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: EST
Tell Us About Yourself: this player is a shadow,hiding in the darkness.there is not much information about this guy,except that it is a boy.
Notable Accomplishments: Popularized the exclamation, “Prodigious!” Invented the Cha-Cha Slide. Once unsuccessfully tried to perform the fusion dance with a friend. Still rollerblades to and from work sometimes. Author of the first ever Harry Potter fanfic that included the once-unknown “Blue Quaffle” fetish.
Timezone: GMT
Tell us about yourself: I’m a 24 y/o maths PhD student at Warwick University (in the UK). I’ve been playing Pokemon since RBY, and played competitive singles for a while around 2008-2009. I had never heard of VGC (and indeed never played a doubles match vs a human opponent) until around 10 days before the Manchester national this year, which I decided to go to on a whim. Surprisingly, I made cut and finished top 32. A week later, I went 6-3 in swiss in Milan, just missing top cut.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
Top 32 in UK Nationals 2014
2nd in Swiss in the final NB Circuit event this season (eventually finished 3rd overall)
Timezone: CST
Tell us about yourself: I have been playing VGC since 2011 and I started in juniors. I have a very good amount of pokemon to help people with. I have an invite for worlds.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
4th and 5th at two regionals and 34th at nationals 2014. I was also able to make about $200 from winning side events at worlds 2013.
Timezone:Central time zone
Tell us about your self: I have been playing Pokemon since I was a kid. I have been competitive since VGC spring regionals 2012 and I have been a lot of fun doing this.
Notable Accomplishments:
10th place VGC spring regionals 2012
9th place VGC spring regionals 2014
Is Avatar: the Last Airbender a good anime?
Timezone: US Mountain Daylight TIme
Tell us about yourself: Been playing Pokemon since last year. I travel to regionals with my brother Cody and have tons of fun.
Notable Accomplishments (Optional): 5th at Utah Regionals 2014, going undefeated in Swiss.
Timezone: CET / GMT + 2 (Spain)
Tell us about yourself: I think my accomplishments talk for myself better than me. I have a huge knowledge about the game and sometimes that hurts me when building teams because I see every Pokémon as a threat, because I think almost every Pokemon can be a huge threat if used properly. Last year I was a member of the Holy Spirits,sadly I didn’t manage to be active enough but some may remember a live streaming of one of the rounds where I won using Serperior and Blaziken as the core of my team. You know, Serperior is superior. This year I’ve been more dedicated to the game because I’ve been less busy but I haven’t qualified for worlds missing top cut at UK by tiebreakers. Anyways, I promise no activity issues this year.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
– Top 4 French Nats 2009 (Paris)
– Top 4 French Nats 2011 (Paris)
– Top 4 Spanish Nats 2012
– 3rd Worlds 2012 (Hawaii)
– 2nd UK Nats 2013 (Birmingham)
Timezone: Eastern USA
Tell us about yourself: My name is Jon I like to remind players that we play these games to have fun and that it’s ok to not be the absolute best. I’m a Graphic Designer (how can I help make some logos for the other teams?) and a Apple technician.
Notable accomplishments: I have the longest beard in the entire Pokemon community.
Time Zone: EST (Michigan,USA)
Tell Us About Yourself: HS junior. Been obsessed with Pokemon my entire life, played TCG a long time in the Senior Division. Just picked up VGC in January and have loved it since. I do my research and read a lot of articles/watch a lot of battle videos.
Notable Accomplishments: none yet due to my inability to attend any events. I plan to really establish myself in the VGC community this upcoming VGC15 season and I think this is a great start. Upon request, I’d be willing to send an article showing the managers my team building process, a few battle videos, and a lot of reasons why they should pick someone with a very small VGC resume but with a lot of potential.
Timezone: Central European Time
Tell us about yourself: I’ve been playing Pokémon competitive since 2009 and started playing VGC serious in 2013. I’ve won all online team tournaments in the german community (4 times in a row), so I think even if I’m not as good as the most people here, I’m still a very nice and chilly teammate to have. I’m pretty good with Photoshop (topic: http://nuggetbridge.com/forums/topic/5914-solart-graphical-effects/). I’m in the Pokedudes^^ (PD^^)-crew with 13Yoshi37, Massi, Bjart and ToasT. Also, my girlfriend beat Deku this year at the german Nats.
Notable Accomplishments: German Nats Top32 (lost to Lajo and DaFlo)
Timezone: Central
Tell us about yourself: I’ve played since 2011 and would consider myself a creative team builder. I’ve been know to hang out with “Ya Boy” Logan Yellowbox Castro and have picked up numerous tips on how he obtains his stylish hair.
Notable accomplishments (Optional): Top 8 in Dodrio Cup, Top 8 2014 Nationals Multi-Battle Tournament.
