Southern California
Southern California, abbreviated as SoCal, is a Smash region located in the United States. "SoCal" is generally defined to include the southern half of the state of California, centered on the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas. It deliberately excludes Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, as the state's large size has resulted in the development of largely separate Smash scenes in its two halves.
Since the inception of competitive Melee, Southern California has been home to one of the largest and most active Smash scenes. This can be attributed to the huge population of the Los Angeles area, as well as its prominent air hub and heavy usage of the automobile facilitating transportation to tournaments. SoCal has long been considered the strongest Melee region in the world, home to both Ken, one of the strongest and most iconic players of the pre-Brawl era, and Mango, one of the Five Gods. The region is also known as one of the strongest Smash 4 regions, and was considered the second-strongest Brawl region in the United States (after the Tristate Area) during the game's competitive lifetime. Fueled by its large population, SoCal is home to some of the U.S.'s largest tournament activity, hosting both frequent locals and large nationals. It is one of the two strongest regions for Project M as well (the other being the Tristate Area), having numerous national threats.
Super Smash Bros.
Notable players
Globally ranked players
These SoCal players are ranked on SSB64 League's 2018 64 League Rankings.
| 64 League ranking | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Hero Pie    |
|
| 22 | Cobr   |
|
| 40 | Janitor  |
|
| 54 | Bard |
Ranked in both SoCal and NorCal. |
These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
- D35 : 61st on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
- Kyle Tree : 33rd on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
- Near : 44th on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
- SotoH : 53rd on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
- Wookiee : Tournament organizer for the Snosa series. 46th on the 2016 64 League Rankings.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Notable players
Globally ranked players
These SoCal players were ranked on the SSBMRank 2022.
| SSBMRank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Mango   |
One of the Five Gods of Melee. |
| 12 | KoDoRiN  |
Currently the second-best Marth player in the world. |
| 14 | Fiction |
|
| 15 | S2J  |
One of the best Captain Falcon players in the world. |
| 27 | SFAT |
Originally from Northern California, but currently lives in SoCal. He is considered to be one of the best Foxes in the country; also known for teaming with PewPewU, forming one of the most dominant doubles teams in the world. |
| 28 | Lucky |
One of the best Fox players for a good portion of Melee's history. |
| 30 | null |
|
| 44 | Smash Papi |
|
| 45 | Franz  |
Currently the best Dr. Mario player in the world. |
| 57 | Kürv  |
|
| 69 | Suf |
|
| 73 | Faceroll  |
|
| 86 | Khalid  |
|
| 99 | nut |
These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
- ARMY
: 20th on the 2018 MPGR. - CDK : 46th on the 2016 SSBMRank.
- DieSuperFly : Known as a top Sheik in the pre-Brawl era, ranking 10th on the RetroSSBMRank 2005.
- Fly Amanita : One of the best Ice Climbers players of all time. Ranked 8th on the RetroSSBMRank 2011.
- HugS
: One of the best Samus players of all time. 8th on the RetroSSBMRank 2008. - Ken : Considered the best player in the world from 2003-2006, earning him the nickname "The King of Smash".
- Mike Haze : 25th on the 2017 SSBMRank.
- Recipherus : 2nd on the RetroSSBMRank 2001-2003
- Squid : 54th on the 2018 MPGR.
- Westballz : 8th on the 2015 SSBMRank and 2016 SSBMRank.
- Zeo : 88th on the 2019 MPGR.
Other notable players
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Notable players
Globally ranked players
The following players were ranked on CLASH Tournaments' 2014 SSBBRank.
| SSBBRank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Tyrant  |
Considered the best player on the West Coast and one of the best Meta Knights in the country in Brawl's later stages. |
| 17 | Larry Lurr   |
The best Falco in the United States, famous for winning Apex 2010; previously known as DEHF. |
| 28 | Rich Brown  |
One of the best Olimars in the United States. |
| 38 | SlayerZ   |
Considered one of the best Peach players in the United States. |
| 46 | mikeHAZE  |
The best Marth main in the United States; also known as a prominent tournament director in SoCal. |
| 63 | Tearbear |
Known as one of the best players on the West Coast during his prime from 2010-2011. |
| 82 | K9 |
Originally from Arizona |
These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
- DSF : Known as one of the best players in United States when he was active in Brawl's early days. 2nd on the RetroSSBBRank 2008.
