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Smogon Masters II - Top Cut Play-Ins & Round 1 [Replays Required]

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Welcome to the second edition of Smogon Masters! This is a Swiss bracket, Bo3 tournament with each set consisting of ORAS OU, SM OU, and SS OU. Players will decide which metagame to play first, then the loser picks a different generation for the following game. If both players cannot agree on a metagame to play first, each round will have a default generation randomized at the start of each round. After several rounds of the swiss bracket, a top cut according to record and resistance will be created and a Bo3 single elimination tournament will determine who wins Smogon Masters and the trophy
1695001107602.png
.

Rules & Tournament Format

General Tournament Rules

  • This is a tournament that will employ the standard rulesets for ORAS OU, SM OU, and SS OU.
  • Smogon Masters II will be a swiss tournament with a to-be-determined top cut size depending on signups.
    • Players will be automatically dropped when they hit three losses as they are no longer in contention for top cut. Players who achieve top cut scores before the end of swiss will not be matched up for the remainder of the swiss rounds.
    • Players will be assigned a random opponent out of the pool of players with the same record as them each round. Exceptions may be made to avoid unpaired users.
  • Rounds will be Best of Three -- one game of each tier.
  • Matches are to be played on Pokemon Showdown!. If you can't agree on which server to play on, the Smogtours server is the default option.
  • Saving replays is required and must be posted in each winpost starting in the second round
  • There are no extensions due to the nature of a swiss tournament, so please get your games done on time.
  • a fairy is the primary host of this tournament and the co-hosts will be Finchinator, Princess Autumn, and vmnunes.
Activity Decisions / Coin Flips: In the event that there is an uncompleted match at the deadline, it will be coin flipped unless one or both of the players involved in the match specifically request an activity win and explain sufficiently why they deserve to win over their opponent. Attempting to schedule a battle is required in order to receive the win by activity. To make it clear that you are requesting an activity win when you post, you must open your post with "Activity Win Request" in bold.

For example, if you believe your opponent is making an unfair request and that they don't deserve the activity win over you, you can either make your own request or quote their post and explain why they don't deserve it. You should try to make your activity win request posts at least 24 hours before the deadline to give your opponent a reasonable opportunity to contest it with their own activity win request.

In case of disconnections, if you played in the SmogTours server, call a Tournament Director as soon as possible and we'll see about the possibility of having a rematch.

This tournament uses a Swiss format, where everyone plays until they lose three times, or until Play-Ins / Top Cut begins after Round 9 (or 10). The Top Cut will be single elimination and based on a 64-player bracket. All matches will be a Best of 3, involving ORAS OU, USUM OU, and SWSH OU.

This tournament is expected to match the following size:
768 [9 rounds of Swiss, with a 69-player Top Cut sized down to 64 via a Play-In round]

If byes are necessary, in the first three rounds, a number of Byes will be placed in the tournament to hit the participant number, to ensure a participant count that works well with Swiss tournament structure. These Byes will exist until Round 3, successively lowering in the Swiss structure – in Round 2, some number of 0-1 players will receive Byes, and in Round 3 some number of 0-2 players will receive Byes. If subs are necessary, the host team will aggressively substitute out inactive players to ensure as many players can participate as possible.

Players who achieve a Top Cut-qualifying record before the final round of Swiss will be removed from the Swiss rounds. They will be seeded in brackets depending on when they qualified.

Once Round 9 concludes, there will be a non-perfect amount of players qualified (7-2 score or better) for Playoffs. Seeding will prioritize ranking, with players who achieved a qualifying record being seeded higher the earlier they qualified. Within ranks, these players will be ranked by Resistance, which is the cumulative win percentage all of their opponents throughout the Swiss phase.

Play-Ins
The bottom ten seeds (60-69) play for the bottom 5 slots of a seeded 64 bracket.