Timezone: PST (west coast best coast)
Tell Us About Yourself: I’m Gabby. I play pokemon, a lot. I program, not as much as I should (I made this External External). I bring my trusty partner Arthur with me to Pokemon events everywhere, much to the dismay of a certain Chalkey.
In terms of what I want to accomplish by entering the NPA, I want to get better at battling/prediction. I also want to get into the habit of streaming more. I have a capture card and plan on recording/commentating/uploading my matches (and would be more than happy to do so for the rest of the team).
Notable Accomplishments:
External
ME TOO!!!
Timezone: GMT +10 (AEST)
Tell us about yourself: I’m new VGC player only competitively starting to play in February this year. I am Senior (with next year as a senior as well) and I have become friends with a lot of people online who have helped me become better. Although I might not be the best player, I have been pretty active.
Notable accomplishments (Optional): 1st Place Sydney Regional Championships 2014, Top 4 Australian National Championships 2014, (Worlds 2014?)
Timezone: Best Coast
Tell us about yourself: I am very good at losing to strong pokemon like Murkrow, Cinccino, Primeape, Scarf Gyarados, Torterra and Samurott
Notable Accomplishments: I lead Enfuego to his first National Championship
another npa another high quality pookar team name down the drain
Timezone: EST (NY/NJ)
Tell us about yourself: my name is christopher and i play pokemon sometimes on the internet
Notable accomplishments (Optional): ill post some but they arent notable LOL
84th 2014 us nationals
top 32 worlds LCQ 2013
5-3 – every regional ive ever gone to (except va 2014)
ok whatever
Timezone: GMT (BST)
Tell us about yourself: I’m young, fashionable and extremely rich, with a keen interest in cycling and a large stock of vitamins. But enough about my character in game, you want to know the man behind it!
My real name is Nigel, 24, and I’m a Masters’ graduate in Finance, Investment and Risk from the Uni of Kent. a keen Pool and Snooker player as well as playing Pokémon on a casual level since the first generation. I’ve only truly got into the competitive scene just under a year ago with X and Y, and I am looking to progress further. I’m a pretty consistent player, very dedicated and reliable in terms of keeping arrangements, and I am always willing to battle in my free time to learn and improve in any way. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a whole host of individuals online and in person.
Notable accomplishments (Optional): 5-3 Nugget Bridge Major 3, 5-3 UK Nationals 2014, 22nd on the Nugget Bridge Circuit this season, of which my best result was 5th in the final live of the season after top-seeding the swiss stage.
Outside of this, I have also played in various team sports, including a quarter-final and semi-final in British Universities Championships for Sport at Pool in the team championships in consecutive years (2011-12).
As a final note, having played as part of a team, I know that the team lives and dies by its chemistry, camaraderie and cohesion. These three attributes are something that I intend to bring to any team that drafts me.
Timezone: EST
Tell us about yourself: I’m a judge but I still like to play! Played R/B all the way up to present, although I only competed during the B/W and B/W2
Era as a player. Wishing that I’ll get drafted so I can hang out with folks on a team
Notable Accomplishments:
6-2 at VA regionals 2013 (Loss to Ray, Win against Wolfe)
US Nationals Judge 2013, 2014
World Championships Judge 2013, 2014
Timezone: GMT +8:00
Tell us about yourself: I play Pokemon since RBY, but I didn’t play competitive much. I like building my team with exotic pokemons.
Notable accomplishments (Optional): None
While the beginning of last season left a bitter taste in the mouths of Cone fans (thanks for nothing, Darnell) I am dedicated to bring the sweet taste of victory to the city of Castelia. I cone feel the excitement of the fans already! Cone you?
Now you’re probably wondering, how can I Cone? Players interested in playing for the cones should submit to me a couple of replays or battle videos for me to check out or try to catch me in #canicone to chat. I’m willing to take a look at every player (except Zubat).
Don’t forget! The assets obtained in thishttp://nuggetbridge.com/forums/topic/2289-npa-week-3/?p go into making the creamiest and most delicious cones. Castelia City, Cone by and see us some time!
Time zone:EST
About myself: ummmm
Hi
Hope you know me and like my work
Nuff said
Notable accomplishments: I finished at 13th at cp before nationals but placed 11 at nationals putting me at 8th and into wolrds :3333
List of stuff ive used before…?
External
Timezone: CHST (GMT +10)
Tell us about yourself: I enjoy mons. I hate the RMT section. I used to sell luxury goods to tourists (slowpoke tail $$$). I’m from Guam.
