Shoutouts, by position on the roster:
S1nn0hC0nfirm3d - My fucking GOAT. I still cannot believe they let us get you for 3k, especially given I was trying to convince you to decline a potential Tigers retain LMAO. You're my guy. It pisses me off how angry people get with your little bit of shittalk/self hype. Just because you're not in the Right Groups you get constantly criticized for saying shit that 99% of this website says, but whatever. The people need to know that you're just a great guy. Super chill, super fun presence, amazing dedication to your prep (hidden behind a fake air of idgaf that I see right through), and so unbelievably confident. It was a joy to have you around. You're also obviously like the best fucking player ever. I've been so high on you as a player for years, and I wanted you a couple WCoPs ago but you vanished cuz of some ZU drama or some nonsense, so going into this draft when we were talking about which Midwest people to import over, you were honestly up at the top of the list with Tace. Thanks for two insane tiebreak clutches. My GOAT.
Kate - Someone we always had on our plans as a starter option, then we just ended up getting some better deals so we took you as a sub initially. We knew you'd be a fun chat presence due to things we heard from mutual friends + McMeghan's Good Word, but the ridiculousness was definitely a level I did not expect. You're so fucking funny it's unreal, from laddering with teams we PLANNED ON USING ON YOUR MAIN ACCOUNT (twice) to the Pippy streams to zebra girl. What a trip. Oh and you're pretty good at Pokemon too. The effort you put in off the bench was fantastic, especially given you don't really play this tier (and didn't learn how to build over your 10 weeks of playing it). You are clutch as fuck and such a killer. Plus I know you actually like me despite your constant flaming.
leng loi - One of the MVPs by every metric. Phenomenal play, incredible building for several slots, wonderful chat presence, and a fighter on the frontlines against The Enemies of The Classiest (...blunder's stream chat??! LOL). One of one. Truly a generational player. That 5-5 record isn't what you wanted, and the annoying idiot sheetlookers might clown on it, but let them. You are one of the SV OU greats. A top 10 player and a top 1 builder. I did not know you before this tour, but from our very few conversations I knew we had to get you. You're like a new age TDK. I really do think if you keep playing you'll end up being one of those crazy 20-30k tournament staples LMAO... but I also think you should request to not have to build for other slots. You took on so much for the team and you did so well. The amount of appreciation and gratitude I have for that effort cannot be put into words. Beyond the Pokemon shit, you're also just a great friend and an integral part of our LGBT core LMAO. I'm glad to have gotten to know you this tournament.
LpZ - Another person we got for way cheaper than expected, and man what a star you were. You're such an interesting guy with the gym updates and the busy IRL, but you still play literally every tier ever conceived of LMAO. Your prep stressed me out more than any other, but once I got used to it with your consistent winning, it became a pretty fun process to watch you pick a team like 3 minutes before the game and somehow win. To have the Grand Slam champion for 3.5k will never not be crazy to me, but it's crazier given what a fun and friendly chat presence you are. You meshed well with the Gym Bro/Manly Men faction of the team, but you also just kinda vibed with everyone. Cool ass dude, great player, what's not to love man. Enjoy the swole journey.
damien the genius - There's a trend here... another person we got for so much less than we expected and you put up some phenominal wins. Let's throw away that sun game given I pushed hard for that team LMAOOOOOO. Man you were excellent. I think you're one of the best SS OU players around - you have a great grasp on the metagame and your play is just incredibly solid, very few mistakes ever. I told you throughout the tour but I want the people to know - this guy was probably one of the best players on our roster in terms of Raw Playing Skill. It was a tough decision to not put you in for the tiebreak, but as you know it's something we considered for sure, but you took it in stride and still did a phenomenal job helping the prep this week. You are also quite literally a saint. The nicest user I've met on this website, but not one of those nice people who you can't goof around with and crack jokes, you're like a super funny guy and you just clicked so well with the weird jerk culture of this team. I am excited to follow your WCoP run - I know OCN is a strong SS region, but man I hope you're a lock because watching you wield Zapdos is a treat.
