We are back here after 10 years of bigger and better for this year's world championships.
We got Pokemon XP as well.
There is so many exciting things.
So here on your countdown show, we want to break it all down for what you want to
watching and experiencing this entire weekend. Hi everybody I'm Joshua I'm
gonna be talking about Pokemon Unite. We got Amanda talking about Pokemon Go,
Ethan talking about the Pokemon Trading Card Game, and Rosemary talking about
the Pokemon Video Game. We obviously have so much to talk about. The
competition is so exciting. These halls are already packed with competitors
and fans alike. We have a lot of major things to talk about one of which
we are sitting on right now this stage is incredible. Everyone is already getting a
first look at it. Rosemary what's one of the coolest things you've seen
either here or at the convention so far? Well I gotta agree with you this stage
looks amazing but it isn't just a stage. We have so many activations all
around San Francisco. There's even a Pokemon Go stamp rally so you can see
some of what San Francisco has to offer. It's gonna be impossible to do
this weekend.
Shereva, you're eating.
Yeah, I mean, these events, year after year, continue to grow and expand.
There's more and more to do each year.
The competition becomes even more intense as players continue to hone their skills
in all of the games.
It's going to be an incredible weekend.
Yeah, just bouncing off of that.
Thirty years for Pokemon, like you said, Rosemary.
Ten years now for Pokemon Go.
It's been absolutely incredible, especially as a Go player to see everything there has been to do in San Francisco.
this event I said bigger and
better right during the
it really is I'm so excited for
all the competition that's
going to happen on this main
stage but this convention hall
goes for what seems like miles
that direction and there's
Pokemon everywhere surrounding
us I wouldn't have it any
other way it is so so fun but
our job is to focus on what's
going on here on the main
stage and in the tournament
hall all weekend long so we
want to talk about what you
should be looking to watch
this weekend we're going to
to start off with some major storylines.
So Rosemary, what is a major storyline
of the video game that people should be paid attention to?
Well, the highlight of the weekend
is that this is the first world championships
for Pokemon champions.
And what better way to be able to kick off
this game's life cycle than to crown a world champion
who's got mega evolution back.
It's going to be just such a great display
for all of our top trainers around the world
to show what they've got for Pokemon champions.
awesome. How about TCG? It's really around that one big bad Pokemon, Dragapult, E.X. You
can't run and you can't hide from them. He is everywhere, especially with top trainers
bringing him to the world championship. So we're going to see if there's another deck
that could be thrown in. We had a similar meta game 10 years ago to very dominant
decks, very dominant archetypes. And it was actually a rogue deck that was able
to take the tournament down so who knows we could see another surprise back in San Francisco after 10.
Oh I love that. A look back is so fun. I know we have the museum as well here in the venue.
I'm not sure if that rogue deck is featured. I sure hope it is. There's a lot of cool moments
throughout TCG's history. But how about for Pokemon Go, Amanda? What should we be looking
forward to watching all weekend long? So I feel like Go is in this unique position right now.
We're kind of at the vent diagram middle between the video game and Unite because
as the video game has moved on to a new thing.
This will actually be the last season for Go to have
an individual world champion as we are moving to 3 vs 3
for the World Championships next season.
So that's a big act of it that I think a lot of people
are really hoping that they'll be able to play.
Yeah, I mean you've had a few World Champions already
and one more to take that solo throw is so exciting.
Pokemon Unite, we are in a bit of a sweet and sour situation.
It is the final time for Pokemon Unite at the World Championships.
However, we could not have picked a bigger stage, bigger venue to crown our final world champion.
That is going to be the major storyline to watch.
There is going to be one final team raising that trophy at the Chase Center this weekend, by the way.
We're switching venues and going to one of the biggest at San Francisco,
has to offer for our grand finals.
That is going to be just incredible.
I cannot wait to see all of the competitions all day long on that championship Sunday.
It's going to be a lot of fun.
So that is why we think you should be watching,
but maybe you're asking, who should I be watching?
Well, that's our next job.
So, Rose Mary, what players do we have to watch
in the video game over the weekend?
It was so hard to just narrow it down
to three competitors because it is the world championships
and we've got the top trainers from around the world
that are going to be competing there this weekend.
But we've got Wolf Glick, Marco Silva, and Ko Tsukide.
As your players to watch for the video game,
Wolf Glick needs no introduction.
This man won the World Championships 10 years ago,
and now it could be his time to get a second title.
He came off the back of the second place
at the first regional championships
that we had in Pokemon Champions,
and he's always a meta innovator.
He thinks about what is going to be strong
and how can I beat that,
and that's why he had mega steel eggs
at back regional championships.
Marco Silva from Italy is going to be our next player
watch he is a three-time international champion. Only one of few competitors I
can say that they've even won twice but he's missing the elusive world
championship title. So that's why I saw on him this weekend to see if he can
finally claim that. Last but certainly not least, Ko Tsukide. He is a world
champion from the seniors division in 2019 but Ko has been on an absolute
international tear this season. Top cutting both the international championships that he attended
as well as the Japan Nationals just a couple of months ago. So if there's anybody that you should
be keeping an eye on in Japan, it is Ko. Wow, I mean the absolute line up there on the vision.
We had people cheering in the crowd just a player. Some players still want. So yeah,
some huge faces of the community here at the World Championships. So exciting. I know the
the trading card game is no exception though.
Even who should we be watching over the weekend?
Of course this year, no exception.
We've got international talent coming from all over the world.
Our three players to watch part from.
A mixture of different regions, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi,
player for many, many years, had a great season coming over
to regional championships.
It used it in taking it down.
Eyes are definitely on him to see if Japan can win a world
championship on their 10th anniversary.
Tour direct love, no introduction for this man.
Did the Global Circuit the Grand Slam.
The only player to win all four international championships
is also missing that elusive World Championship title.
Got so close in the Oklahoma,
he's still looking for that championship win.
And of course our defending World Champion,
Wiley McKay, can't write off the back of Gardevoir
this year, but he's a very talented player.
We'll have to see what that he decides to bring this year
to see if he can become a repeat champion.
Interesting.
OK, it's maybe even a rogue option for Riley McKay.
We'll have to see.
I know you're already talking about Big Bad Dragonbolt.
Do you think all three of these players to watch
are bringing the notorious, maybe infamous,
Dragonbolt this weekend?
I know I can probably speak for TOR.
Now TOR has played Dragonbolt to a lot of different events,
but he loves his trade ability on Souraward.
He played that to the North American International Championships where he made top cut.
I wouldn't be so shocked to see him come back with another innovative Zoroark build
and try and take down his tour.
And is that about the spirit of the World Championships?
Trainers with their iconic partner Pokemon.
I mean, that just fits the bill.
How about for Pokemon Go?
Any players to watch that you should ever rise on?
Oh, boy. There are so many talented Go players.
And I know that we've stayed in Go since we've been a little bit relatively more new
We haven't had any repeat world champions, but the keyword is yet because the first person we want to look at here is feels a boy last season's and I'm world champion.
He is from India, but he's actually had a chance this season to play a couple times in North America and also international championships and has top cut during those.
So he is still really going through the season quite ferociously.
next up, we have night time
Closher. We're gonna call him a Mr. Worldwide at this point because he's been playing in North America, Europe and
Oceania. He also got first place at the Latin American International Championships. He is also
leading NA on the leaderboard. So definitely a player that wants to be able to get this
World Championship title. And last foot again, we can't say last but not least, we're always saying
But we have to really say this because the Spanish sensation
Pataman is arguably the best trainer in Pokemon Go right now.
I think you could ask 10 trainers and probably 10 out of 10 will say that he's
had the best season. He was the champion of EUIC,
two years in a row. He was our finalist last season in Anaheim
and I think a lot of people are wondering if he's going to take it all
the way this year. I love that. I mean the World Championships always has
that vibe. It's a championship of champions every single time. It feels like Pokemon Go,
really leaning into that this time around. Well, I gave everybody else the chance to say
three players to watch. I'm of course going to allow United to talk about 15 players to watch
and they're going to be sectioned off into three different teams. We have some teams coming from
all over the world, of course, just like every title. And the first one we got to talk about
is Fennel from Japan.
This team is unbelievable.
To tell you the truth, it doesn't feel like they know how to lose the video game.
At any point in time, every single championship this team has been a part of.
This year, they have won in the R-Former World Champions in Honolulu just a couple years ago.
This team is looking on a whole nother level.
Moving on to the next team though, in North America is Root Dignitas.
So, Rob, you're not a huge fan of Umbreon there.
I am, I got a pin sport.
But Zagreb leading the way for Rue Dignitas.
This team is looking amazing this year.
Champions at LAIC and at NAIC this year,
as well as a really strong performance in the Asian Champions
League.
A lot of players on that team hunting for a world
championship title.
But this couldn't be the one to do it.
Take a look at their group stage later on the United
Show, though.
Crazy start for their tournament.
And after them, we have the reigning world champions,
Peru unites. Last year in Anaheim, we're able to dominate the competition in the arena. They're looking to do so again.
It was a stream season for this team, ups and downs, but they are on the up going into the world championships when they won the Latin America Regional League.
Taking down future in Brazil, Latin America, South and North. So, doing the amazing season, they look poised to be a real contender at this time.
So that is going to be what the major storylines we think you should be watching this weekend and some of the players that you should be watching.
We also want to give you even more reasons to be watching the world championships as well as all the broadcasts associated.
We got drops, we got distros, Rosemary, what are we giving away in the video game?
Well, well, well, we do have an incinerator that you can drop inside Pokemon champions for just watching
60 minutes of the stream and alongside of that you're also giving away some other in-game items
So that if you don't want to use incinerator on your next team
You can actually get and recruit it for a new Pokemon and train it up
So make sure that you're sticking around watching the stream
Out of the recent launch of champions a lot of new resources even if you're a new player
These seem like great drops that you could add to your collection
Maybe get some of those Pokemon recruited onto your team even I know the trading card game
You got a few of these lined up. So what's going on in the world of drops in the trading card game?
We've got a whole mixture of things look at all those things you can get within the Pokemon trading card game live
Of course those exclusive worlds accessories that box
some cosmetics for your avatar.
There's a mixed zero or a place of the mega zero or a EX.
It's got two of the special art rare.
So, you know, nice way to fling out your deck a bit,
as well as a special world's loop frame.
Get all of that from watching this stream.
It's gonna be plenty of awesome action this weekend.
Awesome.
Yeah, I mean, huge shout out to Ethan, by the way.
At home, I'm sure you can read that just fine
on your screen, but that is some small font
that Ethan was able to read on the monitor
that we have in front of us.
So, big behind the curtain there
a great work Ethan that's in the trading card game for trading card game live but how about for
Pokemon go what have we got for drafts? Ethan's eyesight is impeccable but for go there's also
some very cool things that you are going to be able to do just by watching and the main thing
you can see him raising that trophy there you will be able to get a tinketon based off of Bill's
voice team last year that he was able to take that world championship not only that you're
going to have a little choose your own adventure for watching 30 minutes you can choose between
going down a licky ton toad dial or the rooper path so I don't know guns what would you pick it
we're playing oh i'm going toad all the ways i love her oh come on i mean it wouldn't even be
you're going blooper yeah class i was so good either what are you picking
i agree bonsai is pretty cool i got a lot of you i like it i have to go licky licky is probably
gonna be the major pokemon in armada so pay attention to that this weekend but yes you've
You've got to want to make sure you're watching because you'll get a lead TM as well so you can use that to take away a charge cat on your Pokemon.
Oh, I love that. Prepare for future competitions. Leave it in the Pokemon Go season. That's a great job. Great time to do it right now.
Pokemon Unite, we've got some really cool drafts this time around for the World Championships. Of course, we've got your classics, that World Championship sticker.
But we also have License Art and then one of my favorite drafts that we have ever had.
If you watch Worlds for 45 minutes, you actually get a license of Pokemon that you can play in-game,
one of the five Pokemon that Peru used to win that game-winning match in Anaheim last year.
Leafy on Side-Up, Zeishian in Teleon and Crustle, those middle two, Zeishian and Side-Up.
Those are going to be meta-relevant threats this weekend.
They're going to be banned, they're going to be picked.
We're going to see a lot of them on the Pokemon United broadcast.
So we have so many rewards that you can be getting for watching any of our games
I know in the Pokemon XP broadcasts
We also have things to be given away so check out so many amazing moments at this year's World Championships in 2026
Which is well not exactly a rerun, but a return as 10 years ago
The World Championships was held here in San Francisco
Love getting the chance to showcase Pokemon to this incredible city yet again
And let's go to some nostalgic mood a little bit.
So we want to say one of maybe our favorite
competitive memories of all Pokemon Rosemary.
How about you?
Being in San Francisco, it just makes me remember our time
in Japan just a couple of years ago.
Another way that we could commemorate a huge milestone
for the Pokemon franchise.
And so to see how the city was set up
for everyone to enjoy and how San Francisco is now,
It's just a great time to be a Pokemon fan.
Absolutely, Ethan.
How about you?
Got a flashback to 10 years ago.
What a tournament it was before in San Francisco.
The change inside from a hotel ballroom
to now this incredibly expansive convention center.
Really seeing that road deck take down the tournament.
It's shocking the entire world.
I'm really curious to see how it's going to happen.
I lost a rapid fire for you, Lemberg.
I mean, I think at the same point,
to just being able to be in a stadium last season was such a big thing for a goal.
Going from a stage to a stadium is absolutely incredible
and we're going to get to go ahead and do it again this year.
I cannot wait.
I've loved all the world championships that we have had in previous years.
It has been so fun.
But like I said, we are getting bigger and better for this year's
Pokemon XP and World Championship.
San Francisco has been home to legendary Pokemon moments
across so many of our titles, but this year it is going to be so fun.
So let's throw it to our opening ceremonies.
Let's get started with my body
This is lonely
Let me show you
Show us who we are
We've got some side to lonely
Together here and now
We'll touch the stars
And then
We'll do it all over again
Cause even if we lose our way
You know what we say
Here we go
Here we go again
We go
And didn't get a nice time
Here we go
Here we go again
There is life still at stake
We take it all in
It's our strength
Here we go again
You rock, we need your faces
I love us on the path to the unknown
Still drawn to the edge of the ring
I see you when we're walking victory road
And I hope you and I are over again
To see that every day in the day
Who are we safe?
Here we go
Here we go again
Here we go!
Here we go again!
Every blast that I've had
The new day to give away
With all I've had
Here we go!
Here we go again!
Hello, Trainers, and good morning.
To start things off, we are about to take you on a musical journey from the past through
the present.
Celebrating 30 years of Pokémon, we'll start today by bringing you the great music
of Kanto.
I'm your conductor, Charlie Rosen, and we are the 8-Bit Big Band.
Thank you so much. Please enjoy.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you very much.
Well, that journey through Kanto was actually only just the start of our program this morning, Trainers.
Now, join me as we travel across generations to celebrate the amazing 30-year legacy of Pokemon.
Thank you so much.
I
Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to the 2026 Pokemon World Championships and Pokemon XP.
Well, right, let's give it up one more time for our fabulous dancers and the 8-bit big
Band. I mean come on no matter when you first discovered Pokemon I hope hearing
those medleys from our orchestra transported you back to the happy and
cheerful memories. Hi I'm Gabby Durden I'm your host for this weekend's
festivities and just like you I love Pokemon since I was a small child
forming my first core memories so I'm beyond honored to be here on this
stage coming to you live from San Francisco, California.
This weekend is extra special for all of us.
One part of our event commemorates the hard work of our
trainers as they conclude their journey to become world
champions across four titles.
Pokemon champions.
The Pokemon trading card game.
Pokemon Go and Pokemon Unites.
And, and, and even more adventure awaits with our first ever Pokemon XP, but we couldn't
be more excited for you to join us for activities, panels, attractions, and much more throughout
the weekend.
All right, two incredible events.
unforgettable weekend and you better believe we're gonna make sure it's one
for the record books. But I think we should get things started, shall we?
It is my pleasure to introduce to the stage the president and CEO of the
Pokemon Company, Mr. Tsunekazu Ishihara!
Welcome to the 2022 Pokemon World Championships and Pokemon XP.
First, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone gathered here today, as well as all of you from around the world joining us online.
And whether you're here to compete for the title of World Champion or you've come with
family and friends to enjoy Pokemon XP, I'm truly delighted that we can all be here together
on Pokemon's 30th anniversary.
From all the exciting experience we have waiting for you at Pokemon XP to the next
to the world championship finals we're gonna have
at Chase Center on Sunday.
This weekend is sure to be a lot of fun
and one that I think trainers will remember
for many years to come.
日本に辿り着くのでお互い続けきた選手のみなさん
皆さんの努力情熱として挑戦する人たちは
いつの日かこのステージに拓大と願う
未来のご霊なたちの憧れとなり希望となすぎます
And to all of the competitors who have battled their way here,
truly your hard work, passion, and determination
inspire future trainers to dream of one day
standing on this very stage.
You truly represent both an aspiration
and a source of hope for the next generation.
皆さんが今日ここにいることが 次の世代への夢をつないで
このことにここでを持って 最後まで全力で競技を楽しんでください
Just by being here today, you are helping pass those dreams on to the future.
Take pride in that and enjoy every moment of the competition as you give it your best to the very end.
それでは 戦闘を追いの意識になる
And with that, I wish you all the best of luck in your battles.
Thank you, Mr. Ishihara, for setting the stage for us, Mr. Ishihara.
stage. Oh so beautifully. I can feel the energy in this room. I can sense the excitement to
compete. More than 2000 trainers have descended upon San Francisco to test their skills and
fight with all their might to become the next Pokemon World Champion.
Competitors, the time has come. Please make your way over to the playtables to kick off your matches.
And before we get into the action, our testers are prepped to walk you through everything in store this weekend.
So everybody, let the 2026 Pokemon World Championships begin.
Let's do just that.
Hello, everybody, and welcome to the 2026 Pokemon World Championships
here in San Francisco, California.
Eric, I am so honored and excited to be kicking off the show with you.
It is so good to be back for this very public yesterday.
We were in Anaheim casting the world championship finals.
It's been a whole year.
A whole new game has come out in Pokemon Champions.
And I think like this is going to be a very,
very special world championships.
It's going to be special because of the arena,
but also because, check out, look at the pricing
that our competitors are going to be trying to achieve
here $30,000 for first place.
And there's so much more.
The glory of becoming world champion.
It is truly everyone's dream in this competitive game.
And in addition to all the incredible prizes and let comes just having the ability to say I won the world championships is truly
what everyone is fighting for. But of course, there's just so much happening here. And the world championships is the best place for it.
And the honor is currently being held by our reigning world champion Giovanni Sisti, claiming the title last year in Anaheim
and doing it with a team that a lot of people had just under prepared for, I think.
A lot of people had to cry on very low on their radar, but Gio said, you know what?
I've been rocking with this team all season long.
This is the spot I know that I'm going to win World Twin.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
And really going to show that Worlds is one weekend.
Gio had actually never got him past top eight in a tournament before the World Championships,
but all the stars aligned, he was able to win his very first tournament choosing
Worlds to win.
It was funny taking a look at those six Pokemon on his team because Rose, I don't
like any of those are in Pokemon Champions currently. So not be seeing any of them today,
but probably somewhere down the road. But it was such an exhilarating finals between him
and James Evans last year, and it was just so fun to watch. That's what Worlds is all about.
It's about the best players in the world, bringing the best teams, and really duking
it out against each other. You may not see Corridon, but you know it's sunny in California
when there's Charizard Wahey running around the mech. Absolutely, yeah. But this is just one
of many previous world champions that are about to take the stage of the 2026 World Championships.
This is a stacked lineup. It's amazing that we can say that we have eight former world
champions chasing a second crown. No player other than Ray Rizzo has ever been able to
win multiple World Championships in the Masters Division. Of course, we actually saw Kevin
Han in the Seniors Division pull it off last year after aging up from juniors,
We have eight different players who have won the World Championships before in Masters.
We'll be looking to get a second one.
And of course, we're playing with Mega Evolutions once again.
And many of these players won during the Mega Evolution area, starting with, of course, Sage on Park.
And actually, everyone talks about his Patreza that year, but he shocked the world by bringing Mega Gyarados to the world stage.
Mega Evolution that we barely saw throughout that format.
We're showing Mahonami piloting Mega Kangaskhan, Wolfe using Mega Gengar as well as Mega Rayquaza, Paul Ruiz using Mega Salamence,
which of course is not in Pokemon Champions.
It's going to be really exciting to see how the players who got to the absolute top during the last time that we saw these Pokemon compete once again.
I really wonder if Satan's going to be bringing a Raiju as a small homage to the Patricio Lin.
That would be pretty cool.
He did bring Patricio to the World Station 2024 in a restricted format, which I think was a pretty big surprise to see.
But yeah, I think very exciting to see so many ex champions competing once again.
And I can't express how difficult the World Championships is, right?
like we have so many incredible players and there's so many years where a lot of the
x-war champions like don't even make it past around five around six and they get
eliminated by then and so the quality of play and the quality of players just
gets higher and higher and higher but I feel like a lot of people feel it in
their bones like maybe this year someone could do it again. It does feel like if
it's going to be any year it's going to be this one but there are a lot of
other competitors hot on the tails of our previous world champions that are
hoping to make a splash at this one. Let's start with some of our other
players to watch from North America. We've got Paul Chua, Justin Tang, and Alex Underhill.
Paul is a player that many regard as one of, if not the best player to not win a world championship.
He is incredibly high up there. So many regional championship wins coming off the
win at EUIC this year. Having won that tournament multiple times as well. He's a long time veteran
of this game having been competing since 2011-2012. And so he's made it as far as
top four at the world championships back in 2022. Can this be his year finally?
Justin Tang, a rising superstar, very quickly rose to the ranks when he first launched on to the scene,
getting three quick regional championship titles.
This isn't a player that had just the best start to a season we have seen in a long time.
He had six contiguous top 16 cuts across the events that he played at the very beginning.
He's been a little bit more quiet as we've entered into the back half of the season,
but if anyone is going to be ready for the World Championships, it's Justin Tang.
Yeah, absolutely coming off a top 32 finish last year as well where he's using some really essential Pokemon like groudon and jump love in a format where they were not necessarily the most popular so
Excited to see what team he's brought to the scene today
But of course like you mentioned just truly one of the fastest rising stars in VGC
He only started playing any Pokemon Scarlet in violet won the first ever regional championship see attended and I think many are expecting a big finish for him today or this weekend
And then Alex Underhill kind of closes the bookends with a lot of experience coming into this world
championships. He's also been playing competitive Pokemon for many, many years, but I think maybe
we'll be able to bring something special to the table. We've talked about meta developments very
hard when coming into the world championships. It's actually going to be the first official
tournament that we're going to be playing in this format, but Alex has been taking to those
online tournaments and already coming up with some unique teams. Absolutely. Yeah. I think
team building group one of the
premier groups to watch out for
in North America and prominently
actually debuting this dual weather
team of Charizard cured with
Pelipper, our child on Grim Snarl,
that basket legion initially now
mega swamp for Venus or as well.
And so I'm very curious to see if
he's brought that to this
tournament because if there was
any player that I would expect to,
it'd be him and his buddies.
This is just North America.
We have lots more players to watch
from our other competitive region.
So let's now talk about Europe.
This is a tough one.
This is a tough one to narrow down to just three competitors as well.
But we've got Marco Silva, Michael Kalsh and Francesco Piofero.
Yeah, three absolute tight ends in the game.
Marco also still looking for his first World Championship victory.
He's won so many regional and special events.
He's won three international championships.
He's come very close to winning the World Championships as well.
And he's just been one of the most consistent players in the game
over the last couple of years as well.
I think many hold them to be Europe's best.
Speaking of consistency, Michael Couch at the World Championship level has had that
and then some second place at his first ever World Championships followed up in
the next two years by top four and a top eight. Hopefully it's gonna be better than
just a top 16 this year. You know that Michael Couch is one of his
competitors that he's chasing that big win after being so close and knowing
that he could taste the victory and must be fire under your belly to know
that it was in your reach once people.
Absolutely, I mean I spoke to him a while back and he said,
I want to be remembered as the greatest player of all time,
what I've done with this game.
And in just three years of playing competitive EGC,
like you said, top cut everywhere championships he's attended.
He's gotten so close to the crown.
And Markle and Michael actually both players
that really have my eyes on them
because I'm curious what teams still bring
because Mega Gengar is not a football
that's very popular in this format
but both Markle and Michael
have actually had tremendous success with it.
Markle winning a regional championship with it.
Michael winning a big online tournament
they would swam for right before Worlds. And so I think Vega Gankers was really hard to use,
but if there's anyone in the world that might be able to pilot it from Europe, it's going to be
these two guys. It would be really exciting to see some additional mega evolution into the meta
for the World Championships. But someone that knows that sometimes the tried and true is
what makes it possible. It is Francesco Pioferro, the NAIC champion, first IC champion
in Pokemon Champions. Yeah, he came off a top four finish at UIC this year as well. He's
been so incredibly consistent
having top cut every international.
He's always going to chasing that big win.
He had made his final as a regional before.
He had made it as a top four top eight of
internationals before.
It just feels like he was always in top cup
was missing that big win, but finally got it in NAIC.
And I think like he is probably coming into this
feeling a lot of confidence off that big win as well.
And Italy is just such a dominant region.
And you know, it feels like every tournament
is someone else's time to shine a little bit.
And now it's Francesco's time after that big one.
Next up, we have our competitors from Latin America who have traveled all the way here to see if they can grab that crown.
First up, we have Alexander Cuncicco.
And I think this is a player that I feel like has been a little bit underrated coming into the World Championships
and even when just thinking about it from a global stage.
But this is a player from Mexico that you've got to keep your eyes on for this world.
Yeah, it definitely really consists of finishes across multiple events over in Latin.
And I think it's really, you know, awesome to be able to
highlight these players a little bit more.
And one thing that's especially exciting is the next season,
we actually will get to watch these players compete in
Latin America because we'll have official broadcasts there.
And so to your point, I think Alexander has not been able
to get the chance to compete as much on kind of the
global stage, right?
But has had a lot of local dominance.
And if you take a look at, you know, some of the other
players on this page, like Juan Salerno, probably one of
the, it's not the most well-known last-hand player
personally because he's attended multiple events outside
of Latin America has done very, very well.
Getting second at LAIC just this year,
packing his home region comes as one of the most dominant players
in terms of championship points has had so much consistent success
across the board.
Last but not least, we've got Max Morales, a four-time regional
and special champion.
I think that really does feed volumes,
knowing that you have had that regional success.
But now it is about being able to show up on that big stage.
And maybe this is going to be the world championships
that we'll have America will be able to get that second title after Paul Reed's
playing it so long ago. Yeah of course I think it feels like you know Juan in
particular has really just had such a dominant season across the board and I
think his ability to venture into the other regions and compete in them as
well definitely have my out on here but I think all three of these players
really really have to pay attention to from that time in particular. Next up
Oceania let's talk about our players to watch from that region we've got
Nicholas Kahn, Henry Rich, and Goji Kaida.
Nicholas Kahn is someone who is no stranger to the world stage,
having won the world championships back in the younger division before,
and he comes in as one of the leading players from Australia.
Of course, his brother Chris Kahn actually won the trading card game
world championships in the seniors division back in 2011 as well.
So just truly dominant family in Pokemon,
but Nicholas has aged up through the divisions throughout the years,
has continued to just have success after success,
the next couple of years.
We've been able to do well
on the international level.
Ended up getting regional
championship title back in
2022, but he's always gotten
very, very close in some of the
other regional championships
he's played.
And so for Henry, it's kind of
like you were able to show
yourself.
I always kind of having
consistent day two
performances at ICs at the
world stage, though.
And so I think it's a
great opportunity to
get a chance to play
in the next couple of years
and to be able to
get a chance to play
in the next couple
though. Is this the moment now that you can get to that day two and go beyond?
Yeah, I'm really excited to see what he's brought because I feel like sometimes he
has really essential teams. I remember correctly he met a top 8 NAIC during a
restricted format with overquel on his team and using some really cool
strategies and even though he's from Australia he has competed in North
America good bit as well with multiple high-level finishes at
regional as well as NAIC and so yeah I always really like watching him
especially because he's brought some really cool stuff throughout the years.
And then we've got Joji Kaeda and this is a competitor that has also been able to travel across the world to be able to compete.
But I think also explains a couple of titles that we don't necessarily get to talk about very often.
The online global and brands challenge.
Thank you. I was like, there's one.
I got you. I got you.
There's a pop-up circumstance there.
But it is incredible that he has won several of those competitions, not just one, not two, but several.
Yeah, one of the most consistent players in the online best of one close team scene environment and often the best players there translate over to the best of three environment as well.
It is really difficult to be so consistent in the game.
Has a lot of variants.
Be consistently top the ladder finish number one want a lot of these online tournaments, which have literally hundreds of thousands of players participating in that.
And so I think a big question is what kind of team compositions you kind of land on, especially when you grind the ladder out that much.
A lot of experience that comes from that, but you know it's going to be open team sheet.
That's a three for this tournament.
So you have to consider that your opponent is going to know a lot of information about
your team.
We've got another region coming up for you and it is going to be Japan.
Japan, one of the strongest regions in competitive Pokemon.
And we've got Ko Tsukide, Yuma Kinugawa and Hiroshi Onishi.
Any of these could walk away as World Champion this weekend.
Like I think Japan in particular is just historically such a strong region in BGC.
had crowned multiple world champions.
Ko is one of the players that I have on the very top of my list to win this weekend, and
he won the senior division world championships back in 2019, has top cut worlds in masters
multiple times after aging up, and he has been on an absolute hair this season as well.
He's also traveled outside of Japan to compete at the internationals, and he's been so
consistent.
Every time I watch him play, I'm like, you know, I can see why he was a world
champion, and I think he's here to prove himself.
I can win in seniors, but I can also win in masters.
It's kind of interesting to be able to watch these competitors age up through the divisions
and still find success.
I think about Nicholas Kahn in that same way.
Yeah, exactly.
And you were able to still show your stuff once you have actually evolved.
But Yumu Kanagawa, I mean, this is a competitor that we talk about, you know, the Asian
national system.
It is a very different qualification method to come to the world championships.
But Yuma, another one of those Japanese players that has decided to test his medal
and a more international stage and walked away successful as our LAIC champion for this competitive season.
Yeah, doing it with one of my favorite teams of the season as well, this hyper-offensive team that had Flamigo as well as his Suen Typhlosion.
He has been a veteran of the scene at this point and playing around 10 years, but feel like the last two seasons he has just been on a generational care.
He won the Japanese national championships last year, then went to NAIC where he finished in top eight and like you said Rose won LAIC.
to win Japanese nationals and an international championship is just absolutely wild and so he's still hunting for I think a really big worlds finish made it to day two with actually also ground on I was talking about Justin Tang using ground on
Kido Gawa use ground on in a different worlds format, which was also really cool to see with like Iron Jugulus and so yeah I think he comes in as definitely one of the favorites in Japan as well.
And of course you have to talk about our current reigning Japan Nationals champion Hiroshi Onishi
Winning with you know kind of a very standard set of Pokemon there with the Charizard and the Poet
But I think it was really that bar chomp that really helped him stand out amongst the field when there were also so many other
Charizards running around absolutely. Yeah, and I think the Japanese national champion always has
Very high expectations coming into this world championships for a very long time
It was like whoever won worlds was either the Japanese national champion or someone who had got in top four worlds before
And I think like he comes in with definitely a lot of pressure a lot of expectations
And he has been a very strong player from Japan specifically
So they he's been able to compete at the world stage very much
And so be able to see a exciting to see how he'll be able to do it
But like you said, yeah, he showed look I can play the standard composition
But I can play it better than anyone else and yeah comes in with a really really big big free over
This is just a snapshot of our competitors to keep your eyes on for the 2026 World Championships.
But if you're watching, then you're going to get something nice out of it too.
Check out our distributions.
Make sure that you have a link to your account so that you can get an Incineroar to use in-game.
If you don't want to use Incineroar, then we also have some other goodies for you to be able to recruit a new Pokemon
and train it up to be ready for your team.
Of course. And we, of course, also have a distribution for all of you here
of you here in Pokemon Champions.
If you want an exclusive hat, an exclusive t-shirt,
I think this is actually one of the coolest things
about Champions, which is being able to get
exclusive merch that you can't buy within the store.
All you have to do is use that passcode,
enjoy Worlds 26, and you'll be able to rock fees
in Pokemon Champions.
Let your opponents know you are tuning
into the World Championships.
Maybe they'll tune in as well,
and they can learn a thing or two.
And if you are enjoying all of our competitive titles,
and there's something out there for all of you as well,
So check out all of the drops and distributions
that are going to be taking place,
not just on the Pokemon VG side,
but of course for TCG, Pokemon Pocket,
Pokemon Go, and Pokemon Unite.
And of course, how do you earn these?
Well, it's simple.
You just need to log in, visitrewards.pokemon.com,
log into your Pokemon Trainer Central account,
link your Twitch account,
and watch the desired stream for a period of time
as you saw earlier.
It's often 30 or 60 minutes
on the respective streams.
and you'll be able to earn these drops on Twitch specifically.
And you can also watch in other languages
by turning on the CC extension,
which will then give you translated captions.
And so you definitely don't want to miss out
on any of these awards, they're free, right?
And so if you're watching on Twitch already,
might as well link up.
And that's not all.
Last but not least, we do have a special Twitch badge
that you can apply after watching just 16 minutes
of any of your favorite competitive action this weekend.
I think that is genuinely one of the coolest badges
I've ever seen.
I've seen many badges on Twitch in my day, Rosemary,
and that one I think is incredibly well designed.
And so just 60 minutes,
you definitely don't want to miss out on that one.
Follow along the action here on our stream,
so make sure you don't miss another minute of it.
Stay a part of the conversation
using the hashtag Pokemon XP
and the hashtag Pokemon World
on all of our social channels.
We want to hear from you,
but you've been excited about who you're cheering for,
what you're following,
and yeah, make sure that you share your thoughts with us.
The Moongus wants to know, he's not currently in Pokemon Champions, but he's really, really
waiting.
I don't know when he's coming back, or I don't know if he'll be the next regulation,
maybe sometime after, but of course, one of the most important Pokemon in VGC history,
but we won't be seeing him on the world stage this weekend.
I think I'm okay with having a little Moongus break.
Okay.
Yeah.
That's a small one.
The virus might be as well.
That's a small one.
And then I guess you can come back.
I'm sure we're going to be waiting for that moment with fated breath.
Absolutely.
I am so excited to kick off this world championships.
The first round is up and we've got some crazy matches.
I mean, of course, this is the world championships.
Every round's going to be crazy.
These are the best players in the world.
Take a look at some of these matches
and especially that first one, Rose.
Oh my goodness.
Yeah, I mean, my eyes are going all over the page
and getting bright eyed for all the amazing action
that we're going to have.
We are just a mainstream.
We are going to have featured streams and side streams
that you can check out as accompaniment to our broadcast.
But we've got Wolf Glick versus Kira Fumi,
camera for round one.
Are you kidding me?
Yeah, that's a match that you might expect to see
in the World Championship finals.
These players have so much history.
Wolf, of course, winning U.S. Nationals multiple times,
winning multiple international titles as well,
and winning the World Championships in 2016
alongside his regional accolades.
here are foomey multi Japanese national champion. It is difficult for Japanese players to get
the chance to really prove themselves very much because they don't have too many tournaments
to compete in and the Japanese are just so grueling. But for here are foomey he has made
it count on the world stage basically every time he's been here second in 2019 top cut
the last three war championships with the top four finished last year as well. So it's
going to be an unbelievable match and yeah I truly made it when you know what's
so exciting about worlds is so many matches that you see on the screen if you said
Oh, that is what we would see in the arena on Sunday.
Wouldn't feel like an absolute shock.
Yeah, and this is the world championships.
Every single one of these matches
is going to be super high stakes,
and this is just Swiss round number one.
We've got three incredible days of action ahead,
and it does all culminate in the arena finals.
I wonder how our competitors are going to react to that.
Already we saw during the opening ceremony,
there's a huge crowd out there
just to watch the competitive action on the main stage,
But then come Sunday, 15,000 competitors,
like people watching two people do get out on this show.
Yeah, yeah, I think it is probably something
that is so exhilarating, like in the moment,
it is just like, you're probably so focused
on just trying to win the world championships
when you're there, but it is truly,
it will be the most unique experience
I think any competitor in this game will ever have.
It's gonna be a long way to get there, of course,
with many rounds of Swiss today,
another couple tomorrow,
and to get there you have to be the best of the best.
I know we're getting ahead of ourselves, but here's a video to make sure that you're caught up to speed on exactly what you'll be seeing this weekend.
Whether it's your first time watching or you just need a quick refresher, here's an overview of the Pokemon VGC format at the 2026 World Championships.
The best trainers of our round of globe are here to compete for their share of a $2 million prize pool and the coveted title of Pokemon World Champion.
The first World Championship Slade and Pokemon champions will take place over three days.
Phase 1 consists of Swiss rounds where trainers battle head-to-head in a best-of-three format with open team sheets.
That means critical details about each trainer's Pokemon are available to the opponent.
Trainers advance to Smith's Phase 2 if they gain more match points than their division threshold.
At the conclusion of Phase 2, the top 8 trainers and up to 8 additional trainers tied with a place
will advance into an asymmetrical single elimination bracket until only two finalists remain.
On Championship Sunday, these finalists face off in San Francisco's Chase Arena for our biggest piles yet.
Two will enter the arena, but only one will walk away as the 2026 Pokemon World Champion.
Who will become the first World Champion of the Pokemon Champions era?
Which Pokemon will dominate the meta?
We'll be here all weekend so you won't miss a second of the action.
With that, it's time to get today's matches going.
Castor's take away.
Thank you, Passmene, for that format.
And now we're going to go into round number one
between Wolf Glick and Kira Fumi-Kira.
You can't ask for a better way to start the War Championships, Rose.
You truly can't. We saw this matchup and we were like, come on.
That has to be the one that we show for everybody.
So hopefully, y'all are eating good at home.
But let's talk about these teams
teams as we've already talked
about the player
accomplishments with them
coming in with major success
at the World Championships,
but you're not saying things
incorrectly. That is a normal
Tyranitar and a mega star
after facing off against mega
Blastoise and mega del Fox. I
think, of course, Wolf of
player let so many people are
cheering for and so many
people are curious. What
do you see going to bring
to this tournament? This
meta game, of course, feels
like there are around 10
teams that were incredibly
dominant and established
coming into this format and for many players this question of are you going to use one of those teams or are you going to build something new and try to break the meta game?
And at NAIC I think that was something where we looked at and we're like okay that's meta breaking, you've got Mammoth swine, you've got Toxic Pex.
And actually a lot of people took that team and realized that Toxic Pex is going to be pretty good going into the rest of the Pokemon Champion's format.
But this particular team it feels like it takes some of the best pieces of one of the archetypes that really started to emerge when this format was announced with Mega Surapter and Mega Tyrannatar.
But of course there's a lot of wolf flavors behind it,
something like that nasty-caught Phryggraph.
Yeah, and I think a couple of elements to call out here.
You've got the power-gent Life or Golden Go here,
so that is used as a way to counter Tarzan, of course.
Regular Taranatars, you mentioned,
you wrote over the Mega Taranatar,
mainly because Grapper's a football mod
that does mega-volving so much,
and the Choblberry just insures a little bit
survivability against things like Low Kick
from King Gambit.
And you've also got Winscott and Phryggraph.
Now, this is a duel that won the World Championships
2024 but in a much higher power format overall of course paired with the ride on and of course you've got the nasty plot on the
Frigraf the Whim Scott here doesn't have protect which it normally runs but the ability to switch in for a graph to block a fake out
Allows you to flex and have a fourth move on the Whim Scott
And then we've got extra drill with expert belt here as well without rocks like you know
This is a little bit different from the traditional extra drills that you will see ending overall
What's interesting is that there is only one mega evolution on this team a lot of the top teams in the format
make you pick between, you know, one or two Megas or maybe even bring both Megas into a game,
but Wolf says, I'm gonna bet it all on Starafter here, and I've got so many pieces supported as well as possible.
Trick Room on the Fariguer off, Speed Control in the form of Tailwind here on this Wimsecot,
and you do have the ability to come in with Tyranitar,
but you do have to be a little bit careful since you don't have that mega evolution.
You've got one shot to set up the stand on Tyranitar and keep it if you really do want those extra boosts to your special defense.
Let's take a look at the flip side of things though, because while this might be a more unique take on that Star Raptor and Tyranitar archetype,
Hero's Movie is actually running something that is a bit more established.
You've got a choice in the Mega Del Fox or the Mega Blast Waste to really help amplify.
You've got a boosting move on either of those, and the idea here is pretty simple.
You're trying to set up either the Blasters to the Del Fox and then let them sweep.
Exactly. Yeah, this is one of the top teams coming into the War Championships.
championships. There was a huge online tournament. Nearly 1,500 people participated in it. This team won.
Seam also reached rank number one on the ladder, built by a Japanese player a couple weeks ago.
And so it continues to be a huge part of the meta game. And Rose, what makes it so scary is that
there's nine different lead combos that feel good. Incineroar plus any of Blastoise, Delfox,
or King Gambit. These are plus any of those. Or Cinnishio plus any of those, right? You have
to respect all of the different Pokemon that can set up and often just run away with the
game and so what makes it also difficult then if you're using it as well which one do you pick right
King Gambit often kind of feels like a hidden mega evolution and that you can actually lead it and
just try to start sweeping with it immediately I think Delphox actually is a Pokemon that feels
strong into Ska Raptor on Wolves team in particular but you can see Hero from me leaning into
Blastoise or Delphox or even King Gambit as the lead they consider are a really valuable
Pokemon for him to potentially lead get that immediate intimidate off into Ska Raptor
it's one of the ways that you can neutralize Ska Raptors damage output because of course
If you bring Incineroar and Strapdoor's already mega vault, what it feels really bad.
So normally you might want to lead Incineroar to try to catch that Strapdoor, drop its attack immediately,
and if Wolf wants to respond, you can try to find ways to beat that Incineroar as quickly as possible, right?
And so if you don't want to, you know, get intimidated by Strapdoor, things like Trynotar and Golden Go catch,
you offer a lot of damage up, especially with Tower Gem on the Golden Go, which is not the move you see super frequently.
And these are here also as quick guard, which of course is a fun move I can help out against priority hits.
Let's get into it everybody. Game number one of the first round of the 2026 matchup is ready.
Let's see what Wolf and Hirokumi are going to start things out with.
For Hirokumi it is going to be the blast, or even Incineroar, but for Wolf it is the Star Raptor and Furret Ground.
Yeah, so what's really interesting about this matchup for Wolf, I think, is that at any given point you can switch and win the cup, right?
You also have to have to block that fakeout, which is such a big tool on Hirokumi's team, right?
Normally what hero-fumi steam wants to do is cycle these fakeouts, get set up, but immediately,
once the blastways can't get set up that easily, right? You can't fake out with incinerators,
so you can always go for a close combat on some of that slot. Frig Raptor is a potentially nasty
product, a thunderbolt as well. One thing that's really scary, I think, for hero-fumi is that
Wolf can switch from Wimmscut at any point. That Wimmscut then can go for it, for example,
Longcourt, if you try to set up with those both bots. You can even go for a side charm onto
the Raptor as well. So, big question is, on turn one, what does hero-fumi want to do? You
You do have something like poking Hannah on a similar and dark fold.
You just try to get a bunch of damage off and it is going to be program switching.
So is it that way to find it is going to be.
And so when it comes in, I'm going to be able to help to think
some of these attacks a little bit more effectively on that.
Consider or not going to be the only Pokemon that's really going to get threatened
for some pretty big damage or something like that.
Flareblast, but it's not something that you really want to try to lock into
into that for river out that was just on the other side.
What we do have though is mega evolution time for both the Star Raptor and the Blastless.
So they're both ready to put up a good fight on this first turn.
Full combat comes out into the Blastoise.
The extra HP going to help it out to make sure that it can take that attack effectively.
As Water Spout now comes out.
It's going to be a little bit muted because you did just take a ton of damage from the Star Raptor.
But it's still going to start to add up to a bit of chip across the board.
And the parting shot here. So, nice play by Heraphrubian. I think there could be 10 themes to try to target down the third draft aggressively,
but manages to get Incinera out. Water Spots still does okay damage, and of course, Prushly breaks Focus up.
And now Sinisteria hits the field, right? So you do get that recovery onto the Blastoise with that hospitality,
and you have to play this guessing game now, while it's the Raptor's close combat, Sinisteria can just go for Ragepower to redirect it away.
So, of course, you can go for Braver, but if you're Heraphrubian, you can also make a call and say,
You know what I'm actually going to protect in front of your brain bird and so great birding the blast ways is probably like the most guaranteed
Damage here and this is the offer thing about blast ways, which is after that special defense boots on this thraster
The runners buff aren't doing that much damage
So I think you know pretty okay trade for both players on turn one
But I think we'll see what a really favorable position mainly because of the office of threat of this drafter the women's caught of course
We go for a charm on to it as well
There is an out of benefit of this initiative coming back in with the hospitality
hospitality you're going to get a little bit of healing back onto the blast
way so this water spout will be a little more effective as long as you don't take
more damage on this turn but that rage counter is going to be what comes out
when spot is a grass type though so that move blast will not be redirected as
your blast will case damage anyway a great cover plate you're from wolf to get
the move blast into the blast ways to reduce water spout damage and also still
engulf that braver so that you have guaranteed damage into Sinistra
Water Spouts though, I mean we're starting to look at the 34 stat card here for both the way to pot and the Starafter.
Yeah, I think one thing that's really crucial about the Starafter and Walsh team is that there's no roots, right?
And so actually every little bit of damage that lands on it will be permanent.
And so I think Karifumi's probably pretty happy about that trade at the end of the day.
You're able to actually get a good amount onto the Starafter if you're weakening Walsh Bulkmonen.
One of the tricky things about Starafter, I think, is that you actually take a lot of recoil damage from Raver.
great for damage does add up.
And because of that parting shot on turn one,
Lulus doesn't do that much, right?
So this one actually is a pretty crucial turn,
because if you're a hero,
who may want me to consider
is potentially switching the Sinister out
and getting it back in for more healing later on.
Or you could say, you know what?
I am just gonna go for the safe rage powder
and water spout once more.
But I think hero's movie has actually done
a pretty good job of distributing damage so far.
And so after is maybe not gotten as much
as you would want normally for this.
We're gonna see the Sinister switch out
I'm going to reserve the hospitality for later, as you are saying.
It's going to be a king gambit that comes in instead.
It's a little risky, but it would be diabolical for Wilson to actually throw a post on that into a ghost type.
So it is going to be the buster and the braver from the Star Raptor just to guarantee the damage.
My heart was pounding there, Rosa. I was like, you called it.
I mean, what if it actually happens? How diabolical? Good, it'd be.
But the switch indeed does happen.
So now, of course, there is on-court pressure from the winds that caught on to Blasphoies
to try to on-court and to protect.
I think if you are a hero for me, it is still this guessing game of like, can I cycle with my Pokemon safely, right?
Because the King Gambit here is going to be Black Glasses, so after it has a defense boost, so Sucker Punch should not get the knockout onto it.
And if you're a hero for me, I think what you probably want to do is get that Sinishia in to protect either of these Pokemon.
But let's say you switch Blastways out into Sinishia, then you're still vulnerable to just eating up a close comment on that slot.
Or maybe Wolf greeds it and brave birds into Blastways, which then would knock out the Sinishia.
So it's actually, like, I think this is a really, really key turn.
It's gonna be the King's Gambit switching.
Do we see an encore from the Whimsicons?
Hey, I mean, that is entirely possible.
And that would mean that this Blastoise can't do any damage on this next turn.
And that was, that's a critical for Tarman instead.
And so angling that into the Star Brasser country
is actually going to make sure that that is an attack boost
instead of an attack drop.
And so the great, first-rate Blastoise down to just a small sliver of HP
The Zerliss water spout is going to be nothing more than just a couple drops of water in the face.
Well, really exhilarating turn there.
Yeah, I was kind of expecting Wolf to go for the self-charm a little bit earlier in this.
And so, finally does get it off.
Crucial trade there. I think if you're here for me, you're probably not too stoked about how that turn went
because I hope Wolf was to just knock out Strapher after there.
Here for me makes the call and says, look, I don't think you're going to on for me because the switch is so obvious, right?
And so, at the end of the day, Strapher does hang on with a sliver of HP.
basically one braver to wait for him getting knocked out, right?
And Hirosumi's done a good job of distributing damage.
We have to consider,
Incider in the back is probably not going to be the heaviest damage dealer.
If you knock out Staraff or King Gambit actually becomes really threatening,
you also know that Wolt has to regress in the back.
After regress, great for blocking fakeouts, really bad in the King Gambit, right?
And so, the Hirosumi and his goal is to knock out Staraff as quickly as possible.
He constantly makes these switches, and King Gambit's going to come in once again.
Could this be the close combat read?
If it is, then this is going to be game number one going over to Wolf, but it is still a very risky play to make.
It's going to be the move last first, and that's actually going to deal a pretty significant amount here too that came Gambit,
but it is the Brave Bird Wolf trying to secure the KO onto the opposing Mega Evolution first.
Yeah, I mean, great switches by Hirafumi. Like, it feels like it is so tense, because like you said,
I think if you're a close combat in a Gambit, Gambit face-nurse is so so tricky, but Gambit does come in freely
and now it pressures Sucker Punch into Sucker App here. Of course, if you want to get around the Sucker Punch
what you could do then is switch the Clips upon out, he's a free grab, walk the Sucker Punch, and then maybe close combat in Gambit.
But this is such a high-level game of Ho-Kwon, right? It just seems so obvious.
Here, Fumi could consider maybe swapping Sinisteria back in once again to kill the Blast place as well.
And it's gonna be the Blast place pivoting out here. I think switching in Sinisteria to protect the Queen Gambit actually
relatively safe. Let's see if it's going to be to protect right here.
Because then on the next turn, if this Sinistra is still around, you can actually go for something
like a bridge powder to release, try to bridge directly another Moon Blast, but the crit is going to cure the KO
first one to us this game after so many turns and a 40 turn into the King Gambit
instead, maybe hoping that it was going to be the Sinistra on the other side.
Exactly this is like what high-level Pokemon is about right because I think
you didn't go for sucker punch you didn't go for protect just goes for the
couch out we'd say look I think that you're gonna expect me to potentially
pivot out right and so if gets a double knockout there that's such a big deal and
that's huge huge play by her for me I think you could things felt really tense
especially with that critical hit onto sinister because I've met like close
combat could just go to King Amit safely and once again if the close
combat goes off King Amit beans I think it's just game over right and so
So that's her hero-fueling thing.
I'm not going to suffer fun.
Paul says, well, I'm not going to switch in break-graph,
but it still works in hero-fueling's favor.
It's going to be Tarana-far here.
And in the back, as Incineroar comes back in.
So crucial to intimidate.
But make-up currently is blocked.
And for hero-fueling, the question
is, can you actually still do enough damage?
Because the Tarana-far here does have low kick.
It does threaten King Gambit with a ton of damage.
That would end up securing a knockout here,
but we do have that intimidate drop.
So there might be something that we'll
to wait and see but there's also still that blast waste in the back if you're
trying to consider maybe instead we're getting a parting shot off into the
tyrannotar reduced the damage bring in the blast waste instead and pacify
it. Yeah the main question I have Rose is if you're here with me how are you
beating tyrannotar right because blast waste is quite low in terms of HP and
in simmering king yam it don't have a tax look and hit it for even neutral death
right if there was no frigorap on the field I'd say well you can just
fake out you can sword stance but right now I think it's actually still kind
of dicey for Harifumi because of the inability to fake out. So it's gonna be the parting shocker
and Sinter actually moving first before Thrograph or the Tyrannotar, but in Karifumi's goal
is let me just keep cycling in these Intimidates. Dwarves still gonna have to do enough damage
to Tyrannotar though.
Before it ends up taking care of you in this glass race, he's unfortunately going
to get switched in. Okay, one turn here though for the King Gambit to use the Protect
and it was going to be a double of that Thunderbolt into the King Gambit as well. It's actually
So I'll think it knocked out to the same storm chip.
OK, so this opens the door.
I mean, Hero Floating Out can potentially consider
switching Blastoise back out.
The Blastoise at this point feels like a non-factor in terms
of dealing damage to Trinitar.
But it could go for Dark Pulse, right?
That deals super effective damage into Frigrap.
Could angle for a flinch on a Trinitar as well.
And part of the way to handle Trinitar
is to keep swapping in and out for Intimidate.
So it's exactly what Hero Floating
is doing right now.
The stand actually really important
is to be able to ensure that Blastoise will
probably expect to see a dark pulse here is going to go into a free graph but
that's a lot of damage but will survive. So as able to at least go for one more attack
it could be the Thunderbolt coming out here but it's going to be the Tyranitar
going for the low kick and take a look at how effective those Intimity Attack
drops and the Party Shot has really been onto this Tyranitar and the
Thunderbolt as well. I mean it's a Seraph quite bulky. We do see a Parallelist.
That might come back to work a little bit in the remaining turns of this first game.
That's a big deal, right? Because we saw in the center it was faster than both of these
both won initially. And so it would have been able to either get another parting shot into
Puranitar or just knocked out Pyrograph before they get the chance to move. And so really
big prowess is there. For Herofumi, the question still is how do you beat Puranitar?
The answer, I think ideally is you get sword stance often. Like you need to knock out
Pyrograph first and then, you know, a sword stance like plus two, kowtow cleave
into plus two Sacrifice, you've got company hand support on the Incendiary as well.
Now, Taranitar doesn't have the ability to go for something like Rockside, for example.
It's a question of does King Gambit protect this turn, right?
And if you're Wolf, I think you can always safely target down the Incendiary Sloth.
But if you ignore King Gambit and it gets the Swords Dance off,
suddenly things can become really scary.
So the question is, do you watch that blow kick into King Gambit?
Do you Rockside into Incendiary? It's going to be Rockside!
Okay, it is. King Gambit here can Swords Dance,
and Incendiary can maybe just Flare Blitz and Tail for Rigger App.
If you don't get flinched, there is a 30% chance for that to happen.
So ourselves a lot of HP though to try to get it through these next couple of turns.
There's going to be for Riverrath going for the attack first.
A Thunderbolt aimed to the King Gambit is not going to give that second area to the paralysis,
but you do see the Rockside flinch onto that King Gambit.
Still not a terrible turn though for Nofumi as you end up getting the KO onto the first round.
Yeah, but I think the thing now is like, the whole question was always,
well how do you beat Tamanitar, right?
Sneasler is the answer for it, but Sneasler wasn't brought into it.
Zinnish does her other answer into it, but it went down so quickly.
And then Blastway's the third answer to it, but his HP just got whittled down so low, right?
And so, had King Gambit been able to get a Sword Stance off there,
I think it would still be in Wolfe's favor, to be honest,
because Taranitar should still outspeed the King Gambit and just go for low kick into it.
But with the inability to get a Sword Stance off there,
I think Taranitar should be able to win this game.
That thunderbolt actually being really crucial damage is just dropping King Gambit lower and lower.
This Taranitar is even multiple attack drops at this point,
but I don't think it's gonna be enough for Heroes for me to win the game.
I'm just trying to consider how little damage the Incidor even took from something like the
low kick and that's why I had that hesitation.
There's also free text and play.
So if your fume can actually get a nice ball right, or maybe there's something important
like the raw side miss or you can fight through the clinch, then maybe things do end up actually
looking a little different.
Incidor though, it took a lot of damage that after, oh, another raw side clinch
too.
Never mind, I spoke too soon.
It does look like Incinamore is going to go down to the rock side on the next turn.
Yeah, Wolves making the nice call there though, right?
Here for me protects King Gambit, that was an opportunity to potentially sword stance up on it.
And Wolves saying like I think you kind of have to protect here.
So she's going to be helping me hand here to get one last attack up,
but with no sword stance from that King Gambit earlier,
she's not going to do very much with this sucker punch.
Ah, it's just going to be roughly a quarter of the total HD of this Tyranitar,
and the low kick finishes it off.
be a 1v1 between this Incineroar and Tyranitar and win that speed disadvantage from the paralysis
that is going to be a win for Tyranitar.
Yeah, I think regular Tyranitar really proving how powerful it can be here and for Wolf prioritizing
the early knockout onto Classboid for the early damage onto a medlet, Tyranitar wasn't
really breading, right?
And so I think if you're here fooming, you look at that game, you're probably thinking,
I feel like I played pretty well in the opening turn, so what went wrong for me?
And then part of it is that Incineroar is really good as a supportive tool, but
it can't fake out it then becomes less effective. He intimidates on the attack drop for nice, but it
didn't feel like he had enough damage output basically right. His damage was mainly coming from
Blastoise looking waterspout doing 30-40% here and there. So I think if you're here for me
probably you're starting to look at that Cesar potentially as an adaptation because of course
that Cesar does have close combat which gives you a ton of burst damage into Trannitar.
There was that one turn where I was wondering what if the Blastoise had ended up going for
a dark pulse instead. It took so much damage that it was only around 10% left. Maybe if that
had been a dark pulse, that could have been a potential knockout, I think, into the Starafter
on that turn. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I think that is a really good point. And I think what's really
tough for Hirafumi here is kind of threading the needle of dealing with Starafter at any
given point, because Starafter was a huge threat in the early game, but then, of course,
the win condition in the endgame kind of ended up being Taranitar, right? So,
Hero Fumi actually has plenty of tools to deal with Taranitar.
For example, if you are able to get it out earlier in the field,
and Sinoshas, and taking a lot of damage,
Sinoshas is insanely good into Taranitar after Intimidate, right?
Because you're able to heal back up with Machigacha,
you can run into burn as well.
So Hero Fumi's team has the tools.
The question is, do you want to lead into Blastways again?
Delphox is something like, can't come out,
but it is a big question mark because it is so bad into Taranitar, right?
That is part of the reason why Taranitar is such an appealing team.
I'm going to say that I should have wouldn't be a great thing for the Del Fox to see either.
But as you call that before we even got into the match, there's a rock side on it.
We would still have to worry a little bit about actually taking just like in general
some damage here from the extra drill.
It can be very fast as well.
That's something you're going to have to think about oppressing.
But I feel like you're right.
I wonder maybe Sneasler to actually think about still bringing the blast to us and
just switch it up and just bring Sneasler over and so on.
Yeah, yeah, I think Sneasler's damage output and that focus sash means you've been getting one big close combat with it can be a really big deal.
So probably the first adaptation I'm looking for is on here with Fumi's end, but it could be Delphox just to switch up and he is going to be the Delphox.
I mean, that's what makes his team so intriguing.
If it's this, my expectation would be a Sneasler in the back, right, to potentially close combat trying to farm.
We'll have to see. But either way, the Delphox here does fighting Golden Go immediately, but the question is, can Golden Go survive a heat wave?
wave often it will be able to this is life or golden go that you can shadow
bonkers burn and that would be a huge knockout intimidates obviously pretty
valuable in the strategy part but I think you're for me maybe hoping to see
sparafter here right if it's a strapper basically that in delfons feel stronger
but we'll fix it off the traffic for golden go delfons is in an awkward
position right now because you don't assist it like timing of the mega
evolution is also incredibly important so this is something where you say I
want to mega evolve the delfons now do I actually want to try to switch it
out and call something in like it's finished out or even possibly if he dammed it that might be able to take me back a little better.
Yeah I think there's so many plays that could happen from both ends right now.
Oh! Just he waves and no mega! No mega! Evolution! So Rose I think that probably means there's a blast wave potentially in the back.
That also by the way could have been helping Han on Incineroar. It's not going to be the helping Han so Shadow Ball just comes out immediately.
Maybe it's a parting shot from here if we need covering for Golden Goat protecting that turn.
And we'll just be a knockout immediately onto the Golden Goal with trade blow for blow here in explosive turn number one
But it is just going to be the parting shot to help reduce the damage output of this time Ranitar even further
I love this though
This is one of the most exciting things about the war championships this year
Which is cool mega teams bringing both megas and flexing it right and so it's gonna be a single target rocks like here
It does decent damage at minus two, right?
Every little bit of damage on a water smelt flask waist
really makes a big difference.
My question now is, what is Herafumi's more corresponding?
It is Sinisha.
So Herafumi says, look, I think I can flex my mega evolution,
and I also think Nali's in a really good position
with flask waist, right?
Obviously just breading with an immediate water spot right
now.
And there's no good switching for a Pokemon
to be able to take that.
Golden Go is low enough that I feel like that might end up
being a knockout if this flask waist can actually
stay at this HP level.
But then, yeah, what would you bring in to take the water spout if you want to actually preserve the Tyranitar and shed those attack bombs?
Yeah, I think the, you know, safe play for Wolves is probably switch Tyranitar into Winslow Claw because the Winslow Claw then has all four barter in the following turn.
And then Shadow Ball into Sinisteria.
Or Shadow Ball into Blastoise just to guarantee you get a lot of damage into it because I think Sinisteria is protecting or switching into Incineroar is the most launchable play for Hierakumi's at.
And so, I think I would be shocked if there were no, you know, if there was a Winslow Claw strapped through in the back from Wolvesend right now.
So it's going to be Sinister actually switching out first into the Incinerator.
Okay, Incinerator at least put the fake out on the table for the following turn
and kind of ensures that this Tyrantor's got to get out of there, but there's no other switches on the table.
So just going to be the Blastoise mega evolving and both of these Pokemon being on the receiving end of a potential water scout.
You do also have the Dark Ghouls if you want to try to guarantee the damage into the Golden Ghost.
