vegitalian
New Member
For those of you that don't know me, I'm Reed - I played back in the Base Set-Neo days (as a casual player), and really got my TCG start in Lord of the Rings TCG, which was probably one of the most strategical and enjoyable games I've played to date. I went to a few premier events in Ohio (Origins), and two World Championships (Gen Con Indy), and even managed to grind in to day 2 and place T16 in Worlds at that game (back when grinders had 150-200 people, and only 8-10 got in). I started playing Pokemon competitively almost three years ago, and got my start at Provincials, where I came 2nd with Blastcatty, losing to Brian Cresswell's amazing disruption deck.
I've made quite a few friends in this game, and have grown a lot more fond of it - my favourite thing about Pokemon that I hadn't seen before in organized play (mainly because I never played M:TG) were the World Championship decks. That is ultimately my goal in the game, to have my deck printed as a World Championship deck, because I am first and foremost a deckbuilder, not a player.
Anyways, I get there, and there's a warm-up tournament running the night before. It's hilarious, because everyone is running Magneboar (including myself and a ton of people that weren't seriously considering it). It might be because it's the deck I tested against the most, or because it's so hyped, but Magneboar's easily my least favourite deck in the format. It is undeniably good, but there is just something so boring and monotonous about the deck and how it plays. I decide to play HorseMega and take my 2 byes from Regionals.
Round 1: vs. too many things to carry
After hearing that we don't get a lunch break, Troy and his daughter give me their order and ask me to grab some Harvey's for them. I walk over to Harvey's, order 3 meals, and get a drink tray and a gigantic bag of food. On the way back, I almost spill the drinks several times, and the kid holding the door open to the hotel is ultimately what gave me the game.
1/0
Round 2: vs. Pokemoms
I have some pleasant conversations with some Pokemoms as we wait for people to finish. They seem to like me.
2/0
Round 3: vs. Alexander (Magneboar)
He gets some wicked early draws and a 3-prize lead as I spread some damage around. I pull up Jirachi and get 3 prizes in one turn. We both struggle to recover and at 2 prizes left each, time is called. I flip tails on Tyrogue, doing 30 + Spray Splashes. He ends, I flip tails again, Spray Splash, and flip tails a third time. I win in Sudden Death.
3/0
Round 4: vs. Sébastien (Zekrom/Yanmega)
This looks to be a rough match. I'm able to setup two Kingdra Primes, and return KO his Zekroms. At the end, I have 2 prizes left to his one and it is his turn. He's unable to snipe or KO with Yanmega (with 9 damage counters). I double spray splash and snipe his bench for game.
4/0
Round 5: vs. Juan (Mewpluff/Vileplume/Yanmega et al)
He starts by seeing off Pluff. I start setting up, and due to a bad energy draw he sees off Muk next turn. I keep a fairly small bench, and start Spray Splashing and Sonicbooming. He Leaf Guards a few times. I set up a triple KO (5 damage on mew, 2 on Cleffa, and 3rd KO by sniping), but he Rainbows his Cleffa first to avoid giving me the satisfaction
Good game, Juan.
5/0
Round 6: vs. Julian (YanMagnezone)
He gets an early two-prize lead as I start spreading around (60 on Yanmega, 50 on Magnezone). I roll two heads on Jirachi, and get two KOs. We trade KOs for a bit, and I get a lucky reversal flip on a Magnezone, which ends up swinging the game into my favour. This game came down to 1 prize.
6/0
Round 7: vs. Alaric (Weavile/Ambipom)
Alaric starts off with some early Claw Snags and Ambipom disruption. I snipe his Slowking early on. Luckily for me, I run an absurd number of supporters, and every time he disrupted me, I had two outs. He makes it really hard to attack with Yanmega, but Kingdra wins me the matchup (when I get two out, everything gets 1-shot). This was by far the most fun game I had all weekend and I was shocked that he made such a strange deck work so well.
7/0
Day 2
T16: vs. Sebastian Swierad (Kingdra/Cinccino)
G1: Our first game ends up being extremely close. I Spray Splash to get my KOs, and picking off his bench limits his Do the Wave potential (along with Judging him). This one gets down to one prize, but I pull it off.
