dee7352]

your dad sounds badass also shoutout to best boy sain

[@notZabami]

Couldn't agree more!

[@timothymoore2197]

I have two brothers and we all started playing melee when it came out, we each played Link as different colors, I’m so glad to see Link being played at these top 8s, it just brings me back to playing with my brothers. I even bring out the Link on some Slippi ranked matches and sometimes it works! lol definitely helps seeing Aklo poppin off and allowing us to see ideas Keep it up!

[@timothymoore2197]

Also great video and editing I laughed a bunch, woo AkLink

[@Beastmd]

What I think sets link apart from other zoner archetypes is the fact that he kinda sucks at zoning for the most part. He’s so slow and has a hard time running away and dealing with shield pressure. His real strength is how he can actually blow you up really hard if he gets in, but he just really struggles balancing the risk/reward of getting that opening. Not only that but his projectiles dont even really get good till mid percent. Therefore he has a really unique and almost urgent gameplan where he has to rely on his projectiles even tho he really doesn’t want to but HAS to, all just for the chance to get in. Every interaction feels so tense for him because it’s like you’re constantly drowning until you can take a breath with a grab, boomerang, bomb, fair, etc. Feels very much like you’re just enduring all this punishment until you get the opportune time to unleash. Why I love this character.

[@treyvoncodeine9181]

Didn’t know how to put it in words but this is perfect it’s like link is playing tug of war and at any moment his grip could slip and he’ll fail but if he gets a good hold it’s amazing to watch him run away with the win

[@Healer0079a]

Honestly.. fits his character. After all he's meant to find weaknesses and exploit them in his own series. Seems fitting that he's the "wait for the right time" type of character.

[@Beastmd]

@@treyvoncodeine9181 perfect.

[@Beastmd]

@@Healer0079a wow, didn’t even think of it like that but that’s AMAZINGLY well said

[@BlakeMMcGill]

08:28 How and why did you dig up my 12 year old post on smashboards lmao can you even imagine how surreal it was to see this pop up in front of me? Made my day

[@Aklossbm]

Creds go to editor Gibblez, but that post is a smashboards classic LOL

[@phrostphoenix454]

0:10 YOOOOO THE DISTURBANCE IN AGUSTRIA

[@arescochrane]

Holy fuck he’s a real one for that

[@LordZemosa]

Never knew how many FE4 fans kept up with Melee

[@brodyredding1520]

The fe4 jump scare was crazy

[@phrostphoenix454]

@@brodyredding1520 *hears FE4 Ch2. music* *reaches for 100 kill slim sword safety blankie*

[@mrbilter83]

Legit recoiled when I heard it. Certainly did not expect that on a melee video

[@plastickkerorolm4889]

The innovation of up b finishers is the biggest thing that changed from old school marth play. Its been a huge thing that marth cant kill unless your opponent is off stage for a ken combo or a rando fsmash. Zain adding reverse up b in many combo enders meant that you couldnt live forever against marth. In the past all you had to do was eat punish and then avoid kill moves. Now you have to look out for up b finishers.

[@TarulMan]

I think this is oversimplifying. The PAL Ken combo - finishing a Ken Combi with up-b because dair didn't work well- is an old as time solution that most players knew about. Zain - and really only Zain- added a bunch of new things to Marth's toolbox that completely flipped key matchups around. There's a huge drop-off in skill between Zain and Kodorin/Ossify (3rd best Marth now?) Even the best historic Marths lived in very different metas (Ken played early Melee, M2K often switched to Sheik/Fox depending on the matchup, PPMD the same but to Falco) What made Zain's Marth unique? 1. Consistent, reliable pivot f-smash. While popularized by PewPewU, Zain was so consistent with the technique that he turned the jiggs matchup from brutally difficult to incredibly favorable, now making Marth solo main able vs the old gods. 2. Ledge canceling. Zain uses a lot of safe, rapid aerials through edgeguarding - especially during platform chases - which lead to DI mixups and f-smash/dair/up-b enders 3. Optimized punish and neutral. Zain has Mew2King's punish on spacies but with PPMD style patient, methodical neutral. No player previously has mastered both.

