Meet the Managers of the NPA and Player Registration
Sign ups have ended with 10 of the previous managers and 23 new users signing up to manage for this season of the National Pokémon Association. Only 6 spots were open and lots of thought was put into the managers chosen. It was tough to make the final calls, but these are the managers and teams that will be playing in this season.
Returning Managers
Zach, Fortree Brave Birds
Zach was the manager of the Brave Birds in the second season of the NPA. He has a large community presence, is a moderator on Nugget Bridge, and has organized many tournaments and kept track of their stats. He won three Regionals in 2013 and barely needed to attend US Nationals that year in order to clinch his Worlds invite. He is committed to victory and knows how to work hard to clutch out.
DrFidget, Goldenrod Gamblers
DrFidget has been a much-loved member of the community after being the only person to stream Worlds in 2010. He is also the organizer of The Lava Pool, a highly informative podcast about the Video Game Championships, usually featuring many powerful trainers sharing advice and strategy. In 2013, he placed 3rd and 7th at two different Regionals. The Gamblers finished 4-4 in NPA 2, and are hungry for an even better placing this season.
Ray, Hearthome Holy Spirits
The three-time World Champion Ray Rizzo. There is not enough space in this brief article to cover his Pokemon successes. In the first NPA, he managed the Cleveland Escavaliers, which finished seventh. Last season, he led the Holy Spirits to a 6-2 final record, losing in the Final Four to the Sunyshore Chargers. He is known for drafting star player DeagleBeagle every season. As always, expect the best.
PrettyLittleLiar, Sunyshore Chargers
PrettyLittleLiar experienced a brief stint as a player in the first NPA before returning as a manager in NPA 2, leading the Sunyshore Chargers to a 6-2 finish in the regular season and 2nd place overall. He has placed at Worlds himself, losing in the Top 4 in 2011 to eventual champion Ray Rizzo. He is an active poster, player, and threat.
Huy, Castelia Cones
Huy has had an incredibly strong presence in the online competitive Pokemon community since the early 2000s. He has also been mighty on the battlefield, with back-to-back Top 8 finishes at Worlds in 2009 and 2010. In the original NPA, the team he co-managed with Darnell Washington, the Chicago Afrobulls, reached the finals, losing to the Sacramento Slakings 2-3. His team, the Cones, went 4-4 last NPA season with a strong comeback at the end of the season. Expect big business from this manager.
Tan, Celestic Stars
Tan has been a member of the VGC community since 2012. The Stars have been known to flood the forum with not only their team spirit but also their good cheer. In NPA 2, he led the stars to a mediocre 4-4 finish. However, the Stars were the only team to take a week away from the Seafoam Islanders all tournament. If they can recreate that success, Tan’s Stars will definitely be a top tier team.
TalkingLion, Fuchsia Ninjas
TalkingLion returns to manage the Fuschia Ninjas, which made the Final Four in NPA 2 with a 4-4 record losing to eventual champions, the Seafoam Islanders. TalkingLion has been a member of the VGC community since 2011 with several high placings in offline tournaments in both the Senior division and the Masters division. He is active as a moderator on Pokemon Showdown and although one of the youngest managers, has shown he knows how to lead.
feathers, Fallarbor Flames
feathers returns to manage the Flames for NPA 3! The Flames finished 3-5 in NPA 2 with strong team players like Fish, gene, and PROFESSORLABCOAT. feathers is a powerful player herself, with an undefeated Swiss run at Oregon Regionals in 2013. She is one of the artists who regularly creates artwork for Nugget Bridge and also the only Canadian manager.
theamericandream38, Seafoam Islanders
theamericandream38 is the player who perhaps has had the most success in the NPA. In the first NPA, he played for the winning team, the Sacramento Slakings. In NPA 2, he led the Seafoam Islanders to a nearly undefeated victory. theamericandream38 and his Islanders are definitely the team to beat this season.
makiri, Mistralton Jets
Like Huy, makiri has been integral to the online Pokemon community for many years. He has had many first place Regional finishes and played in the World Championships. Last NPA season, he managed the Jets and in the eyes of many “won” the draft, emerging with an extremely powerful roster. Although the Jets had a mediocre performance in NPA 2, ending the season at 4-4, Makiri has led several teams in Pokemon tournaments to victory, as well as being a winning player on the Sacramento Slakings in the first NPA. You can never count him out!
