I
Welcome everyone to the 2026 Pokemon World Championships here in San Francisco.
Competitors have been competing all weekend long preparing for exactly this day.
Championship Sunday and we are here in the Chase Center Arena.
We are going to be starting with Pokemon Unite but we got all the Pokemon titles here
and we are going to be crowning champion after champion on that stage.
Welcome everybody, this is your pre-show.
I am Zoinks, joined by Wondershap, Danly, and Sochan.
We're going to be talking all things world championships
as the crowd starts pouring in what's going on.
It's early in the morning, but we have incredible Pokemon action
to be breaking down.
And what a weekend it's been.
Wondershap, how fun has this World Championships been?
It's been amazing and there's so much to go today first. We're starting off with Pokemon unites of course
We all here on the desk are very excited about that the grand finals
And then we're going over to Pokemon go grand finals right after that followed of course by the three different
spots for TCG and then BGC a little bit later on for senior senior and
Masters so lots of action throughout the entire day
I know that so thanks you and I both love all of the games and I know we're very excited for oh, yeah championship Sunday
You can't miss a single moment and I mean that's been the case for the Pokemon Unite Championship series as well
Our tournament has been
Unbelievable it has been a lot of fun in the landscape of Pokemon Unite has been changing quite a bit this year leading up
to this championship Sunday moment,
Bentley, about this tournament.
Any favorite moments that you could think of
that happened overall.
Look, I think we have to be completely realistic here.
The entire tournament has been my favorite experience.
This is the grand finale for Pokemon Unite
because for anyone that is unaware,
this is our last ever championship at Worlds.
After this, we will no longer be around.
So for crowning our last champion,
we're basically experiencing the best of the best
we could ever have a Pokemon Unite and so I mean we've had incredible weekend we
have had so many upsets we assume our top teams are gonna be making it to the grand final
but time and time again our underdogs coming in and surprising us with some
incredible plays. Yes that is so true Danily because we saw earlier in the
tournament Fennel one of the highest contenders that we had before going
into Worlds getting eliminated then we saw Ruth Dignitas number one for
North America getting eliminated. And then we saw it seems like exist.
Climbing up, David Division, of course, they were our second place last year in 2025.
But they won performing as great in their own region in Japan, but completely stepped up
when it came to championship Sunday right now as they got themselves to. Of course,
Kamai has been so incredibly powerful. Being the first seed in Europe did incredibly well,
almost undefeated in groups going into the bracket stage. They defeated Gremu Esports in the semis,
much like Zeta Division defeated exist. And here we are now, Zoinks.
Yeah, we got our two finalists set. You can see it on the bracket there. Zeta Division
from Japan versus Komai from EU. And let's start breaking down these teams. Zeta Division
are going to be the first of our competitors to take the stage. Bidobo, Nomu, Rom,
Mizutama and Resta, and fans of the Pokemon Unite Championship series, specifically Worlds,
will recognize a couple of those names. Zeta Division, the runner-ups from last year's World
Championships. Two of those players are the same as that last year roster, and they have a second
chance to take a World Championship title, the final one available. That's right. You know,
I feel like we're gonna hear a little bit something similar to that for the next team
after this, but I've got to talk about this. I said so much on broadcast yesterday, but
of course for everyone out there who is this familiar with Pokemon Unite, the story of Zedah
is ridiculous. Not only are they returning into this arena, this is Grand Champion Provincial
Spot, but they only qualified out of Japan in the fifth place spot, but normally there
would only be three places. There were two teams that were extremely strong that
qualified through the other qualifier for everybody, kind of a last chance each qualifier
called ACL that qualified in first and second place.
They both took their spots and moved them down
because they're both Japanese teams.
And then both of those teams lost one of them to Zeta.
So the only reason that Zeta's even here
is because the entire region was so strong.
And then they fought up through that region
from the final place to make it into our top two
potentially our final champion.
Right.
I kind of want to add onto this as well.
We did have an opportunity to talk
to the Japanese casters, right?
They're very passionate about their region.
And apparently even the Japanese community was surprised that Zeta was able to make it so far in the tournament.
Everyone thought it was going to be fennel, everyone thought it was going to be reject, but after these two teams got knocked out,
and all of a sudden Zeta coming into the grand finals, this wasn't something that the community originally anticipated.
And knowing Japan, they rallied behind their teams as they make it into the grand finals.
So you know Zeta is going to have huge community support, especially coming into such an important matchup in their entire career.
so true and honestly when we talked to Shinohara one of the Japanese cast is such a great person and
incredible crew that they have their way TPC the Pokemon Company in Japan honestly it was incredible
to hear from them just the storylines that Japan has really built all throughout 2026 and like you
said so many strong teams they're five teams made it into worlds just as strong as that they
They made it into the bracket stage as well and there was so many Japanese teams that they
had to face each other in multiple moments of this bracket stage from the second, Poatas
and then Semis as well.
Yeah, it was a long road for them but same for that other roster that we want to be
talking about on that world stage.
Out of EU will be KOMI Esport, Gatlou, Toast, Gek, Narami, and Adesu.
We can hear the crowd going wild for this roster all bracket day long and day number two and Gatlu and a desu
Two players were members of Nouns Esports in year one who had a chance at a world championship
Ended up being runners up in London in 2022
Right amazing that we now have two teams that both have players on them that were runners up the first world and now the last
Well, so I should say the second the last world, you know
getting that opportunity now that for the final worlds they will be facing off.
One of them will finally achieve that dream that revenge match of being able to
become the world champion.
We'll see which those two can be my favorite moment of the tournament right there.
Gatlou and Adesu, I love it so much.
The storyline though of course of combined as well, really interesting.
I kind of felt like they didn't have, they went bad the entire time,
but they, the rest of the season, maybe they weren't quite as strong as
they're showing in worlds, which obviously has been incredible.
Yeah, I mean, look, they have to be driven now.
They're here. They're going into grand finals. We are going to be going for a complete reset.
There is no advantage for anybody. And knowing Odessu, I saw one of Odessu's tweets last night and he said he's broken the top eight curse.
Yeah. He's motivated. He's got that energy. He has Gatlou to also be there to back him up.
I had a quick chat with Gatlou right after the show yesterday and I saw the fire in his eyes.
You know that instinct, that killer look to say that that title is mine.
and to know that this is his last chance to claim that title,
I think they're just gonna go all out in today's grand.
Love to see that fire.
What are you thinking about Komae, so?
Well, honestly, I think they have been so consistent.
Right, first seed in regional league,
they did incredibly well,
but we know as well that a competition
when it comes to regional,
going into international, going into world stage
is a completely different beast.
And the way that Komae has been handling
All of these team fights has been just so so focused determined and they have a strategy that works and that strategy is we have so much available in our options the Pokemon pool and everything that they can use that they can adapt really well and I believe that when I spoke to them they were saying well it's very interesting because this
meta is so versatile it's just so wide that when you prepare you're like well
there's so many options you need to be completely confident that you can deal
with any threat exactly prepare for everything prepare for every opponent
well there's only one more to prepare for on this grand final stage we want to
give a bit of a heads up to everybody in the crowd as well world championships
is gonna be going on all day have some very exciting announcements for
Pokemon coming up throughout the event.
So make sure to stay tuned for every title all day long.
But for those of you here in the arena, remember,
we love to cheer on our competitors
and get them started at the beginning of every match.
In Pokemon Unite, we hit a ready go
before every single game.
You'll see it on screen.
We would love to get you to join in karaoke style.
Hit the ready, hit the go
and encourage our players to start the match.
You can see here we got a screen right out of the proud predicting who is going to come away the champion
currently Zeta division leading but feel free to use that QR code and join the conversation.
I think it might be time for us to start beginning that conversation.
We got a grand finals up and coming and we are on the analyst desk which sometimes
makes means we have to make some difficult decisions.
So it's time for us to do our predictions.
We will begin, I mean, I just introduced the segment
so I may as well start.
I'm agreeing with the crowd.
I am going Satan of Vision along with Danily
and the rest of the crew is going with Comai from EU.
Warner Chef, how are you feeling about Comai?
You know, current chef, it's so torn, right?
Current chef is so torn.
Zeta is amazing.
Comai is so good.
And both of them are pulling up
up this entire weekend.
But as you can see on there,
the picture of 2022 chef
that hasn't been updated in five years
really likes Kamai, really loves Gatlu,
really loves Adesu.
I mean, just such a fun team.
And I do feel like, of course,
you gotta be a little bit biased,
is I would just love to see you finally
take a spot at Worlds.
Japan has one world championship,
and I do absolutely love Zeta,
love the entire Japanese scene,
but it would just be such an amazing story.
All right, and Dan Lee,
defend our pick of Zeta Division.
I thought it was gonna be at Numbid.
I was told originally like,
hey, everybody's picked Kamai.
I was like, do I save Zeta Division?
So I had to say it, you know?
But ultimately, I would have loved
to have supported both teams,
but I think at the end of the day,
my heart is telling me Zeta Division
because as much as I love Khomei,
I kind of feel like between the two teams, Zeta,
they seem to be a lot more composed
in these very high stress situations.
I think yesterday was a really great example
of Zeta testing that resolve.
They were about to get knocked down at the tournament.
They dropped two games, it was a best of five,
And they came back with a three game reverse sweep.
A lot of teams might have collapsed under the pressure,
losing two games back to back in the best of five.
But they said, that's okay.
We reset going into game number three.
They get that one and things start to pick up the momentum,
picks up, they start to look really good.
They're very quick with the draft.
So you can tell that Zayda,
once they have that momentum, this team is deadly.
The power of the reverse sweep
is so incredible head in the championship Sunday.
So yesterday, you had the opportunity to talk to so many of our players on that stage with interviews.
You've caught a little bit of a vibe from a lot of these players, I'm sure.
You're going with Coman. So what is leading you in that prediction?
So funnily enough, I would say that my position here for Kamai Zoinks is more towards what I've watched in-game
more than it is even from talking to them. Because these are players that we have been
knowing them for so many years now through championship series that I was
trying to you know try to get the bias away because I'm usually very unbiased
right no region whatsoever that I am you know preferring during tournaments but I
I decided to be a little more unbiased than usual so trying to look more
objectively on to just the games the drafts I totally agree with you Danily
I've been torn as well chef in regards to these two teams and who would I
choose because they are incredibly strong on their own.
The way they fought through group stage and bracket was impressive
and that three vs three was amazing but Kamai just felt
more cohesive I would say. All right well I mean that's a good breakdown I
think both these teams have so much to offer on this grand final stage if
you are watching this event you are in for a treat. The final
Pokemon unite world championships are about to begin and what follows after that is also going to be incredible finals for every single game here in the chase center so exciting this stage behind me is remarkable absolutely incredible we have a wonderful wonderful event set up for you.
and these competitors are getting set as well.
This grand final is going to be so exciting.
We're split on our predictions.
So is the crowd.
This is going to be so unbelievably fun.
I can't wait to get into this one.
Thank you to our analyst desk.
I'll have one more fist pound down the line.
Let's send it over.
I
of a new day, looking out on a new adventure.
No one knows where the road will take us.
Already said, because now it's time to go.
Maybe we can finally see who we're meant to be.
We start with the rain, the story.
Every journey goes through the hour.
Now we rise up aside to glory, together you and I
will touch the stars.
Let me do it all over again
Cause even if we lose our way
We'll always stay
Here we go
Here we go again
And it's even better than last time
Here we go
Here we go again
Again
Here we go!
Here we go again!
Every flash that I flashed
Every day to be okay
With all our fans
We go
We go again
Welcome to the Pokemon World Championships.
Trainers from across the globe have spent the past year in relentless pursuit of one
goal becoming a Pokemon World Champion. It all comes down to this. This is Championship
Sunday! Of more than 2,000 trainers, only 24 remain, each with one final opportunity
to claim the most coveted title in all of competitive Pokemon World Champion. Broad
Not casting to you live from San Francisco, California, who's ready for Championship Sunday!
Take a look above you and witness the banners featuring champions from last year.
This year's finalists hope to achieve the same honor across Pokemon champions,
the Pokemon trading card game,
Pokemon Go,
and Pokemon Unite.
It's time for us to stop talking history and start making it.
Let's get this show on the road with our first feature title of the day,
Pokemon Unites.
and nobody's coming.
Parity, unconturbed, undenied.
Eagle genus' needs to take a bump
as all five members of the state of the division
are glowing red.
But Vince, stop restin' with us!
What are you talking about?
Holy maternity.
Watered in said final stretch.
No, it doesn't go in.
You're J-Po!
What just happened?
Such a fast fight! Zeta Division runs it back three games straight for down two left and that won't be enough in 23 seconds left.
That's Zeta Division incredible run!
These days, thousands of people from the way it has been slandered, secured by the days through.
What is it going to be?
Don't mind, show them, finish this thing out.
Don't mind, it's a massive fight.
On the one hand, a clean sweep in our semi-finals.
The past five years, the world's best Pokemon Unite teams have battled for one goal, becoming
world champions.
We saw the introduction of a league format this year in the Pokemon Unite Championship
series.
The most demanding competitive format in the game's history.
Now, only two teams remain.
With this marking the final Pokemon Unite World Championship, the stakes have never
been higher.
One last title, one final champion,
one team will close this chapter
of Pokemon Unite history forever.
Zeta Division left last year's World Championships
with a second place trophy.
At Worlds this year, Zeta Division proved
that they have leveled up,
starting off strong in the group stage
and then dominating the bracket stage.
Zeta Division will return to the championship stage
for another chance at the greatest prize
in Pokemon Unite, a World Champion title.
Komei led the way in the group stage with a flawless 3-0 result, including a win against
defending world champs, Peru United.
Komei found even greater heights in day two.
A star-studded lineup of opponents fell to Komei in epic matches, including a 3-0 victory
in the semifinals.
A Desu and Gatlu returned to the championship stage for the first time since 2022, this
time with a brand-new roster with the same goal to become world champions. Two
teams who have belt the sting of second place now have a chance to rewrite history
but only one can become the final Pokemon Unite World Champions.
Whether they pulled off a reverse sweep or a clean 3-0 to get here, both of our
teams share a competitive spirit. It is time to meet our finalists for Pokemon Unite. First
up, welcome to the stage, KOMI!
Give it up for Nerabi, Toast, Gattu, Adesu, and Dek.
And for the opposition, we have Zedah Division.
Yatla from Izutama, Nomu, Rom, Bresta, and Tito.
before we get into the matches, we have to get a word from the players themselves over
on the side of my this is the first appearance on the stage for Europe since the first world
championship. What does it mean to represent your region in such a fashion? It means a
I hope your favorite thought for everyone in Europe, but right now today is just me and my teammates
Zeta division is no stranger to the final stage
How have you and your team been preparing to ensure it's a championship finish this time around?
We've been doing everything we can to prepare for this moment, and we're dead set on victory.
Victory is near for one of these teams. I won't hold you any longer.
Feel free to make your way to your battle stations and join the rest of your teammates to prepare for your matches.
Best of luck, everybody.
And with that, it takes the best of the best to get us ready for this matchup.
Let's hear from our casters for Pokemon Unite.
It's taken us five years to get to this point and here we are.
KOMI once again looking to become a world champion.
We have Gotlu and Edesu, the two-time runner-up.
On the side of Zeta Division, we have the Toppo and Robe,
the two-time runners-up.
We will have a grand final with a brand new champion.
Hello, everybody.
Welcome to the final Pokemon Unite grand finals.
I am Jake, your resident content cowboy yee to the ha joined by the one and only noob snacks. Hello noob snacks
Hello cowboy whether you've been watching unite from day number one or this is the first time you're tuning in
For Pokemon United the world champions. It's our world championship. It's our last time. So let's have a good time
Showtime. Yeah, it's showtime. This is the last one
We will crown our final champion and it means no matter what we're leaving here today
So we can kind of do whatever we want we can pop up again if we want
We'll do that a lot it's gonna be a how far off can we get am I off?
Yeah, we're good. We figured it out. We're just testing the range here
It's gonna be important because unite has a ton of energy to it
We bring a lot of energy to it because that's what it deserves
So we need a lot of real estate to move as you can see that's right
This is your first time watching United is a five versus five
competitive battler action packed matches that is what you are going to see
the entirety of championship Sunday with again two teams who are looking to
become the first-time champion with multiple members who have come this
close last year Zeta Division loses in the Grand Finals in Anaheim and our
first year of competition two members of Komei come this close but they go
down to North America and now one of them will get that final moment that final
trophy they will become our final champion. They get to finish writing their
story for one of these teams they leave in shambles and the other one they're
going to be crowned champion but of course these teams don't get as far as
they do without the support of their friends and family so we have a
friends and family interview for you right now take it away.
And hello there everybody, we are here to ask some questions.
We have Sari, the coach of Zeta Division, and Zara, a fan of my eSports.
So, Sari, first question to you.
What's it been like watching Zeta Division perform this weekend?
What do you think about the performance of the Zeta Division?
It's really strong, I can't wait to see it again.
Let's go for my feeling proud.
Now back to you, Sari.
This is Zeta Division's second chance
to play in the Grand Finals
with the Potoppa and Rom being on that stage last year.
How does it feel seeing them up there once again
to have a second chance at that world championship position?
So last year they ended up second place but they didn't get comfortable and they worked
really hard to get back here so I'm really excited to see them.
Yes, hard work they have definitely worked hard indeed.
Nadal, back to you again. You have been there supporting EU region for quite some time.
How has it been feeling seeing Gatlu and Adesu have that second chance spot
at getting that world championship title alongside Kamai?
It's absolutely amazing. I mean I was there to watch them at Worlds in London
when they were in the finals and unfortunately they couldn't make it
but I think this time they can definitely make it. I have a lot of faith in them.
They've worked so hard. I've seen it with myself and I believe in them. They can do it.
Thank you. It's been wonderful to hear from both of you here today.
Any final words of encouragement you'd like to give to the team?
I just really want them to have fun and play hard.
And same thing as Zara, any words of encouragement you'd like to give to my Esports?
We're all proud of you, Kermai. We know you can do it. Let's go, Kermai wins.
Thank you so much, Sari and Zara. We're going to go throw it back to the casters to get this action started.
Thank you very much, Kello. It is almost time. The stage is set. The two time runner-ups on both sides.
For Zeta Division, they were the fifth seed team out of Japan.
Count it out, even though they are the strongest region in our game.
It looks like there were many Japanese teams that were going to go deeper in this tournament.
But Zeta would not quit.
They fought the entire way through, coming back to secure their spot in the grand finals
on a reverse sweep after losing the first two games.
And on the other side, Duke Snacks, we have Komei.
Yeah, players that have been around the game for a very long time, of course, in a day-suit gatloo, and they're captain Gek.
And then they got the two young upstarts there, Narami and Toast, really bringing and throwing life and energy into this team.
Both of these squads on what I like to consider a Cinderella run here, nobody really put all their money on them to be the final two teams to make it.
But here we are, all these teams needed with it was a chance, and they absolutely snatched that opportunity.
No question about it. There were so many amazing teams showing up to this competition.
Huge teams like the top squad out of Japan getting eliminated first in day two.
Our former world champions going down first match of day two as well on their side.
Just incredible the entire way through.
A story you would never expect but a perfect ending for Pokemon Unite.
Two teams that were so close to hoisting that championship trophy.
One of them will now walk away as the final Pokemon Unite Champion.
That is without a doubt, just one best of five separates five players from their championship title that they've been yearning for.
Again, Zeta Division on the doorstep last year, two of their players, Vatopo and Rome, just falling short against Peru Unite.
And on the other side, you have Kolmai and Adesu and Gatlu in London falling just shy
in the World Championship chase of that year.
Everybody has the opportunity to correct the record and again, stamp themselves
not only as a Pokemon Unite World Champion, but the final Pokemon Unite World Champion.
You know, I think a lot of what happens here is going to be decided early on in these matches.
In fact, it's going to be decided before the match.
In this draft screen, we're going to find out what Pokemon they're going to be bringing into battle.
And I have a feeling that the team that outdrafts the other, outpicks the other, outskills the other,
and what they are bringing to Thea Skyruins will be the team that wins the entire thing.
Yeah, typically when you draft better, play better, and execute better, you tend to win.
So that strategy makes a lot of sense.
Well, that's the kind of analysis people can hear.
Right, that's why we're here.
You know, if you play better, you end up winning, and I've always said that.
Yeah, you know if you want to play not good that is not the way to get yourself across that finish line if your goal is to be champion
Which I'm pretty sure that's the goal of both these teams. They're gonna look at our crowd here in San Francisco
The Chase Center is gonna be filled throughout this day for all of our incredible
Competition from our multiple titles and we have a ton of people here ready to crown our
our Unite Champion.
Something we do here for Pokemon Unite
that let's be honest, we stole from the Japanese casters
is the ready go.
At the start of our match, we see the ready go
at the beginning, and we are all going
to do that here together.
So in just a moment, we are going to test it here
and get a little energy from you in San Francisco.
We're going to have a fly through of the Thea Sky
Ruins.
It's going to cut to a screen with the 10 minute timer
clocked up, and then it goes into the ready go.
We're gonna have a couple, at least one practice round here.
We're getting told it's ready.
So let's get into it.
We'll do this together.
Again, we'll have to fly over.
As soon as you see the 10 minute timer, it's ready go.
Let's get into it.
Let's give it a whirl, a little test run here.
Beautiful Faea Sky ruins.
Ready, go!
That's right San Francisco.
That's what we're gonna be doing the entire time.
Get ready for EU2.
Oh, and it looks like they were playing for a second there.
I thought it was a real match.
I was freaking out.
I was hearing my voice, and I was like, am I?
Am I talking?
What is going on here?
I know I have all the faith in the world
that the fans and the stands are
going to be able to deliver the energy that these teams want
to hear and feel being in the Chase Center.
And of course, let's give them a little pep in that step
by being active participants.
That's right.
Bringing the energy to this.
We can see our players right now practicing getting ready for this match here.
Zorak is a Pokemon that I'm going to have my eye on.
I really do feel like if Komai allows this Pokemon onto the battlefield, it will be a huge problem.
VTOPPO qualified basically because of this Pokemon.
The high skill level of that player and the top level play on that Pokemon.
Without a doubt, I mean, when you're looking at Zeta Division,
It's really tough to say that their run was not absolutely anchored by the topo going into that hyper carry mode
You mentioned Zorar. We've also seen them do it on urshi food the rapid strike urshi for as we like to call it
The blue she foo getting those crazy combos with the unite move
I've never seen a tally as high as the topo yesterday on this blue bear getting
49 hits off that unite move. Yeah
This is going to be quite a matchup here and then on the other side, you know, when you take a look at KOMI
They've got some incredible plays throughout the day some heroes saves last night by a desu on their team a desu
Playing in that attacker role a lot of Pokemon we've seen throughout this tournament
Espeon has been a huge one, but a desu bringing up the Mewtwo why this Pokemon incredibly strong
But not seen as much in the competition lately a desu
However, making huge hero plays on the Mega Mewtwo.
Yeah, I mean just the mobility or escape ability
that Mewtwo Waii has, especially through those two dashes, right?
It can dash and dash again.
And of course, it goes into that unstoppable mode
when it's lining up that big side strike,
which deals damage and has a stun associated with it.
So it's a great engagement tool.
It's a great disengagement tool.
And overall, it's Unite move, that infinite side burn
from space that just reigns supreme on the heads of the opponent is a great way to start or end a battle.
Yeah, so many powerful picks that these two teams are going to be fighting over,
a Pokemon that has gotten so much priority lately in the United Championship Series and surfetched,
played in that top half, got Lou on it most of the day yesterday for Komai having some incredible
games. But when you recognize your opponent has a strength in a Pokemon, there are a couple
things you can do you can ban it away from them and you can also pick it for
yourself as no two Pokemon will be the same in our matches. Yeah of course as
we go through our fan face here there's going to be three bans per side and then
we go into the snake draft order so it'll be one pick two two and two two
one and that's gonna round out your teams of five to make sure that these
teams are able to square away a lot of teams prefer that first pick on the
On the other hand, a lot of the best teams, like that last pick, where they've got as much information as possible that they can make that big, big counterpick to counter punch inside that 10 minute game.
That's right, there are so many different strategies when it comes to the Pokemon you are picking and the order you want to play them in.
And it also is based on which map you are playing. It depends if you're on Bay of Sky Ruins with Groudon in the middle, Kyogre, Rayquaza.
Each one lends itself to a different strategy.
For a Kyogre map, you might be seeing Pokemon that are a little tankier than others.
Some things really high HP because if you get that Kyogre buff, it's incredibly difficult to take them down.
Meanwhile, crowd on, giving you all of that crazy attack damage.
Some of the more powerful carry Pokemon may be played on that map.
Without a doubt, and again we will see all our maps here because it is a best of five and we'll be cruising through those as we are watching again.
These players warm up as they get ready to battle in a best of five for the world championship title.
It's going to be incredible when they get to face off. Obviously,
the nerves between these two squads must be intense with everything on the line here. Not only is
everything on the line looking for the championship, but this is our final championship series
match. This will be the last time Pokemon Unites crowns a champion here at Worlds. You
want to be the final champion you don't want to miss your final shot. As we have
another pan of the crowd here they're getting anxious. I know I'm getting a
little anxious I want to see these teams scrap it out and get into the action
and we will be in there shortly until then though. You've got some stats. Take a look
at the top Pokemon by Bandrake throughout this tournament so these are
things that both teams say okay it's not coming out onto the battlefield. No
shocker here one of the recent releases to our game the Feraligator
getting our top ban followed by Kumpay. Feraligatr incredibly powerful, crazy
amounts of burst damage especially with its unite oop and its attack crunch. And
then Kumpay, one of the most difficult supporters to shut down, it can just hop
onto a Pokemon and basically act as if another version of it. Just giving it
more HP, giving it more speed, huge shield, it's so tough to fight. On down the line,
Blissey, Zashin, Snorlax, and you,
Feraligator worth mentioning,
so strong that the only game that Luke didn't play surfetched
is because Feraligator was available,
and at that point, he was pretty much no-lifing that surfetch.
That's just how strong Feraligator is
when it's allowed into that draft screen.
Yeah.
Powerful Pokemon that neither team wants to see here.
Snorlax being a real top defender,
and now we're gonna see the Pokemon that make it through.
So even though Snorlax,
top bands as well. Also when they are not banned they are picked almost every time they can be.
Blastoise has been an absolute menace this weekend.
Yeah I'm pretty sure Blastoise has been the top Pokemon by pick rate on this screen for every year.
For the last like three years it is so strong. I mean both kits right you can wrap it spin in Hydro Pump
and you can have those big surfs if you're playing a more true defender style and of course that big
big swirling unite, that Hydro Typhoon, which has the capacity to get big knockups on multiple
members on the opposing team, and often is Curtains if you hit multiple targets.
Yeah, you'll notice that our top Pokemon by pick right here, three of them are in that
sort of Defender Support Core, Blastoise, Snorlax, and Psyduck.
All incredibly powerful, and all sort of feeling more of that tanky Defender role
even though Psyduck is a support.
These are Playmaker Pokemon, they're so difficult to fight.
They're not the ones in there doing the damage.
We do see a few of those here, too.
Mew from long range, Espion is one of the best attackers
in that bottom path.
Then we have Zashin, incredibly powerful,
not shocked at all that is one of our top encounter rates.
Almost every top path player in our game
has this in their repertoire.
Without a doubt.
So encounter rate, if you do, again, to Pokemon Unite
means it was either picked or banned,
which means it showed up in the draft screen
in some capacity.
So, Peraligate or lead in a charge, unsurprising, if it's not banned, you better believe it's getting picked.
It is just so strong.
Yeah, and down the line, last one, Snorlax, Mew, and Scyta.
Mew is one of those attackers that it is getting some bans,
especially when you know that there's a powerful Mew player on the other side.
But with only three bans per team, it's sometimes hard to target bans exactly what's on the other side.
For instance, Zeta Division, so many powerful choices.
They have the Zorak yesterday, Lodious and Lodious on their side, especially played in
tandem so difficult to deal with and they were bringing that out.
But you can only ban so many things.
You can only take away their platois and their Zorak.
It's just there's so many options right now.
The meta feels incredibly diverse.
It really does, right?
Deck actually said it in an interview yesterday.
The game is so balanced right now that a team can bring a strategy that you
never even considered and you just go oh no that can actually work and we're not
ready for that and a perfect example is the Galarian Rapidash they had to face
down. It gave them so many problems they ended up just having to ban it because
in their in their book of strategies they didn't have anything to combat that.
That's right, Komae almost knocked out of our tournament I believe in our top
eight as they were running into C2 from Japan playing Galarian Rapidash and
they had no answer for it. One answer that you do have of course is that
draft screen and they were able to get rid of it, and they were able to beat that team.
But if you could just find the Pokemon that your opponents can't counter, if they don't
have time to figure out exactly what they're going to do about it, and they don't ban it,
that could be a way that you win Booster.
Without a doubt, I mean, you have to not be afraid to just take the tough thing off the table.
You know, sometimes it feels bad to use a a ban on a Pokemon that's not considered S tier
or the best thing going. But hey, if your team can't deal with it, just get it out of there
and then face the next problem head-on.
Yeah, absolutely.
And that's what these teams are gonna have to decide
as they start to head-cork these matches.
As we mentioned, so many powerful picks
that you really only get to pick a few things
that you don't wanna see.
You can ban it, you can steal it away from your opponents,
but at the end of the day, you're gonna have to face
something powerful by a top-level player.
And as we've mentioned, so many of these players
with so much to prove here,
some of them their first time on a world stage like this.
And again, others, this is their second time,
Not a single champion amongst them yet, but there will be just a short.
Best of five.
We're taking a look at Comai, you know, their Achilles heel has always been that
top eight.
They finally broke through that ceiling and then breezed through the top four
into this grand finals.
Can they keep up that pace?
And it's really tough to contend with the momentum of reverse sweep two on
the side of Zeta division.
So both of these teams really finishing yesterday strong and in a commanding
fashion, leading them to this moment and set up for success.
And now it all boils down to execution.
Yeah, I wonder which you'd rather have,
walking through on a 3-0 victory, feeling strong,
or recognizing that your team is the kind of team that
can adjust and pull out a victory when you absolutely
need it by winning the reverse sweep.
Well, that is what Sada Division out of Japan did.
They were down 2-0.
It looked like they were going to be heading home.
I think most people thought they were the weaker team.
But they found another level.
They changed their strategy.
They went in there with what they played best
and they absolutely crushed the next three games.
Without a doubt, when you think about Zeta Division and Comi,
we keep saying they've both been runner-ups before.
That being said, Zeta Division's finals run, grand finals run,
was a much stronger showing than the last time Comi's players
made the world stage.
They got absolutely rinsed in 2022.
Straight up 3-0, Curtains, pack them up, send them home.
Zeta Division, on the other hand, took Peru to the limit, and yes, they went down in four games, three to one.
However, every single one of those games was balanced on a knife set.
The thing I worry about for both of these squads is what happens to the team who loses that first game.
You know, for Zeta Division, they won their first game against Peru, and then Peru came back, figured them out, and were able to take them down.
Come I if they start to lose their first game are they going to fall back into that fall back into that year one?
What happened there where they just seem to?
Fall into this quicksand and not be able to pull themselves out
We're gonna have to see but both of them approved through this tournament that they can win when they are behind
It's one of the most exciting things that you can see and unite a reverse sweep
Happens all the time and there's nothing I'd rather see in these grand finals than a game five
We have never had one on championship Sunday.
All right, you can go ahead and scan at that QR code
to see yourself on the video board.
Go ahead and get your phone out there, Cowboy.
I'll scan it.
Maybe I'll get on the video board.
I'm concerned that we haven't been on camera enough.
Been looking at all our graphics.
There we go.
Oh, wow.
That's actually really cool.
I did not anticipate that.
Are we on?
Are we going in?
That would be so incredible.
I'm trying to get in right now.
Can you imagine the ego on the two of us?
Can we get on the video board that we're already on?
It's loading up.
We'll get there in a moment.
It's loading up.
It's something that we actually do care a lot about.
Well, it's our last go here at the Pokemon United World
Championships.
Let's have a little fun.
What do you think?
The camera is on, but are we on the screen?
Just leave it open.
I'll keep talking or you can talk.
I'll look at our crowd here in San Francisco.
I know we are all excited and hyped to get into our matches.
Our players getting ready on the big stage.
Once you get started, it goes pretty fast, guys,
with 10-minute matches, extremely fast pace,
all leading to this big fight in the middle over that groud
on Kyogre or Rayquaza.
And now I love that people are having their camera up,
having their camera up, and just finding themselves
on the jump-o-tron.
It's a very excellent thing.
I'm glad we did that, especially for you and I
who are gonna try and pepper that thing
with our own presence all day long.
We're good.
We have to.
Put us on the screen.
You know what I mean?
You're right.
What about us?
I think it's what everybody at home is asking.
I think that's what everybody is ultimately asking.
Oh, listen, listen.
They looked at us and they're like,
listen, we know it's an arena
and what you guys are thinking is obviously
bigger capes, right?
But we said, no, use that on Pikachu.
It's gonna make for great key art
for our 30th anniversary of the game of Pokemon.
So shout out to us for being so kind.
Shout out to Pikachu for wearing that cape so darn well.
Yeah, Pikachu looks great on it.
Obviously we inspired that.
And no, you are not seeing double
unless you're seeing four of us.
Then yes, you are seeing double.
You might be concussed.
You might be concussed,
but we do look like the same person.
We have to get confused for each other.
It's great.
The very first interaction I had here
in San Francisco was, hey, Spragals!
And I was like, no, I'm the other guy.
And then we both went, aww.
To be fair, when someone says, hey, sprinkles,
I'm like, hey, they go, aww.
So it happens to me too.
Well, I'd like to think that at least somebody cares
about us somewhere.
I think they're out there somewhere.
I don't know how we get confused.
We only look alike, sound alike, dress alike,
stand next to each other all the time,
have the exact same takes on everything.
We don't do ourselves any favors, to be fair.
We haven't really taken it to heart.
They're like, well, let's differentiate a little bit.
We just kind of, I don't want to say lean into it,
but we're not course-correcting either.
No question about it.
You know, something I'd like to do
is our players are getting ready,
is get a little energy here in this stadium
in San Francisco.
How you feeling, Chase Arena?
It's pretty good.
That's pretty good,
but I think we could do a little bit better.
I think we can.
Let's try this.
All right.
Oh, whoa, they're getting loud.
Beautiful.
All right, let's see.
Do we have a Get Loud up there on the Jumbotron?
I love it.
Do we have a Get Quiet?
Do we have a B sign?
Do we have one of those?
Yeah, let's try and get everybody as quiet as possible.
Yeah.
And on to we'll just erupt, right?
I want to see if we don't get it.
So I want to see everyone, not a sound.
I want to be able to hear a pin drop in the arena.
Nothing.
And now we're just going to start with a light clap.
It's a little something.
Oh, OK.
A little bit of a golf clap.
Oh, that was something kind of neat, all right.
Oh, now something a little more interesting happened.
Kind of get a little more energy going a little bit.
Oh my gosh, what are your favorite players
is on save play, something you absolutely love.
And then here we go.
We're heading to the grand finals.
Let's hear it, get loud, San Francisco!
Not bad.
Not bad at all, and that's a way
to lead into our draft here.
Our bands are locked in a day-stew prepping
Espeon off-rips, Zorak banned VetoPo's just prime pick,
Blizzy's option, and then Theraligator's surf fetch,
Mimikyu, Toast on Mimikyu was going crazy yesterday.
Now, NoMu locking in the Crustler,
something that Deck, as their defender player,
loves to play.
Yeah, this phase of the game, so important, Dupes next.
We are stealing things away from our opponents.
We are fanning things away from them.
Deck was amazing on Crustle,
and now Zeta Division has that.
Using the priority for that Espeon,
It has been a power pick all weekend,
especially when paired with Machamp,
which is not currently banned.
No, and it's been terrific.
So we'll see where Klamai wants to miss.
Gatlu going with the Kukwawl.
Gek on the Snorlax has been a presence to contend with.
I absolutely love this Kukwawl pick.
A recent addition to the game.
And when a player gets a head on this Pokemon,
it is so difficult to shut down.
Woo, Viteppo on the other side,
playing my absolute favorite, the three-headed bird.
Do Trio, this speedster is incredibly powerful,
especially when it comes to harassing your opponents,
invading their central area,
putting pressure on them all game,
so you're gonna look for that from Zeta.
Resta, again, on the Latias,
worth mentioning, Rom, immediately to Latios,
gonna take those planes to battle.
As Toast grabs there, it shows Cizor,
but you can either be Cizor or Scyther,
and Toast is most likely gonna be Scyther here.
worth mentioning, Mizutama on this Mega Lucario,
great, great secure, great rip on objectives.
It's really, truly the meaning of an all-rounder
and can help take over a game.
Tell me about this Latias-Latios combination.
Yeah, they are powerful Pokemon,
one the attacker Latios and one the supporter of the Latias,
but both of them do incredible damage.
They work even better when they're together,
getting increased move speed,
the ability to fly to each other across the map
and a Unite move that combos together
dealing extra damage on the same target.
We saw Zeta use this yesterday perfectly.
We're gonna see if Comai has an answer for it.
One Pokemon they did not want to see,
and I'm not shocked, is that First Band.
That is Zoroark.
Zoroark from Pitopo was so incredibly powerful
as our players are now loading in
for our first match here of our grand finals.
You can see the Pokemon selection up on the stage.
What a time to be alive, new snacks.
All right, we've got our flyover.
We're gonna see that 10 minute.
We're gonna get our ready go.
Everybody, let's do it.
Here we go, Zeta Division.
KOMI, our first match.
Ready, go!
KOMI, your purple team, Zeta Division,
your orange team, we are getting this thing started here
in just one moment.
You know, better to pause when everybody's in base, right?
Before things actually develop.
You know, make sure it's all sorted out.
I'm not going to say that production
did that to us on purpose because I yelled ready,
go with a lot of energy.
But I think they might have.
You know what?
Just for the sake of the ready, go.
Let's just remake the whole thing, right?
Let's get this good start from the top.
Yeah, let's just do a reshow again.
Yeah, all the way back to the top.
Going back out here.
Let's do the warm-up.
Let's do the practice.
Let's get into our first game
and hit them with another ready, go.
And I promise you, production will get us to that 10 minute thing
that we said was going to happen,
so we can all get into the ready go together.
You know, I'll tell you this, when this show goes live,
not this rehearsal that we're having right now,
correct, give me a big one.
It's going to be so good.
I'm sorry, production, what?
How long?
This is live?
OK.
You know what?
I am feeling anxiety right now.
I can't imagine being in the seats of those players who
who are now, at this point, been waiting all night, all morning,
gearing up for this moment, and just when they think they're
going to get into the Thea Sky ruins
and start rocking and rolling, we've got a quick hit pause.
That being said, I much rather have
it happen when both teams are in home base
than in some pivotal critical moment in the middle of the game.
So let's get this sorted to make sure
that we are keeping this competition above board,
and we can crown our true champion with no asterisks.
No question about it.
We want to make sure that these matches are perfect
as we were taking a look at our stage right there.
I absolutely love it.
And that is going to be changing throughout the day
for all of our titles.
This is going to be a very special day of competition,
the most incredible stage set here
for Pokemon's 30th anniversary in San Francisco.
And they really have gone all out.
They absolutely have.
I want you all to know that in that middle table
with the two chairs, Spraydals and I
tried to allow them for us to cast from there.
And they said.
They said absolutely.
There's no way we're doing that. I can't believe you even I said what percent chance do we have they said an absolute
Zero percent negative we give it to you. It's a zero percent. That's what they say. Well according to our stats team
You can round the zero and you can round to a hundred. We'll see if we get that shake out for our final
Pokemon Unite competition match right now
This is one of those tough moments where of course these players getting into this game
They're ready for it, but they are now put on ice here for a second
This does give you the opportunity to refocus really discuss what happened in your draft screen and recognize
Some mistakes that you may have made outside of the pressure of running right back into another game
So before we have the information about what happened you can say we really didn't expect them to immediately steal crustal from us
That's something we're gonna have to prepare for yeah
I mean, especially something that I don't think Komai has scrapped up against this tournament too much,
which is the Latias-Ladios combination.
Now, obviously these high-level players are familiar with what all these characters can do.
However, this is a great opportunity to use this pause and look, hey,
we might be on ice for a second, but we can use this to gain momentum, at least strategically,
getting into this game and making sure that we're checking all those early game boxes
so that we can execute on our game plan.
We talked a little bit about some of these team compositions.
I love that you can see them up on the stage right there.
As we're looking at the composition here from Zeta,
the Dodrio, the Megalucario, Crustle, and the Lodious.
Back to the other side, Espeon, Gokbal, Snorlax, the Scizor,
which will probably be Scythor and Psyduck.
When you look at these two teams,
it feels like Komei needs to win fights, right?
So we have opportunities on the side of Zeta Division
to not necessarily win a fight, but win a huge objective.
You have crazy burst damage from this Lodio.
So you have Dodrio that can be extremely aggressive,
surprising with all of its mobility.
And then of course, Mega Lucario,
probably the scariest thing on their side
because if you leave Mega Lucario alone
for just a moment on an objective,
it will use its Unite move, go Mega,
and then rip through it before there is
much you can do about it.
If Komae is not careful, even if they're playing well
and they take their eye off the ball for just a moment,
Zeta can steal the match.
Without a doubt.
So when you think about the Drio,
it actually plays the game in a much different way
compared to a lot of other characters.
It has high, high mobility.
The way it scores is actually in pieces.
It's split up into three, one for each head, of course.
And because of that, it scores incredibly quick.
And it can really flank easily
because it has such high speed.
So it's one of those things.
If you take your eye off the ball,
you can lose track of that Drio,
and then it's right behind you, dealing massive damage on a flank.
And then Megalupario is in your face with that close combat and that big power-up punch.
You mentioned Quapwable is incredibly strong if it gets ahead.
But if you look at the side of Zeta Division, Dodrio can give it fits and soak in that Megaluca.
So just a small investment on the side of Zeta to make sure one of those characters is higher than Quapwable.
It could just become a 1v1 for the rest of the game.
Like, my only goal is to make sure that Loup does not get this thing online.
And I think the final success for that.
Well, with how well Gottlieu was playing yesterday,
there is a question as to who you're kind of trying
to target on the other side, right?
What player do you want to shut down the most?
And if the squabble gets online, gets its unite move,
starts dancing through some of these battles,
it could be very, very tough for the side of Zeta.
So that would be a good player to shut down.
One that's going to be extremely hard
is going to be a desu on this espion.
Espion evolving at level four.
All of our EVs do in this game.
They're so strong early, Espeon probably the strongest with the ability to secure easily with Saishon.
Yeah, and not to mention, it could also go into that stored power, which we saw yesterday as well,
which is pretty solid against Dodrio, right? Because stored power has that sure hit and can really track a Dodrio.
So it helps at least mitigate some of that crazy mobility that Dodrio has to escape fights that it doesn't want to be in.
So I'm going to be looking to Adesu to see how they cover.
Let's talk about the support core of Khomei, which has been critical.
Gek, the captain of the team on that Snorlax.
And very quietly, the Kid Narami on this side-up has been having crazy, crazy psychic pulls.
You put the disc down, and then you yank somebody out of the tall grass.
And they've been setting up great KO's for their squad by doing that.
You know, you and I love to talk about the support cores of these teams,
because while all of these, you know, carry Pokemon are flashy,
they're picking up huge KO streaks, sometimes wiping out the entire enemy team,
None of that happens without these playmaker Pokemon on their side and we've seen huge plays from both of these teams
Yeah, in particular on co-mai. I feel like has made some hero plays for the squad
Absolutely has right and we keep talking about gatloo a day suit deck now on the Romney
But also there is toast and toast we've most primarily on the mimic you
We've seen them go across a couple things of course gonna be on the cypher this game
also is a great shutdown player like they can make huge plays they're always
pacing the other team as well and stressing them by attacking from
different angles so amazing seeing this hype crowd here in the chase center the
arena filling up throughout our day I've been told it seats almost 300 people
wait no kidding something else 18,000 people is way off yeah you don't know
numbers my friend here's the good news we might be game pause but all that's
doing is allowing for more people to file in and enjoy the experience of
Pokemon Unite live here in the chase center and it's experience unlike any
other that you will get today because this game is fast-paced action no
turn-based action here we're all about the smoke once we get into the
Thea Sky Ruins. That's right the texture of all of our games here on
Championship Sunday is so interesting exciting each one having their own
flavor and unite no question about it is the most high energy of our titles
non-stop action and battling throughout in our 10 minute matches here Duke
snacks as we're taking a look at our hype crowd. I love how the plushies were
brought of course there's Pikachu who's using our capes from last year we are
representing our teams here Zeta Division got the jacket on got the
jersey on dripped out of control to support the squad as they make their
to run the championship gold.
Man, I absolutely love this stage.
It's awesome.
It's so cool what they were able to do with this.
It's an even bigger step up from last year,
which was already an amazing stage in the arena.
This is just incredible.
What's that production?
You do want us to cast from the table in the middle.
Amazing.
Are we sure it's set up?
Should we run down there right now?
Right now.
OK.
What's that we're lying?
Bear.
Our game is being remade here to make sure
that all of our players can get in.
And then as soon as it is ready to go,
we are going to head down to Thea Skyruins
and watch them battle it out here
in our first game of the PESTA 5.
Oh, got one of the greatest signs.
You have to bless the old me
and only me, said by the legendary
two-time world champion, Overlord.
I will secure also a great, great sign.
And I love, I've been watching those signs
pop up throughout the fans all weekend long.
And the energy commitment and passion that these fans have for this game cannot be denied.
And you know what? I asked for the game to be remade so we can hit a hard ready go.
So let's make sure that we are now getting a second bite at this game one ready go.
Apple, let's make it a big one.
Our players are getting ready to head into the match right now.
I always wonder with moments like these, you know, whether it's a technical issue,
a player needs a moment or something like that.
How that changes the mental state of these competitors as you're getting ready for this match
There's so much on the line here, and I don't know about you do snacks
But I know for me. I would just want to be thrown into the defend right away
Yeah, 100% and I don't want to bring up, you know past history or old wounds
But if you recall the same EU team with a lot of these players got stuck on ice on stage in the world championships
and fell apart afterwards if you recall that I'm hoping the mental fortitude is
there and they are ready to go and I'm hoping that Gek again is keeping this
team from tearing apart at the seams because they did the vision again we
know their resilience. Comite the question is really still up in the air
because we've seen this team have some bizarre bizarre missteps but if
their focus is there and their intensity is there they can deliver in a big
But what you'll notice about Unite is it's often a game of momentum.
It seems like a team that's winning keeps winning here,
but both of these squads with the reverse sweep yesterday
really shows you that they can pull it out when it counts, change everything.
And there is something about a team that's been losing and then they start to win.
It's just so hard to defeat them at that point.
It's like they've figured something out.
And then once they hit that, their opponents can do nothing about it.
That's without a doubt.
out you know is this production is this an opportunity where you can put me in
the cowboy back on screen oh what's your plan oh no no oh you have no plan what
so well right like at all I just feel like we're dressed nice and you know
I'd like to be seen he's not wrong it's not wrong the fact that this is our
last day I mean it sounds like it with how we're acting doesn't it it really
does seem like listen I feel like production is minimizing amount of
time on camera because they don't know if we actually have capes or not yeah
they're wondering if we're gonna like like are they gonna unfurl their cave
back there this crowns they have those it pull that's those gold shoulder things
with tassels nobody knows I love that you're bringing up all the things that
we asked if we could bring in they said out no they said no to all but
You know you just you put positive out maybe yeah, we get something back
Surely if someone in the audience had a crown they would they would I could not wear it. I mean, I can't wear
You're gonna you're gonna get rid of us before the end of the show
Yeah
We always thought we would be in the trash here doob snacks
Stadium filling into right you absolutely see I love this this ripple effect
I love seeing myself in the Jumbotron, that's terrific.
I'm a big fan of that, I cannot deny.
This is a great experience, it's a great experience
for those of you in the arena, of course.
Great experience for our players on stage.
Phenomenal experience for me in the capital.
Selfishly for us, this is a great day.
Yeah, we're absolutely loving it right here.
And this is our final Pokemon Unite cast.
It really is the most amazing way to send this game off.
You know, last year in the arena
It was absolutely electric, and this is even bigger, you snacks.
Yeah, exactly. That's again why everybody at home assumed larger capes.
But no, look, just look how sharp we look and here and here.
Well done. Let's talk about these teams again.
Zeta Division on that reverse sweep, you talked about momentum
and how critical that is, but we've seen time and time again.
The momentum not necessarily carrying into the next day.
We've seen teams go on miracle runs through day 2 of a bracket, hit grand finals and fall apart.
Is this going to be the case for Zeta Division? That's a question that remains unanswered.
Yeah, it really is. I mean, can these teams keep that momentum? Can Zeta keep that huge win
going from being behind to now winning? Or are they shaken by the fact that the team on
the other side three owed their opponents as we're getting set up for our match right now?
And it sounds like we will be soon heading into our game once we do
Ten minutes time on the screen
Ready go we're all gonna do it together
I want to show everybody at home what they're missing out as they're watching through their screen because we're gonna have a
Rockus crowd here to get loud and deliver the energy to these players on stage
You can see the screens our players are loading in now for our first match of our grand finals here in
San Francisco I
I need to take a deep breath this is this I want to get into it. Here we go
Ready go!
Call my esports your purple team Zeta division your orange team the first game of our grand finals begins now
We see the players on their mini-map cruising towards their path
We'd love to see the character on this because Nomu is immediately going cross-town shootout
and they're gonna go for an invade to slow down the progress of toast.
Narami sussing it out quickly and gonna A, press him down.
Yeah, this play right here is taking one of your Pokemon,
especially with an experience share across the map,
trying to steal away some experience from their powerful central area Pokemon.
Nobu looking to see if they can secure this buff for their squad,
and no, it goes over to toast.
Resta and Ramm downstairs there with the Snarlax and a day suit moving through the Eskimo.
already evolved in Toast decides to collapse in the bottom path, but Toppo
now peeling back up top trying to see where all the action is.
Yeah here we go, Adesu seeing the side here of Zeta, Vitopo throwing some of that
try attack at them as we head to our top path here. Megalucario starting up
extremely strong almost already level five. Yeah meanwhile the other side look
we are struggling to get our evolutions. Toast and Narami have to pull up
for get a little support on Gatlu, Swabaloon, Altair here, big dual
Wing B and we do have our evolution for Gatlu. That's a start. Meanwhile, we have a fight in the
bottom path that looks like Dodrio was there for just a moment and we might have a scrap in the
center of the map here as Scyther and Dodrio are very close to each other. Vitopo moving in now,
Dupesnacks. Yeah, Vitopo actually seeing those two players there, the K-Opener, gonna go to
Koai. Narami gets the credit but the damage done by Gatlu and Toast and now Nobu struggling
to evolve but they're losing Scyther Mizutama who is getting now matching Parody with Gatlu
on the levels of gatlu quickly caught out the pressures on the try attacks
gonna seal the deal and gatlu overstanding is welcome in the central
area there of zeta division kind of giving up a lot of the experience lead
that they got from caleing that central area of pokemon unfortunately those are
the plays you have to make though if you could extend that victory even
further it would be incredible a desu they are on the stored power build
which is gonna be tough for the bird it is gonna be very difficult no move
finally hitting the crustal gonna be able to space out you see that big
Rock Doom shelling toast away, which means Zedah Division is going to grab the first Reggie Drago great secure from Zedah Division
Giving their entire team some team-wide experience and a buff that allows Nobu to score faster
And it looks like we have two members of Zedah hiding in the tall grass trying to take down toast
Oh, they know when those timers are going to be on the respawn to Toppo and Nobu
They put pressure on toast toast actually bailing into the bottom path
Which means once these things spawn back up if Zedah Division wants to hang out long enough
They can take them all and that's how aggressive that do trio can be toast just had to leave here and see what they
Could steer secure in the bottom path here comes no move meanwhile do trio taking all the experience on the side of come
I get no move coming down from the central area giving zeta division the rest of the information
They need which means the topo knows that they're pretty safe to grab all the experience from the side of come
I mean while up top it looks like Narami and God were doing a good job. We do have quick wobble online
We do yeah
It looks like they did pretty well into this Lucario, but God is going to need to be careful right here
Lucario has incredible secure potential
Kupval does not they're moving forward looking for a fight 43 big heavy slam Kupval closed it out
They're all over no move no move getting shredded big X scissor with the block eject button out of the crust
We get back on the backside rest at the Ladius is trying to make it happen
Toast secures the red Jays and they might look for a push here
They got a 4v2 they're gonna get the cheeky scores in now
And they're gonna go for the big 36 over and now the points lead but gone belongs to come on
That's right, 159-53, Kouai ahead.
We have a Desu trying to fight Bitopu on this goal zone,
but they are not able to take them down.
Even the Unite move could not save them.
We now have Bitopu scoring, stacking up their attack weight
in this bottom path, making them more and more powerful
for all of these fights.
But here comes Kouai right back at it,
looking for NoMu, and they pick up a KO.
Now they're moving forward.
Narami Gek going to be the security guards for Toast.
That big, psychered tons of burst damage,
but incredibly fragile when it comes to taking damage themselves.
Nourami, nice little psychic, repositions are all heavy slam there to separate Resta.
The block is back, we're trying to put damage down.
Nourami gets hit with the Unite with their low on HP, dual wing beat, knockout pressure on Heavy Slam again,
and full quadruple's moving in the backline.
Nomu's getting shredded, huge psychic reposition on Nizutama.
They're on the back side, they missed the close combat, and a day suit closes the door.
Nomu getting shredded, dual wing beat, and Espeon gets credit.
Holy smokes, Komai is here to play.
Koumai is absolutely cooking in this bottom path right now, but they're deciding not to break this gold dupesnacks
I want to keep this bottom path open so they can continue securing some of this experience
Meanwhile, Bitopu trying to take everything away
Big KO and they're gonna be able to get out
They're running away from the central area and that is the power of Dodrio
That is the power of Bitopu
Bitopu up a level
If Narami hits that psychic and drags Bitopu will go down to toast
They use, I believe, the full heal to cleanse that away
so they can get the knockout and escape.
And on top of all that, they got Narami's Unite move.
Let's talk about a quiet battle
that has been happening throughout this match.
And that is the battle that Lodious and Lodious are playing.
These two Pokemon are looking to continue stacking up their Aeon power.
They get stronger and stronger throughout this match
and have crazy potential as the game goes on.
Come on, looking good now,
but these can turn into real problems for them later.
Big Kukwable dunk downstairs, 240-wound, 110.
Komae is there in the face of Ford.
No move goes down, now Gek can move forward.
Izutama peels back.
Rom, using their United Front, a day-shoot, prime target.
Half HP, going, rest is eviscerated.
Butos is going as well.
Gek is looking for Rom.
Izutama strikes down on the Rom.
He closed combat, doesn't bit of damage.
Butopo stressed the scoreboard downstairs.
Close combat is there, back on top of a day-shoot.
Nice, heavy slam, and okay.
We took care of the trash, then.
And now Komae is pivoting to Registil.
No move back into the action, but it's going to be tough.
Meanwhile, while this is happening,
Dodreo's scoring in the bottom half,
trying to even up this score line.
No moves, stopping the big-time Ruffle Rouser Unite,
and near come the Latios and Latias.
They took their eye off the Registeele,
and since they took the fight,
No move, bought enough time.
Now Decker's trapped in their option.
They had it be slammed back over the wall,
but now it's Sadie Division
that has control of the Registeele objective.
Absolute swings back and forth here.
Lucario back.
This is going to be very difficult for Komei to stop
at this point with the incredible secure potential on the side of Zeta.
And they do take it there. It is the Lodios getting them the Reggie Steel,
a huge buff that is going to give them extra attack and special attack.
Somewhere off-screen we have the Topo on the D'Dredo, level 13 go down.
Tons of experience in the hands of Komai.
Three minutes and 20 seconds left in this game.
And it is getting close.
It's getting very close here. Less than 100 points separate these two teams.
When Dodrio is on the side of Zeta, you cannot feel good about that.
It can run away from our final fight in double time and make some huge plays.
Reggie are lucky now being taken by Zeta.
No one from Kamaing in a position to deal with this.
In fact, they're just looking for experience on their side of the map.
I think they recognize they have to win a huge fight.
We are at the three minute mark, which means in one minute here,
we are going to have Groudon spawn in the center
and these two teams are going to need to decide how they want to play
the final moments of this match.
Take a deep breath, 40 seconds, and our boss monster here in our first map is going to materialize.
Meanwhile, these teams are waiting the call before the storm, getting their levels up and Zeta Division on the hunt, trying to get vision.
You can see Zeta Division right here with some extremely aggressive positioning.
Do they decide to go in? It looks like they're going to use the power-up punch,
fly backwards, and throw some damage onto the Snorlax here.
They know exactly where they are on the side of Khomei.
This makes it difficult for Komai to engage.
Ooh, Naram is getting real close to that Dodrio on her minimap.
Roman, Resta, Nomu moving forwards in the bottom path here.
We've got five seconds, brother.
Yeah, here we have five seconds till our first round.
Oh, no! Look over the wall.
This could be too early, Duke Snacks.
Oh, straight into the United Kingdom.
They get hit with everything on the sun.
The Ladios let it out.
This is a huge KO.
Raktun bubbles out to support Kaur in a day suit.
They're trying to put the store power on Nomu.
Kaur is getting worked on.
We've got to make a Lucario going for the rip.
Brown on in the central area, all of Komei's spaced out, Gek in the back side,
Toast frontal using their Unite move.
They ask Gek to get a knife, pops up a couple, but everybody's still standing.
The power nap is just on no move, and there's only three players standing for Komei.
Gek does get the knockout with the rip and start it.
Narami is there to make a hero play.
They can't get it, it's Metopo!
Infinity Division secures the first objective in our grand final.
And here they go, rushing to score here.
They just need one huge one to even this up, 241-248,
But this match is incredibly close.
In just a moment here, these players
are about to find out how close it is
when it says it is close battle.
That means no one knows which side exactly is up.
But with these ground-on buffs,
Zeta Division is in a perfect position to win.
They just have to have one player sneak off and score.
For Komei, they need to run to the other side of the map.
They need to KO members of Zeta,
take these buffs for themselves,
and make something happen.
Komei now looking to figure out exactly
how they are going to make that fight.
We have two members of Komei in the bottom path,
and here comes Zeta Division, sneaking from Tallgrass.
Get getting the information, but of course,
the Dodrio has the great capacity to score
and stretch this lead that Zeta Division have.
Gatlou has exposed themselves.
The Rock 2 forces out of Desu and Narami.
Backdoor, heavy slam by Gatlou.
They're trying to block and isolate.
Gatlou looking for a target,
and they're trying to pin down that big rest.
Rest it gets out.
Another trap, another United move back from Rome,
and it's going to pinch in the middle.
Toast is using the United move,
but it's a fruitless endeavor.
They're getting absolutely eviscerated.
Meanwhile, the Topos on a scoring mission
are up by over 100, and Zeta Division
is cruising in the next 10 seconds.
Beautiful crowd on fight, perfectly played by Zeta Division.
As we mentioned earlier, you leave the Megalucario alone,
and they are taking that objective.
Koumai, having the Koukawa will fly over on the jump pad,
getting absolutely caught.
I don't think it's what they want us to do at all.
I think the Rock Tomb got them stuck
in a crazy position that they did not expect
and then everything started to go wrong.
The beautiful United move from Lodio
is able to pick up the KO, Wobble.
And Lodio, they both honed in on the right target.
And you know what?
If the other team gives you an inch, you take a mile
and that's exactly what happened.
I have no idea why Gatlu springboarded into the middle.
They landed in an absolute blender
and Zeta Division made them pay in the biggest way.
We're gonna have to take a look at some of those moments
in a replay here in a second,
So that is something that I want to watch back as well.
I think it was a rock tune that ended up forcing them over the wall.
As we take a look at some of these moments here.
So it's a nice early fight here from Komae,
but they did end up paying for it.
They could not get Nomu in this situation.
Gottlieb does go down.
Again, great early, early game action out of Komae.
And if they were sticking with their game plan
in the final stretch, I think they would have been fine.
Here we have a great little fight here on the Regice.
Going to be able to lock it down as well.
Yeah, Regice here being taken.
We have Gottlieb getting extremely aggressive,
pushing forward towards the side of Zeta.
Very aggressive plays from them.
They knew they needed to win a fight as a team,
so they were not able to do it.
As we mentioned before,
Ladius and Ladius getting stronger and stronger
and stronger throughout the match.
By the end there, they were able to use that
United Move as a delete button on Gottlieb.
Oh, without a doubt.
And now you're seeing when Komae
is taking agency in these fights,
and not on the back foot, they're doing very well.
Unfortunately for them, Gottlieb over the wall,
I can't wait to see it so we can really analyze how that went down.
Yeah, here we go.
Look at some of the scores.
Yuzutama moving forward right here.
Rome, our player of the game.
I mean, are you shocked there?
The damage just starts going up and up and up.
And I really do think that catch on Gottlieu
from the side of Zeta Division entirely,
but especially the United Movers that finished him off,
really was what set up Zeta to win.
Yeah, one thing I want to talk about.
We mentioned a lot at the top of the show
Butopo being a critical member of the Zeta Division team,
getting them to the finals here.
However, Butopo a very quiet game, in game number one.
So if you look at what Komae was putting together,
and if their plan was shut down,
Butopo they succeeded.
However, they kind of lost sight
on every other player in the game.
Here we go, right back into draft.
Now, Komae is going to need to deal
with what just happened there.
Adesu picking the espion here first they like their strategy. It really was going well for komai
It just went catastrophically bad there at the end when gatlu got caught as we're seeing the next couple of picks over to
The side of zeta division. Are we going to see the same Pokemon? They did just win with it
So you might not need to change one shot
Suicune grip and they are one of the few teams that have been playing a suicune
And I talk about the suicune unite move how
devastating it can be. If it tracks and freezes multiple targets when you have
the skill set on the rest of your team like Zeta Division does, it is curtains
for you, son. Yeah and what they're really setting up here with these bans
and the Feraligator, the Surfetch, the Mimikyu, they're targeting out a lot of
these all-rounders and we're seeing exactly what Gottlou wants to play
here. Kokwavl looked pretty good last match, but Kokwavl into Suikun sounds
like a nightmare, Dubesnacks. It wants to fight at close range. It does not
want to be stunned by this Pokemon. Worth noting that Izutama went with base model Lucario.
Komefe enters the game here. One of the most banned Pokemon all tournament long.
Rome on the Zarina will see how Komae reacts and now they're going to get the Bacchamp
Espeon combination. So you're going to see a big submission and then that Sci-Shock BAM stun.
I was wondering what the final pick was going to be here for Komae and the reason I was
wondering is because what Pokemon would they want to play into this Suicune? I don't think it would
be the Scyther. We've got a slightly tankier Pokemon with the Mega Charizard X and if they
can pick something up, especially something that already has a Compey on it and delete it fast,
you're kind of getting two KO's for the price of one. One combination that we have on Comai that
has been absolutely brutal throughout this entire tournament is the Machamp and the Espion.
Machamp with submission, making themselves unstoppable, running towards the enemy side,
grabbing one of their opponents, throwing them over their shoulders and then letting Adesu on this
espion hit them with the Sci-Shock and Sci-Beam. It's kind of a one-two punch that knocks out most
things in the game. The question is, does Adesu want to play that build or is he still feeling
the store power? I think without the Dodrio around, we're probably seeing the Sci-Shock.
I think you want to go Sci-Shock a hundred percent, right? Especially because
Rome or Votopo is going to be carrying the Compe. So doing the Suplex stun right there is
It's gonna get you that what I call that little Boko deal you get the big guy down and the comfy pumps for free
Here we go
Adding into game number two in the chase arena our final Pokemon Unite
World championship as our teams are loading in
Ready
Pretty good doomsnacks you saved that well
You think? Yeah, I think you did.
Yikes, brother. United staying true to itself.
Bell to bell here, save the thing.
Here we go. Come on, your purple team.
Zeta Division, your orange team up one game now
in our Vesta 5.
Gek running across the map,
looking to see what they can take away from Zeta.
When you have her Shifu on the other side,
you want to be very aggressive because this is one
of the toughest early game Pokemon.
Kupfu really struggles to get online.
Struggles in a big way.
doing a great job at invasion you think hey is they are they gonna get knocked
out what are they actually trying to accomplish here and it's the waste time
yeah and Gek is being incredibly successful right now and now they're
you know pulling up the slow smoke from rest of the topo still that couple does
get both bucks but slow down immensely yeah and you want to slow this down
right because if you do not slow down this Hershifu it is going to enter the
battle very quickly with that rapid strike it could be a real problem here
no move trying to scare them it looks like Gottlieu was able to take that
in the bottom half.
Kupu now looking for their moment,
looking for their level five.
They have it.
They have a ball.
This is a scary place, especially with the come fake call
or they're going to be very careful on the side of Komae.
Right there, right in the middle,
looking for their opportunity is a little machop
and saying, I just want to get my points.
And can I know they're going to get frozen
for absolutely no value here.
We'll see if they get knocked out.
Resta and Vitopo cruising through the central area here
as Komae is committing to the top half.
Yeah, beautiful stuff from Komae there, right?
They recognize that that fight was not going to go well for them.
However, they put a lot of pressure on top, but we do have the Urshifu making their way to the top
past, seeing if they can punish some of the players.
No move here in the bottom path, just trying to attack them on this gold zone.
Rom now already level six.
Giving them fits here.
Rome was so much mobility.
You see that big stomp out of the Zarina and just gliding in.
Queenly Majesty ticks going up as they're about the action.
And now they're just wasting time because they're able to prevent Gautu from evolving
His toast is getting bullied in his own central.
And look at this here.
Here comes Vito Poo.
This is the power of some of these Pokemon
like Urshifu, the Dodrio.
They could really move through the enemy's central area.
And look how aggressive Zeta is being.
Never letting up here.
They've already taken game one.
They want to finish this.
They absolutely do.
And look at that quick little freeze from Nomu, Rome
as well.
I mean, everything is moving for Zeta Division.
They have complete control of Regi Drago.
Narami trying to move forward as a little Duxie
what they can do.
Wow.
Narami, honestly, you don't know the value that Matt just brought to a struggling Komae
team, and sometimes all you need is a cheeky objective steal to get yourself back in it.
Yeah, there's something about just taking something that you shouldn't have gotten from
your opponents.
Your team can kind of get the energy they need back in this match.
Narami heading to the bottom path here.
The Charizard Toast heading to the bottom, Adesu as well, with the Unite move, making
their way to the bottom path, looking for a fight.
freezes from Nomu always getting at least one target sometimes multiple very
impressive you've got the moral pool down pushing forward ice beam lined up
no Regi Rocks working. Raul is stomping. Arami trying to give cover. Nomu with the
support and here comes Mizu Tamal. Power up punch close to door moving forward.
Nomu getting credit but the pressure's on. Toast is pinned against the wall
as Charizard. They're knocked out and running away as Rome. Rest of hopping
off is the comfy. Jumps right back on and the Regi Rock belongs to Zeta
Division. Regirock being ripped apart right here the Serena playing so well for
the side of Zeta and also the fact that it has the comfey on it just makes it
more difficult to fight you don't realize it when you're fighting it all the
time but you are fighting two Pokemon at the same time. Good little psychic pull
from the Romance can't come on do anything with it. Have you seen him over Suplex?
Forces up the Earthshifter United. 11 hits down blocked except right
Mizutama from the team. On the back side we're getting a DC knocked out but
Togo's still going. Mizutama's right there and they get suplexed into path.
Get looking for cover, but the goal zone is closed.
KO Striga 3. Gatlou keeps trying to hold it down, but they're going to be dispatched.
Announce the Rami and Adesu. Toast isn't even paying attention.
Complete control for Zeta Division.
Toast with the Unite move coming right back. Trying to stop them right here,
but gets taken back up into the air.
HURR! The Ice Age freezes.
Come on! And that allows Zeta Division to keep pushing.
KO Striga 2 for the legendary dog.
They're going to peel back and it's finally a champ.
Dex steps up, block back, suplex, but is there enough for the tank?
Here we go, a champion night move, looking to get a KO right here.
Desu coming in with missing the shy side-shock and side-beam
because VTOPU was able to move out.
Beautiful plays there.
Saita Division dominating.
Holy brother, you take your eyes off of Tokpo
and you're getting ranched by Mizutama.
You take your eyes off Mizutama and it's no move.
Buckle in you with the ice blocks zeta division in complete control zeta division in control coma struggling here
There are a few bright lights. They finally have their levels where they can have unite moves especially that Charizard
Unfortunately for them. They were absolutely shut down the last time they use it
They need to get a great fight online and isolate some big targets
It's two planks block there to ensure at least vision topper here comes the top of coffee snacks into the air
I wouldn't try and burn them down or something like that.
Pombo hits them 36, they're looking for more suplex.
Can they convert?
No, 42, 45, the numbers keep climbing.
No move with the huge freeze on the backside.
And it's Rome looking to stop through the rest of Comai.
Rome might be a water type, nope, they're a grass type.
They're burning it down for sure.
Don't worry, we make a lot of mistakes here.
No one will notice that one.
Snorlax in the top half,
we have the side up moving with them.
But here comes Vitopo, once again in this central area
looking to make something happen.
Duke snacks like they have been all game.
Just take over the map, take all the experience from Kallai.
This is such a difficult match.
If they were able to get a huge pick,
a submission into the side shot,
into the Charizard Unite,
they could take down one of these huge targets,
but Zeta has been playing so well.
They've got to make sure.
Oh!
They've been a championite for three.
Mizutama is there though.
Pressure on Gatlou, Fruitslitz, and never gone.
Here we go.
Heading back towards their side, Gek now in the top path.
Rome level 12 up here as we have Toast also level 12.
But you would really hope that your central area Pokemon would be out leveling this right here
as we have 13 on the other side for Zayna Division.
Koma is not out of this, but the fights are looking grim for them.
Listen, this is exactly how some of their matches went yesterday.
Getting bullied most of the game and finding it in the final moments.
No one was very low. There's a quality knockout opportunity.
Chards are United does lock down the sweetcune.
Now, Rome has to stop the way right back in as the Bloomshee Foo
getting combos up to 45, 47, 56, 57.
We keep pushing, Megan, 60.
Wow, unbelievable from Zeta.
You just see the level that this player is playing at
as they score another 50 points.
75 to 312 from Zeta,
and they are dominating all of these fights.
You can see why Kumpfe is one of the most banned Pokemon
in our entire tournament.
It is so difficult to shut down a player
that has us on them, especially people that are playing at this level like Bitopo.
