The GOATs of LB

[Shodan]

You can ask who the GOAT of LB is. I think this is not the right question to ask, and I don't think there is a single GOAT. I think there are different categories of greatness, and I think that you can be the GOAT in each category. So here is my first draft of a list of GOATs. Feel free to discuss.

Disclaimer: I am not claiming that this list is 100% accurate. In some cases I don't know enough about LB history to have an informed opinion. I am also not going to say anything about audio, just text. So if you think I am wrong or you know better, please add your input.

Achievements
Lockhart. No doubt about it. Bleu is a semi-distant second. This is the only one that can be answered pretty much objectively. See The Greatest Of: Champions

Best Text Battler - At their best
I think DaDDiO is a reasonable nomination here. Nobody has ever dropped anything as good as Thrilla in Manilla.

Best Text Battler - At a somewhat consistent level over a long period of time
Esso. You open an Esso verse and almost every time, it's going to be an excellent verse full of haymakers. He has these complex concepts and he makes executing them look effortless. He sometimes has bad bars or lackluster verses, but not often.

Best Text Battler - Relative to the competition of their day
DaDDiO and UNKNOWN ARTIST are the only ones I can think of. But old heads might suggest someone else. Those two were active a decade and a half ago and they would at least be upper-mid tier on the modern LB.

Best Text Battler - In terms of how they influenced text battling standards
Possibly UNKNOWN ARTIST. He had his style of super clean punches in an era full of reaches and non-punches, and a lot of his bars still hold up today. I'd be interested to hear what old heads think about this. I also know some of you dumbasses would say Illokwent. Don't. Just don't. Illo is trash and always has been.

Site legacy outside battling
Part of me says X. He started the site, how could anyone else have that much legacy? The other names that come to mind are EtH, NOBLE, Student, and Mindless. Again a category where I am not qualified to name a GOAT.

[Shodan]

You can ask who the GOAT of LB is. I think this is not the right question to ask, and I don't think there is a single GOAT. I think there are different categories of greatness, and I think that you can be the GOAT in each category. So here is my first draft of a list of GOATs. Feel free to discuss.

Disclaimer: I am not claiming that this list is 100% accurate. In some cases I don't know enough about LB history to have an informed opinion. I am also not going to say anything about audio, just text. So if you think I am wrong or you know better, please add your input.

Achievements
Lockhart. No doubt about it. Bleu is a semi-distant second. This is the only one that can be answered pretty much objectively. See The Greatest Of: Champions

Best Text Battler - At their best
I think DaDDiO is a reasonable nomination here. Nobody has ever dropped anything as good as Thrilla in Manilla.

Best Text Battler - At a somewhat consistent level over a long period of time
Esso. You open an Esso verse and almost every time, it's going to be an excellent verse full of haymakers. He has these complex concepts and he makes executing them look effortless. He sometimes has bad bars or lackluster verses, but not often.

Best Text Battler - Relative to the competition of their day
DaDDiO and UNKNOWN ARTIST are the only ones I can think of. But old heads might suggest someone else. Those two were active a decade and a half ago and they would at least be upper-mid tier on the modern LB.

Best Text Battler - In terms of how they influenced text battling standards
Possibly UNKNOWN ARTIST. He had his style of super clean punches in an era full of reaches and non-punches, and a lot of his bars still hold up today. I'd be interested to hear what old heads think about this. I also know some of you dumbasses would say Illokwent. Don't. Just don't. Illo is trash and always has been.

Site legacy outside battling
Part of me says X. He started the site, how could anyone else have that much legacy? The other names that come to mind are EtH, NOBLE, Student, and Mindless. Again a category where I am not qualified to name a GOAT.

