PGStats is best-known for the PGRU, used to measure the best Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players in the world. PGStats recently decided to start an entirely new project called "The Path to PGR: Contenders Tier List," which recognizes competitive Smash players from EU and NA that will take over the scene. 

Using a panel of experts, PGStats found the "top threats" in Smash who are expected to compete for high rankings on the next PGRU. Here are some of the most formidable players that the fans should look out for in 2022. 

MkLeo

Surprise, surprise! Leonardo "MkLeo" Perez is probably the best Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player in the world right now. It's no surprise to see him in S+ tier, ready to be crowned #1 on PGRU in 2022. MkLeo has placed no worse than second at all seven major events he went to in 2021, winning Riptide, Low Tide City, Port Priority 6, Mainstage 2021, and the Smash World Tour Championships. 

What is surprising, however, is that MkLeo has done most of it with Byleth, a fighter said to be low tier before MkLeo mained them. It would be a surprise to see MkLeo anywhere but the top in 2022 — but only time will tell. 

Sparg0

Sparg0 is considered the second-best player in the entire world right now. Once a WiFi warrior, Edgar "Sparg0" Valdez has shown his true strength in LAN events throughout 2021. Whenever MkLeo is not at a major, the Smash community basically assumes that Sparg0 will finally win a major. For now, however, the 16-year-old is consistently taking second and third place. He is currently considered a prodigy, but Sparg0 is clearly looking for more than "good for a teenager." 

Gavin "Tweek" Dempsey made headlines in 2021 when he beat MkLeo at Ultimate Summit 3. But the Diddy Kong main is more than that moment. Tweek has continuously shown his insane skill at every major in 2021 and is going into 2022 in a close race for number one Ultimate player in the world. 

Gluttony

William "Glutonny" Belaid is considered one of the best Ultimate players in all of Europe, with a 93% win rate in tournament matches throughout 2021. He has also started to branch out to other regions, getting second at CEO 2021 after winning against players like ESAM and KEN. 

Maister

Maister is the best Mr. Game & Watch in the world and on his way to be the best in the world, period. After winning 62 online tournaments during lockdown, Maister started dominating LAN events in North America. He didn't place lower than fifth at Riptide, Glitch, Low Tide City, and Smash Con. Even Mr. Game & Watch haters can't deny Maister's talent. 

Bloom4eva

Throughout Europe, Bloom4eva has been terrorizing locals, regionals, and nationals. During lockdown, Bloom4eva clearly grew as a player. Before the pandemic, the UK competitor wasn't as well known. What has made Bloom4eva a name to look out for wasn't his WiFi domination, however — it's the fact that he's still winning regionals now that in-person tourneys are returning. Once the young player can travel overseas, the Smash scene may get a bit shaken up. 

Light

Paris "Light" Ramirez quickly rose to the top of the pack in 2021, getting  top 8 at a bunch of important tournaments, including Glitch 8.5 and Mainstage 2021. His breakout moment was winning Smash Con: Fall Fest, where he defeated Sparg0. Twice. 

Kola

Another Moist boy, Kolawole "Kola" Aideyan was a fan-favorite throughout 2021. While he was making waves in 2020's WiFi era, Kola gained even more popularity at big LAN events like CEO 2021 and Smash World Tour: NA East Regional Finals. In 2022, he's already shown he's still improving with a second-place finish at Make Big Moves. PGStats is predicting he'll be in the top 10 of the PGRU. 

Leon

Nassib "Leon" Laib was one of Brawl's best Marths. He has returned to Ultimate as a scary good Lucina player — he is currently the best Lucina in Europe. Leon came in third at VCA 2021, only losing to Peli and Gluttony. With a 60% win rate in France, it's only a matter of time before Leon disrupts other Smash scenes with his Lucina. 

Mr. R

Ramin "Mr. R" Delshad isn't new to competitive Smash. He's been competing for over 10 years, cementing himself as one of Europe's best in Brawl, Smash 4, and Ultimate. While the WiFi era was frustrating for the Chrom main, Mr. R is back in full force at LAN events. 

Dabuz

Dabuz is always RIGHT THERE. It's only a matter of time before he dominates a major with his off-beat picks like Olimar, Min-Min, and Rosalina & Luma. He almost always gets top 8, including a second-place finish at Low Tide City, seventh at Riptide, and seventh at Mainstage 2021. He's beaten MkLeo and other top-tier competitors, proving that he's paving his own way to the top of 2022.