Unfortunately, I wasn’t certain if I was going to be able to attend Cities until late the night before, as there were Christmas-related plans looming. Luckily for me, my good friend and teammate, Amelia B., was online and able to help me out with deck stuff late the night before. We bounced back and forth, discussing and building sample lists, from Regigigas to Uxie Donk, before finally deciding that we’d both play LuxChomp. I sleeved it up, got everything packed and ready to go, and headed to bed at an ungodly hour.
Luckily, the tournament site was only about an hour away (most of the tournaments I attend are 1.5+ hours), so I had enough time to wake, shower, eat, etc., as well as arrive to the store in time to fill out a list and turn it in. I chat with some friends and see that the field is mostly LuxChomp, with a tiny bit of Gyarados, and random sprinklings of everything else. The week I decide to drop Machamp is the same week everyone decides to sleeve up SP. There is no God.
Tournament starts right on time, and it’s announced that, for the first time in Washington this season, we’ll have a top 8 cut! I believe the Masters count was something like 34, although I’m not completely sure.
The List
| Pokémon – 20 2-2 Luxray GL LV.X 2-2 Garchomp C LV.X 3-1 Uxie LV.X 1 Ambipom G 1 Dragonite FB 1 Bronzong G 1 Crobat G 1 Toxicroak G Promo 1 Azelf 1 Unown Q 1 Lucario GL |
T/S/S – 28 4 Cyrus’ Conspiracy 3 Pokémon Collector 2 Bebe’s Search 4 Poké Turn 3 Power Spray 3 Energy Gain 2 SP Radar 1 Aaron’s Collection 2 Premier Ball 1 VS Seeker 1 Junk Arm 1 Energy Exchanger 1 Luxury Ball |
Energy – 12 4 Call 4 Double Colorless 3 L 1 P |
A few words on the list:
– Although I feel that 3-1 Luxray GL LV.X is probably the correct play in a Gyarados-heavy meta, I felt that I already had a good grip on the Gyarados matchup (which would ultimately prove to be correct), and a 3-1 line would just be a win-more that hurts most of my other matchups. I’ve also seen a lot of talk about 2-1 being the play, but I’ve never had a list so tight, or a tech so necessary that I’ve felt the need to deprive myself of the 3rd Luxray.
– 3-1 Garchomp C LV.X is undoubtedly better for the mirror, but, like the Luxray line above, I feel that 2-2 is better in almost any other case, and that I had a good enough handle on the mirror (which would ultimately prove to be incorrect) that a 3-1 line would hurt my other matchups too much, etc.
– I think that both of the mirror counters, Dragonite FB and Ambipom G, are the play. Again, if someone shows me a list where there’s a slot that so badly needs to be filled by something else I’ll accept it, but for now I think those two are very important pieces to the puzzle, particularly in the mirror.
– 3-1 Uxie LV.X is also correct in my book, if only for the Machamp matchup. This is my first time playing the line in a tournament, but I see absolutely no reason to change back to 2-1.
– Lucario GL is only really needed if you live in a Gyarados-heavy meta, but I would probably play one regardless for the advantage versus Machamp, Kingdra, etc. It’s a meta call though, for sure.
pokegym.net– Promocroak is similar to Lucario in that it’s only completely justified if there’s a LuxChomp heavy meta, but I’d also typically include it, just for the advantage versus Tyranitar and things of that nature.
– I’ve seen a lot of talk about 4 Collector being the play, and I typically agree. In SP, however, I feel it’s justified to drop to 3, and even 2 in some cases. I don’t want to get too much into that discussion as it’s been done to death though.
– I would’ve liked to have been able to fit in another SP Radar, but, with Bebe’s, Collector, 2 Premier Balls and a VS Seeker, I felt I was pretty okay. 3-4 is probably correct though; I need to test it more.
– I went back and forth in deciding between 2 Aaron’s and 0 VS Seeker, or 1-of each, and ultimately I think 1-of each is probably best, especially considering you should be running at least one Premier Ball. It’s up in the air though.
