First off, I know this is 2 weeks late. You see the thing is, I was at debate camp (which was amazing), starting the DAY OF nationals (Sunday). Let me just say something: if you ever have a chance to go to debate camp...do it! I'll leave it at that (for now).
Alright so I had no idea what to play, naturally. A few of my friends were testing this thing involving Lucarion and the Eeveelutions. I was intrigued by it because I like how it functioned and thought that we could make it work (plus, I had most of the cards for the deck, so what the hey).
Thursday came around and I was pretty confident that I was going to play Metanite. I T16'd at regionals (5-1) with it and knew how to play it quite well. I had talked with a few peeps about a list prior to leaving for Columbus. All of their lists were legit, however, I wasn't convinced. This turned out to be a good thing.
With regards to Ambush: I found out about it a week before nationals. Lafonte makes me sick-they can't keep a secret. Anywho, I tested and tested and tested and tested this thing so I knew what to do agaisnt it, if and when I were to face it. However, I was testing it against Metanite (my deck of choice at the time) and Rgon (my bro's deck). I had the "good" list, too. I also heard about the rumors floating around regarding +Rare Candy, -Wally's. I knew it all.
Friday: my 2 bros, my dad and I drove down to Columbus at 9 am. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive (iirc). I slept through the entire thing.
When we got there, we checked into our room (the one connected to the Convention Center-The Hyatt). Next, we stood in line to buy our badges/get our event tickets. I then proceeded to meet up with Michigan folk. I tested a few games with Rgon, losing most of them. I then had a mission: to find as many Castaway/other useful junk as possible from nubs. Spencer (lakak) and I did just that. He needed some stuff for his deck (Empoleon/Lucario) and I needed the Castaways, potentially, for my deck, which was still undecided at the time.
Later that day, one of my lil bros, Jeff, Spencer, James, his friend, and I went up to Jeff/Spencer's room to do some last minute playtesting. We were messing around with Ape, Ambush, Rgon, and Gengar (well, James was). Jeff then decided to take a walk with James (it was a manly walk sickos). When they came back, I think Jeff had decided upon Lucariolutions. This was the deck that we had created a few weeks before nats (James also won a BR with it). We were calling it James.dec at the time, but I prefer Lucariolutions better (sorry James). I think James had decided to use Gengar. James' friend (KG1337, iirc) went with Ape, Spence went with Empoleon/Lucario, my lil bro went with SpeedBan, and my other bro went with Rgon. It was 11:30 at night and I still hadn't decided upon which deck to use!
I went back to my room at around midnight. I proceeded to stay up until 3 AM, due to not having a deck prepared for the biggest tourney of the year. I wrote out my bros' deck lists and was realllllllllllly tired. I needed to choose a deck...fast! Then it occured to me...why don't I just use the secret deck that we have been working on for 2 weeks? Plus, if lost terribly, I could blame Jeff (hehe). So Lucariolutions it was!
I am not going to give out the list right now because my peeps may be using it for the grinder/worlds.
Saturday: I woke up, having only 4 hours of sleep, and was ready to play some Pokemans! I was determined to do good because that is how I roll. I made the Top 16 in 2005 and was itching to get back into the Nationals top cut. Anyway, I got in line for registration and noticed that I was standing behind Hot Carl from the 'gym. He had a Lafonte shirt on and I was all like grrr. I got a chance to see his deck list. He carelessly showed it to me (while he was talking to Jimmy about a few changes...the Rare Candy/Wally's thing....I KNEW IT!). It was then that I felt a feeling of satisfaction...I actually knew what the secret deck was BEFORE the tournament! I didn't doubt my sources, but, I just felt a sense of relief knowing that I 'was prepared for the Ambush'! Obviously Hot Carl didn't know who I was...otherwise he wouldn't have talked to Jimmy, allowing me to here everything! Being unknown FTW!!!
Also, the matchup I was most worried about was Rgon. I had tested a few games vs. various people prior to nats and I was not sold on the matchup. I knew it was going to be a difficult one, at that...
Mind you, I didn't write any of this down...and it has been 2 weeks. Bare with me!