And the Newcomers
benjitheGREAT, Goldenrod Rollouts
benjitheGREAT, while a relatively unknown player until the start of the 2011 season, has picked up considerably since, winning multiple Regionals in 2013 and 2014. He is replacing Smith as the manager of the Goldenrod Rollouts. Last season in the NPA, benjitheGREAT went 6-2 playing for the Stars and has shown he knows how a successful team runs in the league.
CT MikotoMisaka, Lavarre Pixies*
CT MikotoMisaka, although sometimes partaking in the oft-forgotten Trading Card Game section of official Pokemon tournaments, has been a longtime member of the online Pokemon community. He joins his Sacramento Slakings teammates makiri and theamericandream38 in the ranks of managers for NPA 3. He played for the Mossdeep Rockets in NPA 2, but otherwise has won every Pokemon team tournament he has participated in.
jio, Lilycove Cruisers*
Jio began his VGC career in 2011. Although he was unable to attend Regionals for the first year, he continues to be an active teambuilder and breeder for many high-level players. When he finally attended a Regional in 2012, he placed Top 8. He is one of the most powerful trainers active in the breeding scene.
Dubulous, Viridian Forest Hornets*
Dubs managed in the first NPA, but took a year off before returning to the scene. His team, the Golden State Wartortles, reached the Final Four before losing 3-2 to the eventual champions, the Sacramento Slaking. He has been a member of the competitive Pokémon community since around 2009.
Alaka, Olivine City Splashes*
Alaka is the second manager to return from the original NPA to manage in NPA 3 without managing last season. He led the Orlando Magikarp to a 5th place finish out of the 8 teams present, drafting a strong roster featuring current Regional champion mattj and first NPA 2 draft pick skarm. Alaka has shown intelligence in both managing and operating a team, and he will not disappoint this season.
Dim, Ever Grande Elite*
Dim has been an active user in the VGC community since 2010, and achieved success in the Senior division in 2012 by winning the World Championships. He didn’t stop there, with high finishes at Regionals, US Nationals, and especially at Worlds in 2013, barely losing in the last round to Cybertron who would go on to make Top 4. Dim continues to be a strong player in the 2014 season, and has clinched his Worlds invite.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to sign up, sorry if you missed the cut.
*These are new teams and their logos are currently being worked on.
Player Sign-ups
To sign up as a player you must post the following in the comments thread:
Timezone:
Tell us about yourself:
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
Now, signing up won’t put you on a team by itself. The NPA draft will take place at some point after the 2014 Pokémon World Championships. The registrations will make up the pool of players that the managers will bid on. You can keep an eye out for managers doing try out sessions in this thread, but please keep in mind that spots are limited and not everyone will be drafted! We will be working to ensure the NPA is as entertaining for spectators as well as the participants themselves. Sign ups will last until August 17th! We look forward to seeing who will sign up this season to be drafted onto one of these 16 teams!
Related Posts
Nugget Bridge Update →
GS Cup Announced as Pokémon’s 2016 Ruleset →
2016 Pokémon World Championships Date & Location Surfaces →
Timezone: Arizona (GMT -7, does not observe DST, so currently in-sync with Pacific DST until November)
Tell us about yourself: Pokemon veteran, been playing since RBY days. Competitive since HGSS. Been playing VGC since 2012 season. Full time employment, plus student part time.
