Lil_Magma
Member
[gal=50576]Michael Diaz - 2010 US Nationals Senior Champion[/gal]
Hey, it’s Michael Diaz and here is my Nats report. About 1 week before the event I had my deck choices narrowed down to 3 decks. Those were Donphan, Gengar and SP. I was most experienced with Gengar, but didn’t like how it could take such easy losses to a good luxchomp. Donphan seemed like the best choice for the week leading up to Nats because I believe it has the best game three of any deck, and with 2 perfect byes, I knewI had a good chance of making the cut. Luxchomp was always an option, but I couldn’t think of any deck it had a specific advantage over, it was more just a really good deck. And in the end, the best choice was the deck that could beat the board and take few auto losses to unpopular decks.
After getting there on Wednesday, I went up to Krekler’s room to do some testing with Andrew, Bergerac, and Natto. There, another deck was tossed into the mix: GG. I beat it with SP the first game I played against it with two lucky dragon rushes, but quickly lost the next 2 games. The deck really surprised me with its SP matchup, and considering the deck is so similar to Gengar in the way it sets up, I immediately liked it. I built it to match Bergerac’s X-1 list (the only loss being to my SP.) I was only able to play a few games with it, and because it was so close to nats I decided to only test against its worst matchup: Gengar. I went 1-2 with GG against Gengar Wednesday night, and didn’t really have a chance to play with it anymore. I’m really glad I got over that deck as fast as I did, or else I might be writing this report as a GG player who missed cut. Just before falling asleep that night I fixed my SP list so it was good enough to test with. Meaning I cut the Mewtwo counter.
Anyway, I went down to test on Thursday after being woken up at like 7:30 by some annoying kid who slept on my floor. I had to take apart my Gengar in order to build GG, so I didn’t have the option of testing that deck, which was really the deck I was leaning toward playing. Instead of rebuilding it I just decided to rush downstairs and have a few games with SP to see how the deck felt, knowing I always had the option of rebuilding the already well tested Gengar for Friday. Well, between games on Thursday night, and throughout the day, I was about 10-2. 5-0 against the mirror, 2-0 against Gengar, 2-0 against Jumpluff, 1-0 against Zack Mirman’s 5-0 Dusknoir, and 0-2 against Gengar with mewtwo. I was really pleased with these results. I figured that this was the best any SP without a mewtwo counter could get. So later that night after some screwing around and hanging out with friends, I decided I would just go with SP because it was good.
Late that night the NJ crew decided to go get some dinner, so we went to TGIF’s, it was Me, Frankie, Jimmy, Michael N, John S, Steve Ketchum, and Tracy K. Steve blew his 50$ TGIF gift card on some appetizers, so we all got some good food. We were all ready for some good playing the next day.
Right before the event I had a lot of fun hanging out with half of the top 8 juniors from Nats 06: Myself, Krekeler, James B, and David. It felt great being in that group and it brought back a ton of memories for me. I was more pumped than ever to have a good event so here’s the start of the report I had 2 round byes so I hung out with Bergerac and Jason C. for most of the time, and then with Kevin, Curran, and Kaitlyn when they finished their games. So after those rounds I was ready to do some playing.
Round 3 vs. Jumpluff
I look at my opening hand and I have a lone azelf start with a collector and an electric so I figure I’m fine if I don’t go first. We roll and I win the flip, he reveals a Luxray to my Azelf, I draw looking for an answer to the donk but there was none. I attach the electric to give myself something to retreat with the next turn if it got that far, asked him if he had me, and passed. He draws, looks at his hand disappointedly, plays his own Azelf and Time Walks, but he missed completely. He puts back his prizes, looks at his hand, and passes. I drop the collector, put down some energies and hit his Luxray for 30 with a Luxray of my own. He draws, and passes. At that point I knew I would have a significant advantage if the game went long. I level up to kill something more important than his luxray and drop a garchomp to my bench so I was prepared for a claydol drop. He passed again. I use a cyrus for a spray, and KO his luxray, leaving him with just a hoppip and some other benched guy. He draws, plays BTS, Baltoy, Claydol and tries a cosmic, which is met by the spray. I Dragon rush his Dol, and then Flash Impact for the remainder of my prizes.