Okay, take a deep breath, Komai, just like I did. Figure out the type of your Pokemon.
Apparently, I'm still learning that. Let's see what you can cobble together in the next 40 seconds,
because you've got a big fight to win.
Right here, like you know, being taken down by Komai, they have to deal with this,
whereas Zeta gets to do whatever they want on the map.
What they're going to do is hide in this tall grass and see if they can catch a member of Komai early before this fight.
30 seconds until Kyogre makes their way to the center.
Narami hitting a psychic.
Galu moving in.
They might take the fight early as they grab the sweet goon.
Plex over the wall.
Roma is two.
Nomu's low.
Nomu's knocked out.
Ice Age gets three.
The block is there to protect the team.
Butopo looking for a flank right back into the middle
is Mitsuzama.
Roma on the backside looking for To-
Butopo eyes down.
Gac, we finally have the Charizard tonight.
But they're punched.
They're shielded.
They're back.
Finally, Mitsuzama goes down.
Roma's on the chop.
But Plex is on.
Up on the heavy slam.
Galu needs to use a move.
But we have a huge jersey for United again!
They get 60 and counting!
They're pushing back!
And it's just two players on Zeta Division!
But they're fighting!
Oh, so well!
B-Toppo somehow making their way through the relentless assault
from KOMI, the Charizard Unite who picked up multiple members.
And now, for just a moment, the calm before another storm.
Kyogre in the middle, Zeta coming back.
We now have Charizard coming back in just five seconds.
But will Zeta start this before Charizard is ready to fight?
Here comes Lucario looking for Gak, the block right now.
No one wants to make a mistake here, but Zeta wants to scrap.
So, the Toppo getting straight in the middle, little bit of a freeze, follow-up suplex.
The Toppo is split! The Toppo goes down!
Neurom is getting chased, they're snuffed out and snuffed.
Just two players for Komae.
Toast is on the chase.
Singular, Unite move from Rome.
And Rome is in fact burning for Komae here in game two.
They're not going to worry about Kyogre.
They're going to assault those goalzones.
They are heading towards the central area goal here of Komae,
and this is going to increase their points lead considerably.
There's still time on the clock, but now Komae's only shot
is going to be able to quickly get that central area objective
and make something happen. 171-528,
and we can see Rome attacking multiple members here of Komae,
fighting them on their own goal zone.
It doesn't look like there's going to be enough time for Komae.
As Charizard finally hits the map,
got the working on Kyogre in the center.
And meanwhile the rest of Kamai getting snuffed out
as the scores keep going in.
Zeta division with an exclamation point
on the line that was game one.
They hammer home game two and they're up by so many points
with 13 seconds left it's gonna be tough.
And you see Zeta division right here.
Look at how smart they are deciding.
There's no reason to fight near this tier one goal zone.
They just have to stop them from scoring in here
and in the home goal zone.
beautiful plays from Zeta, an absolutely dominant performance here in game two and they are now
one game away from being your final Pokemon Unite World champions.
You said the team that would win the first game would gain the momentum and carry it through
and right now we have Zeta Division with all the momentum in the world but
But Zeta Division knows what being down 0-2 means because they did the reverse sweep yesterday
and they have to keep the pedal to the floor.
You cannot let a team with the skill level of Comai scratch and claw their way back into
this.
You gotta snuff them out now.
Just like we saw yesterday, both of these teams have been in a position to reverse
sweep.
So this is not over by any means.
If you're Zeta, you have to feel good about how that match went.
Game one was very close.
Game two, they were in control the entire time.
NoMu on this sweetcoon was a problem, brother.
And you can see why Zeta Division committed a first pick to it.
A Pokemon that has been quiet all weekend long
and now surging onto the scene with the surging strikes
from Blue Shifu.
And really, blue is a good color on Zeta Division.
Game 2 win.
Look at that.
95,000 damage from Rome on the Zarina.
This is a Pokemon that's received a lot of bans
throughout our tournament because of a team plays it.
They are incredible.
You are pointing to a pretty big number there.
VTOPO, 18 knockouts.
18 knockouts to assist one faint.
And that gives you a KO plus A over F.
Off of 20, 91K damage out of Botopo.
I mean, every one of these characters was a problem, dude.
Yeah, real problem.
Toast's not coming online as fast as they needed to
on the side of Komae was also a real issue.
Mega Charizard had some huge moments throughout that match,
but you want it early, and you want them often.
You want to be megging, and a lot of these fights
picking up huge KO's, and they only had a few
that went their way.
And even when they did, Zeta played so incredibly well
they were able to stem the tide, get right back in there and win the refight.
Look at that heat map brother, everywhere. Once Rome got online, they were skating all over
the map, finding targets and taking them down as we have our crowd right there primed up,
ready to go for game number three. Hold on, I'm getting word from our production,
Doopsnikes. This is actually a huge deal. Your mistake in the last match, that is our
10,000th mistake we did it everybody look how excited they are about our 10,000th
mistake big deal a big deal for us a lot of us said we could do it before we shut
the game down but you know what yes we can never give up on your dreams just
catastrophic mistakes on the biggest stage you'll love to see it from the boys we
won't be back tomorrow as we're getting ready for what could be our
final match, Stoop Snacks, between these two squads.
KOMI, they're really going to need to figure something out.
There is something about a loss that huge
that gets you to recalibrate everything,
go back to what you know,
go back to what you know is going to win.
Stop trying to play better than what you are.
Play the KOMI that got you here in the first place,
but they need to make it happen right now
as Zeta Division could become your champion
in just 10 short minutes.
Again, Comfrey available for one of these teams.
Blastoise is the first pick.
The band's the exact same,
and Zeta Division has been navigating their draft
after these bands incredibly well.
They feel confident.
Comai feels like they're just going with the flow.
Here we go.
Next couple of picks over to Zeta.
They are gonna take that crustle,
and they are going to take Lodious,
which we saw in game number one.
Obviously this could easily lead to Rome
once again being on that Lodious,
which was incredibly powerful, difficult for Komai to shut down,
especially towards the late game when the burst damage was just so high
that Gottloof went down immediately.
They're back on the Kupval, which for Komai, their early game in game number one
has been their strongest showing throughout this entire tournament.
So I understand heading back towards this.
Yeah, absolutely.
They have to make sure that whatever toast picks
isn't super duper susceptible to an invade
because you really want Narami to be sticking in path with Gatlou to get them on lock.
And this has been the Achilles heel of Komai on Saturday.
The games they have lost in rough fashion have been because across the way was the horse, the Galarian Rapidash.
This pick right here from Zeta Division is the most targeted pick that we've seen throughout this entire series.
Recognizing that Komai had a very difficult time into this Pokemon yesterday,
so much so that they needed to ban it.
This could be the ace in the hole for Zeta right now
and how they win the entire tournament.
Adesu back on their hero Pokemon from day two.
Mew2Y and Toast on the Talonflame, incredibly fast.
So we have a very quick speedster on both sides.
Yeah, and I mean Talonflame does a decent job
holding its own in the early stages as well.
It has some decent secure in its kit.
Rome is going to Ladeos and this Ladeos-Ladeos combination
In game one, we saw it was incredibly strong.
So, come on, with their back against the wall,
they are fighting with Blastoise,
Proquovel, Side-Up, Mewtwo, Lai, and Talon, Flank.
Zeta Division with everything on the line,
the championship one game away, stealing away the Crustle,
which had some huge plays for them in game one.
The Ladios, Ladias coming back out,
and now two speedsters on the side of Zeta.
as we're taking a look at our crowd here in San Francisco.
Hopefully we do the fly over right.
We can brace this game with a team ready go.
There are battlefield.
Thea Sky Ruins with Ray Quaza in the center.
This could be your final match of Pokemon Unite
in the championship series.
One more game for Zeta Division
and they will become your champion.
KOMI needs to win three in a row.
It's been done before,
members of KOMI have done it before,
but KOMI, this is tough.
Ready, go!
KOMI, your purple team, Zeta Division,
your orange team as we are one game away
from crowning Zeta the champion.
But standing in the way is KOMI.
You are down, but you are not out yet.
Keep your eye on the prize and keep on fighting
and make your story happen.
Narami immediately sussing out.
Nomu putting a press pressure on,
which means auto attacks on your opponent.
That's right.
You're looking to shut this thing down
before it can really do something
towards the central area.
We have Toast right now looking to see
if they get some of this experience.
Nomu trying to steal it right here,
but that does go over to the side of Koumai.
Not only is Toast trying to get this experience right here,
but they're also trying to shut down that Dwevel
if they can.
Yeah, I mean just the little rocks
bringing you on the top of the head for that miniature stun is so annoying and
Toast actually getting surprisingly low does close out with the knockout so Toast
gonna hit path but not quite level five. Yeah you could see the red buff was
taken there by the Dwebble and that's why getting that KO they get the buff
back but they're still not yet level five. They're gonna take some of this
experience right here and Talonflame is getting closer and closer. It does
evolve at level seven to its final evolution.
Yuzutama iron down the Swablu in Alteria great presence from Komae Roptum is there actually isolated Gottloof very quickly and
Something they need to watch out for VTOPO is now something they're gonna need to watch out for is do Drio really gets to decide
How they want to play this looking for the talent claim in the center as we're fighting over some experience right here
VTOPO moving forward seeing if they get the K on toast toast actually has to run away from their own
Central area and this has been the story of all of these matches Zeta division doesn't look at my half of the map
Your half of the map. It's all their map
And it's working. It's working great. We see toast behind on levels. We see photo doing whatever it is. They want the Galarian Rapidash
The horse with the sharp stuff coming out the top of its head is looking good now because they just hit their evolution
the Romney's headache takes over after a rock tomb from no move and
Really come I is just kind of turtling up all over the map. Yeah, come I not up on levels
So they're going to need to fight together if they can make something happen here
but Zayna Division with the Vutopo already at 7 really taking over the map and stealing everything they can from the side of Komae.
Rome now getting the blue buff here in the bottom path while Dodrio is going to clean up some of the experience.
Calm for a moment as we have a huge objective spawning in 40 seconds in the top and bottom path,
but before that we have a fight over some Altaria as well.
well.
Desu doing a decent job trying to keep pace on these levels, but being left alone as the
Mewtwo Y is difficult, Rome and Resta, seeing that they can put some pressure on and they
do indeed, you see the life bar, but Desu just getting clunked every single time.
Here comes Gek for a little bit of support on the War Toro.
Yeah, now we have the block there of the side strike.
They're looking to make something happen in the bottom path, but they are behind
in levels and that is a really tough place to be.
last was desperately needing their level seven toast is still not talent flame
level six is vicious taking over to seven is the least something nice
reposition Rome getting knocked out by a day Sue a day Sue's gonna have to
anchor this team for a bit because toast is so far behind here comes no moon
but opu rock tomb pins get a day Sue slides back Reggie rock getting worked
on try is in there get secure and this is great opportunity for come on now
Now this is a huge moment for come I could wobble alone in the top path and moving as a unit here
We actually have something happening from come I say to division in control of this match up until this point
But that was a huge swing of momentum and experience towards the side of EU come I
quabble
Just super super quietly level nine and put topo going down this kind of huge but day suit getting big now
They're getting credit for a lot of these big-time knockouts.
Yeah, this is actually getting kind of tough for Zeta Division.
All of a sudden, we're seeing a lot of cracks in the armor of this squad
in control for a while, but Komae gets together.
They poke them on Unite, if you will, and now they are winning this game.
Deccan trying to hold down this pad in the face of three players from Zeta Division
and doing a pretty good job stymying that push.
In the top path, we've got Kwokwaba working on Regi Aleki.
Narami's there for the support and we'll see where Komae's next move is as the talent flame secures.
The surf is going to get the surf going to pin back that ulterior and the unite move from Rome does hit.
Yeah. Yeah. And you can see that Rome used this not to get a huge KO but just to charge up those a on stacks.
This here comes Komae in the top path looking for a fight talent flame in the air. Big time flame sweep.
That's no move and that's a knockout. No trio unite back to pad to get with the team.
You see that big triangle gap glaring rapid as you know toe sticks the skies again.
Big Mew2IU Knight, gonna disjoint Zeta Division.
Good fight from Komai, Reggie Alecki hits,
and the scoreboard belongs to EU.
Good morning, Komai.
Welcome to the World Championships Grand Finals.
Where have you been this entire time?
They just needed a little bit of a wake-up call,
and it turns out their alarms were set
to five minutes left in game three.
205 to four.
Komai in commanding position here.
Zeta actually for the first time getting beaten
And in this series, Komai looking incredible.
It must have been the switch over to the Mew2Y.
You gotta believe in a Desu.
There's a little headache taking off from Side-Ux.
It's enough to slow down Zeta Division, at least, for now.
And what I'm impressed by is how far behind Komai was and how far ahead they are now.
Regi Rock now, just being taken by Zeta.
No one on Komai really ready to do much about this, and Talonflame actually taking
as much experience as they can in the top half.
Got a little bit of a fight breaking out here.
I'm looking for a Unite move, a Deso, Mega, Mewtwo-wise, and peels out with Teleport.
Yeah, Teleport, using that to just escape there, not overextend is good.
Here comes Mizutama, their own team's Roptune, keeping them from pushing forward.
Here comes Rome lining up a target.
Mizutama can't use that smart strike to get a prime target, so they peel back for just an instant.
Gek on half HP, Narami as well, but they're holding pretty strong.
We talked about this when we saw the Lodios earlier, but there is another game happening here
that really only Rome is playing.
They're trying to get as much A on power as they can,
and they get that by hitting that dragon pulse
on their opponents, or KOing wild Pokemon.
The more times this happens,
the stronger it's gonna be in the late game,
and we saw the power of that.
Without quickly, they were able to do Spatch of Gottlieu
on the Kupavva last time, big fight starting.
Here comes the glaring rapidash with a flank.
The Topo forced out, and Aramini gonna put
a bubble beam on them.
We do have the rapidash,
you can't move it in the middle.
Toast gets to knock out on Dothrio.
Mizutama pushed back as Kupval secures.
They do grab a berry that chases on nice stun.
We take to the sky with fly
and the door is closed on the rapid dash finally.
And here we go.
They have the Regi Alecki walking towards
the side of Zeta Division
and Koma is going to use this opportunity
to make something happen in the bottom path.
Already up on the scoreboard,
250 now, 260, 303 to 79.
No-Mu in trouble right here.
X scissor back on deck,
with a try attack. There it goes back to the skies. Fly toast gets credit for another ejects into the bush, but the topo predicts and gets a big charge in knockout. Get goes down and now come I has over extended their welcome and Zeta division is more than happy to show them the door.
And here comes Fouquan, they decide to fight no Gottlieu,
they would be intelligently brought to life.
That's out of there.
You know there's a part of Gottlieu that's thinking,
I am going to fight everyone from Zeta.
You know what I'm going to do?
I'm going to spring forward to the middle of their entire team.
Not a good look, Gottlieu, just get out of there for now.
That's very heads-up play here by Comay,
intelligently moving away from that fight,
because in 23 seconds we have Rayquaza hitting the map.
This could be our final objective of our world championships.
Zeta just needs to win one more game.
Comey playing incredibly, but everything is on the line.
10 seconds left.
The question is, who is going to start this fight?
Can they stop Rome and the crazy amount of damage
from this Aladios?
And at the same time, can Zeta kind of get this match back
under control?
Gek hiding in the tall grass on the side of Zeta Division,
possibly looking to make a big flank here,
as Blastois is now moving doop snacks around on the mini
map.
We see Zeta getting extremely aggressive.
Here comes Gotler.
United move right in the middle of U2Y, United to stun them down, Hydro Typhoon hits a bunch.
The Toppo is taking care of Mr. Tomas, y'all, low, putting the triangle down, they're knocked out.
Everybody on stage division is getting scrubbed. Galloosa crowds sacrificing themselves and the
team converging to Reykwaza. No one was looking for a way in, but Reykwaza is getting low.
We've got Resta stepping up. Can we have a hero play? Rock Tomb's too early. Can we get a secure?
The whole team's gone!
Komei is going to take Rayquaza!
And Komei is looking to take game number three!
Komei coming back in this, but it is not over.
They have their Rayquaza shields a minute 12 on the clock.
Toast was knocked out in that final moment.
I think by Rayquaza itself,
possibly helping Zeta Division secure a win here.
But with a minute left, Zeta needs to make a huge play.
And unlike our other objectives,
they cannot steal these buffs away from Komei.
All they can do is simply break these Rayquaza shields.
Komai in a great position here, but it is not over.
All right, deck getting pinched a little bit,
going to surf towards a pad and going to create the chase
onto them, waste some of that time.
They're going to go for the score.
They're going to get pinned, isolated, and knocked out.
Zeta Division eyeing up what a comeback looks like.
Yeah, Zeta Division looking to make something happen here.
Here comes Vito Pudescu.
It's a couple right now.
Multiple members of Komai of R.O.
But that's two down.
Oh, my.
You can't go down here.
Gatlou is in a blender.
They have just a shrivel HP.
Oh, no, three players down.
We got to cover the pads.
Toast is sitting there, rest on Votopo,
looking to make a move.
And here we go with the Side-X scrambling
across the map with rest of Nadeb will score
with a double KO from Talonflame.
10 seconds left.
Komei can breathe a sigh of relief.
They are still in this tournament.
We're heading to game number four.
What a bounce back from Komei.
That beginning of that game felt in shambles.
Just a couple cheeky plays, nice little secures,
and all of a sudden, the team has life.
This is very scary for Zeta Division.
Now, obviously, they're up in this series,
but this has been happening time and time again.
Zeta Division, reverse sweeping to get here.
Koai, reverse sweeping to move on through their bracket.
Zeta is also a team that was up in the grand finals
that they lost to a team coming back.
They have to be worried about how this is going
after game number three.
We'll watch him some great plays from this game specifically.
And right around that five minute mark
is when the Komaay alarms were set to wake up
because they showed up and really
close this game out in a meaningful and powerful way.
Yeah.
And this is exactly what you're hoping for, of course,
in our grand finals.
If you're a Komaay fan, this
is exactly what you want to see.
This team does not shrivel when they are behind.
They instead get big head on in there
and fight their opponents.
Look at the aggression here from the Blastoise,
the flank, Unite move, taking every KO they can.
And the patience here of this fight, so impressive.
Ripping through Raekwaza, then once their opponents
come back in, knocking them out before the secure.
Great stuff from Komae.
I'll tell you what, whenever studying Komae did overnight
about this Galarian Rapidash,
They certainly snuffed out that problem.
Zero knockouts, five faints, one assist,
Mizutama, an absolute non-factor here in game number three.
Yeah, I would say the Galarian Rapidash
was a completely useless Pokemon for them.
And I know the reason they picked it,
because they recognized that it was the kryptonite
yesterday for Komai.
But they did not have the strategy behind it
that C2 had.
Komai wins the game.
and now they're slowing down and potentially snatching back the momentum from Zeta Division.
I am shocked that Zeta Division didn't go back into the well of game number two for game number three
because all of those Pokemon were still available and they could have easily just ran it back and said
you couldn't deal with it once. Let's see if you can deal with it now.
Yeah the question is how does Zeta want to react to a moment like this?
Once you lose a match, it can shake a team.
We've seen it many times.
You've seen teams that are almost unbeatable.
They're on an entire season of Unite,
and then something happens, a bad match happens,
and their mental falls apart.
We'll have to see if Zeta can bounce back from a game like that.
After being so dominant in game two,
you have to wonder where they went.
Yeah.
I mean, they just took their foot off the gas pedal, right?
I mean, we've seen it time and time again.
You're like, oh, you know, we've got some games to give, you know, maybe that, you know, maybe they're cheekily thinking, um, well, if we win this game, what Pokemon do I want to be represented by as being champion when in reality you got to win first before you get represented by something.
And we've got the Zorina band, the Zorar band, Zashian has been unleashed from this band section and Gek is still grabbing Blastoise first.
I think it's a great call, a huge playmaker here.
We do have Zashian for Mizutama and given how he played the last game
I'm excited to see them on a Pokemon that they're more willing to play or that they have more experience with I should say without a doubt
How do we react here from the side of Komai?
Nomu on the tree Pryo is crazy. Yeah, like they are prioritizing Nomu's pick
Every single game and clearly they are working through that player. Galu, Narami, Kwaquavul, Sida
We're keeping it with the birds over there all water types as well interesting
We're looking at the Umbreon here from Zeta and we have a mu from the side of Zeta division
So obviously we're moving away from the Lodious and Lodious that we've been seeing for a few games out of Zeta
They're deciding that strategy is not working the way they wanted to
Comai here now getting some late picks that are extremely powerful a desu does get the espion all the way at the
Bottom of the draft basically that was the fastest lock-in
Yeah, it was the fastest earthshifu we've seen but the real question is is this going to be as powerful
Without the comeback as an accelerant for these Pokemon, right?
That's a huge deal toast now with the talent plan
They had a great talent plan game the best we've seen from my say throughout this series here a desk
You very comfortable here on this espion and got Lou had an amazing game especially in that top half all the
alone with guava. Yeah, well, they got to have a good game and because they were left alone in the top path. And if I'm Zeta division, I'm just not letting him be on baby set.
Don't let him take over. Take a look at our crowd here. Getting hyped for game number four between these two squads. Zeta still one game away from becoming your champions. And there is our battleground.
Zayah Sky ruins. Groudon will be our map here. Zeta Division 2, KOMI 1. KOMI needs to win 2 in a row right now, Dupesnacks.
Let's get ready as we're getting into game. A good ready go.
Ready, go!
Go, Maya Purple Team!
Zeta Division, your Orange Team!
Zeta, one game away from becoming the final
Pokemon Unite Grand Finals World Champion.
Alright, Narami, Galu, heading to the top half.
The birds of a feather flock together here,
as they're going to see what they can do in the face of Mizutama,
Zashin, and early game menace.
Quick, Zashin, and early game menace.
is they're going to see what they can do in the face of Mizutama, Zashin and early game menace quickly stunned, good secure.
Here we go, Gottlieb looking to stop Resta right here. Gak in the bottom half, in some trouble, few incredibly difficult fights, especially early with that Electro Ball.
Yeah, absolutely. It puts so much pressure on, of course, it has so many tools in its toolkit, and that makes it difficult overall.
Nomu trying to out secure, going to grab a carry, as really Komai doesn't care, they just want to make sure they're getting their wild Pokemon down.
And they do here, and that means Adesu does evolve as they are moving forward right here.
They can evolve, they can try to out secure the Mew, which is the plan.
Toast level five, they weren't level five last game until seven minutes in.
So doing a lot better already. Boosted Auto, step up Adesu,
hit that on the chin, so Deck doesn't go down.
You can see the power of that Scishawk, right?
An incredible amount of damage, while at the same time a huge stun.
Here we come, Votop, Vitopo back down to the bottom half.
Toast baiting in Votopo.
The side-shock misses for Toppo decides to peel back and that's what they were setting up.
Present toast, allow them to retreat, hit a side-shock and maybe take a big fight.
Toppo actually staying in this bottom path, they did not expect it right here.
They pick up a KO, a Desuance of Trouble right now deciding whether or not they want to stay here to fight.
If you Toppo decides to dash forward, they can pick up a huge win,
but we do have members of Komai here to counter it and it looks like you Toppo's sussed that out.
They say, ah, this feels too good to be true.
Yeah, I mean, Zotopo really hiding out.
They got their prize, right?
They got a knockout, right over extend,
and give up that value you just picked up.
Gatlou now doing pretty good job keeping pace,
actually outpacing Mizutama,
and they haven't been helped, though.
Here comes Resta for this, his fort on this Umbria.
Yeah, Resta now up in the top half is in Umbria,
and I'm not sure which Umbria we're going to be looking at here,
whether it is going to be mean look
or it is going to be foul play.
More often we see the mean look,
so it can shut down your opponents,
keep them in an area where you can KO them as a team.
Yeah, Umbreon, a mean look on the talent flame would go pretty hard right now.
Noamu getting chumped, Resta and Vatopa moving forward.
Are they highing up in combat?
Noamu gonna leash everybody along, fly to the skies.
That's a knock up, but Reggie Drago is gonna go to Zeta Division.
Zeta Division takes Reggie Drago, but they do lose their trevenant for that fight,
as now we're now moving back down to the bottom path.
It looks like trevenant is going to be here for the spawn of the Swablu Altaria at 7 minutes, 20 seconds.
Resta, in some trouble right now.
Yeah, tons of damage down, but the wish from the Umbreon
is going to keep their HP topped off
so that they don't get burst down by the big talent flank.
Here we go, Gek, Adesu in this bottom path,
seeing what they can secure.
Obviously, we want to get as much experience
as we can over to Adesu,
but Gek only level six here, still a war turtle.
We need level seven before we get served.
Yeah, look at the swap, the guava going down,
the rest of Kamai going up.
They're showing a different look here,
and Mizutama thinks they've got a free nice pull
by Narami. The fly of the skies is going to fall to a short. They can't land on their target.
E-ball eaten by Dex on the front line. Regi stepping up. We've got the side shot, but it's Narami that gets credit.
Snatched is that Regi.
Regi's over to the side of Kovai. Beautiful secure right here. They're actually moving forward despite another
psychic catch. They're looking for Resta. McGuavo gets the KO. Big time.
A KO here on Zashi and looking for it with Toast with no. They just barely miss.
Solar Beam does hit a Deisu, but that's enough for Narami and Gottler to flip the script and get a knockout on that 151
And now Komei fading back and they've got this slightest score lead
Dashi and way behind here in the top half only level 7 right now compared to the Kawa will already at level 9 for Komei
This match incredibly close between these two squads no one dominating early. All right nice pull on Nomu
But I don't think they know that they are outgunned right now big Solar Beam on Jack
trying to figure out our position and our way in.
And here we go, five members of Zedah
hiding in the tall grass right here.
Not letting them know that Vitopo is there,
but it looks like Koma is pretty aware
that they don't see this Urshifu anywhere on the map.
We've got the Quakwaba flank attempt,
Vitopo susses it out,
and now Gatlou just has to run away.
Yeah, Gatlou has to run away
because multiple members of Zedah
could collapse on this Pokemon.
As you see Rome heading to the top path with Mizutama,
seeing what they can make happen.
Gatlou all alone here right now.
Psyduck is on the way, but here comes Vito.
Blue looking for the KO and they get it.
That's absolutely Fisher Price.
Psyduck coming out from the Psyduck
and they'll lower the damage that's going to be dealt.
Fly to the sky and that's a big knockout for Toast.
Flame sweep hits the wall.
That's the only target it ever gets, 100% of the time.
Here we go, Vito.
Oh, nice pull!
Psyduck, and they're looking for the KO here
on the Zash unit.
It does go down, but right back the other way,
they take Talon play.
What an exchange there.
What a pull by Narami, Hornley's back into the gut,
three-position, Kaio Shigatou for Rome.
Narami's on the back side, give credit to Reisto.
Three players in a heartbeat, dispatched.
And now Zeta Division takes control in the top path
because we've got a Reggie spawning.
Here we go, Gottlieu looking for something right here,
but incredible positioning from Zeta
and look at the talent flame, seeing what they can do.
It's a little too early, they can't get the secure,
beautifully played by Zeta Division.
Reggie Rock to their side,
giving them increased defenses.
Well, it wasn't enough for the Trevenant as they go down.
We saw on the left-hand side of your screen,
NoMu actually went in and horn leached three players
from Komei away, giving them that window of opportunity
to secure the top red team.
Well, the Topo wasn't even scrapping with them,
scoring points downstairs.
See, Topo, almost almost 13 here,
as Gathlou's trying to make something happen
in this bottom half.
Looking for my big-time Unite move.
They go in.
The Topo went in the back side,
right to the Trevenant's big Unite move,
picking up a bunch, hits her at 31.
The scales are continuing.
Koma is falling.
Fotopo's taking over.
They're taking that last performance personally,
and they are putting the team in their backpack.
Look at this here from Zeta Division.
These fights are beautiful.
Koma taking this opportunity to score
and keeping this close.
103-128.
Mizutama, a bit of a non-factor this match as well,
but Sashin is now getting online.
Resta, peeling back towards their squad.
so aggressive this player from Zeta Division is.
Reggie Drago now just being ripped apart.
This is something Zashin can do so well
with Metal Claw and the increased attack speed.
They take that, no problem.
Nobu's gonna end this game
with like 400,000 damage taken.
It's like 12 things.
But all they're doing for Zeta Division
is buying time everywhere on the map
so that the Topo can get huge.
So Mitsuzama, excuse me, Mizutama can catch up.
It's a great look right now.
In trouble right here, Gek has to peel back,
but Gek also doing this job of getting a lot of information
for the team.
Galu right now fighting over this
and look stolen by the Umbreon.
I mean, what a look by Zeta division here.
Komei had some moments, but so does Zeta.
Butopo almost level 14.
Getting caught here, nice little pull.
Mizutama with great cover.
Here we go, two minutes, 45 seconds on the clock.
We do have an objective in this top path.
I don't know if Komae wants to fight over
to get some experience.
It looks like they are sending Talonflame back.
Reggie Steel could be massive.
The increased attack and special attack
could change a fight in a huge way,
but are they able to get it?
Toast, eating a Solar Beam right there from the Mew.
No one looking for this fight.
Zeta, however, looking to set themselves up
perfectly for the final moments here
with such a high level Urshifu.
This is gonna be difficult for Komae.
Over the wall, we are looking for something.
No move, just getting chipped a little bit right here,
but everyone from Zeta is ready to fight.
These could be your final Pokemon Unite moments
in our championship series.
The question is, how does this fight start?
Zeta Division chipping at the crowd on,
looking for their opportunity to move in.
Gotlu looking for a fight, toast on the other side.
Here comes Gek with the blasters,
peeling back the huge solar beam.
You went to the mist, hydro typhoon Egypt,
but don't get Batopo!
Gotlu collapses, surface there, but Batopo gets out.
The Rocks fall, we're looking for the move.
The Forest on the topside curses their flame sweep.
Doesn't hit anybody, but does get a reposition.
Fly out of the back side, Rome is gone.
The Tottenham trying to work through the rest of the team.
Two players down for Sada Division.
Mitsuzama waking up.
They crash, land dust, toast.
Looking for a couple more.
The RIP is happening on ground on.
Mitsuzama the whole way.
They're completely alone.
No one is with them.
Sada Division is gonna take ground on.
Sada Division is running to score.
No betas for Zeta, they're looking to be out for today.
103, 228, one minute left on the clock.
Komai is behind it, it all comes down to this.
Zeta Division with the grout on buffs and a beautiful fight.
The fly on toast just barely misses Vitopo.
And because of that, the entire fight goes sideways.
A beautiful rip there from Mizutama, 50 seconds left.
Komai is going to need a miracle play
to stay in this tournament
as they are looking for this fight.
Durami, Gottlieu, Toast, Adesu, Deck, all positioned here.
40 seconds left, the Solar Beams fly.
Multiple members of Zeta looking to score.
30 seconds left, Doop Snacks.
Surfing in, we're trying to make a play.
Kruqaubo on the backside getting roam.
Toast doesn't land on anybody.
The defense between Resta and Nomu.
They're anchoring it down.
They're standing tall.
They're peeling back.
They'll give up that goal zone
because they just counter scored.
a Hondo Burger, back the other way, 10 seconds left.
10 seconds left, the defense a huge hydro typhoon,
but it looks to be too little, too late
as the clock is counting down.
And Santa Division fights on their tier two goal zone.
Santa Division are your final Pokemon Unite World Champions.
The comeback story, Zeta, second place last year, the bottom seed out of Japan, and now
your final champion.
Japan, a region that loves this game, that supports this game, that invests all the
time into this game.
You want to talk about how strong a region is, Japan is without a doubt the strongest.
Their fifth place team out of their whole region just crowned themselves world champion.
Amazing.
Amazing stuff.
What a story for this squad.
being counted out by their region and now here they are the victors.
You can see the excitement and weller, well thought, well deserved and what a set of games.
Unbelievable for these two squads, both of them.
Second place runners up, Zeta finally securing that victory.
We're going to take it down to the big stage with Soinks for your winners interview.
Take it away.
Alright, congratulations again to your World Champions Zeta Division!
Pito Bo, you did it!
The final Pokemon United World Champion.
And on stage you get a second chance after last year. How good does it feel to win on the world stage?
I'm very proud to be able to win the first place, and it's been a long time since I came here, so I'm very, very happy.
of five looked incredible. How good does it feel to work together as a team and become the world champions?
I was able to win the team work and win the championship, but can you tell us about it?
Yes, I'm very happy to be able to do it with passion.
in America as well at home in Japan.
I'd like to say a few words to the fans who have been cheering for us.
I'm always really excited. Thank you for your support.
We're just so grateful for your support. Thank you so much.
All right. Let's give it up one more time for Zedah Dombichu!
Analysts, take it away.
What an incredible grand final set to close out,
Unite at World 2026.
I am so happy for Zeta Division, extremely well earned.
Of course, we've got the rest of our casters here on the desk.
You saw us all a little bit earlier in the pre-show,
but Kella will be joining us this time as well.
And hopefully we can see everybody else pretty soon.
but wow what an amazing tournament a great way to close out what I think many would consider the greatest
Pokemon Unite tournament that we have ever seen and Danily of course you've got a chance to we were kind of watching together and
I mean how do you feel just in general about how both these things play?
I okay I put my money on Zeta Division I knew coming into the Grand Fennels that they looked so clean in yesterday's games
like there were times where they kind of faulted but I think it was especially that semi-final matchup
where that was where they solidified their position at Worlds, their form, that perfection,
their lineup, their Pokemon that they played, like we see there are definitely Pokemon that
they can play at that top level and as soon as I saw that drafting game 4 I thought that
was it.
This is the championship winning draft, they got it, it was clean, it was smooth,
Zeta Division just impressed at the last Worlds for Unite.
That's right and it does seem like before I get to ask a few anymore questions I
I do think we are going to have an announcement for something that's coming up very soon in Unite.
So I'm very excited to see what that is because to be honest, I don't think any of us have had a chance to see it.
So let's check out something new.
It is perfect that we stopped right before Kelesaurus before we got to that video.
Kelo, we've got all the EVs!
All the EVs!
I'm so happy and I can hear that the crowd is happy about that announcement as well.
The fact that we have the complete set of EV illusions now.
Flareon and Jolteon are going to go and join Vaporeon.
So that generation one is complete.
Genuinely, we didn't see this or know about it before this to balance. I didn't even know I was gonna throw it all to be honest
But that's a great way to surprise us. So that's very very exciting
I mean, we were all hoping eventually we're gonna get everything but what a great set of announcements
So if anything in there you're excited about
Everybody much like myself and Kelly are so excited about Jolteon and Flareon personally Flareon
Which one are you guys from the two of them most excited about?
Larry on Larry on Sam well, I like the player for rounds, but Jolteon is actually my favorite evolution
So I'm really excited. We finally got it. I mean Sylveon might be close there
So I move I'm definitely a Jolteon enjoyer
I'm gonna be excited that one, but it's being of electric types as well. I've been talked to see was an awesome choice
I mean that's what I really liked just lots of really cool picks within actually was a lot of electric types
I know that I think about it
exactly exactly so just I mean all of those are very exciting can't wait to see
how those play out but I mean wow that was a little bit of a surprise that's
the end of an amazing set I mean anybody having a thought of thoughts on those
this DLC announcements before we move on to the set you don't say which one you
were more excited about oh you can't make me choose you cannot go I'm sorry
I'm sorry, it wasn't your fault.
I'm excited for both.
All right, well, it's all for Kelo.
If anybody out there knows Kelo, it's definitely all.
But, OK, going back to it, of course,
I mean, we've got to give so much love to Zeta Division.
I mean, what an ending to an incredible story and the story.
I mean, it's the entirety of Pokemon Unite
at the World Championship Series.
I mean, truly, the fact that we got a second chance
for some of these players on Zeta Division
who have been playing for such a long time
and also a second chance, of course,
to Kamai who did an amazing job with so much love to them.
They played their hearts out on stage this entire weekend.
They made it not an easy fight, right?
They definitely didn't go down without a fight,
didn't get swept, so it's great to be able to see that.
But, okay, I can ask you, Danieli, already,
your thoughts on some of this set,
but any thoughts on these teams and their parents
throughout this weekend, Caleb?
I honestly, having interviewed Sari,
their coach, a little bit earlier,
I know that they must be feeling really proud of them right now, but just, you know, not
only this weekend, but it's this whole season.
The fact that, you know, they didn't exactly place the highest in terms of the Pokemon Japanese
Championship in order to make it here, right?
The fact that they have actually put in the work, put in the effort, it has clearly
been demonstrated here.
Just that hard work, and honestly, I'm feeling proud of them, I'm sure.
As I said, everybody there supporting them is feeling proud of them and I'm hoping they
are feeling very proud of themselves.
Oh yeah, I mean it's such an incredible showing, especially from Europe in general this year.
And just to kind of actually step away from the arena for a moment, so I want to ask you,
of course, you had a chance to see Brazil, you know, a reason that you are very familiar
with, plays extremely well as well in this final thing, well, you know what, real
quick, real real quick, you felt just a little bit of love to them.
a lot of love for all of the regions in Pokemon United,
a lot of love for Japan.
And shout out to the Japanese fans
that are here in the arena today
and everybody in the audience as well at home.
And of course, I'm always going to be
a crazy Brazil region fan,
but that's about it for me for now.
All right, well, we've all got our thoughts in.
Let's end it up to our champions,
of course, on the stage to receive their awards.
The tenacity of these teams was terrifically tested across four full games.
And now we must recognize our finalists in Pokemon Unite and crown our first champions
of the 2026 Pokemon World Champions.
Let's get into it.
Next up, we have our runner-up team, the Pride of Europe.
But they can stride onto this stage with their heads held high.
Give it up for Komai!
Congratulations to Mirami!
We have toast.
It's Batmoo!
And Adesu!
And finally, YAC!
Our next team not only pulled off back-to-back stage appearances but can now add champions to the resume.
Everybody give it up for Zeta Division!
First is Mizu Tama!
We've got no more.
It's gone down wrong!
It's Resta!
And finally, Vittorpo!
Everyone in the chase center, give it up one more time for your Pokemon Unites by the
to the tournament circuit.
And we want to thank every one of you that has supported us.
the world's journey, whether it is our devoted developers, staff, competitors, and all of you
trainers in the arena. This may be the end of Pokemon Unite's tenure on the World Championship
stage, but it is not the end of our journey. Our analysts are prepared to reminisce upon
the wonderful memories we have created throughout these years.
wonderful memories they have been indeed these last five years has absolutely
blown by and that cannot go understated from the fans to the players to the
energy that is just brought to the broadcast and passion exists throughout
all of those categories I think our mark has been undeniably left on the
World Championship Series in one way or another. It is the 30th anniversary and if Pokemon has
taught me anything in the last 30 years it's that a trainer's adventure never truly ends. And with
that cowboy, take us into the sunset brother. Yeah, this is a huge moment for all of us. We love
the United Championship Series and what we've been able to bring you. So just a final bit
of gratitude from all of us here at Unite. Thank you so much for this. Thank you to the
players for competing at the highest level and showing us what that looks like up on
the big stage in front of thousands of people here and an arena with everything on the line.
Thank you so much to my fellow casters who are amazing and care deeply about this game
and making something that you enjoy. Thank you so much to our crew that puts up
with us when they definitely probably shouldn't have. Thank you so much to
Pokemon and TPC Eye for putting on this tournament right away. It really feels
like Unite came at the perfect time for so many of us in this community so it
means a lot that they created this series for us. Thank you to our
incredible producer Will who is an amazing leader and an even better
person and most importantly thank you. Thank you for watching. Thank you for
being here. Thank you for showing up live to events like this and cheering on these players.
Thank you for every comment, for every like, for every time you shared it. Stop to take a picture
just reminisce about this game and this community. It means a lot. Thank you so much everyone.
I had the privilege of welcoming you to the Pokemon Unite Championship Series just a few
short years ago and now I have the honor of saying goodbye to all of you. So this
has been the Pokemon Unite Championship Series.
Goodbye.
Get the set goes up, no way!
Another referee score!
Just a hundred!
I think they did it!
They ran out!
It's a baby!
It's a girl's lack!
Here is your world champion!
I'm both a lot of you now!
Oh!
Oh, it went out!
Are you kidding?
This could be your day, Oscar!
Oh!
I'm a lot down here!
Oh, man!
I'm Oscar!
Interprets the score!
But what is it?
It's six and four points!
I'm returning the game!
10, 20, 20!
10, 20!
the best team in the world.
Two years at a roll,
he's the top of the world.
That's a beta!
Our champion, Sparrow!
He did it!
He's a tight man!
He's the best player in the world!
Wow!
Hey, look at these builds!
Yeah, go on!
Get a small thing going in for Sparrow.
I don't know this is just a misdemeanour, Emily.
What was said seconds ago, now that they're clear and even on the stage,
they haven't done it. They have broken through with a school call.
They either weigh in, break clues, or blow.
It's their turn! It's their turn!
But you can't fight on your world, is me!
You'll fight because you're so lame!
Slow beam of the Charizard!
Move the ice age back the other way!
your world and they I assumed they were gonna go from that camera clearly it is
the other camera but I'm not turning around nobody deflates a moment like
old Spragos and snacks holy smokes of course we have the stairs this is a
solid angle yeah
We're going to slay.
Oh, we're so going to slay.
OK, delicious.
I can find out.
Oh, man.
He's here, you fat potato.
I'm going to...
You don't know true K-70!
Yeah!
I'm going to survey this.
I am a grand-mermaid enthusiast, so that it does work.
It seems he's not capitalized, so it's not my title, it's just a description.
I don't know.
Zoinks now currently erasing his power rankings behind him.
You can see how difficult this is for him,
not only apparently physically, but also emotionally.
Let him do it.
He's...
I'll do it more day later.
The coin is here.
Something exciting for you right now.
We have an interview lined up.
Thank you so much, Nessian, for now, everybody.
Thanks.
I think he's scared too. Sometimes I just get scared at night, but it's just because I don't have a light on.
Oh, hey, so why don't you bring us home here? Always glad to share the state with you.
I learned teamwork through this tournament.
You know, the play that performed like the big moments that I really had is definitely special.
I learned to be new friends and I trust my teammates a lot.
Well if there's nothing else to be said, you and I are going to lock in the lock guys right here as we send it back to the booth to take it away.
Goodbye everybody, a final yee-haw to you and yours.
We did it.
We did it!
What a wild ride.
And again, to everyone who helped build the Pokemon Unite community and give it your all,
thank you so much.
While this may be the end of our Pokemon Unite World Championships, the action don't stop,
won't stop.
We've got another title, another opportunity for glory.
It's time for Pokemon Go.
Trainers from around the world have come together for an incredible weekend filled with Pokémon GO competition.
And now everything comes down to this.
After we've seen so many incredible plays, unforgettable moments, and trainers making their name on the stage, we still have so much more to come.
And this stage is ready.
Our trainers have been preparing for this exact moment.
And in just a few moments from now, our Pokemon Go Finals will be underway.
Wait.
I apologize.
I'm getting something.
Something seems to be happening.
I'm getting an alert.
Oh.
seems to be happening, getting an alert. Oh, okay. Yeah, so I think we need to go over
to the desk for some more information. Analysts, you got us covered?
Attention, trainers, we have a Pokemon emergency. We've just detected a very powerful psychic
type presence in this very arena. It's Mega Mewtwo X. It's an unexpected challenger
has entered the arena and it's standing between the Pokemon Go Grand Finals and us.
There's only one way we're taking it down.
Every trainer in here, we have one goal together.
Let's defeat Mega Mewtwo X.
Take out your phones, launch Pokemon Go and get ready to join the fight.
Bring your strongest Pokemon.
We need every single trainer here to stand together.
show Mega Mewtwo X what happens when trainers stand side-by-side in battle.
And take a look at that countdown. We've got just a couple of minutes until it
attacks. There's only one way we're stopping it. Every trainer, one goal, one battle. Take
out your phones, launch Pokemon Go, and get ready to join the fight. We are
going to need every trainer we have. Trainers, this is Mega Mewtwo X we're
talking about. One of the most powerful Pokemon we face has just taken over our
arena. It's going to take all of us working together to bring it down. So if
you haven't already, get those phones out, open Pokemon GO because we need you
for this fight. And that clock is still ticking. Look around this arena.
We've got trainers here from all over the world all here for championship Sundays
No matter if your team mystic team instinct team baller
We need you to band together
Be on the same side to defeat mega mu 2x because it
Pick the wrong arena to challenge
So get ready trainers bring your strongest Pokemon bring your best strategy and most importantly
Bring everything you've got because taking down Mega Mewtwo X isn't going to be easy.
We're getting closer.
If you've got Pokemon Go open, you are exactly where we need you.
Keep your eyes on the big screen and get ready for your next instructions.
This arena is about to become one giant battlefield.
Thousands of trainers, one Mega Mewtwo and one chance to take it down.
Trainers, get ready to enter that raid lobby now.
Make sure that you get into the battle, select your team, and prepare to take on Mega Mutu X.
Wait, wait, wait, hold on, hold on. We're getting another alert.
There isn't just one Mega Mutu X. There is multiple Mega Mutu X have been detected
and with battle taking place across the arena and sightings near Mauskone.
So, Trainers, your battle may not match what we're seeing on the broadcast.
That's because there's multiple Mega Mewtwo X-rays happening simultaneously.
Don't worry, you're in the right fight.
Every battle counts.
Every victory matters.
Select your strongest Pokemon and get ready.
It's almost time.
Thousands of trainers, multiple Mega Mewtwo X.
One goal.
Take them all down.
And who knows, maybe we'll even get the chance to catch one.
Get ready, trainers.
When that clock hits zero, we take back the arena!
Alright trainers, it's time to battle Mega, Mewtwo, X, everybody together!
Give it everything you've got! Let's go, Pokemon Trainers!
The timer is taking down.
If you are in one of those original Wraith lobbies, you might have 40 seconds, 50 seconds
on the clock, until we take on this Mega Mewtwo X.
Anticipation is building.
We are moments away from taking on this challenge, but if everybody battles together,
We can do it!
Nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, let's go!
It's time to battle Mega Mewtwo X!
Make sure to work together and take down this Pokemon.
It is not going down easy. Make sure you are brought your strongest Pokemon to take it down.
Over 240 traitors are trying to go for this single task.
We're going to go into the red health bar, but we need to keep on pushing.
How are we doing, Masters?
We're nearly there.
We are so close to taking back this arena!
A little more trainers, don't give up now! We can do this!
Mega Mewtwo X is ours for the taking!
We are almost there, Mega Mewtwo!
It's almost been defeated!
Sending your strongest Pokemon fight to the very last victory will be ours!
Now we have to band together for our unity attack!
Hold your devices into the air. Do it together.
There we go. It's amazing seeing everybody in this arena get involved.
Last moments here to take down the Mega Mutu X.
Charging is complete.
hold up those phones trainers charge up your unity attack make of you 2x must be defeated
we're so close now we've just got a little bit more to go over the finish line
the shield is wearing down we are almost there
one more time hold those devices up trainer we have to save this arena and the poke
Welcome on Go Grand Finals!
For a third Unity Attack, it is an excellent one as we take down the final shield for Mega
Mewtwo X!
Let's go!
You did it, traitors!
Together, you defeated Mega Mewtwo X and saved Championship Sunday!
Give yourselves a huge round of applause.
What an incredible sight. Trainers across the arena and beyond.
All battling together to take down Mega Mewtwo X.
And Trainers, the battle might be over,
but don't put those phones away just yet.
It's time to catch that Mega Mewtwo X.
X. Wow, what an incredible moment seeing everybody with their hands in the eye in this beautiful
arena joining together to catch Mega Mewtwo X. What a moment. And I even got the shot.
Let's go. Let's go, Caleb. Whoo. Let's go. What an awesome time and thank you all for being a part
of it because trainers we have now defeated Mega Mewtwo X together and hopefully you made
the catch because now it's time to turn our tension back to the stage we just had thousand
trainers band together to take down Mega Mewtwo X in an epic battle and we have our top two
trainers in the entire world about to face off on the biggest stage in championship Sunday
And it finally comes down to this butters how you feel about this grand finals.
I am feeling amazing. This is a grand finals rematch.
They played each other in the winners finals just yesterday.
Of course, hero Mario did win that decisive game number five
to come in on that winner side of the bracket.
That means our former Pokemon Go World champion,
Amy Weedle is on that loser's side of the bracket.
And what's most fascinating to me, home size Henry,
is how about Hiromaru using the exact same line of three
for four straight battles?
And it was a spicy line of three at that.
What I really like about Hiromaru is,
Hiromaru has chosen to try and break the meta rather than
bring a Pokemon like Shadow of Haldon
that maybe not necessarily every trainer believed in.
But, if you look across the most used Pokemon,
this Pokemon, like the Kanto Ninetales,
the ME Weedle used in that finals,
and how it did very well there.
Now Hiromaru was able to emerge victorious there.
It was a traumatic best of five series,
but at the 2025 World Championships,
you will remember Pato Man entered from the winter side
and Beelzeboy won two best of fives.
Getting that bracket reset and becoming world champion,
will history repeat itself,
or will Hiromaru become the first
Pokemon Go world champion for Japan?
There's so much incredible history to be made
and we're only a few moments away from seeing which of those two incredible trainers will
be our world champion at the end of the day. If the winners finals was anything to go by,
this is certainly going to be a treat.
It's a great point because it did come down to the decisive game number five. It was
incredibly close. Amy Weedle said it yesterday in his interview that he had four elite
battles and after that it was type two to two. He said he had a rare misstep
in that game number five, but he had the entire night
to think about it to adjust to his strategy.
And it is time for the Pokemon Gold Grand Finals.
It's 2026, Mewtwo has fallen, hundreds of trainers enter the battlefield, now two remain,
and only one will be crowned the 2026 Pokemon Go World Champion.
we are finalists shall we? First up making a run for the record books we will be
getting ready to be introduced to our finalists soon enough. We've got one
coming for the record books and now we are going to be throwing to get us set
up for the match ahead.
It goes for the acrobatics!
It is lit! It's a clash!
It's like a test!
No!
It's able to do it!
An end cost is no take to two!
Paintings!
It's healthy trying to go for the plush!
Oh!
Beautifully played by King Oda,
but he wants to hang out as much as possible,
but there's a starving voice that stares!
He is one of a Pokemon joke!
He did these ghosts for a reason!
It's got nothing left,
but an incredibly well-piloted game.
What a series from Earth!
Fuck!
It's a go-boy!
He doesn't go on!
He can't be the best of us, he's absolutely huge from the world champ.
No, it survives, Jens can't believe it.
PVP David, he pulls, I don't even know how he found that with God.
It knocks out the new in the hallway.
My God, look at that.
Even Marko Galvin's absolutely in shock.
Giro Maro is in sub attack position.
Does he swap?
No, he throws the energy ball.
Guillermo has changed the script and he is making it to the grand final.
Kill and watch, watch guys away, and Heavy Weedle will secure his fight.
You gotta get any done somewhere!
Across the globe, our trainers have been battling all season, using new and exciting
Pokemon in ever-changing and unique matters.
But all of those journeys ultimately came down to this.
Pokemon Go enters a new chapter next season, with the introduction of 3v3 battles at Worlds.
This final 1v1 match will crown the last Pokemon Go World Champion of the current era.
History is a Remain from hundreds of Worlds competitors, only two remain.
GG's 489 Hiramaru and M.E. Weedle.
Going for his second ever World Championship title,
the first in the planet to ever possibly achieve that impossible.
2022's Senior World Champion is back on the big stage,
with the opportunity to not only become the first ever two-time Pokemon Go World Champion,
but also the first and last World Champion of the current 1v1 era,
Enny Weedle has everything to play for here on Championship Sunday.
Qualifying for his first ever World Championships after a top 12 finish in the Japan Championships,
Hiromaru was one of a number of talented Japanese players looking to make their mark in San Francisco.
Having played and beaten Enny Weedle on day two,
This grand final is a rematch to Rallish.
Hiromaru cemented his place in Championship Sunday on the winner's side of the bracket.
Kavaru no Mipoth.
However, Pokemon Go is no stranger to a bracket reset,
and Emmy Weedle is ready to write history.
Well, I hope I'm still gonna be hungry after our battles.
Bottle-up trainers, this show's just getting started.
Now we are right and ready to get going
with our Pokemon Go World Championship.
Let's go ahead and meet our finalists.
First up, making his first Worlds run,
he's already taken down champions to get here.
Let's give it up for Hero Maru.
up next. He's already gotten the taste of world championship caliber in 2022 and now
looking to do the same thing in 2026. Welcome to the stage. M. E. Weedall.
What do you think your greatest strength as a player has been in this tournament so far?
He wanted to trust his mighty hip-hold on.
I wanted to trust his might he found on.
The trust is real.
Now, Emmy Weidle, I know you were saying in your post-game interview yesterday that you
felt like you had four strong games.
What are you doing to make sure you have full confidence going into every single game today?
Nothing different, to be honest.
I feel like if I keep up the performance that I had in those four games that you mentioned,
then I have the potential to flip the bracket, win the whole thing, so I'll give it my all.
I know you'll both give it your all. Thank you so much.
Go ahead and sit down at your battle stations, and we'll be getting into your match soon enough.
Alright, casters, I know we're ready to get into this match up. Take it away.
Going ahead, these two Titans in our game,
they started out with 16 different groups on day one of Worlds.
Now it's down to the final two here in the Chase Arena.
We're about to see who's going to become the 2026 San Francisco World Champion.
Elite talent, perfect plays, and not just over a single day,
but two long, grueling days of competition.
These trainers have shown us they have everything it takes to be on this stage.
Amanda as Mewtwo once said, the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant.
It is what you choose to do with the gift of life that truly defines you.
And what transpires here in this arena will be remembered forever.
From the first Pokestops spawn, the first egg hatched and the first Legendary Raid Boss defeated.
For 10 years Pokemon Go Trainers have been chasing Pokemon around the globe
and now two trainers will be chasing their dream of being the world champion.
Kirumaru, the heart and the hope of Japan is in search of his first title.
Meanwhile, Emile Weedle. Yeah, well Emile Weedle, our 2022 senior
world division champion is searching for his second crown.
They were able to take it to game five in their first
best of five matchup. Emile Weedle is getting knocked down to that
loser side of the bracket coming back up to be able to play here and the real
question is going to be who will take it all. Yurimaru seems so calm cool and
collected. Emile Weedle with a bit of a stumble. We came very close to an all
Japan Grand Finals but Kanto no could not hold off Emile Weedle's
determination defeating him in game five. Another incredible series that we
capped off yesterday with and it all comes down to this. Emile Weedle has
fought so hard two best of fives coming up just short. Kiromaru needs to win two sets excuse me
any weedle needs to win two more sets straight whereas Kiromaru only needs to win one. Absolutely
if Hiromaru can take this first game of five he will be immediately crowned that champion.
Emmy Weedle will have to flip that bracket but if anyone could do so it's someone that has
that amount of prestige that amount of clout behind his name he has been someone who has
been on the stage before. He has what we call the gauntlet. He is a world champion. He was
our Stuttgart regional champion and he was also the EUIC champion. One trainer in search of
another crown. Another trainer in search of their first and maybe that dream is a pie in the sky
but they're going to fight as hard as possible to turn it into a reality. Such fascinating
Pokemon we've seen over the weekend. Again, Kudomaru with the Shadow Hapaldon and Fasurian
Electrode has been absolutely electric all weekend long, but does he have what it takes to
bring down Emmy Weedle again? Absolutely. Some of these Pokemon we saw all weekend. That Tinket
Tongue was everywhere. That Shadow Kanto, Ninetales everywhere, Licky Licky, but Shadow
Hapaldon, trusting in the Hapaldon to take everything you heard in his interview.
I have no doubt that we're going to see it in some of these games.
And don't forget about Jellison, either a water and ghost type Pokemon that was largely
overshadowed by picks like Galarian Corsula, but it had such unique coverage and it really
helps Peter Maru to shore up some of those matchups and address the core breakers that
Amy Weedow is trying to bring.
Going ahead, taking a look at these teams yesterday, he really relied on a certain
free.
We have to wonder if he's had some time to think about that, if he's recognizing
that those three will still be his strongest against the opponent that he played in
the winners finals or if he's going to do a little bit of a mix up change of his
plan now that we're here in the arena. Everything comes down to refinement when
you watch the winners finals yesterday you probably notice a lot of similar
Pokemon being used matching and match out each of these trainers through their
five battles actually used the same team four times. These Pokemon are
absolutely instrumental and for any Weedle he relied so heavily on the
Shadow Kanto Nytales, Shadow Quaxire and Licky Licky.
Well, I mean, Widow told us a little bit earlier on,
was that actually up until the first game
that he played against Hiramaro,
he actually used Empolion for every single battle
to get him into those winner's finals.
However, that was not a Pokemon
that he's really relying on against Hiramaro's team,
relying more on a Pokemon like that Shadow Quaxire.
It's one of the more fascinating things
about Show 6, Pick 3,
and the championship series for competitive Pokemon Go,
you can bring different tools to address different opponents, but it kind of makes you predictable
if you keep running the same picks over and over. So let's see which trainer made the best
adjustments and who has the best plan going into the most important games they've ever played
in their careers. And we saw that taking a look around the arena, taking it all in,
as this is the largest Pokemon Go tournament, 30 years of Pokemon, 10 years of Pokemon Go,
and five years on the competitive circuit.
Emmy Wiedel with such a fascinating opportunity here.
Could be our first Pokemon Go senior world champion
and the last individual Pokemon Go world champion
before we switch to a team format next year.
What a legacy that would be.
He is coming in from that loser side of the bracket
in our double elimination tournament.
That means he's going to have to win this first best
of five to be able to play one more time
with a bracket reset, but as we've seen, this man is no stranger to a bracket reset.
He's had plenty of time to be playing this game.
No mental mistakes.
Perfect execution of trainers.
Got a lot of rest last night.
I'm sure that they're ready for a big heated competition.
This could go three battles or could go the distance all the way to 10 games.
Kira Mauro is going to be tested by a former world champion.
And again, this is just his first World Championships event ever.
And he's done so well.
You're a moral calm and collected throughout this entire tournament.
While his expression might not be so much his skill expression
and the game has been absolutely top notch.
Being able to go in, sweep his bracket day number one,
stay on that winner's side.
And now we're going to see what he can do here on Championship Sunday.
The mighty hip out on going to be taking on
M.E. Wheel's Shadow, Kanto Ninetales.
It's gonna be dynamic, it's gonna be fiery,
there's gonna be fireworks galore.
As you take one more look at the teams,
just compare the accolades.
M.E. Weedle with so much hardware,
medals, trophies and beyond.
Meanwhile, Kuromaru, heart and hope of Japan
trying to bring that trophy home.
And I know that you just see these teams of six,
but actually Hiramara is bringing some unique things
that we didn't see very often in that tournament.
Not only that shot I had caught on,
but also that Jellison was something
that we really didn't get an opportunity to see very much.
Exactly.
Jellison, such an interesting Pokemon.
We piloted it briefly before, but I
think it's going to come out pretty much every game
in this series.
It's too good to leave on the bench.
It's up to any needle to address that and find ways
around it.
Both of these trainers looks like they're getting locked in.
We're getting ready to make some points for game number
one here at the World Championships.
Looks like he lead for never model into any veto shadowclaw
Xire one point is good things have come as does the awkward
tale, but this shadow does her quite a bit in shadowclaw Xire
cannot absorb two going ahead and actually taking the first
one here on that notice the bond for that shot up quite a few
times that look even when he does that the body slam
already loaded and we don't want to be few people wondering
a shadowclaw Xire with mud bomb and actually does a little
bit more damage that they could look he no protect shows
used by hero Maro. These trainers know their damage calculations inside and
out. Second month I'm going to connect to you. If I gotta be honest, I think
Emmy Weedle needs a few more mud shots to get the job done because this
Licky Licky is so bulky. Meanwhile, the second shadow ball is ready to go.
Not fooling around here going for the big attack each time. No pictures used
by Emmy Weedle and this shadow park side is going down. That's the first
knockout of our world championship finals here in 2026. Out comes the
shadow about on the key Pokemon for hero Maro in his first two days of
competition. This hippo might be hungry, but he is not going to be able to take this energy ball very well at all. He will have to put up a potential, and then he doesn't.
Last second, great potential there, recognizing how much damage I could do while he continues to sort up extra energy, throwing his first attack now.
Such a great call. I think Enne Guido could have made it the weather ball fire there, but chooses not to. Me, well, weather ball rock firing back the other direction.
That would definitely knock out the Kanto Ninetail, so Enne Guido wisely protects it. Here comes another charge stack.
talking about that bait, how the bait call has not been called as a second shield is used in this mid-game matchup.
Hiro Mara has no protect shields, a quick pivot out by Eni-Wido into the Licky Licky.
Switch timer not yet up for Hiro Mara, who can't go to that trusty Hysterina Electros.
He's going to throw the Earth Power, big shield call for Eni-Wido. Let's it! Through so much damage!
Each time, shot-able, shot-able! Now the Earth Power going through Eni-Wido's Pokemon are getting desperately low,
but he's starting to throw back some attacks of his own, and with no protect shields, remaining for Hiro Mara is going to have to take the brunt of it all.
I think that Hiromaru wants to preserve his switch and he thinks he can get maybe one more charge sack
in comes the Hizurina Electro to start gathering up that energy.
He can definitely absorb a one shadow ball and a couple of body slams, but the first charge sack will be energy ball here.
This is all about pacing.
I mean, really, it doesn't want to actually flip.
He's using it on the Licky Licky here because he's got quite a bit of energy
and now he's going to go for an attack.
Don't actually swap it coming to his shadow catcher, Nytos!
And he's going to be able to take this attack.
This is so critical because Hiromaru throws the wild charge.
This is going to deep up his ensuing electrode and to get much more susceptible to any charge sex and any little decision throw
He needed a helping hand and the cancer night sales offered just that great timing by any wheel
He knew that that charge type is thrown and the suing electrode would need to build back up energy before throwing anything else
Since it's attack was low it gets essentially knocked out right there
But the Hapowarm already has an attack well in spite of all his heroics
He's going to win the match tomorrow with the Rock Weather Ball, able to pick up the KO,
and with that, he takes game number one.
Really relying on that Hapaldon.
He wore Emmy Weedle in the beginning.
He said this Hapaldon is going to take you down if game one is any reflection of this.
I think that Emmy Weedle should have been taking notes.
So creative.
I really like how Emmy Weedle forced that Cantonyne Tales back into the battle to absorb
the wild charge.
It definitely gave him a bit of ground, but it just wasn't enough.
It was a road too far for him to travel
because they had Paladon stored that energy,
banked that weather ball rock
and was able to come right back out and fire it off.
Now, in a typical game for Pokemon Go,
we play best of threes,
but here on this big stage in the chase arena,
we are going for a best of five.
So this first game is a good fact finding mission
for them.
I know they played yesterday in the Winners Files,
but it's gonna be a little bit different
on this main stage with all eyes on them.
here tomorrow has a great lead here with that 1-0 victory.
If he gets two more, we will crown him that champion.
But M.E. Weedle said that he knew that he played great before.
He just needed to do a little bit of refinement,
and it wouldn't surprise me to see him start putting
on some sports on the board.
No, exactly.
M.E. Weedle has been under the bright lights
our first senior division world champion.
We're going to jump right into game number two, everybody.
This time, floor just takes the field for M.E. Weedle
leading into that jealousie.
Now, I mean, we all said once before the capture,
as an attack for the fortress,
is it your together or tricky, tricky coverage?
Take a peek at your horror scene.
There's no tricky, tricky to be found this game.
Although, I mean, using that trusty Jellison
and no one may throw on his first charge attack.
This fortress actually is very close.
There goes Disarming Boys getting fired off here.
It's gonna need two charge stacks to bring down
the Jellison, but the pacing is slightly
in the fortress' favor as well
as Disarming Boys number one connects.
And number two is ready to go.
One outpace is Hiramaru's turn to see.
If he wants to put up a protection as his next target attack,
we'll be able to go, it looks like it's going to connect.
Nothing that jealous has buried down low, but still.
If jealous has a little more gas in the tank,
gonna go for one more serve.
Yeah, Hiramaru waiting the turn
does not want to get caught on,
so he expects the jealous to be a floor just to stay
so he can fire off the serve with the jealous in.
Now he's taking control of switch advantage.
Outputs get to the nice.
He doesn't like that,
but he can go back to Shadow of Hapaldon.
Hapaldon did so well for him game.
Number one, last time, and he needed a rip for the energy ball.
Will he be able to call it here?
He calls the bait!
This is huge for him!
Yes, it does a tough damage, but it doesn't threaten
the knockout like that energy ball.
And now the Paladon's going to start chomping away.
Insane call out in the most important battle of his life.
The Paladon, meanwhile, throwing back the earth power,
Glaring Corsair protects Shields Up.
No defense fall either.
So Glaring Corsair might be able to
stuns all over down.
It's going to be so close.
Everybody know he doesn't get there.
Oh, you see how hurt he is by this.
He lived wanting to throw a weather ball just for a little bit of chip damage, but decided
a little too late.
This Corsola is standing strong, and I don't know if this ensuing electric is afraid of
no ghosts.
Galarian Corsola is weighing down on Hiromaru.
He has the Jellison in the back, yes, but it's got very little HP.
It's nothing more than a sacrificial shield, a third shield that he can swap into to
absorb the charge tech.
So he's got to be very careful how he plays that Pokemon from here on out.
throwing yet another night shift into the system like I'm getting a potential
up a pure of Maro side he's really been lying on the system for these
past couple games now going for an energy ball it's going to do a little
less damage but it also doesn't lower its own defenses and he we don't feel so
safe no protection here on his ghost side Pokemon makes a pivot out in the
shadow canton eye tales this is a little bit curious but I think the
and I just want this.
Oh, here we go, Barrow!
Every wheel's head and his hands
as a really good back to front
starts to slide away with this
fantastic catch from here,
a lot of energy on the left stroke
and goes for a bait of his own
with this energy ball. Every wheel,
no shield since this is huge!
Massive call by Emmy Weedle.
He is not stumbling whatsoever
as he's able to call the energy ball
just with the defense drop, but the embers
We're going to see another charge attack connect here.
Emmy Weedle stumbles but doesn't fall down.
Weatherball connects.
He takes out a human electron and he ties up the series.
What an insane turn of events.
The swap into the jealous, if we call that out,
is being one of the only win cons there for Kira Maru.
But calling the energy ball and the Kanto Ninetales
when you were at risk of losing your most important Pokemon,
Emmy Weedle is playing so well.
He saw it on his face.
He kind of gave a shrug like, well, if this is it,
This is it, but what a call to make and what a time to make it starting out strong.
Emmy Weedle was really in the driver's seat for most of this game,
but the hero, Marl, doing everything he possibly could to get back in that matchup
with a great catch onto that jealous and to soak up some of that energy.
These trainers are taking mental snapshots throughout the game.
They're trying to project forward.
What is my wing condition?
How do I execute to get another win on the board?
And right now everybody, we are tied up one to one in this best of five.
Speaking of the board, take a look at that stage as we zoom down.
We get to see that whole team of six for each of these.
This arena is absolutely incredible.
We just took down Mute 2X, and one of these trainers is about to take down the other
to be the first San Francisco World Champion.
The stage is bigger than ever.
The lights are brighter than ever.
Again, Emmy Weedle with so much experience.
But here, tomorrow, the challenger.
We're going to see his suing the Electro League into the Shabba Kits and I-Tails for game number three, and a swap into the Licky-Licky.
Licky-Licky was that top-use Pokemon for this whole weekend, and it has this freak and a leap, also in that safe swap position.
Being able to soak up energy will also be able to deal out energy quite quickly, immediately, now by Emmy Weedle, into his own Licky-Licky.
They're going to be sticking their tongues out at each other for quite a while, Will.
We like to call that the chip and dip, right?
Emile Weedle knows the mirror matchup is going to be closed, so he fires that
weather ball, connects the damage, and then makes the pivot out. Now, he has an advantage.
But keep an eye on the switch timers, everybody. Kuromaru will be able to
switch his Pokemon out first. Now, should they try to do an attack at the same time,
it could be a charge attack priority. The one with a higher attack will win that first
Emile Weedle, go straight for the body slam, doesn't want to let Kuromaru get off any more damage first.
This is not enough to knock out, so we could see a quick pivot out. That's exactly what's going to happen.
Yeah, maybe a little indecisive there, reach for the Canto-9 tails, but decided to divert
some of the hip-out-on.
He needs protection of the Shadow Ball, but he doesn't, and there's a lot of damage coming
through.
Half of hip-out-on's health is already gone.
This is a dance.
Quick, quick swaps by both of these framers in a minute, that the timer is up, but
the hip-out-on is going for an attack, and look at him, he really goes in his eyes,
he doesn't put on the shield, and this doesn't do much damage at all.
Absolutely insane.
Definitely could have been an Earth Power there.
Kuromaru trying to get to one here and he fails again!
Unable to get to the charge stack.
This is sort of the thing when you've been in the arena before,
when you've been playing on the big stage,
you know that sometimes you can make a mistake but bounce back.
Does Kuromaru have this in him being the first type of editor here?
Nightshade will connect into Husserina Electro,
but the options are starting to dwindle down for Kuromaru.
That Kanto Ninetales and Licky-Licky in the back for Emilito
are still relatively healthy and the Glaring Horselaw
has been so problematic for him.
This is the big thing with the Shoei Electrode.
You have to go for these energy balls a lot of times
because you can kick, swip, swap out.
Those swap drivers would really lower your own defense.
It's still enough to knock out the course load,
but there's still two shields to hide from him
on the sides of Amy Weedle.
I mean, you've got the shields,
but you don't have HP right.
We got a manager, HP, and keep our Pokemon in the battle.
Energy ball will pull the shield away here,
but Amy Weedle realizes he's applying so much pressure
with the Kanto Nightsails,
movement of energy on those,
and the camera swaps into the mirror.
Huge, hoping to land that on the Kanto Ninetales.
Unsuccessful as the Licky Licky pops into the battle
to absorb it all on the chin.
Hiromara going up just a little bit more,
trying to get off as much energy as possible
before throwing his next body slam
right at the last second.
Yeah, it reaches the double up here.
If any wheel shields, he will get the knockout,
but instead, opposite, let his Licky Licky go,
put it all on the Kanto Ninetales.
That Pokemon comes out right away
and the Ender will knock out,
but the body slam was queued up first.
I want to help using that last protect shield here.
The real question is how much of a thing to take
for that Hissui in the electrode?
Will it be able to get farmed down two next?
And what's most overwhelming,
doesn't even throw them,
goes for that fast attack farmed down.
Take him, game number three.
Three embers was enough.
