Beyond the Metagame: A Smash Bros. Podcast

AV and Peon tackle the concept of Protagonist Syndrome. How do we avoid the pitfalls of focusing solely on our own progress? How does one optimally track their own improvement?

AV and Peon spend some time discussing the events of the past year. Contents may include: paleontology, a patented Ness down-air, cultural optimism, and why you should never downplay your own successes.

AV and Peon embark on a journey to talk about Sora, slowly descending into madness as they look back at all the DLC characters that have been released for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

After a lengthy hiatus, Peon and AV return to discuss reengaging with Smash as the pandemic subsides. Tournaments have returned, and with them, the insatiable urge to compete.

The dream team is back and ready... to play Super Smash Bros. Melee. The two discuss the joys of learning Melee in 2021 with the fewer matchups, plethora of training resources, and great online support. Additionally, they discuss the state of Smash Ultimate and what it will be like to return to local tournaments in the upcoming months.

AV and Peon wake up from their collective fever dream and realize that Steve from Minecraft has in fact been confirmed for Smash. Suspending their disbelief, they address this wild addition to the already stacked roster.

Coach Zeke, the legendary coach behind many top players' rise to prominence, comes on the show to teach AV and Peon a thing or two. Listen to the trifecta talk about the journey from expert to master, key aspects holding your play back mentally, and how to approach re-contextualizing coping mechanisms.

In the season finale, AV and Peon revisit the original premise of Beyond the Metagame. The two reflect on the benefits of pursuing competitive Smash as a hobby and explore what is preventing many community members from leveraging these lessons learned.

Out of nowhere, the Smash community has been blessed with a new stage, upgraded online functionality, and updates to Elite Smash requirements. Listen to the BTM hosts interpret what these changes mean for the online Smash scene!

As the dust slowly settles around our changed world, AV and Peon ponder the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on competitive Smash, training routines, and their main characters.