G2: He goes first, Eeks. I start Yanma, and Collector for Yanma, and 2 Horseas. My next turn, I accidentally evolve one of those Horseas into a Yanmega (my first real misplay this weekend and WHAT a misplay). Play ensues for 3 (of my) turns, and I get a 3-prize lead. It's only when I go to evolve my second Horsea that I realize what I did, told my opponent, we called a judged, and I received a game loss. Hilarious, kind of.
G3: I go first, and set up fairly well. T2 I snipe a Horsea, which in turn gives me the advantage I need to win this game. Going first is such a huge part of this game now, and winning Game 1 really gives you an advantage.
8/0
T8: vs. Juan Carlos Lorenzo (Mewpluff/Vileplume/Yanmega)
G1: Again, I have a close Game 1. We both get decent starts, but I pull off the win (I think he had 1 or 2 prizes left).
G2: Juan goes first, gets the T2 or T3 Plume and sets up the Mewpluff early. He cuts through my deck with ease, and I see no way of catching up with his current footing, so I scoop.
G3: I go first, and open to some pretty good draws. I get out 3 Kingdras by T3-T4, which gives me game (via extra KOs).
9/0
T4: vs. Simon Leung (Magneboar)
G1: I go second with a Cleffa start, but his Tyrogue is prized. I get set up before he does, and snipe the Tepigs before they become Emboars. I have a 2 or 3-prize lead, and he revives two Tepigs, but it's too late at this point.
G2: He goes first again, and by T3 has the perfect setup with a ton of energy on the board. There's no way of stopping him, so I scoop.
G3: I go first, and set up slower than he does. He plays a smart strategy and gets an Emboar and a Pignite up, so I need to go for my Plan B, which is to crush his drawpower. I set up a double-Magnezone KO, and Jirachi them (with 2 energy on each). He sets up a Magnemite to the bench, I snipe it. He's down to 2 prizes (with RDL on the table & 3 energy) and I have 2 left (with two Pokemon out that can be KO'd by Jirachi - Magnezone and Emboar). I whiff on the second energy (on a Juniper drop), Reversal up his Reshiram with no energy, and KO his Magnezone with Jirachi. With no drawpower and all of his Junk Arms/Switches used up, he can't do anything, so I KO his Emboar the following turn with Jirachi.
10/0
T2: vs. Edward Kwang (Zekrom/Reshiram)
G1: I setup at a decent pace, but Defender/SSU makes his Zekrom unKO'able. I scoop.
G2: I get some lucky tails on Tyrogue. I rescue the Tyrogue, because I realize at this point it's my only hope, but that plan fails me too
10/1
Props:
-Terry, for ugly cup, and for supporting our players out of your own pocket, for years now
-Matt Koo for making 90% of my deck, and for the RS testing
-Troy and Dakota for being a great testing team and having 100% of my trust - it helps that they're both incredible players
-Juan for being a cool guy, in general, and for T8'ing at his first tournament of the year
-Curtis for the strategy discussion
-The McKenzie-Boones (Jen, Alaric, Robin, Ellathea) for being great friends and helping with all of the testing. It's also nice that I can rhyme off some crazy ideas without getting any weird looks (sometimes suggesting even crazier ideas - Robin
-Geneses, Caleb, Sean (so many other people to name, sorry if I forgot you here)
-KEVIN BRANDON, you WILL be Nationals Champ (the BEST attitude I've ever seen in this game)
-The Westerners, specifically but not limited to Julian, Dexter, and Alexander - always good to see you guys, and even though this wasn't your tournament, you all performed consistently despite the impact of coin flips on this format
-Derek, for testing with me even though you hate it (kind of reminds me of Paige a little bit)
-Troy's daughters (Emma and Paige), for having a huge stockpile of medals and trophies hidden away from their friends (Troy, you told me this a year ago and I'm still laughing about it)
-Andrew and Ethan for rocking HorseMega to the end
-The Lesages (Zach, I know we've had our differences, but I think you've matured a hell of a lot, and it was good seeing you make top cut)
-Winston for playing my T-tar list and going 5-2
-As always, I was happy with the judging staff - all great people, doing a good job
-AJ and Carter, for having a good showing (both improved like crazy over the last year)
-Paul, for being Paul - Where's my Pathfinder?
