PGStats has compiled numerous brackets into an algorithm that empirically measures the strength of each player relative to each other. The X-Factor also makes a return with a new notation with a positive score indicating public opinion is in favor of the player, while a negative score shows the opposite. For more information on the process, visit the FAQ .

With set counts and placements indexed into the database, the algorithm makes sense of 81 events that occurred this season and produced the Top 50 presented before you.

Welcome to the PGRU!

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 30: Salem © AthletesGG (@AthletesGG)

Overall Score: 59.5

Memes and controversy aside, Saleem “MVG | Salem” Young remained a top force in the scene in Fall Season despite a few hiccups. One of the most creative players around, the Tristate veteran uses Snake, Hero and a plethora of secondaries to make himself an unpredictable foe no matter the situation.

A pair of 49th place finishes at Smash Con and Shine left Salem in a rough spot to start the season. Not to be deterred, he finished 2019 off strong with showlings like 1st at Port Priority 5, 7th at Mainstage and 3rd at Nightmare on Smashville. Additionally, names like Raito, Dark Wizzy and Shuton were among his win portfolio, proving that he has what it takes to compete with the very best.

Written by: Jose “Toon” Laguna | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 29: Gackt © Javier Leyvas (@Javileyvas)

Overall Score: 60

Currently ranked 15th in his home country of Japan, Gakuto “R2G | Gackt” Ito is in contention for the title of best Ness in the world after a stellar 2019 PGRU Fall season. With his technical and explosive combo game, he spent the entire year pioneering Ness’ metagame, inspiring fellow specialists and generating set-winning highlights.

As poetic as it is, his last major of the year -- 2GG: Kongo Saga -- was his best performance of the season. He finished 13th at the event and took sets over VoiD, Cosmos and Kome along the way, marking himself as a name to look out for tournaments to come.

Written by: Colton "Coltor" Costopoulos | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 28: LeoN © Athel Rogers for Big Blue Esports (@Athel_Rogers)

Overall Score: 60.7

After bursting onto the scene with his explosive Bowser to claim 35th on the first PGRU, David “SSG | LeoN” Leon continues his upwards trajectory this season by rising up seven spots and proving that his first ranking was no fluke. Claiming the third spot in his home region of New Jersey behind the likes of Nairo and Tweek, LeoN made a compelling case this season for why his name belongs up there with the best of the best.

LeoN started the season off strong with an insane run at Defend the North 2019 beating Marss, Light and Dabuz on his path to second place. He followed this up with a 9th place finish at Shine 2019 and 13th at Glitch 7, as well wins on a number of top players such as Tea, Nicko, Umeki and WaDi. Overall, LeoN demonstrated this season that he is not only the best Bowser main in the world, but also a consistent top-level threat in his own right.

Written by: Trevor “Kantrip” Lukan | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 27: Nietono © Darimoko (@Darimoko)

Overall Score: 61.4

Legendary Brawl and Smash Wii U veteran Yuta “DNG | Nietono” Uejima makes a triumphant return to the PGRU, entering the top 30 in the world for the first time in his Smash career.

Equipped with a new Wario co-main, Nietono opened the season with a run to 9th place at the biggest event in Smash history, EVO 2019, accruing wins on Marss and Salem in the process. He then followed it up with solid performances with his signature Pichu in his home country, attaining 13th at A-tier Umebura SP 5 and two runs to 7th at A-tiers Umebura SP 6 and Umebura SP 7.

However, Nietono is held back by poor performances at his other American major appearances, falling at 33rd place at 2GG: Kongo Saga and 65th at Super Smash Con 2019. More consistent performances in 2020 would surely see him be elevated into the top echelon of competitive Smash Ultimate play.

Written by: Stuart "Stuart98" Hepworth | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 26: Choco © Darimoko (@Darimoko)

Overall Score: 61.5

Whenever the conversation is had as to who the best Zero Suit Samus players in the world are, you typically only hear two names: Marss, and Choco. Toshimasa “Choco” Hayakawa is a longtime Brawl veteran who finished at #35 on the PGR All-Time Top 100 for Smash Wii U. In fact, he was the first ever player to establish his name on the PGR while exclusively attending tournaments in Japan -- establishing himself as one of the country’s most consistent players.

Choco’s greatest performance this season has surely been his run to 3rd place at Umebura SP 5, where he had netted himself impressive wins over names like Kameme and Tea. Although he lacks 1st place finishes this season, most of his placements are within the realm of top 8.

Meanwhile, the “low point” of his season has been 17th place at Umebura SP 6, which is an impressive placement in an of itself. He was eliminated by Link main T, who had also eliminated him at Umebura SP 7. This is a hurdle for himself that he’s likely preparing to overcome.