– I played a Luxury Ball over a Communication for no reason, really. I have no idea if statistics-wise the Communication would be the correct play or not. You have to understand I was far too tired for anything math-related at that point.
– Junk Arm is such a good card here, I’m surprised more lists don’t run it. Being able to ditch all those mirror techs and have a 5th Turn (or something equally cool) seems good.
– I’m not sure about Exchanger. That spot could easily be replaced with another Junk Arm, another Lightning, or a Communication. I have to test that a bit more as well.
– I’m always a stickler about Mewtwo counters, but I’ve literally not seen a single Mewtwo at any table anywhere in the state. With LuxChomp’s popularity rising in my area I’ll probably end up throwing the Drifblim UD back in, but I feel it wasn’t warranted in this case.
– The deck is completely reverse foil, except for an Unown Q. If anyone has one for trade, holler at me! ;)
Now that I’ve written a novel justifying my list, let’s move onto the actual report!
The Actual Report
Round 1: Gengar
I sit down across from a player I’ve never met who tells me this is his first tournament. He seems like a super nice guy, so I’m excited for the match. He flips over a Gastly to my Garchomp, and, when he gets the chance to Collector and doesn’t go for an Oddish/Tomb, etc., I figure I’m in the clear and there are no Trainer-lock shenanigans going on.
Then he gets Mewtwo.
Luckily, I’m able to “Flash Bite” + “Dragon Rush” it before he can level up, and he’s unable to get another Mewtwo online the entire game. From there it’s a fairly routine game of Dragon Rushing and Bright Looking, before I ultimately score the win. For a brand new player he seems to understand the game pretty well. He recognized all of the cards and played decently, big ups to him, and I hope I see him around.
Although this game was kind of lackluster in that I was able to achieve board control and maintain it throughout the duration, I think this taught me a good lesson about not underestimating your opponent, or overestimating yourself. As you see in the list above, I ran no Mewtwo counter, and this game could’ve turned out very badly for me.
1-0
Round 2: Machamp
I think this guy has played Machamp every time I’ve seen him, and without a hard counter like Drifblim UD, I’m a little scared going in. Luckily, he starts with a Phanpy, which both slows the Machamps down a bit and is a signal to me that he won’t be able to play super thick Machamp lines, nor be able to get them out as easily.
I can’t remember what I start with, but I have a pretty decent start, and set up Uxie (zing!) right away. He’s able to rip something like 3 Machamps on his turn one through various Trainer and Supporter shenanigans, but I try and keep a level head through it all, knowing that I have a knowledge of the matchup, and the Uxie line + Lucario to help me out.
As I had hoped, my 3-1 Uxie line proves to be the play. I’m able to consistently “Flash Bite” + “Zen Blade” + “Aura Boundary” to 1-shot his Machamp, and then “Psychic Restore” Uxie to the bottom and start over again before he can get a Machamp out, or take a prize with “Dragon Rush” and let him “Take Out” my Garchomps.
I end up winning a pretty close game where I feel I established and maintained board control throughout. Definitely not a matchup I’d want to play again.
2-0
Round 3: Gyarados
This is possibly the game I’m least proud of in my Pokémon playing career. It goes like I planned at first, with me being able to consistently “Trash Bolt” with Lucario in play to 1-shot his Gyarados, and add a “Flash Bite” into the mix when the Gyarados is Belted.
We end up at 3-1 Prizes, him leading, and that’s when the mistake happens.
He has a belted Gyarados with 6 damage counters on it, leaving it with 90 HP. I have a Luxray GL active, a Lucario GL in play, and the necessary energy to Flash Impact this turn. The Gyarados has a rescue energy attached, so I know that even if I do KO it, he’ll simply promote a Crobat, play back down the Gyarados, and swing for game.
pokemon-paradijs.comWithout thinking, I decide that I should use an Aaron’s Collection to get the Luxray GL LV.X back from my prizes. That way, I can KO him, and unless he has another belt, he can’t get a return KO, and I’ll be able to KO his Gyarados next turn, giving me the win! I slap down the Aaron’s Collection and…
…Then I remember that I had Premier Ball’d for my Luxray a turn earlier, and on his next turn he used “Let Loose” to shuffle it back into my deck. To make matters worse, I look at my hand and see a VS Seeker, meaning I could’ve VS’d for a Bebe’s, and taken the Luxray out of my deck.