3-0
Round 4 Dusknoir/Gengar/Sableye
So when I sat down I had no idea what he was playing. I set up with a pretty good start and I figured I would be alright if the game went long. He opened with a Sableye and used Impersonate. When he went to pick up his deck, he fumbled around with it a little bit, and accidently dropped it on his bench, neither of us thought anything of it and he continued with his search. After taking his 2 pokemon with Roseanne, he shuffled his deck, and put it back down. Then he realized that his hand was missing. Apparently he had dropped his deck onto his hand and shuffled them together. A judge came over and issued the game loss. I told him to draw a new 6 card hand and we played the game out. I won it pretty easily with Bright Looks on Claydol.
4-0
Round 5 Mitchell W Kingdra
I knew I had a good matchup but it was unfortunate that I was playing someone from my area. Long story short, He opened with 2 baltoys and a horsea and that was basically it. He got a Seadra out and passed with a baltoy active in hope I couldn’t kill it, but I had he cyrus and the Flash Impact to get rid of his only threat. From that point on it was killing belted Baltoys for the win.
5-0
Round 6 Ben K Luxchomp
Well, I knew this one would be tough. Although I’d gone 5-0 against SP the day before, I felt as though it was a really luck based matchup. I get one of the best starts I’d seen with Luxchomp, but unfortunately, he got a good start as well. I open with Garchomp and call for 2 SP’s holding a spray, I figured I was set if he walked into it. I don’t exactly remember his turn, but it didn’t involve getting an Uxie sprayed, he put a call onto his active and used it. I drew, looked at my hand and found that it wasn’t spectacular. I made the worst decision of my event by doing the following. I played out my hand full of trainers, put a second energy onto the garchomp, and use a Roseanne for an Uxie and a second Garchomp. What a huge mistake. I play the garchomp and go for the set up? Spray. I knew I wasn’t completely dead if his hand was terrible, but I accidently drop my powerspray on the table right before he starts his turn. He rosy’s for the 2 uxies and get’s a setup through for 7. I lose from there.
5-1
Round 7 vs Jumpluff
I had played against this person at Nats 07, and it was kind of cool to see him again. Anyway I get a decent start, and end my first turn with 3 Sp’s and a spray after calling. I don’t remember this match very well, but I know his start was less than stellar, and all he could do was throw cheap prizes into my Luxray’s bite. He eventually finds an Uxie, which get’s sprayed and he scoops soon after.
6-1
So, day one comes to a close and I’m almost positive that I’ll make cut based on my standings that were posted so I can sleep comfortably that night. Right after the round ends, David and I go play some soccer in the skywalk with some celebrity appearances from James B, Mike N. Aaron K. and John C. Had a good time, although John and I lost 2-1 in the set of 3. That night I decide that I want to get some games in so I go to the main room, and find a wild Bergerac playing some games with his 7-0 plox, so I played him a few games. Those games really boosted my confidence going into my match with Krekeler, because it was another matchup I knew I could win. So I go 2-1 against Bergerac and Natto and I head back to the rooom
Day 2
Round 8 vs Eric W Jumpluff
When I saw I was playing Eric I knew I was about to have one of the best matches of my event because well, Eric is a great player. I, however, could not provide the great game we were both looking for. I got a pretty janky start, and he got a T1/T2 Jump with and AMU soon to follow. When I began to pick up momentum, my hand was quickly shattered by a Judge. He successfully managed to keep my board suppressed while scoring a knock out every turn, which is what Jumpluff aims to do every game. I manage to get ERL out later on in this game with the prize count already very slanted in his favor. I grab 3 kills, and he gets one, which not only put me back in the game at 2-3 on prizes, but also limited my bench to 3 almost ensuring he would not be able to kill my ERL the following turn. Well, that all went out the window when he refilled his bench, dropped 2 bats and belt, and hit the 140 needed to kill the ERL for his last 2 prizes.
6-2
Round 9 vs Anne Marie T.