[60] Sacri' vs Always! [69] (to play seed 5)
[61] GirlsSeeGhosts vs Xuwu [68] (to play seed 4)
[62] Eeveeto vs Rewer [67] (to play seed 3)
[63] yovan33321 vs Destro16 [66] (to play seed 2)
[64] DugZa vs Fragments [65] (to play seed 1)


Ordered via matchup into the top 5 seeds:
[64] DugZa vs Fragments [65] (to play seed 1)
[63] yovan33321 vs Destro16 [66] (to play seed 2)
[62] Eeveeto vs Rewer [67] (to play seed 3)
[61] GirlsSeeGhosts vs Xuwu [68] (to play seed 4)
[60] Sacri' vs Always! [69] (to play seed 5)

--

The full seedings (and Top Cut Round 1 matches) are as follows, you are welcome to play your match during the Play-Ins week if you have an opponent:
Round 1
[1] Trosko vs DugZa [64]
[2] ninjadog vs yovan33321 [63]
[3] Santu vs Rewer [67]
[4] Luigi vs Xuwu [68]
[5] Confide vs Sacri' [60]
[6] Ewin vs Sheik : [59]
[7] Star vs skimmythegod [58]
[8] Lusa vs MangoSteak [57]
[9] SpookyZ vs Storm Zone [56]
[10] Tenebricite vs Ren-chon [55]
[11] false vs Sabella [54]
[12] Magician vs Empo [53]
[13] Zokuru vs Skyiew [52]
[14] lax vs Dj Breloominati♬ [51]
[15] SoulWind vs Ox the Fox [50]
[16] LpZ vs Rubyblood [49]
[17] marsandback vs Akaru Kokuyo [48]
[18] sugarhigh vs Metallica126 [47]
[19] Skypenguin vs le LLiolae [46]
[20] Finchinator vs Chiharu [45]
[21] shiloh vs Satanic Beast [44]
[22] Drachenkeule vs AM [43]
[23] fade vs Paprikaflow [42]
[24] Suzuya vs Kustavan [41]
[25] Guille vs Luirromen [40]
[26] mind gaming vs Gilbert arenas [39]
[27] Maxouille vs kingofking [38]
[28] z0mOG vs clean [37]
[29] DeeJ vs w_r [36]
[30] Giannis Antetokommo-o vs avarice [35]
[31] ayk vs ChrisPBacon [34]
[32] Riruia vs Ahsan-219 [33]


Ordered by a bracket's POV where Line 1 will face Line 2, winner of which would face winner of Line 3 vs Line 4, etc. (Challonge, etc) - you can find a visual guide here.
[1] Trosko vs ([64] DugZa vs Fragments [65])
[32] Riruia vs Ahsan-219 [33]
[16] LpZ vs Rubyblood [49]
[17] marsandback vs Akaru Kokuyo [48]
[8] Lusa vs MangoSteak [57]
[25] Guille vs Luirromen [40]
[9] SpookyZ vs Storm Zone [56]
[24] Suzuya vs Kustavan [41]
[4] Luigi vs ([61] GirlsSeeGhosts vs Xuwu [68])
[29] DeeJ vs w_r [36]
[13] Zokuru vs Skyiew [52]
[20] Finchinator vs Chiharu [45]
[5] Confide vs ([60] Sacri' vs Always! [69])
[28] z0mOG vs clean [37]
[12] Magician vs Empo [53]
[21] shiloh vs Satanic Beast [44]
[2] ninjadog vs ([63] yovan33321 vs Destro16 [66])
[31] ayk vs ChrisPBacon [34]
[15] SoulWind vs Ox the Fox [50]
[18] sugarhigh vs Metallica126 [47]
[7] Star vs skimmythegod [58]
[26] mind gaming vs Gilbert arenas [39]
[10] Tenebricite vs Ren-chon [55]
[23] fade vs Paprikaflow [42]
[3] Santu vs ([62] Eeveeto vs Rewer [67])
[30] Giannis Antetokommo-o vs avarice [35]
[14] lax vs Dj Breloominati♬ [51]
[19] Skypenguin vs le LLiolae [46]
[6] Ewin vs Sheik : [59]
[27] Maxouille vs kingofking [38]
[11] false vs Sabella [54]
[22] Drachenkeule vs AM [43]