Round 1-vs. Mr. Quick (Minnesota)=Exploud ex/Ray ex d/Delcatty energy draw
This deck scared me. Granted, my main attacker is fighting, but nevertheless, it was difficult. We kept trading blows until I took a 2 prize lead. I think he then owned me with Ray ex d. I played a cess crystal which slowed him down a bit. I ended up winning it with a few minutes left in the round by 2 prizes. GG.
(1-0)
Round 2-vs. ??? (Minnesota)=Mario
Alright. My first Mario. Woot. My deck owns Mario, so long as I get a so-so set up. I did just that.
(2-0)
Round 3-vs. Steven Silvestro (Florida)=Flariados
I knew that this guy was very good. I also knew that he was very good with Flariados. In my head, prior to the game, I had pictured myself getting a Riolu + Fighting Energy + Heads + First Turn start vs his lone Eevee. We roll and I go first. I was uber excited. He seemed a bit discouraged. We flip over our cards: my Riolu vs. his lone Eevee. I attached a fighting and flipped heads ftw. Great success! Sorry about that Steve!
(3-0)
Round 4-vs. Peter Ortiz (New York) (Blastoise-Shellshocker)=Rgon
He was a really cool guy. This was also the matchup that I was most worried about before the tournament. We both got our desired starts: Casty vs. Riolu. He got his stuff with mentor while I did the same. He had a few energy droughts while I was evolving Eevees. I timed an Espeon perfectly, forcing him to pick up his candied Flygon. I also had a well-timed Vaporeon/SSU/Vaporeon. I think I ended it with an Umby + Lucario + Strength Charm/PP. GG man. [Note: 1-0 vs. Rgon]
(4-0)
Round 5-vs. Collin Moll (Missouri) (Srry idk your sn)=Rgon
Great. Another Rgon. Why are they doing this to me WHY? We both got our set ups, mine better than his. I did the normal Vappy/SSU/Vappy and attacked his basic-filled bench with Lucario (Lucairo is a beast, if you haven't figured it out yet). I outplayed him down the stretch but there really wasn't much for him to do. GG. [Note: 2-0 vs. Rgon]
(5-0)
Round 6-Vs. Adam Capriola (Pennsylvania)=Banette ex/Eveelutions
I knew that this guy was good (from friends). We were both talking about how tired we were/how we didn't want to be there before the round started. We flip over and I saw a Shuppet. I knew the Banny matchup but did not test against the Eveelutions (o snaps). Fortunately, I played a Vappy first, dwindling his hand. He couldn't get much going so I just plowed through his Banny/benched Shuppet with 2 Lucario attacks. GG, though.
(6-0)
So I am 6-0 at the largest Pokemon tournament in US (WORLD???) history. If people STILL think I am not a good player, qft because I am the real deal. I am quite good at this game. If you want a list of accomplishments, ask me. You shouldn't need them though because you should now think that I am good k thnx.
Round 7-vs. Brian D. Jessing (Rhode Island) (BJ1234124's son)=Gino's SD (Lucario/Mew ex LM/Roselia LM/GLIGAR UF-wth?)
I am at table 1 at the largest Pokemon tournament in history! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! I am sooooo good at this game. Anywho, all I remember about him is that he shuffled realllly quickly (I'm jealous) and that he is BJ's son. He's a nice guy. When we started the game, I was puzzled. Gligar UF??!!!?!@?RfasSsdgdSG;ldflds? Who plays that? Upon studying the card, I found it to be quite good. I can't believe I overlooked the card! One learns something new everyday, I suppose. He ended up retreating it for a Mew ex and went to town. BTW, my start was TWO FREAKIN EVEES. How pathetic is that? I didn't have a Tranny or a Mentor, either. Pfffffffft. 1 loss couldn't kill me...GG.
(6-1)
I was now a little nervous. I kept thinking that I had to win both of them. In theory, that wasn't true. My resistance was amazingly high; all I had to do was win 1 of the final 2 rounds.
On a side note: I talked to Pooka/AJ/Celio's (Ok, I didn't talk to the Celio's) about their SD...which was ironically reallllllllly close to ours. Ah well, great minds think alike, right?
