This weekend on Twtich TV's TeamSpooky channel was airing ECT4, and was one of the best tournaments I have watched in a long time. Now I have to first say, I been in this Fighting Game Community for about over a year, and I can't say how previous East Coast Throw downs were compared to this years. I will say though, this past weekend's competition at ECT, was very high level. There were many moments in this tournament that I vividly remember in the past 24 hours. For instance, Fanatiq and Ray Ray's money match, Mike Ross beating Sanford in Street Fighter, Ricky Ortiz playing way in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and much more. Here are some of the highlights of what happen this past weekend.
The King is dethrone
Mike Ross vs.Sandord Kelly
Now this was a shocker. For those who don't know, Mike Ross for the past several years have been seen more as a host of the show he does on Cross Counter TV rather then an actual player. In the past he was a high level player in Street Fighter using E.Honda. He does well but not at the level he used to be years ago. So this year's ECT he attended, he showed that he wasn't just hosting a show he does, but hes been grinding it out on Street Fighter. Sanford Kelly is a Sagat player and is often at New York's weekly event called the Big Two. Hes always won there in Street Fighter and is a really good player all around for years. So when Mike Ross came to ECT4 and beat Sanford Kelly, it was a shocker. Even the crowd behind him were getting hype of Mike Ross was doing. Most of the Street Fighter matches were great, except for the grand finals where it was a Rufus mirror match between Evil Genius Justin Wong vs. Evil Genius Ricky Ortiz.
Mike Ross vs.Sandord Kelly
Now this was a shocker. For those who don't know, Mike Ross for the past several years have been seen more as a host of the show he does on Cross Counter TV rather then an actual player. In the past he was a high level player in Street Fighter using E.Honda. He does well but not at the level he used to be years ago. So this year's ECT he attended, he showed that he wasn't just hosting a show he does, but hes been grinding it out on Street Fighter. Sanford Kelly is a Sagat player and is often at New York's weekly event called the Big Two. Hes always won there in Street Fighter and is a really good player all around for years. So when Mike Ross came to ECT4 and beat Sanford Kelly, it was a shocker. Even the crowd behind him were getting hype of Mike Ross was doing. Most of the Street Fighter matches were great, except for the grand finals where it was a Rufus mirror match between Evil Genius Justin Wong vs. Evil Genius Ricky Ortiz.
Don't celebrate too early...
Filipino Champ vs. SmoothViper
While Mike Ross beats Sanford Kelly in Street Fighter was a hype match, there were plenty of good moments in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. There are so many, one of which is the match between Filipino Champ vs. Smoothviper. Both are really good players, but in between matches whenever SmoothViper would win a match he would yell in front of Champ's face, look at the crowd, and jump up and down. This is textbook pop off to the highest degree, and the crowd was loving every moment. But if there is one lesson to be told here, is that finish your game before popping off or else it will come back to haunt you, and thats what exactly happen. Filipino Champ came back to beat SmoothViper in this set and then did his own pop off after shaking SmoothViper's hand. Goes to show you, don't celebrate too early.
Filipino Champ vs. SmoothViper
While Mike Ross beats Sanford Kelly in Street Fighter was a hype match, there were plenty of good moments in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. There are so many, one of which is the match between Filipino Champ vs. Smoothviper. Both are really good players, but in between matches whenever SmoothViper would win a match he would yell in front of Champ's face, look at the crowd, and jump up and down. This is textbook pop off to the highest degree, and the crowd was loving every moment. But if there is one lesson to be told here, is that finish your game before popping off or else it will come back to haunt you, and thats what exactly happen. Filipino Champ came back to beat SmoothViper in this set and then did his own pop off after shaking SmoothViper's hand. Goes to show you, don't celebrate too early.
Everything goes with Guile
Dieminion vs. Gridman
In the fighting game community Dieminion is known to only play Guile in Street Fighter all the time. He never chooses other characters or if he does, it's for fun and not serous competition. So during the Street Fighter tournament at ECT4, when he first chose E.Honda in this match, people were confused and shocked. The reason why he felt like he needed to pull out his pocket E.Honda, is that Viper vs. Guile match up favors Viper over Guile. From watching Gridman's Viper in action, he was pulling off combos and hits that would rival other top Viper players in the United States. Surprisingly Dieminion's effort in choosing E.Honda actually worked and won his first match, but came back down to earth when he lose his 2nd match to Gridman. So he went back to character select and picked his old bread and butter, Guile. He managed to gut it out with a great comeback at the end. This got the entire crowd hyped and screaming when Dieminion won, even the commentators were excited to see Dieminion make the comeback.