Notable Accomplishments:
Colorado Springs Regional April 2012: 5-1-1 17th place
Phoenix October Regional 2013: 4-3 22nd place
http://nuggetbridge.com/reports/defiant-swagger-emerald-city-top-16-seattle-regionals-report/
Timezone: EST, the only true timezone
Tell us about yourself: Nerdy koreaboo
Notable accomplishments (Optional): Just a bunch of 2nd places…
Timezone: PDT
Tell us about yourself: Senior Division player for the final year from California. Played Pokemon since 2011, since 2012 competitively.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
2nd Place Salt Lake City,UT Regionals (2013)
Top 4 at both Cali Regionals (2013)
1st Place Pleasanton,CA Regionals (2014)
5th Place Seattle,WA Regionals (2014)
Top 8 at US Nationals (2014)
Timezone: GMT/ daylight saving time (whatever England is at the moment)
Tell us about yourself:
Name: Adam Walker
Age: 17
I started playing pokemon god knows how long ago, and have competed at UK nationals for the past 3/4 years (went for one but didnt get past the queue :/).
Probably never really seen me on the forums as i basically read everything and rarely say anything, but if youve been on the simple request bit ive been a slight pain in hunting for parents to breed basically all my teams with, but hey thats forum activity
Notable Achievements: Not really a lot to say here sadly, but did make 110th at UK Nats this year, and i have a video report of the event.
Timezone: GMT-4 (EST)
Tell us about yourself: I’ve been playing VGC since 2011 and have a good connection with most of the community, despite being in an area where the VGC scene is small. I’ll be entering my second year of college after Worlds but will make a conscious effort to play my matches and be connected with the rest of the team.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
-NB Invitational Season 2 Top 16
-Top 16 VA 2014 Regionals
-Top 8 Blue Belle PC
-Currently in the mini NPA (Ecruteak Executioners)
Time Zone: EST
Tell Us About Yourself: I am a senior who enjoys the art of competitive VGC battling. I may have started this year in competitive battling but I am no push over and have gotten top 32 in every tournament I have played this year.
Accomplishments:
Play Pokémon Events:
2013 New England Spring Regionals (Seniors) 12th place (first regional)
2014 Philadelphia Fall Regionals (Seniors) 20th place
2014 Virginia Winter Regionals (Seniors) 12th place
2014 New England Spring Regionals (Seniors) 28th place
2014 Wilmington Premier Challenge 5/18/2014 (Seniors) 3rd place
2014 West Babylon Premier Challenge 6/1/2014 (Seniors) 1st place
2014 West Babylon Premier Challenge 6/8/2014 (Seniors) 1st place
2014 West Babylon Premier Challenge 6/14/2014 (Seniors) 1st place
Online Tournaments:
2014 North America May International Challenge (Seniors) 13th place
2014 North America June International Challenge (Seniors) 28th place
2014 No Mega Tournament (Nugget Bridge) Top 12
Timezone: EST
Tell us about yourself: I’ll be 16 years old by worlds. I’ve been playing Pokemon competitively since the end of 2010, and I really enjoy all of the experiences I’ve had playing and the people I’ve met in the community. I probably would not still be playing Pokemon if not for the competitive angle and the people, so thanks! I also play piano, various other games including League and Hearthstone, and I’m a strong Christian.
Notable accomplishments: 1st at the Newark 2011 Regionals (Seniors), 2nd at Nationals and 10th at Worlds 2012 (Seniors), 5th, 1st, and 2nd at Regionals and 13th at Worlds 2013 (Seniors). 1st in the 2nd Nugget Bridge Major, and holding a spot on the Castelia Cones last year
Timezone: GMT+1
Tell us about yourself: I’m the guy that might be better know for editing work rather then battling prowess really, but I’m signing up regardless of this. Call it pride but wanting to challenge the best of the best is probably the only thing that’s going to get me better overall. The field this year of players that is going to be phenomenal signing up but still am going to try and hoping to get in against all odds
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
1) I have Stroopwafels
2) read 1
3) something about a one time fluke regarding Throh and Aaron “Cybertron” Zheng
4) Top 16 in the first NB Major
Timezone: CET (Central European Time)
Tell us about yourself: 15 years old, I started playing competitive since 2011. I’m from Spain and I would like to play this tournament
Timezone: PST
Tell us about yourself: Been playing VGC for years. I run a successful youtube channel and frequently attend regionals.
Notable accomplishments VGC 2014: 19th place Pleasanton, California. Top 32 Longbeach, California. Top 8 San Bruno Premier Challenge.
I hold the number 1 spot on the Major League Gaming VGC ladder under the team Maximum Impulse Gaming.