Predictions format
[1] Trosko vs ([64] DugZa vs Fragments [65])
[2] ninjadog vs ([63] yovan33321 vs Destro16 [66])
[3] Santu vs ([62] Eeveeto vs Rewer [67])
[4] Luigi vs ([61] GirlsSeeGhosts vs Xuwu [68])
[5] Confide vs ([60] Sacri' vs Always! [69])
[6] Ewin vs Sheik : [59]
[7] Star vs skimmythegod [58]
[8] Lusa vs MangoSteak [57]
[9] SpookyZ vs Storm Zone [56]
[10] Tenebricite vs Ren-chon [55]
[11] false vs Sabella [54]
[12] Magician vs Empo [53]
[13] Zokuru vs Skyiew [52]
[14] lax vs Dj Breloominati♬ [51]
[15] SoulWind vs Ox the Fox [50]
[16] LpZ vs Rubyblood [49]
[17] marsandback vs Akaru Kokuyo [48]
[18] sugarhigh vs Metallica126 [47]
[19] Skypenguin vs le LLiolae [46]
[20] Finchinator vs Chiharu [45]
[21] shiloh vs Satanic Beast [44]
[22] Drachenkeule vs AM [43]
[23] fade vs Paprikaflow [42]
[24] Suzuya vs Kustavan [41]
[25] Guille vs Luirromen [40]
[26] mind gaming vs Gilbert arenas [39]
[27] Maxouille vs kingofking [38]
[28] z0mOG vs clean [37]
[29] DeeJ vs w_r [36]
[30] Giannis Antetokommo-o vs avarice [35]
[31] ayk vs ChrisPBacon [34]
[32] Riruia vs Ahsan-219 [33]

Start Play-Ins and Top Cut Round 1 in the tier choice of the higher seed. Thanks. Extensions are possible but will be granted on host discretion.

Play-Ins deadline: December 1st, 10PM GMT-4
Round 1 deadline: December 8th, 10PM GMT-4

Replays are required to be saved all tournament and posted.
 
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Star: horriii, Luirromen, etern, Paprikaflow, Trosko (L), pannu, Luthier, clean
Lusa: zioziotrip, lihj, Sna, Blazer001, Tenebricite, z0mOG (L), w_r, ChrisPBacon
SpookyZ: Cryolite, LegitlyIzOP, davidTheMaster, fade, Éric, Drachenkeule, Trosko (L), kingofking
Tenebricite: LucioCerra, Dead by Daylight, Mamakoko, LpZ, Lusa (L), Mimilucha, Micciu, z0mOG
false: Light DN, Drookez, Storm Zone, TGA, Ashleao, marsandback, Confide (L), Giannis Antetokommo-o
Magician: Alpha1013, ayk (L), Forest Guardian, Zerkas, Vawpire, Gilbert arenas, Dj Breloominati♬, Sonired
Zokuru: pannu, festiveus, JeoZ, AndrewRK, z0mOG (L), Axel, c0mp, Ahsan-219
lax: Dawn Dreams (L), VyoletRayn, Edentical, DonSalvatore, ImperialH, Luirromen, MangoSteak, Chiharu
SoulWind: StreetBoom, Robert, imsosorrylol, Azick, LimonPokefan, kDCA, ninjadog (L), skimmythegod
LpZ: mestreoscar, Xiri, A plague doc, Tenebricite (L), Baloor, GirlsSeeGhosts, Reze, DeeJ
marsandback: SEROO, pj, Lostmemories, veti, Dasmer, false (L), avarice, Blazer001
sugarhigh: MHAMATTHEWDEKU, 3d, AR Rakibul, HANTSUKI, AM, Santu (L), kDCA, Paprikaflow
Skypenguin: JustFranco, Career Ended, Dflo, ZDen, watashi (L), Thiago Nunes, le LLiolae, Tace
Finchinator: hiimhunter, Sonired (L), roxie, imsosorrylol, Bluxio, Rubyblood, Kustavan, Éric
shiloh: kythr, teal6 (L), evakiyama!, Nacreous, jyusaan, Skyiew, Dasmer, ZeroKitss
Drachenkeule: Yoshi972, Aliss, RaiZen1704, Savouras, destroyingpotato, SpookyZ (L), graynium-Z, Ren-chon
fade: Blox, keanho2009, Malekith, SpookyZ (L), Vileman, Churielix, veti, Stories
Suzuya: Round 1 Bye, Paprikaflow (L), Clementine, Metallica126, Cam, Kinzo, lou dort, ayk
Guille: a fairy, Mrbanana45, Vertigo, Trosko (L), ApacheRomero, monchooo, Effelon, Riruia
mind gaming: Round 1 Bye, crying, Luthier (L), Trickster7, sluGGy, MGdos16, Dawn Dreams, Akaru Kokuyo
Maxouille: Insou, Staraptor, ApacheRomero, kDCA (L), Uber45, BIHI, Shucklegigas, Albret