Emmy Weedle now up to one in this grand finals.
One final reminder, everybody,
this is a best of five.
And if Emmy Weedle wins this next battle,
he will force a bracket reset
and a fresh best of five.
Coming in from that loser's side of the bracket,
Emmy Weedle had quite a run in this tournament so far.
In the group stage, day number one,
he two owed everyone except for one player.
And then in the final stages of day two,
he took out so many well-known and talented trainers
getting up to this place where he went two, three
to here tomorrow to be here on the main stage.
Both of these trainers carrying the torches
for their region.
I feel like whenever you beat a trainer from your region,
you have to take their energy, take their skill,
and win it for them, win it for your friends.
And these trainers have so much riding
on this series here at the World Championships.
Can't do an eye tells and glaring course slide.
Such a problematic duo for Hiro Maru.
Let's go into the next game here, everyone,
as soon as our trainers are locked in and we are ready.
This is more of a better lead for Hiro Maru at this part
as an energy ball is only thing
but really just going to start threatening the HP of it
and the paces will be a little bit slower
and actually Emmy Rital going straight for it
at the very beginning part of the matchup
and Yerimaro puts up a protect shield.
Yeah, such a great call out early.
Do not want to take a lot of super effective damage
from a shadow Pokemon on your first go around,
but the swap and the catch,
this is actually fine because you want to throw serve
into the Licky Licky, not the double resisted
shadow ball.
I think Yerimaro is saying,
okay, you know what, that's fine.
I'll take that.
Licky Licky usually has a great matchup
against the Jels, and Jels goes for one more basket before swapping into its own Lick-a-Lick.
We saw this in game number three, going for a chip, and then going ahead and gipping out,
absorbing the energy of the Lick-a-Lick onto the other.
I will say that the weather ball from Amy Widow's Penta-9-Tails last game did a bit
more damage and made this mirror match a bit more comfortable for him, so he tomorrow
has a lot to work through as he fires off yet another body slam.
These two trainers have probably had this mirror match quite a few times in the games
that they have played against each other.
I wonder if they do know who wins charge attack priority
because that does change how you play out these matchups here.
Bodyslam still coming through,
lot more energy here throwing the next one
on the side of here tomorrow.
I don't think any reedles gonna protect shield this up.
No, I don't think so either.
He can withstand this Bodyslam
plus a couple more rollouts.
Even though he's even to the red,
these trainers know their Pokemon so well.
Another Bodyslam getting fired off here
and we're getting very close to ending this mirror match.
Julie, welcome to the slam as we see it over and over again.
Looks like Emmy Weedle actually throws that modest and catches here
on the side of your model.
This is a not very effective attack against a ghost type
Pokemon going to be able to just get a little bit more angry.
And Emmy Weedle actually says, this is fine.
I'm coming in with my other jealous encounter
with Michael Larry and Corsola.
In Pokemon Go, ghost type Pokemon
can learn so many different fast and charge attacks.
And the difference you're going to see here
is the Hex Jellison versus the damage-oriented, astonished Galarian Corsola.
Look at it just chipping down that HP with every fast attack.
Now, going ahead, using that first protection on that base of the Serp,
and actually using both protection now on this Galarian Corsola,
correctly shielding up that Shadow Ball and just continuing the fast attack completely down,
this Corsola is loaded with energy.
This is very nice.
Could you have that?
You're suing the Electrode that is healthy.
The Licky Licky is very weak,
waiting down that Switch Timer so he can make the swap out.
Oh my goodness, fires off the nightshade into the electric and grass type.
He fires it off immediately, takes a look up, hoping that it didn't go into that licky-licky,
but no, this is soon an electrode has to take it, has to start trying to ramp up energy.
Quick, pin up my ball with these triggers! Blink and you miss it, and this night-tales comes back in!
You swap, I swap, reswap. Shadow ball into that shadow-kento night-tales,
takes it deep into the red, but it will eventually take this matchup for the licky-licky.
This is huge, coming out with so much energy, and he's already pumping his fists
in the air as he gets that last potential with that first fire.
Weatherball.
He's got a second one ready to go.
It's super effective damage.
Emmy Weedle thinks he's got this game in the bag.
And with it, he will force the bracket reset.
You want a bracket reset?
You got a bracket reset.
Emmy Weedle takes the first get-match of my matchup.
Shaken.
But a stumble doesn't have to mean a fall.
Hiromaru and Emiwido are now locked in a fresh best of five.
Everybody, no more resets from here on out.
This is it.
Whoever wins the next three battles
will be your Pokemon Go World Champion.
It's so great to see these two trainers
playing off against each other.
If you take a look at the lines
that they brought in this third game
or this fifth game after,
Jealousy was a Pokemon that Hiromaru really relied on.
But there were two heavy jealous encounters in the back for any little with that glaring Corsola and also that licky licky
So as long as he got the nine tails off of it. He was completely fine throughout this matchup
Exactly and speaking to the point of alignment
I think any we know also found that he was in the right spot at the right time of so often
his canto nine tails was lined up against an ensuing electrode and I think that
really the only way that Yoramaru can absolutely reign in that glaring Corsula is to put his
Licky Licky on the field against it. And I don't think Eniwido wants that to happen.
Well Eniwido didn't say that he built his board just specifically to counter Licky Licky,
so he definitely has a plan to be able to out-and-remover the top used Pokemon in
the World Championships. Yoramaru is a trainer that we have not had the opportunity
to see play very often.
This is his first Worlds competition.
He was managed to be able to qualify for Worlds,
getting in the top 12 of the Japanese qualifier.
So I think a lot of trainers recognize
that he's a very good trainer,
but they haven't got to see him very often.
It's so cool to see him on the main stage,
but a little fun fact about these trainers
is although they've never played against each other
in an official competitive circuit,
they battle against each other and go battle league
all the time as they fight for that number one spot on the leaderboard.
It's incredible, right? You can queue up against anyone else in the world and try your skills.
You know, they picked up on some tendencies and noticed what each other liked to do in critical moments.
But here tomorrow is no stranger to taking down world champions, having beaten Beelzeboy in round one of day two,
and Emmy Weedle to end the day. He's got to beat a world champion three times if he wants to win the crown this weekend.
He says, OK, I see that crown that was on your head.
It looks pretty nice up there.
I'm trying to take it for myself.
De-throning champions after champions,
he's got to be able to take three games to do so.
But even so, this is the first time Japan has
had anyone in the finals absolutely incredible plays
by all of the region.
I believe eight of them were in the top of day.
32?
Yes.
I mean, that's absolutely incredible.
I think that Hiromaru needs to get more value out
of his Shadow of the Palladon not once but twice.
We saw it get astonished down, farmed down by Emmy Weedle
and that Pokemon that is so instrumental to his success thus far
just came up flat.
He needs to find a way to get it more involved,
to fire off more charge attacks,
maybe even shield it more often
and try to get more value because that is the Pokemon
that he believes is the key for his success.
You see both of these trainers taking a moment
to mull it over but now it is time
to go to the grand finals reset.
We have that Jellison again in the lead by Hiromaru Up against Shadow Quagsire on the side of Enri Uedo.
Water types on both sides. Competitive Pokemon go. Water typing has always been very strong,
and the Mud Bomb here helps the Shadow Quagsire in the matchup so much,
it's going to fire up the first one here, and this will connect.
I know that to Hiromaru that his Poudon was going to be able to take it all,
is actually helping to put him on the bench for the first game of this bracket recent,
going for the serve against Shadow Quagsire, no protect shield by Enri Uedo.
I think you need two charge stacks regardless if you're playing Jellison like Hidomaru is and any Hidomaru is unafraid of either one of them.
Second Mudbong will connect. Hidomaru knows his damage calculations. His Jellison can hang in there.
He knows that no problem going ahead, taking that. And I think we're going to try and go for another one.
Now, going to search for this. And then we'll let this go down. This is actually the perfect opportunity for a farm down.
Pieramo seems to recognize it as well, as he goes ahead, undercharges the thing, and plumps, and to get a couple energy advantage of his own with his nine tails.
Wow, what a great undercharge going into the Shadowkid to nine tails. This is also good news for him, because that catch of nine tails for Emileedle keeps finding his Azurion Electrode, and right now it's on the field in the mirror match.
Going ahead, now just throwing the fireball. As you can see, Fire on Fire damage is not going to be doing too much overall, both of them charging up a little bit extra.
and we will actually obstacle for the energy ball. It hits a little bit harder and has a potential for a defense default on the opponent's Pokemon.
Also very valuable information. Emmy we know did win the charge tech priority tie. So if these can't cancel nine sales pace at the same time again, he will go first in that exchange every single time.
He looks like he's very far ahead in terms of energy. So maybe he doesn't need to worry about that yet.
It looks like he didn't even bother to opt for any more,
the one who goes straight for that charge attack here,
hoping maybe to get the farm down at the end,
even to that didn't do as much damage
as he was hoping for it.
Actually, Hiromoro can take this mid-game matchup
if Enri-Wido doesn't show up,
and that's exactly what happens.
And do you see the trend here?
Enri-Wido led his flag-circuit wiki,
led his kentanitesos movie.
He wants to farm down Hiromoro's Pokemon,
and Hiromoro is not allowing him to do that.
He pivots immediately into his electrode.
This is Korsala against the world.
No protect shields used for the quads,
no protect shields used for that gank of Ninetales,
and no protect shields on the first attack
from the suit of Electrode,
recognizing he's most likely not going to be
that wild charged at heavier hitting attack,
letting the first one go through.
But he's gonna need a shield this month
if he doesn't want his Corsola to go down.
And trying to think about win conditions here.
Enny Lido might just double shield his Glaring Corsola
and try to fast attack all the way through.
It's gonna be really tough
because if he throws charge stacks,
he needs to throw two night shades plus a third.
Here comes another energy ball, and Emilito thinks he won't win the pacing battle.
Well, the big problem is when you only have one Pokemon left, you don't know what a switch
timer is that.
I think Emilito is very reluctant.
He doesn't want any of his attacks to get caught on anything else.
Now he's giving a little bit more energy.
He's not going to throw in attack.
He's coming in.
He's trying to pass that down everything, but he's not able to do so.
Just by a hair, the Sasui Electro gets to the energy ball, and that is the
final charge attack that Hiromaru needs to bring down that Galarian Corsa and
win that battle now will I think maybe some people at home or maybe aren't super
familiar with our game are wondering why why did any we will not throw any of
his charge tax he had so much energy he was not the most energy that he could
possibly have there were three Pokemon left on the field what gives so every
time you use a charge attack in a Pokemon go PvP it takes a turn and that
allows your opponent to also take that turn so if any weedles biggest
priority is not allowing that the city of lecture to get another charge
He's not going to throw a charge stack of his own because that just means another
Thunder Shock piling on to that energy that's already accumulating.
So these two Ninetales being able to take on each other right at the very end there and
I mean at this point he knew exactly what he needed to do.
Hiromaru knew exactly what he needed to do to be able to win this matchup and
that was get to enough energy to knock out the Corsola.
Exactly. This Pokemon has been so problematic for Hiromaru.
Personally I'm shocked that we didn't see the Licky Licky from him,
but he still found a way to get past the ghost type Pokemon even without it.
Going ahead, Fierro Marl took game number one of the first game of this championship Sunday.
He ended up taking this game as well. Will and Eredo have a repeat of what he did before
being able to take back that series winning the next three games?
It's so hard to say, right? Currently we are taking a look back at that matchup that just occurred.
Everybody, a turn in Pokemon GO PDP is just a half second.
Just a half second, and if you miss one of those,
it can totally derail your plans, your pacing,
and your ability to execute on your win condition.
So, we have an incredible judging team here.
They're taking a closer look at how that last game went down,
trying to see if anything was a right.
You did see Emmy Weedle trying to throw up his hand at the very end.
They're recognizing that he believed that he missed some attacks,
and that was very big.
When you have the strategy that you need to be able to get all of your damage into a certain Pokemon to get it off the field,
not being able to get even one of those attacks could be absolutely detrimental to your game.
Yeah, and just look at how close that game was, right?
That Glare Corsula almost able to farm down all three of the remaining Pokemon,
because the jealousy that a few tomorrow had in the back didn't have any energy,
and he was deep, deep into the red.
It might have absorbed maybe one, maybe two, astonishes, and it would have been over.
So Glary Corsola came very close to sweeping that game.
Yes.
So while this match is under review,
let's go ahead and review how Kiro Maro did in the championship
series so far, keeping in mind that this was his first ever
tournament on the group stage.
He too won all of his opponents to be able to make it
into day number two, where he then took down
our former champion, Beelzeboy.
Also brought any needle down to that lower side
of the bracket.
And unfortunately for him, had to knock down
another one of his fellow Japanese trainers and Dunebug 97, a very, very popular trainer
within the North American circuit.
Our third place finisher, Kanto No, with his shadow Glyce for a shadow poly-toe team, was
so much fun to watch yesterday, and we came very close to having all Japanese grand finals,
but M.E.
Widow just would not be denied, fought so hard that losers decided to bracket, and
he is here on the main stage.
Yet again, as our judges continue to debate that previous game.
So I know we kind of talked about it briefly.
A lot of people haven't had the opportunity to see it before,
but Licky Licky has been the most popular Pokemon of day one and day two usage.
It is also on the team of Hiromaru and on the side of ME Weedle.
So it doesn't surprise me that we've seen it quite a few games so far.
Little nuance here.
I don't know if he knows this, Amanda,
but that's Licky Licky from Kuromaru is an extra extra large.
You big boy.
Yeah, it's a lot taller than any weedles.
Not that that makes a big difference in terms of combat,
but I just want trainers out there to know that if you're out catching Pokemon
and you find an extra small or an extra large,
when you bring that Pokemon into the battle, it does visually.
I just show that in the games.
And another Pokemon that has been very popular so far in the series
is one that we actually saw in the matchup book in that middle matchup
where we learned that Emmy Weedle wins that charge attack priority with a shadow handle nine tails.
It's the main reason there's been quite a few different shifts in the meta
and it's the main reason that I think that Kira Morrow is keeping his tita time on the bench.
We talked earlier about how these trainers were running the same teams of three
in most of their matchups yesterday.
Emmy Weedle had one deviation though.
That was a shadow quack sire, Licky Licky and Galerian Forsla team.
And maybe he said, you know what?
There's something to that.
Maybe that glaring course is the key.
And I believe he's brought it to every single game thus far.
He's quite well for himself being able to flip that bracket,
coming from the losers' side of the bracket.
They're losing game number one.
And a huge stadium can do a lot to shake your nerves.
But any way to look unshakable there,
he knew from the get-go, he knew from game two
that he was rock solid.
You saw him bumping to this.
You saw him looking around saying,
know that I have what it takes to be a champion. He's so dialed in. If you watch
his eyes, he'll look across the stage at his opponent to fish for any reaction. He
wants to know if you're bothered, if you're frustrated, if you're feeling
confident. He's trying to feel out the player just as much as he's feeling
his way through the matchups on the screen. Well, look people, here tomorrow, he
looks unshakable as he plays these matchups. So you barely see him having
any sort of the doubt in his eyes or any type that he's making any sort of
of misplay. Yeah, exactly. Very confident. And he's got a lot of reasons to be. We talked
about his record so far this weekend. I mean, when you come to your first world championships
and you not only beat the reigning world champion, the Old Du Bois, but you also take down the
first world champion, Amy Weedle, that's a pretty good resume to start things off.
I mean, both of these trainers have some interesting resumes, making a lot of first
for them. Here tomorrow is the first Japanese trainer to be able to make it into the
finals, the World Championships, and Emmy Wiedel, if this is the first time a previous
World Champion has been back up here on this main stage.
You're exactly right. And given how competitive Pokemon Go PvP is in the Championship Series,
a lot of trainers think that that would never happen, right? You never have a repeat World
Champion because the best trainers are lined up against each other constantly,
and eventually one of them will be eliminated. So this is definitely a fascinating story.
I don't know if any leader was on a lot of trainers radar spending to this weekend either
I think any leader has always been a very powerful trainer
He has a lot of different assets to his name people know that he has a lot of titles
But he hasn't really had those top finishes this season that he's been looking for
But I think that he would definitely take that trade off be like okay
Maybe the regional competitions maybe some of the other things I did perform as well as I hope but now on the big stage
He gets a chance to shine as our judges take a closer look at this matchup
We will defer over to the Bragg get let's take a trip down memory lane and see where these trainers have come from and the
Talented competitors that they have faced over the weekend because I mean my goodness
I really feel that metaphor right if you defeat a trainer from your region
You have to carry on that like you know how talented PvP David is if you're any needle
You have to say I have to do what he would do in the situation
I have to fight as hard as possible and try my best to win.
Absolutely, not even before that.
And Iredo played against Boom 20, who
was actually running the same team as PVP David.
So maybe giving him a little bit of a leg up
to be able to do so.
Going for a two-one there, playing against Marjo Galve,
one of our most decorated trainers from Latin America
before he played off against Iredo Marro.
Iredo Marro started off that top eight
by defeating Dunbug from the North America region
and then took on and Contano.
That was such a fun series to watch.
The ground types came out to play in the Shadow Hapaldon
and the Shadow Gliscore, and another nail-biter finish
that Hyundai Mara was able to walk away from victorious.
So it's really funny, because for Pokemon Go,
it's how that there's unnecessarily big rivalry.
But of course, people like to cheer for their regions
to win.
This would be the first time someone from Japan
has been able to call himself a world champion.
But any needle has a completely different story.
There has been EU winners already.
And I was gonna say to him, I'm like, he's with him!
And he is the EU winner!
It's him. He's him, literally.
Well, we're gonna get back to those games
as soon as our judging team reaches a decision, everybody.
But I just want to thank you all for joining us
in that Mega Meets You x-ray here in the venue.
That was so much fun.
I hope everyone got shinies
and maybe some good stats as well.
But the background, you got that regardless.
Absolutely. I know that Caleb said
that he got the shiny Meets You.
I'd love to let them know that I also got the shiny new to also took some really fun photos because if you looked around the arena
You saw everyone raising their phones at the same time everyone working together to catch that new to X
It was such an amazing experience
I mean this relates back to what you're saying about these trainers matching in the go battle league
We have such a tight knit community and even though you might be an ocean away a lot of trainers are familiar with each other
They have battled against each other
They kind of have that like second tier of knowing before they actually meet so the world championships are such a great place for
Everyone to come together to put a face to a name as they say, you know that trainer that beat you with Vasidon
That's them right there. Okay. Yeah, and not only are they competing for the prestige for the crown
These trainers are also competing for some fantastic prizes here first place is gonna go home with
$20,000 that's a nice chunk of change
But I wouldn't even take that $15,000 for a second if one ever doesn't want it, they can give it to me.
Oh, you would settle for that?
I suppose, I suppose.
So much on the line. Not just the title, we talk about that quite often, but I mean this could be life changing for a lot of trainers,
especially if they travel far to come and compete here and look at this gorgeous venue and our gorgeous fans.
Let's hear it everybody in the stadium, let's wake up.
You just gotta be there!
Yeah, we see you, Pogon, you're missed.
We're Pogon on a miss as well.
Thank you for coming out.
See who's gonna be our world champion.
We are so excited to be crowning one.
These two trainers have performed well all weekend,
and they deserve all the praise that they're giving here on stage.
Such talent on the stage right now.
And any weed'll make those corrections.
Ran that Galerian course lie, and it's been so hard
for Hidomaru to win.
hard for Kido Maru to weather that storm. Can't wait to get into the next battle, I'm gonna be honest.
I hear you, everyone. While we're still looking through this, a match under review means that even though
one person may have won that first match-up group, could have been something within that match-up that,
you know, maybe didn't go according to plan. So the judges will decide if it is going to be
favorable for any reedle, that first game will essentially be erased from the leaderboard and
we are starting over with a fresh new game.
I mean, this is literally the biggest competition of these trainers' lives.
We want to get everything right.
We want to have an equal and fair playing field for all of our competitors,
and especially our two finalists here at the World Championships.
Hi, everybody. How's it going?
It's good to see you all. You're looking good.
Now, real question.
We were talking a little bit earlier as casters.
They were asking for some caster predictions.
And I know that you said that you were really impressed
with Kiro Maru's gameplay throughout the weekend and you think that he potentially has what it takes to take the series.
Exactly, just so decisive, especially his Hissumi Electro played just as it was outstanding
and I felt like Hime Wido fought really hard in their series yesterday but kind of ran out of answers.
The moment that sticks in my mind, Amanda, was that Game 5 when Hime Wido was just completely out of shields
and that Hissumi Electro from Kiro Maru was able to land the energy ball in it to the shadow by Exile.
You can see Emmy Weedle grimacing on stage.
It was so painful to watch that.
And I think on his mind, he's thinking,
I just can't allow that to happen.
I can't allow myself to be out of options,
especially in the biggest series here at the World Championships.
Well, at the first best of five,
he was put on the back, put there on the side of Emmy Weedle,
as hero Marle took game number one to Emmy Weedle,
took his foot, put it forward
and won the next three matchups to be here
in the grand finals reset.
I had Emmy Weedle as my prediction
to be able to take it all because this man has done quite a bit.
Not only has he been a regional champion,
not only has he been an international champion,
he has been a previous world champion.
He wants to do it again for our last year of individual world champions.
I mean, and he's adored by the community, right?
We remember at EUIC, the crowd surfing, kind of lifting them up to the air.
Emmy Weedle has had such a story, career for such a young trainer,
and the talent doesn't lie.
We see it in every single performance,
And like you pointed out earlier,
might not have had the strongest individual season,
but I think in my mind,
a lot of it comes down to peaking at the right moment, right?
You can have a great start to your season,
but if there's a meta change
or a new Pokemon comes along
and it doesn't quite click for you,
then I think you wanna be firing on all cylinders
when you get to the end of the season.
A lot of trainers have saying that,
you know, this could have quite open meta,
a lot of different Pokemon to choose from,
as we can see, from what the trainers have brought.
And we actually can see that the highlight of what the dispute is going to be here.
We see the enemy going through here.
Now keep in mind there's a bunch of shields in play.
Yeah, we're going to take a closer look.
So this is what the judges are reviewing right now, everybody.
I've been curious to see which moment is being called into question.
But I think it's got to come down to the fast attacks and how that damage is applying.
Astonishes coming down.
Again, this is the thundershock on that history electrode is two turns,
which is one second, whereas the astonish is 1.5 seconds and three turns.
So, in that regard, you know, it really comes down to the slimmest of margins.
A half-second difference really makes a world of difference in competitive Pokemon Go.
So as we were fresher there, we saw two shields for both opponents.
Emmy Wheeler did not want to throw that energy into the Assuming Electrode,
because he did want the Assuming Electrode to be able to get extra fast attacks
while he threw because he recognized that Soon Electrode had enough energy
to knock out his only remaining Pokemon.
Absolutely right. Only two shields to spare. He spent both of them on that
glaring course. We saw just how close that matchup got. He was able to fast
attack down one of Kudo Maru's three Pokemon and the Jellison was not far
behind. So if you would have gotten past the Hissuin Electrode, it seemed like you would have had a
different outcome. So as our team continues to look at it. Also thank
production for allowing our fans to see just a bit more closely at what we're
taking a look at. And again like you pointed out well the turns in Pokemon Go are so
quick 0.5 seconds that every literal not even second 0.5 seconds matters so it
does you know I take no fault for them taking a little extra time to figure out
exactly what went on in the matchup and make sure that everything was fair
before we awarded game win. Well Amanda you you mentioned this but let's put it
in writing we had some cast of predictions about which trainer we
thought would win. I would love to see everyone in the chat get involved as well. Who do you think has
the momentum in this series right now? Who do you think is going to become your next Pokemon Go
world champion? Just like the hardware. It looks like any Lido side of the scale is a little bit
heavier. Well I will say that I think Butters is missing from this and 2-0 Butters also believe
that here tomorrow was going to be winning, so I'm making it a little bit more even overall.
I truly think it could be anyone's game. Every single game between these two trainers
have come down to the absolute wire.
You're only winning with a 3-2 victory.
It wasn't like a solid sweep against Emmy Weedle
in day number one, and now, I mean,
Weedle taking up that second game in the grand finals
and winning 3-1, it's still anyone's game.
Yeah, definitely a dominant series,
I would argue, from Emmy Weedle so far today,
and keep those predictions coming in the chat.
And remember, as well, this is your last chance
to get all those sweet drops
that we've been offering this weekend
during the World Championships.
Oh, sweet, sweet drops.
One more thing I wanted to mention, Amanda, is that we have our judging team on the floor,
but we also have a head judge that's available. And this is the world championships, the biggest
stage for the championship series. But even if you're at a local car shop or a regional event,
you do have a judging team that is there to help. If you feel like something didn't quite go right,
you do have that ability to reach out to them to ask questions and never feel like you're
inconveniencing anyone because, again, the most important thing is a fair and equal playing
feel for all of our trainers. Absolutely and GO is an extremely fast pace game. So
sometimes like this when a match is actually under review, we actually get a
little bit of time to pause and think and reflect about everything that has
happened so far in not only the world championships but this competitive
season. Well I know that you've been casting in North America. We've got a
chance to cast together at the European International Championships this
season. Is there anything that's really stood out to you this year
which is a big year for Pokemon Go.
So this is a big anniversary year, right?
Ten years for Pokemon Go,
30 years for Pokemon and five years for Pokemon Go
in the championship series.
We had every year, right?
We have some trainers that are new.
Maybe they're a bit younger.
They come on, they took onto the scene
and they actually crush it.
But one thing that stood out to me
are some of the old-timers still winning competitions,
right? We had Arrow win in Los Angeles
and we had Stone Collection win in Seattle.
Those are trainers that competed over 40 events without a title until this year so all of our elderly Pokemon players
We can still win. I'm feeling it. Yeah, my back's hurting already. I know the arrow ended up forming at the World Championship
These are the top Pokemon used for day one
But this was really what we saw for the bigger field the top 32 players for day two
to Licky Licky in that number one spot like we talked about in day one and day two
but Shadow Phantom Ninetales in that top second spot, Blair Horsla in the third.
Exactly, such a unique meta. I know a lot of trainers in the video game of the
training card gamer Pokemon Unite, they say what's going on with the Pokemon Go meta?
All you need to know is that Thondozo was top 10 on day number two which is
pretty cool. We also have an update for everyone about the action down on
the stage. We did have a rematch ruled. There was an appeal and the rematch was upheld. So we're
going to start fresh here, everybody, on another series between these two titles.
Tomorrow on that left-hand side, up against Andy Wiedel. This is now officially game number one of
the Grand Finals. We set both of these trainers and had a little bit of time on stage to think
about and reflect how they played that first game. Happened immediately into this now,
Going up with the Suin Electro, it gets portioned low.
What happens if that other one is now starting this game?
And in the lead, it's typically the position where we see Pokemon like Suin Electro,
because that wild charge does double debuff your Pokemon's defense,
so you can throw a charge stack like that and fail out.
But this time, the energy ball is used by Kudo Maru.
Kudo Maru, only for the energy ball, could have opted for a wild charge and immediately popped out.
But energy ball still does a decent chunk of damage as we see.
No protect shield removed by any Weedle.
Either way, just gaining up a ton of energy, now throwing its first Night Shade into the
Summoner Lecture.
Both trainers willing to let those initial charge attacks through, now that Pivot into
the Licky Licky maybe a little bit early, not in time quite yet to catch a Night Shade,
but now we're in the Mirror Matchup.
And honestly, Amanda, this is the closest Mirror Matchup between these two Pokemon that
we've seen so far.
I actually really like that play by Enny Riebel because it's not the cast test
of the Licky Licky that threatened the Glaring Horse player.
It's that shot of all potential, and so being able to just go ahead, stay in.
but now he's got some energy that he gained before he popped out into his own licking licking to be able to start soaking up some of this damage.
Exactly. Here now in the mid game and controlling switch advantage does matter quite a bit.
In this game, Marlon, of our bracket reset, another body send getting fired out to you by Enny Guido,
but I think that Hitamaru looks like he's a little bit ahead.
Going ahead. Now just keep rolling out here and now here Marlon going for another.
another attack. We know that Emmy Weedle's shadow came to nine toes wins that charge attack for Ernie.
We still haven't seen it. Despite seeing so many licky, licky mid game matchups here.
Exactly right. Another charge attack yet again. As these two Pokemon will down each other's HP.
So many fast charge attacks back and forth. Neither trader willing to swap out.
Actually just going immediately for another attack. Doesn't even bother going through
another roll out first. We wanted to make sure he'd be able to get that off. Should
hear him all. Throw his attack first. Both of these down. Just below. Maybe it pop out here
by the Hapaldon, and now we don't respond to time with this shadow.
Can't do any kills.
Yeah, and the pacing is just so fast that Weather Ball is only 8 turns.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Hapaldon is a little bit slower to reach the Weather Ball of its own,
although we'll deal a lot of superfected damage and likely knockout that Can't do any kills.
I think these Weather Balls are going to be thrown back and forth here as that first one goes through,
and we'll all put up a shield because then that energy ball will threaten the knockout.
But even a Weather Ball does quite a bit of damage to the Shadow Pokemon.
Now I'm going to have him just charging up, throwing right before the next one is available.
Yeah, I really like to swap out there to get a couple sand attacks in
and try to match the pacing of the Shadow Kanto Ninetales.
Another weather ball pulls with a final shield for Emmy Weedle.
And you gotta remember, they're still in the center of the electro on the other side
and Emmy Weedle is now exposed to all incoming charge attacks.
Going ahead, going for the heavy-hitting energy.
Actually, getting that side structure from Miro Myo said as well,
maybe not that Emmy Weedle was hoping for his nails to be outpaced.
But this is exactly what he wanted.
What am I talking about? Catching this butterfly ball onto the low health, Licky Licky.
Looks like Karamano is completely untapping.
Hoping maybe he could get a same type of two.
Unfortunately, unable to do so.
Now out of energy and now out of shields.
Switch timer is now locked for Emileedle for probably another 40 seconds or so.
He cannot swap out, but he does get to the night's aid to get set out.
Now this is the final healthiest Pokemon for him tomorrow.
This is why Emileedle didn't immediately pivot the net.
He went and got one more Scottish first and now he's putting it ahead on energy.
He was able to put that out on down quite low.
Licky-licky on the side of Hero Maul coming in, going for that heavy hit and shadow ball,
trying to knock out the first leg.
And again with the under charge, but he was kind of shaking his head.
No, it was still enough to knock him out.
He's at the bottom still.
Ah, one more roll out and the body friend is there.
Fewer tomorrow is able to KO this Canto Ninetales and take back Game 1 from Amy Vito.
He says, how do you help a Pokemon,
help them with what we call a three ball flex there?
All three Pokemon remaining in that game number one,
as he takes it away from Emmy Weedle.
There's always upsides and downsides, right?
We saw Emmy Weedle make that inspired catch
of the rock weather ball from that shadow out on.
And we thought, oh, it was a genius play.
It was so clever, right?
But then he shook his head.
And a lot of trainers were probably wondering
why the reason was because of that switch timer.
because after he makes that swap out,
that Switch Trimers is going to take down for 45 seconds.
And at that point, Ami Lido really was out of options.
He kind of exposed himself there.
It was a good catch.
All the energy had to go somewhere.
If it was anywhere, he wanted it to be
on that low health Pokemon.
But in the end, Hiromara being able to hang on
after knocking out that core slow.
One more roll out to knock out that nine tails
with the body slam secures him.
Game number one in this grand finals,
He said, keep it in mind, he also won game number one
of the regular Grand Finals.
So, Emmy Weedle has the opportunity to once again
pull it back and win the next three.
Exactly, but it's gonna be tough, right?
I feel like Kudo Maru in this Grand Finals reset
has made so many adjustments.
I think he's playing better than ever.
Led that Hissuin Electrode,
usually likes to keep that Pokemon in the back
and kind of spring it on Emmy Weedle
when it finds an opening,
but just throwing it out there in the lead
and saying, you know what, deal with it.
deal with the wild charges and energy balls, that's definitely tough for any
Weedle to contend with. That's true. We've been also quite often seeing that
Hebaodon coming in when there's just a little bit of health left. Yes, he seems
to fight for switch advantage, then completely give it up as that Hebaodon
comes in trying to get a little bit of an energy advantage because that can outpace
his opponent's Pokemon. Well, I think the number one Pokemon that Hugh
Tomorrow is worried about, maybe it is a little spooky, that Galarian Horselaw
because that Pokemon all us fast attack through his entire team in a previous game
and if he leaves a week in top out on her a week in jealous and out on the field
just one or two astonishes and that player course less suddenly not only
KO the Pokemon but is now ahead on energy so these two trainers have been
playing against each other quite a while not only in this championship series
but also in the go battle league have to see how they want to do now that
they've had an opportunity to see each other face-to-face battle against
each other one more time we have a match under review for this game number one.
Production has it we would love to take a closer look at the situation that is
currently being looked at but again it's the world championship stage want to get
everything right for competitors the best fairest shots at who wins the title.
And this is a big moment for both of these trainers right a lot is on the
line here tomorrow coming in his first ever competition making it all the
way to championship Sunday is absolutely a huge feat. Meanwhile, Emmy
Riedel, someone very decorated within this circuit, knows what it takes to become a
champion. He's done it once before. He wants to do it again. Both of these
trainers deserve their time to shine in the spotlight. Exactly. I think the
argument again has been kind of like, you know, the newcomer versus the
experienced trainer. One of the most inspiring things about Pokemon Go PDP is
that it is relatively simple to pick up, right?
You've got three Pokemon on each team
and your fast attacks move at the same pace
and you're able to learn your counts.
And as much as it seems like a tap-tap game,
there's actually quite a bit of math and calculations
that go into this and knowing your charge attack party ties
and knowing what's super effective
and when you can swap out.
Those are all critical parts.
There's definitely a lot of strategy within the game.
If you've been watching throughout the weekend
and you've been able to get a chance
to win specific Pokemon,
I know sometimes people are like,
Oh, but I don't have a good Tinkerton, or I don't have a good Pokemon that I would like to play with.
Will, they gave away Bill's voice, actual Tinkerton, that he used last year in Anheim to help him win the series,
with the exact same attack spread.
Exactly. Our team is just always upping the ante and trying to give our trainers the best rewards.
And I think that adding a strong Pokemon like that to your roster is very valuable.
You don't want to miss out on that.
Make sure to capture every single Pokemon, review them later.
It keeps on the strong ones.
You know even if I don't think I'm in a battle with something most Pokemon are just one or two updates away from being meta relevant
That's true. We just had a moveset update that will be viable quite soon
For Pokemon go it's very engaging. It changes every couple of months
So it's not that you're always using the same Pokemon over and over not only that
We've had international championships in limited metas with different Pokemon that you've been seeing on this main stage
Our wonderful partners at scopely always keep things exciting
moveset updates damage adjustments a lot of Pokemon coming in and out of the
meta but these two trainers have mastered the current format to the tee
there's some sheer pics on each side I think that's definitely something to
take away but the story of as in with most competitive Pokemon is defined by
those outlier picks and definitely that one of those outlier picks is one that
has been really taking hero tomorrow or shadow the pow-down was something that
a few trainers did bring to work we saw on a couple of teams but it
definitely wasn't a top meta pick. So if I could ask you right in terms of team
reading for show 6 pick 3, if Tinkitun is so good and we keep talking about it in
the drops, why are we not bringing it against Emmy Weedle? Well Emmy Weedle, the
other Pokémon that is almost everywhere is that Shadow Kanto Ninetales.
Tinkitun was in the third spot for day one, used his drop down to the fifth
and hits so heavy with his charge attack, Tinkitun hammered, but it
doesn't like those fire type Pokémon, definitely doesn't like the ground type
Pokemon with that Shadow Clagsire or the Impoleon that Emmy Weedle has on his side and
and Emmy Weedle had said before he used Impoleon in every single matchup up until
these winners finals. Another obstacle to take a time for Hidomaru is that Shadow
Clagsire. This was one of the more fascinating moveset choices to me. The
fact that Emmy Weedle opted for Aqua Tail Mud Bomb when Mantine was like
what top five, top six usage. They weren't everywhere all over the
tournament and if you're a Shadow Clash I think one of the most depressing things
is to be paired up against a man team because there's really no way you can hit
it with your double-resistant Mud Bob or your resisted off the tail.
Well, Emmy Reed will definitely have a plan to play around that as he is sitting here
on the seat on Championship Sunday, wondering if he can do it once again
as he did in London. This is really a test of these trainers' fortitude because
maybe you expected to go out and you felt confident. You said maybe three
games I'll win it I'll take the trophy home and audio right but these trainers
are having to sit through this figure out the game-state situation and try to
reach an amicable conclusion I think we might have just arrived the one based
on the body language we see now we're getting this information same time you
guys are we're gonna let you know as soon as we know what is going on between
these two trainers but agreeing with you will look like there was a thumbs up
there so we'll have to see what will be going on if we're going to keep
that game number one or if we're going once again into a grand finals reset. I want everyone at home
to take in this arena, close your eyes, imagine yourself on this stage. So we, sorry,
start to interrupt. We're just getting some information here. There is not going to be a
rematch for that game number one, so we're going to have keep that score number one game going
there for hero model in the grand finals reset. He's got two more to go to become the world
champion. Two games away but it might as well be miles away because any leader is so formidable
and in particular his galarian course law has been very difficult for Hito Mauro to deal with.
He's not been able to find that alignment he wants. Hito Mauro's Licky Licky,
I think he's squared up against the galarian course law maybe once in this entire series so
far. Well I will have to see how they want to play out these matches. Normally when trainers
start to lock in you know you can only pick three Pokemon on this list of six. So a lot
times the trainers will run through a bit of a matrix in their head, right? Okay, so if I leave
that licky-licky, what am I going to do if it's that Corso lead? What am I going to do if it's
the florid's lead? You just do it for every single one of the Pokemon until you have a formula for
it. Let's see, it looks like we predict that right away. We got that licky-licky up against
the Corso long-sum. Here, Maru! And it looks like the immediate pivot out to the Shadowcrux
are on the side of the enemy beetle. To be met now with that Hissui and Electro.
What an insane lead for Yurimaru there, and he swaps immediately to the Hissui and Electro.
If a single energy ball connects, it might kill a trio of Shadow Quacksires.
This is how much damage it actually does.
He's got it ready.
He could fire it at any moment, but he wants to overcharge and fire on the charge attack priority tie.
But here's the big deal.
Yes, wild charge is going to debuff yourself.
In no situation would he be throwing the wild charge into the ground and fire
or water type Pokemon there.
So now forcing himself to throw those energy balls.
Any wheel knows that it's not a big deal.
He has to protect them no matter what if he wants to keep that Quacksire around.
Protection is going up on the senior electorate and it's got a lot of energy to form it up a little bit more threatening that second shield from Enny Lido.
Enny Lido is going to scratch claw and fight as hard as he can to win control switch advantage because he does not, on his glaring course up, up against the opposing Licky Licky.
Meanwhile, Kiro Maru continues to apply the pressure but Kuaxire is just so fast, here comes the knock and tail.
One on four, hard counter-city there in the lead, getting that second protection.
of this led game matchup is going to help the side of all.
Piranha Booper, I can't you see, here in my own fighting.
It actually gives up what he potentially
had with the Galeric Horses with the Licky Licky.
Coming in with this all Licky Licky,
kind of negating that whole Licky matchup.
Might be a catastrophic misplay here,
but he's going to make the best of it.
Here tomorrow, kind of shook his head.
He said, oh, no.
I should have sent out my shadow-hood pout on instead.
But you can't slow down.
You can't stop.
You have to keep on battling.
You're going to throw the body stand there
and try to keep him up the spear now.
Every single second matters.
Yes, he might have brought in the Pokemon
that he didn't want to, but it's too late now.
We'll see how he recovers in this matchup
as his licky-licky is starting to put damage
into Emmy Wiedels here, sticking out stung,
throwing the slams, seeing how low that it can go.
Body slam back and forth as these two normal type Titans
whittle down each other's HP.
Switch timers are up, but neither trainer
wants to risk swapping out and giving away
switch advantage, especially Emmy Wiedel.
This game got much more dynamic now at this point.
He had a great time now.
He's got a ton of energy on that.
Licky, Licky, he's got two body slams loaded,
but he's going to need two to be able to knock out Emmy
Beatles as the first one just isn't enough.
Doesn't want to throw right away.
We're seeing, actually, now, touchdown priority.
It's going to be on the side of Hitamaru.
Absolutely critical to try to wrestle back control
switch advantage.
But Hitamaru, even though he's
going to double resist any type of ghost attacks,
he doesn't have that much HP.
He might lose the Licky Licky regardless.
It's so close.
Get into the Shadow Ball, no!
Oh, it's astonishing as the Glaring Horse let's dashes down the Pokémon,
coming in with a very nice blade and energy here,
going to throw the Night Shade before the Earth Power is available.
But everyone keep in mind, the shields are gone.
There is an energy ball loaded on that Hissuin Electro,
and it wins Charge Attack priority over both of any Weedles Pokémon.
Oh, you're exactly right, but I think Kirovano needs to hang on to the energy for the Quagsire matchup in the back
It's very critical that he doesn't make another mental mistake here
Nightshade number two getting fired off and this might be a game to win for Emmy Weedle
This Yasui Electro is quite low. It has a ton of energy, but it's got two Pokemon to go through
It might not have enough as he throws his first one to get that Corsula out of the way
Energy ball, wheel connects,
Delirium crystal will faint,
but Emmy Weedle looks like he already knows
he won this battle, out comes the shadow,
Quagsire, and that's a farm down,
Emmy Weedle with the equalizer.
Going ahead, taking that mid game,
both of those shields knocked down,
Emmy Weedle knew his back was against the wall,
that energy ball lurking into that Quagsire
would have been absolutely destroying the Quagsire.
He fails on the swap,
but he kept playing, and you know what happened, Will?
Well, a little bit of a fumble on the side of here,
Marl, sending in that Licky Licky.
You see him shaking it off right now, recognizing I have that game.
I maybe had that game.
I got to settle down here.
I got to focus to be at the win game number three.
Got to shake the nerves.
Got to zoom in.
Don't think about the crowd.
Don't think about the magnitude of this moment.
Focus on what you do best, which is competitive Pokemon
Go PvP.
These trainers, either one.
I'm serious.
Neither one could take this.
They are about as evenly matched as we have ever seen in a Pokemon Go Grand Finals.
And it's just going to see-saw back and forth.
And this is a big thing, again.
I know that we keep saying it, but it deserves to be said.
This is Hero Marl's first time fulfilling life in this huge setting with everyone.
He's won the championships on this stage.
Of course, your nerves are going to be doing a little bit to you.
You're not used to this sort of thing, but I hope that you can shake it.
For this game number three, we'll see as the juggler takes a field up against that shadow
quack sire.
We have seen this matchup before.
I think we had two charge stacks on either side.
It's the recipe for success.
But any leader's been a lot more willing to give away control switch advantage.
Especially if he doesn't think there's a licky-licky back there.
But at this point, he might have been picked twice.
Going ahead now, going for that first attack, the serve does land.
We've seen any leader in the past couple of games, content to let go from on go
as soon as they've done their damage, right?
So it's saying, okay, Pikeshark,
you're getting that jealous at low.
I can potentially use you.
The next Pokemon that comes in to farm,
now throwing the second Pokemon.
As we saw in another game,
it's not gonna be enough to knock out.
And I don't know if we will see a potential use
on the side of every needle.
Yeah, this is nice.
The forcing that charge attack priority is high.
Kudamaru might be able to KO the Shadow Pikeshark here.
Goes for an under charge as well.
He likes to do this, allowing minimal bark.
Simultaneous swap.
Oh my goodness, Shadow Kento Ninetales finds it licky-licky.
What a read, Emmy Wittles says.
I know no matter what he's going to spawn,
if this doesn't knock out, I need to be quick here.
Tell me what that Kento Ninetales did to get off
as much energy and damage as possible,
as quickly as possible.
Moving the pieces around and the pieces fell in a place
that Peter Marrow might not like in hindsight,
but he's going to fire off the body stand here
to try to deal some damage to that Shadow Kento Ninetales.
The shield comes off of any Wittles.
That's the first step back into this game.
going to hit first your body slam bait now a shadow ball for the real deal getting both
protect shields in this mid game matchup and you know has a ton of energy on the
shadow game tonight it's up to him where he wants to play because there's still two
protection on the side we are trying to go for a get unsuccessful as the horse
comes in to sweep up that jealousy in the back and he we know is not shaken
here he anticipated the swap he knew he had so much energy on the
Kento night tells and then he was gonna try to waste it but again he
Switched off his Galerian Corsica,
Hitomaru went fishing, and he reeled in,
a Corsica on the other side.
He said, okay, I'll wait, even if you don't throw,
I'm gonna get that Corsica out of the way
with this Licky Licky coming back in.
Emmy Weedle has a choice to throw now.
He definitely wants to throw the Not-Ghost attack,
the Power Gem.
It is enough to knock out the Licky Licky,
but Emmy Weedle has zero shields left.
There's a Sui Electro coming in,
and the Hitomaru has two to hide behind.
Yeah, that Kanto Knighthouse
has so much energy as well,
I would not be surprised to see him tomorrow.
Let this night shape through.
He's got a bigger threat, and it's lurking in the back
on the bench, but he's got to overcharge a ton of energy.
Avoid a catch.
It's going to be real, real tough for him here on out.
Before you know, you see the waiting trying to go ahead
and do that blood, the quacks are going down.
But look how low this is suing the electorate.
There's two shields left, but guess what?
Failed catch attempt, and Emmy Weedle nods.
He knows that this is the end for game number three.
The Wild Chargers are not going to slow down.
They're going to plug in and power up.
That's one KO.
He's doing the lecture.
Look and bring down one and there's another.
This is who the lecture looks angry.
Once a fan of revenge, once game number three.
Wild Church for you.
Game three for Hero Bar.
Well done.
In spite of the stumble, Yudemaru finds his way
in that battle number three.
and now he stands on the absolute precipice of becoming your Pokemon Go World Champion.
That's a mentality of a champion, right?
Do you recognize, okay, maybe I could have won that previous game.
I can't let that shake me.
I have to put that in my past because I need to focus on the future.
And the future is me winning this game.
And the leader needs to win two battles here to become your world champion,
but he's no stranger to equalizing things.
Just when it feels like he's out of it.
So in this next battle, he's looking to make some adjustments.
That swap out right there, that's so instrumental to him tomorrow.
He's able to pull that glaring course left back onto the field and get that alignment.
Even though we didn't have it earlier on in the game.
It's not like to do that again, I'm sure, in this next battle.
It's so dangerous, right?
And I think a lot of times trainers opt for so many different opportunities
while they're playing this game.
Do I want to go for a switch advantage?
Do I want to go for a shield advantage?
If Lucifer Amaro is definitely going for that shield of interest, as you saw here,
two shields too high behind at the end, we're hopping into this game.
If Piramar takes his, he is our San Francisco World Champion.
A lot is on the line, both of these trainers.
If you look in the lead, Shadow have caught on in the Serena Lecture of Piramar.
Meanwhile, Shadow, Quack, Slayer, again in the lead for Amy Weedle,
with the Shadow, Pinch, and Eye-Tales, and Glaring Horse,
the kind of Shadow ball number one connects.
Going through, we've seen it quite a few times by Amy Weedle,
knowing that neither one of the attacks that are thrown is going to threaten the knockout
and what he wants to do is get a ton of energy. This first mudbomb goes through, he'll win that
charge attack by already throwing right before the body slam is available. If any leader was working
on his glaring torso being trapped, he's got to feel a huge sense of relief because the
licky-licky on the field right now means he can see the problem, he can address it,
he can do something about it, and it looks like he's spent a lot of his shadow effects
start to absorb another body slam. Body slam, then come forth through the first
that Shadow of the Moon, actually an immediate pivot because he recognizes that's exactly what
here Maru's going to do time after time. He lets a little bit of help, he comes in with
a Heutamaru and then he wheels and says, okay, big course of Heutamaru out of the way, it's coming in,
show me what you got, Heutamaru coming through. Shadow of the Moon has been the most valuable
Pokemon for Heutamaru and that Heutamaru is unable to trigger the defense drop, but it does a heap of damage and if this
Structure tomorrow will likely protect shielded up, but he decides to at the last second
Yeah, because if we take a peek at those back lines there
This is actually one of the two types of tomorrow has put up a shield
In the making, not saving it, but he's doing electric in the back, but any needle has that canter nine tails
And let me tell you one thing will grass doesn't really light fire
No, it does not. Next night's shade will connect into the shadow of Haldon
this whole likely KLA Pokemon and force Hidavar to choose his next.
But look at the swap, I mean, we don't already going for the Kanto Ninetales and it needs the Electrode.
This is going to be very close. One should look for both of these trainers.
Going for that Wetterball number one. You see, I mean, we're kind of shaking his head.
No, he thinks he really has to concentrate on this moment.
Wild George would be enough to do it in a trailer or not.
Joe's energy ball bait would also be enough to strip that shield.
Wow, doesn't that have a catch? I mean, we don't touch this enough.
He thinks that's the play that he needed to make he's doubled up on the weather balls
Here's the first knockout and any needle is almost at the equalizer for the series
Not knowing that Weatherball was huge for Emmy Weedle is just getting more energy.
Yes, he's going to be able to use the shield for the vouchers,
but he's got a Weatherball of his own already lined up to go there,
getting that first protect shield.
Weatherball, tell the crew, no protect shield by here tomorrow.
Hands-shaking, palms are sweaty.
That is a game for win for Emmy Weedle.
And our grand finals reset will go the distance, everybody.
We're heading into a decisive game number five.
I saw that three ball flex you did a little bit earlier on that looked fun.
Let me go ahead and try it too as all three Pokemon remain on the field to take that game number four.
And this is the grand finals reset.
We have one more game this side.
Who will be the 2026 San Francisco World Champion?
The season of effort, a career of accomplishments, and it all hinges on the next four minutes.
This is the peak.
This is the summit that these trainers have dreamed of their entire lives, and they are
standing here, feet on the ground, eyes to the sky.
Game five is on the horizon, but only one of these trainers will be your world champion.
came in from that winners side of the bracket defeating N. E. Wiedl in a 3-2 victory on day
two of championship. However, N. E. Wiedl ended up snatching that victory back in the
grand finals here on the main stage here on Championship Sunday. All eyes are on these
two trainers in the next few moments. Both of them taking a breath, taking a moment
to realize this could be me.
I could be next.
We're hopping in to game number five.
Jocelyn and the lead versus the shadow
flag set for Amy Meadle.
It all comes down to this, everyone.
Missouna Electrode and Licky Licky for here tomorrow
on the bench.
Meanwhile, Shadow Kintanite tails
and Deliria Corsola for Amy Meadle.
We've seen this quite a few times
and we've seen a lot of simultaneous squabs.
So we'll have to see if either one of these finishers
are going to do anything a little bit different
now that this is truly the moment that
will define their careers.
Surf number one, come through from the gelts
with no protection of use by Emmy Wiedl.
It looks so, you know, by the folks so far.
Yeah, exactly. You've seen a very similar song and dance before,
but will it change up here at the finale?
Mudbomb number two connects.
Gelsen hangs on as expected.
It's already got the surf.
Not waiting a turn, actually throwing the charge stack here.
Emmy Wiedl, his Shadow Plexar will be the first Pokemon Kale.
Going ahead, letting that get knocked up, keeping the Protections in the back, keeping in mind what could be coming in, just getting a ton of water with this candle light dance!
No, that is a crushing KO there as he's unable to get to the circle. Outcomes it, Licky and Licky as well, and Emile Vito knows this is a good sign.
His Glaring Claw, so his most valuable Pokemon, is still in the back.
This was huge, and if having the Pokemon that remained at the end,
I mean, we don't got to dictate the Pokemon that are coming in.
If that Licky Licky was on that horse blood, it would have been devastating.
If that Kanto Naito's was on this, we'd have the same story here.
It's going to be very engaging by the very end of this tournament.
I mean, we don't just want all the energy, his shadow, Kanto Naito's can muster.
What the ball coming through, I gotta be honest, I don't know if this is enough.
Licky-Licky does hang on. It's gonna charge that credit.
Firing the Shadow Ball, and you need a force to shield.
Oh boy, no protect shield now.
My empty Weedle's Shadow Ball would do a ton of damage,
and we don't have such an energy advantage at the beginning.
Throwing this first buzz ball at EC,
a solid electrode coming in,
getting the first protect shield off of here on Mono's side.
That's only the first protect shield,
and it looks like Cutiborrow might have an advantage,
but there's such a long road still to go,
and any Weedle takes those shields right back away from his opponent.
Going ahead, just taping them.
I have to wonder if your MEWEDLE if you're just gonna stay in or if you're gonna make them throw energy
No, swap it immediately to that player in Horseslaw here
Energy ball number one coming through here
This is Hsu-in Electro, try everything again to take out two Pokemon
Going on good timing, a defense drop here would be absolutely massive
Just get it!
Cause that means the second energy ball is enough
Doesn't throw in the charge at priority
I think Hsu-in tomorrow is trying to double up a charge deck
But is the Hsu-in Electro needs to hang on?
And to think about it, it needs to be able to get out of that red here.
Going for two, looks like he is almost there.
He's out of the wild charge, he's out of sliver of health here, going for the attack.
Wild charge number one, getting fired off, Galerii Corsula fades,
out comes the final Pokémon, Zaka the Mite House, but the Ember connects.
Going ahead now, look at that Ember went through before the charge attack,
went through here, and Amp E. Weedle puts his head in the sand so he recognizes
What a horrible situation it is to even still win in this type of scenario.
Oh my goodness everyone, what just happens on stage?
I think we all need to take a moment, take a breath because this is huge for both of these trainers.
This came down to the wire and I think a lot of us recognize that he had two
Charge stacks stored. First one for the core split to be able to knock out.
Second one for the Ninetales. Ninetales energy went through first knock out the ensuing electrode.
Exactly. I mean, you've got the double charge stacks, right? It's as simple as just tapping the button and swiping the bubbles.
But in a moment like this, when the emotions are so high, the peak of a career, the moment of a lifetime,
sometimes things just don't go your way.
I mean everything was in the driver's seat there for here in Marlborough regardless of how this last game is going down
These trainers have been playing absolutely incredible all week and long on this stage give us such an amazing performance
Such a show. I mean they've given everything right the sweat the tears the effort
Not only this weekend, but also all season every single
Motion every single poker stops fun every Pokemon captured every egg hatched
Every friend, made along the way, it all has built up to this very moment as our two roles finalists are going to have a discussion with the judges.
This was the best of five match-up we've ridden to all the way to game number five here, and even so absolutely down to the wire.
It was anyone's match-up until the end here. And so I, truthfully, I don't blame them for taking a moment here to look over what's been happening.
Exactly. I mean facing his hands. I don't think any leader has moved from that position. It's you tomorrow talks with his translator there
My goodness. I've got snacks. Honestly. Yeah, I don't I don't think we've ever been in a situation quite like this this
And especially when there's so much online, right? We have here a model coming in first championship
First Japanese trainer to be able to make it to the finals here any leader are only ever
Senior World Division Champion looking for his second title already breaking so many records being the only other world champion to be able to make it back the championship Sunday.
What story lines we have for both of these trainers, but in the end there can only be one.
Yeah, I mean just think of the accolades, right? Being able to book in competitive Pokemon Go.
First ever Senior Division World Champion and finishing as the world champion.
champion and that's what's really on the line here as these two trainers have given
everything to the series they've given everything to this event and I'm sure
their hearts are so are absolutely beating out of their chest we're getting
some work here it looks like that there will be a rematch for this match
up there so that means we are getting a brand new best of five
We matched rules. Game five. Well everyone, that was pretty fun the first time. Why don't we do it again?
I know that they look a little bit defeated at this point. They've been on stage for quite a while.
Their nerves are so high between these trainers. You still see Emmy Riedel's head in his hand a little bit.
He knows that it's going to be another game.
And I can't imagine right I can't imagine the whirlwind of feelings both of these trainers are feeling they thought it was over
They thought that was the end
But there's one more
Challenge ahead of both of them and this is the real test right can you put those feelings aside?
Can you return back to baseline? Can you lock in one last time when it matters the most?
Oh, I don't blame. I mean we though there's a lot of emotions going on in this very moment
And if there is something that doesn't play out correctly within the game, it's automatically
warranted as a rematch.
So that means that we are going into a new decisive game number five for this moment.
My goodness.
What a photo finish it would have been, but history will show that this next battle
is the true final battle of the 2026 competitive season.
A lot of discussion on the table there.
We don't have any insight into that.
We can't hear what the judges or the trainers are saying.
So we trust them to make the right decision
and get this next game on the road.
Yeah, and you know what?
I mean, there's a lot of emotions on the field here,
but it just means more Pokemon Go games for us.
And as I know, a lot of people in the audience,
a lot of people at home love to watch all these matches.
So while we maybe have played a few of our games
and was expected, well, I'm here for it.
I'm here for it, too.
I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
And this is a hard moment, especially for our competitors,
but they have to push through.
They have to pull the pieces together one more time,
even though you thought the plan was perfect.
You thought the team was excellent,
and the execution was immaculate.
This is it.
There's one more round to go here in our Best of Five
grand finals reset. Here tomorrow. Winners finals up against
Emmy Weedle took it down to the line here. Best of five
matchups two two at the end ended up being able to take game
number three to put him in this seat on the winner side of the
graphic championship Sunday. However, Emmy Weedle coming back
here lost game number one of the grand finals but one of the
next three they've been neck and neck this entire time
taking it down to almost game five every single time.
I said it and I wasn't being hyperbolic.
This is absolutely the closest we've had
in terms of our skill levels
for our grand finals competitors
in the competitive Pokemon Go.
It's been five years, five years of champions
and this has to be, I mean,
I can't even see the dividing line between these two trains.
Yeah, truthfully, it could be anyone's game
at this moment, it looks like these two trainers
getting ready for their next battle as we will see who will become the 2026
San Francisco world champion tensions are high I think a lot of things are on
the line for both of these trainers nerves gotta be really really shaken up
at this point but my goodness they gotta settle it down to see maybe we
don't talk to this opponent there's so much shared respect on the stage there
between these two young talented trainers, so much on the line, but I can't
always see how it plays out. It's tough, right? Because, I mean, if you're any
riddle, you probably felt like you had the right team, and if you're here
tomorrow, you feel like you made the right plays, you got to do it one more
time. When it matters the most, and when your energy is already peaked, and
you're, you know, trying to calm down. That game after game here, these
two trainers have proved time and time again why they are here on Championship Sunday showing you
all what they have. They've been going back and forth. They've been bringing unique Pokemon. They've
been having fantastic catches. Great team calls. Saving shields till the very end and this is getting
to the point where we're going to find out who will be the champion. Shadow Kento Ninetales
as well as that Shadow Fagsire and Glarencorsa had been very valuable for Emuido, Miwa.
That Shadow Hapaldon has started to find some light.
It's looked as impressive as it did yesterday when Hiramaru was using it on the main stage.
His Asuin Electro has really stolen the show and almost took the whole thing.
Yeah, that's what I wanted to say earlier on.
I mean, I know that he said his Shadow Hapaldon was going to be his MVP,
but I think that the Asuin Electro has really helped pilot his success so far here on Sunday.
These games have been so, so close.
And then you, Weedle, trying to focus in.
Scan the battle codes.
Our trainers are going to get started here shortly, everyone.
I see more and more fans piling into the arena as well.
If you're new here, you are in for an absolute treat
because this is about to be cinema.
I see both of these trainers.
They've been out here for a while.
They've gone through the gauntlet of trainers.
So many different people who could have been named champion.
And there have been so many good competitors throughout the weekend.
It's boiled down to two.
We are really at the point we're about to have one more game to see who will be that champion.
But it's so tough, wrenching for both of these trainers at this moment.
As you can see, I mean, real, his head is in his hands.
Hiromaru really looking like quite tired and devastated himself.
I'm telling you, I don't know.
I've never been in a situation, right?
I don't know if many of us have but you have to find a way to push those emotions to the side and do what you came here to do
Do what you've been doing all weekend long, which is playing incredibly good competitive Pokemon
Our two worlds finalists are looking to do exactly that so much on the line
And they've already given so much but they have to give a little bit more one last time
Both of them have their phones in their hands. They're looking at the screens
we're thinking that we might be getting into these battles fairly fairly soon as
they just take a moment to decide what they're going to lock in for this
matchup if you're just tuning in now it's been a nail biter through this
entire series we are at the game five of the best of five matchup in the grand
finals reset to see who will be this champion both of these trainers do so
incredibly well throughout but the motions the tension everything is so
jumpin' out, indicating number five.
Jealousy lead from Yurimaru versus that shadowed
Black Star from Amy Weedle.
This is probably the fourth to fifth time you've seen this
matchup play out.
We know just about exactly how it goes.
This time though, Amy Weedle overcharged into the
Heart Bomb.
Throwing that first Heart Bomb.
If this has been anything like the past couple things that
we've seen, we're not going to see any projectiles used
on this first Pokemon.
From either side here, Yurimaru charging up a little bit.
Extra throwing the Shadow Ball here versus
Shadow Ball here versus M'Juro, look at our gimp's and that strip board.
Shaking things up a little bit, no potential views by any reedle.
I really like the adjustment there, brings that Shadow Flagside down deep into the red,
and the second Marble is ready to go, and here tomorrow is actually sticking to the
strip outside of that Shadow Ball, he's gonna no shield both of the charge attacks
from the Shadow Flagside.
It gets the jealousant low, and he sets up a stay in for a little bit more, charging
up a little bit more energy, and swapping out some energy, loading, and now swapping
and a sweet electro into that shadow phantom ninetales on the side of any reedle.
Got a couple of thunderstorms off the swap, so he is going to be able to equalize the pacing
just slightly more closely than he would from a dead heat, but he's going to go and fire the first wild charge
and at this point the phantom ninetales will use the first protection.
The shield was gone because this is charge tech for anything in the background with a higher tech will go first.
That was the electro. Now the weather ball is being fired off, getting a shield back in kind.
There's going to be some more energy being thrown here and the weather ball number two goes through.
Hereby, when he's pulled Protect Shields in this midgame, not just absolutely.
Wow, in spite of the slight head start, he's still not able to beat that Shadow Kentenai
tells to the punch on the second weather ball.
Wild Charge will command the second Shields out from any needle.
Coming now through, no Protect Shields left for either Traynor in the game,
but the switch time is also back up, and the needle actually swaps out first
and anticipates the swap of Hiramon.
Hiramon actually stays in a little bit more, gets a ton of energy on his Zazooie Electro
before swapping in to silk that damage on his own giant Glicky-Licky.
I think that's incredible, right?
Q-Tyrone saw the shot coming, did not fall for it,
didn't even blink.
In comes the mirror matchup that we've seen
several times today, but this is the last time
you'll see it this season, traitors.
So, let's settle in.
We know that Pyrrha Maros, Licky Licky,
does win that Charge Check priority.
If it comes down to it, so both of these trainers
are not only keeping eye on the health
and energy of the Licky Licky's,
they're also keeping an eye on that switch timer
because every time an attack is thrown,
a little bit of that timer gets eaten up.
But if you have a Pokemon that has hit like this,
they can take a body slam after body slam.
Look at this, Emmy-Reedle Switch Trimer already up.
Exactly.
And as you called out earlier, the Charge-Tact party tie
will go to Hitomaru's Licky Licky each and every time
as that Charge-Tact connects.
Switch Trimer is also up for Emmy-Reedle,
and it's likely up for Hitomaru as well.
This is when things start to get serious,
because either Trader could swap at any half-second.
And you don't want the tax penalty lost on anything else.
Actually, Emmy-Reedle, often you go first.
there was quite a bit of energy onto that Licky Licky swaps into that
fragsire and ends up taking it out but there's a little bit of help left on it
and there's no potential. It comes into the Sune Lecture to completely farm it down
now no matter what comes in it's going to have to take a charge attack.
That was passive. I mean this Sune Lecture is almost at the double there
two Pokemon remaining. Amy Weedle will likely have to send out his Licky Licky
loses the charge attack priority tie. Here comes the wild charge. How much energy
is on the set of K-9 Tales.
Hiromaru needs to recall now.
It was a blind wild charger,
and an immediate pivot to Sparrow going in with a surf board.
This Jellison had saved up all of that energy earlier on.
This is a shadow damage here.
This surf connects with the 9 Tales.
It came out, and that is it.
Hiromaru, let the emotions watch over you.
You are a Pokemon Go World Champion.
Heroes rise and heroes fall, but here the world takes it all!
So well done. So many battles fought in spite of the rematches.
In spite of the stumbles, both of these trainers gave everything they could to this grand finals.
And we thought if you did the Hussain Electro show,
the jealousy came in there to steal the spotlight.
You see it bumping, it's the Smiths, this is the trainer.
This is the first time he's competed at the World Championships.
This is the first time a Japanese trainer has been on the main stage.
And this is the first time that he is taking it all home.
Yudemaru is going to bring that chozie back home to his region and could not be more proud.
What a series. What a bracket.
Oh my goodness, you see Emmy Wiedel's mom there clapping in the crowd.
proud of her son who did such an amazing job throughout this tournament,
throughout this whole competitive series.
Emmy-Woodle, fantastic trainer for Hiramaru, took it all.
What a series. What a time and what a set for a lifetime of memories as we head down to Fareed on the floor for an interview with your new moral champion.
Hiromaru, you are the world champion.
Can you share what's going through your mind right now?
I'm the winner of Pokemon World Champions.
Can you tell me what you're thinking right now?
There were a lot of things, but I'm really happy.
The number of games that you had to play shows a level of mentality that is amazing.
How did you fight through that interfire set after the bracket reset?
Even though I lost, I was able to restrain and come back through.
You are representing Japan here in San Francisco and you have won.
What does that mean to represent your nation?
Mr. Minomaru came from Japan, and he is the first Pokemon Go player in Japan.
Can you tell us how you feel about being in Japan now?
I can't believe I'm standing here.
I'm really happy to be the first champion in Japan.
So, as World Champion, you get a special pose, you get a special outfit, and these should
now have been added to your account.
So, I'd like you to go onto your trainer account, into your style, and you can click onto the
outfits just here.
Hiramaru, that is your world champion outfit.
That is your world champion pose.
J-Centra, give it up!
It's Hiramaru!
What an incredible grand final that was for Pokemon Go.
There is so much to digest and we have some brilliant analysts
who'd love to take you through everything that's happened here this weekend
in San Francisco.
Thank you for it.
And what an incredible grand finals and performance in Hiromaru throughout the entire week.
He fought so badly and had so much grit throughout in his first ever world championship.
And probably not going to be his last two of butters.
How do you feel now for that one?
I'm not sure if I've seen a Pokemon go trainer with the belief in his Pokemon
as Hiromaru just demonstrated, not only yesterday but today to become your Pokemon Go world champion.
How about closing it off with back-to-back charges?
Asked two times in a row to seal the deal.
The anticipation, Nikola, counter swap after four shields went down.
An incredible world champion.
I really felt like we were doing a dance the whole time between the Corsair and the Licky-Licky
and seeing where that alignment was going to stack up and then at the same time you had the
electrode versus the nine tails as well there were just so many components that were so instrumental
in this victory honestly every single second was just spectacular and when it mattered the most it
felt like the defining lead match about that series was the jealous into versus the quagsire
so often was jealous and taking the knockout there however the reveal at the end the
adjustment in game number five to throw the shadow ball bank the serve and almost flip
look to see who's worse matchup against it.
Electrode was trying to dodge the Canto Ninetales all set,
but he ends up safe switching it
with the bank charge attack.
Weedle has to try and predict the switch out,
but he stays on the field
and at the end, the surf connects.
Ninetales fell and hero Maru was crowned champion.
It's such a great point
because the shift from yesterday to today
for Emmy Weedle was the Galerian Corsula, right?
He didn't bring that early on in the winners finals.
He brought that in the grand finals
and that was the problem Pokemon.
I believe he got three or four crucial fast attacks down
with the astonish and able to do that.
And as you see, these are your top three here.
Of course, we have two trainers
from the Japan region in your top three.
Amy Weedle is your finalist as well.
And we got Kanto No in that third place.
Four years ago in London, in Pokemon Ghost,
first ever world championship.
We had Crescent Angels from Japan
get that third and highest finish from Japan.
and since then they haven't eclipsed that until this year, four years later,
Contono getting that third place,
and then we do another Grand Finals in a World Championships in Hero Mall,
taking the crown and taking the title to Japan on the 30th anniversary of Pokemon.
And I want to talk about some of these Pokemon as well.
We have so many familiar faces in the form of Licky Licky, the Tinkerton,
also Dondozo really making a splash here at the Pokemon World Championships,
but the unsung hero, and I cannot believe I'm actually saying this, is that Hippowdon is a world champion.
Not only that, but in that final, we had so many other interesting choices.
Of course, the Flauge is doing incredibly well. The Electrode too.
What I like as we take a look across Hiro Maru's team is,
if you take a look at the Hippowdon and the Electrode, and you take a look across the other
seven teams, you don't see a Hippowdon, you don't see an Electrode. Sometimes to be crowned champion,
You have to take a risk. You have to choose Pokemon you believe in even if others don't believe in them as well
And it pays off as Hiromaru is our new world champion
You see so many of our decorated players in that top a of course
There's the prize money as well the
$20,000 in that first place that will go to Hiromaru as well as the trophy and all the athletes
But more importantly he has etch this name in the history books of Pokemon go and of course
You get a trophy if you're in the top four and it worked in the previous seasons where if you got top four at the world championships
You do qualify for the next season Pokemon go world championships as well
So congratulations to all of our trainers that got in the prize and here at the Pokemon go world championships
All right trainers. Are you ready? Let's crown our world champion?
The best of the best delivered a bracket reset
And now, we must deliver the props our finalists deserve.
Join me in celebrating our 2026 Pokemon Go World Championship finalists.
First, we have our runner-up, M. E. Weedle.
And our next finalists, first world championship run, first world championship title.
Everybody get loud for hero Maru!
