EVO 2016 is this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event boasts 12,000 + entrants across the nine featured titles. Now that’s a lot of players trying to become a champion. We’ve complied a list of top players to be on the look out for this weekend.
The games in attendance are Street Fighter V, Super Smash Bros Melee, Pokken Tournament, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 and etc.
Street Fighter V
Capcom’s newest fighter, main game of the show and the largest player attraction. This is the game’s first time at EVO and without question a must watch.
Players to pay attention to?
Team Razer’s: Lee “Infiltration” Seonwoo and Team Mad Catz ‘s Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi. Both players have been ranked first and second place throughout the Capcom Cup Pro Tour. They’ve often times meet each other often resulting in Lee winning.
Reason to watch?
To be frank you probably won’t find a higher level of Nash vs Ryu than between these two. Controlling spacing, maximum damage output and reading the opponent’s mind, all of this is takes place in their matches. It’ll be nothing short of exciting to see if Tokido will finally get the leg up on Infiltration.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
The game that is played nearly all Smash players is still the pinnacle of the series. The depth of strategy, the controls, the characters, and more are why this Nintendo Gamecube title is still relevant.
Players to watch?
Team Alliance’s Adam “Armada” Lindgren and Team Liquid’s Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma. Both have earned the title of being the other’s demon throughout this year. Both have considerable amount of tournaments under their belts
Reasons to watch?
The world’s best Jigglypuff vs the best Fox/Peach. These matches are often very technical. The speed at which their minds are racing as they anticipate the other is impressive. Considering they’ve played each other so much you’d assume it’s a forgone conclusion Armada would be EVO champ again. Yet they manage to surprise the other constantly at majors.
Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator
Although, it may not be as popular as the other games, it’s still one of the best fighters available. High level play requires exploiting your opponents slightest mistakes and deep character knowledge at the ready.
Players to watch?
Panda Global’s Kyohei “Marlin Pie” Lehr and Team Hail Mary’s Ryo “Dogura” Nozaki. Both competitors have ranked highly with Guilty Gear since last year’s Guilty Gear Xrd: Sign. Their playstyles are polar opposites where Dogura applies in your face tactics and Marlin Pie uses spacing and so forth.
Reasons to watch?
The best Zato and Sin in the world will be fighting against each other again. Sin’s play involves attacking as fast as possible with no room to breathe. Zato’s play involves attacking from a far and moving in for the kill. Top level Guilt Gear also features so many tools and assault options, matches may be over before you can even blink.
Now, hopefully these players are bringing their A game to the event.
This is what makes EVO so entertaining and equally surprising to watch. EVO is taking placing from right now.
