Melee's Fiercest Arms Race: Hungrybox vs. Armada

[@turndownforwalt]

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[@SadToffee]

Fair argument for the greatest set of all time. I will say however, you have not seen me vs my friend, drunk out of our minds at 3am playing DK dittos.

[@sluj9461]

💪🏿

[@SadToffee]

@@sluj9461 lmao

[@slyp4494]

lmao valid

[@0000-r2b]

You know, he's got a point

[@peteranatskiy7897]

im so happy this is a universal experience

[@youraverageguy7842]

Walt’s in his Summoning Salt phase rn

[@Sskipster]

definitely more of an overt SB Nation reference but yeah kinda

[@samd9816]

summoning walt

[@Alexander_Grant]

@@Sskipster Yeah, these types of videos aren't really Summoning Salt-like. I've gotten kind of tired of any sort of storytelling when it comes to video games being compared to Summoning Salt. Yeah, that dude is okay for speedrun history, but there's so many other greats on this website that do the storytelling thing better than him. I like these better than Summoning Salt for sure. EmpLemon has the greatest Smash video of all time, as well as the greatest video on this website in his Stanislav Petrov one. Jon Bois has incredible stories in his Pretty Good series, the ones he's doing on Patreon are incredible right now. Lemmino is another amazing one. I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but Summoning Salt had great videos back in the day, but everyone else has caught up to him and he's gotten stale. His videos are too formulaic at this point, while with channels like this there isn't that whole "I can tell what's coming next by the way he's wording things" that comes with watching a Summoning Salt video. Bismuth is even a better Summoning Salt at this point for me.

[@jackenglish6470]

@@Alexander_Granthater pilled but you raise good points

[@Alexander_Grant]

@@water0000 It's just a couple paragraphs, not even neatly constructed enough to be an essay. Crazy how people just out themselves as being illiterate.

[@miasma1718]

i could listen to armada talk about melee history for hours

[@h3ck774]

smiling raven is cursed af in a still image change it now

[@Appletank8]

i thought it was an old Armada interview, but i guess Walt found time to call Armada down for a chat specifically for this series?

[@turndownforwalt]

@@Appletank8 I actually shot this interview with Adam back in 2023 but never got around to using it for anything - I knew I eventually wanted to do a piece on his rivalry with Hbox so I’m glad he was so open to talking about it here! (The full interview is available on my Patreon btw)

[@brzt4256]

Juan's reaction to the win, and especially his interview afterwards where he opens up about his father always, without fail, makes me tear up. What a guy.

[@phil_matic]

That reaction was totally forced man. He has had a history of faking his reactions in order to get more attention. He has since reduced it when people started catching onto it.

[@frozzle]

His interview about his biological father passing wasn’t after evo 2016, It was actually after Dreamhack 2015. would’ve been insane if they had lined up, but they were months apart

[@strylon2277]

​​@@phil_maticHe does, but not this time His pop off at EVO was NOT planned and wasn't exagerrated, you just dont understand how hard it was for HBox to always place 2nd at EVO, to always be in the shadows of everyone else and to always lose to Armada And this set was just insanely stressful And he has NOT reduced it ? His pop offs are arguably bigger nowadays

[@phil_matic]

@@strylon2277 I respectfully disagree. Perhaps it wasn't planned because there's a chance he could lose, but he knew if he was to win, he was going to be super dramatic with his reaction. He has beaten Armada prior to this at Dreamhack, it's not like he never was able to beat Armada. It's completely fabricated. I wouldn't say his pop offs are bigger because he stopped the whole fake crying routine

[@flamo2666]

​@@phil_matic As someone who tends to pop off after winning intense sets I just think you dont get it. It's completely impossible to entirely fake pop offs, you can ham them up more, but there has to be some genuine emotion to pull from. I mean, just look at IBDW's reverse pop off, pulling that pop off from nothing made him so lightheaded it he had to hold onto somebody to not fall over. I dont think you understand how much bad faith is required to think that hbox's pop off there was "entirely forced man", you just lack internet empathy and see people on your screen as targets to bring down.

[@SSB_Seal]

God I love this series. Evo 2016 still has such a special place in my heart, being there in person, competing and watching top 8 in the arena was truly incredible. No other tournament that I've been to has had quite the same feeling.