Round 8-vs. Drew Guritzky (New Jersey) (TheDarkTwins)=Rgon
Ugggggggggggggh. Another ______ Rgon. Apparently 2 wasn't enough. I knew he was a quality player, too. I had a good feeling that he was using Rgon because I knew that he had done well with it at BR's (Pokegym FTW!!!). I also had a hunch that his list was similar to Peter Ortiz's list, since they are both from the Mid-Atlantic region (theory FTW!!!). We flip over our starters and I was all like ZOMG I was right again! On the other hand, I remembered shortly thereafter that I didn't like the matchup. I then turned my disad by linking it to the fact that I was 2-0 vs. it so far (debate FTW!!!). Alright, onto the actually game. He had an alright start imo. My was the usuall: 1 Riolu + 1 Eevee. I had my first 6 turns planned in my mind (weird, huh? I'm Ness-esque!). So ya I had control of the matchup. He made a few key mistakes: 1 by discarding his Stump (which would have helped him tremendously) and 2 by not going aggro Flygon ex d. I couldn't comprehend the fact that he didn't do the latter of the 2 but he then reassured me that it was because he didn't have enough energy. He was a really cool guy. GG. [Note: 3-0 vs. Rgon-ZOMG! I pulled it off! I am just that good at this game.]
(7-1)
Round 9-vs. Jay Hornung (Iowa)=Scizor ex/Metagross DX/Latios *
We were talking about how this round didn't mean much. Personally, it meant a lot to me. I wanted to make sure I was a top seed going into day 2. Fortunately, I did just that. He flips over a Beldum while I start with a Riolu. He finds out that both of his Mentors were prized (os nos!) and was in distraught. I took a strangle hold of the macth by not allowing him to draw any prizes by nailing all of my SSU's. I also attacked his benched Scythers/Beldums with Lucario. He couldn't get anything set up, really. GG and I'll see you tomorrow.
(8-1)
So obviously I made it into the Top 32. I was the 4th seed. I was slated to vs. Heid Craig from Florida with Banette ex/Lunasol/Houndoom. I talked to some friends, did the normal junk etc. I found out that Madhatter (who was playing James.dec/Lucariolutions, as well) didn't make the top cut. Jeff (James.dec) and Spencer (Empoleon/Lucario) did make the Top 32 (Seniors), though. Foisy didn't top cut. AJ didn't top cut. Ness didn't top cut. Moss didn't top cut. The list goes on...Anywho, I then ate some Subway and went to bed in a mild, peaceful manner.
Day 2:
Top 32: vs. Heidi Craig (Florida)=Banette ex/Lunasol/Houndoom
Game 1: This game took a while. She got her Shuppet/energy start while I had a lone Riolu. I drew into an Eevee which was nice. I use Castaway to get a Mentor/junk and to see if my Umby was in my deck, which it was. I thought I had the game in the bag, however, she made and insane comeback while flipping heads on a Reversal and an ER2. That got me a little ticked off. I sealed it with flipping SSU heads on Umby. GG.
(1-0)
Game 2: She started with a lone Houndour. I felt bad for her, at the beginning. She turned it around, though. She nailed some key Reversal/ER2 flips which kept her in it. I Vappy/SSU/Vappy/Umby'd her which kind of sucked for her lol. There was one point in the game where she could've flipped a Reversal heads ftw (which she didn't). GG's, Heidi.
(2-0, on to the Top 16)
I talked with Jeff and Spencer after my match, only to find out that they both had lost
. Not only was I the only Master left who was playing James.dec/Lucariolutions, I was the ONLY person remaining in the ENTIRE tournament who was playing it. Represent!
Top 16: Vs. Jay Hornung (again) (Iowa)=See round 9.
Game 1: I was pretty confident going into this round because I had beaten him in swiss. What I didn't realize, unfortunately, was his deck's potential. He ended up getting his Castform/Metagross DX (X2)/Scizor ex set up. At one point in the game, I flipped a key SSU TAILS which could have gotten me back into the game (he proceeded to pump his fist). I was dumbfounded by how his deck worked. It was veddy nice, once it got its set up. Needless to say, I lost. It was close, though.
(0-1)
Game 2: Please see game 1 (except for the fact that it wasn't close). GG's, Jay! He ended up getting 2nd.
(0-2, ELIMINATED)
Eh. I lost. 10th place out of 417 isn't too shabby. I must be bad at this game.
