Kyoz Interview SSF2

Kyoz is considered by many to be the best Super Smash Flash 2 player, winning several. Super Smash Flash 2 is a fan game made by McLeodGaming featuring popular Smash characters along with characters from third-party games and anime. Kyoz was kind enough to give Hypest Team an interview, and we took the opportunity to ask him about his journey as a player and his view of the game.

**Thanks for agreeing to do an interview with Hypest Team, Kyoz. Since the Smash community at large probably doesn't know much about you, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, who do you main in Super Smash Flash 2, and what kind of player are you in general?**

Well I was born in New York, and raised here as well. I like a variety of games such as driving, action, and other sorts. In the Super Smash Flash 2 series I main ZSS, Peach, and Marth. I do play other characters such as Yoshi often, but he isn't a character to play in tournaments unless I try to learn him like I did with ZSS. I like to think of myself as a tricky/flashy player; I think this style is very useful because it's hard for people to adapt to it. I still don't think I or anyone has mastered this game yet. It still has a lot in store, like new techs.

**What was your background in Smash before you started playing Super Smash Flash 2?**

I used to play SSBM and SSBB, but I started playing SSBB competitively just by playing "Basic Brawl" using Marth and Zero Suit Samus. I used to watch my brother play which is how I gained height in AiB Ladders, but I stopped for a while when my Wii broke. My brother moved out, and I barely played any Smash games unless my friends came over with their Wiis. Then I started playing SSF2. I mained Fox, DK, and Peach. The game was rather easy to adapt to. Then online came out, and my 2 SSBB mains Zero Suit Samus and Marth were brought into the game. I was so excited, I practiced day and night with ZSS and Marth. I rarely lost to other players because they were not experienced. Then I met Miracle--7, who introduced me to [the IRC.](https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.rizon.net/supersmashflash) Ever since, I have been practicing.

**How did you learn about Smash Flash and what made you decide to invest time into it over the official Smash games?**

Since my Wii broke I had no Smash games to play, and I was searching through the web and found Super Smash Flash 2. I tested it and loved it. This was the only game related to Smash that I had available to play.

**How long did it take for people to start considering you one of the best Smash Flash players?**

People started noticing me when I took second in a Smash Island event. When I started to win almost every one people considered me one of the best.

**Speaking of tournaments, I noticed that you've won every Hypest weekly you've entered since late May. What other big tournaments have you won?**

I've also won X tournaments, Flash Friday, 7 Swords 5, Entertain The Stream, and more. I can't remember the others.

**Now that we've gone over your experiences as a player, let's talk about the game itself. What do you think of the current state of Super Smash Flash 2, with respect to gameplay, balance, controls, online, etc.?**

In my opinion, this game is partially balanced. Any character can beat any character; it depends on the player. The gameplay is amazing. It brings a whole new level of strategies and precise actions. It is pretty hard to play; the controls feel like they react slow, especially shield, which comes out at around frame 3-4. This game's popularity has drastically increased because of online mode. This is the game's biggest hit since we get to fight real players and learn more. I think this game has a bright future and insane potential.

**What niche do you think Smash Flash fills in the Smash community?**

I think this game deserves a similar niche to Project M. The growth pattern is very similar. Soon I believe SSF2 will become just like Project M.

**The [newest trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EDB9JZew_k) for Smash Flash came out recently. It showed a changed Mega Man more like his Smash 4 incarnation, and a Luigi who also appeared to take a lot from Smash 4. How do you feel about the Mega Man changes and about McLeod potentially going in that direction for any added veterans?**

I feel the changes are going to be entertaining to try out, but some players who main the character might not like the change, since it changes the character's moveset, possible speed, and strategy. But overall, I think this is a great way to bring SSF2 to new roads.

**How can someone who's interested in Smash Flash get into the game? Are there any major streams or YouTube channels to check out? Where should new players go to learn how to play the game and find people to play?**

I feel like YouTube channels such as [Zalozis](https://www.youtube.com/user/Zalozis) or [SoldierSunday](https://www.youtube.com/user/SoldierSunday) should be channels new players should go to. They both show new techs and competitive matches between top players. This would help people get a better understanding of how the game is played. [SoldierSunday's stream](http://www.twitch.tv/soldiersunday) is the best stream to go to if you want to learn more about SSF2, in my opinion.

**What would you say to someone to convince them to try out Smash Flash?**

If I were to convince someone to play this game, I would mostly talk about the competitive gameplay and the new modes such as Turbo, Egg, etc.

**Thanks for your time, Kyoz. It's been an honor talking to one of the top players of Super Smash Flash 2. Is there anything else you'd like to say?**

No problem, and thanks for interviewing me. This was my first interview ever.

You can download Super Smash Flash 2 by going to [McLeodGaming.](http://www.mcleodgaming.com/) Hypest Team runs weeklies for Super Smash Flash 2 every Sunday at 17:55 ET. This interview was conducted by /u/shapular.