Get to know #DIGSmash player Lucky

Joey 'Lucky' Aldama was recently picked up by Team Dignitas and he has done wonders since as he stormed into Top 8 taking out the likes of Mew2King and fellow team mate Hugs. In this interview, we talked about what makes a successful player in this game and how to stay on top of your own game.

After getting an impressive 5th place at both EVO and Genesis, arguably two of the most prestigious Melee tournaments, how have you brought yourself to this level of improvement technically speaking? Is there a daily tech skill routine?

Lucky: There is definitely a routine for tech skill to an extent. My routine consists of a mix of different tech skill practices and playing on netplay during my streams or against my friends. However important tech skill may be, I don’t believe that was what got me either of those placements. I really do believe the mental game and composure is what helped me more than anything.

What motivates you to regularly grind and continue to push for success?

Lucky: A lack of satisfaction is probably what motivates me to grind for success. At the end of the day as a competitor, all I want to do is prove to myself that I can always be better. As long as there are other competitors that feel the way I do about competing I can’t imagine that feeling leaving. 

Genesis was the first tournament that you attended after being picked up by Team Dignitas. Did it add a pressure to perform, did it help as a confidence booster or perhaps even both?

Lucky: I would say going into Genesis I was so caught up in my own head to prove to myself that I can still compete at the highest level, that the pressure about being signed with Dignitas was in the back of my mind due to this excitement about placing well for myself. However, when I snapped out of that zone and would hear the crowd cheering for me, I would look down to my jersey and the excitement would double since it was also a win for DIG.


How did you prepare for Top 8 mentally and how did you manage to 'stay warm' and keep momentum in the game during breaks while the other matches were being played on stage?

Lucky: Luckily enough my good friend/training partner, Mango, also made Top 8 which allowed me to warm up with him. Having him around me is always great due to warming up and being really comfortable, joking around to distract ourselves from the pressure of the upcoming matches. I find this to work very well for me because it's easy to get in one’s head and stress yourself out before a big match.


You successfully reached Top 8 with fellow Team Dignitas player HugS but this was turned bittersweet when you regrettably had to play him in the first match of Top 8. How did it feel having to play HugS?

Lucky: It was a mix of emotions. On one hand I was really happy to have my good friend make Top 8 with me, but on the other hand I was sad because I would have to end his tournament run and ultimately be the highest placing Dignitas member. (which I was LOL)


You were taken out of the competition by Armada, who unfortunately did that through double elimination. You've been known to defeat Gods before; especially as it was you who eliminated Mew2King from the tournament, preventing him from reaching Top 8. Who do you feel is the most difficult God to beat personally and how do you think you can prepare, practice, and deal with that God in future tournaments?

Lucky: At this current point I really don’t believe that any of the Gods are unbeatable. If I had to nitpick from the top 6 and say who was the hardest out of them, it would be Leffen. As for preparing to beat him or any of the Gods for that matter, it's really just a mix of decision making and composure at this point.


You're currently ranked in the top 20 at number 17 amongst other notable players such as Shroomed, Crush, Druggedfox and Swedish Delight. What do you think separates the seemingly untouchable top 6 from the group of players who are tailing so close behind in skill and what do you think can be done for a breakthrough into the top 6 and beyond?

Lucky: This might sound funny to say, after saying it a couple times, but I really think composure is what really separates the top 6 from the top 20. I think players of all skill levels are catching up to the level that is just above them and the top 20 is no different. At the moment it really does feel like a lot of the top 20 has what it takes to take a win from a God if they can keep their composure together.

Many new faces have spilled into the top 100 this year and we frequently hear about upsets happening in round one pools to prominent players. How do you feel about new up and coming players? Do you embrace the challenge or does it make pools seem a little more frightening than before?

Lucky: I like the idea of new players getting better and stepping up to challenge the top dogs of the Melee world. Not to mention this makes viewers more excited whenever an upset happens.


What would be your advice to low to mid-level players so that they can see an advancement in their game play and possibly break into the top 100 one day?

Lucky: Nothing happens overnight. Take your time, study the game/top players, and ultimately have fun. Attending tournaments frequently and practicing with different people is a must. Now that we have netplay it’s easier than ever to play against people.


Finally, what is your ultimate goal for this year?

Lucky: To do better than any year I have before. I want to make my fans proud, and really prove that I can push myself to higher levels with this game. Now that I am working with Team Dignitas, I am confident that I can push for this goal.

Follow Lucky on Twitter over at @Legend0fLucky.