Now on to the best part of the entire report...
PROPS:
-My dad for taking 2 of my brothers and I to Columbus/paying for admission/food/parking
-Jeff (moza)
-Spencer (Lakak)
-James (DragonairMaster8)
-James.dec/Lucariolutions
-Madhatter
-Alright ^ guys. WE NEED TO MAKE A FREAKIN TEAM! We can make rogue decks that will own everyone next year, too, only ALL YEAR LONG. Whoever is good at making message boards out of you guys please let me know so we can get 'ir done.
-Foisy (It's an apocalypse! He gave me pizza and actually used a good deck...Rgon)
-BT (for not doing badly)
-Kirstin for the last minute trade (Vappy ex and Umby ex)...I couldn't have done well without those cards!
-Team Blam
-DEBATE CAMP (alright y'all. I said I wasn't done. Debate camp was one of the best things that I have ever been apart of. At first, I thought Origins/US Nats was going to blow this thing out of the water. I was horribly, and fortunately, wrong. I had a lot more fun at debate camp than I did at US Nationals, and I made the Top 16. What does that say about this game? Sure, I did some things at debate camp that can not be done at US Nationals (for obvious reasons kiddies) but still. POP needs to make US Nationals better. Maybe adding some music in-between rounds? It doesn't have to be Pokemon music. Just any old, non-rap music. It will add some more zest and spunk to the game. I'll end my rant with this: debate camp should NOT have been that much better than US Nationals.)
-Rogue decks. You are awesome. 3> 3>
-Fulop for winning (I honestly think that I would have had a strong chance at beating him in the finals.)
-Chuck for T8'ing/getting his trip
-J. Silvestro for T4'ing with Flariados (it is still a beast)
-Vince Krekeler's Piglet Draft (My 2 brothers had fun plus I like the custom dice)
-Me for being one of the youngest people to Top 16 in Master's (age 16)
-No pods
-Anyone who I may be forgetting
SLOPS:
-US Nationals for sucking so much (please see "debate camp" in the above 'props' list)
-The 2006-2007 Pokemon Organized Play Season (There weren't enough trips this year. POP guys: do you honestly and truly believe that more people will join this game, that have more than half a brain, if you keep decreasing the amount of trips? I certainly do not think so. You are trying to make this an elitist game and I am not sold on your motive. Alright. Give yourselves a much-needed vacation in Hawaii this year. But for next year...could you please think about giving back to the people who have been playing since 1999? Give out more trips! If you have to cut BRs completely, albeit. Please do something to change the perspective in which you are giving off to many of your loyal customers/fans. We just want a chance to go to worlds. I made the Top 16 (10th place) at THE LARGEST TOURNAMENT IN POKEMON HISTORY and I will not be seeing you in Hawaii. Tenth -out-of-417. Apparently I do not deserve a worlds trip. That's not even the point of the matter...the point is I don't have a worlds trip/invite and nor do MANNNNNNNY top-notch players from around the world. Please make the system more fair and balanced. Don't just send 64 people from each age group and advertise the **** out of it on your website. I'm just asking for a little more love toward your loyal customers/fans. Please, POP, do what is best for the game.)
-The ratings/rankings system (I'm not even going to rant about this. This system is flawed in so many ways it isn't funny. If you MUST keep this system, please work with Mr. Rob Downs from Chicago along with the other highly-skilled players that have a feel for what the system should be. Thank you)
-Team Lafonte (you guys think I suck. Why should I give a about your stuck-up, I-enjoy-playing-Pokemans-so-much-that-I-feel-the-need-to-make-it-my-life team? Have fun playing Pokemon cards for the rest of your life. Note: this goes for most of Team Lafonte, not all)
-William Hung for not showing up
-Chuck Norris
-James for choosing the wrong deck for nats
-Scizor ex (for eliminating me from both Regionals Top 16 and Nationals Top 16 this year. I hate the living heck out of this card. Thank god you are being rotated out.)
-Foisy
-Keaton for not playing in nats and still receiving a ratings/rankings invite...pfffffft...this goes for the rest of you that did this as well
Have a good time in Hawaii, for those fortunate enough to do so. In fact, have the time of your life because you may not be going back to worlds again. GGNORE POP, GGNORE.