Well, I was pretty disappointed to be playing her the last round of the event knowing that the loser could potentially miss cut however unlikely it may be. She got a Tomb start, to my Luxray. Here is where my decision to play the 2nd Luxray X came into play. She went first and got a haunter down with an energy, and I attached to the Luxray, maybe did some other stuff and passed it. She got a cursegar onto her bench and darkness grace’d into the dol. Fortunately, I did have the Luxray X (or a Bebe)
In my hand with which I pulled up her Cursegar, played out my hand and hit the Gengar for 60. She attached the last energy to it, cosmic’d and shadow skipped behind a tomb. I used my second brightlook and got the Gengar active again. I played some more trainers to set up a garchomp kill for the next turn, and killed the Gar. She was forced to then use Darkness grace into the SF gar. I turned some Luxrays, dropped a DCE onto a Garchomp with an energy, and killed off her claydol. From then on it was just Judge/Poltergeist for her. Luckily for her, she hit 2 Poltergeist kills off judges on my Lv. X’s. I already had enough of a lead for it not to matter, so I flipped into the Fainting spell which wound up knocking out my clean Luxray. She had no response really, so I plowed through and took a prize every turn.
7-2
I made the cut comfortably at 14th seed, only to hear the awful news that I was playing against REGIGIGAS in top 64 on top of that, my opponent, William S had finished 3rd at worlds in Juniors last year. Uggghh, I get some pro tips from only the best and come to the conclusion that I only need to kill one Gigas with a Toxic to win the game. Other than that, go for the Pixies and spray the Sacrifices.
Top 64 William S Regigigas
Game 1
I don’t think his start was desirable for him, but he did get going. I started with an average Luxchomp start which was all I could really ask for. The game changer here was his decision to bench an upper material Mesprit, retreat the active pixi for a Drag Off Gigas, belt it, and Kill a benched Garchomp. I immediately set out to find the kill on that Gigas, because I knew if I did it would give me a huge advantage. I already had a toxicpromo out with an electric? on it, but he had a downer material going. I Turned my active Luxray, attached the Gain that the Luxray had used previously to the new active: Toxicroak, Cyrus’d for a spray, a psychic, and another Cyrus. I attached the 3rd energy to the Toxic and killed the belted Gigas. Having the spray in hand made sure he could not Sacrifice and KO my Toxic even if he did have the Gigas X in hand. He time walked to pull the spray, but I made a difficult decision to not spray it luckily, I believe he missed on the time walk and passed the turn. That turn I went off and set up kills for the next 1234567 turns, ensuring he could not make a comeback.
1-0
I was ecstatic to have won a game with this matchup, and having done that gave me a huge confidence boost and allowed me to realize that the matchup wasn’t an autoloss, but was in fact, very winnable.
Game 2
I open with Toxipromo, attach and pass to his uxie start. Energy, belt, bat.
1-1
Ugh
Game 3
Definitely the best game of the set, unfortunately I don’t remember most of it. For my side of the board it was a lot of just holding Power Sprays for Sacrifice, and making sure that if I needed to, I could OHKO a gigas through Toxic/Bats. This game was slightly different than game 1 in that he got 2 Gigases out so if I killed one, and got OHKO’d back, I could be in a really bad spot. I was able to take advantage when I sent out Uxie, DCE and Zen Bladed for a kill. He responded by sending out his own Uxie and Zen Blading mine, because it seemed as though I didn’t have a response. I sent out my Luxray, Leveled it up to drag up the belted Gigas on the bench, Put down the Toxicroak, Psychic, Energy gain, GSwitch the 3rd energy due to downer material, turned my Luxray, and re-benched it. I grabbed the KO on the Gigas for 2 prizes. This is when he dropped a 2nd Gigas, and killed my active with his Zen Blade. I killed his Uxie with a Bat and a Dragon rush. He sent out GIgas from the bench, Level’d it up put some energy down and passed/attacked (idr) I hit if for 80 with another Dragon rush because I had saved up so many energies I could afford to. He had no other choice than to retreat the Gigas, because I had Aaron’d the Toxipromo down to my bench, and hit my active with one of his benched guys. I turned/Leveled up a Benched chomp, and Dragon rushed his Gigas for the game.
One of the best games of my tournament, I really wish I remembered more of the intricacies of the match though because I’m sure this doesn’t describe the game as accurately as I would have liked it to.
2-1
Moving to top 32, feeling great about that win.
Top 32 vs Nathan B.
Game 1
Well, I didn’t know Nathan before the match, but when he flipped his Horsea, I knew I would probably have a good time in this match.