But the Golden Ghost first!
He's going to turn it down to 19%.
His water spells are going to be pitiful.
But if the shell smashed instead,
that's the way to help increase the speed of these glass toys
at an expense of its defense and special defense.
Yeah, but I think, oh, it's rumps if it doesn't miss.
Oh, it's supposed to be a bitter heart,
but it's feeling connected under the glass toys.
Wow.
The edge of it is going to take him down
at the end of the turn.
Yeah, that critical hit was huge.
I think that played a lot of things going on.
I think it's going to be a great hit.
a lot of things going in Wolfe's favor.
I don't think he needed it to be clear, right?
Like, I think he made the absolute right play.
But I think that's just game over, honestly, on the spot, right?
Because Garifumi's entire gambit here was,
let me try to get the Blastley set up and sweep with it,
but it does risk, of course, yet, eating up that critical hit.
And so Wolfe makes the right call there,
saying, I am going to just shadow ball into the Blastley slot,
saying, if you switch into Incidero, I guarantee the damage.
And yeah, I think if the crit doesn't happen there,
the Blastley does get set up.
And then the following turn,
you just switch Incidero into Sinistero,
feel back up the water stuff it how I just don't think there's enough damage
to hero through me at this point I agree with you there there's not really a great
way for the sinister or the incentive or to hit this star after either which
still has the ability to mega evolve another KO for Wolf Blink the sinister
is set packing and now it's just the incinerator on an island Wolf Blink is
about to close up this game to a zero to take a win in the first round of
World Championships. And it goes to show basically how thin the margins can be
sometimes when you set up these teams because you often feel like you're
going all-in on whatever Pokemon you're trying to set up. I really like
here if who needs to call to try the Delphox as a beat here. What's tricky is
like going full commitment on turn one, right? Because it could have just been
helping hand ki wave, try to knock out golden go immediately. Probably be a
very different match if that happened, but if you go helping hand ki wave,
don't mega bolt Delphox. Well there the Delphox is threaded by Taran and Tarkas.
Here we go. Wolf Bligg will win his very first game on his return to the World Stage against one of the game's best in hero food game.
It really was an amazing match to watch to kick off our World Championships.
Especially when a lot of the match, you know, you were talking about doing Game 1, there were a lot of obvious plays that we may consider to make just given the board stage that we see in front of us.
But you got to think several steps ahead. Are they actually going to be seeing the same obvious play you went for and play around that and go for something different?
And I feel like that's what we saw in many of these turns.
And I think this was a set where I felt like Wolf already
was kind of in the advantage.
And then, you know, Thunderbolt Para and the critical hit
just bringing it way too over the edge at that point,
where it felt like Hero 3 was already trying to play from behind
in both of those games.
And I think once again, like it is so critical this turn
that Wolf did correctly shot a ball blast ways, right?
Because I think it could be tempting to shot a ball
and try to get the knockout into it.
If you ignore blast ways, it's
a shell smash that turn, and Blastways doesn't have that much damage, and Sinistert can switch
back in. It suddenly becomes a completely different ball game, right? So for Hierophumi,
he was looking for the perfect opportunity to get that shell smash off, and yeah, I really
would have loved to see how that would have played out without the crit, because I think
Wolves likely had, you know, Whipscot strapped her in the back, the Whipscot could still
be able to set up a tailwind, right, and kind of match the speed from Blastways,
and strapped her, I think, would still be quite difficult to deal with. And so,
yeah, I felt like it was still probably in Wolves' favor before the crit, but then
the crit just like instantly wins the game, and it's kind of the principle of being
able to, you know, get multiple attacks off into your opponent if they're constantly
making switches. Yeah, and you see why that forfeit came through at the very end of that
second game. And Sidor was going to be on their receiving end of a mega-evolved stirrupter
with close combat and then also the low kick from the Tyranitar, and that it's definitely
enough to get that KO. So, preferably just knew the writing was on the wall,
but that's still a great set to start off our day. Yeah, I think one thing that is,
you know so tough about this format in particular is like the players are so good and so if you
was like any little bit of variance here and there can all like I wouldn't say it made or
break this set at all actually because like I said I think like Wolf had a pretty monumental
advantage both of the games but it's one of those where it's like even one flinch one create
you know can often just be the difference between having it like the game being somewhat
neutral or to like completely blowing up right and so I think that Hirafumi's team is one
where you ideally want to get set up with your Pokemon but he basically never got the chance
to set up and what part of what Wolfe did really well in that game was saying look any
opportunity to let you have to potentially set up I'm going to potentially look to scare
you right from that and once again the three graph to block the fake outs and the wins
and not to be able to switch in any point of potentially all for you really scary.
Yeah just really did make that instead of our feel so much less useful those fake
outs being off the table you never know that for a graph is just going to switch
in even if it's not on the field it's going to do it for us for round number
We've got our analysts on the other side to break this match down even further.
Thanks so much Rose, thank you Aaron. What a great round out won there.
Looking at the pairings when we got things started, Lee.
We could ask for a better one, could we?
Lee versus the Refumi. We said backstage in the green room, we were like,
well, I guess after this round maybe we just go home, you know?
That's it, that's it. That's the World Championship Finals all done, wrapped up.
and we're going to have to
have to go back to the
game. We're going to have to
have to go back to the game
and wrapped up. Let's let's
call it a day there. But
what a what a way to start
things so explosive was
right. Yeah it was. And kind
of the nature of those sort
of teams as well. We saw
her a fuming with that kind
of, you know, the set of
orientation that they've got
well for you managing it
very well, but we're
picking some really
interesting choices in
team building around that
store after that solo mega
we see so often throughout
this format where players
and one basket to that mega store after and got off to a flying star.
Flying, yeah.
You won't do anything for that.
I was going to do it, so yeah.
Honour, we did it.
That's the Charlie influence.
Charlie, if you're watching back home, it's all you, my friend.
So while we've got a little bit of time, because that was a quick round, right?
Let's take a little bit more time, I think, to have a look at kind of like the team preview,
the teams that these two trainers have been using.
because there's no no doubt that we're gonna see a little bit more of both of these trainers
But as we go through this tournament, I think there's some interesting things to look at if we get to our first clip here
of the
and of the two teams that were breaking down now wolf is running a really interesting
like
Sand composition now usually we see that with star raptor and also with the
and Megaturanitar, but what's taking this team in a completely different direction?
Yeah and that's, I really love it actually because there's a lot of different intricate choices in that
composition as well. You've got the expert belt on the expert drill, we'll explore that in a little
bit, but like you say I think when on face value is this team going to struggle against some of
the bigger kind of comps in the format? Yeah well he's got a lot of tools at his disposal there
because of the photograph, like you say, really great against what Hirafumas port.
You need that fake-out setup to allow things like Blastways to get that shell smash, so
straight away that's out the question, and even in future games where Wolf may not lead with it,
you've always got that kind of lingering question in your back of your mind, do I commit to the
fake-out to try and get this setup, or am I going to just fall apart because the photograph's
going to switch in, right? Exactly that. So I mean, let's get back to the team preview
here. So we had Wolf on one side and I want to highlight like a couple of things here on this team.
The first one that I want to actually go through there is this item on the X control, right? We've
got the expert belt here. Now, this is an item that we don't really see too often in many compositions
of X drill. A lot of the sand compositions that we're seeing with Megatar Anatar usually
really like to see the focus sash on the X drill. One of those focus was like, it's so
easy to get knocked out right yeah but instead wolf deciding like hey I want to get this extra
little bit of damage here but not only that you've got the high horsepower but you've also got the
earthquake here on the exkid rule you've got that choice like am I going for that solid
ground type coverage the one that hits into a target maybe I'm next to the frigoraf maybe I
don't want to knock out my frigoraf the armadil right but then if you need that spread pressure
If you need to get through a Sinisteria redirecting, etc, you've got the capability there.
I also really like it as well, because of the popularity of something like YGod that we now see,
and you know, when players are bringing Charizard a lot of the time, one of the biggest threats to
that is those spread damage and namely Rockslide. So having ways, although this isn't really
against Charizard and so much, so it gets around YGod essentially and giving the X-Brill a lot more
more flexibility to take advantage of the turns
and it's got the sound on the field because we know
whether it's so dominant
and you've really got to take advantage of the turns
when it's in play.
You know, Taranatar's kind of enough
to knock out a Charizard, right?
Very well in that last game as well.
Well, exactly.
Even still, against a lot of Charizard
compositions that we're seeing now,
Toxpex, he's a really big factor
in that. So I think there's a good deal
of influence there coming out here
out here from Wolf. You've also got some smaller things, like you've got the timid on the Golden
Go, making sure in those Golden Go mirrors that you're maybe as fast as possible to be
able to out speed them. But also, you've got this tailwind on the star actor as well.
And that tailwind is so important for making sure this team is set up. Not only with
the Whimsicott, if you want to go for it, but if you're in a matchup, and there's
not that many of them, but there are some where you're like, hey, I really can't
to bring women's car into this match up.
Or I don't want to bring you into the match up.
Actually, you've got an option for speed control there
with the star actor as well.
So I really think this is a great showcase
of how to build these sand compositions
a little bit differently.
Yeah, and I want to point out as well,
the focus session of women's car here
is a common item on women's car,
but it feels a little bit counterproductive
in a sand composition.
Yeah, yeah, kind of.
I can't put the focus sash there because I've got the sand, that's going to be, yeah, a real detriment to my own game plan, but I think Wolf is smart enough to play that exactly how he needs to at the right times.
But I think that's got to be the other part of the puzzle about why this Taranatar is a chocolate fairy, instead of being a mega.
You're not actually relying as much on the Taranatar. We saw that in the game one with Hirafumi, right?
The Toronto time came out right at the end when the Blastoise was already knocked out from Hirofumi's side and having that being non-Mega put so much more focus on the Scarrapta being the mega of choice and that's what makes the focus Sash works and this is what I love about looking at different team compositions, right?
It's like one thing leads to another leads to another and you can see the picture of how this team has been built up.
Let's go over to Hirofumi with his team.
And I think this is one of the teams
that we've really got to be looking forward to seeing
quite a lot this weekend.
It's a team that's got a lot of popularity, certainly,
in the Japanese community.
But also, the wider community has picked up
this combination of setup with the blast toys,
setup with the Delphox, and setup with the King Gambit.
And then you've got the Incineroar, the Sinister,
and the Sneaselor going for their supportive options.
You've got the fake out.
You've got the redirect.
You've got the parting shot.
You've got the pivoting action going on.
And so this team is really all about protecting,
even though it's good to say protecting the kids,
we're protecting the King Gambit here,
where you've got the shell smash.
You've got the nasty plot
and you've got the swords dance.
So you get to pick as the player.
Like King Gambit can come to all the games.
Like it's a King Gambit in this format.
It's one of those Pokemon that you can splash onto pretty much any team.
But then you've got that choice of like, do you want to play the Blastoise?
Do you want to play the Ghost?
That's what makes it so difficult for opponents.
You get that decision wrong in Team Preview,
well, games can fall apart pretty quickly just because of that support network
that Incineroar and the Sinisteria,
and even the King Amateur to its extent,
offer the rest of the team those set up primary Pokemon, the Blastoise and Delphox.
But you don't need to always go down that route. I think Hirafumi in game one was very good in being able to condition wolf into a lot of scenarios where we saw that double knockout with the star after going to the king gambit, it didn't switch.
And then the brave bird comes out, not the close combat.
And then the wins the cup going down as well and put here a few in a really strong position.
Well, for Wolf, really smartly bringing the Taranitar the right time.
It was enough to close the game up, but it can operate in those scenarios as well.
Just having the threat of that setup can make your opponent act in a different way to what they would probably want to optimize their play in that scenario, you know.
Yeah. And then you've got the smaller things. We saw it in the match, right?
You've got the shell smash on the glass toys, right?
right? That's getting the speed set up, but then you're swapping in the sinister, recovering the health.
If you get the Blastoise set up, even if it's at half, it's still going to be doing lots of damage,
putting loads of pressure onto your opponent's side of the field and really allowing you to control the match.
What I love, and I really want to shout this out for Hirafumi,
such a great adaptation in game two of the match that we just saw versus Wolf,
where it's like, uh, psych, Del Fox, no, that's not the mega that I'm bringing, going for the heat wave,
getting some damage on the board, just starting to get things going. Yes, it got knocked out,
but actually it did pave the way for a blastoid setup. The critical hit on the goal, you know,
sometimes it happens, you know, these, these things, you know, it all played a really great
game. It played the right turn. It really shut down the blastoids on that turn. Uh,
but actually, like, there was this, there was this game plan, right? If the critical hit
didn't happen. Blastoise at half to a shell smash like it's definitely something that could
have brought Hirithumi maybe back into the game.
Especially with the Sinishia in the back that could come in, pop the health of that
Blastoise up a little bit further you know and then it's going to be getting the jump
on everything on the left side with all the remaining Pokemon that they had. So yeah it
would have been like Aaron said really great to see how that would have played out and
what Wolf would have done to kind of kind of rack the threat that Blastoise had
because Hirafumi had put themselves into that fantastic position.
So this team is definitely something at home
that you're going to want to watch out for as we go through the tournament.
Absolutely fantastic.
I'm sure we'll see a little bit more action from Hirafumi.
He's lost round one, but he's certainly not out of the tournament
and will definitely, on the right path, go into round two.
Now, let's have a look at what Pokemon people are bringing this weekend.
And, um, well, if it's no surprise, King Gambit Charizard Incinerall there, sitting at our first, second and third position.
Yeah, big six there, um, representing very well there in the usage stats, but, yeah, that 52% on the King Gambit, no surprise.
It is, I would arguably say, between that Charizard and Pascaleige, and probably the strongest Pokemon in the form that we've got access to.
I'm very surprised that the uses that I like this day one.
I'm really looking forward to see how this transition going into game two, what changes we see.
Is there anything that's standing out to you that's really a bit of a surprise?
I'd say the Venus Oil is a lot higher, but coming into the world championships here,
we've seen a lot of that sun rain kind of composition.
Think of a lot of usage, a lot of success.
So the Venus Oil there, there's a really good role against a lot of the kind of common stuff that we see.
I think this this tells quite a good story about what the metagame really looks like. You've got
the couple of fire types up at the top. You've got a couple of dark types in King Gambit and Incineroar
there being a useful type. You've got that little cluster of fairy type Pokemon at six, nine and
ten. The best fairy type Pokemon in the format players are really trying to focus in on and
deciding which one of those or which two of those in the case of Flora and Windsor
because they really want to be bringing to the event.
But then you've got the couple of strong grass types,
and then the sort of line of supports
that we've got up the middle within Sneasler
and Phyregoraph with Sinisteria as well,
obviously, to go with that.
And I think, like, it really does speak
to the centralization of those tools.
Like, those tools are some of the best
that we have in the game,
and no matter what type of team that you're running,
those support tools like Phyregoraph, Sneasler,
Sinisteria Incineroar and Wim Zacoff always seem to sort of gravitate their way towards making a slot on your team
And so I'm not surprised to see those ones getting a real a real lot of usage
Surprised maybe actually to see Venus or as low as it is there
Where like a lot of the Charizard teams do focus a lot of the variants charge
Yeah, you focus on having Venus or with them
So like this this shift that we've had in like the big six kind of archetype moving like in the venus or direction slowly but steadily over the course of the format.
But then like I am saying, hey, maybe actually I want incineroar instead, or maybe I want to like go down the flow at Windsor cock route and try to set up with my flow out.
Or just just probably like a ruin in there for good measure.
Yeah, and another thing to point out, I think,
Incineroar's kind of rise as well.
It would be no surprise to people more familiar with the circuits
from previous years, but I think Incineroar probably
started out this format, not the most used,
but it has become one of the most staples on these teams
because of just the ability.
Yeah.
Time and time again with the ability to just support
well, be an offensive threat when it needs to be,
and just be one of the best.
Well, I don't know if anyone knew at home in Cinderaw's kind of a good Pokemon
And it took us a while to figure out I feel like when we started this was like the most
Difficult time certainly starting in MA, but even in the transition to MV is like this is the most difficult time in Cinderaw's ever had and
Well look at it go you're doing you're doing well in Cinderaw
Congratulations on continuing to be like the best Pokemon that we've ever had in the game
Let's have a look at the Megas, let's just see what this is describing, so Charizard
we knew was going to be kind of on top, MegaFloet there, but there's a little bit of a drop
off there down to MegaStarApter which has seen such a rise in usage since this introduction
in B. I feel like we had that period of time where we were all like, hey, new toys
syndrome, let's see how we can have a little bit of fun with Contrary and side parting
shotting, side charming, that hasn't necessarily gone away, but I feel like players have really
matured in the way that they're approaching, certainly into the world championship,
how they're piloting their Mega Star Actors. Yeah, I think, you know, to start out with,
they were a bit more glass cannon like now we're seeing them probably get a little bit more
towards a defensive side, just so they can stick around on the field a little bit longer.
Some iterations are relying on Roost as well to kind of prolong that longevity
and allow the Starraptor to perform those roles that he needs to do a lot longer on the field.
But I love it. It's one of my favourite Mega's that was introduced in the MV format, the Contraria ability.
It can be a hindrance sometimes, because you see the adaptation of a lot of players, you know,
well then you start putting swagger on their Pokemon. They've got a slot trade,
just to be able to kind of lure that attack rather than boosting it, and that can slow it down.
And I think it forces a lot of conditions as well where players, if they have got
access to Intimidate. You're almost forced to leave that out in the early stages before it may
evolve so you can get that all-important influence in it, which both players can take advantage of.
And then you lead with King Gambit. Yes, next to it. And you're laughing. It's great.
Looking a little bit further down the list there, just a couple of, I think, honorable mentions
there. The Mega Righty Why usually is a partner to Mega Star Raptor. That's been a team that's
It's been rising in popularity, I'm certainly excited to see how trainers are using that
combination because I feel like that's a team that really does require the world's caliber
level player to be able to pilot effectively.
And then, you know, we've got a great turnout for Mega Aridactyl, even just equalling Mega
Blastoise, Mega Gengar, it's been a Pokemon that has been on many people's minds coming
into the world championships.
You have got to be on another level to be able to pilot Mega Gengar at the World Championships
in this format, I think, but ten years ago, Wolf Click did exactly that, he was able to
win the World Championships with it.
We know that he's not running it this time round, but it's certainly, it's certainly
on a lot of people's pockets.
Yeah, I think out of all of the Mega's that we're showing now, I think Gengar
for myself has probably got the most potential of the lot down ranked ones to potentially
win the World Championships weekend. It's so good, so versatile, but you say there is a high ceiling
the skill level with it. But if you've been playing it in the run-up to the World Championships,
maybe you've achieved a level and you're bringing all of the action here this weekend in San Francisco.
And I'm really interested to see Mega Swampert. You know, we've got such a high usage of Mega
Charizard and that Sun. Mega Swampert, if it can get in the right scenario in that rain,
we all know how hard it hits with those big muscles that it's got.
Big muscles. That's what we're going to be doing all weekend trainers now we've got a little bit more round one action
So we're gonna throw it back to our cast is to see our next match here on street
Round one the round so nice. We got a broadcast it twice
We had so many incredible matchups out in the field that we couldn't resist showing you an additional one after that quick
To a win from Wolf Click. It should be a lot of fun here
you know, we enjoyed rounds for a few months ago.
So now we're gonna try rounds one, you know, never no tournament other than the world
championships, I think where you enjoy seeing multiple round one matchup so much.
And we're gonna have another one with two really great trainers who would have
just been ashamed not to get to see a broadcast.
Absolutely.
And so I have a thrill that we are going to be able to see our two
competitors and our second round one match of the day.
It is going to be here on stage.
our 2014 World Champion from Korea,
Sajun Park is now back here in San Francisco,
competing against our globally ranked number one
in the championship points ratings, Juan Salerno.
This should be an extremely exciting match up.
And actually Scott, the last time you and I passed together
was that 2014 World Championship that Sajun took all the way.
That's one throwback, right?
Sajun seemed like a little bit different this time,
where he was really pushing the meta in that 2014 tournament
with that patch or ECU team that is so famous,
and particularly kind of with Mega Garedos
who's a main attacker.
Here it's a little bit more one of the standard competitions.
If you're looking at those usage stats
at the analyst desk there,
this is why these two teams in particular
have really driven a lot of the high usage of those
Pokemon.
And once I feel that we have the big six with one here
where it really is kind of just like,
hey, this is the strongest group of Pokemon
you can select this for my kind of,
regardless of the meta game,
we've seen this at the beginning of regulation MA
It really hasn't fallen off much at all.
Other side of the field, you kind of see maybe
a little bit of the MB version of this,
even though it's also only using Pokemon from MA,
kind of the evolution of what we saw Wolf Click use
at the NEIC tournament, where that talk
to put this little factor here,
but Venusaur has worked way into this roster,
really important on these Charizard teams now,
where part of why it has jumped up and used it so much
is that it compliments the Charizard,
allows the Charizard to run a few different moves.
I believe this one, like most of the Charizards
we see alongside Venusaur,
I guess we're on that ancient power move
that we didn't really see in M.A. at all,
with Venuser like, hey, you know,
I'm the Grass-type first partner Pokemon.
I'll handle the Grass-type attacking.
Charizard, you go do something else.
Yeah, did y'all know Charizard
actually got a Rock-type attack?
Turns out Charizard can be opposing Charizard
with that ancient power.
And did you get that boost to all of your stats?
Well, well, that's just the cherry on top here.
Here we go, heading into our first game
in our second round one.
Yeah, it should be a lot of fun there.
I hope we all have as much fun as this game is that Walrain did.
So we see this team here.
Yeah, this is kind of just the expected version
of this composition.
Very powerful.
I think the lash out on Insidero
and every standing out is something
that we don't see as commonly with that interesting dark type
attack choice.
But the rest of this is pretty much what
we're expecting.
Venusaur going to have that focus sash out of him.
Sometimes you do see Life Orb instead, though.
It's a little bit harder to fit on this version of the team,
because even out of that Garchomp,
it's something that we've seen a lot on Garchomp
for in the previous regulations.
be more frisky with defensive items or the choice scarf which does still show up some
just particular version of the team that's on Vasculation instead so you know only so
many great items to go around kind of have to distribute these all these great Pokemon.
Yeah well GarzArt is always happy to hold that life orb and get that extra boost to
its damage. Also important to note here because that Charizard has ancient power
the rock type coverage is being covered by Charizard which opens up GarzArt to
use both of its ground type attacks here in Earthquake for multi-target damage
and stomping tantrums that you aren't feeling super effective damage to Pokemon next to Garchomp
like that Tox of Vexor and Cinderar.
Yeah, it's really big on this team where you'd love to use Earthquake, right?
I think especially when you have the combination of Garchomp and Charizard on your team,
just being able to threaten that big heatwave and that big Earthquake is so powerful.
It really forces your opponent to respect that combination of Pokemon.
But the rest of this team is terrible next to Earthquake, right?
Either for Pokemon or all hit by it, two of them are weak against it.
You really don't want to be whacking your own partners unnecessarily.
So having the option of that is really nice.
Again, like you said, you see the combination of these Pokemon allowing
Seijun and all the other trainers playing this archetype to drop some of their coverage moves.
Speaking of an ancient power as well, one thing to keep in mind, you might think,
oh, you know, Charizard, four times weakest, rock type attacks.
Charizard, great special attacking Pokemon. Surely that's a one-shot in opposing Charizard.
It can be if you've got a truly fast and frail Charizard, but
typically, you can see that you have about 80 to 90% to opposing Charizard,
so pretty much any chip damage going to be enough to put it in that ancient power range,
But you're not just going to see the trainers that full sending that turn one very often
But even like a heat wave is enough to easily put the opposing Charizard range of that ancient power
So it's got a fun cat mask where you do want to get a little chip in there before you try to pick up the knockout
Yeah, some chip damage from the heat wave also chip damage and a trap from the tox effects with that infestation or
Toxic so be on the lookout for what Pokemon if Stagen decides to bring the tox effects
Which Pokemon is Stagen trying to craft in with the tox effects and whatever the partner Pokemon is?
There are lots of powerful Pokemon on this other side of the field
who see the trainers exchanging their team sheets here
and you'll see the Big Six.
You know, the Big Six...
Yeah, this is the team you have to have a match up into in this tournament.
Yeah, we struggle to define what Big Six is.
There's, you know, approximately Big 60 Pokemon that could be in it,
but I think this is the real Big Six here on the Pokemon
that were considered kind of the strongest combination of Pokemon
in the previous regulation.
And they haven't needed to change things too much in this moment.
You'll see the life orb appearing on this team.
But otherwise, if the team you could have just assembled
in the previous regulation, you would have looked really good doing it.
Absolutely, and again the ancient power on this Charizard as well, so Juan is also opted to forgo any grass type coverage
Which does help very much into the Charizard mirror
Which when we saw those Charizard usage stats at over 40% looks pretty good. Swamper only at about 9%
Yeah, and maybe that's just a matchup you choose to throw away
You know I think the one Pokemon it tends to be really good on that
We see more frequently is that Vasculogen that we saw near the top. Yeah, it's sad
So it'll be a little bit more difficult for Charizard deal with that
But we really don't want to play that match up or that you have to anyway
There's a lot of ways most teams can get basket legion to be faster than Charizard and even with the Sun up wave crashes
If it's that a one-hit knockout, it's very close
So you really don't want to be taking that anyway preferring to have your friends
Hope you deal with that particular vocalized well like we mentioned
Juan Salerno is the number one championship points leader in the world heading into this tournament
He has done it by playing extremely well and extremely consistently and a team like this this big six team
gives you so many different options to always stay in the game.
You're almost never out of the game completely when you run a comp like this.
I think options should be really fun to watch how these Pokemon are trained throughout the course of this set.
Many of these really popular teams we see are pretty tough to customize, right?
Like, if you change your blue cure or their Pokemon, you'd be fast, you'd be bulky.
It's a trick that you can kind of do whatever you want.
It's a lot of different freedom you have as a team builder.
And I think that's really great for a trainer like, watch.
Here it is the classic lead pairing the dragon type bar chomps against the higher type not dragon Charizard
But like you mentioned you like this lead because you always immediately threatened earthquake and heat wave into your opponents
But not so strong into the opposing Charizard charge. Yeah one match up here
Three of the four Pokemon also have rock type attack. It's only the one garchup that does not so the charge
There's probably all feeling a little bit threatened there. I rock slide will not chip the charge
I don't probably just knock it out either way
I'm going to have to put very cautiously at this turn
I've got both sides hoping you're going to leave something else with a little bit awkward here
It covers everything except for the mirror lead pretty well
Well, and you have to look at the guard chump in this mirror
Of course, Sajian will be running the life orb guard top versus Juan running the citrus fairy guard top as both of the
Charizard will go ahead and protect themselves right away
Here's a dragon drop cause a life or feels good damage to the guard chop up because this is the bulkier citrus berry guard chop
It is able to hang on with just a sliver of health here
It will be able to activate the citrus berry and take some additional
Damage back from the rough skin and fire back with a dragon call of its own just barely missing out on that KO
There's just a very interesting training there. This is the match of the usually used citrus berry guard chop
It's kind of a whole point, right?
You tank the dragon ball, you heal back up,
but then usually you do enough damage
and return to pick up that knockout.
This guard shaft is trained in a way
where perhaps that doesn't happen,
and once the guard shaft is down the field,
then be the quickest Pokemon remaining.
So, threatening a lot of damage in this turn
is a really nice trait for Sgt.
Maybe you get a little bit of a track for Juan,
who's probably expected that to be a knockout.
Absolutely.
Definitely expect that to be a knockout
if you are running that Citric Parry guard jump.
Like you mentioned, that is why you run that set.
Wong will go ahead and retreat for the favor of the Whimsicott now.
So Charizard switches out for Whimsicott, hoping to take a dragonfall on the switch-in.
The Sage is just going to go immediately for the mega evolution on his own Charizard.
Wong will go ahead and protect Garchomp this turn, trying to get in a position where a tailwind
might allow that Garchomp to do something on the next turn.
The Sage is not falling for anything here.
The Garchomp fires off an earthquake, connects onto the Whimsicott that will go ahead and break the focus sash.
Garchomp will trade itself because of that life orb recoil, but you are happy to do so,
so long as you can land and hit into this Whimsicott.
Ancient Power actually, the choice just in case it stated, a critical hit into Whimsicott, but not enough to pick up the KO here.
So, one does at least get Whimsicott next to Garchomp to threaten Tailwind.
Maybe get the wrong low percentage roll, but you know, instead of getting a two-power boost, it's a critical hit.
It's not going to matter too much there, but...
And there's a knockout, kind of, going, the right direction where the Garchev's thinking of a knockout, but not getting himself in the way.
A lot of the stages, you get a free switcher. I think if you pick up a knockout, the Linsicott's looking really good,
where he can bring in something like Venusaur or Vascular Legion, like the speed advantage,
but because that option isn't available at the Linsicott,
I'm certainly about to use a tail in there, especially with the Garchev, having Florida's Protect already.
I'm certainly in the center, we're going to come in, and he does a bunch of interesting things here, right?
Actually threatening a knockout probably with the fake down that wins the cup because of the critical in the previous turn
So maybe not so relevant after all
Intimidating that Garchomp went out of the correct the charge art probably can survive an attack from it and really improving the position
Precision a little bit so down in the Pokemon count, but such as you close the Pokemon weakening so much
I thought a pretty good position even better Garchomp went for a protect last turn from one side
Which means that Garchomp is extremely vulnerable to a fake out and taking damage from the charge art either a
He played for a weather ball into that slot would be enough to pick up the KO on to Garchomp
Who's that does have the option to go for a protect so it's not safe to take out into that slot a Garchomp wide open here
Yeah, maybe you can give me this up to your failure
Okay
Well, I can't afford to give up both these Pokemon for free even for a tail and Garchup going for the double not when you get it
So probably going to be linked up for Garcha
Yeah, you got to go for that one if you're a wand
You don't want any of the Pokemon in the back to switch into this weather ball and there it is
as Sajian will go ahead and even up the Pokemon score,
cleaning up the guard dump with that weather ball.
So safe there from Sajian, great play there.
And we see the lash out from the incinerator,
so potentially could have gotten away
with the cheap detail would if he wanted to,
but oh, it's a risk to go for maybe trying to fish
for an aggressive switching to Vasculation
or something in Weymatt, right?
You know, that's almost certainly going to be a fix there.
I protect anyway to avoid any shenanigans there
and giving up a free tail.
So hey, you know, maybe try and hit the home line.
Well, here is the Charizard out on the field for Juan.
Both of these Chars are at full health, so neither is necessarily in that Ancient Power range.
So both of these Pokemon should be able to tank the hit from the opposing Pokemon.
That really interesting play for Juan now here where, well, you could try to double up on the Charger to pick up Sinaka that way,
but if you do, you're definitely giving up the opportunity to get Kaelin for the rest of the game.
And so are your remaining Pokemon capable of winning from that position?
It's gonna be a risky play to go for.
So pretty precarious spot there with this Moishii Wimps account.
You really do want to get that Kaelin up.
It's like a fossil, but this is probably that window.
Yeah, this may be the only window Juan has to set to tailwind,
which would most likely last for the remainder of the game here,
as we are pretty deep into this game, Juan.
There's tailwind coming up from Wimzicopso.
Juan now has the speed advantage for the foreseeable future.
There's the ancient power connecting onto Sagan's Charizard.
Scott, the map is perfect.
Charizard has 13% health surviving that ancient power,
firing back into Juan's again.
Perfect map. Tars are at 19%. But Incineroar does not need to spend time setting up the tailwind.
It gets lashed out into Tars and pick up that last 20% of health.
So now, Juan has tailwind, has the speed advantage, needs something big out of this last Pokémon.
And it's a little scary looking at this, right, where if it's about to be a Legion,
maybe the tight matchup is really good, at least, but the sun is up.
And critically, there aren't many Pokémon remaining, and Juan's got a feel like he's spread attacks.
I really want to burn through this quickly, especially with Wozakite also kind of on the brink of being knocked out.
But it's a super efficient way to close this game out.
You know, the only Pokemon we're meeting with spread-type moves is that Float, which you assume is not the 5th final Pokemon.
It is the King Gambit.
I'm now facing down two Fire-type Pokemon.
That King Gambit facing down both the Charizard and the Incineroar.
And actually Incineroar looking very good here.
Very difficult for Juan to deal big damage when you do that Pokemon.
Now one is running the four attack version of King Gambit's or does have access to low kick
But in Cinderwall with that Citrus Berry should be able to take that pretty easily even a low kick and a moon blast from the whips a
God, but you have to get that Charizard off the field
Otherwise, you're just gonna get blown up by a weather ball or any way. Yeah, absolutely
It's a scary spot here to work. Yeah, maybe you just full send right like okay
Well, I'll charge up you get back up
I don't know if I need to charge on right if you attack with both Pokemon
There's going to be some fire type damage going the other direction
There's the moon blast into Charizard. Charizard will go down here, so Pawn is going to even up the Pokemon count once again.
There's low kick coming out from King Gambit dealing exactly 50% health to Incineroar, just pushing it over to that Citrus Berry amount.
He's going to eat up and heal up as well.
There is the flare, but it's picking up the KO onto Wimzicott, and now it is just this King Gambit with no protect and only single target damage against two Pokemon on Sage inside.
That Incineroar will be able to pick up the KO with the Flare Blitz,
but this is the worst possible Pokemon for Sage to have in the back.
Should one be able to get this Incineroar off the field somehow?
Maybe there's some way he can certainly do this.
TaxiPec's not going to be able to attack the King Gambit.
He's going to have to only use the Infestation,
but it doesn't get critical hit, and there's going to be huge Flare Blitz the other direction.
No crit coming out from the low click.
Here comes Low Kick. Here comes the Flare Blitz.
The Acaberry will help protect the King Gambit a little bit here.
only takes about 50% health, but that is all that Toxapex needs. It just needs time.
And Xenor hanging on with 5% after the recoil is also huge. There's the infestation, and
over time, King Gambit now is on the clock. Needs to be able to get a KO on to this,
and Xenor and onto the Toxapex, and I don't think Juan has enough time here.
Yeah, I mean, Xenor is good at one thing. It's staying on the field, and that final
Pokemon is going to be so threatening here. And not really good to be able to do
more damage itself other than that damage over time but King Gambit still
going to have to invest a turn knocking at this similar here who otherwise would
just pick up the knockout on it and at that point
this situation will already almost be done.
There's the Caltow fleet. One is just trying to see how much damage that King Gambit can deal into the Tox effects here.
Notice that there's no shot of surviving in the end of this game. One gets good
information on the Tox effects and gets the agent to waste the critical hit on the King Gambit right here.
For our 2014 world champion, Sajin Park, he's looking good.
Yeah, I think that was a really neat win too.
I think a lot of us like that, we really love Sajin.
We hope he's prepared enough for this, right?
You know, he's a former world champion.
He's played in, I think, every form of competitive Pokemon
other than PGC, literally, as far as he won that championship.
So it's like, oh, you know, like, how prepared
is he going to be for this tournament?
You know, is he just here to have fun?
But I think he had a really good game plan there.
Both of them, they kind of be sequencing of his Pokemon
as well in the way that Dartrap was trained.
He has a nice little trap.
I'll play a bummer if you're Sajin having
to show that in stream during round one,
but still a really nice win there.
And again, you know, Juan's been incredible.
The world leader in championship points.
It's not like this is some, you know,
that there are any weak players in the world championship.
But I think even among, you know,
world championship level players, right?
I think most people say, you know,
Juan is a real threat to win this tournament.
But you know what?
Great game one for Sajin there.
Absolutely great game one there from Sajin.
And I love that you called out
that Garchomp's training.
That is something that we have been hearing
over and over again in the run-up
to the world championship.
how important the guard chomp mirror can be.
And especially the Citrus Berry guard chomp
is supposed to win that mirror.
That is the whole point of Citrus Berry guard chomp.
And Sagan realizing that I need to be,
I can flip that on his head
by investing some more deep into my own
or more hit points into my own guard chomp.
Incredible play there, incredible practice.
Can be run up to the World Championship.
Now, here is a adaptation from Sagan.
This is the other lead for this team
Incineroar and Toxapex.
This is a pretty good lead for that Toxapex
and Incineroar to catch.
Yeah, a lot of things to kind of enjoy here.
First you get the Attitude out.
We saw how well Incineroar did against these Pokemon
in the previous game,
or just being most of Chuck's chosen to act.
So, though, thank you, I think,
the H2 Power doesn't take it quite as well
as it used to.
But Toxapex is really the Pokemon to look at here.
Though it has the option of trying to Toxapex,
or, in fact, one of these Pokemon to build up damage
and quickly has a wide guard to counter.
Or to counter all those front attacks
at the whole point of this lead combination.
Yeah, and Guard Trump can only deal super effective damage
to Tox effects with that Earthquake.
So if Sajin is able to get some poison damage down,
get the Toxic going, get the Infestation going,
Juan could find himself just locked out in this game too.
Tarzan's gonna go ahead and protect here
because Juan just needs to see what is going on.
So wide guard from Sajin,
which means that Sajin is trying to get damage down
onto one of these two Pokemon.
You can see how important that Incinerator's Intimidate was.
Neither Pokemon taking more than 39% there,
even though it was super effective damage
and a parting shot.
This is disastrous for Juan
if that Garchomp is about to get stuck out on the field
against this Toxapex,
especially as Garchomp switches in.
There are two levels of reduced attack
and there is that Incestation coming down.
So Garchomp not going to believe the battle field,
but that does get a little damage
on the opposing Toxapex there with these rough skin.
It's a really tough position though now, where you've got exactly the one on the turn.
Chars are protecting pointlessly there.
The Earthquake gave it just nice, where at least one wasn't afraid to go for that earthquake, despite the possible wide guard.
But this is exactly why it was worth that risk, where Garchamp now full-house facing down to Chars on the counter is an opposing.
Garchamp has had an attack reduced so significantly, and that isn't super powerful offensively to begin with, because if that's interest very variant,
Tox effects now looking pretty exciting as well where a wide guard to really check that most of what these folks want to do
So I great positioning for staging another really strong game plan with you. I want this team's other mode
Absolutely Tox effects is sitting pretty with the minus to guard top stuck out on the field
And Charizard unable to deal super effective damage into the Tox effects either
Of course, our is able to deal good damage with you know, weather ball in the sun
But Vaughn is not going to let that Pokemon get stuck against the Toxapex.
Too many options here for Sajin.
And Sajin just going on the offensive life orb, Garchomp.
The important thing is just getting that Garchomp stuck on the field
so it could not retreat from this life orb dragging ball.
Garchomp goes down for Vaughn.
And here comes Wimbledon on the Switch-It.
And it's not going anywhere.
Hey, what's your hang around, bud?
Infestation going to pick up all the damage, going to break that focus, and I really like that.
I think that the combination there is to play that defensively.
We've seen a lot of top defense players.
This Pokemon has picked up popularity over the previous two months.
They're going down to lower some things attacks.
I think it's going to be a real play with it for a while, leave it on the field.
And I really like this, where I think that would have been a great counter to a more defensive play.
One that kind of switches in on a painful bunker from the top defense.
It's the encore in the previous turn, and then who's trapped with who at that point.
Instead, picking up the knockout there on the opposing guard chop,
Which I think is also kind of just clever. It's like, hey, well, you know, you just barely survive the dragon ball
So all I needed is this little bit of chip and then now with the cod as they poke him on the weaker position here
He can't be going to come in and at least in a fairly favorable position here where it's in the do some stuff here
You know can't be toxic. I mean it's dinner. We're going to be not something you really want to switch in and activate the defiance
But so not like a fantastic situation for one
So you really have a great line into this team now on the plus side for one
King Gambit is good into the Tox effects and Vindicott threatens super effective damage on the Garchomp with this Moon Blast.
Not enough to pick up the KO though, he did to double target and finish it off with a sucker punch.
Instead, that just means Garchomp gets to fire off a stomping Tantrum into King Gambit. Down to 23% hit points,
Garchomp will go down through the recoil, but you trade back every single day of the World Championship.
And now that's going to mean that King Gambit firing off a cow-cow-cleave into Toxapex cannot KO this Pokemon.
And now both the King Gambit and Wimzacot are trapped on the field.
And Sajin gets to pick which Pokemon do I want to face off against these two, because I know they ain't going nowhere.
Yeah, it's a really tough position out here.
King Gambit's trying to take it just to the damage to another one.
You know, I assume if he's thinking of running the map on this, it's a really nice bit of damage, where Infestation will pick up the dock out and King Gambit next turn.
So now if you want to, you could bring that Incinerator in, just pin it down with the fakeout,
and it doesn't matter if I've given an attack boost because it's going to act up anyway.
If you don't want to do that, you can bring in anything else that has protect,
just double protect that's going to go down anyway.
You do have to deal with that situation, then the Wimzicat would be threatening in at 4 on the subsequent turn,
but you'd also know all of your opponents remaining Pokemon and be able to figure out your game time from there.
So Charizard would come in here probably going to be protect, although it isn't like half to be.
or you could just try to pick up the wins that come.
Instead, the game, it will go down either way.
The doubtful there now is actually the first person
to learn all of the Pokemon that Cajun brought,
so we can start forming his plans for the end of this game.
But Cajun's a very nice advance for himself,
a really masterful Tashima's play.
As we see it, oh, the more aggressively positioned
than we saw in the previous couple of tournaments.
Yeah, that's what's so important for players
who are using Tots of Xs, not to get trapped
in that defensive mindset.
You have to go on the offensive.
Otherwise, Toxicot just sits there while all of its friends faint and get knocked out.
Instead, Sajun going on the offensive with both the Toxicot and now bringing out with
Starizard here to pick up K.O.'s onto both King Gambit and Wimzacot.
Sajun will go ahead and protect that Toxicot this time around while Wimzacot protects
itself.
King Gambit on its way out is going to fire off a sucker punch.
A critical hit deals a lot of damage to Starizard, brings it down to 33% hit points
as the King Gambit.
now will go down to that infestation.
Well, you know, lots of damage where
maybe we can see the trade-off of not going for the protect
where Charizard not being threatened by an
encore in the previous turn,
but it could be potentially threatened by
an attack from one of the other Pokemon.
He can get any good damage.
I think the positive of what St. Jude did is, you know,
just like that, so you can see all the Pokemon
that seems to be right.
And again, much like the previous game,
it's not very likely that, well,
why does that final Pokemon, if it is instead,
you know, the, yeah.
We did already see the Charizard at least.
There's a Charizard, yes, there's a Charizard,
yeah, yeah.
Anyway, it's Charizard. That's why the buttons are different colors.
So anyway, the Charizard on the station side is just great and all there,
but with the combination of a tailwind and an ancient power,
it's not like a super great position anyway, where you're likely to take a lot of damage.
Instead, the Incinerator is going to wind up in a very similar position we saw in the previous game,
most likely where by going to come in and going after the tank down, it's Charizard.
So I don't think the game's over yet. The damage is pretty important on the Charizard,
where it would have been an ancient power range anyway.
You don't need the critical hit from the sucker punch with that, but this is so healthy now that
Like even a fire type attack might be able to map it out.
There's not really any reason to go for one in that slot
where you want to risk getting white guarded here probably.
And it's going to really take more damage from Ancient Tower as well.
Yeah, and with the Faintle Bunker, Toxapex is at risk of being on-cored.
However, Wenslok can only do one thing at a time.
He cannot most set Tailwind to allow Wands Charizard to outspeed
Sage's Charizard and on-core the Toxapex at once.
Which means that there are two options here.
Without tailwind, Charizard on Stagen's side can just pick up on Charizard with
get the big damage with the ancient power. Or should Juan go for the KO on to Charizard's
discard, Foxifex can start spreading toxics and infestations to try and just chip down
these Pokemon over time. Or, Wimzacan could just go on the offensive with a Moonblast.
Connects onto the Foxifex feels a little bit of damage here. Not very effective,
but any little bit counts.
There's a weather ball coming out from Stagen's Charizard,
connects on to Wimson and picks up the KO there.
This one targeting down the Toxics with Moonblast.
I wonder if he was softening it up for a heatwave
to try to pick up a double KO.
No, just going to be the ancient power
into Toxics effect where you cannot.
KO with this Pokémon.
Toxics effect hangs on and Toxics right back.
I love this little guy.
Yeah, it's a huge step for the Toxics effect
But a Tauksic is almost going to end this run.
You know, the Charizard can theoretically use
threat moves to try to burn down these Pokemon before the Tauksic
is able to defeat all of it.
But Tauksic was like, hey, wait a second.
I will make you single target Pokemon to be Wyze Guard most likely.
To protect first the wand, if he doesn't protect that Charizard here,
he's like, hey, you know, like, let's make this last as long as we can.
Yep, and no risks need to be taken here from Sgt.
Double protecting the Charizard and the Tauks effects.
Wong has no options here.
That toxic damage is just going to keep ticking up and up and up,
locking him out from this game too,
meaning that Sgt. Hart, the 2014 World Champion,
is now one and out here in 2026.
That was a really impressive set, man.
Hey, you know what I mean?
Yeah, you know, I'm gonna be a former World Champion.
But this doesn't mean you can take me lightly
this World Championship either.
I think all the players kind of weren't sure
what they were going to get from Sgt. this year.
I think I would be afraid after watching that set there.
We kind of see really impressive lines into that big six competition or composition rather and I think that's also kind of a
Really great match to have on streamers first round because it gives us a lot to think about right?
These are two comps that all of the trainers knew they needed to be prepared for going in and while the big six may be the most
powerful cop in the term the stats and damage if I'm having all those Pokemon on the top of the usage stats
But the weakness of that is that players have put a lot of thought into how they want to handle this matchup
And so he had a really great plan both in Game 1 and Game 2,
which won us a really difficult position, especially in Game 1.
Because it was a deceptive, it looked like they were favorable for one,
and it wound up not being so.
And perhaps this is just what we're going to see throughout the course of this day
for these big six players.
Other players are like, hey, you know, I didn't come all the way
to San Francisco for this world championship,
not to have a plan for the most important team.
Yeah, if you know this is going to be one of the most dominant team
compositions coming into the world championship,
you've got to have a plan.
And St. John knows that.
He has not only competed in the world championships here for the video game championships
He's competed at the trading card game. He's also competed in your night. He's competed in pumpkin tournament
Sgt. Knows what it takes to compete at the top levels for all of the pillars here at the world championships
He's even the Pokemon go in the patient. Oh, yeah, he's caught them all. I mean, yeah
He's such an impressive player. I mean either purist fan of the world in that way or yeah
No, you seem to be good at everything. It must be nice
Nice.
What a great set by him there.
Certainly I wouldn't be too too concerned if I was one yet either where going 0-1-1 is
tough where you're gonna have to go a long way from this point until the single-inition
force determined without losing more than one more game.
But hey, no shame in losing this agent.
One of the most famous trainers ever for a reason.
Absolutely and showing off here in round one.
The Toxpex composition is not easy to play.
It is so easy, especially when you go to the Toxifex mode to get stuck in situations where you have no momentum and you have no pressure,
because you're trying to set up those traps.
And sometimes you whiff and you've trapped the wrong Pokemon in with you,
but Sajin looks like he was in complete control of that second game on the jump.
Yeah, I think it's a really difficult Pokemon to pop.
The reason we're talking about it a little bit during the game, but yeah, it's so easy to kind of get trapped and playing slowly.
I think one of the reasons why Tock the Puck for so many years just wasn't used in the Pokemon video game championships is that
this dude is a single battle Pokemon. They're like, oh, that's a stall Pokemon.
All you can do with this Pokemon is stall. And some games you can win by stalling, right?
Especially against these more defensive teams. But the whole point of this big six team is doing a ton of damage
and what are you going to do about it and playing it a little bit more aggressively like that.
I think it's the key being able to be flexible, really well played game.
game and I kind of expected to see a few more talk defect in the tournament
where we were looking over the teams all of the trainer for using it. I don't
think talk defect is really the sort of Pokemon that ever going to show up in
like the top 12 most used Pokemon but I think the Charizard Venusaur
it's in our combination is going to be very popular this weekend and even
though I go into his tournament that was the most popular version of
composition many players did choose to drop that talk defect to a little
bit different but worked up really well for Sagen. Absolutely and I am so
excited to hear from Sajian. Welcome back to the video game championship Sajian Park.
Let's go ahead and toss it down to the stage to hear from the man himself.
Thank you so much. I'm here with Sajian Parker 2014 World Champion and
Pachirisu lover extraordinaire. Sajian congratulations on winning your round one.
How does it feel? It's amazing. Thank you. I see you have Pachirisu with you right near and
and dear to your heart.
Yeah, everybody here loves
Pochery Souls as well, of course.
You know, you've competed in Pokemon Go,
Pokemon Unite, the TCG.
How does it feel to be back playing
in the video game championship series?
Yeah, I played a lot of our games and competed,
but it's really happy to be back in VGC.
Also, I've been literally losing
a lot on stream matches,
but finally I can win in the stream.
So yeah, it's feeling really great.
Yeah, and I can't help but notice you're also running a very what I would consider standard team for this meta
You know, what was your thinking coming into the tournament with what someone called someone called the big six
You know the big Pokemon to beat coming into this event
so
Unfortunately, patruisu is not in the champions yet. So I cannot start building from there. So I've tried a lot of things that
But in this meta, I think the
pretty standard teams are always good to go so yeah that was my conclusion yeah I
mean absolutely certainly developers are watching so I'm sure they heard the
Astro Pachirisu just now but you talked about the standard Pokemon but the
ancient power Charizard was certainly a twist that's coming into this event and
it came so much in handy in that matchup what was your thinking in that
positioning against Swan's own Charizard? So my Charizard is team-ish so I
I can't even ask to beat their Garchem and Charger.
So I was in the pretty upper position in this mirror match against their Garchem and Charger.
So I had to position you well and so yeah, it turned out really well.
Yeah.
And that end game with the Wimsekot as well, was there anything going through your mind
when you walked in those moves?
So they have a very limited way to KO Toxapex, if I knock out their gargantuan, so I focus
on getting with the gargantuan on the board politically, so that worked.
So after that, it was a Toxapex game, yeah.
A Toxapex game indeed, Seijun, it's been so great talking to you.
Do you have any shoutouts you want to give to anybody who might be watching at home?
So thank you a lot for cheering me on for Korea and all the world.
I'm really happy to be here and back in the 3GC.
So yeah, I'll try my best to play in another champion trophy.
So thank you very much.
Thank you very much as well.
Best of luck this weekend in the competition.
And let's go ahead and take a look at that matchup with our analyst Ben Kiryapu over in the analyst lounge.
of course. Thank you so much,
Gabby. And thank you as well.
Of course, to stage and getting
his first win here in the world
Championship. Some of course,
Ben. We're here for some
battle breakdowns here.
Join with me is, of course,
Rose and what a great. What a
great second round one that
we've had here already. We
had a great first round one
and we get another one to
I'm glad you volunteered for that road because you're going to be here all day all night.
Okay great.
That's great.
I mean yeah it's like especially when you get these trainers like that are at the level
of the trainers that we've had already on stream like you know you go to your locals,
you go to your regionals, you go to your international skill density is like pretty
high and then you get to we get to worlds and it's like well what what what much do
you even pick for the stream right?
better be prepared if you're here to play against former world champions, former international
champions, multi-time regional champions. There's no easy pass through the world championships at this
caliber and so we are going to be treated with such good matches all day long. Since we're in the
early stages of this tournament, right, before what we do, rather than getting into the nitty gritty
of the match, there's a lot to go over there of course, but getting into a little bit of the
nitty gritty of the teams that our players were using in this round because we know that
Charizard is one of the most common megas that we have like 43% usage overall. I wanted to break down a little bit these team
Team preview graphics that we don't get as much time to talk about on the desk with our casters
starting with Sage and here and
This is one of the variants. I think that has risen in popularity since well
We'll use toxic pecs to get top 4 NAIC and just showed us like hey
this Pokemon is here and it's here for a reason.
It was so funny because Toxpex really burst onto the double scene at the end of Scarlet
and Violet where we got a chance to see some of the best competitors in the world using it
alongside restricted Pokemon. And so the fact that it was able to hold tall against some of
those legendary Pokemon, but then you know when champions released it was in the game,
it was a little quiet. Toxpex is now back and people realize okay well it was that good
against a legendary Pokemon must be really good against some of these mega evolutions too.
And especially with the former, I mean, the Toxapex, it's typing is pretty unique in the game.
Water and poison. And I'm just gonna switch over to our other team preview here.
What are the team two most powerful mega Pokemon in the game? They're Fire and they're Fairy.
What does Water and Poison resist exclusively? Those two big, big damage dealing moves.
So, you know, looking at the position that this Toxapex takes in the former, it says,
hey, you know, you've got these really powerful attackers.
I'm just going to put a blocker on that for a little while.
But not only that, it gets to support its team with White Guard
to be able to take those big spread attacks.
If you've got it next to a Charizard,
no rock slide's going to be coming down and hitting you, right?
Like, no earthquakes are going to be able to come down onto the Toxapex as easily.
But then you've got all of this stall.
You've got the infestation, stopping people switching,
trapping Pokemon in.
You've got the Toxic.
You can't read it behind there,
but trust me, it's Popsic behind there as well.
But also, you know, if you feel like catching a physical attack,
painful bunker, get the boys in that way.
It's just so fascinating when you think about
how many Pokemon in this format do you spread attack.
You talk about rockside and earthquakes specifically.
Yeah.
To be able to protect something like that Charizard.
But when you think about there also being
and you're going to have to
have a lot of people. He
gave opposing Charizard or
even Delphox water spout from
opposing mega blastoys. There's
spread attacks on some of the
most powerful Pokemon in the
entire format. And so the fact
that you even just have that as
a threat on team preview, you
gotta think twice about
whether or not you're going
to be clicking that widespread
attack in front of me. It's
a great way to segue into
these Charizards that were
many stats at their disposal like you've got so many choices and the big one that's been coming out
is this ancient power on the Charizard and especially in this like metagame where there's
quite a lot of toxa pecs in the field quite a lot of wide guard where people can lock it in
that's like well you know i'm gonna get my rocks from Charizard rather than getting my rocks from
rockslide right and so being able to pressure the Charizard never never one hit chaos right
It never actually gets the KO what opposing Charizard, but getting a Char, an opposing Charizard down to the point where anything else can be able to knock it out is so, so powerful.
Being able to remove the mega evolution that you have lost into for the game just takes away such a big tool for any opponent.
But thinking about how Charizard has also just developed already right out the gates, Pokemon champions, nonches, mega Charizard.
why is one of the premier mega-evolutions, but the movesets that it actually has had over the last
couple of months have changed given the meta and the format that we've played. So used to be heatwave,
leather ball, solar beam, dream attacking moves that you would want to lock in with this Charizard,
but then as Charizard has been this very centralizing piece for the meta, we have seen that
technique change a little bit. We've seen Lycanroc come in to have Xcelroc to try to start
these Charizards and that as you mentioned each of power has been the newest meta tech on these
Pokemon so they can duel against those opposing Charizards but it's just been really fascinating
to watch how people have continued to keep Charizard as the forefront of the meta game but
protecting it in different ways. 100% and especially in these compositions you've got
so many different options right so you've got this ancient power slot on the Charizard
there's a little bit of a flex slot a lot of players really want to punish the Charizards
that they're locking in with an infestation from the Tox effects right? But then you've got so many
options on Basculigian. I feel like Basculigian is one of those Pokemon that we've seen evolve as
well. Like, Sajian's running the Choice Scarf here right? It's gonna go quick, it doesn't need
setting up, it doesn't need to be in the right position necessarily. This was the first item
that everybody was slapping on there. Choice Scarf Basculigian with the adaptability,
last respects coming in is like hey you've taken some Pokemon of mine let me return the favor
and get some key knockouts on here but nowadays you see a lot of this item changed right you see
life orb you see mystic water you see citrus berry citrus berry as well you have that
flex slot of like how do i want to run my basculature what speed control do i have on my team so
where you look at all of sagan's team here this toxa pex dinosaur composition that's
really really been quite dominant in the lead up to the world championships. It's like well
I don't have any speed control so I've got a force of speed ceiling right you've got to say like hey
I've got to have something there with the Venusaur that's going to be able to outspeed a bunch of
my opponents Pokemon. Sometimes it's on the guard chomp but this one's a life orb and so like
life orb citrus berry choice scarf and you know depending on how you want to run that.
The other thing I just want to point out here just as a quick one before we move over is
I think it's a really cool tech on Sajin's teams, like saying, Hey, if you want to intimidate me, I'm going to do a little bit more damage this turn, just to put the pressure down onto my opponent.
I was sitting backstage with Aaron as we were watching this match, and I turned to him and I went, I think I've seen Lash out in like four years.
Yeah, I know.
Not a lot of times I feel like this particular attack has been meta relevant, but I really
love this unique choice on Incineroar.
I think there are a couple of different tech moves that this Incineroar can have.
Sometimes you end up seeing darkest Lyrae if you want to just have a flat dark type
damage that's going to be getting a same cape attack bonus, but you've also seen things
like Helping Hand that's going to be on Incineroar.
It depends on what you feel like the team really needs in order to have the best
chance in the tournament.
I think we've been talking
about agents team and this
sort of composition for a
little while. So let's jump
over to Juan Salerno's team.
Now this this is the sort of
quintessential. Well, we were
talking about this during the
match. We're not going to call
it big six. Are we going to
call it little six? We're
going to call it mid six like
medium six. Well, what are
we going for, Rose? I don't
I'm the jury still out on
that one, but it's just
because when you think about
big six, you think about
some of the historical
of the historical teams that have existed earlier on and the earlier days of competitive
Pokemon. So, so we'll come back to you on that. But I thought particularly this team
is the perfect illustration of what you were talking about. Item differences on the Basque
Legion and the Garchomp. You can really see, even though the movesets are quite similar
between the two Pokemon, the natures as well as the items are really what changed
how this composition works. 100%. It's like a lot of the early variants of this team. I want to
like talk a little bit about Mega Flowette before it comes away from the spotlight. We start talking
about Charizard all weekend, but Mega Flowette is something that you know is obviously really
very strong. We identified it pretty quickly. It's like hey look that's got Fariora plus big
stats. It's like Xerneas at home kind of thing. No Giamansi which I think everybody was maybe
happy to see that it couldn't do something. But it's still kind of like exactly that. And
that's the set that we were we were seeing so commonly on the these mega flow at compositions.
But the thing that's really evolved and adapted over the over the time in this composition
a lot of players choose you can you can absolutely still run calm mind if you want
to play a little bit of a slower game. But if you want to do some damage, light of
ruin there is really, really strong. It does do recoil to your megaflowers, and so it changes
the dynamic. It's been so fun, like seeing in regulation MB, right? Like how fast are
you running your flowers? Like, modest, a little bit fast, a little bit far, oh, wait,
no, we're going timid now, because like, uh, yeah, everybody else is caught on to,
okay, we're max speed, right. Okay, let's, uh, let's go for that. And see if you know,
you get some tailwinds set up with the Windsor carts, and you get some, uh, a little bit
space to just fire off those big damages, but a dent in somebody's team that they can't necessarily
recover from.
But that's where you can see having the Whimsicott on this team actually allow this basket legion
to lean a little bit more heavy into the offense with something like that life orb.
Contrary to what we ended up seeing on Sage and Park's team, Whimsicott has that priority
tail end because of that prankster ability.
And that means that everything else can be maybe a little bit on the slower side.
but the out of it basketball age which is going to increase attack instead of that speed and same thing talking about Timid full up
Well, this one can be modest and leave a little bit more into the special attack output that way
And it's exactly what one has decided to go for there having the modest flow out rather than a timid one and saying like
Okay, I do want to do loads of damage like damages the priority
But my Pokemon can set up that condition where I don't necessarily have to battle it
If I'm against another one of these compositions,
maybe the game plan for Juan isn't to go toe to toe
with flow air to flow air
and try to manage that Pokemon a little bit differently.
But then going through the team,
I mean, we've talked about the options on the Basque Legion
and that obviously changes how you run it,
how you train it.
The Jolly versus Adam and Nature
is the ones that we usually see,
but also then the King Gambit,
which I think is the item that I see
has evolved the most over over the time where players started on
Choppelberry because Sneezerler was everywhere now and then it's
like, well, okay, we need focus sash because we can't like
survive Charizard as well as fighting type attacks from like
say close combat and things like that, right? But now it's
like, well, you know, with these mirrors, I've really
got to be able to switch into a Charizard and get myself
in suck a little like the ability to go for a sucker punch
maybe even go for a sword stance in front of these kind of team compositions. And the move
set here is like something that also changes quite a lot, right? It was like, this one's
four attacks, but we see so many double dark sword stance king gambits on so many different
compositions as well.
Yeah, I think that the black glasses variant where you really are going to be putting
a lot of eggs into the dark type basket has been very popular. But I think the
fact that this king gambit is here kind of built to do a lot of different things
team as a whole is quite balanced in terms of the types of damage that you're actually able to cover.
I really like being able to see three different types of attacks where low click is going to have
if you don't have another fighting type on the team like that Sneaselord that could try to
short damage for you and you still want to be able to have something like an iron head so that you
do have super effective damage into opposing flow at Spanwim's cost. It's kind of like yeah
the team. We need we need to
glue somewhere else. It's like
the perfect like combination of
coverage to be able to do that.
And, uh, yeah, like I mean, both
of our traders have such a great
showing of their teams in our
round one part two, but we're
going to go to a quick break
now while we get round two set
up. So don't go anywhere
to see how his season has
changed from becoming the world
champion in 2025 to now coming
into the world championships
2026. So, Geo, thank you for
joining us. Let's start with a
really basic question. We'll
keep it zoomed out to start
zoomed out to start things off.