I scoop up my cards and learn that if I had KO’d his Gyarados I probably would’ve had game, as there wasn’t a Belt in his hand, and he didn’t have many resources left to draw cards.
I think this match taught me two important lessons, the first of which is to use every advantage given to me. If I would’ve been less hasty and decided to confirm that the Luxray was in the discard, I could’ve won, or at least come a lot closer to winning. Definitely a rookie move.
Secondly, I should’ve asked for a take back when I played the Aaron’s. Do I expect the takeback? No, but am I totally within my rights to ask for one? Yes. This completely goes against my philosophy as a player, and I’m probably more upset by this than anything.
2-1
Sitting at 2-1 I’m pretty tilted going into lunch. I learn that Ashley is also 2-1, and that Alex, in Seniors, is 3-0 and has to drop to do “family things”. Amelia, Ashley, Alex, and my round 3 opponent, Jonathan Anderson, walk to a nearby Taco Bell. I order the BMIIF (best menu item in format), Nachos Bel Grande, and walk back in the freezing cold rain, tilted beyond all belief. Also, Alex drops his burrito in the crosswalk. Children.
Round 4: Gyarados
My opponent this game is Wyatt Warner, who is totes my boy and who I always misplay against. Couple this with being tilted and soaked, and I’m almost certain I’m going to lose this one.
He takes an early lead, aaand that’s about all that I remember. For all the reasons listed above, I can’t for the life of me recollect the details of this game, so I’ll just say that I ended up winning, somehow. All apologies.
3-1
Round 5: LuxChomp
I had to play Amelia this round, which was kind of bittersweet because, although I knew it would be a fun game, it meant a team member would have to lose, and Amelia is super skilled.
We start off pretty evenly, but I whiff and she gets the first Garchomp. I don’t have a direct counter, so she continues to get ahead. I start mounting a bit of a comeback, but she’s able to answer to my Dragonite/Ambipom tricks, and Spray all of my relevant Poké-Powers. We have a lot of fun joking around, hiding cards from each other, etc., and in the end I scoop with her up on prizes by a considerable amount.
3-2
I’m in a bad situation here, as I know I have to beat my next opponent to even have a chance of top cutting. Ugh.
Round 6: Scizor/Umbreon
This deck is kind of odd, but it can definitely be a threat if it gets set up correctly. I saw it demolish a very good SP player a round or two beforehand, so luckily I was able to get a read on a lot of the cards he played. I’ve never really been a fan of Umbreon, but I’ve thought for a while now that someone could break Scizor. I don’t think the Umbreon combo is the way to do it, but it’s definitely an interesting deck.
My opponent has a concert he has to perform in in order to get a passing grade for his class, so he offers the concession, which was a great thing for him to do, as even if he made top cut he would’ve had to bail, leaving me with no possible chance of making cut. The other side to that is that, if he would’ve beaten me and left, my fiancée would’ve made top cut. But hey, you can’t win ’em all.
We play a game for fun, and I’m able to get a ridiculously good start, and luckily never have to deal with a single Umbreon or Scizor.
4-2
Top Cut
I order my deck and anxiously wait for top cut to be announced. There’s nothing I hate more than bubbling. Well, except for Nazis. Oh, and getting 2nd for the 4th time in a season. But hey! After a short wait the cut is announced, and it looks like…
1st – David Cohen w/ LuxChomp
2nd – Ross Cawthon w/ Gyarados
3rd – Amelia Bottemiller w/ LuxChomp
4th – Ryan Merryfield w/ LuxChomp
5th – ??? ??? w/ LuxChomp
6th – Jonathan Anderson w/ Gyarados
7th – Kenny Wisdom w/ LuxChomp
8th – Jaron Deacon w/ Regigigas
Awesome that Amelia and I made cut. Lame that my fiancée bubbled, and super lame that I have to play Ross in top 8. I’ll admit that I don’t have the most experience playing against Worlds-level players (although we do have a great set of players in the Northwest), but Ross, in my mind, is one of the most consistent players in the game. I’ve played him twice before this, and we’re at a 1-1 split. Definitely one of the greats, in my opinion.
