Street Fighter legend Snake Eyez defied expectations and emerged victorious in the Capcom Pro Tour Online event for North America West, showcasing his mastery of the low-usage character Zangief. Despite facing a challenging match-up against top-tier fighters, Snake Eyez proved that dedication and skill can overcome any obstacle.
Snake Eyez, a veteran competitor in the Street Fighter scene, has consistently chosen to play as Zangief throughout his career. While he has experimented with other characters in the past, his performance in Street Fighter 6 has solidified his reputation as one of the best wrestlers in the world, despite not having many major tournament wins to his name.
In the CPT Online: NA West event, Snake Eyez made a strong impression with an undefeated run in the pools, defeating Nephew’s Juri with a close 2-1 victory and then taking down JB’s Rashid with a convincing 3-1 win. However, his winning streak came to an end when he faced off against JP, a match-up known to be particularly unfavorable for Zangief.
JP is renowned for their versatile attacks, which can be executed at various distances and apply pressure from full-screen range. This playstyle poses a significant challenge for Zangief players, as he lacks projectiles and must rely on slow defensive approaches. Despite these obstacles, Snake Eyez showcased his adaptability and resilience, even in the face of oppressive strategies.
Zangief is one of the least-represented characters in major Street Fighter 6 events and online play at the highest level. At VSFighting XI, only one Zangief player made it into the top 64, while JP had six representatives. The dominance of JP was also evident in the Gamers8 Invitational, where Kakeru emerged as the champion.
In the SF6 Master Rate rankings, which reflect online play, only two Zangief players, Snake Eyez and Itazan, are listed in the top 100. In contrast, there are 17 JP players, including the top-ranked Fenritti. These statistics highlight the rarity of Zangief’s success and the uphill battle Snake Eyez faced.
Snake Eyez’s opponent in the tournament happened to be Reynald, a former Evo Champion and King of Fighters legend. Despite being swept 3-0 in their initial encounter, Snake Eyez demonstrated his ability to adapt and made a comeback in the later rounds. After defeating Nephew in a rematch, he once again faced the challenging JP match-up.
With years of experience employing slow-approaching and defensive strategies, Snake Eyez proved that he could withstand JP’s relentless assault. He won the first series 3-2, resetting the finals bracket to a 0-0 score. From there, he dominated the competition, securing three consecutive 2-0 victories and securing his spot in the prestigious $1 million Capcom Cup in 2024.
Snake Eyez’s triumph does not diminish the perception of Zangief as a lower-tier character. The usage rates clearly indicate that top players favor other options. However, Snake Eyez’s success highlights the importance of investing time and effort into mastering any character in Street Fighter 6. With dedication and skill, even the most challenging match-ups can be overcome, allowing players to shine with their favorite fighters.
It is likely that many players will be inspired to try out Zangief in the mid to high ranks following Snake Eyez’s impressive victory. Prepare yourself for an influx of Zangief enthusiasts eager to test their skills in the wake of this remarkable achievement.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