z0mOG: AmoghOp, DonSalvatore, Vaictador, Scarfire, Zokuru, Lusa, Santu (L), Tenebricite (L), Sonired
DeeJ: evakiyama!, Adriyun, NoName6293, Realblazing, avarice, Tace, Ewin (L), LpZ (L), Gochan
Giannis Antetokommo-o: galal, Joya, ninjadog (L), tier, TyCarter, AM, Caesarr, false (L), lolebruh
ayk: Lialiabeast, Magician, Tempo di anguria, Kustavan (L), Nemosse, daeronchick, seth, Suzuya (L), Micciu
Riruia: Baloor, sufys, 1LDK, daeronchick, -Howkings, ninjadog (L), zinnias, Guille (L), Albret
Ahsan-219: pulsar512b, Fc, tpfire, ninjadog (L), GeniusX, Stareal, Storm Zone, Zokuru (L), Ash KetchumGamer
ChrisPBacon: MeEsSm, MahTheBot, Reze, Maktyum, MGdos16, Trosko (L), DripLegend, Lusa (L), cen344uu
avarice: Pheo, patrick robertson, n0stall, kingofking, DeeJ (L), Ox the Fox, marsandback (L), ImperialH, KeshBa54
w_r: JesusGP, Dj Breloominati♬, Cicada, NAMAN07, seth, Luigi (L), Lusa (L), 3d, Thiago Nunes
clean: Juseth sepulveda, alive, Stories, monchooo, Fragments, TPH, Luigi (L), Star (L), Typical_bastard
kingofking: Ev_Evan, Vawpire, Rio Vidal, avarice (L), Raahel, Kayzn, etern, SpookyZ (L), Fabriisse
Gilbert arenas: Lycans, Kaneki-san, GirlsSeeGhosts (L), zaydapoketrainer, MeEsSm, Magician (L), HSK7, ghostlike, Alhen
Luirromen: Wappy.kBs, Star (L), MagearnaTheBoss, Hockey1, Gei, lax (L), RTM, LimonPokefan, dunoks
Kustavan: okfornow, Brigtel, MAVERICK SHOOTERS, ayk, kDCA (L), lighthouses, Finchinator (L), graynium-Z, DripLegend
Paprikaflow: devl_indisqyz, Suzuya, tier, Star (L), Punny, HSK7, Malekith, sugarhigh (L), StepC
AM: Kilowhaaatrel, Dynamic type, Kinzo, Meru, sugarhigh (L), Giannis Antetokommo-o (L), Forest Guardian, Togeflyyy, destroyingpotato
Satanic Beast: GasaiYunoSan, Rubyblood, X-Wing, teal6, Santu (L), Dawn Dreams (L), DonSalvatore, Dr. Geo, Eelektrone
Chiharu: yovan33321, Lily, Éric (L), AzZoCcX, Brandonlee1, damien the genius, TPH, lax (L), Stories
le LLiolae: Round 1 Bye, entrocefalo, Eelektrone, Ineros, Mimilucha, Confide (L), Skypenguin (L), LucioCerra, velvet
Metallica126: Raahel, Luigi (L), fortunate sun, Suzuya (L), Corvikafka, Nemosse, sasha, kDCA, Nowelle
Akaru Kokuyo: Sabella (L), BLACKopzada, db, giove97, Souw, Azphiel, Mimikyu Stardust, mind gaming (L), Ming549