Dieminion vs. Gridman
In the fighting game community Dieminion is known to only play Guile in Street Fighter all the time. He never chooses other characters or if he does, it's for fun and not serous competition. So during the Street Fighter tournament at ECT4, when he first chose E.Honda in this match, people were confused and shocked. The reason why he felt like he needed to pull out his pocket E.Honda, is that Viper vs. Guile match up favors Viper over Guile. From watching Gridman's Viper in action, he was pulling off combos and hits that would rival other top Viper players in the United States. Surprisingly Dieminion's effort in choosing E.Honda actually worked and won his first match, but came back down to earth when he lose his 2nd match to Gridman. So he went back to character select and picked his old bread and butter, Guile. He managed to gut it out with a great comeback at the end. This got the entire crowd hyped and screaming when Dieminion won, even the commentators were excited to see Dieminion make the comeback.
The Return of She Hulk
Combofiend vs. Chris G
Recently Combofiend has gone ditched his new team for his old team he used to play in the original Marvel vs. Capcom 3. The team consisted of She Hulk, Taskmaster, and Spencer. Most people know Combofiend for his Spencer come backs and outstanding play, but having to face Chris G in the tournament was not easy. Chris G has been recently known for using his Morrigan team. Chris G has invited a way to use Morrigan backed up with Dr. Doom's missiles, as well as Akuma's assist to make this time the ultimate keep away team. The main strategy for Chris G was to spam as much fireballs with Morrigan, spam as much missiles with Dr. Droom, and occasionally use Akuma's assist now and then if not for his anchor quality. It was great set and both players played at a very high level, showing off new stuff no one as seen or stuff that just blew people's mind away. In the end Combofiend came out on top but never the less this was a great showing from both players.
Combofiend vs. Chris G
Recently Combofiend has gone ditched his new team for his old team he used to play in the original Marvel vs. Capcom 3. The team consisted of She Hulk, Taskmaster, and Spencer. Most people know Combofiend for his Spencer come backs and outstanding play, but having to face Chris G in the tournament was not easy. Chris G has been recently known for using his Morrigan team. Chris G has invited a way to use Morrigan backed up with Dr. Doom's missiles, as well as Akuma's assist to make this time the ultimate keep away team. The main strategy for Chris G was to spam as much fireballs with Morrigan, spam as much missiles with Dr. Droom, and occasionally use Akuma's assist now and then if not for his anchor quality. It was great set and both players played at a very high level, showing off new stuff no one as seen or stuff that just blew people's mind away. In the end Combofiend came out on top but never the less this was a great showing from both players.
The Rematch
Marlinepie vs. Filipino champ
Not too long ago these two players fought each other in Australia at Shadowloo Showdown in in the grand finals. Shadowloo Showdown had its top players in that tournament and both Marlinpie and Filipino Champ came out on top to face each other in the grand finals. Last time these two played Marlinpie beat Champ soundly in the finals. Champ didn't have an answer for Marlinpie's play in that grand finals and end up losing to him. When they both met again in the Marvel tournament at ECT4 it was a rematch of what happen last time they guys met. They have the most respect for each other, but played their hearts out to once again see who is better. In the end Filipino Champ won. I can't wait to see these two square off again in the near future.
Marlinepie vs. Filipino champ
Not too long ago these two players fought each other in Australia at Shadowloo Showdown in in the grand finals. Shadowloo Showdown had its top players in that tournament and both Marlinpie and Filipino Champ came out on top to face each other in the grand finals. Last time these two played Marlinpie beat Champ soundly in the finals. Champ didn't have an answer for Marlinpie's play in that grand finals and end up losing to him. When they both met again in the Marvel tournament at ECT4 it was a rematch of what happen last time they guys met. They have the most respect for each other, but played their hearts out to once again see who is better. In the end Filipino Champ won. I can't wait to see these two square off again in the near future.
The Undercard Money Match
OMGitsAndre vs. Unkown
This was one of the hypest money matches people were waiting for during ECT4. These players legitimately hate each other guts and want to take each other out in marvel. So leading up to ECT4 they agreed to money match each other for a good sum of money in a first to 10 match. It went back and forth in the entire set. In this match what most people know about OMGitsAndre is that he tends to drop his combos a lot. If he were to handle his combos right people have said that he would be a very good player next to the Noel Browns and or Chris Gs of the fighting game community. Unknown is not a slouch himself. He proved to be a very good player in the last major he was in. So between these two both put on a great showing of Marvel high level play. During this set, there was a mistake made that was only corrected a day later. The count from set is 10 to 9 Unknown, but they miscounted and found out that OMGitsAndre won the set 10-2. Not sure what will happen for the money Andre lost, but these two want to go at it again in the very near future. The pop off afterwards...