We sit through deck checks and a dinner break before top cut starts. I opt out of dinner because a. I am cheap, and b. no one else went to dinner besides Ross and I wanna fit in, you know? Before too long, the top 8 are seated…
Top 8: Ross w/ Gyarados
Game 1:
I’ll apologize in advance, as I don’t remember too many of the details of these games. I was really focused on winning and didn’t take too much time to reflect on the games and remember all of the details. I’ll try and provide what I do remember, but all apologies if the following analyses are a little lackluster.
I believe I got the early lead in this game, and maintained it throughout. I was able to get a Lucario and a Luxray with the necessary energy to Trash Bolt online very early, and it stayed that way for the majority of the game. Ross got unlucky on some Reversal flips, but was able to slow me down for a few turns with “Psychic Bind”. I think I had 2 Prizes left to his 3 or 4 when he scooped.
1-0
Game 2:
pokemon-paradijs.comThis game went surprisingly like the first one. I got board control early, and was able to consistently KO his Gyarados. I don’t remember all of the details exactly, but the only thing that stands out in my mind was Ross KOing and me recovering my Lucario 3 times in a row. As I said, the details are cloudy, but I believe he was able to Reversal + “Tail Revenge” it, and I Aaron’s’d it back. He did the same next turn, and I VS Seeker’d for Aaron’s, and got it back. He did the same thing the next turn, and I used Junk Arm to get VS Seeker to get Aaron’s, and get it back. It was something like that. Equally ridiculous at least.
Anyway, I take a lead and maintain it, and he scoops at time, or just before. Ugh, sorry for the cloudiness here guys.
2-0
I learn that Amelia has lost in top 8 to Jonathan, and I’ll be playing him next. Attentive readers will remember that Jonathan was my round 4 opponents, against whom I made the most ridiculous misplay of my life. Reveeeeeeeenge!
Top 4: Jonathan Anderson w/ Gyarados
Game 1:
I start out strong this game, and am able to keep the Trash Bolts flowing. This goes a lot like my games in top 8, except for Jonathan did something I found really interesting, if not completely obvious and something I should’ve picked up on before: When he knew he wasn’t going to see a BTS for a turn, he’d play a ‘Karp down, and then Psychic Bind me, ensuring that I wouldn’t get the Bright Look. As I said, it seems like a relatively simple play, but I wasn’t at all ready for it, maybe because of tiredness or maybe because I’m terrible at this game. You decide.
1-0
Game 2:
This game goes a lot like the first, except he manages to take the lead back mid-game, and keep it all the way through. Once I realize that I’ve lost the ability to 1HKO a Gyarados, and would simply be trading prizes by Dragon Rushing his benched dudes for him taking my Garchomp every turn, I scoop to save time, hoping I can rush him and win at time.
1-1
Game 3:
He starts Smeargle to my Garchomp, goes first, sees nothing, and passes. I try desperately to get the donk and probably extend too many resources doing so, ultimately whiffing on it. I can’t remember exactly how it goes down, but time is called pretty early into the game, and I believe the turns played out like this:
Turn 0: My turn, take a prize.
Turn 1: His turn, he can’t take a prize.
Turn 2: My turn, I can’t take a prize.
Turn 3: His turn, he takes a prize, tying the game.
We have a small issue regarding how the game plays out on Game 3 with time and turns and whatnot, but that’s quickly resolved. I’m able to Dragon Rush something small on his bench to take the game-winning prize.
2-1
Finals: David Cohen w/ LuxChomp
Game 1:
I realize in this game that the advantage I have in the Gyarados game from testing it so much is directly proportionate the amount of advantage I’ve lost in the mirror from not testing it at all. Needless to say, he steamrolls me because he is a lucksac…er….“great player”.