[@geremynunezortega7346]

I can´t wait for aMSa vs Mang0 at big house 10, we all know that set has to be in this series of the greatest sets

[@Valentinesdayghost]

“The Most Eggceptional Set In Melee History” should be the title of the video.

[@NotYourFriend-YT]

It's genuinely incredible how long the old heads have been playing melee at this point Seeing baby hbox and armada give me the feels ... still shout "lfg!!!" seeing these games to this day

[@Landmasters]

it is funny, cause while Mango Vs Armada is undoubtedly THE Melee rivalry, in a lot of ways Armada and Hungrybox goes deeper -Armada getting brutalized by Puff at Apex 2010 -Armada picking up Young Link to counter Puff -Hbox struggling immensely with the matchup, only really getting a leg up in one set of Apex 2012 -Breaking out NESS to try and counter Armada at Aprex 2013, failing and falling back to Puff -Then breaking out a Falco and Fox to try and deal with it, while more successful they ultimately fail -Hbox finally conquering the matchup at Evo 2014 -Down 0-2 at Paragon Orlando, Armada elects to bring out his Fox as the new counter -Armada goes on a tear in 2015, winning 5/6 sets leading into Dreamhack -At Dreamhack Hbox brings Crunch to coach him for the FInals and obtains his first Supermajor since Apex 2010 -Coaching is then restricted in some fashion, but Hbox fires off the first half of 2016 to contend as best in the world -EVO 2016, nuff said, only for Hbox to fumble in the last half to finish 2nd to Armada -2017 starts off okay for Hbox, but Armada is looking unstoppable following his 2nd EVO win -Hungrybox proceeds to win a staggering five tournaments in a row to pry the No. 1 spot from Armada's fingers -Despite being in prime position to take the No. 1 spot, Armada elects to retire after Smashcon 2018 (This is a complicated one, as there's a decent argument that Armada's citation for no longer having fun was referring to dealing with Puff. I'm 50/50, cause the most anxiety I've seen of Armada on camera is when he just narrowly made Top 8 at EVO 2018 over Zain) Whereas Armada and Mango were about putting together some amazing sets and their battle of nations, Armada and Hbox feels more personal. This character I don't like, this person denies me my assured victory, they are relentless in figuring me out, describing it as an arms race is spot on

[@NemesisCOD]

You missed Smash Summit 6. Armada beat Hbox and gave off the most emotional pop off I've ever seen him done. I really think once he proved to himself that he could best Hbox in 2018 there wasn't a whole lot of challenges left, and honestly who wants to fight Jigglypuff for every GF moving forwards...

[@Landmasters]

@@NemesisCOD Good point I'd forgotten about that one! There's also Smash n Splash 3 where Hbox finally broke his losing streak against Armada and he popped off MUCH harder (Broke his foot) than when he won the tournament over Leffen so this feeling sounds mutual

[@Bravenwolf22]

Thumbnail had me thinking this was False Swipe Gaming lol

[@normallyben]

happening to be on youtube as a walt video was uploaded is the best thing that will happen to me today

[@LARAUJO_0]

Hello there

[@juangabrielgarciajimenez2674]

​@@LARAUJO_0General Kenobi

[@trueblueryu5713]

Having a rivalry in a game series is a hell of a feeling. While leagues below them, I had a solid rivalry for a while ever since I started going to locals with another player in the region, and I think my time competing would’ve been a lot less enjoyable without that to push me.

[@DesTr069]

HELL YEAH. This is the set that got me into spectating melee. Absolutely incredible gameplay

[@MehIFied]

Immaculate video. Combines awesome narrative of the rivalry, first-hand accounts from the players, great technical analysis, wrapped up in a deliciously edited banger! I'll always hold their EVO set to be one of the best of melee's history and you really showcased why better than I'd ever be able to explain.

