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Published on February 12th, 2014 | by mattj

53

First Place in Missouri: At Least I’m Not Like All Those Other Old Guys

After unexpectedly winning the 2014 Missouri Winter Regional, I knew I wanted to post a report.  I soon found out that, unlike many 2014 reports, I had a lot of matches recorded.  I thought about posting a traditional writeup, but it looked really clunky with all those videos scattered throughout.  So instead, here’s a video review.  I hope you enjoy it!



I owe a huge amount of thanks to YouTuber Bullados for stream-recording all of these matches during the tournament and allowing me to use the videos.  I also owe Wesley a ton of thanks for allowing me to use many of the pictures he and his awesome mom took at the tournament.  Last, but not least, I’d like to thank pball0100DrFidget, and YouTuber and kick-butt VGC player Squidtepig.  I appreciate you guys for letting me use the videos you recorded, too.  You guys are awesome!  Thanks so much!


About the Author

started playing VGC at the end of 2008. He enjoys reading the Bible, shooting guns, and voting for Republicans.



53 Responses to First Place in Missouri: At Least I’m Not Like All Those Other Old Guys

  1. emforbes says:

    I think its great that you did a video review! It was very enjoyable and had some very creative things like wide lens mienshao. Congrats on 1st Place.

  2. Dark51 says:

    http://nuggetbridge.com/media/first-place-missouri-least-im-like-old-guys/

    Found this article useful? Like this post to show the author your appreciation!

    Fantastic idea. The video review was effective, as well as well-put together. Congratulations for winning, and congratulations for being honest! Thanks for the read!

  3. Cypher says:

    I must say, what a unique way to present a report! Congrats mattj, and I’m getting early VGC 2012 vibes from your team, especially from the Scarf Abomasnow! Congrats on getting 1st place!
     
    Also, curious, did you actually use Trick Room Chandelure at any time during the event? And if so, did you also abused the fact that you had Hammer Arm Kangaskhan along side it?

  4. LatiosIsCool says:

    Hey man, it was great seeing you there, it was awesome being able to converse with you through out the day, hope to see you again soon! And again, congrats again on your win!

  5. Thank Swalot says:

    i like watching the battles in reports also so i know how they went a little better, congrats anyway.

  6. R Inanimate says:

    A Video story, that’s pretty unique.
    Cograts on being making 1st at Missouri, with a general team strategy that you’ve stuck to for years.
     
    Also… Pokemon are all being referred to as “he”. 4/6 team members are female… ._.

  7. Adib says:

    Congrats on becoming the Missouri Champ, mattj! I liked the unique way you presented the report–you managed to explain the team much faster this way than us reading a wall of text. I hope we can see more reports like these in the future.
     
    Your team’s pretty interesting. You had some well-thought out move choices and items, like Feint on Mienshao, Hammer Arm on Kangaskhan and Wide Lens. I’m surprised that only one of your Pokemon had Protect/Detect. It’s interesting to see a hyper-offensive team beat out all the defensive teams that most people use in VGC. I’m also surprised that 2/3 of your team is hit pretty hard by Rock Slide, and you don’t have Wide Guard to cover that. It seems like you preferred outrunning and blasting Rock Slide users out of the way instead of dancing around with Wide Guard.
     
    Thunder seems a little redundant on Zapdos though, since you already have Thunderbolt, which isn’t that much weaker and is already 100% accurate. Did you consider running Thunder Wave? It would’ve given you a third mode of speed control. Or maybe Volt Switch? Seeing how offensive this team is, I feel like Volt Switch would let you keep up the momentum even more, especially since you have two Fake Out users.
     
    I also really like that you’ve been using some of the same concepts and same Pokemon since way back in 2011. Some people think it’s bad to run the same stuff forever, but if it gets you results, why wouldn’t you? Being really comfortable with Pokemon you’ve used for a long time seems to trump any information advantage your opponents might have when going into a match. The only thing missing from this report that I would’ve liked to hear was how you translated your team from 5th gen. But that might’ve made the video a bit too long.
     
    Congrats again! Jalhalla is clearly the best nickname on your team.

  8. blutrane says:

    excellent video! thanks for sharing

  9. Cybertron says:

    Fantastic report, really nice narration. Thanks for doing this, haven’t enjoyed a report this much in a long time, and congrats again on your win!

  10. BearJaw says:

    I don’t usually comment on the reports but I have to say this one was unique, original, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. 

  11. WyvernSky says:

    I love your talk about hax and luck and stuff. Because, that’s Pokemon! I respect that a lot, many cannot accept the “hax” when they won. And when people lose, they tend to blame it on the hax.

  12. lucariojr says:

    oy, we actually did 3 games :( also i wanna know why you were packing thunder and not volt switch or something

  13. Mattsby says:

    Excellent, we share the same name, and a nice video report, something new and enjoyable to watch, well done on the win

  14. Werford says:

    Great job with this video man. Really liked your use of Feint on Mienshao. It’s such a cool move and really seemed to help your team in this tournament.
     
    I’m really impressed with how humble you seemed in your video as well. It’s easy to say how “hax” can screw you over in this game, but not many people acknowledge how much it can benefit them as well.

  15. DaWoblefet says:

    Wow, this was a fantastically original team report mattj! I really loved the video, and it’s clear you put a lot of work into making it. Nice job!

  16. GreySong says:

    So happy you decided to continue with the video report! Very original and it was fantastically done!!
     
