So here's my attempt at a Regionals report. Philly had 195 Masters and something like 250+ for whole thing. I'm a Pokedad who has a great time playing Pokemon with his son who is in the Juniors division. My memory kinda stinks when it comes to the play by play for these matches, but I'll try to hit some highlights and do the best I can.
Game 1 vs Megan (I think) with Magnerock/Yanmega Prime
I'm able to get set up fairly quick and am able to send a few to the LZ including Regirock (but she has another) and a Mag Prime and I don't remember what else, but I get up to 4 in the LZ. She tosses a couple Gengars and something else I think and by that time it's getting close to time. She's not getting any energy by this point in the game, so I start Curse Dropping a benched Yanmega Prime since I know she can't KO me. I get 80 damage on it so I know all I have to do is make it to the next turn. Next turn comes and I Curse Drop for the KO so both Pokemon get Zoned and I'm praying she doesn't Judge me next turn because I have the LW in my hand. She doesn't. I drop the LW for the win before time. GG 1-0.
Game 2 vs ? with Salemence/Ursaring
I set up really fast with this one and I'm able to pretty much tear through my deck quickly. So I'm off Seekering and Hurling. He gets his hand low so I drop Spiritomb (TM) for a hand refresh, Seeker again; then Hurl some more. He's able to take out a couple Gengars, but it's too late and I have 2 Ursaring Primes and his Salamence Lv X in the LZ. One I hit six in the Zone I Twins for the LW and drop the LW for the win before time. GG 2-0. I apologize again for misplaying a card earlier in the game (my first official warning) although it wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome.
Game 3 Christian with Kingdra Prime
I've seen Christian at a few events in the past, and my son knows his son from Juniors; but I've never really met him (his son is a very good player - 3rd in the World last year I think). Anyway, I'm having trouble remembering a lot of this one. I think I got a fairly decent start; and he has a little trouble getting his Prime set up because I have the Spiritomb active so the trainer lock is on for a little bit while I Darkness Grace to Gengar. Once the lock is released, I can't remember if I moved it or it got knocked out; regardless, I started to Hurl at that point. Then he fills his bench and het gets a KO. I send up Palkia G who is on the bench and level up to the X. I Cyclone and he has to toss two more into the LZ. He is double spray splashing the bench at this point and then he misplays. He thought Lost Cyclone was a "coming into play" power and he plays something to his bench. He then hits Palkia for 60. My turn. First thing I do is LC for another Pokemon to the LZ and so I can fill my bench again. Not sure if I did anything else but I then pass. He double splashes again and then KOs Palkia. Gengar is back out and Hurling again. I get to 6 with a Seeker and a Hurl and he asks if I have the LW in my hand. I do, but I don't answer (I feel really bad about not answering because my gut tells me this a really good guy that wouldn't do anything shady) he plays out his turn and I drop the LW for the win before time. GG 3-0.
I talk with Christian after the game a bit hoping that he doesn't think I'm a jerk for the last turn; and he is totally cool and understanding. We talk quite a bit during the rest of the tournament and I'm glad I got the play him, he's a great guy!
Game 4 vs Ben S with LuxChomp
Ok, to start off, I find out after the game that this guy is one of the best in the US and in the World and I so wish I remembered the details better because this was one of the best games I've ever played. I don't get a particularly great start but I'm able to get Spiritomb out T2 (I think) so he's locked for a little so I get set up. My problem is now that during my set up I've loaded my bench with Garchomp fodder (2 Uxies, 1 Azelf and eventually a Spiritomb (TM)). So, I start the LZ process while he takes a lead with the sniping and Bright Looking. I can't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure I LZ a Lux Lv X early on and Uxie X too but not positive - it hurt though. He has nothing that can OH the Gengars though so I'm able to catch up and get 5 into the LZ while slowly clearing my bench of the sniping material. We are down to him with 1 prize left and me with 5 in the LZ and one Poke on the bench with less then 80 HP and a fully powered, no damage, active Gengar. My turn. I have Junk Arm in my hand. I Junk for the VS Seeker, play it and retrieve the Seeker. Play down the Seeker, pick his only material to snipe and Hurl the 6th Poke to the LZ. (I have the LW in hand) He asks for a minute to think the situation but there is nothing he can do. He plays out his turn. I drop the LW within time. GG 4-0.
