Round 2 of the Smogon Tournament-JesiahTEG vs Blue Kirby
It’s Sunday, February 3rd, 11:00 P.M. (1 hour away from the deadline) I finally get in contact with Blue Kirby. I mentally prepare myself for my round 2 match of the Smogon Tournament by going over a few things in my head.
1. I always like to remind myself of how comfortable I am with my team. I know what to do in almost every situation, and I’m never worried about facing anything I’ve never fought against before.
2. I don’t know much about Blue Kirby, but what I do know is that he frequents Shoddy Battle, meaning I’ll probably see some things in his playstyle that reflect his practice on Shoddy.
3. I know I have a chance of winning this tournament. I don’t want to lose in round.
4. If I can beat Blue Kirby, I think I’ll have some easier matches for a while.
JesiahTEG vs Blue Kirby- Commence!
Rules: Evasion Clause, Freeze Clause, OHKO Clause, Sleep Clause, Species Clause, Strict Damage Clause, Timed Battle
Go Gyarados!
JesiahTEG sent out Gyarados (lvl 100 Gyarados ?).
Blue Kirby sent out Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
Gyarados's intimidate cut Infernape's attack!
Hmm…I’m a little confused to be honest. I really want to attack this thing, deal some damage. However, I know those crazy Shoddy people are running Scarf leads nowadays. Scarf Thunderpunch wouldn’t suit Gyarados very well. I decide to switch to something that can take a hit from Infernape. You’re never safe switching into Infernape, but I decide to send in Salamence to intimidate it.
JesiahTEG switched in Salamence (lvl 100 Salamence ?).
Salamence's intimidate cut Infernape's attack!
Blue Kirby switched in Celebi (lvl 100 Celebi).
Cool, Salamence is out safely. I remember a little trick I played in my first round match, Brick Breaking first turn with Salamence in order to hit the incoming Blissey. It’s risky, it really is, since Brick Break generally isn’t strong, and if Cresselia comes in it won’t do anything. I decide to try it anyways, as the reward for hitting Blissey will put me at a big advantage early game.
Salamence used Brick Break.
It's not very effective...
Celebi lost 9% of its health.
Salamence lost 10% of its health.
Celebi used Thunder Wave.
Salamence is paralysed! It may be unable to move!
Celebi's leftovers restored its health a little!
Celebi restored 6% of its health.
Agh, great. Salamence is paralyzed. Well Mence doesn’t really outspeed anything anyways, so right now I’m just hoping that Paralysis doesn’t kick in at any important time. Paralysis actually really hurts my team, since I use a team of 6 offensive Pokemon. Blue Kirby must not know what I was thinking when I used Brick Break. I’m expecting a leech seed, so I’ll Fire Blast in hopes of crippling his Celebi.
Celebi used Thunder Wave.
But it failed!
Salamence used Fire Blast.
It's super effective!
Celebi lost 81% of its health.
Salamence lost 10% of its health.
Celebi's leftovers restored its health a little!
Celebi restored 6% of its health.
Awesome, 81%, nice job Salamence. Now, my next move is carefully planned out. I’ve used 2 of Salamence’s moves, so in order to stay unpredictable, I can’t use Brick Break or Fire Blast. That leaves me with Draco Meteor and Stone Edge. Stone Edge won’t kill Celebi if it stays in…But it could give me a chance of killing an incoming Gyara. Gyara resists both Fire Blast and Brick Break, so by Stone Edging I could deal a lot of damage to an incoming Gyara. On the other hand, if it’s not a Gyarados coming in, Stone Edge probably won’t help me at all. Draco Meteor will not only kill Celebi after it heals, but will also dent whatever else comes in, even if it is a Gyarados. So to stay unpredictable and also choose the safest attacking option…Salamence, Draco Meteor!
Blue Kirby switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Salamence is paralysed! It can't move!
Argh! I could have OHKO’d Garchomp! Killing Garchomp early would solve soooo many problems for any team! Oh man, I didn’t even think about paralysis kicking in. Normally I factor these things into my gameplan. Luck, hax, paralysis etc. I completely forgot though. I missed a huge opportunity there. I’m not really liking my position right now. I have to recover from my missed opportunity. I’ll switch in Gyarados and see what happens.
---
JesiahTEG switched in Gyarados (lvl 100 Gyarados ?).
Gyarados's intimidate cut Garchomp's attack!
Garchomp used Substitute.
Garchomp lost 25% of its health.
Garchomp made a substitute!