Edit: I'll be thinking of you guys while I'm in Taiwan. Not.
-
Alright so I had no idea what to play, naturally. A few of my friends were testing this thing involving Lucarion and the Eeveelutions. I was intrigued by it because I like how it functioned and thought that we could make it work (plus, I had most of the cards for the deck, so what the hey).
Thursday came around and I was pretty confident that I was going to play Metanite. I T16'd at regionals (5-1) with it and knew how to play it quite well. I had talked with a few peeps about a list prior to leaving for Columbus. All of their lists were legit, however, I wasn't convinced. This turned out to be a good thing.
With regards to Ambush: I found out about it a week before nationals. Lafonte makes me sick-they can't keep a secret. Anywho, I tested and tested and tested and tested this thing so I knew what to do agaisnt it, if and when I were to face it. However, I was testing it against Metanite (my deck of choice at the time) and Rgon (my bro's deck). I had the "good" list, too. I also heard about the rumors floating around regarding +Rare Candy, -Wally's. I knew it all.
Friday: my 2 bros, my dad and I drove down to Columbus at 9 am. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive (iirc). I slept through the entire thing.
When we got there, we checked into our room (the one connected to the Convention Center-The Hyatt). Next, we stood in line to buy our badges/get our event tickets. I then proceeded to meet up with Michigan folk. I tested a few games with Rgon, losing most of them. I then had a mission: to find as many Castaway/other useful junk as possible from nubs. Spencer (lakak) and I did just that. He needed some stuff for his deck (Empoleon/Lucario) and I needed the Castaways, potentially, for my deck, which was still undecided at the time.
Later that day, one of my lil bros, Jeff, Spencer, James, his friend, and I went up to Jeff/Spencer's room to do some last minute playtesting. We were messing around with Ape, Ambush, Rgon, and Gengar (well, James was). Jeff then decided to take a walk with James (it was a manly walk sickos). When they came back, I think Jeff had decided upon Lucariolutions. This was the deck that we had created a few weeks before nats (James also won a BR with it). We were calling it James.dec at the time, but I prefer Lucariolutions better (sorry James). I think James had decided to use Gengar. James' friend (KG1337, iirc) went with Ape, Spence went with Empoleon/Lucario, my lil bro went with SpeedBan, and my other bro went with Rgon. It was 11:30 at night and I still hadn't decided upon which deck to use!
I went back to my room at around midnight. I proceeded to stay up until 3 AM, due to not having a deck prepared for the biggest tourney of the year. I wrote out my bros' deck lists and was realllllllllllly tired. I needed to choose a deck...fast! Then it occured to me...why don't I just use the secret deck that we have been working on for 2 weeks? Plus, if lost terribly, I could blame Jeff (hehe). So Lucariolutions it was!
I am not going to give out the list right now because my peeps may be using it for the grinder/worlds.
Saturday: I woke up, having only 4 hours of sleep, and was ready to play some Pokemans! I was determined to do good because that is how I roll. I made the Top 16 in 2005 and was itching to get back into the Nationals top cut. Anyway, I got in line for registration and noticed that I was standing behind Hot Carl from the 'gym. He had a Lafonte shirt on and I was all like grrr. I got a chance to see his deck list. He carelessly showed it to me (while he was talking to Jimmy about a few changes...the Rare Candy/Wally's thing....I KNEW IT!). It was then that I felt a feeling of satisfaction...I actually knew what the secret deck was BEFORE the tournament! I didn't doubt my sources, but, I just felt a sense of relief knowing that I 'was prepared for the Ambush'! Obviously Hot Carl didn't know who I was...otherwise he wouldn't have talked to Jimmy, allowing me to here everything! Being unknown FTW!!!
Also, the matchup I was most worried about was Rgon. I had tested a few games vs. various people prior to nats and I was not sold on the matchup. I knew it was going to be a difficult one, at that...
Mind you, I didn't write any of this down...and it has been 2 weeks. Bare with me!
Round 1-vs. Mr. Quick (Minnesota)=Exploud ex/Ray ex d/Delcatty energy draw
This deck scared me. Granted, my main attacker is fighting, but nevertheless, it was difficult. We kept trading blows until I took a 2 prize lead. I think he then owned me with Ray ex d. I played a cess crystal which slowed him down a bit. I ended up winning it with a few minutes left in the round by 2 prizes. GG.