If I remember correctly, I was quick with my Luxrays this game, which is what needs to happen against Kingdra. Basically, I sprayed the dol when I got a chance, and killed it the following turn. I was able to keep pace with his Powers for the entirety of the game and I prevented him from getting too much out.
1-0
Game 2, similar to game 1, but I feel like there was less pressure on this game for both of us, and we had fun this game. It was pretty casual and we chatted for most of the game, I wish every one of my games went like this one. In the end it was basically game one except I had to kill a few more kingdras
2-0
Well, honestly, I made my goal for nats and made day 3, that’s all I wanted to do that Nats. I would have been fine with a top 16 finish and planned to have fun day 3, but compete my hardest.
Top 16 vs George W
I’d talked with George a few times in the previous 2 days, and I found that he was cool, so I wasn’t ecstatic to be playing against him this late in the tournament.
Game 1, this game really gave me a wakeup call, I just could not keep up with his deck. His deck was running like a very well oiled machine and mine was running at a very high level, but not nearly as well as his. I wound up falling behind after I missed a Zen Blade KO on his Uxie X. He also managed his Garchomps better than I did. I got outplayed that game.
Game 2, his deck faltered a bit mid-late game, and I was better about using Garchomps than game 1. I managed the first KO on a benched Garchomp which put me ahead for the following turns. I took the lead and never looked back.
1-1
Well, I knew I was close to that guaranteed invite, so I was gonna play my heart out this game
Game 3, both of us were reallllly on edge at the start of this game, so much so in fact, that neither of us wanted to put out our basic first. Personally I was worried about an Ambipom donk, with my lone basic in hand being a Garchomp, so I figured if he put out his basics first I would have a better chance of him not starting with an Ambipom if he had it in his hand. He laid his only basic, so I put down my Garchomp and began setting my prizes when he flipped his ‘basic’ over, which was actually an electric energy. ????????????????. I just looked at the board in disbelief then looked to the judge to see what would happen. She looked kind of surprised too and verified what had just happened then she went to some other judges to ask for a ruling. No one at the table was really sure of what the penalty was, and the judges deliberated for about 10 minutes. They came back and talked about some stuff, and issued a triple prize penalty. Wow. I went pretty surprised about it, but apparently it was some spirit of the game issue and it was severe. So I drew my 3 prizes and ended up going 1st. I attached and passed. He dropped Clefairy/Lucario/Turn the lucario, bench it, Set up for 4? Spray. Scoop.
I felt bad that the game ended that way because of how epic the other 2 games were, I just wish we could have played out that game to see what would have happened. I go into top 8 a little shaken
Top 8 vs Andrew K.
WELL, YOU COULD NOT IMAGINE MY EXCITEMENT FOR THIS ONE. This was a repeat of my only other Nationals top 8, 4 years ago. 4 years ago, around the same date, I was getting knocked out of nationals by this very man this very round. Scared? Of course. Excited? Definitely. We knew that it was going to be a fun time, but we also knew it would be a hard fought battle…..who am I kidding, I used a crappy accent the entire match.
Game 1 He opens Unown Q, with something like (But not necessarily) Collector/Candy/Gardevoir/DCE in hand. I didn’t know that of course until after the match. He goes first attaches, and hits my Azelf for 40 with Hidden Power. I play collector for Uxie, drop my own Unown Q to my Azelf, retreat, and Psychic restore for game 1…..I felt super bad for him, because he got literally the best hand GG can possibly get beside the Q start. I wouldn’t have been able to use powers for the rest of the game if he’d gotten another turn.