Umm…Ok. I’m not really in that much trouble here…Or am I? I play a risky Gyarados, running Aqua Tail and Stone Edge. If I miss with one of those, Gyara dies and Garchomp is still behind his sub…This battle could be pretty much over. I think for about 10 seconds about my options, this time factoring in the possibility of Gyarados missing an Aqua Tail. I decide to attack, with a back up plan in mind. If Gyarados misses and dies and Chomp is still behind his sub, I’ll send in my own Chomp who is faster to break his sub, sacrificing my chomp. Then I’ll send in Infernape, who is faster than my opponent’s Chomp and Close Combat him to death. Gyarados, Aqua Tail!
Garchomp used Swords Dance.
Garchomp's attack was sharply raised.
Gyarados used Aqua Tail.
The substitute took damage for Garchomp!
Garchomp's substitute faded!
Nice, now do it again Gyara.
---
SwordsDance has entered the room.
Ah, my friend Stranger Danger’s here. He told me he was coming, so it comes as no surprise.
Garchomp used Substitute.
Garchomp lost 25% of its health.
Garchomp made a substitute!
Gyarados used Aqua Tail.
The substitute took damage for Garchomp!
Garchomp's substitute faded!
Yeah, Gyara’s not having any of that.
Garchomp used Outrage.
Garchomp went on a rampage!
Gyarados lost 100% of its health.
JesiahTEG's Gyarados fainted.
1-0 Blue Kirby
Wow, did he just do that? Ok, so all of that worry was really for just a trade off…My Gyara for his Garchomp. That’s basically what he just did.
JesiahTEG switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Garchomp used Dragon Claw.
It's super effective!
Garchomp lost 50% of its health.
Blue Kirby's Garchomp fainted.
1-1 Tie
A while ago, I made the decision to put Dragon Claw on my Garchomp. I use Dragon Claw and Outrage, to many people’s disbelief. By running Dragon Claw, I can revenge kill without getting locked into Outrage. Outrage can sweep. That decision proves to be handy right now. Let’s see what comes in to kill Garchomp now…
Blue Kirby switched in Gengar (lvl 100 Gengar ?).
I see Gengar, and take a minute to think. Remembering that Blue Kirby frequents Shoddy, I’m assuming he’s running a crappy Scarf Gengar. To be completely honest, I don’t want to leave Garchomp in. I’ll run from Hidden Power Ice, and send in Metagross.
JesiahTEG switched in Metagross (lvl 100 Metagross).
Gengar used Hidden Power.
It's not very effective...
Metagross lost 15% of its health.
Now, nobody wants to take a CB Meteor Mash from an Adamant Max Attack Metagross, so I know hands down he’s going to switch. Metagross is just bait for Steels, so in order to put myself at an advantage and punish his switch, I’m double switching Infernape in.
Espeon-X has entered the room.
Hmm…A spectator. A little pressure, but nothing too big.
JesiahTEG switched in Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
Blue Kirby switched in Bronzong (lvl 100 Bronzong).
Great, I LOVE this position. My Infernape has OHKO’d every Bronzong it’s ever faced, and it’s about to add another one to it’s record. Now, I am thinking about the possibility of a miss right now, but I’m at such an advantage right now, the reward is worth the risk. I’m about 95% sure that Infernape just netted me a kill. Infernape, Overheat!
Infernape used Overheat.
Infernape's attack missed!
Bronzong used Explosion.
Infernape lost 100% of its health.
JesiahTEG's Infernape fainted.
Blue Kirby's Bronzong fainted.
2-2 Tie
Wow. This is not good at all. First Mence is paralyzed, missing me an OHKO, then Infernape misses his Overheat and pays with 100% of his health. I’m feeling like I’m at a disadvantage right now, and I’m in a tricky position to win the match. On the other hand, I just killed a Steel, meaning there is a possibility that Metagross can freely throw out Meteor Mashes for the rest of the match, which could potentially net me the win. When 2 Pokemon die at the same time and I have to choose a Pokemon to send out…I always send out Garchomp. Go, Garchomp.
Blue Kirby: O_O
JesiahTEG switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Blue Kirby switched in Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
Oooh, nice Matchup. I have a bit of logic behind Dragon Clawing here. First, I know it’ll KO just as easily as Earthquake, so there’s no point in EQ’ing, and risking Gengar coming in. I don’t want to be locked into Outrage just yet, as he could still have a Dragon counter to revenge kill me with. Lastly, by using Dragon Claw, I’ll be able to scout for any other Steels my opponent may have. I’m really keeping my eye out for Steels here, as they are the only thing that’s stopping Metagross from victory.
