Top-level talent from around the world will flock to Orem, Utah, from June 18-19 for the state’s premier, regional Super Smash Bros. tournament, Crown 2. Hosted by the LAN King team, the tournament will feature Singles and Doubles brackets for Ultimate and Melee, as well as crew battles.
Before the tournament kicks off next weekend, here’s everything competitive Smash fans need to know about Crown 2.
Players to watch
The Smash Ultimate bracket will be headlined by three Japanese players: Shuto “Shuton” Moriya, Takuma “Tea” Hirooka and Kengo “KEN” Suzuki. As the No. 3 player in Japan, Shuton seems particularly poised for a strong performance.
Until now, Shuton’s only tournament performance in the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was a respectable ninth-place finish at the 2021 Smash World Tour Championships. However, if he can overcome the likes of Samuel “Dabuz” Buzby, the highest-ranked American player in attendance, Shuton could earn his first victory at a large American tournament since 2GG: Prime Saga in April of 2019.
After a streak of consistent performances at majors, Crown 2 could also mark the first big win of the year for Salvatore “Zomba” DeSena. Over the past six months, the 16-year-old R.O.B. main has beaten most of the notable players who will be at Crown. These include Dabuz, Shuton, KEN, Antony “MuteAce” Hoo, Alexis “Goblin” Stennett and Spencer “Scend” Garner. If he can play at the peaks he’s hit before, it’s a given that Zomba has what it takes to win the whole tournament.
https://twitter.com/SalvatoreZomba/status/1532360149985370120
The Melee bracket at Crown will not be as stacked as the Ultimate bracket. Even so, it could still mark the opportunity for Patrick “CPU0” Capuano to score his biggest win of the year. The Jigglypuff main has put up consistent top four finishes at locals and regionals throughout this year. As a result, he seems poised to contest a field of veteran players like Ammon “Ka-Master” Styles and Nick “Nickemwit” Whittier.
Crown 2 schedule
Crown 2 will kick off with Smash Ultimate Doubles at noon ET on June 18. Ultimate Singles pools will then begin at 2 p.m., while the Melee Doubles bracket will start at 4 p.m. Both Ultimate Doubles top eight and Melee Singles pools will begin at 6 p.m. Finally, there will be regional crew battles for Ultimate starting at 9 p.m.
On June 19, Championship Sunday will begin with the top cut of the Melee bracket. This will take place at 1 p.m. Afterward, top 32 of Ultimate Singles will kick off at 2 p.m. The event will then conclude with top eight of Ultimate Singles, which will start at 6 p.m.