[@blast_baja_]

wake up, babe, new walt video just dropped

[@FirstName-lg5hv]

What up sigma😏 Didn’t know you were here

[@YoungSimbaFGC]

This is the set that really made me fall in love with melee in specific, and why I'm still around to this day. I love your videos so much Walt thank you

[@HenryZhaosTextbook]

There's no player I miss seeing compete more than Armada, and it feels so validating to watch you honor this era of Melee's history that captured my heart

[@X0v3r]

that 2016-2018 run is legendary

[@zazenbo]

I miss my wife

[@array969]

I miss her too 😔

[@Roller610]

We all do

[@benJAMMIN634]

L

[@XxKyle318xX]

She was a great lay 😢

[@ProfessorBjorn]

Jett main in the making

[@FirePuff12]

Oooh Walt retelling this LETSGOO I can’t wait to see the YL storyline, the NESS vs YL, Paragon 2015 Fox debut, Evo 2016, GT-X, Smash n Splash 4 etc Edit: Closed at Evo 2016 but godamn that was beautiful Walt is so right, not just to the general Melee public but to me too, I’m such a huge Mango fan and always will be, but Melee’s got underappreciation for this rivalry and defense in general ❤️‍🔥

[@asg8086]

This is my favourite Melee set of all time, I'm grateful that you decided to invest time and effort in this. Keep it up.

[@kalarse]

"Welcome, to a moment in history" got me. Love the bits of Summoning Salt and Secret Base, fueled by Walt's and Walt's team's incredible editing and writing skills. God I've been loving this a lot! Also, it pains me that EVO 2016 was freaking 8 years ago :O

[@somniad]

these two are my favorite long-time top 10 players, and this video was incredible! I've always admired the way they try to pick each other apart, even though it's not the flashiest. the puff/fox matchup in particular is always so tense and explosive despite being lower on the crazy combos

[@carteljameson8395]

Mang0 vs Armada is probably the most iconic rivalry in Melee history. But I've always felt Hungrybox vs Armada is the weirdest, wildest, and most insane. Walt called the rivalry forgettable, but we'll most likely never see anything like it again. It wasn't based in personal hatred or beef. It was cerebral and full of mind games. I don't think there's another rivalry where in real time, you could see all the practice and strategizing that players do in private manifest as pure desperation in live tournaments. They threw everything plus the kitchen sink at each other.

[@astres1362]

I don't know if I would say "forgotten"

[@definitelydoctorproctor]

More like, “brought up in therapy”

[@RetroPokemonTCG]

This set will always be the absolute peak of Melee for me. I will never forget me and a bunch of friends gathering in a basement to watch Evo 2016 top 8. The sheer levels of hype and excitement we had throughout this match were unforgettable. This set may be the greatest level of competition I will ever have the honor of watching

[@larjasoul]

This set was so legendary, it was actually uploaded to multiple corn sites at the time.

[@mrmajikjr]

EmpLemon's Hungrybox video is still the best Smash documentary.

[@supernova6049]

This was the first set I've ever watched of Melee. It's the greatest set ever played, and is the reason I still love the game today.

[@FacadeVT]

it's gonna be a good day when walt posts another video, also some of the funniest sponsor readings ive seen

[@Kamodomon]

Major respect to Armada for getting out of the scene and living his life, to start off. He did a lot in his career and he's one of the best the game has ever seen. BUT I gotta say that I super miss watching these two go at it. They were so willing to do whatever it took to beat the other, it's kinda absurd to think about in retrospect. And they were so far ahead in consistency from the rest of the field at the time. I know people didn't fully like watching them go but I did and it was awesome. They just didn't play the game like everyone else and seeing that was just cool.

[@benoitmarcotte1104]

Haven't even watched the vid yet but why haven't more people talked about this!! Truly the most insane story and iconic set ever played

[@JCfromJohto]

This is shedding serious new light into my favourite Melee sets because of the level of mindgames and miniscule decision-making Hbox and Armada needed to make. Each match uncovered new options and avenues for each and they both ran with it to the best of their abilities at the highest level

[@Mekorio]

Incredible video, Summoning Walt

[@DesTr069]

23:40 wow… I can’t believe I haven’t seen this shot yet. Iconic

[@Cowboybebub]

Man what a rivarly. Thanks for the great video Walt!

[@kevinguimond7711]

Wow. I already loved this Melee set, but this doc made me realize even more how this was so important and incredible.