Now I'm feeling pretty good because I've heard that a couple of 5-3 may make the top cut of 32 since I haven't lost yet and we have 4 games to go.
Game 5 vs ? with Machamp/Vileplume
Trainer lock - by far my worst matchup, not unbeatable but definitely everything has to fall exactly right and a little bad luck for the other person doesn't hurt either. Not much to say here, I pretty much get destroyed. I think I'm able to LZ two, maybe another; but I'm sure he didn't even care he knew and I knew he had it. GG 4-1.
I'm still feeling pretty good - but then, game 6.
Game 6 vs Greg with Gyarados
Let me just say now that if you know who I'm talking about or he's a friend or relative - my apologies because I have nothing nice to say.
I start out fine and I'm able to get a Karp in the LZ T2. He realizes what I'm playing get's out Mesprit and I get binded. I'm able to get a Seeker and he picks up the Mesprit so I'm able to Zone that too at some point. The G-dos he has active is belted so he is doing 80 damage per turn and he's chucking as many pokemon has he can each turn into the discard. So, I obviously know that this guy knows exactly what he's doing and isn't some rookie player. And here's the thing that makes me so angry: From the beginning as soon as he knows what I'm playing he starts slow playing. I'm not talking slowing down his speed a little, I'm talking purposeful really slow play. He's looking through his discard, then his hand, then through his discard, then his hand.... LIKE 3-4 times (at least) per turn and then do it all over again once he plays a card. I was so disgusted one of the judges walked by and ask me if there was a problem. I didn't say anything at first, but then I said the guy was slow playing. They do tell him that he needs to speed up his play, but once the judge leaves he's back to his old ways. I probably should have seen if I could have gotten a judge to stay there - it was that bad. Now before you call me a whiner and say "it's a risk you took with that deck".; be aware that I totally understood going in, and was prepared fore people to slow down their play because of it - hence building a speed based LostGar. But not slow play like this. I have no other words for it but cheating, and it's pretty sad that there are people out there like that. I also point out that I just recently played on of the best in the world and he played me fairly; and Christian who I talked to later admitted he thought about it but knew it was WRONG and didn't. So he obviously has the prize lead at this point. I have 4 in the Lost Zone. I have everything in place to Seeker and Hurl two more Pokemon. Time is called, I'm turn Zero so I can't win since I need an extra turn to drop the LW. I can't believe he wants to shake my hand, but I reluctantly and half heartedly do. I talk to the judge after just to vent and he wants me to report to the head judge. This puzzles me a bit because it isn't like there's anything they can do. Understand, I don't mind losing (although not fun) but I can't stand losing like that. Can't say GG to this one. 4-2
Game 7 vs Patrick with Eeveelutions
Worst start of the day and i remember most of my starting hand because usually it would probably be pretty good - but I trainer lock myself from a T1 Gengar. Spiritomb (AR) is my only starter and I have Gengar Prime, an energy, Luxary Ball, and Rare Candy in my hand. Doesn't really matter what the other cards were because none were Collector so I could get the Q. So, he has forever to set up and I can't get my own card out of the way. I don't draw into Collector until something like T5 and by that time he has Glaceon X active and Vileplume on the bench - talk about being locked. I think I still Zone a couple, but he just plows through. I'm pretty sure this is a match that I win with even a semi good start; but GG and Patrick seemed like a really nice guy. 4-3.
Game 8 vs ? with another Eeveelution
Can't remember my opponents name but I think he was Patrick's friend. I don't remember the details real well, but I get a real good set up and he can't get much of anything going. I toss 6 in the LZ pretty quickly and throw down the LW for the win. GG 5-3.
Now I'm waiting for results, T32 is the cut and I think I may have a chance. Results are posted - 33, I miss it by 1! Darn it. I really wanted to see if my deck could win in a top cut situation - oh well, maybe some other time.
Props:
Another fun Regionals with my son! Who I have the best time playing Pokemon with!