Fundamentally, Choco just knows Smash so well. If he can get the opportunity to travel to more foreign events -- even if he doesn’t need to -- he can rise even further on the leaderboard. Endless potential and an explosive main character make it hard to indicate just how far Choco will go next.

Written by: Alessandero "Thwack" Poehlman | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 25: Kome © Javier Leyvas (@Javileyvas)

Overall Score: 62.6

The best Shulk player in the world, Seisuke “Kome” Komeda makes his PGRU debut at #25. Long known as the best Shulk player in the world in Smash Wii U, Kome was able to leverage improvements to the character in the transition to Ultimate to acquire a bevy of wins over top players in the second half of 2019.

Attending 14 tournaments over the season, Kome’s performances might not have been the most consistent but the peaks outweigh the valleys. At his strongest performance at 2GG: Switchfest 2019, he defeated Marss, WaDi and Shuton to claim the bronze at the event. At 2GG: Kongo Saga, he bested Riddles, Suarez, ProtoBanham and Ned en route to a 13th place finish. And at Sumabato SP 10, he defeated players such as Lv.1, Jagaimo, Zackray and Kuro to win the tournament without dropping a set.

Although a trio of 33rds and four 17ths keep Kome out of the top 20, the strength of his highs shows that the future of Shulk’s flag bearer is nothing but bright.

Written by: Stuart "Stuart98" Hepworth | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 24: Abadango © Javier Leyvas (@JavilLeyvas)

Overall Score: 62.7

Following some character struggles and middling placements during the first season of the PGRU, Yuta “SHN | Abadango” Kawamura appears to have hit his stride this season. With his Wario taking the starring role in his cast of characters alongside his Palutena, Inkling and Meta Knight, he finds himself jumping up 16 ranks to land at the #24 spot.

Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Abadango had his breakout performance at home this season at Umebura SP4, where he beat kept, Tsu and shky before dropping to losers at the hands of Kameme. From there, he went on to beat Choco, KEN and Kameme in the runback before finishing his insane run by double eliminating Brood in grand finals to win the whole tournament. Also on his resume is a 9th place finish at the largest Smash Ultimate tournament to-date, EVO 2019, where he defeated zackray and Mr. R and only lost to eventual champion MKLeo and the first runner-up in Tweek.

Unfortunately, underwhelming performances at The Big House 9 and Kongo Saga hold Abadango back from a higher ranking this season. However, he’s made it clear from his peak placements that with a little more consistency, he's more than capable of rising back to the top.

Written by: Trevor “Kantrip” Lukan | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 23: Cosmos © Kenneth Rodriguez (@XenosMcCloud)

Overall Score: 64.4

Widely regarded as one of the best Inkling players on the planet, Brian “Cosmos” Kalu has spent the entirety of Smash Ultimate taking names and putting up strong placements. Despite a strong season, Cosmos has flown under the radar for many. Nonetheless, he continues to regularly place well at events he attends.

The most recent of Cosmos’ triumphs is a 5th place finish at Dreamhack Atlanta, with wins over Wrath, MuteAce and Leon. He then ended the season with a victory at Holiday Heist over Zinoto. Should he continue to put in the results, 2020 may be a breakout year at the highest levels for him.

Written by: Pete "PAC-DIESEL" Casella | Edited by: Luis “Suar” Suarez

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 22: Dark Wizzy © AthletesGG (@AthletesGG)

Overall Score: 65.1

Rasheen “MVG | Dark Wizzy” Rose is the world’s best Mario main and is a pioneer of the character in every sense of the word. With a focus on the principles and foundations of Smash Ultimate’s gameplay, he able to take one of the most basic characters in the game and construct plays worthy of a highlight reel every time he touches the stage.

Though he faltered early in the season, finishing outside of the top 64 at Evo, he bounced back immediately with a 17th place finish at Super Smash Con, a 5th place finish at Shine, and a 7th place finish at Glitch 7. To close the season, he reached the top 8 at five consecutive events, and is heading into 2020 as one of the hottest players in professional Smash.

Written by: Michael "Ginsync" Kelly | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Fall #PGRU2019 No. 21: Lea © Javi Leyvas (@JaviLeyvas)

Overall Score: 65.5

While Lea managed to make PGRU with only three tournaments under his belt last season, his improved attendance gives us a much clearer—and more impressive—picture of what he’s capable of. He may have had a rough start with Evo 2019 and Umebura SP 4, finishing 33rd at both events, but he quickly turned things around. He finished 7th at Uprising 2019, and carried that momentum into further top 8 finishes at Thunder Smash 3, Umebura SP 6 and Kongo Saga.

Written by: Blaise "Scribe" Camacho | Edited by: Justin “Popi” Banusing

Administrative Team

PGstats Director: Luis “suar” Suarez

Statistician: Andrew “PracticalTAS” Nestico

Videographer & Graphic Designer: Kud

Project Manager: Justin “Popi” Banusing