Rubyblood: Evil, Satanic Beast (L), Fusien, ima, AndrewRK, Finchinator (L), dex, lucardinho, Azick
Ox The Fox: Round 1 Bye, Brandonlee1, Mom Lover, tofa, ninjadog (L), avarice (L), JustFranco, Vileman, Wesleyy, Micciu
Dj Breloominati♬: sluGGy, w_r (L), Airi, wisc, feen, Gochan, Magician (L), Dasmer, Tace
Skyiew: Nichalho, Jhonx~, Azick (L), n0stall, HANTSUKI, shiloh (L), Wappy.kBs, mudd_skip, Portrait or Ruin
Empo: Antonazz, Miyoko, Dawn Dreams (L), Sacri' (L), doso749, yogo896, Kingsous, watashi, Baddy
Sabella: Akaru Kokuyo, Clementine, Abele01 (L), Ming549, GhostlyPlanets, zinnias (L), teal6, Mimikyu Stardust, Blazer001
Ren-chon: Saga_57 (L), roblox perfect cell, kythr, Master Origami, Rewer, purbaj, Ashleao, Drachenkeule (L), Maxisc23
Storm Zone: godofbelonging, Amaske, false (L), Dota, Dr. Geo, galal, Ahsan-219 (L), Mix, MichaelderBeste2
MangoSteak: BIHI (L), LBN, Nor, Gallinova, TakingNotesKinda, Loven, lax (L), big tony 2014, iNasty
skimmythegod: robjr (L), godofbelonging, festiveus, velvet, Ampha, StepC, watashi, SoulWind (L), Luthier
Sheik :: Maia, vampere, Mimikyu Stardust, Ashleao (L), Elfuseon (L), Fc, Enzonana., Amaske, c0mp
Sacri': fortunate sun, blunder (L), BloodAce, Empo, lolebruh (L), Mcthelegit, Monai, Hacker, a fruitshop owner
GirlsSeeGhosts: Round 1 Bye, FlamPoke, Gilbert arenas, purbaj (L), Maktyum, LpZ (L), Cloudznn, 1LDK, seth
Eeveeto: Azphiel, ApacheRomero (L), Honey SweeTTootH, Expulso (L), Mister Magnus, Volcaronium, Aso, TakingNotesKinda, Kindyy
yovan33321: Chiharu (L), abra xdd, des121, Egor, OranBerryBlissey10, graynium-Z (L), FFK, Shucklegigas, Axel
DugZa: Beemo666, Liimpy, Sonired (L), lolebruh (L), entrocefalo, 22SavageHut, -Howkings, fran17, TPH
Fragments: Durk27, binary search, Beka, TyCarter, clean (L), Luthier (L), True Psycho, GeniusX, zinnias
Destro16: Airi, Savouras (L), DonDimadon777, Micciu (L), n0stall, Tempo di anguria, Ado, Squeeby, Dawn Dreams
Rewer: Akashi, Yoko (L), Chris32156, Toxinalpaca, Ren-chon (L), p5 vioz, ApacheRomero, Isza, Éric
Xuwu: Taka, Master Origami (L), Hermitcrab, ACR1 (L), jozin457, sluGGy, lihj, Cam, Novax
Always!: Ampha (L), Axel (L), Round 3 Bye, Iguana, DarmanitanDLuffy, Avendesora, crying, One Last Kiss, ZeroKitss
 
