TheDancingPeanut
New Member
IMPORTANT NOTICE: After winning the Vienna State Championship (Masters) I think it goes without saying that I am clearly the greatest Pokemon TCG player on the face of the planet.
You'll have to read this report to find out why!
I arrived in Stockerau, Austria, on February 28, to take over as Head Coach of the Stock City Cubs, a semi-pro baseball team in the Austrian Baseball League. I knew there might be a couple of Pokemon events coming up, but I didn't have much room in my luggage, so I packed 60 cards and only 60 cards.
On the morning of the tournament, I woke up after a late practice (with pitchers and catchers), and (randomly) decided to see if there was anything going on (Pokemon-wise) in the area. To my amazement, I saw that there was a state championship in Vienna only two hours from that point in time.
Vienna is about 30 minutes away, but I hadn't been yet--I had mostly stayed in Stockerau, due to a combination of hectic practice schedule, cold weather, and my complete inability to speak even basic German (in other words, I was waiting for someone to show me how to take a train!).
Nevertheless, I was able to round up a ride and get dropped off in the city center. I then had to navigate my way via the Underground to the venue, a small card shop off of one of the 6th District's main shopping streets. I took a couple of wrong turns, forgot to get my subway card stamped (it runs on the honor system), but eventually made it to the shop RIGHT at 3:00 PM--the tournament's start time.
Fortunately, I was still able to register.
Now, I haven't played much Pokemon this year. I've been super busy with graduation in December and then MFA Applications and Job-Searching. But back in December, on a road trip with the crew to Georgia, I put together a deck that I played on our last day...I swept through swiss, and lost in top cut to my Brother, who is, obviously, one of the top players in the world.
And I haven't really had a chance to work with the deck since then. But that deck was the 60 cards I brought to Austria. The deck, of course, is Flygon/Gardy/Gallade...or, as I like to call it...............
G'LADES OF FURY!
So...
Round One VS. Jurgen
Jurgen is having some trouble with his deck early. Clearly, his opening hand had failed to establish the setup he needed, and so the synergy between his benched Unseen Forces Totadile, UF Slopoke, and Buizel wasn't at first apparent, although I was worried about a potential problem with Slowking's powerful ability to recycle used-up energy cards. Fortunately, I had a very solid opening hand and immediately used Corsola's awesome attack "Rally" to put three basic Pokemon on my bench. By T2, I had Gardevoir and Flygon d in play, along with Mew d. I pass and continue to set-up. But Jurgen is smart, and he decides not to play any supporter cards for the entire game, knowing that I'll call upon Gardevoir to telepeass, thereby accelerating my draw engine. He attaches and energy to Totadile, getting ready to power up UF Feraligatr, but by T3, it is too late. I bring Gardy and go to town.
1-0
Round Two VS Daniel
I met Daniel when I was asking people where to register. He was about my age and spoke English! Cool guy, and so it was nice to make a new friend. Daniel was playing Mario, which should be an easy game for me...except that I started with my LONE Castform. Great. I love losing T1. Fortunately for me, my opponent made a stirring strategic error by selecting the incorrect Pokemon to begin the game in the active position--instead of starting wath Riolu, he started with an Expedition Machop. Because of Daniel's inability to knock me out early, I was able to set-up using Delta Draw, and I had board control the whole game. Things did get a little bit interesting when I saw him law down his Mewtwo ex--because we all know how powerful that card can be. Thankfully, my deck is agile enough to make the adjustments it needs on the fly and I was able to pull out a win, even despitie my opponents very powerful psychic monster.
2-0
Round Three VS Edith
Edith decided to go red face paint, playing a very tricky Ampharos d/Charizard d deck. She had me on the run early, but I was able to load up on Flygon ex d and roll through her 70 HP Stage 1s. I think I killed three Charmeleons...she was never able to get that Charizard active.
3-0
T2 VS Sebastian
I was actually a bit worried about this game. I saw Sebastian playing earlier in the day, and knew that his Blaziken/Latiad/Latios deck could cause some problem. Sure, Flygon ex d puts multiple damage counters on his benched low-HP exs between every turn, but the synergy between Latias d and Blaziken is just AWESOME. I also got a terrible start--Mew * and no energies. I have to Bebe T1 for a Stanter, and T3 draw into the energy to retreat and start drawing. Sebastian gets a Blaziken powered up and 80s my benched Mew, then I candy Ralts to Gardy, drop a scramble, and start the Psylock. I don't think he got another attack in the rest of the game. I eventually win br bringing down his benched Latias ex.
4-0 and the winner!
It was a small tournament, but as you can see, the competition was extremely fierce. I think that based on my ability to handle such unique red face paint decks, and the fact that I was able to hold my composure while playing in a place where nobody speaks my language, I have proven that I am easily the best player in the game at this moment in time.
Props
AMERICA! AMERICA! AMERICA RULES!
Garret--for being awesome.
Bobby Malec--for being (honestly) one of the best in the game.
Steve Silvestro--for believing in my deck.
John Silvestro--for being amazing at life.
Mom--Suitcases!
Daniel--for helping me translate.
Vienna--for being beautiful.
McDonald's--it tastes the same, even in Austria.
Flygon d--I still love you.
Jackie Moon--for being the best promoter in the ABA.