[@matlit1859]

I still remember watching that set and talking about it in class the next day--finding out a bunch of people who watched other fighting games pay attention to Melee. Good times

[@luismarioreyes7033]

I love EVO 2016 Melee Grand Finals

[@internetpotato8948]

debatably the best set in melee history but undeniably the best pop off in melee history. still gets me emotional seeing it as its the culmination of all of hbox's pain, hard work, and dedication to this game and then some (a close second is when hbox passed out on stream)

[@wampty8298]

ONE OF THE BEST SMASH VIDEOS EVER!!!!

[@ayzel6688]

been loving the secret base/jon bois-like editing recently, with the google earth animations on tdfu and the deep rewind style of this video

[@Shiradrenaline]

CRAZY that we're getting so much good stuff from you in such a short period of time. Big ups to everyone who contributed

[@DerpySuX]

“I hope he sees me now” always gets me man. This dude was told by so many people that he wouldn’t make it and he never let that or anything else stop him. Seeing that evo set, his interviews, his passion, he really is Melee to me, in its purest form.

[@DinkSmalwood]

I actually had the pleasure of meeting Armada once. I used to live in a small flat in central Gothenburg back in 2009, together with a close friend. We always had tons of people over, several computors and of course an old tv with a Gamecube and Melee. Melee was the name of the game, but we were just casual players who were often drunk or high (or both). The flat was just called "Lägenheten" or "The apartment" by all of it's regulars. One of my friends met this one Melee player at this youth centre and this stranger ended up living with us in the apartment since he had just lost his apartment and we needed help covering the rent. This dude was leagues above us in skill, he knew how to wave dash, and animation cancel, combos and all that stuff. When me and my flatmate went on vacation during the summer, we left this dude to be in charge of stuff while we were gone. After two weeks we came back to a complete and utter Melee fest. The dude had invited over Armada and his brother and some other of the top players in Sweden and they had apparently been non-stop grinding Melee for almost two weeks. Armada and his brother were both really nice kids. It was quite unexpected. He completely wrecked my Puff, which was not quite as unexpected.

[@hopeiscute4772]

I love this video and it brought me back to watching a lot of these sets live back in the day. Though at the end when you said "and this is why this should be considered the greatest set of all time." My brain frame one was like "but did you see mango at royal flush though?" Thanks for all the great videos!

[@Jarekthegamingdragon]

The two sets that stand out above all others are this one, and zain vs mango at summit. Both insane sets, both have a back story to them, both incredibly important to melee's future.

[@grandpatrey]

you are at the forefront of preserving the history of this amazing game, and i'm thankful every time you post. appreciate you so much!

[@brianlemos6487]

Glad to see a video on this, one of the most underrated sets in the conversation for greatest set of all time.

[@sevelynw]

the Rewinder reference was just the cherry on top of this video

[@oui_chapeau]

still my favorite set ever as someone who watches and follow the scene since 2015

[@illusionSquared]

Really got to commend the quality of this series so far, awesome stuff

[@beegmacc]

Thought I was watching an SB Nation/Secret Base rewinder video when I heard "Welcome to a moment in history." Great video as always Walt truly my goat

[@patrickhamning1734]

I really appreciate that evo match even more now that I know all this back story

[@boqk]

To date, this is still my favorite fighting game match ever

[@XinfestedFalcon]

Love love love the style of video like SB does on the Deep Rewind of “moments in sports history” for this type of video, perfect subject to do it on.

[@Materialist39]

This really was a great set and has aged extremely well with time.

[@KubPlays]

Evo 2016 was one of the first big tournaments I remember watching in all of smash and they're some of the most vivid memories I have as a spectator. Staying up past midnight on a school night to watch the whole top 8 but specifically hbox vs armada's game 10 grand finals gave me chills. I'm far more disconnected from competitive smash nowadays since graduating from college, but this grand finals is something I still think back upon fondly from time to time. I never knew most of the history leading up to that moment but now that I do it makes the moment even more historic. Great video

[@TempRawr]

Always making such analytical and human stories. Thanks walt

[@john-qp3wm]

everytime i see that hungry box pop off after he wins evo i get a little teary eyed. its melee and sport at its truest form

[@RyanMcLeanau]

Walt, this is THE BEST VIDEO YOU’VE EVER MADE! And that’s saying a lot because you have a lot of bangers. This is summoning salt quality. As a HBox fan in 2016 this is my favourite set of all time and this video does it justice. Keep it up.

