What are the most jaw-dropping combos in all of competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee?
The Super Smash Bros. series is unique in the world of fighting games as it does not have set combos. There are a few chains of moves that the developers intended for players to string together but for the most part, players are intended to use the physics engine and platforming elements as they see fit to string together combos on the fly. This way of fighting can lead to some amazing and iconic combos. In this list, we’ll look at fifteen awesome combos from Super Smash Bros. Melee.
15. Armada’s Combo against Mango at Beast 3
[Beast 3] Mango(Fox) VS Armada(Peach) Start at 13:04!
In case you don’t know, whenever Peach plucks a turnip, there’s a random chance that the turnip will be stronger than average. The strongest turnip Peach can pluck is called a “stitch face” due to the bizarre appearance of the face on the turnip. Plucking one is extremely rare and totally up to chance.
Not only did Armada happen to pluck a stitch face and manage to throw it to break Mango’s shield, but he managed to pluck a second stitch face right afterward to secure a KO. As an early match in Armada’s career, this foreshadows his incredible success with Peach in the years following.
What Makes Armada’s Combo Great:
- Insane luck that still blows spectators’ minds.
- Armada’s taunt before plucking the second stitch face adds an extra bit of flair.
- Shield breaks like this one allow for a lot of creativity and Armada capitalized on it.
14. Zain’s Combo against SFAT at Super Smash Con 2017
Smash Con 2017 SSBM - Zain (Marth) Vs. CLG | SFAT (Fox) Smash Melee L7 Start at 7:27!
Zain is best known today as being possibly the best player in the world. Back in 2017, this was not the case. He was an up-and-coming player who, while very good, wasn’t in conversations for best in the world.
However, this combo gave everyone a glimpse into the future of Zain’s potential. While he doesn’t get a KO off of the combo, it’s still very flashy. It just goes to show how landing edge-cancels can go a long way.
What Makes Zain’s Combo Great:
- Demonstrates the power of Marth against Fox.
- Amazing use of aerials to juggle Fox.
- Brilliant use of edge-cancels to extend the combo.
13. Mango’s Combo against Plup at Smash Summit 2
Mango vs Plup - Singles LB QF - Smash Summit 2 Start at 20:17!
Fox’s up-smash is famous for its crazy KO potential. He can kill at low percentages against certain characters on certain stages. Despite that, Mango’s combo here shocked everyone watching when he managed to clutch a win against Plup in a very, very close set.
By using a variety of moves in Fox’s arsenal, including tilts, aerials, a waveshine, and, of course, his up-smash, Mango is able to combo Plup across the stage and secure a KO. You can’t help but feel bad for Plup because it didn’t seem like the up-smash would end it, but it did. At the same time, you have to respect how smooth and eloquent Mango’s execution was.
What Makes Mango’s Combo Great:
- Provided for an insane twist ending to the set.
- Classic Mango with the loser’s side comeback Fox.
- Takes Sheik from one end of the stage to the other.
12. Wizzrobe’s Combo against Leffen at Smash Summit 8
Leffen vs Wizzrobe - Losers' Finals: Melee Singles - Smash Summit 8 | Fox vs Captain Falcon Start at 10:33!
Sometimes the most effective way to capitalize on your opponent’s mistakes isn’t crazy looking at first. Wizzrobe is one of the best Captain Falcon players when it comes to punishing your opponents. And in this combo, he lands a crazy series of tech-chases that might not look super powerful to the naked eye.
Tech-chasing can require a lot of focus, reaction, and predicting in order to pull them off multiple times. Wizzrobe manages to land seven in a row before sealing the deal with a stomp to knee to KO. Perhaps not as hype as some other combos, but impressive and well-executed nonetheless.
What Makes Wizzrobe’s Combo Great:
- Using the stage to his advantage by going for the tech-chases.
- Incredible patience and focus from Wizzrobe.
- Slips up with the edge guard at the end before recovering with a stomp to knee.
11. Hungrybox’s Combo against Armada at GTX 2017
GTX 2017 Melee - [A]rmada (Fox) vs Liquid'Hungrybox (Jigglypuff) - SSBM G.Finals Start at 38:31!
Hungrybox has a nickname due to moments like this one: Clutchgod. He is one of the best at making crazy comebacks and ending intense sets or even entire tournaments with a win. We all know how hard it is to think and act under pressure, but Hungrybox has time and time again managed to pull it off just like he does here.