1-0
Game 2
We get set up, I throw on my shutter shades, and the fake accent and we’re ready. He gets a classic Tomb/Ralts/Baltoy whatever set up, and starts getting set up while putting a Mesprit down to slow my start a bit. After looking at the board for a while, I realize my best bet to win this matchup is clearly ERL, which was proven right the night before when I played against Bergerac and went 2-1 against his GG using ERL. Well he gets out his Garde, drops a belt on it, and starts taking prizes when I was only ahead by 1 prize evening the game at 5-5. When I saw that Belt, my mouth started watering for ERL. I had kills on an Uxie/Mespirit/Claydol/Belted Gardy (as long as I put at least 50 on it or 70 when he leveled it up) So that’s what I did for the next 4-5 turns, just looking for ERL piece, eventually, I get both pieces and an energy on it. I put it all down, and then I see that I only have 2 SP pokemon out, so I figured benching a 3rd one would be the right play so I benched Toxipromo. He drew, and said “best topdeck ever! Telepass?” “Spray.” “Ugh” He used a Bebe for a duknoir and passed used lock up on my active Uxie. So my board had 4 bench guys, with an Uxie active that couldn’t retreat, and I knew he had a dusknoir next turn to put my ERL away, and possibly seal the game for him. Then, I see my out, and realized that I could psychic restore my Uxie into the deck, and pass the turn knowing he couldn’t OHKO my ERL. He drew, looked at his hand and passed. I declared my Thuderfall after putting the last energy on it and drew my last 5 prizes for the game and the set.
Wooahhhh, top 4, reallllly big deal. Playing against Aylam. I was sure this would be the best match of my tournament.
Game 1
We sat down pretty casually, and we started our game. Both of our decks worked as they were intended to, unfortunately for me, he had a manectric in his deck, and got it out by turn 2/3. I hit it for 80, and looked for a way to flash bite it for the KO, but I had already benched my 1 bat, so there was no way to get it back to my hand under the tomb lock, so I had no other choice other than to Dragon Rush it again. His deck was doing what it was supposed to, and kept me under constant pressure, I couldn’t come back, GG
0-1
Game 2
I get a better set up, but he got another Tomb start, so I was slowed down a bit. I had the Luxray X in my hand this game from the start so I was able to move his Tomb, play out some trainers, and find a second Luxray for the next turn. So I grab a prize that turn, while crippling his set up. He does some junk I don’t remember, and I use the second Luxray to do some more disruption and gain more of a lead. Once I’m out of Luxrays, he can comfortably lock my trainers while recovering with Darkness Grace. I was put into a situation where I just had to draw and attack, which wasn’t bad, because it meant I was still drawing prizes at least. So I was up 3-6 by the time he got anything going. The game lasted for a little longer but I was able to call when I needed to spray, and when I needed to hold the spray for an important level down or curse. I had played the matchup enough, and I knew Aylam was good enough to know that if they didn’t use powers hiding behind a tomb, they wanted you to play a spray. So after my next prize or two, the game was over
1-1
Game 3
He misses his Tomb start, but does get a Pitch Dark, and I was able to put 30 on the Gastly with a bite on my turn. He got it to the bench after using a Roseanne for a tomb and something else so he was able to Darkness Grace a Haunter onto the damaged Gastly. Now it was just my job to kill the Haunter anyway I could to gain a significant advantage, unfortunately for me, I could no accomplish that. I did have the Lux X which I used right away to bring up the Haunter, but I could not find an electric energy to flash impact it, or the bat for the Bite KO, so I was forced to hit it for 30 more putting it to 60. If I remember right, he retreated it for free, and turned it into a Gengar that turn with Darkness Grace. I got the electric the following turn and killed the tomb with flash impact because I wasn’t able to find the 2nd Lux X to kill the benched Gengar with 2 energies on it. So he started his routine of SAR, making it difficult for me to get the KO on the Gengar. I was able to find the next Luxray in time to kill the gengar without him having a second one powered up yet, that bright look also allowed me to return the Luxray to my hand and rebench it for later. That turn was probably the turning point because it allowed me to pull ahead in the prize count, and begin to plan my final 3-4 KO’s for the end of the game. Eventually, I needed a Garchomp for a kill on a Manectric? (maybe claydol) which meant needing to Communicate away my 2nd Luxray X, so that’s what I did. By this point I had the rest of the game planned out assuming that he would grab a knock out virtually every turn for the rest of the game. Fast forward a few turns, I have 1 prize left to his 3. He as a Gengar Curse active leveled up with a Belt – No way I’m killing that, an Uxie – That’s a reasonable KO, and a Spiritomb – bing bing bing, there’s the winner, he was the only guy Aylam had out with 60 HP, just enough to KO with a Luxray without using a bat, also the only guy that couldn’t leave to the bottom of the deck. So on my turn, I use Trade off and find that Luxray I had buried about 4 turns ago also that I had been looking for for 4 turns. He draws, attaches an expert belt to the tomb, and psychic restores the Uxie under, removing my ability to Flash imapact the Tomb for the game. So I retreated for Luxray, leveled it up so I could have trainers, moved an energy from my active Luxray to my Garchomp on the bench, attached from my hand to the garch, turned the Luxray, attached the Luxray’s Gain to my now active Chomp, leveled it up, and Dragon Rushed his benched tomb for the game.
