Darkmalice

Hey there, thanks for the notification about the tournament! I always seem to neglect my account at the times when I actually get a message, so I only just found out from another source. I signed up with an alternate account, because I'm paranoid like that. I assume you'll be there? If so, I hope you'll go by the same username so I can easily recognise you.

Hello there. I just thought I'd let you know that I have over double the amount of Smogon friends you have.

Also here are some classic posts for you to enjoy:

http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63837
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3446608
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65982

I have one last thing to ask... how did you feel when you won last year at AVcon? I felt quite empty after my victory, because I had much lower expectations than I did last year. The fact that I won by a forfeit didn't help to make it satisfying.

I experimented with Hitmontop prior to the tournament, but it didn't fit on my team as well. Also, I assumed the best players would have counters to the most commonly used Pokemon.

By the way, have you ever played Pokemon Battle Revolution on Wii? It's a mediocre game that isn't worth the money, but the Masters Battles demonstrate many interesting and unusual doubles strategies. It features a Skill Swap team, for example.

I knew there would be a few more Hitmontops this year, partly because you used it last year. Makes me wonder if my team will influence anyone's choices for next year, although I'm not sure if people would understand why it worked so well (and perhaps it only works well with my peculiar style of play). I faced at least one other Cresselia, it was used by one of the other semi-finalists, who I had battled in the main rounds. He used his more effectively, but once again I could safely ignore it.

I watched the final - laughed at Heatran appearing from behind his Sub just to hit himself then hide again. Interesting to see moves like Skill Swap and Swagger in a final.

The next State tourney won't be for a while, but I'll let you know when it comes :)

I'd prefer teams of 6 instead of 4 for more diversity as well. I'd like to try a tourney where you choose 4 Pokes of a team of 6, but I don't think it'll happen.

On your topic of standards, the only Hitmontop I saw last year was mine. I was surprised; Hitmontop is great. Cresselia isn't overrated; it's brilliant. It can provide so much support, and nothing takes hits as well as her. The champ (Ray Rizzo) won with her the 2 years that Cresselia was legal (and in his first year, Ubers were allowed). Even the semifinalist used her this year. Taunt seems to be uncommon in Worlds; I'd think it's because the top players see it coming and play around it. Your opponent wasn't using her properly; spamming Icy Wind against a TR team is stupid.

There are some VGC12 videos up. Here's the 1st match of the finals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05iN0hq7lUk&feature=plcp. The 2nd match is online too

If you find out about any future State tournaments, please let me know. Although, I really don't like the 4-Pokemon limit... it seems to encourage the use of boring, overused Pokemon like Cresselia and Hitmontop. I think Cresselia is overrated - it's often a sitting duck, especially when Taunted. This was especially so in my semi-final, but I don't think he was using it very effectively. I expected him to switch rather than spam Icy Wind for pitiful damage. Also, his team seemed a bit overkill on Speed - Tailwind + Icy Wind + Speed Boost Blaziken. No idea why he kept using those things when my team was clearly TR.

If you're at next year's AVcon, I expect we'll both be close in ranking. I really look forward to battling you. Also, I heard about some guy winning the VGC world championship 3 years in a row - are there any videos up yet?

They might've chosen a medal to tie in with the Olympics... shame it's not real gold! I still haven't decided what to buy with the voucher I won. I know I asked this last year, but what's this State tournament? I'd like to know how well you went.

I wish you'd been there, it was a much better finals experience - here are some pictures showing the clear, enlarged screen, and my ranking before the finals:
http://s398.photobucket.com/albums/pp62/Dimentio_II/AVcon%202012/

Jimmy said I'd have still been number 1 even if I'd lost to the lowest-ranked player. Don't suppose you remember your ranking last year? Not trying to steal your glory or anything, just curious!

Maybe the mindgames were my advantage - I certainly switched more than most people, and changed my tactics based on anticipation.

Thanks, although I think your flawless streak was more impressive since you won 15 battles before the finals (I had 14), and your final wasn't won by a disconnection-forfeit! I was disappointed when I realised you weren't there - sorry to hear about your untimely sickness.

If it's Level 0 then it's definitely hacked :/ having 31 IVs accross the board on a XD Pokémon is also so unlikely it's a giveaway too.

It's your call, my offer still stands. If you still want the Clops, I'll give it to you :)

I unfortunately cannot trade right now as I'm about to leave for work

But we didnt trade yet! o_0

? o_0

Hey, I'm guessing you weren't at AVcon? If not, it's a shame since I won all 16 battles... so now we share the achievement of a flawless streak at AVcon! I've been discussing it over on those forums a bit. Oh, and I got a medal instead of a trophy like you received... want to see it?

We could trade directly via wifi.

You dont have to give me anything good, since you need it for a tournament I'll give you the Clops for free.

Online right now?

Ah, that makes sense. I'm ay GMT -3.

If I cant find you online, are there any other ways for you to receive the Dusclops? Can you use Pokémon files?

Hi, I couldnt find you online today. No problem though - we finished paiting the house and I still have 1 week left of vacations. I will try to meet you over the course of this week. :)

Sounds good, see you tomorrow then :)

Sure, do you want it as Duskull or Dusclops (some moves vary between the two)?

I can trade this Sunday I think, but dont hold me to it because I'm painting my house and might be busy. But I'll try to come online :)

My studies are quite unfocused; I still don't know what I want do. I've only done arts subjects so far, mainly philosophy... what about you?
I remember one of my teams being so determined to counter weather that it couldn't actually do much against 'normal' teams. I think the most common mistake at AVcon is that people have a singles mindset. I'm still surprised that you won with Drought, considering its disadvantages compared to Drizzle.

Lucky for you that the registration is on Sunday this time. I'm at Adelaide Uni, which one are you at?
I have the same issue of wanting to try something new, but also wanting to use my most effective Pokemans from last year. I suppose the good players will take into account teams that beat them (or nearly did), when making their new team. It will be interesting to see if there are more Drought teams due to your victory - there were certainly more TR teams because of the 2010 winner.

Hello, not sure if you remember me... will you be at AVcon this year? I'm looking forward to it, although I still haven't decided on my team. I'm quite limited in what I can use, unlike you with your fancy Drought Ninetales.

Not sure if Tommo is free that day though.

2nd of April is a Monday and I have uni, which means I can't make it. So We'll just stick with the 31st.

Oz Comic Con is 31st and 1st. Can't do that. Maybe the 30th or the 2nd of April.