Notable accomplishments: I’ve sold a $2,500 bottle of alcohol to a china man. Tourists also tell me I’m kawaii and sugoi
Timezone: EDT GMT -4
Tell us about yourself: 2014 was my first season playing Pokemon VGC competitively. I dabbled in VGC in 2012 & 2013 however; was unable to devote any amount of time due to playing TCG. I finished with 166 Championship Points for the 2014 Season, placing me at 60th overall in North America and a ELO of 1744.77. I’m looking to make a splash in the NPA, hoping to bring both a dedicated and skillful player to any team.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
2014 Season:
-Top 8 St. Charles, MO Regionals
-Top 32 Virginia Regionals
-Top 32 Fort Wayne Regionals
-Top 128 U.S. Nationals
-Top 4 Premier Challenge x2
-Placed 60th in CP for North America 2014 – 165 CP
-1744.77 ELO for 2014 Season
Timezone: GMT +2 (Residence: Finland)
Tell us about yourself: A trainer who has had interested towards the VGC scene since Wolfe Glick’s and Ray Rizzo’s World Finals matches, and ever since I’ve been trying to get myself into a Nationals over here in Europe, however as UK, Germany or even Italy aren’t right behind the corner, I haven’t had the privilege to participate in an official VGC Tournament, which is a bit of a shame on my behalf.
However, I am an excellent player of an early metagame, as I tend to create strategies and teams which don’t really rely on counter-teaming common maneuvers, but instead focus on it’s own goals, whether it would be stalling out Perish Song, diminishing the opponent with stat lowering moves, or taking them out in big decisive blows, so I like to have a trick or two in my sleeve.
However, I do acknowledge that I still have a lot of things I need to learn about VGC, which is why I want to keep an open mind when it comes to receiving advice from other people.
I study in a high-school and in a business school at the same time, and I’m looking forward on starting a business of my own after few years of studying economics and accounting.
As for my hobbies, I do enjoy narrating Pokémon battles and posting them onto YouTube, while also driving with a motorcycle during the summer.
Notable accomplishments:
The best trainer of the entirety of the Nordic Countries on the Special ladder during the Season 2
– Beat Massi during that timeframe
– Higher up on the ladder than Aaron Zheng or Wolfe Glick
Top 128 in International Challenge June
The 2nd Best Trainer in Europe on Battle of Legends, four-way tie on 77th place.
Timezone: mst
Tell us about yourself:
male
19
colorado
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
I win meaningless pokemon showdown tournaments.
Timezone: EST
Tell us about: I’m an avid VGC player and I’m forced to sleep in the same bed as a worlds qualifier every event even though I’m better than him. I love to play games and practice baseball in my freetime and help people create teams and EV spreads. People kind of respect me to even look at the direction I’m facing. I also have sexy flowing locks. I’m also searching for a bigger blacker Bisharp.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
Seniors 2013 – Top 16 at Ft Wayne Regionals
Masters 2014 – Top 8 at Ft Wayne Regionals
Masters 2014 – Top 32 at Virginia Regionals
Masters 2014 – Top 16 at Massachusetts Regionals
I also created the joke District 12 inch and I’m always flawless before the lunch break.
Timezone: 10+ GMT (AEST) Because you know you love ‘Straya
Tell us about yourself:
I’ve been playing Pokémon competitively since 2012 (despite this being in singles) and garnered a pretty strong presence within the Smogon community. However, I’ve only migrated to VGC this year (after the lovely chaps on Smogon began “balancing” the metagame *shudder*) and will become a Master in the 2015 season. I don’t have a lot of honours and titles, but I’m very knowledgeable on game mechanics, finding my win conditions, yadayadayada. Also, I don’t think timezones will be an issue as I’m not generally huge on sleeping at night.
Notable Accomplishments:
-I sat through an Adam Sandler movie marathon at a friend’s house once. Surely, that counts for something? Otherwise, none as I’ve haven’t been able to go to an event
If you’d like to prove that you’re an elite player, feel free to join me on IRC in the #EverGrandeElite channel. I’d like you to try to come with a team prepared that you’ve worked on for a bit, and I’d also like you to bring one you made recently. Be ready to explain your thoughts on your team and explain your move choices.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to me without coming to the channel, you can message me here on Nuggetbridge.
Just understand that the Elite can be a bit elitist because we’re better than the other teams. It’s just a natural thing.
Timezone: GMT + 10 (AEST)
Tell us about yourself: First year playing VGC, spent the past 2 generations playing OU. Part-time student, part-time volunteer at the local hospital with the remainder spent enjoying life in a small coastal town.
Notable accomplishments (Optional):
VGC 2014 Melbourne Regionals: Top 16 Finish (Bo3 Single Elimination, 250+ Masters)
2014 International Challenge May: 1732 (245th World, 2nd in Australia)
Attended Australian Nationals but left early in order to make my train home (it was a choice between the last 3 rounds of Swiss or making my shift the next morning, chose the latter).
Timezone: GMT-7 (Montana)
Tell us about yourself: College student, Martial arts instructor, Pokemon veteran since RBY. Got competitive towards the end of 2012 and picked up VGC shortly after the announcement of X and Y.
Notable Accomplishments: Nugget Bridge Major 3 4-4.
61/210 April 2014 Seattle Regional (5-3)
*First match lost was Round 5 to http://nuggetbridge.com/forums/user/159-chinese-dood/