2-1
I just want to mention that game 3 in that match was the best game of Pokemon I have ever played in my life. Very well played Aylam.
WELL, TOP 2, THIS IS IT, TOP 2 IN THE BIGGEST EVENT EVER HELD.
Top 2 vs Spencer B. Luxchomp (UNDEFEATED)
Well, Spencer had managed to 14-0 this event, and I was scared out of my mind to play him
I showed up to the table trying to be as confident-looking as possible, which was tough considering he was wearing a headband and wristbands. Now, even I’m surprised by this, but these are the games I remember least from.
Game 1
This game I remember having a really good start, the only reason I remember my start is from a picture lol. Apparently I started with Luxray/Call, and took 2 Garchomps immediately. I don’t remember his start, but I am pretty sure he did use call. The next turn I started my cyrus chain, and went for a quick Luxray kill this time, which is really uncharacteristic for the Luxchomp mirror, but I felt like it opened up the most options for late game kills with Garchomps. Anyway, I think the Luxray kill I got was from one of his benched Garchomps, which would explain why I had such a big lead for most of the game, because once a player loses a garchomp, it’s a scramble for the Aaron’s. Then, the game just played out. Every turn was find a knock out, and find away to make sure you can knock something else out the next turn. Eventually, his deck started to conk out, and I was able to pull ahead on a turn where he missed a KO. I win.
1-0
SOOOO ClOSEEEE NOW
Game 2
My hand is terrrrrible. I have to open with Toxicroak no call. He gets a pretty good start and I thought this game was gonna send the match into a 3rd really quickly. I am able to find a supporter and get some guys onto my bench while he’s busy using cyrus to set himself up. I grab a Zong, and move my energy off the Toxic and try a leap away. Tails. So I have no choice but to pass with a DCE on an 80hp guy, luckily he missed the KO and I got to keep my Garchomp there for another turn. I think that’s what allowed me to get back into the game. The next turn I used leap away again and got a tail, so I had to burn a Turn. I sent out my chomp put some energies on the board, and got a KO with Dragon Rush. The middle of the game was just exchanging kills, but I did end up falling behind 2-3 on prizes. Spencer’s hand was freaking huge by then because he had gone through all 4 cyruses and I guess he just didn’t need to us e the cards he had in his hand at that point. On one of Spencer’s turns, he puts down ERL and puts an energy on it, threatening the game or at least a sudden death if he needed it. So I started preparing for it. I turned a Bat, turned my Toxicpromo, and sent out my Uxie for a psychic restore. Now, he had 3 pokemon on the board with powers, 2 of which would die to Thunderfall, and I had just 1 pokemon – Azelf – with a power. He drew his card, maybe played a few cards from his enormous hand, and passed the turn. My thought process immediately turned to using my own ERL to win the game. With him not putting pressure on me to draw prizes I was in no hurry. I started rummaging through my deck each turn with Trade Off, maybe a supporter, and basically a topdeck (which, at that point, we were both doing) I finally am able to hit both parts of ERL, and put it onto my bench with an energy, and I pass. Spencer was basically at a point where he was just draw passing, so it was back to me. I drew my card, trade off for an energy to win? No. so I look through his discard – 4 cyrus, 3 PokeTurn. YES. I send out Luxray, bright look? No spray, I bring out his Bronzong, and bite it to put it at 30. He draws, and passes again. I know that I’ll have basically as long as I want to find a Turn to move the energy from the Luxray to the ERL, or the energy itself, because his Zong wasn’t going anywhere especially with the spray sitting in my hand. I draw my card, miss, I trade off, 1st card, miss, second card? POKETURNN! I poketurn the Luxray, attach the second energy to ERL, and Thunderfall for the win
2-0
I couldn’t believe what had just happened, it was really a dream come true. I wanted soo bad to just jump into the crowd of my friends but I had to do some paper work, so I gave out some high fives, hugged my family, and hugged Dave Schwimmer when he went to give me a hand shake lol. I gave Spencer another handshake, because well, his tournament record was better than mine, and he knocked out a mewtwo – really phenomenal player. I then went off, did all the boring paperwork, while talking with friends. We all took some really awesome pictures with me on Sam and AJ’s shoulders, with everyone else around. Then there were several groups that wanted to get some food but I could only pick one So I went with my family and close NJ friends who were the people who tested with me back in NJ, and the people that I owe for getting me into the game in the first place. There was some Bros Heining Bros going on in the room, and then we went to the aptly named Champion’s for dinner. I had a really good time eating with them but winning still hadn’t hit me yet.