0-1
Game 2:
More of the same. Sorry, these are kind of lame reports, but I’m apparently terrible in the mirror now. I’m not sure if it’s due to David stacking his deck or what, but it certainly can’t be related to my skill.
0-2
Let’s Recap
So, I get second again. If you’ve been following my reports (of course you have), you’ll know that my season has gone something like this:
Battle Road: 2nd place
Battle Road: X-1 bubble
Battle Road: 2nd place
City Championship: 2nd place
City Championship: 3-2 bad record
City Championship: 2nd place
That’s four second places! In hindsight, I suppose that’s better than four 30ths, but still. Bitter berries, sour grapes, always the bridesmaid, etc.
In all seriousness, it was a great time filled with some great games.
Big ups to everyone involved.
Props
Doing well
Amelia top 4ing
Team B-Side
Terry for TOing
Rose for Judging
Game Matrix for hosting
Slops
2nd place
Ashley bubbling
Alex having to drop
Liam scrubbing out
Sparkly Vampire
Kenny,
Great article. I’ve been playing LuxChomp as well (new for me this season) and bombed a cities, then won 2 cities, got 2nd in another. I’m definitely not a LuxChomp master, but I have a couple suggestions, and also some questions.
– I know you touched on this, but I’d go with Communication over Luxury Ball. You’ll nearly always have a Pokemon in your hand… or, at least you’ll have one in your hand more often than you’ll have the Luxury Ball and WISH you had something that could grab a Lvl X instead.
– How many (if any) dead starts did you have with this list? With no hand refresh and no Staraptor, you’re at the mercy of your deck in terms of getting a Cyrus chain started. Did you always draw into one early? Or did you just find that you had enough resources to stay in the game until you drew one?
– I love the Ambi/Draggy play. I think when you play both, it allows you to keep your Garchomp line at 2-2 (which, as you said, is more useful in any other match-up besides the mirror). My favorite trick on my first turn (if I can’t attack) is collecting for Garchomp, Bronzong, and Dragonite, then attaching to Dragonite. Your opponent can’t Dragon Rush Dragonite because of the 100 HP, and he won’t risk putting 80 on him with Garchomp in play. And, if they can’t get off the Dragon Rush that turn, you can Bronzong the energy over to Garchomp and lead with him.
– I’m currently experimenting with Energy Exchanger as well after not seeing more than a handful of DCE all day long in my 2nd place Cities run. I had previously used 2 Communication and loved it, but I’m trying 1-1 Comm/Exchanger now. According to Pokepedia, adding the Exchanger ups your chances of starting with a DCE (assuming you’re using Exchanger as your 5th copy of DCE) by 11%, which takes your total percentage chance of starting DCE or Exchanger over 50%. Can’t ignore a jump like that.
Great article, now quit being the Bridesmaid and go get yourself a medal!!!
Congrats on winning the Cities man!
– Yeah, Communication is probably the right play. I recognize that in hindsight, and am not sure why I didn’t while building the deck, haha. Good call.
– I opened with a Collector in probably 10 of the 13 games I played, maybe? I’m not sure about Cyrus. I often opened with a bad Pokemon (Lucario, Azelf, Bronzong), but I almost always had a supporter in hand. What you said about hand refresh is true, though, I’d like to fit an Oak or a Cynthia in somewhere. My hitting those supporters early was probably just luck, haha.
– Completely agreed about the Ambi/Draggy play.
– Wow, good call on that. I need to start using Pokepedia more. Thanks for the info.
Thanks man! Good luck this weekend.
You mention Staraptor FB X… Is it worth testing with? And what would it replace?
I’ve never tested ‘Raptor in LuxChomp, but it’s good in Dialga. Not sure what it would replace in a Lux list.
My list is way different than this so I couldn’t really propose a simple “-2 Cards/+1-1 Staraptor” change. With my list, I immediately Call for or Collector for a Staraptor FB if my opening hand doesn’t have a Cyrus. Then all I need to spike is a Communication, an SP Radar, a Bebe’s, or the X itself and I’m in business. That’s wayyyy more drawing “outs” (for those of you who play poker) than sitting there hoping you’ll hit a Cyrus.