After managing to survive a Fox up-air, he goes all in with a drill before managing to predict the roll and top it off with a rest. Say what you will about Jigglypuff being a boring character to watch, but you have to admit that matches with her can still lead to some absolute nail-biter moments and combos like this one.
What Makes Hungrybox’s Combo Great:
- Bets on a crazy read while at high percent and it pays off.
- The explosive nature of Jigglypuff’s rest makes the win pretty satisfying.
- Hungrybox’s stupidly over-the-top pop-off afterward is hilarious.
10. Mew2King’s Combo against PPMD at Evo 2014
EVO 2014 SSBM Losers Quarters - PPMD vs Mew2King Start at 3:10!
Mew2King is known for being the guy who can play optimally in almost any in-game situation. On the other hand, he is also known for getting in his own head and screwing up. Fortunately, we can see some of that aforementioned optimal play here with his Sheik.
Off of just one dash attack, he is able to string together a stylish combo to rack up massive damage. PPMD, his opponent, starts out at 30% before being taken up to 118% and getting forward-aired off the stage. Although he didn’t win the game, he was able to show off his technique as Sheik in this combo.
What Makes Mew2King’s Combo Great:
- Utilizes the power of Sheik’s tilts to their fullest.
- Extends combo with nice use of aerials.
- Evens out the game and creates an exciting last-stock moment.
9. PPMD’s Combo against Mango at Kings of Cali
Kings of Cali - Mango (Falco) Vs. PPMD (Falco) - Grand Finals Start at 0:42!
Falco’s shine pops enemies upwards when hit. As such, Falco can sometimes be comboing enemies all around the stage which, needless to say, is not easy and makes for some tense moments as Falco juggles his opponent.
By using plenty of shines, aerials, and a few lasers, PPMD manages to absolutely rock Mango and take a stock. The only thing that could have made it even better would be to finish off with a dumpster down-air. Either way, it’s a sick combo.
What Makes PPMD’s Combo Great:
- Great use of Falco’s shines to combo around Battlefield.
- Sweet snipe with his laser pistol secures the KO.
- Hilarious commentary from Hugs does not align with the combo at all.
8. Axe’s Combo against Mew2King at Super Smash Con 2015
Super Smash Con - Mew2King (Sheik) Vs. Axe (Pikachu, Falco) - Losers Finals Start at 7:37!
Well-known for his crazy four-stock against SilentWolf at Evo, Axe is no stranger to pulling off some slick moves with Pikachu. This combo is no exception, as he surprises the crowd by KOing Sheik with an unusual move: Skull Bash.
Skull Bash is Pikachu’s side-special which isn’t used that often as an offensive move. But here we can see Axe make a big prediction with Skull Bash at the end of his combo to deal massive damage. He actually manages to do it again later in that same match!
What Makes Axe’s Combo Great:
- Great use of forward-air to rack up damage.
- Effective use of Pikachu’s neutral-air to spike Sheik downwards.
- Amazing read with Skull Bash of all moves.
7. Leffen’s Combo against PPMD at MLG Anaheim
PPMD vs Leffen Pool Play MLGAnaheim Start at 3:30!
Fox’s up-air is known for being a kill-move. Much like his up-smash, it can KO opponents easily if spaced correctly. However, in this combo, we see Leffen using it as a way to rack up PPMD’s percentage before ending with a back-air.
By taking advantage of a grab that he lands, Leffen is able to string together five-up airs against PPMD. Since this map took place on Yoshi’s Story, Leffen is able to turn those five up-airs into a KO and make this combo a zero-to-death.
What Makes Leffen’s Combo Great:
- Up-air after up-air adds lots of suspense and hype.
- Clean zero-to-death makes for an exciting play.
- Not an inch of movement by Leffen is wasted.
6. Westballz’s Combo against Leffen at Beast 6
BEAST 6 - Tempo | Westballz (Samus, Falco) Vs. RB TSM | Leffen - Losers Finals Start at 4:25!
As we’ve seen already, Falco is a character who can take you on a tour of the stage as he combos you. This Westballz combo is no exception. He tosses Leffen around the stage before dumpstering him with a down-air.
Westballz is sometimes referred to as the most technical Falco player that Super Smash Bros. Melee has ever seen. His speed and technicality with the character are what he is known for. This combo exemplifies that.
What Makes Westballz’s Combo Great:
- Edge-canceled side-special allowed Westballz to continue the combo from across the stage.
- Crazy shine to down-air off the stage satisfyingly secures the KO.
- Westballz’s little pop-off at the end makes the moment even more exciting.