- Fiction
: The best Wario player in the world in Brawl's early days. RetroSSBBRank 2009.
Super Smash Bros. 4
Notable players
Globally ranked players
These SoCal players are ranked on Panda Global Rankings 100.
| PG ranking | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Larry Lurr  |
The best Fox main of all time. |
| 11 | VoiD  |
One of the best Sheik players of all time. |
| 27 | Elegant  |
The best Luigi player in the world. |
| 29 | falln  |
One of the best Rosalina & Luma players in the world. |
| 47 | AC   |
One of the best Meta Knight players in the world and the best Falco in the world. |
| 52 | Rich Brown  |
One of the three best Mewtwo players in the United States. |
| 61 | Zenyou  |
One of the best Mario players in the world. |
| 62 | K9sbruce  |
One of the best Diddy Kong and Sheik players in SoCal. |
| 64 | Tyrant |
One of the best Meta Knight players in the early metagame. |
| 67 | Charliedaking |
|
| 98 | Eon |
These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
- Mr. ConCon : The best Luigi player in the world prior to patch 1.1.1. Ranked 36th on the PGR v1.
- SlayerZ
: Ranked 29th on the PGR v1. - Tearbear
: Ranked 50th on the PGR v1.
Other notable players
- Nicko
: One of the two best Shulk players in the world.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Notable players
Globally ranked players
These players are ranked on the UltRank 2022/OrionRank 2022.
| UltRank | OrionRank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 140 | T3 DOM  |
The best Richter player in the world. |
| — | 111 | Chase  |
|
| — | 145 | Larry Lurr   |
These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
- Charliedaking : One of the best Wolf players in 2021. 63rd on the OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse.
- Elegant
: The best Luigi player in the world. 14th on the OrionRank Ultimate: Eclipse. Currently banned. - Nicko
: One of the two best Shulk players in the early metagame. 36th on the Fall 2019 PGRU. - VoiD
||One of the two best Sheik players in the world, as well as one of the best Pichu players in the early metagame. 9th on the Spring 2019 PGRU.
Other notable players
Project M/Project+
Notable Players
Globally ranked players
These players were ranked on the PMRank 2022.
| PMRank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Sosa |
|
| 18 | Sneez  |
One of the best R.O.B. players in the world. |
| 31 | Yung Quaff |
One of the best Meta Knight players in the world. Currently resides in Massachusetts. |
| 33 | Tealz |
|
| 34 | Sabre |
One of the best Ivysaur players in the world. |
| 35 | Suvir |
|
| 36 | Narq |
Originally from New York |
| HM | LoyaL  |
These SoCal players have been ranked globally in the past; their highest placement is listed:
- Aero: 27th on the PMRank 2016.
- Aion
: 42nd on the PMRank 2016. - Blank: The best Zero Suit Samus player in the world. 8th on the PMRank 2018.
- Dumshiny
: 42nd on the PMRank 2019. - iPunchKidsz
: The best Lucario player in the world prior to becoming inactive. 15th on the PMRank 2016. - Jason Waterfalls: Formerly ranked 38th on the PMRank 2016.
- Jose V
: One of the best Ness players in the world. 38th on the PMRank 2018. - Machiavelli: The best Ivysaur player in the world prior to becoming inactive. 26th on the PMRank 2016.
- Nezergy: 35th on the PMRank 2019.
- Tealz: 30th on the PMRank 2019.
- Venom
: One of the best Captain Falcon players in the world. 25th on the PMRank 2016.
Other notable players
- Dr.
: The best active Zelda player in the world. - Lucky
- Red Ranger
: One of the best Ganondorf players in the world. - Westballz
- YadoR
: The best Kirby player in the world. - Zenokids
See also
Power rankings:
Smashers:
Tournaments:
