Masters 2nd Place Report- Australia. Marcus Raj

[LionheartEX]

Alrighty, so I had been looking forward to this for a long time. I had a gut feeling that something big would happen. I also didn't know how I would go. FOr the past 2 years I was ok with my deck choices, but this year I wasn't too sure. So I played my Trump Card: Adam lol. Ultima with a Bondi deck can't go wrong.

So, Saturday Morning, Me, Mass and Pezza wake up and leave my place, and meet George at Maccas for breakfast. We then proceed to the venue.

We get there, greet everyone and head into the room. Once the formalities are finally over and done with, We start the games! Top 8 Cut, 5 rounds, let's do it!

My deck was Adam's: Empalkia. People thought I was going to use Blissvire, but Massimo used that instead :p

Round 1- Kerr He. Dark Kiss Kjalex- Croftminster
Game 1: I set up a quick Palkia and zerg his basics
Game 2: Same thing lol

After this round, it was announced that all the top cuts would be doubled in size... I was furious, but had to worry about my next round.

Round 2- Tiffany Keane. Salakiss Pokemon Mistress-Croftminster
OMG I'm so sorry I forgot this match. Lunch was coming up and I felt like I was going to pass out at this point from lack of sleep. But when I thougth round 2 for some reason I thought Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter, and Dragons... then it hit me.
Game 1: I set up dead quick, and start sniping with Empoleon for the game.
Game 2: She T2's Salamence, I get scared...then start Restucturing basics for KOs to win.

After THIS rounds, some lame ruling about Basic Lv.X bieng able to use Scramble/DRE etc etc was made, but we weren't allowed to take the new ruling into effect til AFTER the tournament. I was able to confirm otherwise, but it confused a lot of people.

LUNCH @ KFC
Yeah, met up with a few of the Melbourne Juniors who were asking me about random stuff. Got back to the venue

Round 3- Que Son Ngyuen. Plox Mr Spiegel- Croftminster
Game 1: Was pretty hot with me leading in prize cards. Some crafty Restructuring and I was able to win.
Game 2: Same as game 1 Really

Round 4- Qyuin Chi Ngyuen. Magkiss
Another freaking Togekiss deck...
Both Games: Was donked. Mantyke starts, Both Mantines Prized both games

Round 5- James Campkin. Pure Darkness Grinbag
I was SO excited about this match, I hadn't played James since 2006, at which time we were not fond of each other. I was so happy to be able to play against him as a friend this year.
Game 1: We both set up. I Restructured for a few basics and took the lead, eventually to win.
Game 2: He owned me by destroying my hand and getting an early Darkrai off.
Game 3: Sudden Death. Powered up Palkia and KOed
(Deja Vu... I'm pretty sure that was how our 06 match played out LOL)

so I finish day 1: 4-1.

Gordon, Cam, Massimo, Myself, George and Pezza all went out for Dinner at the Dessert house in Swanston St. Such good food. Then went home. I got home to a nice surprise on the forums. It seems I wasnt the only upset one about many of the things that had come up. Never had I seen the Player base from around the world united like that- it made my happy a little and sparked my desire to battle! I wanted to play in top cut so much at this point. I posted my 2c on everything and went to sleep.

Day 2. Top Cut

Got to the venue, and It was something way cool. The top 8 were patting around outside, waiting on the steps... sorta felt like we were walking into something epic (I'm like the ONLY person who thought this was cool... the whole united front thing). Top 28 players were all called into the room to talk about Top Cut , Back to original top cuts!

Top 8- Ashley Kendall. Plox Yelsha
Game 1: Donked him lol
Game 2: Was a decent game, but I outplayed for the win.

Top 4- Qyuin Chi Ngyuen. Magkiss AGAIN
Game 1: We both set up. Outplayed for victory.
Game 2: I got donked
Game 3: She got donked

Top 2- Sean Takamoto. Plox Silent Swordsman
Game 1: Was setting up and got hit by a bad wager, lost all my energy
Game 2: Donked. Lone Mantine start ftl.

So alls well that ends well. The 14 players that got laid off top cut got FREE pre-release entries.

I came second, and get to go to worlds anyway :) with an invite!

Dinner that night was amazing. For Sean's birthday.

Last but not least I got to spend an amazing weekend with my friends.


The Good
Coming 2nd
Mass for doing nicely with Blissvire
Tiff, James, Ash, Sean, QC, QS and Kerr for good matches
Tiff for the choccy and drink on day 2...I would have collapsed if I didn't get it lol
Mass, George and Pez for keeping me company
Those who were cut from Top Cut- you guys were such good sports about it. ya'll rock and deserve a special mention
Cam for making Masters more fun by cursing at wager
Everyone who fought for what they thought was right. Good job!
Mrs. Takamoto for dinner, and Sean for letting us come
Mr. Choong for his constant support and encouragement
Last but not least, Adam for lending me the deck and calming my Nationals nerves at 1am Saturday Morning.
The 2 offers I got to go to worlds as Guardian. This made me cry later. It means more than anything to me.