-Beatrix, Kon, and Corinna - was nice seeing you guys there
Slops:
-Poking judges with clipboards
-This is not UFC, it's a Pokemon tournament - keep the violence at home, please, and don't defend it if it does happen
-Eek should be errata'd to have 10 additional 'E's in the attack name
If I missed you, call me out on it. I will be going to Worlds and won't be giving out the decklist (for starters, it's not even mine to give out), so I appreciate the messages, but please stop asking
I've made quite a few friends in this game, and have grown a lot more fond of it - my favourite thing about Pokemon that I hadn't seen before in organized play (mainly because I never played M:TG) were the World Championship decks. That is ultimately my goal in the game, to have my deck printed as a World Championship deck, because I am first and foremost a deckbuilder, not a player.
Anyways, I get there, and there's a warm-up tournament running the night before. It's hilarious, because everyone is running Magneboar (including myself and a ton of people that weren't seriously considering it). It might be because it's the deck I tested against the most, or because it's so hyped, but Magneboar's easily my least favourite deck in the format. It is undeniably good, but there is just something so boring and monotonous about the deck and how it plays. I decide to play HorseMega and take my 2 byes from Regionals.
Round 1: vs. too many things to carry
After hearing that we don't get a lunch break, Troy and his daughter give me their order and ask me to grab some Harvey's for them. I walk over to Harvey's, order 3 meals, and get a drink tray and a gigantic bag of food. On the way back, I almost spill the drinks several times, and the kid holding the door open to the hotel is ultimately what gave me the game.
1/0
Round 2: vs. Pokemoms
I have some pleasant conversations with some Pokemoms as we wait for people to finish. They seem to like me.
2/0
Round 3: vs. Alexander (Magneboar)
He gets some wicked early draws and a 3-prize lead as I spread some damage around. I pull up Jirachi and get 3 prizes in one turn. We both struggle to recover and at 2 prizes left each, time is called. I flip tails on Tyrogue, doing 30 + Spray Splashes. He ends, I flip tails again, Spray Splash, and flip tails a third time. I win in Sudden Death.
3/0
Round 4: vs. Sébastien (Zekrom/Yanmega)
This looks to be a rough match. I'm able to setup two Kingdra Primes, and return KO his Zekroms. At the end, I have 2 prizes left to his one and it is his turn. He's unable to snipe or KO with Yanmega (with 9 damage counters). I double spray splash and snipe his bench for game.
4/0
Round 5: vs. Juan (Mewpluff/Vileplume/Yanmega et al)
He starts by seeing off Pluff. I start setting up, and due to a bad energy draw he sees off Muk next turn. I keep a fairly small bench, and start Spray Splashing and Sonicbooming. He Leaf Guards a few times. I set up a triple KO (5 damage on mew, 2 on Cleffa, and 3rd KO by sniping), but he Rainbows his Cleffa first to avoid giving me the satisfaction
Good game, Juan.5/0
Round 6: vs. Julian (YanMagnezone)
He gets an early two-prize lead as I start spreading around (60 on Yanmega, 50 on Magnezone). I roll two heads on Jirachi, and get two KOs. We trade KOs for a bit, and I get a lucky reversal flip on a Magnezone, which ends up swinging the game into my favour. This game came down to 1 prize.
6/0
Round 7: vs. Alaric (Weavile/Ambipom)
Alaric starts off with some early Claw Snags and Ambipom disruption. I snipe his Slowking early on. Luckily for me, I run an absurd number of supporters, and every time he disrupted me, I had two outs. He makes it really hard to attack with Yanmega, but Kingdra wins me the matchup (when I get two out, everything gets 1-shot). This was by far the most fun game I had all weekend and I was shocked that he made such a strange deck work so well.
7/0
Day 2
T16: vs. Sebastian Swierad (Kingdra/Cinccino)
G1: Our first game ends up being extremely close. I Spray Splash to get my KOs, and picking off his bench limits his Do the Wave potential (along with Judging him). This one gets down to one prize, but I pull it off.
G2: He goes first, Eeks. I start Yanma, and Collector for Yanma, and 2 Horseas. My next turn, I accidentally evolve one of those Horseas into a Yanmega (my first real misplay this weekend and WHAT a misplay). Play ensues for 3 (of my) turns, and I get a 3-prize lead. It's only when I go to evolve my second Horsea that I realize what I did, told my opponent, we called a judged, and I received a game loss. Hilarious, kind of.