I feel like I need to thank a ton of people for this and for making this the best Pokemon tournament of my life. My finish was just icing on the cake, outside of the tournament, I got a chance to hang out with some of the coolest people I know, so I want to give everyone a shout out.
Props:
Papu - I love you so much and I know you were the reason I won
Mom and Dad - I just wanted to let you both know that you have been with me from the beginning and that I love you both. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be writing any of this right now, and your support has been the biggest factor in my playing this game in the first place. You two are the get the biggest props in this report because if either of you had gotten sick of driving me and Frank to tournaments I wouldn't have even had this experience, so you are the reason I'm allowed to do all this and have so much fun with everyone every year. I love you both very much.
Frank Diaz – You’re my brother, thanks for everything. You know everything you’ve done for me, and I owe you for the win more than anyone else. I put you first on this list, so don’t complain that you only get 3 sentences.
Jimmy O’B – One of my biggest influences leading up to Nationals this year. I need to thank you for all you’ve done for my Pokemon career, and how you got me to start playing people/interacting with anyone at league other than Frankie like 8 years ago. Thanks a ton for your help. I know you’ll win another STS soon enough
Benny R – Sorry to see you leave the game, but I know you’ll be doing some great medical stuff in like the Bahamas or somewhere, so good luck with your future Benny. Also, I was kidding around when I seemed upset about you handing me the trophy, I’m really glad you were able to, it meant a lot, thanks Ben.
Curran – You’re like a brother to me, I need to thank you for a lot, because you did have a big part in me winning, and I do owe a lot to you. Really glad I met you back in the 04-05 season, and you’ve always been really cool. Also, I’m looking to match your 05 season btw, so watch out bud. Go grind in, and stop wasting time with that ridiculous SD you’ve been making since AR came out
Michael N. – I know you’ve had a crazy year, and I hope that going to nationals was a good experience for you, and all I hope is that you had fun man. I enjoyed having you with the family, and so did they
The Deusers - You guys have been with me from the beginning what can I say, you guys are great. Also thank you for running league every week
Kevin -- KrazyKevin, what a kid. I’ve only known you for like 3 years, but we’ve been in an on and off relationship for those years. I hope one day to marry you. But really, thanks for all your help, and I really appreciate your friendship, you da best.
Sam – Well Sam, you made it to the props, how about that. I can only hope that after this win, you learn my actual ethnicity and stop calling me Mexican. More seriously though, you were a lot of the reason I had such a great time in Indy, and I really hope you can get to worlds, or at very least nats next year.
Bergerac – Box box box box box box box box! Box box. Box box box box box box box box box box.
Krekler – Krekeler, you have the mark to beat at nats, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, well because you’re a phenom, and I don’t think anyone will ever beat that record. I see you at nats every year, and it’s always great, and considering I’ve played you in 3/7 Natses I’ve been to, you’re a great competitor as well as a great friend. SEE YOU IN HAWAII.
AZIZ - what a bro
AJ – All I remember from nationals besides the event was losing to your mewtwo, and pantsing you at Steak & Shake. You’re nuts.
Kaitlyn – You have duped me with Curran more times than I can count including the first time I ever talked to you, which naturally gave me a great first impression of you. I’m gonna see you at worlds!!!
Payton – You’re the better sibling by far, good job at being amazing at life and at the game, see you at worlds
David R – You basically don’t play for the whole season, but it’s always great seeing you at nats each year. Hope you can make it next year
Young Krekler – You’re absolutely hilarious.