I know there's more. Will add to it. Sort of got 10 MSN windows open right now.

The Bad
None off the top of my head. It was all resolved. Cept maybe the 3 terrible openings I had.
Ready to collapse twice from exhaustion, but pulled through
Togekiss. nuff said.

[Jason]

props to you, marcus - its good to meet you again. ill be at worlds for sure with ranking invitation =D

(gotta see how much of an impact for the malaysians over the rankings...)

[OllieK]

awesome report. LOL lots of Togekiss being played in Australlia. Empoleon/Palkia?? Can you PM me a list because it sounds like a really cool list.

[Jedi_Amara]

OllieK... if you know what the main strat is, can't you just build your own deck? =/

[LionheartEX]

Originally Posted by OllieK

awesome report. LOL lots of Togekiss being played in Australlia. Empoleon/Palkia?? Can you PM me a list because it sounds like a really cool list.

It's a simple strat. Mantines give everything free retreat, Palkia Restructure's. Pseudo Double Gust.

Empleon snipes and hits hard.

[Black_jirachi]

Congratulations Marcus!
I'm looking forward to seeing you at worlds yet again

(Atleast if I get an invite lol :P)

[THE FT. LAUD. LOUD MOUTH]

Originally Posted by LionheartEX

After THIS rounds, some lame ruling about Basic Lv.X bieng able to use Scramble/DRE etc etc was made, but we weren't allowed to take the new ruling into effect til AFTER the tournament. I was able to confirm otherwise, but it confused a lot of people.

Um.... Excuse Me.

That sounds like a wrong ruling, Scramble/DRE on a Basic LV X.... lol

[LionheartEX]

Originally Posted by THE FT. LAUD. LOUD MOUTH

Um.... Excuse Me.

That sounds like a wrong ruling, Scramble/DRE on a Basic LV X.... lol

It was a wrong Ruling lol. I managed to argue it though. I dug up some old questions I asked on the Gym a loooooooong time ago :p

Back to back posts merged. The following information has been added:

Originally Posted by Black_jirachi

Congratulations Marcus!
I'm looking forward to seeing you at worlds yet again

(Atleast if I get an invite lol :P)

Get the invite! It'll be awesome!

[pikachu*]

Lol Marcus. You forgot to put the Jason video in your props. Anyway good job and probably see you at worlds.

[THE FT. LAUD. LOUD MOUTH]

Originally Posted by pikachu*

Lol Marcus. You forgot to put the Jason video in your props. Anyway good job and probably see you at worlds.

Jason Video? Jason Video? Please Explan

[FriedBlaziken]

rofl jason was ATTEMPTING to eat pizza.
it was hilarious.
he ordered a whole large pizza for himself, and started to eat 2 slices.
after slice 2, he started eating the toppings and putting the base on the side.
youd have to be there toget it.

[Krucifier]

I *MIGHT* put it on YouTube for you, Acasp.

I call it "Jason goes Italian". I filmed this master piece. ;D.

[FriedBlaziken]

i witnessed it...

[pikachu*]

I spread the word...

[FriedBlaziken]

it was hilarious...

[Kevin89]

Nice work mr. Raj.
see ya in Orlando!

[LionheartEX]

Originally Posted by Kevin89

Nice work mr. Raj.
see ya in Orlando!

omg omg omg omg CANT WAIT!

[Jason]

lol.

aaron.
sam.
jared.

when worlds come, you better order me a large size hawaiian pizza.

yeah, cant wait until worlds come to be in the same battlefield among you and Sean :)

[Lordofflareons]

noice mate add me on AIM i remember u frum 2 years ago at Worlds. i was that small senior who came up with what is now a former archetype.(The eevees/flygon deck remember?i might just have rlly good memory tho

[LionheartEX]

Originally Posted by Lordofflareons

noice mate add me on AIM i remember u frum 2 years ago at Worlds. i was that small senior who came up with what is now a former archetype.(The eevees/flygon deck remember?i might just have rlly good memory tho

ZOMG I REMEMBER YOU! DUDE I like lost your e-mail and stressed out about not finding it.

Erm, John was it? I completely forget but all I remember is you kept singing Gnarles Barkley and we played a lot of games... I think I have the right person! You got your invite with a gym Challenge?

yes? no? maybe?

erm Fox... Sly Fox? I THINK I have the right person because I can only remember one person who was decktesting Flygon ex d lol