Blue Kirby switched in Gengar (lvl 100 Gengar ?).
Garchomp used Dragon Claw.
Gengar lost 76% of its health.
Ugh how annoying. I really am still confused as to how I’m gonna deal with this thing. But…No Steels…Metagross…Meteor Mash…Death to Blue Kirby…^_^
JesiahTEG switched in Metagross (lvl 100 Metagross).
Gengar used Hidden Power.
It's not very effective...
Metagross lost 15% of its health.
Wow, spamming Ice? The final test to determine whether or not Metagross will kill my opponent’s team… Metagross, Meteor Mash!
Blue Kirby switched in Celebi (lvl 100 Celebi).
Metagross used Meteor Mash.
Celebi lost 22% of its health.
Blue Kirby's Celebi fainted.
3-2 JesiahTEG
Yes! He has no one to switch into my Metagross anymore. Now, if we take a minute to pause and look at what’s going on in the match right now…We have ourselves a very interesting game. He has nothing that can switch into my Metagross, but he can revenge kill it with Infernape. I have nothing that can switch into Infernape, but I can revenge kill his Infernape with Garchomp. We both counter each other, and it’s a close game. Now, here’s my second mistake of the match. I should have known that Blue Kirby was going to make a prediction. He’s messed up twice with his Gengar, HP Ice’ing on my Metagross and wasting his turns, so I should have known he was going to make a prediction. If I had just stayed in, I could have killed his Infernape…However, at the time I didn’t want to risk Metagross, so I decided to sacrifice Salamence.
Blue Kirby switched in Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
JesiahTEG switched in Salamence (lvl 100 Salamence ?).
Salamence's intimidate cut Infernape's attack!
Infernape used Hidden Power.
It's super effective!
Salamence lost 80% of its health.
JesiahTEG's Salamence fainted.
Infernape lost 10% of its health.
3-3 Tie
Now Garchomp is out vs Infernape. This is Garchomp’s 3rd time entering the field. I’m a little stuck on what to do. If I Dragon Claw, I kill his Infernape but get revenge killed by Gengar. However, I could switch my Tyranitar into his HP Ice from Gengar after I kill his Infernape. That would take care of my Gengar problem…But do you think he’d randomly Focus Blast? I kinda wanna stay unpredictable, so I’m thinking about EQ’ing also. The match is close…It could go either way…Hmm…Time to think about some advice given to me a while ago. Mia-“Jesse, just assume everyone you’re playing is an idiot, and let them kill themselves.” This advice always helps me when I’m stuck…But how will it help me now? Think Jesse…What would an idiot do…Think…Think…Think…About 30 seconds go by, and I’m desperately trying to think of what in idiot would do…Think…Think…That’s it! It’s risky, but it’s worth a shot. I remember a while ago seeing an RMT somewhere, and the Trainer that created the thread explained that his Scarf Gengar’s EV’s were set to outspeed Adamant Garchomp, and I just thought to myself, “What an idiot. If you’re going to sacrifice Gengar’s amazing Special Attack, at least make sure it outspeeds everything, not just some things with specific natures.” I feel it’s safe to Outrage now, so go…Garchomp…Outrage!
JesiahTEG switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Garchomp used Outrage.
Garchomp went on a rampage!
Infernape lost 90% of its health.
Blue Kirby's Infernape fainted.
4-3 JesiahTEG
1 down…
Here it comes…Will Mia’s advice prove to be true?
Blue Kirby switched in Gengar (lvl 100 Gengar ?).
Garchomp used Outrage.
Gengar lost 24% of its health.
Blue Kirby's Gengar fainted.
Garchomp's rampage ended.
Garchomp became confused!
5-3 JesiahTEG
Yes! That advice never fails me! Should be smooth sailing from here.
---
Blue Kirby: whoa
Blue Kirby: 499 speed
Blue Kirby switched in Tyranitar (lvl 100 Tyranitar ?).
Tyranitar's Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!
A sandstorm brewed!
Uh oh, Tyranitar. I have 3 Pokemon left now…Tyranitar, Metagross, Garchomp…Now, I know what you’re going to think. You’re going to think I’m an idiot after you see this next move. I was just so happy about killing Gengar that I completely lost it, and made the stupidest move next.
JesiahTEG switched in Metagross (lvl 100 Metagross).