We're coming into the first world championship
on Pokemon Champions.
What does that mean for you coming in?
Like how excited are you to be playing
on our very latest game?
It means everything to me.
I mean, I got into this game watching it
just as it transitioned over to the 3DS era
and joined in just as it was in its twilight
of the 3DS era,
got moving over to the Switch
in a couple of years after that.
And so now that it's become this worldwide game
that's even been played on mobile is just absolutely insane.
And to represent a community as a whole like that
as currently the best player in the world
is just so mind-boggling to me.
Maybe still currently after this weekend,
we'll have to see,
Geo, becoming the world championship
is something that very few people
have been able to say in their careers.
What does that, has that meant for you over the season?
transitioning into the 2026 season,
like your expectations going into events,
how you're preparing, like has anything changed for you?
I think it's only made me more hungry, to be honest.
Going into the 2025 season,
I had results that weren't really indicative
of what I believed in myself.
And I was finally able to stream together
a number of really amazing results.
Finishing off, of course,
being crowned the world champion.
Live fans watching, unprecedented in Pokemon video game history,
and arena let's crown Olympic champions before
Shio now can call himself world champion.
You know, I've taken a step back a little bit.
I haven't played as many events,
but I've still had some good results throughout the season.
And of course, with the auto invitation to the world championships,
I always had that locked in as well.
So I was really just looking to test myself
and push myself in my abilities.
every event I go to.
I'm glad you said about, you know, the way that you're playing less events, you've got
the auto-invite box in, how's that changing?
What teams you're looking at?
Like how you're approaching like taking a swing at the format versus just doing what
you did last season, tried and tested it the way?
Yeah, I mean, going into every tournament, I always like to just play my style of
Pokemon.
That's kind of always been my thing.
I want to stick to my brand as a player.
I don't want to just play something because it's good.
That being said, I might play things that are also very, very strong.
Good Pokemon are good, right?
But I also tend to experiment a little with some more niche picks that might catch people a little bit off guard, might surprise some people.
So I'm really looking forward to the events where I get to do that.
Okay, well, I've got one last question for you, Joe.
Got a little bit of a hot take coming up.
So last year I saw you on Saturday night. We went out for dinner. I ran into you completely unplanned.
You were sitting across the table from James Evans, who you were playing on Sunday the next day in the finals.
So, my question to you is, if you're in the finals of Championship Sunday, yet again this year, who are you taking out today?
might go as far to say that we might have a repeat World Champion, but cross-divisional
with Kosakide. He's been on a tear this year with a top 8 at both Japan Nationals and
around the American Internationals. And he even won a very prestigious basketball
tournament just a couple weeks ago where a lot of Japanese representatives at the World
championships this weekend over in attendance as well and so he's got to
be one of my picks for for a favorite. Love to see that Gio, thank you so much for
joining us we're gonna let you get back to things and we're gonna be back to
the action very soon so stay tuned.
Let's do it!
Alright!
As they travel...
...battle...
Use our birdy-toes, you please!
And grow as traitors.
Pokemon Horizons the series, now playing on Netflix!
I
Welcome back everyone to beautiful San Francisco, California.
We are here at the Moscone Center for the World Championships and inaugural
Pokemon XP, celebrating our 30th anniversary of Pokemon 10, you believe it, Scott?
I cannot. We were here just 10 years ago for a World Championships,
and things look a little bit different back then.
I think it was a lot of fun, very extravagant at the time too,
but wow, it's incredible how much things have changed over the course of the few years.
years. It's really incredible if you haven't been checking out any of the Pokemon XP content as
well. Make sure you're doing that. We're walking past Requizer Road coming in or just seeing all of
the cool things they have set up out there. I am so jealous that I'm here. But given the first
two matches that we've seen here at the World Championships, kind of seems like the heat's
down here. Yeah, maybe not that jealous, right? We couldn't ask for much more. And hey, you
know, I think that's kind of the fun of this whole event, right? You know, have you come
here for Requizer Road? The tournament's pretty cool. Maybe you'll watch a little bit of that.
And yeah, we've gotten to watch multiple world championships
champions already at this world championships
on Pokemon champions during the course of the first round.
I'm going to have another great round coming up here.
And yeah, I think it's just impressive.
Give us a look at the pairings, too.
I mean, there's so many great names on the pair.
We're like, you can't get an easy match in this tournament.
Yeah, it makes it so difficult to actually pick out which matches
we want to be featuring here on the main stage,
because there are just so many incredible competitors
out there in the field.
And I'm glad you highlighted the multiple champions
champions that are doing well here in Pokemon champions. And of course Gio saying he expects
there to be a repeat champion this year. Looking pretty good so far. We've seen two world champions
win on stream already and even more out in the field are still doing very well.
Yeah, it's a great interesting looking result. I believe Gio himself won as well.
I'll be called up close. I think I would agree would be by her.
An hour ago it was my player to watch. He did lose in the first round. So I think that's
pretty shocking too. I think a lot of us feel like a really impressive player. You want to
a Japanese grassroots event a couple of weekends ago and look really impressive there as well.
Big. It's only one round. You definitely feel better going forward if you win this first
round. It makes things a little bit easier. But I have to win a lot of games there. Okay.
Regardless of what happens in round one. So pressure's on for the trainers. You didn't
win that first round. But you know, long way to go still. This is a tournament that's
a marathon that a sprint. Yeah, of course, you are not eliminated after one loss. You
have to do two losses still qualify you to the second phase of the tournament and
two losses overall, get you into that top cut bracket.
So every player is still alive in the tournament.
Let's take a look at some of the teams
that we expected to see perform very well here
at the tournament, and so far so good.
I see that you and Sierra,
both being on the team, talks the pecs here.
Zajun made that Pokemon look extremely oppressive.
Yeah, I think it was one,
I was a little anxious to lock it in myself,
to figure out how many players are actually going to opt
to do this at this world championship.
But we've seen a lot of development
this team throughout the past few months where I think Wolves finish at NEIC even though we've seen it
get second place at Hong Kong Nationals as well as in the last regional championships here in North
America. I mean, it's about in Violet Tries. It started with respect to Toxapex, but the top floor
at NEIC was like, fine, you know, this is a real Pokemon. We need to develop this. A lot of
Japanese players picked up as well. It's just, you know, maybe what I was thinking when I locked
the team in there, like, oh, surely some of the big games will actually bring this. And
I think it's pretty good to be invested in you know a lot of different teams here
We see you know five Charizard, so we managed to find three teams that didn't have Charizard
Please be proud of us. Please put the gold star for us at your fridge
You know for like us but for the entry casters
Yeah for Ben and for Aaron and for Rose
We did already get to see the Blastoise and Del Fox team in that first round
Of course it did lose to Wolf's team in that first round
But some other teams, I expect to see Ben's team, the Frostlass and Scovillain.
It's been affectionately dubbed Italian Ice.
One of the teams that wants to feast on Charizard teams.
And if Charizard is at 40% plus usage, you would expect that team to be doing very well.
And of course, Aaron, highlighting one of the newer adaptations
using two of the new Megas introduced to regulation MD and right to Y and Storaptor.
Yeah, really, I think one of the biggest disappointments
may be the fact we didn't get to stream too many tournaments in regulation MDs.
I hate playing against it, where it's just a very redone Pokemon.
I think I have similar defensive stats to Mega Raju Y,
which is not a compliment to the Pokemon.
But I think it's just so much fun to watch, where it's very rehabby.
You have tools to win every matchup if you get all of your turns right.
But what do you have tools to learn to lose quickly if you don't get them wrong?
If those of us who maybe prefer a more defensive style of battling can look another direction.
But I think it's a really powerful Pokemon.
powerful Pokemon we're likely to see throughout the course of this tournament,
especially at this level where everyone is good enough to be able to do some damage
with a very difficult Pokemon to use.
Yeah, and I also have to shout out my co-caster Lee there who has also chosen to go
for the Dual Weather Sun Rain Team.
Usually you don't see a rain Pokemon next to a drought Pokemon like Charizard,
but the way this team works is so dynamic and interesting and engaging.
It's the most fun I've had playing Pokemon in Pokemon Champions.
It's been playing that sun rain team and I would not be surprised to see it go deep just because it gives you so much flexibility
I very rarely feel like I'm completely out of the game
And it's one of those teams that allows you to bring both of your mega Pokemon
You're usually looking at the Charizard and the swamp part both of those Pokemon are very good non mega as well
Yeah, I think it's a lot of fun to play as well where I know that maybe it's not quite my style
But I get most of my
Reps practicing for the practicing for this turn out on that team as well
Okay, I think this is gonna be a big thing like I want to be prepared enough to talk about it
And yeah, I had a lot of fun with it where I think mega Charizard or non mega Charizard
I should say in particular is a lot of fun where I think I remember during the last world championships in London
I think that making fun of the the trainers who would bring Charizard and then not to get some access
Uh-huh, but regular Charizard is terrible. It's not so terrible now
It gained a lot of moves over the course of the last couple of games where we put the weather ball and hurricane
It does a lot of damage to regular Chards.
It's a special attack stat.
It's pretty impressive, even in its regular state.
And it's also just so much fun to play against.
I think a lot of Pokemon is very suspicious.
You don't mega evolve immediately.
Like, oh, is there another mega in the back?
Chards keeps you guessing a little bit longer
because Pokemon where you're naturally holding mega
anyway, often, you try to get weather control.
Especially on that team where you have a second weather Pokemon.
I think it plays a little bit more fun.
I just like playing the double primal compositions
DGS company, it's kind of a simple thing with Tiger and Roudon, but they were much more in
each other's way, maybe in a lower appropriate way, where I think with Powerpuffer and Charzan
kind of both having ways to power up each other's moves, I think they feel a lot more
like a combo instead of like you have like two really powerful forces that are great
to have on your team, but maybe don't work so well together the way that the legendary
nocoma did.
Yeah, and it's the move-weather ball that really ties that team together.
Of course, weather ball gets a power boost and changes its typing based on whatever
weather is on the field so it can be water typing if rain's on the field it
can be fire typing if sun is out but it can also be rock typing if sand is up or
ice typing if big snow is up as well and that gives this team so much
flexibility and really does allow your Charizard to be effective in rain
especially because Charizard does not really have great flying type options
except for a hurricane which is terrible in the sun but if you get
rain going next to Charizard all of a sudden you have another flying
and water type attack or attack can also deal some damage to your steel types if you need to with the fire type heat wave
Yeah, I think it's also just like I don't feel like you imagine like man like what should a tournament double battle be like
I don't know if there's any team that's kind of like more exactly on theme with like
Kind of how the battle plays out your dreams instead of in real life
Yeah, I just so much keep on where like the Pokemon really do feel like they compliment one each other
Like you feel really smart like oh like my charge in a bad spot
But if I switch palpator in and like use a water attack with my fire type Pokemon like I'm in a great position
And I think finding that sort of solution is just so much fun
Like kind of rewards you for being creative in a way that some others you don't wear like I tend to be sort of I like a lot
technical people like okay all it's objectively correct for me to this I shouldn't take this risk. This is a term
I can't take a risk. I think that team you're free selling a little bit more and you can kind of have more explosive plays
We're attacking rather than setting up which we see a lot more of in this format
And I think it's really thing also just kind of show the creators where I think that we saw a lot of it from
I'm Alexander Hill and Billy Brown, in particular, in the online tournaments.
But yeah, there are not a ton of compositions that have been highlighted,
not highlighted, but kind of innovated by our home region of North America there.
So I'm happy with the players over here contributing something to this meta game.
But thank you.
Absolutely.
And it is a really interesting team because you do have a lot of improvisation
in the team, like you mentioned, but it also has such a high skill ceiling
because it's also in a pretty low skill floor
because it's actually very easy to get in your own way
with this team as well.
You never want to end up in a situation
where you have the wrong weather up.
You have a lot of different tools
to get your weather correct,
but you also do have a lot of anti-synergy on the team.
So it takes a really well-practiced pilot
to make sure that you're getting the most
out of all those options
and keeping the most options open for yourself
throughout the entire game.
So I'm really excited to see it.
We may be able to see it very shortly,
But over the course of this tournament,
I expect it to be very well.
That's why I picked it for my cast of predictions.
Yeah, I hope we get to watch it.
I think it doesn't quite look right when I'm doing it,
where I think particularly one thing I kind of
learned playing the team is that it's very important
to lead well because it doesn't pivot super well.
Where I get the anti-synergy,
if you're having to make a bunch of defensive switches,
you're in trouble, right?
Where I think one of the things
that makes the comp really powerful
is like you should be the one setting the tempo, right?
If pivoting tools, you have multiple ladders,
like your opponent should be reacting to you.
And as soon as you're playing reactively,
I think it tends to be really weak,
particularly if you give up a knockout too early in the game,
where it's really hard to avoid the anti synergy.
It was like, well, I don't want the weather
from the Pokemon that's not currently in battle.
That's the only thing I can switch in and something
that's pinned.
It's like, well, guess I get to pick a bad option.
That's awesome.
And yeah, I think you need some foresight
to play that too well.
Absolutely.
And of course, here at the World Championships,
we only have players that have shown
that they can do well enough to have that foresight
because they have qualified for the world championship.
What makes this tournament so special every single year?
And it's why, you know, when we saw that we were gonna do
a second round one, I wasn't like annoyed or anything.
I was ecstatic.
I was like, we get to see another one of these great matches.
You know, we have so many talented players here.
We have multiple world champions,
eight out in the field,
trying to get a second world championship.
And that's just in the Masters division as well.
Yeah, definitely, you know, stay right here.
But keep an eye out for this tournament.
Like, man, I really wish I got to watch
more Pokemon titles.
Others, a side stream, or a future match stream
from Victory Robots, even more matches.
I think definitely going to be fun to review those
after this tournament is over, where it's so much fun.
I think this format is really neat,
where even though you have a pretty definitive pool
of the top 15-ish best Pokemon,
there are some fun Pokemon you can slide in there.
And then the way that the teams interact
is really interesting, where you can change your team
a lot by just swapping two or three Pokemon out.
If you move, suddenly it feels in place
very differently than kind of what you started with.
And I think I'm just seeing more of those different
combinations really interesting.
I think this is a tournament where we've kind of been
talking a lot about big six, but I don't think there is
a clear strongest composition coming in, right?
There's not like a real favorite.
I think this is a tournament where trainers kind of
just need to identify, okay, like, what am I the best at?
What fits the best for me as a trainer?
And then, hey, you know, I just gotta make my read.
I've gotta know my lines.
I've gotta just do my best and it's gonna come down
more maybe to me than my six Pokemon in this one.
And I think that's going to make it more and more fun to review
because, yeah, you know, like one person playing a team
and someone else who's been prepping it since NAAC
is going to look very different.
Absolutely.
And because we have so many incredible matches out
in the field, that means we have so many notable matches
to take a look at.
And if you're getting ready for our round two,
here are all of the players out in the field right now.
Or some of the most notable pairings here.
And of course, you can see our feature match
is going to be the 2022 World Champion, Eduardo Cunha
versus Alex Underhill, one of our players to watch from North America.
But some also incredible matches out here in the field.
I'm looking at that match between Michael Kelsch and Wade Shear from Taiwan,
the most decorated player from Taiwan,
up against a player who has not failed to do worse at the World Championships
than top eight, which is a wild statistic.
Three World Championships, he went second, fourth and a top eight.
Yeah, what a player.
And yeah, I think it's been a really strange early turn
for Michael, where his first time
played a mirror match to the team that you should not
have to worry about playing a mirror match with.
And this round, you know, I get a very strong opponent he's
probably not played against.
So it should be fun for him.
You know, maybe he's fourth world champion
to throw.
He's been very strong.
I give this a little bit different this time.
You want to keep the experience fresh for it.
Absolutely.
And some other great matches out here
for his world semifinalist last year,
Montana Mott will be playing against Sebastian Escalante,
one of Latin America's longest
continued at this point and top players.
So exciting matchup out there in the field.
Of course, our colleague Yuki is playing up against
Alex Gilmez-Berna, also out in the field.
Those are all going to be incredible matches.
Victor Nidina versus Aretha Almoraz.
I would love to watch that match.
There's so many good matches out in the field.
I'm so glad that we're going to be able to at least
have VODs for most of these.
Yeah, it's going to be great.
And I think it just could be fun kind of
as a tournament progresses where I think one of the
things that's going to be really fun about this world
particular. Well, they're all great. It's so hard to team diff someone is fine. I think there's
going to be way fewer matches where someone just like, you know, it's just drawing dead is like,
oops, I got the opponent I wasn't supposed to play against. I mean, like, you know, there's
a little bit of that. But I think because this is so much more of a format where it's like,
okay, well, I've got to make the right choices in team preview. I've got to play well throughout
the game. It's more about like kind of knowing your lines and executing game plans. I think
at the deeper we get into tournament, the sharper everyone's going to be because this is
a tournament where you're just not going to stay alive unless you're playing really hot. So
So I think we're going to see some,
maybe some of the best Pokemon we've ever seen
over the course of this tournament.
Yeah, well, I'm really excited to get into it.
We have so many great players out in the field
and, you know, especially having some additional weeks
of regulation in B after the tournament as well.
That is one of the things that I most enjoy
after the World Championships is seeing, you know,
we've had a pretty extensive off season
in between North American international championships
and the World Championships here.
So a lot of players have been saving
some of their adaptations for this tournament right now, and now we're going to have a few
more weeks afterwards to really see what fit, what won here, and then also be able to experiment
and see what, what still is left in the tank for MB.
Yeah, I think this kind of would be one thing that's fun to watch this tournament in general,
too, is like how much sauce was left in the bottle, right?
I think the prevailing wisdom from competitors, at least the English speaking community,
tended to be like, okay, you know, there maybe there's like a few tricks that people
But like probably largely we've seen what we're going to see right and it's more about
Optimization is like really knowing your side of the field well
So you can adapt any surprises and then you know being able to have a good game plan into all the popular teams
I mean like they get one as well
There's gonna be something but there wasn't like a clear something coming up and because of that
Like I think it makes the grass or tournaments going into this turn this event more important than ever right where?
You know just looking at AC and then you know playing with your friends and then coming here
I think that's just not a way that was viable to prep for this tournament
I'm kind of keeping an eye on the trainers that were really effective in those grassroots tournaments because I think both proving they could do well
But also like okay well they've got some higher stress rep to those teams, right?
It wasn't just a screen with their friends. We're talking about you know, what should have happened every turn like this
There was some pressure to win. You know, there are prizes and I think that like especially the players who both did well
And then maybe you'll play to people innovative or like are like literally the best player in the world on a popular archetype
Those are the players I think are gonna have the best shot at this one. Absolutely
And we've been talking a little bit
as we were getting started in the tournament today.
Like it really does feel like it's a meta
where you need to be the best at this team archetype.
It's all about, do you click with this particular team?
Does this team make sense to you?
And it's really difficult,
it can be really difficult, A, to find that team,
but B also to stick with it when you're worried
about other meta developments that may be having.
And I think it's really important that players
understand who they are as a Pokemon player
in this meta, maybe more than any other meta we've had.
Yeah, something I'm always kind of pushy about was like,
hey, you know, if you think you're the 10th best,
big six player, why did you pick it?
Like, wasn't the gold become world champion,
but I think especially in this tournament
where I think it's like, it's less clear,
like maybe it's better to be the 10th best player
of the best team than the best player
of the 15th best team, right?
But I don't think we know really how strong
all the teams are relative to one another
where it depends a lot on like how popular
other teams wind up being
and like kind of what your matchups wind up being.
you know, maybe you wind up playing one team four times in a row because that's just how your matchups play out.
And so it goes.
Yeah. Yeah. I think that mastery is important. I think it's also kind of an interesting one where I think it's easy to kind of like do the grasping always greener where, hey, you know, this isn't a format where you're going to feel good about all your practice games, right?
Because, you know, it's, again, you're not going to have the team advantage very much. I think there's a big switching cost like, oh, you know, I like this matchup a little tough for me.
little tough for me so I'm gonna try something completely different because
it's probably also just gonna have the same problem with another team right and
I think just yeah you've got to control your own side of the field kind of just do
your thing as best as you can and you got trust yourself in this tournament I
think. Yeah well we have two players who are ready on stage who are
definitely good at doing their own thing. We have Alex Underhill from the
United States up against the 2022 world champion Eduardo Cunha and I know
So when we were looking at the teams this morning,
you were extremely happy to see Eduardo's choices.
I love this matchup.
I looked at both these players, like they're among the first five
players I checked their team.
I don't care what happens in the field,
but I'm just here to commentate.
But I really do think it just represents the game the best
if the players pick their thing.
Both these guys, I think, are very iconic for the team
they selected.
I hope both of them have great runs.
I think this is really fun.
I do the only player who really plays his sort of thing.
He's kind of been using a similar pool of Pokemon throughout the course of the regulation.
He's very well on the grass.
It's really on.
Get a little bit quieter after that, which kind of maybe suspiciously.
Oh, I think he is going to bring it because I'm maybe trying to fall off the radars a little bit,
but a version of Paris trap that no one else really uses.
Right.
I guess Paris forwarded calling it.
Trap might be a little bit aggressive.
He's missing a lot of the usual tools.
You have that sort of team, right?
You're going to have multiple fake-up Pokemon.
You don't have to finish.
It's very unique and special.
I think, and you also someone to keep in mind with an execution-based tournament.
There's only one trainer in the modern era who's won a world championship by going undefeated that would be him with this world champion
We hadn't seen it since we went back to 2012 and I gotta tell you I played in that tournament
We didn't play nearly as many rounds back then so that's a little wonky in that stat and it was special
Well, here is Alex Underhill who was one of the primary
Architects architects of this Sun Rain team you have the mega Charizard and the mega Swampert dual megas
And of course, like we mentioned, they can both come to the battle, so be on the lookout
to see how Alex is going to be able to maintain weather control, which Pokemon he chooses to
bring in, and actually keep an eye out on that Grimstall, which is really the glue that
keeps this team together.
Hey, that was kind of a click for me, but I was like, oh, I get why I'm not playing
this to you.
Where you want to use Grimstall a pretty high rate with this team.
It leaves well with almost everyone.
It can do a lot of fun tricks.
You can kind of just play it straight forward a little bit.
I was like, hey, you know, like every leader was like Charizard or something.
and to protect them to get the screens up.
I'm going to make my already great Pokemon even bulkier.
It's also very cool with these two weather-based Pokemon
where you can click a parting shot.
Your opponent has to switch forest gear.
That's first to turn order.
And then the grip trial with that boosted priority
will parting shot and you can choose to bring in a weather
Pokemon or perhaps you predict incorrectly
you can bring in a different Pokemon instead.
That kind of keeps your options available for a following turn.
I think another thing to keep in mind of his team
is kind of neat.
Check out that nature for Archelodon.
That's something that we've always seen with it
where I think one thing trainers lamented with the
Champion's game is that no longer where we do we have a lot of held items that we're used to particularly that assault mess
Especially the fence boosting nature is not an assault vest
But so much more vulnerable on these special sides of doing what he can there to increase the special defense of this Pokemon
If you can take a few weak physical attacks, it gets pretty gross on the defensive side
Yeah, although what don't worry the I think being able to use our teller down
Well as one of the things I think that makes this team really powerful
We're just like a great Pokemon that is a little too reliant on the rain for which otherwise
maybe it's considered to be super powerful, but not so great maybe in this particular matchup where
Paris Long is like, hey, I would like it if you did not ramp against my team, actually, and it's a
pretty hard stop. I'm giving you three turns to ramp maximum. Otherwise, your Pokemon is done,
but that is part of why Grimmsnarl is going to be so important here. Having that priority
parting shot does give Alex a way to break the trap if Eddie decides to go for the
Shadow tag version with the up mega Gengar and here it is
This is a team that really only he has been using and only player
One of the only players that I've seen with a para style team here in the tournament entirely and it's that that both centers around that
Gengar it centers around the poly toad and the
Incineroar that Incineroar is a crucial piece of the parish for I think it's pretty cool, too
I'm pretty shocked that we're actually getting a small part mirror that isn't just the
I think a Pokemon we're not sure what to make of when Regulation MB first came out.
It kind of seemed like one of these things where it's like, oh, maybe this is for more casual
players on the ladder, but it's not the sort of thing that's going to show up in tournament.
Clearly not.
But we're doing it too.
They knew that you'd be like, hard rigged, right?
But it's a very awkward matchup where they have a lot of the same tools.
It's that polytote instead of the Pellebird, that's something we see very frequently,
but it's sort of like a Paris song-specific tech here, where it gives you a second
And Paris spoke about it all so much more here that Palover is has fewer tight leaps.
So sort of a fun thing to have mixed in, but we're missing the moth in the room here.
I think the really interesting thing of this game.
Yeah, one of the things that Paris teams will love to have is any ability to stall out
turns.
And one of the best ways to do that is sleep powder, especially on compound eyes of the
villain here.
That means that those sleep powders are going to be much more accurate than usual.
If Peddi was able to sneak out two or maybe even three turns of sleep that's enough to knock a Pokemon out with Parrish Laws
That is what a fun synergy they're like
Hey, you know his own archer on doesn't have to worry about Parrish Laws because he can just not click the button right?
So if he's the one lamp and her his swappers on a rampage or something
I think it's really interesting. We do immediately see those trademark clothes on the Gengar and the Vivian
I get a more common lead on the other side with that powerful Charizard units more combination that you try that offense
like to turn one. Yeah, one of my favorite titles as well. Gengar, the historic genius
out on the field alongside Abuse of Dvilion. Double fleet powder options here because you
also have the Venusaur on Alex Underhill's side is able to with the floor fill ability
out speed all the Pokemon out on the field ignore rage powder from Dvilion. So if Alex
is worried about that Gengar setting a trap and setting perish, he has chosen the
the lead that gives him the opportunity to stop that in its tracks one thing is
important to keep in mind here too if you play against Indian a little bit on
the ladder breath this is focused on that choice car so it's a little bit
different a little more conservative I don't know what world championship feeling
for you know there is a mega Gengar a Pokemon that typically gets left on
up until the world championship now out on the field piloted by the world
champion Eduardo Fumia. Alex will go ahead and mega of all the Taras aren't right away to get the
ground on the field and allow the Vs or TV fastest thing on the field. Noticing that as an option
Gengar will go ahead and protect this turn as well. The Vigilion will also protect just to scout
out what Alex is trying to get away with here. Sleep powder into the Vigilion and not the
Gengar. So calling out that the Gengar was being front and bust. Eduardo with that double
protect making sure that there is no risk of any damage or any wasted turns.
It's double protect good for a lot of reasons there. You kind of always love to get that
protect negative evolution and make it get there where you can or now if it does switch out of
battle you can immediately threaten a trap when you switch it back in versus the switching in the
regular game which is close. It's very frail and also like not immediately providing any value.
Also very fun to smash it where the Charizard did make it of all but I think whether Alex
chose to commit better or not was very interesting at the first turn. Now potentially either
player should bring in their own drizzle Pokemon and change the weather with that slow Venusaur down
a knock that is slower definitely than Gengar. Yep well there is the Vibhili on the point to
switch out four polytodes immediately remove the sun it's not going to be Alex's own Telepher
instead Ezhu bringing out the rain with polytodes. Ludge boss deals good damage to the Venusaur
brings it down to about a third health as Hurricane connects on to Gengar Alex falling
that switch into the polytodes, not going for a fire type attack, instead the flying type
hurricane, perfect accuracy. Next up, the Gengar gets a confusion and polytodes falls asleep on the switch.
Hey, suffering, baby. That's it. That's it right there. Now, normally the situation really bad for
Charizard, right? Even like the flip-flop standards where it's like, great, you get an ancient power,
Gengar, good job. But instead, that hurricane, all of our powers, like three times as powerful
as an ancient power would be. Who's a very serious game? He's a Gengar. As well as critically
causing that confusion where maybe in another scenario out of here it's going to go for the
protract, but potentially game losing if you get that confusion roll on.
All it takes is one bad confusion roll and you can lose the game in an instant. No self-pick here
on this turn. Gengar will be able to protect itself. Hurricane catches the Archialagon on
the switch in here. That's going to deal good damage to that Pokémon even as a resisted
hit. Like you mentioned you do have to invest quite a bit into the special defense,
but Archeladon will tank these two hits.
Deep is ineffective, mostly ineffective.
Four times ineffective, we start on to the Archeladon,
which now has plus two defense against these two special attack.
Sorry, everyone. I am going to end my PTSD moment there.
It's scary to keep a storm in Archeladon that way.
If you do any tasks, it would have been an interesting fight for both trainers there, right?
Where two levels of boosted defense in Archeladon,
created a lot of matches,
potentially not very great,
because it's one of the only physical attacking Pokemon in Alex's team,
with that flopper who could still be in the back as we mentioned.
You do have that option here, but otherwise that's a good deal.
Also, Hurricane, I mean, because of that, you know,
catching Arteladon, like, I don't know who's catch was this,
but it does do a little bit more damage to Edu's Arteladon,
which is not calm like Alex is, and probably more specifically invested.
Though, it's another trend as well.
They only know each other's features, not each other's training.
Absolutely.
Venusaur will protect itself this turn,
while Gengar is able to snap out of confusion,
trying to pick up the KO onto Venusaur,
but Alex will not allow that to happen instead but Hurricane now connects on to Gengar, but that does open up the Charizard to a huge electric shock coming out from this archalagon, which does go ahead and charge up.
We are in San Francisco, the land of the Golden Gate Bridge, and this bridge is angry as you would like to pick up a KO here.
Yeah, I've never seen a bridge like this in real life, but it's really going to hurt Charizard.
Both players are going to change their mega, or trade, their mega of all Pokemon.
So, you know, there's probably a lot of ways that Alistar's an advantage there,
but kind of still having to take that trade and tell them it's like,
things don't look too bad for Eddie there.
He doesn't have to, again, get the potentially irrelevant to almost a boosted defense,
but a definitely relevant level of boosted special attack.
The one that will be reigning for their anger of his battle
or nothing once it expires, which is probably due to his advantage as well.
Still waiting to see some of Alistar's unrevealed Pokemon,
But he's at least looking a little better for Edu, although he does have to deal with that sleeping
Apologonade as well as the one with the others kind of running out of things to support,
but we'll come out here and we'll also have one big attacker and based on that,
Archeladon on the opposing side as well.
And then Archeladon on Alex's side is going to be in a little bit of trouble here because
Edu is ahead on the boost, so already has plus one special attack on his own Archeladon.
That means that Alex needs to catch up and he comes down to the hitting and Alex hit his sleep powder.
Yeah, I think it's going to be a good deal. I think the both direction here is one with me, maybe on the other side of the field.
Also, you know, it's critical to keep them on here.
Maybe I start the battle, but still I'm not focused on attacking.
It's going to survive at least one more turn as it puts the opposing Archelle down to sleep.
Yes, the fastest thing on the field and has the compound eyes, but it puts the Archelle down to sleep.
But Venusaur will go ahead and put them off to sleep as well.
Alex will go ahead and use the first turn of mandatory sleep on his own Archalibon as
Eduardo will pick up the KO onto Venusaur.
So no more sleep counters on Alex's side.
It is going to be all down to the Archalibon and whatever the final Pokemon in the back is for Alex to break through this Archalibon.
And it's looking difficult.
Even though this Swampert has super effective damage,
Edu did get too loose to the physical defense.
There's a really awkward position for Alex here because not only that, but of course this one for Kent Mega of all, we saw that from Charizard as well.
And the Archeladon and Alex's side can't protect an earthquake because it's a fleet.
So lots of things back quite right here. The Tuckstar for Edo and Palsir coming in here.
We'll talk about it in just a second.
So Archeladon does not wake up here, takes a dragon pulse, with that plus one special attack brings it down to half health.
Offered trying to pick up damage onto the villain will instead hit the poly toad on the switch in with the ice punch
And now the rain has ended and you switched in poly toad
I love everything about what I did here. I try get a little too excited when I realize what is about to happen
But the problem comes in here doesn't set the rain again
Which at this point I think is to his advantage because the point this ball toad is probably going to wake up
It's going to use parasol. There's no three book when we're meeting at any side to allow him to cycle here
And it's going to be very difficult for Alex to do enough damage quickly enough.
He does not have any special attack moves, so that Achalada has no longer the option of the collector's shot,
unless you want to like try and charge it off where there's simply isn't time to do.
And this Whopper is just in a tough spot, right?
Even with Earthquake, I think it's going to struggle to damage the opposing Achalada.
Palato's feeling pretty great too. It's just so naturally bulky as to resist Whopper's other moves.
It just doesn't seem like there's a ton of options left here for an Alex.
And even though the beginning of the game says I can whistle Whopper in, he just doesn't have a lot of pieces left.
And the one benefit is that Alex's Pokemon have taken their sleep turn, so Archialodon will wait
up for Alex. He feels good damage too, Eduardo's Archialodon. We will fire back with another
Dragon Pulse. Not enough to pick up the KO. We saw how much damage it did to turn before.
Now Swamper, firing off the Ice Punch into Eddie's Archialodon gives it another
skin and a boost, fishing for a crit or maybe even a freeze onto that Pokemon.
and Paulito's I believe that is its first turn of mandatory sleep so now Paulito's is going to be able to wake up and set the pair of song
The Vavilion also has not taken his turn of sleep yet either, but if you don't need those Pokemon away
Yeah, I mean you look college or maybe just go away. Yeah, wake up in a second
You know still a song off that you can choose to get if you want to
But also she's at this point a positive
I could probably maybe just get mad and go on the offense and that could be a pasta with you
Also, with Team Divine, you know, Vivian doesn't need the range to use the hurricane,
it just has to compoundize him.
It's not my truck, but oh, you know, the accuracy boost on the sleep-inducing sleep counter
but it also makes hurricane pretty reliable.
The dragon ball's not going to be reliable enough.
Going to lose the knockout by enough that Swampert probably can't finish it off.
Yeah, 10% health remaining on Edu's Archeladon as it picks up the KO onto Alex's.
Archeladon goes down for Alex.
This Swampert needs to be able to pick up a KO onto the Archeladon,
But Pauli tries to take the one turn, sets the pair song,
and now all Pokemon on the field will ping in three turns.
And he doesn't find, he doesn't care.
There's another Pokemon in the back.
Even though it's asleep, it still has its focus set.
The freeze, I don't care. That's fine.
I still have the villain in the back with the focus set.
And you only have one Pokemon left,
and you're already out of time.
Yeah, I got that news here.
I think Pauli said, probably what's going to take any actions.
Anyway, he's gonna just hop out of battle there,
and then you know he's going to be able to pick up that knockout.
So, going to be game one-two, I mean there,
and we see the power of this team matchup, right?
This team composition, I mean, maybe the matchup too,
but, you know, no one else plays this, right?
Again, this is a team that's only him,
so he has posted some guides on it,
so, you know, perhaps people should have paid
more attention to that.
Really impressive play, and really just kind of showing off
the power of this composition there,
where even though things seemed so great for Alex
earlier, where he handled the Gengar very well,
the Gengar wasn't the only threat of this team,
and we did have a whole lot of trap there,
but we did have a lot of perish.
Yeah, the Gengar did what it needed to do,
which was it did trap that Charizard on the field long enough for Archaladon to knock it out.
And after Charizard went down, there was no chance of getting the Sun back up,
which meant that the Archaladon was happy to take special attacks from either of the Pokemon remaining on the field,
and it just boosted its defense enough so that Swampert couldn't do anything.
Yeah, we can't really see the impact of that in Venusaur as well,
where it's just terrible in this matchup once the Sun goes down and the rain comes up there,
where they were able to get off a little of the opposing Swampert or something that would make it the difference.
But I don't think Swampert is nearly as pitiful and pitiful to any side of the field as the Altsen were.
Likely, on this sort of team, there's more of a back-up magazine like,
hey, Ginga really isn't going to work here, so I'm just going to play kind of a rain mode,
where Swampert are a little more important on Altsen's side.
So, he is not having a time to do it.
Like, you can apologize.
It's not a Swampert, right?
There's a real world where it takes probably two Leafs to survive.
The first one, Edof, and then the Special Attack drop to the meanest,
are going to have a hard time clearing you as well.
So, Alex, can you back up the drawing board a little bit here?
You know, one Pokemon to keep in mind,
which I think is actually very difficult to bring this match up,
is well, you can try and really spell for the Pivoting,
but I do think it is a tricky Pokemon to use this match up
just because it is so passive,
which potentially uses some situations where, hey, you know,
somebody who does find a way to get a couple of knockouts
is really bad against the Parrot.
Well, speaking of the Parrot,
this is a classic Parrot's lead
with the Incineroar alongside of Gengar.
Again, Alex will be opting into the Sun Mode
to lead at least with Charizard and Venusaur out on the field, but this time Vivillon is
not on the field and Lardo has gone for the more consistent fakeout which definitely will
block that Venusaur from going on the offensive with his weak counter.
I assume we'll see a fairly passive turn here, but maybe one of the two sides we're
trying to make a big lead.
I hear there's the option for Alex to try to fakeout from the first to protect the
block to fakeout.
I also could switch here if maybe you feel like if you're the first game letting
Charizard get trapped is not such a good idea.
You try to delay the mega that would be one switchup option and then you know
He wants to play a little bit slow anyway because like so much in the previous game,
you want to get that mega evolution up,
here's the option of clicking Gengar out and invading back in later to catch something you can use here.
Well, that is going to be a mega evolution onto Gengar right away.
Alex again opting to mega evolve Charizard on that first turn as well.
Pokemon is now trapped on the field alongside of the mega Gengar,
as well, the Venusaur also trapped out on the field,
but no protects. Instead, big cop connects onto Charizard this time. No protect onto Gengar either,
which means that Alex is able to launch a sleep powder, goes for an aggressive play there, gets a
sleep onto Gengar, uses its first turn of mandatory sleep here, but that is kind of a clue for Alex
to at least get that Gengar away from being able to do any kind of parish synan against.
Yeah, I mean this makes this turn really tense, right where the Raptors sort of pivoted
in a Palo Alto that Gengar will wake up with a huge swing.
If it's not, then maybe something big happens.
The other interact chain where Gengar
is not able to do too much and consider
or a sort of an awkward spot here, too,
where it's a simple Pokemon, but usually
you want to pivot with a parting shot, which
will allow both these powerful Pokemon to act first.
And I don't know if Gengar has that much time.
Yeah, it's super aggressive play there from Alex
to not go for a protect onto the Venusaur.
That is something you have to do against these Parish
games, like you mentioned.
Doing any kind of passive play can just
result in Eduardo getting a Parish song off.
So now you're just sort of out of luck here.
Venusaur goes for the sleep powder on to the Incineroar, which does go for a protect this
turn.
Gengar wakes up immediately, only takes one turn of sleep, fires back with a sludge bump
into Venusaur.
That is a critical hit this time, brings it down to only 13% health, but now Charizard
is able to fire back with a weather ball into the Gengar, also able to hold on
with just a sliver of health this turn.
Makes the stack turn for Venusaur really important.
You're going to have to hit a read write.
You go for a split powder and then Senor's slot, which also could still miss, and then
go for it that way, or do you catch Gendar perhaps, trying to get a little too cheeky here, and
try to pick up a knockout of that slot, because leaving it on Pies would really hurt.
In your state situation, Chargert may be somewhat free as a result, but again, if you're going
to, it's like you can switch it out, right?
You can't pivot here, so it's still a difficult position.
I think probably you see Gendar protecting a pivot here on either side, but lots
of damage both ways. So close to something impactful. Gengar going to protect, so likely
a parting shot from Eaton. Yeah, at least an attempted parting shot. Not gonna happen
with the sleep powder. Not gonna happen. Venusaur is going to be able to connect with
its sleep powder throughout this entire game so far. Keywave, though, will be able to
connect onto the Incineroar, so getting a little bit of chip damage onto that Pokemon.
But the sleep, really crucially preventing Kali goes from being able to switch in this
turn and Gengar is now alone as for tech once more and is vulnerable again there's
a much more awkward spot for Eddie than anything we saw in the first game right
right this time because Gengar so we can if it seems either Charizard or
he's on check here it could be knocked out with really great some problems here
perhaps in general just wake up immediately but since Gengar has forced
out a stock where some powers will come in will we see a hurricane call
we'll let you talk to the previous game or even a weather bulb which is
that water type of event they don't know it's heat waves the worst possible option
Well, Polytoe dodges the heat wave, a little bit of damage on it to the Incineroar.
There is the option for Alex to cover with a leaf storm on the switch,
but a sleeve powder and Polytoe is dodging everything.
Good news for Alex is Incineroar stays asleep for a turn here,
which means that Eduardo still is having trouble pivoting that Pokemon out and getting the momentum,
but that is a huge turn for Eduardo to get that Pokemon in for free.
Yeah, now this is a very pivotal one for Alex, but that last turn is not great, right?
where missed an attack and make the wrong call on another one and an opportunity there is kind of
wasted. But the advantage of not picking up a knockout there is that Dengar is off the field,
this thing. He tried to switch as he liked if he wants to before potentially getting trapped again
with a likely wake up parting shot here, probably 50-50 for the Incineroar at the end of
his turn. So what Pokemon do you want to allow to potentially be trapped here? Conversely,
if you could try to go for a big knockout on something, but I think that's probably
pretty risky and Charles are going to come out this time to at least create some option
for the drought later in the game.
If you get an opportunity to switch against a parish team,
you kind of want to switch.
How do you get for that, Kao-Chu?
Yeah, gets best of both worlds.
Leafstorm connects on the polytode,
picks up a one-hit KO that Pokemon goes down.
Our Trilodon now gets in, but will be taking a hurting shot
for its trouble.
Eduardo now will be able to choose which Pokemon he
wants to bring out onto the field.
Most likely that Gengar is to set the trap once again
or at least to prevent the sun from coming out to allow
that a Venusaur again be seated there to be dealt with.
I'll have to see if Adio can be a historic Jesus of God,
because this is a really difficult position now.
Like Gengar has been so weakened,
Palatine got this one shot,
and that really limits any potential end game here
where you win through Parasau, right?
Only one Pokemon capable on using it last,
and very likely that it's going to get knocked out
before that sort of like condition.
So probably going to need some sort of way
to actually score conventional knockouts,
and that's going to be tough.
We still don't know the final Pokemon, I believe,
on that side of the field.
You'd assume it's not Vivian, just because of the waves
that's going out.
So there is own Archalodon over the Swamper.
Well, with the fake out onto Archalodon,
that means that there will be a stamina boost.
But crucially, Archalodon does not
get an opportunity to move.
That means that Alex is not going
to be able to deal any damage this turn,
as Gengar picks up the kale onto Venusaur.
And if you are playing a Parish team,
it is so critical that you don't fall behind
in the Pokemon Count.
Both of these two players are now
even on the Pokemon Count.
but Alex definitely with a huge momentum advantage right now.
I mean, I think it's just too late for the Paris zone, right?
This is not just a team.
It is no longer a Paris team.
Just a team.
Swapford, the formerly buff going into another fantastic penalty.
He's trying to suppress the pump.
But Swapford looks great here, right?
Where we do have some of the awkward situation
in the previous game where it's like, oops,
sorry, Oceladon, but at least a brief quake in here.
How are you feeling about that?
You just definitely can protect this, honestly,
but also have the defense moves
that didn't happen in the previous game.
So maybe you go full set here to feel it really crazy,
but there's also the opportunity to play this a little bit more
slowly, of course there's just this clip on the regular
swap ring, so Jager is the fastest postman on the field,
but probably not threatening you one hit Kale
and others postmortem.
You could try to elect or shut and scale up,
you think that, you know,
and he's gonna try to play this a little more passively,
but you're kind of like one big play
for sending this to a game three after Alex.
Yeah, there is the protect coming out from Incineroar
on Eduardo's side.
He is going to go for a parish option here,
Just to at least try to keep that Archialodon from getting too far ahead with these Electro shots.
So it's a timer on it so that Alex at least has to really hit the gas here and start picking up some KO's.
That is going to be a special attack boost onto the Archialodon and it fires off that into the Gengar.
So Gengar definitely going down here did not up for, you know, probably about 50% ish damage
to either of these Pokemon with a Shadow Ball.
Instead going for the Parasol to at least hopefully try to get some momentum back
when one of these Pokemon has to switch out.
I want to see what this final Pokemon is here.
It's going to be pretty critical.
It has to be Arch, right?
I think so.
In that scenario, you're feeling really good
about this Swampert.
Alex has some great options now.
While these Pokemon are perished,
you could try to switch with Archela now.
Now, if you need to quit the boost if you wanted to,
get that Drought active again.
I think there's a good chance Swampert
kind of just wins that adult from there.
Of course, you still need to pivot it
because it's also still uplifting
with that Paris song.
But you've got some great tools there.
At this point, hey, there are no special attacks
due to the special attack.
I don't think people, mine's only one more turn
at rage plus, right?
So you don't immediately want to tip your opponent.
Maybe you're willing to let one of them put down a parry spot.
You could try to get some damage at first.
Is that like a huge threat of the opposing special attack?
Scaling, but he's trying to humiliate me.
He's like, hey, no, no special attack, dude.
If you click that button, it is over.
Yeah, it is over if you click that button.
Incineroar is continuing to protect itself
just to dodge the damage coming out from sloth first.
Edwardon will be able to get the special attack boost from this Electro Shop, but without the rain, he's gonna have to wait another turn for the opportunity to fire that attack off.
And that just means it is going to have to tank this earthquake, and Alex will be safe and free to just protect next turn to ensure that no Pokemon takes any damage from that Electro Shop.
Well, I'm not protecting.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, I got a better, I know how I can trick my closer one.
And it's not gonna matter.
I think, yeah, whether the ball into that slot
is gonna be a real back from the Archello down.
And that pretty much will close it.
And swap put like that.
They come out of the battle here,
so they can come back later and finish off.
And it's gonna run in the Q's queue.
But I really want play by Alex.
And I think, I just played this right, too.
We're like, hey, maybe he'll make a mistake
and let me have this lecture shot.
And he's like, I don't think I'm gonna win this
playing it straight.
But Alex gets the charge right at the right time.
I think it's his catch.
But no, it won't protect.
He disagrees.
Yeah, well, who knows? Who knows? Maybe this is a...
Could be a fast start to get to the Pokemon of Trank.
Go ahead and get the 100% opportunity to win here.
The throat chop connects on to Archaladon from Alex, just giving over another Sam and Abus.
So, this Incineroar is not going to be able to do basically anything.
Alex has completely removed the Parish song threat from...
His team! His team!
But, and there's like a...
Did I hear a song?
It's a nervous for the Pekkin crew at their own Paris Tournament, which I guess keeps it up a little bit longer, but Charles is still facing the serve geladon now.
Not no threat of an electric shot, but he's turned very special to Pekkin pretty strong here.
So, you know, eventually probably going to catch it, though, not this turn.
Not this turn, but eventually most likely.
Eduardo taking this time here, just trying to see what opportunities he has for a game three,
potentially trying to learn some information about the damage coming out from Alex's Pokemon.
The Harkinshaw will allow that Archialagon to take a weather ball a little bit more safely, but it's also gaining health from the leftovers.
But with Incineroar's Parish Count falling to zero, that Pokemon is now off the field and Archialagon can't do this by itself.
Not in the song.
Yeah, now this is not an ideal setup here.
Maybe you go for it, but you've got to deal with your opposite number who's healthier than you.
Plus the Chars are.
Well, Swapard, who, by the time he comes in,
may be a little unhappy with the amount of defense
Bruce and his friends have given him the opposing air.
Caledon, but still has a pretty significant type of advantage.
And we don't know exactly who's going to win either.
Charlotte is actually pretty decent, especially the offense.
So she can take a dragon pulse pretty well.
His modest nature, so perhaps that's why both players
playing this way down, I don't know for sure
how quick it is, relatively.
So the Archeo Dot, and I do know that usually the protect
there doesn't reveal it.
I don't know if that was important.
They still don't know for sure which of these are fast.
I think, really, that he's usually at Alex's side here.
But he will get the knockout, and hey, you know,
I think he'll handle that history being that small,
or what more that'll just find if it's set to do a game three.
Yeah, I'm happy to trade a little bit of information
for just a guaranteed game three here,
as Alex Underhill bounces back from a game one
where Eddie, it would look like he was in complete control
and able to find the path out of the Paris trap
this time around.
Makes you wonder, is Eduardo going
to try to ditch the parish this time around,
but I don't know if I liked the brain matchup
into the Sun Rain team,
so I think he's probably stuck with it.
Yeah, I think both sides will probably just run it back,
right, where, well, as much as maybe you'd love not to do that,
having both lost the game.
Like, I don't think that you can significantly change things
too much. I think Alex is probably playing
it exactly how he needs to.
I think, anyway, so after you can try to bring
the Vivian back, once you know,
you play that a little bit more forward
than what we saw in the first game,
but unfortunately for both of the trainers,
I think this is a matchup where sleep powders can be very important, right?
I think Alc's actually been fairly unlucky where he's missed some sleep powders.
He's got some very short sleeps.
I don't know if I want to like be too defensive.
Oh, he's got a very short confuse on a hurricane.
I don't know. Does that count as unlucky? I'm not so sure.
But, you know, with the Venusaur has himself a game
that could be very difficult for Edu to deal with there, where
Venusaur probably stole the MVP of Game 2
while scoring that big knockout in Palito's really blew the game open as well as
controlling the early game of sleep powder.
Yeah, and that is one of the risks of this sun rain team is sometimes you do have to rely on venus or having one of those games and
If alex wants to advance as an undefeated player into our third round of swiss
He is going to need something out of that venus or venus or is going to need to land those sleep powders
And edu's pokemon are going to need to stay asleep at the same time edu needs to go back to what worked in game one
and maintain control of the field.
I think what really happened in that game too,
losing the poly-toe was a huge moment,
and definitely the moment where the game turned on its head.
I'll be excited to see what the trainers need here.
Because I think the first turn of a 3D game
also hugely impactful.
I think that video coming back out is like, hey,
a center-off, get out of here.
You didn't do anything in center-off.
You fainted to our own Paris on.
We know who the real star here is, and it's a doodle-yacht.
Keep protecting your pokeball.
But I think it really does change things up here,
because, yeah, it wasn't just whatever it was,
it's always doing it again in the game,
but there's personally that read in the first turn, right?
Where we sort of got the free turn
by dodging that fake out,
realizing the fake out wasn't coming,
because dodging it more in like a metaphysical sense.
But instead of this time,
we get another turn, right?
We'll charge our troops,
if they get up all of them immediately,
we'll be in sort of land a sleep powder if it goes forward.
Well, maybe, well, maybe it will probably land
a sleep powder if it goes forward.
It's good. That's the whole game.
It's good.
It does not have a guaranteed sleep powder,
but it most likely will,
But like you mentioned, we are going running back to game one here, and like in game one,
we see Gengar immediately going for the mega evolution, locking both Pokemon on the field
right now, and preserving the option to switch out and lock in another Pokemon.
Now it's also doing the same thing as he did in game one and two, once Mega Chávez
are for this matchup, and doesn't care that it's opened up the opportunity for
Pauli to switch in eventually.
There is the Drought Venusaur Code on the offensive Sleep Powder and to the Bibillion, no Protects from any Pokemon on this turn though, Sleep Powder connects onto the Bibillion and goes ahead and puts that Pokemon to sleep as Edu will go ahead and launch a Parachon immediately.
All Pokemon now are affected by the Parachon. Charizard goes for a Heat Wave, that's going to break Bibillion's Focus Sash, bring it down to one hit point remaining and put Gengar over 50% damage.
That is a lot of damage and a big change up from game one for Vivian had to focus on the entire game.
Yeah, this is a really scary turn now and a lot of different reasons, right?
If Vivian is able to wake up and do something here, I think it'd be very impactful.
But now the situation will even give it the chance, right?
We've seen previously, Gengar can't watch out either of these Pothemines.
So if you just double send it back here, you do look at the front then is Gengar switches for Palatode.
That causes the turn order chain.
Vivian is able to get a sleep powder off, but Vivian doesn't wake up here.
Charles, I just want you to keep away with challenge.
Doesn't look like I have a ton of incentive to do anything.
I don't like you really need to catch Callitope that badly.
It's out to just be that close, really great turn for him there.
Colin Gingar not protecting for the first time as a match-up for him.
Well, Gingar is going to retreat as Lardo brings in the polytode instead.
That does at least temporarily lift the trap here as Zillian slows ahead and seeps one more turn.
Weatherball from Charizard connects onto the polytope just a little bit of damage
while now VSR is able to fire off a sludge bomb.
Will pick up the KO onto the Vizilion, but crucially allows Ivy to bring back in the Gengar.
Both Charizard and VSR are now down to two on their parish count.
Gengar comes in here, will continue to trap them.
Double protector brings them down to one. Alex gets one chance to swing at Edu.
Yeah, I mean, I know it's a little bit bad there, but it is definitely not, it's a little dark middle ground yet, where it's still a little bit awkward, where you really want to give up the people, you want to get because HP could still matter, but we finally see the pure Paris strap approach to this game, right, where, hey, you know, I have to sacrifice the Pokemon, that's a bummer, but that's a shock, right?
Just there to slow things down.
Going to need to make a lot of value in that last turn
and probably just going to switch out here
to see what comes in here to be our Cali down.
So a very interesting final Pokemon here.
Going to try to sneak in on a turn
where maybe he thinks that that attack is either not going to be target
or we'll be trying to with weaker attacks
that will help boost that defensive ability.
At minimum, you need to have some kind of offensive pressure
coming out on this next turn.
It's just the least storm on the switches
and so only deals a little bit of damage to the Archeladon.
Hit the scam and the boost for presumably the swamper
into the back as a previous game.
Yeah, that could be huge, right?
I think that's a really big mistake where
that was the Leafs storm.
It does a lot of bad things there, right?
The boosted defense on the Archeladon.
I mean, that's a bummer at all.
But the play here at Adiosize, you're probably
going to switch this game back after the Palatode, right?
We're something that Leafs still not doing so much.
You're no longer expecting that one hit pay-all
on the Palatode that you were at the previous game
Or I could stick around a little while longer,
maybe create some more problems.
And the Tartalladon's also in a pretty safe spot here.
Maybe you could put the sleep instead,
because you're not collecting all the damage.
But you don't get the three-electar shot here.
I think I'd really like that if I'm at the inside of the field,
where going for that big zone instead of a sleep powder run
could really wind up causing some problems.
Absolutely.
And the Tartalladon doesn't even
need to go on the offensive here to pick up KO's,
because both of these players are on their final turn of carrot.
who has the opportunity to just go for a protect, but instead no protect coming out,
Polytoad tanks this hurricane on the switch and going to be able to heal back up with its
citrus fairy, brings it back over 50% and the sleeve powder connects onto the Polytoad as well.
That means that Archialodon gets a turn to go for a boost with this electro shock.
Both of these Pokemon are fainting at the end of this turn, regardless,
but Eduardo gets away with everything, a stamina boost and a special attack boost.
both of which are going to be critical at breaking through, presumably,
the Swampert and Archeladon in the back for Alex.
That really interesting choice you're making, Alex, is that, so I think,
like we've got exactly what we expected there, so I think the benefit of your
Alex, and it's like, hey, like, yes.
So I'm probably going to have to give up this electroshot move to the Archeladon,
but the advantage of this is that I have a very high chance of
putting the Pokemon next to Archeladon to sleep.
I didn't get to use any sleep print there, so we'll not wake up with the following turn.
by not knocking at Palatode.
I don't give a free switch to Kintar,
which potentially I don't want to do as well.
Instead, our challenger is having to watch the crowd.
Walker's going to come in here, do his stuff to help out as well.
And maybe things will reverse you a little bit, right?
Where the defense moves again, potentially being impactful.
Edu has one, Alex does not.
And being ahead here with that swapper,
maybe while he earthquake all of you, our challenger,
going to make a big difference.
Also kind of makes a situation here
where it's nearly impossible for Edu
to try to switch to Palatode, right?
like yeah it's so risky where now Alice is in the position right like you try to
talk to her. If you start Jaladon you maybe hope that you get a long sleep on the
polytode you can isolate that slot. You're definitely going to electric shot
something maybe picking it from back at the polytode will have to see. Well
that's the electric shot so Alex can start catching up to Eduardo's
at her Jaladon special attack boost. The electric shot is going to fire off
into the polytode pretty clean KO there as polytode goes down. That
That means that Eddy will be able to bring in the Mega Gengar on this next turn, but
Eddy is also trying to keep those special attack boosts up, getting a second special
attack boost from the Electro Shot that's only going to deal a little bit of damage
to the Archaladon which does resist this attack.
It doesn't have the best special defense though, so after two boosts, feeling not
insignificant damage and making the Swampert have to go for the Ice Punch which is
way weaker than Earthquake.
Earthquake. Really if you use that freeze there doesn't get it going to make it even more tanky against proper future attacks. Also then like your chat boosts the stage, right?
What's the point where it can knock out either of these Pokemon Dragon Pulse anyway? Yeah.
Do a little chip damage, which would be great. Maybe you need one, you know, EWO boost. You knock out that one month boost.
Knocked out that Archeladon with Dragon Pulse, but you know, regardless you need the boost anyway, right?
There's a lot of pretty little Pokemon, some of them live and non-megaes, so powerful. So that ramp is going to be important.
important and well getting your channel attack not going to make it to big
difference anymore it is the quickest book one that deals like with some
significant damage to either of these Pokemon already strong at the archel
down despite the nature the archer shot from the opposing archel down
super well so a double up in these Pokemon could be enough yeah a double up
onto either of these two Pokemon should be enough to pick up a KO so either
archel around or slumber both are in breath right now and there's really no
way to get around it not better than making a call here that he was going
to try to stall that out by going for a protect on the Gengar.
But not a double protect.
Our Dalgona is going to try to go on the offensive here,
tanks that dragon pulse for good damage,
and another electric shot.
Eduardo is trying to just get as many boosts as possible here.
That gives Alex another opportunity
to potentially get a freeze on that Pokemon with an ice
punch, or maybe even just try to pick up the damage
with an earthquake.
Art still hangs on just barely there.
We'll be able to take another electroshot this time around as the wave crashes the choice into the Gengar and the protect preventing that from having any effect here and now Eduardo is in the perfect position to clean this up and go undefeated into round three.
Yeah, and it's definitely still a global game where if you can find a way to keep your own Gengar knocked out here by the Swampert maybe like double into Archon Miss it or something.
You know, Swampford knocks out Gen-Garvey,
Chalodon and Alex that maybe can pull it off,
but it's really tense now.
Eddie's done a great job of pulling this one back
from an awkward-looking beginning of the game.
Game two didn't go quite the way you wanted,
but both trainers are close now.
We're right on the edge of this one.
Absolutely. Both of these trainers are so close
to winning this game three.
It's going to come down to if
Eddie is able to make the correct targets
or if Alex is able to sneak in a KO here.
Getting a third electroshop boost that might be enough to make Archialodon able to pick up the KO onto Swampert with the Shadow Ball now collecting onto the Archialodon from Gengar.
That's enough to pick up the KO here.
The Dragonfall is enough to KO the Swampert here.
There will be no opportunity for Alex to have one here.
Not quite enough.
14% hit points and Earthquake would be enough to pick up the Gengar and potentially get a crit, but instead just going for the wave crash onto Gengar,
Nothing that goes on out and now that you should be able to lock this one up
Now almost get a little exciting there
Protected that arch you could have been a little bit different, but I
Exciting hatching both of these craters easily have gone either way really interesting matchup
I don't think I've seen these teams play against each other before so early a treat to get to see the masters of these archetypes facing
Yeah, and you know gonna feel a little bad for what this was are you stressed?
I'm stressed watching these four guys like play around to a long day
Yeah, it could never be me piling especially edu's team having to think so far ahead on each of those games
You know, this is why most players have opted not to bring a team in this style
It does take a lot of mental energy
But if anyone's going to be able to do it here
It would be the player who won his world championships going completely undefeated
And I think we gotta shout out Gengar a little bit too, right?
I think it's kind of been one of those Pokemon,
it's a Trodinger's Pokemon a little bit here.
We've been talking about Gengar since Pokemon Champions
released, right?
Did immediately win at events in Europe
with a very Paris Trap-based team.
And based on that, you might think, oh,
Gengar's been a big presence on this game
for the entirety of its life.
And you would be wrong.
You would be so wrong.
And we've been talking about, oh, yeah.
Traping's really good.
Gengar's going to be a big thing.
And then we basically haven't seen it at all since Trin.
Like, again, you know, Edward had been playing this
at Grassroots events.
like we knew a few players had it, but it just not really be a thing at all.
Right. Him and Marco. Yeah. Michael. Right. And that's basically been it.
I mean, like, hey, you know, it's, I think it's easily the most difficult
Pokemon in the format to use. So perhaps not so shocking that we're only
seeing like the trainers are known as being the very best at the best,
especially from like a technical gameplay perspective, opting to go for
this Pokemon. But you see how it works, what it works, right?
Perhaps you also see how easily it could not have worked and how
things could have gone so wrong with even one mistake from over the
force of the end of those games there.
So, hey, hopefully both these traders
get a chance to catch their breath after that one.
Yeah.
What an incredible match, but what a stressful one.
Yeah, I really enjoyed that matchup.
I'm going to have so much fun going back and rewatching this one.
I'm really excited for Ben's segment
and just a little bit as well to dive deep into these teams
and how they matched up against each other.
And you're right.
Gengar, despite most players raiding it
in sort of the top tier of Megas,
consistently from the start of Champions,
The conversation around that Pokemon
heading into the World Champions was like,
but is anyone really going to bring it?