Tace - Literally only signed up to manage so we could win 2 trophies together and you can stop ranking me lower than suapah/Tony on your all time best managers list, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU STILL RANK ME UNDER THEM OKAYYYYYY. Me going to 13k for you was the most telegraphed shit ever, and realistically you should've been cheaper because Smogon sleeps on you fsr, so I'm so glad it worked out even though we obviously got upbid to hell LMAO. You were a lock from day 1, chained to a fate of another tournament with me, but man I need you in these tournaments. You keep my ego in check. You are obviously one of the best SM players around and someone we got because we knew we could slot you into tiebreaks if necessary for several tiers. You're an unreasonably clutch player and you've now moved up pretty damn high on that Smogon HoF. Insane. So glad to have had you around in every tournament I've managed kid.
pj - I would fucking die for praj pran. This guy is the sweetest, funniest user on the website and God if you don't have a lot of heart. What an incredible teammate. What an incredible presence. What an incredible player. The people gotta know. I knew we realistically wanted someone who would mesh well with klefki holding ORAS OU supporter, and you just seemed like the perfect fit, even after the WCoP scheduling debacle LMAO. Getting you for 10k was pretty solid, and every week the level of effort and care you put in was just outstanding. We never had to worry about you. Your play was also always so solid - I really think you leveled up during this tour compared to some of your past ones, and I think you have a claim as one of the ORAS goats (both modern and all time). As I said too, you were just the best chat presence anyone could ask for. The heart of our team. The Groudon x kh x praj single braincell unit, the AI cat gif spam, "it's all about respect," the nonstop MANNAT worship, the randomly ridiculous things you'd say, but most importantly - the constant positive attitude and confidence in the team. Whether it was your losses or someone elses, you were always there to tell us that we could bounce back. That positivity is so important and it is something I appreciate so much. One of my favorite teammates I've had in awhile.
dice - 13 SPLs, 1 Final, 1 win... 2 trophies in a year with yours truly too LMAO. I hate you so much. You're so annoying and ridiculous and you constantly tag @everyone and you say the most out of pocket shit. But I would not have it any other way. You were so incredibly important to this team. As I said above, going into this tournament as a cloutless manager, there's a big issue of "which big players will buy in." You had reached out to us from the start (again, one of the only people we talked to), and we knew we had to get you. Early on, your activity and confidence in the team/draft was big at getting other people to buy in. You were a leader of this team, really stepping up in the key moments like this ADV TB prep, and you were one of the people that really glued everyone together socially. It was also amazing to see your faith in the team given you're usually pretty blunt about thinking people suck, so it was nice to know that your praise was also very sincere LOL. Given your reputation as a teammate (lol) and being MIA for a bit, I really thought you'd be cheaper... but I guess the gay + Midwest tax was super telegraphed LMAO. I really thought you'd farm the BW pool in the regular season and then go 0-2 in poffs and pout, but you did the exact opposite, which is obviously SO SO SO MUCH BETTER. You've been electric in this tournament for years - it really is YOUR tour, so I'm glad you were finally able to win it, especially with two incredibly clutch playoff wins.
Groudon - We really just got you for the vibes man. I have no clue how you ended up somehow being one of our best players LMAO. You told us you had Osgoode teams, and then you..... ended up not having or using any Osgoode teams, which you revealed to us after the draft HAHAHAHA. As d0nut says, only this specific trio if me him and Expulso could have the collective psychosis to draft Groudon in DPP, but holy FUCK it worked out. You pretty much used the same team every week and won somehow, but then when you hit a little slump when people realized this (it took 8 weeks), you adapted very well in the finals. Fucking insane. Groudon clutching in the finals, who would've ever thought LMAO. Man we go so far back, you've been my right hand man (but like a right hand with no fingers) for so many WCoPs, and I'm glad the mentality of "Groudon is not bad + it's DPP + he has good support" paid off. I can't sit here and act like some genius galaxy brain manager and say "I always knew you had it in you" because I genuinely didn't. I thought you'd do fine for a 3k pick LMAO, but man oh man. What a legend. It also goes without saying that you were one of the most integral parts of our team socially, the constant LOLs and LMAOs, the wings, the stupid larping with praj. Why were you so much more active here than Midwest LMAOOOO. God I love you dude. I'm so glad we got you. Who's laughing now motherfucker.