Geoff – I’ve known you for basically my entire pokemon career and I owe you for beating me up so bad when we first started. Now I say we’re on the same level, and I have a lot fun hanging out with you and playing you at events, always a great game with you Geoff.
Jason A – I just wanted to let you know that you are an incredible player, and I think you really can stand a good chance at doing well next year in masters, you’re great at this game.
Thomas A – Dude, you’re great, I thought you really had a shot at this Nats, you’re a great player, and you know how much fun I have playing against you. See you at worlds?
The Bryons – For the last 3 years I’ve been playing against you both, and it’s always a good game, congratz to Dylan for doing so well in your first season in masters, and Mychael, I’m sure you’re gonna have a good future in this game in seniors next season and the one after that, you had some excellent performances in your first year in seniors
Isaiah – You like top 8’d nationals, what a beast lol, great to meet you last year, you’ve really improved, you’re the man now dog.
Mitchelll W -- You always wreck me it's ridiculous lol, surprised you haven't placed in a bug event man, lucking forward to playing you in another states next year
The Weidemanns - Hey, I can't believe I forgot about you guys in here. You are always playing a league, and I appreciate how enthusiastic you are about the game, and I admire how persistent you all are in making your own decks, and going back to the drawing board if they don't work out as well as you'd liked them to. See you at league
Aaron Z – I like hardly talked to you at nats, we need to talk more lol, go to Hawaii in August, I’m gonna be there for this thing I do, and I think we can meet up somewhere
Aylam R – Hey, I only met you at the beginning of the season, but you’re a phenomenal player and you have one of the best careers of any senior ever, and you’re only in your second season. We should hang out at worlds, it’d be a lot of fun.
Eric W. - Have you ever lost a game of Pokemon?
Taylor M – I had so much fun hanging out with you at Nationals this year lol, there is a picture to prove it (coming soon) Be at some big events next year please and thanks.
Doug, Sydney, and Sean – You guys are great at every event we see you at, best of luck to all of you in future pokemon tournaments, hope to see you all at the next cities.
Con Le - Good job bro, see you at worlds
Austin C – Sorry about missing this nats bro, you’re always a lot of fun at events, hope to see you around next season, but I’m sure we’ll talk before that
Daniel Chin – I know Daniel Chin!
Steven E – Will you marry me? (on the side that is, I still have Kevin)
Tad and Tati – Great knowing you for like forever, see you both at worlds?
Elissa – hey, you’re cool lol, see you at worlds
James Mc -- Hey, you're a reallly cool kid, we need to test more bro
Jason C. – We need to hang out more at these events bro, see you at worlds?
Kevin Chao – Hey, we reallllly didn’t talk to much at nats, we should get some games in next nats.
Kevin W – You’re a phenomenal player, I’d love to see you do well next season.
Sam G – Great job at nats bro, I knew you were good lol, play more next season. See you at worlds
And some new acquaintances
Timmy -- great meeting you, I love that mat you’re making right now, team smerf bro.
Javier – Hey, we didn’t talk too much at nats, but we should hang out at worlds if you’re gonna be there
George – you won a freaking iPad, I’m jealous. Great meeting you.
Aaron K. – I wish I knew you like 7 years ago man, you're a really cool cat, see you next season
George W – Um, I really wish I could say your last name here, because all you do is Win Win Win. Great meeting you and we’re gonna chill at worlds for sure
Anne-Marie T – yeah, we should hang out at worlds lol, outside of playing each other in the last round of the main event
Ben K – Described by only one word: Bro
Brandon J – Sorry about the jank luck with being late and all, hope everything works out better at worlds, we’ll definitely play that 2/3 set.
Garret – lol, you stalked Sam around a ton at nats, good meeting you, see you at the next event
Jimmy P – Hey, we should hang out at worlds if you get there, hope to get to know you better next time bro.
Final prop goes to …..
Steve Ketchum – You’re the Ice Freak bro, wear holographic clothes to worlds. Ytmnd.
Well, obviously there are no slops for this report, and I just want to thank everyone again, and see you in Hawaii.
Really sorry if I missed anyone in props, I'm sooo tired of typing right now, just let me know and I'll add you on there
-Michael Diaz
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