A look at the top Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitors from every Appalachian state—highlighting what sets them apart and cements their dominance in their local scenes:
West Virginia — Hawk
Hawk, a Wolf main, moved from Connecticut in 2022 and has since solidified his dominance in the state’s local scene, frequently winning the weekly “Cole” tournaments with little competition standing in his way. His consistency and longevity make him the best in West Virginia.
Tennessee — Danny
Danny is a dual Fox and Wolf main who's been impressively active since 2024. He notched his biggest win at Full Bloom 2024 and challenged top talent like Onin and Chattic at The Big House 11, pushing both to close bracket battles. His performance trajectory makes him Tennessee’s standout.
Virginia — Smug
Often hailed as North America’s best Ridley player, Smug consistently conquers his home region and holds high-level wins against names like Light. Smug’s gameplay finesse, especially with a low-tier character like Ridley, cements his spot atop Virginia.
North Carolina — Regalo
Touted as the best Lucas player globally, Regalo burst onto the scene after upsetting top competition at SmashCon 2022. Since then, he’s maintained a strong regional presence across Southeast events, illustrating elite play with Lucas, a character known for technical mastery.
Georgia — Cola
Cola, mainly a Roy main (with occasional Cloud or Young Link), earned his spot by returning to form in 2023 after inactivity, demonstrating the “X Factor” to take down any player on the bracket. Though he faces stiff competition from Georgia’s D (a top Steve main), Cola’s decisive victory over him at Collision 2024 seals the title.
Kentucky — Soul
Kentucky’s 2025 Q2 Power Rankings place “Soul” (a Diddy Kong main) at the top of the state. Rising above other heavy hitters, Soul’s consistent performance across tournaments has earned him the premier spot in Kentucky’s SSBU community.
Maryland — ZD
Longtime regional standout and former Smash 4 competitor Zack “ZD” Darby made his mark early in Ultimate with notable results— including a top-5 finish at Let’s Make Moves, and wins over top names like Salem and Marss. ZD’s high-level play and regional prominence make him Maryland's top pick.
Mississippi — YoseFu
Cited in community-driven discussions, YoseFu has emerged as the leading Smash Ultimate competitor from Mississippi. While not widely documented in formal rankings, players often credit him as the best in the state.
New York — Zomba
Zomba is frequently named as the top Smash Ultimate player from New York in community circles. Though not officially verified by current PRs, this name often comes up in state discussions and online forums on the NY Smash community.
Ohio — Geist
Geist ranks prominently in community-sourced listings for Ohio’s Smash scene. While formal Ultimate PRs are scarce for Ohio, Geist's performance at local and regional tournaments has earned him the recognition of players within the state.
Pennsylvania — IcyMist
Straight from Reddit, IcyMist, a top Samus main, is consistently praised as Pennsylvania’s strongest player. Noted for her region-wide dominance and technical mastery of Samus, she’s become the unofficial PR leader in PA.
South Carolina — Peabnut
Known by the tag “P,” Peabnut’s Mega Man has had standout runs—most notably his DreamHack Atlanta 2023 victory and a podium finish at Florence Major Cir to CFL 3. These landmark performances highlight him as South Carolina’s top Smash competitor.
From Ridley specialists to Mega Man maestros, the Appalachian region brims with Smash talent. These players showcase character mastery, regional dominance, and the drive to compete—often from less visible scenes. Let me know if you’d like deep dives into tournament histories, match highlights, or monthly leaderboard tracking for any state or player!