I
Everybody give it up one last time here's monkey 26 Pokemon go world championship runner-up and
the game, but for now, let's
rock a Pokemon Go at the
analyst. 30 years of Pokemon
10 years of Pokemon Go and for
us in championship series. It's
our fifth World Championships
and you cannot talk about
series history without mitching the legendary chapters of Emmy Weedle in
Hiromaru. And that is it was such an incredible road getting to the world
championships even Qualifying is a feat in itself and Hiromaru has tried three
separate times in his in his third time this year he made it and just shows
how far he can take it the moment he makes this big stage and that any
trainer truly could take it all. And I love that we got the bracket reset as
well you know at the end of the day the best of the best qualified to be here at
the Pokemon World Championships and then we ended up with two trainers remaining
we wanted to make sure that we had as much action as possible and to be able
to reset that bracket just meant that every single moment was more
instrumental to that victory a lot of incredible memories and I think as we
take a look back across our top 12 Pokemon from day number two we're
gonna see quite a few Pokemon on screen but also the Pokemon that are
missing are the ones that are interesting to me. No hip-hound on it, no electrode here of Maru,
forging his own path and he did so incredibly. And even the Jealousy as well, and we saw in the
Winner's Finals, he used that trio in every single battle for four straight games to get on that
Winner's side of the bracket. If he didn't do so, he could have lost the World Championships
by being on that Loser's side, but he had that cushion and it reset and he was able to
take the championships. And that's something so impressive about here tomorrow and Contoto
last one we got third place they didn't go with the flow of all the other place they
went against the meta they went against the grain and they did it their way and they
made it so far into this tournament because of it that's a beautiful part about Pokemon
Go and Pokemon in general they say yes there are certain Pokemon that a lot of people
love to use but you can also make your signature Pokemon your MVP picks work in
the right moments. I love that sentiment you know you can indeed sometimes win with your
favorites and then maybe a pokemon favorite is still yet to be conjured up if you do have
great success with it. I know you've enjoyed the dozo throughout this tournament having
your home size. Three gone dozos at the top eight is more than I ever could have hoped
for. It does seem so many trainers go against the grain have incredible success has been
really fun to see even as those top pokemon are revealed pokemon like the licky licky
and the Kanto Ninetales, the choice to run that have held on a suddenly clear
hold on a resist to roll out. It has super effective pressure into that Kanto Ninetales
and honestly it was a really tough Pokemon for any leader to try and play around
because of the same pressure of a man out on and in the end the most meaningful
Pokemon was the Hissuin Electrode. It is 12 on the usage here and it's
countered by the Shadow Kanto Ninetales that's probably the strongest
Pokemon in the entire meta right now so to be able to do that the belief as we
talked about before it really is the story of Pokemon. Definitely and you know
some of these picks it takes a brilliant mind to be able to convince others that
these Pokemon can even be usable can even win it all and we can take a look at
some of the cast predictions too. Hey I see a couple wait hold on there's a
out on your side too as well, Henry. We got all, you know, winners here on this one. A lot of
history of the like show there. You know, I appreciate this place from Fareed and maybe those
Pokemon didn't necessarily make it to the grand finals but maybe in his hands he would have done it.
Not gonna lie, feeling pretty good with this Asuna like show here.
I think, I mean, obviously I was going to pick my boy Gastrodon but there was a lot of
great utility from Pokemon like the Flauages and the Thiebel as well that we got to see
throughout the competition on the broadcast but of course the superstar really is that nine tells us
well we saw it time and time again it was a popular choice amongst us gases so I do think I was on
something there even if I didn't necessarily have the winning numbers there I had some good good
scores I'd say. I feel it pretty okay with mine about on the only about on on the bracket ends
up taking home the world championship three don dozos in the top eight we saw quite a few
mantains but the mantains they kind of fizzle out towards the end of day two and annihilate
it appears they won back-to-back regionals sorry back-to-back world championships but it
but it was unable to get the 3P.
Yeah, a Nilek, of course.
One of the strongest Pokemon ever.
I had that in my predictions as well,
but we actually did pretty good, which isn't always the case.
It's always the trainers that are doing awesome,
but it's nice to see the cast of predictions
go kind of well for us as well.
And definitely, and that's just a really cool part
here of Pokemon Go, because you can just build a team
however you would like to
and try to make the synergies work.
They might not make sense on their own,
but paired with certain Pokemon,
We've got the history lesson paired with the shadow about them, making something no one
ever thought of.
And maybe the only team with those specific two Pokemon combinations is what makes certain
Pokemon unleash their true potential.
I think as well throughout this 2026 season we've seen so many different archetypes rise
to the top as different you know meta evolutions come through.
We are in that forever forward meta and this is kind of the end point that we've
been able to achieve.
We only got a glimpse of the Turin event very at the end of the summer and now
to be able to be here at Worlds and see how it has evolved over time has been
incredible going into the next season.
Things are completely going to change the end of the 2026 season.
I think was a very special one is we had a lot of trainers being able to win
first time events.
We had Arrow winning in Los Angeles, Casper and Pike who had a great performance
at Worlds, winning in Indianapolis.
And then the crowning jewel of the 2026 season hero, Maru, in his first ever
worlds, able to take on the crown and be crowned our 2026 world champion.
I think 2026 the story has been ascension just as it was in the regional championships in some
international championships as well. We're won by some dominant trainers but here in the world
championships a trainer that we haven't seen before from a region we're not as familiar with
but these Japanese trainers pulled off two of the top three of the Pokemon world championships
and had eight of the remaining 32 in day number two. And speaking of regions we're not
that makes it will include this year's world championships three years in a row
that eight pack as a whole has taken the wild. Fending with Yakae in 2024 and
Hong Kong and we got Fields of War from India last year in Anaheim and this year
we have Yoramaru from Japan they have way less moments way less chances to
qualify but that means that everyone that comes out of those regions are
are absolute monsters at the game and definitely a region that if you didn't
respect it for it, you better respect it.
I feel like you've just thrown the challenge, Gortland down.
One of the other regions going into the 20th century.
Yeah, we got to pick it up.
Yeah, like, come on guys, step up your game.
What are you doing over here?
I think that's one of the nice things, though, is at the end of the season,
yes, at the end of one era, but it's the start of a new one as well.
And for a lot of trainers watching that particular game in the tournament
all weekend long, they're going to be inspired,
whether they're a veteran of the competition or maybe a new viewer
tuning into Pokemon Go for the very first time.
Hopefully we're going to see the game grow and grow.
Well, to that point, we are ending the era a little bit
for Pokemon Go Championship Series,
where we've had five of the individual World Championships.
But next year, we're going to have some team
Pokemon Go World Championships.
And I believe we are ready to head over to TCG.
So let's get on to the stage.
2 titles down, 2 more to go.
Our next title has challenged our trainers to adapt, innovate and outplay the competition.
And now, 3 more names will join the ranks of those imprinted upon the banners above.
It is time for our Pokemon trading card game finalists.
We're not in too much!
A punk helmet, because why not?
That's a KO on XOROX!
We retreat, we guff, we KO, we win!
He's going to take the boss, he's the boss!
He's in the KO with Moltres!
He's out, he's out, he's out!
It seemed like she had no way back.
It's so hard to get to this point.
We headed to a third and deciding gate.
He's gonna extend the hand here.
Here a miracle run continues. It seems to be inevitable is coming. That's it boss's orders KO's
Bosses orders he will win the game
Now an opportunity to become a world champion
Everyone at home, everyone in the Chase Center, are you ready to meet your TCG Junior finalists?
First up, you saw him rocking the pillar at NAIC and now he's come to make his mark on
the world championship stage. Give it up for Luke Giffin.
Next up, you've seen him as the victor of the Japan Championship series.
And now looking to take off against a new rival.
Give a warm welcome to Araki Yuta!
All right, Luke, it wasn't that long ago that we saw you competing at NAIC, getting
that victory.
How have things changed for you as a competitor from then until now?
Um, not much. I've just found a new deck and played it a lot.
Reps are very important, and a new deck is something to look forward to.
Alright, Uta. You've been playing for about four years now.
You're coming to us after winning the JCS.
How have you been preparing to make your debut on a stage like this?
I enter tournaments and play with friends and practice.
Lots of reps. Practice, practice, practice. That's what it takes to make it here on the
World Championship stage, but it is time for you to make your way to your battle stations
and get RTCG finals started.
two of the world's best competitors in the junior's division fighting to see who will be this year's world champion.
Cannot stress enough how big this match is and what is on the line for both of these competitors.
And one thing is for certain even it is going to be a good old classic dragapult mirror match as you can see on your screen
But of course, with anything about Dragapult, it is always about which variant you are going to bring to the tournament
that seems that both of our competitors have decided to go two separate, separate ways.
That is the versatility, of course, of Dragapult EX, the most powerful EX Pokemon many would consider in the format
it's all about that phantom dive attack dealing damage to the active Pokemon while spreading damage counters onto the bench.
Welcome in, ladies and gentlemen to the TCG portion of tonight's championship Sunday.
My name is Ethan Heckey. Emily Foreman is joining me.
What a match and what a plethora of matches we have in store for you all today.
If it's one thing that is for sure, you just never know what you're going to sit across from
in the Pokemon trading card game.
Over the past season, we've seen plenty of decks take home the gold.
And especially across different divisions, we've seen different decks really climb a price to the top.
So I'm interested to see two of our competitors, more champions in their own right, who is going to come out on top of the world.
It is a battle of North America up against Japan. Two national champions paid their way through the opposite sides of the bracket.
As you see a lot of dragapults in this bracket, Luke, advancing into the semifinals to hit down Michael in that mirror match.
Yuta, doing the same against Ho-Sen Chang, they need now in the finals.
It's so interesting to see which variants of Dragapult really come to the top of the meta at a time because there are so many micro
Decisions and micro thinking that you can really do. I mean technically they all kind of counter each other in some sort of way here
So I'm excited to see Luke return to the stage here
But of course Utah as well a very well-known junior in Japan
Both have put a lot of time into this deck.
Talk to them a little bit before the match today.
Essentially playing Dragonfall for the end of the season.
Those repetitions are going to come in extremely important for this
Hero match. You can see who is predicting on each side.
And it looks like Team USA, not the most representative for Emily.
You are one of Luke's supporters here.
Well, I've got to tell you why, Ethan.
because I looked back on Luke's tournament and I did see that Utah had actually taken a loss to
Dragapult to Dunsparse a little bit earlier in the round. So I am going off of that knowledge,
but I think for you even you're gonna go based off of the matchup and Duskmore is going to
have a lot to say about the Dunsparse. It's so hard to pick one of these trainers. I wish
I could put that logo right in the middle and say either champion is fine and that is
That's definitely the case. That Dustdoor's first blast ability, 100% something to keep in mind in this matchup.
Players get ready to get down to the table. We are going to be seeing that drag-and-hold mirror match.
A lot of key factors going into this matchup.
And truly it is champion versus champion. As you can check out the accomplishments here on the stream.
I mean, LAIC champion and NAIC champion Luke is on a roll to
play his third champion title within the same season.
Still looking on over to Utah as well, the JCS champion.
The champion of Japan is here.
It is a star studded finals even.
On a direct collision course to see who will become this year's champion.
As you mentioned, Dragofold EX can both play your step.
using that to dunce cars, runaway draw to provide a bit of consistency and there are
sort of cool combos you can do by benching that Pokemon repeatedly throughout the course of the game.
One of the Pokemon that I think everybody in the trading card game really truly loves to see hit the bench
is going to be that Kudu and starting to use Ichi Pall until lock off a lot of these items.
So it's really about who wants to go first, who wants to go second, who essentially has
the better setup here, because once Cladun comes into play even, a lot of engines stop running.
Definitely an important factor. It leaves the termination a supporter car that since its release
has warped the meta game to be a popular and heavily relied on inclusion. That's another car that
if either of those players can consistently evolve into their Trecloak and cycle through
their deck with that card, they're going to have a lot easier of a time setting up.
And while these players are definitely playing different archetypes of Dragonfall,
I'm not going to talk about it just yet, but things like Acebag, that one up card in the deck
that you can play to really turn the tides, has been different for both players. So I am very excited
to see when certain things are going to drop down. Two similar decks, but two very different
backgrounds for these players, testing in different regions, playing different formats,
different tournament structures. Those differences can be advantages for both
players given the circumstance. So excited to see Booth again here up on the stage.
Master Grading won Grand Finals in NAIC just a couple months ago and not to
mention even there's been a whole expansion set that has been released
between NAIC and World. United's pitch black and it seems to just not have
too much of a meta turn at the Sonar Junior's division here.
Talked about the A-Spec as we're setting up, definitely important thing to mention.
Most of these Dragon Ball BX specs consistently playing that unfair
stand part. It's an excellent disruption tool.
Run me through the A-Spec that Lucas decided to play this weekend.
Well, Lucas definitely got him a little bit tricky with his A-Spec,
and it is going to be the heroes Kate now Dragon Ball already has.
above 300 hit points, but Europe's game is actually going to give an extra 100 HP to this
Dragapult, and especially within the Dragapult here even, where there are damage counters
flying left and right, both players are going to be starting to set up multi-prize knockout
turns.
It's really important for Group to protect these multi-prize knockouts from happening.
No tool disruption over on Utaside, nothing like a tool scrapper or jamming tower.
So once that hero's cape comes down, it makes things tricky for you to be able to deal with
that Pokemon.
There's so much damage that flies back and forth, speaking of which, we cannot go without
talking about Monkey Dory's Adrenal Brain.
Yeah, I've already talked about Buddy, so why not mention Buddy's best friend,
and that is Monkey Dory, who has been meta ever since the card has come into our
game essentially can take these damage counters that you receive from Dragopult's
Vanduard dive and send them back. Not only can you use it a little bit more
defensively, the Dragopult DX players tend to use it a little bit more
offensively. Once again, we want to see these players set up multi-price gontbots
and then use something like an unfair stand to try and stick their hands so
they can't draw any more cards. Did talk about the pitch black expansion. No
you know super important archetypes of course some decks emerge some decks got
better one big nature card that we are seeing in Yuta's list looking through it
is that special red card in fact both players playing that extra form of hand
disruption it's going to be even more important on Luke's side since he does
not have that unfair stand. We did have rotation as we like to follow in the
trading card game this season we did lose a very popular supporter card of
I don't know which shuffles your player's hand to the bottom of the deck and then you draw as many prize cards remaining
It's a little bit different with that special red card here
So I'm excited to see when those are going to come into play because once again it is very very important to find
Talk about the coin flip these first couple of turns so crucial for the seven player find that but do on turn one
How consistently do the energy cards come into play?
And one more fact to always think about.
How does the energy stick in play?
Neither of these players are playing a card like crushing him.
You see how impactful that card could be in the mirror match.
These players are going to be feeling a little bit more comfortable
spreading their energy out,
maybe committing to that monkey dory a bit earlier than usual.
On a normal day, trackable players would love to go second.
Even though while very popular in the Pokemon trading card game,
you want to go first to evolve up,
but just in case your hand doesn't have too many options,
you still want to be able to use a supporter
like that release determination that you mentioned
to refresh the hand to try and find those buddy buddy coffins,
but most importantly, to use that buddy
to get Ichi Fallen into play.
These players are eager and anxious to set up,
see each other open in cans,
And the basic go-go-on to put into play to start.
So, a few options for Luke.
You gotta wait to put those prize cards out.
We have a prize cam for a reason, ladies and gentlemen.
Let's see those prize cards.
We'll see what pieces are unavailable.
Here is a buddy in the prizes,
and that's the only copy of a buddy
for you to add double, triple,
both players struggling right off the gate.
Those are the consistency cards that Ethan and I are talking about.
about a key to this dragapult deck when the ineffable hand of disruption decides to hit
and everyone. There are Pokemon trainers from all over the world today and whether you just
left the professor's lab with your first partner Pokemon or you've taken your first
steps onto Victory Road, you are about to be a part of history. So San Francisco, are
you ready to crown your training card game champion?
underway game number one in our two-year's division. Utah is starting things off with the
Poke pad and immediately going to get the bad news that Ichy Pollen will not be an option
for him in game one.
That's definitely going to be something that Luke is taking into account right away here.
As that opening prize check is very important here, it gets you to see the rest of the
hand, Ethan, but as long as there is at least that energy attachment of that
fire energy, it can't be too bad.
Have you reliance in the list for Yuta on that Dawn supporter card?
You've seen that in Alakazam as a consistent way to get Pokemon into play.
It's great in this dragon pool deck.
Get those 3P, get the Draclokovald using Recon Directive to add some consistency to the plan.
See this Pokepad?
Grab 3P, put it into play, and start to develop the pool.
Well, Yuta has done a great job of grabbing the 3P.
You have to talk about the secondary engine, that this deck is technically playing,
And that is going to be this Dusk Noir line.
That's cursed glass.
And Utah not showing it already means
that may not have an opportunity to go
and get these dust bowls ready to go.
The energy attachment is key.
But the problem is that is a great sign for Luke
that his Dut sparse, when he puts them into play,
are actually going to be safer quite some time.
Action on Luke.
See that Dut sparse.
Top deck for turn.
Pokey bat, excuse me.
Not yet available.
a buddy buddy puff into kick turn off start to see some tree becoming to play and even considering
immediately but do as a destructive option. A lot of the times players really want to conserve
their energy attachments. Different variations of dragon bolts really love to have that energy
acceleration with something like a blaze pnex but none of these pokemon are actually in the deck
here so these energy attachments are actually very important but the thing is for luke even the
The moment that he sees that there's no buddy on Utah's side,
he really just wants to stop the engine before it keeps going.
Item cards, such a heavy reliance for this deck.
Hokey Pad finds Dracloak, Dracloak finds more cards,
and once that ball starts rolling, it's really hard to stop.
But if you can get in the way, disrupt the setup even just a little bit,
the tide starts to turn and the floodgates can easily open.
The only problem with this deck search for Luke here is that,
As a reminder, there are two drag cloaks within the prizes, and because of this variation of drag cloak,
there are no rare candies to get straight into drag cloak from here, so it's one of the energy attachment on to the Monkey Dory and the Poke Pad as well
to find that one of two copies of drag cloak in the deck.
Bearing itchy pollen as an option wants to play those item cards before they are potentially shut off,
most important card in hand for Luke. The hand is looking pretty weak, otherwise,
because Indifity can't use that until a knockout is taken. We will see the first itchy pollen
of many in this series. It's going to be a really weird turn for Luke if he's unable to find the
Dumb's cards to use that runaway draw and draw a couple of more cards here, passing back on over
to Yuta's turn. And there's that dawn that you were talking about, Ethan,
gonna finally be able to at least set up a little bit of a part of the duskline,
but also grab that key to float here.
And immediately thinking towards the next turn,
no supporter card in the hand, energy, item, stadium, none of those super impactful
wants to grab that Meowphex, so you can use that last-ditch catch,
ability on the following turn to find a supporter like Lily's Determination.
And eight cards is definitely what Utah wants to find.
I mean granted, off of this recon directive,
Another energy card, like a fire energy, so at least Dragapult could potentially get into play next turn.
Feels pretty good, but the prop is with this Meowth EX, it is a very good card you are able to go find as a boarder,
but the opponent only has 170 hit points.
It is very susceptible to a Dragapult Phantom Dive, it is going to stay on the bench for the rest of the game if he puts it down.
Recon directive. Not a great choice, not very good options. Buddy buddy poppin' cannot be played, thanks to items being shut off.
See the fire energy attached to your cloak, so it's almost ready to go for the following turn.
Risky Ruins comes down, meaning any Pokemon that are put into play from this point will have two damage counters placed on them.
See what the rest of the hand looks like. Big recon directive for Lupini. Find some sort of help, and immediately finds Lily's determination.
huge find off these two cards. That's exactly what you want to see if you're a
let's talk about that risky Bruins Ethan is very important key card here in this
matchup if you have any Pokemon that you place onto the field if it is not a
dark type Pokemon it gets two damage counters and the thing is we already
talked about this in our kind of pre-match conversation Monkey Dory who
loves to see those damage counters are ready to go to send them back to the
The dark energy already in play means those counters can be moved over to another Pokemon,
kind of getting in this weird spot where Monkey Dory moves the damage counters over one turn,
and then the other players, Monkey Dory, moves it back and forth.
There's that to Dunsparse you were talking about, Emily.
Looking for energy cards, which cannot evolve that tree piece since it came into play this turn,
and immediately evolving into the Dunsparse, using that runaway draw, looking for some help.
And the hidden cards are online for Luke, there was not an itchy pollen played back.
Now we'll see Buddy Buddy Puffin, where he grabbed Dunsparse and potentially another Dreamy.
This is exactly what you want to do if you are weak. You have to look on the side of Utah here
and know that there's only going to be one that drags a Pult and play. So why not get every
single engine that you have in the deck up and running right now here? But the question
is even, I mean, Luke has prized two drag cloaks here. Wouldn't he want to find at least one more?
Definitely an option for the following turn.
See the energy play down, see the Monkey Dory use that Adrenal Brain to start two damage counters.
From Drivi, moved onto the opposing Trackloak.
Just considering how else to play that turn.
Preemptively playing Hokey Pad, preparing for potential Ichipal and Shenanigans for the future.
As things stand, Yuta will have the option to strike first with that Dragapult EX and energy already being in the hand.
What's really unfortunate for Luke here is that there are two damage counters very keely on that creepy that came down on this turn.
So Phantom Dive not only doesn't do 200 damage to the active, but it does 6 damage counters to the bench as well.
So Yuta can very well either take the next creepy or even the draw engine of the DUNSbars, excuse me, for next turn.
This is a big decision with me now, PX.
Does Yuta want to set up the board for play something like the Lily's Determination
or get aggressive, use boss's orders, KO that trick cloak, as well as the Treepee on the bench
and immediately you see, put to the top of the deck, Yuta wants to get aggressive in this mirror match.
Part of the reason why Yuta is playing this Dustmour line is to get aggressive.
Most of the time when you have Dustballs and Dustmours,
You use them to spread these damage counters so you can just destroy your opponent's side of the board.
And while, yes, I mean, not much else to go with alongside on Utah's side here,
taking at least the big draw engine off the board and leaving Luke having to find a way to get these 3P back,
it's the only way for him to go.
And importantly, will not be threatened on the following turn from a phantom dive.
Luke is not playing any cards like Rare Candy to evolve Pokemon up and skip that stage of evolution.
Here we go. Uta playing the bosses orders brings up to a cloak
Phantom dive taking two prize cards knocking out the trick
cloak creepy and leaving Luke with a poor board has one
blood to a dump sparse and a tree to go. And you can imagine
Ethan that that track look might be seeing a boss's
orders next at this point for Utah can absolutely get
aggressive as well. Well while being under item lock for
sure this turn it might be the fact that he's already
really far ahead. So unless Luke, I was about to say, evolves this Dunsparse, we could potentially
see another 2 flies knockout this turn. This is so risky to use itchy pollen on the active,
it would bring Dragapult EX up to 3 damage counters on it, and if Utah can find a Monkey
Dory plus Dark Energy of his own, that Bench Tricloak is in a world of hurt.
It's not exactly what you want to see if you're Luke, and let's go back a couple turns
Ethan, I mean, Utah was very, very far behind, had only half of the Pokemon he wants to see out on the field.
And now Luke, only having one Dracula to really work with now.
We'll play buddy, buddy, pop and look through the deck. There is one Drify remaining, so place that down.
And this risky ruin from Utah is putting in so much work.
Exactly what you want to see if you are on Utah's side here, but...
Ooh, okay, from the top rope, Zerocic's vacu-nations comes down, now forces Yuta to only keep three cards in his hand and discard the rest, does get to choose.
Look at this spot, Luke can discard some resources, now if Yuta wanted to try and play a supporter card to find the Monkey Dory Dark Energy, it may become a little bit too difficult.
and doesn't also very keenly have a draft cloak in play just yet either.
So that draw engine that draft cloak provides with Reconton Directive
is actually not in play just yet.
So the question is, what is going to be prioritized?
Just keeping the consistency cards
or finding a way to get that draft cloak for next turn?
Yuta did take two prize cards on the previous turn,
so we'll have access to those cards taken out of the prize card.
You see a lot of item cards and that's what Yuta may be thinking about in this spot.
What cards will I be able to play on the following turn?
Is my opponent going to use Ichi Pollen on my active?
Are they going to try and play around Monkey Dory?
But even if you don't use Ichi Pollen, there is still two damage counters on that
active.
You have to use your own Monkey Dory to move that counter off.
Like Yuta said, Ethan, there are a ton of item cards within this hand for Yuta
to get those dust goals set up.
The problem is, I feel like Luke is just going to have to itchy pollen again, unfortunately,
as you pointed out already.
Now, the thing is, Monkey Dory with that energy onto it is now going to finally come into
play.
We are going to see some Mind Bend shenanigans.
If Utah wants to attack next turn, it's just going to have to flip heads for it.
Needs to buy some time, and this is a great way to do so.
Mind Bend 60 damage to be active, but more importantly, confusing this Dragapool
EX.
Yuta wants to use Phantom Dive this turn.
We'll have to flip a coin.
It heads, it will go through as normal,
but if he flips tails, not only does the attack fail,
but he'll deal 30 damage to itself.
And Yuta, holding onto the very key card of Pokepad here,
is going to be able to get this Drag Cloak out from the deck
to use Recon Directive.
I don't believe Yuta kept a supporter in hand,
so ideally this Recon Directive should give him
potentially a lily's determination to refresh the hand.
But more importantly, Ethan, where are these Duskles?
Currently missing in action.
Utah would love to see those come down.
Now having Duskles in play early on in the game
is a huge advantage.
60 HP means a phantom dive can directly take a KO
on that Pokemon.
Always gotta be careful about how many prize cards
you're giving up compared to the threats.
So here we go, two cards,
and look at that Lily's determination.
Two options for both players now
off of these crucial recon directive abilities.
Gotta feel good if you are Utah,
especially because Utah is not under item lock
anymore at this point.
So a very fresh six cards, unfortunately, for Utah
because has already taken some prize cards.
So Lily's determination will only give them six
instead of eight, but still,
I'm sure that is a very welcome six cards.
Just thinking about how to approach the turn,
it's going to be an energy attachment to be active.
You are seeing that correct, ladies and gentlemen,
Dragapult does only need two energy cards to use Phantom Dive.
However, Yuta is very scared of what this confusion could do to Dragapult EX
if he goes for a powerful attack, wants to play safe, and maybe retreat this Pokemon to the bench.
But what do you retreat into, Ethan? You have your draw engine up and running finally,
but you also have a Pokemon that gives over two prizes, and that would even up the prize race for Luke.
I'm interested to see what Yuta is going to retreat into, maybe his own Monkey Dory, if he were able to find it?
Budu could definitely be valuable, but it's in the prize cards. It's unavailable.
We'll have to go into the tank and think a bit about what is the best grab.
Six cards from Lily's determination.
Drawn off of the top of the deck.
We have seen the energy attachment for turn.
Looking potentially for the Duskull, as you mentioned.
Another Trepey.
I'm going to take a look at the discard pile, see what resources have been played on Luke's side.
It's like a night stretcher. That's of course a powerful recovery card.
There are three in Luke's deck, which is slightly above the average, especially without playing Dusta.
And what's really important about Luke and his deck list from what we were talking about a little bit earlier,
Luke has not revealed that hero's cape yet. Traditionally in Dragopul, Dragopul's loved to play that unfair stamp as an aspect,
but Luke actually still concealing it here.
Maybe once you get into Dragapult first
and do something like a Crisken to accelerate energy
before slapping the heroes cake onto his Dragapult
and having over 400 hit points.
That is the difficulty of both A-Specs in the deck.
Super powerful, but also very difficult to find.
You need to get a bit lucky at times,
draw into them off Lily's determination,
something like Flip the Script, or of course,
Recon Directive.
There are games that can happen in the Pokemon TCG
where you look through so much of your deck,
but you're unable to find that powerful aspect,
and it can definitely change the tides of battle.
Risky Ruins still in play as well,
and this Risky Ruins has been here essentially,
I believe since turn one or two even.
So these damage counters are still very much down here,
but finally, a Duskull found for Yuta
can absolutely line up a curse of last turn.
That is now the question at hand.
What does Yuta want to retreat into?
That Duskull does seem like a decent option, of course,
Cursed Blast KO's itself to put damage counters on the opponent's Pokémon,
but it also would be a range of an easy prize thanks to Mind Bend.
It looks like the Treepee will be promoted.
That also would be KO'd for Mind Bend.
Really just thinking that Dusk Glops or Dusk Noir down the line
could be a key to victory.
This is a massive turn for Luke if he is able to fire off all of these cards.
Just as a reminder, everybody, there is still two Drag Cloaks in the prizes for Luke,
so he's really kind of needing to work with the Dunsparse and the Dunsparse as much as possible.
These are the only two Drag Cloaks. The problem is, if you were to evolve up into Dragful DX,
you're essentially losing one of those draw engines, but still,
see what the least determination is going to give Luke, because that's a massive eight cards.
Luke now with a lot of options at his disposal, what is the best approach, do you think, for him,
to end this turn. What attack or Pokemon should be up in that active spot?
Just doesn't feel comfortable, right? Because the supporter for turn was
the Lily's Determination instead of Crispin. So, while yes, Luke is able to use Mind Bend
to use, to have another knockout, essentially, onto Utah's side. And maybe it's okay to
put the doofund at this point? It's really hard to say.
That monkey door is just so valuable once it has a dark energy on it.
See recon directive number one and number two already a dragapult EX in the hand.
So we'll see that psychic energy crap.
No, just wants to get double dragapult.
That is an important thing in this matchup.
Recon directive, while so valuable,
Dragcloak is so frail compared to that dragapult EX.
What I am worried about, Ethan, going into this next turn,
while yes, Ichy Pollen is a great attack here,
you have to wonder if Luke is considering evolving up into the dragapult EX
to try and protect the draw engine, but still itchy pollen here.
Let's see if Yuta's gonna at least have an energy to retreat
to start launching the Phantom Dive once more.
The release determination found yet again, and the rest of the hand very weak.
Just going to use the recon directive and that assist from the release determination
will draw Yuta another six cards, those cards being shuffled back in,
randomized to the deck. See if there are some key pieces found for Yuta on this turn.
And you want to talk about key pieces that dust goal is now ready to evolve.
I believe Utah showed just a little bit earlier that he does play a rare candy
and does play two in the list here.
So if he were to be evolving up into the dust cops could potentially take
one of the draft looks onto the bench, give it a knockout here,
and then taking two more prizes would be down to the final two
that he would need to win this game.
Disclops with 90 HP would require something like Monkey Dory to put it in range, which we do already see in play.
Disclops really wants to get into the fray, says hello from the shadows, onto the top of the deck.
We'll see everything get re-randomized again and get ourselves back on their way.
Yeah, the flying out of the deck, right? I mean, Utah did not have that in the beginning of the game.
No Disclops down, and now actually has a full board ready to go to start sifting through here.
So, Recon Directive and the rest of the hand, like I said even, wasn't giving him much before,
but I don't think it's giving him much now either.
They'd find that Dusk Lops was able to be kept into the hand.
Evolving it up, still has those two damage counters on it.
And now the consideration for Yuta.
What is the attack of choice? Is there an energy card in hand?
This Dragon Pull EX with 200 HP remaining is in perfect range of a boss's orders KO,
And after a slow start, Luke has an opportunity to capitalize.
This needs to be a massive turn for Luke, especially because of that one damage counter sitting on that drag float, Ethan.
Dust glops is currently sitting at 70 hit points.
So if Luke is able to get into Dragapult EX, finding psychic energy, not only can he knock out this active Driefie with Phantom Dive,
he can also take that looming threat of Dust Glops off the board as well.
There's the Crispin. Does also have the Hero's Cape. Is the final piece of Dragapult there?
Crispin definitely an option and this is where the crossroads can feel overwhelming for Dragapult EX.
A knockout always nice onto multiple Pokemon.
You've got to be thinking about the energy cards in play. That Dragapult EX is the immediate threat.
What should Luke do in this spot? Should he go after that Dragapult? Or should he just take the guaranteed two prize cards?
Might just be. You're already a little bit far behind. You mentioned this a little bit earlier, Ethan,
that Dustbox technically does give you a prize card here,
but the prize mapping is also really important as well.
Double checking that he wants to take that boss's orders.
Like you alluded to just a little bit earlier,
could potentially take a drag cloak as well.
There's a lot of Pokemon on the bench
with 70 hit points here.
But like you said, as long as that Monkey Dory
has a dark energy onto it,
he can get anything done.
But there's that Crisp in here,
finds that missing energy piece here.
Let's see if he's gonna be able to get it done.
two different energy types found from the deck,
one attached directly to a Pokemon
that does not count as your energy attachment for turn.
It can only play one from your hand
and this is how the deck is able to
fire off phantom dive attacks
from essentially out of nowhere.
I think what Luke has done also really well
is keep that Dragonfall DX on the Utah side in mind.
It does have 200 hit points remaining,
but this is the board that you love to see even.
With that risky ruins in play,
There's some automatic damage counters that are already now in play for Monkey Dory to send back over onto Utah's side.
And there it is, the big reveal, Hero's Cave. That is a very, very brave Dragapult.
Brings Dragapult EX up to essentially 420 hit points. Dragapult EX strikes back with Phantom Dive,
KO's the Drippy, KO's the Cursed Blast Dust Globs, and leaves Utah in a spot where he has to work to get himself back in this game.
And what Luke has done extremely well is he's set up that dragon pool.
That's about to come into the active spot and be the attacker already has 200
hit points remaining here and that draft look as well with the 30 hit points on it too.
Both of them actually have some damage onto it.
But still, I mean, Luke has set up double monkey Dory.
This is exactly what you want to see and thanks to Chris been making it all possible.
So double recon directive at Utah's disposal.
These amount of cards in hand from that Lily's determination on the previous turn.
We are seeing the impact of Monkey Dory with Luke having double Monkey Dory set up and
a bit of support from Dunsparce and Reklok.
We now get into the middle to late game where stability is the number one factor.
Let's talk about the prize map here, especially if Utah were to use Phantom Dive into this
active Dragapult here.
Monkey Dory means that at least six damage counters are able to be thrown back to the other side of the board
You got a look at it here, right? Dragapult only has 190 hit points remaining
Then double Monkey Dory, Adrenaline, sends six damage counters already over to the damage drop cloak
And then those six remaining damage counters that Phantom Dive has yet to use will go on the final one
That could be a 4 price turn
Time will tell as we get into this game immediately.
As in Dimpity EX placed into play, we'll see that with the script ability drawing three cards
because one of Yuda's Pokemon were knocked out on the previous turn.
Now just deciding how to sequence this turn.
Do you play item cards to bind Pokemon out of the deck?
That would shuffle the deck, meaning those cards placed on the bottom from previous
three Condirective abilities would be shuffled back and the order of the deck would change.
The thing is both players are still also at four prize cards here and I feel like now that Special
Red card has been brought into our game. A lot of players are playing very masterfully around it.
Special Red card only turns on if your opponent does have three prize cards left. So honestly
Utah just using it as ultra ball fodder at this point because Luke still sitting at four prizes
with a very, very set up board.
And Yuta has a solid response on deck.
Monkey Dory from the Ultra Wall put into hand
has yet to attach an energy card for turn.
And I see what is maybe the most powerful card
in the game right now, unfair stance in the hand.
Will this be the turn that Yuta wants
to play that powerful ace bet?
You might have to, but still though,
what I really want to see Yuta target down
is going to be that done sparse on Luke's side here.
We talked about draw engines a little bit earlier and while having the drag cloak is great
Having to done sparse and run away draw is even better sift into three more cards here
So Yuta has a very big decision right can move some of these damage counters over to the drag cloak get that out of her play
But either than I think the done sparse might be a little bit bad
It's tough but the done sparse draws more cards
But you have to reset it up every turn and once that your cloak evolves into Dragonfall EX
It becomes even more difficult to KO.
We see the end game for the stack lots of time.
Looks like Monkey Dory, as many as possible,
and two Dragapult EX to force your opponent
to take difficult prize cards.
It does feel that your cloak just is a lumen threat
down the line and something that needs
to be taken care of this turn.
It is so hard to say what Utah should do.
There are tons of paths and that is the big thing
about the Pokemon Trading Card game.
We call it sequencing, making sure
that you're doing things in the correct order because certain decisions on turn two, for example,
can really affect you even in those final tense moments.
Looks like everything is back in order. Recon directive number one.
Choose one card. One of those was the dawn. It is going to be the psychic energy that's not
quite the dark energy that Utah is looking for, but instead going to commit to a
a Dragapult EX down the line, so you just not need to rely off of a supporter card like
Crispin or Rosa's Encouragement.
A little bit worried about these Dragpulks sitting on the bench for Yuta as well, does
at least have a Dragapult EX in hand.
So if Yuta wants to get out of Phantom Dive range with that Dragpult on the bench, can
at least evolve up into the Dragapult EX, giving me a little bit more help to work
with.
It's a tough spot for Yuta.
Luke is threatening game in two turns with a knockout on Dragapult EX and a knockout on that Meowth or Pheasant Dippity.
So Yuda may have to ask himself, what Pokemon assists my opponent the most to getting to that winning board state?
Going to evolve up into Dragapult EX to protect that Pokemon, give it a bit more HP, and there is the Team Rocket's Watchtower.
Now all colorless Pokemon in play do not have abilities, bosses orders to combo with that,
Truffloak is going to be KO'd and there is a timed unfair stamp forcing Luke to just two cards in his hand
This is exactly what you want to see if you are Utah shutting off this engine and Ethan
This team rockets watch tower has become a very big favorite for a lot of decks
A lot of the times players are really thinking about shutting something off like mega tanges on but it actually also not only shut
Offs me out the axe, but it also does shut off that full engine of Dunspar
So one big thing is Monkey Dory was pulled, but it wasn't actually benched here.
So I'm wondering if Utah is really respecting Double Monkey Dory on the left side.
Five cards drawn.
Of course, I've seen the supporter card play for turn and that pauses orders.
There is Monkey Dory for future turns.
There's not half a way to accelerate another energy to it this turn,
since that Dragapult EX was evolved as well as energy attached to it.
But all things considered for Utah is setting up a wing potentially down the line.
You can take two prize cards this turn that Purdue, with just 30 HP, can be knocked out
from Phantom Dive.
And on the following turn, if you can use an adrenaline rate of your own, plus a boss's
orders, Dunsparce not evolving could be the difference maker.
And that beautiful line that we talked about a little bit earlier with Dumpful Monkey
Dory taking away both Drag Cloaks, that is essentially now gone and shut because
of the evolution up into Dragapult here, but another two prizes for Utah.
And smartly placing all of the damage counters on Bidou does not want to give Luke any option to Adrenal Brain.
Action over on Luke, what did he find off of that unfair stamp?
Just three cards at hand.
Pokipad can find the Dunsparse.
A minimum, giving it that extra HP would prevent Utah from winning the game on the following turn.
surprise for you Ethan I think Luke has the answer to that Team Rocket's watch
tower and it is going to be the risky ruins usually in the trading card game
sometimes we say unfair stab is a lie but certainly is right now giving Luke a
ton of options back that he really really needed three great cards drawn
night stretcher psychic energy and Lily's determination the knockout is
lined up immediately and it looks like you to understand the writing is on the
wall. Luke Giffen is going to take game number one. Masterful play from Luke setting up not
only the Dragapult EX, but what can't double Monkey Dory do? Even if Utah were to attack
back into Luke next turn, Utah still has those six damage counters to throw around and
traditionally they tend to go on Pokemon like Besendipity EX and all Luke would have
to do is find boss's orders to take the game home. So why not for Utah to give
himself a little bit more time to really work with here and I believe he'll
probably be wanting to go second this time. We saw in game number one these two
different Dragapult EX decks clash in their own unique style for Yuta. Going
into game number two what does he need to do differently or what cards may he
need to have access to to fight back in Forza game three? Maybe a dust goal
Ethan I mean let's talk about it. I mean Yuta had access to I mean the
attacking part of the deck but truly did not have access to the other parts but
here's some of those key moments from our game number one I mean that unfair Sam
did its job I mean it stopped Luke for just one turn but still when you're able
to just find the Pokey pad that you have in your hand and the risky ruins
everything back online. A perfect board for Luke at the end of the game.
Dragapult EX guaranteed to not be knocked out in two attacks.
Thanks to that Monkey Dory healing damage off,
that was just too much for Yuta to handle.
As we get into game number two,
you see the starting Pokemon for both players.
Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages
for going first or second in the mirror match.
A lot of it comes down to what resources you have at your disposal.
Well, Yuta is giving us a show of what a Mulligan is
When you don't have a basic Pokemon to start in your hand,
you do get to refresh the hand, shuffle it back into the deck,
but you have to give your opponent a card or, you know, one card,
and, you know, sometimes you mill again four or five times.
You've got to give your opponent four or five cards,
but now I'm sure Luke loves to see another card in his hand for that early setup.
That is the big factor in this matchup.
Cannot stress it enough.
We saw Ichi Pollen do its job in that first game, Yuta not having access to it, and it feels like there were a couple moments where a good timed Ichi Pollen could have gotten Yuta back in that date.
Yeah, absolutely. The problem is, it's just that Luke was way too far ahead. In fact, just have the freedom to continue to set up Monkey Dory, see if Yuta's going to have a basic Pokemon to show, and he will, but even the rest of the hand wasn't looking exactly too good.
There is a supporter card in the hand, so it does seem manageable.
A lot will come down to who goes first in this second game.
Looks like Luka is starting, so Luka opting to go second in game number two, and look
at that start for Luka.
Buttoon in the active spot, and a buddy, buddy, profit to find these drapey and
put them into play.
We got to get fired up here, everyone, in San Fran.
If you are cheering for Luka, give him your energy now.
But if you're cheering for Luke, what are these prize cards, Emily, all of the energy acceleration,
and double Drippy in the prizes?
Are you kidding me?
Not exactly what you want to see.
I mean, I'm sure Luke was really happy to open that Buddy Buddy offense and, okay, I
can freely get my two Drippy out.
Little does he know, or maybe he just had that wake-up call now.
Those little two Drippy he's going to have access to.
So Utah's going to realize when these monkey dory start coming down, that might be the
way to go here.
Gotta look at the rest of Luke's hand even already has the two drag cloaking hand
So even if Utah were to retreat into but doing use itchy pollen Luke still at least has an energy and an
Engine online big turn for Utah item cards
Certainly going to be shut off on the following turn. Let's define those powerful
Pokemon searching cards not as bad as Luke surprises. Let's make sure we get that straight
but unfair stamp in the prizes.
Definitely a big deal, especially towards the top.
And this is the only copy of risky ruins in the list
as in the prizes like you had mentioned,
but you called me out really good.
There is at least a liveliest determination in the hand.
And hopefully Utah's going to be able to either find
those Griby or find a buddy buddy Pauphin
to start filling up the bench.
Not only with Griby, but hopefully with Duskull this time.
Really looking for those item cards and Pokemon
more importantly as well,
to recloak for the following turn.
Just to look through the deck floor,
draw more cards and put together
these combo turns on the following turns.
Without energy acceleration,
forward Luke is going to have to play
very, very carefully here too.
Might have to be the one that's attacking early this time
to try and sift out those crisping from the prizes
or at least get something going
so that he can find double monkey Dory again.
That is a great eight cards for you to.
almost as good as it gets.
Maybe missing a Drakloak guaranteed for the following turn,
but we will see the full bench filled up.
Double buddy, buddy pop in,
double Trepey coming into play.
And now the question, Emily,
how do you wanna fill these last two bench spots?
Might have to be at least one for Duskall
or going double Duskall.
I mean, your opponent only showed two Trepey.
So there is a very strong possibility
because Utah does play rare candy,
that rare candy Dragapul TX and rare candy Dustmour could even wipe the board.
It would have to be on a future turn that Ichi Palad, shutting off those options.
The whole squad is here for you to come into play.
Ichi Palad will strike first, and now Luke, the first player to be unable to play item cards in this match.
As we mentioned though a little bit earlier, Ethan, Luke does at least have double dry cloaking.
And so that tends to help you quite a lot here, but see those recon directives going through.
Pesendipity is usually the one that you want to take off.
That's a Dumpstar CX is actually a really great card for those big basic boxes.
But in the mirror, you want to have at least all of the access to the card draw you combine.
Looking at the hand, it's not super strong.
No Pyr energy, no other Pokemon put to play, and more importantly, no supporter card.
It's just going to be an itchy pollen, now Yuta, allowing himself to start powering up
Trepey, and we'll see another Lily's determination.
No ability to use Poki Pad or cards like Ultra Ball needs to directly draw into
the easter cloak on this turn. This is exactly why so many players play
four copies of this Lily's determination within their list,
because it's really the main supporter that you want to see
between turns one and three, right? A fresh eight cards, especially because
Stragopol really can take its time setting up all these damage counters for itself here. So Yuta,
can you find Draka Cloak with no item access? Big 8 cards, Ethan.
Making sure everything is clear. Let's take a look at the hand, and I see one immediately
using that Recon Directive right away. No other Draka Cloak in the hand. See Ultra Ball go to
to the bottom of the deck, another Lily's determination
for the following turn.
Will just be another itchy pollen,
but do slowly making work on the opposing, but do.
And here we go.
Luke needs to help find fire energy.
That means the option is available to use Phantom Dive.
Will decide to keep it Monkey Dory
to the bottom of the deck.
Two more cards from Recon Directive.
It's just a buddy buddy poppin'
that cannot be played on this turn.
And now Emily, do you stay disruptive or go aggressive?
It looks like the disruption is preferred in this spot.
You just can't. And the problem is, while Luke is playing Hero's Cape,
which does at least buff the hit points for the Dragonbolt X,
you never want your Dragonbolt to be taking the first Phantom Dive damage to itself.
We saw how Luke utilized that a little bit earlier to set up those combo turns.
So now Utah is going to be able to find another Lily's Determination.
That's three out of the four in the deck to find another fresh eight cards.
Still looking for Turcloak as well as those dust globs to evolve and threaten Dusknor on the following turns.
When the position to be able to wipe your opponent's attackers off the board is present, the game can get scary very quickly.
You'll see of course the recon directive available for you to find huge recloak and a dust globs,
an incredible draw for you to as well as a boss's orders for the following turn.
turn. Not just that. I mean you have the whole suite available to you as you so
choose to and while granted yes you're under item lock you can't imagine that
Luke is going to keep him under item lock for much longer now that Utah is
essentially going to get all three drag cloak online this turn and they dust
blocks as well. Finds Dragapult EX as well can evolve the rightmost drag
cloak into that Dragapult EX to protect it from being KO'd from bosses
orders. And like you mentioned, there is going to be no ability to item lock on Luke's side since
Night Structure cannot recover the only Purdue available. That is going to be forcing Luke into
a position where he has to get aggressive. But as we've talked about practically this entire set
Ethan, the target is sometimes a little bit more difficult to say. There's the boss's orders
just enough to talk about it. You definitely want to get those dust globs and the dust
goal out of there, but still, that Dragapult is going to be the first one taking some damage.
No more basic Pokémon found, all of the Lily's determination being summoned to the hand,
boss's orders, and decides to target down the Dust Glocks and this Dust Coal on the bench
to wipe out Curse Blast as a potential option. Yeah, I mean, this is what Curse Blast does.
It essentially weakens down the hit points and allows for Dragapult to be taken out
essentially in one turn. Granted, that hero's cape is now on the Dragapult DX, but you have
to be wondering, Ethan, what is Loupoyne to do about this damage? I see a Monkey Dory in
hand, but where's the energy to go along?
Time will tell on the following turn as Yuta kicks things off with a Recon Directive.
Ken, now play those item cards previously shut off. I see Monkey Dory brought to the hand.
There's a Pokipad. Bosses' orders kept instead. Do we see a Psychic Energy and
Dragapult EX. There's the psychic energy roses encouragement as well.
Bending through the discard pile not quite enough energy to get full value
from that supporter.
So now with it being to the point in the game where Dragapult EX is powered up,
Duskull just becomes a lot less attractive of a Pokemon to put in play.
Definitely don't want to at this point here but as Yuta did in game one
Maybe it's worth just evolving all of these draft cloaks up to avoid those multi combo turns.
The thing is what I'm very curious about is I'm wondering if Yuta's going to try and get Monkey Dory into play.
He doesn't only play one copy of it, but at least he knows that there's going to be some damage counters sent back.
And that Fessendipity is always a target for that one damage counter for bosses orders down the line and a free two prizes.
It would have to be in a future turn.
We've seen the supporter card be played and no energy card attached just yet.
Looks like the deal has done its job, Yuta,
planning out a phantom dive on this turn,
and now the question becomes hit points.
How much is Luke able to protect this dragapult EX,
essentially his boss, Pokemon, from being KOed over the least amount of turns?
And what's unfortunate for Luke is that all of that energy acceleration
that we had talked about, Yuta, is all prized.
So it's unable to get double monkey Dory completely in play unless he were to find that
Crispin off of a prize in a future turn.
So he at most will only be able to send one or three damage counters back.
Excuse me.
That's not going to be enough to protect this Dragon Ball for more than one turn.
You see protecting these Pokemon from easy KO's,
shutting off that recon directive ability at the advantage of giving your Pokemon more HP.
But do, doing its job, retreating to the bench, phantom dive being used.
Now the question is, where do you put these damage counters?
And I like this choice here from Utah to put six damage counters on this Drakloak.
Yeah, this lines up perfectly to have Monkey Dory take that Drakloak down the line with Adrena Brain as well here.
Luke gonna draw at least into the risky ruins.
So now the question is, what was off of the recon directive, instantly grabbing the Meowthi eggs?
Is it too late to put it down?
I'm not sure if Luke knows that both Crispin are prize that would be an ideal supporter card this turn just to power up Monkey Dory
We'll check the deck with Pokie pad and see the bad news that those cards are prized
Sector cloak will be the choice the supporter card played yet. No energy attached
With this aggressive fitting. I wonder what the supporter of choice will be
The only issue is Ethan because Luke has prize both Christian this drag cloak on the bench is going to be in range of a phantom dive knockout
No matter which way you put it can only move three damage counters back over on to Utah side here
So it's unfortunate for Luke, but this is kind of what he has to do here
He has to set up the dump sparse to try to get things going now granted
He's at least guaranteed a prize card if he were to attack the do here
but then it goes back to, does Luke want to use that combo turn?
Believe no dark energy in the discard pile.
That would be an easy way to access that card for Adrenabrain.
So let's see this monkey door come down,
3P number 3 hitting the board.
And it looks like just considering
pinning as many cards out of the hand
and relying off of a Lily's determination for six cards
to find this dark energy.
It's just so unfortunate.
Not exactly what you want to see from Luke.
But to be fair, both competitors have been back against the wall because of prize cards at some point here.
So Luke forced to evolve this Dragpoke into a Dragapult again, playing a little bit more defensive.
And here we go, Ethan, Lilly's determination. Can Dark Energy be found?
Takes that Dragapult EX out of range thanks to the evolution.
The bigger question becomes this active Dragapult EX.
As it stands, would not be KO'd from a Phantom Dive.
However, a Monkey Dory on Utaside puts it in range.
That dark energy is so important.
Yeah, and the question is, does Luke even retreat into something like the Dunsparse and let it go?
But still, you absolutely want to use these damage counters to your advantage when you're throwing them with Phantom Dive.
That's a big miss, Ethan!
No energy, not even a fire energy to power up that bench.
Dragapult EX and the doors are wide open for Utah to take care of this powerful EX Pokémon.
The only thing that Luke can really do is send the deck for next turn and like you had mentioned
I mean there's already two damage counters on that buddhu
So Utah is going to be able to take the knockout onto the active dragon pull with that heroes cave the ace back going down
You just don't want to see it
Luke needs to announce Phantom dive this turn
It's the only way he could stay in this match prevent present a threat deal damage to this Pokemon and maybe down the line
Try and provide some disruption
So there we go. Phantom dive onto the opposing Dragonbolt EX, six damage counters on the
Trecloak, taking a little bit of a page out of Utah's book on the previous turn to try
and get back in this game.
I'm wondering if there's going to be a line down a couple more turns from now where
that Budu is going to at least get one damage counter, excuse me, to take the knockout.
Still, the woman gives up one prize card.
But Luke had checkmate last game with a four prize knockout here.
So I'm wondering if Utah is going to try and find Monkey Dory this turn to try and start sending these damage counters back
Monkey Dory already in the hand ultra ball found from the recon directive
There is the pokey pad to search out another non rule box Pokemon
Just finding Pokemon that can be taken out of the Dexter cloak most likely not going to come into play in this game
We've seen how beneficial. It's been early on
that will be shuffled. That does signal that Yuta may be reliant off of a different supporter
outside of Crispin or Lily's Determination which almost all of them are gone at this point.
Yeah I mean that's the thing with Lily's Determination is that it's great in those opening turns when
you can't really find your Pokemon off of items because you're under item lock here.
Consider pitching the dark energy Ethan. I know that's kind of key for Monkey Dory here.
Question is, what is Utah looking for?
It's just going to have to be the Dragonfall EX
to try and protect the Dragonflip on the bench.
There is a world where you're not in a rush
to take the KO on this Dragonflip EX.
By taking a KO, you do activate a couple of cards
that could be scary,
a lot of them being hand disruption cards.
That's your red card as we talked about it
just a little bit earlier.
It would bring Luke down,
or Utah down to three prizes, excuse me.
So still both players really trying to play around
these crazy turns of just trying to set up these multi-prize knockouts here.
Both players checking the discard, resource management is a very key skill you
learn in the Pokemon trading card game.
So that darkness energy being discarded does signal you to may want to attach a
different energy card. Stragable EX on the bench if six damage counters are
placed onto it thanks to Phantom Dive would spell disaster but there we go
So we're going to see Paus's orders onto the opposing Dragapult EX, bringing it into the
active spot, dealing damage with Phantom Dive, and this presents an issue for Luke.
If he wants to attack this turn, he'll need to retreat or commit a fire energy, both of
which is not a Darkness Energy on Monkey Dory.
Now Yuta essentially setting up Checkmate once again here on both Dragapult EXs in
putting them in Phantom Dive range and Monkey Dory range as well here.
The centipity always can receive one damage counter as well, so that could even equal a 6 prize turn for Utah.
What does Luke have access to?
You'll of course check the damage, make sure everything is correct.
There is of course all of the energy acceleration, so that is off the table.
starts off the folding, creepy integer cloak,
recon directive keeps the night stretcher in the hand.
There is the done sparse as well, Lily's determination.
So at minimum, Luke can see nine cards from his deck,
six off the Lily's determination,
and another three from that runaway draw ability.
What's just so unfortunate is that that monkey Dory
on the bench just doesn't have a dark energy.
We saw in game number one,
how double monkey Dory essentially set up
Checkmate for Luke,
And it was so useful in those moments here,
but now both Dragapults can be knocked out
essentially next turn,
the one in the active from just a very quick
adrenaline brain over here.
Will Luke use Runaway Draw to keep seeing cards?
I mean, you have to take Pokemon off your bench
at this point.
It's Rosic making an appearance yet again.
No energy card.
So big, free from Runaway Draw.
Is there a way to get energy?
I believe there's none in the discard pile for Luke.
So, energy cards immediately.
Just gonna check and see how many cards are in the hand.
I believe there were, how many cards were drawn?
Just have to double check.
We did see six cards in the hand plus the recon,
excuse me, plus the dunce sparse ability.
Here we go, night stretcher now.
Is there an option to bring an energy back?
Of course, you can retreat the Dragonbolt EX
if you'd like to then get that energy back into play.
but it does seem like Luke is really up against the wall
and doesn't have a play that seems great at the end of the day.
Well, here's the problem, Ethan.
You retreat this Dragapult with 30 hit points remaining.
That goes to the bench,
and that Dragapult is going to get knocked out
from a monkey Dory Adrenaline
with three damage counters already
on the bench Dragapult on Utah's side.
So it's really if Luke wants to just keep trying
to find ways to stay in this game.
So close to a five prize turn,
just a couple of damage counters short.
I tried to pull EX on the bench with no energy
and so many damage counters on it.
You may even wonder if you're Huta,
do you ignore that Pokemon
and just go after the energy cards?
Now you might as well.
I mean, you've seen Luke struggle to find energy.
This entire game here,
launching all six damage counters.
I believe the signal was over to Monkey Dory,
but I could be wrong.
Yeah, Monkey Dory taking six damage counters
from Phantom Dive, but do promote it into the active spot, now Yuta does not have access to
that Recon Directive ability, really relying off of the cards in his hand, or with the assist of a
Fezzendipity EX. To draw the Crispin for turn, unfortunately for Yuta's list, he doesn't play
2 Monkey Dory, he does only play 1, so wasn't going to find double Adrenaline action here,
But there is the line to get the Dragapult on the bench and the Dragapult in the active here,
but what do you do about the Dragapult on the bench that can evolve next turn to go back up
into a Dragapult? This is scary. It may get scarier for Luke as the special red card comes into play,
forcing Luke to shuffle his hand, place it on the bottom of the deck, and draw just three
cards. There are so many factors at play, mainly those energy cards left. If Dracloak goes down
from an Adrenal Brain plus Phantom Dive damage, that Dragapult EX is hanging on with just 30 HP
remaining and we know for Luke his energy acceleration is so limited. The problem is too,
I mean while Luke, yes, is going to lose a couple of Pokemon this turn. If that Dragloak
stays up, which I don't think it will for much longer.
That Fist and Dipity will be able to draw him some more cards.
There's the Phantom Dive,
but still launching one onto Fist here.
Here comes Dracopult, Boss' Orgors.
He needs to find something off of these four cards.
Is there an energy?
Flip the script, drawing three cards.
There's a fire energy.
Needs some way to disrupt Yuta,
and it feels like no matter where Luke
is able to retreat, his Pokemon will be knocked out.
Yuta ties things up at one game apiece.
It is so unfortunate for Luke to have prized
every single energy acceleration within the deck.
So Yuta had free range to get completely set up
in the way he knows how.
Now granted, Luke did such a good job
of targeting down the dust box and the dust bulb
to prevent those combination turns.
But the problem is, when you leave it up
to chance to find your energy,
not a supporter which automatically grabs it for you,
you can with it.
And unfortunately for Luke, not finding Monkey Dory
Adrenaline lead to an unfortunate loss game too.
As we look back on that second game, like you mentioned,
going after Dusklaut, it was a piece
that Udo was able to establish in this second game.
But at the end of the day, Luke just
was not able to deal with the constant onslaught
of pressure thanks to Phantom Dive,
thanks to Monkey Dory.
That piece, just so valuable, really put
on display in this second game.
And here we are.
I mean, Utah able to fire back here.
I mean, Ethan, these players are champions
within their own right.
We just saw Luke not too long ago win NAIC.
And Utah as well, the Japan national champion as well here.
Both of these players are so ready to take home game three.
Tensions building just under 30 minutes left in this round.
these players shuffle up and find those seven cards to start the game off and your heart
has to be beating in this spot. These may be the most important opening seven cards of your
Pokemon TCG career up to this point. Many players kind of dread the dragapult mirror here but as
we have shown you there are many intricacies of this matchup many things that are so important
here but you know what else is really important Ethan the people that have supported these players
along the way. As we're going to resolve some mulligans, I think somebody's on the floor
with some friends and family.
Off our competitors to ask them a couple of questions about how they're feeling right now.
So Luke up there on the big stage, how does it feel to be in this situation? We're going to the
game of three and you've supported him all of this way. Oh yeah, I mean he's my young and
So like whatever he wants to do so like we're just going to do it
But game three this last game as a junior here it comes
That's pretty big. How are you feeling?
In my opinion, now that he's here, but battling like this, I want him to do his best to win.
Well, you've heard it here from the fathers of our competitors.
Let's jump right back into the action with the boys to see who will be our champion.
Well, into game number three, Pokipad to start things off.
Usually a sign when your opponent plays that first item searching card,
and it's not buddy-buddy popping that they struggle to get a lot of those basic Pokémon into play.
play and well as we are looking at the prizes even that special red card that
always seems to be looming in the background is going to be at the top
of the prizes but for Utah still going to have full access to the entire deck
but look at what Utah is doing already saying you know what I'm going first so
that means Luke is going to put me under item lock next turn might as well
burn all these items right now but the problem is look at what he's burning
These Burning Knight Stretcher here doesn't play at least three in the deck, but when it
comes down to finding those energies back, especially when you retreat, you really want
to make sure you're keeping track of what you're throwing away.
Could have grabbed many different Pokémon off the Ultra Ball.
What do you think is the thought process behind grabbing Monkey Dory as opposed to
a Duskull or a Trepey?
Well while Badu is in the active, you know that these 10 damage counters are going
to and from your Badu here.
So this is actually Utah taking a very aggressive line,
going to be sending these damage counters back.
But speaking of items here, it is going
to be the ultra ball going into play.
Hey, crowd, how are you feeling about this game number three?
I think everyone's hyped up to crown their champion.
But while, yes, Luke is going to have access
to that energy acceleration, he sorely
missed that hero's cape is now offline.
powerful A-spec unavailable especially due to it being at the top of the prize
cards that Meowth EX also unavailable. You've seen how crucial a well-timed
Crispin or Rosa's encouragement can be, as well as of course the boss himself
coming into play. So here we go, eight cards off the list of termination. The
Badoo already in play guaranteeing itchy pollen is an attacking option. Now
just looking to find more Pokemon, some energy cards, and more importantly
to a cloak for the following turn.
As we said, these eight cards in this opening turn
are so important here, even eight to go.
Ideally, an energy, as you mentioned,
does also find not only just an energy,
but I believe that's also another buddy buddy poppin'
as well here.
So at least three DREAPY are online.
So Luke, definitely finding what he needs here
does also have a Lily's determination
for next turn as well.
Excellent setup in a crucial game number three.
Just asked to now make the decision
of which two basic Pokemon to grab,
really valuing Dunsparse in this matchup,
along with a second copy of Tree Pea.
So that's the energy attachment for turn two here.
So now it is going to be the buttoot, the itchy pollen here.
And now the thing is, I mean, with Monkey Dory
already with an energy on it, Ethan,
it's gonna be time soon for you
to use those damage counters against Luke,
forcing Luke to promote Pokemon
don't exactly want to take damage or even just one here would set it up for a
phantom dive down the line. And more importantly being strong in the
buddhu war if this buddhu takes another itchy pollen head-on lucky Dory can move
those two damage counters to take a KO on the dude and force Luke to make a
decision on which Pokemon to promote on them on that same turn. Last stitch
catch with Meowth here finds that Lily's determination as we've seen now for
all three games. It really depends on what you find off of this Lily's
determination. Ideally, another energy. The Monkey Dory already has the energy on
it, but unless you're using Mindbend, you really want to start getting at least a
couple of more Trepey into play as well. That's the only one on Yuta's bench.
For Cloak of Dire importance for Yuta, opening up so many doors. The support,
of course, from the Recon Directive, but also, Dragapult EX down the line
with phantom die. So here we go the tension building just under 20 minutes left in this game.
Looks like we are just getting a little bit of confirmation on what's going on down at the
table. It's a high stakes match. There is a lot of pressure and things do happen in the Pokemon
TCG. People make mistakes and especially when you are surrounded by this beautiful crowd,
you are playing on a stage that is lighting up below you. There is a ton of pressure.
So, Luke going to give Utah's deck a shuffle before eight cards here.
Like you had mentioned, Ethan, this buddy war now coming into play is very important.
Looking for energy, looking for a trick cloak. That's just a couple of trick cloaks.
Nice three to find on that, but no TB and no energy.
See if this recon directive can assist Utah in any way.
There is a dust goal. Ultra ball, of course, cannot be played.
And here we go, Risky Ruins, Monkey Dory to move those two damage counters, and Purdue
goes down on the first turn, or rather the second turn of the game, not going to allow
Luke to use that itchy pollen on the following turn.
And the thing is, the difference between Utah's list and Luke's list is that there's
no automatic acceleration to get into Dragapult EX, so now Luke is just going to have
have to sift through the deck once more to find these drag cloaks here. He's severely far
behind. I'm really granted the drag cloak doesn't have the energy on the bench, but there
is still Crispin available to Yuta. And now that there is a Duskull in play, Luke could
see both of these three be gone next turn if he doesn't evolve.
Going to see a ton of cards this turn, despite being under item lock. Eight familiarities
determination and I guaranteed three cards from the Dunsbarse. Looking for your cloak
to evolve. The imminent threat of that Phantom Dive on the following turn, definitely an option
we see Wonder Cloak found. There's another Dunsparse, not a lot of energy cards it seems
so. Two cards from Recon Directive. Let's find Bosses Orders for down the line. Trying
to take a look at this hand. No energy cards, so here we go. Benching that Dunsparse. Three
cards from the Dunsparse psychic energy buddy buddy poppin does not find a
secondary cloak but at least getting that energy attachment for the future
turns. It just feels unfortunate for Boots I feel like he's forced to promote
this Dunsparse here up into the active I mean there's only one drag cloak and
one drapey to essentially protect here I don't believe there's anything else
that he can really do at this point he is still technically under item lock
even though Badood were to take the knockout here but maybe committing
this energy, of course, over to the draft code to try and find an attack for next turn.
But still, I mean, Ethan, the threat of Dusk Noir and Dusk Lops is coming.
This is a huge opportunity for Yuta.
If he can find a Dusk Lops or Dusk Noir, he can take out your cloak who needs Phantom
Dive, rare candy, a card that has not come into play in this matchup.
Now Yuta finds an opportune time to skip that stage of evolution, trade one for one,
It's had a great advantage for Yuta taking out the main attacker looming on the board for Luke on the following turn
So does also have the buddy buddy Poffin as well to get another drapey set up as well
Does also still have the monkey Dory with the energy attachment so those two damage counters can be sent over as well
There's the curse blasts onto the dust on the drakeloat. Will this drapey survive until next turn?
It's so close.
Yuta can win the game this turn.
There is a combination of cards.
Crispin plus Dragapult EX.
Plus, then that's actually just it.
You could use the Crispin to power up Dragapult EX.
And then use Monkey Dory. All the pieces are there.
Yuta has absolutely popped off in this third game.
Two energies accelerated. Monkey Dory.
Adrenal brains to move the two damage counters from Duskull
onto the bench.
Treepy.
And as long as there's a Dragapult EX in the hand, Yuta can knock out the only two remaining Pokemon in play.
We'll see him go through the motions, energy attacks, Dragapult EX in the hand,
Adrenaline to put the damage counters onto the Dracloak, the Treepee on the bench.
And there it is! Yuta Araki emerges victorious and becomes your Junior's Division 2026 World Champion!
A smile to the camera, a champion already of Japan, but why not take the world to Utah
masterfully playing around not having contested Duskull in game number one and bringing all
the way back and thanks to a very early attachment Ethan onto this monkey Dory
made this explosive game of number three possible but blue his father said it it
is his final year in the juniors division but he is still leaving a
world finalist and NAIC champion both of these players so accomplished in
their right so young and so talented we rarely see matchups like this played
to perfection as almost from these two young competitors, absolutely a treat to watch.
We've had an incredible three game set. Emily, that is just a glimpse of what today will bring
us in for a treat on Championship Sunday.
It wouldn't be the trading card game without a dragapult mirror to start us off for the
day. And like you had said, Ethan, we are just at the juniors division. There
There are still plenty of games to be played.
I cannot be more excited to see what our seniors and what our Masters Division is going to give us.
Picking it all in, I'm sure, Utah is a world champion.
He has done everything this season, winning a champion's league.
The Japan Championships, and now what many would consider the most prestigious event of the year, the World Championships for the Travelling Park.
One of the things that Utah had mentioned that I think really kind of drives it home
is the fact that he is always playing with his friends and I always have to say it.
The best way to play the Pokemon trading card game is at your locals with your friends in a person.
Those are your future best friends, your future training partners,
and the people that you are going to travel around the world with.
Congratulations to both of these competitors. One thing's for certain,
you can see how powerful Dragapult EX is.
Yes.
With the many different ways to build the deck,
is why it has gone so well this weekend, across multiple age divisions.
I mean, it has been dominant since the day it was printed.
It was used as an attacker in one deck.
And now the way that you can actually build it is so creative.
We've seen lists with Dragapult EX, without a Dragapult EX,
using just Dragpoke and that Recon Directive
to really keep sifting through the deck.
deck I mean it has it all right it has a built-in draw engine you can spread
damage counters and it feels like every single deck in the Pokemon trading
part game has one question to answer can it beat Dragonbolt TX and maybe not maybe
not maybe so we're building up to our master's division finals where the
little cost you know that sees if you can become the Dragonbolt sire down one of
the best representatives so much more Pokemon TCG action to come today on
champion took something. And of course that master's finals not only with Diego
who is gunning to be a two-time world champion, Andrew Hedrick, kind of who
feels realistically even the king of Dragon Pulse EX himself looking to take
home his first world title. I mean the action for the master's division was
absolutely explosive over the past couple days. We've seen a variety of
ducks to make it through. But for Diego to pull it a Billy, I would say you know, a secret
Alec Kazam deck. We don't want to give it all away. We just want to hear from our champion
himself. Hello everyone. I am beyond honored to be here on the stage with our first official
TCG champion!
What a match that was!
Utah, first, I want to know,
what was it like competing on this stage?
How did that impact your performance?
I'm very happy.
I can imagine, I can imagine.
Now you did start this series in a deficit with that initial loss.
Can you walk me through game two and how you were able to turn things around?
I lost the first round, but I think I was able to win the second round.
I lost the first round and felt good.
I won the second round and I'm really excited.
So, I did lose the first match but I could pose myself and I was able to win the second match beyond.
And it paid off, that's for sure.
Before we let you go and enjoy your celebration, who would you like to shout out when it comes to this victory?
So I want to thank all the friends and people that practice with me and most of all my parents.
What a deserved victory here today.
Everyone in the arena give it up one more time for your TCG Junior World Champion.
We have Yuta Anaki!
We'll let you go and bask in the glory of your victory.
Like I said, that was just one of our TCG world champions we have dubbed today.
And now we have two more to go.
Are you ready to find out how the finalists in the senior division are going to show out
on this stage?
It sounds like it.
All right, it is time for your seniors.
First, we're going to welcome out nice and loud, give it up for Kofi Huff!
Next up, keep it going for J.N.G.
You are no stranger to competition, but this is a very unique venue.
Can you walk me through what the experience has been like for your first couple of days
of competition to get here?
It feels amazing to be here and just to get an opportunity to win or final.
The opportunity has arrived, but not just for you.
You're looking to make a name for yourself on this stage.
because it's been like these past couple of days
as you have prepared yourself for a stage like this.
To be honest, I haven't really synced in yet,
but I'm sure I will once I win.
Okay, I think we need a letting simmer on the stage
of it.
Players, please go to your battle stations.
Castors, take it away.
Thank you, Gabby, and congratulations
to these two finalists on getting to this point.
What a journey it has been for the pair of them,
Toby Huff from the United States, Jake NG from Australia.
Quite the journey, quite the season.
And they have one final match to play.
Absolutely, Chip.
What an exciting moment here at the Chase Center.
We're in the big arena here at the 2026 Pokemon World
Championship.
So we're here to crown a senior division world
champion.
We have an interesting matchup.
We'll say we'll get into that as we go along.
But what an opportunity, what a moment for both these players.
A chance to be etched into Pokemon trading card game history.
There comes but one opportunity every single year
to become the world champion.
And these opportunities do not come easily.
Such a tough field to get through for both of the trainers
up to this point.