    I know I’ve said this to you numerous times before, but I’m just going to say it again. I’m so thankful to have known you for so many years now, and it’s so great to see the recognition you finally deserve. You’ve worked so hard with this team, and I’m so happy that you finally won. Congrats my friend. Can’t wait to see you at Kansas, and WE WILL HAVE OUR FINALS MATCH FINALLY!!

  17. mattj says:

    D’awww you guys. :3
     
     

    Also, curious, did you actually use Trick Room Chandelure at any time during the event? And if so, did you also abused the fact that you had Hammer Arm Kangaskhan along side it?

    I brought him into several matches because my opponent appeared to have a Fire or Ghost weakness, but never needed to TR or Imprison.  I’ve found it useful in the past on GBU though.  One of my favorite battles was when someone was 1 turn away from stalling out my Tailwind.  I knew they’d protect, so I TR’d.  gg
     

    I’m also surprised that 2/3 of your team is hit pretty hard by Rock Slide, and you don’t have Wide Guard to cover that. It seems like you preferred outrunning and blasting Rock Slide users out of the way instead of dancing around with Wide Guard.

    Yeah, a lot of people use Wide Guard to counter Rock Slide.  And my team does have 4 serious Rock weaknesses.  But I almost always bring Mienshao and Kangaskhan to help with that.

    Thunder seems a little redundant on Zapdos though, since you already have Thunderbolt, which isn’t that much weaker and is already 100% accurate. Did you consider running Thunder Wave? It would’ve given you a third mode of speed control. Or maybe Volt Switch? Seeing how offensive this team is, I feel like Volt Switch would let you keep up the momentum even more, especially since you have two Fake Out users.

    oy, we actually did 3 games :( also i wanna know why you were packing thunder and not volt switch or something

    Sorry about that bro. Yup 3 games.

    When nearing the end of putting this video together I realized that I hadn’t explained why I carried Thunder. But by that time I was too worn out to edit that in. As you might be able to see in the end of the battle video against lucariojr, that’s actually why I carry Thunder instead of several other reasonable move choices, like Thunderwave or Volt Switch. I had too many situations where I would find myself going up against bulky, Left Overs Rotom Washes where, my Thunderbolt would bring it to just barely below half, but then they would protect and regain enough health to survive a second Thunderbolt and finish me off with their own. Thunderbolt was just barely not powerful enough in many cases. Thunder, however, was. Unfortunately, that means I’m occasionally dealing with a 70% accuracy attack. But in my view, a 70% chance to KO something is better than a 0% chance to KO it.

    Plus Zapdos functions as a large part of my Drizzle/Swim counter. He stomps rain pretty hard with Thunder.

  18. KillerConall says:

    The only issue I have with this report is that the team is only in the video, I would have liked to see your team written out since I for one find it easier to see the teams synergy that way.

    Otherwise great report and congratulations.

  19. mattj says:

    The only issue I have with this report is that the team is only in the video, I would have liked to see your team written out since I for one find it easier to see the teams synergy that way.

    Otherwise great report and congratulations.

    Talonflame
    External
    Externalw/External
    Gale Wings
    Adamant
    252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
    Tailwind, Brave Bird, Flare Blitz, U-Turn

    Mienshao
    External
    Externalw/External
    Reckless
    Jolly
    4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
    Fake Out, High Jump Kick, Rock Slide, Feint
     

    Kangaskhan
    External
    Externalw/External
    Scrappy
    Jolly
    4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
    Fake Out, Double Edge, Hammer Arm, Sucker Punch
     

    Zapdos
    External
    Externalw/External
    Pressure
    Timid
    31/8/30/29/31/31
    4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
    Thunderbolt, Thunder, Hidden Power (Ice), Detect
     
     
    Chandelure
    External
    Externalw/External
    Infiltrator
    Modest
    4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
    Overheat, Shadow Ball, Trick Room, Imprison

     
    Abomasnow
    External
    Externalw/External
    Snow Warning
    Timid
    4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
    Blizzard, Ice Beam, Energy Ball, Icy Wind

    yw

  20. Chish says:

    This was a pretty good video! entertaining and informative.

  21. MasterFisk says:

    Congratulations on winning! The video report was definitely cool! 🙂

  22. El Tigre says:

    Great video! The team was clearly well thought out. This shows that I have a lot to learn.

  23. bziggs says:

    252 lol
     
    but really, loved the review and the team ideas are just solid. tailwind, beat down – with options for different scenarios. found myself brainstorming how my team would fare against it … here’s a hint – not too well!

  24. KnockFan says:

    Loved the video.  It is an enjoyable watch.
    What surprised me is the simple 4/252/252 spreads.  o.O

  25. pball0010 says:

    Mattj. 

    You are the man.

    Glad to be your videographer, and I see your thanks and raise you another for picking me up after the tilt I was on that day. Also, thanks for taking on a newb like me as a multi partner. You are an inspiration, and I wish you luck in Kansas City, which I probably won’t be attending since I’m looking toward Madison, which is closer…

  26. andrea says:

    I really enjoyed your video, mattj. I hope some other users follow your example; it would be nice to see more video reports on the site. Congrats on being the victor! :)

  27. nice video matt, I’m not going to lie, I burst out laughing at the 252 spreads. To think that something so simple stomped out everything else. Golden.
     
    Why Double Edge over Return?

    And congrats on the win!

  28. BrewCrew says:

    I want more info on that diggersby+weavile combo…and good report.

  29. BrewCrew says:

    I want more info on that diggersby+weavile combo…and good report.
     
    Phone made me double post.

  30. BrewCrew says:

    I want more info on that diggersby+weavile combo…and good report.

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