[@professorpick]

Wat are you on? People have been using up-b as a finisher since the game released in 2001

[@jayadehart1680]

@@TarulMan Imo marths used to telegraph their kill moves way more. Yes people were using up b as a combo ender, but I think zain is playing the mixup way better than old school marths. You'll see foxes dying at 90 with terrible DI because they're afraid of getting comboed and zain just ends it early out of nowhere.

[@Rez_97]

Youre laughing. Aklo just delelelewhoooooped me, and you’re laughing.

[@Drakethatsme]

Aklo: 1. Considers Full Bloom 2024 a major 2. Packs the video with memes 3. Uses Sanctuary Guardian in his Ness section That's three check marks from me, brother.

[@smokedem]

Was pleasantly surprised to see one of my videos cameo here! Love seeing people develop the game in ways they personally care about. Hope you keep at it so we can all see the journey :)

[@scout_71]

Amazing video Aklo, can't wait to see how the link preforms next year. Hopefully he can be apart of your run alongside Fox when you win a major too

[@exceptionalish614]

Great video! Merry Christmas man. Loved the pace of the video with your voiceover and all the clips. Really great edit. And chapters on YT to boot! Stonks are up.

[@EmissaryOfSmeagol]

I really love sound effects, and I'm glad the description includes music credits.

[@user-Aaron-]

For anyone curious, that Stickerbush Symphony rendition is from Jammin' Sam Miller here on KZbin.

[@MarioOwnsAl1]

I think that the meta is far more than a characters available move set. Its paying attention to your opponent as a person, how your characters interact with the stage, paying attention to your opponents commonly used tools and not just picking the character with the best move set to counter it but also the one that your opponent has the least practice fighting.

[@jacoblunchbox9499]

such a classic melee video, great job aklo

[@feresoththedamned2688]

such a well written video! can't wait to see more of these videos from an actual Top player like you Aklo!

[@vgrepairs]

I want some WWE style personality at the high level. Bring back villains and sh^t talkers

[@BloodDragooner]

Slightly off topic, but omg left bank two for the explanation music, great taste!! Good video

[@Aklossbm]

All credit goes to the editor Gibblez :)

[@rainiestday]

i was about to comment on that too, i was hit with a truckload of nostalgia when i heard it here. love lbp

[@SMALLSandJOE]

Super cool video and I like the editing lol! I love melee link so its a ton of fun to see him getting some good representation at the top level! Keep it up, thanks for taking the chance to show fans something new and fun!

[@HammMann]

Fun fact: If you count the official Toys-R-Us National Tournament from 2002 as a major, the first character to ever win a major was Mario of all characters. The seed was planted from the very beginning.

[@sympathy_for_strays]

Been a fan of your Fox and Link for 2-3 years. Randomly got recommended this video. I fw your sense of humor, too, I'm seeing. Easy sub

[@DanielTeilhof]

As a person who has never played melee, i think it would be funny, if link players started bombing themselves against marth, so marth can’t get kill confirms and stuff

[@1smash18]

0:49 That transition fucking killed me XD! 10/10 great video!

[@roidoredasu4563]

daaaamm this music selection is fire man

[@TopTierTrunksTimeIsNow]

Fuck yeah! Got a smile watching this as my brain wakes up. Being the year is almost over and a new one is upon us, a lot of reflecting is being done. To be able to relax and relive some nostalgia... Donkey Kong 2 for SNES OST takes me back. I for a moment, felt the joy and excitement I did nearly thirty years ago. Thanks Aklo, I know this is random - but you unintentionally helped me with this video.