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Was requested to make a Challonge visual equivalent of the bracket. Please do not expect this to be regularly updated, but I will do my best to keep it updated at least between rounds. You can find the link here. If there are discrepancies between it and standard seeding structure, the Challonge does not take precedent - we will be following standard tournament seeding for matches.
 
requested by Gilbert arenas

Round 1
[1] Trosko vs DugZa [64] - Immediately starting off with a banger; While Trosko's most recent feats have been in SV, he has also long been known for all three of these formats. Trosko seems to be in great shape recently and qualified as the top seed off of resistance with wins over opponents like SpookyZ and Star, so he seems to be a top favourite to take the entire tournament. Dugza already defeated Fragments for the playins, but otherwise had an unimpressive run so far. Low upset potential in my opinion, as I am very high on Trosko.
[2] ninjadog vs ([63] yovan33321 vs Destro16 [66]) - Never heard of Destro unfortunately, his path to playoffs was also extremely fake so don't really have anything to go off. ninjadog meanwhile took down a rogue gallery of strong opponents to qualify as the second seed undefeated. I'll trust him to defeat yovan, although I do rate the latter.
[3] Santu vs ([62] Eeveeto vs Rewer [67]) - I've been a big Santu fan for many years, and he has recently really picked up the pace with consistent dominant SPL performances in ORAS and SM. To me, he's one of the more complete players in this format, and a favourite to take it all. Eeveeto vs Rewer is also a great match, as Eeveeto is guaranteed to put on a show in any game he plays and has been on a hot streak recently, whereas Rewer has similarly performed well recently across tournaments like OLT and BW Invitational and had a great series in last year's Masters vs Empo. Leaning Eeveeto as a minor bias bold but I think Santu will beat either.
[4] Luigi vs ([61] GirlsSeeGhosts vs Xuwu [68]) - GSG seemingly continues to pick up everything he plays relatively quickly, and has played some impressive series to make it this far. I'm unfamiliar with his opponent for the playin match, so I'll favour him there, but I fear get backer might be a tough opponent to overcome. The self declared fan of the alice got lucky with Welli0u getting banned en route to his 7-0 qualification, but is generally a competent player in all 3 of these tiers, having put up strong SPL performances in both ORAS and SM as well as winning a Smogon Tour featuring the gens. While I wouldn't call him a top favourite to win the entire tournament, I do think he'll go decently far and start off with a win over GSG here.
[5] Confide vs ([60] Sacri' vs Always! [69]) - Sacri's return to Smogon has been one of the most pleasant surprises of 2024. At his peak Sacri' was one of the very top SS players on this site, and he has looked pretty good since his return. While he has not yet achieved his prior top form, I will be putting a lot of faith in him to do so, and predict him to put up strong performances in this tournament and the upcoming SPL as he always had a very good mind for the game. Confide performed well in swiss stage beating Gama, Liolae and false but is unfortunately faced with a tough opponent here. Always! is also not to be slept on, and is I think the only player to qualify from 0-2. Should be some cool pairings.
[6] Ewin vs Sheik : [59] - Ewin has looked very competent in SV recently, and while I'm unsure of his level of play in other generations, he did go 7-0 defeating blunder and watashi to make it this far so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Sheik meanwhile is more of a DPP player to my understanding. While he did pick up wins over Mimikyu Stardust, Fc and c0mp to qualify I haven't actually seen him play any of these matches so I'm unsure of how high I can rate him. Playing it safe with an Ewin bold here as the higher seed & better player in officials. <- this got played but I was right
[7] Star vs skimmythegod [58] - Star is one of the best players on this site right now and seems like a mainstay for any individual playoffs, always just falling short of the trophy. He is not only very familiar with all three of the formats displayed in this tournament, but his level of play when he is fully locked in is up there with the very best, so I would consider Star as one of the favourites to go the distance. skimmythegod put up an impressive performance in swiss defeating watashi and Luthier, but I fear taking down Star might be too tough of a challenge for him as of right now.
[8] Lusa vs MangoSteak [57] - Lusa is another player that could easily win this trophy in my opinion, winning a Smogon Tour season with these 3 gens and putting up strong SPL and WCOP performances in all three OUs featured. His level of play always continues to impress me and I've been a big fan of him for many many years now. MangoSteak only lost to good players to get here but didn't beat anyone real so unfortunately I have nothing to go off for them. Big edge to Lusa as I am a true believer.