And it's one more match to see who will come away
the champion.
Absolutely.
It's amazing to see how we got here.
Let's take a quick second to check in with some friends and family that may have helped these players on their journey to get here.
Hello everybody, of course we're back on the stage with the fathers of our senior competitors.
How does it feel for your sons to have got into the finals in these anticipation?
Sorry, I couldn't even hear because of the noise.
Very excited though, very nervous, very anxious.
Yeah, how about yourself?
Yeah, very excited.
Thankful for all our friends and family back home from Australia.
Supporting us here. Thanks.
Incredible. Who do you think is more nervous?
The boys or you guys?
Probably me.
Yeah.
You think yourself? Amazing.
What really inspired that competitive streak?
I'm sorry, what was the question?
What inspired their competitive streak?
I think he's just competitive in nature.
Anything we play, whether it's basketball or golf,
or any four games at home, he never wants to lose.
A competitor through and through, how about?
I'd swap Pokemon from a little kid,
and I think that just drives him the whole way,
just to love the game.
Honestly, the love of the game is a lot of the reason
that most of us are here.
Now, if you had any final words that you could say to them
before they draw that very first card of this finals
at the World Championship,
what would that last thing you want to say to them be?
I think he's just put in the work
and he deserves to win.
And I just hope he does the best he can
because this was a celebration on his own.
Very well said.
Like I always say, just smile and have fun.
That's why we're here.
True words through and through,
but I shall hold you no longer
as we have a riveting game to get to.
Let's jump straight into the action.
The boys are ready on the stage.
Great to hear from those who have supported these two
young trainers the most on their journey
to get to this point.
And speaking of that journey, we've
got to take a look at the bracket
to see what this fight looked like to get through top eight
up to this point.
Yeah, Kobe did have to go through Prince Williams
in the top four, close friend, and even testing
partner in the past.
So maybe a bittersweet moment there,
taking down Prince to advance to the finals.
Jake did have to go up against Jones Diaz in the top four.
I believe this is playing a mega Lucario deck
tends to be very favorable for this Alec Kazam deck
that Jake is bringing to this tournament.
But it's always a difficult road to make it
to the finals of the world championships.
Both these players have fought hard,
practiced so long to get here,
and now it's just one more match to go.
Let's take a look at that matchup that we will be featuring.
It will be Kobe with that big basics deck
featuring Mega, Kengisgane X, and the Lilliescliffe
E.X. up against Jake and his Alakazam to Dunsparce.
And you can see our predictions here.
I think very emblematic of what we tend to see in this matchup.
Alakazam is very strong against this kind of deck
with big basic Pokemon EX to give up multiple prize cards but we'll see Chip
anything can happen in the Pokemon TCG we've seen a time in time again even bad
matchups can be won anything can happen indeed and if there is a time for some
sort of miracle perhaps it would be this stage this moment inside the
chase center with this incredible crowd cheering these two trainers on
shuffling up the decks, getting ready to draw those opening hands. This matchup is
an interesting one, very much so favored by the Alakazam player, but Kobe's got
some tricks. There are some things he could potentially do to give himself a
fighting chance. Absolutely and both these players very accomplished. Kobe is no
stranger to the world stage, made top four in Honolulu in the junior division.
may be more comfortable in this kind of a situation. Jake, you know, has made the
finals of a special championship, some top four regional events, but this is such
a huge moment for both these players. Now, Kobe's dad did mention loves basketball
and I think very fitting to be playing a world's finals match in the arena
like this. Just getting things all squared away for these opening hands
to be drawn. I want to hear from our crowd out there supporting these players.
If you're excited for this senior finals match, make some noise.
Morgan fired up here in San Francisco. These two players, they've been waiting all day for this moment.
Probably running all different simulations, thoughts, situations through their heads on how this could play out.
Will one of them be able to manifest their dream of being a world champion?
What they are playing for, so much glory, so much recognition, respect from their peers and fans alike.
That incredible Pikachu trophy, that first place trophy card, words cannot describe.
what must be going through these young men's minds as we see those opening hands being drawn just getting everything squared away.
And we'll get right into the action here shortly.
Yeah, absolutely. And again, you got to imagine the nerves running through you at this point. This is a huge crowd here in the chase center and so many people here to watch the finals.
Plus, I mean, I think you got a no going into this on both sides.
Alakazam tends to be very favored into this matchup, so I think if you're Jake, it's
pretty simple.
You just want to execute your game plan, get that Alakazam up and running, get
those big one hit knockouts.
If you're Kobe, trying to find ways to, you know, find a way, some sort of
opening to get an advantage in this matchup.
It's going to be tough, not impossible though.
Looking perhaps for spots where Jake has stumbled,
maybe a slower setup.
Chances for Kobe to pounce, attack.
That draw engine of the Dunsparse, the Alakazam,
whichever piece seems most suitable at any given time.
Of course, Wellspring, Mask Ogre Pawn,
that's potential.
Of course, worth noting these players have had an opportunity
review one another's deck lists we are at this top cut phase of the tournament so
both players have a chance to see the other players list get very familiar
with their unique tech counts their different inclusions and sometimes more
importantly exclusions for a given tournament weekend. Sure both players
are well aware of what the other is playing at this stage. Sure no both
players probably have support group testing group helping them theorize
the right way to approach this matchup is go through here and we're gonna throw
this poll up here scan this if you're in the arena right now to participate take
a little scan and see what we are asking here figure out which of these
competitors is gonna come out on top who do you think will win this grand
finals cast your vote now here we go chip a live poll that's pretty close here
Puka 5050 perhaps a little bit of a hometown favoritism for Kobe being here
from the US I do believe Kobe has the support of the tabletop village that
big group of players who travels all across the country as well big following
here I'm sure big support groups for both of these players we have to call
out. This is a big moment for both of them but just reaching the finals of the
world championships is such an incredible accomplishment. A lifetime memory
being formed here. This is just what you dream of. You play an entire season to
qualify for the world championships. Your hope, you know how many players went
into this thinking this is how I'm gonna do it. This is how I'm gonna make
to the finals. I'm gonna play on that stage. Use the two players that made it happen.
Look at this poll dead on just about 50-50. Pretty split here in the audience on who
they are going to be rooting for, who they believe to be. Our soon-to-crown
world champion, Jake NG versus Kobe Huck. Get this match sorted and get
underway very soon. Once again, Alakazam from Jake up against the
mega Kangaskhan big basic toolbox deck of Kobe, which one of them will claim their glory
to become the world champion celebrating 30 years of Pokemon chip and over 20 years at
the world championship since brought us here to the arena as we take a look at these prize
cards players setting out those six cards off to the side for energy cars in the
prize cards for Kobe.
is potentially awkward. Also, Ladiasky X, he does play two copies. That is a very important
card for this archetype. But we're on Jake's side. He's prized that as a deputy and it looks
like our players are ready. Our judges are ready. Production is ready. I hope our crowd
is ready here in the Chase Center. And there's the fist bump. We're getting in to the
the senior division final match is going to be an opening up the mega Kanga scone
ex on the side of Kobe huh kicks it off right away with that run air and ability
drawing two cards from the top of his deck attaching a lightning energy for turn
and it is the relor in the active spot for Jake but not much working for
Kobe on his opening turn just that attachment and now a pass over to Jake
A little bit of a David vs. Goliath situation to start off here. Chip the 300 HP mega Kangaskhan EX staring down to the 50 HP relar.
Of course, Jake's deck is Alakazam. You're trying to start off small and work your way up big.
Start with Abra. Evolve up into Kadabra Alakazam and build up cards in your hand to use that powerful hand attack.
does more damage for each card in your hand.
So the whole strategy here is draw as many cards as you can.
We see Jake taking a moment to check his prize cards,
making note of what Pokemon he does
and does not have available in a key one
that he's just found out was that Genesect.
Looks like he's brought that to the front
to make sure that is available.
Of course, Kobe's aspect of choice is the unfair stamp,
something you do not see very often
from these big, basic decks.
what Kobe's chosen to run, so Jake wants to make sure Genesect is potentially available.
And here is that telepathic psychic energy bringing out a pair of psychic Pokemon.
Two more Abra, join the party.
Crucial opening telepathic psychic energy there.
Your big goal on the first turn of the game, just get a lot of basic Pokemon into play.
In the Pokemon TCG, your Pokemon need to be in play for a full turn before you can evolve to the next stage of evolution.
So the sooner you get down these Abra and done sparse the sooner you can evolve them up and sooner you can start attack
And there is one of those done sparse joining the party on the bench
Played down by Jake before passing over to Kobe who does have a till mask
Ogre Pawnee X and attaches a grass energy through the use of that excellent teal dance ability
Accelerating an energy into play and also drawing himself one card of course run air and still available
but not before the use of the Meowth EX
in that excellent last-ditch catch.
And now Kobe's deck, all about basic Pokemon.
No evolutions at all in this deck.
It's kind of what we call a toolbox deck.
Lots of different types of Pokemon for different situations.
And one that could come up early on in the game
is Wellspring Mask Ogre Pond EX.
It has an attack that allows you to hit a benched Pokemon as well as the active Pokemon and
take multiple prize cards in a turn.
If Kobe's able to do this early in the game, he could establish enough of a lead to put
pressure on Jake, and that's really going to be necessary, because once Jake's Elixam
is fully set up, the prize trade is fully in his favor.
Elixam only gives up one prize card, whereas things like Meowth EX or Mega Kangaskhan EX
give up two or three prize cards and it's a race to see who can get all six first.
Kobe may be going aggressive here with the grab of Crispin from this Meowthie X.
He'll be able to set search out two basic energies of differing types and
accelerate one into play put the other one into his hand a psychic and a
grass energy offered up for him off of this search and is he just gonna go
in with this mega Kangaskhan get aggressive? Sure seems like it I
I think this is a valid strategy at the start of the game.
Again, Mega Kengiskan EX has 300 HP.
That means 15 cards in hand for Alakazam to knock it out.
That's not easy to do on the second turn of the game.
One of the ways you can maybe throw the prize trade back in your favorites,
finding spots where your opponent can't knock you out in one attack
and then you have some tricks to take advantage of that later.
And there's the attachment of the basic water energy to the Megatangaskon and a rapid-fire combo.
Kobe Huss strikes first, taking the opening prize card in this final match.
Jake will promote his dumb sparse and immediately goes into the Kitabra using psychic draw number one.
And here comes psychic draw number two.
This is how this deck operates. Kitabra and Alec-Azam both have abilities that when you play them,
from your hand to a ballpoint or your Pokemon, you get to draw cards.
It ever gives you two, Alakazam gives three.
The one card we want to find in this situation,
if you're Jake, is the rare candy
to skip the stage of evolution
and go right into Alakazam.
But we also see an A-Spec card here, Chip.
There it is, that enriching energy
grabbed off of the Hilda alongside the Dunsparse.
Such a powerful card just for your energy attachment.
You get to draw four additional cards
and he can cycle this card back into the deck
thanks to the runaway draw ability.
Now, Puka, if Jake can piece together a rare candy
and an Alcazam and manage to get up to 15 cards in his hand,
he could take down this Kangaskhan
on the second turn of the game.
And if that happens, that means three prize cards are taken.
That's halfway to taking all six of your prize cards.
Rare candy is the thing
that still needs to be found here.
There is the runaway draw, three cards added to his hand
and no, Puka, I do not see that rare candy just yet.
So it does look like he has missed out
on an Alakazam attack this turn.
He's expended all of his potential draw power.
Doesn't deputy EX once again not available
in the prize card.
So just a push of this Abra in the pocket pad
to find out one more piece, grabbing a Kadabra.
And for Kobe, that's exactly what you were hoping to see.
The opponent unable to get an Alakazam out on this turn,
your mega Kangaskan EX, makes it through the turn
without getting knocked out.
You need every possible turn you can get in this matchup
to do attacks without seeing a response from your opponent.
And here is a unique inclusion from Jake this weekend
that forest of vitality alongside Rabska,
Evolving Relor up as soon as it comes into play and then protecting the bench with that spherical shield ability
Yeah, force to vitality a stadium card that allows you to break that rule of evolution and evolve your grass type Pokemon immediately
We see shaman a lot in these sorts of decks Jake opting to go for the Rapsca
Since it provides a bit more protection the compared to the shaman
Run air in for Kobe on his turn, draws a couple of cards, Ladias getting a little bit of mobility
into the mix, that excellent sky liner ability, allowing him to move his Pokemon around freely
and here comes the Crispin.
Once again, two turns in a row, Kobe will get an extra energy card into play.
This is what this deck aims to do.
Absolutely, but one of the reasons this Rapsca is so important in this situation is, again,
Coby can only take one prize card at a time.
All of these Pokemon on Jake's side only give up a single prize card when knocked out.
One way you can swing that is with the Wellspring Mask, Ogre Pond, EX, Torential Pump.
Rapsca blocks that play from happening since it protects your benched Pokemon from being
damaged by attacks.
energy attached from that Crispin onto a second Megakangaskhan.
That's a bit of a risky Pokemon to power up, Puka.
You called it out.
If one Megakangaskhan gets KO, that's half of the game.
So in theory, Jake could close out this game only attacking two times.
That's true, but for now, we see another rapid fire combo Kobe putting on the pressure.
And here comes Alakazam.
Psychic draw.
Three cards from the top.
If Jake NG can increase his hand size up to 15, he'll be able to topple the mighty mega
Kangaskhan EX and Dawn, an excellent supporter to see in a position like this, searching the
deck for a basic Pokemon, a stage one Pokemon and a stage two Pokemon, adding them all
to hand.
I think it's almost a foregone conclusion.
Jake's going to get the 15 cards on this turn, Chip, but one thing he needs to
defined as well is Genesect.
Need to find that Pokemon that can use this Ace
nullifier ability.
One weakness of Alakazam is the popular A-Spec card,
Unfair Stamp.
It makes you shuffle your hand in and draw two cards,
which of course resets your whole strategy for Alakazam.
Genesect is the main way of counterplay
for that big A-Spec card.
An energy attached to Kadabra,
preparing for a second attacker in the future of this game.
And he did not grab the Genesect off the dawn,
perhaps already waiting in the hand.
That certainly will be a big piece, but no, Puka.
He misses the Genesect.
He takes this KO, half the prize cards.
He'll jump ahead, but this is a huge opening for Kobe.
If he can find his A-Spec card, unfair stamp,
he will be able to reset Jake's hand
and leave him with only two cards.
opportunity for Koby, but a huge knockoff for Jake. That's three prize cards on this third turn for Jake.
Can Koby respond if he doesn't find the unfair stamp?
I mean, there's so many cards in Jake's hand.
It's really got to be on fair stamp this turn.
It's all about finding that pink card. If he can see unfair stamp here, he's got a real chance.
He's got this second mega King of scone ex ready to go and energy attached and look at that in the hand. It is there pooka
He's got that unfair stamp gonna play Sereno first searching the deck for three Pokemon ex adding them into his hand
You see the Sereno as well finding three Pokemon ex putting them into the hand
We see the area zero under depths come into play as well potentially.
There's that pheasant deputy hitting the board with that flip the script ability.
And since Jake did take a KO on the previous turn, Kobe would be able to use that to draw three more cards,
perhaps saving it for the other side of his A-spec use.
But not seeing the Genesect is perhaps curious from the perspective of Kobe.
Could he ever key in on maybe that hook on being prized and try to save his unfair stamp for next turn Puka?
He may not get another turn. Exactly. You're not gonna get another turn if you don't use that this turn
Your opponent can just boss his orders up your mega Kangaskan EX and win the game
What is he digging for here flip the script once again using this before the use of his A-spec?
Don't see a stadium card in that massive hand for Kobe may have been looking for that
But there it is chip unfair stamp both players sending their hands into the deck Coby will get five still
Solid bit to work with and Jake will be left with only two
This is a huge moment for Coby in this game
This is the one opening that he has to disrupt Jake's strategy
Putting his opponent down to just two cards in hand
intentionally going with the mega Kangaskan EX once again it's gonna be
really challenging to get up to 15 cards again after being reset down to two.
We have spoken about the difficulty of this matchup from the perspective of
Kobe but if there is an opening for him this perhaps is it. He'll take this KO
with rapid fire combo and leave Jake with just a couple of cards. Jake could
win this coming turn. Should he get to 15 that seems so so difficult. There is
the KO, Kobiel tie this game back up, three prize cards apiece, Jake promoting that, the
Dunsparce, and draws for his turn. Alakazam right away, psychic draw three cards from
the top. Let's see what he can chain together here.
The long road ahead and those are actually very good cards Chip.
And not much help off of this the Dunsparce either. Three more cards available but he
is going to miss this KO. He cannot win the game this turn any longer. I don't think he
has any additional dig, and he's going to just promote this Rapska.
On fair stand, might have worked. There's just not a whole lot going on in Jake's hands.
I found the Alakazam at first to draw a couple cards, but I don't think there's any supporter
cards. Wasn't able to redraw the enriching energy. I wasn't able to find another way
to get an Alakazam. Seems like there's so many ways that Jake could have found to draw more cards,
but somehow didn't get any other ones. Telepathic psychic energy is well being used and not finding
any avras, so that will be no future psychic draws on cadaveras this turn. This opening for
Kobe here seems to be piecing together both avras there in the discard pile for Jake,
So no viable targets from that telepathic psychic energy in just a pass
Let's see what Kobe can do with this opening as he draws for turn mega Kangaskhan in the active position
Yeah, Kobe's gonna have to make some big decisions does finally find
Area zero under depths if that's something he wants to go with this turn feel dance attaches a grass energy
Drawing him one more card. Perhaps if he could find that
Jin, Pau, he would be able to put that Area 0 into play and then get rid of
Mega Kangaskhan as a liability. I think if you're Kobe you're kind of hoping
that Mega Kangaskhan can tank the hit this turn. Ideally you may be finding a
boss's orders to go after either Alakazam or maybe even Kedabra. Honestly,
that's the way to draw more cards. That is an interesting choice here. Alakazam
obviously the threats, the Pokemon that can attack you, but if you take
Could Dabra away that remove some of Jake's outs to draw more cards
So the last ditch catch does find boss's orders
Which Pokemon will Kobe go after is it Alakazam or could Dabra clearly you need to go after one of these knocking out Rapsca
Not gonna be enough here
It is not a clear cut choice and Kobe is still thinking through what the best option will be
He'll bench another mega Kangaskhan and use this glass trumpet
Item card allowing him to put some energy cards into play onto his colorless Pokemon
Thanks to their being that Tara teal mask over upon ex on the bench
Looks like the meow gets a water energy Kangaskhan a psychic in there's bosses orders
And he is going to chase after this cadavera take away the draw engine
And this is huge Jakes really go on they can have one turn to try to respond to this
There's only going to be one Alec Gazan left after this.
A lot of the Abra are in the discard pile at this stage as well.
Looks like Kobe's going to switch it up
and go into the teal mask over upon understanding my opponent might be out of Abra.
Using that myriad leaf shower, Kobe will jump back ahead here.
Just two more prize cards and he will win game one of this final match.
Jake here with a question of luck to promote and is going to concede the fact with this promotion that it is going to be very difficult for him to get a knockout this turn.
And Juga, I think that hand is completely dead. He has absolutely nothing to work with.
Unbelievable, the unfair stamp really giving Kobe an opportunity in this game.
Jake does have the sacred ash able to shuffle in five Pokemon from the discard pile back into the deck.
Would have loved to play that before using a telepathic psychic energy on a previous turn to find another Abra.
One of the issues is there's just not any of those support Pokemon in play to help Jake draw cards.
Five Pokemon going back in, but another boss's orders from Kobe on his next turn would basically spell Checkmate.
Jake would be left with just a Rapsca.
He has no way to put an Abra into play this turn.
And that would mean he would be unable to attack on the following turn.
Kobe is just two turns away from winning game one.
Some brilliant tactics from Kobe.
Can he find the boss's orders to essentially close out this first game?
It wouldn't win him the game on the spot, but it would spell checkmate
if he can find boss's orders here. Only one in the discard pile. There are three me out in his
list. He's got two in play, so still the potential of a last ditch catch. See some energy being moved
around with these energy switch. Powering up the Latias EX, not a very common attacker.
I gotta think at this point, though, even if Kobe just, oh, and is able to clear out all
of the mega kengis gone and make it so that Jake has no three prize card targets.
Puka, I think this is it.
I think this is checkmate.
Kobe can take a knockout on this rapskut.
Jake has no way to take three prize cards on the next turn.
And then Kobe can attack with the Lyos KO, anything in Jake's deck.
That will mean Coby will win this game one.
I don't know if Jake has a response to this play.
What a masterful setup in this very challenging matchup.
It seems like Coby has figured out a way
to attack some of the weak points of this Alakazam deck
just using these big, basic Pokemon EX
and mega evolution Pokemon EX.
Sometimes simply attacking with big Pokemon gets the job done.
Cyrano played to thin the deck a bit,
getting a few of those Pokemon EX out and taking a KO now is Koby-Huh with that
Teal Mask Ogre Pawn EX Jake will draw to kick off his turn it is just a done
sparse I don't even think he's doing enough damage to knock out Ogre Pawn
and Jake's gonna pack it up Koby wins game one. A stunner to kick things
off here in our senior division finals really all about that unfair
stamp that was the game changer here Jake got off to a big lead with that
Alakazam knocking out the mega kengis gone EX but unfair stamp it's got unfair
in the name chip sometimes that happens that's what it feels like coming out of
this game and Jake just did nothing after that unfair stamp happened and the
stuff was so good for Jake I mean look at this board three cadavera done
sparse rapsca he's prepared for all of kobi's tricks and it just wasn't enough
yeah one area that you may look back on here is yes the rapsca was nice makes you feel safe uh not
having that potential at the wellspring mask overpond ex to target your bench book on down but
the bench was a little bit constrained not a lot of dumb sparse and so when it came time for that
unfair stamp. There wasn't a lot of draw support there readily available and crucially did not have
the Genesect either. We'll see if there's any adjustments here from Jake in game two.
Yeah of course you need both the Genesect and a tool card. We know he had access to Genesect.
Could have grabbed it off the dawn but I'm assuming he did have it in his hand and
he just missed out on one of his four tool cards to activate that ace nullifier ability.
crazy and that's sometimes what can happen when you take a knockout that appears in
front of you without fully setting up yourself for the remainder of the game
that is where unfair stamp can come in and cut off all of your momentum think
Kobe we've seen here has practiced this matchup quite a bit has a clear plan of
attack and we'll see if Jake can figure out a way to play around it now
I'd make some crucial adjustments Jake was exuding confidence walking up to that final table
Said he's gonna win. He did indeed claim himself the champion, but Kobe
Has put a wrench in that plan winning game number one and now just one more game separates Kobe from becoming the world champion
Now in this situation
feels like
You may have to recompose yourself, right?
It was maybe a shocking way to lose the first game.
If you're Jake, I think Kobe has to be feeling great
about how that all played out.
But again, this is a big stage.
There's a lot going on.
There's a lot of pressure here.
Will these players be able to stay focused here
with so much on the line?
Kobe is gonna get an extra card to work with here.
Jake did not find a basic Pokemon
in his first attempt at an opening hand.
Of course, when setting up for the Pokemon TCG,
You do draw seven cards and one of those seven must be a basic Pokemon for the game to begin
Since Jake did not find one. He's forced to take what we call a mulligan
Shuffle and draw again and Kobe is awarded with an additional card for that
Looks like a basic Pokemon was found off of this one. We'll set out those six prize cards
Those ones you set to the side at the beginning of the game
don't have access to until your opponent's Pokemon is knocked off a game to getting started here
We go Jake is gonna kick things off with the draw for turn benching of an Abra and a telepathic psychic energy
Right away and similarly to game one in the active spot hook up mega kengis gone facing off against relor
I have a deja vu chip
Kengis on relor and Abra with the telepathic psychic energy. I think this is just the first game again
And look at these prize cards as Jake is doing his opening search a couple of cadavera
It's like you draw very important for
fueling his engine
And crucially that eerie is in the prize cards as well
That's one of your defenses against unfair stamp
You can just discard it from your opponent's hand before they get an opportunity to use it
it might be tough for Jake now doesn't have all the resources at his disposal that he may want
Still searching off this telepathic psychic
It will be a couple more Abra brought down and it is a buddy buddy poppin as well searching the deck for two Pokemon
With 70 HP or less putting them into play looks like to done sparse brought to the front of the deck
Immediately you mentioned the clogging of the bench in game one
Not really a problem when you're putting out done sparse as he can clear those spots up
Yeah, it's one of the great parts about this support line
Of course great combo with that enriching energy
Draws you more cards
But yeah, you need to have those in play later on in the game
Kobe is gonna open up with the use of a run errand to draw a couple of cards from the top of the deck
It looks like he's got Cyrano and Crispin in his hand, no Teal Mask Ogre Pawn though
So I don't think we're gonna see the potential of a turn one attack
Cyrano will be his choice here to search his deck for three Pokemon EX reveal them and put them into his hands
Trying to see if there are any energy cards in that hand
Could be an issue if not really want to get an energy in play on the first turn
So you can set up for an attack on the second turn
And you can see the prize cards for Kobe here.
Again, a lot of different types of energy.
I think not overly relevant, but the water energy will make it
so he cannot use the wellspring mask Ogrepawn EX in this game.
It does cut him out of that potential play.
Of course, Jake does have that, Rapska,
which also cuts Kobe out of that play.
It seemed like Kobe wasn't even keeping that line open very much
in game number one, as he attached the water very,
very early, recognizing that Rapsca is very easy to establish for his opponents.
And one of those just two bosses orders in the prize cards as well, we saw that
was a crucial card in the first game, being able to target down some Pokemon
at the right moments. Overall I think should have a clean game here. See what
Kobe decides to go with on this first turn. And you really do want to
establish some sort of offense in the first couple turns. And a part of that
offense is finding an energy attachment and if he is going to miss an energy attachment here that
is going to put him effectively a turn behind. He can make it up a little bit through the use of
Crispin in the future and some teal dances so it's not necessarily the end of this game but
this is definitely a big miss. He's going to use the Sirenote to find out Ladiasi X, give that
chunky mega kengis gone a little bit of movement. Of course the hefty three retreat cost brought
down to zero thanks to Skyliner, Tealmasco, GrapaniX, and Lilliespilferi also a part of this equation.
So as Coby looks through the deck, those see that the unfair stamp is in there, that'll be a
crucial part of this equation as well. Big basic Pokemon EX coming down onto the bench,
including a second mega Kangaskhan, but where's the energy? It's the same thing we saw from
and Kobe in the game number one.
Getting that second hang of stone established,
respecting the potential of a big play from his opponent
of taking out this Pokemon.
He wants to be able to promote it
should his active go down.
And here it is, Jake's second turn.
Pokipata immediately fetches out the Dunsparce,
ready to go with a runaway draw.
In the first game, we saw Jake miss finding rare candy
on the second turn of the game.
That's going to be even more important in game number two
with those two Kedavra and the prize cards.
You want to see that rare candy so that you can skip from
Abra to Alakazam right away.
Will Jake be able to find it in the second game?
Yeah, again, possible here for this mega kengaskan to go down.
Jake needs to get into an Alakazam and get 15 cards.
And there is the Alakazam rare candy bringing it out.
Drawing himself three cards.
He does also have that enriching energy, so he can attach and draw some more.
So he would lose out on his Rellore unless he retreated off Rellore, unless he was to
find an air balloon.
Here comes a Cadabra from this Pokepad.
He'll be able to draw himself a couple of more cards.
You know, this situation, I think it's always very tempting to take three prize
cards, right?
It's, again, halfway to getting to all six.
So it's always when you have that knock out in front of you, you're like, ah, I could just
do it.
But this may be a situation where Jake wants to be a little more patient, you know, wasting
that enriching energy could backfire later and doesn't seem to be under a lot of pressure
from Kobe after the missed energy attachment on the first turn.
So we could see a situation where Jake is just content to pass the turn, evolve up
some of these Pokemon and set himself up for a longer game.
We'll see if he chooses to remain patient and he is going to attach this enriching to his active drawing for more cards
Let's have that the done sparse he fetched off of the pocket pad
Getting a count looks like 10 cards in his hand currently
Still a long way to go to get to 15
There is the done sparse coming out the second done sparse hits the board as well
Seems so unlikely for him to reach to a one hit KO.
He is going to retreat into this Alakazam and not take a one hit knockout,
still lay a bunch of damage into this mega kangaskhan.
But so often we are used to seeing just knockout after knockout after knockout when piloting Alakazam.
And again, do you see the runaway draw?
So Dunsparce going into the deck and you have to see that the air balloon was drawn off of
that.
That could have potentially been used to retreat the Riller without having to use that enriching
energy.
I've got to wonder if that's going to come back later for Jake not having access to
that powerful A-Spec card.
You only get to play one A-Spec in your deck.
There are so many powerful ones to choose from, and for Jake this weekend it has been the enriching energy,
but for him now it is in his discard pile. He has no access to it, but he's got bosses' orders to bring up the Ladias EX,
and if he has enough cards in hand, he can still take a 2 prize KO this turn.
Sure seems like he was in that awkward middle ground, having enough to knock out a regular Pokémon EX,
but not enough to knock out Mega Kanga's gun.
So still a huge turn here,
but it's a fragile feeling here, Chip.
You get a knockout, but once again,
don't have the Genesect.
And this is another opening for Kobe.
If he can find that unfair stamp,
he could leave Jake susceptible to being stuck
with a low hand size.
Kobe does play a couple copies
of the Cypher Maniac's code breaking.
That's a way he could guarantee himself this card draw.
We'd love to pair the unfair stamp with an attack though.
And right now,
need to probably play Crispin to get an attack,
unless you can find multiple energy switch
in combination with a Teal Mask overpaw and EX.
Could potentially attack with something
like Lily's Clefairy EX instead,
if you wanted to go that route.
Another card Coby does play as well
is the one Lily's Pearl, so he could make the Clefairy
worth just one prize card.
Here comes that Meowthie X using that last-ditch catch.
Of course, that Lily's Pearl,
only when knocked out by damage from an attack,
powerful hands is an effect of an attack.
So he's gonna look through here
and search out any supporter from this last-ditch catch.
And it does look like it is Cypher Maniac's
code-breaking being lined up.
Any two cards placed on top of the deck
in whatever order he pleases.
Are we gonna see the unfair stamp once again?
Of course you can put unfair stamp
plus one more card on top of your deck.
You'll draw them both with the run errand.
So you could both draw the unfair stamp
and set up a combo for an attack here.
Does look like that Cypher maniacs will be the choice
and we know unfair stamp will be one piece
of this equation.
Question now, what will his second card grab be?
Well, one's pretty easy.
Sure enough, needs the unfair stamp for this play.
Could get that energy switch to guarantee an energy
over to the Clefairy.
Looks like he landed on a basic psychic energy hookah.
That signals an attack with Lily's Clefairy EX.
I believe there's an energy switch in hand already.
Kobe gonna try this strategy once more unfair stamp knock out your alakazam and let's see what happens
Run errand drawing the two cards that Kobe just placed on top of the deck
It's gonna use an ultra ball to discard a couple more cards from the hand fetching out any Pokemon
He would like adding that to his hand and also thinning some cards out of his deck that he doesn't want to draw anymore
Well spring mask overpond one of those cards going to the discard pile
He's going to thin just one more Pokemon out of his deck.
If he's got Area 0, he could put more Pokemon into play, of course, if he would like to.
Or just discard them, Raging Bolt.
Not super necessary whenever you're dealing with Alakazam, which only has 140 hit points.
Really nice to knock out high HP Pokemon, perhaps some of those mega Pokemon we've
seen in the format like opposing mega kengaskans like mega exca drill ex but
not useful in this matchup at all
that's exactly what you can do here discard those cards with ultra ball so
that you don't draw into them off of this unfair stamp there's the basic
psychic onto the cliff fairy and an energy switch off of the teal mask ogre
and unfair stamp will give him five cards refreshed and leave Jake with just
two cards. He's already got the attack lined up. Kobe will take down this
Alakazam and these two cards here for Jake and G are massive to keep him and
his hopes of becoming world champion alive. Chip there's just one problem.
There's no Latias EX in play currently and the bench is full. Kobe needs to
find area 0 under depths and Latias EX to even retreat.
We're so used to seeing those cards just automatically being in play.
That is not the case in this game and in this situation and off these five cards.
It does not look like he has been able to draw into them.
That's why he was debating so long on that Cyber Maniac Spooka.
He just has to pass now.
And it's over to Jake on his turn and he's got Alakazam.
A crucial miss for Kobe on that turn when you can't combine the unfair stamp with a knockout.
Your opponent gets more time and time is not something you can afford to give
to Alakazam in this situation and Jake draws a wonderful hand off of that unfair stamp.
He's going to be drawing all sorts of cards. Alakazam into the dawn, dawn into Alakazam,
the Dunsparse and Fezendipity EX, Runaway draw, three more cards from the top,
Buddy, buddy, pawfin' to replenish the board.
If Jake can get to 15, he'll be able to take this knockout.
He'll go down to just one prize card remaining.
Let's see if he can piece it all together.
And even with no knockout here, I think the damage has been done.
Jake has so many cards in hand now,
has the opportunity to set up those Dunsparce for future Dunsparce and the rear candy.
Third, Alakazam, all three Alakazam into play now for Jake, and I don't think he's going to get to 15, but like you said, Puka, the damage has been done.
Kobe's one trick, his one chance in this matchup, is the use of that unfair stamp. He's already expended that resource, and it was for not enough of a payoff.
Hey, let's not forget Jake is ahead on prize cards. He's already taken the first two.
Kobe still has to take six knockouts to win this game.
And there's no other way for Kobe to disrupt that hand.
If we keep seeing those runaway draws with the Dunsparse filling up the hand every turn,
there's no way to set it back down to a low enough number where Alcazam won't be able to knock out these Pokemon EX.
Jake can just feel free to replenish this board with the Dunsparse over and over and over again
There's no reason to worry about getting the Genesect established now unfair scamp has been utilized no way to recover that a spec
Coby's gonna continue to draw here and see what else he could possibly do
But if he doesn't get off an attack here, I
Failed to see a real path
There's an attachment to his active
Looks like an energy switch, so he's going to attack with this heavily damaged Mega Kangaskhan EX.
It's not a good feeling if you're Kobe.
Oh, is he gonna retreat it?
That's not a good feeling either.
He is going to manually retreat that hefty Mega Kangaskhan into the Lily's Clefairy EX.
It will be able to attack, it will take the KO on Alakazam.
Kobe's gonna put a couple energy cards into play with this glass trumpet.
But Jake is just two attacks away from closing this out.
He's already got the two Alakazam on his board, and his hand is no longer in danger.
There is the KO.
Lily's Clefairy takes down Alakazam, that handheld fan on Jake's end will bounce the
psychic energy over to Teal Mask Ogre Pawn on the bench.
He'll be finally taking a prize card in game two.
And let's just see if Jake can stream together a couple of attacks in a row
We did say in the first game Jake got to a spot where he kind of ran out of steam
And let's remember there's no enriching energy anymore. That was discarded early on in this game
So it might be a little more difficult to build up the hand than it would be normally
There's still a pretty healthy number of cards in that hand
Alakazam did 180 damage, and there's the flip, the script to add more.
Does Indifity EX, using its powerful ability as a KO, was taken on the previous turn by Kobe.
Jake, should he have an energy card, which is attached now?
Will be able to KO this Lily's Clefairy, a couple of the Dunsparce put into play as well.
I don't think he even has to use these runaway draws to get this KO.
There is the powerful hand, jaked down to just two prize cards remaining.
You can see how powerful that hand really is,
knocking out that Pokemon EX for just a single energy card.
And what can Kobe do from here?
The pressure is on, and you can see why this Alakazam deck is so difficult for Kobe to deal with.
Here is Flip the script of the Pheasantipity EX to draw himself three more cards.
If nothing else, he'll be able to draw through quite a bit more of his deck this game
You see that teal dance of teal mask over pond EX to get an extra energy out
And here is that run errand ability to draw himself two more cards
Not much else here for Kobe the options feeling so limited
there's no one prize Pokemon he can really efficiently attack with and Jake's
already got so many cards in hand perhaps the one hope here for Kobe would
just be if some energies were prized for Jake but no Kobe's gonna concede this
one and send us to game three
The unfair stamp not enough that time.
Koby's setup was not as robust as it was in the first game and Jake was able to draw
out of it this time.
See why this single prize Alec is am for just a single energy favors the trade so
favorably with these Pokemon EX.
even just knocking out something like a Latias EX like we saw here that's two
prize cards basically means you just have to knock out two more Pokemon to
win the game I mean in that knockout was huge it's what prevented Kobe from
getting into his attacker on the following turn getting rid of that
pivot ability was a really heads-up move from Jake and it ensured that he
with crews to our game to win.
All right.
Everyone here, let's hear from Pablo.
Pablo, what are you seeing in this match
and what can we expect to see as we go
into this crucial game three?
I mean, obviously, defense against the on first step,
it's going to be the key thing, having that genocid down.
And we saw that very smart play taking out
Ladias in order to remove the mobility, right?
So we'll have to see what they can do,
but Genesect, I think, is going to be key in game three
and could be defining.
Yeah, waiting for knockouts, 100% huge.
Not playing a way to take a KO until you can establish
that ace-nullifier ability.
That is the main way in this matchup
that Alakazam struggles, just not building up
a large hand that it can keep later on in the game.
I think what's so interesting about this list
is the force of vitality and the Rapska actually
coming into the fray at this point
to use that spherical shield to actually prevent the bench from being damaged here.
It's unfortunate that the Sacred Ash was prized, but that's the thing.
When the unfair scam gives you so many cards to draw back into that opening, beautiful hand, anything is possible.
Thank you so much, Pablo, Ethan, and Emily appreciate your insight and thoughts as always,
as these players are setting up for game number three.
And Coby will have the opportunity here to choose Fuka first or second
Give himself a chance to get established in here. It is game three of the senior division final match
Let's hear it for these trainers
Coby is gonna kick off this opening turn Ladiatsky X in the after-spot a lilies will ferry an energy attached in
Just a pass no mega Kangas gone and Jake NG has started that crucial Genesect
We're off to the races here in the third game.
A world champion will be crowned after this one.
Okay, Pat, the first card being played for Jake needs to set up those Abra once again.
And we heard our analysts talking about that.
Genesect, finally hitting the board in the third game.
We thought this was going to be a crucial part of this matchup.
There's actually some tricky stuff that can happen on Kobe's side as well.
will we finally see this ace nullifier come into play?
It's gonna almost be forced at this point, since Jake has had to start it.
He'll most likely be able to move it with an air balloon, which will just naturally get a tool card onto this Pokémon.
Jake's opening play here is just that Poképad to get out the Abra and a Dawn to search the deck for three different Pokémon.
Basic stage one in stage two and it looks like right away Fezzendipity
Being potentially hide up is his hand that week that Fezzendipity was considered puka. I don't love that
Unless there's a lot more good stuff in that hand that is a bad signal. Oh my goodness Fezzendipity ex
Being taken off the dawn right away unless there's more like buddy buddy poffins things like that
This could be some trouble
It does look like it was a Fezendipity, ultimately, as the choice, because Abbot can be fetched
with that Pokepad.
And that will be so put onto the board in just a pass, no energy on the side of Jake.
And as we see this hand here for Kobe, there's also not much going on, his only bailout
being, I think, this Cypher Maniac's code breaking, I don't think he has anything
else.
And I don't think there's enough Pokemon in play for full moon run.
It would even knock out this Genesect.
What does Kobe have here?
Going to search through the deck and of course check those prize cards.
Kangaskhan, Kofari, a couple Pokemon there, a couple of supporters.
Also prized away.
I'll have to think about what to stack up on top of his deck.
And he has the mobility with Ladias in play right now.
if he could retreat into Clefarian Attack,
but yes, Puka, there's nowhere near enough
Pokemon in play here.
We're so used to this full moon rondo
being almost automatic to KO whatever you want,
especially when that Pokemon only has 110 hit points,
but it's not gonna happen here this turn.
Things are getting weird in the third game here
to decide our world champion,
not optimal starts for either player
who can adapt and figure out a strategy
on the fly when things don't go completely according to plan.
Let's see, these are the adjustments
you have to make when you're playing at a high level
like this.
Teal Mask, go for Pony X.
And Cyrano played on top of the deck.
And it makes a lot of sense when you look at the hand here
for Kobe, he'll be able to teal dance into that Cyrano
on the next turn and fill his board
with a bunch of powerful Pokemon EX.
He will retreat, and he's going
to deal just 80 damage with this full moon rondo.
to hit KOing a Genesect.
I don't think that's how you draw it up, Puka.
Definitely not.
Big two cards off the psychic draw here, though.
Does find an energy card.
It is that enriching energy, his A-spec of choice.
He's going to attach, draw himself four cards,
and continue to fuel forward this position.
It's not gonna be possible now to attack.
There's no wondrous patch in this list from Jake,
so no KO potential, but a second Dawn played.
We'll search out a bunch of Pokemon and continue to help him get his board established.
It was seeming a little scary at first for Jake, but I think he's begun to stabilize.
Yeah, the key was just kind of survival in this situation.
Only two cards found off the dawn. No Stage 2 Pokemon found.
Yeah, that means no Alakazam remaining in the deck. They're hiding out between the hand and the prize cards.
We're going to see another psychic draw here of the Kadabra.
Two more cards.
There's a basic psychic.
Dunsparse will hit the board.
It does look like just one, no, two Alakazam in the hand, so one is hiding out in the
prizes.
He's got battle cage in his hand.
Thinking about just playing that card out, and he will do just that and passes now
over to Kobe.
And we see Jake once again not valuing the Genesect in this matchup could have retreated it to try to protect it
And save that ace nullifier for later, but deciding no this is the least important Pokemon I have in play right now
And this is the play Kobe set up last turn with his cipher maniac
He uses his deal dance draws that one other card he put on top and it's gonna be the Sierra now searching the deck for three
three powerful Pokemon EX adding them into his hand.
Bezendipity mega-kangaskan EX, and then Meowth EX as well.
One of the things I love about this series is being able to chain supporters thanks to Meowth EX.
Kobe will certainly get a knockout on this turn.
The question is, will he be able to set up for a big follow-up after that?
The opening turn has been fairly weak at this point.
Not a lot of acceleration.
I really feel like he's got to be gearing up for that unfair stamp in the next couple turns.
What's going on here? Looks like just the full moon round though.
There could have been an awkward situation there with a cruel arrow from Fezendipiti with the right mix of cards,
but now Jake has a golden opportunity.
Let's see if he's able to capitalize. He'll lead off with that telepathic psychic energy,
searching out two basic psychic Pokémon, putting two more Abra into play on his bench.
We know he has Alakazam waiting in hand and he already has so many cards available.
The only ways to get back that Genesect that you just got knocked out, there's one
sacred ash and one of Lana's eight and those are both kind of difficult to find
early on in the game. So once again we might be headed for a situation where Genesect is just not
a factor. Came into this thinking that was going to be one of the main interactions in this matchup
that just hasn't come up yet but Jake has still been able to find a way to get this Alakazam
up and running. Certainly has enough cards to get a knockout here and he's going to use the eerie
trying to perhaps catch that unfair stamp unable to do that but does get two energy switch.
Wow two energy switch that will definitely limit Koby's options on the following turn.
What the script?
Fezendipity EX drawing a few more cards.
Here is that forest of vitality.
Getting rid of that battle cage,
putting this stadium into play now.
And as long as he's got 10 cards in his hand,
powerful hand will take the KO.
Jake NG strikes.
Two prizes down, four more to go.
How will Kobe respond here?
The pressure is mounting.
The hand is built up for Jake.
Alakazam is up and running.
Is this the time to find unfair stamp?
Starts off with just three cards off of this.
Flip the script to draw those first three.
Kobe's used one Cypher Maniacs code breaking.
He does play two copies.
So he could piece it all together with his knee
Now that he grabbed the last turn off of the Serino,
I'm gonna draw with a few of his other abilities first
to see if he can perhaps find it naturally.
Of course, not only does he want to play the unfair stamp,
he wants to pair it with an attack, with a KO,
which is what he missed out on in game number two,
and here comes that knee-out.
So one major difference in this third game is Jake
was able to put down Fezendipity EX
before this unfair stamp is potentially coming.
It's going to weaken the effectiveness of that.
I have to wonder if there's even an opportunity for Kobe
to take advantage of the fact that Fezendipity is down,
could potentially use things like Saab
with the wellspring mask over on EX to trap it
for a little bit so you can set up a bigger play later.
But no, Cypher Maniac is the choice here.
He's going to grab a grass energy
and the unfair stamp here.
He's lined up this KO, he's gonna play a few more cards out of his hand to thin as much as possible and there it is.
Unfair stamp. Kobe will get five cards leaving Jake with just two, but Jake has prepared his board well for this situation.
Not only that festin-dippity, but there's also a done sparse already in play.
Will the third time be the charm for Kobe's unfair stamp?
It worked the first time, wasn't as effective the second time.
He needs it to stick one more time to have a chance to become world champion here.
This A-Spec card is the game changer that could decide this tournament for these two players.
Here are the cards being drawn.
Kobe's already expended everything.
He really needs to this turn.
He's used all of his draw abilities.
He's got that Teal Mask Ogre Pond EX set up and ready to fire off a Myriad Leaf Shower,
taking down the Alakazam, tying this game up.
Two prize cards taken apiece.
Let's see what Jake has off of this draw,
promoting his D'edun sparse ready to use that runaway draw ability.
He's going to kick it off with a Best Nippity EX and flip the script.
to see a Hilda and a Dawn in the hand that's going to represent so many
additional cards on this turn, a Cadabra and Alakazam. That's going to end up
drawing five additional cards. You have the runaway draw with the Dunsparse
available as well. Things are looking great for our Australian player Jake
lining up all these cards for this Alakazam.
Plenty of cards still to draw this turn, the Dunsparse available in the active
spot needs to make sure he can find an energy card. There are so many cards for
him to draw to see one. There are two found from the psychic draw of Kadabra.
There are three coming in from this Alakazam. Still three more to draw with
the Dunsparse available. He only needs eleven in his hand to get this KO.
Yeah, crucial difference between this and the first game as well.
Mega Kangaskhan was the one following up after the unfair stamp.
Now, a much smaller Pokemon.
It's much easier to knock out.
Much easier to get to 11 cards compared to the 15 required
to KO a Mega Kangaskhan.
And should Jake have an energy card, which he does,
this powerful hands will take down this Teal Mask Ogre
Pond EX, taking Kobe's only Terra Pokemon out of play,
taking all of Kobe's energy cards out of play
and leaving him with a board simply full of Pokemon.
Jake's setting things up to just secure a victory
if possible, improve the odds where you can,
put more Kadabra and Alakazam for you to draw
on your future turns.
There is that KO and just one more knockout
separates Jake NG and this champion title.
Kobe will promote his mega Kangaskhan EX.
Let's see what he can piece together.
So much card draw available, Fezendipity EX,
and the use of flip the script, three cards right here.
Killing him one at a time,
still more to find with the mega Kangaskhan
and its run air and ability.
What could Kobe possibly attack with here
to give him a chance to get reestablished?
That's the question, and that's the question.
Kobe's going to be asking himself as well.
We have a couple different options here.
Obviously, you can't just leave things the way they are.
You'll lose immediately if nothing changes on this board,
whether that means attacking the active Pokemon,
knocking it out, or trying to get a little crafty,
maybe using something like Boss's Orders to bring
out Fezendipity EX and try to trap it.
I don't know if that'll even be enough at this stage,
But you gotta try something.
This is the last game of this seniors division tournament.
The last couple of turns, Coby's gonna see it out and try to find some path here, perhaps
through the use of a Meowth EX, which is found off of the Ultra Ball.
Gonna put down a Lily's Clefairy, gonna, oh he cannot bench that Meowth Puka there.
There are no Terra Pokemon in play.
put down that Lily's Clefairy first. Of course, Area 0 Under Depths expands your bench to 8 Pokemon,
but only if you have a Terra Pokemon in play.
Something we've probably all done at some point, just assuming you have a Terra Pokemon in play
in that Area 0 Under Depths is always expanding your bench to 8 Pokemon, but the Teal Mask Ogre
O'Graphan EX was knocked out on the previous turn.
You can't fulfill that condition for the area 0 under-depth,
and the first card that Kobe played down
was the Lillies Clefairy.
Now won't be able to bench the Meowth EX
or anything else in this situation.
What can he do here?
He has to find Crispin if he wants to attack this turn.
That's now his only path with no Teal Mask O'Graphan
in play, no opportunity to get extra energies out
through the use of a teal dance.
So if he does not find a Crispin here,
he's gonna miss an attack.
Psychic energy will come down onto the Lilly's Clefairy EX.
Gonna take stock of the discard pile on Jake's end,
looking for any way out of this situation.
He will use a boss's orders
to bring something into the active spot,
Banking perhaps on lack of energy cards available for his opponent, hoping that maybe a couple
of energy cards are prized.
It is entirely possible.
If that were the case, Jake may have a hard time moving this Pheasantipity.
He will draw for turn.
There is that air balloon.
There is the boss's orders and Jake, NG is the 2026 customer on TCG World Champion.
Congratulations to Jake taking it all with Alec Kazan and that powerful hand was able
the drawn-up cards to become our champion. Well played by both players. Such an amazing
match to watch. At the end of the day, Jake will be taking home the crown. Congratulations.
Congratulations to, of course, to Koby as well, to get to this point, to be able to play on
this stage. What an incredible memory. What is something he'll be able to cherish for the rest
of his life. It feels unfortunate to come up just short, but what a run it has been for both of our players. Congratulations.
Jake NG, the world champion in the senior division.
He said at the beginning he was going to be the champion and he followed through on his promise.
Congratulations to Jake on getting the job done. Very confident player.
And I kind of think there was some moment he may have been questioning himself after that first game
and how that match started off, but Alakazam just too powerful against this big basic strategy.
And we are standing by with Jake for an interview. We've got to see how he's feeling fresh off of his win.
Oh my goodness, what a match we just witnessed and we officially have our world champion for the TCG
senior division. All right, Jake and G, many were talking about the fact that the Alakazam deck
was favored in this matchup, but this did go the distance. Can you give me the breakdown of
this match from your perspective? So, game one, I just drew nothing off the stand, which like,
just lost me the game pretty much. I think I might have made a slight misplay. I didn't like
sacred ash back average into my deck, which probably lost me the game, but in game two
and three they were pretty clean. I just drew a supporter of Stanford I won the
senior division offers a unique opportunity to start building your
reputation as a player nice and early as you continue down your competitive career
how would you like for people to describe you as a player I hope they
view me as a top player ultimately that's just my goal to feel like I'm
good I don't really care that much about winning as long as I feel I'm
I'm at the top of the calm player base.
I mean, there's nothing like a world championship title
to prove to people that you're good.
Before I let you go, who would you like to give any shout outs to?
I'd like to shout out my dad first for bringing me
to all the events that I go to.
It takes a lot of time of work just to come with me.
I'd also like to thank our Yuichi and Addison
for playing the same list as me to the worlds,
and as well as everyone who's tested with me
and helped me build my dad.
Truly is a team effort.
Well, thank you so much, Jake, for joining me right here.
And everyone here in the Chase Center,
give it up one more time for your TCG Senior World Champion,
Jake G!
We have had some very interesting matches so far today.
But I do think we have one more match up
when it comes to TCG, am I right?
There's something else we have to do.
That's right.
The TCG Masters division is on the way.
So let's get you set up for our final matchup.
For nearly 30 years,
the Pokemon Trading Card game has continued to evolve.
New cards, new strategies,
and new generations of trainers.
But the dream of becoming world champion
has remained all the same.
The best trainers of the 2026 season
earned their place in San Francisco
and after countless hard-fought battles,
clutch plays and crucial top bets, only two remain.
One final match will decide the next.
Pokemon trading card game, World Champion.
Diego Casiraga is one of the most storied players
in the game's history, having three prior top-up finishes,
including his world champion title in 2017.
His run this year has been fueled
by the powerful hands of Palakazane.
And the A-Gill got the rocker in the back!
We'll see him in the chase, that's tomorrow!
After defeating Henry Chow in top four,
the A-Gill proved that he is still
one of this game's top competitors
as he battles for a chance to become a two-time champion.
He will be facing off against Andrew Hedrick
who has dominated the Pokemon TCG
for the last few seasons.
Andrew is playing Dragonball TX with crushing hammers.
This is an archetype that he popularized
after winning the Los Angeles Regional Championships
earlier this season.
After Hedrick Fyke, Boston orders he will win the game.
He defeated former number one ranked player,
Brent Connison, in top four
to punch his ticket into championship sign.
This finals match is a story of the experienced veteran
versus the young superstar.
Only one of them can leave this stage as our champion.
This time, it's my turn.
One of our trainers is looking to become
the first two-time world champion
in the TCG Masters division.
The other has already rocked this deck
towards victory in a regional this very season.
Everybody, it is time to meet our TCG Masters finalists.
First up, we have Andrew Henberg.
And on the audience's side, give it up for Diego Casierraga!
I know I'm so proud of this matchup. I know I've got one of the audiences.
Andrew, five regional victories, an NAIC title, this would mean the Tribeca, what is it going
to take to actually achieve that?
Yeah, I don't know, I guess trying to treat this past like you and any other, right?
Trying to play the best you can, do what you can with the court, to draw on to see if it works out.
And Diego, the last time we saw you on this stage, your wife was seven months pregnant with your first child.
Now you have returned as a father of two.
Walking through the journey back in 2017 till now.
It's an honor that they are here with me
and I'm really proud to have them here with me,
supporting me here in the sidelines.
We appreciate the support of everyone that is in the audience right now.
Keep it cheering while we send our traders off to your battle stations.
All right, Captain Sears, what do you got to say about that?
Oh, we got a lot to say about that, Gabby, but we're hopefully going to have time to say it all.
We've got Andrew Hedrick, Diego Casaraga.
We have crowd, our Junior Division World Champion.
We have crowd, our Senior Division World Champion.
Now, just a Masters Division left.
I'm Ross Gilbert and I'm here with the lovely Joe Bernard.
So how good is this final gonna be?
Oh, this is Goliath versus Goliath.
Ha, ha, ha, Ross.
This is a combination of modern era versus veteran.
We have the mastermind of the modern era in Andrew Hedrick
looking to complete the Pokemon Gauntlet.
He's already a regional champion.
He's already an international champion.
What the maze?
The world championships is just one that sets away.
But he faces down a veteran of over 20 years
experience at the very highest level. Diego Casarraga, he has a resume better than anyone
in the league at the world's level. He's already got two top eight finishes. His dream came true
within 2017 with Garden YGX and he's hoping to do it again today. Well back in 2013 we saw
Jason Klazinski won the World Championships for the third time but since then the player base
has grown immeasurably. Tournament have gone infinitely harder and we ask that question,
Will we ever see another player repeat as the Master Division World Champion?
Well, Diego's coming here, said, look, I want it in 2017.
It's nine years later, I'm back, and he has got an excellent chance.
Just one more hurdle to get over, but he's proven he can navigate this.
He's been in Dragaport along the way, just one more game to go,
and he could do what people thought might no longer be possible.
If anybody can, it could be Diego.
And we've got the friends and family standing by.
So let's hear it from them.
Thank you so much, guys.
Of course, I'm here with the friends and family
of our competitors, and I've got a couple of posting
questions to ask them.
How does it feel having supported them towards this point,
and now they're on the world stage?
I mean, to me, it's no surprise.
I think Andrew Hedrick is on a different level
from every other player in the world.
And it's pretty rare that the best players get to actually
make it to the finals of Worlds, so I really
wanted to bring this one home because he's
a great friend of mine.
Sorry.
That's OK.
I mean, really, I've been seeing him playing on my life,
and being here is really crazy.
I'm so proud of him.
I love hearing that.
I think we're all so proud as well.
It feels like we've all become family,
watching both players grow and now get to this point.
How much preparation goes into events
that like this that people just might not understand from home I mean I have
spent countless hours just sitting in college Andrew playing sharing screens
playing you know the PCCG live ladder he gets to the highest elos I've ever seen
he it's incredible he's put in so much work and he really deserves this
I mean, it's seeing him practising and practising and being with his family, it's really nice.
I love that, that's so good. Still makes plenty of time for the family.
And if you could give just one final breath of support, what would you say to them right now if you were over there?
He can do his best and we will support him no matter what.
Use Phantom Dive to knock out all his Abra's and win the game.
Good advice! Well, let's go see.
If that's going to be what unfolds, good luck to our players as we embark on this journey together.
Well, it's hard to argue with that advice. Use Phantom Dive, knock out Abra.
gentlemen we have met the players give me a cheer if you're cheering for Andrew
a new complainant they've had such historic placements Andrew more recent
success but Diego over many years such a strong competitor as we see how they
made it to this finals actually quite similar runs from both players you'll
notice that both Andrew and Diego were able to take out the crystal in their
top eight matches and then we're both able to defeat Dragapult in their top
four matches was really amazing to see Diego up against Henry Chow in that
previous game but I was far coming up against Dragapult again in these
finals so you know that he's got a lot of experience in this matchup actually
throughout the tournament he has four wins and one loss his only loss of the
entire tournament so far has been Dragapot. That is a little bit awkward but
there are a lot of Dragapot out there he has beaten a lot of them. Let's see what
the casters think about this particular matchup where did we come
down in terms of our predictions who do we think is going to take this
home I know Joe we ended up on different sides of this bracket I've
I've been seeing Diego, but you think Andrew's bringing it home?
Well, it's a dead heat between the castes, and you can see why.
It's hard to back against a previous world champion.
I'm feeling that, from what I've seen from Andrew,
he's just such a phenomenal competitor.
And I do happen to think that his build of Dragonfall TX
will have enough answers to this single prize
Alakazam archetype.
Diego does have a lot of defensive cards
that can help out against the dangerous Phantom Diver
attacks against the Adrenal Brain from Monkey Dory.
But I think that Andrew just about has the edge here,
with his list. I've been looking at recent tournaments and Dragapult has been the best
deck for a while. No one's arguing that, but it didn't win the last European regional
in the season. And it didn't win the last North American regional in the season. And
it didn't win North American internationals. And it didn't win Japan championships. And
it was the best deck in all of those tournaments going in. And I just think sooner or later,
Dragapult gets got. And I think this is the game where Dragapult gets got. But I do
I do think it's going to be close, I think it could go either way and I do think it might be a pretty good matchup we're going to watch.
Well if the casters can't decide who's going to win it's going to come down to these players.
Let's have a look and remind ourselves that some of the accomplishments from both sides here.
Andrew Hedrick, a five-time regional champion, NAIC champion, his best world's finished to date.
There's only been top 32, he's absolutely equipped that right now.
But another great snap for Andrew is that he's only come second
in the seven finals that he's attended in.
He is so locked in for these finals.
He has lost one final out of seven.
That is a pretty good record.
As you go in and Diego, a whole bunch of results there.
But the one that really stands above all of them
is that World Championships final.
That's your title over in 2017 with that Gardevoir GX.
Let's take a look at some prizes.
Anything coming down that terrifies you, Joe?
Not too much, and Ritchie's not great, Nightstretcher and the A-Spectre Diego, not ideal either,
so both players are going to have to navigate their prizes in this situation.
Okay, looks like we are getting ready to start, people in the chase centre!
It's time to get loud!
This is Game 1 out of the best of three and it looks like we're starting off with Andrew
Hedrick with Ava 2 in the active. Diego has got an Abra. It is a buddy buddy popping for
Andrew. That is going to allow him to go and grab two basic Pokemon. Joe, give us a quick
Run down at his Dragapult deck while he searches.
Well, it may not be the first time you've seen it this weekend.
We even saw it in the Juniors division,
but this archetype is built all around the stage 2 Dragapult EX,
meaning that Andrew's priority will be finding,
first of all, early Dreepee,
and then working his way into Drakloak,
having that retongue directive ability
grants you so much access to the deck
that you'll be able to string together all sorts of combos.
And it's no bad thing that the Dragapult itself
has a phenomenal attack in Phantom Dive,
dishing out 200 damage to the active but also crucially placing six counters on
your opponent's bench Pokemon in any way that you like and it's how creative
Andrew can be where he's gonna find his edges in the set. Yeah you're looking to
take multiple KO's set up Pokemon three four turns down the road you need to be
able to see the future if you're playing this Dragonpop deck. Well the
Buddy Buddy Poppin is gonna go out and get Andrew a couple of 3B down onto the
bench that is gonna evolve into Dragonpop and a second Buddy Buddy Poppin
Turn 1, Double Poffin, that is a dream of many a Pokemon player, so we can start seeing even more basics here.
If you want to get an army of 3P down on the bench, this is a good way to start.
But we are weaving in a Dunsparse, which of course evolves into Dunsparse that is going to be your draw engine.
Both of our players here are utilizing this as a sort of secondary engine within their main evolution line.
So it's an amazing start for Andrew here to have access to three tree feet in addition to the Duns boss
Opening up all sorts of opportunities for him to draw on that second turn of the game as he evolves up into his Pokemon
So all things considered this is a phenomenal turn one for him. It's everything you're looking for turn one going first
You're not allowed to attack you're not allowed to play a supporter
What you really want to do is establish a whole bunch of basic Pokemon
You'd like an energy does not look like we're gonna see that Andrew that is he well
Can you see one in the hand there Joe?
All I can see is drakloak for next turn and Meowth EX possibly for next turn as well. That's all I'm seeing here right now
Well, at least you got your basic Pokemon. You don't get your energy
But you can pass over to Diego knowing you're in a pretty good position
And we do pass over Diego's first turn of these finals Aberrindy active decent start
What do we have? We'll look at the Pokemon search and it's only one buddy buddy puff in yeah
We do have a buddy buddy puff in one seems to be enough
I think there's also a poker pad in this hand as well.
So Diego will start to sift through his cards.
Once again, his evolution line,
not only a great attacking threat,
but also he can draw cards throughout the game
as he evolves up.
The Kadabra allows you to draw two
when it comes into play with that psychic draw ability.
Alakazam gets you one additional card,
the great bonus and that powerful hand attack as well,
dishing out more damage counters
for the number of cards in your hand.
So throughout this set,
we're gonna be looking at Diego's hand,
not just for what it contains, but also the raw size of the hand
is what's required to reach knockouts.
And that's something we're going to be tracking throughout the game.
We're going to be looking at Andrew's opportunities to disrupt the hand.
We're going to be looking for things like the special red card,
things like the unfair stat,
these cards that can lower Diego's hand size,
trying to make it as difficult as possible to rebuild it.
You need 16 cards in hand to get a KO on a clean Dragonbolt EX.
It's absolutely possible, we've seen it plenty of times this weekend,
but Andrew's job is to make it as difficult as possible for Diego to pull that off.
And a dunce pass off his own for Diego.
And just having a little bit of a look.
Though it is worth noting we have six cards that go down as your prizes to begin the game.
Those cards are inaccessible until you draw the most prized cards by taking knockouts.
So the reason you see these players doing long searches in the early game,
they are just looking for which cards are missing
so that they know what they don't have access to.
Diego right now is thinking,
oh, that enriching energy, hope I draw that soon.
Yeah, absolutely.
Especially important as Hilda is one of the crucial supporter cards
he will look towards throughout this game.
The enriching energy would be a way to unlock some draw
out of this supporter, but instead he's just going to have to rely
on the telepathic psychic energy to not only attack,
but also to get additional Abra into play
because it can search out basic psychic Pokemon.
Part of the reason why this archetype is so consistent
is the four copies of this telepathic energy.
Yeah, perfect order coming in
where that really did give a power spike to this deck.
We've gone and grabbed a Kadabra for next turn.
Of course, we know that Purdue, with that itch-to-pollin attack,
is going to be turning off the use of item cards.
So it is in your best interest when you're playing against Purdue
to proactively play your items, maybe even a turn early,
because you can poke a pad now and get your Kadabra.
Next turn, that poke a pad will not be available,
but you will have the Kadabra ready to evolve.
draw two cards, and hopefully work towards your main attacker.
A battle cage goes down,
and that's going to be big in this matchup, right, Joe?
This is going to be a crucial wall that we have
during the entire series, where the stadiums land,
because Diego wants to keep this battle cage in play
for as long as possible,
preventing the damage counters from being placed
on benched Pokemon by effects of attacks or abilities,
which is essentially everything Andrew is trying to construct.
So, whenever you can find those stadium bounce,
that's really important.
But look at this,
Recon directive into Recon directive Andrew is flowing right now all free drag look come down nice and easily
I had free turn one three P3 turn to drag look absolutely what you're looking for each of those
Let's look at the top two cars in your deck one to your hand one to the bottom of your deck
And that gives you your draw engine as you keep rolling
This is what you want to do so the game down with a new build up your dragon army on the bench
And it is going beautifully for Andrew
The Crispin is the supporter for the turn here, so Andrew can begin to power up multiple
drakeloak. He could likely put two energy onto one benchmark on all, spread out his attachments,
just to save him the headache later on in the game. But no, we are seeing two energy
onto one drakeloak here. It may not indicate that we could get aggressive this turn with
the dragon headbutt, but he's certainly eyeing up on attack on the next turn.
He absolutely is. One of the things you've got to watch for drakeloak, it is a two
energy attack. So cards like Crispin and cards like
Rosa's Encouragement, they are played in the deck so you can
just a tiny bit by getting two energy attachments in your turn
rather than one so that you can get this Pokemon up and rolling
a little bit faster, especially if you say missing energy
attachment on turn one. There is that tiny chance that Diego
could potentially go Rare Candy, Alakazam, Energy, Bosses,
Orders, KO, Trackloak. Is that something Andrew's worried
about, not so much, especially if you're going to use the itchy pollen here. I feel like that
has to be the line of play this turn. Yeah. You're just going to go for itchy pollen and
hope that this item disruption can really slow down. No, that is not.
Oh, it is proactive, Joey's going for it. It is a headbutt. Headbutt. Headbutt. Onto
the Abra. First KO goes to Andrew Hedrick. No more to do, no more item lock. It is
a proactive first KO here. That is not what most people would have been expecting.
get really odd already. In this finals there's a dorm top deck from Diego
Casaraga. Perhaps the only reason Andrew went for this line of play was there
was no supporter from Diego on his first turn of the game. Now we're gonna see the
runaway draw. If you can find a rare candy from these three cards, Ross,
things would get explosive. You don't quite, but we do find the
Fezzantipity EX. That's gonna be three more cards. It's got the ability,
flip the script. If you had a Pokemon kill the last turn, you get to draw
three more cards so you're gonna have access to more cards and now you don't even need to use
something like a boss's orders if you just get rare candy alakazam energy you not only knock out
the drag cloak but more importantly you remove all the energy from the board there's your telepathic
psychic energy that's going to go and get a couple more abra if you want to if they're available
yeah absolutely this is a really disay our choice from Diego make sure you pull these
Pokemon out of the deck before you use your flip the script from Vesendipity EX.
Possibly you might even think to use the Dawn supporter as well before committing to this draw
three because you can continue to pull Pokemon out. We are going to see the Dawn supporter so
the Alcazar will be a crucial, the stage two is a no-brainer. What else is he going to cherry
pick here? Already has access to the Genesect in hand. There's a Kadabra, that's going to
be able to evolve next turn, draw a couple of cards and then you get to get a basic as
presumably I think a Dunsparse to evolve up into the Dunsparse, there we go.
So that's going to essentially reset your draw range into Dunsparse,
draws three cards that goes back into your deck.
So one of the things you need to do is to just keep resetting it,
try and make sure you always end your turn with a Dunsparse on the bench
so that next turn you can evolve your runaway draw and then round and round we go.
You don't need many cards in hand, you only need five to KO a Drakloak.
So I'm not worried about hand size, it's just where I can be now, that's all we need.
There are three copies within Diego's list and here we go three cards from Fesendiptee
Joe Miurek and Andy no no no oh that's a bit sad that would have been great that would have been such a huge
turn because you get rid of all the energy you get rid of the jocloak you even up the prizes
instead you just don't really have a great response and that's going to allow Andrew to
really go as the aggressor draw two cards here and we've got Buddy Buddy Poppin and Ada Denne
We're going to bench that dunce bastard, potentially evolve and draw cards next turn,
but a real missed opportunity here, the lack of rare candy, not through lack of trying, I might add,
but the lack of rare candy means no evolution here, no real attack. You can super side bolt for 30,
but that's not the same go. I don't think we're going to see that. It looks like Diego
is venturing to Dene or Genesect here, because he wants to retreat out of this Kadabra,
could also use this body body poppin, while he has the opportunity to possibly even put
another Dunspassing to play here.
That would be a decent sacrificial Pokemon,
expecting a Phantom Dive to come back your way next turn.
And hoping that that battle cage sticks,
that battle cage will stop residual damage counters
from Phantom Dive, KOing and Abrac.
Abrac's only got like 50 HP,
it's very, very, very low HP for an evolving basic.
So that will just be cleanly taken out by a Dragonbolt,
but battle cage is stopping it right now.
It means there's a single KO coming
from what we assume is going to be a Dragonbolt next turn, rather than a double.
If you're Diego, you are hoping that battlecade stays in play,
and you do have two copies of Risky Ruins,
that is going to be target number one next turn, well after a Dragonbolt.
No doubt it's going to be the retreat from Diego,
so that he doesn't have to find the wreck and be on the next turn.
It's a big sigh of relief.
Andrew took a gamble in this game number one with the Dragon headbutt,
but it's really worked out.
It really did.
That could have absolutely been punished by a wreck and the Alakazam,
It wasn't and now Andrew gets some potential to just keep taking prizes
We've got an ultra ball in hand so the dragon ball isn't going to be an issue
It is a stadium. We're really looking for at this point. We've got a poker pad
That's gonna go and get a non-rawl box Pokemon generally a non EX nowadays
And it is going to be that the done sparse to go and draw more cards
This this could go really really well for Andrew on turn two
3 cards already from Runaway Draw, we also have a 7 card dig in total if we're looking
with our recon directors for key pieces. There's already bosses orders in the hand for Andrew
as well that he might look to use either on the Kadabra, once again forcing Rare Candy,
or even trying to bring on that Fezzinfifity EX can be such a nuisance for Diego. It's
a Pokemon that he would rather not put into play, but you can see why he opted for
it. Trying to find that Rare Candy would have been massive. The fact that it's
and now that there's this liability EX in play,
things could get even more awkward for him.
It's one of these huge swing turns.
Had Diego hit the rare candy,
you get to take all the energy off the board,
get rid of it, a cloak, but by missing it,
you give your opponent the opportunity
to potentially have a huge swing turn of their own.
It's the stadium guard, risky ruins.
That's what we're really looking for here.
Remove the battlecade, allow a double KO.
Second recon directive comes down,
and it is the risky ruins that he's drawn off the top.