[@JohnDoeMS]

The editing is the perfect sweetspot, not excessive 🙏

[@ToastyZack]

back in 2015 west michigan a player named Bigy had an Excellent Link and would rly give me the work in this matchup. i rly enjoy playing it from both sides! Love the video, the play, and what pushing against the current does for the culture of the game. Well done 🎉

[@pbz7572]

This was a very fun watch. I’m very glad you’re able to give limelight to Link’s strengths

[@Gara7493]

12:42 🥹 Kenshin!

[@_FiFo_]

Some big things happening in Melee recently, it's really fresh. Also FE4 mentioned oh my God.

[@HAPYDUDE7]

I really really enjoyed this, saw your name around for a while but never knew you had a channel. You're extremely charming! Nicely done.

[@AlucardGoya]

Great video man!

[@kayoh9364]

Character viability is usually in terms of "who can win when playing (character) solo" but i think it might be interesting to revisit the question in the context of dual mains. It's possible that a lower-tier character might have a better matchup against a higher-tier character's counters. But I suppose most would just advise you get better with one character rather than trying to learn two.

[@user-Aaron-]

Great vid Aklo, it was very informative and I enjoyed your sense of humour! I also really appreciate you/your editor including your video and music references in your channel description but would love it if you could include channel names too!

[@Vixigard]

3:52 THATS CHUNKYKONG I think

[@goon_369]

The Obama "let me be clear" 🤣

[@barbarictearemedy]

Excellent music choices

[@crisXD2010]

Excelent video, great editing!

[@Vixigard]

17:51 does dat mean dat yung lonk hav potental

[@moementumfilms]

Who tf ??🎉🎉

[@Vixigard]

@@moementumfilms let me make it easier to understand “Does the child version of the hero of time have the ability to potentially make a wave in the modern meta otherwise known as the most effective tactic available” is that easier to understand Bwoskie

[@andrewhagen9343]

i’ve been playing link for years. strange it took this long for the community to recognize how good he can be.

[@andreaspolachowski6583]

Awesome video! The humour was -just- right.

[@eliw6297]

12:14 AklObama

[@Uberjunge]

This video was awesome. thanks Aklo :D

[@cullenhutchison6528]

There's nothing quite like overcoming a bracket demon using your favorite character.

[@Yoshi0fEarth]

The "Rise of the Mid Tier" era of Melee is the best one yet. I've never been more excited to play and watch Melee in my ten years with it than I am right now.

[@jchud13]

Great vid akgoat, only thing I would say is I was waiting for a segment at the end of the video where you put it all together and did an analysis on how you beat zain, talking about all the techniques and knowledge you used to overcome

[@DrunkenHotei]

I know it's hopeless but I feel like if Ness only had a reasonable grab range, he'd have way more potential than given credit for. It's the fact that he's mainly a grappler but can't f-ing grab past his head which really does him in my experience playing him as a secondary.

[@Aeonyxx64]

Let's go aklo

[@Gweivyth]

12:24 RUROUNI KENSHIN MENTIONED HEART JUMPED TEN BEATS

[@cta2644]

This vid made me sub, love this kind of content

[@AutisticJesusGaming]

15:17 bro was trying not to laugh after he lived that

[@austinarcher90]

fire editing!

[@dekufiremage7972]

Running Link against Marth reminds me of using Porygon in RBY to counter Snorlax. There's a potential path to victory but you're fucked if your opponent is on to you.

[@hugoalexander7880]

Just found your channel. This video is rad! Keep it up!

[@TheThirdPrice]

This video was super well written and has great pacing, loved it

[@cvlcek144]

I been a solo Link main since I was three(thats not a joke. And I am 25 now). And I will continue to solo with him. Is it annoying and difficult? Absolutely. But it is also hilarious watching Fox, Marth, Falcon, and Puff players disconnect after losing one stock to a 0-death lmao

[@Dang0thebepis]

Your sense of humour is goated too 😮 Zain better watch out, there's a new comedy king in town

[@TheStickCollector]

I hope to too, but that would require me playing competitive (especially not just casual) melee. Won't happen again for a long time at this current rate.