(1-0)
Round 2-vs. ??? (Minnesota)=Mario
Alright. My first Mario. Woot. My deck owns Mario, so long as I get a so-so set up. I did just that.
(2-0)
Round 3-vs. Steven Silvestro (Florida)=Flariados
I knew that this guy was very good. I also knew that he was very good with Flariados. In my head, prior to the game, I had pictured myself getting a Riolu + Fighting Energy + Heads + First Turn start vs his lone Eevee. We roll and I go first. I was uber excited. He seemed a bit discouraged. We flip over our cards: my Riolu vs. his lone Eevee. I attached a fighting and flipped heads ftw. Great success! Sorry about that Steve!
(3-0)
Round 4-vs. Peter Ortiz (New York) (Blastoise-Shellshocker)=Rgon
He was a really cool guy. This was also the matchup that I was most worried about before the tournament. We both got our desired starts: Casty vs. Riolu. He got his stuff with mentor while I did the same. He had a few energy droughts while I was evolving Eevees. I timed an Espeon perfectly, forcing him to pick up his candied Flygon. I also had a well-timed Vaporeon/SSU/Vaporeon. I think I ended it with an Umby + Lucario + Strength Charm/PP. GG man. [Note: 1-0 vs. Rgon]
(4-0)
Round 5-vs. Collin Moll (Missouri) (Srry idk your sn)=Rgon
Great. Another Rgon. Why are they doing this to me WHY? We both got our set ups, mine better than his. I did the normal Vappy/SSU/Vappy and attacked his basic-filled bench with Lucario (Lucairo is a beast, if you haven't figured it out yet). I outplayed him down the stretch but there really wasn't much for him to do. GG. [Note: 2-0 vs. Rgon]
(5-0)
Round 6-Vs. Adam Capriola (Pennsylvania)=Banette ex/Eveelutions
I knew that this guy was good (from friends). We were both talking about how tired we were/how we didn't want to be there before the round started. We flip over and I saw a Shuppet. I knew the Banny matchup but did not test against the Eveelutions (o snaps). Fortunately, I played a Vappy first, dwindling his hand. He couldn't get much going so I just plowed through his Banny/benched Shuppet with 2 Lucario attacks. GG, though.
(6-0)
So I am 6-0 at the largest Pokemon tournament in US (WORLD???) history. If people STILL think I am not a good player, qft because I am the real deal. I am quite good at this game. If you want a list of accomplishments, ask me. You shouldn't need them though because you should now think that I am good k thnx.
Round 7-vs. Brian D. Jessing (Rhode Island) (BJ1234124's son)=Gino's SD (Lucario/Mew ex LM/Roselia LM/GLIGAR UF-wth?)
I am at table 1 at the largest Pokemon tournament in history! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! I am sooooo good at this game. Anywho, all I remember about him is that he shuffled realllly quickly (I'm jealous) and that he is BJ's son. He's a nice guy. When we started the game, I was puzzled. Gligar UF??!!!?!@?RfasSsdgdSG;ldflds? Who plays that? Upon studying the card, I found it to be quite good. I can't believe I overlooked the card! One learns something new everyday, I suppose. He ended up retreating it for a Mew ex and went to town. BTW, my start was TWO FREAKIN EVEES. How pathetic is that? I didn't have a Tranny or a Mentor, either. Pfffffffft. 1 loss couldn't kill me...GG.
(6-1)
I was now a little nervous. I kept thinking that I had to win both of them. In theory, that wasn't true. My resistance was amazingly high; all I had to do was win 1 of the final 2 rounds.
On a side note: I talked to Pooka/AJ/Celio's (Ok, I didn't talk to the Celio's) about their SD...which was ironically reallllllllly close to ours. Ah well, great minds think alike, right?