That is going to allow a double KO here
with that Dragapult, absolutely huge hit
of that Recon Directive for Andrew.
This game is already looking so incredible for Andrew.
With the Ultipool already in hand,
he can find a Dragapult EX.
And now that he finds the stadium,
it's a no-brainer to bring up that Kadabra.
Being able to knock out both a Kadabra and Abra,
leading Diego with just one of those vulnerable basic Pokemon
and forcing him to find more throughout the game
will also open up even more opportunities
for Andrew to take those cheap prize cards.
Absolutely. We see an ultramore discarding two, crushing Hammer.
Why get rid of energy? You're doing very well and there is no energy.
The Dragapult comes down, so all we need now is to replace the stadium.
The double KO is there, but I agree with you, Joe.
We're looking to see a boss's orders.
That is what Andrew is probably going to be playing here.
Bring up that Kadabra and then go and get the double KO.
Get the Kadabra, get one of the Abra
and really put Diego in a really bad position.
Not just Dow free prizes, but Dow free prizes with just one of that evolution line, one Abra, nothing else on the board.
Andrew even gets to stay topped up on attachments. Everything is going flawlessly for him in this game number one.
You have to see the bosses orders coming into play. No, it is going to be the Fezzedipity EX coming out.
And this is not too shabby. Now it's 200 damage. Absolutely.
The thing here is, you then leave it with 10 HP remaining.
At some point, there's going to be a Phantom Diving
in a drop of damage counter on there.
Interestingly, each of us, not to play the risky Ruins,
didn't go for the double KO.
Now, one thing that is worth noting now,
if there is an Abra left, and that's a big if,
five damage counters on an Abra,
one damage counter on a Pheasant Dip,
we could get a triple KO next turn,
but now we're over to Diego drawing a whole bunch of cards.
We've already got the Alakazam, do we have...
Is there any way we could get this Dragonbolt this time?
We absolutely can, there's already the Air Balloon in hand,
so Diego could retreat the active Pokemon
and still have a manual attachment to the Alakazam that he's just evolved into.
And with a flurry of more psychic draws and potential runaway draw,
there's no doubt that we can reach here with Diego.
Already has a lot of cards in the hand.
We just drew two more with Kadabba, that psychic draw,
we're now drawing three more with the runaway draw of the Dunsparse.
You get two cards when you evolve with the Katabra,
three when you evolve into Alakazam.
Now, it is worth noting that Andrew didn't take a KO last turn,
so Pheasant Dipty will not be able to flip the script and draw three cards.
That was probably part of his thinking when he chose not to take the KO.
And Diego here, the magic number is 16.
16 cards in hand. You need to play the Abelu,
you need to play an energy,
and you need 16 cards in hand to pull this off.
I counted 17 in the hand, and you have to play two from here,
but you still have your supporter that can plus you cards.
But crucially, it means he can't play Erie this turn.
And there's currently the special red card
in Andrew Hedricks' hand from early on in this game.
Oh, it's a double air balloon, but the second one comes down onto a Genesect,
which means the ace nullifier is active,
which means Andrew is not allowed to play his ace spec,
which in this case will be the unfair stab,
which would put the egg in after a two-card hand,
which is very, very bad.
But now we play Dawn.
You get one card out of your hand,
your hand, you search free Pokemon. That is a plus two in hand in total. And I think
if I knowledge a mouse that might put us on to 16, Joe. I'm hoping so. If not, there is
still the final runaway draw that's available to Diego who would much rather hold off of
this if he can to have some sort of springboard back on potential disruption. We're going
to have to wait and see in a moment where unfortunately you do not have a live count
of cards in hand. If nothing else, we know that Diego is very close to having
16 cards in hand and getting this KO. This one is 15 and you can rare candy into Alakazam.
That would minus two, but you're getting the plus one back from the psychic draw.
So Diego would be able to really bolster up the hit points of lots of his Pokemon here.
You can see he's eyeing up that rare candy in hand. I just got to note in my ear, we've got 15
cards in hand. That's what we're seeing right now. So we'll be rare candy Alakazam.
That goes down to 13, but the psychic draw draws free, puts you up to 16,
And that would be the magic number, and that would be an absolutely gigantic KO from Diego.
That would be a huge point in the... It feels like every turn so far, Joe.
There's been a huge turning point in the game, but I'm sorry, we're not exaggerating.
That's just what's happening.
And Diego's going to have one final check, but he has already counted a couple of times.
I count with him. It is 16. It is definitely 16 cards.
We retreat the pheasant deputy.
The Alacazam goes into the active, and we are going to see a powerful hand,
dropping 32 damage counters and getting a fresh one-hit KO on an undamaged dragapult.
That's three, six, nine, 12, 15, 16, that's the KO!
Diego Catoraga takes his first KO off the game and it is a gigantic one!
Even plucking the enriching energy from those prizes might end up being influential as well.
It wasn't just that we were able to take the knockout,
But Diego is also able to do it with the ace nullifier Genesect coming into play with a tool attached as well
So Diego is thinking from this position. He can't be hand-structured this term
Diego is going to be able to sit on this large hand size
Special red card only comes in if you've taken free prizes, which you haven't unfair stamp can't be played
If there's a Genesect with a tool which there is and there's no judge in Andrew's list like we've seen on other games
This weekend on the stream
So right now Diego's hand is safe with an enriching energy as well for next turn and now Andrew's in a really awkward position
Because it now feels a little bit like your prize racing
But after that Giacchio
Well, he still has a decent amount of draw to help him get there
And he does already have a trochloat powered up with one psychic energy
So I feel like he's gonna be still working towards at least the phantom dive and we've seen the risky ruins come down as well
So Andrew had the opportunity on the previous turn to take out a cadavera and an abra
He's been holding off on this stadium cards
There's no doubt that he has a plan in mind because from where I was standing it seemed like an obvious play
Andrew has something else cooked up and Andrew knew that that was a possibility when he took that chance last turn
Where he hit the first dip he but didn't care what he knew that this could have been the plan
He is planning for this. Let's see what he's got. I can see why he's holding the roses encouragement supporter cards
You need to have a Stage 2 Pokemon in play, but crucially, you also need to be behind on prize cards
to gain access to the Acceleration Effect here.
As you can see, a Psychic Energy and Fire Energy that was just removed from play,
instantly back into the equation.
So Andrew is being able to chain these Phantom Dives. No problem.
Now he has a really strong opportunity here.
Can he even weave in a Monkey Dory attachment from this position?
So take advantage of his own risky ruins, doesn't look like it,
like it so he's just gonna have to come into the active with his Dragonbolt EX.
This is gonna be free prizes. KO on the Alec-Azam is easy. One damage counter on the
Pheasant Dipty for a two-price KO is easy and there it's just where does the
other five go? You could put five on a Genosek to leave it six damage counts
away from being KO'd or you could spread it around some of the Pokemon on
the bent if you prefer. Here comes the KO and it is one onto the Pheasant
Dipty, five onto the Genosek and that means that Genosek is now a
sitting duck at any point. Andrew can just go six damage counters. Yay, extra KO. Andrew has put
himself in a position where as long as he's able to bounce a battle cage that we've just seen
Anta Diego draw into and will certainly re-establish, it will just be one Phantom Dive to close the
game on the next turn. What can Diego do to respond in that instance? We know his hand size
is colossal, but he should be a KO on the Dragapult and he needs to get this battle
back down there is the battlecade there is an energy so the cave the attack is
here you've got the free retreat with the air balloon on the Genesect you've
got your Alex out of an energy that's fine cards in hand I mean he's just
counting it here just to make sure there are 16 card deck cross oh that's why
you're used because they're about the same size right now keep seeing Alex
out players they pick up their hand in their deck and it's a pretty even
ripple shuffle we're even pulling off I actually think Diego has more cards in
hand right now. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, by my count. That is going to be
enough to get a KO on that dragapult. And then you're just asking questions of Andrew at that
point. That's what Diego's going to be doing. Asking these questions. Do you have a fire
energy? Do you have a dragapult? Do you have a risky ruins? The answer to all three is yes,
it might not matter what Diego does. So here we have a look at the hand. What do we get?
That all special red card is being selected and a night stretcher as well.
Two big hits, Ross, that night stretcher might be even more impactful.
Because all Andrew has to construct next turn is a knockout with Phantom Dive,
as long as you can find a stadium.
And Diego has already now got the information,
there's no draw supporter in Andrew's hand,
and there's also not that second stadium yet.
It would need to be a meowth, search for a supporter,
and then try and hit everything you need off of that.
Look at Andrew's hand. There's no energy, there's no dragapult, there's no risky ruins.
There's three things Andrew needs right now. He has none. Diego knows he doesn't have any of them.
So here we are going to this retreat. The Genesect Alakazam is going to go into the active
and it is going to be, and I mean this literally and figuratively, a powerful hand,
which is going to take a KO. But first, it is just going to be that runaway draw,
drawing free cards from the Dydansbass. Yeah, forcing that theory meant that we had to use
Runaway Draw here to still have a critical mass of cards in hand. So, here I was going to shuffle up
the Dydansbass that was just back into the deck. It looks like we are now topped up back
into the critical mass for a care with powerful hand here. The good news for Andrew is
after this Dragapot is knocked out, it's only a single prize board. So, he may have a couple
of turns. He may not even go for a Meowthbx next turn. He may just try and go for a few
turns trying to recon direct and use the dunce bus over multiple turns to close
out this victory. That could be a plan we have a couple of dunce bus hitting the
bench there for Diego and it is just going to be a powerful hand. There's a
big KO on Dragapult. Diego goes down to just two prize cards remaining. One more
Dragapult KO and Diego will take this first game but Andrew has something
to say about it. The dude goes into the active, it's got three retreats,
It can pivot really easily. That's why we see that.
And now the question is, what does Andrew have?
Big top deck here.
It's an unfair staff which isn't allowed to be played,
but we've got a runaway draw,
and that is going to be used immediately.
Fire energy gets hit.
That's right up already.
That means we're just a stadium away from closing the game here.
Genesect on the bench has 60 hit points remaining.
That's perfect for Phantom Dive.
It could all be over here after a couple of recon directive.
I'd want to give back a couple of turns
When Andrew hit that pheasant dipty for 200, which meant he only needed to put one damage counter on pheasant dipty,
which meant he could put five on Genesect, which means he can now put six on Genesect and take the game.
That is what Dragapult players like Andrew do. They are setting up these three, you know, three turns ahead.
So there we see a second recon directive. We're looking for risky ruins.
If we see that, Andrew should be taking this first game.
It's a psychic energy. It's not risky ruins, Joe.
That's not what you're looking for, but it might be enough.
Now you can attach psychic energy to your other trochloak.
And even just a different itchy pollen this turn.
This gives you another chance at it,
because Diego is still has two prize cards left.
Yep, that's what we're going to see, the safe line of play
from Andrew Hedrick, just having two threats online.
And it's worth noting that Genesect isn't going anywhere.
It can't evolve out of it. Nothing is moving.
We do see a boss's orders played by Andrew.
That is going to grab a Dunce pass into the active.
really just trying to make things a little bit more awkward.
There is an itchy poll and there will be no item cards for Diego next turn.
And Andrew just says, look, I don't have it this turn.
Give me a minute. I'll find it.
Just one stadium and still a fairly sizeable deck for Andrew to sit for on the next turn.
As for Diego, it's really easy to get this single prize knocked out.
We can already move our active Dutton's barse whilst drawing additional cards here.
He's used his only destruction. The Erie supporter is all Diego has.
Otherwise, he tries to be an aggressive deck in every situation.
One cool play Diego could look for is the knockout with Kadabra here, rather than Alakazam,
seeing as though it's just a 30 hit point buddhuu.
Alternatively, Diego could go through bosses or orders play to limit the recon directive
or the potential of runaway draw from Andrew.
That's probably his highest impact support at this turn.
I would think so. I think you really need to try and do this if you have the option,
which absolutely Diego does.
Dragolo comes into the active and it's going to be one fewer recon directive because obviously Diego is winning this next turn
That is not an issue that Diego is going to get the victory next turn
The issue is can Andrew get it one turn earlier?
Can he get the dragapult the fire energy the risky ruins and get this double KO?
Diego has to make it as difficult as possible while keeping up with this prize race
There is a KO on the drag load easily enough cars in hand. He needed five. He had I don't know like 15
I mean, something like that.
Unmoving Counting is too many.
Now, this really is the turn.
Andrew has to have it this turn.
Diego is one knockout, one prize away from winning game one.
Andrew has to piece it together right now,
or it will be too late.
We need Dragapult.
We need Fire Energy.
We need a rescue ruins.
Two of those pieces already in the hand.
Andrew already has access to Meowthi X and Ultra Ball as well.
So it could be a fit, the script getting involved
It could also be a Degun's bar, once again, helping him out here.
The Fire Energy is always going to be committed
as we are getting down to the final turn of the game,
and we are always evolving up into our Dragon Bolt EX as well.
We're simply going to try and thin the deck with Buddy Buddy Poppin,
if there is anything.
Is there that final budu even in the deck?
Yes, there is.
This is something you see a lot of players do.
You take cards you don't need out of the deck
so that when you're blind drawing, like just to draw free,
your chance of hitting what you want is slightly higher
because there are fewer cards that you don't want to hit in the deck.
We're going to see an ultra will get played here.
Andrew is going to be searching for something.
You think Fersen Dipty Joe?
I think you might be right.
It draws three cards and Andrew is fitting the deck beautifully
while we see this.
Now we are going to see them.
We have come down first because we need to take the supporter out
before we draw with Fersen Dipty.
It is going to be a Lily's determination,
Which the question is, are you going to hit it better when you, Lily, and then Fez or Fez and then Lily?
You absolutely, Lily, first in this instance. There we go. We're going to be shuffling up.
And Andrew is trying to give himself potentially 12 draws out of this deck.
He's actually doing a full count of his deck right now.
Fez 13. I just think Fez 13 is 13.
The reason to go for Fez and Dippity in this instance before getting to Duns Pass is that
now he also has outs to the poker pad that remain in his deck.
So he will be able to see six cards from this Lily's determination
in a condition to potentially six more from his abilities.
And it is all down to the risky ruins.
Right now, Dragapult is KO'ing that active Alecadan.
That is not an issue.
But you need to be able to drop six damage counters
on that bench, Genesect, to get the KO,
take your sixth prize, and win the game.
Right now, battle cage is stopping those damage counters
being placed because it is an effective and attack.
So Andrew is searching for the risky ruin stadium card.
That will get rid of the battle cage,
and that will allow the damage to go through.
show me risky
Who is gonna get rid of the battle page drag the ball comes active K on the Alakazam
K on the best genisex and Andrew Hedrick is gonna take game number one just one game away now from being crowned world champion
What a thrilling game number one here in the Masters division finals
Andrew Hedgerit taking things slow on those final double turns. So well identified to take a turn off while he had a single prize board state.
But Ross, I'm most interested in that turn number two. We've got aggressive with the dragon headbutt.
Absolutely. Well, let's go back to the whole of game one. Let's have a little bit of a look how we got there.
We see the retreat from the preview here. The Drupal, this was that turn number two, the aggressive KO on the Abra.
on the Abra started the prize trade saying,
I don't need to do right now.
Diego, Diego's deck did what Diego's deck does.
Drawing a whole bunch of cards,
but it was the width of the red handy
on that second turn,
so that you didn't get the Alakazam attack.
That put Diego one turn behind,
which turned absolutely crucial.
Here we see the Dragapult putting one damage
on the Fether Dipty for the KO,
five on the Genesect setting it up
for what would be the turn later.
Diego takes a second KO on the Dragapop, but it's irrelevant in the end.
Andrew hits the risky ruins.
The Dragapop gets a double KO on the Alakazam and on the Genesex,
and that was enough for Andrew to take a victory.
Diego was one prize away, one turn away.
It didn't matter.
Andrew got to six prize cards first,
and is one game up in our World Championship final.
What an impressive display from both players so far in this Masters final.
they've both put themselves in the best position possible.
Diego's almost certainly winning on the next turn.
Andrew was able to find those pieces
and really pick together a nice combination.
Diego has been in these tough positions before.
He's been on this stage before.
Nine years ago, he's not going to be put under too much pressure.
He's seen it all in the Pokemon TCG.
And you can see that he's not even sweating out there, Ross,
despite having that beating on his head.
I mean, he's already got one of these trophies at home.
He's just trying to add to his trophy cabinet and you might have to make one of those be fair
He's got a few victories of his own now
What we see happening here is a Mulligan when you start the Pokemon TCG
You need to have a basic Pokemon to begin the game if you don't have a basic Pokemon
You shuffle your hand into your deck you draw a new opening hand
And then if you got a basic Pokemon you carry on if not you repeat for every time you Mulligan your opponent
Has the opportunity to draw one extra card almost like an apology
He saw we had to wait for me to go and get a basic, have an extra guard, and then we go.
So, getting into this game number two, then, will it be Hedrix, Hammers, or Kasuraga's cutlery, the fist bump from our players,
and one big advantage for Diego in this game number two, he should have the advantage of going first,
as we saw Andrew took full advantage of his Evolution Pokemon early in that game number one.
In this case, Diego could be the aggressor.
Absolutely could. We see the first buddy buddy poffin, ladies and gentlemen, it's Chase,
We've been a bit quiet. We are in the Masters final. Make some noise
Having a look at Diego's prizes here there isn't Abra Anakadabra and a Genesect he plays to yep
But I'm rich in energy is somehow there again Joe
The only good news is that it's towards the top of those prize cards
So in theory Diego could access them once again just move one spot over to the right. Yes, absolutely. Oh
Ooh! Look at that!
Two Bodoos and the Risky Ruins, and the only copy of the Dunce Pass for Andrew.
That's bad prizes! The early game is Bodoos, Risky Ruins, and you're out to the battle cage, and like you say, there's only one the Dunce Pass in the deck.
That is genuinely horrible prizes! That's all the words that we've seen all weekend.
That is far from ideal, so often the Dragapult EX archetype relies on itchy pollen in the opening turns
to sort of stem the setup of other decks
so that you can pick up our lower hit point Pokemon.
That won't be available to Andrew,
but also we know that the stadium is such a key card
in this instance that Diego will try
and lock that battle cage in play for as long as possible.
Game of One was decided exactly
because of the risky ruins,
so Andrew without having immediate access to that card
may have far less options.
Absolutely.
And the thing is Diego's playing four battle cakes,
so you don't think, when do I play it?
You just play it. It just hits the board. You don't worry about it
And it's then down to when your opponent can bump it and how often they can and then when you can re-establish
If that risky ruins takes a while to come out the prize cards and Diego could just get rid of the first risky ruins
That is going to be absolutely huge
So we see Diego doing this first tech search here trying to figure out which of those six cards are in the prizes
So far we've got an Abra in the active
We've got an Abra on the bench and a Dance Fast on the bench.
Decent start.
And it's worth noting that because Diego has a single prize
attacker, this Turn 1 energy attachment
is so much less important than it is for Andrew.
Yeah, all things considered, this is already
a very decent start for Diego.
We'll also get to peak his hand at this stage.
It looks like he's holding onto a decent chunk of supporters
there as well for the next turn.
So action over to Andrew then.
Let's see how Elise's opening hand has treated him.
I see an Ultra Ball.
We might be trying to find a Meowth EX to save us here.
And otherwise, it's pretty poor.
Yeah, that is not a great opening.
Having what I'm up at, Drakloak and a Dreepee to be discarded with Ultribul.
You can't really get rid of your special red card
because that's one of only two hand disruption cards you've got.
And they're absolutely crucial in this matchup.
But you see Andrew changing his mind a little bit.
It's a really horrible decision here.
It is a Drakloak and it's have a Dreepee or Darkness energy.
That's the decision he's making right now.
And he has changed in his mind.
It's so unorthodox.
I think I'm getting rid of your key evolution line,
Andrew's engine.
Andrew is playing three copies of Night's Stretcher
in his deck.
That might be part of the reason why we're seeing him
be so liberal discarding these Pokemon.
In many ways, it actually gives you more outs towards
your trochoke during the game.
So Andrew might be doing the unorthodox play
that may pay off.
And the reason why he was valuing that darkness energy
so much was to try and get an early buddhu.
But it's not there, Ross.
It's not there, unfortunately.
Both Purdue are in the prizes and that energy was going to give a nice way to retrieve your active tree
But the new active he's got a zero energy attack and just just figured out his prizes are absolutely horrible
He's opening hand is to put it lightly far from ideal so the out comes down searches out a support card
That is going to be lilies determination
You shuffle your hand into your deck and draw six cards
But if you haven't taken a prize yet if you've got exactly six remaining you get to draw eight cards instead
And hopefully this lot of 8 cards is going to be better than the 7 with which Andrew began the game.
But I really hear is that Andrew may still just use his Night Stretcher and get factory pee before using this Least Determination.
Yeah, I think now that the Darkness Energy is just far less useful. You may just grab back this basic.
Yeah, it's coming back into play. That was always an option from the hand and now he will see 8 fresh cards.
Choosing, of course, not to attach to the Darkness Energy, that would have been so handy with access to Budu.
That's what he already had in mind. That's not available to him in this position
So instead he's gonna look to try and find the psychic or fire energy
Possibly to stash on the bench somewhere and the difference here is essentially you're setting up like you would normally
But you don't have it cheap all and you're still setting up your drink
Oh, you're still trying to get your energy down
You're just not able to turn off items while you do so
But Andrew does have free drinking out turn one which is not too shabby
He's going to be looking for a bunch of the cloak next turn. Let's see how these eight cards from Lily's determination treat him
There is another
Dree V so we can go up to four if we wish there is a dance pass
Although by now Andrew knows the only dead on sparse is prized look at that case in point
He's drawn into a night stretcher. That's his only way to cook next turn so that discard from multiple is really saving him right now
Absolutely, you can draw into it. You can draw into an old to ball or you can draw into a
a night stretcher. There is a night stretcher and it is just going to be straight for that
Drakloak. That will be evolving up next turn. All things considered, you've got 4-3-4. You've
got your energy attachment not too shabby. We pass on over to Diego. We get the evolution
into Cadabra. Psychic draw gets two cards. It's a psychic energy and a telepathic energy,
which is lovely for getting more Abra if you need them. And we've got some options in hand
with Diego. Already the telepathic energy in hand, so some more abracan flood onto this board.
And with a dawn supporter, there's still the opportunity to run away, draw,
and see a rare candy. If that could come together, once again Diego could be in such a powerful
position. A reminder, three copies within the deck for Diego, currently not in the hand.
We would have three draws to help him get there, and he's already thinning the deck quite
nicely of these basic Pokemon. That is the goal. Early draws, get your basic Pokemon,
your deck and then draw as many cards as you can afterwards. When you evolve into the
Dabra, you get cards. When you evolve into Alakazam, you get cards. When you evolve into
the Duns Pass, you get cards. As a dip, he goes down. What does that do? It gets cards.
That is most of what the deck does. Genesect is the outlier, but we like him. He turns
off A-Spec, so he can stay. Yeah, he keeps your hand large, especially against the unfair
Stamp A-Spec from Andrew Hedrick. So far, Andrew's just discarded his A-Spec in
game number one because of the safety net of that Genesect. In this instance we're seeing Diego
grab that runaway draw to Dunsparse and we'll end this search on an Alakazam no doubt. But
will he opt to draw these three cards? There's opportunities for Rare Candy,
even finding that air balloon could be so vital for him. Oftentimes we've seen Diego opt to
not take prize cards until he has the Ace Nullifier developed. That is sometimes what
What we are going to see, well it is going to be an Alakazam, a Dunsparse and a Genesect
coming out from dawn.
That is your stage one, your basic and your stage two.
Such a good supporter in a deck like this, where you are playing a stage two line.
Here is your first runaway draw of this game, two drawing free cards with the Dunsparse
popping it back into the deck.
What were you and Joe?
A candy action.
Oh, I like the red candy.
He headed into an early attack.
getting into an early attack. Now there is the threat of the unfair stab that can sometimes
be scary, but you've not been item locked. So you give yourself a huge amount of outs
even after going down to a two-card hand, and that's even if in the hypothetical situation
Andrew has access to it. That's why we feel like getting the pressure in early could
be amazing for Diego here. Any chance Diego might have a tool to attach to a Genesect
turn off, you know, turn on ace nullifier, turn off unfair stab. I've not seen
won me so I don't think it was there in the hand I think that's the only thing
holding us back from an obvious play I still feel like I'm gonna use rare candy
and of course Alakazam can also help us see more cards so there's still a chance
for one of Diego's three tools to make their way into the hand it does feel
like stop me if I'm wrong here Joe it feels like Unfest Amp is way better
when you're established when you've got four drapery and no evolutions it
does feel like Unfest Amp isn't as good it's a lot of Pokemon draw, two
poke a pad and a buddy buddy poffin. Yeah, I don't see a tool in there
You can at least try and establish maybe another done sparse with this final buddy buddy poffin
That's coming to the hand having a board of two done sparse already feels pretty reasonable to get aggressive
I feel like Diego is gonna do it here. I mean I would but you know I always do Joe
I'm gonna the KO you know I'm going for it
Diego's it's not one of a more careful player than I but I do agree with your reasoning there
You've got free dunce pass on the bench. You are set up as well as you can
So if you draw a canapra you evolve and draw you draw an Alakazam you evolve and draw if he draws the dunce pass
He evolves and draws he's got so many outs next turn
If an unfair stamp does come down that it feels like he's protected as well as he can
Without playing a Genesect and in the best-case scenario Andrew would want to use unfair stamp alongside chaos
And right now his board is just basic Pokemon and he does not play rare candy of his own in the deck
So I think that's also something playing on Diego's mind that he would quite welcome an unfair stamp
If he could still just announce an attack on the next turn and still do some reasonable damage
Yeah, that sounds like it might be pretty gosh darn nice
We have to the Duns pass in hand for Diego here
That means that potential draw of six more cards next turn
But we need four in hand. I feel confident there is at least four in hand. It's not gonna be a KO
It is just a pass does not want to run into the fret of unfair stamp
So of course you start here from Diego see if it pays off in the end
But we've seen some unexpected plays here in the final Joe. That's why they're there and we're here Ross
Let's see the second your cloak now come on to the board for Andrew
Already holding on to a couple Crispin does have his one stadium cards that he has available to him in hand right now
Of course, this will be a building turn. There's not much else going on.
So it will be a Crispin coming into play. Just start accelerating these energy.
He can snatch a biology to hand this turn. Maybe even attach the dance energy to the active position.
It'll be an option for him. If Diego is going to keep waiting until he can find his tool,
he may still want to attach to this repeat just in case.
Well, we're going to be having a little bit of a search here with our Crispin.
And you know whenever you play these cards like Crispin it is another opportunity to just look through your deck.
Yes, you did your first turn search. It's always nice to have a quick look again. Just double check.
The deck is private information. No one's allowed to look, not even yourself.
But any time you get a chance to look in your deck, you can have a good look and just remind yourself what's there.
Especially when you're in a high pressure situation like a world championship final.
So we do see a psychic energy coming down onto that trick look to trick look each one psychic energy
It's a decent setup for Andrew, but it does feel like Diego has had a great start
Do you think you might regret not taking that KO last night the more I justify it?
I could see exactly why Diego's gone for this approach
You can actually play around the special red card much better by not taking a single prize KO
But also crucially unlike in that game number one is with do see a crushing hammer heads the first of the sets
The big difference from game number one is that there is also a Meowth EX in play.
So Andrew can't do that sort of slow single prize board that he attempted to do in game number one.
Diego knows that if he's firing on all cylinders, he should be able to find a position to take three two prize knockouts.
Well, there we go. If you can take three two prize knockout, who worries about a little single prize knockout here or there?
It is an evolution into a Katapra, drawing a couple of cars.
We see an evolution into the dunce pass going back into the deck and drawing three more cards
So you tell me Joe we might see your boss's orders coming and bringing that me out pop
Or is that something for later in the game?
You can certainly use the bosses orders now if you would like to if you have access to that option
I think his priority really is getting this battle gauge into play, but also trying to find a tool desperately
I imagine that there will be no knockout unless there's the ace nullified developed well
We just saw three cars drawn from that runaway draw on the dunce pass and I had a good look
I did not see a Pokemon tool coming out in there.
So right now that ace nullifier is not online.
We know Genesis in hand, but without a tool it doesn't do very much.
Alakazam comes down, that's three more cards drawn off of that psychic draw.
Still no tool card being drawn.
Diego's got a monster hand of cards,
but I am not seeing any Pokemon tools in there whatsoever.
Almost everything else has got an energy actually.
Yeah, sorry, there's a telepathic.
That crushing hammer heads is actually pretty impactful
because we can't even use Enriching Energy to draw any additional cards
because you have to attach a Psych Energy this turn to attack.
Well, that's something we didn't hear earlier, and it is worth pointing out.
Generally speaking, single prize deck, a single energy deck.
You don't mind too much about crushing hammer,
but if you've got crushing hammer down,
there's no tool.
But if you've got an energy already on the board,
that means that you can weave in that Enriching Energy to draw four more cards.
If you don't have an energy down, then you really can't use it on the same turn.
But seriously, how has he not hit a Pokémon tool yet?
So unfortunate for Diego.
You've just seen three runaway draws and some psychic draw.
Doesn't that change the complexion of this game?
Diego now thinking that there is a genuine threat of Phantom Dive
once again sort of taking over the board.
If he's not careful, he's not been the aggressor so far
because he thought he was a shoe in for,
Most likely a 2x knockout this turn whilst developing Genesect, but you can see him shift through the deck.
There's the three tools all still there.
The board here is fine. You've got two Dunns passed down. You've got a Cadabra down.
You don't have an Abra, so Cadabra turns not into an out right now, but there's still, if you get an Unfestamped hit the board,
Diego's still in a decent position to potentially draw and draw out of it, but you're absolutely right.
We wanted to see that Genesect. Diego, especially,
We see an energy coming down onto the Alakazam.
Are we going to see a boss's order?
Yes, Diego has put it right to the front of his hand.
The card's there.
I think you said yourself, Joe, we need to see a KO this turn.
There comes a battle cage.
It's actually onto the two-energy-dra-cloak instead.
So hunting energy rather than prizes here.
Yeah, he really wanted to not be forced into this position,
but he felt like he sort of had to.
In this case, you know that Andrew was only on a four-card hand.
You've limited one of those recon directive.
On the previous turn, Andrew just used a Crispin.
So in this case, Diogo,
trying to attack Andrew's hand on his draw options.
So it is just one recon directive.
Andrew doesn't have much right now.
Well, let's see what the recon directive gives him
an option for a ChakaPolTX.
Okay, so that does give a ChakaPolTX.
Is there a fire energy in hand?
Because you're gonna need a fire energy
if you're Andrew, if you're gonna be attacking it.
But this is the worry.
Again, with no rare candy in the list for Andrew,
having to attack with this Dragapult feels so awkward
because then it can easily get knocked out
with no hand disruptors for Andrew in his hand.
And in game one, every time Andrew phantom dives,
the damage counters had a really nice place to go.
Onto the first and dipty, onto the Genesect,
and then KOing the Genesect.
Look at this poor joke, do you see,
where did the damage counters go?
Where's the best place?
It's tough right now.
I feel like even attacking with phantom dive
just such a trap. I feel like we have to get out of here. But again, it's so intimidating
when Diego sat on the catalogue of cards. I have to expect there's more bosses orders
in there, even though there's only two copies within his deck list.
Absolutely. And that could punish. Well, we do see a Drakloak in the active. There
are two energy on, so Dragon Headbutt's going to be there. There's a darkness energy
to retreat. Andrew doesn't want to leave it in harm's way. Puts the Meowth EX into
the active. Is he just giving Diego the opportunity to chaos me out for two prizes? That cannot
be Andrew's plan A, but unfortunately the draws are put in there. Here comes enriching
energy for four more cards and we've got Boss's orders as well. It could be the decloak
with all the energy, but we don't have it. It's in the prizes. This retreat from Andrew
is going to work out again such a situation where Diego normally can access so much of the deck it would never even be a
Consideration finally a tool though for Diego. So that's a good break for him
That's gonna be awesome
That means that Diego can put down that Genesect attacks at all the nice nullifier is turned on so there will be no
Unfair stamp coming down. That's a bit of a win
Of course if you care to me out that does potentially open up special red cars
It does.
Diego will have three prize cards remaining, which is probably another thing that Andrew
was thinking when he put the Meowth into the active.
That's 100% what he's trying to go for here.
Trying to force more, four out of Diego at the very least.
Is there any chance Diego has the Erie ready?
No.
I don't see it in this hand either.
And that's really the only draw that we have outside of other supporter cards to
grant us access to Hilda or Dawn.
I hope there is one.
like that.
Eerie here would be kind of awesome.
No, there's a dawn, but no other supporter
seen off without Alakazam psychic draw for free.
There's a buddy buddy pop in.
Diego's going to be able to search for some more low HP
base.
Oh, it was literally the last card in the deck.
And you would much prefer to put an air balloon
onto a geniset than a lucky helmet because of those
crushing hammers that Andrew still has access to.
Yes.
In random situations, if Andrew can bring up a one
retreat cost Pokemon, then get a hammerhead on the Alakazam. That could be another potential
turn of reprieve for Andrew, especially on a Pokemon that has a tool other than Air Balloon
already committed to it. We do see an evolution into the Dunspass. That's another fardest
draw. Finally, an Air Balloon comes into the hand, and there is another Dunspass.
I feel that in this position, you'd want to just evolve into a Dunspass, finally
establish that Geneset crucially with Air Balloon, and then you will launch
this attack. You have to be still so scared though of that special red card.
The only good news for Diego is that Andrew hasn't really drawn many cards,
hasn't played a vital supporter over the last couple of turns,
just a couple of Crispin.
So Diego knows that Andrew's basically sat on nothing,
and he's really just banking on a recon directive.
That Eri does like sticking to the bottom of the deck.
Twice we saw, twice it was there.
Now we're going to see that dunce pass coming ahead.
The dunce pass, it is more draw.
Could he be searching for that Eri?
It does come in the hand. If you want to go hunting for that special red card, it is going to be in there.
And if you can put down the Genesect, if Diego does that with the Evalune, yeah.
It's a miss. Just the buddy-buddy poppin'.
But there's no draw in there. There's one Recon directive, and that is it if you look at the special red card.
He already knew that really from the last couple of turns.
Diego has definitely been keeping track of these things, but no doubt Diego has done his best to discard that special red card.
didn't quite come off for him, so there's still an option for Andrew.
Now we've seen the edge nullifier come down, so there's no opportunity for Andrew.
Just thinking about that lucky helmet if he's going to draw too many cards,
if he is getting hit by certain attacks, but we're seeing a big counter.
Inevitably this is going to be enough to deal with this Meowth EX,
so Diego will be going down to three prize cards remaining.
Absolutely he will. Meowth goes down, Diego takes two prizes,
free away from evening up this set.
Remind that if it's the beginning of your hand, what are we?
Are we red card?
Oh, that's a special red card!
Gago did everything he could, he played the eerie, so if it was there, he could get rid of it.
Andrew Topsec, if I'm not even needing Recon Directive to go and get it,
this could be absolutely devastating for Diego.
Andrew Hedrick in the Masters Division Finals.
I think he's just picked up.
Ooh, was that a Lili in the hand?
Yes, it is.
Those two Recon Directive were crazy.
They were absolutely what you need there, and that means that Andrew is going to be in a great position
Look at Diego's hand got four cards left in deck
He literally counted his deck to make sure he wasn't gonna deck out from a lucky helmet draw
Andrew is thinking about not launching phantom dive at all here
Not using a special red card either
What are we missing Ross? Oh, he's on awful ox plays in game one
absolutely work chooses not to play special red card to reset Diego's hand
chooses not to evolve up into Dragapult just plays a lily's determination
getting a new hand of eight cards no prizes having been taken this is an
unusual line of play Joe tell me I'm not I'm not seeing things here this is
unusual Andrews up to something it might involve that lucky helmet but
Diego was just attached to his Pokemon forcing draw when you get
damaged. Andrew may be trying to deck out Diego in this game number two. That's
going to be an interesting thing to see. Special Red Cart is in hand. If Andrew's
changed his mind he is going to be able to go ahead and use it. I don't think he's changed his mind.
No. Dunsworth's comes down, dreamy goes up into your cloak and that is going to give an option
for another recon directive here to maybe see a few more cards. Lucky helmet by the way
if you attack into it, draws two cards.
But it's worth noting that when you use the Thun Spot,
it goes back into your deck,
so Diego can use that to essentially reset.
That is something to consider.
Of course, you need to have cards remaining in the deck
to be able to use the runaway draw.
You do indeed.
There we go, it's gonna be 70 damage.
Crocking the lucky helmet in this instance
brings Diego down to just two cards remaining in the deck,
and he will have to draw for the turn here, Ross.
And I think he might...
I'm trying to work through how these next couple of turns go.
I think Andrew might have done the maths here and gone,
even when you run away draw, I think I'm going to be able to deck you out
using your own lucky helmet.
Here we go, you draw a card, two go down.
Now, if you can't use any more runaway draw
to put any more cards in there,
if you've got two cards, if Andrew attacks, you draw two.
It goes to your turn, you draw for turn.
There's no card there and you deck out.
Is that what we might be seeing here?
Andrew Hedrick going to be using Duns Basta Ram his way to a world championship title.
Have you seen anything like this, folks?
And Andrew's already won game up.
If he wins this second game, he will be your Pokemon Training Card game,
2026 Masters Division World Champion.
Diego's just having a little bit of a look.
He's counting.
He's realized what Andrew is doing at this point.
And now Diego's thinking, how is this going to work?
Playing the next few turns in his head,
trying to figure out if he is going to deck out
or if he's got a way around it.
This is absolutely incredible scenes.
Andrew Hedrick has not taken a prize card in the second game.
There are no Pokemon in the discard pile for Diego
to use any of his Pokemon recovery
to increase the size of his deck.
Diego just figuring things out here.
I'm going to see the retreat on Alakazam.
He can't allow this lucky helmet to proc again.
But that just means all Andrew needs to do is gust it into the active and attack and deck Diego out.
He's got a Boston orders already in hand, Joe, and that might be all that we need any attack.
Andrew has been around for a long time at this point.
He's been a regional champion five times.
He is a North American champion.
He won the North American International Championships in 2024.
He got a top 32 finish at the World Championships in the same year.
Now he's trying to add the World Championships.
He's got the, he's got the, he's got the bus out of the bus and orders.
He attacked Diego Dax's out.
And Andrew Hendricks is your 20-26 possible training card game world champion.
Can you believe it?
A guns fast round. Just concluded the Masters Division finals.
Andrew Hedlick, take a bow. You have just entered the Hall of Fame.
The Mastermind behind the Dragopods Hammers archetype takes it all the way.
This man eats Pokemon. He sleeps Pokemon. He breathes Pokemon.
already a five-time regional champion,
already an international champion,
and now a world champion.
Well, let's hear from our world champion.
Let's go down to the stage
and talk to Andrew Hendrick, your world champion.
Hey, everybody.
We just finished our TCG Masters Division Grand Finals,
and I am now joined by your world champion,
Andrew Hendrick.
We spoke before your match about your existing accolades and now you can add world championship
to your NAIC and regional titles.
Tell me what it means to actually achieve the trifecta.
Yeah, I don't know, it's pretty unbelievable, I mean, I never imagined I would actually
be up here winning World Cup, I thought it was possible, but it's just insane to
actually get that opportunity to do this.
It's not like this is the first time this year
that you've won this deck.
How have you been grumping and just continuing
to commit to your strategy that you have proved
in time to time again?
Yeah, I don't know if you're on the last couple of months.
I tried some different decks,
but I really found that this draggable deck
is just like too good, it's just too consistent,
and I could kind of have so many options with it.
So in the last few weeks,
I just played as many games as I could
with it to get ready for the tournament and it worked out.
I don't know if you know this,
but the hat that Diego was wearing
is older than you are.
You wore it on the stage when you won the previous world championship in 2017.
While you have your own experience, were you ever intimidated by the veterans on the opposite
side?
Yeah, I know.
Playing against a great player in the finals, obviously, it's pretty scary, but all you
can do is focus on the game in front of you, and that's what I tried to do and tried
not to think too much about my opponent or how good they were.
And to give you the opportunity to think of some loved ones, go ahead and give
a shout out to whoever you'd like to address.
Yeah, I mean shout out to all my friends who you know, I talk to every day I test with
Just so many getting in the mall shout out to my parents my mom and my dad were always supporting me
And my dad was the one who actually forced me to play the CCG at first
I just I just wanted to collect when I was an elementary school
But you know it kind of made me learn how to play the game
And I would say it worked out and I shout out to Pokey color for the support to a
Family affair indeed
Congratulations once again on your victory and everyone here in the stadium and at home
Give it up one more time for your world champion, Andrew!
Alright, well I know you put up quite a show, and our analysts have something to say about it, so let's hear it.
Thank you, Gaby, and congratulations once again to the 2026 world champion, Andrew Hedrick.
What an iconic moment, decking out his opponent with guns, spars.
Thanks to the Lucky Helmet, the Diego put into play an incredible moment and an incredible player.
I can't think of anyone more deserving than Andrew Kedrick at this moment.
Absolutely. That Lucky Helmet turned into an unlucky helmet for Diego.
Ended up costing him, but you have to admire the ability to just be flexible and adapt to situations
after showing why he's worthy of being world champion this weekend.
Honestly, an amazing play by Andrew, finding that line, Diego trying to prevent every possibility
of being able to recover his hand and all of a sudden, the lucky helmet ends up working out against him.
Yeah, absolutely well deserved from Andrew. He eats, sleeps, and breathes Pokemon, always
practicing, always thinking about the game. It's great to see that effort pay off.
We have now crowned three world champions in the trading card game. Let's take a look
Look at that junior division bracket as Yuta Araki became car world champion winning a close three game set against Luke Yippin.
Yeah, absolute pleasure to see two young players do so well in the track of point mirror match, a matchup that is still being explored, still being played.
Congratulations to Yuta, completely well deserved.
And in the seniors division, we of course saw Jake and G defeating in Kobe Huff, that
incredible Alakazam able to take the win.
Yeah, Kobe came in with a clear game plan of how to attack this very challenging matchup,
was able to take the first game of the series, but at the end of the day, Jake's advantage
with that Alakazam was just too much for Kobe to overcome.
in the Masters division after an entire season spent with Tragopolt EX after a regional championship
win after defining the meta game with crushing hammer a 2-0 victory Andrew Hedrick over Diego
Casiraga. Amazing final we had very exciting game came down to that trawl off the stadium
and then the lucky hell that nobody could have seen that comment too.
incredible foresight from Andrew Hedrick to recognize that line once that lucky
helmet came into play immediately checking through what Diego had still
available knowing that he went this route he would have the safe deck out
option and it makes him the world champion a player who has had so much
success the last few years of the game five-time regional champion an
an international champion and he will now add that iconic Pikachu trophy to his extensive trophy collection.
And another shout out to this incredible top eight, specifically the top four. This may be
the most stacked top four we have ever had at a World Championship. We have international
champions, we have world champions, we have players who have won multiple regionals in the same
season, so much talent this year at Worlds. It was certainly a global affair with players
from across the world competing, but it is you through Hedrick from the United States taking home
that $50,000 first place prize. It's got to feel good to take home that prize, I'm sure.
This will sink in later for Andrew, but do you want to take a moment to acknowledge Diego's
accomplishment as well? Pablo, I know you've been friends with Diego for a very long time.
What does it need to see him so many years later make it back to the finals of the World
championships and have another great accomplishment. Generally extra special, I mean he defeated me on his
run to the comic world champion in 2017, watching him in the final, seeing him be the closest person to
get to a potential two-time world championship since Jason Klasinski, really really amazing,
it means a lot to me, I'm sure it means a lot to him as well and he was really pumped to make
it all the way. And of course with his family here supporting him as well you know when he
We want the 2017 World Championships partner still pregnant with their eldest son and now their eldest son here to see that up on the big stage.
I mean, what a special memory for that family.
Yeah, and Pablo, you did mention Jason Kzitzki, of course, only three time World Champion in the Pokemon TCG.
I do see a lot of similarities between him and Andrew Hedrick.
You know, both very calculated players tend to go for very consistent streamlined strategies and just trying to outplay,
outwork their opponents in order to get victories.
Could this be the start of a reign of a new legacy
with Andrew Hetron?
And I do believe we are ready to crown all three champions
out on the stage.
Gabby, take it away.
That's what I'd like to hear.
The Pokemon Trading Cart game is one of the oldest pillars
in competitive Pokemon.
Yet, our trainers continue to innovate,
Keep the competition fresh and awe-inspiring across every single age division.
Today, we have six more names to the Rupert books as we celebrate our finalists and crown our world champions.
Let's get into it.
Starving their junior division in the Rupert position, we have Luke Giffen.
And your champion, Utah Baraki!
On Seniors, the right-represident, Kobe Ha!
And your senior division TCG world champion, Jeff N. G.
Last but not least, in our Masters division, in the runner position, we have Diego Castillaga.
You're one of the TCG World Champions in the Master's Division.
Give it up for Andrew Henry.
Six fantastic trainers and buddy.
One last time.
Give it up for TCG Vinylists.
It's fantastic to have new names to speak of and I know our analysts have something to say about that so why doesn't that you have to say?
Thanks so much Gaby, yes congratulations again to these finalists and our newest world champions.
We're not done, we of course have our video game competitions still to come.
deal to come, all we get set up, we're gonna just talk a little bit about this whole event,
how we got to this point, and continue to congratulate all of these champions.
Yeah, it's such an amazing moment to be here in the Chase Center to experience this.
Pablo, you and I have both been attending the World Championship since the 2004, over
20 years at this point, and to see where it started, to where it's grown to today
It's just amazing to be a part of this with you, all of us here at the desk and everyone here in the arena.
Thanks so much for making this such a special moment all these years for KwanttCG leading up to this.
Over two decades of world championships from hotel, underground, facility,
Bolleroop's dog feel with Chase Center is really the pleasure to be here with you guys and with everyone here right now.
And the competition just continues to get more intense every year.
Players get better, decks become innovated at a higher level.
It just shows that the future of the game is so, so great.
Talking back to that Masters Division finals, I don't know if there's anyone more experienced in Dragoflid than Andrew Hedrick.
I mean, even back to before the rotation when all the talk was about Guard of War,
Golden Go, Charizard EX, Andrew remained true to this Dragonbolt EX archetype.
He, of course, popularized this crushing hammer build after the rotation
and became the standard way to play this deck.
And all that led to his title.
I mean, you have to imagine that that experience is really what back this moment is.
Experience, practice, putting in the time.
And you know, there's something to be said for just continuing to use the same thing identifying what the most powerful strategies are
And if you can on your craft to perfect your skills, you can find yourself overcoming even disadvantageous situations by
Simply identifying things that other players maybe couldn't I mean we all knew Dragon bolt had a very very big target
on its back heading into so that maybe the biggest attack has ever had I would say and
and to still come out on top, to still remain faithful to the archetype.
Even what before rotation, Gargoyle X was dominating Dragonbolt,
and he was still faithful and found a lot of success with it.
And you know that was like kind of a point of contention coming into the World Championships, right?
A lot of people said Dragonbolt X can't win.
It's gonna have too big of a target on its back.
Sure, you could make top cut with it, but surely when you get into top cut,
you'll run into one of those counter decks,
and you just won't be able to close it out,
But Andrew proved everybody wrong.
And he did not have an easy path to this championship title.
And Top 8, he played against Crustle.
And if you saw his list, he does not have any countercards
besides crushing hammer still played through every single option.
That's what he does so well.
You can clearly see it in that top match, in our finals match.
He found a way through.
Lots of heartfelt matches and wellness.
If there's going to be a line to find,
Andrew Hedrick is going to take it.
And that is proven by the lucky helmet play
that we just saw up on that big stage.
I don't know if I'm going to get over that anytime soon.
Yeah, and that's going to be one for the ages, of course.
We had so many amazing, memorable matches this weekend,
but that's one we're not going to forget.
And I do want to mention, I believe it was a clean sweep
for Andrew Hedrick in the top cut, winning 2-0 over and over
and over against such high quality opponents as well.
So he came prepared for this weekend.
And, you know, there's a lot to be said for preparation,
but also staying focused throughout as the pressure keeps building through all these matches as well.
I mean, why don't we relive the moment of the Lucky Helmet?
We have it right here.
Let's jump into it, that Lucky Helmet, the crucial attachment.
Even Diego had that, right?
And probably in his mind, he was thinking about the special red card,
which coincidentally was Andrew's top deck next turn,
but turns out that ultimately was his demise.
Yeah, as soon as Andrew didn't play the special red card, we knew something was up.
He had other plans, and he wasn't wanting to KO this Alakazam,
something that seems so counterintuitive to your general Pokemon TCG strategy.
What a pivot to see this line.
Yeah, absolutely.
You know, seeing the line, playing as safe as possible,
drawing into that dark energy and putting it onto the Dunsbars
to make sure he could claim the World Championship title
In as much style as you can,
Dunsparse is not a Pokemon known for really getting in there and dealing a lot of damage.
It assisted his opponent in drawing the cards that eventually led to Andrew's victory.
And I think Diego may have thought this through a little bit and thought,
oh, well, even if I get hit by Dragapult EX, my Alakazam will get knocked out.
Yes. I have to Dunsparse to go ahead and make sure I don't deck out.
But didn't account for the fact that Andrew does not have to knock out Alakazam
can just attack it multiple times without doing enough damage and that slight oversight may have costs from the world championships.
Yeah, I think we were definitely all perplexed about Andrew's line of choosing not to evolve into Dragapult.
Even the whole crowd were like, oh my gosh, and then he didn't draw Dragapult again out of the lily.
It wasn't that clear line, right? It's a very unexpected decision or unlikely decision, but ultimately these four cards
is what led to this amazing, amazing play.
I don't think we're ever gonna see something like this again
in a final.
Also, Andrew had not taken a knockout this entire game,
and that is why this play works.
Diego plays Sacred Ash in his deck,
but he doesn't have Ultra Ball.
There's no way to put Pokemon in the discard pile
for him to shuffle these Pokemon back into the deck
to replenish.
And since Andrew had not taken a single KO,
there were no live targets for Sacred Ash
to re-fuel his deck.
Yeah, not the line you typically see to end the game off.
And you could see immediately, D.A.G.O. just trying to figure out a way out.
Thinking, can I shuffle in one D'dunzsparse, maybe multiple D'dunzspars to change things up?
But just slowly realize that the writing was on the wall,
and that is how one small decision can snowball so quickly
against somebody who can identify alternate win conditions.
Now, the D'dunzsparse does, of course, shuffle attached cards back in.
He'll have a lot of cards in hand.
Was there perhaps an opportunity to put an energy onto a Dunsparce?
Put a tool card on to it to put even more cards back into his deck.
Yeah, we did have that option, right?
I do believe we had to run our whole deck.
There was an Earth Balloon.
There definitely were energies as we retreated,
trying to prevent this play.
And ultimately, I mean, with the pressure, the movement,
everything on the line, I feel like it's not an easy thing to realize.
I think that Andrew's play caught Diego off guard.
I think that's pretty safe for today.
Yeah, and I think it goes to show you
even the best of the best sometimes can get caught off guard
and have a hard time adapting and seeing
every single possible play.
Sometimes, you know, it's not your day.
Sometimes you're really locked in
and you can find those things,
but Diego is so focused on other things
he may not have seen that in front of him.
Now who's to say how this game would have ended anyway,
but that wasn't immediately to perhaps not duck out.
What an epic moment. The DotSpaar is coming up. They're ramped for a game with the bosses, orders. That was not in anyone's...
That one was not a part of the script. Not a part of the script. Sure.
But the DPT could not have flipped this concept.
Incredible floor sight from Andrew Hedrick and he becomes the 2026 World Champion.
He is a bog time regional champion.
He is a singular time international champion.
He got top 32 of Worlds a couple of seasons ago.
He's had tons of other great international and regional successes.
You know, we spend so much time at these events talking about quick greatest Pokemon players.
Of course, Jason Klazinski, his three world champion titles toward Reclav,
his five international titles, two incredible runs of world championships for him.
Andrew Hedrick does not have the time in the game that those two players have.
He's still very very young, but I think it's time he starts making his way into
those conversations. It's definitely making a case at this point. He keeps this
up like you said Jim, it's only been a few years of wrapping up all of those
accomplishments. The future is pretty bright for him. Yeah, I mean even the
fact that he has accomplished so much in so little time, I think just speaks
volumes of he should be in this conversation because the other players
right how long it take Diego to get that world championship and how many years
did he try so yeah Andrew definitely on another level at this moment and he and
his friends who prepare and play consistently finishing at the top
level this season whether it be championship points or regional wins
or international placements that is scary when the top lines are together
and working towards every event you know that when you show up there is
group that is prepared and ready to take down an event.
It almost doesn't feel fair to the rest of us trying to play right.
All of the best players working together.
How are we supposed to compete?
They're dominating up at the top of the game,
and it is a really fun thing to be able to watch.
Yeah, and I do think we've seen a trend in the last several years
of kind of these young, up-and-coming players being the ones
to dominate at this level.
I think it is inspirational, though, for some of our older folks
that Diego was able to make a run as well,
proving that, you know, it doesn't matter what your age is
when you're playing the Pokemon TCG,
skill players are skill players the best or the best,
and anybody can compete in it.
It's always a great time to jump in
and learn how to play the game.
43 years old, the oldest player
to grace this world championship stage,
and I wouldn't be surprised
if he improved that in future years as well.
Best line I heard the weekend is,
Diego could have been the oldest player to a Wonderworld championship since Diego lost the one.
That was amazing.
I believe 35, whenever he won the 2017 World Championships and still doing it now, nine years later.
Well it's been an excellent journey, the trading card game, Pokemon Go and Pokemon Unite.
So many World Champions already crowned but we are not done yet. It is time to kick off
Pokemon Champions where we will crown three first time Pokemon Champions World Champions.
It is it, Joel! The Least Linky is moving on to our top 8!
We're trying to get one shot onto the Sneezed Lurk!
It's a total lose!
Joel is gonna be moving on to the top 4.
The damage is done, this was at 33%!
And the 4th pick comes through!
That's we move on to the top 4 of the World Championships!
He wave following up in the sun into both targets is enough for Roshi to get the Double KO!
Two turns and with us,
Hiramoshi Onishi moves on to Championship Sunday.
We are just watching a boxing match between these two
and they aren't truly trading blow for blow.
Scarch on Earthquakes is going to deliver the finishing blow
and Takamon will be moving on to the finals here
at the Pokemon World Championships.
and I'll see you in a minute.
Shay Center Trainers, are you ready to get started with Yocamon BGZ here on Championship Sunday, starting with your junior's finals.
Kazuki Kage going up against Kazutaka Katohori.
determination of all that hard work, the determination and the talent that these trainers have put on the line this season.
It all comes to a close here. One more match to go both of our trainers, but one of them will be walking away a world champion.
Here to take you through the action of kicking off BBC, Sierra Dawn, the provost, it is an honour to be here at such an incredible stage,
an incredible arena to be crowning your first Pokemon champion, World Champion.
champion. That is the most exciting thing. Champions has just come around and
to be the first world champion of the the champions era. What a title to take away
with you and yeah it's been an incredible weekend so far but starting off with
the juniors it's always so exciting it gives us open a bright future ahead for
the VG. Seeing them we know we can get to see these talents rise up and become
these new heroes of us.
This is the next generation of Pokemon trainers
and the opportunity to earn a world championship title
to date, to be sentimenting their spot
as one of the best so early on in their journey.
And for it to start in an arena like this,
a stage like this is truly incredible.
Two trainers that have battled it out all weekend
and have shown that they are amongst the best.
Now one more battle for our world champion.
Yeah, just so we can take up the moment.
The trainers are all going to get themselves ready.
The teams are very interesting going into this match.
We can take a look at Kazuki's team here.
The Frostlass, which has that Megaston.
So, Megafrostlass, Megaston Village.
We've got the Maskelutian, the King Gambit,
the Lichenrock and the Sneasler.
Very familiar set of Pokemon.
We've seen you extremely well.
This one making it to the finals.
can it get Kazuki over the line?
This Lycanroc team, this variant, has been so popular
and so strong with how dominant Charizard has been.
And we've seen this team, this variation take down
those big bad Charizard teams over and over.
But of course, having the other powerful options here
with the Sneaseler and the Vascular Legion
and the King Gambit, one of the most powerful Pokemon
we have in this current regulation,
no matter what other team is on the opposing end,
you have options. The fact that you have the set up King Gambit as well, an option to really
be able to pivot around to allow this King Gambit to try and set up, if you can get a
sword stance, that could be momentum completely shifted in your favor.
Yeah, you've got the Sneezer to help out with that fake out there to get that King
Gambit set up, whether it comes in the early game to soften things up for that
Pascaligian or in the late game to close out is a formidable threat and something
because it's going to have to consider when approaching their game plan.
Of course, we've got that Charizard of White, the Swamper,
the Arch-Alladon, the Grimmsnall, Pellipa and the Venusaur.
The common trend here is that double weather.
The options, you've got the Charizard bringing in the Sun
to speed boost the chlorofill ability on that Venusaur.
You've got the Pellipa bringing in the rain that powers up the speed on that Swamper,
giving it that swift swim ability when it does mega-evolve
and becomes a formidable threat that will be able to handle
I love those issues on the opposite side of the field, a lichenrock that might come to check the Charizard.
The Sneasler, the King Gaven as well, and that Wavecrash under the rain is so, so powerful.
This is the Charizard team with the mention, having this dual weather mode,
which gives Hasataka so many options in how he wants to approach this matchup.
You can try and just go all in on one of your weather modes,
or you can bring a couple of options that you think would fare really well into Kusuki's team,
and I would be so interested to see how he wants to play this because if you lead your rather right
that could be everything for you but as well having to do a weather going up against the single
weather mode of Kazuki gives you twice as much potential to get ahead. Yeah it makes it very
difficult to bring that cross last to get that a Royal Dail set up that you want to support the
rest of your team. The Grim Snarl makes things even more difficult because it's got my prankster
parting shots. So you can lead it next to maybe one of those Pokemon like the Swampert, other Venus other take advantage of the weather and especially in the Swampert scenario you can
pivot out first before anything moves after a mega evolution and overwrite that weather, get in your favor and get that Swampert in that preferred.
Yeah, the swamp is in a nice position. It does have to worry about the faker from the
Sleezer, of course I could slow it down and the Arch-Alladon is pretty free here to just
getting a tack up but is it pressuring a knockout that's the question probably not
on this stage of the game you probably don't want to fake that out because it
will activate that stamina ability and give it a free defense boost but the
King Gavin does feel like it's in a great position to get that sword stance
off if the sneezer goes for the fake out into the swamp, stop it and it
tracks this turn, it's not much being able to stop that we've already talked
about how impactful that sword stance could be once that is set up it's
already boosted by that light bulb that will be starting to really take
Pokemon on the opposite side of the field.
A swap out, our Chaladon is out.
Helper joins the fray and with it setting up the rain.
This is going to enable the swamper with this mega evolution.
It's going to be oh so speedy and dealing oh so much damage.
Looking right away to start dealing out powerful attacks onto the two Pokemon on the opposing end.
Potentially, but will this be a protect on this turn?
With potential of the fake out on the opposing end,
you do have to make sure your Pokemon stays safe
and correctly pulling that protect is fake.
But when you have to protect,
there's always the opportunity to set up
already a sword stance for the King Gambit
to deal so much attack on this next turn.
Yeah, and that's a huge lift.
Because of Taka, he's got that King Gambit
in the perfect position.
Now it offers support with that sucker punch.
It's gonna be able to go before anything
can attack on the opposite side of the field
and it's a big damage.
Two times one fight.
The question is, can I take a plus two sucker punch?
That is what we're gonna find out.
probably very soon the question is though is it could be enough just soften
this one foot up maybe a master agent come in later in this game take advantage of that rain
and then pick up and knock out with that I could get a hard to protect it so
sitting target now but the other thing the helipers as well is
wrecking that hurricane damage onto the sneezer and it does break and knock out there
super effective damage and also the weather ball in stacking gamma if a
double up comes out with the earthquake it could be detrimental take that
Pokemon down.
Plus two Sucker Punch.
Swamplink is gonna get it!
Stop this!
Stop!
For a tail into the Swamper.
Hold it on.
Step percent HP.
You can go ahead and attack and return.
These are no damage done, but earthquake into the King Gambit is gonna deal a lot.
The Gambit doesn't want to appreciate these hits and will be brought down to 26%.
Follow up here.
From the Volcker, no attacks, but making sure you're set up for success going on forward.
Tailwind with a speed.
Yeah, the tailwind's really useful because once that's won foot, it'll
that Swampert does leave the field then the switch swim goes with it you need to
support the remaining Pokemon in the back when they do come onto the field
especially because it seems a little threat now Archeladon with those big fighting type of
attacks now what you do here do you attack with the Swampert it's in a great
position you could go for another earthquake it would be enough to get
that King Gamma but it is threatened by that sucker punch do you maybe
switch it out save it for later in use that Pelika leverage that into the
King Gamma that is the biggest threat here you need to go after that
both of the kinggap is really targeting the helipad.
A little swap around, a double swap around actually as Grimtono and Archalodon come back out.
Archalodon plumps being in the rain and of course double swap means you won't take any damage
if there was a potential sucker punch on the opposing end and the switch with Archalodon
catches that turn at a gunk shot.
Fantastic switch here because if you put themselves in a great position now
ring stall on the field and one thing you want to set up next to your Pokemon, if that
Soul Stance has been activated and then the King Gambit is a reflect, you've got the
Prime Star reflect, you can set up now, it's going to give you perfect protection and put
that ArchEllid on it, it's in its perfect environment, the range set up, it's got access
to Electro Shot, you can go after that King Gambit now, getting plus one through its
special attack starts, getting some momentum back and getting it back into the game.
And right now this King Gambit is still a big threat but not plus 2 through its attack.
from Smeasler. Nice, but right now it's a lecture shot. Of course in the rain, this will be a
one push-and-off move. You get the special attack, you don't have to wait for next turn.
Go ahead and fire off a powerful attack. Smeasler, down to about a third. Dump shot, going into this
Grim Snarl instead. Such a powerful attack, but again, Rekha paid off huge. Yeah, that reflects
so slow, Vani-Mook. Yeah, hold poison as well. Let's put that Grim Snarl on a timer. There's
as a matter of time before it will fall down.
Lefto is coming in really handy for the Archaladon,
just putting it out of arms reach,
especially when you've got that reflect kind of force
for those defenses.
Now you've got that electric shot off,
where's your targeting going?
You can't be careless with it.
You can't target shot out,
if you want with the Grimstone,
maybe lower the attack on that thing there.
Remember, you can't go for it into the king gamut.
There is also the option of going for a spread break,
maybe protecting the Archaladon,
just getting a little bit extra health,
getting into a better scenario,
following turns to help you get big swing with it going into the last turn to this game.
Brimstall on his timer went at poison, already such low health.
Setting up the screens was certainly nice but how can you make the most of the Brimstall
while it's still sticking around and of course for the King Gambit you have those
boots but you got to make sure these attacks count the life or the concealing
so much damage to yourself. Or Talodon with protect won't be hitting it by a
is Sucker Punch as it will fail.
Now close combat, already such low health on the Grim Snarl,
we'll take it down.
Yeah, it's a really nice play to get back
close combat into Grim Snarl.
You can come from another Grim Sharl,
it's quite risky, it's not the best accuracy here,
but the main thing is it activates that wide curve.
That is doubling the speed on the Sleeveless,
so even in a tailwind,
even if the rain set up to support that,
it's won't hurt that if you come back onto the field,
you're gonna match speed.
You're gonna be actually at speeding doors.
And with the damage this one put's already taken,
The sleeves are going to be in that position where it can pick that off.
Now the Pelopon belt, good timing to bring it back onto the field.
It is going to set that rain up again for another five turns, so that the electric shot is now enabled.
It is going to be able to stop the powering of that arch-halibon a little bit more each and every turn.
And the big threat now is the Pelopon right alongside it that does offer a little bit more offense than that Grimstar was the previous turn.
The perfect timing was the Grimstar going down to Pelopon, setting the rain up perfectly and offering so much offensive pressure within itself too.
With that full 5 turns it remains a brain going on forward, but you still have to be also careful of your eye of an attacking move with this pelfer.
This team gamut still puts so much pressure on the board.
There's been a lot done to really being able to mitigate what this team gamut's been able to do with these swaps.
It would be well timed for attacks, but we'll have to see if it can make a little bit more use of it.
Notice that the punch though, she's our first to act close combat for those drops.
and another fence boost on the opposing end.
Now a left-foot shot in retaliation,
boosting up the special attack once again
into either one of these Pokemon
that's already taken quite a bit.
Special attack boost, now going for the attack
into this measler, we'll take it down.
Yeah, and that's us two now on the ball
for our challenge on a sunny day.
It's really hard, it should be turned
because plastic is requiring a little bit more help.
Now the follow-up from the pellet for that weather ball
Finally, taking that king gambit down, but Suzuki got a lot of value out of that Pokemon after getting that sword sand stuff and really clinching all the softening up the opposite side of the field.
This rain load has put in so much work. When in battle, though, we have highlights of Lycanroc and Swagflab. There's two really big key pieces to this.
Lycanroc, though, not necessarily in this theme level, especially if you want to see, but the Swagflab could override that weather.
the perfect scenario for Kazuki. Now you can mega evolve, overwrite the rain, take away
the electric shock from a one turn attack to a two turn attack. On top of that you put your
lycanoff on the field. Yes, it might be threatened by the Peledon, but you are taking away the rain,
so that's where the war will become an ice type attack, not something that the lycanoff has
to worry about so much. The more important thing is that offensive threat that it's got.
You've got access to close combat, you go after that or teledon. It's so low health
at the minute as well that it does land even through a reflect you've got to expect
It's going to be close to picking up a knockout if it's level B2 with a potential Shadow Ball or Lizard.
First on the turn though, if you want to override the weather, you have to go ahead and mega evolve.
Frostlass coming out with the snow warning.
You can't rely on those one turn electric shots anymore.
And if you do want to get that weather back, Pelopter has to swap out.
Protect from our Shadow Dons as they're off into Pelopter.
This is going to be great for dealing a little bit of damage here,
It was put out of going on forward to protect our Taladon though, won't be any damage, but
he's looking to sweep, pulling, pushing on forward with that tailwind.
Yeah, it's a really strong play from Kazutaka, just to protect that on Taladon this turn.
It is for all those special attacks because of the fence boost this is required, but now
with that tailwind activated, everything on Taladon is going to be ahead of the crosslash
and the like of the rock. The like of the rock does have a little bit of security
you can't go after either of these targets but we've seen the damage already.
You sell her off but there'll be enough to get the pellet per.
Or do you focus all your attention down into the arch-halibur?
But now it's a slot that he's going to be going with all the classes protected
so you're not likely to go for it again and it is in a position where it will attack
which targets are going for though.
They're likely off to break the sash, but that's a cross-lice.
If you can get the protect right on the Zicky side of the field
you can really give yourself back into this game.
If you want to look at overriding the weather to get your own out as well
as well you need to swap with a peliputra
obviously only the last opportunity to do so
the mega swamper comes out with a well-time
protector on the opposing end but it's light
to rock the target of choice flash cannon
light to rock rock all the way down to its focus
that yeah we'll see what it's like in
ronkos's got the pelipurgan or is it
the close combat it looks like it is
in str jelladon is it enough it's not
it's not it's not it's not
those are the best suits of added of
s jelladon who has four percent
and another one it's going to stick
around for one more turn and get a little bit of recovery back. And now Swamper out on the field,
both of the Pokemon have such low health, but you can switch into Pelothur and have
this Swamper really be able to catch her. Yeah, that's good to believe, that's how well
the attacker is controlling this ball right now. Yes, you might have to call for the
Archarodon boosting thing, but isn't putting this one in a really advantageous position.
So be careful about that, Celeron, both of them on very low health. The Archaladon will definitely be able to take one, so maybe the Prithrid switch here is a Swamper, I'll caliper it and then utilize the Archaladon.
Plus to the Swamper though, as it's got that spread attack so it can go for an earthquake, so Pozl's heart's just protected. It is going to be fun roll now to a Flash Cannon though, so the choice is much better to keep the Archaladon, maybe Swamper go up but it is sticking around.
Nose, bomb, and priority move from this Lighten Rock slumber already at such low HPs, no chance of sticking around.
Follow-up flash can is so much better on Dark, and a Frost Blast that has absolutely no chance of treating Chaos on this turn.
But now, for Kazuki, it's only a Lighten Rock with one HP!
Yeah, and I mean, a fantastic play there, saying, OK, well, I can utilize Tailwind as still an effect.
I don't need to risk my Pelopter coming out of that, it's Tele-Rock and that's exactly what we saw there.
Now coming in again, Weather Control, we talked about how cold this Weather Control was.
His attack are doing extremely well in this match.
Keep control of that to mature it in the time, won't hit a pill when left to take it back to go.
That's what I've seen that can take down the Lightning Rocket, might get one more turn,
but on a double attack, it looks like it's getting closer and closer to being wrapped up.
Well, if you're eyeing up behind to go for something like the Trotslide Pelopter on the go,
And then how's the wide guard? Who will be able to stop it? So like in Rocks, you say safe for now, you can run out the tailwind, but beyond that, if you go ahead and click the rock side during the wide guard on me closing in, I'm still just lost.
Yeah, and that's the problem with these three spread attacks.
They're sure to help us on the field, for as in, there is always the fold.
And it's the mind games that it plays there, forcing your opponent into the alternative options.
Of course, combat does feel like a preferred option in the Archel and I'm gonna say again,
is it gonna be enough? It is rock-side dog on through those mind games.
So why, God, are you gonna connect?
I'm gonna connect into both no KO's, but if you can, go for a blinch instead.
It could be your way to try and make something happen here.
2 of Pokemon remaining, its single attack will be enough to take you down if you only have 1 HP
and no flinch is going to spell your doom. Archialodon, another electro shot for the road.
1 HP is all you have to do and Kazutaka take the first game in the set.
Wow, what a first game, so explosive and great game plans from both pairs coming into this
game but how to tackle really taking advantage of the weather on their side of the field and some of
the tools are really leaning into that our talent on the particular thing it's so well to just get
damage stuff and things up on the opposite side of the field while kind of setting up that special
attack can be overall in the end with a timed tail wing just so perfectly to just overcome all
those threats on how to get inside of the field. Even looking at earlier on in the match this
King Gambit with the sword, Sam Booth, becomes so scary, but there was a great job done by switching
around Pokemon well. Time protects. So really make sure this King Gambit never got out of control.
