Is it time to nerf Rico Suave? After winning IGAU at mashfest earlier in the week, Rico managed to claim consecutive victories in both Street Fighter: AE and Injustice at this week's Next Level Battle Circuit. And having won just about everything you could win in the Northeast in the weeks before Summer Jam, his sights are now set on what is sure to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable East Coast majors of the year. On a related note, noted Flash player and tech contributor Zyphox made an appearance at Battle Circuit this week, giving everyone a small preview of this weekend's tournament. And fan-favorite bane player Grr returned as well, one again tearing up the bracket this week en route to Losers Finals.
Although we were only able to see two streamed IGAU matches this week, we had a small taste of all three of the aforementioned competitors. First up were Grr and Zyphox. Grr has been looking better and better each week, and he started well against Zyphox, using Venom-assisted Double Punches to knock Zyphox repeatedly out of his offense. Zyphox continued to answer him blow-for-blow, and the two were very close throughout their first lifebars in Game 1. But although they continued to trade, Flash's superior damage began to add up, forcing Grr to clash and eventually winning Zyphox the first game. In Game 2, Zyphox adjusted, walking backwards after getting in and patiently blocking while waiting for Grr to expend his Venom on the Double Punches. Although Grr tried to keep it close, Zyphox started to open him up with Flash's mixup game, breaking Bane's armor at a few points and taking the second game. The 3rd match started evenly, but by the second half Zyphox cranked up the pressure, giving Grr nowhere to hide and ultimately advancing Zyphox to Grand Finals.
Grand Finals between Rico and Zyphox was a lineup we haven't seen before, and it started off in a hurry with Rico catching Zyphox on a backdash with Black Adam's jumping 2 into full combo. Rico thwarted most of Zyphox's attempts to move in, and just when it looked like Zyphox was beginning to start his pressure, Rico hit him with another full combo, patiently picking away at him and using BA's trait to close Game 1. In Game 2, Rico continued to play patiently, spacing Zyphox out and trying to catch him coming in with b2's. Zyphox fought back fiercely, but Rico set up camp neat the Batcave's missle itnteractible, using it in combination with BA's Lightning Trap to protect himself while harassing the Flash with repeated low lightning. Towards the end, Zyphox made a furious last stand, but he hesitated after picking up the Batcave grenades, allowing Rico a clear window to finish him off with lightning. The 3rd game was back and forth the whole way, with Zyphox not allowing Rico any time to set up, and eventually grabbing his first win using the grenades to close the match. But although Zyphox opened Game 4 with a sizeable lead, Rico continued to stay just out of range, chipping away at the lead with lightning and then keeping the Flash at bay in close with d1~lightning, trait, and throws. Although Zyphox played well and kept it close, a MB divekick spelled the beginning of the end for him, and Rico finished him off to earn his 400th consecutive victory at Battle Circuit.
Summer Jam's weekend action starts today, and with it comes a number of unanswered questions. How has everyone levelled up after EVO? Will KDZ be able to overcome his achilles heel in the Black Adam matchup? Will Zyphox be able to put the Flash on the map at a major? And will Rico put his first stamp on the larger tournament circuit in his own neck of the woods? The mayhem starts at 3pm EST today following Mortal Kombat at 1pm. Who will prevail?
Top 4:
1) G4C RG Rico Suave
2) Zyphox
3) Grr
4) Purely Unique
Stream Archive:
http://www.twitch.tv/teamsp00ky/b/445831285?t=5h5m4s
Bracket:
http://nextlevel.challonge.com/NLBC32INJ
Although we were only able to see two streamed IGAU matches this week, we had a small taste of all three of the aforementioned competitors. First up were Grr and Zyphox. Grr has been looking better and better each week, and he started well against Zyphox, using Venom-assisted Double Punches to knock Zyphox repeatedly out of his offense. Zyphox continued to answer him blow-for-blow, and the two were very close throughout their first lifebars in Game 1. But although they continued to trade, Flash's superior damage began to add up, forcing Grr to clash and eventually winning Zyphox the first game. In Game 2, Zyphox adjusted, walking backwards after getting in and patiently blocking while waiting for Grr to expend his Venom on the Double Punches. Although Grr tried to keep it close, Zyphox started to open him up with Flash's mixup game, breaking Bane's armor at a few points and taking the second game. The 3rd match started evenly, but by the second half Zyphox cranked up the pressure, giving Grr nowhere to hide and ultimately advancing Zyphox to Grand Finals.
Grand Finals between Rico and Zyphox was a lineup we haven't seen before, and it started off in a hurry with Rico catching Zyphox on a backdash with Black Adam's jumping 2 into full combo. Rico thwarted most of Zyphox's attempts to move in, and just when it looked like Zyphox was beginning to start his pressure, Rico hit him with another full combo, patiently picking away at him and using BA's trait to close Game 1. In Game 2, Rico continued to play patiently, spacing Zyphox out and trying to catch him coming in with b2's. Zyphox fought back fiercely, but Rico set up camp neat the Batcave's missle itnteractible, using it in combination with BA's Lightning Trap to protect himself while harassing the Flash with repeated low lightning. Towards the end, Zyphox made a furious last stand, but he hesitated after picking up the Batcave grenades, allowing Rico a clear window to finish him off with lightning. The 3rd game was back and forth the whole way, with Zyphox not allowing Rico any time to set up, and eventually grabbing his first win using the grenades to close the match. But although Zyphox opened Game 4 with a sizeable lead, Rico continued to stay just out of range, chipping away at the lead with lightning and then keeping the Flash at bay in close with d1~lightning, trait, and throws. Although Zyphox played well and kept it close, a MB divekick spelled the beginning of the end for him, and Rico finished him off to earn his 400th consecutive victory at Battle Circuit.
Summer Jam's weekend action starts today, and with it comes a number of unanswered questions. How has everyone levelled up after EVO? Will KDZ be able to overcome his achilles heel in the Black Adam matchup? Will Zyphox be able to put the Flash on the map at a major? And will Rico put his first stamp on the larger tournament circuit in his own neck of the woods? The mayhem starts at 3pm EST today following Mortal Kombat at 1pm. Who will prevail?
Top 4:
1) G4C RG Rico Suave
2) Zyphox
3) Grr
4) Purely Unique
Stream Archive:
http://www.twitch.tv/teamsp00ky/b/445831285?t=5h5m4s
Bracket:
http://nextlevel.challonge.com/NLBC32INJ
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