Going 4-0 in Regionals before my 1st loss
Winning one of the best games I've ever played
My friend Dylan for going 6-0 in Seniors swiss
Slops:
My boy having the worst tournament he's ever had
Losing to intentional slow play
My friend Dylan losing first round of top cut
Missing top cut by 1
Horrible storm on the way home
Game 1 vs Megan (I think) with Magnerock/Yanmega Prime
I'm able to get set up fairly quick and am able to send a few to the LZ including Regirock (but she has another) and a Mag Prime and I don't remember what else, but I get up to 4 in the LZ. She tosses a couple Gengars and something else I think and by that time it's getting close to time. She's not getting any energy by this point in the game, so I start Curse Dropping a benched Yanmega Prime since I know she can't KO me. I get 80 damage on it so I know all I have to do is make it to the next turn. Next turn comes and I Curse Drop for the KO so both Pokemon get Zoned and I'm praying she doesn't Judge me next turn because I have the LW in my hand. She doesn't. I drop the LW for the win before time. GG 1-0.
Game 2 vs ? with Salemence/Ursaring
I set up really fast with this one and I'm able to pretty much tear through my deck quickly. So I'm off Seekering and Hurling. He gets his hand low so I drop Spiritomb (TM) for a hand refresh, Seeker again; then Hurl some more. He's able to take out a couple Gengars, but it's too late and I have 2 Ursaring Primes and his Salamence Lv X in the LZ. One I hit six in the Zone I Twins for the LW and drop the LW for the win before time. GG 2-0. I apologize again for misplaying a card earlier in the game (my first official warning) although it wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome.
Game 3 Christian with Kingdra Prime
I've seen Christian at a few events in the past, and my son knows his son from Juniors; but I've never really met him (his son is a very good player - 3rd in the World last year I think). Anyway, I'm having trouble remembering a lot of this one. I think I got a fairly decent start; and he has a little trouble getting his Prime set up because I have the Spiritomb active so the trainer lock is on for a little bit while I Darkness Grace to Gengar. Once the lock is released, I can't remember if I moved it or it got knocked out; regardless, I started to Hurl at that point. Then he fills his bench and het gets a KO. I send up Palkia G who is on the bench and level up to the X. I Cyclone and he has to toss two more into the LZ. He is double spray splashing the bench at this point and then he misplays. He thought Lost Cyclone was a "coming into play" power and he plays something to his bench. He then hits Palkia for 60. My turn. First thing I do is LC for another Pokemon to the LZ and so I can fill my bench again. Not sure if I did anything else but I then pass. He double splashes again and then KOs Palkia. Gengar is back out and Hurling again. I get to 6 with a Seeker and a Hurl and he asks if I have the LW in my hand. I do, but I don't answer (I feel really bad about not answering because my gut tells me this a really good guy that wouldn't do anything shady) he plays out his turn and I drop the LW for the win before time. GG 3-0.
I talk with Christian after the game a bit hoping that he doesn't think I'm a jerk for the last turn; and he is totally cool and understanding. We talk quite a bit during the rest of the tournament and I'm glad I got the play him, he's a great guy!
Game 4 vs Ben S with LuxChomp
Ok, to start off, I find out after the game that this guy is one of the best in the US and in the World and I so wish I remembered the details better because this was one of the best games I've ever played. I don't get a particularly great start but I'm able to get Spiritomb out T2 (I think) so he's locked for a little so I get set up. My problem is now that during my set up I've loaded my bench with Garchomp fodder (2 Uxies, 1 Azelf and eventually a Spiritomb (TM)). So, I start the LZ process while he takes a lead with the sniping and Bright Looking. I can't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure I LZ a Lux Lv X early on and Uxie X too but not positive - it hurt though. He has nothing that can OH the Gengars though so I'm able to catch up and get 5 into the LZ while slowly clearing my bench of the sniping material. We are down to him with 1 prize left and me with 5 in the LZ and one Poke on the bench with less then 80 HP and a fully powered, no damage, active Gengar. My turn. I have Junk Arm in my hand. I Junk for the VS Seeker, play it and retrieve the Seeker. Play down the Seeker, pick his only material to snipe and Hurl the 6th Poke to the LZ. (I have the LW in hand) He asks for a minute to think the situation but there is nothing he can do. He plays out his turn. I drop the LW within time. GG 4-0.