Like is anyone really putting in the work
on Gengar to figure it out?
Because it is a dominant Pokemon when you put in the work
and you need to put in so much work
to make it work for you.
Yeah, I mean, I think I'm actually a little more scared
for Gengar after watching it win,
not because of a run power perspective at all,
obviously, like it's the one we all saw.
We're all here together, Chas.
But I think specifically just because of like,
I'm only half joking about distress, right?
that was a very difficult game to play and if every game that I do plays is
going to be just like that that's going to be very difficult by the time we get
to tomorrow afternoon if you play so well as to get to tomorrow afternoon
right I'm gonna play a lot of Swiss rounds just to give a top cut I believe
we've got a like a dozen rounds before they even get to the elimination
bracket it's just it's going to be as much a battle of his own endurance as
the endurance of his Pokemon trying to survive the battle long enough in
to let the Parasite go off.
Yeah, 100% in endurance battle when you're playing a team
like a Paras Trap team.
Hopefully, if you're a fan of Eddie,
you're cheering for him to get a couple of rain mode games
in to take a break in between the Paras games.
But got to shout out Alex as well,
really showed his understanding of this dual weather team.
He was one of the first players to come out
and win an online tournament using this style of team.
One of the players that was known for this style.
You could see exactly why because he was shown that even though things looked really bad in game one
He made the correct adjustments in game two and made that game three still feel competitive throughout the end game
But like you mentioned at the end it looked kind of over but it was still a throwable game
Alex kept himself in it and kept himself having an opportunity to win no matter what I feel a little bad for him too
I think he played the right lines right but it's kind of a bummer from Alex you see if you're playing as a mega gingers
And I don't get to do anything.
It's like, well, I either led the right Pokemon
or I didn't, and then I kind of just
have to hit buttons after that.
I can't switch.
I'm losing kind of the critical elements of what makes
you good at VGC, which is positioning.
Well, my opponent gets to position.
I'm just trying not to make errors.
My opponent gets to play.
Yeah.
And it's slow, frustrating.
I just sit this down, and they want to show off
all your prep.
It's like, yep, I'm clicking sleep power
because that is the correct thing for me to do.
I thought the heat wave in particular
was really nice in our game as well as
gutsy. Eating the fake out not happening in game two. So I think Alex played really well. Just again it's hard to look good when you're in good shadow attack.
Yeah absolutely and that's going to be something that we're going to have to see if that follows Edu throughout the rest of this tournament.
He's going to have plenty of matches to go like you mentioned before he's going to be able to make it into either day two or into the top cut or all the way to the finals on championship Sunday with a hope to repeat as world champion.
the first time someone would be able to repeat in the Masters division since Ray Rizzo back in 2011,
who won a second and then 2012 when he won his third. Yeah, just a couple of years ago.
The view. Time to change a little bit since the two really do not get maybe. I mean,
this tournament is huge now, right? And the main thing is change again is that endurance,
right? Where Ray won six rounds of Swiss before the top cut bracket, I believe,
at least the last two years, I did probably all three of them. And, you know, nowadays,
That doesn't even get you to day one, right?
You need six wins and two losses just to move on to tomorrow
where you would then need to go undefeated
because you would have to losses.
I believe that Edd is really showing his ability
to do this already.
Again, has run in London,
to be the most impressive that we've ever seen.
I really don't think it was possible
to win an entire World Championships
in the modern era going undefeated.
It is just so long and there is just so much
in each individual turn of each game of Pokemon
that to go undefeated is really wild.
And even to make it to the top cut,
going X and two is a monumental achievement in Pokemon now.
Yeah, obviously, he dropped some games along the way,
but I mean, just think about it, right?
He's the best players in the world, right?
If you're playing in the ladder, it's like, okay,
now you've got to win 20 games in a row.
Like, most of us haven't done that,
let alone against players of this caliber,
Let alone, you know, he doesn't get breaks, right?
You're gonna go, go, go, go, enjoy your five minutes
between matches before you gotta do it again.
And it's just so difficult to stay locked in,
to not make errors, especially getting people like this one.
It's just so easy for that to happen.
Yeah, very error-prone teams.
It can be if you are not ready
and with all of your prep.
But the man who was ready
and with all of his prep is Eduardo Cunha,
our 2022 World Champion.
And he's ready to tell you all about that last match
and the rest of the tournament to come.
So yeah, what made you feel confident in it for the tournament?
So obviously my comfort with the team helps but I also feel like the you know
The team was kind of built to beat a lot of the common teams
And I feel like the format hasn't changed too much as like there were a few teams that popped up
But then they kind of disappeared
So I feel like into them like the strongest teams
It's really good as the problem is like some you know we're to say stuff like like like the sand team that was going
Around that match is a bit tricky, but I saw that for worlds people weren't really liking it too much
So I thought it was a good opportunity to bring it back
And of course you went up against the dual weather team.
That's been quite popular.
Lot of sleep powders thrown left and right.
How did that matchup feel?
Felt really tense, especially with Alex
bringing a regular swamper here and there.
Yeah, actually I faced them a little bit
on laddering practice, and I think the matchup
comes down a lot to like the turn of one.
How like, well, it ends up coming out,
coming down less than I thought,
because I felt like if I got it wrong,
I was in a really complicated position.
I kind of got it wrong game three,
because I was checking not to mega.
Because if a lot of people in practice
would not mega evolve the Charizard scouting my double protect so then they
couldn't mega evolve no problem so I was expecting to do that and my quest
punishment sometimes like to sleep out a parish so I'm gonna need to protect you
both I really punished that I was expecting that kind of went all in
maybe I should have found a better mid ground but in the end I was able to
like pivot back in perish the trap the those those Venus are in the
Charizard and but it took like some some careful maneuvering and I think
I think that's a power of Ferris still, is that it can create a lot of positions where you just click on a song and you switch out.
And if they KO something, you bring it back in, they're trapped.
If they don't, they're still forced to switch and you can capitalize on it.
So, I felt like I was still in an okay position even if Viviana didn't KO, and there was a chance I could wake up as well.
So I feel like the odds are kind of in my favor, and it also goes for the sleep outer work, because I have compound eyes and he doesn't.
I also have Hurricane that wanted to KO them, and well, they have focus as well, but it does a lot more damage, so it's much easier to finish it off afterwards.
So I feel like I have a slight advantage against the Venusaur with the Vivian, but at the same time, if they have the speed advantage with the floor fill, so I have to be careful with the weather management, I think that's what it comes down to.
Absolutely. I think you were the last round to finish that last one, so let you go, but before any final words for thank yous that you want to say?
you want to say?
Main thank you is going to be to my son, Lucas, my wife,
Katerina as well, my whole family,
and my friends have been helping me.
Francesco Pardini has been helping me so much.
All of Team Aqua and Gaspaccio, also a special shout out
to Luca Lucignoli, Ruben Gianzini, and Luca Ciarivelli
they're in a rough spot right now.
And I hope you figure things out and we're with you.
Oh, Edie, it's great to see you back here
on the world stage.
Congratulations and best of luck in the rest of the tournament.
Welcome back, Trainers.
We're here to break down some battles, but we don't have too much time to break down
some battles this time, because as Aaron said, we've got our next round getting kicked off.
But before we get into the little bit of time that we've got to talk about these
teams that we just witnessed here, Gaby and I, we've got a little bit of an update
for you on the Twitch jobs.
there's been a couple of issues, I think, for a few players trying to get their drops for this weekend.
But don't worry about half an hour's time from now, 1pm PT.
We're going to be seeing a little bit of an update to, I don't know what happens behind the scenes,
but there's some magic that's going to happen to hopefully get that fixed.
Yeah, so they'll be pushing an update in about a half hour's time.
So thank you so much for your patience. Please stay tuned and we'll be getting you that update as soon as we can.
So again, thank you so much for your patience.
that battle because that was such an exciting matchup. And I think we saw, you know, really the creator and the master of this dual weather team, this Charizard, who is honestly the most powerful Pokemon on a rain team, really try his best against the rain team to beat, I think, coming into this tournament and put better way to see it piloted by the creator of the team himself.
itself. Yeah, Alex has been
on this this sort of archetype
was one of the people that
actually got this got this
archetype set up and is like,
Hey, hang on a second. How do
I? How do I actually make the
rain team composition work as
like her? Maybe the answer is
son. I don't know. Like this
is definitely a very
different take on playing
Charizard where it kind of
feels like it's come as a
secondary part of the team
rather than the primary. But
I mean, you wouldn't know
And so the way that this works, I love this composition where you've got the combination of quite a few different ways that this team can play together.
So of course, you've got Pelopon, you've got Archanadon, you've got Megaswamper, and you've got Grimsnar, right?
You can put all of those together.
You've got the Grimsnar with its parting shot, making sure the rain's set up, making sure that electro shots going off with the Archanadon,
setting up the Swift Swing for the Swamper.
So if you're not against the Charizard even if you are against the Charizard
Yeah, you can you can feel it you can flex that rain mode and especially as well
This light screen and reflect oh, yeah from the Grim snarl
Especially I think our challah doll is definitely one of the best users of it
But yeah big shout outs to big boy Swamper because you know
He's like he's really bulky when it comes down to it
If you ain't hitting them with a grass type move with a light screen or reflect maybe sometimes even if you are hitting it
with a grass type move, right?
It's so, so difficult to take down.
But the thing that I love about this team,
and we were talking a little bit about it, right?
It's how this Charizard fits in.
Water type weather ball, hurricane in the rain,
and being able to function both to set up the Venusaur,
but also to play in with the Pelopon.
Yeah, and I think that's something
that a lot of players will forget,
especially when just looking at the team sheet
as it is right now, you know,
You see the normal type icon next to weather ball.
So you might forget that weather ball special effect is that
whatever the weather is set up on the field, it changed types into the type of the weather.
So it can be a fire type move when Charizard sets up its own sun.
But when there's rain on the field, it becomes a water type move.
When there is snow, it's ice type.
And then when it's sand, it's a rock type move.
And Charizard's very high special attack always will take advantage of that.
So it gives Charizard this flexibility that it otherwise does not have.
the team. It's like, you know,
it's definitely like when all
else fails, right? This team. It
does have some matchups. Where
is like, Well, you know what? And
we saw it here in this match,
right? The right thing to do
Scott called out perfectly like
sleep powder. That's that's
it. You know, you lead with a
Charizard. You get the Venus
or setup. You put something to
sleep. Create the space for
Charizard to do his thing. Go
and preparing for all of these different modes of this team is so so difficult.
It takes an intelligent pilot like Alex to be able to use the full potential of it,
but it's got so many different bits of potential that it can hit on.
It's so funny you mentioned that though because then if you swap over to
Eduardo's team you can almost hold up a mirror and admittedly maybe it's like a
funhouse mirror because obviously it's not an exact copy of what we just said but
A lot of the same principles apply because you have that Vivalon who also has that sleep powder
who can put something asleep and then open up opportunities for the Archalodon to start setting
up with those electroslot shots. You still have that Swampert, of course, who can take advantage
of the rain. And, you know, Polytode, of course, can set that up for its buddy. But then, of course,
you have the very oppressive combination of the Parish song, both on that Polytode and on
that Gengar. And then Gengar can mega evolve, have the Shadow Tag ability, and then trap
a lot of Pokemon on the field. So then now Alex just loses the ability to switch those Pokemon
around and set up those things we just spoke about. 100% right? If you haven't seen too much of this
Parashong archetype there, the way it works is everything hearing the Parash trap will think
in free turns. And so that in combination with the Shadow tag on the Mega Gengar here
will be able to trap Pokemon in if the Gengar is able to stay on the field. It's able to
you can lock your opponents in
and on the last turn everything
switches out on Eduardo in this
case is side of the field the
person that's using the Paris
song and then the other players
Pokemon to two knockouts happen
but then the beauty of that is
that when two Pokemon get
knocked out, there's only two
Pokemon left. We only take
four Pokemon to a battle right
and so they can't switch either
the game. I'm going to go
into the game. I'm going to
go into the game. Click that
Paris song again and then wait
that time out, and that's why
we see moves like protect on
Incineroar where we don't
often see it. We've got
protect here. We've got
protect here and we've got
protect here. Every single
Pokemon on this team can
wait it out if the parish
mode is going to be the
option of choice. But what
I think Eduardo did so so
well in that match. The
like, well, this is kind of still over in Alex's favor.
But in game one, he was able to take the win
without even clicking the button,
just using the high special attack of Gengar,
the ability for Archarodon to get its boost up
with the electro shot and use that momentum
to just conventionally damage all the Pokemon
on Alex's side of the field.
And that's the scary thing about playing
an experienced Parash song user is that,
I think someone who's newer to the archetype
will go for the, I press Parish Song once, I wait three turns, I switch my Pokemon out
and then I do that again to win the game.
But someone who's played this team and knows it inside and out will know when to use Parish
Song versus when to save it.
And having to play that mind game against somebody is really what makes it tricky.
I think like, especially in a lot of the turn ones that you see with that composition,
like, the way that you have to aggressively target down a Pokemon that's using Parish
you know, it's like, hey, if
you're going to play a very
strong Pokemon that can trap
Pokemon in. Like by definition
opens you up to taking attacks.
Right? And so it's like, well,
you have to play aggressive. You
have to attack into those
Pokemon to make sure you've
got enough damage down on the
board. But in doing that, it's
like, Hey, if you just want to
attack me, by the way, I've
got to open myself up to that
as well. It makes it so, so
risky to play in these
matchups. Yeah, and I really
Yes, you can use your own protect but you could also potentially put your opponent to sleep with sleep powder
You could use on core to lock your opponent into a move
So you have more time to go for that parish song and of course you have rage powder on Vivalon as well
So there's a lot of different ways you can stall for time
I guess there's also in center or space fake out, but that felt a little just gonna do just gonna do a big ring around
In Senora's existence will help you stop for time
This whole team is just constructed in such a way that enables both this
You know aggressive mode of play but also to slow down for Paris song speed and someone like Eduardo has that experience to know when to you know put your
Foot on the gas and when to hit the brakes
Yeah, so like this is the other part of it
I think a lot of players have tried to figure out
Perish trap and I think Eduardo is hitting the nail on the head here where you do have this like rain mode coming out here with these
three rain abusers and
And I think like a lot of the early stuff where you had mega Gengar Kamoa because it has this combination of soundproof
So it doesn't hear the Paris song
It doesn't have that timer
ticking it down but also like Gengar likes to knock out fairy type Pokemon Kamoa
Fairy type Pokemon are its worst enemies and so you get this like
Automatic synergy there, but it just didn't quite hit in the same way that previous Paris song used to work
I think a large part of that down is large part of that is to down to goff it tell not being in the game not having a secondary
Pokemon that can trap things in like hey Gengar's Gengar's Gengar's getting a bit low
Let's let's lean on the goff it tell to get the trap going and so I think a lot of trainers have struggled with it
I think this is where
Eduardo's commitment to the team archetype and also like figuring out exactly how he needs to run it really cracks the code
So I'm curious, you know, we've talked a lot about the teams were there any turns from those games that really stood out to you as key turns and he had to pick like one or two.
They're like any turn one.
Any turn one.
You want to go to game one.
Let's go game one turn one.
So we're here.
Let's let's get to a little bit of a nicer frame here.
So we're seeing the Venusaur and the Charizard.
This is how Alex was leading in this match versus the Gengar Vivillon that the Eduardo was going for.
for in games one and three.
And so what's happening here that's really, really important
is like there's a lot of sleep powder being threatened
on both sides of the field.
And so, yeah, if Charizard goes for the Sun,
Venusaur gets its chlorophyll boost,
then it's threatening some fast sleep powders
on the Gengar.
That's like, how do you actually deal with that pressure
if you're at Wado trying to keep the trap right?
So sleep powder coming in here,
And then the Charizard may be going for a little bit of spread damage just attacking down into the Vivillon and the Gengar and just bringing it down to lower HP.
But if, like we saw here, Eduardo just goes on the defensive, plays the double protect, stops all of that damage coming into his side of the board, then actually, like, Alex has got to commit his mega.
There's a rain setter in the back, the sun's already on the field, and then Gengar can go for either the Perisson or just start going on the offensive.
It's a tough choice to make. I mean, that's always the prediction you have to make when you're playing these double mega teams.
Which Pokemon do you mega, especially when you do bring both of them?
Yeah, exactly. And so what we saw here, and it seems like really key, is in all the games, you have this swamper of Chaladon sitting in the back here,
know that you were going to Alex knowing this like, well, we're probably going to end up in rain one way or another.
My Charizard is going to get trapped and who's got the rain as well.
He's going to set the weather situation. What do I want in the back?
I want to like lead out with my Charizard and my Venusaur, set some pressure and then these guys get to go in on the back.
And I think like perfect example of how these things really lead up.
So I think that's all we've got time for, Gabby.
We've been going for this for a little while,
but I think it's really important to understand exactly
how these parish song users work.
Now we've got round three coming up,
so we're gonna kick it straight over to the casters
and get things rolling.
Thank you so much, you two.
Sierra Dawn, we are pros here.
We're so honored to be here
for the 2026 Pokemon World Championships,
and it has been a fantastic day so far.
And we're supposed to round three just around the corner.
I cannot wait to dive into this.
I know. It's been such a fantastic way
to kick off proceedings here this weekend.
And yeah, the action's been hot,
and it is going to continue on round three on the way,
and I cannot wait to get into Sierra.
It's been phenomenal so far.
As you would expect, it is the world championship, right?
Yeah. I mean, looking at each one of these periods
in these matches, it's like,
wow, this is a crazy matchup.
And then you look across the board,
They're all crazy matchups.
We got the best of the best trainers from around the world trying to claim their staka.
So why they are the greatest here in football champions that it's been absolutely incredible.
So we hope you've been enjoying so far because we certainly have been in this next one as well.
This is a familiar matchup looking at our notable parents in Swiss round three.
This is a throwback to reach a very familiar to you.
Yes, very familiar.
the final. We're going to be
able to see the final. We're
going to be able to see the
final. So look at the notable
matches, but the stream match
one way will be featuring is
going to be between. Exactly
weird and will show a throw
back to that final. I see
earlier this season. What a
match that was and we're
going to be able to have kind
of repeat here at the World
Championships in Grand 3. I'm
so excited for this. The fact
that you get to see an
international finals replay
opportunity to maybe try and take down a prior UIC nemesis, but across the board so many strong
matchups as well, a Europe matchup, Marco going up against Aurelian, certainly a very strong
matchup and Yuma facing off against Dalway as well.
Yeah, I mean it just across the board just shows the caliber of players that we've got
here at the World Championships this weekend when you have round three, pairings are
looking like this.
I mean you go down the board at the bottom there, you've got Georgie Kader against
We have both on earlier and started amazing fashion, Rintaro versus Taranen, another really
great one.
Some of these players, I have been able to have a look at the teams, I'm not going to
give anything away now, but some of them have some really interesting choices amongst
the competition out there.
I know there's one particular player with one particular Pokemon, I won't spoil it
either, those aren't our business, but certainly we have brought some spice to the Pokemon
World Championships.
to head over to the stage and get started with our feature match Paul Chua facing off against
Zachary Weed again a rematch from our European international finals where Paul was able to
best Zachary and take that UIC title for himself now on an even bigger stage can Zachary
get his getbacks and take that win a player that has certainly had a incredible season.
Yeah, exactly that. And I think one, we looked back at EYC.
That was installed by the trustalization was the choice there.
But now we're losing to champions this rematch here and Megas taking the center stage.
Really interesting choice from both players.
Hold on for how well he could play the standard team.
Taking that.
Shorza, Venusaur, Toxapex, Paul, Han going up against another virgin.
They are seen from the MA format, where that was originally
from seeding the current regional championship.
Something that Zachary has really enjoyed playing.
I believe Ron has NAIC as well playing that mega force loss,
mega scovillancy.
Yeah, looking back at NAIC,
we got to make that phase two of competition
with this exact same team.
So certainly well practiced at this point.
And a team that was designed to help beat
some of the biggest teams that you have in a format
when you look like Pokemon, like this, like in rock,
like this crosslash, this can offer just so much
offensive pressure and of course you always have to be careful when there's a
scoblin around. Yeah this team extremely strong point we've got really good
answers against some of the common Pokemon we see in this format, in particular the
like and rock and you're a really good answer to who stars on why and that's
something that's actually kind of leverage in this match. This is going to be very good against a King Gambit, with that focus
there it's got a little bit of security it can take at least one attack, keep
around on the field a little bit longer and more importantly it supports
that Frostbast so well and allowing that Aurora Veil set up if in time you'll mega well enough
in Charizard out on the field you can get that set up and then maybe end the game with something
like King Gambit that is the main set of Pokemon on this team with that Sword Stance. Once that
gets that out of under its belt it is going to be hitting extremely hard with those priority
attacks. For Zachary here and when I look at this team in general though of course we have
a team that was designed to beat some of the biggest teams in the format like the public
of course, you have to be so careful with those pieces. And those
Charizard players are going to be expecting it. That's how we saw the
downfall of this team at NAIC and how it kind of got picked off along the way.
But of course, with months of practice since that opportunity, time to see if
he can now take down Paul. Paul didn't compete at NAIC.
We did see him compete at Indy where he had a nice run. But of course,
a little bit of a different variation of the team yet now.
Now, but of course, the most common variation when you look at so many of these strong meta picks, things like this RUNSPECT to really be able to swap the opponent in their tracks.
Yeah, you've got the fast defensive mode, you've got the choice of Garchomp that's going to get the jump on pretty much everything.
It's not going to be comfortable in front of the Mega Frost last season, you need to give it a little bit of protection there.
But you've got the tools to do that, Mega Charizard, why, of course, offering those gatefire type attacks.
put away to disrupt the weather and set up that Venus Orb, it can get in a place where that Torah fills active, it can really draw some huge damage when it's supported by that light bulb.
But the key piece for Paul is going to be protecting that Toxapex, that's going to give Zachary a big headache, because he's not going to read any direct answers to removing that quickly, right?
So Paul can play his cards right, the Toxapex could end up overcoming everything on Zachary's side of the field, anything Zachary keeps to probably concentrate on taking the pieces around the Toxapex
So it's left on its lonesome, so you can kind of overwhelm it at the end of the battle.
But Paul won't allow that to happen easily, and we know Paul is so, so good with the standard hold.
Paul is such an accomplished trainer with international titles, multiple regional titles under his belt,
and trying to effectively do the World Championship title, getting into this match.
Very aggressive start from both of our trainers, Zach, with that King Gamut,
Heasler up against Stildion and Charizard for Paul.
Yeah, they immediately fake out support they've got from the Sneasler onto the Trouser just to stop it in its tracks, protect the Kingamber this turn.
It allows it maybe to get a soul stand-up, but Holder's had a little bit of security on his side as well.
It has got yawn on the Sylvian here where it can.
Detention by that off into the Kingamber, but it can't keep you too careful here because you have to worry about the Sneasler maybe not going for the fake out, going for that dunk shot.
That'll pick up a one-hit KO into that Sylvian and then only get these carry early on.
and that fake out immediate pressure is going to allow that Charizard to be a sitting good potential fake out how to leave it to that slot
and Charizard doesn't want to take too much damage early on.
It's whether you call it or not, it's going to go all out offensive or try and stop a Pokemon
but with the mega Charizard we'll be stopped on this turn as fact will opt to fake out instead.
Hyper voice from Sylveon, a lot of damage onto the board.
Bring the Cesar down to less than half.
How to plead in return though, Charizard will take a hefty amount of damage.
Now Zachary put themselves in a great spot right that kowtow cleave onto the Charizard
It's in stuff of a drink now so that Charizard has to be very careful
Is it staying protect or does it switch out?
Maybe open the door for Zachary to even capitalize on that
And there's Sylveon now in a position where well the Sneezer is still active on the field
And that doesn't shut, well now 100% accurate is a bit shaky
It is threatening a knockout onto that Sylveon depending on how it's been trained
Yeah and threatening a double knockout on this turn so much movement
so much movement, which thing is that's favorite.
So for Paul, you call out that back with maybe,
it's just to telegraph, right?
Or do you try and swap out?
It will be to swap with a lot of pressure on it too,
that Charizard just to switch around
and it detects on Sylvia.
No damage will be done to the one Pokemon.
And if it wasn't Sucker Punch,
Garchomp would have stayed safe,
but it will be a different move instead,
Team Gambit with the Caltow Queen
to bring the Garchomp down to about 40% damage.
That's a really great play here from Zachary.
You know, it's risky going for that kautau cleave if the Charizard it stayed on the field and went for the heat wave, but King Abbot would have dropped.
So, knowing that the switch was coming, getting brave, and it really paying off there, the Godchomp now, not on the safest position it was before, is it in sucker punch range?
That's the question, because if not Godchomp, going to be able to go for an earthquake, I think Paul in the position where he could switch out the Sylveum, bring the Charizard in, and stuff that immunity to the earthquake,
both Pokemon on the trackery side, all going to be susceptible to super effective damage
going down to that fast scarf this week.
It will just be the sucker bunch into the garchomp, no a switch, down with another great wall to
get a Pokemon KO and take momentum into the match.
Gunshot now into the Sylveon as well, that's a double KO!
Wow, what a play from Zachary, you know, it shows how important that Cautile cave
the bar jump switch was before and you can see the lock up now.
Hold on, there's nowhere back.
The lead for Zachary was enough there.
Locking things up and with that 10 gambit,
and sneeze that, he's so well played,
so much overwhelming power.
To have such a dominant first showing on this world stage
over an opponent that is best of you in the past
is absolutely incredible.
I mean, we talk about Paul being just such a don't player
and that is still true, right?
But for Zack to constantly get those turns right and just take so much momentum from the get-go, no choice, but the fourth bit after three turns?
Yeah, I mean, Zack really got every move right along every iteration of that first match and made it extremely difficult for Paul to get in that position where they could stop building in momentum for themselves.
And I think if the goal jump had come in and he'd seen the suck-up win, he would have been a different story, right?
pre-knowing. Charizard was so pressured in that one moment and then being confident as well with the calculations go for the
sucker punch into the guard jump, knowing that the cow tile, the sucker punch combination, was gonna be enough to close it up.
Then they were in the driving seat and I think all for Paul today going into this game too.
That's a wake-up call of a game on a fire that I've ever seen one, so it's which definitely needed in this game number two
and we will see it. Charizard again in the lead next to guard jump,
but a big switch up from Zac as well, like Rock and Frostlast to make an appearance.
Yeah, great adjustment here from Zac, where you first see it from Paul,
you think that Garchomp coming out early is great,
but then the like and rock appearing, the one thing that you can check made that straw as ugly.
And that's exactly what's happening here, the Frostlast as well is in that position where
it can maybe stagger it to make a evolution to guarantee an overwrite a personas that's what it is here,
but I'm gonna see a little bit of a switch, and Garchomp is gonna be kept for later,
it's in a row coming in dropping a whole bunch of things.
Xenor comes in, we will see Mega Eveluze come up into play, play as Crosslass of course will Mega Vault.
And with that, this could be a go button as you will get the snow on your side as well,
but Charizard not looking to reduce any mistakes and taking a lot of damage on this first turn will protect Blizzard,
Light and Rockets, not Light and Rockets, Xenor as a Pokemon that will turn on Spines at hit,
which is minimal amount of damage.
But it's time to see what the Light and Rockets done on the turn.
you keep the Charizard honest or do you try to fall?
It will be a rock slice, the Charizard will stay safe,
but instead of on him will take some damage
so he'll really mitigate his ints to that part,
previous Intimidates.
Yeah, now it's been a different fall here,
just to kind of mitigate the threat of the lightning
of the Intimidates.
Now you've got that active takeout,
so it can suffer in its tracks,
as well as that you've delayed your mega-evolution,
so now you can mega-roll the Charizard,
and you've got access to going for a new wave,
virus-y, and cause that switchout,
so that sun, if it comes out,
is being candy overrated.
That's one of the things with these matches when you have these weather Pokemon you want to make sure your weather isn't a weather of choice
So if night of evolution on the Charizard will get the drought and will bring the sunshine out
For this Incineroar, we do have the option of Stakeout and with that pressure Lakemont will protect on this turn
Keeping the Pokemon honest, Stakeout from Incineroar, and it will just be the Charizard left to attack
He waved nothing into Lakeon Rock, the Basque Legion that had just swapped in though
So, will it take a decent amount of damage considering not very effective?
Yeah, it's a nice switching. It's probably the best one you've got there.
But the main thing is you preserve that focus action alike and rock.
And now you're still in that position.
We are threatening the Charizard.
You can also maybe just get that Vasculation out of here, or harm's way.
Get the crosslash back on the field, get control of the weather,
and get rid of the weather on the opposite side of the field.
Or you can keep it in and just attack into the Incinor slot,
maybe pull on your weather and let them hit it down the line.
Also looking for Xerathus and Sinnera are squashed out and he missed for the rock slide onto the Garchomp
But you gotta wish that was the Charizard as it's dead cause that's still a lot of damage that we will hold on
It does blinch though, so Charizard no attack in Vascular Legion with the follow-up will bring Garchomp down to about half health
So no one will mention being able to be gamed from all on that turn
No and this is not looking great for Fall in this scenario
Yeah, getting the Garchomp on the field is great.
You can put the most off, you can look for the Earthquake now,
but the Lycanroc's still got that focus action.
Charizard in no way shape or form is going to be able to take another attack.
You've also got the Acceleron to think about as well.
Do you maybe, if you're fall trying to preserve the Charizard,
switching your Incineroar here to drop another Intimidate onto the Lycanroc?
I think give a little bit of help to that Garchomp after this turn
once it goes into the field, but it is the Sylveon.
Yeah, will get a swap, but with the Intimidate just instead of Sylving,
of the soak up some damage, but Lycanok with the protect on the turn as well as Vasky
Legion with an awkward jet into the Garchomp just deals a wee little bit and
getting really low at things like orb and rough skin recoil. Zombie time from
Garchomp will deal off that remaining HP to Paul to be able to take tail in this game too.
Yeah it's a nice knockout there, the Lycanok still safe and sound though and
that's the thing I think what you would want to do with the Lycanok
against these Charizard teams is preserving and that's exactly what the
team is actually doing now bringing in the King Gamma we saw the Succulberage
damage earlier so the Garchomp is going to be threatened we know it has to
attack mid-stage on the field. Succulberage has the choice yet do you go for a Succulberage
if the Garchomp removes that or if you go for Kautak's lead which would pick up the knockdown
Succulberage and it would also get the Charizard which is the only option if Paul wants to switch around for him for later.
So we'll be just a lakin' hawk that swaps out, though, as drop last will ring at the field.
And of course, coming back out will be the snow warning once again to get your weather of choice.
Sleper Bungie, Garjom, low enough, will be enough for that Kego to get closer for us to try and slow out this game.
But of course now, Sylveon, this is the opportunity to go on the offensive.
And we'll deal with special amount to each one, but still just not quite enough with these remaining pieces.
again this Charizard has just taken so much damage yeah and that's the
problem here you've not got the leverage now to be able to deal with this
Kingama effectively and yes the Sylvians doing good contested damage each turn
but kind of only before the remaining Paul come on on Sacrissaga the field now
sitting in the circumference range and the Kingama just out of range from another
high point here so you could imagine you could go for that you could be able to protect C if the Charizard protects you
but things not looking great for Poles actually still commanding and showing how well they know this team is set out.
And King Gambit with protect if you do just try and if you were just trying to make it out that's not even going to be enough.
So we'll just be a hit into the Sylveon, special defense dropped as well and a heat wave on the board.
You do have to sun on your side so you can deal a lot of damage and into the frost last already at half will be enough to take another KO.
We talked about, you know, the Sylvian not being able to come forward, but if you're doing paging down all the other pieces,
you might have a way back into this.
Yeah, and I think the thing is, yeah, I think you just want to get a little bit as much damage as possible
up at the cross lives, which is into that Sylvian and get this Lycan lock in as healthy as possible.
That's exactly what's actually done.
It doesn't seem as a way around the rocks like now, going to be enough to take that Charizard down
and do enough to damage that Sylvian as well while you've got the king damage to kind of pack up
and help out with that extra damage here.
It does feel very difficult to pull back into this,
but remember they do have that instant auto still in the back
so they can cycle in at any point.
It's really difficult going in front of this King Gambit
that has a defying ability,
so low boost it's attack rather than lowering it
like you normally see.
It's difficult.
The fab is a difficult one.
We gotta try and see if you can throw any of the stops
and catch Zachary, Slithy, and Rockside on the turn
to deal a lot of damage to both of these Pokemon.
but it will all get sent more into that Citrus Fairy range for a little bit more of the recovery,
but if you wanted a way back into this, your Pokemon has to attack and Flint found the Sylveon.
That's just devastating. It was a difficult one anyways, but no damage done on that turn.
I mean, you have to bake up, but again, you're just not doing enough.
Now the Flintstair was so, so important. It was accurate to get pretty much a lot of this game up to them,
game up to them because I think there's the hype voice coming out there with that
extra Pokemon advantage and full turn it has, it gets a little bit set close to closing this match up.
But now the double protect is an obvious one to burn through that fake out.
Now you're in that position where you can rock slide again, you're probably going to be able to pick
Kassilya on up, get enough damage onto the Incineron and then swing the like and rock King Gambit.
You should be able to close things up, but not over just yet.
Not quite yet. There's always different shenanigans that can go on.
We're looking for the rock slide to be a lot of Inti Incineroar and take off to Sylveon.
There's always a opportunity of playing this.
There's always the opportunity of a mess up along the way.
And Sylveon will just attack.
So hoping that Incineroar can make a play to do something here.
Like in Rock and Set, opting for the SL Rock to make sure that you can pick up that Sylveon task,
Sucker Bunch, Inti Incineroar will bring it down to 25%.
What does this Incineroar do though?
Flare Blitz, you do cop the sun.
You have a king gather that was low health.
So that does bring it down actually into just this
like a rock against the world, so focused on this incineroar
not actually being an attacking piece of the puzzle.
If there is a rockslide miss here, this like a rock just picks up 4KOs.
Yeah, that's all Zachary needs now in the position.
Preserve this like a rock so well to the end game.
Everything in rockslide wins.
You just need doesn't need to hit.
It does hit, taking both down, leaving that Charizard in the back.
The double connect from the Rocks, but Rocks will get it done.
That is a double kill on this run.
And now it's just a 1-1-1.
And when you look again at the moveset on this,
but Rocks and the Asura, it will be enough Zachary Reid
to take the victory 2-0 over Paul into a runback of EYC.
But Zachary Victor in the end will put him undefeated
so far here in Day 1 of Worlds.
the game, but it's not
really a good idea. What a
commanding performance by
Zachary so well played from
start to finish really
dominating the game and not
giving Paul an inch to get
back into it. It did look like
there may be ways in that game
too is the game kind of dragged
down and was really one of
those great players being
able to do that. But you're
not preserving that like and
rock. We outlined at the
like in Rock as well to not just have the Pokemon but be able to have it with that just the focus
sash intact was just incredible. That offers just so much more pressure than a Pokemon at
full health because then you essentially have those two lives right and along the way the flinches
you know in that game one the flint in the Sylveon but it still was just a fall that was in a
tricky spot and still would have had to then okay see a rock slide miss and maybe come on through
So I think Paul played the best considering the board safe at that time, but he gave congratulations to Zachary for how well he was able to play this because you get into that end game, London Rock at full health.
That's just a commanding way for Zachary for starting off the day.
Yeah, you know, I'm looking at heart and mouth moment there when the rock slide onto the inside on Sylvia and I know that's exactly how I felt so I can't imagine how Zachary was feeling in that moment but yeah, able to lock it up and after such a commanding game as well I think, yeah, really fitting way to end this set but it shows how well Zachary does as team inside and out, knew their lines into this team even though it's not been one of the teams that's been around as long as maybe the expression that they're running.
I mean, there's a reason that it was popping off so much and why it was such a big ring into NAIC and
There is the opportunities for things to go wrong, right? We get one of those rockside misses along the way that could have been really crucial
Yeah, well, then you're like an rocks cooked, right?
But there's so much strength to this team and so much pressure from just those constant rock slides or even those that sell rocks
Not even then to mention the King Gambit now how much work not put in with those soccer punches
Paul was forced into so many of those switches
So Zachary, he is a phenomenal player.
He has been one throughout this season.
Second place at Las Vegas, second place at DUIC.
It's a player that has been looking for that title in,
I mean, we're day one.
We're not counting our early, early win here.
But I feel like he has been a trainer
that has been on that come event,
has been really ramping up this season,
has been such an indication of that
and victory like that is just proof.
Yeah, I mean, Zachary, definitely one of us
is capable of getting to the final
and getting all of the lines to take the championship this entire weekend.
So we'll have to keep an eye on them as they progress through this tournament.
And I think the way that they really utilized the tools that they had at their disposal
to get that initial shift damage on everything.
Yeah.
And they put the King Gambit in that spot where it was able to be so valuable
and just pressure knockouts there, there and across the board,
making it impossible for the ball to really utilize,
especially the guard jump.
When you look at it, you think great, you can get it in.
if you can remove that frost last which Charzo can kind of do well. But yeah, Zachary just
doing it, doing it and doing it well. It was an incredible win and congratulations to him.
But of course we need to go here from him. You're standing by with our interview.
Thank you so much, Sierra. I'm here with your round three winners. Zachary, we eat our finalist
at EUIC and just beat the person who beat him at EUIC. So congratulations Zachary. How's it
feel? It feels really good. Going into this tournament I didn't have a whole lot of prep done
so I kind of just picked something that I felt comfortable with and being able to
to wing it into beating one of the best players in the world feels very good.
I was going to say you know I've seen you run this mega frostlast mega scovillian team a lot
coming into this tournament. What made you sort of gravitate towards these two Pokemon at first?
So I've always really liked Frostlass because the teams that it's built around have both ways of dealing damage and ways of controlling defensively with Aurora Veil or Burnship.
And I really tend to gravitate towards teams that don't have a ton of Pokemon that are just completely dedicated to one or the other.
the other and I really just like having a bunch of versatile pieces that can work in a lot of
different situations and this team is probably the best in the format at doing that because pretty
much every Pokemon can be a damage threat in its own right. Yeah and I think we saw you use those
pieces really to your advantage in that matchup as it felt like in a game two in particular you
just sent out the two Pokemon that had the best counters to your opponent's lead. I was going
going through your mind in that team preview?
So I figured that in the first game that King Gambit was
a really good piece because it deters the slow incineroar
toxpex mode and forced them to kind of do a more offensive
angle.
And in the second game, I knew once I led King Gambit's
Kneesler that an easy adjustment for him was
Garchomp because it hits both super effectively
and can reasonably take hits and puts me in a
position where I don't have a good fake out target.
So I realized that I could pin the Charizard with Lichenrock
and then be able to safely mega-froslas
in front of Garchomp Charizard.
So I knew that even if he went for his mega evolution turn
one, that he was ultimately basically risking the game
by letting me hit an Excel rock into his Charizard.
And Lichenrock seems pretty good at getting those Excel
rocks up and then really snowballing.
Has that been your experience?
Yeah, it's the, in my opinion, the best counter to Charizard in the format.
Just because no matter what sort of speed control or pivoting they have, they...
Well, you can always line up the Excel rock, always have a ton of rock slide pressure,
and just always have a way to pin it, which is very useful for two mega evolutions
that aren't super great into Charizard.
Well, Zachary, thank you so much for your time.
Before I let you go, I do want to ask, you know, I've seen you sort of really come into
your own this season.
You know, we saw you, I have some really great finishes.
Do you have any advice for anybody at home who's looking to find their footing in competitive
Pokemon as we enter the 2027 season?
Just don't be afraid to play.
I mean, every tournament is an experience.
It gives you valuable experience regardless of how you do.
just play the game and not just don't get too frustrated in it. I mean I've been able to keep
playing the game for a while because I haven't put too much pressure on myself to play it. Not every
tournament is going to be some crazy big run, but I've realized that if I just relax and keep
playing one round at a time that good things will happen to those who wait. Yeah, and I think
We've seen you have some incredible wins.
So best of luck in this tournament.
Best of luck throughout the rest of your day.
And of course, do you have any shout out to any gift?
Anybody who might be watching at home?
Shout out to my mom for taking me
and all my family at home, all my friends watching.
And shout out to Evan, Keon, and Gianna
for getting shiny Pokemon for my team this weekend.
All right, thank you so much for your time.
I really appreciate it.
Thank you all for watching at home
and for those of you who are hanging out here in the hall
having a good time, I hope.
We'll be back after a short break,
so please stay tuned.
Oh
I'm going to beat you up!
Pokemon Japan Championship 2020!
Yes! I'm going to win!
What's my favorite?
My favorite is the one that's got jet black hair.
He's extremely fast.
Limitless.
So cute.
She has a 12 octave vocal range.
Can be calm, powerful, still able to move.
I'm Gido, I'm going to have power to move.
He would improvise on the spot.
Just always finds a way to make it funny.
We both have very fast moves.
And can change the world using its mind.
Jigglypuff is my favorite.
Jigglypuff!
Jigglypuff, jigglypuff.
Every single time you met a new Pokemon,
felt like you met a new part of yourself.
You like to sleep?
Yes.
Just like me.
I'm like a robot, simple to come to see you in this world.
She's in a form of super-assured opponents.
Come, she is for girls.
We love language.
She is a term voice to protect herself.
There's only, you know?
Absolutely.
That's why I love it.
Like ever it is.
In favor of this girl.
Ah, come on.
Dingo, what's that?
I got it.
So what's your favorite?
I
Welcome back, Pokemon trainers, you're looking at the lovely city of San Francisco and Ray
Quasal Road outside of the convention center here.
We're at the Moscone Center and of course, if you can't join us in person, you can
always check us out over in Pocopia with that lovely code you saw on the screen just
a little bit ago.
My name is Gabby Snyder.
I'm joined here by Ben Kariaku and while we're unfortunately stuck here in the real world you can bet a
Lovely poke dollar that I will be logging on to poke opia later on today to check out the cloud island
And hang out with some of my best poke buddies, and I'm definitely gonna go and see if I can spend a little bit of time
In Rayquaza road
They've got a lot down in the basement here with all the players all these cool kids
I'm sorry. I misspoke. I'm sorry. All of the cool kids. All of the cool kids. We are cool kids, too, by the way. I just want to throw that out there.
Before we start making any comments here, we're also calling. You know what else is cool? We're here at the Pokemon 2026 World Championships, and we have had some absolute bangers of matchups that we've seen already.
We've had clean two O's all the way through both of our round ones round two and round three.
We're gonna have a little bit of a refresher on our players to watch and how they're getting on in our event so far.
For sure, so let's go ahead and take a look at Paul Chu.
We just had him on stream for round three of Swiss two and one currently just in Tang three.
Mel and Alex Underhill unfortunately one and two.
Yeah, Alex playing against Edu in the Paris trap round earlier on stream and that was such a great game.
two and one very, very close
score line there, but, uh,
you're doing very, very well.
Paul running into a little bit
of a matchup there,
getting his first loss of the
tournament going 2-0
into that last round,
and then Zachary Weed being
able to, uh, you know,
get, uh, get a little bit
of the upper hand
with that Frostbuff
Megascaping on team.
Yeah, just really well
repaired for one of the,
uh, more common archetypes
I think we've seen so far,
at least data-wise
coming into this tournament
and running a team
that I think he's very
comfortable with.
You know, he mentioned in his interview, you know, not very well prepared for this tournament decided to make a comfort pick.
But having seen him use that team in one of the largest New England grassroots tournaments that happened recently, maybe about a month ago or so now,
he plays that team very well and very strongly into that archetype as you may could have told by that previous round.
I think like Zachary's in a position where his company is like literally just playing world on the couch at home.
You know, he's really really in a strong spot. Justin, of course, going free. Oh, as well. So far, we haven't got to feature him just yet, but maybe a little bit later on, we can see how he's getting on what he's locked in.
They're not just any, of course, we've got players from all over. We've got our EU players as well. So we've got Marco Silva, Michael Kelsch and Francesco Piero Perro.
Now, Francesco, I saw, actually did lose his round one.
one. Oh interesting. But he's managed to bounce it back and yet no surprises there from a player of
his caliber. Exactly. I mean we saw him do so well at the North America International Championships
just a couple of months ago playing that incredibly tough mirror matchup in the finals against Eric
Rios and really just showcasing how strong of a mental fortitude he has as a player and that's
exactly what you need to come back from a round one loss at the World Championships as these
These losses will carry over into competition tomorrow
and you can't afford to take such an early loss
as that will hurt your resistance as going
into a potential asymmetrical top cut.
Definitely and you know, Charlie got to,
in the preview show we had for the World Championships,
have a little chat with Francesco
and say like, how much he's prepared for this tournament.
Yeah, yeah.
How much he's, just put the tournament first
coming into the last couple of months
getting ready for it since his winner NAIC.
Michael Kelsh is coming off the back of a grassroots tournament win.
One of the biggest that we had using a mega Gengar team
that really nobody had on their radar until like, hey, by the way,
I'm winning a tournament with it. Yeah.
And certainly a player like Michelle was with such a great grasp of the game
and how to position and knowing how to calculate these matches.
Mega Gengar definitely one of the strongest counterparts for a player like that.
And I really hope we get to see him in that team
up later on on the stream in particular because that team has a mega Gengar
without Paris song and without the Paris trap ability it's just a trap team and
if you think back to the last time we had the world championships here in
San Francisco when Wolf click one that featured a mega Gengar team without
Paris song and I just think that the storyline there is very interesting and
admittedly we had many years in between where mega Gengar wasn't
really an option available to people, but let's just ignore that and just say that, you know,
it's an interesting coincidence so far, let's say.
I think so.
Coming back 10 years since San Francisco when it last won the World Championships.
Marco, of course, going 3-0 as well, and I feel like looking at Marco's journey, he's
been one of the championship point leaders, like, across the last few years.
But also, it's, well, it's the only one that he hasn't managed to take down
yet.
a lot of eyes on a player like Marco is like it's not a case of like if he could maybe win the
world championships it's like well which year is it going to actually happen and a great start
there for Marco hopefully he can manage to keep it going all the way through the tournament
because it only gets harder from him. Exactly and that's one of the interesting things about
Pokemon as a game is that you can be the best player in the world but there is still a lot
of things that have to go right for you to win a tournament like the world championships and
I do think that you're absolutely correct when it's a when is he going to win the world championships like when are those things going to line up perfectly for him so far he's off to a very strong start I know we're going to see him eventually on this stage if he continues to have that momentum going for him we'll just have to see when that will be.
and let's see our players from
that time as well that we have
representing. We've seen Juan
Salerno on the stream already
going one and two. Unfortunately
wasn't able to get his win on
stream against Sage and Park
around one part two, but he
played so so well into a match
up that really did feel like
it was an uphill battle.
Alexander and Max or Alice
going to one as well, having
all getting their tournament going to a good point. And I feel like especially coming into
the world championships, like if you're not hitting it right off the bat, and if you're
not getting the momentum going early, I like these, these two trainers have managed to
get themselves in a position to do. It's really tough to come back. Juan Solano could
still win the world championships.
He very much could. And you know, I do want to mention real quick that even though
some of these trainers are a little bit unfamiliar to us right now, because we don't
the opportunity to see them outside of international championships and the world championships. We are
going to be broadcasting regional level events throughout Latin America, those special championships
and regional championship tournaments starting in the 2027 season. So I really look forward to
seeing trainers like Alexander, Juan and Max compete at the regional level coming up next year.
For now though, hopefully we'll get the opportunity to feature some of them today
and tomorrow and who knows, maybe even on Sunday. Let's keep our fingers crossed because
you know this the tournament is only just begun and there's a lot of more
Pokemon left to play let's have a look at Oceania now and see our players how
they're getting on now Nicholas Khan is a player that really from from Australia
that we do keep an eye on because he's been so so consistent as well as
Jody Kider who's like the online like King really like how many like and
online tournaments are global global challenges as he actually managed to win
like most of them getting up there on the ranked battle ladders and like
winning it several times like it puts you in a good spot even if it's close
team she's even if it's best of one it's the reps over and over and over
again that Joji is not only like really well versed in but also it's
usually using the strongest Pokemon that are out there exactly and Henry
rich as well off to a very strong start at two and one but I don't want to run out of time then
let's go ahead and look at our players to watch from Japan as they have come all the way over to
compete after finishing very strongly at the Japan national championships earlier on in the
summer. Unfortunately, Kosuke day did not have the best day it happens to us all he is out of
the tournament at 0 and 3. However, Yuma Kinagawa and Hiroshi Onishi are still competing at
two and one and three and all respectively. I don't think we can say enough how difficult the world
champion is. Yes, yes. Yeah, Ko Tsukune was one of the favorites I think for a lot of us coming in
he's going to be one of the favorites for us coming out as well because even if this wasn't
the world championship it's a choice for him. Yeah, he's going to go back to the drawing
board and keep showing us why he's one of the best trainers in the world, let alone in Japan.
Yuma are one of our previous Japan national champions as well doing a great start. Hiroshi
our current Japan national champion on an absolute tear as well. Again getting that momentum started
and yeah looking forward to seeing what these two trainers have in store for us later. Me too me
too. It's it's always so exciting to see just what teams people are bringing you know who's
doing what what Pokemon what strategies how are they thinking you know and it's also just very
nice to have that confirmation that everybody can have a bad day you know I
know you and I competed back in the day and I had my bad days I'm sure you had
your bad days it could happen to anybody and what what's important is like
what Zachary Weed was just saying to me in that interview keep playing keep
trying you know you're gonna have your bad days you're gonna have your good
days but you're never gonna get to your good days if you don't get through
your bad days exactly that I mean yeah I've had a I've had an LAIC flying
you know, you know, it's
it's like, you know, it's
like, you know, you're
playing over for a long
weekend. Oh, three drop and
coming back home. It's not
it's not feeling great. You
know, when you're when you're
sitting at the plane
thinking about what you've
done, but you know, I think
all of the players here. In
fact, all of them. They've
shown over the season.
Their resilience is
competitive. They've
shown that they've got what
it takes to be here.
Everyone is deserving. Yeah
what happens when you
get all of those players
that deserve to be there
collected in a room like
A lot of these trainers like our Japanese players play in their own separate circuit from the
international compositions that we're used to in North America, in Europe, in Latin, etc.
And so the change of pace coming into these international tournaments is so, so big.
But also, yeah, that's the same for all of our trainers, right?
I mean, you're used to playing with your friends.
You're used to playing in your local, you're used to playing in the regionals.
And then it's like, hey, people do things differently over here when you get to
the international level when everybody is at the top of their game.
Exactly. And you only get the opportunity to practice this once a year, if you're lucky,
maybe two or three times if you can travel to those international championships, if you
get a travel award, or maybe you're just lucky that you live close enough to one to go.
It's very difficult. And if you have the fortune to go to multiple ones and get those
reps in, get that experience, you could still just wake up on the wrong side of
the bed and that's it. It just happens to everyone so. The wrong side of the bed is always
coming. Yeah. But I am, I will say I did have the opportunity to walk around the hall a little
bit earlier after lunch. You know I did my traditional lap around trying to look like
I was doing something important so people wouldn't talk to me so I had enough time
to actually make the lap and then get back here. But I did see a lot of smiles in
the hall. I did see people having fun you know talking about their matches. I
I do think that the sense of community,
even if you are having a bit of a rough start,
is what brings you back every single time.
100%, I mean, we first met in what,
the 2012 World Championships in Hawaii back,
way back in the day.
I'm not gonna think about that too much longer.
I feel like we've had this conversation, Gary,
it's like the thing that keeps us in the community,
the thing that keeps us coming back,
playing these tournaments,
yeah, the privilege of being able
to bring these to you as well
the fact that the community is so much there for each other. It's a real collaboration out there.
Exactly.
And you see like, you know, you're talking to people online, your friends,
your people that are working, building teams together and trying to do as much as they can.
And these international events, and especially the world championships, is the time where you
like, you get to sit on the same side of the table as those people as well and, you know,
really hone in on the thing that you enjoy the most, which is being that part of the
community. Exactly and I think you got a chance to talk to Giovanni Costa the
current world champion. Yes. Earlier and our Siskis, sorry not Costa, yesterday and
did you mention the building group and talking about building his team at all
with him or was that a different interview? That was a different interview but
we were talking about like how he's developed his season
since becoming world champion and the the short story is try and test it.
You know keep it going. Yeah, it worked for me last year. It's gonna work for me again
He was one of the earliest players. Yeah, we had on toxic X is running toxic X this weekend. Oh, he is
Yeah, and so yeah, I think we've talked about it a lot of our co-casters have talked about it as well
This is a format of comfort. Yes. Yes, you know wanting to I play play the thing that you know the best overall and
And which is exactly how do you buddy was, you know, running up to the world championships last year?
I feel like he'd been running the team that he won the world championships with in some iteration.
The months and months and months before eventually got the world's is like how the the tournament came together, how he came together.
Just like you just have that comfort in knowing like, Oh, okay, I'm playing against this.
And like, Oh, I do this, this and this.
And let's see how it goes.
Yeah, and I feel like when I think about trainers who have that like community around them
I Giovanni Siskie is one of those trainers that I feel like you know has that building group has that community that's
Constantly like trying to innovate constantly trying to lift each other up and it's interesting
And when you think about the past couple of world champions that we've had um in the I want to call it the switch era
Let's say I feel like they all have that in common
and I'm sure for the 3ds era as well, but
that when trying to come up with things off the cuff,
as one would say, my memory is not that snappy,
and I wouldn't have to do research to confirm that.
So I'm going to limit myself to what I surely know
and hope that I'm right about the other side.
I think you are.
I think what is definitely one by a tribe in many respects
is, and you only have to look at some of our communities
in the successive Japanese community have been
ubiquitous over the years for being able to come together.
I was talking to Shoma yesterday about how the Japanese community came across Chalk and
like electively decided that that was the best team back when he won the World Championships
in 2015.
And while Shoma's opinion is like, well, the kind of our big six variant, our Charizard
Mega Flowette composition isn't quite the same level that Chalk was back, way back
in the day.
Yeah, it's it's it's close to being that kind of sane mentality where players like they're gravitating towards those strong thoughts question
Do you find the fact that Shoma considers the mega Charizard mega flow at core less
powerful than chalk comforting or concerning I?
Think comforting okay thought of that that's kind of where I'm at, but I wanted to do like a vibe check
It's a bit of a column A, column B situation, right?
Because, you know, it's nice to be able to think of it as, like,
you know, we all have it.
The highest parallel is, like, this is one of the teams
to really watch out for, right?
Because it's so strong, because it's got such a share
of the meta game, like, you know,
if you're going to play the world championships,
unless you've got this miracle run,
you're going to face up at least against one, if not,
if not a few of them across the Swiss rounds.
So, yeah, nice to think of it as like not completely the strongest team in the format and that we have options.
Equally, the implication is that there's like stronger stuff out there that has got to be scary.
Yeah, that's the concerning part for me.
Does this imply that they were working on something that didn't quite make it that's more powerful, or...
Yeah.
I don't know. I think, like, you know, it's clearly one of the most powerful, but it's also one of the teams with the target on its back.
Of course.
All of our formats, I think the important thing to realize and recognize is that everything is about context.
If you went into a previous part of the game, it was a surprise when Gavin Michaels won an event with Basque Legion, for example.
And now you're looking at it as like, well, I said, it's one of you, isn't it?
So it's definitely shifted its position in the format depending on the game that we're playing at the point in time.
I think it's really important to recognize looking at like these strong teams, but also looking at the ways that our players have
Built around the metagame that we formed. Yeah, and that's actually why I put it as my caster prediction because I had a
It was like a 50-50 for me, okay?
You know the traditional Pokemon 50-50 if you will
Sure
It's either gonna hit or it won't in the sense that people are either gonna over correct for the metagame and
and assume that people are not going to bring it.
And then the one person who brings that team
is just going to go all the way to finals
because everybody's like, no, it's
everybody's going to have a target on its back.
I'll bring one counter for it, but it'll be fine.
Or it's going to just be everywhere.
And because it's going to be everywhere,
one person is going to make it far enough in the tournament
that I'll look smart regardless.
Exactly.
It felt like one of those things
where if I were playing in the World Championships
personally, I would run the Mega Blast
always make a Delphox team because I think that's fun. But I do think that it deserves
a spot at the table because of those reasons. Yeah, I think like, yeah, and it's such a
hardcore. I don't envy anyone coming into the world championships and trying to pick
what team that they wanted to lock in. But I know a lot of trainers, they've been putting,
they've been putting the time in, they've been putting the work in. And so yeah,
I think most importantly, we are getting our players ready and set up for the
the next round you'll be happy to hear at home so why don't we wrap this up Gabby
and get over to our castors.
Thank you so much my name is Rosemary Kelly and I'm joined again by Erin Zang
and we are about to bring you Swiss round number four where we will be featuring two more
players that are undefeated on their run to make it to phase two of the World Championships.
They're using a lot of Pokemon that I have not seen on a lot of other teams so far
in this tournament, which is so exciting because we just heard our analysts talking about the most
popular archetypes coming into this weekend. All eyes on mega chargers are why as well as taking
a look at some of the more established cores like the frostless like a rock team without even rain.
Yeah it's interesting because coming into this tournament it felt like there was a pretty big
pool of teams that were viable and the big question mark is well are you going to use
use that team or are you going to try to counter those teams, right?
And it feels like the answer for a lot of players was,
I am just going to use what I think is one of the best within this pool of 10, right?
And for a lot of players, experience really trumps all.
If you think about last year, how Gio was able to win the World Championships,
he had been working on that same concept for months
and been piloting it at regionals and at internationals as well.
And so sometimes I think back in the day,
people would often try to feel like they need to have the call for worlds.
Can you make a brand new team like completely breaks the meta game?
these days it feels like we're just so many really powerful teams already leading into the
championships. It's quite difficult to create something completely from scratch and really
just yeah innovate on the meta game when there's been already so much that has yeah been created.
That's why these two teams hopefully will surprise you. Let's take a look at our notable matchups
heading into Swiss round number four. We are going to be focusing in on Tom Minley versus Chloe Burke
but that doesn't mean we don't have other incredible matches that you'll be able to
check out on our feature fast
Yeah, well, it's really exciting. Honestly looking at these players who are through and so I've recognized obviously a lot of players that we get to cover in
North America Europe, but there are a lot of other regions that are represented here for example
Southeast Asia right and seeing players who this is their one time to really get to some
Shine on the main stage, right? Because they don't really have internationals to meet and they maybe have like their local national
Championships think it's really cool to be able to feature our match here
which is a player from Korea and a player from Australia.
I think it's particularly exciting.
It is so cool because you're right.
The fact that the qualification method is a little bit different
for Southeast Asia doesn't necessarily mean we get a chance
to see them at those regional championships.
But I'm hopeful that in the coming years,
we will see more competitors travel outside their home region
in order to compete with some of the other competitors
on our more global stages.
But let's get ready to go for Swiss round number four
between Tomlin Lee versus Chloe Burke.
this is Korea versus Australia.
An incredible matchup because, yeah,
which Pokemon are you looking at?
There's like eight on this graphic
that I feel like are just super cool to be able to call out.
I think the first thing when I saw this matchup,
Rosemary is I saw Swamper and I was like, oh, okay.
So that's interesting, like mega Swamper as a non-rain team.
And I was like, oh, it's not mega.
It's actually Citrus Berry Swamper.
And recently we've seen actually Flip Turn Yon Swamper
becoming a thing, but this also isn't that.
This is just a Swamper that's meant to be offensive.
I've got wavecraft, I've got earthquake, I've got ice punch, and I don't need the megastone.
I want some citrus for nice little recovery.
When you think about just slumpers typing in this meta as well, I think you have to think a little bit about toxic attacks, right?
When we have that stool poison and water typing, have some good defensive profiles.
But for slumpers, it really is about the offense.
Think about how super effective ground-type damage really functions,
especially when you're looking at the team on the other side.
But also just the fact that you have icepunch for things like guard chop or adaptable
There's a really a lot of great coverage on this Pokemon. Yeah, absolutely
I think if you take a look at the team, you know whimsicots the Raptor Golden Go maybe Pokemon left a little bit more mainstream
Keep thing to call out here is the the whimsicot does not have the protect right wanting to run charm
To of course yourself boost the Raptor. You've also got choice graph Hydra gone and Sarah ledge
These are Pokemon that actually did have a pretty big performance at the North American International Championships
In top four and top eight respectively
There's not the most common Pokemon in the format scarf. I drag on of course has a lot of the media offensive burst power
I actually look at the opposing team with a pedigress and a right shoe and a choice
I drag on can outspeak both of those for it. I know it's super effective damage
Of course Sarah ledgers the Pokemon that really started picking up in usage with that bulk up to be able to wall post
Charizard's although coming into this world's meta game ancient power
It feels like it's on almost every Charizard and so Sarah like no longer the definitive counter
you could use to be charged are
previously. Yeah, a couple of
different set up options. You
mentioned the bulk up on the
serial led, but you also have
massive plot in the Golden Go
even side charm for the win
to cut for when that star raptor
and evidently mega evolves. A
lot of really great choices
here. I like a dry can. I don't
know how important it's going
to be in this particular matchup.
But that is one of those
Pokemon that has been
tech onto teams in order to
have a better matchup into
things like Delphox. And
that's been creeping up
there, but it's really cool
to see that with that choice
garb is going to be hitting
really speed tier. Yeah,
Exactly and I think that's a really good point because both players here have tailwind whimsicott, right?