Round 8-vs. Drew Guritzky (New Jersey) (TheDarkTwins)=Rgon
Ugggggggggggggh. Another ______ Rgon. Apparently 2 wasn't enough. I knew he was a quality player, too. I had a good feeling that he was using Rgon because I knew that he had done well with it at BR's (Pokegym FTW!!!). I also had a hunch that his list was similar to Peter Ortiz's list, since they are both from the Mid-Atlantic region (theory FTW!!!). We flip over our starters and I was all like ZOMG I was right again! On the other hand, I remembered shortly thereafter that I didn't like the matchup. I then turned my disad by linking it to the fact that I was 2-0 vs. it so far (debate FTW!!!). Alright, onto the actually game. He had an alright start imo. My was the usuall: 1 Riolu + 1 Eevee. I had my first 6 turns planned in my mind (weird, huh? I'm Ness-esque!). So ya I had control of the matchup. He made a few key mistakes: 1 by discarding his Stump (which would have helped him tremendously) and 2 by not going aggro Flygon ex d. I couldn't comprehend the fact that he didn't do the latter of the 2 but he then reassured me that it was because he didn't have enough energy. He was a really cool guy. GG. [Note: 3-0 vs. Rgon-ZOMG! I pulled it off! I am just that good at this game.]
(7-1)
Round 9-vs. Jay Hornung (Iowa)=Scizor ex/Metagross DX/Latios *
We were talking about how this round didn't mean much. Personally, it meant a lot to me. I wanted to make sure I was a top seed going into day 2. Fortunately, I did just that. He flips over a Beldum while I start with a Riolu. He finds out that both of his Mentors were prized (os nos!) and was in distraught. I took a strangle hold of the macth by not allowing him to draw any prizes by nailing all of my SSU's. I also attacked his benched Scythers/Beldums with Lucario. He couldn't get anything set up, really. GG and I'll see you tomorrow.
(8-1)
So obviously I made it into the Top 32. I was the 4th seed. I was slated to vs. Heid Craig from Florida with Banette ex/Lunasol/Houndoom. I talked to some friends, did the normal junk etc. I found out that Madhatter (who was playing James.dec/Lucariolutions, as well) didn't make the top cut. Jeff (James.dec) and Spencer (Empoleon/Lucario) did make the Top 32 (Seniors), though. Foisy didn't top cut. AJ didn't top cut. Ness didn't top cut. Moss didn't top cut. The list goes on...Anywho, I then ate some Subway and went to bed in a mild, peaceful manner.
Day 2:
Top 32: vs. Heidi Craig (Florida)=Banette ex/Lunasol/Houndoom
Game 1: This game took a while. She got her Shuppet/energy start while I had a lone Riolu. I drew into an Eevee which was nice. I use Castaway to get a Mentor/junk and to see if my Umby was in my deck, which it was. I thought I had the game in the bag, however, she made and insane comeback while flipping heads on a Reversal and an ER2. That got me a little ticked off. I sealed it with flipping SSU heads on Umby. GG.
(1-0)
Game 2: She started with a lone Houndour. I felt bad for her, at the beginning. She turned it around, though. She nailed some key Reversal/ER2 flips which kept her in it. I Vappy/SSU/Vappy/Umby'd her which kind of sucked for her lol. There was one point in the game where she could've flipped a Reversal heads ftw (which she didn't). GG's, Heidi.
(2-0, on to the Top 16)
I talked with Jeff and Spencer after my match, only to find out that they both had lost
. Not only was I the only Master left who was playing James.dec/Lucariolutions, I was the ONLY person remaining in the ENTIRE tournament who was playing it. Represent!Top 16: Vs. Jay Hornung (again) (Iowa)=See round 9.
Game 1: I was pretty confident going into this round because I had beaten him in swiss. What I didn't realize, unfortunately, was his deck's potential. He ended up getting his Castform/Metagross DX (X2)/Scizor ex set up. At one point in the game, I flipped a key SSU TAILS which could have gotten me back into the game (he proceeded to pump his fist). I was dumbfounded by how his deck worked. It was veddy nice, once it got its set up. Needless to say, I lost. It was close, though.
(0-1)
Game 2: Please see game 1 (except for the fact that it wasn't close). GG's, Jay! He ended up getting 2nd.
(0-2, ELIMINATED)
Eh. I lost. 10th place out of 417 isn't too shabby. I must be bad at this game.
Now on to the best part of the entire report...