[@jarretirish7281]

13:56 was NOT expecting the rurouni kenshin 1996 theme

[@naverick22]

Gotta love the FE4 music

[@Stungun48]

OG Rurouni Kenshin OST. You know ball 🤝

[@Rafikichu]

I love the Fire Emblem 4 music. :)

[@ALuckyLoser]

Idk if youll see this comment but id like to personally thank you aklo. Ive sat down to watch your grand finals sets during so many of my lunch breaks. Youve created such an enjoyable narrative and some of the most entertaining sets. I love zain, but i will always root for you. Thank you for your commitment to your passion

[@Aklossbm]

Thank you for your ongoing support!

[@thebuzz567]

This is an excellent video!

[@drazirahcLoL]

wish we could bring one of the 20XX prophets from the past to the future to show them what the game has become. It's so cool how a game made in a year almost a quarter of a century ago still has an evolving meta.

[@2Falchion]

Instant respect for the FE4 music

[@rosheafan]

Love the FE4 music, Gibblez.

[@michaelboase4128]

“Melee is a game of expression”Made me want to cry

[@mymyscellany]

Bro did you edit this? Great job!

[@Aklossbm]

editing creds go to Gibblez!

[@justjames9049]

Music choice was excellent!

[@valou9820]

ty forr putting sme to your eternity musics

[@Majo_Ellen]

I've never seen you before, but you have good tastes in having Rurouni Kenshin music. Based.

[@Androxx6]

Forgot gibblez was editing for a sec. The bms clip of him vs maples caught me so off guard lol

[@Chrisuan]

amazing video brother, def keep making them!

[@Zuranthium]

Excellent video! The Link-Marth sets were some of the most fun to watch this year. What do you think the next best high tier matchup is for Link, after Marth?

[@dankayur2910]

This is the kind of video that makes me think I can play Melee. Then I get zero death wobbled into oblivion round 1.

[@iCapri]

Now this is Smash Bros! Eff the tier list, every character is viable if you know how to use them. True gamer moves right there. Congratulations on taking the tourney front under their noses, Aklo! Your editing style is fantastic, and it made this video an easy watch

[@binathiessen4920]

Once Rapmonster starts going to majors we could be seeing more Luigi.

[@Cal1fax]

Really impressive editing

[@KevinGannets]

I’ve been a Young Link player since I purchased melee on release day… loved paying Zelda growing up and just really enjoyed playing the character Highest i’ve gotten in ranked was gold I believe… still getting used to stuff like CC, L-Canceling…. these are things I never used playing against my cousins sitting side by side on the couch 😂

[@ohithur]

was confused who you were talking about until you mentioned his tag. thanks for that

[@bb97979]

Damn dude, what an absolute banger.

[@ElectricusTus]

things like this are cathartic to me after being treated like dirt and told to kms on anther's ladder for playing pichu. i refuse to contribute to the community anymore, but i'm glad you're doing well.

[@nwykoff]

I liked the video, props to every one of you playing the mid to low tiers

[@emishimaru-sama6449]

1:50 *I lost my shit* moment right there- *WTF WAS THAT!? O_O*

[@burrger2283]

this video is super funny and very informative!

[@cedricrust9953]

My GOAT. Thanks for all the great sets this year.

[@G4RYWithaFour]

I cant imagine what the meta would look like if Melee Link had PM stats

[@JuanofaKindTL]

I strive to be like this guy. He beats the best Melee player in the world, makes sure everyone knows it, and makes a video analyzing how he did it😂

[@azniscannedrice]

Years back, I thought it was strange nobody was maining DK in Melee when ThunderzReign was absolutely dominating Project M with DK.

[@sage8148]

AKLO I LOVE YOU

[@heyitsmort7744]

Great video! Love your set analysisn

[@Link_Bird]

Today I learned to main both Marth and Link

[@entropete_]

INSANE video I had no idea you posted bangers but now I know

[@Diispaceyone]

Dope video!