You mention Staraptor FB X… Is it worth testing with? And what would it replace?
I think playing any of 1 trainer is extremely inconsistent, unless a Galactic trainer, because the chances of you drawing into that Energy Exchanger are pretty low. I’d stay at 2 Communication, or 2 Energy Exchanger. Personally, I play 3 Radar and 2 Energy Exchanger and I’ve never had problems. It speeds up the deck a heck of a lot :)
Where do you find the room? I’d ideally like to have a Mewtwo counter in here, which tightens it up even more. Good point though, consistency is always good.
The point isn’t necessarily to draw into the trainer though. DCE and Exchanger overlap in their purpose, so you have to look at it as a virtual 5th copy of DCE. This “5th copy” improves your odds of drawing into a DCE (either the real kind, or the Exchanger that you’ll use to get the real one) by 11%.
Cards that serve the same (or a very similar) purpose have to be calculated together when speaking about consistency. The point isn’t “how many Communication do you run,” its “how many cards do you run that can snag you a Pokemon.” As an example, this is why people only play 1 VS Seeker – it can act as a 5th Cyrus or a 2nd Aaron’s. Same with Junk Arm in Gyarados – if you have an SSU in the discard, you don’t necessarily have to draw into another one, because you could draw into a Junk Arm as well. The cards overlap. Fulop had a good article about this a couple weeks ago in the Underground.
Sparkly Vampire?
Read as “David Cohen”
Lawl!
Good Job Bro, and again, excellent read!
Thanks man, appreciated!
“Secondly, I should’ve asked for a take back when I played the Aaron’s. Do I expect the takeback? No, but am I totally within my rights to ask for one? Yes.”
I completely understand, but at the same time, I think it’s a copout. I’m not saying you did anything wrong, but for the sake of discussion, let’s look a bit deeper.
You made a mistake. Now, you want to take your error and put it on the shoulders of the player across from you. It’s good gamesmanship, but poor sportsmanship. You’re essentially asking them to either look/feel like a jerk for saying NO or look/feel stupid for saying YES. It’s a copout to put that lose/lose decision on their shoulders just because you made a mistake.
When you register for a tourney, they should hand you a button that reads, “If you ask for a takeback, I will say NO.” just like people selling alcohol wear those “We ID” buttons. It’s like saying, “Don’t try to put the blame on me.” right up front.
I wouldn’t say it’s a cop out. I’ve both allowed takebacks and not allowed them before, and I’ve never been upset about my decisions either way. The situation might be different for Kenny, who has previously stated he does not allow takebacks, though.
I’ve lost the example I posted on an article written by Kenny in the past, but strong player Sebastian Crema, who made top 8 at worlds, both gave and asked for a takeback at WORLDS and both players allowed them. There’s something to be said about that.
Well, yes, I did want to err on the harsh side to induce discussion. It really depends on the situation. If nothing has happened between the error and the asking, it’s not a huge problem. After that, then it’s putting undue pressure on the opponent.
Also, it’s highly dependent on the time/place/event. In a BR, with both players at 2-3, it’s probably not a big deal. In top cuts of States, maybe it is.
I’m not saying that I’m coming down hard one way or the other on this, either. I mainly just want to point out that it puts pressure on the other guy for something that you did wrong. I’ve done it, myself.
Heck, in the finals of the last cities I went to, I announced my attack, but before anything else happened, I said, “Oh, can I do this first?,” because I forgot to burn some trainers that I didn’t want it my hand. My opponent, who also happens to be a testing partner, didn’t care, but it wasn’t something that had an obvious direct impact on the game. We knew each other, and we were relaxed.
