How does it feel to be regarded as one of the top Pokemon players?
It feels funny, to be honest – what makes a “top” player, anyways? Is it for what that person has done in the past? What’s been done recently? What his or her legacy in the game will be? I ask that members be skeptical when someone tells them that “X is a great player” – you can only make that decision on your own merits.
However, I take great pride and appreciation in being considered such a player. It took me a very long time before I knew that competitive playing was what I wanted to do; I first started out as a collector during the “glory days” of the original 151, and then became a casual league player for several years later. Eventually I found my way to a STS (“Super Trainer Showdown”) qualifier event, and…Found myself trounced very quickly.
That spark set me off into wanting to get better, so by the time Nintendo took over back in 2003, I knew that I wanted to not just get “decent” at this game, but “great.”
How much do you typically play test before a tournament?
My play testing is somewhat dependent on the level of the event I’m preparing for. For example, I am more inclined to test heavily for State/Regional/Provincial events, Regionals, Nationals, and Worlds, but I will not work as hard for City Championships, and I may not even work at all in preparing for Battle Roads.
However, I am constantly play-testing, even if it’s not for a particular event. I find that keeping fresh with the game at all stages in a season is critical to your success, even if you aren’t going to any tournaments. (I didn’t go to any Battle Roads this fall of 2010, yet I still play at least a few games a day!)
What do you like to do when you’re not playing Pokemon?
Hang out with friends, stay involved with my college campus, write, read, play video games every now and then, and watch a few select TV programs (Food Network’s “Chopped” and the anime “One Piece” are among my favorites).
Do you play the video games or watch the anime?
I casually play the video games, and I almost never watch the anime. Who writes that crap???
Do you think the Pokemon TCG is more skill or luck based?
Skill based, definitely. Pokemon TCG is one of the most challenging games out there right now, due to both the complex in-game scenarios and deep metagaming. Luck is nevertheless a crucial element, but in Pokemon, you’re given many tools to help you maximize your odds.
Do you play Unlimited?
Rarely. I played relatively heavily back in 2008, but now I just carefully monitor its development with each new set. I think that if Play! Pokemon gave it the thought, and was willing to place certain cards on a “banned” or “restricted” list, they could construct a very entertaining Unlimited format. If there is enough interest in unlimited from Underground membership, I might even write an article on this format in the future.
Who is your favorite person to play against?
I’ve had a variety of “favorite” people to play against over the years – people you’d be unfamiliar with, such as my older brother Billy. Out of my fellow writers, Jason Chen is probably my favorite for two reasons: first, he’s not shy about testing with or against anything unusual; second, he makes trash talk an art form. ;)
What is your favorite Pokemon TCG site?
Heytrainer.org, a small message board ran by yours truly. HeyTrainer offers several nice contrast to big boards like Pokebeach and Pokegym: it is less restrictive on what people say (thus producing better deck content/more diverse general topic discussion), has an unusually high skill curve for its members, and fosters a really great community. My only advice would be to tread carefully if you’re a minor – there’s some pretty offensive content on there, especially in the ways of cursing and images.
Do you have any special talents other than being a top-notch Pokemon player?
I play a variety of musical instruments (euphonium, harmonica, piano), frequently engaged/engage in public speaking events, and am very passionate about writing. I also like setting poodles on fire. (Just kidding on that last one!)
Do you play any TCG or CCG besides Pokemon?
Other than the occasional pickup game of Magic: The Gathering, I don’t play anything else but Pokemon! I don’t play Yu-Gi-Oh at all, so if you’re looking to obliterate me with Exodia, then you’re out of luck.
What is your favorite deck to play?
Of all time? Probably Ludicolo Deoxys/Magcargo Deoxys during the 2005/2006 tournament season. It operated much like Jumpluff does now, but the main difference was that you could effectively search out any card you wanted to via Magcargo’s Smooth Over (rig the top card of your deck) and Ludicolo’s Swing Dance (“draw a card”). Due to this ability to constantly search out cards, and due to the insane variety of tech Trainer/Energy Cards in that format, it was a much more challenging deck to win with than Jumpluff ever was, is, or will be.
Since I skipped Battle Roads in favor of studying for the LSAT (Law School Admittance Test), my favorite decks to play have just been quirky things. In particular, I’ve had a lot of fun messing around with unusual Vileplume concepts, such as: Gliscor/Gliscor LV.X Legends Awakened; Flygon Rising Rivals; Machamp Stormfront; and even Victreebel Legends Awakened. Obviously, though, the most competitive deck I’ve used is Luxchomp.
In 2 years, do you plan to still be playing the Pokemon TCG?
Like all addictions, the junkie says he’ll quit, but he keeps coming back for more…Do we play the Pokemon TCG, or does it play us?