McMeghan - Sorry Tace, it is a competition and Roro is my favorite teammate I've ever had. Holy shit man. What a phenomenal teammate in every regard. You weren't out here carrying slots or building for people (or yourself LOL), but you just had those little tweaks and inputs that elevated people. Whether it was critiques on teams, on play, on big picture things, etc. Your presence alone probably got a bunch of our slots an extra win or two. We knew we had to get you after Sam and obii of all people told me that you would probably mesh well with us, something I really did not believe given our only interaction before this tournament was me antagonizing you for saying cif and nebs a lot haha. We wanted someone clutch, someone who could win, and someone who could lead, and you went above and beyond in all those regards. Everyone knows you're the GOAT. Everyone knows you're a great fucking guy. Everyone who has ever interacted with you would probably speak positively about you as a player, a teammate, a friend, but you really are a special one. You were so fun to have in the chat too, the random boomer comments that were slightly politically incorrect, the McWoman arc, the Pokemon card yap sessions. You're just a cool, genuine, lovable guy who has a genuine love for this game and everything that comes with it. I know this last week was stressful for you, but I hope the Aura Pick in TB into winning into winning the whole tournament was a reward and a relief. I think that maneuver alone moved you into the top 3 of all time, but personally you my number one... and someone I would unexpectedly say is a good friend. Happy to have met ya man.
BIHI - I still do not know if you love me or hate me, but I wouldn't have it any other way my man. I think I told you this itc but when we were planning I really wanted to get you given you are constantly clutch in team tours, but I was so scared given our past beefs LMAO. We decided to bite the bullet without talking to you at all, and I'm glad we did. I know it is cliche to say some reassuring words if someone has a negative record so I am going to skip that because you and I both know you got robbed as balls, and I don't have any regrets about any of the clutch games you played. You were a machine in the playoffs, and you really should've gone at least 3-1 in these four games. The "Playoff BIHI" factor is super real, so real that the Smogon Powers That B had to nerf you for the plot lol. Anyway, we all know you're a sick ass player with nerves of steel and a demon mentality, but I was also surprised at how chill and fun you are to have around. You and I were two peas in a pod when it came to being haters, and your taste in music and videogames is peak. You're pretty cool dawg. Thanks for taking on so much pressure and congrats on being probably the best team tournament player ever.
Kaz - We teamed many years ago in RBYPL, and I remember loving you and thinking you were sick as hell. Sab and other RBY friends also praised you as the sensei of RBY, and I love your style with crazy teams. I'm glad we got you here because beyond the RBY craziness, you're just a really good teammate. I am sorry you didn't get to go neutral or positive, but I'm glad that the break ended up giving you some insane clutch powers in the playoffs. As I said for dice and as I said to you in DMs so many times, all those regular season losses mean jack shit if you win in poffs, and you did. The draw was one of the funniest moments I think I've ever witnessed on Smogon, and it really ended up being a rallying cry for our team after getting brutally haxed in that series. Those playoff wins were so pivotal, and that moment was such a shot of adrenaline for us that I really think you had one of the largest impacts on turning this whole thing around and getting us to victory. I love your mentality and approach to the game, and I would 1000% recommend anyone drafts you in RBY..... such a killer pick and such a lovely teammate. You're a great guy.