Tyranitar used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Metagross lost 71% of its health.
JesiahTEG's Metagross fainted.
The sandstorm rages.
5-4 JesiahTEG
I sacrificed Metagross…Who would have easily OHKO’d his Tyranitar. Wow. Now all I have left is Garchomp and Tyranitar. My Tyranitar can’t do anything to his, so this match is now Garchomp vs Tyranitar. Ugh I should have sacrificed my own Tyranitar. What an idiot I am! Mia’s advice seems to be backfiring on me now! I take a few seconds to calm down, and think about my next move carefully. I have to send in Garchomp and EQ. It’s my only hopes of winning this match. I’m about to send Garchomp in, but I look at the clock and see I have around 3 minutes left. Since I have so much time, and it’s late game, I decide to take some more time and think. The more I think, the more comfortable I feel. Stab EQ from Garchomp hitting for Super Effective? Ttar shouldn’t be able to live that…And even if it does, Garchomp is in a Sandstorm now, giving me a chance to dodge an attack. Yeah, I’m confident now, so I finally send in my Garchomp to end this match.
JesiahTEG switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Garchomp used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Tyranitar lost 98% of its health.
You have got…To be kidding me…Hmm…It’s not over yet though. I know I still have a chance to dodge an attack, and even if I don’t dodge it, my Tyranitar is probably faster than his CB Tar, and he only has 2 health left. I feel I’ve won this game.
Tyranitar used Earthquake.
Tyranitar's attack missed!
The sandstorm rages.
Phew, I factored luck into my gameplan and it turned out to work quite well. Time to finish this.
---
SwordsDance: 0.0
Blue Kirby: ack
Garchomp used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Tyranitar lost 2% of its health.
Blue Kirby's Tyranitar fainted.
JesiahTEG wins!
6-4 JesiahTEG
Blue Kirby: wasted my chomp too early
Blue Kirby: gg
SwordsDance: GG, guys
JesiahTEG: gg man
SwordsDance: about as close as i thought it'd be!
SwordsDance has left the room.
Espeon-X has left the room.
Wow, what an intense battle. Blue Kirby’s Shoddy experience definitely showed in this match…But it also may have been the downfall of him. I was able to develop some on the spot quick strats with that piece of info; that he plays on Shoddy a lot. The match was very close, however I feel I played better than Blue Kirby, and deserve the win.
Recap
Early Game
Early game was spent kinda messing around with each other. A switch on the first turn, a mistake by me, (Brick Breaking) A mistake by him, (T-Waving again, and taking 80% from Fire Blast) then a free switch in due to paralysis. That OHKO on Garchomp would have helped a lot, but the paralysis kicked in. Props to Blue Kirby for staying in and paralyzing. Early game ended with his Garchomp killing my Gyarados, and then getting revenge killed by my Garchomp, resulting in a 1-1 tie.
Mid Game
Mid game started off very well for me. Metagross came in on Gengar’s HP Ice, and baited out Bronzong for Infernape to OHKO. (We did the calcs after the match, it has a very good chance of OHKO’ing.) Unfortunately, Infernape missed, which was a huge upset for me. Infernape is one of my main attackers, and both my first game and this game he really hasn’t done much. I consider myself probably the best Infernape user out there, but lately he hasn’t done much. Mid game quickly came to a 2-2 tie. After that, Metagross killed Celebi and his Infernape killed my Salamence. I was pretty happy to know that he couldn’t stop Metagross.
Late Game
Garchomp came in late game and Outraged, killing both Infernape and Gengar. I messed up by sacrificing Metagross, but Garchomp came back to dodge an Earthquake and score the 2hko on Blue Kirby’s last Pokemon, Tyranitar.
Pros
- My team played against another mainly offensive team and won. I’ve now played vs a Stall Team, and an all offensive team in a tournament, and managed to beat both with my team.
- I knew it, Scarf Gengar sucks.
- I overcame 2 huge hax, both of which prevented two of his Pokemon from dying. Missing 2 OHKO’s with an all offensive team isn’t good.
- Mia’s advice once again proves to be gold.
- Garchomp killed 4 Pokemon, proving that he’s still one of the best, if not the best OU Pokemon.
Cons
- I missed 2 OHKO’s, and almost lost the match. Not good at all.
- I got stuck a few times during the match, not sure what to do.
- I sacrificed Metagross late game, which could easily have proven to be fatal.
KO’s
Garchomp-4
Metagross-1
Bronzong-1 (suicide)
Will edit later.
