Week 1 — Journey to Melee Degen

3 min readFeb 6, 2024

My journey into Super Smash Bros: Melee has begun with the decision on a main.

After having Slippi installed for near a year and occasionally playing online with my friends, I have picked a main. Look out Jmook, you have a new threat to the title of best Sheik, and his name is — —

Nah, I’m not going to spoil the future greatest player’s tag like that. I don’t want people trying to find me and challenge my prowess. I must bide my time, learning the secret tech that will propel me to the level of legend.

But for real, after a few weeks of playing consistently, I could not decide on a main. Who knew that in a game with 16 (and like 8 viable) characters, deciding on my best fit would be so difficult?

Could I match the speed and efficiency of a Fox player, shining opponents into the blast zone while effortlessly running as fast as Sonic?

Would short hop lasering noobs be the ultimate goal before eventually dairing them to their demise?

Is facing BACKWARDS damn near the whole game my new renaissance as well???

Is up air gimping the one true move?!

Can a Ken combo fill the void in my heart and complete my soul?

No…no…no. Those are not for me. As I sat, sipping on a Heinken and staring at my Mayflash adapter, I decided to try Sheik. I was randomizing characters, not expecting any of them to feel right. But something changed this game. I channeled my inner princess warrior. Forward tilt scooped my friend’s pesky Mewtwo from ledge, and turnaround back air finished him. Crouching under his telekinetic grab, I could down tilt to forward air, sending the God of Pokemon to the blast zone. Oh yes, this felt right.

I can be a Sheik main, but I must do more than Slippi. Melee isn’t kept alive solely through online brackets. I must take a leap. Attending my nearest local is the next step. I have already gone in the past, but not participated. I was too scared of getting my ass kicked. After seeing a Peach spam down smash, I couldn’t help but shake in my boots. As much as I hate to say it, I know that something as simple as that will spell my downfall. Still, it’s time to nut up or shut up. Step 1 has been accomplished, but my future in this sport has only begun.