[9] SpookyZ vs Storm Zone [56] - As the most prolific ladder player of maybe all time, Storm Zone has played more games of all of these generations than possibly anyone. SpookyZ went for the high aura move of rescheduling with an opponent after his name was already bolded in the OP and then winning anyway so he has amassed some serious positive karma, but SZ's wild and unique approach to the game is always a sight to behold. <- this happened I was right
[10] Tenebricite vs Ren-chon [55] - Tenebricite is someone who quietly always does well in circuit tours, especially ORAS, but I believe this is his first big break in an official. Ren-chon hasn't been playing much recently as far as I know but is a competent lower tiers player. Both of these players had impressive runs to get this far, with Tene taking down LpZ and z0mOG and Mili beating kythr and Rewer. Sleeper very cool MU.
[11] false vs Sabella [54] - The statistically best Masters Swiss player of all time finally lost one set, but still managed to qualify With Ease. false is imo one of the permanently most underrated players on this site, and has quietly had a very strong year with a great Slam performance too. I rate his ORAS rather highly and think he is adept at the other gens, so I think the format suits him decently well. Sabella meanwhile is also rather competent at fairy gens, and could put up a good match here. Small edge to false with some bias bold action going on too.
[12] Magician vs Empo [53] - Empo is Empo whereas I am completely unfamiliar with Magician, although they did put up a good swiss performance. Think Empo is probably the #1 favourite to take the whole tour here, and he's going to need to be facing a much stronger opponent for me to predict against him. Massive edge.
[13] Zokuru vs Skyiew [52] - Zokuru has been pretty consistent at making playoffs in these tournaments for several years now and had a deep run in the first edition of Masters. Skyiew is I believe an ubers player who I haven't seen much of yet, but have heard good things about from several Brazilian sources. While never the flashiest player, Zokuru is quietly pretty strong fundamentally and has a lot of experience in the gens in this tournament, so predicting him to take it feels safer for now.
[14] lax vs Dj Breloominati♬ [51] - The Best hasn't played in much individuals following his OLT victory, but has proven to continue to be on his A game across various performances throughout the year. This duel between former Shoguns should be an exciting one, as I think both of these players are quite good, although I do rate lax higher.
[15] SoulWind vs Ox the Fox [50] - Another crazy highlight. Both of these players won an OLT during SS, but Ox ultimately is one of the names almost synonymous with the generation, with teams such as Ox Hail still thriving many years post the retirement of SS as the Current Gen. While I would predict him to have an edge in SS, I'll have to give SoulWind, who needs no introducing, the edge in both SM and ORAS, as he is considerable more accomplished and knowledgeable in both, as well as the superior player in my opinion. Hot set.
[16] LpZ vs Rubyblood [49] - After a surprising dark horse run to the Grand Slam trophy, LpZ established himself as a top name that demands respect. Sadly, I can't say I'm very familiar with his 6-8 - unlike Rubyblood, whom I've seen perform in these tiers countless times. That being said, I think the level of both of these players is very high and this could easily go either way. Another very fun matchup to watch.
[17] marsandback vs Akaru Kokuyo [48] - I rate mars quite highly in BW and think he's easily SPL level, definitely the best of the up and coming group of UK guys in my opinion. Assuming this transfers over well into fairygens, which I admittedly haven't watched him play much, he should be able to defeat Akaru Kokuyo here, who is mostly a doubles player to my knowledge.
[18] sugarhigh vs Metallica126 [47] - This happened already but I would've bolded Metallica so I'll take the L here. Won't write too much about it because there's no real point but I'm a fan of his ORAS.
[19] Skypenguin vs le LLiolae [46] - Skype is a monster at SM and very solid at the other two, but Liolae is no slouch either. While he hasn't hit a similar peak to his OLT Finals run again, he is a solid player at 6 and 7. Despite continuously performing in tournaments and making several Smogon Tour top 4, Skype has yet to win an individual. Last year he was defeated by the 1 seed curse in Top Cut, but this year he was smart enough to take a loss to watashi to offset that. Predicting Skype to win this rematch from swiss stage once more.
[20] Finchinator vs Chiharu [45] - While Finch never put up the records he does in BW or SV in these three gens, he has played a significant amount of them over the years and is very experienced and familiar with all of them. Finch's level seemed to reach a new high in late 2023, but he has come back down to earth a bit since. This tournament could be the opportunity to prove that he really is reaching this next level of play and finally get that ever desired FinchTrophy. Unfortunately not very familiar with Chiharu, although I caught some of their qualifier games.