PROPS:
-My dad for taking 2 of my brothers and I to Columbus/paying for admission/food/parking
-Jeff (moza)
-Spencer (Lakak)
-James (DragonairMaster8)
-James.dec/Lucariolutions
-Madhatter
-Alright ^ guys. WE NEED TO MAKE A FREAKIN TEAM! We can make rogue decks that will own everyone next year, too, only ALL YEAR LONG. Whoever is good at making message boards out of you guys please let me know so we can get 'ir done.
-Foisy (It's an apocalypse! He gave me pizza and actually used a good deck...Rgon)
-BT (for not doing badly)
-Kirstin for the last minute trade (Vappy ex and Umby ex)...I couldn't have done well without those cards!
-Team Blam
-DEBATE CAMP (alright y'all. I said I wasn't done. Debate camp was one of the best things that I have ever been apart of. At first, I thought Origins/US Nats was going to blow this thing out of the water. I was horribly, and fortunately, wrong. I had a lot more fun at debate camp than I did at US Nationals, and I made the Top 16. What does that say about this game? Sure, I did some things at debate camp that can not be done at US Nationals (for obvious reasons kiddies) but still. POP needs to make US Nationals better. Maybe adding some music in-between rounds? It doesn't have to be Pokemon music. Just any old, non-rap music. It will add some more zest and spunk to the game. I'll end my rant with this: debate camp should NOT have been that much better than US Nationals.)
-Rogue decks. You are awesome. 3> 3>
-Fulop for winning (I honestly think that I would have had a strong chance at beating him in the finals.)
-Chuck for T8'ing/getting his trip
-J. Silvestro for T4'ing with Flariados (it is still a beast)
-Vince Krekeler's Piglet Draft (My 2 brothers had fun plus I like the custom dice)
-Me for being one of the youngest people to Top 16 in Master's (age 16)
-No pods
-Anyone who I may be forgetting
SLOPS:
-US Nationals for sucking so much (please see "debate camp" in the above 'props' list)
-The 2006-2007 Pokemon Organized Play Season (There weren't enough trips this year. POP guys: do you honestly and truly believe that more people will join this game, that have more than half a brain, if you keep decreasing the amount of trips? I certainly do not think so. You are trying to make this an elitist game and I am not sold on your motive. Alright. Give yourselves a much-needed vacation in Hawaii this year. But for next year...could you please think about giving back to the people who have been playing since 1999? Give out more trips! If you have to cut BRs completely, albeit. Please do something to change the perspective in which you are giving off to many of your loyal customers/fans. We just want a chance to go to worlds. I made the Top 16 (10th place) at THE LARGEST TOURNAMENT IN POKEMON HISTORY and I will not be seeing you in Hawaii. Tenth -out-of-417. Apparently I do not deserve a worlds trip. That's not even the point of the matter...the point is I don't have a worlds trip/invite and nor do MANNNNNNNY top-notch players from around the world. Please make the system more fair and balanced. Don't just send 64 people from each age group and advertise the **** out of it on your website. I'm just asking for a little more love toward your loyal customers/fans. Please, POP, do what is best for the game.)
-The ratings/rankings system (I'm not even going to rant about this. This system is flawed in so many ways it isn't funny. If you MUST keep this system, please work with Mr. Rob Downs from Chicago along with the other highly-skilled players that have a feel for what the system should be. Thank you)
-Team Lafonte (you guys think I suck. Why should I give a about your stuck-up, I-enjoy-playing-Pokemans-so-much-that-I-feel-the-need-to-make-it-my-life team? Have fun playing Pokemon cards for the rest of your life. Note: this goes for most of Team Lafonte, not all)
-William Hung for not showing up
-Chuck Norris
-James for choosing the wrong deck for nats
-Scizor ex (for eliminating me from both Regionals Top 16 and Nationals Top 16 this year. I hate the living heck out of this card. Thank god you are being rotated out.)
-Foisy
-Keaton for not playing in nats and still receiving a ratings/rankings invite...pfffffft...this goes for the rest of you that did this as well
Have a good time in Hawaii, for those fortunate enough to do so. In fact, have the time of your life because you may not be going back to worlds again. GGNORE POP, GGNORE.
Edit: I'll be thinking of you guys while I'm in Taiwan. Not.
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