DAHLI - I know this tournament didn't go how you wanted, but I appreciate the grace in shifting from the starter role, and you were super fun to have around. I'm sorry about the stuff with last week - bitch log on because we just won a SPL LOL. I still think you're a really good player, just seemed kinda busy and I do feel bad that we had to make the switch a little early on. Think it was less about you and more that we had someone else on the bench who we had in several of our plans as a starting option too. One bad tournament (hardly, you only played 3 games) shouldn't ruin your drive as a player hopefully - you're definitely very good.
Arc - I really liked your prep/input during WCoP, so I wanted to bring you along for this tournament to take some prep burden off leng. I think between timezones and style clashes, you were a little "out of place," but I don't really fault you with that - it just happens sometimes. You were a solid teammate and a funny guy, and I especially liked clowning with you over some of the more ridiculous moments in the tournament (like the masterful set switching LOL). You did a good job at running tests and spitballing some ideas when asked, and your input and presence was appreciated :)
Abyssal Ruins - wassuh shawty we won spl
d0nut - I do not know what I did to deserve to manage with you man. The drama that preceeded the season was crazy, and I had no real intention of managing once they switched it to 3 managers LMAO. Of course only with me even the act of being chosen to manage would be full of drama right? I was super apprehensive and initially I just tried to convince the TDs to pick Howkings because... the only time I ever spoke to you was tagging your ENTIRE TEAM in SPL 11 to brag about beating false LMAO. You and Expulso kept asking, and I consulted kumiko of all people who said that you and I would probably vibe because we both can be kinda mean and shittalky LMAOOOO. And HOLY HELL were they right. You are so SHADY. So fucking unbelievably funny. You're such a quiet guy, not really too involved socially, but every time there was some shittalk or flaming going on it was like you had alerts set because you'd join in to say the most brutal shit possible LMAO. Beyond that, you're just an incredible manager. You've done so well in this tournament so many times, getting so close... finally you got all the way there, and now you can rest easy man. I think it might be obvious to the outsiders that Expulso and I were the yappers of the team and we did a lot of the gruntwork, but none of that would've mattered without your oversight. You were the leader. You were the one with the final say in every decision, which was especially important for the draft plan and for the tiebreakers. I do not want your quiet demeanor to make your effort go unnoticed - you are a fucking incredible manager, and I am glad I got to learn from you during this tournament.
Expulso - Wow. Of all tours for you and me to win together... this one LMAO???? I was so mad when you got snubbed in WCoP last year (I look away for 10 seconds....), and when I saw you finally get picked for SCL I knew you'd do great. Sure enough, you did, but it came short. I thought it would be fun for us to manage the BIGs together, but then they changed to 3 managers and I kinda backed off... then you and d0 approached me about this, and I'm glad I caved. You are such an incredible manager. I know we roast you a lot, but you carry like crazy with prep and socially too. Your input, your scouting, your motivation for the players - all amazing. You really know what you're doing, and you've really grown as a player and a leader. It's been a lovely thing to witness as someone who has been there with ya from the start. This tournament has been a ride for you and me - the drama, the anxiety, the rage - but now it is done, and man I'm gonna miss it, largely because I got to manage with one of my good friends on here, and I don't think that's something we will get to do again. You're the best man. 10/10 manager, 10/10 heart, I could not see us winning SPL whatsoever without you here.
Helpers:
We had a lot of helpers (almost like 30 LMAO), so I can't really tag everyone, but I want to group people and highlight the ones that really went the extra mile.
KlefkiHolder - One of my oldest friends on Smogon, and someone we would've 10000000% bought had you actually signed up lmao. You are maybe the best ORAS builder of all time. Yes, I said this... seethe
ORAS heads. Your hustle in WCoP with avarice was great, so we knew we had to run it back for SPL, and praj was basically the perfect partner for you. What an insane pairing. You had so much heart, you put in more effort than most people LOL, and I gotta find some way to repay you. As a (former) ORAS player/builder myself, I expected that I would have to be involved with that slot, but it ended up being the one I touched the least, since I just trusted your judgment so much. Thanks man, how far we've come since our teenage years :')
Also by extension shoutout
Gingy and
MANNAT LMAO.