And so if you're both gonna set up tailwind then it kind of just neutralizes playing field
So having a choice card Pokemon in the hydra gone can be really crucial
But not necessarily the easiest either to use because then you're bringing it out against an opposing whimsicott
And you're not gonna be able to do too much damage to the whimsicott
The whimsicott can just start a new with the one hit knockout with that wound blast as well
This hydra gone actually crucially doesn't have something like a flamethrower a heatwave as well
also even worse into that Wimps
but being able to get a fast
attack off into a Mega Raiju
I into a Mega Metagross can be
a big deal.
Speaking of that Mega Raiju
let's take a little closer
look at it.
This is going to feature that
cannon and focus blast.
One of the cool things about
that Raiju is with no guard.
Those are going to become
100% accurate movies.
Don't have to worry about the
fact that they might miss.
We will also have that dual
Mega within that meta
Metagross.
If you feel like that's going
to be something that ends
up being more popular in the
you at least have cheats to choose from.
Yeah, absolutely.
I think Metagross and Cleaver,
two of the Pokemon that really stand out here.
Cleaver is a Pokemon that started seeing
a little bit more usage in the mid-season,
but I feel like it's kind of fallen off.
But of course, an excellent pick
into opposing teams with Charizard.
And Metagross is a Pokemon that people expected
to have a huge impact when released in the meta game,
but when Charizard is still just everywhere
and on 40 plus percent of teams,
it's kind of difficult for it to thrive.
So the idea behind this team is,
hey, well, I've got Raichu, I've got Cleaver.
Those are Pokemon that normally have really scary waychars aren't.
Metagross has really good offensive coverage as well, right?
Being able to hit many things for super effective.
For example, here you've got right to Metagross.
I wouldn't even be surprised to see Chloe bring both because you get fake out into Whipsicott.
Then Metagross can follow up, get an iron head, knock out the opposing Whipsicott.
There's no for it, we're at 4, protect on the other side.
And so if you can deny Tailwinds on the other side, get your own Tailwind up,
it can give you a pretty big edge.
One problem that's bumper.
Yeah, both of those megas and you know robin of pants together cannot wait to see some on the other side
I am so excited to see swampers funny because we have already seen it in regular form earlier in this
But to see it with no mega stone potentially driving in a unique matchup. I think will be particularly exciting
So let's see it's gonna be whimscott and Raichu from Chloe to start off the saddle and there's the swampers
Wow super stylish though with all of the shiny Pokemon on the field
but they're going to be intimidating drop not mattering for either of these special
attackers for Chloe. So slumber here of course she's exerting a ton of offensive
pressure immediately right and one of the reasons why Cameron wants it is
because it does really well into right you right you have fast to just focus
blasted but being immune to that zap cannon is such a big deal so
Cameron on this first turn can go for something like a protect on the strap
or you know double protect protection switch on afterwards. You do of course
have the risk of just taking a lot of damage
and so the results of the Raptor
does want to protect itself.
Don't want to be on their seeding end of a fake out
and just an attack like a moon blast
as that fake out actually goes into the swamper
instead to try to delay it for the one turn.
Moon blast misses the Marseille into the protector
of the Raptor, but you still have your work cut out for you
to try to figure out how you're going to take down these two foes.
Yeah, I think Chloe did not mega vault there,
so it makes me think, well maybe there's a mega metagross in the back.
We're using the right to here mainly for big out support now. Starafter is threaded by that on for right?
So of course you can swap it out if you're worried about on court
The big question is how will you deal enough damage to swap her throughout the course of this game, right?
I think the number one answer is going to be life or basket
You can be able to just get a huge wave wrapped off
And so after recognizing the threat of that on board is going to skip into a spot. Let's fully potential call it
No, it's going to be a switch out on the right you as well. So we are going to be that basket
They'll have powered up last respects just yet as the wind pot did try to encore that
star after into the protect.
The Swamper is going to go to the Earthquake, even harming it's all his partner, Witsekite,
on the switch in.
Yeah, breaks the focus sash, which can be a big deal, and I think crucially here,
Chloe has been able to position Vasculation in against Swamper, right?
This is your number one answer into Swamper, you can take damage easily while right?
Earthquake is basically the strongest attack you can have into Vasculation, only
so 37% from that.
So, I think Chloe's done a pretty good job of dancing around Swamper. Her priority probably is to knock out Swamper immediately, then ideally get something like Dermetagross out.
But, now, Vasco Legion's putting on a lot of pressure. Both players can pressure with Nelwyn.
Timon on this side, of course, also has charms. You can use charm, as you see here, to drop Vasco Legion's attack.
Suddenly, that wave pressure is going to do way less damage.
Nice when you can use it on the side for your own Seraftor, but you can still see that defensive option.
Wow
So close being able to knock out that wixicot, but it's a lot for stuff on it up
And it's going to take the wave crash
Kind of nice though that you're going to be taking less recoil
But you would actually really like that to have been a clean KO onto the wixicot so that their wave crash got
redirected into the swampers. Yeah, definitely. Vasuija this one actually has lost the considerable amount of HP. Ice Punch comes out.
And Wixicot does it at the focus set. That's the very feather, but still hangs on at 1%
So the charm of course, making sure that Swamper could get through the turn.
Now that's the main thing kind of caught in an awkward position where it has, you know, lost a good bit of its health.
It's almost half the people said at this point.
Swamper is still just looking so threatening though, right?
And I think people normally see Wimpscott as a sharp, you know, user into Starraptor,
but using the Traktor opponent's damage output is really crucial as well.
So, coming right now definitely has a lot of offense.
The Wimpscott going down on this side.
Chloe now can set up a tail on Wimpscott and guarantees the advantage
in the latter half of this game.
But as you were saying, with Baskillian having less HP to leverage, you have to pick your target
because you're going to get knocked out to either the slumper or the Golden Goal on this turn.
Do you ever want to see Chloe preserve that Baskillian from there and actually drink out the King Gambit?
I like this decision. When the slumper is protecting, it's not going to be on the receiving end
all of the aid. Super effective brown tank attack. And if it's a Shadow Ball going into that
King Gambit slum, then it's going to take that much better as well. Just to make it rain.
So that is also going to be something that King Gambit can deal with as he was snuffed out.
That's a three switch in for Chloe to bring back in that basket lead.
Yeah, I think that's a beautiful turn for Chloe, right?
I think it's now, the golden goes at minus two. The swamper is just protected.
You know, you can target that slot. You bring right two or basket lead back in.
I think basket lead can probably, you know, a little bit more consistent here.
You want to conserve that right two or just around there.
And so, there's nothing about Metagross' protection of being in the back,
but I think King Gambit actually even betters your threatening golden goals
for super effective gambit.
I think Chloe has navigated the Swamper actually really effectively.
This is not an easy hope bomb for her team to go up against.
In fact, I actually think it's kind of a nightmare matchup, but that's found a good angle.
Now my big question is how bulky is Swamper?
And it survived a life form wave crash from Basque Legion.
Swamper here says, you know what, maybe we'll find out later.
I'm gonna bring a Swamper for now.
Yeah, so after it has to come back in, because it's negligible,
it actually doesn't get any timid drop.
So it's going to have to take some full-foured wave crash from the Basque Legion.
gives up a big chunk of its HP from the recoil of the wave brush as well as the life work of Serafter King
and the countdown fleet follows it off. That is going to be a superb KO on to the Star Raptor.
It's a KO but Golden Go now to respond. It was not targeted and this is a shadow bolt
to knock out Basque Legion and suddenly the number one tool to deal with Swamper has been
eliminated right. If that was just the countdown fleet in Golden Go, well then Serafters so
low right you can finish it off with this off with the restocker punch but now
Chloe has lost what has been hiding the primary winking decision against slomper
so Rosemary even though it felt like Chloe had put herself in a really good
position she would have been a loss for slomper at this point in the game I think it's tough right because you
wonder if you can see the reason Chloe was hoping that maybe playing around with
the Golden Goal Protect I want to make sure you're guaranteed to image that
slot because if you do get the KO on this Corruptor with just the wig
then you are able to get that move redirected.
But now it is going to be a final 2v2.
Swamper and Golden Go front-tongue mid-end,
and can gambit Ryder to close.
And this Golden Go, of course, has dropped its special attack.
So I'm going to do the most amount of damage,
but can gambit crucially also can't use top-gates damage
only to close the end?
There's no sword stance.
So I think double protectors always really save,
just to ensure that you don't take any unnecessary damage
as we see the page out plus count out leave.
But yeah, once again, the Swamper, it's like,
Okay, I still have my Citrus Berry. I haven't taken any damage, I think conserving the win condition really, really effectively.
It's looking very scary right now. I mean, focus less on how we will do okay damage, but with Citrus Berry's Whomp, it's going to feel all the way back up.
Let's put it, he's going to just do so much damage to the opposing side here, so feel like if you're Chloe, you might need some critical hits right now.
Now, how B.C. can try to really beat it's not known for it's perspective, but maybe it can surprise us when it comes to an offensive option.
We finally see the mega evolution as Chloe has a chance to mega evolve that Raichu.
Maybe it's a focus blast, but see, that's not much it's going to end up doing to the score.
Oh my goodness.
It actually doesn't even cross the sticker, Harry.
So beefy comes out and it's not a critical hit here. So that's different story coming on on swamper
It feels it back up shadow ball here gives you just a little bit of chip like you pass gonna say a little bit
Well, that's minus two still just so much damage and now swamper will be able to retaliate back with an earthquake
The thing is you are earthquake in your whole golden goat gear. Oh
King give it does hang on
Okay, I mean it hangs on through that and we've seen at these bastards that is at this to swamper
So maybe Tenzin can damn it, actually get the jump on it on this next turn.
Tailwind has expired, so the speed order, we get to see at neutral now.
Yeah, I think maybe it could have been a make it rain, right?
Because the make it rain.
Okay, here's the towel towel.
It's still going in first.
Oh, it's so close!
3% left for the Swamper to retaliate with the earthquake and kneel up this first game for Tenzin.
How exciting is it to see a citrus fairy swamper here on the world stage, just clicking earthquake, clicking ice punch, and the Megastor after didn't do anything in that game, right?
It wasn't about the mega evolution, it was about swamper just consistently getting blow after blow after blow.
And I think the recognition to say this is my primary Wig condition, I need to switch it out and nailing that Vasco Legion, getting to knock out onto it, attacking with the Golden Go,
I mean, just completely allowed for this position for Swampert, but that was so close at the end, just 3% survival.
Yeah, I mean, Chloe, as you mentioned, did such a great job of playing around the Swampert to try to mitigate his damage output in the first couple of turns,
utilizing very smart defensive switches, but then I think there were just a couple of turns right in the middle where you could see the thought process,
hoping that one attack would be enough to actually get the knockout and have that second attack get redirected into the partner,
where it didn't happen either time because this Pokemon survived us with just a sliver of HP on Fummon's side.
Yeah, so cool to see and fun fact, he actually brought Exkidrel to the Korean national championships where he finished in the top four.
And it was also an Exkidrel not on a Sam team, it was Exkidrel with Reign.
So he is really kind of the master of finding unique ground type Pokemon to use in the format.
And I think, yeah, what a game it was for Swamper here on the world stage. Just dishing up so much damage.
I think if you're Chloe first thing you're probably thinking is okay
I probably want to still get a basket region wave pressure to swamper never ended up seeing one of those right that is kind of the primary tool and
Then right you just feels really bad into swamper right like meta growth of course also takes super effective damage from it
But it's a little bit naturally full here
Of course a lot of people are training right choose to be very physically defensive
But at the end of today, it's still just not
That's the best stat so I think if you're Chloe you might want to consider
you know bringing Metagross like I said I think there's a world where you can
bring both and use Raiju just regularly but Metagross would be the
adaptation I would think of and also looking to get a wave project with
basket. What is going to be a mix up in a week as Chloe is leading the King Gambit next to the Mimps who has this time around. For Tomlin it's going to be the Golden Goat Swamper. So the King Gambit here obviously exhorting offensive pressure into Golden Goat got couched out weave into it. Wimps got can set up a tailwind. Still the fundamental problem of how are we going to deal enough damage to a regular Swamper.
right and so building up a very easily protect. I think the King Gambit leads here would have punished the Storaptor lead, right?
And you also can't switch into Storaptor unless you want to give over that Defiant Boost and should you do that?
Like the awkward thing I think is it's quite actually difficult to quit Earthquake if Storaptor's not on the field,
or you're gonna consistently damage yourself, so that's one thing like where we can potentially take advantage of as well.
No protects, no switches here on turn one.
There we go.
That's tailing from this whipsicot to allow this King Gambit to get the Couchhouse leave
off immediately into the Swampert.
Deals 30% as the Golden Goose fires fast as they make it rain.
Going to one hit, knock out this whipsicot as the Golden Goose gives up a minus 2 special
as Cat Drop for its Troubles.
But again, a close in this position where you do have a free switch, but can this
King Gambit actually hang on to do something on this next turn?
Yeah, you would think it's gonna be a wave crash here, still really powerful.
We haven't seen it using it yet in this set.
That does so much damage still.
Swamper this time does take a hefty amount.
I think Chloe is probably hoping for Golden Go to protect there.
Expecting Golden Go, yeah, to not get an attack off there.
So we can probably, you know, leverage and whips a ton a little bit more.
But once again, you've got care wound up, you've got Vasco Legion in.
Things could be worse.
And now this actually looks like a pretty good position.
Yeah.
Vasco Legion can gambit, post-baster, then the opponent.
You could have basket leech and now go through wave crash into slomper and you've got the pin of the cow-tow played into the golden belt.
Exactly, and so the response would be, well let's swap golden go out into sloraptor.
Yeah, I'd give it the fine boost over to King Gambit, but if you're not going to click that sucker punch, I can survive wave crash from slomper and get an earthquake off potentially.
And so, yeah, I think this is a big turn where it probably gets it long to be really scary.
It's actually going to be the slomper pivoting out in steps into the hydrate.
Oh!
You see an adjustment here.
Yeah, that hydrate comes out.
out that's going to have a pretty good matchup into both the king gambit and the vasculation as the wave
patch comes out see that actually got a good trot to this high dragon oh my goodness a critical
hit that's going to make things a lot easier now 86% from a non-resisted attack or a resisted
attack I should say just does not feel right yeah once again like the tail end is up so the
offensive pressure like vasculation is happy to just keep clicking its moves right now but
One question I'd have is how the Hydraegon and the Vastimusion are trained, because while
Taelin's up on the opposing side, sometimes Vastimusion doesn't invest in enough speed,
or like, I should push for a Hydraegon to get out of base it.
So if you're Chloe, you know, if you know you're faster, then you can always just
create pressure on the left slot, otherwise you might want to consider clicking that
awkward jet.
Awkward jet into Hydraegon, finish it off, house out deep into Golden Hill, but Chloe
does have a lot of offensive pressure right now, and it is because she has managed
to set up Taelin, whereas there's no Taelin on the opposing side.
I think that you're right with the speed order of the high dragon versus the fast legion is going to be really important
And if you are worried about that maybe you end up trying to make a switch
This might be one of those situations
I would have considered actually bringing in the
Star after if you were worried about the damage output, but fast legion is still faster and healing
It's able to knock out onto the high dragon as it can get big as to follow that up
We did not see a protect coming through from that golden bow
So it is going to be very vulnerable to the super effective kautau cleave a double knockout for Chloe
Yeah, I think Chloe just
Getting tail end up and say I'm just gonna use these really powerful attackers right hasn't even revealed what mega evolution
He's got in the back. This one has taken a little bit more damage, right? So it's gonna be swamper and Sarul edge actually so
Complete mix-up here. Yeah, I'm surprised to see no one's got no stir after
No mega evolution.
Yeah, I mean, that is his thing would be solo mega teams or sometimes, like, you decide
you don't want it.
I don't have another mega evolution.
I don't think so after actually is, I'm like, you know, I'm expecting a adjustment
from the opposing end.
Maybe I'll just drop it here.
But yeah, I think like, Chloe just has the full speed advantage right now.
You'll see.
It's going to be a double protect here, just falling out that jail where that
basket region on the opposing end is still looking really scary after this though.
Absolutely.
You see a good match up here into the Cerro Ledge from those who can gamb it and the Baskin Legion.
And the fact that you still have an unrevealed Pokemon in the back, it's always in a pretty good spot.
Yeah, definitely. The Cerro Ledge now does exert pressure with Shadow Sneak in the Baskin Legion.
So the question is, can you get a knockout with that? Because if not, yeah, here we go.
If not, I think Baskin Legion just gets a tail and response. Yeah, it's not enough.
things on like a champ as it's going to be able to fire off another wave crash
might knock itself out for its troubles and serial ledge. That takes super effective damage from that
and it's going to bring in one more Pokemon here for Chloe as this swampert now has to fend for its life
and for its allies as it is in a 1v2 final situation.
Cows out please though from the king gambit. It's going to soften this swampert up to 30%
It's going to take more recoil now from the wave crash it just did out.
Now it's a 1v1.
It is a 1v1.
Yeah, but I think regardless either Mega Raiju or Mega Metagross should be able to close
it out.
You just need to be 25% of damage here and so it is going to be the Raiju once again.
So Mega Raiju has actually not dropped here, but this time around you've got the damage
you needed on Swamper.
Adding up that damage on turn 1 means I now will focus fast and real finish it
off.
So here's Basku, you've been fusting game because of the perfect positioning for Chloe in this path,
hydrating over it, and yeah, got enough damage, on to a swap for early enoughts,
now we should have more scoots with game 3.
Crap, he's going to be a protect, just to give you some time to actually think about
what that game 3 might look like, because Tundra actually did make a pretty significant
adjustment in the Pokemon proc, Sterilege as well as Hydra Dragon,
who's making appearances in the second game, and do you think about committing to that
Again, as we think about game history.
Yeah, to be actually the answer is you got to go back to Winds the Cod with tailwind, right?
Or you can separate some of the precies.
Like I think Hydragon makes sense if you are carrying it with the tailwind, right?
But then if you just bring it by itself and there's tailwind on the opposing side,
like you saw what happened, right?
Like, yes, the Wavecrush got a critical hit on Hydragon,
but I think you would have been able to hit tail anyway, right?
And so, the reality is that it is a Pokemon that is actually very ineffective outside of tailwind
if your opponent has tailwind up on the opposing side.
So I think like Swamper is still such a key Pokemon in this matchup, right?
But I like the idea of going back to Whipscot and Strapher because even though Strapher didn't do very much in game one
I think it's like getting the Intimidate alone into Vasu Legion is a big deal, right?
Because if you think about, well, how do I beat Swamper? Vasu Legion is one of those tools
But if you Intimidate it suddenly actually becomes a lot less effective
So I think I'd probably like to see a return to Swamper plus Whimsicott have that
I think it's a good idea to
use that. Yeah, Swamper
a raptor and then you can
flex between all of them. I
don't know if I really love the
Sera Ledge, but I wouldn't be
surprised if it came out as a
prediction to deal with the
Metagross on the opposing
side, trying to catch it, and
then Metagross didn't end up
coming out right like Sera
Ledge and the high grade on
both can threaten Metagross
a good bit. So I think that
was maybe the adjustment that
he was expecting to see it.
I like the Sera Ledge in
theory, but I think it was
underwhelmed by the shadow
sink that came out. The
fact that it did almost
less than a quarter to that
it feels like there just wasn't enough damage down on the board.
The process being like, Serylutch can come in, and even if your opponent's out of
tailwind, it's not that priority.
It's actually just helps you clean up some of those pieces.
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah, I think the question is, you know, what leads do you consider from both
players and I think like Swampert's Storapter, which we saw is pretty
decent, right?
Chloe led King Gambit, tried to get a defined boost from it.
And so I think that's the fear in meeting Storapter once again.
I also am curious if you're Chloe like maybe you think well right she hasn't really been that important in Alaska
I would have won the game with meta girls anyway
Do we potentially see the dust we came green to meta girls following it out?
But either way I think yeah, it's been a fast-paced set but really fun to get to see some unique Pokemon
Especially that's one for a cleaver makes it a theory
That is an awesome
Pokemon to see hit the field as they call the air and it's going to be back to form here for Chumman with that
I don't know if it's in the
best position here, truthfully.
It can stone axe, right?
I will say, actually, one thing
that's interesting is you do
have to respect the whims to
call on the opposing side,
right?
Very feather, so Moonblast
is actually really scary.
I like Shemin's position more
here, though, honestly, because
like the whims to come on
the opposing side isn't even
focused on, right?
And yeah, like, the cleaver
being intimidated just means
it can't do very much at the
same time.
And I think it's a good
thing to do.
And I think it's a good
thing to do.
I think it's a good thing
to do.
I think it's a good thing
do very much. This move set is
Stonax, Axe-Zer, Faint, right?
Like, if Faint's into the Seraphir,
trying to, you know, break through,
protect Faint into Blitzkotts,
or just go for Stonax, like, get the
Stumprocks up, so the reality is,
this turn, I don't expect it to be that much
damage.
I do wonder how much the
Pointed Stone damage will actually
add up if we do end up seeing
if it's in this game.
It's already off to a very quick start
here as both Blitzkotts are going
to set Tailwind for their respective
of sides and then we'll see the moves to follow up.
So Raptor goes right away for the brave bird,
knowing that the damage output from this Cleaver
is going to be mitigated.
A one hit non-gallon is the Whip the Kot
is going to be the first KO that this Raptor takes.
Let's see what this Cleaver's damage can look like.
So nice, it's still going to do about 50%
to his Whip the Kot, so it's good damage.
But you do get a chance to set up the stealth rock.
Yeah, but now the question is,
where do you go from here, right?
Because Cleaver is kind of stuck in the field,
I think both players kind of felt forced to tail in, and Kevin really doesn't want the opposing Whip spot to...
And we see Metagross here, okay? So that actually, I think, is a pretty good response.
The point I wanted to make though is that, like, you never want to eat a Moon Blast from the opposing side,
so you feel forced to go for Kailan Gravebird, right? Chloe also tail in, but...
Yeah, the Cleaver, once again, I think because of that Intimidate just caught in a little bit of a tricky position.
So next, we'll go through some damage here, but Metagross at least does exert a lot of offensive pressure into both Pokemon.
However, you are staring down the charm once again from Winston Talk.
One thing you could do, by the way, is you could charm that a group.
Yeah, I know you got a group. You have to make a goal.
And if you get that off, that would be really a back throw.
It would. Let's see what happens.
Just by staying here from the cleavage to ensure that the Star Raptor can't actually go for a protect on this turn,
it's a side charm. It wants to boost up the offensive power of the Star Raptor.
Oh, it's like a big, big, big, big deal, but, yeah, these Pokemon speeds are obviously very, very close to each other, and so Metagross being able to move first is a huge deal there.
gets the knockout and that's just a complete swing of events right because the Spiraptor was looking to try to just like get an immediate one hit knockout there
Instead Wings got this to get to accomplish anything. It's going to be a Hydragon though, Wings of course those exert good offensive pressure here into the Metagross play.
I'm not sure if Darkwills will get a one hit knockout, like I would think you need to get a double up into it if Metagross protects the Peever can now access her to the Hydragon.
Like Peever with that faint, yeah making sure that you can get that attack out, also getting that Stalker knockout that's early damage, but it's actually done a lot better than I expected it to be coming out.
coming into this one. And they've got a second Stone Axe to actually finish off the Whimsicott,
so you don't even have to go after this Hydraigan if you are worried. Maybe you can even go for
a Double Protect here just to scout out what the Hydraigan's going to lock into with that choice
card. But we do end up seeing an Encore into the opposing Cleaverer, so it is going to have
to go for Saints again. It stacks up a little bit more damage into the Hydraigan,
and not being able to put any more damage out on the board.
So the dark bulls, oh my goodness,
the Metagross, it hangs on with just 3% remaining.
Look at the Metagross actually break through it, it does.
Iron Head to finish off the wins the contest.
Not him, Flynch this time.
No, Flynch, and you'd have to imagine
that the Metagross, since they're after,
were speed fighting there earlier.
Since they're after, did move first,
they feel a very different game.
But once again, it is still this endgame swamper
that we've been talking about, right?
It is quite bulky.
Lever does have its focus after attack.
Greg on here of course has now locked into dark balls. It's a pretty good move to have. We probably want to clear it before the basket
region which is confusingly in the back hits the field, but this didn't really really tense game
but I honestly think I prefer Chloe's position right now.
I just wonder what's the way to happen since these tailwinds are going to expire in in a bit.
And that's going to give the advantage over to the high-thrugging later as the dark balls comes back out.
This metagross has to sacrifice itself in order for the clue board to come back in and change up its move down at the on-court spot.
That's where it was really scary. I think if it was Dark Fulce,
even to the Basque Legion's legend, you might just throw away kind of the big answer into the Swaphert, right?
But I think what we're saying, you really need to respect the Metadrosa.
It does manage to get Basque Legion in.
Kaelin now is going to expire on both ends as well.
Cleaver is able to come back in, and with Cleaver, I think what you can do is protect Basque Legion X's or into the Hydragon.
And, boy, you might just have done it here.
The main thing here in response is,
Pygorgon could go through dark pulse into Cleaver, expecting Vasculation to protect.
We could get a flinch, but then Swamper could just follow up, get a knockdown, and that's game over as well.
So big turn here for both players.
Do you predict the protect from Vasculation in a so-rightly targeted Cleaver doesn't get a flinch?
Oh, it's so tense.
In a Game 3 situation with an undefeated record on the line heading into the second half
of day one of the World Championships, it's all going to come down to this Vasculation protecting.
So can this Cleaver actually get a blow off?
Mike Trigin ends up going to the dark post in that direction.
And Cleaver takes that B-Sitter off.
Mike Trigin goes down for the count.
And now the slumper has to win at the 1v2.
And is the slumper going to knock out the Cleaver?
Well, that just boosts last respect to damage output
as well.
So Earth Fleet coming out.
Makes the correct call, but no glitch coming out.
Cleaver faints, but honestly,
it was incredible in this game.
I saw it play, it came out on the weed that it wouldn't be able to do very much.
Being able to knock out the aggro on such a big deal,
Vasco Legion out of light form, it's got three stacks,
boosting that last respect.
Here we go, in the swamper.
Can it clutch it out here? It cannot!
Wow, another...
...1 KO and Chloe Burke wins game number three to beat 4-0 on day one.
That was so high for us, Barry.
When we saw the teams and the matchups, I was like,
they've done a lot of cool Pokemon.
I don't know if we're gonna get to see all of them.
We got to see all of them.
Every single one.
Wow, eyes were feasting today.
That is for sure a phenomenal three game set
between two incredible trainers.
What a match.
And I think the key turn was truly just Metagross
Thrapher in that interaction.
I think Thrapher goes first and knocks out Metagross.
The main thing I was actually curious about
was whether or not like I didn't expect
the plus two close combat to actually be able
to knock out the Metagross anyway.
And so if Chloe gets to knock out on Thrapher,
I think it's actually still a pretty positive term for her.
And the other thing I was curious about was, yeah,
we had seen the charm into Metagross, right,
to potentially get around this.
That could have been really interesting as well.
But either way, the Swamper, I think,
if you're Chloe and you're staring down this team
and team review, first of all, this is not a standard team
at all, right? It's got a lot of unique pieces.
It's really hard to figure out how in the world
do I beat the Swamper, but manage to pick up
the puzzle pieces and put it all together.
And, oh, this, I mean, the final turn,
so tense, right?
Kevin gets the right call targets the cleaver has that chance to flinch but does not get it and that X is there being able to just one shot behind
Dragoon so well done. Yeah, and then the last year specs
One final side are there too. That's Womper and Chloe Burke ends up with at that four zero record
It's just so cool to be able to be at the world to your future see as the best trainers bringing the most cool
Pokemon and
You can get out. Absolutely. Yeah, I think you know the world championships
There's always obviously so many incredible players that we've seen prove themselves on the biggest stage
Consistently whether it be at regionals or international worlds this last game with feature two players right from regions that we don't get to cover as much
They both finish in top four of major tournaments
They are whether it be the Korean national championships or for Chloe
You know one of the regionals over in Oceania and here they are right do you know at 3-0?
really, this is like their first chance to really prove themselves to the world and that was a really fun set to watch
It's like I couldn't have asked for any more like if I let's swap or put a masterclass of that game one and hangs on just with
A sliver right in in game three it thinks felt so tense
I was not expecting cleaver at all
But I think it made a lot of sense because I think slowly recognize look fast deletion is really good
What are you gonna use to beat fast deletion?
Well, it's probably gonna be the hydragon as well as the
I think that's the best
thing I've ever seen. I've
never seen anything like this
before. I've never seen anything
like this before. So I need to
take care of those and how do I
beat those little metagoras for
stir after and then I, of course,
yeah, just all came together
and then Cleaver, of course,
for the hydra gone and I just
Yeah, I think that this is
what best of three Pokemon is
all about. And the, you
know that the number of
adjustments you saw in both
ends was just so fun. An
amazing set for sure. And
also one where you could
kind of see the nerves
them in this moment. The pressure must have been really intense. Absolutely. Yeah. And so
I need to hear more about Chloe and the team and just that said, so let's go through it
down to the floor for an interview. Thank you so much. I'm here with Chloe after a fantastic
win. You're currently undefeated at the World Championships. How do you feel? Pretty good.
I mean, it's okay. It's okay.
Yeah. Anything else just
pretty good. Like, were you
nervous for this event? Just
excited? Yeah, so nervous.
Uh, yeah, nonstop anxiety, but
it's okay. I mean, for someone
with nonstop anxiety, you
certainly played a wonderful
match. Talk to me about that
match because for yourself,
you're going up against a
really, really strong team
and also lose the first one
in this set. So then
what's going through your
that my Pokemon choices in Game 1 were pretty good and I just kind of need to adjust my game
plan. I didn't respect the Swamp at it enough in Game 1, but I kind of figured it out and
then I made a call that he wouldn't bring Golden Go game 3, so I didn't bring my King
Gambit at all and it ended up paying off, fortunately.
And now I want to talk about your team because you have one of, one of if not possibly
the craziest team in the tournament.
But it was a school, you know, everything else, but the Cleaver.
Why Cleaver?
Um, most of the field is Charizard, so Cleaver sets rocks.
The main idea of the team is that I set rocks for Metagros to be able to KO both Charizard
and Floette, regardless of what the main team in the format brings.
And yeah, it just has a lot of good matchups into a very common team, so it's worked
pretty well. I feel like when I hear you talk about there's so many chargers around the other direction people have gone with has been the like in rock
right? Is there a reason why you particularly straight away from that team or you just thought this had a better match of thread across the board?
I feel more comfortable piloting like tailwind offense generally. And I wanted to make Metagross work because it seems like a good one but the Meta doesn't really favor it a lot.
I don't know why. The ability for
medigrace to KO towers on
consistently is just it makes it so much better.
So that's why I chose Cleaver.
And it certainly has a lot more
style. Let me say it is so cool.
Now tell me a little bit about yourself too
because of course now you've had the
opportunity to compete on this stage.
You're unafeated and we heard the cheers
from the crowd. So tell me a little bit
I've been playing BGC for a few years now.
This is my second world's.
I did pretty well in the Australian circuit this year
and I don't know.
Yeah, I don't know.
I like offensive teams.
I play offensive teams.
I don't really know what else to say.
No, that makes sense.
We'll take one more step this way
as I want to make sure you're a center stage here.
If you have an opportunity to thank anyone or just
any final words where you're on this stage.
Thank you to my girlfriend for always supporting me.
Thank you to all the Oceania community for always giving me a challenge and making me a better player.
Thank you to the Sydney local scene.
It's really good, really great players, really nice people, especially Pokefork.
Great community, would recommend going to those locals if you're in Sydney.
I love that congratulations yet again on this win. Best of luck. I hope you take
leave her to the top. This is just absolutely incredible as for us of course
we need to hear more about this team and everything else. So let's hand over
to our analysts. Thank you so much Sierra. What a crazy match. I had to steal
our own rosemary there after that match concluded because you look like I was
having just as much fun as Chloe was there, going 4-0 here at the World Championships.
That game 3 still, I mean the Swap for Metagross speed interaction,
like, sorry, the Metagross Storaphyr speed interaction,
I was like, that's one thing that's so interesting about these Pokemon,
because it feels like with Storaphyr you basically have to go max speed,
but sometimes, especially on a roost set, like, maybe you don't,
but then the Metagross, I was like, I don't know who's going to move first here,
and then, yeah, Metagross just completely annihilates the Storaphyr,
and I do think that's one of the cool things about it,
is a pick in this meta game right is you do thread in this thereafter for
Superfection M and maybe even a one hit knockout if you don't get intimidated and
you get to move first. Yeah 100% Rose pick a favorite point of the match because
that was like that seemed to be like all the way through it was delivering not
just the Seraptor Metagross interaction right there the moment we
seek leave or coming in one and two as well the serenades coming out like
you could see everything. We had so much I literally cannot boil it down to a
single thing that I enjoyed about that match I enjoyed all of it to every
I think this is just showing as well. Like it isn't just the Charizard flow at compositions that are making it like really deep in this tournament. There is so much room still in NB to like, you'll have something like a little bit different and like take the meta game in a completely different direction.
There it's a little spicy out there. If you told me that we would be casting a game where like Swampert regular Swampert regular
Yeah, I drag on Sarah Ledge, right all would be like be used and actually come out of a battle
I'd be like there's just no way like statistically that means absolutely no sense
But here we are and that's what makes Pokemon really special because I do think for the most part this form a lot of
You know the most well-known players just pick one of the most popular teams and you know figured out
I'm just going to master it and be really good at it and so it is such a treat to see it at you know
3 and 0 here at the biggest stage of the capital I feel like them as well like there's been a little bit of you know
Discourse to the community. We've had to JB boy on Twitter calling out like Metacross is the play
Days ago and and like yeah, I'm guilty of this as well like people sitting there being like
Is it no JB?
I'm not sure, but maybe, hey,
Chloe showed us that it might be possible.
As you know, else is possible is we've got a feature match
lined up ready to go.
And it's going to be an absolute cracker.
So we've got Justin Tang versus Nikolai Hoi Nielsen.
And yes, that is a camera up you're seeing on your screen
right now.
A camera up and a mega kangaroo.
And we're going to be able to take it all.
I'm not sure, but maybe, hey, Chloe showed us
that it might be possible.
As you know, else is possible is we've got
mega kangaroo scot. I really hope that we get a chance to see some trick room action and see that camera up there nuts
I think it's actually regular kangaroo scot. It's even crazier. Oh
Yeah, it is life-war. Life-war. Yeah. Wow really crazy. Now the main thing if you look at that team though is that there's no water
resistance, right? So just as well. Hey, I have swamper. I can water spot everyone. Yeah
Yeah.
Aerodactyl, pivoting out here immediately.
It's going to be trigger out.
The dual mega team in Aerodactyl camera actually.
And it blocks the fake out here immediately.
And last place also does not mega the ball.
So much going on here just to start off the game,
getting a water style off.
But honestly, that's not a lot of damage.
Pretty good.
I feel like, you know, when you've got, when you're
making that leap, with no water resistance,
water style looks very good until the Silvia works out.
Silvia is absolutely ready for business here.
I believe in picking up that K.O.
Wait, I wasn't ready.
The girls would be here and we're like,
let's just give Sylvie on a highlight.
Hyper Hyper Eve!
Oh my gosh.
That was wild.
Okay, so now we know why the Mega Blastoise didn't happen.
It's because there's a Delphox on the back.
Yeah, I mean, you know, it makes sense as well.
We saw this the other way around in an earlier round on the stream, right?
It's like Delphox wasn't the Mega of choice.
Instead, Blastoise was.
Now we're flipping things around.
We're just in just playing this slightly different way.
different way. Now that the Sylveon has to take a turn recharging so you know great job knocking out
the blast toys but now you're vulnerable to taking another attack. That's true but Sylveon is one of
those Pokemon that I feel like just has surprising specialty fence bulk so the fact that it was able
to hold on through that water spout even the Delphox on the other side doesn't really scare me
too much but this Delphox does get that nasty clocker free so maybe I take back what I just
said. Yeah, I think with the scene you always want to get that massive plot off and instead
of going for parting shot makes sense as well because I think you really want to make sure
that you can bring it back out for Aerodactyl. I think what's scary right now after Justin
is you don't know which direction this game is going to go down. Is there going to be
Triforce setup or is there potentially going to be a tail of the Aerodactyl in the back?
Sylveon recharges here and it's not going to be the Triforce because I think recognizing
hey if I just get Aerodactyl I can actually mega vault this Pokemon and just start
clicking Rock slide. Yeah so I think this is the really important part of the
way that Nikolai has built the team, it's like, it's flaws and ceilings, you can go
right down as slow as Mega Camera up to start attacking that way, but if you see the opportunity,
especially against a Pokemon like Mega Delphox, but you really don't want to be hitting with
your Camera up to instead, you want to be hitting with that Mega Aridactyl, you get
that ability to set that up too.
Very cool.
I totally agree, I think that's such a unique call out in that, when you see
his team, I think if you like, remove their Aridactyl, you're like, well it's
clearly a hard trick room team, right?
everything else is you know, but the air adapter alone actually just induces just a completely different play style and you
Also wonder like the training like are they slow?
You can definitely play like in this like middling speed to you have got the top of the bottom
But actually the stuff in the middle can be a little bit squidgy and like middling speed to it
I like when we call these types of teams at tail room because they have both the tail end and the trick room and
and it is just really cool to be able to keep going.
Oh, my God!
Survival!
It was a nasty plot on the Deltox.
Rose, you have like, you've come into the perfect match.
This is exactly right for you.
A 1% Sylveon survival.
Just like a dish out of hyperboys.
Oh, my goodness.
Okay, this is it.
World championship for Rose.
This is deep to this match here.
Absolutely a peak.
There's still no trick room going up on Nicola's side of the field,
the field so there is still the option as we said for the the aridactyl in the
back but this Delphox is racking up a lot of damage and even though it's taken a
lot of damage there is sort of this weird option where you know if Justin takes a
couple of KO's and then sets up the trick room against the mega aridactyl
there's a way of a world in which like Justin can actually use that middling
speed tier that he's got but also like well Delphox is in the middling speed
tier but compared to mega aridactyl it kind of is. I do wonder if this
would be the turn that Justin would consider setting up trick room, knowing that that aerodactyl is in the back.
And if you are confident that maybe something else is in the back there like a like a king of style
might be slower than you, we do see the incident where it come in and it's not going to be the trick
room set up here. Yeah, it's so awkward. I think for this turn is that Justin wants to get the
healing with citizenship, but now by putting incident around the field, well, then aerodactyl
could come out next turn doesn't get intimidated. However, crucially, there is no protect on the
the aridactyl right part of these teams is that you rely on ferrigraft to block
those fake outs and so while you look at the intimidate now Nikolai if he brings
out aridactyl that's just vulnerable to fake out plus an attack right so I'd
actually want to go into your four Pokemon here so Justin caplizing off
the fact like I think if aridactyl yeah hat protect then the fake out is a lot
less threatening aridactyl can come in just for expanding rockslide right
even with an intimidate the delphox actually will likely still go down to
a rockslide or with healing as well but the thing is you need to weed
the position for your dactyl because yeah it gets intimidated or trick from his
up and you have instant plus Sinisterial suddenly Macha Gacha spam makes it so
hard for the air. And it's sort of telegraphing maybe like maybe the king
gambit is the final Pokemon in the back for Nikolai and like you also kind of
want to get your instant into a position where it's on the field yeah and not
intimidating the king gambit not making a threat to the Sinisteria that Justin
we know has in the pack and can use to start healing up that Delphox and
getting it like redirecting sucker punches away so the Delphox can carry on
just dishing out these big powerful e-waves. I think it's tough though too
when you mention the King Gambit there's no protect on that either so you have two
different options there in the Aerodactyl or the King Gambit. You can't bring in
either and expect them to not get faked out. Did you see the mega evolution
committed onto the Aerodactyl but do we see the fake out? Yeah is it just a
double-up right with fake up plus the psychic from the Delphox? Fake out does
come out here so I think that you know that much was pretty obvious erid act of
flinch is this is a really big interaction it is just gonna be psychic
here so there was King gamut in the back that would have been a free switch in
and that you know erid act to look like it was the wind condition that's why
I was saying it feels kind of awkward to position it out right now but Sylveon
still gets a hyper voice off
Oh my gosh!
I was literally, I was literally queuing up for Sylveon is now the wind condition
and then it just just misses the KO
I mean it's doing is absolutely doing his job like keeping the pressure down onto Justin started the field and like
Especially like I'm just gonna check if that if that's Sylveon has access to quick attack right because it does
It does have access to it because now that delt box even like it forces
Justin to have to think about bringing in the sinister. Yeah, otherwise the quick attack starts going crazy
That feels really bad though, to lose Mega Aerodactyl and get nothing off with it because it kind of just cleaned up this entire end game, right?
But like, the nuance here is because neither King Gambit or Aerodactyl had the protect, like you called out Rose, well, you had to switch in one.
And I think Nikolai there might have been trying to go for a call thinking, oh, the fake out side is so obvious, I'm going to switch in King Gambit, you're going to heat wave instead.
If you heat wave, well then that's probably winning for me.
But the Aerodactyl, yeah, this goes to show why fake out is such a good move.
move and frigraph normally allows these teams to say well you can drop your protect because
I'll protect you some fakeouts but when frigraph goes down suddenly the fakeout becomes that
much stronger and yeah now with no arid actile it is still really scary.
Right I see Sylvia on protect itself so maybe that's gonna be a sucker punch so K-Rambo
is successful at securing another knockout and now this is kind of awkward right?
Is it?
Cause Justin has instead of our sinister stuff as the final video and it's in
actually went after the Sylveon.
Okay, so this is a, this is like Sylveon still staying on the field is quite a big deal for this this end game.
We know that it has hyper beam at its disposal.
Like you could make a read like knowing that hyper voice is so strong.
Right.
Hey, I need to knock out this Incineroar as quickly as possible if you're Nicolai.
Like this could be the opportunity to get that hyper beam.
And it also obviously depends as well on the training between the Sylveon and the Incineroar.
They're both capable of help speeding the other one we haven't seen that interaction yet
And so this this endgame like it just got really really dicey with no flabbit
It's going down into the king gambit getting that last like little bit of damage that maybe a match of gotcha could
Clean up at an endgame. Yeah, and just most of the opportunity to go like protect all Fox
Which incident to sinister and then just rage powder heat wave
But maybe fearing that that's such an easy call out that you'll double win so that's not just gonna be throw chop here
So instead of our moves first,
Sylveon doesn't get a hyper voice or hyper beam off here.
The speed interactions are playing a really big deal.
I think then...
Ooh, but King Jepic gets the low kick.
Ooh, it's not bad damage.
It's good damage.
But then...
I was gonna say, I have to kind of jump back though
than a couple of turns prior,
because you both bring up excellent points about some
changes that either player could have made.
But in that situation, I wonder,
well, instead of actually the hospitality healing
from the Citis job brought that in-center out of KO range from the low kick. So was there an
opportunity there instead to quick attack the Delphox for that one percent and then go low kick
into the insidior instead. But then also like there's a question of how this insidior is trained
does it knock out the king gambit and it does like gets close but doesn't like get there.
Does it manage to knock yourself out from recoil? That's right. Getting the KO there that's going
game one for Justin, but such a close set all the way through so many reads and he talks about it. Obviously all the way through the match are like reads on top of reads on top of reads, right? Yeah, and I feel like the big picture here was mega aerodactyl, not getting an attack off because once that last voice was taking care of, it felt like aerodactyl kind of just sweeps. We're going right into game two and regular
And regular Kangas gun makes an appearance here with that frigorap and of course frigorap blocks that fake out
So are we going to see a different approach this time?
Maybe trick room and then you've got camera up in the back if that is the approach though
You're gonna have to knock out blast ways really quickly because blast ways is the nightmare for mega camera to deal with
Yeah, and also there's this especially like how is
Nikolai gonna use this Kangas gun to be able to try to put some pressure down like in Cinder all was one of the last
problem Pokemon in game one right or
and now, like, this hammer arm that's on the life of Kangaskhan,
setting up the trick room and then maybe getting itself into a place where it can attack first,
but also put that big, big damage down onto the Incinima.
Wow. 25% of Blastoise with pink out in life form.
Oh, my goodness.
I really like a lot of the points you were talking about there,
because I think that, you know, one key thing is normally Incinima on this team doesn't seem like a huge offensive for Ed,
but it kind of carried in that endgame with game one, right?
And a big reason is because those speed interactions.
And so I think realizing that, saying,
look, it is still a pretty good tool.
Let me switch it out.
At the Sinistra, what do I love about this Blastway's
Delphox team is just the ability
to flex either mega pollution, right?
It's so cool to see a lot.
I'm like, my expectation is that there is still a Delphox
in the back here, but it's kind of scary right now, right?
You've got the attack drop on to like hang has gone.
Sinistra can just go for a rage bowser.
And even though Blastway's at minus one,
damage that you do from it is still non-turbial.
Sinister of course couldn't even potentially reverse trick room if you wanted one crazy play
I was like what if you shell smash?
You've got you've got the sinister there you're a trick room you shall smash take all the attack away mega blast toys or not
I can't
You know what I want to click it there
100% right there like it would have been so so cool cuz like
It forces Nicolay to start going on the offensive and play this sort of aggressive trickery.
Oh no!
Burn there on the Kangas card.
Okay, we would have lost because they doubled up in the Blastoise so you wouldn't take it too much.
It's fine.
Especially with the bird actually, the Blastoise would have been like alright, time for me to get to the end.
But that's a really tough bird.
Good happen this time.
Yes, that's true, that is true.
Yeah, now you go for the fall.
Because the awkward thing with these teams is you normally want to get your heavy damage dealer in Brighton, that heavy damage dealer is going to be camera, but it also could be Silvan or King Gambit, but when you set up trick room and you don't have that much damage, you're wasting your own trick room turns,
Zinistra now just content to go for rage fodder, but come on do the shell smash, you got this!
I'm waiting, I'm waiting, I'm excited. Okay so good damage, good damage, good damage, double edge, straffi of course, bypassing that.
Oh my gosh, that did nothing.
Absolutely nothing after the burn and the life orb ticking away the burn as well.
Yay!
Come on!
Okay, but now this industry has a tough job. It's got to survive the next turn
Yeah, but I mean it's in a good only two types of trick room
That's you go rage powder waterspile protect last place on the last turn a trick room
And then you probably even just make a moment. That's a good point. Yeah
Yeah
Yeah, yeah, really like this and actually like I think that's worth calling out there is like the patience to not go for it
right away. Yes, you see that. You see that line, but you don't necessarily want to risk
it and getting a match about a match got you out, giving you a selfie opportunity to one
do a little bit of damage, but maybe get the phone slow down the pace of the game and
then sort of commit to it when you know that Nicolai isn't going to be able to ever is
is really influential in the way that Justin is playing this right. Well, the rage powder
is going to redirect away the side gig and it's going to double edge to finish off
just finished job, but let's see Blaster is what you got.
Come on, show us that big water spout.
Here we go, yeah, one thing I was thinking
is if you ever intentionally don't knock out kink,
it's going to deny a free switch in, just KO for a graph
and say now you're stuck in the field,
but it is just going to be water spout.
Coming out from regular Blaster ways here,
actually doesn't knock out for a graph,
but kind of accomplish the same thing.
Yeah, probably like giving a free switch in, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
And like, again, there is, I mean,
we're telegraphing over and over again
that Del Fox is the mega of choice in the back, right?
And your point earlier, Ara, is like,
there's no water resist on this team.
You don't have to overextend to try
to do that extra bit of water damage.
You can just carry on putting a little bit more pressure on.
And then now, if we double protect,
if Justin double protects out of Trick Room,
and Nikolai isn't able to put themselves
in a stronger position, maybe bring the,
not even sure, bring the Yeridactyl out,
you in a strong enough position to be able to, you know, have a good time.
Maybe the sucker punch on the blast toys, non-Mega, could take the water spout.
Out of range of being able to knock out the Mega Raridactile, but you kind of,
you kind of got to get on the front third if you're nickel-eyed and get that position set up
while there's this last turn, a trick room, this defensive
incentive for Justin to just, like, not attack.
Totally agreed.
Yeah, and I was going to say, I don't, this game actually doesn't feel over because
because of the King Gambit like the soccer punch from it is actually so immensely brandy into both Delphox and Blastoise you can see this is really cool the fact that Justin's like I can mega either
Pokemon right now you still don't know which one I am going to pick is a big deal and so Turku makes buyers now but this is I think the really really interesting turn.
It's tough though because you know there is just two very powerful spread team option on this team if you do soccer punch the Delphox.
Okay, water's about you, but if you sucker punch the blast ways and so goes for water's about anyway
Then Del Fox can hit you with a heat wave exactly
Yeah
And the big question I have here is like how the Del Fox and King Gammon are trained because I think like you can train
Del Fox to survive cycle punch and then you can also I would expect King Gamma to actually survive heat wave
Especially because often on these teams the Del Fox's don't have that much offense, but it is gonna be Del Fox
I think he wave waters about here works, right? Yeah, let's see
Yeah. Yeah. Well, well,
hold the phone. This is I mean,
even even knockout would be
really, really great in this
area. Oh, there's the water
spot. Do enough to take that
King gambit into eight wave
range, though. It might. It's
close. It's it's ash. He
critical hit on figure out.
I'm actually going to help
out a little bit here. But
he does double connect onto
both Pokemon. Wow.
Like a real good in this game
This was a really cool game like I have played a lot of last-way cell fucks
I've seen a lot of last-way cell fucks
I haven't seen a setup like this before and I think though
Then like you made such a good point about like the patience to hold on to it right because he saw the line
But didn't go through the exact what we were talking about camera, but is it the fuel on?
I mean it's gonna be it's gonna be hard to be able to get through this even a water spell is now single target
Yeah, I think waterspout psychic might just do enough to be even if not like you could protect Elfoxt water spout if camera
Knocks up last place. It's what it's the opportunity to put another shell smash just
Wait, hold on. Hold on. Yeah, you might be cooking with that
Okay, it's actually just dark I wanted to see the water
I was really hoping that maybe, I don't know, I would know I was going to be like, eating
power is going to do it.
Justin had the opportunity to show us the strongest 11% waterspout of our lives.
But you didn't go for it.
You got very sad about that.
100% like, you know, we're running the numbers in our heads, but our heads are pretty
good.
So I think that waterspout probably would have done more damage than the dark.
Oh, I was thinking we'd do like at least 50%.
Yeah.
camera gets a bit bulkier you know we'll give it its two but yeah really well played there by
by both players I mean Justin really showing us a different way as you said for like to pilot this
delfox blast toys team the way that you can bring both megas to the game and turns out
waterspout is a really powerful move yeah sometimes that's just enough and I think
I did a really good job of trying to control the pressure like that he had on to
Just inside of the field, but you know, it's calls like that sucker punch
It's calls like the aridactyl staying in where maybe it could have been a switch out to take a sidekick and I
Have the world championships when you're playing up against these these trainers that are so good
Like these calls are tough to make and sometimes you get them right sometimes you get them wrong
Hey, just it was so cool, and I think
I think it was like, it felt like every mega aerodactyl could come in and just clean up and had to find the right position for it and the call for Justin to say, you know what, I'm going to go for the obvious fake outside gig.
You got to show me that you're going to play around it. Doesn't aerodactyl just faint. So I think so ready to just click rock slide and rock slide and rock slide.
But that game too just really, really clinical and I am sad that mega camera makes the appearance and basically just fades immediately.
Obviously the team has put a lot of work.
That's right. That's right. That's right.
That's not true.
Well, Traders, what a brilliant match that we had last round on the desk.
What a brilliant feature match that we've had.
Now, let's get our next brilliant round ready to go.
So, casters, take it away.
Yeah, Aaron, let's be real here.
Camerup survived a full turn before being knocked out there at the end there.
mega camera up two turns at the world championships here in that game so we are
getting ready now for round five of our Swiss tournament here at San Francisco and
Scott we have had such an amazing day of Pokemon already but now we're getting into
crunch time this is where people's like careers are made or broken as they
start qualifying for a day two and then opportunities to qualify for the
top but later on I'm kind of shocked looking at the standing there's so
many good players or they're eliminated already or kind of already a step to lost threshold.
And throughout the year, you know, you can feel like, oh, you know, the top name, they're
pretty safe until like, at least the end of day one. But very much not the case here
at the World Championships. We see some of the folks who are doing very well. But even
for these folks, they still got to get through four more rounds today. So even 500 is
going to put you right in the brink of disaster.
Absolutely. But here, take a look at our Swiss rankings right now. These are
the top 16 players. They are all currently four and oh undefeated right now. And I have
to say Australia having a great tournament so far three players still undefeated Liam
Chloe and Jody or Joe G. All are undefeated at four and oh right now. But of course some
other names that we are very familiar with. I'm looking at Eric Rios there. We just saw
him in the finals of the American International Championships and following that up with
a four no start here in San Francisco.
They think it's a lot of fun looking at this list, right?
We're, you know, in the same way that some of maybe the really big names
that we're expecting to do well, struggling a little bit.
Maybe some folks that we weren't looking at coming into the tournament
doing really well here.
So maybe you'll, you know, again, you know, these world championships
are when those names are built, right?
Winning this tournament means far more than any other.
So maybe next time we're coming to the world championships,
it'll be these folks that we are talking about as the favorites.
And yeah, I got to second your shout out to most really as well.
I think often they feel a little disrespected in.
They're really making a great showing for themselves so far.
So, you know, props to them.
I mean, I shouldn't underestimate any region.
Yeah, also I have to shout out the two undefeated players
from our APAC region, Naruj Naina and Ryan Kenrik Tua,
both at 4-0 from Thailand and the Philippines respectively.
The APAC region is our only region
that has not made it to the top cut
at a world championship so far.
Australia has not won, but has made it to the top cut.
And of course, all of the other regions
have a champion to their name.
But the APAC region, these two players,
If you are rooting in the Philippines, in Thailand, in Taiwan, in the entire APAC region,
these are your people you're cheering for.
It could be the airport, you've got a lot of very strong trainers, so this world champion
just feels wide open in a way that I can't remember feeling for a very long time.
Yeah, absolutely.
And let's go into our notable matches here in Swiss round five.
We are going to be following our last remaining world champion chasing a second crown here
in San Francisco.
Nato Mizoguchi, of course, was our 2019 world champion back in Washington, D.C.
We'll be facing off against a French up-and-comer, Adam Cherfouille,
who has been doing very well over the last few seasons,
has had kind of a quiet season so far this year,
with only a top 16 and a top 32 as the best finishes.
But starting 4-0 at the World Championships, this is when you want to get high.
Yeah, we've been talking offstage a lot about how much better France has been this year.
this year right kind of another country that's not like maybe the first thing you think of when you
think of the Europe region but here we are right and I think that it's been a lot of fun kind of
watch the turnover this year of course a bunch of other big names in this event as well though
again you know mostly not those folks who've been previous tournament winners. I wanted to
shout out for me is Amelia Forbes who took most of the year off and immediately won a regional
championship two on a ball for the world that here he is again at 31 he's been a runner
up at this tournament before I think definitely a big player to look out for. Yeah for players in
Spain you're gonna have Eric Rios versus Antonio Sanchez who are also going to be on our featured
match at stations. That is going to be an exciting matchup. I can't wait to watch that one after this
but also have to give some shout outs to Hiroshi Onishi the Japanese national champion right now
still undefeated in the tournament up against Countryman. Fated Tsunet Shimizu. Shimizu.
Hey, and this is how it is. You know fainting tactics in the Japanese champion making it to
today too, right? It's things you can always count on.
Absolutely. Well, we are just about ready to hop into our Swiss ground five.
I am so thrilled that we are able to continue to follow these trainers.
And I'm really excited to see Nalto again.
It's been a while since I've seen Nalto at the top tables.
But of course, he is a world champion.
And the 2019 Meta, I could see some similarities here.
Yeah, I mean, it's not quite as similar as I think.
It's the one people keep comparing to 2015.
I think a little bit false. I think you're right, right?
I don't think it's like that different, I think it's always a lot of transferable skills.
I think it's also similar to what players are playing a lot, right?
I think that the, as with, the Pokemon Champion is kind of like the difference between,
maybe like the in-game battling and tournament play is not so significant as it was the past few years,
where I was kind of like, mostly in games like largely players from Asia, right?
So I think it was like a bigger shift here, where I kind of introduced the rest of the meta,
or the rest of the world's meta a little bit more.
So I'm kind of thinking of killing them like Japan, Korea,
you know, Asia in general, maybe just a good year for them,
where they're a little more ready for the rest of us or we're all playing
the same game in a way that should cause everyone to make similar
adjustments for this tournament versus the past, or maybe more adjustment
for the non-Western regions.
Absolutely.
There's definitely been so much more cross-pollination across all of the regions.
I definitely think a major part of that is the champions ladder.
It definitely has been a place that players have been using to prep
for the world championships and also to understand, you know,
what are the other regions potentially bringing to this tournament?
And it's been really exciting to see that develop over the course of the season.
But let's go ahead and jump right into our fifth round of Swiss here.
That is now toe on the left and Adam on the right.
Just saw the Blastoise and Del Fox in our featured match
from the last round look incredibly strong up against that hard trick room game.
And now Nalto will be facing down those two Pokemon with sort of a
It looks like kind of an amalgamation of all the different types of Charizard teams we've seen so far
I was kind of thinking the same thing right where this is why that you know the big six being 60 Pokemon starts where it's not really any of
These standard Charizard variations to be like the core I would most look at is that your Charizard
You know Garchomp like a Charizard Incineroar and Venus horse to me is like kind of like the identify there
But like the way the team is finished like doesn't really match any of the most
commentariant. So pretty interesting. I think to me the
Pokemon that feels weirdness is still having aridactyl with
these other Pokemon, which they get more frequently paired
with a Phoreograph. So kind of interesting to see that mixed
in here. Interesting Pokemon as much as well. You know,
typically with this sort of team wins the card if you want
tailwind without the Phoreograph, which would be nice
to get the fake outs like Ling. So I'm curious to see what
his lines are on his team because unlike his team,
certainly he's got a plan into Adams, which I think
is good because Phoreograph would be one of the most
popular teams in this tournament.
Absolutely, and dropping the Phyrigra 4, that Venusaur tends to be the Pokemon that you would most see against with the rest of these other Pokemon does make Naltos so much more vulnerable to fake-out cycling.
Multiple options for Adam to get free turns into Naltos' team using fake-out, and what you absolutely cannot do against this Delphox Blastoise team is give either of those Pokemon a free turn to boost their stats.
Yeah, I think they're both kind of scary here in a lot of ways, you know, both of them could easily kind of be the Pokemon
It's he's here to these unique natures team preview a little bit challenging
There's no wide guarded than erudactyl
It's just kind of the one thing that might really be helpful with that Pokemon
But it doesn't have that trick available to him
So and yeah, there's like not a ton of resists really to those Pokemon across the team
Really Delphax you have to worry about the two opposing fire type Pokemon
But an erudactyl to blast ways offensively does it the warriors so much about you a little bit tricker where blast ways
It's naturally slower, so you need speed control in order to get your most threatening there.
But I really just want to watch these two match up, right?
Where, even though it feels familiar, I think natural team is just different enough that the solutions
both players are going to need a little bit different than what we've seen with similar matchups in the past.
Yeah, absolutely. The Venusaur is maybe the only saving grace against the Blastoise mode for Adam.
In addition to being able to resist water spout, being able to hit it with super effective damage with the Lee Storm,
Also critically being grass type to avoid rage powder from sinister if Adam goes blast noise mode
Now so seems like to me like that Venusaur is going to be a really critical piece for him
I think so too. I think it's also one of those poker. Okay. Well, no matter what move on my opponent picks
You know, it's probably going to be at least probably or pretty valuable to me
You get weather control allow Venusaur to hop over the speed of some of the other Pokemon
I do think the item choice of the Venusaur could be pretty integral in this matchup as well
Typically, we see one of two items either focus Ash to be a little more defensive, which does not to be so great
It's this fake out cycling sort of strategy anyway, or the life warp to a bunch more damage
This one playing a little bit differently with the wide lens will be more accurate than we normally see pretty big for that sleep powder
Maybe not as important as matches or others where you'd like to go in the office with me store
But hey, that's not a very accurate move either. We have one of these my living that one
And especially gets a blast away
So you may not get to try again if you miss the first time after he shall smash so
You know, maybe appropriately built to battle it out with its fellow Canto region first partner Pokemon as we get the whole trio and two incinerator in this one and Delphox.
So six, just a half of the Pokemon in this match are first partner Pokemon from one region or another.
Yeah, all of our players here continuing to battle with the Pokemon they first chose to begin their adventures with here as, you know, Nalto using this Charizard version of the team.
Starzark and Aerodactyl was the early regulation MA combo.
Like these were the two Pokemon that people were really frustrated by at the start of regulation MA.
This was really kind of a throwback, especially going with the focus sash on the Aerodactyl instead of the Aerodactyl.
Yeah, I think it's kind of a neat trend for the tournament in general, where Aerodactyl is pretty present here.
I think more of it I would have expected from the latter, but there are kind of several teams to go.
It seems like there should be an Aerodactyl out here, but instead it's the focus sash.
So, the number of trainers where you're feeling like, hey, you're making Aerodactyl as it feels so great,
or, you know, mega charts are so good that, like, I, you know what, the rest of the poke when you got to figure it out,
that mega stone is taken.
Absolutely.
We have to also call out that there is a third boosting option here for Adam.
In addition to the Blastoise and Delphox as megas, you have the ability for King Gambit to set up a sword stance.
And if you thought it was bad enough, taking, you know, a plus one after a defiant sucker punch or cow toe cleave,
just wait until it's plus two and the life orb.