I’m a very dedicated player who will put the time in and do everything it takes to win. If you want to play some practice games to test me out feel free to shoot me a message.
Timezone: EST
Tell us about yourself: I press the Dark Void button a lot.
Notable Accomplishments: 3rd best VGC Singles Player NA only behind Wolfe Glick and Verlisify.
Timezone: US Eastern
Tell us about yourself: I’ve played pokemon since RBY, and first started playing competitive singles a few years ago. I got into VGC about a year ago and attended my first two regionals this year (Orlando and Athens). When not playing pokemon I study marine biology at college.
Timezone: GMT
Tell us about yourself: Got back into pokemon late 2013 to start playing competitively for the first time. Not had any opportunity’s to accomplish anything as of yet
Timezone: US Arizona (either PST or MST depending on daylight savings)
Tell us about yourself:
Been playing since Pokemon came out in the US, still playing somehow. Experienced in singles and doubles in every format relating to those two. Strong singles player up to the end of Gen 3, primarily VGC doubles thereafter. Even if I couldn’t attend a tournament in a given year, always practiced and played online with those who did.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
This year:
6-3 Nationals
4-4? Utah Regionals 2014
T16 SoCal Winter Regional 2014
T32 Phoenix Regionals 2014
Historic beat finishes I can remember:
T32-64 or something SoCal Regionals 2013
3rd Phoenix Regionals 2010
Other random winnings at old Nintendo tournaments, PRA, GameStop tourneys, etc.
Timezone: EST (GMT -4:00?)
Tell us about yourself: I spend way too much time on the internet. I spend about 3 hours a day just working on VGC and Pokemon in general.
Timezone: Even though I’m living in England, I live on a EST schedule. Actually, I’m awake all the time.
Tell us about yourself: I travel a lot, and have a great team presence.
Notable accomplishments (Optional): Few sack races at school. Played in Worlds once.
Timezone: Eastern Standard Time
Tell us About Yourself: I’ve played the VG since Red/Blue. I’ve played competitive since Black/White. PS. Florida has the best players hands down.
Notable Accomplishments: Other than a few smaller tournaments and side event wins, I’ve spent time mentoring and teaching others how to play competitive battling for VGC. I will be involved at Worlds 14′, hopefully I can make a good statement for myself during the event.
Timezone: EST
Tell us about yourself:
My favorite anime is Guilty Crown. My Waifu is Inori Yuzuriha. Shokuhou Misaki is the best character in Index/Railgun. I hope Mikoto Misaka and all her clones die miserable deaths. Chris Yukine is the best girl in the Senki Zesshou Symphogear series, Hibiki is the worst girl. Nisekoi is by far the worst Anime that has ever existed. Kosaki Onondera is so grimer that making her a minority would make her better. Shingeki no Kyojin is the second worst anime that has ever existed.
I hate Smash players and don’t think Smash is or ever will be a legitimate eSport.
League of Legends is my favorite game. My favorite League of Legends champions are Anivia, Shyvana and Kha’Zix. I have 3 Ranked Pentakills with Kha’Zix. I finished season 3 with a Platinum 5 ranking. My favorite Pro League of Legends player is Henrik “Froggen” Hansen. I hate support but somehow I am undefeated with Nami in ranked. My KDA with Kha’Zix in Season 4 is 7.7/5.2/6.5 with 89 wins and 67 losses.
Kittens taste good.
I enjoy ripping out the spines of bad tournament organizers. I have a 1 month old niece named Chloe. I’m am half Taiwanese and half Honk Kongnese. I speak English, Chinese, some French and some Japanese
I go to Rochester Institute of Technology and study Computer Science. I want to work for NASA and design things that go into space. I also want to marry Nickscor’s younger sister and have beautiful children with her.
.
I hate jio. The password to AceofAcez10’s irc nickname is noscreensqq
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
I missed Worlds 2 years in a row.
At Virginia Regionals this year, I successfully stole the sign for Table 39 because it had a Haxorus on it and I like Haxorus. I would post a picture but I left it at college.