In this past regionals, however, I had an issue that seems similar, but I think put much more undue pressure on the opponent. In the final round of swiss, I played against GG (IIRC) that included Downer Material. I was playing Gyarados, and I was off to a poor start. I announced Impersonate, and the opponent said that I didn’t have the energy for the attack. Without thinking about the implications, I pulled the SpDark energy out of my hand and went to place it, so I could attack. I believe that my opponent (being a nice guy) was going to allow it. BUT, it was my mistake, and against something his deck was meant to do (Downer). Also, the winner here would make top cut. I felt that it was unjust of me to ask him for a takeback. I also think that it was within my rights to do so. It put him in a bad spot. I then suggested that we call a judge, and it was ruled in his favor.
I’m not saying any of this to make me look good or anyone else look bad. I’m just pointing out that many people use their opponent’s good will against them, sometimes, and I don’t think that’s fair. It’s also bad to be inconsistent (which I have been) in allowing takebacks. I remember one game where an opponent asked for a takeback (which I allowed) and later asked again (which I didn’t). That seems unfair, too. I’ve also been known to suggest plays during a tourney (like “did you want to Flash Bite?”) at some times, and held my tongue at other times. That’s inconsistent, too.
I still vote for the “No Takebacks” buttons.
I wouldn’t say it’s a cop out. I’ve both allowed takebacks and not allowed them before, and I’ve never been upset about my decisions either way. The situation might be different for Kenny, who has previously stated he does not allow takebacks, though.
I’ve lost the example I posted on an article written by Kenny in the past, but strong player Sebastian Crema, who made top 8 at worlds, both gave and asked for a takeback at WORLDS and both players allowed them. There’s something to be said about that.
I don’t know why my comment didn’t go through the first time, but…
I’m a firm believer in doing everything you can, within the rules, to win. All I’m saying is that asking for the takeback is the only way that I would’ve not lost, and it would’ve been the play that gave me the biggest chance to win. Jonathan wouldn’t have given it to me, I’m certain, and I didn’t deserve it, but not asking would make it certain that I would lose.
I get where you’re coming from though, and it’s good to have that prespective. Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoyed the article.
LOL @ the David comments at the end. That list is pretty darn similar to the projected list I had came up with yesterday. Great job, maybe I’ll be some sort of competition to you guys soon enough?
You need to ease off the excuses… If you’re placing 2nd at every tournament, there’s probably a reason for that. Blaming 2 losses in the finals on “stacking” or “lucksacking” probably isn’t going to go very far for you.
Haha, I was obv kidding. David and I are buddehs.
I thought it pretty obvious it was a joke…
Jonathon wasn’t your Round 4 opponent but Round 3 and Amiela used said didn’t beat him in T8 but in your props you say Amelia T4ed.Other than that i liked the report :)
Oh, right, thanks for the correct, haha.
How often does making the top 8 at 3-2 happen?
You need 33 players for a Top 8 and 6 rounds. In Michigan, every Cities we’ve had so far has been Top 8, 6 rounds, except for 1.
:( At the one I went to we had 35+top 8 and 5 rounds. Unless I am insane of course…
The Head Judge is allowed to take away one round of swiss play due to time constraints if need be…….
Seems like Calls & azelf are quite useless in your metagame of just Gyarados,
Props on 2nding, you’ll might be able to win mirror next time
Good points all around, thanks for the props.
“The week I decide to drop Machamp is the same week everyone decides to sleeve up SP. There is no God.”
We do not have proof of that, and I think you could offend many people by saying that. just kidding lol.
“The week I decide to drop Machamp is the same week everyone decides to sleeve up SP. There is no God.”
I lol’d
Aw, Kenny, I think you make a wonderful bridesmaid!
If the dude got the mewtwo up and running think you would have been able to win?
If he got Mewtwo w/o anything else on the field, no. I had no Mewtwo counter, meaning that I would have to rely on Gusting and Dragon Rushing Pokes on his bench.
Also no tech for the trainer lock match?
I didn’t expect much trainer lock, and I think I have enough experience in the match-up to be able to at least do decently without adding any certain tech. What would you recommend?
I have played around with Dialga G and his X but it seems a little cumbersome and crowds the deck.
today, i thought of you because i went up again a turn one mewtwo and had to out play it before the X came out and ruined my Chrismas.