5. aMSa’s Combo against Leffen at Apex 2015
Apex 2015 - Leffen (Fox) Vs. aMSa (Yoshi) - Winners Round 2 - SSBM Start at 2:16!
When you’re playing Yoshi and you’re up against one of the best players in the world, the odds are stacked against you. But when the Yoshi in question is aMSa, it’s a bit of a different story. aMSa is the only Yoshi player worth noting and that’s because he is an absolute beast.
Jab-resets are a technique that you can use to force opponents who are laying on the ground to get up and be vulnerable for a bit. By doing this twice in this combo, aMSa is able to continue punishing Leffen and knock him out. It’s moments like these that make us wonder how far Yoshi can be taken and developed as a character.
What Makes aMSa’s Combo Great:
- A double jab-reset is used to extend the combo.
- Makes a nice, clean read with his third up-air to go on to KO Leffen.
- Always exciting to see an underdog character like Yoshi pulling off some sick moves.
4. Wobbles’ Combo against Mew2King at Infinity and Beyond 18
IaB18 - Mew2king vs Wobbles - Grand Finals Start at 30:11!
Despite being a relatively unpopular character, Ice Climbers can be one of the more hype characters to watch if they’re played well. Sure, they can just grab you and mindlessly smack you until they knock you out, or they can get creative and pull some crazy hand-offs as Wobbles does in this combo.
Although Wobbles is named after the cheesy and boring technique that Ice Climbers sometimes resort to, in this combo he pulls out all the stops. Hand-offs are the combos that Ice Climbers can perform by trading grabs on the opponent and smashing them around the stage. The hand-offs that Wobbles does in this combo always get me pumped up.
What Makes Wobbles’ Combo Great:
- Very technical and hard-to-manage combo
- Flashy and thrilling as Sheik is handed between Nana and Popo.
- Demonstrates the power of Ice Climbers when it comes to zero-to-death combos.
3. Plup’s Combo against Leffen at Evo 2015
Evo 2015 - SSBM Top 8: MH Chudat vs C9 Mango / TSM Leffen vs PG Plup Start at 19:33!
Samus is a character who, while good in her own right, has always failed to perform well at a high-level over recent years. So when Plup decided to play Samus against Leffen at Evo 2015, it’s safe to assume that he would have been screwed. Thankfully, Plup, the underdog, got the win.
By just solidly comboing Leffen and finishing off with a missile, forward-smash, and a neutral-air, Plup takes the first stock in around fifteen seconds. Truthfully, his combo isn’t the most advanced or fast-paced. But the fact that Plup pulled it off at Evo with Samus against Leffen makes it super special.
What Makes Plup’s Combo Great:
- Starts it within the first two seconds of the game.
- Makes stylish use of a more underutilized character.
- Manages to secure an upset with this combo.
2. Armada’s Combo against Leffen at DrømmeLAN 4.0
While the first Armada comboshowed off some insane luck, this combo purely shows off his creativity and skill with Peach. By getting Fox up into the air, Armada does something that I still have not seen done again since this clip. He manages to juggle Fox off of the top of Peach’s parasol.
While the parasol move is already crazy, Armada manages to pluck a turnip and hit Leffen from all the way across the stage. And to top it all off, the commentators pop-off and drop the iconic quote, “The Swedish Sniper strikes again!”
What Makes Armada’s Combo Great:
- Unique use of Peach’s parasol to continue the combo.
- An absolutely precise throw of the turnip to knock out Fox.
- Armada is able to work around the platforms to secure the KO.
1. Mew2King’s Combo against PPMD at Zenith 2012
Zenith 2012 - Mew2King vs Dr PeePee - Grand Finals Set 2 Start at 10:29!
Be warned! This might be the loudest combo on the list based on crowd noise and commentator hype alone. As we saw in the Sheik clip earlier, there’s a reason Mew2King was considered one of the Gods of Melee. But he was arguably an even better Marth player.
This combo has a little bit of everything. It has some tech-chasing, some aerial moves, a Ken Combo, and iconic commentary all to culminate into a comeback for Mew2King. It might not be the most technical or fastest combo, but it is the best at encapsulating the spirit and intensity of Super Smash Bros. Melee.
What Makes Mew2King’s Combo Great:
- Great defensive playfrom Mew2King that leads into the initial grab.
- Amazing turn-around comeback by Mew2King
- Ends with a supremely satisfying Ken Combo spike.
If you enjoyed this top fifteen list, check out more of our articles on the Super Smash Bros. series!