OMGitsAndre vs. Unkown
This was one of the hypest money matches people were waiting for during ECT4. These players legitimately hate each other guts and want to take each other out in marvel. So leading up to ECT4 they agreed to money match each other for a good sum of money in a first to 10 match. It went back and forth in the entire set. In this match what most people know about OMGitsAndre is that he tends to drop his combos a lot. If he were to handle his combos right people have said that he would be a very good player next to the Noel Browns and or Chris Gs of the fighting game community. Unknown is not a slouch himself. He proved to be a very good player in the last major he was in. So between these two both put on a great showing of Marvel high level play. During this set, there was a mistake made that was only corrected a day later. The count from set is 10 to 9 Unknown, but they miscounted and found out that OMGitsAndre won the set 10-2. Not sure what will happen for the money Andre lost, but these two want to go at it again in the very near future. The pop off afterwards...
Money Match of the Century
Fanatiq vs. Ray Ray
If the Unkown vs. OMGitsAndre match was hype, that was only the under card to the main event. The main event of the night was a money match between Fanatiq vs. Ray Ray. This has a lot of history between these two, but they have a bit more respect for each other. It all started by another player saying Fanatiq has the best Magneto in the fighting game community. Now everyone has their own opinion but some players don't agree with some statements. Even some players like Ray Ray. So Ray Ray started talking garbage to Fanatiq about who has the best Magneto and then eventually it got so heated that they want to prove it on the big stage somehow. So at ECT4 they organized one of the biggest money matches ever to be shown on stream in a long time. This money match was going up to 2,000 dollars between the both of them. Very Very high stakes were in this match to being the best Magneto and to the victor a good chunk of change to take home with him. In the end Fanatiq beats Ray Ray 15 to 5. Many felt sad for Ray Ray, but the tournament wasn't over as the next day Ray Ray displayed the best run back he had ever shown in his video game life.
Fanatiq vs. Ray Ray
If the Unkown vs. OMGitsAndre match was hype, that was only the under card to the main event. The main event of the night was a money match between Fanatiq vs. Ray Ray. This has a lot of history between these two, but they have a bit more respect for each other. It all started by another player saying Fanatiq has the best Magneto in the fighting game community. Now everyone has their own opinion but some players don't agree with some statements. Even some players like Ray Ray. So Ray Ray started talking garbage to Fanatiq about who has the best Magneto and then eventually it got so heated that they want to prove it on the big stage somehow. So at ECT4 they organized one of the biggest money matches ever to be shown on stream in a long time. This money match was going up to 2,000 dollars between the both of them. Very Very high stakes were in this match to being the best Magneto and to the victor a good chunk of change to take home with him. In the end Fanatiq beats Ray Ray 15 to 5. Many felt sad for Ray Ray, but the tournament wasn't over as the next day Ray Ray displayed the best run back he had ever shown in his video game life.
The Ray of Hope
Ray Ray's Runback
As you saw in the previous video, Ray Ray was dominated by Fanatiq in the first to 15 money match held Saturday night of ECT4. So the next day in the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 tournament, Ray Ray displayed the most sickest comeback ever shown by any player. Being destroyed in the money match, he came back with a vengeance the next day and showed everyone he can play a lot better. Not only was he making a great run back and showing people hes not a fraud, but also was the last remaining east coast player in the tournament. Making great choices in his matches and beating some of west coast finest like Combofiend, Marlinepie, and Filipino Champ. It was something I never saw in my life. Sadly, Ray Ray almost made it to the grand finals to face the man who destroyed him Saturday night. That's right. Fanatiq was in grand finals waiting for his next opponent and Ray Ray was making the runback of his life to possibly rematching him. Sadly, he lost to Justin Wong in the loser finals, and we didn't get to see the rematch, but Ray Ray did show the best run back any of us have seen in a very long time.
Ray Ray's Runback
As you saw in the previous video, Ray Ray was dominated by Fanatiq in the first to 15 money match held Saturday night of ECT4. So the next day in the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 tournament, Ray Ray displayed the most sickest comeback ever shown by any player. Being destroyed in the money match, he came back with a vengeance the next day and showed everyone he can play a lot better. Not only was he making a great run back and showing people hes not a fraud, but also was the last remaining east coast player in the tournament. Making great choices in his matches and beating some of west coast finest like Combofiend, Marlinepie, and Filipino Champ. It was something I never saw in my life. Sadly, Ray Ray almost made it to the grand finals to face the man who destroyed him Saturday night. That's right. Fanatiq was in grand finals waiting for his next opponent and Ray Ray was making the runback of his life to possibly rematching him. Sadly, he lost to Justin Wong in the loser finals, and we didn't get to see the rematch, but Ray Ray did show the best run back any of us have seen in a very long time.
Overall I really enjoyed watching ECT4 over the weekend and wished I was only there in person. I can't wait for next year's ECT and hope the hype continues for years to come. Thank LI Joe for putting this one for us!
-Anthony Beanes
RSS Feed