Slops
Mewtwo ex
Feraligatr UF
Machamp expedition
Starting with Castform
The German language
Coldness
Lox (gross!)
You'll have to read this report to find out why!
I arrived in Stockerau, Austria, on February 28, to take over as Head Coach of the Stock City Cubs, a semi-pro baseball team in the Austrian Baseball League. I knew there might be a couple of Pokemon events coming up, but I didn't have much room in my luggage, so I packed 60 cards and only 60 cards.
On the morning of the tournament, I woke up after a late practice (with pitchers and catchers), and (randomly) decided to see if there was anything going on (Pokemon-wise) in the area. To my amazement, I saw that there was a state championship in Vienna only two hours from that point in time.
Vienna is about 30 minutes away, but I hadn't been yet--I had mostly stayed in Stockerau, due to a combination of hectic practice schedule, cold weather, and my complete inability to speak even basic German (in other words, I was waiting for someone to show me how to take a train!).
Nevertheless, I was able to round up a ride and get dropped off in the city center. I then had to navigate my way via the Underground to the venue, a small card shop off of one of the 6th District's main shopping streets. I took a couple of wrong turns, forgot to get my subway card stamped (it runs on the honor system), but eventually made it to the shop RIGHT at 3:00 PM--the tournament's start time.
Fortunately, I was still able to register.
Now, I haven't played much Pokemon this year. I've been super busy with graduation in December and then MFA Applications and Job-Searching. But back in December, on a road trip with the crew to Georgia, I put together a deck that I played on our last day...I swept through swiss, and lost in top cut to my Brother, who is, obviously, one of the top players in the world.
And I haven't really had a chance to work with the deck since then. But that deck was the 60 cards I brought to Austria. The deck, of course, is Flygon/Gardy/Gallade...or, as I like to call it...............
G'LADES OF FURY!
So...
Round One VS. Jurgen
Jurgen is having some trouble with his deck early. Clearly, his opening hand had failed to establish the setup he needed, and so the synergy between his benched Unseen Forces Totadile, UF Slopoke, and Buizel wasn't at first apparent, although I was worried about a potential problem with Slowking's powerful ability to recycle used-up energy cards. Fortunately, I had a very solid opening hand and immediately used Corsola's awesome attack "Rally" to put three basic Pokemon on my bench. By T2, I had Gardevoir and Flygon d in play, along with Mew d. I pass and continue to set-up. But Jurgen is smart, and he decides not to play any supporter cards for the entire game, knowing that I'll call upon Gardevoir to telepeass, thereby accelerating my draw engine. He attaches and energy to Totadile, getting ready to power up UF Feraligatr, but by T3, it is too late. I bring Gardy and go to town.
1-0
Round Two VS Daniel
I met Daniel when I was asking people where to register. He was about my age and spoke English! Cool guy, and so it was nice to make a new friend. Daniel was playing Mario, which should be an easy game for me...except that I started with my LONE Castform. Great. I love losing T1. Fortunately for me, my opponent made a stirring strategic error by selecting the incorrect Pokemon to begin the game in the active position--instead of starting wath Riolu, he started with an Expedition Machop. Because of Daniel's inability to knock me out early, I was able to set-up using Delta Draw, and I had board control the whole game. Things did get a little bit interesting when I saw him law down his Mewtwo ex--because we all know how powerful that card can be. Thankfully, my deck is agile enough to make the adjustments it needs on the fly and I was able to pull out a win, even despitie my opponents very powerful psychic monster.
2-0
Round Three VS Edith
Edith decided to go red face paint, playing a very tricky Ampharos d/Charizard d deck. She had me on the run early, but I was able to load up on Flygon ex d and roll through her 70 HP Stage 1s. I think I killed three Charmeleons...she was never able to get that Charizard active.
3-0
T2 VS Sebastian
I was actually a bit worried about this game. I saw Sebastian playing earlier in the day, and knew that his Blaziken/Latiad/Latios deck could cause some problem. Sure, Flygon ex d puts multiple damage counters on his benched low-HP exs between every turn, but the synergy between Latias d and Blaziken is just AWESOME. I also got a terrible start--Mew * and no energies. I have to Bebe T1 for a Stanter, and T3 draw into the energy to retreat and start drawing. Sebastian gets a Blaziken powered up and 80s my benched Mew, then I candy Ralts to Gardy, drop a scramble, and start the Psylock. I don't think he got another attack in the rest of the game. I eventually win br bringing down his benched Latias ex.
4-0 and the winner!
It was a small tournament, but as you can see, the competition was extremely fierce. I think that based on my ability to handle such unique red face paint decks, and the fact that I was able to hold my composure while playing in a place where nobody speaks my language, I have proven that I am easily the best player in the game at this moment in time.
Props
AMERICA! AMERICA! AMERICA RULES!
Garret--for being awesome.
Bobby Malec--for being (honestly) one of the best in the game.
Steve Silvestro--for believing in my deck.
John Silvestro--for being amazing at life.
Mom--Suitcases!
Daniel--for helping me translate.
Vienna--for being beautiful.
McDonald's--it tastes the same, even in Austria.
Flygon d--I still love you.
Jackie Moon--for being the best promoter in the ABA.
Slops
Mewtwo ex
Feraligatr UF
Machamp expedition
Starting with Castform
The German language
Coldness
Lox (gross!)
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