Student of Sinnoh - You are such an unreal DPP OU builder and support, and I still don't know what we did to deserve your help. You worked with Groudon excellently, and then you eevn worked with BIHI in the poffs tiebreaker. The mastermind, incredibly active, and really pouring your heart into it. You're genuinely an excellent DPP player and builder, and I do hope you play more in the future because I think you have what it takes to be one of the best.... definitely better than Groudon, at least ;)
Cow - Cow, you're great. A wonderful chat presence, excellent help, and very funny. Really felt like part of the team. You are also clearly very patient given you put up with dice either ignoring you or changing ideas 5 million times. You're a really great teammate kid, and I think you'll do great in WCoP. I'm sorry you got snubbed for this tournament, you definitely deserved to start.
Zpanther19 - Panth, you were crazy. Your input and scouts and constant test games in ADV was integral to McM's success, and you were just constantly positive, motivational, and willing to lend a helping hand. I thought your name was funny + the aura of your pfp and the random activity loss to Sapienta LOL. I do not know why they let me add you to the chat given none of us actually knew you beforehand, but I'm so glad they did because you rocked!
Kyo - Thanks for the help you gave Tace in SM those weeks where we needed it - I think you were integral to getting us back on the right track in SM.
siras - My Pokemon card buddy. It is funny that we added you to support Lpz, but you were kinda just a social presence. Super cool guy, 10/10 would let join chat to yap again.
Bouff Jisoo kjdaas @meeps
Sabelette - It was nice to have the kpoppers around with me + dice, really did feel like old times. Bouff, you ended up randomly being our fucking MVP GOATED SS OU support LMAO? Did not expect it at all but holy shit you were so fucking helpful, especially those clutch test games. Jisoo you did a great job of bringing dice back to Earth when his ideas were hot ass (and in a sassy way that made it so funny to see him get a taste of his own gay medicine LMAO). Kim you were super active and you were like the MVP cheerleader of the team. Meeps you were dead as balls but you let us use mike trout, which is probably more valuable than anything anyone else did all tournament, so thank you. Sab you weren't one of the kpoppers but I lump you in here with the gays - you were great RBY support and also a super fun presence. We really did artificially inflate the linecount of this team with a bunch of "gay immigrants" as Roro would call them huh LMAO.
Garay oak oldspicemike Lily Punny Excal (yeah crazy right)
Sacri' Sceptross Vileman TDNT Luthier - It was lovely to have all of you around for playoffs, especially given some of our differences during the tour itself. Mike and Lily, you guys had very integral input in SV, especially some of the teams you passed Mike absolutely insane. Punny, thanks for the SM help for Tace - you helped guide him to 2 really strong matchups which was awesome. Sacri, TDNT (in the finals), and Luth (today LOL) - very vital to the SS prep machine, helped to alleviate some stress for damien and then BIHI in the TB ofc. Sceptross you were a fucking beast with the RBY prep calls, and also just a great guy to have around. Vileman idk why I added you you just bullied me and we didn't put you in any prep channels for the longest time LMAO. Excal, I am glad we were able to bury the hatchet. You're a cool guy and a good manager, and your input for DPP and BW prep in finals was actually incredible.
Finally Garay, holy shit man you're like one of the best teammates ever and also a cool ass guy. I didn't know you before this, was shocked you even joined to help us, and you slowly gained access to literally every prep channel, providing input and test games expecting nothing in return. Genuinely such a huge impact. Also thanks for keeping my head on straight during the stress of poffs.
Friends/Others:
Thanks to all the OG gays
talah my bestie
Sage passion Chloe. Thanks
obii kumiko Sam ABR Tony PDC for being my defenders in The Jerk (lol jk) and for the advice and input ahead of and during the tour.
Dave for believing in me.
CrashinBoomBang for my first chance in a tournament.
Midwest MANNAT for being My Tribe.
innisfree my goat.
Nedor shoutouts oh.
gz classiest