[21] shiloh vs Satanic Beast [44] - Minor bias bold but I think Cass is low-key very respectable at SM and I'm impressed by their run to get here, defeating Ruby, teal and DonSalvatore. shiloh meanwhile didn't get any standout wins in my opinion and lost to teal instead, so I'm justifying my bias bold here with that.
[22] Drachenkeule vs AM [43] - I don't really know anything about either of these players but Drachenkeule beat me r2 so I'm going to have to bold him solely off of that.
[23] fade vs Paprikaflow [42] - fade is probably the best current ORAS player and put up extremely dominant SM numbers in Smogon Tour. Would call him a dark horse pick to take this entire tournament, but I don't even think a deep run from him would be unexpected at this point. Unfamiliar with Paprikaflow, although they did beat Punny. Pretty big edge to fade.
[24] Suzuya vs Kustavan [41] - This one happened already. Would've bolded Suzuya though as I'm unfamiliar with his opponent.
[25] Guille vs Luirromen [40] - Both of these players have little to go off with their swiss performances; they lost to very good players only (Trosko / Lax and Star) but didn't really beat anyone that moved me, so I don't have too much to go off for their current level. Minor edge to Luirromen because I'm more familiar with him I suppose, but I don't really have a lot of intel here.
[26] mind gaming vs Gilbert arenas [39] - Crazy highlight. mind gaming is quickly shooting up the ranks to alltimer status, recently conquering old gens in a run to Classic Finals to supplement his dominant performances in SS/SV over the past few years. marcop meanwhile is an incredible allrounder as well, being able to play every single OU gen to a very high level. Small edge to mind gaming because I think he's played these tiers a little more, but I think marcop can catch up with ease. Easily the highlight of the round to me.
[27] Maxouille vs kingofking [38] - Maxouille is a high aura yapper that has put up competent results recently, like a deep run in OST. He defeated BIHI to qualify 7-1, which means he's clearly doing something right. Will be giving him the edge over kingofking, a player I'm unfortunately completely unfamiliar with who didn't really beat anyone inspiring in swiss either.
[28] z0mOG vs clean [37] - clean seems to have improved a lot recently, mostly being an SS guy in my mind before, but he made a run to OLT finals where he honestly played very impressive along the way. z0mOG is a bit of a hot and cold performer to me, but when he's on his peaks are very high as evidenced by his several great tournament runs and his Smogon Tour victory. I will lean z0mOG here because I think his ceiling is higher and I think he's very good at all of these tours especially SM, but clean impressed me a lot during OLT and clearly seems to be on an upwards trend. Hot matchup.
[29] DeeJ vs w_r [36] - I'm actually unsure if wr plays any of these formats but I rate his ADV play quite highly, and he defeated Spitfire, 3d and Nunes to qualify so he seems to have got it. DeeJ I'm not very familiar with. I think he played for USNE in one WCOP? Don't have too much to say about this pairing unfortunately.
[30] Giannis Antetokommo-o vs avarice [35] - Should be a good one. Giannis always performs in individuals and has done very well in all these tiers in Smogon Tour for a couple years now. avarice is a competent player who followed the decree of ATA to get into these playoffs but played some very impressive games in WCOP to clutch up for Midwest. Edge to Giannis because of how much more experience he has on this stage, but I think avarice is probably not to be slept on.
[31] ayk vs ChrisPBacon [34] - The 42nd best Smash Ultimate player in Europe is a force to be reckoned with in pokemon as well, having quietly put up pretty good results over the past year mainly in SS I think. Chris is also a very competent SS/SM player, so this should be an interesting matchup between two players that definitely have the chops but are looking to prove something. Chris is probably favoured on paper here but will be giving the Smash player bias bold to ayk.
[32] Riruia vs Ahsan-219 [33] - Unfamiliar with Riruia. Usually not very impressed with Ahsan, but he does have a history of qualifying for these tournaments, so I will give him a solid edge here. Not the most exciting of matches.

apologies for some of these already being outdated lol I started this on wednesday but then got busy
guys like Santu Lusa Empo SW lax Giannis obviously have great chances but for new trophy winners I think fade or mind would be very exciting and deserved winners
good luck to everyone, rooting for my friends :heart:
 
Xuwu > GirlsSeeGhosts, formally and unfortunately

Unrelated, to avoid potential problems: Do not play sets from future rounds even if you know who your opponent is via seeding math. Matches are only formal once a round is posted. Thank you.
 
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