Timezone: EST/EDT
Tell us about yourself:
Hiya. I used to be grimer, but I think I’m alright now if I can say so myself. I think I have grown leaps and bounds as a player since last NPA. I take this game seriously like an athlete would take a sport. I’ll give it my all to help my team to victory. I would be honored to be on any of the teams, so please consider me for your team.
Notable accomplishments:
-1st place at 2014 Utah regional
-2nd place in the May international challenge (USA)
-Top 8 in the 3rd NB Major
-(Will update this after the NB Invitational tomorrow)
Timezone: Central (GMT -6)
Tell us about yourself: Three time worlds qualifier, played in both previous NPAs and every SPL with a VGC slot. My VGC 2014 season has been pretty dreadful from basically the moment it switched over to XY, but I continue to prioritize reliability and careful offense over gimmickry and that’s what carries the day in best of 3 regardless of format.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
Both NPA teams I was on have made the playoffs.
Timezone: EST
Tell us about yourself: 19 years old, started messing around with VGC in 2010, brought a gimmick to my first regional in 2012, and started playing for realz in 2013.
Notable Accomplishments
Timezone: CST
I’m Clayton. I’ve played Pokemon for awhile. I hate horses. No one knows I’m secretly Canadian. Dogs have four legs. Pizza is good.
I beat Scott with Dragonite once.
Draft me.
Timezone: Central
Tell us about yourself: I started playing in 2011. I think I’m pretty OK now. I hope to get drafted in the initial draft this time!
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
Timezone gmt
name Shaun James tysoe
achivements
London 4 champion
Manchester 4 4th place
finalist at 1 up vgc events 2011
semifinalist of spring Pokemon expert heats in london
round 1 uk vgc 2010
round 2 uk vgc 2011
round 3 Paris vgc 2011
round 1 uk vgc 2012
round 2 Paris vgc 2012
round 3 Italy vgc 2012
71st place in uk vgc 2013 6-3
German and Italy vgc came close to top cutting in vgc 2013
achived getting to the quarter finals and semi finals in nugget bridge tournments
won onm battle night 1
won Kent legends tournment
won 8 person singles uu tournment
semi finalist in my vgc 2013 champions league cup
won several small tournments some of them my own some tblakey 89 vgc tournments on v europe
won sexist man alive 2000-2014
2nd in recent Southend tournment
reasons you should pick me because you can never expect what im going to fo ive been in great form as yet and i feel i have something to prove ill win your must win games for you you can count on that
Timezone: CET (Central European Time)
Tell us about yourself: Been playing competitive Pokémon 4 years ago. Been playing VGC since the end of 2013 season
Notable accomplishments (Optional): accomplishments of this season:
6th place International Challenge May, Europe Master division
1st in the Showdown VGC14 Ladder with 3 alts
Timezone: EST
i throw cards and watch boku
accomplishments: i got second in an 8 man PO tourney some time in 2012
PM me if you want a try out for the team that’s going to win this year. Losers dont apply. Looking for people with potential who will work hard to become better players. If you see me at worlds and want to be on my team, letting me know who you are wouldn’t hurt.
Timezone: GMT
Tell us about yourself:
I started playing Pokémon this year, I’m pretty good. Also pretty.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
Top cut all 3 nationals I’ve played in
Qualified for worlds
Part of the illuminati
Timezone: CET, GMT +1
Tell us about yourself: I’ve been playing competitive Pokémon since July 2011, but i started playing VGC (seriously) since the Italian VGC 2014 (June 2014)
Notable accomplishments (Optional): Not so much accomplishments for VGC, but i reached the 9th place after the swiss of the Italian VGC of this year but i closed 18th after the topcut.
Timezone: EST
Tell us about yourself: I started playing competitive VGC, this year with the advent of X and Y. Sadly I was not able to attend any live events this season but I definitely plan on doing so in the future. I often will go on the NB forums to try to help newer players or contribute my two cents on other topics. When playing I like to mess around with underused Pokemon and find uses for them. My favorite Pokemon are Gyarados, Aeigslash and Archeops.
Notable accomplishments: According to the June IC, I was 450th in the world and 114th in the US. I doubt this is really notable.