That picks up so many important KO's into teams like this Charizard base team that now is running.
Yeah, I think it could be really important here and I think it's this important thing to watch whenever you're watching this variant of team.
Even going back to regulation MA where even the Blastoise was available, typically at that point it was the Mega Floette instead.
But it's a very important secondary sweeper because it gives this team kind of two additional options where either you could opt to go for King David early.
Maybe you're expecting your opponent to leave with Intimidate.
It kind of starts blowing a hole in the team to make it easier for your mega of all Pokemon to come in and sweep
Or it can do the reverse right? Hey, you know if my opponent has wasted all of the resources taking down my mega of all Pokemon
I've got a secondary sweeper in the back
And I think with all the support on this team King Gambit often feels as if it's a mega of all Pokemon itself
Even though it isn't and sort of like uniquely awesome as well
I think it's one thing that makes this team much stronger than it was in regulation MA even though
I think one was the junior division NAIC there
So I was pretty strong there already, but that light forward and can damage kind of send it to another level and very few Pokemon can comfortably take a
Forte stance boosted sucker punch with that life orb added on absolutely the black glasses with doing enough damage already
Get the a little bit extra firepower of the life or it really changes some of these calculations for players
We're facing down the king gambit
But we are just about ready for our game to begin here as our players are choosing which Pokemon they will be sending in to battle here
and you have to mention the speed control options here.
The Sinistra does have the ability
to set up the trick room while Naoto has been focusing
much more on the tailwind with this team
and for a fill on Venusaur.
So that's maybe something that we end up seeing
as we start to get into our Swiss round five,
game one, Charizard and Venusaur being the lead
for Naoto and Adam will be leading
with Delphox and King Gambon.
Four sweepers on the field.
Yeah, it's a lot of fun here, right?
We're, hey, we need support.
We can all go off the offense.
It's kind of like the aspect of the Mechricider.
The Guilds are kind of curious if this is what
Adam Plotty was going to get or not.
Sort of awkward healing pairings.
Oh, we have both the Folklines supposed to go in the offense
and nothing to support him, but there is some need
to kind of focus them on the slot, right?
Venusort can't sleep powder both of them at the same time.
And while I think sleep powder is very scary here,
you can't before you would go either of them.
Potentially too, and so it feels like,
okay, well now that I see what I'm going to get,
you know, I'll hit it is an option,
But we'll make it scary here, especially on the safety goggles to make Incineroar the safe combination for the chances it's a used to be, but today's going to come from battle anyway.
Yeah, Incineroar now out on the field, Adam would like to have that takeout pressure instead of just offensive pressure into Malto.
We'll be hoping to paint out some protects or some other slow play from this Charizard 4 Venusaur before bringing in the Incineroar.
Let's go start off with a couple of mega evolutions, getting the power levels increased across the board here.
Delphox had mega evolved into the Mega Delphox, now Charizard Y out on the field, setting the sun for Velozor.
It's the fire off this wide-lens boosted sleep powder that will connect on to Delphox.
Delphox of course now has to take its mandatory turn of sleep while Charizard goes on the offensive with a deep wave.
Sinor will dodge that. Not a huge amount of damage lost there.
Decent amount of trunk into that deltbox, however, with that stun boost that you land.
That's not nothing, right? Where it does matter. Sinor is going to come in relatively safely here.
I'm gonna be wishing him to let the king gambit out now. Like, hey, if he would've died, I'd get way too...
Uh, yeah, but still not too big deal.
Threatening the fake out. Deltbox does take some damage there, but has an opportunity to wake up on this next turn.
And at that point, hey, you know, maybe it's not super thread, and you get a nasty shot out.
You're getting in the mode you want to be in with your team.
You know, on the flip side, Delphox could take a decent bit of damage there,
and you're trying to sterile it at the point where even Charizard getting a whack
at three times might be enough to knock it out there, you know, barring any of your friends.
Well, Incineroar goes for the fake out into Charizard, preventing more damage into the Delphox.
That slug bomb deals a good amount, but Delphox wakes up firing up a G-Wave of its own,
connects on to Venus or in the sun, the one turn sleep, allowing Adam to pick up the KO
on to Venus or and a critical hit just for good measure there.
Tarzan takes a little bit of damage as well from the heat wave and from the fake out
and that means that Adam just gets to pick up that KO for free.
How about it really making a big difference in that Venus or there with Focus Sesh there instead
you've got that one HP Venus receiving with threatening your back out in the deltox
instead with wide lines hey you know great thing you hit the sleep powder
but maybe you would have hit that anyway and now the cost of Venus or it's the back down here
and Erdactyl will come in to try to replace the function of units
for a little bit.
OK, well, I lost the Pokemon whose speed was doubled
in the sun.
I think that's pretty fast, right?
Like, he used tailwind, and they're kind of the same thing.
I'm pretty sure threatening.
And not going to have a Delphiq.
Well, there's a bunch of damage in the Incinerator.
It's not going to go down to a single rock slide or anything.
But Erdactyl are representing a lot of good things
for now, Joe.
Erdactyl giving Nalto so many different options
to continue throughout the rest of this game,
either just go on the offensive with damage for rock
slide, or set up the tailwind for the team
future here. Of course, Aerodactyl doesn't have the wide lens. You do have to worry about those
rox lights hitting as well. Famously known for its accuracy at rox light and that Aerodactyl.
It's like, still pretty threatening here. Charizard also feels a bit scared, going to
protect it. Trust the point, Aerodactyl. Maybe you'll get a tailwind off to keep
the speed. Okay, Delphox though is going to move faster than the Aerodactyl,
but misses the heat wave. That means that this focus set is still in
attacked for the air, Adactyl, Delphox will go down, connects both of the rocks like Delphox is down, Incineroar takes a little bit of damage as well, and flinches!
Disaster, therefore, Adam, as he loses the Mega Pokemon, can flinches on the Incineroar, preventing Adam from going for any kind of positioning or getting damage now.
We don't want the remaining Pokemon on Adam's side as a commitment, which I think was kind of expected anyway.
Most likely then, Sneasler or Symmetra in that last slot.
I'm already working to find out which of your heroes could be Sneasler, but hey, you didn't need the Tailwind anyway,
so it's really good to protect the Charizard, but the only important thing now is to decide if it feels good.
You want to conserve that Charizard a while if you can to help deal with the King Gambit later.
It's probably just out of sucker punch range, but Sneasler's going to come out here and cause some problems for both of you folks.
going to put another fake out which Charizard is going to be
hilarious after protecting on the previous turn and potentially the option to just try to
slow this Aerodactyl down and maybe think hey you know I can't afford board Zinor to take another
one of those Dock Slimes. Yeah at minimum you would be able to break the Focus Ash on that
Aerodactyl which does get a little bit scary if you leave that Pokemon out against both of these.
You know Aerodactyl has the ability to pick up K.O.'s arms through this Kneesler with
Dual Wing B or just continue to fish for flinches and damage on the Incinero with Rock Slide
otherwise. Yeah, there's a factor here too. There'll be impact of Venus or not having to focus that.
You know you really want to get the value out of having it focus on the kill.
Well here is the option for now to switching in guard chump. Perfect switch in there tanks that fake out from Sneasler freaks the focus at
with the rough skin and center are just barely hangs on after that rock slide. Super effective damage.
Once again, a Sneasler tanks just a little bit more damage from that rock slide.
No flinch this time around so the parting shot now actually connects on to the aerodactyl allowing Adam to reposition and
Potentially start taking control of this game
Switches and fakeouts from that incident. I mean maybe but I think that's gonna came with a car chop switch
Thank you. Love that if you're now to where tell you know, we're talking about the focus us break
Is I can break some focus lashes to you get it for free with the rough skin
But my car chip gets out in the field at a great time here where I'll know a little leery of the damage students
So the Sneasler could potentially cause to it, but, you know, and a double would probably
pick it up here with a sucker punch in his close combat, so if you need to click out
for that with Aerodactyl, not looking so effective with the field now, but, uh, Garchep's going
to play an old, remaining Pokemon.
So a lot of attention being drawn in that Garchep.
Now, now to have to make a read, okay, well, is he going to assume that I protect
this because it's so obvious or can I get away with one here?
Now, Sneasler switches out core Incineroar, and Adam is just trying to stack Intimidate
on to now those two physical attacking Pokemon on the field.
That's going to be a tailwind coming out from the Aerodackle to ensure that this guard shop can help speed a Sneezer.
In the future, the Earthquake fires on Super Effective Damage into both of these Pokemon.
Plenty to pick up the Incineroar, but King Gambit holds on over 50% health here.
This gives Adam an opportunity to either go for a Swords Dance and start sweeping,
or potentially try to pick up damage immediately with Counthouse Leave.
Swords Dance is necessary to make sure that this King Gambit can actually pick up these KO.
Absolutely easy Swords Dance. One of the things that you saw in regulation NA that King Gambit can do to train for
is like the Black Lives Matter you usually just miss the knockout and he full hook Charizard.
So it's hard to extrapolate exactly. I think you're trained a little differently now.
But probably just would have missed the knockout.
Now probably just hasn't. Probably at the knockout.
A guard shot for a winner before really needed that down.
Here, to get rid of this arid axle,
maybe King Gambit can handle the rest of the Pokemon now.
Very close, but that was a search for Sword Dance.
I think anything else in this game
looking pretty bleak for Adam,
but got himself back into it.
Davide is able to secure that Sword Dance.
This is the power of the Sword Dance King Gambit.
It is now threatening to KO Pokemon
with that priority sucker punch
before they can get a chance to move here.
Also, Sneasler back out on the field
means that there is takeout pressure
once again from Adam.
Nowto will retreat from the Aerodactyl to make sure that that focus stack stays intact, bringing back out the Charizard.
That's going to be a Swift and a Protect. Nowto is trying to dodge Sucker Punches and gets it.
No Pokemon war going forward in attack, so the Sucker Punch does not work, but Sneasler gets the Fire off a Poison Jet.
It's huge! It's just a Poison Jet! Yes, it does!
Oh, that's huge! It's really important, but what Nowto is trying to do there is get the Charizard and Garchomp on the field together so that...
Okay, King Gambit, you can sucker punch one of these folks
above you can't get us both at the same turn,
the other one will knock you out.
Now that Chars are poisoned,
if Adam could just snull out this poison,
he can check Charch up with King Gambit
and kind of deal with both of them.
Really important there because the tail would have caused
Chars to be quicker able to check the Sneasler,
now it can.
Yeah, absolutely disaster for Nalto,
and that is why players have been using
the poison touch and poison jab, Sneasler,
to increase the options from the,
from Poison to get that a little bit extra damage onto those Pokemon.
Now that means that Malto will have to do something with his Charizard or else it will just paint after the next turn.
It's on the really awkward turn though because it'd be really easy if Sneasler could protect,
but because the Sneasler's on this part of the team that's quick guarding dead,
it's not safe here and if the team game is like, hey bud, do your best,
it's probably going to go down for this.
Yeah, good hustle, Sneasler. You've got the Poison down. That's exactly what I needed from you.
you but now I'm just gonna protect myself this turn you take this earthquake for me
this is a bud friend team team
may well may thank you here Charles are going to faint it goes here as it goes
down and we're gonna wind in the situation we both start up and it's
Eric act all face-to-counter team gave it which is a pretty funny situation here
so start up a tactic it's caught by a sucker punch it's gonna be all over for
the guard shop however I'm a redacted still free to do whatever it can
Unfortunately, this Eridactyl is a very support-oriented set.
You know, it's not that Eridactyl really has all that many comfort rooms that would damage King Gambit anyway,
but this Eridactyl has rock slides, dual wingbeats, both of which are resisted by the King Gambit,
tailwind, which doesn't matter, and protected. So it's likely to be mostly ignored here, but a rough spot.
At the same time, Life Orb King Gambit needs to swing three times to KO both of these Pokemon,
One of which also means it has to swing into the rough skin of Garchomp.
So even though Aerodactyl does not have a lot of damage,
it doesn't need to deal a lot of damage to break through the King Gambit here.
Yeah, I just don't know what's the matter with this one's gonna work,
and I think that even if it makes perfect calls, maybe it doesn't happen.
Like, I feel like in this one, you almost have to sucker punch the Aerodactyl as a sumo.
He's not gonna let me get Garchomp right here, but one mistake will get him,
and even if I get one lack of the sh- er, like, one non-mistake is still pretty close.
And Aerodactyl, even getting like two rock slides off is probably enough for the
just no win count.
Well, Garchomp will protect itself.
There's the Sucker Punch King Gambit, targeted down the Aerodactyl like you mentioned, but
Focus Ash is still intact.
That means that Adonis is going to get this right two more times as the Life Orb
Recoil means that the King Gambit now loses 10% of its health.
There is the damage.
Parma's a dual wing deep, dealing about 14 to 15% there.
Two more Life Orbs and a rough skin.
King Gambit is out of health.
Yeah, I think it's a tough one.
So I think you have to knock out Eridackle first.
Take the Life Orb Recoil, because I
think if you faint to Life Orb, you win.
If you faint to rough skin, Garchomp wins.
So Garchomp, I think Garchomp's actually
just free to attack here.
Yeah, Garchomp should just be free to attack here
to make sure that King Gambit is not
able to pick up the KO.
Really?
Yeah, Eridackle.
No, the other way around.
The other way around, yeah.
Well, there's a sucker punch into Eridackle,
but no damage coming or no protect from the Garchomp.
because that Garchomp was left alone,
King Gambit's life orb is going to take that tech here
as the Garchomp finally takes out the King Gambit
with the Earthquake.
Extremely close there, Adam came really close
to getting everything from back there,
but just a little bit too much recoil damage
would have been a tight spot at the end there.
Funnily enough, I did my best to make it
as convoluted as possible,
so hopefully you didn't follow it at all.
But yeah, I think there's,
it was almost a mathematical impossibility there.
You know how to play that really well.
I was like, hey, you know,
I just need to not do anything too crazy there.
likely going to win almost every outcome. But how close is that right? Again, you know,
the king gave just like, you know, 5% more HP. I think it's like a more realistic wincon. So
really, really close one. And again, you see that power of king gambit is a secondary sweeper for
these teams. Or maybe that goes super well for the delfox there, but still almost able to pull
that one out. Absolutely. Adam came extremely close to taking that game one. And if that
is how game one is going to go, I hope we get a full three games set out of these two players
because that was extremely entertaining and you can't ask for any closer of a game than that.
Oh, super fun and I assume we're gonna see similar stuff to what we saw in the previous game here in
this game too. I think even though last week's matchup is pretty good with these pokemons,
it's pretty difficult to actually wind up in a situation where you can attack safely with it,
where especially with those two league pokemons, they're like not only have to worry about
Venus we're just knocking you out, but you're having to potentially deal with drought the
the entire game is pretty difficult to deal with.
So I'm probably going to see the Delphox mode again.
One thing to keep in mind is there's
a lot of volatility with the way that game started out.
Sleep powder hit, which is more likely than normal,
it's that held item on Venus lore.
Delphox woke up in the minimum amount of terms.
It did not.
I think that would be a much more amount of favored
game state.
Equal odds of both of those things happening.
So potentially see a similar gameplay
out where it could be a blowout for now.
So I think I would change things up more if I was out of.
And then here we are, yes.
It's Sneasler is the lead instead,
but also a switch up on Nato's side
with Darchov coming in.
We can get the other iconic Charizard leads
in the front of his team.
One of the reasons why you normally
don't see this combination of Pokemon together
is because Focus Dash is a little bit too wanted by this team,
but you get both Venusaur Charizard and Darchov,
and both those options have looked
at a different point of the set here.
I don't think the suggestion is going to sit
absolutely at all.
Absolutely not.
And being able to catch the Sneasler there instead
of having to deal with any kind of, you know,
Previously, you had the King Gambit, which felt pressure enough by the Venusaur and the Charizard.
That ended up being a huge deal. Lost a lot of momentum at that turn, one having to reposition.
Now, the Sneezer at least gives you fake-out pressure, so the Delphox might be able to start making something happen here.
Better than if that's a lot better than the previous game.
But Garcheo's still looking pretty good here, and kind of something to watch with this side of the general.
If you're not going to break finish, Garcheo's Garchop is good.
There are no Pokemon here that, well, at least the Delphox is going to be able to levitate away from the Ground-type attack,
but this Garg-Tomp does still have Rock Slide, still able to hit that Pokemon for super effective damage.
And without getting boosted from the Nasty Pod, Delphox isn't going to be able to deal enough damage right back to the Garg-Tomp.
That being said, both Pokemon are going to mega evolve on turn 1.
There is the fake-out from Sneezer targeting down the Charizard and gets the poison touch right away onto the Charizard.
That is going to add up pretty quickly here.
There is the psychic on the guard chop.
That's a two hit KO without a nasty block.
Rockside connects onto those snees
or end down box feeling good damage to the delt box.
But two hit KO on the guard chop with sneak with psychic.
You're happy about that.
Yeah, it's a lot of damage going close to reaction
to that current on the poison big on the Charizard.
Well, you're just wondering why,
why is it poison touch and not a burden on the team?
I'm just exactly right.
These are playing a little different role
on this team than it might in some others.
Here to sweep necessarily although it's individual damage could be fairly impactful here as well
Yeah, it's also kind of checking our job
But critically you know, it wants to put this big up get that extra game and play things a little slow
We don't know for sure if in the back where the signature or not
So it'll be a little scary to try to bring it out in front of a charge as it's been motivated to try to attack quickly
But it'll be a similar coming out for now
The Incineroar here will at least get the Intimidate down onto Siezler, protecting either the Charizard or the Incineroar itself from damage from that Siezler at this time around.
As they protect coming out from Delphos, they're trying to survive another turn as the Poison Jab connects onto Charizard.
So the decent amount of damage, of course, reduced by the Intimidate.
The Siegwave is going to connect onto Siezler, and in the sun that is an easy KO onto that big block.
That's a great damage there by Steve's lure, but my only damage rating right now is stat
boosting occurring at Adam's side of the field, so now keeping up the pressure of it is not
allowing that.
And you can see Cinderor coming out for Adam creating a pretty interesting situation here.
On the interior of the opposing Cinderor is nice and all, but probably doesn't matter,
but both sides are threatening a fake out.
It was Charizard, HP being so low, and his passive turns are really bad.
It's actually given that not like a super great court state in the beginning, I
I don't know. Delphox not exactly looking so healthy over there either.
I mean we got four fire type Pokemon out on the field right now so everyone's
resisting those fire type attacks but Charizard and Delphox are so low they
probably aren't surviving that anyway. That's going to be the Garchomp
switching in for the Incineroar here. Again, Naoto catches the fake out onto
the rough skin so you get a little bit of extra
damage now onto the Incineroar as Delphox. We'll just
up that Charizard with a Scythe in here.
So, some re-possessing there from now to giving up the Charizard
in order to get the Garchomp on the field
and potentially bringing in the Incineroar again for fake-out pressure.
Yeah, although, you know, what happens then, right?
Delphox goes to the Protecting, kind of wanting to get back in the same spot.
Now, they're not only lost many Pokemon,
but they're all kind of just being weakened enough
that other than Incineroar, they're all kind of being checked now
by this Delphox still missing a Pokemon as well on that side of the Helium.
This was last game, we don't know what that's meaning,
but this game could potentially be,
I don't know, it's more Aerodactyl here depending on the situation.
So that would influence things in a little bit too,
certainly, so with Aerodactyl I would kind of expect to see it.
So this hesitation that you think that may be, it isn't.
And honestly, really scary Pokemon for Adam right now
is that Incineroar.
If you assume that it's going to be the King Gambit
in the back, Incineroar, Delphox and King Gambit,
all you need is your own Incineroar
to check all three of those Pokemon.
Yeah, and I think that's really getting scary here.
Should I tell Tom?
33% HP, very critically.
We only got hit once, it really didn't happen.
It's theoretically checked.
We got checked, though, again,
with the fake athletic camp right here.
And, hey, you have the incentive for Adam's side.
It's pretty vulnerable if you're like, maybe try it.
It's going to be a game which is probably too scary
because you really can't afford to,
even like a protect player, Blitz,
might pick it up from Adam's side of the field.
of awkward turns for both players.
And Sinorore retreating for King Gambit,
Adam has decided that he really needs to make sure
that he intimidates, can spit onto the physical attackers
that Nalto is showing right now.
Sinorore goes for the fake out,
will connect with the protect,
as the rock slide is locked into by Nalto.
No damage in it to Delphox,
and King Gambit is in for basically three there,
just 9% tip damage from that rock slide.
And now you have the King Gambit out on the field,
But there is still a turn of harsh sunlight, and Cinder or can still deal big damage to that King Gamma.
That's the awkwardness of this tournament, both King Gamma and Delphac potentially threatening a knockout into the Star Champ slot.
I don't like that. Where does it get you really?
Yeah, I think Grape's rich just stopped the rock slide right now.
Hey, I guess like to make two more defensive switches, Star Champ will take care of itself.
But it's still like not like the Super C situation, where Cinder or not threatening a knockout probably in either of these Pokemon.
So they both like the stat boost, but you know, one of them at least probably needs to actually check the guard shot
Plus you're just going to say
That's really what it's about you have to make sure that this guard chop doesn't get to swing for free and just the presence there of the
King and the and sucker punch seems to be checking the guard chop there as it retreats for the Venus or
He gave it now protecting from this for this turn not trying to get KO'd by a flare blitz
But no box firing off the heat wave has gonna pick up the KO onto Venus or on of the switching like you mentioned
The way now so was playing that
Was not in the back here instead
The Venus or goes down and the flare blitz did try to connect with the king gambit
So Adam is getting these reeds when he needs them
Yeah, something like these looking pretty good for Adam
Like it's a knockout for free because it's a warrior but the mystery of that final Pokemon anymore
And now he's getting pretty close
So you can give it probably not going to get one shot by Cinderloar from here.
So, it does help not get Cinderloar out, but something that's what the guard shop is going to do, right?
So, it's the option of protecting. So, Delphox is a two-safe here, and how do you want to deal with this, right?
You try and guess guard shop protecting here, and then play defensively with your own Delphox.
It's neither of them. You protect them last turn.
You have some options here, but Adam's very close to setting us to a third game.
Well, and there's also the Incineroar in the back that can put down and intimidate onto both of these Pokemon,
Which would make it even easier for that King Gambit to survive a flare blitz or an earthquake or especially a rock slide from from that guard
Chomp again gives the ground type cover to your being earthquake
Beings that this guard chomp can only deal super effective damage to King Gambit by knocking out
It's a partner Pokemon there he waves those connects on the post that don't protect all that picks up the knockout
And I don't think there's much less for now to do in this game
great move by Adam to pick it up and knock out what's going to be available.
Picture that the Flare Blitz and King Gambit going to do a lot of damage,
but there's a lot of work left for Incineroar to get.
Yeah, and that's a lot of recoil damage right back.
A lot of that will be filled up by the Centris Fairy,
but that means you're going to have to take multiple hits from this Delphox.
If it can land a deep wave and King Gambit just got that sword stance buff,
so you're really relying on Delphox missing those deep waves.
Yeah, missing a whole bunch and the Incineroar in back,
like they're rooting for a DC at this point where it's hard to see if they can
display amic and pretty much just flicking slides going to bring it center
out here because you know why not really you can't just stop doing this but pretty
locked up here in the second game. Yeah absolutely safe play here from Adam to
bring in the Incineroar and protect him in Gambit that means that Nalto is not
able to pick up any KO's here you have fake-out pressure now for free
damage onto Incineroar and that will lock it up here for Adam just about
whether Nalto wants some extra time to think about game three or need some more information how to add a before blocking in a
Forefit before we head into game three
Hey, you know what?
It'll take your time right you can think a little bit. This is a crucial moment for most of these traders
It's both a great for one starts just turns. Wow. It's a knockout already
I think it's a little bit point
Couple of trainers. I think of the field that decided to use it
I'm going to a third game here yet critical moment for both trainers
one turn is going to move to five and hero.
We're going to be at the point where they only need one more win
to secure their place in our continued Swiss round tomorrow
and the phase two of this tournament.
It's a big mental edge, right?
They're going forward one, especially
I think after losing a stream, which
tends to be a little bit more emotional.
They'll be starting to feel like, oh man,
are things turning the wrong way?
It's a very pivotal game, I think, for both of these
trainers, passed through this tournament.
Absolutely, again, yeah.
Like you mentioned, when you're undefeated here,
this is the last round before
blocking in your your ticket to day two
and continuing on in the tournament.
This is the worst round to lose
and then go on tilt for the rest of your tournament
because you would have come so close.
So both of these players, I am sure,
are feeling that pressure to clutch this one out in game three.
And I have to shout out the poison jab
and poison touch, Sceasler.
Getting the poison from the fake out was huge onto Chara's
are just getting those ticks of damage.
and Adam showing the importance of those additional pieces of damage
just like the life orb on King Gambit pushes some of those calks over the edge.
One extra tick of poison damage, two extra ticks of poison damage,
also push some of those calks over the edge.
Yeah, and I think that's also something we keep in mind as we go into this third game
is that it's been very close to both game 1 and game 2
but that was like getting a whole lot going this way, right?
Where that first game, the sleep being minimum turns was pretty unfortunate for him.
Poison touches activated the first activation twice
The two instances weren't even had a chance to activate so perfect so far. Sneezers having itself a set
Where they're not doing that sort of thing could really change things for a number they could do anything right this process fingers
Hope for the best but it really changes this way this matchup plays out right where I kept for for instance from playing defensively
Where what your poison? What's a Pokemon like that?
Especially your mega ball Pokemon especially the Pokemon bringing droughts when you also have Venus or it's very important to try to win
Well, you still have that resource back David we've limited turns and you can't switch as much you have to start making read
You see how aggressively that guard chef has been using rock slide because now to know is like they I can't play with Delphox
I can't afford to miss a read
I just have to try to catch it when it's available and that game Adam was able to hide it from guard chef just enough
Another switch up from Adam choosing to go for a different fake-out user in the lead here
This is going to be Incineroar next to the Delbox.
Almanto is going to go with the Charizard and Venusaur.
Back to game one.
And while the good news is, this time there won't be any
poisons up the front, Almanto, so he may be excited to see that.
But it's a difficult matchup, right?
One of the reasons why Incineroar is so great is just
that he intimidates the physical both of Almson.
Very good against a particular combination of people.
Right?
Still can be put to sleep again.
Not the Incineroar of yesteryear exactly,
but able to cause some problems here, where maybe you know if you're going to try to fake out,
you don't necessarily want to double protect against this because giving creatures to Delphox is very scary.
And the last time we saw a situation like this, it means we're just like full set to seek powder into Delphox.
It's easy to see what happens again, but this time, Charizard going to split job, maybe try to play a little more defensively.
I think Gargoth up on the field to help fight these two fire-type ultimates.
Yeah, Gargoth needs to be on the field against both of these Pokemon and maybe go up.
I'm hoping to go 3 for 3 on catching rough skin fakeouts on the switch in here as Garchomp switches in and Delphox will go ahead and mega evolve.
Once more the rough skin damage connects onto the fakeout, but there is the nasty plot coming out from Delphox.
No protect from this Venusaur, however, means that there is an opportunity to go for sleep powder and it connects.
Delphox now asleep and so smart from Nelta to switch out there.
Now Delphox has to take its sleep turn.
Yeah, it's like everything is way better of an F-Charge arm is still in the field here because, yeah,
now would you not have to waste that first turn of sleep kind of doing nothing, but
Charge F is already out on the field, already isn't intimidated and certainly the damage
to the Delphox, right? It's a great tradition by NGF. Everything is just kind of wrong for
Adam, you know, it's going to take multiple turns to cycle and intimidate back out. Delphox
has to be set up to feel that Nasty Plot ends up doing nothing and it never took a sleep turn.
The worst feeling to switch out your Nasty Plot if Delphox has the moment you got it up
And the Rock Slide dealing big damage to Incineroar with no intimidates down on to the Garchomp.
King Gambit, of course, is able to tank that very easily, but those high life warp on Garchomp did so much work there.
Incineroar forced to eat its citrus berry, at least Adam gets the King Gambit switch in on the sludge bomb, but...
Ah, you know, when things go right, sometimes they go wrong too, as Incineroar flinches from the Rock Slide.
That's a huge place where everything's stuck on the field and a huge problem for the Incineroarer.
And most likely going for something like a hurting shot which would have allowed it to cycle back in maybe slow the Scarge up now.
Instead, for a situation once again where Scarge up, unintimidated able to threaten a bunch of damage on these opposing Pokemon.
And now, King Amon is a very important resource where maybe you can switch Delphox into a bunch of Sharan type attacks and start killing Sweepstern somehow.
But if you can't, it's really only King Gambit who's a vial of Linkinish and you're now facing down both the gamers from Garchomp and the potential sleep from the Venusaur.
And worse yet, I think because there's no pressure, you want to now you can bring Charizard on the field very easily if you want to.
And that's going to make things very difficult to switch any Pokemon into battle.
Absolutely. Mato has figured out the way to get Garchomp next to Charizard.
Both of these Pokemon are able to start spamming. There's spread moves. If they want to, there's the earthquake from Garchomp
that is going to be ineffected into the Delphox which has just switched in for the Incineroar.
Adam knows that he needs to get the, uh, insimidates down onto the guard jump
but that is a huge earthquake. King Gambit has one shot left. 10% health. We don't know the exact numbers.
Maybe King Gambit can swing twice but only with that life orb at maximum two opportunities to hit any of Malto's Pokemon.
Exactly. I get a real pretty jump. One is 10% not 10% where there's no rounding in Pokemon
that way. It always rounds down I guess I should say. So I could be well exactly
being knocked out by a lifelovel. It's slightly more likely that it's unknown to us that it can
survive one attack. Critically also unknown to Mato, but not unknown to us. So we have one player
working with some information that the rest of us don't have here. On a very critical turn.
Also we're thinking with the damage calculation. If sword stance boosted,
Sucker Buck will knock out Darchov. I think it depends on how his
train work. It's possible to just barely survive. Black classes used to just, this is, if you built
defensively. So we'll have to see how long these cars are restrained. They tend to be quicker nowadays,
which would indicate not so good on the defense. There's the sucker punch and to guard chop the
rough skin plus the life orb recoil regardless of how we round. That is a KO and to guard chop
and a trade KO and to King Gambit. Exactly enough. Huge though to get that Pokemon off the
the field, Delphox still asleep, finally uses a cursed turn of sleep, takes an
ancient power from the Charizard, feeling just under half health. No boost from the
ancient power as well. So now, Adam has the opportunity to have Delphox wink up
on the next turn, but he's gonna need to get a lot out of that Pokemon.
Yeah, I mean it's a one big problem, Delphox, where Garchomp's rock type attack
is one of the most frightening things to the Delphox, pretty never awake, but
Again, the Stilfax lost that nasty clock move, so it's still got a long ways to go.
Now that your damage has been defeated as well, I think it's very critical.
Maybe like one more hit point really changes how this battle looks.
You know, could have been threatening you, probably one shot, potential one shot,
into the Charizard City, so we're going to come out here and continue to make things difficult.
Sneasler, the remaining hook on an Atomside going to be an irrelevant, it's hitting here.
Quatté, you know, he's got the type of advantage,
but I don't know if Poison's touch is going to be enough this time.
You just go to fly, he's a poison, it's in a hurry.
Absolutely needs to get the poison
and just all their damage down onto these Pokemon.
And I love the Incineroar switch in here,
forcing Delphox to have to go for a protect this turn
to waste the, the fake out from Incineroar.
Otherwise, fake out plus Ancient Power
may be able to pick up the KO there.
Instead, Adam is just going to retreat the Delphox
and bring out his own Incineroar
to tank any damage coming out from Nalto's Pokemon.
There's the fake out from Sneezer,
connects on to Charizard.
It's the flinch that does not get the poison.
There is the throat chop connects onto Incineroar
on the switch and negligible damage there.
But in a race between damage between these two Incineroar,
Nanto is way ahead.
Yeah, and I think that critically too,
no fuck doesn't get to use a turn of sleep, right?
So still it's only slept for one turn.
It's not a guaranteed place,
which I think is also somewhere in the sleep area.
You can't just protect because there's always the threat
that you don't succeed there
and take that damage out of it instead.
So forced to play defensively.
I'm not out of this one yet,
the puzzle being more and more complicated. Absolutely it is more and more complicated here.
Sneasler does have a good matchup into the Incineroar and even into the Charizard,
out sneezing and being able to deal good damage back. But we're going to see the Incineroar
retreat for Venusaur as Charizard protects, wants to dodge a fake out from the Incineroar
on Adam's side and it does. That being said, Venusaur is now out on the field. Poison
And then Daph also into the Charizard, which means that Venusaur is out onto the field for free, with two turns remaining of the harsh sunlight.
Excellent switch there. And again, not a kind of realistic hang. You know, Charizard is very fetched, he's really supported.
Maybe he's got enough attention, I can kind of stick Venusaur in here.
But neither of the Incinors is too threatening to win another, although you do need to deal with the Incinerator eventually, if you're at him because of Delphox.
There's a potential win condition here.
However, completely free, and now it's very good to be safely in the back, or can switch back in and intimidate,
and put Charizard in a safer position to get some more damage now, and keep working towards this endgame.
Absolutely, a second intimidate down onto Sneasler is a big deal. You can see how much Charizard is able to tank that.
But now, the poison jab plus poison touch means that Charizard will be poisoned here,
and Sheetwave is going to miss the Sneasler! You wanted to hit that if you are tiering for now,
So Adam just gets the poison down on to the Charizard and here comes the flare of Lich
trying to pick up damage onto the Venusaur instead just starts chipping away at that Incineroar
and is a huge dodge from the Sneasler and gets the poison at the same time.
Definitely makes things a little bit more interesting here where Charizard now at a time only
has a handful of turns remaining and he only takes a couple of poison dicks before
maybe Sneezer can just pick it up with losing gap itself, but Adam's still losing, right?
That Incineroar is very close to being knocked out, Sneezer's been intimidated repeatedly now,
where I like to switch it out of battle at the very least, but that Delphox is still at low health
and still isn't guaranteed to wake up when it comes back into battle, where the Hufffars are
getting more similar to one another, but I don't know that the board state is quite caught up yet.
And if you're now though, you're also worried about the turns of harsh sunlight. This is the
final turn of Sun, which means that if Charizard is not able to switch out and back in, Venusaur
would be slower than Delphox, which still has the opportunity to wake up at any moment
now.
Sniasler retreats for the Delphox, resetting its attack stat, there is a fake out, it
will connect onto the Delphox on the switch in, Heatwave connects onto both Pokemon
here and Cinderwar goes down, Delphox hangs on with just 15% hit points remaining.
I mean, Sneezer now gets to switch in here as the harsh sunlight fades.
This Delphox is now the fastest thing on the field,
but it's going to need to make sure that it can wake up and start feeling the damage.
Pretty interesting final line.
Well, maybe that final turn, but kind of final climactic situation here,
where Sneezer potentially threatening an Akra and Sidoror,
Delphox threatening, particularly threatening Akra and the Charizard.
Charizard would really like to switch out in order to set up that Sun-Predator sword,
But if you're firing a second type attack into that slot anyway,
that doesn't work because Unicor doesn't have a sash, right?
You just get it knocked up and then wind up right back in the same spot that you're in.
So Adam, maybe by getting the Delphox in as a chance here,
but it still has to wake up and get going the way.
Two potential returns remaining.
You either wake up this turn and probably win the game,
or one turn too late and probably lose the game.
Wake up this turn, you win the games,
hit the snooze and you lose.
You've got to wake up right now if you are Adam's Delphox.
Incineroar switches out that is a way to get the Venusaur in without risking damage on the Venusaur on the switch and Delphox
Spends another turn asleep. There's a close combat from Sneasler next on to the Venusaur big damage
They're 40% to the Venusaur but not enough
Sneasler drops its defenses here and the ancient power comes out from Charizard
That's gonna pick up the Delphox and with just the Sneasler like it's three Pokemon
Now Tomi Zubuchi looks like he is about to be undefeated heading into round six.
So close there with the force that is walking in and now Tomi picks up that dunk.
What a great set that worked for him.
So close at the end there, but now able to five.
Work around missing that heat wave which made that idea much more challenging
for him than I think it needed to be.
Even the game where he got lucky, it just seems like they just couldn't stop being exciting
but really fun ending there.
And both players doing a great job of taking this all to the game.
I think either of them could easily have gotten blown out with a couple more mistakes there
But I kept doing what they needed you to keep the game moving forward
I think that was a great move at the end there by now too even if y'all fucking woke it up
Still some pads forward there or would have able to bring his own final Pokemon back into get that fake-out pressure again
I may be stolen a bit. Okay, but it would have been a little spookier
So the pause would have been tight. It would have been rough
It would have been real tense to make that happen
happen. But wow, what a three game set here. If you are Adam and if you are cheering on him,
you have to be proud of how he played across all three of these games. And of course, Nato
Mizabuchi now at five and oh on his way to potentially becoming the second world champion
to repeat. Yeah, I mean, it's probably never felt closer. I mean, five in zeros looking
good. And you know, it's another tournament where I feel you feel good about your team.
I mean, why not you right now proven he can win this tournament or he's proving he can handle the stress and
Hey, you know, you get look at the standard show a lot of the players maybe he's coming in like man
I sure have to call I don't know if you're intimidated by anyone if you're that tier player
But you know I prefer to play that player a little later in the time
Maybe some of them aren't gonna get there, right?
So maybe you look at his opportunity and yeah, what an impressive player to you
I think just a really fun set that he played there as well where I get you as a combination of Pokemon
that I get to work a little bit in the team creation phase maybe to fit all the held items together where
It's really the anti synergy there isn't so much the Pokemon is I'm all kind of wanting to say all the same things
It worked out pretty well and hey, you know, I think there's something to be said to you
You know these Venusaur teams do often wind up relying so much in sleep powder hitting
I think maybe being a little bit more reliable is worth some of the cost of it
Just getting exploded like it did in that first game. Absolutely and you know
So it's so tense when it comes down to that one extra turn of sleep.
When you are running a VSR team, this happens all the time.
Either you need to land that one crucial sleep powder to give yourself a little bit more
breathing room, or you are just hoping and praying that you are going to get the extra
turn of sleep that you need.
You start flipping coins, sometimes it comes up heads, sometimes it comes up tails.
Yeah, I think it's really fun about watching the best players playing VSR as well.
Okay. Well, how can I manipulate this game to minimize the damage of the bad roles where sometimes they're just going to happen, right?
It's the nature of the Pokemon. You know, fortunately, we don't have a Pokemon that's faster than everything else on the Sun in this score, right?
And they don't take our case. We don't, right?
I think we're all happy to have a way to deal with anything. I can play that level of power, but because of that, you know,
this Pokemon has weaknesses and I think having to manage the probability has been the source biggest weakness.
I think that the course of it is that I played pretty well in the face of that sort of probability, right?
where things largely weren't going down to play, right?
Where certainly that sleep on Delphox particularly was big,
but almost every other role went the wrong way, right?
I guess there's Incinor punch too, but...
Yeah.
Other than those two roles?
Other than that!
Yeah, it's asterisk.
But still, a lot went the wrong way, right?
And played well enough like, hey, you know,
even with the dice maybe going a little bit the wrong direction
in that one, able to close that out,
not comfortably, but like, solidly.
Yeah, not comfortable in any sense of the word,
I would say there at the end there,
but I know I need to take a breather after this set so we're going to toss it down to the stage
to hear directly from Naoto who is now undefeated heading into Swiss round six.
Thank you so much Scott and Evan. I am indeed here with the winner of our Swiss
round at number five Naoto Mitsubuchi. How are you feeling now that you are undefeated still?
I'm feeling really well going 5-0 right now. Hopefully I can make it to D2 and we can still continue that streak to make it 6-0.
Well, that game 3-win was very exciting.
Why did you decide to change your team between Japan Nationals and World Championships?
That's right. There was a feeling that we wouldn't be able to use the same thing, so we had to change a little bit and move on.
This game, Megamaboxy and Megacamex were very strong, but did you think about this strategy?
To be honest, I thought it would be a tough matchup, but if we can combine the moves well, we'll have a chance to win.
So, I think we managed to win this game.
Yeah, that match is actually quite difficult, but with Shiyu will, along with being able
to strategize with determining, making sure that the movesets are correct and such, I
was able to come through on top.
You did amazing.
Naoto, you are coming in as a previous world champion, so how are you feeling about
making Day 2 and making Japan proud.
Thank you so much.
Congratulations again and best of luck in your next matches.
Analysts, back to you.
So much rose. This is a fantastic tournament. This is shaping up so so well now to played that game
So well against Adam it felt like Adam had all the tools to get there in the end
But sleep powder is doing its thing in this in this particular format in this particular match
When you land your sleep powders and you get the terms of sleep you need Venus or is a pretty good mom
Yeah, I mean
You know, season was a pretty good mind in that set too, though, right?
And I think that's kind of the fun of it, is, you know, every game's a little bit different
in this format, where there's enough things that can kind of go right, can go wrong,
you've got to improvise a little bit.
Make both players look very good in that set.
It's easy to see how both of them had gotten to 4-0.
Yeah, 100%.
I mean, especially like that game too, where, you know, it was going well for Nelto,
and then, like, everything just went right in that end game for Adam.
I mean, like, made call after call after call, and that's like what you've got to do,
especially if you're up against the caliber of players you are.
you're sitting for no doesn't get easier from there. So, you know, congratulations to both
of our trainers from the last round. We've got another fun feature match for you. We've
got Stefan Mock versus you, you're a wakasugi and here on on the side street matches. We're
going to get straight into things. We've got Gengar and Sneasler setting out against
King Gambit and Sneasler. I'm really excited about this match because I love this
team that Stefan is running here with the Gengar. That's not parish. It's actually
to substitute Gengar and using the normal Swamper as well,
more supportive here with Yon and Flipturn.
I think this is a really cool team,
and I'm excited to see how it matches up.
That's kind of worried we might not, right?
Him and Michael Kalsh are very similar teams,
if not exactly the same one, but Michael was down to 2-2
before we went up to do this game, and like, oh, man,
like, we've been talking about like the mega Gengar,
like kind of like trap offense stuff for, you know,
two regulations now, like, are we going to lose it again?
But here it is, we found it.
Yeah, and the Florida as well.
I mean, you know, it just really comes down to who you pair up against in the day and like how those matches go for you.
Yeah, it's a team that, um, Michael, Michael the best was able to apply that to win a grassroots event.
And it's like, certainly came on a lot of people's radar.
Like it, especially if a lot of trainers like not really necessarily played up against it too often, but like, it's something that you definitely add to the list to make sure like, do I have a match up into this?
And we were talking about this a little bit earlier when we saw the previous Gengar from Edo,
which was just that like everyone sort of talks about Gengar as this monster threat that exists at some point,
but we never really actually see it because no one was really practicing it publicly before this tournament.
Yeah, I think one reason for that too is like, is that really something you want to be too much anyone's radar?
Like the whole point is like, oh, like, I realize there's a combination of Pokemon that I can kind of just GG
without any real counterplay by trapping with Gengar and bringing in an appropriate counter.
really if they realize that the board state that I need they can either change their team or just like not give me that
I think there's a little in nine tails who's conveniently just entered the fields
I want to talk about this it's kind of very much that Pokemon right where given the choice scarf
I don't on this team which is not the way we used to play this Pokemon
You're typically like sash or light clay and that you're playing very defensively where here
You're just trying to get in the field like that's usually gar chop
Which this is definitely not what gar chop looks like but it could help out a little bit against the whimsy kind of stuff
It's like coming back to the match here
I feel like this is one of the things that Gengar actually does struggle with like the team is set up to be able to
Knock out King Gambit pretty well. You got this easily your life up super power in a focus on Dragonite
So you can't slow it down with a fake out
You can't slow it down with an intimidate as well
And you use doing a great job in in this early stage of the game of like
Positioning the King Gambit next to the Whimsicott both getting the speed control pressure up there
But also like hey locking the Gengar into substitute and letting it knock itself out is also an option here
It's a break break through the trap. Yeah, that's certainly an option
But Stavon was able to get the substitute onto Gengar before was not afraid of on for pressure earlier
And I'm tell you kind of love that you have the ability to potentially lock out this
Lock out this King gambit with encore because it's not prankster based. Yeah, another fun thing with that
She'll trade so weird mechanic and yeah, is that I'm cooking me down. Look at Evan go
It's a fun trick food this Pokemon has where especially with how quick it is like
boosted with the item you know pretty much everything just going to be stuck with this and yeah
I mean this couch out cleave the ideal Pokemon or ideal move to lock in as the situation maybe not but
Nantial's itself now is very safe although. I guess it's got a veil too. So yeah, you get the full reset here. It's like hey
This board state is bad for everyone. I'll see you in two turns. I think this is like one of the one of the things
That makes this team and I make a gang up probably go broadly quite difficult to
you know, it's easy. You know,
it's easy. You know, you're
picking up to a pilot in a
format full of basque legions
and King gambits and Charizards
and et cetera like as like
when you get that nice, nice
easy game where you're up
against the mega flow and
you're thinking, huh, I
don't have to worry about
getting knocked out in one.
You're picking daisies in the
field. Exactly. Like, you
know, it's easy. They just
get picked out so nicely.
But you is doing a great
job here of I think, you
up and like locking into a countdown cleave instead of sucker punch not wanting to get caught by the substitute
But also just to be able to even more with Eddie on core pressure just keep on the offensive
Poor dragon I taking a ton on the way in and like I guess these are damaged somewhat negligible, but I mean that's a great turn
I think it's a great point to Ben work
I think I hate playing it's the sort of team and they go it makes it just so taxing
It's like hey anytime Gengar's in the field
Whatever play I picked has to handle.
Gengar protects it, and Eintale switches in and encores me.
Because there's so many ways.
Like, oh man, my team is just totally hosed for their main
Dervis, where it's going to take you most of what's left
to recover in.
You, so far, are playing really well in Dervis,
where it kind of feels a step ahead of a team that's
supposed to be pushing the tempo against you.
It's okay.
Like, I'm wondering if and or when we're going to see
the Swamper sort of, like, coming out.
Because I think it's one of the main tools
that you have against just, like, putting some pressure
on the King Gambit.
And that's what this team is designed to do in a lot of ways like Gengar tracks a bunch of stuff on the field
You know, you find a way to pivot in the Pokemon that's good against
Against those Pokemon and then you start putting the damage down on well
Here's what you do is you just fire off double well at least one fighting type attack into king gambit here
Of course blocking the extreme speed there trouble very just enough to keep the king gambit up on the field here
But I think you know the dragonite feels good to me except that it got hit by the moon blast on the switch in here
Other than that, this Dragonite would have been in a great spot, but the call-out from Yuya just making it so that Simon has really few options here.
Yeah, it's a tough two. I've just missed that knockout, Yuya, especially since it's kind of protecting you.
The extreme speed in that slot sets a very different looking turn, but I'm probably expecting that knockout.
It's also early in the set, we're like, okay, well, I'll write that one of my notes, and you try to play that a little bit differently next time.
the game. I think it's a
good idea. Yeah, definitely.
I feel like this is one of the
things that you've got to like
be able to understand playing
into these sort of gang our
team is like trying to keep on
top of it with the move
selections that you're
picking up, but also just
like maintaining at least
some semblance of momentum
over it and seeing those
turns where Oh, okay. Scarf
encore. That's not looking so
threatening this turn. Possibly
And of course, also then picking up the KO, they're on.
This means they're with Moonblast as well.
Yuya is playing lights out here.
Yeah, it's tough to see how Saphon can really come back
to this match.
I mean, there is speed control, obviously,
on the Whimsicott that sort of gives the
Ninetales a little bit of a hard time
because in choice golf,
it can't protect itself from any damage.
Possibly won't go down in one to, like,
say, a Dazzling gleam.
Yeah.
if you want to respect the dragonite on the other side of the field, but, you know, that dragonite is on pretty low HP, and
it's really quite easy to find the opportunity to pick up a knockout here.
Yeah, the focus after on Whimsicott's huge here too.
Stefan does have to double into the Whimsicott in order to pick up the KO there,
so you're committing Blizzard and Extreme Speed into that Pokemon to knock it out.
You really want to be getting damage down onto that Floette that just mega evolved.
that's some chip damage right there. Yeah, Whimps are coming down to less than half of
its HP. It's easy to forget how strong Dragonite is. We haven't seen it as much in the format
since it was next to Chen Pao doing the TerraNormal Choice Band X-Ring Speed.
Yeah, I feel like someone's kind of got lulled to do like a full set of security by that
she was like, oh, like, now that that stuff's not here, Dragonite's not here. And you
I'm like, oh, wait, this attack is very high.
Oh, hang on a second.
Yeah, it's like, well, you're kind of getting
punched in the face by an extreme being there.
And getting that knockout and knocking into icy wind here
probably actually quite influential, right?
Because after the one speed drop onto the flowette,
now the nine tails is going to outspeed it even
in the tailwind environment.
And then the second icy wind takes it
to slower than mega Gengar, and the mega Gengar
can kind of put some pressure down onto that Pokemon,
too.
I think it's really cool right where like maybe one of the more interesting uses of dynamic speed that we've seen where
It's like I see one in general still way better once things change to two games ago
So you have your speed order like changed in the middle of turns, but rarely matters with something like that
And you know the icy wind also does a little bit damage, right? I mean not so great in the flow out there
It's pretty strong defensively on the special side
But there are some pokeman loose, you know, it means that quite that extreme speed on whimsicott
But it's not completely irrelevant damage like you know like the Criselya was I say when you were something
Yeah, but the sneezer has the ability to just pick up that KO
There's still tailwind up here the tail on to the the nine tails and I don't know that Gengar has enough into both of these Pokemon
It's hard to imagine that it does
I mean this moon blast is gonna do a big big chunk even though mega Gengar is resisting that attack and
Of course Stefan following up with the sludge bomb trying to get the knockout
About to say was good I kept the knockout of the flow at managed to catch herself sure but yeah living on
three percent there actually quite big because if if the flow act goes down on
that turn there's a world where you can see like a protect on the Gengar the
tailwind gets run out and then a couple of shadow balls is enough to pick up the
Sneaseler if it doesn't isn't able to one-shot it from this range of the
Diablo. Yeah you've got the out of missing rock slides or something like
Diaryclaw. Yeah I was just gonna say I mean I feel like this is like a really
interesting position that Stefan has in the game right he's lost.
Well, I kind of like transitioned into game two here.
Game two.
Because I think that's the second time in this game
where he went for an attack.
Probably expected to get a knockout,
played as if he was playing head and like just vest it.
Not that there's like an alternative play this time.
But at that point, I'm probably like, oh man,
like, well, Mathis is not on my side today.
I was like, oh man, how is my opponent trained
as Pokemon, right?
I think it's still a very interesting element
of the open team sheet format
where the one thing you don't have is training.
And I'm assuming here, this is much more
kind of like defensively oriented training
on this team, which can still be deceptive, right?
I think, you know, like people tend to leave the Pokemon open for their affecting knockouts. It's a great chance to counter attack
Sorry, we got dragonite on the field. I'm so happy. We've got another dragonite
I was not on the wrong side of the field on the other side of the field as we say now you'll have noticed that this game has been sped up
We're just trying to make sure we give our players their props and going through this match
Managing to get it where our trainers are getting set up for our next round of Swiss
So here we go mega dragonite coming out here for you
Yeah, dropping the Charizard on this team for the Mega Dragonite instead takes a little bit of damage from that sludge bomb and look at the Dragon pulse coming out from Dragonite, feeling good damage to that Gengar.
Looking better here than Charizard would have probably so far, but yeah, I mean, I was, we were looking at this before he came out here, I was like, what do you mean you dropped Charizard from big six?
It's not big six, it's only six.
But hey, I mean, it's showing you that actually maybe Charizard isn't actually needed on that.
Well, Dragonite has Heatwave too.
Yeah, yeah, like he's got like your wings. So like it's like some way Charizard. No, no
If we if we squint all sides, you know, it's it's one of those sort of situations
But the dragonite the dragonite's taking the team in a different direction
I feel like especially going into this where everyone's so practiced with yeah, the very good Charizard
Let's not be around the bush here. Yeah, it all swings a matchups on his head
And certainly if you're if you're targeting those
specific kind of archetypes where you think hey hang on a second if I had a
dragonite in the situation my my time gets much easier yeah I kind of assume
really I imagine you pretty well in like the air quote mirror against other
Charizard camps especially when they don't have Enosaur like Charizard doesn't do
super well at dealing damage against dragonite right where dragonite does
pretty well in return. I can't believe that that Sneasler missed the KO on
the other Sneasler oh and they flinched that is punishing immediately
for you. Yeah I feel like this is this is what I think one of the things about the
Mega Dragonite as well is like it's a lot of trainers are training their Charizards
very very bulky to be able to take attacks. You just don't need to do that
with Dragonite. But the bow is only two times a week instead of four times a week. Exactly, exactly and so you know you get these
situations where I think Dragonite can sit in front of a lot of friends much
more safely and just sort of like dish out that consistent damage rather than
trying to, you know, play for those inaccuracy powers, play for those end games that maybe
aren't as consistent at the time.
This is kind of spooky for Yuiya now, having to lock into the rocks like here.
Yeah, it's just, yep.
And it's just that spooky.
Oh, wow.
Stefan is looking great in this game too right now.
Yeah, getting, I mean, like everything's sort of going a little bit more smart.
So when that Gengar hangs on on one HP, so yeah, this is this is looking like Stefan may be able to take this to a game
free. I see why we're at two times speed now. Yeah, exactly. Like Whimsicott coming in here and yeah putting a little bit of speed control pressure
going on the Sneasel is still going to be able to knock out that Gengar regardless, but it's not going to be able to do too much damage to the
Dragonite. And of course that extreme speed is out prioritizing the tailwind from Whimsicott. So speed pressure. Who needs speed control?
just be first just be first just play and just play every attack being priority and you know you'll have you'll have something to do
I can lose your pretty good poke when I have her there were that one HP or 1% HP at Gengar not looking nearly as good as it did a second ago plan
Nigel's the premiums a good one. I don't think they're premiums. They're premiums right here.
How
Okay, last respects going
Yeah, that could be that could
be the exactly the term that you
needed to come back into this
game. Right? Just living on one
getting that rock slide to rock
slides. I think if I'm not
mistaken that Sneezler has had
his white herb activated and is
faster than both of these
Pokemon. So okay, not going to
outpace in extreme speed, but
the life will just going to
take care of that for you
up the Gengar and you are taking this game to and own.
Wow, perfect adaptation there with the Basque Legion at the end.
Just being able to clean up those last couple of hit points on
Stephon's Pokemon.
That was a cool set.
I like that.
Definitely.
And it's like it felt like even all the way through,
it's hard to keep up with a two-time speed.
But yeah, it felt like all of these Pokemon
were just living on 1% like the whole way through.
Not too many focus sashes to throw around in a team.
and just train your Pokemon into a position
where they can take those attacks, right?
That's the trust and love I've heard so much about, I think.
The first game was kind of the same way, too,
but I do think it's a great game to highlight as well,
where it's very much kind of what we've seen
for regulation MA and B-Boo.
It's a very offensive format compared to what we saw
during Scarlet and Violet, and you just said exactly
the right final Pokemon.
They're like, hey, you know,
things have gone a little bit off the rails,
but I can close out the game this way.
Definitely.
It's all about finding those little opportunities,
and we're going to get an opportunity
to kick it over to our casters to keep this world championship rolling.
Thank you so much, you three.
I love to have the opportunity from you three to be able to hear all about that last
feature match. I can all wait to get started back with their main competition
coverage here. Don we provost or at that exciting time at the tournament
where we're starting to I have who has what it takes to make the way to face
you. Yeah, we're nearly there.
Always there. And this is the I say the important part.
Every part of this tournament this weekend is the important part for our players, but it gets tough at each and every round
And we are getting closer now to seeing who will maybe moving on to that day to the portion of the tournament
And that is the exciting thing about this match, but with laying down the competition
We're getting closer to the final and our fourth champion
It's already been really exciting because one of the things is the world championships is like the culmination of somebody's entire season
But also we've gotten to see the growth of trainers throughout the season, right?
So there's always going to be favorites going into a world championship that we've
known to win competitions.
We look at, you know, if another world champion can take to win.
But it's also really cool to see who has what it takes that we've maybe just
discovered throughout this past year that we've talked about, okay, maybe they're
good, okay, wow, they are good, they have what it takes.
And to see them really be able to pop off the world championships.
I don't know, I love being able to see that story develop and unfold here.
I think that's one of the beauties about the world championship,
because players can have a little bit of a flying under the radar season,
where they're just being consistently racking up points, doing well,
maybe not actually winning the big events,
but they put the hard work in behind the scenes,
and then they come to this floor, and then they give us this story,
and we have the narrative, and we have a new champion,
a new champion to follow and cheer going forward in future years.
So yes, you're right, quite right.
but we have the notable matches ready for next round.
So you can have a look at these and check out which match we will be streaming.
Looking over at these matches as well, a lot of 401s, of course, you,
well, you took a one loss, you're good on the day.
Five of those, you're one away from you're securing your spot here in phase two.
And for our next feature match, it could be Kerry D. Ortona going up against Narrowich,
Mina, and I love this matchup because when we look at the stories throughout this year
And past years, Kari is someone that especially this year has really been able to have such a,
I don't want to say glow up because that implies that it wasn't, you wasn't good before, right?
But we've really gotten to see those results come to light here on these regional stages.
And for Narrowich, looking back at past Thailand Tourism Championships, being able to get finalists,
finalists, like we know they have what it takes to make the way to the top level,
looking to get a first place here on an even bigger stage. I think she's absolutely incredible.
Yeah, it's very exciting.
One of the players will be walking away after round 6-6,
all which is just an incredible feat in itself.
But looking at some of the other matches here
that we've got as you go down,
I brought a QnA we featured earlier.
I guess people keep playing that.
That is a great match up there.
You can see as well a colleague of ours,
Marcus, on the other side this weekend,
having a QnA-01 up against very tough opponent
in their David Carrera going up there next.
But you can see the absolute class
that we've got here across the board in round six and we're only just at the tip of the iceberg with
the tournament. We've got so much to come over the weekend as we get deeper into the proceedings.
At this point though for any of the trainers especially sitting at that five and zero,
you're just one spot away from phase two of the competition and it does kind of seem like
there is a little bit of breathing room if you take a loss here because oh well it's only
a couple of matches you just have to win one more right. But we have gotten to see especially
at the World Championships that there has been people who have gone undefeated up until,
well okay we took our one loss. I have a couple more chances. All of a sudden it's this absolutely
cracked player or a rock slide flinter or anything else and that could just be your world's dreams
completely shattered. So to be able to secure a spot now for these trainers
would just be so good. So let's go to the stage and start seeing what we talked about
for this match. Again, to start off, 6 and 0 would be incredible. And you want to be able to go beyond
as well and rack up as many wins as possible for top cut with two teams that are very Pokemon
champions. Yes, one that has picked up a lot of popularity coming into the world championship,
that MegaRide 2 Y, and these fingers are at the team's border there with the
choreographed nose given way to set trip room up for the King Gamut, for the Sylveon that
you can really make use of. Kingdom, like we've seen time and time again this weekend on the
Parry side is going to be that full suns variant. It is going to try and get in positions where it
can set that up and then it can be cut through the opposing team. Looking at this matchup though,
weather is one of the really popular modes that we have here in Pokemon and Gary,
we're going other ways. Instead, one of the really fun stars or star raptors of the
the mega star raptor. This is such a fun book mod because of course you can deal a lot of damage and pick your point in really, really tricky spots and write you for that coverage is amazing. Yeah these three pair quite nicely together and it's not one of those teams where you kind of pick one mega over the other. These commonly come together. You can bring the star raptor mega back and bring that right to you along as well because not megaed it's got that lightning rod so it gives that really nice support. It's got fast fake out as well.
can provide a lot of value and bringing vaults sometimes on the fly can make you kind of decide okay
well I was going to go this mega now I'm going to go down this other line and that can prove the
difference between losing a lot of the time. Kind of ignore the Sui and Arcanine as well. What a
big powerful Pokemon this is. Show yourself on, sorry focus sash on there getting carried away
but gives that little blanket of security and course it's going to have to be hit twice
before it is taken down and with that rockhead ability not taking any recoil from those big
powerful attacks like head smash, play of lids means you have to be very very respectful of that Pokemon when it is in front of you.
It called out looking at Gary's team no weather, that's because not only which has both of them as we get to see that dual weather team.
You have the Charizard that of course upon mega evolution sets the sun or helipers and of course a variety of options for either which mode that you go for.
for a slumper to really be enabled by the rain so speedy so powerful or you go the other mode with
that Venus or I love the amount of options we have. Yeah and that's the beauty about this team
you can really pick and choose the best fall on all of the options that you do have over those
two weathers. Not only that you've got the archaladon as well that you can come in to get
advantage of the rain it doesn't necessarily need it, but really benefits with that electric
shock thing and all that sharing in fact the big part of this team that is supported all around
to buy that Grim Snow with that, you know, the light clear item that it's got to extend
the screen support. Looking on the carry side, they don't have
anywhere to stop or get rid of those screens. So if the Grim Snow is there setting up the
light screen reflected, it's going to make it look like the carry could break those
walls. A winning in for these two trainers.
The winning in to be 6 and 0. It's time to see who that's going to be if we get
into our map. Right away that weather mode.
We're at number one. We're going to speed up that rain.
So right away, Pelfer just drizzled.
The rain is out.
But really, it's not an option to carry.
Yeah, I mean, the intermediate here is really useful
onto that star after the alpinite here tonight as well.