If once you take that threat down, get your Pelopter M80 later on, you can tail in, you have
this thief, and you just do so much damage to these remaining Pokemon. And I mean, the Grimstone
is so pivotal there. We do much offensively, but what it did provide the team was that
defensive support with the reflect. We hadn't seen that, I think the Lycanroc
would have easily been able to take down the Archelle in on that spot in the game.
That turned out a little bit different maybe, but the Zutaka just using those
tools so perfectly at the right time and not panicking too much either when
that King Amagawa Torch then set up. I think controlling the game and keeping
calm and composed was such a great thing to see, but all for Kazooie Pete
to do coming into this next game. He's tired up, does have options, did we
see maybe the Basque Legion coming. Kazuki's thinking that the rain is going to be the
optimal mode. I feel like that is going to give a lot of problems to things like that
Swampert. It will get the boost in the rain to its wave pressures and it can be an end
game Pokemon without last respects as well. It can really cut through and get the damage
you require on those remaining Pokemon.
Kazutaka having so many ways to pilot this team but now Kazuki knows that
Rain was the answer for game number one giving you so much information on how you
want to handle this game number two maybe like Rock gets left at home try and
switch up the Pokemon just a little bit or override that weather just a little
bit sooner so many questions in mind down a game in the set with the world
championship title on the line yeah it's really good folks to set up against
this Sun Rain team as well because you think you're going down one route
Because the attacker might be conditioning their opponent as well in a lot of ways where they might switch it up and bring that Charizard instead of the Ring
Getting into game number two. It's time to see there could be a bounce back with a big switch from the get-go
Rainbow left at home got the docket to bring out the Sun instead Venusaur and Charizard
Going up against the Skeezer and King Gambit. Yeah, now there's Charizard in prime position to Mega Revolve
But of course, most Pokemon here are going to be susceptible to that fake out.
But can you risk being passive here? I think, although you don't want your Venusaur's Sash being broken,
yet, can you protect in front of a king and at the time potential set of the soul stance and then become that fake threat once again?
Because, short resort, Pan's Venusaur aren't as good defensive as the Pokemon you saw in the morning.
Not anything like the Archela don't hold that scope, but then if I'm able to take those prior to your set of punches as well,
So do you just go for two attacking options here, you got the heat wave and maybe you can
stick power back into that, see how they just slow it down.
Mega Evolution with the Charizard from Azutlaka, and it was not a problem in game number one
to let this King Gambit set up, as long as you have an answer later down the road.
Charizard doesn't protect, will just eat that fake out instead.
And it's actually just a double up fake out, Charizard doesn't move but was still
eyeing up an attack, which means King Amit can still get the Sunker Punch off.
Sleep powder though can return. King Amit does your one move, you bring the Charizard
down low, but on the next turn you have to take that mandatory turn of sleep.
Yeah, that's the advantage of actually the Sunker Punch coming out to see how they're
going after it. Now there is a guaranteed turn. King Amit is going to move this turn
and now that seems like it's susceptible to his Sleep Powder as well. This Charizard
is pretty free now to go for a heat wave or a weather ball. It's either one of these
And now you can start building that momentum. The Venusaur, a big part of why this is working, has...
Because if you've got a way to get around this, is maybe the scroll villain in the back.
Today's you can maybe switch it in against half the immunity.
She does diesel, but of course you're going to take superman damage from that Charizard on the way in.
You can use it by that Sun as well.
No swap seems really too strong at this point, so she will stay in and will protect.
and will protect. So Venus or will still steal the sleep powder for that reason and King Gambit will take that first turn of sleep.
He's way from the Charizard though. You have the Sun on your side. It's super effective hit.
And King Gambit has no chance at waking up the first kill taken in this match.
Yeah, what a way to handle that threat in King Gambit without taking any damage really on your side.
The Charizard has been softened up so it will be susceptible to damage later on.
But with this Venusaur on the side of your field, in the sun, you're in a great spot to keep that pressure on.
The problem now is the cause of last combat is available, we are going to overwrite that sun with it's snow.
And the Venusaur will lose that power bill, because it will become susceptible also to dust and things that it threatens from that cause last at the same time.
If you want to get the weather back for a cause of attack, you have to swap the Charizard back out and in again as snow with the mega evolution.
Charles, our double protect on this turn. You've already taken a lot of damage, and if you want that weather back, you can't afford to get KO'd. Double protect on the board.
Now we get an opportunity to see what... what's received! And Blizzard is going to do nothing and same with Sneasler's attack.
Yeah, and now, the double protect is going to be all you're probably trying to do, so you can always call my plug into that base, or maybe it's in the switch there, but it's not too bad.
because all you need to do is shit the Venusaur slightly if it stays on the field, break that Pultus Ash, and the Glimmit will be enough to get back, and that will law help the Charizard as well.
So, Suzuki in a really commanding position now, it's all on his attack, it's responding in this scenario, they need to get that Charizard on the field if they want to take weather control again.
But problem is, he should protect that Venusaur, so how are we going to see maybe if that will switch? The good question is, it's a pellet I live in, in fact it is, it's a great Pokemon to bring in.
bring it now, get rid of that snow, and really start to stock it, I think this will happen.
Charizard is meaging the squawks out, our Chaladon joined the field and said, as it will be that
double squawk. Is it the two boats of weather? It is, Pelopor comes out and visits the
rain. Bring both weathermotes to this match to contend against the snow. Not the most
accurate, but will neck and both target Pelopor and our Chaladon taking some damage.
That's why it looks like it's free, the monster in the Pelopter!
That gets grip so much momentum in this match!
It will be a close combat as well, look all the way up,
but on this next turn Pelopter has the opportunity to just not move!
And with that close combat, you can just, you've already done so much damage
and you're gonna be so fast on this next turn with the Unburdened!
Yeah, now there is the scenario where you go,
and then close combat into the archaladon and that combination will probably be enough to get the archaladon here.
Now there's no reflect helping it out this time, that white herb activating as well on the sneedler and really, really difficult scenario.
And the pelliput go out, can it take another blizzard? It might be a roll, so Glossos does have to connect though.
The accuracy isn't the most reliable when the rain's on the field, so it's a preferred environment,
but you could maybe switch it out to get really good control of that,
But are you the better staying on the field and I think seriously that offensive pressure being brought right now?
For Frog Class, if you stick around going for those inaccurate attacks and knowing that there's an archaladon that could go for that flash stand and infuse,
you start making sure that how the attacker has all the momentum in the match, you need to swap.
Like and rock, yet again brought into this match.
Follow up close combat, infuse the archaladon, and already have one of those defense boosts, so it will take those hits.
it's getting so slow on damage. The Pelfer though, Frozen, is it going to thaw coming up next? It's
going to be the biggest thing. Because our Traladon is still looking to get those boosts and really
be able to try to take more momentum into this match. But if Pelfer keeps staying frozen pretty
sure, that's where he can really get slowed down. The Sneezer will hold on. Frozen thaw is
so you can't double up to take it down.
Yeah, they're really difficult now. The pellet could fall there, you would think, maybe it's killed and it could have compelled his attacker into a more commanded position.
Now you've got the crosshairs to bring it in at any point and overwrite the weather, but I think you've got to plan it and time it so well, because you know the Charizard is a fact, it has an attack there.
Now you can utilise your close combat, although the arch-alithons and the fencefuse, it is going to be susceptible to falling down to that powerful attack, and unlike in Rock, the perfect Volcomon here, the Acceleron.
into that helipad, there is no reflect, we talked about that already, so the acelaroc
probably will be enough to pick up the knockout there, force one of those remaining
Pokemon in the backpack out onto the fields. And with your caladons already having taken so
much damage, it's forced into a protect as helipa goes down with that acelaroc, so now one of
your modes of weather is gone. You still do have the Charizard to be able to contend,
but again if you bring it out here, Kazuki can go ahead and bring the process back
So maybe you just have to go for the Venusaur swap Charizard into the other swap
But again, if you get that turn wrong you might never get control of the weather again
Now and that's a big problem
The one plus that Casabaga has right now is the Venusaur does have its opposite
So it does have a little bit of room to maneuver
It is going to threaten C part of the code for that, but it doesn't threaten to protect the damage into that like and rock as well
Pretty much any of those options even the resistive one run to the Caesar probably be enough to take it down
You have to be very careful not to lose a slot and then pretty user resource as well.
Close combat, yet again into our Traladon. Turn after turn has really stacked up.
And another KO taken in Kazuki's favor. Now just down to the two.
Rock slide to break this. Focus flash onto Venusaur and feel a lot of damage.
And the way forward will be a miss. Lighthouse stays awake, thick around.
And Charizard gets forced out onto the field. Some sort of appreciate that at all.
It's a huge miss now and now in a position doesn't matter what the sun coming on to the field because you've got that straight switch
Sneazily you would imagine into the false last override that sun and then the like and rock is enabled that core
Affiliability is taking away the most like to come out if it does connect. We'll be enough to get the Charizard
Will it be enough to get the Venus old off?
Sneazily swaps out
Hadouki has won the weather war as snow set up once again Venus or is going back to being slow and
and Sarzard's so pressured by this like in Rocks.
Rocks side again, not being tricked into going for the single target,
so you can get some damage into the Venusaur, take the KO,
and only one Pokemon remaining in your quest to get this to a game number three.
Yeah, it doesn't miss its target, it takes down the Venusaur and that Sarzard,
just waiting in the wings. We all go into the game three, Sarra, like you say,
and a well played match because you actually get to meet up back into this game.
the adjustments here and doing it in such a great fashion.
The Accelerot into the Charizard, the target that it's after all this time right at the
end of the game to lock it up, take us to a game three.
A series of going the distance so expertly played, coming out from Kazuki, contending
up against not one but two weather modes.
You have to be so careful with that crosslash and those pieces and the perfect preservation
of that life in rock to make sure you can force the Charizard out onto the field, put so much pressure onto it to really be able to clean up that mat.
Something like the Sleep Powder is quite important, but at the same time, when you look at the Sneezler allowed to keep doing all the damage turn after turn, you were able to get so much pressure from the get-go to force that.
And the freeze we've picked here did prevent maybe a tailwind being set up.
But, I don't really know if it really changed the outcome overall.
I think there's big things that have gone out here that,
because if you wasn't really conditioned into not bringing the light rock,
it would have been easy to say, I expect the rain mode again.
So I'm not going to bring the light rock, I'm going to replace it with that Basque Legion.
If you've done that there, then the venus would have been easy to pick a problem in this game.
I think bringing it to this game was a huge, huge play, and it really paid off.
and now they're backing contention to let the trophy on him
is going to decide which trainer will be able to overcome the other.
Two very deserving trainers.
Both would they win under their belt with one more match
to determine who our world champion is going to be.
Whether it's going to be Kazuki Kage or Kazutaka Harahori.
One more match for who is going to be starting off their Pokemon journey
in the Junior Subvision with the highest title of them all.
Only one more match, and so much pressure.
Pressure that no trainers really get to face on a stage like this.
They can all wait to see who's going to come out on top.
Trainers, everyone here at the Chase Center,
got to make some noise for these two young trainers.
Let's give them that energy.
Let's get full, full game here.
the tournament of future world champions.
What it just meant that we're going to see
from both trainers coming into this game three,
that is the question on everyone's mind.
Are we going to see the rain more because attack that?
We saw successful in that round one came on.
We're going to say the chores are more again.
Venus always very important.
In Lando sleep, how does it is in the right position?
And you can keep control of your weather.
It's going to be hard because it needs to control that.
keep that contained, where we're going to see the Basque Legion finally come to the
game. Is that going to be the Pokemon that could be used to soften up some of these targets
on the opposite side of the field? If you're expecting the rain, it makes a lot of sense
that Pokemon to come. It can cause a lot of issues for that swamper, but if you're
expecting that Venus, well, this is what makes this matchup so beautiful, I think.
Why the intricacies of it are all dependent on the leads.
into the game. It's time to see where these trainers' minds are.
Our 20 justice will be made at Swamper.
Join the break next to our childhood on the opposing end, King Gambit and Sneasler.
If we tell you this fake out and the set up sword stance, once again, King Gambit could put on so much pressure.
But do we get to see a swap and just a swap with that cry to go on the offensive?
And do we see a switch up from that fake out sword stance played from Kuzuzi?
Yeah I love the lead here from the lead tracker, they've got the option where they can take advantage of the range of the tier of their leads.
You've got the Archallinon with an Electro Shot, it's not likely to get baked out because of that stamina activation only to that slot.
When you've got the Sphombo, if you don't fake out into that and the Archallinon switches out to the Pelopon then you've got the instant ability to mega-haul the access to the Sphombo.
You get the jump combo of these targets and it'll lead to that flamethrower attack.
And that is going to be a huge detriment even if you get a flamethrower set up.
But that is the case. You do have your purpose offer next to you.
You have that fake out on the left.
So it's time for you to get the damage you need on the opposing side of the TA.
And we have the squamper on the field of course.
We're going to see a mega evolution and a palatration coming all out to bring that frame.
The question is, will it be a make-up from the Sneezer to make sure no damage is there?
Sure enough, Flopper will flinch and no Earthquake.
Now, Sword Dance plus 2 for this King Gambit.
A big sucker punch next turn. What happened?
Yeah, I mean, the chip damage is really important.
That's one point. Now, plus 2 to 20.
There is the question where is it enough with that chip damage to get this one good?
I'm just out of range. That's one point. If it is out of range,
It will be a scenario where it can get earthquake, and you gotta think about it's going to be able to follow up, but not want to keep it in harm's grave.
They're going to get a reflect set up like they're soaring that game on to protect everything, and that's exactly what we're seeing.
Kazataka and Game Level 1 had no fear of letting that King Gambit set up, with well-timed switches, and another one there.
Dreams out coming on out, no damage from King Gambit.
Now, Sneezer, early on will get that white herb activation to that prop back to normal and speed, so important with tailing from the pelliper.
You want to make sure that this Sneezer can continue to pressure with potentially a dung shot onto this Grimmsnarls.
Yeah, and either into that pelliper as well, that's if your third pattern being activated.
It's such a pain in the nut to get the pelliper before it can attack.
This is a great position even despite the tail that's gone up.
But the problem is that great skill now on the field and it's going to have that fine
stirrability.
Two sets of that might turn the reflector so so vital in that first game to get around
the threat of that King Gavid.
The difference in this game is that King Gavid hasn't taken any damage so far so it's
all health.
It's sitting in the perfect scenario with the constantly high pressure.
But you start going for that counter game rather than that sucker punch.
We sucker punch, but it will be enough free punch from Brindsdorf.
Gonna get the damage, but the plus two team gambit with our play board still is so significant.
Hezler with the follow up, Gunshot will connect.
Brindsdorf is at full health. It will survive the hit, but it's off real low.
Yeah, real low. And probably in range of even a resisted sucker punch next turn.
Just decide to go for an attack. Of course it has what I call an option to kind of target the enemy.
You've still got the story here, the stopper comes in in a bit of a better place now, trying to Earthquake but it will be hitting.
The Grimstar, which isn't ideal, you've not got your preferred partner, Heliport, has been taken down.
So Grimstar is going to be successful, you've not got the option to switch either because you can't bring your archaladon into your earthquake.
Do you rely then on the wave crash? And is that going to be enough to get the thing down?
But that has to be your target. You've got to be careful going all the confidence into that slot though,
because if there's a protector,
it all gets a little bit sleazier to get to a million damage in the world.
A light string set up for later on.
Spectre Clench into Swampert. Not enough for the KO.
But again, if you see this wave crash,
you're going to do so much for your potential to yourself.
We're going to put it all into the line though.
First one, stick everything on the field to KO.
One Suzuki's Pokemon going down,
but also your own Rift Snarl.
Yeah, it's a really big play here.
It will make the correct goal, as Sierra is saying.
And the wave crack probably not the most optimal because you're all hurting yourself and taking the sucker punch for two in a really awful position where the swamper now is not going to be able to really take it from far you out of the screen as you would like it to, but at least getting the sneezer off the field with one front.
Now you can take the bullet back into the tailwind turns that are still in effect.
What's really scary though is earlier on game number one you're able to take
care of the king gambit so much sooner. Now it is still sticking around. The
Swampert's taking so much damage and there's only two Pokemon left for
Kazutaka. You have to get the most well timed protect to make sure this King
Gambit doesn't get it fell onto the Swampert or feel so much into this
Arch-Halodon. But if you get that call wrong, how could you gain losing?
If you can really trade, I think there's one put in a pinch here where it needs to protect.
I think it's the obvious call bit to go after this as a French.
Even if it's my detail when it comes back on the scene, but it does.
Because if you can see that, go after that Archaladon instead.
And they do!
Dude, Master Slash is to the Archaladon, bringing it down to us and half of its health.
He gambit is on its liver.
But if it's a follow-up, Archaladon takes so much.
Flashcannon into the light and raw, Focus Dash still in fact needs it to hold on for at least one more turn
to fire off the powerful attack of its own.
Float Bomb at least with the difference. It did target into the Smapper instead.
Well, I'm hoping that the Close Bomb might be into the Arch Aledon, but it's really small
protect there, but the one thing that doesn't have a hasp being able to do is
remove that threat in the kingdom, but now it's still threatening another second punch.
We'll go down to the life of Weeple Damage here, but it's done so much work already in this game.
And your Traladon now is not in the rain, not in the preferred environment.
Same with the squad hurt as well.
Do you have still any impact, but is that really going to help you get to the priority attack from the King Gambit?
Those were the doubles, but the fail means that Sucker Punch still isn't going to do anything,
so no damage.
Just like if our Molo's up there, it could be the Kale, but into the Archaladon instead.
12 or 6 around, our Traladon survived the hit with that defense boot.
And now you still have two Pokemon for Pazotaka to contend with.
Flash fan is interlocked and on one AP is enough to claim the KO.
In 12-3, it's still rare.
You still have to worry about King Gambit on the next turn.
But you can go for Pazotaka again, and there's a Child on stun so much work.
The problem is, for Kazuki, there is still another Pokemon to join the field.
And with it being the Frog Blast, you can go ahead and get the Mega Evolution.
You are at full health.
Yeah, this is a great time for Foslash to join the party, it is going to be able to get the snarl on the field, and it is going to be able to pressure our child head on with those Shadow Balls, a single target, it will be into that slot, it doesn't care about that reflect on the field, it's only got one turn remaining as well, but like you say, the Swampert is going to be susceptible to a subtle punch, you've got to protect again, Panck has actually called it maybe and said, is it worth going for it, how does he think to that, so I would probably argue not, I could just keep it checked with that subtle punch, remember the light screen is on the right side of the screen, it's going to be able to get the snarl on the field, and it is going to be able to pressure, and I'll tell it on with those Shadow Balls, a single target, it will be into that slot, it doesn't care about that reflect on the field,
still in effect, but I don't think it's gonna be enough to allow that.
I'll tell it on the roof to get some of that off.
That's the problem, that all stars, fours, two-pastas, Pokemon are so low,
and four stars with the Mega Evolution, with this note, can offer so much damage.
Our childhood on with the protect, if it is a suckerbunch into that spot, it wouldn't do much.
Which does get it right, a failed suckerbunch.
Swampert on the other side, unfortunately, Rented B&A Blizzard a dual target attack.
Swampert is not safe, and it's enough to take another KO, only one Pokemon left!
It's Suzuki's journey to becoming a champion, with only Arch-Haladon remaining on the opposing end.
Yes, and the Force Last and the King Galvan have this pin now, the Sucker Punch.
The Arch-Haladon cannot attack without taking that super punch damage first.
Even if that's not enough, the Force Last's head could be able to follow up and force things out.
Pally on Pally don't do it, it's a lucky get slimmer and slimmer each, it takes all the clock.
Attempt of the double protect, but it will fail. Such punch does no damage, but the Scrawl Club has the opportunity to attack.
And with the Blizzard, it is enough! Congratulations to your Junior World Champion, Kabuki Kage!
phenomenal, phenomenal player there from Zuki. How well they got the king graphic in the right
positions at the right time. They got the maximum value out of that Pokemon. Incredible
trainer, the talent showing through the testament, the dedication. It's all come to accumulation
and they are a junior world champion. Absolutely fantastic.
To be a trainer so young and achieve a feat unlike any other Sunday
Pokemon world champion is incredible. And being down the game in this set
but never wavering. Bouncing back in game number two and of course that incredible
game three. I'm so excited for his Pokemon journey going on for it because
He has a very, very bright future.
Yeah, I mean the way that they managed the ball position throughout those games
and looked a little bit shaky out there at the game one,
where you saw this one player kind of dominating the wet-o-control cut.
But I think keeping the cross last so clean till the last moment,
the right time to get it onto the field,
and lately, leading with that King Gambit with the Sneezer,
it's perfect partner, right?
The faker giving room for that soul stance,
and you're thinking, well, it's there to soften things up.
We talked about that. Something like the post-last can come in late game and then do the damage, get the knockouts that are required to pose things up.
But it turned out, because if you just play that key damage so so well, and it's stuck around longer and longer and longer,
and that pressure of the fight, it gives openings, and it's meant because if you get into those positions, swing that momentum,
and then clinch those wings, they were all important to them, taking this promise again, just phenomenal, phenomenal play.
That's what makes him such a strong trainer, and what makes this team so incredible.
Because if you don't target down the King Dandas, there's other options on their team
to be able to just sweep the entire thing.
It's not so expertly played, such well done job, but it's time to go here for my newest World Champion.
Thank you so much! Let's hear it for our first ever!
Talk about champions! World champions!
God, keep coming back!
Congratulations! How does it feel to be the first ever Pokemon Champion World Champion?
It's the fastest game ever!
Who was the most valuable Pokemon on your team throughout this competition?
It's Yuki Menoko.
Ah, it's definitely Frostnaf.
Of course, there were many family and friends who helped you throughout your journey to
become our first ever world champion here today.
Do you have any shout-outs or any messages you want to give to anybody watching at
home?
Thank you for bringing me here.
Let's hear it one more time for Harajunior 2026 World Champion, Kazuki Kawaii!
All right, that is one world champion down to the video game division, two more to go.
Castor is back to you.
Let's turn our attention to the senior division world championship finals between Carlos Verasegui
and Vikram Thiagarajan.
My name is Rosemary Kelly and I'm so honored and excited to be here next to Aaron Zane
to bring you through this next grand finals.
Let's do this!
It is so exciting to be here with you, Rosemary.
My name is Aaron Cyber-Tron-Zang, and I have been waiting a long, long time to be here.
The 30th anniversary of Pokemon.
Pokemon Champion's first ever World Championships.
And we are here in a legendary arena in Chase Center.
We're about to crown a brand new World Champion as well.
It's already on to such a great start on this championship Sunday that we got to crown our
world champion and the junior division but now we move our way up to the seniors and these
are two competitors that are so ready to take the stage both regional champions but they
still miss out on that elusive title can they claim that final crown the world championship
to add to that trophy case.
I want to hear you all scream right now!
Let's go!
Welcome, everybody, to hear the crowd.
I hope you know that it has truly been an electric experience here.
You all would make it one of the most controversial yet,
but we do not have the courage to tell you that we are running for our stage.
I feel the crowd under my feet, Erin.
That's how proud this stadium is getting.
It is unbelievable you all are here as a part of Pokemon history.
The senior division in particular is an age group that many of the game's best players
initially started their careers in.
I think about 2014 World Champion, Sajom Park.
He finished second at the World Championships in the seniors division a few years before that.
There are so many of the game's greats who start their Pokemon journey here and of course evolved to become a Pokemon masterlet
They have actually turned into and it's a big opportunity for a two-player Sierra
Especially because you don't get too many years either to be able to try to grab this crown
And it's a amazing proving ground before you do age up to the Masters vision and see if you can continue the legacy
That way but for both of these competitors one comes from Europe one comes from Latin America
It's very exciting to see them both be able to clash here on this global stage
And we're gonna get a chance to see them do it for the first time in this world championships
What's also exciting is we just saw this school weather team win right?
However our child on Charizard need a store that is one of the two teams lap will be represented in the finals here
Staring down actually the very first team left was crowned champion in football champions over at the Indianapolis regionals with
Charizard and online mega flow that so it is the tale of a brand new team that has popped up leading into a war championships
This is one of the strongest teams coming out right when we started this game as you take a look at our players accomplishments
both regional champions Carlos getting that title at the special championships in Lima just this year as
Vikram took home that accomplishment in leal in 2025
But for both of them, this is one of their greatest achievements to be able to be here in the final two at the world championships
What an incredible experience to have and it's gonna be a potential battle between the Charizard here
Of course one of the most crucial Pokemon in this format
This Pokemon has been dominant ever since we started in Pokemon champions only fitting to see it here B crowned world champion
But Rosemary, the question is, which partner, mega evolution,
will be from World Champion alongside it?
Is it going to be that Floette, or is it going to be Swampert?
Both of them very powerful mega evolutions in their own right.
Floette looked at, as we started out our journey in Pokemon Champions,
because of the immense offense that it can dish out with those very type of chats.
But with a Pokemon like Swampert, when you do have this cool weather option,
that gives you another mega evolution just to keep your opponent guessing.
Let's take a deeper look at Carlos Badafighi's team,
as you do see that Charizard and Fluet at the top that can both mega evolve.
Dual team here with mega evolutions and the Charizard is the ancient power.
So that means that it can have a big edge against the opposing Charizard.
And one of the things that I want to stress in this matchup is
which Charizard is going to be faster because
both of these Charizards can actually hit each other for super effective damage, right?
and so Ancient Power being a really powerful attack four times super effective.
The Venus Store is a really big blue on the team but is able to be super disruptive
and thread it with Sleep Powder to be led with that Charizard.
A big question I have for you, Rosemary, in this matchup is
which mega evolution do you want to commit to if you're Carlos?
Bringing Charizard in a matchup when you see that rain on the opposing side,
often can feel really tricky.
So you might want to think about going with a calm line, Floette.
Try to get a boost up.
Once it gets calm mind and you get that special attack and special defense
who's difficult to knock out. If you pair it with the incineroar,
cinnation, venosort, and protective weld,
Floette often can just overwhelm the opposing side,
but Floette is tearing down a very big physical threat on the opposing team,
which is going to be the Mega Swamper.
Mega Swamper can do a lot to every piece on Carlos' team,
and that damage can add up really quickly.
That's one of the key differences between these two team compositions
is that Carlos may take a couple of turns to actually get that engine started
and then be able to press the go button, but for Vikram, there's damage all over the place,
whether or not you want it to come from this mega Swampert that's evolving immediately,
getting that Swift Swim activated with the Pelopter to work with the rain,
or you can just go on the offense with something like the Charizard,
or even the Archaladon in the rain. Exactly, for the viewers, I think that Pelopter,
Archaladon, and Venusaur is going to be a trio that we will see a lot of throughout the
course of this set. Now, what really makes Vikram's team unique is your ability to flex
extra mega evolution. You can pick Charizard, go with the Sun. You can also bring Swamper,
and Venusaur outside of the Sun is still really threatening. That is one of the key pokebots
I'm looking at for Victim in this matchup. And it can be really disrupted with Sweet
Powder, but also don't discount it defensively into that Floette. Floette can take a lot
of damage from Sludge Bomb, and Venusaur can be used to slow down if Offensive Pressure.
The main question though is, how comfortable do you feel bringing Swamper in a matchup
who's carrying down not one, but two different grass-type
Pokemon on the opposing team.
Right, you've got the super effective damage
from Matagacha and Sinistra, and then the Venusaur from Carlos
can threaten with a one-hit knockout with the Leaf Storm.
And so there's a lot of different threats
that you have to think about when choosing your Pokemon
to bring to this first game.
And is that actually going to be something
where you have to think a couple steps ahead
and try to bring some counterpicks?
I expect this to be a Venusaur-heavy set.
I think Venusaur can be led on either ends.
For example, Incineroar and Venusaur on Carlos's end
is a defensive lead.
You get an Intimidate Off, which can neuter the posing
swamper.
The Venusaur can also immediately go for sleep powder.
And for Vigrum, you have a lot of different options.
For example, you can leave a Charizard Venusaur,
set up the Sun, immediately start going for sleep powder.
You can consider something like Venusaur and Swamper,
where the Swamper exerts a lot of offensive pressure.
Well, Venusaur says, hey, you
have to respect my sleep powder.
So it is a big decision on which mega evolution to commit to.
And I think there's also maybe a world where you see Charizard
and Swampert in the same battle with Swampert,
not mega evolving, although I think that is probably
the less likely cat that they're going to take.
And I think Grimmsnarl is a really difficult Pokemon
for him to bring into this matchup
because you are staring down,
bake out from the center,
or in a set of Pokemon in Combine Floette.
Something to call out on both of these team sheets
is going to be the stat alignments
of both of these Venusaur.
One, for Carlos, is going to be timid.
So that's going to be a stat increase to its speed.
On the other hand, for Vikram's Venusaur,
that is a modest stat alignment.
That's going to mean more power and special attack.
I think that's a really good point.
And another thing to pay attention to
is going to be how these Charizard's interact with each other
should we see Charizard come out as the mega evolution pick.
And this is because you have ancient power on one side,
you have weather ball on the other side.
A weather ball in rain is one of the ways
but this Charizard can deal with threats like opposing Charizard and opposing Incineroar.
And so whoever has the faster Charizard will have a big advantage.
And here we go, folks. Game 1 of the Senior Division World Championship finals.
For Vikram, it is going to be the squalber and the Grimstarl for Karthus.
It's going to be the sign that Charizard and Venusaur hit the field.
It's going to be the Grimstarl, not a pick I actually expected to see here.
And so the Grimstarl immensely helpful in setting up those screens,
But right now, Venusaur exerting so much offensive pressure
into Swamper.
If you are Vikram, you know that the Swamper
can just get knocked out by a leaf swarm immediately.
So Swamper may consider going for a protect.
You may consider switching out into your own or challenge
on, for example.
But right now, Carlos has all of the offense with this duo.
And if you switch out and Carlos calls you
and goes for a sleep powder, it can be disastrous.
Sleep powder would put a Pokemon to sleep
and stop them from moving off at turn
to swap it on the weather would also be able to stop some things like the mega evolution on the Charizard.
First up though, it is going to be the mega evolution of the Swampert, and Charizard just protects itself,
hoping it's down out whether or not a sneaky Pelloper in the back can be a sweater that it overrides later.
But Swampert also willing to protect itself in the face of a lead storm from this opposing dinosaur
as Grimstone gets up a light screen. That's going to be great against both of these special attackers.
Oh, and the first sweet powder comes out and it will miss, like I said, folks.
expect to see a lot of Venusaur in this set. That means Barlos is not able to accomplish anything this burn.
However, of course, Venusaur still bread in that leaves form on to the opposing Swamper.
So, if you are a big roam, Fritznarr was here, could go for a parting shot, right?
And of course, mutualized damage up, but the Charizard mega falls,
well, the Charizard will set up the sun, parting shot will come out,
Peloport can come in, immediately changing the leather pack into rain.
And so, it's a fakeness to start off.
Charizard does not want to get risk knocked out immediately. So we'll switch instantly Incineroar, a really big Intimidate here.
Intimidate's going to use the damage output of this Swapper who likes to be a physical attacker,
but that Swapper's going to shut that drop immediately as it switches out for their Chaladon. A Pokemon that would handle the...
That's going to save the Leafs from a little bit better.
We are going to see that Partix out fail because as
As Grosse Arl is a greatster Pokemon and then Cider War is a dodge type you cannot use so support rates into it.
Our Chaladons, which is indivently starts taking the stamina boost and that's going to help increase the defense rate.
Really nice defensive play there. If Swampert just gets one hit carried by Leech Storm, it's a disaster.
Swampert is such an important proton to thread in one hit knockout onto things like Cider War and Charizard.
For Vikram right now, his goal is to start getting a little bit of damage onto the Venus Storm.
then ideally you put in an ice punch and they'll range from the swamper.
For Carlos, your goal is, right now, it don't have a lot of damage on the board.
We also saw the commitment to Charizard, it's not going to be that setup for LeL, right?
And so, Rimsparle right now is going to pivot out.
This does leave a vulnerable to a sweep powder for the switch to Pelipur.
But the Pelipur is at least going to set the rain, so you can't...
Oh, it does hit! It's going to hit set the rain for the Archalodon that is hitting next to it.
You're going to have this one turn electric shot now.
But as we see this Incineroar still waiting with me to press, it has not on for a fake out of this turn.
There's likely some type of attack going to come out in a moment.
The first, the special attack boost, our lecture shot gets unleashed, and you're going to start to stack up damage against Incineroar.
Not enough to put it in range of being able to consume its citrus fairy,
but then our Chaladon is immediately going to get that special attack increase taken away with the parting shot as Carlos gets a nice pivot out.
I think that was a really big defensive turn by Carlos.
While he has not done any damage there, putting Peloper to sleep and Peloper not taking any sleep turns means that he's incredibly vulnerable right now.
And the question is, would you really want to switch out, right?
Swampert obviously an incredibly powerful pokefong, but if you switch it in and he keeps up something like a sleep outer relief score while you're throwing away, what might be your biggest playing condition?
playing condition.
Parting shot into our child on also neutralizes
this damage output.
So I think Carlos has found a really good position
for Charizard and Venus to do a lot of damage right now.
Pelopters going to switch out.
Grimstone I think being the safest defense to switch here.
Charizard's going to finally mega-vault.
And virtually now the first serve
is potentially a parting shot out once again.
Bring the rain.
But where is Carlos partying right now with the Venus
or could it be a sleep powder into our child
or even if Grimstone will switch in?
You've got to get through this next serve first.
And it's going to be the lead storm.
Venusaur has already taken a special
attack drop and with the light screen up that's going to be even less damage to this group's
snarl. A great defensive switch. There will be the weather ball also targeted towards
that slot, so our Chalron gets out of this first couple of attacks, slot three. Means
it can go for a dragonhold into the Venusaur start to win a little way and that's going
to be 56% left. You can see Vikram celebrating there knew that there was a potential sleep
outer like could go in for a Chalron or a key waiver weather ball. Sleep outer neutralizing
on Kiwig, we're going to bother me so much damage.
Right now though, big room does not have the heavy damage
to our wishy swamper, right?
The lightsaber is also slowly expiring.
I think if you're a Carlos, it's so important to try
to serve this dinosaur for the end game against swamper.
Consider this gonna come back in for yet another
defensive gimmick you're saying, I don't want to face
a party shot with Pelopter coming out.
Prince Narlatch says, look, I saw you switching
into the room earlier. Party shot doesn't work
against Marthite, you're just gonna manually switch
into Pelopter instead.
Oh, it's going to connect to our Chaladon.
That's going to be two sleepy Pokemon on Vicarim's side
with the Pelican, so I think it's still a sleep.
Our Chaladon now going to take a nap on the field
and feels like a momentum to swung into Carlos's favor.
Yeah, it's really back and forth
because the main thing is for Carlos,
how are you going to deal damage into our Chaladon?
The answer is Charizard.
You have to position it well.
We also want to conserve the Venusaur, right?
Because Venusaur, of course, is going to be
such an important tool to deal with Swampern.
So, Carlos played really nice defensively.
It's got an okay damage.
Obviously got in the sweet spot.
Won't pressure with too much damage right now.
So looking to pivot into something a little bit stronger
and charge up to get up close to dance in here.
Very safe to get this in
because you do see the caliper
and our caladon asleep on the other side.
As our caladon is going to take its first turn,
harding shot from the Sincero
is going to drop the special attack again
and let Carlos get this Sincero out
to keep it with these Intimidated Drops
for a later when that slumpert makes a reappearance.
But now we actually get some valuable information.
Maybe we see this fourth Pokemon that Carlos has brought to the game, or Venusaur comes back out.
Yeah, you know what's interesting is, I think both Sinisteren and Garchomp provide a lot of options, right?
It is going to be the Garchomp here, okay?
And you can see Vimper actually maybe a little bit surprised to see the Scarf Garchomp.
Heliport takes a turn to sleep here, and so now you have basically what is your strongest offensive duo on the team, right?
You have a lot of damage pressure.
Heliport, though, of course, could potentially wake up, has that wide garden,
so you have to be cautious of quickier spread moves like Earth,
Playbook, Z-Wave.
I think if you're Carlos, you might
expect Vikram to make a switch with that Pelopter
right now.
So if you anticipate a switch, it's
an opportunity to do a lot of damage.
I think for Vikram, Grinch, Charles, and Polklot
is not super important at this point in the game.
But the Swamper is so important to try
to get to the endgame, right?
So Pelopter is going to switch out right now.
But this is Carlos' opportunity to first down
to switch the damage.
Swamper has to switch into these attacks.
and the first dragon claw is going to do a good chunk.
And Heatwave now connects onto both.
Our Chaladon is also going to take
a considerable amount of damage,
but these stamina boosts can start to stack up
against his Garchomp.
Our Chaladon wakes up, though,
and gets that super effective dragon bolt
into the Garchomp on the other side.
But this Garchomp will still be around
for the next turn.
This has been a really defensive game back and forth.
You can see the screens, the party shots,
you just really add up.
And so both players are slowly doing damage 20 to 30% here and there, but no big knockout yet right now
Though of course Vikram is threatening a big play
We are chowing on all the swappers and switching to Palakar and then the other punk monkey just target down the Charizard
Right swapper big heat up a lot of damage on that switch in
Charizard on Carlos and then feels like you kind of need to conserve it, right?
And so of course if Vikram predicts that and targets the Garchomp then you just get it immediate knockout onto the Garchomp
And so now it grew up once again going with this weather more being able to pressure and set up the rain
Scott of his main ace in swamper in on the field, but it's taken a lot of damage
And so key dynamic this turn is do we see a pellet for switching it to either spot and yet the Charizard switch
Let's pick from Paula to knock out the guard shot
Charizard has the ability protect itself
But guard chop does not with that choice scarf as the zero comes in
It's hoping to get that intimidating drop down onto the swamper that maybe guard chop or
a partner can come in on the next one.
But Pelipur decides to switch in for the slosh
with a chef's editivity drop.
Also set up the raid now for that partner, Archalodon.
And Pelipur is also going to be able to take that Dragon Claw
as Archalodon gets set up.
Another electro shot to boost back up its special attack
that can only go in one direction
and that is going to be the end sooner.
On the receiving end, a great defensive switch
by both parties here.
For Carlos recognizing, I think if I lose Charizard,
I actually cannot EPR Chaladon. This is what makes our Chaladon feel like the final raid boss.
And so, Carlos recognizes, I need to get to an endgame where I can basically have Charizard eat the Sun against our Chaladon.
I'm going to switch out.
Gargjumms' Tractor Claws are doing okay damage, but that Tractor Claws with Elepter did under 50%.
So, another one is likely not going to knock it out, can activate that Citrus Fairy as well.
It's sitting around on the field right now, of course. It does pressure with Faith out.
Normally, you don't really want to give stamina boost over to our Chaladon, but you might be okay with that saying,
My goal to deal with this is going to be Charizard anyway.
Another defensive switch here.
It's just constant rotation from the battle.
Charizard's going to hit the field once again
in a battle versus sun and rain.
Feels like just a matter of time before we're
going to see the first knockout, but both competitors
being methodical about how they get there are chaladon
free to go for another dragon pulse.
We'd love to be able to see the garchomp there,
but we'll still take some good damage onto the Charizard.
As in Tineware, another parting shot helps reduce the damage output of the Ser Chaladon and get another switch.
Really beautiful defensive play by both here. You can see how much both players are looking to have better control.
You've seen the sun, you've seen the rain, you've seen the sun, you've seen the rain.
And this tension is so crucible about it because if you lose your weather setter, it will just be a huge advantage given to your opponent.
However, Charizard and Venus right now out on the field,
pressuring Sleephunter once again.
You can go for something like Sleephunter to arch out on
and a key wave.
The Grimstar, of course, could go for a parting shot,
bring that heliport in.
And of course, the rain is up.
Charizard and Venus just don't have offense,
really, to deal with your arch out on.
So for Vikram, likely makes sense
and try to get that heliport back in on the field
once again, but Rose, how many times
have we seen the weather change
at this point in the game?
Two then needs to count right now
Now, as the pressure cooker has continued to mount an Intensive 5, Venusaur is going to
swap out again for another defensive pivot into this Incineroar, meaning that it will take
one of the attacks from these Pokemon a little bit better, but our challenge on this option
to protect itself instead, note that the threat of the Charizard in the opposition
is just a little bit too scary.
Waiting for the French Star of the set of the light screens, though, that's a
special attack, are not going to be as powerful.
Charizard though still can't connect onto the Scrimsnarl and there's been a lot of damage stacked up onto it
that that can be the first KO of this game number one.
Scrimsnarl goes down and a fresh switching with this light screen that was just set up for Vikram.
I want to explain that dynamic because I think that Minasaur obviously for many was exerting a lot of off-limits
where I could see sleep powder pressure there.
The Incineroar switch in there was hoping to see a parting shot going to Minasaur potentially
blocked it by being dark typing and saying,
Now I just get a knockout onto you still accomplishes a KO and now it's an or is out of the field with a down pressure
But once again, you've got our challahedot in range
So it feels like the Charizard needs to pivot back out
And so I do think like getting that first kill is a big deal Carlos is inching this advantage
Just a little bit more, but I feel like the ties could turn so quickly once again though
Serving the Charizard saying look our job here can switch into an electric shot
Garchop's ground typing will make it a few into the electroshock, but there's also no
threat of that if you just fake out the Archalon and stop it from moving on this turn.
We can Pelipper finally wake up and invent a sleepless entire game after that first pre-powder.
Crucially, does stay asleep there, so that Pelipper had it woken up,
could have gone for something like a weather ball to knock out either of these
both pawns, maybe set up a tailwind as well.
Now we'll be able to wake up on the following turn.
Garchup is not actually exerting that much offensive pressure.
Our child on past these defense boosts.
You can go for a dragon claw into the pelliper slot and maybe swap back out into Charizard.
Once again, it is this cool leather going back and forth.
And I think Garchup has gotten decent damage on a pelliper.
For Carlos, you really want to just get one more knocked out and just win the weather war, right?
If pelliper falls, that's it.
It's going to be really difficult for Swamper and our child on to beat your Charizard in the sun.
So in similar, once again, if it's out, use it to take down.
And it's going to be charged up coming back in.
But this might open the door for Vikram to finally get some type of knockout.
As Garchomp goes first, Pelopold is going to survive with just a slip of HP
and the Cypher Spirit is going to help him recover some.
But Garchomp, let's lose a dragon pulse of KO now, secured here for Vikram as Garchomp falls.
Garchomp will fall, but I think that it actually did a decent job in this game.
Pelopold wakes up now, gets that tail end up as well.
So speed over in Vikram's cavern.
However, there now is a 3-switching and Venusaur is a very strong Pokemon to have on the field.
Another thing to consider, Pelopter cannot protect Rose, and so as a result, that means that you can always target that spot.
For example, a V-Storm into that spot would knock out Pelopter or the incoming Swampert.
So, even though Talon is up on the opposing end, Carlos does have a Venusaur inside, which of course doubles his speed,
and the Archialodon has even so many parting shots where they don't think it'll get a knockout onto either of these Pokemon with its damage right now.
You would like if you were the swamper to have the rain to activate the switch to mobility,
but at least you have the tailwind to try to make up some of that deficit you're not going to be
able to have. You have to switch out the pelliper. Either way though to get the rain back it's going
to require two turns. You're going to manually switch out this pelliper, but then you don't
want to give up too much damage from the swamper either. Right now, Carlos has a great position
in this game. Letting the sleep storm loose means that the pelliper is going to get knocked out
And what a controlled farm in Carlos's hands.
And this is what I was saying.
Halibur can't protect.
If you stay in, you get knocked out.
If you switch into slumber, you get knocked out.
Dragonforce doesn't do enough either.
And now it feels like Carlos is full control of this game.
Even though Tailwind is up on the opposing end,
look how much damage that leatherball does.
Like I said, this char is our gizmer win condition
into our challanon.
And Carlos is a conservative, perfectly
rough in course of this game.
And so, big room now, we'll be
able to bring in that slumber.
Tailwind is up, but it is going to expire soon.
And, like you said Rose, that's whether it's just completely gone in Carlos' favor.
Right now, you're Carlos, you are probably looking to stall out this tail when there's only two turns left.
If you consider something like protecting one Pokemon,
switching it in Sinnera for the other spot,
then you have fake out pressure the following turn, and so Carlos is getting very, very close to winning this first game.
Stilton's speed control turns that Vikram can use to try to get fast into this one,
and Swapper protects itself for the first one.
Doesn't want to give up too much damage over to the Venusaur,
Maybe he's hoping that it will switch out here so that Swampert could have something to do on the next one.
Our child on those will be to make up the difference that Dragonforce does knock out a big threat on the field to the Swampert.
And so we are down to a 2v2 in this first game.
But hey, that's a 2v1! As Charms are let's reach the one involved, another knockout secured.
And Swampert is going to have to do the work of three more Pokemon.
And Carlos saying you know what I'm okay actually just staying in because I have that floor of Noah
My demon score basically with its boost its speed will neutralize the tail one on the opposing end and because swamper has actually already taken a lot of damage
I can close out this game with the incineroar and the Charizard combination
And so now you can go for something of course like a make-out. Firstly this Charizard does not have solar beam right?
So we'll have to go for weather ball. It goes for the double protect
That's actually a big fail because it means now there's a lot of free damage coming on the swamper
Swamper with three of his allies fallen has a lot of work cut out for it, but the
weather ball is going to do enough that even if you get one big wave crash down
into a center or Tarsard you are going to end up falling to the recoil damage.
And that should be game over. Carlos should take this first game. Add a double
protect come out. You don't take the fake out chip. You don't take that first
weather ball. And then you can retaliate back with a wave crash. Nothing
said, Intimidate was already activated. Swamper is going to go for protect now, but this is
Carlos's game and I think both players are already probably thinking about their game plans for the second match
In the second match then what do you consider you brought your brain mode if you're a bit from to this battle
So do you actually consider bringing Charizard instead?
It's a really good question. Yeah, I think the
Venus or is actually a Pokemon I'm looking at for instance
I did I mentioned coming into this game where it was nice defensively, right?
It was able to set up streams
But I think the problem is that Bifuram did not have any opportunities to get big swings.
Our Chalonon, when it does not have any special attack moves, won't do very much damage.
So Leberbal will find they come out and Carlos is perfect giving a charge.
Woo!
Welcome, Will Smith!
So he'll take himself out and actually knock out the Charizard as well,
showcasing how powerful it can be.
But still not enough obviously, so he'll save for Reborn.
You gotta give Swampert the effort though for not going down without a fight.
But it's too long, the final focus line is upstanding in it's first game, is that Carlos wins, game number one.
So if we head into the second game, I think part of what makes this team so scary and flexible is how many different modes that you can lead into, right?
I think if you are in Vickra choose, you can center like you said Rose, going into the Sun mode instead, maybe going for Charizard and Venusaur.
I think that the Venusaur in particular is a really valuable pick for Vickra because you can use it to sleep powder the opposing threats, right?
of sleep powder into the Charizard, big deal.
We take a look at this first game.
Big sleep powder missed right away,
but the Venusaur otherwise was quite clutch,
hitting basically all of its other sleep powders
and also getting some two turn sleeves along the way.
Now that Pelopurspe, the majority of that first game
asleep with all of the methodical piggas that were made,
you had to make sure the positioning and the timing
was just right for this Charizard for Carlos
to finally start dishing out damage.
But once the damage was mounted,
it was impossible to melt the comeback
as Vikram watched one by one his Pokemon falling
to the hands of these Venusaur and Charizard Duo.
Yeah, I think if you are now in Vikram's shoes
and you're thinking about adaptations,
you can run it back with the same four Pokemon,
but it felt like Carlos just was one step ahead
in terms of pivoting, right?
So Charizard Venusaur is one adaptation.
You can match the opposing Charizard Venusaur.
Like I said, Venusaur Swamper coming into this game
is also an interesting one where you do pressure
with sleep powder while kind of protecting the Swamper.
I think the goal, ideally, if you're going to bring the Swamper,
is you have to knock out that Venusaur on the opposing side.
Swamper, as you saw at the end of that first game,
is a big damage dealer,
but it only basically got one big attack in that entire game.
The reason for it is it never found the opportunity
to hit the field very safely.
It's just very difficult to pile in.
So I do think, like you said, Rose,
that Charizard might be the adaptation.
Maybe you bring it and the Venusaur together.
Sometimes I wonder if you can't beat him.
Maybe join and try to just help those sleep powders.
And since it was such an effective strategy for Carlos,
you might want to consider doing it.
But as you have called out too, just the offense on the Charizard,
you don't want your Venusaur to be on the opposing end of that.
And so it's also still a tricky position in game,
no matter how you slice it.
Could it be a Charizard Venusaur versus Charizard Venusaur mirror?
I think when I was looking at this matchup coming into today,
I thought that the sleep powder and the Venusaur
is just so strong on both teams.
It is a very scary move to click.
We saw the finals start with that miss, of course, 25% chance to miss, but it can swing
things so heavily in your favor, especially when both players are looking to switch so
frequently, right?
We saw Pelikor switch in and just immediately get put to sleep.
Well, if you take a look, of course, on Carlos's team, there's also no protect on Incineroar,
so landing a sleep powder into that or whatever switches in would be a big deal.
And so I wouldn't be shocked to see Charizard Unix or now come out from both leads.
And I think if you are Carlos, you can also consider maybe saying now actually revealed
the Charizard strategy, I'm going to go with Floette and try to go with the Call of Mine
based strategy, right?
If you want to go with Floette, you can lead something like Incineroar and the Floette
immediately, which of course allows you to pressure with Bakeout into Call of Mine.
You can also play more defensively, leading something like Incineroar and Venusaur, which
allows you to go for something like Bakeout, Sleep Powder early, neutralize the big breadth,
then bring in the Floette and start setting up.
And so the options are endless for both players here, but Carlos has that game
advantage.
And I wonder how much more Viprem will lead on this Archaladon.
That was a Pokemon that I feel like had a lot of potential in that first game.
But you saw the stamina boosts not mounting to anything particularly effective
since a lot of the damage from Carlos' team actually was coming from special attackers.
I really like that point because if Archaladon is able to be in the rain,
well it can keep flicking Electroshot, right?
But the problem for Viprem in that last game was the rain was not up for half the battle
because Charizard was just swapping out and in and out and in.
So as a result, if our child can only click Electroshot every other turn,
and Sam and Childfoot is just way lower,
and you saw I was able to chip away, right?
Maybe do 30%, 40%, but it's just not enough.
And here we go, folks.
Game two.
Carlos one game away from becoming World Champion.
The Vickers can still pull it up.
And like I said, Charizard feeding a sword.
There it is, folks.
And let's go!
Bestie's on the field in a new mirror.
Really pointing at each other right now.
out if the Charizard and Venusaur stare down across you from each other.
Rose, I'm scared. I'm scared for both players right now because both players have the pressure
of Sleep Outer, right? This first turn already is really interesting because you can protect
your Charizard, hope that Sleep Outer goes into that slot and goes for something like
slumped on the heat waves to try to knock out the opposing Venusaur, right? So Mega
Evolution is going to come out and of course this allows Venusaur to now move first on
basically both players' enemy.
Don't worry though again and keep in mind that Carlos's Venusaur is timid so it is likely to be the faster between the two, even though we haven't seen them help against each other in this match just yet.
But it's a mega evolution for both, as they have hit the field so now what comes next? Which Venusaur will move first?
And he is going to need parables to get the sleep powder into Bigfoot's Charizard to stop his track score this first turn.
But Bigfoot's Vsort can respond as well, with a quick pop around the top, and so both of these Charizards will make it evolve and be asleep in the job!
Oh my goodness, you can see Bigfoot's Charizard by the way, mega-volving first and also taking the sleep turn first.
So, unless there's speed tying, it might just be an indication that Bigfoot's Charizard is faster.
Like I said, coming into this battle, whoever shards of Venus Vascular will have a pretty big advantage there.
And so, now, lots of things that can happen, right?
Peloport can switch in on the opposing side, then you can go for a Leatherball into Charizard.
But as you pointed out, Rose, it is going to be timid Venusaur here.
Modest Charizard on the opposing side as well.
And so, Venusaur is going to skip it out.
Is it going to be the Peloport or change the weather and terrain?
It is. I suspect the Venusaur on Carlos is going to still move first here.
Could it be a sleep powder in the last slot?
If it is, that would be a great call-out.
Of course, you cannot put the opposing team to sleep,
but you could put either the Pelipper or the Archalodon to sleep.
But it's just a sludge ball,
so that steal time for Archalodon coming in and not taking any damage.
Okay, so turn two of sleep.
Now, Pawn, Archalodon has now been positioned in the range.
If you are at Marlowe's, you're probably looking to get a sleep counter off,
maybe put the Archalodon to sleep and pivot that Charizard out.
It's the same dynamic that we saw from the first game,
but I do like the adaptation from the game.
I think Charizard also disposes decent damage from the course of this game.
And so, the big question I have right now is what is Venusaur able to accomplish?
It likely wants to go for sleep powder into either slot,
but if this would be absolutely devastating.
It is too bad that this Venusaur doesn't have Earth power in this particular case,
because you would love to get some damage down onto the opposing Archalodon.
But you will take another sleep powder connecting onto the opposing Peloport.
Archialodon though now has this opportunity to get the Electro Shot.
Get that special attack increase. Maybe it will be useful for these subsequent turns.
But is it going to be an Electro Shot into the Quarton and Crucifix or is the Phenosaur?
Phenosaur is the one on the receiving end and that's just going to be some chip.
It's a fantastic call there and unlike last time where Incinero was able to neutralize the Archialodon early,
this time there is no parting shot. So an Archialodon at plus one is so much stronger than a neutral Archialodon, right?
You're pressuring that Dragon both into a Garchomp.
Venus, where now maybe wants to angle for a sneak powder into our Chaldeau,
but Carlos does not have that much damage,
and that's the thing with this choice part, Garchomp.
Like we saw earlier, with Gragas' Wildness, 150% to Pelopter,
when you go for a ground-type attack to the Archaldeau,
she's going to stack up those stamina for you.
So, Garchomp once again kind of in an awkward position,
which is why I was thinking Sinistra makes sense in this matchup.
And, okay! You know, who needs damage?
You can go for Rockslide, that gives you a clinch chance.
Actually, still doesn't decent amount to Pelopter as well,
Of course will start stacking up that stamina let's take it so that we three hit knockout from the rock side onto the power
But we're not gonna find out whether or not this or child but I will blink because the rock side because
It is worth it said you're just gonna go to sleep
But Pelican wakes up, so that is a damage boost!
And that's why he has to be posted!
Unisor is super effective!
And that is going to be our huge Pokemon out of the way!
An absolutely huge trade there.
Now Unisor no longer sweet powder.
And I think this is what's really awkward about choice card bar chop is the kick in this matchup, right?
Yes, it's fast, but he is not necessarily threatening what he had knocked out.
knockout and once you commit to a move, now you're just locked into that rockside, right?
Charizard of course, cover does hit the field and so you pressure a lever ball into the
opposing tower tower, that'll obviously do a lot of damage and so I think Vikram got
a really great turn there, a limited E-Venus score, meaning no more sleep powder is big,
but Charizard now regains weather control so Vikram says, okay, I want to reset
for rain trying to bring out the E-Venus score.
But this is so risky because one of it is, they're just going to be a weather ball
into that slot. You also have to worry about the boss slot, switching to your Venusaur that
focus matches now, no longer going to be able to keep this Venusaur in this if it does take a
super effective attack. Charizard is back as well! Leatherball does go into the Archowdon.
Venusaur a wrap in the next turn. I can't stop! Has to count its lucky stars for that survival!
So intense right now. Archowdon does manage to hang on.
So they've got us a turn for Carlos, but now big room once again has the ability to either pivot in power
I actually don't think you want to do it right now because you've got the Venus we're out in the field
So you might want to angle for something like a sleep powder into Charizard and it is going to be that and it does connect
Big room inching closer and closer to taking us the game three
Gartho can still go to rock slide though
Which could stop this or chow down from moving if it does manage it to wake up on this turn
but those stamina boosts are starting to really add up here
against the physical office of this Garchon.
Garchon awaits us!
Right post down!
This is a third-party on watch of this Garchon.
And so, two Pokemon left here for Carlos
as we enter into the butter parts of the second game.
And that is the difference between getting that special attack boost
on our child on a half-year of being at neutral
or even minus one.
Huge knockout there.
That's 2 KO and now that is weather control over in big room favor Carlos, of course still does have Charizard and it is sleeping
It is just so so scary
I think the of center right now obviously has make out pressure into either both on or you can make up in a store
Charizard hook to wake up go for heat wave right think that's basically the best bet
But it is still so tough because big room of course can pivot in a telepore and of course change the weather
I wonder if you can go for an ancient power, though, with this Terzer.
It's the one attack that I'm thinking of.
Carlos, keep yourself in this game if you get a big call right.
That, I think, is a really great point.
Venusaur is going to swap out here.
It's going to be the Pelopter.
So, the weather is now turning once again back into rain.
Rain asset, because our child off-protects itself.
Just doesn't want to be on the receiving end of a fake out and double up.
double up because even if this is going to end up being a water type weather ball from this Charizard that could be
enough to knock out the Archalodon on the other side. You also afford yourself some time to get some leftovers recovery.
For Bikram there maybe there was an opportunity to actually just have a tap with the Archalodon knowing
that the Charizard wasn't guaranteed to wake up there, won a great chance. It was a Brochon,
it wasn't a Bikon Electroshop, there actually would have probably knocked out Charizard and just won the game.
a bit from saying, look, I've got to just guarantee
that I get the air pellet for insafely.
Of course, did risk an ancient power charger.
Now, guarantee to wake up, no wake up.
It's going to be the weather ball to knock out our challenge
up, but that means the pellet will be able to get
a weather ball or a tail wind up right now.
Tail weather speed control, but a weather ball
would be super effective.
It's the eyes of these fire-type Mokimons.
And then Xerror goes for the parting shot
to limit some of this pellet for a special attack
output.
So it might not save itself from the partner
coming in and trying to get some damage down tailwind the set up that speed
control and let's see what big room brings in next so it's going to be a
detail and as you saw actually virtually Carlos is considered faster than that
heliport so being able to drop that stuff what's happening immediately it's
going to be Venus or and big room put it all together the pelipers offense
right now is quite good as you mentioned Rosalier is that ancient
power on Charizard that is super effective damage into a heliport right
now incinerator Carlos is then cannot protect itself and so it is very
vulnerable to a weather ball. Sweet powder targets the Charizard and is going to find
a smart there that's a big connect. Will Pelopter follow up with a double up to the
weather ball. So Angel powered off the board but the weather ball is hoping to secure some
big damage into the Charizard. At minus one special attack though, it is not going to be
enough to get the knockout now but you should be able to follow that up on the next turn
as Road Chalk will not knock out this Pelopter here. You can see the strength of the rain
right of course. Carlos has that flare blitz put us on for potentially onto the Venusaur
slot, but he doesn't want to take that much recoil either, maybe predicting Venusaur's
attention to go for a protect. Either way though, right now Vikram just is in the driver's
seat. Tarzan cover has taken turn of sleep, so it can go for something like a protect.
However, even if you protect, what are you going to accomplish right in center?
Maybe parting shot in the Pelipur, maybe you flare blitz Venusaur, but there's still
one turn of tail and left, and so Carlos right now back against the wall, and this
Hella first showing how it could be a huge offensive tool in this matchup.
The damage is going to start to add up and Charizard stays asleep.
So now, really nothing that it can do in this turn.
A slug ball comes out that's going to be damaged down onto the Incidior as Sweatherball finishes off this Charizard
and now it's shot into the Incidior.
The last Pokemon standing in game number one has to make up for its allies here.
here. Another parting shot to drop this pellet for special attack down to minus two, but a
3v1 is too much for this cat to handle.
Man, there's just no way to close out the game in terms of damage for Carlos. So, Vikram,
besides I'm going to drop Swamper, I'm going to bring Charizard, both players see Charizard
and Venusaur, but it is Vikram that strikes back here in this second game. And I think
now both players are likely already looking towards game three of course, still not
over yet in the sense that the Incideros standing on the field but there is no
way for it truly to deal with all of Vikram's remaining Pokemon. If you are
Carlos then you've got to start thinking about maybe that card's not going to come out
continue to chip away at the Incideros. It's not that sister's fairy but it is just slowly going to pay and of
course the leatherball knock comes out in the rain. It has even a couple special
tack drops but we'll still stay and we're going to get game-free folks.
What an exciting series so far between these two incredible trainers Carlos
and Vickra evening off the game count and it will be the decisive game 3 that determines
the world champion and seniors division.
So tense here.
What do you do if you are Carlos?
You went with the same Pokemon and I think the Garchomp is something like sometimes not
like a liability.
The question though is well what do you replace the Garchomp with?
It's not like signature necessarily feels better right?
And so is there a mode where you potentially consider going into Flowette?
We haven't seen Floette hit the field once throughout the course of this battle so far.
Thing about Floette though, that's very awkward, is obviously into Charizard and Venusaur,
those are two Pokemon that resist very tight damage.
So it might feel tricky to weave in, but if you're able to get a free combine boost with
it and have sinister healing in the back, some Pokemon that can be very difficult
to deal with.
Carlos might also just say, look I'm going to run it back and I'm just going to
change how I play those Ok'n'Turns, we're both going to go Charizard and Venusaur,
But I think for Carlos now seeing what the Charizard is likely slower than big room is a really big deal
Speed interaction super important
We confirmed that Carlos is being a sort is faster and big groups Charizard is faster
So now do you think about going back maybe hoping that maybe some of the sleep turns are a little bit luckier for you?
Is it one sleep powder the difference that might make you a world champion?
thousands of fans here in the crowd as we get into game three here the senior
division world championships it has been a back-and-forth battle honestly
incredible play by both players here and I'm really excited to see what the
mix-ups are for game three I think there's a world where Vikram also could
maybe say I'm actually gonna go back to Swamper do think that it feels more
unlikely but Venusaur Swamper is one of the mix-ups that you can go with
on that side of the field.
Otherwise, I think the Charizard Venusaur lead
with Pelopon or Choudon is very scary
and knowing that you are faster with Charizard
is a big deal.
If you're Carlos though,
and you say you want to bring the Choice Guard Garchup,
you can consider leading it immediately
because of course, the Garchup is actually quite nice
defensively into most of the moves.
You pressure with Rock Slide.
If a Venusaur just misses Sleep Power on Garchup
on turn one, well, Garchup's like,
okay cool, I'm just gonna Rock Slide,
I'm gonna break your Focus Ash,
gonna do a lot of damage, maybe even potentially knockout
how the Chars are depending on how it is trained.
And so if Carlos says,
I don't want to go with the flow-out mode,
I am looking at Garchomp as a lead potentially.
Garchomp and Cineror, you have fake out as well
to guarantee that you could potentially get
a rock slide off on that first turn.
But the dual weather mode has definitely made this
a more exciting match up between these two trainers.
Heliper and Chars are both available
to try to command the weather from each other.
But I do wonder whether or not we will see
either of the other mega evolutions in this game.
One way's for sure though,
it's going to be an exciting game three finish
to crown our world champion in the senior division.
Everybody get ready, Carlos,
but I'm singing, I'm victory,
the entire matchup,
I'm almost going to get into this final game.
And for our competitors,
you can see they're playing on this grand grand stage,
the largest stage that we've ever had
in competitive Pokemon game three.
everything on the line, a world championship title on the line.
Let's see what the mix-ups are.
Well, for now, it's going to be a right back for Vikram of the Venusaur and
the Charizard, but we do see Karlo switch things up.
Venusaur hitting, Charizard hitting the field and Garchomp with that choice card.
There's that Garchomp I was talking about.
If you were expecting Charizard, Venusaur, now you say, look,
I'm gonna put the odds a little bit more in my favor.
The way that the Charizard, Venusaur normally wants to deal with this is
I'm gonna mega vault, I'm gonna sleep powder your Garchomp.
We're going to go for something like a heatwave or a weather ball, and firstly, because it's Leastorm on Venusaur,
you can angle for a knockout immediately on the guard chop the following turn.
However, if Sleephunter misses guard chop, it's an absolute disaster.
I think that's what we're going to see here on tour, and we're going to start the game.
Mega Evolution first though, as we wait with Beta Pratt to see what will happen next.
As Charizard for Vikram, Mega Evolve, not a Mega Evolution for Carlos,
It's just going to be a protect of Vikram's Venusaur as a double protect here.
Scouts out what this Garchomp is going to lock into with his choice card.
We get confirmation it will be the Rocks Live, so that makes this next turn even more important.
And virtually, Carlos' Charizard did not mega-vulverate, right?
That's for two potential reasons.
One, if you think Vikram's not going to mega-vulverate Charizard,
you don't want to set up a sign allowing Venusaur to now case the Spark Garchomp.
The other thing that I think is unlikely, but I do want to bring up, is there ever a world in which it's Flo-Wet there in the back?
I think unlikely.
Bidrum says, look, I do not want to play with the potential sweep counter in this, but he's switching our talent on,
and Charizard now is going to med him off, so it's not going to be the flaw in the back.
Carlos is saying, I don't want to give you the speed advantage earlier on for a while.
What's interesting here is, Bidrum could actually sweep counter the Charizard and say, hey, I've got the rocks,
like, give me a defense boost.
It would be quite nice, and that's exactly what's going to happen.
So, Viprem does get that first part correct.
A sleeping Charizard, and that Garchomp cross-leaves the rock slide,
is going to get that Samadu we set up on Garchaldon,
and by this, our Chalon's a valuable time
if that Pelopter is waiting in the wind.
Charizard will virtually take its first turn of sleep here.
Now, if you're Viprem, you have to play to switch Venusaur out into Pelopter,
set up that rain, and immediately launch Electroshot into the Charizard slot.
The Garchomp is locked into rock slides,
who would not really feel any damage to our Chaladon.
We'll do around 40% to Pelliper, but that's not the most.
You see how good this defensive Pelliper is.
And I think Carlos feels forced to switch out the Charizard, right?
Because you don't want to just take a lot of damage or face full Electroshot.
It's going to be a scenario coming in here.
So the Intimidate not really making anything different.
It actually just needs going here.
Not just going to switch in,
and your Garchop takes so much damage.
Vikram's saying, look, I'm going to prioritize knocking out your Garchop,
which clears the path to my Charizard.
There's no way to stop the Archaladon from attacking on this turn unless you're able to get the Rocks slide flinch.
There's a 30% chance to do so.
So is it going to be this time that gives Carlos a favorable turn?
Not this one!
Dragon Balls is going to knock out the Garchop here as we get that second attack into that Pokemon.
And I think it is a perfect opening here for Vithrum.
Really well done.
I think, you know, one approach to knock out Garchop is like I said, sweet powder and then leaf storming, right?
But with that, you know that you might miss the sleep powder.
So basically, Vikram says, I'm going
to make your choice guard work against you.
You're locked in the rock site now.
My arch-halodon basically completely walls you.
Finds an amazing position for the arch-halodon.
And knocks out Darchov without getting a rock site
in the Charizard.
I think the whole point of bringing Darchov in a match
up like this is ideally to get that Charizard.
And so I would say the Vantage of Darchov heavily
goes in Vikram's favor.
But of course, there is a sleep powder on both sides
right now.
Carlisle's sleep powder would be able to connect first on to the opposing Archalodon since the
Venusaur has been confirmed to be faster. But there's also a peek out in place since that
Enzirra are freshly switched in, so there's a waver you'd be able to stop the opposing
Venusaur from doing something on this turn. That's why we're going to end up seeing a protect here.
Xurra could also just fire off some obstacles, so we see a double protect from this Venusaur
and this Archalodon to make sure there's no funny business on this turn.
Sleep powder not going to do anything but it's also not going to do anything the
main question for Carlos is how are you gonna deal enough damage the our child
on the opposing side right now still sitting fully healthy the answer of
course is going to be the Charizard in the back but that is still asleep it's
only taken one print of sleep as well so for Vikram now okay sleep better comes
out and it's gonna be up there somewhere child on that's buying the
valuable time here four of six rooms Venus or to actually get some damage
out with that bloodbomb, Dragon Pulse as well is just going to help to widow away this Nidazorn's HP,
but at least it's our Chalron to have to eat a parting shot to drop its special attack,
but with only three Pokemon remaining, Carlos has to bring back out the sleeping Charizard.
Charizard comes out, but it is such a difficult position right now.
Sunlight also fades and so the means that you don't even necessarily have to switch in
right? The risk of switching in Peloper is it comes out and then it gets hit by a
sleep powder and then you just can't wake up with it in the following turn.
Have to take that one for a guaranteed sweep. Right now though, of course, if you're
Carlos, I think you still want to shut down that archal enough. You can go for a
sleep powder onto it once again. Charizard here, maybe just says, you know what?
I'm gonna stay in and I'm happy to just click G-Lave. I want to try to knock
out your Venusaur. Vikram, of course, can pivot it at Peloper. He's got the
Pokemon advantage right now. The momentum is definitely on his side and
no switches here. You can see who Vickrowne is saying, I don't know about this one.
Charizard stays asleep though so maybe we do get to see some damage go in that
direction but right now it is a sludge bomb felled by the project as it was a
double up as well with that dragon pulse. It's not much accomplished that turn but
Charizard does stay asleep. Have that woken up if I just in a kiwi if
knock out the opposing Venusaur. Vickrowne decides I don't want to switch him
hell of her there. Maybe out of respect for a sleep powder or a leaf
sword into that slot. Now it is going to be Carlos' Venusaur that is switching out into
a Cinderor. Can Carlos Retaliate back and get a knockout right now? Are we going to see
Venusaur potentially switch out into Palipur? There's the swap.
Right, so we do have one under view of Pocomont in the back and now we know it is the Palipur.
Coming just out of the rain here and that's going to be weather control for Vikram.
Tarsar is taking the lead on the big high spot. But it does get the double connect
the heat wave onto both Pocomonts. But look at how little damage that's going
What do you do with the brain and neutralizing that fire type damage?
And it's the electro shock coming out from our childhood on no sleep powder being a sort
of giving out.
This is such a powerful attack you have to imagine it wants to park it down that Charizard
and then it's going to land it's mark in the Charizard.
It's not going to get the knockout, but it gets picked from one inch closer to becoming
world champion.
This game was already difficult for Carlos, but now it feels nearly impossible to win.
really tough with that Charizard doesn't have a block of HP left to play with and you have to
rely on your opponent to step back up the Sun with their own Charizard so that your Enoswork can
come back out with that speed advantage. But right now, Telepter and Archalodon really looking
tough here for Carlos to take down. It is so tricky, especially with Sleephounder missing.
