Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma has practiced fervently since the worst finish of his career in October. But even he didn’t expect that he’d win a title in his second-best game playing its weakest character.
The well known Super Smash Bros. Melee player garnered a pair of gold medals at Forte 2 in Austin, Texas this weekend: one for topping his wheelhouse title, and one for his unlikely triumph in the fan-made Smash mod, Project M.
Debiedma’s legacy for turning the cuddly Jigglypuff into a Melee monster precedes itself. Spot-dodging and aggressive play have turned the puff-ball into a legitimate threat over his storied career. Unfortunately, Project M‘s quick characters have made it difficult for the pink balloon to find a footing among the competition.
Recent updates to the game, however, have opened opportunities for Debiedma’s skillset to shine through. “I just applied Melee knowledge and it seems that the new [patch] allows you to use that more readily,” Debiedma told the Daily Dot.
As for his recent run of Melee success that continued this weekend: “I made sure to be extra focused the entire time, unlike how I was at Big House, and it paid off.”
Forte 2 was another validating moment for a player who questioned his career after his defeat in October. With a new practice regimen and commitment to the game, Melee‘s most frustrating character is looking strong headed into the main event: Apex 2015 in late January.