It's going to naturally outspeed that pelfer.
It is heavy, right from the slumber.
We're talking about that prophesage.
It is going to have room to take at least one attack
from that little slumber to get to the pelfer wall
this year.
We're just making a quick appearance in this match.
We are out of there and instead of Pokemon that can really start putting more offensive pressure,
our challenger on the joined field, the Mega Lucian or the Scarraptor.
But not the only one, as it's going to be Mega Swampert coming out as well as much damage out on the board.
But while I'm seeing where these trainers decide to target a lot of heavy hitters here,
first off though, it's just going to be priority that extreme speed into Swampert.
He's first dealing some amount of damage in this elevation though with that mega evolution you have this speed on your side
Way faster, we're going to start after down to about a third of its health, but close combat
This is the mega evolution is so nice, not enough to pick up the swamper though
You get that defense and special defense raise, but you didn't pick up the KO
The swamper still can be taken off by an extreme speed next turn
Yeah, it's a really nice development Harry, not focusing on trying to match speed
control here with the tailwind going all out attack and trying to contain this
Swampert. Now like you see the extreme speed pressure in there so now Rich is
gonna have to need to protect that switch it'll let it go down to three
without really getting that much value offered. Now you've got the Orchella
don't in it hasn't had a stamina boost but it is threatening the
electrician into the star after this turn. It has to be careful though it's got
no defensive support so the close combat into that would be detrimental
maybe if you didn't close the deal of a knockout.
and you don't have to worry about a hit from the mega swamper because it is gone. Extreme speed priority,
it is out of there in the follow up close combat into the archaladon. It's not going to appreciate
the hit but it will survive it. Another defensive special defense move for that Sarafter though
and a fence one for the archaladon. Electro shot of course with this rain this is going to get
instantly powered up. So you first take a pause, you breathe, you've got the electricity,
You get that special attack now targeting down into the cozy men again
We got two special defense boost at this point, but with the low amount of HP is not gonna matter
We're gonna trade mega ball Pokemon off this turn. Yeah, it's it's it
It's nice to get rid of the storm after the big carries the storm which value out of that mega evolution feel like
So far ahead in this match a lot for now
It's used to see some damage from that close combat and you know
the helipers in the back, that is unable to come in really as long as his Alcanine is still active.
It's going to be susceptible to a potential head smash, get knocked out by that, and then you've got this Sylvian coming in.
But, you haven't seen reveal yet Narrow Witch bringing in that Dina Soul. That is going to help out a bunch against that Sylvian in particular.
But, you've still got to deal with this Alcanine. It's full health, it's still got that focus action attack.
That's the problem. The focus action attack, so you have to put two hits into it to take it down.
just been dishing out. I won't take oodles of damage at this point, but the extreme speeds have put in a lot of momentum
and if at any point, Gary does decide to swing with one of those big moves, like, maybe not a flare, but it's a hand smash,
that could maybe just even threaten one hit KO here. So it protects from the Venusaur, or towered on it as well,
making sure both Pokemon can survive this turn and get opportunity to auto it, which is going on.
Flareblitz is Spike Arrange trying to target down into Venusrush.
Now you have full information Arrush can take into this next turn, but what can we do here?
You get a little bit of leftover recovery, but that's about it.
Yeah, it's a very difficult situation.
I think the Grand being in effect is to be healthy because we think it's the flablish.
So, I think Venusrush is a little bit of an easy attack.
The one thing you can do with Venusrush is maybe take it by yourself.
This is a ski park.
You can put that arcaneinus in the sleeve.
You don't need to necessarily worry about the Sylveon.
But if you can get that arcaneinus sleeve surviving a Flair Blitz,
that might be enough to give you room to get the pellet
back onto the field at the way it should.
Trying to make sure that we can take this Venusaur down
in one hit, though.
Quick attack, break the focus off, follow up.
We're going straight for that head smash.
It's made it through the Venusaur down.
Another kill in Flair's wave.
Electroshot for the Archialodon.
We already have one of those specialist attitude.
So we're looking at a lot more damage dealt out, but again, a lot of momentum has been taken by Kerry in this match.
The Perteladon has a lot of rounds to take up, and Arcanine, I mean, you're still to get around for another turn.
Yeah, and it's in the foreign position to draw another head smash next to him.
Helipus literally is sitting down here from that if it does connect, and then the Sylvain can acquire a hyper voice,
and it will be enough to kick up the Perteladon.
Remember the Archeladon has had his way up, he still didn't belt so he used the Flash Cannon at this range.
Gonna be enough to take down the Sylvian, you totally said not.
So the Sylvian feels in a really strong position here.
The Telethed does of course have wide guards, give it a little bit of alleviation there, but it doesn't have any protection.
It is really gonna be successful.
There's Hesmash coming out right now.
And Hesmash into the Pelopter, absolutely know it's chance.
Only one Pokemon left for NoRage in this match.
And it's an Archalodon like, yes, you have those poos, but how much damage will the suit end to Sylveon?
It will be enough here, so it is a KO. You have the information going into the net,
but again, you have just this Archalodon left within this match,
and the Narcanine that's ready to take it down.
Yeah, they did. I mean, just, you know, Sylveon has a lot of gold here, Pokemon,
but now you've got a little bit of support in that Ryche coming in.
And it is going to offer up a fakeout, allow Archel Nights to get at least one more attack
off before it just goes down because anything coming out from that Archel Nights, that
slot will be enough.
And you're going to have to rely on the right to do non-Mega Focus Blast to maybe get the
last bit of damage off as we see that Archel Nights protecting on this coming fakeout.
Yep.
Protect past the turn to have the potential fakeout and we just get through the animation.
Focus Blast, a flare blitz, go next on this turn, get a little bit of that
leftover's recovery.
for you. Yeah, it's not over yet, and it makes no sense to go to focus class there if you all carry,
because takeout will activate, the stamina will weaken the Arcanise and track itself.
If you go to that focus class, although it's not the best of accuracy,
if you hit them three, the reward is dead. Now, the lead is coming out,
and it is going to be into the archer that's going here enough,
hanging on quite comfortably there, but it says the archer that I'm calling is that Arcanise.
That's going to be the question and no instead into the protected ride shoes so Perry on this turn gets some damage down
And that's about it still eats new at the one with an arm childhood on that could protect her a little bit more
recovery, but
Little tough spot
Very tough spot and one of those filters blasts all we need to hit now
I think that protect is so crucial as a carry really smart to play
Of course it's an arrow, you should just get into talking, wrong, it was a bit of a 50-50,
or can protect right, but now you're probably putting yourself out of range from that Flair Blitz,
but you still, if you want Harry, kind of able to go for that focus blast and the Flair Blitz
and evolve, and then the combination isn't enough to take this down.
The focus blast comes out, it is fitting, it makes it target, and it will be enough to take this archer.
I'll let him down.
our charlotte on can do so much but i want to be doing this situation not enough
harry to take the first game in this set i mean the amount of momentum we got from this
arcaneine was incredible even just softening up pokemon at the beginning with those extreme speeds
and even if we weren't picking up chaos you bring them down to a little bit of health you
pick them off next turn absolutely incredible i mean never which even if some of the pokemon
I think the pressure from right out of the gates to the carrier 5 was just remarkable there.
It really stopped Nara being able to lean into this rain mode.
Like they would probably like to go paper.
This one put has a great match up into this team, right?
But the arcane I got to those latter turns that still hadn't taken any damage
just because of the utility of that extreme speed.
Throwing the close combo into it early and putting in range with second extreme speed.
the game. We're going to go
back to the extreme speed will
narrow which fall for that this
time around. All the way more
protection against us. But
let it be about going after that
often on early board. It's a six
era spot on the line. Carry one
game close to that heavy into
game number two, though,
again, we'll go for the really
strong rain lead. So power
with the rain, and we're just
having a full run back here
with Kerry as well. So how are
we going to differ this
stream speed into what was a squawk out of Pokemon.
Off the seed, will we target into the Archaladon as again,
squawks are happening.
And the problem is if you target down into the Star
After, you're ignoring the Archonite.
If you target down into the Archonite,
you're ignoring the Star After.
So this is why Karen's lead is so good because it
makes it difficult to choose the right car mix
every time the four hard things are folded into the
Star After in game one.
You've got the Archonite here.
We might see how that turns out as players going forward.
and they're not seeing any stream speed this time around.
No stream speed wave crash into the star after this time again
to just deal a bunch of damage from the get go.
The star after instead wants to make sure
that Karrie has the speed going on forward.
No offensive, just tailwind.
Head smash though will be a miss into the arch,
shall it on, so no damage dealt from Karrie at all.
Yeah, and now we've got that tailwind in effect,
so the star after the arc and angle,
naturally outspeed everything on narrow
which gives that star after a little bit of room to go after that Swampert.
Or more importantly, you can go after the Archalodon with a close combat.
That blockhead miss there.
That smash miss in the Archalodon actually kind of pain a little bit
over on the wall here where the defense hasn't been activated.
So this close combat will do a little bit more.
So the double up into that slot to get it right is going to pay off.
At least the first call here is good.
So at least for Narrowich it will be a protect from the Swampert.
carry both Pokemon attacking into it so no damage done again and our talent on now out on the field
in the rain is the perfect situation to go ahead and click this electro shot button sir after
has already taken so much damage you cannot let this Pokemon start to run away with the match
so a hit into it now it's the first to take a KO yeah and this makes a big difference from
that game more now the our talent on hasn't taken that initial close combat damage we saw how
Gooda was in the late game for Narrow, it's now going to be able to take full advantage of full health.
Now got that special attack boost and start to go after maybe that Alchemem is done.
Still going to come onto the field, you toggle it down into that.
You go after the Alchemem with an electric shot, knowing that if you get through that
return and the following turn a flash cannon is going to be more than enough to pick
up and knock out there. And you also got to consent with the fact that the tailwind
is in effect. So you want to try and stall that out as well. So you want to
You just don't want to dive into it the way you want to try and take your time.
You can utilize your protection, you can, but also not put yourself in a vulnerable position at the same time.
That's exactly it. If you're not in position to wanting an attack with both your Pokemon this turn,
or go ahead and make a rain, we can maybe just see some protects, but instead,
feeling comfortable in this situation, your rain is, you know, on a timer,
released for the right here, right now. First hit into the air, Taladon.
on. Samina defense is up. Wavecrash now, Swampert is still oh so speedy and so much damage into
the Sylvion. A lot of recoil done to the Swampert though, it's about half but it's Sylvion. It's
the Hyper Hyper beam coming on out into the Zarchalon to take it down. Ah you can see the value
of that Intimidate. The Star after dropped onto that Swampert earlier on allowing it to take
that Wavecrash not out speeding it until when it tells you a little bit about the training
training, but that hype of being so pivotal there to remove the threat that was that Arch-Ellidon.
And now we still have a Magus Whopper though that has been dealing a lot of damage in this match,
that is still kicking around, but Venusaur hitting the field, this can threaten into this Scylion,
but again, you'd have to get past this Arcanite. Luckily for Nair, which though, it is protecting.
And Venusaur also opts to keep itself safe on this turn. Now to see where we are thinking for the other Pokémon.
Pokemon swampert with this earthquake that would have been so much damage into this arcanine
But it will be hitting into the still beyond and already only at 5% health will be enough to take it down
Yeah, that's that way there because it had just well
It has to spend a turn of that reach out after the hyper theme and now you've got the the situation where that's here
When now this one's with the rain after it's going to be the fastest thing in the field
It will be threatening that arcanine now and it's out of range from an extreme
So it's got a free wave crash into that slot and then you can utilize and leverage the Venusol.
You've got to be a bit careful, the furghar on the field now is offering super effective
detergents to Venusol but there is the sleep powder.
You can hit those sleep powders like you mentioned in game one, go for that option,
really tie and stuff, shut down these options and get some of that room.
The room needed for the swamper and the Venusol to close this match up tie and take us through the game three.
one more turn of rain left in
Palaphrus, still hidden safely in the
back here, Granaro-Witch. As
earthquake from the swamper to hit
everything out on the field, Arcanine,
that's going to bring it right down
to its focus, Dash. But we're just going
all out of fence. If it doesn't matter
if we hit our own Pokemon,
it's Dash in return into
the Venus Door. We'll take it down, so
two Pokemon remaining, Granaro-Witch.
Now, with this Grigora,
not always necessarily the most
defensive but again there's been a lot of recoil but Swampert still gonna be
holding on. Yeah and now this that psychic might be really important just to
put this Swampert in range of extreme speed now. The Arcanine loves to like it,
it's numbers are up but I don't think so the extreme speed coming out into that Swampert.
The thing that you've got to be careful about is going for extreme speed and
full protection and the Pelipa picking up. Now which one do you target? It's really
difficult here because the Pelipa Swampert if they touch that Arcanine
They are going to take it down and then photographs really not in the position to handle the remaining Pokemon in the field
No extreme speed in the next way coming out. No extreme speed in an arc nine
That's just a sliver of health so earthquake will take it down only one a Pokemon left for Kerry
Yes, that's very her app and it's with the slumber. It's still kicking around and a pal over
Full health ready to go out on the offensive
The weather ball is only all it's going to take but it's not good next turn soon
and both what is what we need to take right off course though we'll take down the swampers so we will go down to a one of these one
situations but looking at these two Pokemon we're just helpless at majority health all of the health
yeah that's kind of by sitting in a great spot it's still got a citrus berry as well so if things do
get a little bit over I don't think that's gonna happen that weather ball is gonna take up
and then knock out here into this further up and close this up and we'll be going through
I think the thing you could do is try and stall out the ring, but I don't know if you're going to get that many protectors this turn you were trying to quit the end game button last turn it was me but at this point it's for a graph with not that much health no double protect on through and a pelliper again with this weather ball that will be accurate you have this rain and will be enough we are going to a game at three fantastic
going to a game at three fantastic win going with the grain
mode coming out from Norwich.
This is the same mode, the same leads.
We saw from game number one, but such a drastic difference.
Yeah, we saw some a little bit of a different approach here.
The wave crash coming out and into that Sylvia
and then catching it.
It was a big damage.
This is the point where you think, well,
if the Sylvia goes down here, this hyper beam
doesn't happen.
And I think Swampert, our challenger,
just run away with the game.
you can see the defense investment
that carries God on that cell for him.
You know kind of what its speed is
from the hot speed and the swamper in the tail end.
So you can make an educated guess
where most of its investment is.
It's not going to end, it's healthy stuff.
But yes, the adaptations won't make a difference.
What are we going to see going into this one?
Same leads from ours.
One more game and we're running it back again.
Same leads for all three games.
There's very different results.
So how now going into this game free with both trainers knowing that these leads are capable of winning
Do we switch it up to make sure we get the upper hand here? I think it's again
I think if you are narrow, which you've got to really deal with this alcanine as best as possible
because if you
Believe it on the field you saw game one have to get to run away with things
But again, you've got to have a backup plan for the star after as well
Let's switch or a lack of a switch coming up from narrow
which is another way we're going to be switching up this game number three as
Pelfer will remain on the field to try and maybe put up some offensive pressure
on its own as of course both trainers will go ahead and mega-offal wave crash
first up from the Swamper we've seen this damage roll start after that's
pretty a third of its health but where are we going to switch it up here
close combat into the Swamper in retaliation we're running it down to a
bow to save but of course get that defense and special defense there was
He has matched into the Pelipers there.
Pelipers, tuck around, and it's gonna be taken down.
Yeah, that's it.
He's in the Pelipa, has switched out fourth.
Gims one and two.
This time now, we're in.
I'm gonna try and catch you with it,
but Harry's smartly not falling for it
and really getting a big return there.
Now the hotel at home comes onto the field.
Swampo, it's in a really good position
to get another wave crash off.
But you would say it's probably just our range
from next week to next week.
But you never know on the roll.
That's the thing, just carry commitment to that, try and pick it up because if you do it,
free the Star Raptor, you go after the El Celadon, get a close combat up, which we've seen how valuable
that can be, and getting it closer to picking up a knockout. Not enough extreme speed, we'll bring
it down low, but Swampert still gets one more attack and into the Star Raptor. That's going to
be one mega Pokemon down. It wasn't one of the damage into the Swampert though, so with the
Recoil it's gonna be an eye for an eye both trainers will lose a Pokemon on death third now our charlodon gets this electric shot
So an opportunity to start getting those specials attack boosts
Yeah, this is a really huge turn and one of the drawbacks about going for that extreme speed and not picking up the knockout
Is this all tonight now gonna be a bit of a sitting target here this electric shot that focus action now broken as well
And the special attack boost on your charlodon making it bigger threat going into the next turn
This is a burger coming out next year for Perry and the Venus show coming out as well,
which is nice.
Perry's got the sci-fi super effective damage against that Venus show, but you've got to
try and break the sash on that Pokemon before going after it.
And it's not the Sylvan like we've seen in the past, you know, the Sylvan could
come in now.
Yes, it'll be thrown by the Venus show, but you do have that hyperboast of the hyper
game that can quite effectively deal with our Chaladon.
So maybe that is something that Perry's keeping for later on in this game to try
and utilize as a last option.
Looking at these four Pokemon as well,
as well as time for sex,
but maybe it goes huge here,
but we're just gonna go all out of bens
of starting off with the Flareblade.
Still a lot of damage despite the current climate.
Slee powder that we talked about how much
that can switch a match,
but it will miss.
Burgrash is a wake and kick in,
but our childhood on it
at least gets another opportunity to set up.
Again, we've gotten to see
how low this Archimine's been brought down.
So do you go for the KO
or for the furograph, we're going for that guaranteed KO. Only two Pokemon left for Kerry.
There is still of course the opportunity for the furograph to respond on this turn,
and we're switching up the dimensions. Now all the slow Pokemon are going to be super, super fast.
Yeah, that's a great turn from Kerry just to say, okay, well, if I lose the last one around here,
I set the trick room up and now I get myself in a flying position. Now it's going to go before
that finish off. It would otherwise threaten super effective damage with the sludge bomb.
all that seatbar that you should have done. Now you've got the option to go after an Archaladon
with that big powerful Hyper Beam. It has got two electric shots in its belt. It's plus two. If
Flash Cannon hits the Silvion, we know that's going to pick up the knockout.
Then where do you protect? What do you attack with on this turn?
Make sure you can make the most of these twist-up mentions. Silvion, not one of the full victims.
Two of that Flash Cannon will protect, but Archaladon as well. We're looking at the Venusaur going
up against this paragraph as that psychic heading down into the Undyne Star will be enough, a 1v2
situation. The Sartaladon does have full health, does have the two special attack raises, but you're
still contending with two full health Pokemon on the opposing end. Yeah and the one thing that
Kerry has as well on top of that is this health and hand. That's going to boost this movie
even further, make it more powerful and guarantee potentially a knockout. Sylveon can do it all
And with the help of this helping hand,
it will be the Hyper Hyper B once again, our Chaladon.
That is a one hit, hey yo.
And with that carry, see our donut find himself on the fetus cell
here at the Pokemon World Championships
and we'll be moving on.
Phase two of the competition.
Get a trainer that has accomplished so much in this year.
He's proven he can win.
And he's looking to try and make that push once again.
Yeah, doing it real style here. What a way to do it against what a tough team as well.
When you look at it on paper, you say, how are you being this mega Swampert?
How are you being the rain?
You've got no way to disrupt it.
The Swampert feels like it just run through you, but picking the move choices
and getting everything right so often, not getting caught out,
not getting conditioned as well in that game three, going after that Pelipper against him.
Okay, well, if you keep it in, then I'm going to get it.
You switch it to the arch. I don't will approach that next turn.
So here now in the moment I'm making some real decisions that I was gonna sway this match in my favor.
Did get a bit fortunate with that sleep powder miss.
If that hits then the trick room doesn't go out.
The Sylvian's not in such a great position, you know, Teladon feels like it could close the game up from there.
But that's the risk it takes.
Sleep powder not the most accurate attack and taking advantage of the turn that you had with the trick room getting it set up.
Sylvian comes in and then closes everything out.
It was just such a well played set for both of our trainers though to be able to see three identical leads throughout the matches
But such varying results was genuinely such a treat and the biggest congratulations to Kerry
I mean the way he was piloting this team. There's so much offensive pressure from the get-go again
Remember which had to pick what do I want to try and take down? Okay?
Well the other Pokemon sound a big threat and I think that was just a really really great set for both trainers
but for Gary, find himself phase two.
That's very, very exciting, and yeah, what a way to do it.
And I think the adaptations as well, from game one to game two,
although Gary didn't take game two,
I think switching from the right two to the furigraf,
I think obviously paid off dividends in game three,
but that adjustment there,
something we didn't get time to talk about too much,
but I think a real valuable one,
because that was the difference in that game three.
And now Rich kind of adjusted as well,
knowing that the threat that the Arkaneine was,
we saw them struggle to deal with that threat from the Arcanine and Game 1 and it just kind
of ran over the obstacles in front of it and I think the adjustments came too, really showed
why they're at the stage, why they were 5-0, yes they've taken a loss but I'm sure this
won't be the last we'll be seeing of them over this weekend with that such strong
Sunray team.
With such a well played set, how could we say otherwise, right?
It'd be a criminal not to, so hopefully we do need to get to see Narrowich here
in phase 2 of the competition.
We still have a couple more opportunities
for anybody who is sakin' a loss
or potentially too to make their way there.
But for now, of course,
we have to talk to the man who is undefeated.
Kerry's on stage with her interview now.
Thank you so much, Sierra.
I'm here with Kerry Diotona.
Undefeated here day one at Worlds.
Congratulations, how's it feel?
Nerve-wracking a little bit.
This team likes to miss a lot of moves,
so that's probably the most stressful thing about it.
Well, you have your best buddy, Arcanine,
with you right there.
And I have the first thing written down in my notes.
I mean, Hissui and Arcanine into a rain team
led right in the front, Games 1 and Games 3, possibly Game 2.
I had to go get my mic all set up, so I missed that.
Tell me the reasoning behind it.
So the reasoning behind it is things
can get really sketchy if he decides
to go Charizard, Venus War, for example, mainly
because if I lead anything else,
like let's say King Gambit or Sylvia, which are really
good into a Swamper Pelper lead,
it's not as great into Charizard
because you're not really pressuring Charizard at all.
They can just sleep powder the Starraptor
and go for Heat Wave and start spamming.
So Harkinite is mainly just to pressure that out.
I do have some like other game plans I could have gone with,
but I felt pretty confident in the Harkin plan
as long as I just got the turns right.
Well, tell me a little bit more about your team
because the last time we saw you compete
it was at the North America International Championships
where you were running the Mega Charizard Y team
that we've seen.
So many people run throughout the champion's life cycle.
And I mean, this team is very different today.
So I stuck with Charizard for a pretty long time.
I thought it was the best mod in the format,
and it still obviously is.
My issue with that kind of archetype
is right now, due to the limited decks,
I feel like the teams are trying to do too much,
and it leads to where you have a lot worse matchups
and some more things,
rather than having more positive matchups into others.
And so after playing NAIC,
and I wasn't too proud of my play,
I tried Big Six as it's called
for the start of this format,
and I wasn't really vibing with it.
some other Charizard teams, those didn't feel great, like the Talkspecs teams have very niche
matchups that they lose to, and then I come upon this team actually from a video that Colin
Hire and Raghav made together, and I'm like, you know, this team looks awesome, this looks fun,
and so I do some digging, I see that Yuto Kamura is playing around with it, and I start looking
into it, and the team pretty much doesn't really have any, like I would say absolute
negative matchups. At worst, everything is like a 50, so I would have wanted to bring that
because at least my words matchups come down to 50-50 calls that I can make and capitalize on.
But at the other side of that coin is that you're making these 50-50 calls and
I mean I think it was Lee who said this you had to pick every single call right in that
game number three that's a lot of pressure for yourself. It's round number six it's been a
long day is that starting to wear on you a little bit? A little bit. Game two I was particularly
stressed about because I found the one way back in which was he EQs himself on the Venusaur
and then I can head smash and then it just came down to a 50 if he protects
Swampert or not because if I if he protects Swampert and I head smash Pelly
then he loses but if I protect Park and he swings with Swampert then I can
psychic to kill the Swampert so it's just a lot of 50-50s. I did get very lucky
with the Sleep Powder Miss game 3 but I still had a chance to close it out if
the Rigger Rap does get the wake up but like you know RNG stuff happens
stuff like that so it gets shaky. Is there anything you're doing to help
keep your energy up throughout the tournament day?
Trying to take breaks when I can,
like refocus on mental talk with friends.
Take it one game at a time.
That's the most important thing of all.
For sure.
Well, I do want to make sure you have a chance
to take a break before the next round of Swiss.
Kari, do you have any shots you want to give to anybody
who's watching at home?
Yes.
So first off, I would like to shout out Patrick Connors
and Kaden Owens.
I worked with them on this team heavily.
I also want to shout out Yuda Kamura
for making the original build of the team.
And then I would also, I guess, shout out Collin and Raghav because they made the video.
And then lastly, people who just give me like ever loving support, not only for my Florida group,
but Stefano Grepi, Carson St. Denis and Christopher Hahn.
I love you all. Thank you so much.
Thank you as well for joining me on stage for this quick interview.
Best of luck in the rest of the tournament.
And thank you all for joining me here on the stage and at home.
We're going to be back after a short break, so please stay tuned.
and we'll see you next time.
Hey, Pokemon trainers. Welcome
to Pokemon Championships history,
a series where we showcase
important matches throughout
the history of competitive
Pokemon. It's time to flash
back to Championship Sunday at
the 2023 North America
video game most iconic moments in Pokemon come from trainers in the
masters vision but this time around the junior stole the show in Columbus the
trainers in the junior's division often show the purest form of passion for the
game of Pokemon
Avery's energy made him an immediate fan favorite.
We got Avery from the United States and Takumi from Australia.
I am enchanted with these trainers.
Avery made it to the finals with the help of his hard trick room team.
Trick room can be a difficult strategy to implement, especially when relying on an
Unconventional Pokemon like Orangaroo.
Orangaroo is my favorite of all time.
I mean, he's like, he supports other Pokemon.
Orangaroo is carrying a very interesting move called
Instruct.
So if you're able to get the Torco into position or something
that's just going to be a little bit slower,
then you can start firing off some big damage that way.
Trick Room teams flip the game on its head
by having the slowest Pokemon on the field move first.
Tell us about your team that you're about to play.
It is Hard Trick Room.
Hard trick room game plans can even be difficult for masters division trainers to pilot, but
Avery was ready to show the world that juniors are wise well beyond their years.
For his strategy to work, Avery's oranguru would need to twist the dimensions.
We're going all in with a terrestrialization on the oranguru while the game plan is being
executed for Avery very very quickly here.
With iron hands going down, Avery brings Torco onto the field for free.
Under Trick Room, Torco is one of the strongest Pokémon in the game.
With the Sun Boosting, all fire attacks by 50%, and Arangaru's instruct allowing it to
attack twice in one turn, this Torco was ready to erupt.
All of this Torco across the way as we see the eruption come through, and that's going
to help a little bit, but Tinglu still takes a ton of damage off the switch in.
With the momentum in Avery's favor, Takumi's savvy defense turns the tides of Game
game one and punishes Torquil putting the Australian youngster in a winning position.
Despite properly setting up trick room, game one got away from Avery.
But even if Oranguru didn't work the first time, it was important for Avery to trust
the process and rely on the strategy that got him to the finals.
This one is going into game two with Takumi up one and oh.
After the exact same turn one play in game two, Avery's Torquil was ready to take
over, which meant it was time for Oranguru to do it again.
once again as the opportunity to bring in the tour calls. Let's do it again! Yep that's the
instructor. Learning from his mistakes against Ting Lu in game one, Avery made an adjustment to
keep momentum on his side. This was where last game got a little bit different because he went
for the overheat into the protack. Let's see if Avery goes for it again. He's in the eye of power!
See you later Chiyu. Although it didn't have a single attacking move, Terrifier Aranguru was the
star of the show. The ability to instruct your teammate to attack again would lead to more
offense than Takumi could handle.
Does it hit this time of the round? It's going to be another over heat from the torque ball.
Avery's confidence was back. Taking down Takumi's team one by one. This championship
would be decided in game three.
The crowd became enchanted with Avery in a ranger group. It was incredibly amusing
to watch such a simple, yet repeatably effective strategy from a junior.
With the first two games playing out the exact same way on turn one, there'll be no surprise
with these two trainers with due in game three.
This is three games, three identical turn ones.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
With Trickern set up, the crowd was chanting, do it again, knowing another instructor
was on the way.
Avery's bravery, relying on a 90% accurate overheat to connect twice into GU, would
put him into a commanding position. With Takumi's back against the wall, he would put all his
hopes into Terra Water Flattermane, but Avery's Aranguru had one final instruction become champion.
We know what's coming, and even with that defensive Terra, Avery is getting another bite of the cherry.
Avery will be a well-deserved champion, showing a crazy strategy. I think people have forgotten
about it too. Avery is immortalized in Pokemon history as a champion, captivating
the audience's heart with its charming personality.
As for the oranguru that clicked in struct 13 times in the finals,
Avery summed up its role on the team perfectly.
So, tell us about your urn guru. How do you use it?
It doesn't do any damage.
Who knows what the future holds for Avery?
And who knows what Iron Hands is going for in all three games?
But we can be sure that Avery's future will be bright in Pokemon
as long as he remembers to do it again.
Thank you for watching. Let us know some of your favorite competitive Pokemon moments by using the hashtag play Pokemon
My favorite one that's got Jeff like hair is extremely fast limitless
So cute. She has a top octave vocal range can be calm powerful
He would improvise in the spot just always finds a way to make it funny
We both have very fast moves and can change the world using its mind jigglypuff is my favorite
Every single time you met a new Pokemon
I
to protect herself.
There's homies, yeah?
Absolutely.
That's why I love them.
My favorite beef.
You've already got to say that.
I can't.
You're a different type.
Oh, that's great.
Sorry, doc.
So what's your favorite?
it has been incredible time here in San Francisco for the Pokemon World
Championships the energy out on the floor whether you are a competitor a
spectator just enjoying and convention has been amazing we hope
everyone has been enjoying whether you're out there or at home tuning in
but of course for us it is all about the competition and it has been
delivering it so far with such high-paced competition though. We need to take this back guys. We need
a breather. We need to let our casters have a breather. And we're going to be talking about a
couple of the fun things that you can get by watching at home and taking an update on our
players to watch. I personally always miss all the twitch drops and everything else and I
I regret it every time so don't be like me make sure you get the twitch drops and everything
So, let's dive into it. Let's talk about them.
Well, fortunately, you still have two full days to leave your phone on in the green room to get these switch drops.
So, you have time to go back to the hotel room tomorrow and bring your charger with you.
So, you can leave your phone on and watch for 30 minutes to earn some quick coupons.
Well, I guess you can't earn those today, but you can earn some teammate tickets tomorrow or some training tickets on Sunday.
Sunday and of course you can watch for a total of 60 minutes this weekend to get a world's
2026 Incineroar which I'm sure we all need for our VGC teams going into the 2027 season.
Very much.
That's this morning we know it's only on the road up so grab your Incineroar.
Make sure you do clock in those 60 minutes at least on Twitch and grab yourself a
very valuable competitive Pokemon.
I'm trying my best but I haven't been able to get the Incineroar yet.
We also missed the Blasphoes from NAIC, both the missed NAIC drop, and I still regret it.
I'll cut that aside, are we?
We will get it.
We'll make it a team mission.
Well, Gabby's job to remind us now later.
What if I told you you could just go enter in this code as soon as we're off this segment
and get a t-shirt and a cap?
I mean, you guys could do that, right?
It was the passcode, so I can do that, Gabby?
It's enjoy world 26, but I'm pretty sure those O's are actually zero.
They were, say, 100%.
I did this earlier.
You did this earlier.
and it works. They are zeros though, not O's.
Okay, I still need to do this one actually, so I will do this after this segment.
You know the most important thing in Pokemon Champions is, of course, the outfit.
Of course.
That's how you get wins, right?
Yeah.
You intimidate your opponent with your style, not your Incineroar.
Yes.
Imagine the power level if you had the swag and the Incineroar.
That's too high. The power level's too high.
Of course, we got drops not just for our channel,
but across all of the different games here
that are competing here at the Pokemon World Championship.
So whether you're a fan of,
well, also a fan of these other franchises,
we know you're a fan of Pokemon Champions,
Pokemon VGC here.
But if you also wanna dive in with some Pokemon Go,
some Pokemon Unite, some Pokemon TCG,
it's your opportunity to do so here.
There is so much on the screen, screenshot it,
check out socials,
make sure you get all of that fantastic free free stuff.
And if you're unsure about how to redeem these Twitch drops,
here's a fancy guide for you to follow.
You can visit rewards.pokemon.com,
log in with your Pokemon Trainer Central account.
If you don't have one, you can always create one
and then link that account to your Twitch account.
And then all you have to do is watch your desired stream
for the required period of time to earn your rewards.
It's that simple.
It's that simple and of course for another thing that you can earn an exclusive twitch chat bad
And I will say actually out of all things that I regret was the last twitch batch they shared
I missed out on that one and it haunts me to this day guys. I'm so serious
I'm not making it up for the bit or the segment. It actually does want me
I mean this is like proof that you were here, right? And this will follow you
Like this is a nice design as well when you're watching like the Pokemon animation on Twitch when you're watching like the next Pokemon
Premiers or whatever on Twitch like you will have this badge. So you want to get it. I have not gotten it yet
I feel ashamed to talk in the regional chest because I don't have the previous
So so so
So be sure you get all of that while you still can there's so much Pokemon this weekend though
And I'm really excited dive into it
Especially we've had that really fun part of the day guys where we've got traders that are locked up face to you
We have traders fighting for their lives and narrowing down the field
Which I was always prepared because we know with each match were one step closer finding a world champion
Yeah, and I think sorry. No, no go ahead. Why don't you tell us what you think?
Well, we take a look at our North America players to watch. I was just gonna say yeah, I think
You know, that's the beauty about this tournament in particular. We've had full chew on
I didn't actually get that win, but still in contention.
Justin Tang, though, one of my players to watch it,
we outlined at the start of the show today, is on a 10,
is in great form as well, six in all so far.
I don't know what it is with Justin Tang,
but I don't know if it's a bit at this point,
but every world champion or any major,
it's I don't have a team, I don't have a team.
I swear, guys, I don't have a team undefeated.
Is it a bit?
Is he just crazy at the game with these brand new teams?
Like someone's got to tell me maybe he's just prepared at being unprepared like it's like opposite day kind of effect
I don't know feel like Justin as well
He knows all of the kind of archetypes inside out as well. So he's one of those players
It's very good at kind of adapting
Yeah play style to able to kind of pick up a team and have success with it
And I think that maybe helps them out with the diverse knowledge
they've got of the former as well coming in picking up something that they feel confident with and
that's obviously shining through this weekend so far at least. So far maybe Paul and Alex needed
the Panche Ampliations as opposed to the Panche One. That could be it. Maybe that's the secret but
let's look at EU Lee and you can take us through this because for EU I mean there's a lot of
eyes used in such a strong region but we've already had to say goodbye to our NAAC champion.
Yeah and Francesco hard prepared and put a lot of work in coming to this event and I think
probably one of the favorites to actually go on and potentially win the World Championships this
week and really unfortunate start to the event but that's it sometimes happens I think you mentioned
with Ben earlier you know sometimes you are going to have a great day sometimes you are going to
have a bad day don't go for you so that's just unfortunately maybe what's happened for
Francesca but they will guarantee you be back stronger than ever next season just unfortunately
not this weekend but we're still in contention with Marco Silva we all know Marco the other
that kind of favorite coming into this event, just an incredible player.
See one of the terrain regionals earlier on this season, the first champions event
that we had in Europe.
And I don't know what more I need to say about Michael Kelsh.
I think Michael has been incredible the last two, three seasons since they
burst onto the scene and always performs well at world's level.
And even though they're on the cusp of kind of going out, maybe,
they're still in the tournament.
And that's all Michael needs to push on and just continue on
because they are such a high quality player.
I was going to say, I always feel like Michael's strongest tournaments are at the world championship.
So even though he is at that critical to loss point, I still feel like he has a very strong opportunity to just kind of deal with the pressure and keep going in this field.
Yeah, and I think one of the things that Marko and Michael have a lot in common is maybe when they are on that cusp of that X and 2 record, that's maybe when they're at their best.
Yeah, yeah.
I've got everything to play for each and every round.
It kind of focuses them almost to push on
and that's what makes it dangerous
as trainers for opposition.
And I think, you know, they're probably
in the perfect position now to carry on and push
and try and get into day two.
First, then then see how far they can carry on
into the tournament tomorrow.
Even if you're sitting in that X and two record,
as long as it doesn't hit a three,
you're still alive in this thing.
But talking about Latham as well,
there is eyes on some really, really strong players
heading into this event.
I feel like it's pretty safe to say that we're expecting a lot from wants to learn, but something like you're at the world championships.
It's you go up against the strongest trainers and you know, I'm excited to see the bounce back next year because he is a man.
I'm expecting like that crazy world one and when coming out from him soon.
But we also get to see him bounce back next year because we're going to be able to see regionals and special event broadcasts from the Latin America regional starting next year.
We're just going to be so exciting on the Pokemon Rock Gas channel.
So I cannot wait for that.
Yeah, that is one thing to look forward to.
But here and now, it's unfortunate for Hanna.
I think having a phenomenal season,
not acquiring so many championship points throughout the year,
having incredible finishes is just really consistent.
But like you say, Ciara, it just shows the quality of player
at the World Championships that is at the highest level,
even the players that are kind of tipped to be the ones
to go and take the title at the end of the weekend,
all going to have a hard time because each and every round is the hardest games that you're going to have in the entire season.
Yeah, and that's the thing. You look at the fairings, you're like, wow, this match is incredible.
Oh, yeah, of course, they're all going to be incredible.
So we're all jammed for you, Jepsen.
Congratulations to the outsider who is still in this two away from phase two.
We're going to Oceania next, of course, making a long trip over.
We still have Nicholas and Josie in the field.
Five-one for Josie Kaeda.
So one away from hearing his spot here in phase two,
and for Nicholas not as well,
it goes back to that previous conversation.
As long as you don't have a three
as that second number, you're still good.
And Nicholas does have that experience to fall back on
and has competed at the world's level for many years.
So not someone that you can necessarily count out
just like Marco Silva, just like Mikhail Kelsch.
And I think someone you can still keep an eye on
as we go into these final couple of rounds here today.
Yeah, exactly. And I think you got to line it perfectly, Gaby.
I think that's the one thing that Nicholas has got, that experience.
Yeah, mountain world championships have been over the years,
where they're going to be able to really lean on that in the next couple of rounds
to make sure they do make that push to get into day two progress
and then put themselves in a really good position going forward.
But Georgie is just a phenomenal player.
I mean, every time we see Georgie at big tournaments, they seem to turn up
and they're doing it again here.
and what a great way to start this tournament, 5-1,
and in with a great shout to lock up day two,
going into this next round.
I think going into the world championships,
there's a couple of regions that we're really being talked about
and one that's so talked about every year,
but especially this year, at least in my opinion,
has been Japan.
I feel like when I had to answer
who I thought was gonna be the region
most represented in top eight,
I said Japan, it's been just incredible
to see a level up across the board.
And for a hero who she, I think this is five and one.
Again, you are one away, though I am heartbroken
that Kou is out looking at Kou's matches.
They were just, it was such a tough feeling.
That's just incredible and knowing how close they were.
But again, Kou is like, we're waiting for Kou.
We know that he's capable of another one here,
the Masters vision like this.
I'm excited for that day.
Yeah, and the same thing with Yuma Kinugawa.
I mean, this year has really been the first year
we've seen Japan compete outside
of their own circuit, you know, even though they can't necessarily earn championship points,
you've seen a lot of these players traveling to international events just to get the experience
competing, which has been really exciting. So I really hope we get to see more of that
coming into next year. For now though, Hiroshi, the reigning Japan national champion, it's
really great to see him at five and one. And I really hope we get to see him walk
in phase two and get to see him compete more in our circuit because a majority
of that tournament I believe was best of one and we didn't really get to see many
best of three games from him and that finals like going back to watch it was just incredibly exciting.
Like I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Yeah, that was probably one of the most exciting
finals had in champion so far. And hopefully we can kind of, you know, hope that this event,
I'm sure we will. But yeah, I think I'm not afraid to say that Cole was my pick coming into
this weekend. I think they were in such a form. But again, I want to repeat myself,
but it just shows the level of trainers that are competing here,
even the players of such high caliber like Korn,
like Hina, they aren't at that point where they're able to progress.
But here, actually, amazing results earlier this season
at the Japan National Championships,
and it's exciting to see the Japan National Champion
doing well, coming into the World Championships.
And you know, they're always the ones that are tipped
to maybe win the World Championships.
If you win that event, then it goes hand in hand a lot of the time.
So we'll see how things play out for the rest of the weekend.
I mean, while we wait for our next Swiss round to be ready,
I want to hear about your guys' world experience so far.
How you feel like the field is kind of narrowed down.
And maybe like your hot take,
because I know my prediction to win is out of the tournament.
So like, here we...
We're putting guys on the spot.
Who are we thinking it?
We're a region that's top eight, you know.
I really haven't put much thought into it
because I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this tournament
Because when I was like checking, you know, social media, trying to figure out how people
were feeling coming into this tournament, I just saw a lot of people like give team,
give team, I have no team, which fair, honestly. I think my, my gut is telling me that this is
probably going to be a Japan year. I think that traditionally Japan is at a really good job
of working together and coming up with the best strategies. And I think that given
What kind of better game we're in this feels a lot like 2015 to me and I think that will lend itself to a similar result
Um, I don't think I could pick an individual from Japan who will necessarily win it
Um, but I that is what my gut is telling me doesn't want to put it all in the line
Okay, you know, I won't put you that much on the spot
I mean if you give me a few more hours to like, you know run the simulation wait until, you know face you happen
Yeah
I'll tell you that I'll tell you that just give me until like two seconds before the power techniques go off on Sunday
And then I'll tell you okay
What about you?
It's so tough right? I think there's this such great trainers in every region
But if I'm I'm really I'm actually rather than use my head use my heart on this one
I do think it's gonna be a back-to-back and a
really I think someone from any is gonna come out and take it again this year
and they never really get tipped to be the the region to win worlds a lot of the
time and just because it's never consistent really and as consistent as
maybe Japan but I do think maybe we're gonna see a back-to-back any champion
although be the first very of course yeah so yeah I couldn't name a player in
I think it's too hard at this stage, but I will I will put my money on any to win
Okay, I'm gonna take a leaf out of Gabby's book and wait it out because our next batch is actually almost ready
So I am a let's send it over to your casters to get started with your next Swiss round
Saved by the belt and not have to put your money where your mouth is
I'm so excited for this next
match. There's a Pokemon that I
didn't think would make it this
far in the event. It is one
game away from potentially
advancing to day two of the
competition, and I was really
hoping to see some unique
mega evolutions in this
tournament. It felt like for
the most part, you know, top
players were going to take
some of the most popular ones
Charizard, Follets, the
Raptor, right? Choose one for
top players were going to take some of the most popular ones, Charizard, Follett,
Sturrapper, Raichu, Swampert, for example. But there's one that kind of felt like it could be
a sleeper pick in Mega Blaziken, and it is sitting here at 5-1. Looking to advance the day two,
has two shots, this one and the next one. Here are our standings before we get a chance to
dive deeper into that Mega Blaziken. We have our competitors that are going to be sitting
at 6-0. Those players have already locked in their spots in day two of our competition,
But every win matters. So it isn't just about being 6-0, you want to maintain the best win-loss record possible to move on to phase 2 and then start to think about that top cut.
Yeah, huge credits to Naoto specifically. I think there's been a lot of talk this tournament about, are we going to see a reeky War Champion?
And Naoto's quietly been just truly one of the greats in the game, obviously having won the War Championships in 2019 but also played in the 2010 War Championships
to reach just leveled out of the top bid at the finishing in 10th or 11th and then also at a top four finish in 2015.
And so he's been around longer than almost anyone who has played competitive Pokemon VGC.
He's back with the vengeance looking to add another big finish.
He now is guaranteed a spot in day two.
And so yeah, I definitely have my eyes out in him in particular.
You know, our fellow cast is we're just analyzing talking about how Japan is a region feels really strong.
He's one of the all time greats from Japan.
And now, if you're talking with him at his winter interview, he was still being so humble about it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'd like to do my best, want to make Phase 2, and then kind of try to think about things
after that.
I love that our competitors are going to take these matches one step at a time, but let's
take a look now at how some of these pairings have gone for this round.
We've got Philippe Volzniak versus Evan Choi as our feature on the stream.
So many big names here.
five and one is a scary place to be because you are so close.
You can taste they too, but you have two of the toughest opponents possible ahead of you.
Right. And so it is not going to be easy for anyone.
Of course, if you're sitting at six and zero, like Justin King or Antonio Sanchez feels good.
But like you said, Rose, everyone today just makes tomorrow that much easier.
And if you've got a lot of momentum, you haven't even dropped the game yet.
You just want to keep that momentum going.
Try to finish the day strong.
for sure. Sometimes these things can snowball. And so for our competitors, this is going to be one
penultimate round before we do close out our day. But this one, you said it. Let's talk about it.
Erin, we had Mega Metagross earlier today. Mega Blaziken now is now going to be on the docket.
But why is this particular Mega Evolution something maybe you feel like it's underrepresented
or a relupt for this world championship.
It's a really fair mega evolution in that I feel like it does a lot of damage, right?
And of course has an incredible ability which allows to get a free speed boost,
allowing it to basically outpace everything.
And Flare of Blitz, close combat, rock side, you just get really good coverage
against some of the most popular Pokemon in the format,
especially obviously that rock side into Mega Charizard.
It is, I think, a Pokemon that's honestly not the easiest to use
because your best move often is going to be Flare of Blitz or close combat.
For the Flare of Blitz, you take a lot of recoil damage.
We've seen Swamper it's constantly way fresh today on stream and you know, even though it does a lot of damage
It also loses a lot of its health similar concept with that flare blades close combat really powerful move
But you drop your defenses place against not the bulkiest Pokemon so after that drop normally it will fall quite quickly afterwards
So part of the skill about using blaze to kin is how do you pilot it right because I think a lot of people want to
Lead with it immediately
Maybe you trade one for one, but if you trade your mega evolution for something
That's not a mega evolution doesn't feel that great a lot of the times
But ultimately it can hit really hard has great offensive coverage and if you position a property in the end game can just kind of pull a sweep
Well, I'm excited to see it. Aren't you?
I hope that it makes an appearance in this match as we head down to the stage as both
Achilles and Evan get ready to battle each other
And it's not just blaze the game
We talk about the firewater grass core and there's a free marina here
which is not a Pokemon that's seen a lot of successor usage so far in this format as well as a Venusaur
So what's really cool about this team is that you obviously have the Torcal and the Venusaur
You also have the Torcal and the Blaziken that allows you to play really quickly on turn one
But there's also a pretty clear trick room core where you've got the Phyrra, Grapha, King Gambit, the Primarina and the Torcal
Primarin in particular, really interesting Pokemon here in this matchup because of course it can hit everything on evan's side for super effective damage, right?
And so, for Philly, he's got the potential to just go fast and go hard immediately.
Or, if you can just try to set up Trick Room, and I think for Evan, you have to figure out,
do I want to deny that Trick Room?
Do I want to set up a Tailwind with Aerodactyl?
Because, actually, the Aerodactyl on his side is really what I mean with Tailwind,
and dual winged, not the right-hand's plays can immensely.
But if you Tailwind and you've got a Pharaograph on on the field and a Trick Room's on you,
well, suddenly the speed's become really awkward.
And I don't know if there's a really great way for Evan to deny that Trick Room from getting set up.
You look at a Pokemon like King Gambit with something like the Cowtow, please
But this King Gambit is actually going to be a focus dash
So there isn't really I think maybe enough damage that could be powered behind the Cowtow
Please actually take this for graph down. Maybe you get the Cowtow
You activate the Citrus Berry here, and then how do you follow that up? It's a great question
Yeah, taking a look at Phylloge's team once again. We've got some unique elements here life or primary
Of course, you can see the natures as well. It's going to be a quiet nature
So really wanted to take advantage of that trick room Aqua jet, which often is valuable and just finishing off Pokemon that are quite low HP
We've also got the aca berry here on the Venusaur the focus that she's already taken on the king gambit
And so aca gives you haven't a just matchup into opposing fire types like the Charizard that we see here on Heaven's team
And the pork look you're also is helping hand
And so sometimes players like to just run free attacks on pork will be helping hand means that you can allow things like pre-marina
to do even more damage under trickrope.
And that liquid voice is going to be so important.
Like you talked about the super effective damage output
of this premarina, while the aerodactyl on the other side
also doesn't have wide guard.
Yeah.
But there isn't really a way to actually stop now
this water type hyper voice from hitting your team.
Exactly, yeah.
And there aren't that many great hyper voice users, right,
in the format to begin with.
And certainly non-letter, you know,
turn it into a water type attack.
And so I think that's a really great call out.
and I think, did you see Evan's reaction just now?
I think he saw the team and he was like, sorry, what?
Is that, what are those folks on?
And I, you know what's also really cool is that
this is a solo Mega Blaziken team.
It's not a dual Mega team.
And so Evan is using kind of one of these standard archetypes
that we saw have a lot of success, of course,
at the North American International Championships,
the pairing of Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Charizard.
And you have to flex between Trick Room and Tailwind.
King Gambit on this team normally is quite speedy
And pay attention to the fact that Evan's King Gambit has low kick, but Felix does not, right?
And so that means that Evan can have a damage advantage,
but inability to protect means that the King Gambit is vulnerable to getting doubled up into.
And crucially, there's a life warp guard shop, which is one of the biggest threats to Blaziken in this format.
I also want to call out that this particular charge dart is one of the original charge darts that we saw.
It does have solar beam, and so that's going to be a really potent attacking is something like that for Arena.
Exactly. I think the leads are going to give us a really good sense of how these games will go because the thing about Evan's team is you have so much damage across the board, right?
Something like Aeridaphy won Garchomp. If you lead Blaziken, Torcal, well, then Evan can just quick tail in an earthquake, for example, immediately.
So I think for Filipe, it's all about how can you figure out maybe when you can get Friggraff on the field potentially set up Shurkeroom.
The awkward thing is if you set up Shurkeroom, well, Mega Blaziken's obviously not a very great pick, right?
And so you have to figure out if I'm going to set up trick room. Can I do it then bring up
Afterwards, but here we go win and in the winner of this will move on to the two of the world championships
It's gonna be a red after King game been here forever
The blazing and hits the field immediately now this air dactyl has to do a wing
So of course you've read in blazing can immediately turn one with something like mega of all four
However, you have Charizard on your back, you can actually choose to mount a Mega Evolve.
Just dual wing beat the Blaziken immediately.
And so, if you're...
Really, the question is, well, do you maybe want to predict that?
Like, let's say you think it's going to be dual wing beat into Blaziken, Cauts how quickly
you've been a Phyrograph.
You could protect the Blaziken or even switch out into, for example, your Corkle or Primarina.
Another thing Evan can do though is say, well, Blaziken has the protector, so I'm
just going to Mega Evolve and double up onto your Phyrograph turn launch.
It's going to be the Mega Evolution instantly though from this Aerodactyl.
So that's actually going to enter one of those questions.
You see the Aerodactyl now being able to get a bit of a boost of damage thanks to that top-clog ability, but the Blaziken is matching that.
We've got Mega Evolution for both sides.
So cool to see Mega Blaziken here on the World Championship stage in round 7.
Does it protect? It does.
Evan's nodding, so my question is, is it a double up Intola-Farigara?
Okay, just a double protect.
Okay.
You can see Evan immediately go, oh, okay.
Yeah, I guess that's kind of expected there.
It is going to give you the opportunity to scout out that mega evolution for support no
stay from enemy, but also give that Blaziken a chance to actually activate that engine,
get that speed boost so you can be faster than the Aerodactyl and guarantee damage this
turn.
Yeah, the tricky thing here I think is the King Amit having that focus sash, right?
And the trigger up here doesn't have helping hand either, and so it's like if you had
helping hand maybe you could thread an Aerodactyl with a helping hand close combat or
rock side, try to get it knocked out onto it.
The tricky thing here is that Blaziken has to pick its target.
It is going to be close combat into Aerodactyl.
Oh my goodness!
Wow!
It's a fucking knockout!
I was not expecting that to KO.
It's going to be pretty helpful.
I mean, that was also without a crit.
That was just a raw close combat and now we can give it gets a follow-up up with
a Coutout Clip to the Urgara, but now all of a sudden there is not enough damage
on the board.
Do you want to take out this Urgara before it sets up its room?
Well, so that's the interesting thing, right?
I think, really it might have been like, I think you're going to survive this.
to knock me out and then you're gonna give me a free switch and into true groom now the awkward thing is
You have mega blazing in out while true groom is set up
So many aerodactyls the Pokemon that normally actually has started to invest a lot in HP and like reduces its attack investment there
So I thought it would survive close combat there for sure
But no it just goes down in one hit now
It's not in a bad spot
But you kind of feel like you need to get this place again off the field right the photograph
Of course you go for something like a thunderbolt onto the king gambit get an attack off and break its focus
on the way out. Blaziken, I think I'd really would love to switch out. The free Marine is a really great Pokemon to come in if you've got that in the back.
But I think this turn for feeling like it's maybe playing a little bit more defense. It's actually going to be Blaziken first who may be actually willing to sacrifice that Blaziken.
I think that's kind of okay. Or, you know, maybe you're baiting out an attack here from the guard.
Ow! That's actually just a double into the Blaziken. So this Blaziken actually gets to fire off in close combat.
That's so much damage mega blaziken welcome to the Pokemon world championships
Feels like it's been a highlight reel for it so far
And of course now you can thread in the garchamp for a knockout with frigorap with that psychic as well
And so I think we're getting even more than he really was expecting right?
I think the idea there was okay. You know what if you knock out my blaziken fine
I've got him my trick room up and I think Marina under tricker looks like an absolute monster
But I think right now that was such a great
I think that's a great turn for
Filipe and yet this blaze again,
really wanting to prove it's worth
here, bringing him into T2.
I mean, if you get another turn like
that, that might be that King Gambit
all the way down to one with the
focus dash, and then we'll see what
happens after that. But I think that
belief at this point is that, you know,
I've actually gotten away with a lot.
So let's go ahead and make a small adjustment
here for Giraffe, save it for later.
That free marina takes the Kowtow cleave
Now comes out and finishes off the place again, but it's already dealt out a lot of her to
Yeah, the main thing I was kind of curious about there was the speed interaction between free graph and can gambit right because I think if
Right right there maybe could have just stayed in gone for a psychic to knock out guard chump and blazing could have knocked out King
Gambit either way though now
This is kind of the trip room dream where you have the twerkle and the pre marina position next to each other
The main thing is that mega place again has gone down and there are only two turns of trip from left
However, King Gambit crucially cannot protect itself, right?
And so, Porko plus Primarina here have a super free eruption.
I've never seen this switch out. Primarina could either hyper voice or boom blast,
which I think is probably just a little bit better, and Gambit will fall.
It's going to be the second punch first though, so it will mitigate some of this Porko's damage output.
As the rocket gets based on the amount of HP that people want as left,
but it has to steal their brain with King Gambit down to its focus dash,
that sun boosted charcoal boosted eruption still does a lot of work. A follow up here for the
Priorya to use Moonblast so it isn't going to get hurt by its own partner's weather setting
and that finishes off the KDF improve. Yeah the question though is I think Evan has managed to
weather the storm of Trick Room right there is only going to be one turn left after this so
Garchump can come in you can protect both of your Pokemon and then Trick Room has included
this Garchump took a lot of damage but it hasn't tamed it right and 17 percent there's also
that Awkwaja on free marina it's the sun is up so it's not going to do that much
damage but after Garchomp takes one more hit of flight board then surely I think
an Awkwaja will finish it off and so for Evan it's managed to probably get through
the trick room but oh man it's gonna be really close the Torco of course also
has helping hand I don't think helping hand Awkwaja is killing a 17% Garchomp
in Sun but yeah the Evan now really has got to rely on the speed
advantage after spalling off this last in a trick room.
If you see the Sylveon go for the Protect and keep the Garchomp as a following that up and he dies.
So that is going to be the final turn of Kroot Kroot Stalls.
Then you do have to think about, I don't know, I'm not really willing to put it on Aqua Jet not getting the KOF.
We saw a close combat, one shot there and actually...
The Sun is up, Rhymerita's attack is not that great.
So this turn is really interesting. You know, let Sylveon just protect it, right?
right and so the garch up isn't going to want to click earthquake because otherwise you're going to damage yourself
I think if you're feeling what you can do is protect the free marina switch pork a while into frigoraps like our chomp
He's that extra tick of life or then aqua jack can finish it off right and so feels like the most logical play
otherwise you are vulnerable to just eating up something like a stomping hand from and a
Hyper voice or even hyper beam the garch up here does not have rock slide
I think actually to have rocks like rocks I plus hyper voice is also something you consider clicking
So really times and actually no switch into the photograph greenery is just going to protect saying I want to conserve that for a graph
And it is stomping time for a means with work all right
That's enough to get the knock out there and bring the leaf down to go to keep open on remaining in this first game
So we have a true 2v2 a bar top with that like for people to pick it up at seven percent
Maybe now we can actually start to think about that after Jeff's help as that photograph does have to come back out
Yeah, but is there enough damage, right?
I think Evan has done a really fantastic job here of positioning his damage dealers outside of that trick room.
So now you have Aqua Jet threat into the guard chomp.
Garchomp could try to predict a go for a protect.
Sylveon then could go for a hyper beam, one shot the Primarina.
You could also just go for a hyper voice here.
Primarina's boom blast is also quite powerful into Sylveon.
Garchomp protects! Is there a reed here?
Whoa, actually it's not going to be the Aqua Jet, and it is.
That's going to get negated by that protect.
And so that's going to be one source of damage that you won't be able to get down this
Oh, I'm like hyper voice!
You can't get the KO on the ground either.
The trick room goes up.
Primarina has the speed advantage.
Yeah, it feels like that could have been a hyper beam into Primarina instead, right?
You get the knockout there.
But that trick room might just be enough because now Primarina will be able to get a move last
off into the Sylveon.
So then the question is, can that get a knockout?
You know, do you target the guard shop with the 3-graph going for a psychic into it?
Or do you double up onto Sylveon?
Oh my goodness.
It's a lot of clutch trick room and a clutch survival by Furograph.
I think if they were Hyper Beam coming out on to the free marina that likely would have been game over.
It's going to be free marina actually going for the protect though, okay.
Maybe just hoping that Furograph can get a little more experience, but it's actually just going to be a double protect.
Scout out for an opposing protect on the opposing end, it makes total sense.
Delays out the stun as well, so that would be really nice if you do want to actually get a hyper voice through your own perimeter later.
later. Well, it was the Earthquake. So the Garchomp is actually going to hurt his partner's
double kill. And yeah, that's going to knock out Sylvanian. And you know what else that's
going to knock out? Garchomp with its own life form. Yeah, that is going to be a double
KO, but it was a good effort because you can see there, Evan was kind of banking on
there being a position where you can get the double KO with Earthquake. But also
you can see that Garchomp and Sylvanian actually are on the ever-ceiving end of
attack they're going down anyway yeah I want to explain that turn because I'm
sure a lot of people are like what in the world did he just do why did he do
that and I think basically the whole there is like the pre-marina moon
blast into Sylveon and psyche goes into the Sylveon right because Sylveon
obviously with a hyper voice is just so threatening so if you think the double
I'm gonna go into that slot then Garchomp can just finish off every
Pokemon on the field basically but yeah I think this game was really
interesting because I felt like we've actually had a pretty huge advantage
after Blazing got that free attack off but then Frugroup switched out and
And the Garchomp actually got a couple of extra turns,
managed to weather the storm witcher room.
That early game damage was really important though.
Can we just point out the fact, once again,
that we saw a mega blazing in just one shot,
then an aerodactyl with close contact?
That is a neutral attack.
That was awesome.
I mean, you just give me so much hope
that there's still more to this regulation
to be explored, that we do get a chance
to see such unique Pokemon being used.
But just playing through the rest of this,
I think just the fact that Philly did end up
setting up that second trick
roof. It was a missed opportunity,
I think from Evan. As you mentioned,
maybe get that hyper beam. Yeah,
yeah, I mean, Marge is really,
really thin there, right? And so I think
if you go back to the drawing board,
you've seen, OK, well, double
protect is a possible play. Close combat also
can knock out my aerodactyl. So
if you're Evan, you can
consider playing a little bit more defensively,
right? For example, aerodactyl, if you think it's going to go
eat up the close combat,
Potentially switching into a Sylveon for example. I really like Sleep's overall game plan there
Which was let me use play skin in the early game to immediately get some knockouts and as it fades
I get my trick room up. Creme Marina under trick room is an absolute beast right was able to do a lot of damage to that one
Part of the other thing is if you're evan do you ever consider switching to mega Charizard instead, right?
Yeah, that I redacted but I don't know even though a redacted did get one hit K. Ode in that last game
Like it still feels better than Charizard, honestly
the best offensive matchup into the mega blaze again.
So lots that both players can do right now.
Garchomp as a lead, I think, is also another powerful adaptation.
Something like Garchomp actually would put on a lot of pressure
into free graph and blaze against me to solve.
Now, of course, you do threading with the rock side immediately
under Garchomp.
But Garchomp's room there are really physically bulky these days.
So I'd actually expect it to potentially survive.