[Row]

@ILLoKWENT @Malishus

[Row]

@ILLoKWENT @Malishus

[Dexter]

TEXT GOATS: Lockhart , Esso , Manhattan, Jason

AUDIO GOATS: Charron, Real Talk, Mac G, Sixx-Shot, Ticket, Willy Grubz

FREESTYLE GOATS: Marz, Mr. Goodness, Syco_C

This list is off top of the head

[Dexter]

TEXT GOATS: Lockhart , Esso , Manhattan, Jason

AUDIO GOATS: Charron, Real Talk, Mac G, Sixx-Shot, Ticket, Willy Grubz

FREESTYLE GOATS: Marz, Mr. Goodness, Syco_C

This list is off top of the head

[MR-LETS-BEEF]

some could argue the fact that we didn't get a DaDDiO (EllAhmEnO) vs CHiZzeL (NawkOut), a Conceited vs UA; some could go far back and speak on the evolution of Illimit.. or how LEFT FIELD was insane from the jump.. some can talk about PUREMONEY/fLAtfaCeMonK or even go as far as Jason's consistent run... Mani08/Mani Mula..

I agree... GOATs in different categories are definitely a thing.. what you need is someone who's been around during that time... ... Student isn't the only one though...

[MR-LETS-BEEF]

some could argue the fact that we didn't get a DaDDiO (EllAhmEnO) vs CHiZzeL (NawkOut), a Conceited vs UA; some could go far back and speak on the evolution of Illimit.. or how LEFT FIELD was insane from the jump.. some can talk about PUREMONEY/fLAtfaCeMonK or even go as far as Jason's consistent run... Mani08/Mani Mula..

I agree... GOATs in different categories are definitely a thing.. what you need is someone who's been around during that time... ... Student isn't the only one though...

[Esso]

Thanks for including me in the conversation. Idk if I can agree but I’m honored.

Bleu and Manhattan had some special runs. Lockhart’s was probably the most prolific, including that 2020 GC that mighta been the most loaded tourney ever. Illokwents LBT run was as impactful as anything done on the site, followed with Malishus, and capped it off by beating Daddio. Phroxen is on one now. I can’t even get into the UAs and Rule/Revans and such cuz I wasn’t here. The history of talent on this site is unmatched…I’m just glad to get mentioned with it .

[Esso]

Thanks for including me in the conversation. Idk if I can agree but I’m honored.

Bleu and Manhattan had some special runs. Lockhart’s was probably the most prolific, including that 2020 GC that mighta been the most loaded tourney ever. Illokwents LBT run was as impactful as anything done on the site, followed with Malishus, and capped it off by beating Daddio. Phroxen is on one now. I can’t even get into the UAs and Rule/Revans and such cuz I wasn’t here. The history of talent on this site is unmatched…I’m just glad to get mentioned with it .

[Shodan]

Originally Posted by Esso

Lockhart’s was probably the most prolific, including that 2020 GC that mighta been the most loaded tourney ever.

(REMOVED) vs (REMOVED), greatest finals matchup of all time

[Shodan]

Originally Posted by Esso

Lockhart’s was probably the most prolific, including that 2020 GC that mighta been the most loaded tourney ever.

(REMOVED) vs (REMOVED), greatest finals matchup of all time

[Masked-Reaper]

From what I’ve seen , DaDDio was the best here. Those verses are a level above most of the other people I’ve read.

[Masked-Reaper]

From what I’ve seen , DaDDio was the best here. Those verses are a level above most of the other people I’ve read.

[Enfinite]

Gotta show love to RULE as one of the GOATs. There was a period of time between like 2010-2014 where he was THAT dude. In the box and as a mod. He helped keep this place going well beyond his battling years. His style of writing also had a pretty heavy influence transitioning into a new era of users post 2014, I think a lot of us that came up around 2012 onward were influenced by him in some way or another.

[Enfinite]

Gotta show love to RULE as one of the GOATs. There was a period of time between like 2010-2014 where he was THAT dude. In the box and as a mod. He helped keep this place going well beyond his battling years. His style of writing also had a pretty heavy influence transitioning into a new era of users post 2014, I think a lot of us that came up around 2012 onward were influenced by him in some way or another.

[Dexter]

Site legacy outside of Letsbeef?

Charron, no question. Bro been on MTV and BET and has been KOTD champion for like 15 years

[Dexter]

Site legacy outside of Letsbeef?

Charron, no question. Bro been on MTV and BET and has been KOTD champion for like 15 years

[Saii]

With all due respect to the other greats mentioned, I give the GOAT title to Jason.

[Saii]

With all due respect to the other greats mentioned, I give the GOAT title to Jason.