[@baileyayyy5085]

the dude dressed as fang just bouncing around while hbox is crying with joy 🤣

[@GetOffMyLog]

HMW being so pissed at the time outs is hilarious

[@wasamamaya2010]

These videos are awesome, thank you Walt

[@namechild]

Loving this new style! Keep it up Walt

[@ChrispyChken]

Hbox Armada is my personal favorite rivalry from my time watching melee. It never got the praise that I felt like it deserved, so its great to see it get some justice.

[@stanjones5341]

Forever, best set ever.

[@jettbeems1919]

Good lord I love getting baked and watching your videos

[@CrosserxD]

You really gotta respect hbox growth and passion for this game, the dude went from a melee killer to one of its biggest representatives, he's so fun to watch now

[@DOOM-zw7tx]

I love this series so much

[@ghostbaleada]

I love the illustration style of the thumbnail.

[@mettataurr]

it’s hard to watch this whenever the music is iconic to summoning salt

[@yotsuba_agi]

I just realized that this is like Rewind from Secret Base lol

[@bushidobrown9857]

As someone that is born and raised in las vegas, that is such a dope title shot location

[@MrKing_MC]

It's not always the set itself, its the history behind it.

[@mocant]

That thumbnail makin me feel some typa way

[@fastenysb]

walt just be on a crazy run, goated video

[@grashoprsmith]

bros feeling these docs at this point. S Tier

[@superspartan127]

"welcome to a moment in history" he said the thing!

[@TheThirdPrice]

This was great, I hope it does really well!

[@donkylefernandez4680]

We've seen HBox's heartrate go well over 120bpm nearly killing himself at 180. Standing up is literally a power play from HBox that Wizzrobe needs to adopt. Like taking your belt of at the buffet, players that have the Blackout Factor literally can't spare any blood in their bodies or they risk passing out from being unable to absorb oxygen.

[@waulkingwithdinos4564]

Walt does it again. Amazing movie

[@yomammasaurusrex9571]

Great stuff from the gang once again

[@loveislife77]

@22:21 - this the moment hbox gained many fans. seeing that reaction of overcoming a major foe is priceless.

[@jordansmithson6411]

Fox puff is my favorite matchup! It's always so intense!

[@humanperson001]

ad read went craaaaaaazy

[@josiahmacfarlane4344]

The frame Mang0 got his shield up at the first in person Summit Post-Covid Game 10, Grand Finals was the most money lost in a single frame, so that one takes my vote as the most significant frame.

[@nemezis_prime]

Bro, amazing video, keep it up❤

[@LEcarlosGD]

This is the best melee ever played period.

[@diegoramirez8816]

Seeing where hungry box has dk and seeing dk now is crazy

[@Ununhexium20]

The swagplay shoutout lmao

[@roy_mezz-awake2470]

I don’t care what anyone thinks, THIS is the greatest set ever played. Ok, it’s obviously subjective, but to me it doesn’t get better than this. Armada was considered the strongest god, Hbox the weakest, Armada not only has the better matchup, but he has the best anti-Puff play-style a Fox player has ever had, he’s in winners, and it’s THAT SDI on the up-air that takes it to the reset? And it’s of course a game 10 which is elusive and awesome. And last but not least, THAT is a pop-off, it’s so awesome to see, the culmination of his efforts to take out Armada finally was fruitful, greatest there ever was.

[@a_little_flame589]

if there is such a set that is the greatest of all time it's this one if my friend is getting into melee this is one of the first sets I recommend it's just so exciting and interesting

[@MishKoz]

I recognize that thumbnail style! Same person who does the ones for False Swipe Gaming. Sick!

[@turndownforwalt]

I’ve been working with Dusty for years! He’s a legend!

[@rynnyryn93]

i swear to god smash is the only fighting game where people get mad at you for winning wrong.

[@nfisher5685]

I miss armada bro, hurts to see my gods retire. The new generation is great but the gods and the peak of melee will not be replaced

[@stellaanderson570]

FalseSwipeGaming type thumbnail? I’m so here for it

[@donkylefernandez4680]

It still blows my mind to this day that the best Melee player in the world is a Tap-Jumper.

[@myb5558]

Im glad to see he still has the leather jacket. That thing is iconic

[@jimsface]

What’s cool about this is that they counterpicked down the tier list