And if you survive, well, then you can retaliate back
with something like a weather ball and a earthquake, for example.
And it's not going to get a theme type attack bonus there for the players to either play sides.
I feel like that is in favor of the Charizard surviving that attack.
But one way to find out, looks like our competitor is getting ready for game number two as a reminder.
If Belief wins this next game, he has secured a spot in phase two of the World Championships.
But Evan will still have one more chance with round of three.
Let's see, I'm just so thrilled to see Mega Blaser Kid on this stage and for the work that it put in.
Someone's got to run the numbers on a close combat on Aerodactyl.
Like I said, I was expecting to survive, just because Aerodactyls, I feel like normally have a fair bit of HP in Defensive Bolt.
And so, yeah, to see it just immediately, when Hey Kayle without a critical hit to start off the set, absolutely exhilarating.
And I think if you're evi, you also have to respect some other Lee fix ups, right?
Like Blaziken plus Twergul is one where you can double protect him when Sun is up, and then on Twergul you've got the Helping Hand Pressure from Twergul.
Purple's damage is actually, it's like a really good Pokemon in a King Gambit because King Gambit can sucker punch your Cal-Towel for 30 or 40%
But then the Torcal can just bring you down to focus action really easily
That's another lead. Of course, there's the Torcal Venus or lead as well
Which pressure is with immediate sleep powders, right? So a lot of combinations. We have seen sleep powder be like a hidden final boss of some of these games
Let's see what is in store for us in the second one though as in the Aridastal is Garchomp for Evan this time
and it's going to be a regrappe of Blaziken once again with Hulu.
Yeah, so I think the guard shot makes a lot of sense here
because of how much offensive pressure it exerts, right?
You can immediately go for an earthquake.
That'll do... just basically immediate knockout onto Blaziken,
get a lot of damage onto free grep as well.
The other thing here is, of course, okay,
it is going to be Blaziken mega-bombing,
so I was going to say Aerodactyl here
because she's not to mega-bomb,
and then that way you have to be on nerve active,
so Citrus Barrier for grep doesn't have to be.
That is a really great call-out.
Something that has gained a very impressive ability
and we are just going to do the mega evolution for Blaziken and not Aerodactyl on this first turn.
Double protect so, we're going to be able to scout Alpha Protect from the other side
and then we're going to see something like the Tailwind, but it is just going to be Aerodactyl trying to go for the Dual Linky.
See if that plus the follow-up of the Earthquake damage from the Bar Trunk would be a nut to get the tail.
Yeah, I think the Double Protect makes a ton of sense once again. Let me just get my speed boost.
Evan's response there would be to Tailwind, but are you really going to Tailwind in front of a Phyridrap or Tripper, right?
That is such a hard call out to make and so now we've passed the speed boost once again
Blaziken is exerting that close combat pressure. No protect those switches
It's actually close combat into gargoyle probably predicting the aerodactyl this time to protect the switch
It's a lot of damage here, but I think Evan will get a decent trade in return
So do a wingtie next up to the photograph, but that's actually not going to do enough
Yeah
I think this photograph even if there's going to be that follow-up from the earthquake
You'll be able to get off something like a trade room or just an attack outright.
Flether King goes down, but this time I think the leap is much happier with this outcome,
taking for a draft of a setup.
Exactly, because now you get that free switch in,
free Marina, I think incredibly powerful to bring out right now.
The big question I have is, is there a Charizard in the back?
You would think so, right? Because I think it makes sense to conserve the Unnerve,
but if you're not going to get the knockout anyway, you might as well go for the Mega,
just for, you know, a stronger damage output there.
So free Marina does come in and I think free Marina looks so good on paper into Evan's team. So even though of course mega blizzak is really flashy
It's you know, it feels like it should be the primary star of the leaves team
It's actually free Marina left feels like it is immensely difficult to deal with and so now Evan has to go through all four turns of trip
Right, you can obviously go for a double protect and make a swap, but hyper voice here right now
It's just so powerful. There's nothing that resists watertight damage on this team
You just have to take that and you don't want to switch charges are into that
I think it actually just paints.
So you have to find a way maybe through a double protect here from the Aerodactyl plus the Garchomp.
See if you can make your way through this.
But it's going to be the Aerodactyl that actually protects and it's going to be the only one.
So as Hypervoids comes out from this Cream Arena, it's going to actually send Garchomp hacking.
Another Pokemon gets to take its place.
Maybe it's going to be something like the Sylveon.
We'll be able to stand up at least a little bit taller with that natural special defense.
Yeah, I think you could be Sylvanon. I think Charizard actually now does get the opportunity to switch it in Mega Balls.
And once you Mega Ball, there it is.
Yeah.
Turns on the Sun and suddenly Hyper Voice is less powerful.
Now, Hyper Voice plus Thunderbolt, it's still gonna do a lot, right?
Like, I would expect it to knock out the Aerodactyl even in Sun.
The Charizard here, as you pointed out, Rose, is the Solar Beam set.
It's the standard set. If it were Ancient Power, I think it would be in really, really bad shape.
Solar Beam will do a lot and every time 3-Murrayn attacks, it's also gonna take a fair bit of damage from that Light Force, right?
So right now if you're feeling you have a pretty safe play which is just going for hyper voice and thunderbolt
And you can double up onto the aerodactyl slot try to eliminate that immediately
You could also double up on Charizard, but I'm not confident on hyper voice and thunderbolt despite both being super effective
We'll get the knockout for grass damage either surprises me in how much it's going to do or it's underwhelming
But we see the Charizard make it involved and set the Sun and then protect itself
So unfortunately the aerodactyl doing all the previous turns doesn't want to risk failing a double protect
So it just has to take the hyper voice
It is something 60% in the sun
But is there going to be a thunderbolt follow-up from this first draft that will actually be a health lock it out
But into the Tarizard, great protect
Yeah, really nice play
I gotta say though, wow, this is a wingbeat
Not really that strong, but
Manages to get the extra attack off the Redaridacle
Followed a turn of trick room
And now you also beat up a little bit more life core damage with that free arena
So Primarina attacks again with a hyper voice, so it'll be at 71%.
The question is, then can a Charizard finish it off with that Solar Beam?
So, nice call by Evan there.
I think Ferdrake had the same Thunderbolt in the Aerodactyl, but in Sleep Size, well,
Aerodactyl is not really that big of a threat anyway, right?
I mean, it basically did, like, 15, 20% there.
I think Rockside might have been nicer to get some extra chip damage on a Primarina,
but it's actually Primarina swapping up for Torquil right now.
Hey, so maybe Torquil going to be a better Pokémon to take something like the Solar Beam,
but that's actually not what's going to happen on this turn,
Because Arthur is also going to make an adjustment bringing the King Gambit out as Aerodactyl protects itself.
So King Gambit has to take some damage here maybe from the Thunderbolt as the Burger after still charges down that slot hoping it was the Charizard.
That's what it'd be, a good amount.
Yeah, but I think if I'm, I'm pretty happy about that turn, right? I managed to switch Torque went for free, like, the Aerodactyl could have clicked Rock Slide there.
I think Fleeve's idea was let me get damage onto the Charizard. I don't want my Primerina to just get knocked out this turn.
Erin
King Gambit, of course, is just gonna get obliterated by twerkle here. Yeah, there's just not a great way to stop your save yourself from a bold coward approach it
From this twerkle and so King Gambit unfortunately has to sacrifice himself for the second game
The room is almost over, but Evan only has to hook him on remaining to keep himself in there. Yeah, and the other thing is
Sun is slowly expiring right if you manage to make it out of the Sun
That free marina cannot be hit by that charge.
I mean, you can't keep waiting for that revolve.
As you see, only two turns left, right?
And so, can free marina potentially just clutch this out in the endgame?
I feel like that is what Glee was playing for,
and I think to get that knock-it-up in game,
but to not lose furgraph or twerkle,
puts them in a nice position.
But of course, right now, like you said,
trick room and that speed advantage going more in Heaven's favor.
And so things feel really tense right now.
feeling like free marina has an advantage in this endgame
there's so much damage on the board if you go with something like a rock slide and even just
like a heat wave maybe the purple just softened up softened up enough that you're able to withstand
another eruption so that rock slides gonna bring his circle down to about 60 percent most of the
follow-up here from the Charizard if you can do it it's a weather ball and so okay great call
there to ignore the Protector on that Pergrap and it actually does just get the knockout outright.
Oh that was close. I think Evan was not confident that was going to KO, right? Especially after
that rock slide damage. So now Primarina will come in. It could protect obviously to
stall out the last turn of Sun. I just don't think Life Orb Aqua just doing 40% to Aerodactyl
even outside of Sun is a super effective attack and the Aerodactyl doesn't appear to be bulky
but this is a Primarina using a physical attack what we're talking about. So Pergrap does
Let's get the double protect though, okay?
Oh, okay.
And so that's going to save it from this final turn of sun
of the marina protecting itself as well,
just to be sure they're not risking anything unnecessary.
But once the sun disappears,
still I think you have to worry about
like a Charizard trying to go for E-Wing.
Solar Beam will come out, won't do anything,
and that is going to be the end of sun.
So now, Aerodactyl can rock slide,
or it could try to protect potentially.
Charizard could just go for, like you said, a heat wave.
You go for Weather Balls, a very weak attack,
when it's not boosted by the weather,
but at least it is 100% accurate.
Here's the awkward shift.
Is it enough to get the knockout?
It is!
Marina does it!
That is a huge knockout.
We're never underestimating Primarita again.
My job!
That was a clutch KO.
And also, now that the Unnerved is off the table,
this Firderaff can finally have its citrus fairy snack
it's been waiting for as he comes out
and misses the Pre-Marina and the Flickrack just to add itself to injury.
So this Flickrack sets up to a group for free and his game feels over now.
Yeah, I was gonna say in all fairness, I think even if he waits for a new Sam Pre-Marina,
it still does it, but Foliq moves on to 6-1, takes his unique team with Mega Blaze again,
and life for Pre-Marina, 2-2 of the Pokemon World Championship.
In a format where so many teams feel hyper-optimized and use this relative same pool of Pokemon,
It is mega plays to get in free Marina here in round seven that moves on
And what a cool way to be able to win a match on screen as well Justin so much style
I love that we got a chance to see just great highlights of both of these Pokemon in action
One hit knockout from the close combat into the aerodactyl the Agudette KO to take 40%
I'm an aerodactyl
I gotta know that cow gone because I think it's to me on my guess is this aerodactyl has absolutely no bulk right because
got one shot by Blaziken in game one and then also painted to pre marina in game two
even with no bulk I was like 40% that's so much health right but wow pre marina clutches it out and
just so fun to see these Pokemon being utilized and that that game was really tense because it was
like I was saying like if you saw the sun well pre marina just won me one Charizard so I know
the double miss there at the end was quite dramatic but even if you've double hits for a graph
fainse tricker doesn't get set up you would need a burn like that would be your win condition
of a pre Marina and then like a double protector triple protect potentially but
yeah the mist is obviously immediately allows you to win the game just so cool
to be able to see this composition come to the forefront I was wondering if we
would see the Venusaur because the other thing I was thinking is what if you
just let Evan set the Sun for you and then the Venusaur comes in and you're
able to just put things to sleep but to leap showed us you need the Venusaur
in order to win the game just had to make sure that you got your trick
room up in the right conditions. I just think it's so cool to see how that team
functions right because I think on paper you look at it and you're like I don't
get it like Mega Blaziken is really fast the rest of your team is really slow
like how does this really work right but we've showed us it's me just getting a
ton of damage off with Blaziken in the opening turns that what makes it so
liable is if you just close combat into a protect or a switch right for
example we saw close combat into Garchomp. Garchomp protects there
Aerodactyl goes through dual wing bead on a Blaziken it's a very
different story but what allowed Blaziken to really thrive in this one and that's why
called a fair Pokemon right because most of the time you're clicking a single target attack
into one specific slot if your opponent protects your switches well it can be a huge swing but
Blaziken I feel like got more than it really would have wanted in that game which was a knockout
on the Aerodactyl close combat into Garchomp both in games one and games two which really we can
get. Yeah I agree it's just so cool you'll see a Pokemon that you know what that mega evolution
has been around for a while but I think this is really the first time I'm looking at it I'm
I'm like, hey, that looks really good.
But I cannot wait to see how far
Philipe can take this.
I know this is such a stellar win.
And so let's hear from Philipe
on how he's feeling after this match.
Thank you so much.
I'm here with Philipe,
who has just punched his ticket
into phase two of the tournament.
Congratulations.
I know you're a little shaky,
but how are you feeling?
It's amazing.
I really can't believe it.
I was only aiming to compete
at the World Championships
and make day two here, it's just great.
I mean, your team is absolutely incredible.
Mega Blaziken on a trick room team.
What is the inspiration behind it?
Actually, the inspiration was Wolf Glick's regulation
I team with Corridon and Lunala,
which I got my best results this season.
So the plan is, I probably shouldn't tell it,
but use Mega Blaziken early on
with enormous offensive pressure
and then let it die because it's just really frail
and get a free switch on the trick room
and then just go from there.
You mentioned to me before we started this interview
that you had a lot of help from your friends.
Did they help you build and test this team?
Yeah, exactly.
I would like to thank all of them,
especially Daki, who found the prototype for the team,
helped me prep a lot, found a lot of useful stuff.
Itchak, who has found a really secret tech
for the Venusaur.
Narad, who's staying with me here.
Joshi who has also helped me and everybody in the Polish community,
Polska Górona.
All right. Well, I don't want to let you go just yet because we have to talk about
your run so far today. I mean, this is the first time we've seen you.
Tell us about your matches so far.
I was aiming to play as many non-EU players because it's the World
Championships. I can play EU players at home.
And that has managed. I played four Japanese players.
One of them was Shoma Honami, which I managed to win,
which is also incredible for me.
Yeah, it's just been really great.
I hope I surprised all of them with my team.
And I guess I did because I'm here.
For sure, for sure.
And I mean, going into tomorrow in Phase 2,
are you going to be doing any preparations tonight, you think?
Are you going to just try to get a good night's sleep?
Do you have a game plan?
No, probably just a good night's sleep
and celebrate with my friends, which came here as well.
For sure.
I know you already gave some shout-outs for Leap,
Is there anybody else you'd like to say hello to, who might be watching?
Yes, I would like to say hello to my fiance, Veronica, who is probably asleep right now
because it's the middle of the night in Poland.
But she has helped me emotionally a lot, she has put up with me being really not good
in the household or very stressed, but she was very considerate and helped me a lot.
So thank you, Veronica.
Well, thank you so much for your time.
Congratulations again on making phase two of the competition.
luck in the final round of Swiss and for everybody watching at home we're gonna be taking a quick
break before we get into our final round of Swiss so please stay tuned.
Hello everybody and welcome to the Pokemon Center here at Worlds 2026 in San Francisco as
As you can see, we've got the World Championship side.
We've got the Pokemon XP side.
I hear it's absolutely insane in there.
Let's go take a look.
We got to get me popping out behind everything that we can.
Let's take a shot of it.
Oh!
Okay, how's it going?
Beautiful pieces, breathing close here.
I want you to take a look at this for everyone at home.
This is a fantastic piece.
This is the beautiful save-a-lie we have right here.
Without question, one of the finest we have.
Beautiful, sparkly.
We have the Eevee right next to it.
And finally, the Jigglypuff.
Very nice collection.
The official matte, limit one per customer.
But I count as two customers, so I will take two.
No.
King Pikachu.
MUSIC
We have now transitioned from the World Championships to the XP area.
Space themed, extremely cool, in my opinion,
cooler than the World Championship area.
I'm probably not supposed to say that.
to say that. Let's do some pop outs. Boom, pop it.
Okay, okay, get a picture of me with the Umbria.
There you go.
The World Championship Clay Matting Bag. Also limit one.
These are different, though, so I can take them. Yes? Yes.
I got a yes. Place is poppin'.
Beautiful. Special, elegant. One of them's going on a trip.
One of them is blasting off, another one would be in a spaceship.
I think I like Curely the best.
I have been excited to see this the entire time.
This is the item I've had my eye on more than anything else.
This jacket right here.
It's beautiful, it's special.
I'm not exactly sure where I can wear it, except everywhere,
and I want it very bad.
I will be back for it,
because technically I'm not allowed to shop for this right now.
I
and we're back trainers here coming into round eight of the Pokemon World Championships here
in San Francisco. I've taken Aaron Rose again for another little spin behind our desk here
and we're just having a fantastic time. What a great match that we just featured on stream
with Philippe winning. With a Pokemon, I don't think that many of us have our bingo cards here,
coming into the world championships. I don't know if we need to update our predictions like
Mega Blaziken, because they're so, so strong, right? I was gonna say, Ben, I didn't know if you were
talking about Mega Blaziken or Primerina, because neither of those were out of the game part,
but we got to see both, and they both clutched up in games one and two respectively. Little
Colomate, little Colomate. I mean, even the Torcole as well, right? Yeah. It's like, what
are the strong Pokemon? It's not, you know, it doesn't have as many wings as Charizard,
But it's still bringing the sun is still putting up on the damage. So yeah, I think we've we've seen such a we've been we've been so lucky
I think in in the tournament so far
We've seen such a great variation of teams and people really try to take a swing at the format and
Really tried to do something maybe a little bit different rather than coming in just with the tried and tested compositions
I think what we need is a section for like our underrated picks
I think that would be it like the spice we think is going on to the tournament
So maybe you'll have to think about that for next time.
Okay, we'll add it to the list.
Let's have a little catch up with our world champions
that are competing this weekend as well.
See how they're getting on so far.
So, Sajian, we saw them on stream a little bit earlier.
They were having a great start to the tournament.
Hasn't worked out quite in their favor,
unfortunately for them going 3-4 so far.
But a good opportunity last round of Swiss
make that even in this world championships.
I mean, that would just still be such an impressive result.
I think looking across the board at some of the competitors that we saw at 0 3 1 3 kind of slowly trickling out of the tournament
There were a lot of big names down here. So I think if you can say that you finished 4 4
You got to be really happy with a result like that
Especially with the caliber that we've seen across this world championships so far not just on the broadcast
But who we know is in the field and playing at their tournament. So looking a little bit further
We got Shoma who I was able to have a little catch up to with yesterday saying like I asked him whether or not
He thought Charizard was gonna win the tournament as a little bit of a heart take and he said
I'm running Charizard and I will win
Still in contention there at five to alongside wolf click running a little bit of a different iteration on a sand composition with Megastar after
in the mix as well. Two of these four champions have already punched the ticket to day two in Nalto and
Shohei of course, two of our Japanese war champions. Shohei I believe lost round one and just won every
game after that. And so just another phenomenal performance by him. He's one of the most consistent
players on the world stage and yeah just constantly delivers and Nalto I think it's yeah
feel like it's been a while since we've gotten the chance to see him play especially on stream
and he had a very nice win in his winning in and has just been a top for us. I think I was seeing him
I think to be earlier this morning. It was like I'd just be really happy to make it to day two
But I'm sure now he's looking for more. Yeah, it's like when you get to that stage and you're thinking like okay coming in
This is gonna be a tough event, right? And then it all sort of lines up for you. You make it for that thing
And then you hang on a second
What what if I can get to after a day? Exactly
I start to wait in a little bit, but everybody's still having great results on the day, but I think definitely looking at Shola Wolf Paul
Can they get the final win in this final round of Swiss to punch their tickets to?
We know that they're capable of doing it right all of these trainers have been in those pressure situations before right all of them
Are capable of doing it. It's just you know
We've got a few trainers that are in contention that just have to carry on winning and winning is what these trainers are good at
So just again so hard it is the world championships every single matchup is one
that you could see being at the finals of a stage like this and so thinking
about that and knowing the schedules that some of these competitors have had
I'm just very impressed and hoping and cheering for them so let's have a little
look going on from our world championships with world champions
that are competing this weekend let's have a little bit of a look back now
we're going into round eight we've seen loads of different teams on
stream we've seen loads of different players. Let's have a little reminder of the usage across
the tournament there. King Gambit, this is the top 12 overall usage regardless of if they're
mega Pokemon or not. King Gambit, Charizard, Incideral. I don't think any of us were surprised
to see them on the top pedestal, but I feel like we've seen a lot of different variations of
Pokemon, different variations of teams that aren't on this graphic as well.
I mean, yeah, we had Swamper, we had Cleaver, we had Hydraegon, of course Mega Blaze again,
a pre-Marina.
Like it goes to show that there are some really interesting things that you can do in the
format.
I suspect once we get into phase two of the tournament though, there will be very few
of unexpected surprises of tea.
There will mainly be things that we expect it to be very powerful and true established
compositions coming into this event.
There was a Vanillix at X1.
That's right.
round so that is a Pokemon that's not on this graphic that I also don't think people expected to see at the world championships today
Yeah, I mean, you know, it's it's kind of similar to a lowland nine tails
All right
In a lot of different ways it just doesn't have that fairy type things to
Complement it and it's you know, there's a few few other alternatives. So I think like looking at this list of
Top 12 Pokemon. I think there's a good sort of like your fairy compositions the grass compositions the
and you know the strong Pokemon that we've got King Gambit and Busky Legion and Incineroar that
can't walk out jump but why just keep I'll just keep going I'll just keep listing all of the
Pokemon that are on the graphic but I think we've done and we've had a great run in showing a
lot of these Pokemon on the stream and Sylveon we've got to give it a shout out.
Top 10. Have we seen much of Floette?
Yeah I was like I don't remember seeing much Floette on stream today but it obviously
has been, if anything, it's kind of had a comeback, right? Like I feel like, well, I wouldn't say it's
completely disappeared over the last couple of weeks, but of course this was one of the best
Pokemon in regulation MA. It was also a success in MB, but it felt like people were trying a lot
of new things. But yeah, here it is, sitting at number six. Well, let's go along to our mega
Pokemon stats and see how that's shaping up compared to what we see. I think one of the
things that really stands out to me, especially seeing we've got Justin Tang at seven and
know, with Mega Delphox, Mega Blast Toys, going into the final round of Swiss. I'm really fascinated
to know how Mega Blast Toys specifically is going to be converting in phase two, right? Like, who's
going to have, you know, been able to have just that really amazing run and just, you know,
hit all of the predictions in the right spots. It's a tough Pokémon to use. I mean, we saw
it earlier, right? Going for a Shell Smashing Trick Room. Like, if you know, you know.
And it was a non-Megashall smash as well, like I truly think what makes that
composition with the Delphox and Key Gambit so cool is that you have
three big threats that are looking to just peek over the game at any given point.
And one of the things I really like watching at the War Championships is
while these players have been on these teams for weeks, they've probably figured
the most hyper-optimized lines possible into the other really popular teams, right?
So you start doing some funky things that you probably normally wouldn't think of if you
were seeing an opposing team for the first time, but it's a thing about a competitive
game like VGC, there are established metagames and so you should do your homework coming into
this event, probably at least for pair against the top 5 to 10 teams that you expect to see.
And as a result, yeah, we got to see a regular Blastway Shell Smash with Megadelfox in the
back and I think that was one of the coolest wins on stream this weekend.
I do think this graphic is so cool to take in that a lot of these
mega evolutions actually do come from Pokemon Legends CA. Some newly discovered mega
evolution there with the Raiju as well as the Star Raptor. I think it's just cool. I don't know if
you all remember the conversations about both in particular Mega Raiju and Mega Star Raptor
when they were first legal in the format. People were looking at them and going,
are you sure you want to use that Pokemon? Do you really think it's going to be good?
And there are so many competitors at the World Championships that do believe in those Pokemon
you have brought that. Yes,
right, especially with that
Mega Rite you, why right?
Like we've seen it on stream
today, really focusing on not
going for its mega evolution
and actually using the
lightning rod, using it like
the conventional Rite you
have. Just with the focus
blast that you'd never really
consider putting on the set
lest you go for a focus
blast and get nicknamed
focus miss as we call it in
the community. Still
managed to hit that focus
blast actually in the match
that it played, but a really
that. It's a really cool way
to keep that composition going
and actually flex this dual
mega archetype that we've seen
so much in regular M. A. and
M. B. Where there's a few less
items, but also you want to
have that flexibility in your
team building. Absolutely. And
I think the big question
everyone's still asking is
will mega Charizard be
grown for this event, right?
Because it kind of felt like
it was the top Pokemon
dominant mega evolution back then, but it got really countered at Worlds, but that was a much
smaller world championship. Only 40 to 50 players were qualified in the Masters division, so you
could do things like try to play super anti-meta because the pool was a little bit more limited,
but now these world championships are so big, there's so many great players competing in it as
well. If you're going to try to build something that's anti-meta, you've got to make sure that
you can also cover for all the other things that you might go up against here at Worlds.
And so I don't know, I was like in 2014, Kangascon was like the number one mega-coat going
going into worlds and like only there was one I think were two in the top 16 overall and
didn't even make it into top eight. But I don't think that's going to be the case for
Megacharizard in this one. It's just too good of a moment.
Yeah, I feel like Kangaskarn back in his day was kind of like a better Pokemon than Megacharizard
is currently. But like just because of the fact that it was so hard to take down right.
It has no weaknesses. It's a parental bond before it was broken.
Yeah, you said I didn't, but I mean, we're all thinking it for a reason, and rightly so.
But I mean, yeah, I think like I was excited to use Megascangus God coming into reg MA thinking,
hey, maybe this could have been like the old days.
Just doesn't quite hit the same.
But then we did see the King is gone with just life or no mega stone, nothing, just
great teammate on a team and I feel like that was another one where I think that's really where some of these mega
Evolutions or Pokemon that can make you evolve it stuck out is can they do both things can they actually act on
Their own without the mega evolution so they're not just dead weight when you want to bring them to a match
Yeah, I'm like, you know those last respects a lot of resort sets on Kaga's card as well
We're seeing lots of different
In this format where there's a few a few less things that different Pokemon can do
But that's all we've got time for for the moment
So we're gonna be taking it to a quick break before we get round eight up and running here at the world championships
Hey there Pokemon trainers Gabby Snyder here with Dawey see one of our top placing trainers at NAIC this year
One of my favorite Pokemon trainers to come from the New England area. Dawey. How are you doing today?
Yeah, I'm doing really great. How about you?
I'm doing really great. I mean, we are here on Re-Playza Road.
It just opened up for previews. It's pretty exciting.
But what's exciting to me is your journey here to this world's competition.
Tawai, I'd love to hear your story.
What got you into competing in the Pokémon Video Game Championship series?
I have been playing this game for so long time.
I used to play just like 6 vs 6 in-game,
but then I found this thing called VGC when and at that time I was still in China there was no official
tournaments in China at that time so I just wanted to join this circuit so much that's a part of why
I came to the US to study for my graduate school while I'm not doing so well in the graduate school
I think I really have a lot of fun in Pokemon VGC. I mean every time I see you compete you're
You're always on stage smiling, you have the best outfits, I have to say.
And your run at NAIC this year was absolutely incredible.
So how did you prepare for that, going into the tournament?
Because NAIC is so close to Indiana Police Regional and I didn't do well enough as I expected
in India.
So that's why I think I should give that team another chance because at that time
I don't think everyone just still recognized that team.
And it works just really great because like in that regulation, the Charizard dominates
the whole format and which makes Sterillage just a perfect choice for the NAAC.
And I also want you to say I really had good luck in NAAC.
That's also why I did well.
I feel like Sterillage is kind of your signature Pokemon right now.
Would you agree?
Maybe.
Maybe. Yeah, I'm not using Pteranus at all this time. It's just so difficult to use it anymore in the recognition B.
Fair enough. Well, maybe not a signature Pokemon, but who's your favorite Pokemon?
Oh, my favorite Pokemon is Gerachi because it can just grant you any wishes.
that's who didn't want that right and it's also my like my favorite one since I
was very young when I was I was watching the anime and so it's just so cute and
so lovely. The Jarachi movie was my favorite one ever since I first saw it too
and Jarachi's a favorite for that reason for me as well. We talked about
wishes let's talk about predictions going into the world championships this
weekend don't don't tell us anything about you but what do you think we're
gonna see you know what's the competition gonna look like? I hope it's not
getting boring because like everyone is complaining this regulation doesn't have
much new teams but I hope everyone is just hiding their team and to review them
only at work so I hope everyone has a really interesting team to like to
to watch and also so yesterday when I was opening the booster pack I got
from the checking and I managed to pull out a mega flow at it. That's my
prediction mega flow at it will win the world. I think that's a pretty strong
prediction so Dawai thank you so much. Before I ask for shout outs I think a
lot of players look up to you in the community because of you know what you
represent and how strong of a competitor you are. Do you have any
advice for anybody who's watching who might want to be in the position you
are here at Worlds next year? Oh, I guess. Just come out and play. It's very fun. It's
very interesting. And every friend you make here is so exciting. Thank you so much, Starway.
Do you have any shoutouts you want to give to anybody watching at home? Yeah, shoutouts
to my partner, Lisa, and my parents. And just everyone in the Chinese community because
it's so difficult for them to come to this event but all of them are so like caring about this one
so really shut house to them. Thank you so much Dawei and thank you all so much for watching at
home. We'll be back with more Pokemon action real soon.
Welcome back trainers to the
Pokemon World Championships.
We're nearing the end of our day
with one final match which could
be make or break for some
inspiring Pokemon World
champions out there.
My name is Sarah Don joined
here by Lee Bros.
One final match for day one of
the finals.
of the tournament already to
be on. It's it's flown by the
quality of games we've had the
place we've had. It's been
phenomenal and it's been up
there is one of the best starts
to a world championship we've
ever had. So really fitting
for the day of that anniversary
and we've got so much to come
and so much more to look forward
to which is even more
exciting. It has just been
such an incredible day and
for some trainers they have
already locked up their spot in
FAA. We've got a lot of
players out there who have
They have already locked up their spot in phase two of the competition for others.
This round is going to be the one determined if they will be back here competing tomorrow
but taking a look at the standings.
Of course, we got some trainers that are currently at that undefeated standing.
Congratulations to Justin, Kerry and Yurya all sitting at seven and zero.
They have more than locked their spot for phase two.
They are now eyeing up that next portion of the competition, which of course is
top cut trainers sitting at the six and one also looking good though.
So they are in, but of course you have to start looking at that next point, racking up
those wins.
Yeah, incredible achievements by all our players to come into the event in such tough competition
and get to this stage and put them really in that contention to go forward tomorrow
in such a good place to potentially push on to Championships Sunday.
And taking a look at her notable matches and what we're going to be eyeing up next
here on broadcast. It's going to be Hiroshi Onishi going up against Shohei Kamera, a matchup
that once we saw it, we knew we had to lock it in. Our Japan national champion going up
against our 2023 Pokemon World Champion, incredible.
Yeah, what better way to finish day one? We started with the former world champion
with Wolf and we're finishing up with Shohei. And on top of that, we get to feature
this year's Japan national champion absolutely incredible game. I can't wait to get into it. Both players
have an extremely good run so far so I'm sure they're not going to let down but
looking through the other normal matches all of our players so far have just been incredible
so far this weekend. And of course with these two trainers sitting at that six and one we're
not worrying about not seeing one of them here tomorrow. We will see them both here tomorrow
thank goodness. But of course we want to see who's going to be making their way to Topgut
and getting a win here as well with that confidence you get from that as well, either taking down a
world champion or taking down the current national champion is just incredible. So,
so excited as we head over to the stage to get started with this next match.
Yeah, so it's right like you say the confidence it gives you, especially now at the end of the
day, to bring in to smart push on and hopefully take that little extra record that you've got
from the end of the day. If you come out victorious in tomorrow, it's just going to
to make things a little bit
easier and anything that makes
it be easier at this sort of
level of tournament is
something that you are going to
want to chase after. You can see
the teams here is going to be
very similar across the board
there. Charizard Y on both
sides of the field and that
mega flow at these players are
very familiar with their teams
respectively. Hershey has used
this exact six in the Japan
National Championships to win
that event. There are some
updates of course to that
of M.D. format and some new items being introduced alongside that.
Looking over at this team, the Charizard and the Mega Fluet are two of the most dominant
Pokemon that we have here. The Mega is just really curved out with a lot of really other
powerful picks. You look at the really powerful trio on that King Gambit, the Fasculita and
the Garchomp, and then having something like this Whimsicott to either set up the
tailwind or really be able to pressure with an Encore is a lot. There's a reason why
this six or a variation of this six has been so popular.
Yeah, very strong across the board.
You look at this team a little bit like they kind of put together with triangles.
You've got the Windsor cut adding to the fourth of those other three.
It really is going to depend on what each player thinks the opposing player
is going to bring and then trying to get around that because the Charizard
helps check things like that King Amber matches up into the mega for work very well.
But the Gauchon thing checks that Charizard and then you look at
something like the Basque Legion, or the King Gambit is kind of clean up at the end.
The Whimsicott are going to be there to support the rest of the team with Batil and Catcher
upon now with an Encore, if they get a bit passive, go for a Protector, go for a Tailwind
themselves, and it can be an offensive threat if paired up with that Mega Fluid, especially
with that Fairy Aura, and some adjustments there that we've seen on Hiroshi's team going
now with the Lifehub on that Basque Legion. That thing is going to be hitting extremely
hard was previously mystic water and yes for attacking gamut as well which is
really huge in this matchup. And looking over at show has been yes a lot of the
same when we get later into the competition it's fun when we get to see
some of those unique picks at the same time this variation this six has been
so strong for a reason but there is a couple of different variations along
the way and of course there is also the opportunity that not all the
Pokemon are trained the same and I love being able to see two teams very similar face off against each other because that's when you really get
It's the minds of the trainers and how they approach these types of matchups
Yeah, and it's those differences that the players can really lean into and what will make the difference between winning and losing this match
You can not only see here that all teams do have a
Star alignment timid on their charlots both players have ancient power as well
Which is being kind of over a superseding the solar beam that you'd normally see there
That's going to make Charizard sitting in front of an opposing Charizard a lot easier.
Or both Charizards max speed, or they slightly slow.
This is something I'm going to have to find out as the game plays out.
But that could be quite pivotal in that Charizard mirror here, if that's what the players decide to go down.
Other options, like we've mentioned, King Amit here.
You do have the Iron Head, which is going to be really useful for Shoha against the opposing Floette.
If that is brought from Hiroshi.
But the King Amit on Hiroshi's side does have that low kick and the iron head that can provide
really useful against the King Amit and the Floette. The Basque Legion on Shoei's side
does have a Colbar Berry, so that does help against the King Amit slightly.
Both trainers sitting at 6-1 trying to end off a day with the winner, Japan National Champion,
going up against our 2023 World Champion. Let's get to it. Aggressive leads from both,
but very different approaches with Wimsecot and Basque Legion for Hiroshi as opposed to Shouhei, Garchomp and Charizard.
It's interesting both of us bringing Pokemon with the life orb to kind of maximize damage on this early turn.
Now you said that Wimsecot's not in a bad spot, it's got that focus, actually it has to be twice.
Thanks to the ability as well it's going to be able to elevate the Basque Legion into a place
where we'll be able to out speed the Charizard and the Garchomp with a tailwind.
And then that life or boosting that even in the sun will threaten maybe a charge on knockouts
You have to be careful as you show here here
You can leverage the garch on here to get some good damage onto that basket
It's really fast. The sun is pivotal in this moment if you are keeping that charge out on the field
No damage being leveraged with the garch off instead
Just a pivot out in King Dammit to join the field instead as Charizard will go ahead and mega and with that green
the sun about so we're looking at a reduction to those water moves and of
course if you want to go the offensive yourself you want to get the max amount
of damage of course you're at risk of essentially taking an attack but it will
be a whim to cause not often for tailwind but I protect in a step charge art a
little bit of the same though so we get a squawk we get some sun time to see
what the basculation does off for it will be a protect but will fail the
cause the last act of the turn yeah and then the switch for sure hey here
to get the king gamut on the field really good now that king gamut can
It's got to pressure the Basque Legion that was such a threat originally.
Now we've seen it protect all around.
The Charizard does lack a way to actually hit the Basque Legion as well,
option for that ancient power that we could be in the preview.
So it doesn't really want to stay on the field.
Yes, you can do some good damage into the Whimsical,
but it's not at the cost of losing your Charizard to maybe a Basque Legion.
The question is, has the Kingama got enough to be able to deal the Basque Legion on a Hiroshi side?
Charles are being pressured. You have to get out of there and when Scott coming out onto the field and said is a great answer
but basking Legion also understanding the threats of a potential sucker punch swapping out for Garchomp instead a battle of
Positioning for those two and the threat of encore won't come to light sucker punch as well
So a lot of great heads of play from both our trainers. Yeah both players just taking it cautious at this time
You know not wanting to overcompensate just taking things easy seeing what both trainer is trying to accomplish here
Now the Gorgio I'm coming in obviously does put a lot of pressure on the King Gambit here.
It hasn't got my life up that you'd normally see, so it's not going to be hitting as hard
or threatening any sort of knockout.
There is always the potential of a double up if you want to get rid of the King Gambit
until they decide it isn't a bit risky though, but you could go for something like a Moonblast
and then a Grand Type Attack to get that knockout when used as a threat from the field.
But it does then leave the Rinducar open to go for an important Moonblast in return
even set up a tailwind that would be very beneficial if you did see something like a protect on the
game and gamut this time. That's one of the things with the tailwinds and we have a whimsicott versus
a whimsicott is do you want to go ahead and press it right away to get the speed? You might just
be a turn behind but we will see tailwind from the Eurogi and a lot of damage into the guard
jump is now earthquake to deal damage into everything on the board. Both whimsicott will
shrug that off but King Gambit brought down to about a third of its health. Now we get Steve
retaliation come out notably no tailwind from Shohei means offensive instead
and Moonblast is enough to take the first KO of this match. That is a huge turn
for Shohei yes you're behind with the tailwind but you can set your tailwind
of this next turn right and then you've got an extra extended turn of tailwind
when your opponent does finally end. The big thing is here your Charizard is
gonna have a such an easier time when it ends. It feels now doesn't have to worry about that culture.
being able to get rid of with that really good double up.
Floette Dwayne in the field though,
this is where we can see a lot of pressure come out
because for Hiroshi, he has the tailwind on his side
and you're now offering,
but you're now crushing so much with this Floette.
And if you just want to go double on the offensive here,
and you could just potentially wipe this board.
So Shohi goes ahead and tries to set up it
for his own tailwind now.
It could just be a little too late.
Yeah, and that's the problem now.
The King Gambit even in tailwind isn't going to stick to the flow out, which you probably expect it is going to mega evolve and then activate that fairy aura.
And then all you need to do is go after that slot, maybe dashing into the moon blast from your own wind.
Because just to clear the field and make things a more ethical, a nice switch there, the fences, the charge,
you're going to be able to at least take these fairy type attacks that you would expect coming out a lot easier than that King Gambit.
very aura and the potential for selling big damage,
but a whimsicot for Shohei that will protect.
It is not just the potential of the damaging move,
but of course, the threat of the on-court has well.
Dazzling, Gleam not gonna do anything
into the whimsicot, but Charizard swapping in
will take some damage, but again, not very effective.
It'll shrug off the hit quite well,
but now again, we do threaten something
like an on-court again,
or going back to the amount of damaging potentially to steal.
Yeah, this is a really awkward scenario here
because you want to get your tail and enable to allow that Charizard to be at least able to keep pace with the Float and any other options that are on the opposite side of the field.
But you can't do that because that Encore locks its pressure from the Roshi side, position this extremely well.
And now the Float, not really in any danger of getting knocked out, but it is going to take big damage.
It's not getting the damage you really want onto the Charizard, but that chip will add up each time again, tailwind no Encore coming out.
coming out. No on-courtage means all-out offensive for Hiroshi as instead moonblast into to the Charizard. Again, not very effective hits but with the help of the fairy aura it is to leave a double up into the slot to see how much it can do. Charizard though these are evened out so we'll be able to retaliate with a heat wave.
Winsicott is down. Only two Pokemon left for Hiroshi in this match, but Light of Ruin to try and start evening up this Pokemon go.
Turrets are will be KO'd.
Yeah, even though you resisted, the Light of Ruin is just so powerful, able to remove the opposing Mega on Shorhi's side.
Now Shorhi has been able to set up the tailwind, which is great. It puts them in an advantage position going into these next few turns.
because that wins the call is dropped for her or she they don't have access to that
speed control anymore. They do still have that basket legion
that will come in and offer some offensive pressure.
Going into this though it's still a Pokemon count that is in Shohei's favor
and a tailwind that is going to be lasting longer on his side.
So you have a Float Wet 4 Hero Sheet that is one third of its health.
A basket legion that is full but build a little bit more for the offense
with that life orb. So my question is is do you have
enough in the tank to take down the rest of these Pokémon once your Tailwind's done you're
going to be outsped. Williams puts it full and there's still another Pokémon in the back.
Yeah that's a question and now we're just seeing the safety from Shohei. Probably they
will protect you just to get through this last turn of Tailwind on Hiroshi's side. So now going
into the following turn you have got the speed advantage. Aquaget, is the question, is that
going to be enough? Who's stood by that light bulb? Now the Sun's gone, is he going to be
able to pick up that Kingama? That will be crucial and if we'll, that turn it would have
super seeded the second punch. Now you're going to be susceptible because the
King Gamma is going to be faster than that Basque Legion with that tailwinds
for Southern Basque Legion not sitting in the safest place against that
suffer punch. At least with Life Orb does mean we have
protecting moves and we do have the option protect if you want to try and
make that call but again the amount of damage that this collect has taken
it's not going to take necessarily the most to take it out so if you try
and protect and flow it is the target at the end of all of it and you're
going to get anything done on this turn. Yeah, and the Feriora really counterproductive here for
Hiroshi where it's helping the Wintercots. So, the Basque Legion, it is enough to pick it up,
and it takes it down now. It comes down to the Wintercots. Has the Feriora Lucid Moonblast got
enough to take down this Floette? Well, Mr. God, Moonblast wants a Pokemon left for Hiroshi,
and Floette goes it down. Shohei, will they gain number one in this series? I mean,
That was just an incredible match from the get-go we got to see some momentum
coming up from Hiroshi but later tailwinds better Pokemon count and
Pokemon that just wouldn't quite it was over the line I feel like the preservation
of the Charizard was just big but you had to hit three attacks into that to
take it down I was just so much time unfortunately wasted that mid game yeah
and it's why it's so good into these fairies interesting the Hiroshi
decided to go down the line with the the mega flow out rather than their
on Charlotte's out here, but Shohei shown their experience and that really shining through I think
in this match in particular, stalling the tailwind and being brave as well in front of
an encore potential threat going to that tailwind and that turn was key to be able to kind of
get to the point where you had enough room to stall out the opposing tailwind and then get
your king at it and that spot where he was able to pressure with that all important sucker punch
to close things up. It was a great turn being able to go for the tailwind when there was
was the on-court threat, but also you're in a situation again where it was a
whimsicott that was next to a mega charizard that was threatening so much so
you on-court the whimsicott and charizard wiped your board unfortunately
because you can't double up and it just used the end of the game it was just
kind of a tough call at that point so now going into this next game I would
love to see how we adapt things both trainers had very different approaches
to starting that out they were playing so cautiously in the first couple of
turns, but for Hiroshi now down a game in this set.
You should put the team lead and try and sit up a little bit,
or do you take a page out of Shoei's book?
You might want to adapt here.
And you know, Hiroshi is so nervous with this stick.
They don't know exactly what they need to do to adapt
coming into this game, to try and take it into the game
straight.
But I do think the Charizard is a better route to go down.
The primary thing that you need to do
is get rid of the opposing guard,
Garchomp is quick as possible.
Well, Pokemon that can do that,
that support the Charizard,
and the rest of the team is that, that, that, that.
Games of God, you can utilize that leverage,
that to try and get rid of the Garchomp.
And Games of God generally sits in front of life of Garchomp
without too much trouble and comparison
to some of the other Pokemon that they've got access to.
Maybe King Amur, something that you look at as well.
Because that sucker punch is so valuable
and we're so sure here,
take full advantage of it in that last game.
Getting into game number two.
Time to see where Trainer's minds are at.
It'll be Garchomp and Charizard again for Shohei.
And on the opposing end, we'll get Garchomp.
Can that win the fight?
Yeah, a little bit of an adjustment.
No Basque legion here for Hiroshi,
but has got that Garchomp out.
And that Garchomp is going to pressure the Charizard immediately.
They do have to be very careful about the opposing Garchomp though,
because the one thing that you don't want to take
is a life-offuse dragon claw.
Has it got enough investment to be able to take that?
That's a good question here.
If you're confident, then you can go for a tailwind, rock slide, hold the E to get that Charizard.
But is the Charizard really going to leave itself vulnerable in this scenario? Is it going to switch?
That's the big question. You could potentially think, okay, well, Joe Hayes is not going to leave it in a vulnerable position.
The tailwind's there, so maybe see it switch out, and then you target into that guard jump, protect your own guard jump,
and go for a moon blast into Joe Hayes' guard jump to try and remove it as quickly as possible.
Our trainers play at the beginning of that game one so safe if you try and target down this Charizard it protects and you go for broke
That could be game lost on the spot for mega evolution coming out
Will we get to see for tax? No instead a tailwind from Hiroshi and we have to assume a follow-up attack
Gargoyle with the rock slide the double connect Charizard down to such low health already
We'll have to see the retaliation because the gargoyle on the opposing end and do a lot
But earthquake isn't going to be packing the same punch out what could have been a potential dragon claw as neither Pokemon takes too much damage
But it'll be the follow-up from the Charizard that will be determining how much and if it is going to be just a he wave and a double connect
Well, Wimzicott will drop and Garchomp brought down to quite low health. Yeah, the Garchomp the earthquake there quite an interesting choice
Maybe you should switch into the scenario here to try and maybe catch something but the damage there really respectable as well
at least the system is very activating,
and now the tailwind is set and you show here
hasn't got the Whimsicott active now
to be able to match that tailwind.
I love the Earthquake because if you're not too worried
about the Garchomp on the opposing end
and you want to get rid of that Whimsicott,
you set the tailwind, like Hiroshi set the tailwind,
it's gone. You needed that double up
to get rid of that focus dash,
so now you've already gotten a Pokemon advantage
and you can bring your Whimsicott
in potentially later.
The problem is now that we know that Hiroshi's
Charizard has got ancient power. Now it can mega-revolve and it can go for a
Heatwave. That Heatwave is probably going to be enough to get the opposing Charizard.
Is that chip going to be enough to put the Garchomp on Shouhei?
It can range for tracking co-followers. That's the question.
Question that we'll have to see answered hopefully real soon as mega evolution now on the opposing
end. Roshi has switched the game plan for game number two but attacked from Shouhei
onto his own Garchomp for me it lives the turn as dragon clock targeted down into it.
Now to see for the opposing Pokemon, heatwave of course, Garchomp stays safe.
Do we get the connect into the other? Yes. It will be enough as well to be picking it up.
So you're evening out the Pokemon count and you've got a grid of a mega Pokemon but if it's a
win spot coming in, you can set the tailwind and really pressure your own Garchomp now.
Yeah and that's the thing I think, surely he probably doesn't mind in that scenario.
back against the wall, let the charters out go down. It's kind of done a decent job so far.
Yeah, you got rid of the Whimsicott. Yeah, so you bring your own Whimsicott like you said,
now you match it to the end and you're kind of staggering it like you saw in that game one.
So when your opponent runs out, you know it's still active.
Whimsicott comes out and it seems just so telegraphed at this point
and calling out that these teams are so similar, but a couple of key differences
again that life orb that you called out on the garchomp over on Shohei's end.
We saw that Garchomp from Hiroshi with that Rockside wasn't enough to tail onto Shohei's, but doing a lot of damage.
That extra life or boost would be enough to just get it over the line, completely get rid of the Tarsar.
And then with just the Olympus button, have to follow up next turn with a Moon Blast.
Shohei seems to be in such a strong spot.
Yeah, and it will come down to Skeet's house here.
We do see the Tarsar for three points.
He said, but later on, as I can gamma into the field.
Now, if the Tailwind is set here like a scene, which Garchomp is going to hit first?
It's gonna be the question to be no one is built for offense the other with this interest very and it will be show
Here's that moves first dragon claw instead going to giant take down the opposing guard dog
And it will succeed whether to speed type or an out speed means he's seen but that's gonna be a huge momentum swing in
Show his favor. Yeah, now you've got that King gamma on the field
It's not worse of sports, but it has got no protect
So it's going to be susceptible to an earthquake here, but I don't think you can afford to
earthquake and ignore the Charizard because you're lacking any other way to hit that Charizard.
You need to go after the Charizard, you know, maybe you're off the slide, but is it easy for
Hiroshi just to say, I'm going to just protect the Charizard here and then try and leverage
my King Damage, how to outweigh that to the Ozyndarch on flat combined with life bulb damage
might be enough to pick up the knockout there. The problem is, if we do see a double off
from leveling the card and the guard jump into King Gambit, but can you afford to break your own sash and risk and hope that the Charizard on Horosha's side will attack system?
And do you get enough value out of that for tech that you're willing to risk a potential on-court on the next turn? Answer for this one is no moon blast, so much damage into the King Gambit thanks to that critical hit and a guard jump with the Earthquake.
Okay, we are targeting down to King Gambit.
We do not care about Charizard.
And with the amount of damage that double up is enough
to take another hey-yo.
You said, how do you take down the Charizard?
Well, you take down all of its friends.
Only one Pokemon now remaining for Hiroshi.
Yeah, this is perfectly fit from sure his.
Another heat wave comes out.
The whimsicot couldn't go down,
but that Garchomp all importantly
is sticking around for one more crucial turn.
We've got the Garchomp still around.
Tailwind Seger in so his favor as tailwind for Hiroshi Peters out and we still have another Pokemon be joining the break as fast to Legion if we had questioned about whether Garchomp could get it done.
Well, Vasculi Legion certainly could still even in these sunny conditions. Yeah, and that was the perfect Pokemon to keep around, especially bringing in especially when that King Amid has just fallen.
So, lots to do for the Charizard and I think it's going to be a good do it.
Dragonclaw bringing the Charizard down to less than half health.
The last chance for Herogi in this match and lack of respect will be enough to get it done.
Two and zero for Joe Hank and Mary to take this match.
Seven on here at the Pokemon World Championships.
To see a match up like this on this stage.
National champion going up against a world champion is incredible.
but world champions coming out on top, incredible.
Absolutely amazing, you know.
I think Shohei's performance in that match
was just incredible for him to start to finish knew exactly
the game plan that they needed to follow.
Adapted on the fly, different scenarios occurred,
but I think just showing their experience
at this level of tournament really shunned through there
and being a former world champion.
That was the difference, I think, between the two.
I mean, there's a reason that Chouhei is consistently talked about as a favorite to be making these runs and tournaments, even at still a world level.
We've talked about the champions that we've had in the past and can they make that run, can they do it again?
And I feel like Chouhei has to be at top, one of the top of so many people's list to be able to take that crown.
And to take down the Japan national champion, Hiroshi, he did so incredible there.
He's probably such a strong team.
You want six and one going into this match as well.
But for Shohei to come out on top two is zero.
Amazing.
Yeah, and it sets you up so confidently coming
into tomorrow's tournament.
You know, you see, the one loss all in this tough field
of tournament.
And then you're finishing the day off
against such a tough opponent.
It's running the same six.
There are slight variations there.
But in really what was such a dominating fashion,
really making Shohei seem like they're
going to be one of the favorites coming
into tomorrow to push on and maybe get a second of the championship to then in.
It would just be incredible, full bias here I'll say, but
Shohei being able to win a second world championship title would just be absolutely incredible.
And I mean there's a reason that we've talked about him and
like that he could do it because he really realistically could.
Of course there's still so much to play, we can't get ahead of ourselves.
But 7-1 and seeing a display like that.
Can you blame us? Can you blame us for saying that?
I don't think we can. I think on the back of it, we saw Hiroshi at Japan National Championships,
came out on top. So many players playing that big six team, they were the one that came out on top.
So, knows this team inside out, has adapted it, obviously feels confident coming into this tournament.
And then, Shohei has been playing the same six as well.
But Shohei's been playing a lot of other things in grassroots as well.
but to be able to come into this tournament in particular with the adaptations they've made
and play like that, it does make it a scary prospect for the rest of the field.
It was just the confidence too. Both trainers played so well, but especially looking at that
game number two and the choice of targeting throughout, I think was just really well done.
And even at like, oh, this could be an easy target, but this is what's going to advance me
further. I know that's just like essential VGC, but to be able to see it on such a display
is always just truly incredible like it. I don't know, like am I wrong that it just seemed like such
a confident match even when we did get to see such a good match? No, I don't think that's wrong in
the slightest. I think it's exactly what we saw, a confident performance. I think you know, Shohei
from start to finish knew exactly the direction that they needed to go in, when they needed to
attack, when they needed to stagger the tailwind to take advantage of it, maybe later down the
line and preserve certain Pokemon at the right time, just one game one. The preservation of
of the Charizard. That was perfect. That worked out so well. Bringing the King Gamma in
the perfect time. And again, you know, closing the game out. The Godchomp was in probably
a position where it was able to close out the game by itself. It was a one on one with
the Charizard on Hiroshi's side. But hand back up. Didn't need it. The Basque Legion
was there. Full health to come in and just say, yeah, these are my last respects.
And I'm going to send Shohei 7-1 into the game.
I was still in some respect though here, like you can't say you're you're here enough like we're standing about you're not
Make it face you here, which is still in face to everyone. Of course
Yes, but it will be a bit more of a difficult run at city man exit to record you got to make the run
But for Shohei, you know, he's got to be feeling good about that one. So let's go here from him as he's standing by now for our interview
Thank you so much. I'm here with Shohei Kamuro your 2023 world champion and phase two
new competitors. So hey congratulations. It has been a pleasure watching you compete
this season throughout the world. What has it been like being able to travel and compete
so much in the international circuit.
First of all, congratulations on your victory.
This year, you have joined the World Cup and participated in many other events in the world.
What kind of experiences did you have?
Did you have a fun time?
We had a long series of rounds, long days up to 8 rounds in one day.
And that really helped me today to be able to get to the end of eight rounds and not be too tired at the end of all that.
For sure, for sure. And I noticed that the team that you're running today is very similar to your team from the North America International Championships with some changes.
Can you tell us what those changes were and why you made those changes?
So in the meta right now, Toxapex is really really strong, so he changed up Charizard's move set and also gave King Gambit a protect.
but protect to be a little bit more on the defensive side for sure and in your
matchup just now you know those same six Pokemon but you had different items
and how did that factor into your game plan against your opponent
I have the power of Ancient Power, so my opponent's Basque Legion, Ida Ito, is a powerful one, but I was thinking of countering it with King Gambit.
All right, Shohei, thank you so much for your time.
Do you have any shoutouts you want to give to anybody watching at home?
It's not so much of a shoutout, but just to comment that,
I'm happy to have a shoutout to everyone who's watching at home.
It's not so much of a shoutout, but just to comment that,
in the San Francisco Tournament 10 years ago.
The Shohei ended up losing in the final round.
And so he thought maybe I'm actually jinxed.
So he was really happy that he could win his match today.
Well, congratulations.
I'm glad you will be moving on to phase two tomorrow.
Best of luck.
And thank you all so much for watching at home.
We are not quite done here yet.
We are going to be wrapping things up with Ben
over in the Analysts Round Lounge.
So take it away, please.
Thanks so much, Gabby. And what a day we've had here at the 2026 World Championships in San Francisco.
It's been, I think, action from top to tail here today.
And we've seen so many things that, so many different things to what we were expecting to see.
But I'm glad we've rounded things out with a Charizard flow out there, just to end the day like we expected to.
Look, we had a whole lot of things that we had to adapt to on the fly earlier in the day.
It's all good to end the day with something that's familiar, it's comfortable, it's a big bowl of soup on a cold day.
Big bowl of soup, love that. We're going to have more of that action for you tomorrow, of course.
We're going to be kicking things off at 9 o'clock Pacific there.
I'm not to be trusted with time translation, so I'm going to leave that with you viewers at home.
but nine o'clock Pacific will be back tomorrow and yeah in the meantime we've got with like looking back on today
We've had we've had lots of things Scott like what's been a standout to to you that you've seen today
Maybe you weren't expecting to see I mean I was definitely expecting to see Mega Blades against it. I wasn't surprising
I think I like the way in which the games have been closed right I think we knew Margins
We're gonna be small over the course of this weekend. We're like just it's hard to get team advantage in this format
I think it's hard to like take out your Pokemon too much
So there's no even close, but it's like I feel like at any issue
We had a lot of games are like bad sloppy I guess where it's like oh man
Like it seemed like one player is gonna lose and the last second the rug would get pulled out
Oh, no the other player is gonna win where this time, you know
There's a lot of probability management this format for sure wherever it's just a lot of accurate attacks
I feel like you know the players are doing a good job of navigating the games
It feels like the right player is winning every set even though the path there is maybe a little more twisty
I think I've been impressed by the players.
It's a really difficult format to play.
I know a lot of even really good trainers.
They have tough weekends, but the folks at stream have really locked in.
Yeah, I totally agree with that.
Yeah, 100%.
Like, this has been such a set of close matches.
And I'm just looking forward to seeing how those players convert, but avoid it from
phase one into phase two.
And like how this, you know, narrows down to the top players where, you know, it's
not just like the players that are in the middle of the game.
It's like, you know, it's like, you know, it's like, you know, it's like,
it's like, you know, it's like, you know, it's like, you know, it's like,
like the players have been building their teams right,
but they're also on form on the day.
They've been hitting the matchups.
They've been executing their matchups properly.
But in the meantime, you know,
if you've been watching at home,
we've got a lot of stuff that we've been giving away.
If you've been watching the stream here on the broadcast,
watching for only 30 minutes,
I'm hoping you've been watching for more than 30 minutes
across the day,
because we've had some great action there
to get some quick coupons and teammate tickets
and some training tickets.
Yeah, but if you did miss that already, that does also still count for the rebroadcast that will be happening immediately afterwards.
So you can catch up on all the action from day one and still get those Twitch drops for today.
And of course, you know, if you're not watching 30 minutes, but you are watching this rep, what are you doing?
You do need to link your account to get some of the drops.
So there's instructions that Twitch shout, which open it up, a little pin message. I'd read it.
Definitely, definitely.
We've also got our distribution, of course.
Enjoy World 26 to get a little bit of extra swag
in Pokemon champions there.
I think that's one of the things
that I'm looking forward to seeing,
like going on the ladder is world championships.
You're like, you're watching, you're watching,
you're watching, but yeah, great, great extra
little distribution there for all the people at home.
I really like that it's you were watching,
you were watching, you were competing
I know that our competitors also got some in-game swag as well as part of qualifying for the world championships
Yeah, definitely and it's you know
It's not just video game as well that we've had our distributions in we've had distribution for across all of the other
Games as well if you've been watching the TCG if you've been watching Pokemon go if you've been watching Pokemon
Unite as well
There's a long list of all of the great things that you'll have been able to get and if you haven't already
already, you know, just have it
on in the background.
If maybe you're watching TCG,
but maybe you want something from VG,
you know, you can have a second
window going on there just to get
all of the extra stuff that we have
here at the World Championship.
Hey, that's what I've been doing it too.
You know, I've been on the VG stream,
but my phone has been watching
the other stream.
I know everyone has like 10 tabs
on their computer open already.
Yeah, just add a couple more.
100%, 100%, and you know,
we've got a, here's a little bit
of an instruction on how you can
actually earn those Twitch drops if you haven't already and as Scott says if you've only just
tuned in for now if you're going to be watching along tomorrow or the restream of course this is
how you can get a hold of all of those Twitch drops and as we say tab open for each one collect
everything that you possibly can across this weekend. Yeah I've got a shout out to the
closed captions as well being able to see that in your chosen language that's a really cool
feature and it's really necessary because this is such a global tournament.
This is a global game and I'm so thrilled that everyone across the globe is able to see
and experience it in their own native language.
And if you want to experience more of course you can follow along at pokemon.com forward slash broadcast.
Make sure you follow us of course hashtag play Pokemon at play Pokemon play Pokemon pretty much everywhere that you can think of there.
So you can keep up with all of the action both in the world championships of course but also
Our 20-27 season will be starting in just a few short weeks after this event has concluded.
We know who our world champion is and we'll be going to see our next season and what that could entail now as well.
We know we've had a little pitchy tell us that there is maybe if you're here something extra that maybe Pokemon Go will be bringing to us through Pokemon XP.
don't know any of the details, but you haven't already got yourself back into Pokemon Go.
This word on the street is maybe it's a good time to get back into the game.
Maybe redownload it if you haven't got it ready.
If you have been carry on playing it because there's going to be some cool stuff going
on.
Make sure you update, get your app ready to go so that when you are out wandering
where he plays a road or just being out and experiencing
the joy that is this experience in Pokemon XP,
you're ready to go.
I think, you know, even if you're here
and you haven't downloaded it,
first of all, what are you doing?
I think there's a lot of fun things you can do too.
I think one of the things that's kind of neat
is we've watched these events grow.
Unlike back, maybe when we first started doing these,
there's an awful lot of things you can do
with them at both in-person and virtually.
There's lots of unique Pokemon
you can catch the custom Pikachu
in both from Worlds and from PXP in the game.
So I definitely checked it out 100% I mean I've opened it and looked at all of the focus stops all of the things going on
There's a lot here
So you're to say what is it a focus stop?
Basically like every street corner and everything in between the street corners is pretty much lit up at the moment here
Pokemon World Pokemon XP, I mean that's all we got time for today
We're gonna be going now closing off our broadcast. We'll be back again at 9 o'clock Pacific time
tomorrow for phase two of the world championships.
You
you