Now I'm feeling pretty good because I've heard that a couple of 5-3 may make the top cut of 32 since I haven't lost yet and we have 4 games to go.
Game 5 vs ? with Machamp/Vileplume
Trainer lock - by far my worst matchup, not unbeatable but definitely everything has to fall exactly right and a little bad luck for the other person doesn't hurt either. Not much to say here, I pretty much get destroyed. I think I'm able to LZ two, maybe another; but I'm sure he didn't even care he knew and I knew he had it. GG 4-1.
I'm still feeling pretty good - but then, game 6.
Game 6 vs Greg with Gyarados
Let me just say now that if you know who I'm talking about or he's a friend or relative - my apologies because I have nothing nice to say.
I start out fine and I'm able to get a Karp in the LZ T2. He realizes what I'm playing get's out Mesprit and I get binded. I'm able to get a Seeker and he picks up the Mesprit so I'm able to Zone that too at some point. The G-dos he has active is belted so he is doing 80 damage per turn and he's chucking as many pokemon has he can each turn into the discard. So, I obviously know that this guy knows exactly what he's doing and isn't some rookie player. And here's the thing that makes me so angry: From the beginning as soon as he knows what I'm playing he starts slow playing. I'm not talking slowing down his speed a little, I'm talking purposeful really slow play. He's looking through his discard, then his hand, then through his discard, then his hand.... LIKE 3-4 times (at least) per turn and then do it all over again once he plays a card. I was so disgusted one of the judges walked by and ask me if there was a problem. I didn't say anything at first, but then I said the guy was slow playing. They do tell him that he needs to speed up his play, but once the judge leaves he's back to his old ways. I probably should have seen if I could have gotten a judge to stay there - it was that bad. Now before you call me a whiner and say "it's a risk you took with that deck".; be aware that I totally understood going in, and was prepared fore people to slow down their play because of it - hence building a speed based LostGar. But not slow play like this. I have no other words for it but cheating, and it's pretty sad that there are people out there like that. I also point out that I just recently played on of the best in the world and he played me fairly; and Christian who I talked to later admitted he thought about it but knew it was WRONG and didn't. So he obviously has the prize lead at this point. I have 4 in the Lost Zone. I have everything in place to Seeker and Hurl two more Pokemon. Time is called, I'm turn Zero so I can't win since I need an extra turn to drop the LW. I can't believe he wants to shake my hand, but I reluctantly and half heartedly do. I talk to the judge after just to vent and he wants me to report to the head judge. This puzzles me a bit because it isn't like there's anything they can do. Understand, I don't mind losing (although not fun) but I can't stand losing like that. Can't say GG to this one. 4-2
Game 7 vs Patrick with Eeveelutions
Worst start of the day and i remember most of my starting hand because usually it would probably be pretty good - but I trainer lock myself from a T1 Gengar. Spiritomb (AR) is my only starter and I have Gengar Prime, an energy, Luxary Ball, and Rare Candy in my hand. Doesn't really matter what the other cards were because none were Collector so I could get the Q. So, he has forever to set up and I can't get my own card out of the way. I don't draw into Collector until something like T5 and by that time he has Glaceon X active and Vileplume on the bench - talk about being locked. I think I still Zone a couple, but he just plows through. I'm pretty sure this is a match that I win with even a semi good start; but GG and Patrick seemed like a really nice guy. 4-3.
Game 8 vs ? with another Eeveelution
Can't remember my opponents name but I think he was Patrick's friend. I don't remember the details real well, but I get a real good set up and he can't get much of anything going. I toss 6 in the LZ pretty quickly and throw down the LW for the win. GG 5-3.
Now I'm waiting for results, T32 is the cut and I think I may have a chance. Results are posted - 33, I miss it by 1! Darn it. I really wanted to see if my deck could win in a top cut situation - oh well, maybe some other time.
Props:
Another fun Regionals with my son! Who I have the best time playing Pokemon with!
Going 4-0 in Regionals before my 1st loss
Winning one of the best games I've ever played
My friend Dylan for going 6-0 in Seniors swiss
Slops:
My boy having the worst tournament he's ever had
Losing to intentional slow play
My friend Dylan losing first round of top cut
Missing top cut by 1
Horrible storm on the way home