The first thing you have to do with your Carlos is you need to find a way to get
Enoswork back out onto a field, get a Sleephounder off. So Charizard is going to protect you.
You would think it wants to switch out, but you switch out.
But Venusaur is just vulnerable.
Electrostart comes out once again.
And folks, this is our Chaladon.
A Pokemon that often feels like it is as strong,
it's not stronger than Mega Evolution in both my champions.
Will target Charizard here,
because Incider won't be able to pivot out.
So this is what I was saying.
Number one, for Carlos, just get Venusaur out on the field.
And also reducing the Special Attack.
That is our Chaladon of forgetting those Electrostarts.
No, you didn't get the damage down to the Charizard,
but you did make that Archile on a lot more threatening by adding plus one to its special attack.
So the Partix shot coming in very handy there from that Incineroar.
But now that the Venusaur is on the field, you don't really have a lot of HP to play with
for either of these Pokemon on Carlos' side.
What's tricky is, well, you have Sleep Powder, but what is the Charizard's lot going to do?
Right? It does not have the sun for it.
It feels like it wants to switch out all of its moves.
Basically, it will just dent the Archile on Unpellifer.
And so, like, Carlos probably wants to look for a sleep powder.
Maybe if you go for something like a protect
and switch it in center or if the problem is then
you just get doubled up into, it's just going to be staying in.
So it's going to be sleep powder.
Does land on our child.
But this means Peloport can get a lot of damage.
You will get a knockout onto either of these Pokemon.
Ancient power, though.
Super effective damage does not do that much.
And will Peloport retaliate back and just knock out
Charizard is so that she feels like it's game over.
Our child is going to make its first main
for a turn of sleep power.
fire is off the hurricane that is going to be a knockout on to the Venusaur just
two Pokemon remaining here for Carlos and it's the Incinamore and the Mega
Charizard that has to go up against the world because it still has four Pokemon to play with.
And with Venusaur going down I mean this Charizard now cannot be our
child on our child on himself is such a strong wing condition ancient power
doesn't say damage to the Pelican but now with the rain is up make room
basically just has to say look I'm just gonna keep our child on in rain you are
not going to be able to handle it I think we're gonna see our child on
flame another world championship here Rosemary I think you're right where you
feel like we're just moments away from being able to see that and Vikram
being the world champion but you can't give up here Carlos you still have to
fight left and Pokemon on the board as we play out the rest of this
condition in game we see the caliber read the field towards Venus or
off the other side so that is going to be the Pokemon that takes that ancient power our
Chaladon wakes up so the Electroshot is ready to get fired off and if that's into these
Charizard that's going to be a knockout and leaving Incineroar on an island.
Vikram has come so close on this stage before. Top 4 Asimore Championship. Charizard is
going to face and he has won Pokemon away. Incineroar one of the most classic iconic
Pokemon, staring down our Chaladon.
It's not gonna have enough damage.
Vikram now feels it.
He knows that the title is his.
What an incredible season here for Vikram.
The top four at the Turin Special Event earlier this year.
Hasn't been able to make it past that in this season.
So imagine being able to get to the finals of the World
Championship and take home the World Championship title
just to look at an incredible season.
Venusaur lets loose a sludge bomb, poisons this Incineroar to put it either Thor on a timer, but is our Chalron.
Get this Electroshock ready to go and to fire off into this Incineroar, this could just be the final attack to get Vikram the World Championship!
But we're gonna have to wait one more turn as this Incineroar does not fall to that one Electroshock.
So go for a Clear Blitz into the Venusaur, get one more knockout on the world stage.
You have to get so much credit to Carlos here.
Such a phenomenal player.
And this matchup, I think, was quite tricky, right?
When you are a team that only has time,
the rain is so tough on the opposing side.
The ability to flex between dual weather
is the reason why this is one of the top teams
coming into the World Championships.
We saw a win in the junior division.
I think we're about to see a win in the senior division.
Peloport coming back out,
and it's going to be the final turn of the battle now.
And Sidderworth cannot help but look across at this pellet for our challenge.
I wonder how it could even stand tall to this offense.
As we do see the four come through, that's going to confirm.
Sid Grove, the answer to that shot has your world champion, the seniors division.
An absolute treat to watch both of these players.
You see the sportsmanship there, absolutely amazing through these.
the incredible incredible senior division players to be able to play on this stage that first game
I think was a master class by both so much constant pivoting and switching take a look at that crowd
Vikram that is your world championship winning crowd you can see the fans celebrating there in the
seats and wow Charizard and Venusaur plushie that was the adjustment that Vikram needed and I love
how we baited out the Garchomp in Game 3,
switching in our child on,
what a treat it was to watch these two players
go up against each other.
It was just an incredible positioning battle.
Even going back, I upgraded that first game
where Carlos was able to take that style.
So methodical, thinking several turns ahead about
how am I going to get my Charizard into a position
to really put this Waffer into a bad spot.
And so Carlos really setting the pace and the mental
for how the rest of the series was going to go.
And that was a marathon.
Like that first game, it was just constant switching back and forth.
The mental fortitude, let you need to have to be able to play this game at the highest level.
Not through just one game, but through three games.
It was incredibly taxing.
And I think that Carlos put up an amazing fight.
Of course, Sweet Powder with Venusaur.
Coming into the match, we're saying you expect to see a lot of Sweet powders.
It's going to hit. It's also going to miss.
And I think that the positioning battle in that third game,
just knocking out Gertrude so quickly giving him a huge huge advantage and just
absolutely amazing by both of these players and once again they're playing
at the freaking Chase Center that is the memory that they will remember for the
rest of their lives. And what a great display and we can really see why both
of these competitors came into this world championship as regional champions
but only one gets to walk away at the world champion so let's hear from our
our newest world champion.
Let's hear it one more time for your senior world champion,
Vikram Sikarajan!
Vikram, you just said you can't believe it,
but I have to ask you, if you had to describe it,
how does it feel?
Absolutely amazing.
I've been dreaming this for about three, four years,
ever since I started playing for Pokemon,
so it finally gets cheaper.
absolutely amazing. I mean tell me about that team dual weather that was such a
innovation coming into the world championships how did you pilot it
throughout the weekend? So just most games I've been in Seoul and then well yeah switchpally in arch yeah
being in Seoul was not very good in the tournament but in this game it would
have to be amazing. So, talk a plane.
Should have been counted for sure, right?
Yeah, 100%.
And I'm sure you have a lot of friends and family
who helped you make it to this incredible moment.
Do you have any shout-outs you want to give to them?
I want to shout-out my, well, thank my family for bringing me here,
taking all the tournaments across the world.
I want to thank all the UK community, the Indian community.
I'm going to make people to thank.
So, thank everyone for helping along the way.
Let's hear it one more time for your 2026 Senior World Champion,
Big Rapunzel!
Oh, my God!
We have crowned two of our Video Game World Champions.
We have one more title to go.
Let's go ahead and take it to our casters
for our Masters Division title match.
Wow, that was an incredible set.
We have had two incredible finals already here in the Chase Center to kick off our Champions
era of the video game championships.
My name is Evan Lat and I have the distinct privilege of being joined by my good friend
Scott Glauze here to take you through the Masters Division finals coming up.
It's going to be an incredible match here, two really impressive players and two players
very different stories right at one hand we have the champion for the PJCS and
they're considered by most trainers to be the most difficult tournament other than
the world championships to win on the other side we have a player with fewer
accomplishments that is really surprising from a beginning this point
and proven that he's just as equal of a threat. Absolutely this is going to be
an incredible matchup between two highly skilled players from Japan like
you mentioned Hiroshi Onishi is our current PJCS champion out of Japan and
That is a title that comes with a lot of pressure behind it,
and a lot of history.
In fact, two of our former PJCS champions
have gone on to then win the world championships
in the very same year that they won that tournament.
And now, Roshionishi is going to try to put his name
right next to those legends.
Yeah, I think it's worth noting too.
There have also been two champions
who have made it to the finals
and fallen just short at this final step.
So don't count his opponent out either.
may not have that decorated resume yet, but hey, you know, having world championships there really changes how it looks and it's just a few games away.
Absolutely. His opponent, Hakuwoyamazaki, is also a very strong trainer who has gotten hot at exactly the right moment.
This is a competitor who has been competing since 2009 and finally has a big finish to put on his resume.
I know this is something that he has worked so hard for.
Even when the results weren't there, he kept at it, he kept going forward and that persistence, dedication, and hard work have landed him a spot here in the finals.
Yeah, I think that's really impressive. It's gonna be a very frustrating game when things aren't going your way, you know, some format just kind of don't seem to use a trainer.
Maybe, you know, it kind of just doesn't play to your strengths. Maybe it's more offensive than you want. Maybe it's more defensive than you want.
You know, maybe your favorite strategy is to start good.
Maybe just for unlucky, right?
It happens to all trainers sometimes,
and they can be really hard to push through those situations
in this game where it just doesn't seem like anything
that you do works.
And I think to stick with it for so long,
to really deserve the achievement to do
so well at this tournament.
Absolutely.
And I am so excited to be getting into this match.
Let's go ahead and take a quick preview of this finals.
Over a season of furious competition,
which saw the introduction of Pokemon champions to the competitive scene,
over 390 of the best trainers in the world
battled their way through the year to make it to the game's premiere event.
The culmination of their effort brought them to San Francisco,
each trainer chasing the same dream, becoming the first ever
Pokemon Champion's World Champion. Now, after days of unforgettable battles,
only two trainers remain. One match, one champion, history begins here. Hiroshi Onishi came into the
2026 World Championships as the reigning Japan Championship Series Champion, winning after
making an incredibly bold play. This could be disastrous. Earthquake first, heat wave following
up for Hiroshi to get the double KO! Throughout his run at the World Championships, Hiroshi
continued making these bold plays and for catching his opponents off-guard and
earning him the opportunity to compete for the biggest title of his career.
Takuma Yamazaki on the other hand is competing for the first time at the
World Championships, making it through phase one of Swiss with a strong seven-and-one
record. But after losing in the first round of phase two, he had to win every
single match from then on to find his way into the first ever finals matchup
of this party. Their paths couldn't have been more different but on this stage they now collide
with a world championship title on the line and while they both enter as competitors
only one trainer can leave as the first world champion of bgc in pokemon champions.
Oh man, I am so ready for this matchup.
Hiroshi Onishi versus Takuma Yamazaki, Scott, are you ready for this matchup?
I'm so ready, Evan.
Chase Sender, are you ready for this matchup?
That's right.
Just a few moments, we will know who our first Master's World Champion is going to be of this Pokemon Champion's era.
And I could not be more excited to have these two strong competitors on stage.
We're going to see some incredible action out of both of them.
I think it should be a lot of fun here. A little bit different sort of a matchup than maybe we saw in the Junior and the Senior Divisions,
where the teams we saw in those divisions maybe a little bit built more on the chemistry of the Pokemon, right?
how the abilities interact with one another.
These teams are much more about power.
On one side with Rosh, we have the big six team
that's kind of been dominating this format so far,
built around the strongest attackers in the format.
Charizard and Mega Flowat,
largely considered to be the strongest
Mega Evolve Pokemon in this format.
Garchomp, King Gambit, Vascular Legion, so scary.
Both trainers have those Pokemon in common.
On the other side of the field, we have just six, right?
Critically missing that Charizard
that's been the most used Mega Evolve Pokemon
throughout the entirety of this Pokemon
champion's era. I said that Dragonite that we saw hanging out with talk about
during the video really cool adjustment here so two fun approaches to try and
make the strongest team you can in order to beat the strongest trainers in the
world. Absolutely that is exactly what you need to defeat the strongest trainers
in the world. You need the strongest Pokemon and Hiroshi Onishi knows
exactly what it takes to do that. Of course he is our defending PJCS
champion and he like you mentioned this is a classic BGC team here in the
champions era with that dual mega Charizard Y and the flow at Eternal Flower.
It's a little bit different coming from Hiroshi though I think it was
incredibly impressive watching him play his matches earlier in this tournament
on stream. I think a lot of the players maybe thought hey you know I
have to deal with this team but I can skill my way around her and I'm
experienced against this composition and it just felt so different coming from
him. I particularly that semi-final match he made a really aggressive read to pick up a big double
knockout. It's just not a move that most other trainers would have been willing to go for and
you see why he's probably the favorite in this match. Absolutely and you have to take note of
these small little adjustments here. I'm looking specifically at this King Gambit. King Gambit has
been one of the most dominant Pokemon in the MB regulation here and you can see Hiroshi has
often for the four attack variants, so not sword stance, no protect here, and also critically
using the Aca Berry instead of the Chuffle Berry to reduce fire instead of fighting.
Now the other poker that team to keep in mind too is that Wimzacat would be very important
as a difference between those teams. You know, one of the two Pokemon that's unique on
his team, that Tailwind could be very important. The Pokemon on his team kind of would
naturally be a little bit slower perhaps, that is bonus Pokemon, because you just have
that speed control option. So if you're able to get Tailwind active, you're gonna
We have a pretty big advantage both by moving furthest and kind of having more stat points
because his Pokemon are trained a little bit differently.
They can be very important this matchup to keep.
One's a kind of mind.
If his opponent is able to stop a second talent from going up, they could be very important
for him.
But we see on his side of the field, there's some fun tricks as well.
Absolutely.
And the big difference, of course, is that Dragonite over the Charizard.
This is a Pokemon that was added to this team specifically for opposing Charizard and
Venusaur matchup.
So no Venusaur on the other side, but the Charizard does not like looking at this.
Probably enough to scare that Pokemon away.
Yeah, I think it's very likely.
And so we get the Mega Flowette, which makes things a little bit tricky here, right?
Where the Mega Dragon ID, Choiceguff Barchomp, that was so impactful
with the Swiss stage and in the top cut round eight.
I'm looking forward to a little bit more difficult of a matchup here.
Again, very important for that Boonsika to get the tail inactive
to the front of that devastating rock slide is weakened a little bit.
But hey, you know, if there's a Flowette centric strategy,
that Sneasler is also a Pokemon that's different between these two teams.
I think very likely that Sneasler is going to be an important Pokemon in this adjep.
I think how much Sneasler can get done is going to be very important.
While I can do a lot of damage to any of the Pokemon on his opponent's team,
you can't attack both Pokemon at the same time.
It's a bunch of single target attacks, so I think targeting wisely is going to be very important for Takama,
where on the other side of the field, I think trying not to let Sneasler get too much,
punishing at any time attacks, making sure that it doesn't get three or four super effective attacks off,
which would be devastating.
Absolutely. Keep your eyes on that Sneasler.
If you were cheering for Takuma out in the crowd,
you were going to want to see that Pokemon go to work.
Our trainers now have exchanged team sheets.
That means that they are in a team preview
and getting ready to hop into game one.
Let's hear it for both of our finalists here
as they head into their first game of our finals.
Well, Garchop hasn't even hit the field and already the ground is shaking up here at
our desk as we are headed right into game one, Hiroshi Onishi rocking his PJCS champion title up
against Takuma Yamazaki and just the competitor title but that's going to be Floette and King
Gambit led from Takuma alongside the Vascular Legion and Floette from Hiroshi so as expected that
Floette a central Pokemon for both of these competitors. I think folks that's likely choosing
as their mega ball Pokemon that we don't know that for a certain certainly you can choose to
to bring one of these other folks on the back and hold the mega voletion
evolution on Floette. I think Dragonite much more likely to appear as regular
Dragonite than your Charizard who in this matchup I think is going to
struggle a little bit more and then initially to next to the Floette the
book on our board. Now King Gavin at the type advantage is the vast
delusion threatening a very powerful sucker punch to do it or Iron Headed to
the Floette. So what will happen here? You know a double target these folks are
going to put the King Gavin up as well. So a moment about reason to see what
local trainers decide to do on this first turn. Well let's see if they've been
and studying their opponents.
Takuma will be the first to mega-evolve his Floette.
Now, mega-Floette on the field for Takuma
immediately maxed by Hiroshi Onishi as well.
So both of these competitors have
opted to activate their big power modes.
Floette both on the field next to two strong partners,
Vasculation gets the Aqua Jet out
to avoid any sucker punch coming out from that King
Gambit that's some important chip
and does catch the sucker punch.
King Gambit is not able to use his priority attack and instead just takes some ship.
However, Takumo is able to fire back with a dazzling gleam but here comes the light of
ruin just blasting into that King Gambit and eliminating erasing it off of the field.
King Gambit, the number one threat of this meta is down, but Floette taking an immense
amount of recoil in return.
Now a lot of damage going down both directions and if they first knockout going to Hiroshi
And that's a very important Pokemon to deal with in this matchup.
You know, if you can't get the tail end up, another option with these slower Pokemon,
which I use most, is increased priority instead, such as the Sucker Punch,
such as the Extreme Street Tender, the Wages team gets around that having free control.
And that's now one powerful means of dodging being slower taken out.
And what a smart line there from Hiroshi with the Aqua-Dut and the Light of Ruin
guaranteeing the KO on that King Gambit in turns one.
However, Pokemon now is able to mask Vasculigin bringing out his own and of course, what we know and love about Vasculigin is it just loves when it's partner's face.
Yeah, there's even more damage that lasts respects him, but you may not even need the last respects here, right?
I think it's kind of confusing if you're calling a switcher.
A potentially big advantage here in the board state even though there's a disadvantage in the KO count.
Both these Pokemon weaken a full easily in range of an Aqua Jet here, so you can kind of use whatever you want.
Maybe that's like Vasculigin being threatened by a knockout from either of the opposing Pokemon now.
Pokemon now and again we got to assume the Pokemon on Takuma Center likely quicker because there is no speed control here
So these Pokemon are probably both pinned. Okay
Well just trying to use that basket legion to presser the pin on flow and basket legion and
Takuma gets the protect out of the flow at does not get it out of awkward
Pruskalation which fires an awkward jet into flow at dealing just over 40% of its health takes a little bit of recoil back
which will allow Pokemon to clean up the Vascular Legion with this dazzling gleam.
And critically, that Pokemon that you shouted out from the very jump,
Sneasler gets in for three.
Yeah, loving that situation, especially the opposing flow-out is just
blown into protect, so very vulnerable on this turn.
And also Vascular Legion escaping the battlefield safely is a big deal too,
but loves to be the last Pokemon remaining.
After three Pokemon, I see what's been back there.
Last effects which have almost every poke fun to form that easily every poke fun
This particular matchup other than King Gambit so a great thing to have in the back here
And you'll look very good for Hiroshi's this battle start up
And I was talking about it looks like he has a big advantage
Well, Hiroshi has now been able to bring in the whimsycott with that major priority threat King Gambit off the field
So there is the opportunity for Hiroshi to go for tailwind however like you mentioned, Floette just whipped its protect
Yeah
Yeah, so it's really complicated.
It's great that the Guns of God, the back,
you get the tailwind.
This will likely last for the remainder of the game,
but how do you have enough Pokemon remaining for it to have?
Or, potentially, both these Pokemon
being threatened to fly damage or a potential fakeout.
So can I have to guess what slot a potential fakeout's
going in?
Or maybe just a double up to knock it out of this poke fund.
Do you risk sacrificing this Float that's already been
weakened very much and trust that final Pokemon?
Or do you try to get the Float out of dodge here
and maybe try to use it to deal some damage into the tailwind?
I think it's going to be difficult to win the Float
from here, because there still is that mask
of the back. You could check it with Aqua Jet later. So maybe that unrevealed hook
one's gonna have to win this one. Okay, Wimsecot here is now forced to protect a
fakeout into the Wimsecot and a Dazzling Glean would have been devastating and
Hiroshi knows he's on the back foot. Tries to go for a double protect on the
Floette but does not get it. Instead, Takuma will be able to clean up the
Floette on Hiroshi's side with another Dazzling Glean. And now all of a
The Roaches get on the back foot, two Pokemon remain.
Yeah, Roaches gonna have to do a line here now.
There's a lot of action that's going to be taken.
That Focus Sash and Sneasler hasn't been broken.
It's going to have to be attacked at least twice.
Goat running a lot of damage.
So it's gonna be very difficult to throw a double pocket.
Then you start to worry that the mask will lead to the back.
Even if Whimsicott is able to use a tail in here,
which ensures Sneasler is going to survive the turn with that Focus Sash.
And it's certainly enough of an advantage.
And that final Pokemon is King Gambit.
gambit. I hope it's often a little bit slower even in the tailwind. Yeah this is really rough
for Hiroshi staring down the Sceesler with that King Gambit. This is again the four attack
barrier and it has the aqua berry, not the chocolate berry so it cannot take a close
combat from that Sceesler. Yes sir, how do you deal with the situation? I have to hit
the Sceesler twice first and you'll get that sucker punch in a moon glass by not
being enough, right? So is there a path out of this game one for Hiroshi? Well Hiroshi
has to hope there is or come up with something else in game two because right now it is Takuma Yamazaki who is in complete control of this finals.
The Sniasler and the Flowette exerted so much pressure on the both of these Pokemon.
I would have been the place to retail and try to iron head flinch the Sniasler that might be the only out here.
Yeah, if you can get the iron head flinch here that could be helpful.
There is the King Gambit going for the iron head.
This time into just the flow at so getting that Pokemon off the field and trusting in Whimsicott with the focus act to maybe be able to close this out but
Like I mentioned, no truffleberry king gambit is knocked out in one hit from that Sneasler which still has its focus act
And I'm likely able to close the game on its own but it won't need to the Vasculationally able to come in and help out
And there's not really anything women's that can do here about the combination of you're not which any close comment
I guess you could try and I'm going to stall things a little bit
But I just don't think there's a path of Hiroshi in this first game
He's got to think about how he's going to recover and win game two and game three in order to keep this chance of becoming world champion alive
Yeah, I'm just starting planning for game two if you are Hiroshi Onishi if you are out there cheering for him
He is going to need your energy because Takuma Yamazaki despite not having a finish to his name
His resume is blank, except for this finals appearance here at the World Championships.
And he is about to be one game away from being the World Champion.
And it's the right time to get hot. Nobody cares about a tournament win more than this one.
This is the one everyone plays all year to try to win.
It's the greatest prizes, and I think critically for these trainers, the greatest prestige.
Everyone wants to be able to call themselves a World Champion.
Alright, and Winsapout will just protect.
That is Hiroshi stalling out for a little bit more time.
you can see it on his face trying to think through these lines trying to
understand where things went wrong for him in this game one and time to go
back to the drawing board for game two. Yeah I think one thing important to keep
in mind here is the chance to prepare for the next game is but it's a preview of
the subsequent game right. Who's last going to come down here not be nearly
enough of the basket legion. But you know what you leave right it's so
difficult as well as you pivot out of bad lead matchups as we saw in this
game where there's not a whole lot you can do with how difficult it is to
make good defensive switches.
Winsicott's focus has to be activity here,
but poison touch going to finish it off
as if it had any chance, unfortunately, either way.
Well, that's OK.
Vascular Legion sends its last respects.
And Winsicott will go down here in Takama Yamazaki
with the game win, one win away from becoming a world
champion from nowhere to the top.
And that's just how this set is going to go.
A little bit different pace than we saw
the Savior Division finals, right? No pivoting here, no parting shots. It's going to be all
about these big blows. And because of that, like the lead matchup is so important where
there's just no pivoting. There was that huge trade on the first turn here where there
was a big knockout with that light of ruin, but the damage in return was a huge problem.
And critically, there was no speed control puller in the game by the time Glimzikat
was able to come in and start the kill when it was just too late. The game had
already been lost. And I think most of you in the second game were just going
be careful about making that sort of trade. His Pokemon are naturally slower. All of these Pokemon do
a huge amount of damage to one another. You can't afford to take a trade, especially
picking up a knockout, which can be really dangerous in this situation, right? Where
you have one Pokemon, your opponent's team is threatening yours, and the other one isn't so
threatened, and you pick up a knockout. You can just bring the perfect Pokemon in there to
continue to push that advantage. You know, get to be careful. You have to take knockouts
at the right time. You need to win by knocking out four Pokemon, not by getting the first
knockout. Absolutely and while that was a very cool line like you mentioned just
so much damage taken in return. You have to wonder of course these players do
not know everything about each other's teams. I think Hiroshi probably got some
very important information about the speeds of his Pokemon relative to
Takuma and recognizing okay maybe I definitely need that tailwind and speed
control much earlier on. Yeah I'm really interested to see how Hiroshi
adjusts well. I think one of the advantage I was kind of expecting to
have is the more established players you think hey you know these players have
had 24 hours to prepare for this event but probably is a bigger network of
players to help them prepare I think the biggest advantage of that is in game
one when you know both sides are kind of playing blind they don't know how their
opponent is going to approach this matchup however game one went to the
underdog here and from that point you kind of think that hey things are
more even so Roshi may be in trouble here but I'm sure he has a plan for the
second game and he's been very good in the clutch throughout this
tournament and throughout the PGCS so definitely don't count him out yet.
Absolutely and as our players are getting ready to hop into game two, let me hear you
if you are out there cheering for Hiroshi Onishi because he needs your support right now.
Needs this second game in order to force a third game decisive game here at the finals
But of course, Takuma Yamazaki is so close.
He can taste it, I am sure.
He has stuck with it, he has worked so hard year after year after year to be ready for this championship.
Yeah, such a tense moment for these trainers again.
The lead matchup is so important in these matchups.
I think we often speak about, you know, turn 0, team 3, do you think the most important turn of most games?
But it's so true in this regulation and being where there's so few people on who are great at pivoting.
And neither of these teams are especially good at it, right?
They're really strong because of their offensive power,
because once you get those adventage and port positions,
it's so good at pushing those advantage.
You kind of can't afford to get on the back foot
in this matchup because it's so difficult to recover on.
Here it is, game two, and Dragonite out on the field.
For Takuma Yamazaki, this trap is going crazy for Dragonite.
Fun fact, this would be Dragonite's first ever world
championship.
Should it win here, but up against
and fast allegiance to devastating Pokemon.
Yeah, Dragonade appropriately trying to claim the trophy with its own hands,
but that's what the attribute is. Both sides have passive advantages.
I think it's important to keep this Dragonite's options in mind as well.
It is holding that Megasoc. It can become Mega Dragonite,
but it's much stronger than some of the other Pokemon that can Mega Evolve in its regular form.
It doesn't pass to Mega Evolve.
So, well, what's being shown on one side of the field is a good indication that Charms are just coming.
I think especially because it's a difficult match up here.
Anyway, Dragonite isn't nearly as strong to a tell.
It may mega evolve here, but there may also still be that floor in the back,
so Roshan's going to have to try to solve the puzzle here, figure out the way
Takuma is opted to approach this matchup.
Okay, Takuma again, just trying to show a damage threat and then retreat it,
but also I hear going to see Mega Dragonite on the field
at the finals of the World Championship.
And Floette will respond by mega evolving as well.
So Mega Dragonite on top of the side,
next to that Vasculigent that has switched in for the Sneasler,
next to the Floorwet and Vasculigent for Hiroshi.
That's just going to be a protect, a Mega protect,
if you will, from that Floorwet.
Afraid of the Sneasler,
Dragonite makes the fall, Dragonfall,
into Vasculigent over 50% health.
That is going to be a two-hit KO,
but Hiroshi catches the Vasculigent on the switch!
Vascularization does nothing! One hit KO for Hiroshi!
Oh, it's a huge knockout. I was kind of wondering if maybe he was going to get caught there with
Fort protecting in front of that dragon type Pokemon, but I think he'll be very happy with
that trade to end deal with the Vascularization for the rest of the game, and still winding up
in a fairly good position here. A dragon with multiscale is intact, but it's going to be a
tricky turn to play here. It has committed the mega evolutions of providing information
that probably we're not going to see Takumi's bones fall like this game, and you just
I'm just gonna find something like an Aqua Jet to break the multi-scale on top of a fairy type attack to try to pick up the Dragonite.
So, it's going to need some help from its partner here, maybe to end up in a safer position.
We have seen these speeds already.
They're just going to come back in to try to dissuade a double target of this like,
hey, did you really want to ignore me while I'm sitting in front of a Flo-Wet that's just protected, much like you saw in the previous game.
Yeah, I'm gonna say if Dragonite wants to rely on one of its partners,
these are a pretty good partner to have in this moment right now.
not only threatening fake out pressure and to blow up,
but also big damage from Direclaw.
An interesting spot here for the Vasculage as well.
You already see it's slower than the Dragonite.
It would be knocked out by Dragonclaw,
but I'll see if I can deal with it quite so well.
Obviously it's immune to a close combat
as a Ghost-type Pokemon,
and Direclaw's not going to do enough to pick it up.
So Dragonite would need to deal with it itself
if it could knock out this turn,
but I think it's also relatively likely to push,
like, hey, your Vasculage, you've done good enough.
You've knocked out your opposite number.
Maybe I'll save you for later in the battle,
but instead of the blowout,
you can switch out for now.
Well, Takuba's Sneasler has been exerting so much pressure on this Chloet, forcing a protect and now forcing a switch in huge damage coming out from that life orb basket legion on to Sneasler with Aqua Jet.
Direfall will whip into the King Gambit, but the Dragon Pulse will follow it up to deal pretty decent damage for a resisted hit.
Yeah, I mean, it doesn't seem that resisted there, but I kind of an interesting call that the combination was attacking.
Hey, you know, if you leave Floent again, I will pick up the knockout with direct claw and then, you know, the Dragon Fulse would move over to Bat's Delusion.
If you make a switch to something else, the combination of those two attacks is difficult for most of the Pokemon to seem to resist,
but King Gamma would be the best possible option to switch in there.
Immune to one attack for this or the other.
It takes some pretty important damage there, but pretty quickly, he's going to take it on a ton of damage now.
Though he mentioned the board, the very important Pokemon to smash at, especially because maybe you don't have to deal with Dragon Atk just yet, right?
It's a big of all Pokemon, it's very powerful, I get it, but we'll level easily with that 1v1 if the two Pokemon are alive together at the end.
So poking down to Sneasler makes a lot of sense. If you get back that out and the final Pokemon, we can finish the game and send us to a game 3.
Yeah, we were talking about 4 Attack King Gambit. We also have to talk about 4 Attack Sneasler.
No protect available for talking about the keys. Sneasler will retreat for King Gambit.
Baskilejian fires off another Aquagent dealing good damage into the King Gambit on the Switches,
running out of time to deal damage though with that life orb.
Here comes the Heathwind, Aquavari, proving itself to be extremely useful here,
allowing it to not take super effective damage in Baskilejian, one hit point and a dream.
Critical survival there.
There's the Caltow Sleep from King Gambit that's going to connect onto the Mega Dragonite
dealing a decent amount of damage, but even more importantly,
multi-scale has been broken.
Yeah, that could be very critical later in the game,
but that multi-scale active,
the foot would have to use something like a light of room
to pick up a knockout.
Now, any of the fairies have a tap, so it's easily knocked it out.
And this port can give it a, we can pretty significantly
on the opposing side as well.
It's far from being in the end,
and Dazzling, the lane range,
but that could be kind of a win condition now, right?
You could somehow keep basketballing you alive
to check these speeds, like everything else,
we could end up to pick up the Dazzling,
and believe that could be a way to win too.
And there's still unrevealed Pokemon at the outside of the field.
He has a huge advantage here, both in terms of the health of the Pokemon and also information work.
He was, of course, distanced from what we're talking about.
You plan his endgame not knowing what that final Pokemon is.
Absolutely. I was just noticing that at the same time,
not all Pokemon are revealed from Hiroshi.
Still has plenty of options while Tokima is trying to find a way back in.
Sneasler in for the Mega Dragonite and another Aqua Jet from Vascular Legion on its way out.
Lightboard will take the damage that Vasco Legion needs to faint here,
and a sucker punch from the King Gambit on Hiroshi's side will also connect on to Hakuma's King Gambit.
And you have to go for that because the low kick is plenty to pick up that little bit of hit points remaining.
A bit is getting much closer now, where two knockups getting picked up in that turn.
Potentially, Hakuma's now only two knockouts away from becoming a world champion.
But, not so simple, where Floette's going to be able to re-enter the battle,
as well as the unrevealed final Pokemon left to see if they can do enough to keep us in this game, send us to a game three.
We are still missing a Pokemon on Hiroshi's side that has not come out.
Who's that Pokemon if it wins the cut?
Tailwind plus Dazzling Glee goes crazy right now.
Absolutely, in a very interesting spot here as well where Hoshika's just thinking through this turn,
Hey, I know what my last Pokemon is.
You don't know I can think of what we're doing
in the next turn with full information.
You cannot use that with the card.
So we wind up in a very interesting situation here.
The fairy aura from Megaflux
going to boost the damage of Pokemon, as you say.
You know, a tailwing would be very critical here,
allowing the flow at you, speed up and knock out
the sneasler before they look at you.
Big direct blow off, you know.
A sucker punch to kick in, but it would be great in all,
but just not nearly enough, especially because
we know that final Pokemon in the back
is a dragon, I think.
Certainly not going to be able to deal
two fairy type Pokemon in tailwind. Absolutely Whimzacot and Flo at best friends forever ready
to help Hiroshi force a game three here in our masters division finals. Those are these players
you can feel how important this game is to them as they are taking their time to figure out what
to do. Tailwind from Whimzacot allowing Hiroshi's Pokemon to be the fastest on the field.
Sucker Punch will whip. Here's that Natalie Lee connects onto both Sneasler and King Gambit.
That's a double KO. And with just Dragonite in the back, Hiroshi Onishi is about to force
our third game three of our championships. What incredible play. And this time you see
how the strategy is meant to work, able to make a much better trick earlier in the game,
picking up that big knockout at Takuma's basketball legion and then get the late
tailwind in order to ensure this game's date where there's not really anything Takuma can do.
No way Dragon has been able to beat these two fairy-type Pokémon.
Winsicott in the back isn't something we often see, but I think it makes a lot of sense in this matchup.
Imagine during Team Preview, hey, you know, you see a second tailwind up, you're going to win for sure,
but I think it's very difficult to realistically do that in this matchup,
instead of trying to trade a little bit early in order to get like the lead tailwind where you don't need a second tailwind to win.
Well, talk about just checking his couch there to make sure he knows exactly how much damage that extreme speed could do into Floette,
as Winzacot cleans up game 2 for Hiroshi Onishi and now all comes down to this one game for all the marbles.
Yeah I mean it's the right way for this to end right who wouldn't want it any other way these first
Pokemon champions, Pokemon video game championship, World Championship going to come down to this final
game here. I have to see what both trainers have to do. We've seen both trainers have to win
this game right where there's a way that they can do it. I think the switch up for Pokemon is very
interesting to talk about there. Like we've been looking at the match with like oh it's really
difficult to bring Mega Dragonite here right and it looked pretty good early in the game. I don't
think it's impossible by any means to win a Mega Dragonite game. I think that switches you
Vasculation was really the problem there. Not necessarily Mega Dragonite itself but
Floette was hugely impactful in that battle and I think the opposing Floette to check it
maybe would have been I'm thinking a little bit easier there I'll be very exciting to see what
hardware does there hey it's possible he was expecting a difference which if Maroshi you
ultimately tried to do the same sort of thing in the second game right here it is game three of
your master's division finals get loud for our two finalists yeah Garchoff hasn't come to any of
in these games, but he is in the arena for sure.
I can't imagine what's going through these trainers' minds right now.
It's such a critical decision.
Again, this is not a format where you can do a whole lot of defensive switching, right?
You saw what happened in that second game where one bad switch really made things difficult
for Takamon, and that makes this position so important.
You have to get your lead Pokemon correct, and you have to select the best mega-evolving
Pokemon as well.
Neither side forced to do it in the previous game, but they both shown some of their
hands now. Like both trainers have a good idea of how their opponent would like to approach
this matchup and now you have to make that read, right? Well, my opponent do the same
thing. As they got in my head, they figured out what I'm going to do and, you know, they've
also had 24 hours of preparation. They spent a lot of time thinking what they believed
the best path through this matchup was. You know, how is this working in real life?
You know, I'm still thinking, hey, the way that I looked at the matchup before was
right or are you making a last minute adjustment here? Trying to improvise your win to
to get the world championships in this final game of the season.
God, it's such a spooky position to be in,
in this game three scenario,
potentially having to improvise a solution to this matchup.
But these are two players who have proven time and time again
throughout the course of this tournament.
They are more than capable of doing so.
Hiroshi Onishi, of course, as the JCS champion,
has excelled at this highest level
throughout the entire season.
Takuma Yamazaki has been dreaming of this day where he could become a world champion, hasn't
gotten there in the past and now finally won game away from pulling it off.
I can't imagine how nervous these trainers must be one game away either from the biggest
accomplishment they'll probably ever have in their Pokemon careers or a loss that they'll
consider for the rest of their lives.
What could have been?
3 it all comes down to this the flow wet and Charizard team versus the flow wet and
mega dragonite I am so thrilled to be seeing this third game here I really
want to see how these two players are going to adapt because it looks like I
was so shocked to help good mega dragonite look at the end until flow wet
had full health the whole time it's going to continue to be that
angered poke on the back I think it's really difficult for dragonite to
handle it right where maybe half the rest
Hey, Shubhamman, hey, Tokama's not afraid.
He's like, I'm going to bring the Dagonite!
Oh, oh!
Perhaps he gets what he wanted.
It's the Charizard on the other side of the field.
The whole point of bringing Dragonite into the team
rather than Charizard.
It helps you against opposing Charizard,
and here it is in this third game,
where Dragonite's caught Charizard,
right where it wants it.
What a call out from Takuma Yamazaki.
I showed Megadragonite that didn't work in game two.
So you must think that I am free to bring the Charizard,
but no, Takamo believes in that Mega Dragonite
and catches the Garchomp and Charles, a classic lead.
Still a lot of potential trading back and forth.
You know, not something we see so often.
One side, maybe the most iconic lead combination
of a punch effing and so far.
On the other side, Mega Dragonite,
anything's a little bit weird, but particularly this.
Keep in mind that Garchomp is going to be pretty bulky
if that sits very properly,
going to be able to take a single attack pretty well here.
So, posters, stuff that's to make you read,
want to see what they do.
Yeah, that's going to be the Mega Evolution right away from the Charizard.
That means that Floette is most likely left at home here, which is exactly what you want if you are Mega Dragonite.
There it is out on the field now both Charizard and Dragonite Mega Evolving.
Fun fact, this would be their first world champion for either Charizard or Dragonite.
That's just going to be a protect coming out from Dragonite as King Gambit fires off a sucker punch into the Charizard.
It feels a decent amount of damage.
Tartoff goes for the Rockslight to try to break that lulky scale
and feels super effective damage onto Dragonite.
It's a little bit of chip onto King Gambit,
and it's going to come down to this Charizard.
It gets the Heat Wave off and will miss into the protect of Dragonite,
but connects onto King Gambit.
No Okavari, the 1% health remaining!
King Gambit gets the Britain on another sucker punch at whatever it wants.
Yeah, no aquifer, no problem, and that creates a really fun situation this turn.
I may not want to go for a sucker punch in the Kar-Chomp, where you knock yourself out and once you get damage,
but now Charizard's the one being threat.
Accompanation of a sucker punch and extreme speed would knock it out.
So, do you want to risk losing your mega of all Pokemon so early in the game?
And this mega Dragonite is so happy to be facing down Kar-Chomp and Charizard
with its multi-scale still intact.
It can easily survive a rockslide and a heatwave level up from Charizard.
And another awkward thing to keep in mind, Mega Charger at the same speed.
So lots of speed to help these folks come on their trains, but we may not even know how these players are going to play out.
You could have both that hook went off to attack.
Oh, Rock Slide from Garchomp connects onto Vasculation.
And Dragonite, super effective damage, breaks the multi-scale heat wave from Charizard.
We'll connect onto both the Dragonite and Vasculation.
Does Dragonite get to move on this turn?
It does!
Dragon's pulse connects onto Garchomp.
One hit for the open Mega Dragonite.
And then you see why the Mega Dragonite's so powerful.
It gets led against that combination approach,
but they look so iconic,
and it shows the advantage it has picked up
at Garchomp in one knockout.
It's only a great spot against this Charizard, all right?
What is Charizard really going to do in return?
Now, these fire type attacks looking,
not quite so dominant as they normally do.
It's two people who want to resist that.
Yeah, absolutely devastating for Hiroshi Onishi,
Not being able to pick up the KO onto the King Gambit means that Takuma still has that resource in the back
and got the Baskillige in without getting burned by the Heat Wave, threatening big damage onto that Charizard Pie itself.
Yeah, I think it's sort of a fun spot here too, you know.
We've seen the ancient power of these Charizard being so impactful in the past, but you know, I had Dragnais-type magic flow, but differently, however, it's very fun here.
We get the Baskillige facing off against its opposite Nubburri.
We've seen this interaction before, but actually there's so much of them attacking in the same turn, right?
In the second game, we saw the Basculigent touch the opposing Basculigent on a switch, so
we get to see this. He's poking on faceoff, but again, you would expect in a team matchup like this one.
The team with Crimson Cut usually has less speed training in the Basculigent, so
perhaps the Basculigent on Takuma-Sai going to be faster here.
Again, he's very critical from Roshi in this turn, right?
Already a little bit down in resource, he can't afford to lose Basculigent for nothing.
but an awkward position for Takuma to be in with that King Gambit sitting on one hit point.
Who would have loved that additional hit point to be gone so King Gambit could paint and boost the power of last respects.
Instead, just base power on that attack.
Which means that Takuma is going to double protect to see what Hiroshi is thinking into this matchup.
To see that ancient power, Dragonite going to take it a lot better than HR's would.
But finding out what his opponent is doing, and yes.
So we see the last respects targeting to his own basket lead your ancient power
Which would have been super effective into the dragonite and now we see an interesting place
Okay, well we're seeing what one player wants to do on top of the side of the field
How do you adjust to the right view try to sacrifice to give it to me as you said
I think it's going to be difficult to do now with both these both what haven't used their protects
They're both vulnerable a tough to make a sacrifice. They want to double switch
So how are you trying to target these both went down often when you're going for a double protector
Try to fish for and protect on the other side of the field to allow you to double-target, especially if you believe your Vasculage is faster.
But doesn't find it there, and now Roach can predict either of these poke lines,
potentially baiting Takamite to a game-losing mistake.
Aw, it is so tense right now.
These players are on a Razor's edge.
Charizard gets the engine power, connects on to Dragonite, not enough to pick up the KO.
Dragonite is holding off no boosts for Charizard either and the Dragon pulls into Baskillegion feeling just over 50%.
That means that Takao gets to fire off the last respect and pick up the KO on Baskillegion before it can move.
And now Hiroshi Onishi, the JCS champion, is down to his final two Pokemon!
Charizard stuck out in the field as well. That drought's not going to last forever,
but greatly reduced Charizard's ability to be an impact in this game.
We'll have to see what this final Pokemon is.
But where it is similar to the position in the previous game,
Roshi was able to turn things around. We'll have to see again what that final Pokemon is.
Has it really done as much damage in this third game as the second?
Is there still some way he can break this one back?
Well, if there is, Hiroshi is going to need to find it out of Wimzaka.
Focus sash intact has the ability to set tailwind, but
Vasculation has priority so does Dragonite tailwind doesn't matter as much to these Pokemon
Yeah, but it's still all going to be about making you read it again
There's still that King Gambit in the back, you know one HP and a dream
But it's okay sucker punch off regardless of the speed condition and then once again
There's still another Pokemon. We aren't sure what is a Roche probably going to watch you at some point
and it's here with them. Maybe not so helpful here, but here Reddy has the speed advantage.
Both of these players are making their decisions. They know that each and every turn right now could spell victory, could spell defeat,
and they have to make their moves exactly correct.
That's because you can get a dodge, you're going to bring it to problems later.
And then I could guess, we just check the charge arc to the remainder of the game.
There's the extreme speed coming out from Dragonite into Wimzacot, making sure that Wimzacot no longer has a focus act.
And here is the power of one hit point King Gambit, able to switch in for the Vascular Legion, protect that Pokemon,
and allow Takuma to have new switches next to Dragonite.
Unfortunately, Dragonite will go down to a single target heatwave critical hit.
But that means that it's now down to 2v2.
Well, if Steve did it up there, the harsh sunlight does fade, and Vasculage could love that one.
At some point in the game now, an Aqua Jet would cause those two Pokemon remaining to be a world champ, just for Takaba.
All he has to do now is find a way to knock out this Windsocot, and Sneaselor is a fantastic Pokemon to do it with.
However, will I knock out this Windsocot with my Sneaselor?
That's a, it could be a big advantage there.
Still, they have to protect, but Takuma is so close now.
He hit exactly the right final, Pokemon,
and he can case the world championships.
Takuma Yamazaki has worked so hard.
He has blinded at this year after year after year
to just have an opportunity to compete
at the world championships.
And he has taken the most out of it possible,
getting here to a decisive finals.
Wim Zaka will protect itself.
Charizard will protect itself,
trying to catch something from Takumi here.
That's going to be the fate of Caesar!
Takumi showing his text.
Charizard falls for the fate,
breaks through protect,
and the Oslo Jet bleeds it up!
Incredible for Takumi,
falling out the double for Takumi.
What a huge knockup.
We almost never see fate in this level of play.
It's so difficult to get in situations
where it makes a difference,
but there's just nothing Hiroshi could do.
We had the perfect home bound at the perfect time.
There's no counter play to that.
Picked up the big knockout.
I don't think there's anything Winsicott can do.
There's nothing remaining for Winsicott but to go back home
and try again next year.
Takuma Yamazaki with the diaclub,
knocked out Winsicott.
And Winsicott, Takuma Yamazaki is your world champion.
What an incredible moment, Takuma Yamazaki has worked so hard, so many thankless years grinding away, competing in this game that he loves.
And after all of that work, all of that dedication, he gets to stand tall in the center of the chase center as our world champion.
I think he should be an inspiration for all trainers.
He shows that if you stick to it, if you're dedicated,
if you keep battling through those struggles,
or worth something, he has earned that world championship.
He has worked so hard for, for so many years,
an impressive style to flashy, faint play
to win that decisive knockout.
Such a flashy way to become a world champion.
We almost never get to see faint work,
but when it does, oh boy, it feels so good.
Oh man Scott, I'm tearing up a little bit back here because seeing someone like
Takuma out there competing still after all these years competing at the highest
level and becoming now the world champion if you haven't won a regional
it's fine if you haven't won a international championship it's fine
you can still come to the world championships and be a world champion
yeah if you haven't started playing yet start now he proves his dedication is
what matters. He did everything he had to do. He put all of that work in. It's just so awesome to
see a trainer put that work in. I think definitely the underdog important to most trainers coming
into this matchup. And hey, it doesn't matter if people don't believe it. You have to believe in
yourself and you did what an impressive way to play. I did. I just love how things worked out
probably just how he drew them up. Right. The combination of fakes and all these quick
poke-offs and all these increased priority moves. You're dreaming of situations like that one
where there's nothing you're holding can you you've set up this perfect pin usually try and practice
just like work out that way but he had such a great plan for this one i think it's just such a cool
way to win absolutely and incredibly well deserved from takuma to be our world champion and of course
congratulations to Hiroshi Onishi our finalist here at the world championships no small feet
to go all the way at the jcs and now make it to the finals but it was takuma yamasaki who
We just had a little bit of a better plan there in the end and came out on top.
And you know what, congratulations to Dragonite on your first world championship.
It's been a favorite post-mortem on there and great that it could pull off.
And great that it earned it.
I was kind of wondering if we were going to see Dragonite this matchup.
But I wonder if any pretty people there set the stage for its friend, Steve, to finish it off.
All right.
Well, it is time to go back down to stage.
Gabby, introduce our new world champion to the world.
Let's hear it for the first world champion in the Master's division for Pokemon Champion, Takuma Yamazaki!
Takuma, you are our first world champion in the Master's division for Pokemon Champions. How do you feel?
I absolutely cannot believe this. I am over the moon right now.
The casters were talking about how you started competing in 2009 and you never gave up to make it to this stage today.
Do you have any advice for anybody who is on their own Pokemon journey and who dreams of becoming a world champion?
It's been more than 15 years.
It's not like I've been strong from the start.
I think I've been connected to this result
for a long time, even though I haven't won it.
So, let's enjoy this together
without giving up.
I've been doing this for longer than 15 years now.
I've been doing this a long time, and it's not as if I was winning all the time right from the start.
So to other people who are playing out there, just keep playing.
Don't worry if you lose. That's why I was able to make this far.
So just don't give up. Keep going.
And of course, do you have any shout-outs you want to give to anybody who might be watching?
Yes, so many people practiced with me from me to be able to make it this far.
uh people in america uh that's why i was able to come all the way here people who practiced along
with me thank you all so so much let's hear it one more time for a 2026 master's vision world
champion talk to my yakuza me! all right analysts take it away
15 years of playing the Pokemon video game, culminating to this moment.
I know you've all cheated once, but let's cheer one more time for our world champion,
Takuma Yamazaki!
What an amazing grand final that we have had here for all three of our video game divisions.
It has been just so inspiring to watch everybody to take the stage and to claim that title.
15 years.
I was there at the very first Pokemon video game showdown when VGC officially became
a part of the competitive Pokemon circuit.
We were playing Diamond and Pearl.
There were 32 players.
We were in a small ballroom in a whole town.
And here we are in 2026, so many years later,
making Pokemon history.
I cannot tell you guys what it feels like
to be a part of this.
And you all are all a part of history as well.
So give yourself a round of applause.
Our in those ballrooms, they were a magical,
magical experience way back then.
to be here now is truly unbelievable. Kazuki Kage, our junior's finalist, both of our finalists
here showed us such an incredible match. We were watching here backstage along with all of you in
the crowd and I said just then, if you hadn't told me that these were our juniors, I would not
have had any clue that they weren't our Masters Division players. Such a bright future for these
to champion competitors.
And I cannot wait to see what else we have in store for them.
It was just such a fun matchup as well,
featuring four different mega evolutions
and both of them playing their hearts out.
It was such a thrilling three game set.
And to see two of the most popular team compositions
go up against each other, this weather war,
three different weathers represented as well
with the Frost, Last of Charizard and the Swamper.
It was just such a good setting.
The fact that all three finals went to three games
just made it that much more intense.
Now I'm going to have to have a little bit of personal bias
here because Vikram is coming from the UK, as do I.
And I could not be prouder to see just how far our community
has come.
And Vikram just showed us all the way through that game.
That was back and forth all the way.
Carlos played it so, so well.
But they were just toe to toe in the end in that game
I couldn't believe how well Vikram positioned his archaladon just to take it to that final place.
And both of them were on the precipice of history for their perspective region.
Vikram being the second world champion from the UK.
But of course, Carlos had a chance to do something amazing for Latin America as well.
Coming in as the top points leader, it was very impressive.
No fault with Barbara.
And what a master's final was. I think coming into this tournament the big question is
Are we going to see Charizard dethroned by another Pokemon?
For Mega Dragonite to come out in game 2 and game 3. I cannot tell you the cheers in this stadium
The roar is when it mega evolved every time it got a knockout every time it took a survival
Just unbelievable and to stick with Dragonite right this classic can be a
Dragonite's really good into Charizard. It's not that great in a flowette
And to stick with it in games too, even up losing to it and then bringing it in game three, just absolutely phenomenal.
And you couldn't have asked for a better picture finish.
For all three of our champions here at the World Championships, let's throw it over to the stage.
We're going to be crowning our champions here in San Francisco.
Championship Sunday, baby!
Once again, living up to our expectations.
shaped by an entire year of an anticipation,
granting us the brand year this community deserves.
They do get to everyone here in the Chase Center
and all of you watching at home from all around the world
for supporting these extraordinary titles
and these tenacious trainers
who showed everything they have to offer on this stage.
As amazing as today was, we're not done yet.
Let's go ahead and crown our final world champions
of the 2026 competitive season.
Let's celebrate our finalists
for the Pokemon video game championships.
Starting off with the junior division,
your runner up, Kazutaga Haudetory.
We have in the runner-up position, Carlos Berastegui.
And your senior division world champion,
pick from,
Thea Garacchus.
And for our BTC Masters division,
your runner-up,
Hiroshi Onishi.
And your final world champion of the 2026,
Pokemon World Championships! We have Takumara Yamazaki!
And with that, the 2026 competitive season has come to a close.
With everything that our trainers have showed us and all of you watching from home,
what work did we really ask for? Well, there is one thing.
Soon enough, our closing ceremony will begin, but as we prepare for what to come, let's head back to our analysts as they recap these matches and all of the tremendous fun we have had throughout this weekend.
of course, we've had a
so much action and honestly
in VGC just but the icing
phenomenal. I wasn't
dragon. I don't know about
my heart's still racing
I'm a big fan of VGC mega
I mean, you know, it wasn't really any of our radars coming in. The question was is which which dragon s Pokemon was going to be making it all the way, right? We thought it was going to be charizard. The question was, is it going to be defroined? Well,
D throne. Well Takuma just showed that actually there was a different path to victory here
and not only that another dragonite made it through top eight as well so it's not even
just like this was a one-off this was a miracle run it happened twice in this world championship.
And not only that they didn't even work together on that team like two people independently
decided that dragonite was the call for this tournament which is super exciting so
mega dragonite fans I know there's a lot of you out here in the arena make some
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I had to do
that one. Forgive me. All right.
I'll let you off this time, but
let's jump back in time just a
smidge and let's celebrate
those Pokemon Go finalists once
more and take a look at how the
day wrapped out with Pokemon
Go because really it was
And honestly, there were plays that I had never expected to see before on Pokemon Go either.
I've been playing a little bit myself this season, and the better has changed so much in such a short span of time.
And what's really cool too is that we've been getting new meta games for each of the international championships.
So coming into the world championships, I also wasn't sure what we were going to see, but it was really exciting.
I'm always looking forward to those brackets recently.
Yeah!
Watching someone's journey from the losers bracket all the way to the grand finals being able to take that set away and just
Bringing everything down to fertility they've built up game three everything on the line. That's very exciting to watch
Exactly that. I mean, it's just that those close finishes that exactly what you want on championship Sunday
You you want to be thinking about like hey, how can I do everything that I can in that moment?
I wasn't just Pokemon go of course put one TCG
the game. And I mean, it's
absolutely incredible to see
such a roaring finals. We were
watching backstage in the
green room and even though
you know, those games were so
tight. Our players showed so
much skill. I mean, I was
watching these juniors play
and their sequencing was
absolutely incredible. Like
Pablo, you're our like TCG
analysts. I mean, surely you
must have been like taking
notes and just breaking the
level play for sure for both
from both of them. Uh,
travel players travel career
matches are always very hard to
navigate correctly. And both
players playing different lists
having different options at
their disposal, knowing when to
go aggressive, what not to.
Both players played absolutely
amazing this weekend. It
really goes to show that we
truly are at the world
championships when players of
this level just shine and
you know, you know, it's
like you're going to have to
have to have a senior's bracket
as well, where. One might have
thought it might have been a
one sided affair. If I gave
you an on paper analysis of
both of these decks, you would
say, Oh, easy peasy 11
squeezes. I know who's going to
win. However, Kobe put up such
a fantastic fight, even
winning game one of the set
by a landslide. And that's
like hey I've got one chance to get a game off of my opponent and then maybe just maybe in the next
two games I can take some take it all the way maybe find some opportunity but I mean it came back
the other way one side would match up but reared its head in the end in that series finals and
And honestly, the TCG Masters Finals was one of the most exhilarating games of TCG I have
ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Andrew Hedrick versus Diego was phenomenal. I could
watch that again and again.
Honestly, that ending of the match, the lucky helmet finding that incredible line by Andrew
head rakes, they were having the option to possibly re-vindicate from that moment but not seeing the
way out of that situation. Just amazing play between a veteran of the game and a brand new name that
is, well not brand new anymore but really someone who's been in the game for a bit less but making
a big thing for himself. Absolutely, Andrew has had so many fantastic finishes winning regional
after regional and now finally converting that into a world championship title. Such
a great way to do it as well and what a great way to also crown some more young players in
VGC that have been able to show us an absolute masterclass. Looking at this matchup, looking
at all the matchups we have over the finals, this was one of the most technical between
all three of our sets of finalists and to see it in juniors is not only a credit to
the way that they're approaching it. They're using the same sort of teams that we're
used to seeing in the Masters Division with all of their quirks, all of their game plans,
all of their flowcharts and seeing the way that both of these trainers piloted those
teams, it was honestly unbelievable.
I think it was Scott who said backstage that he thought this was honestly like a masters
finals if you just didn't show the player cameras.
It was so well played by both Kazuki and Kazutaka.
I really can't wait to see more from these trainers as they continue to grow
in the video game championship series.
But our seniors finals as well,
I mean, again, another technical match
between both Vikram and Carlos.
It just felt neck and neck the entire time.
They were trading blow for blow all the way through that game one.
I don't think it was a KO until turn eight or nine.
Yeah.
Which is almost unheard of in this meta game
where players are making trades,
they're trying to get in the right position,
especially when you've got a team like Vikram's,
where you're using the sun and using the rain
and you've got to try to get in the right position.
In this case, it was about getting that rain up
against the sun that Carlos was bringing.
And he was able to do that so, so masterfully.
And then it gained free.
I mean, just both with game one and two,
they were so close, they were so tight,
they were neck and neck all the way.
Then game three, Vikram just turned something on
and was able to just take it by storm
and become our world champion.
I was watching down here with Ben
and we were both just in awe at the players.
And then I learned a little bit about these two
from Ben as well.
And my goodness, I was floored
with some of the information.
You know what, Ben?
Why don't you go over what you told me back here?
You know, this is crazy.
I really did think looking at this matchup.
No, no way, no way, no way.
we're going to see that dragonite coming out right?
Okay, so it comes out to Kuma, doesn't win that game, you know, Hiroshi finds a way through
using the double fairy, the Windsor caught the flow out, boosted by the fairy aura, it's
putting so much pressure on, you had the Basquit legions battling against each other, the
two live orbs battling it down as well, the two king gambits facing down with different
that's so many things in common but so many things different between these two teams and they
game-free Charizard Dragonite and I feel like this is the ultimate way to defrone a Charizard
in the finals right in the 30th year of Pokemon as well the two OGs from red and green and blue
We've been waiting 30 years to see whether or not it's Charizard or Dragonite and we've got at least some evidence as to the answer.
And of course we have to save the best for last. At least for this year we have to talk about Pokemon Unite as they were able to finally, our final crown, their final world champion here this year.
Let's talk about some usage stats first.
And what I find really interesting about United
is just how different their medicaid looks
compared to some of the other titles present here.
I mean, if you would have told me
that there would have been 86% usage on Feralgator,
only next to 85% usage on Josh and throughout the weekend.
I mean, this is also like picks and bans, right?
Exactly, yeah.
When it comes up in the draft,
how many times has that happened
all the way through the tournament?
I mean, I'm sure VGC's are a little jealous that they get to use Mew, because we haven't had physicals available in...
I'm looking at the side-up. I'm looking at the side-up, looking pretty juicy right now.
I mean, mega-prolegator as well. Probably a little jealous, but it's not a bigger counter for it to be here for me.
We'll get Mew eventually. We just gotta, you know, find it first. Maybe go on an adventure to some range for us.
I saw a truck outside. I don't know if... Yeah, oh, that's a good shout. That's a good shout.
I'm not sure what you're
doing, but I'm just going to
see you in the next video. I
think you're where else for
alligator tends to come up. It's
actually in Pokemon go, but
dropped off the meta recently
and actually we've seen a much
higher percentage of Don Dozo
kind of taking that top spot. And
I was really pleased to see
history in electrode because
that's a problem that I haven't
managed to get on my team
yet, but I'm really
I speak and there it is number three in usage.
Really cool to see all the variety I love.
Licky, leaky, tic-a-tac, and polio that's a story that doesn't usually feature in other games.
I mean, I love the variety of all the games that the gameplay allows.
I think it's some of the exciting thing about the different formats in our different games.
Like you talk to players from TCG versus VGC versus Go and the different Pokemon that are available,
different Pokemon that we're like hey that's the strongest thing in our game right it always varies
across the board and seeing Pokemon go playing in the great league of course it has to bring some
creativity the stronger the Pokemon overall the kind of weaker that it is in the competition you
have to balance that between using some Pokemon that aren't necessarily as strong on paper but
actually become a lot stronger. Licky-licky at 62.5% usage is absolutely crazy to see.
You'd never see it in the video game, right? Well, not yet, but maybe someday. Maybe someday.
So I can't surprise these two with this question, but I can surprise you. Who do you think is
number one in usage in TCG this weekend? I mean, I would go for Dragaport. Okay, well
Let's roll that graphic and
Survey says you were right by
Martian, but I mean when we're talking about scary Pokemon. Have you read what what you does everyone?
No, he's a big fat mega pollution Pokemon, but you stops
half of your opponent's egg from the
Needed words
Eyes have actually been itching all day
Now I tell you what, although it says obviously we have 29.4% Dragapult, that's actually quite a
low conversion rate from our initial pool of Dragapult where it was much larger. So the players
really did some great innovating to be able to bring these other decks really far, much further
up on the graphic, especially Crustle, who we were seeing really dominate those top tables.
I feel like Slowking as well was a subjective conversation going into some of our NAIC
and some of the regional competitions as well as like hey maybe this is a little bit more technical
like you've got to solve a puzzle every turn yeah but actually seeing it come in and be
favored coming into the world championships is something I really like to see and like players
looking and seeing hey right I'm meant to be at the top of my game I want to use something that
can express that skill. That slogging definitely brought like a shame and conundrum to the
the whole meta game in terms of whether you run shaman to counter slow game to respect it or not
so many things that play out like you said that a lot of puzzles to be solved each and every turn but
i mean vgc has its own puzzles that return so many possibilities such a variety in the meta game
as well king gambit at the very top that's very surprising to me yeah it is and it is that i
mean if you've been paying attention to the meta games and a and b as we've been calling him
and Pokemon champions, I think Kim Gambit up at the top, is it too surprising? What
jumps out at me the most honestly is Megasaraptor down at number nine, or
presumably Megasaraptor at least, and Megascovillain at number 12. I mean I
was expecting to see Staraptor maybe a little bit higher for day two conversion,
our phase two conversion, and I wasn't expecting to see Megascovillain make
the graphic at all to be quite frank. Yeah, there was a lot of
conversion for Megascovillain, Megafrost last the team that won in the
Junior's division, but only two of them made it into top cut, but those two, Scoville and
Frostlass, also made it to top four. So they converted so well across the tournament, almost
the perfect position for that sort of position. That's what's been happening in our grassroots
tournaments, right? But now we've got a little bit of fun that we can have with everyone
in the audience. We've got a little QR code that we're going to be able to show
you can scan it, you can get up here on the graphic, see if you can be up here on the big
stage and join us here on camera. So get out your cameras, scan that QR code, there we
go!
That's it show us all of your plushie
I want to see the flush
Out there. I want to see your beadoof plush, please
Oh
I love you. What a beautiful, what a beautiful close up. What a beautiful close up. That's
a nice team. Very nice. This is so cool. I love it when arenas have that little bit
of interactive element to it. Technology is incredible. All right. Well, I mean, what
world championships this has been right top to tail it's been such an amazing event across all of
our games we've had so much action Friday we've had so much action Saturday coming into here on
Championship Sunday I don't think anyone could be disappointed of what we've seen at all this has
been such an amazing championship and I just want to thank everyone here our players everyone
that's turned up to support all of our champions this weekend but not only that
support Pokemon XP support all of the competitors that maybe you've traveled
with as well this has just been the perfect storm this has been the
biggest world championship we've ever had and we couldn't have done it without
you but that's enough for a month let's go ahead and kick it to closing
ceremonies
This is our time right now
Hell no fear, no doubt
No we won't back down
We could be champions
Side by side, we'll be a star for all
We can go up high, we're never gonna go
Never gonna go
with me
Hey
This is our time
Right now
Hell no feeling
No doubt
No we won't back down
We could be champions
Side by side
We'll be unstoppable
Take it no heart
Together we'll be together, together we'll be together
We'll pull our minds together, together we'll be together
Check me out, sign my sign
We'll be on top of the board
We'll be in the water, we'll never drop down
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never
We're gonna be together, together we'll be together
I'll give my best, and don't have a doubt about the outcome.
Shouts, let me run some high.
And I know how to win my might to the top.
I'll knock this fan off the door,
I don't know this feeling, I'll make it last without a reason
Show up every season, and maybe I will dance inside
Come on, come on, get out of here and sing, hey!
I've been all on the line, I've never hit enough to fight
You told me that's what I had to, all I've ever done
Can't you, I broke your heart again, I've never looked out the way
You know I feel the pain I'm doing on another place
We've got to keep them fixed on the price
Who knows just when the sun's gonna rise on the horizon
When the time will rise up we'll shine
We're gonna shine on you
And now I'm gonna give it my all
Cause even when we should be a-frogging on this
And the following, don't you think we know we can?
Let it die out at my shoulder
I put it all on the line, never give up the fight
Don't get asked what I got to do for the love of the game
Put it all on the line, never put up with me
No, I'm not a big fan
I'm doing all my love again
I can't imagine how far we've gone
We've got very close to
close to the ocean, yeah
We've got no doubt
we've got a point to go
I'm just wondering
what's on your mind
I'm turning around
I'm never gonna cry
It's only to ask you why
I'm doing it for the love of the game
I can't get away with it
Never try it out the way
No, I'm not here to pay
I do it for the love of the game
I'm doing it for the love of the game
I've got the power up my head
I'm going to let you bite my head
No one's gonna leave me
I'm going to the bottom of the world of the game
I'm going to the bottom of the game
I want to be the very best you don't want ever was
Stand with my little test to train when there's my call
I will travel across the mythos and change my mind
Just put it on to understand how there's no sorrow
Put it on to understand how there's no sorrow
And now it's my destiny
Oh, you're my best friend
I'm so sad
Look at me
I'm so scared
I'm so sure
I'm going to put my heart into it
Teach me how to love
Get out of my life
I'm so scared
Come here, Jane, I don't care
I won't battle every day
To make my life a place
Come with me at the time
There's no better time
I know I won't kill you
But my life's always in your dream
For the love of the country I'm born to love
Gotta catch up more!
I'm gonna catch a ball, I'm gonna catch a ball, I'm gonna catch a ball, I'm gonna catch a ball
Oh, I'm gonna turn him up and...
Turn him up
Now that's what I'm talking about!
Give it up one more time for our dancers, orchestra,
Arch-Wire, Pokemon, and Lauren Allred.
You are so wonderful.
I don't know if they can hear me anymore. You're welcome, though.
Thank you so much, Lauren Allred.
This is how a community comes together and if anyone knows how to do it, it's the Pokemon
community.
As we continue with our celebration, it is important for us to take a moment to recognize
what brought us all here.
No matter where you journey from, at some point in our lives, we all fell in love with
Pokemon.
And that shared affection brought us here under one roof to celebrate, compete, and support
one another in the way only trainers can.
And that is something we should truly cherish.
This community is truly remarkable and I'd love it if you could join me in thanking all
of the people that make it a bet like this possible so please give a wonderful thank
you to our judges, developers, production crew, partners, and of course, the trainers
that would add free team they had on the biggest stage Pokemon has to offer.
We've won this breathtaking competition.
We've soaked in a captivating performance.
And now, friends, let's get loud, stop your feet, put your hands together, make some noise
and give your warmest welcome of the weekend to the president and CEO of the Pokemon
Company Mr. Sunigazu Ishihara.
Thank you very much!
Congratulations to the new world champion!
Congratulations to all of our new Pokemon World Champions.
The final matches were incredible to watch.
And of course, I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff
that helped make this incredible event possible.
And now, I would like to share the latest Pokemon news with you all.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pokemon Go.
Since its release in 2016, many Pokemon and features have been added to the game, and of course that evolution will continue into the future.
Let's take a look.
Now it's just all for the first time in Pokemon Go. Mega evolved Pokemon will be able to compete in the Go Battle.
So I'm really excited to see what new strategies will emerge as trainers battle with their friends and rivals alike.
And I hope you'll discover your own unique team combinations and battle strategies.
Megafin Festa Pokemon is a combination of GoFest and Mega Finale, so you can use it in Go Battles.
Please play it and play this video.
So Mega Evolve Pokemon will become available in the go battle beginning with the go fest mega finale.
So please jump in and experience these new features for enjoy yourselves.
Also, in the 6th year of the game, Armored Mewtwo will be released.
So please enjoy yourselves.
And next in this event will also mark the return of Armored Mewtwo for the first time in 6 years.
Please look forward to that as well.
And to all the trainers joining us here in San Francisco, following this closing ceremony, special mega raids will be taking place throughout the city.
We hope to continue to enjoy raids after the show and look forward to the special encounters
that await you at the new West Megadol Pokemon.
Next, I'd like to share news about the Pokemon trading card game.
Thank you for the support, a fan around the world.
The Pokemon Trading Card game has also reached its 30th anniversary.
And today, we've prepared a video which offers a sneak peek into its future.
Let's take a look.
What did you think?
At long last, the Mega Evolutions will soon be appearing in the Pokemon trading card
game as well.
We will also see the addition of a new Mega Attack Rare card in the future.
the launch of what's next following the Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution series.
So please stay tuned for future announcements.
Next, we have a very special video that we'd like to share with everyone around the world.
This is a project revealing to the world for the very first time.
Please take a look.
You
For the first time in seven years, a new Pokemon movie is on its way.
In the protagonist of this new story is a Pokemon TCG player who is battling and striving to become a champion.
champion, like many of you here today.
This film aims to showcase the competitive spirit for battles shared by trainers around
the world.
We're hard at work on production and we're really looking forward to bringing it to
audiences everywhere soon.
The Pokemon Wild Card is expected to be released in the year 2027.
Please wait for the information from now on.
For the film, Pokemon Wild Card, released starting in 2027.
Please look forward to future updates.
This year also marks the first time that Pokemon Champions has joined the World Championship
stage.
We're really excited that so many of you fans have enjoyed the game so far in the evolution of the iconic battle system
So now I'd like to share some of the latest news about Pokemon champion
As you can see, a variety of new Pokemon including Z Mega Votions will be coming to Pokemon Champions,
September 9th, Japan's standard time.
And we'll hope you also enjoy the thrilling battle they bring to the battles.
Thank you.
So while our time together here in San Francisco is drawing to a close, we can already look
to more adventures together next year.
But where will the destinations be?
Let's get over on it, Bethlehem.
Let's take a look.
I
So the
2027 Pokemon World Championships will return to Asia for the first time since 2023 when we had the event in Japan.
We look forward to welcoming all of you to the beautiful city of Singapore.
Congratulations to the new world champion.
Congratulations once again to our newly crowned world champions.
And thanks to all the Pokemon community for showing up in full force this weekend to cheer them on.
And to all of you watching us online from around the world, thank you for joining us.
And now that brings us to the end of our broadcast.
We'll see you again in 2027.
You
the
I
Yeah!
you