G3: I go first, and set up fairly well. T2 I snipe a Horsea, which in turn gives me the advantage I need to win this game. Going first is such a huge part of this game now, and winning Game 1 really gives you an advantage.
8/0
T8: vs. Juan Carlos Lorenzo (Mewpluff/Vileplume/Yanmega)
G1: Again, I have a close Game 1. We both get decent starts, but I pull off the win (I think he had 1 or 2 prizes left).
G2: Juan goes first, gets the T2 or T3 Plume and sets up the Mewpluff early. He cuts through my deck with ease, and I see no way of catching up with his current footing, so I scoop.
G3: I go first, and open to some pretty good draws. I get out 3 Kingdras by T3-T4, which gives me game (via extra KOs).
9/0
T4: vs. Simon Leung (Magneboar)
G1: I go second with a Cleffa start, but his Tyrogue is prized. I get set up before he does, and snipe the Tepigs before they become Emboars. I have a 2 or 3-prize lead, and he revives two Tepigs, but it's too late at this point.
G2: He goes first again, and by T3 has the perfect setup with a ton of energy on the board. There's no way of stopping him, so I scoop.
G3: I go first, and set up slower than he does. He plays a smart strategy and gets an Emboar and a Pignite up, so I need to go for my Plan B, which is to crush his drawpower. I set up a double-Magnezone KO, and Jirachi them (with 2 energy on each). He sets up a Magnemite to the bench, I snipe it. He's down to 2 prizes (with RDL on the table & 3 energy) and I have 2 left (with two Pokemon out that can be KO'd by Jirachi - Magnezone and Emboar). I whiff on the second energy (on a Juniper drop), Reversal up his Reshiram with no energy, and KO his Magnezone with Jirachi. With no drawpower and all of his Junk Arms/Switches used up, he can't do anything, so I KO his Emboar the following turn with Jirachi.
10/0
T2: vs. Edward Kwang (Zekrom/Reshiram)
G1: I setup at a decent pace, but Defender/SSU makes his Zekrom unKO'able. I scoop.
G2: I get some lucky tails on Tyrogue. I rescue the Tyrogue, because I realize at this point it's my only hope, but that plan fails me too
10/1
Props:
-Terry, for ugly cup, and for supporting our players out of your own pocket, for years now
-Matt Koo for making 90% of my deck, and for the RS testing
-Troy and Dakota for being a great testing team and having 100% of my trust - it helps that they're both incredible players
-Juan for being a cool guy, in general, and for T8'ing at his first tournament of the year
-Curtis for the strategy discussion
-The McKenzie-Boones (Jen, Alaric, Robin, Ellathea) for being great friends and helping with all of the testing. It's also nice that I can rhyme off some crazy ideas without getting any weird looks (sometimes suggesting even crazier ideas - Robin
-Geneses, Caleb, Sean (so many other people to name, sorry if I forgot you here)
-KEVIN BRANDON, you WILL be Nationals Champ (the BEST attitude I've ever seen in this game)
-The Westerners, specifically but not limited to Julian, Dexter, and Alexander - always good to see you guys, and even though this wasn't your tournament, you all performed consistently despite the impact of coin flips on this format
-Derek, for testing with me even though you hate it (kind of reminds me of Paige a little bit)
-Troy's daughters (Emma and Paige), for having a huge stockpile of medals and trophies hidden away from their friends (Troy, you told me this a year ago and I'm still laughing about it)
-Andrew and Ethan for rocking HorseMega to the end
-The Lesages (Zach, I know we've had our differences, but I think you've matured a hell of a lot, and it was good seeing you make top cut)
-Winston for playing my T-tar list and going 5-2
-As always, I was happy with the judging staff - all great people, doing a good job
-AJ and Carter, for having a good showing (both improved like crazy over the last year)
-Paul, for being Paul - Where's my Pathfinder?
-Beatrix, Kon, and Corinna - was nice seeing you guys there
Slops:
-Poking judges with clipboards
-This is not UFC, it's a Pokemon tournament - keep the violence at home, please, and don't defend it if it does happen
-Eek should be errata'd to have 10 additional 'E's in the attack name
If I missed you, call me out on it. I will be going to Worlds and won't be giving out the decklist (for starters, it's not even mine to give out), so I appreciate the messages, but please stop asking
