The Team
The team I used can be considered the "Big Six", since most variations are the same, I do not think I will bother with explanations because they are all the same.
Xerneas @ Power Herb
Ability: Fairy Aura
Level: 50
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
Level: 50
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Earth Power
- Eruption
- Flamethrower
- Protect
Kangaskhan-Mega @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy
Level: 50
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- Low Kick
- Sucker Punch
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 6 Atk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Void
- Spiky Shield
- Wide Guard
- Follow Me
Talonflame @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
Level: 50
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Tailwind
- Quick Guard
Salamence-Mega @ Salamencite
Ability: Aerilate
Level: 50
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Draco Meteor
- Double-Edge
- Protect
As you can see, there is nothing really special about this team. The only things that are worth talking about are Kangaskhan, Smeargle, and potentially Groudon. So, I will just put short reasonings for them here. My Kangaskhan is not a Jolly Nature because I still liked the extra power which the Adamant nature gave me. However, I would be slower than Groudon/ other Kangaskhans so I might give the Jolly nature a try in the future. Smeargle was just there to support the team, such as allowing Geomancy to be set up or let Groudon use full powered Eruptions. Dark Void allowed free turns to get attacks on the opposing side while they spend turns sleeping. Spiky Shield because Smeargle is usally the main priority so getting a well timed Spiky Shield off can be crucial. Follow me and Wide Guard just helped protect the team, from single target moves as well as spread moves respectively. The ability Own Tempo was chosen because I did not like the luck factor which Moody brings. While it is fun, there is always a chance that you will get that unlucky stat drop which can cost you the game. Groudon went full special because my team did lack special attackers, with Xerneas being the only other special attacker.
The Event
I was extremely nervous going into this event, mainly because I have not been doing that well in practice online with the team. My main goal for the event was to get top 32 because that would gave me the remaining amount of CP I needed for a worlds invite (I was at 306 before this event). When they announced that there was only a cut of 8, I was definitely scared because I had a good feeling I would not make it. Anyways, here is a list of my opponents and what they used as well as my record after each match. As well, as maybe a small comment regarding the game. i didn't take notes so I might forget a few Pokemon/ get it wrong. The order of these Pokemon do not mean which ones they brought into the game, if it is really that important, let me know and I'll fix it.Round 1- Will Connor
Looking at his team, I got really nervous because of the Thundurus's speed control, Kangaskhan which is most likely faster than mine, Ferrothorn which can KO my Xerneas, and Kyogre which can just get the weather up and have an easier time. The match was rather straightforward, with me using Follow Me Geomancy to set up Xerneas as well as have Kangaskhan apply a lot of offensive pressure for a relatively quick win.
1-0
Round 2- Houston Barrow
Houston was a cool guy and this was his first event, but his team was extremely scary. I don't remember his sixth Pokemon because he obviously did not bring it. i started off the first few turns predicting what he was going to do with his Weavile and Thundurus, such as going for Feint and Taunt on my Smeargle so I switched it out into Kangaskhan. My Xerneas did get flinched by the Weavile's Icicle Crash so I kind of thought it was over from there. However, my Groudon wins the speed tie and KO's his with an Earth Power which made things easier. But, he did have a Kyogre in the back at full. So, I switch Groudon into Smeargle and hope I do not flinch from Icicle Crash. Luckily, my Xerneas does not flinch again and was able to take out the Weavile. A really tough match and definitely a sign that this was not going to be easy! Another cool fact is that I think he is a part of the Bravado Brothers, so that's nice seeing people like him going to these events.
2-0
Round 3- Daniel Easter
(?)
When I saw Daniel's team, I had a feeling this was just an auto loss. his team had Thundurus once again for speed control, as well as a Metagross which could make Xerneas's job of sweeping harder. Paired with the Kyogre+Rayquaza combination, I knew that I needed to take out Rayquaza in order for Groudon to set the sun up safely. Nothing special happened this match, I pretty much just kept attacking and did not bother setting up Geomancy. He did not bring Metagross so I do not know whether or not this was a mega.
3-0
Now, there was a lunch break for about an hour. This allowed me to relax. However, that was not the case because I was still nervous about losing the rest of my games and thus not getting my worlds invite now. Eventually, it was time for Round 4
Round 4- Mitchell Beyer
Mitchell's team looked rather familiar. In fact, it was the exact same six that I was using! I was really nervous to play this game because obviously mirror matchups go down to a bunch of speed ties. He also stated that he beat Wolfe the round before with little hax, so that scared me. The main thing that caught me off guard was his Swords Dance Talonflame, which almost one shot my Xerneas. Apparently it was a roll that I survived, but I'll take it. Since Brave Bird failed to Ko my Xerneas, I had a rather easier time going through his team because he let his Xerneas take a +2 Moonblast.
4-0
Halfway through and I have not lost yet! One more win and then I'm guaranteed an invite.
Round 5- Troy Standiford
Troy's team honestly confused me. I learned the round before from StuffVGC that his Kyogre had Calm Mind. The main thing that scared me was his Shiftry. I thought I lost turn 2 because I predicted wrong and he set up Tailwind instead of Exploding like I expected. I had to stall out the turns without taking too much damage. I learned while stalling that his Groudon had Iron Head. In the end, I got my Geomancy up and Smeargle was faster than both his primals so I took the win
5-0
So, I got my worlds invite, but I wanted to cut so I kept trying my best!
Round 6- Joohwan Kim
This was honestly the scariest match I played the entire day. I played the match awfully and it just came down to the last 2 turns. My Groudon avoided his Groudon's Precipice blades and the next turn avoided his Lilligant's Leaf Storm. I was also able to get a 1 turn wake up with Xerneas, sealing the match for me. Sorry again!
6-0
I keep winning, I did not think I would do this well because I thought people would be prepared for this. Apparently not.
Round 7- Alec Rubin (amr97)
Thank goodness for copy and paste! Alec ran the same team as Mitchell and me. This one went by rather quickly and was decided turn 1. He did not Fake Out my Smeargle, which Dark Voided instead of Spiky Shielded. It hit both of his Pokemon and my own Xerneas was able to set up a Geomancy and kind of went through his team.
7-0
I cannot believe I'm doing this well at an East Coast regional. I was guaranteed cut but I wanted to go 8-0 for the first time in my life.
Round 8- Ashton Cox @linkyoshimario
I was the only 7-0 going into this round, and I played on stream this round. You can find it on Wolfe's Twitch but I don't have the exact link. This match was quick, I used Moonblast on his Rayquaza and Dark Void his Smeargle that he sent to replace Weavile. I set up Geomancy and sweep. After that, I could not believe it. I went 8-0!
8-0
Top Cut
I made top cut and I would be playing the number 8 seed, Kazi Rahman. Since most of the games from here on out are almost the same, I'm not going to bother saying anything special other than the result of the set.
Kazi Rahman(@AwakenedCityVGC)- W(2/0)
Tommy Cooleen(@TmanVGC)- W (2/1)
Alec Rubin- (amr97) W(2/1)
So with that, I ended up winning the entire regional! Thanks to Kr11y, Melvellicious, RPindaHouse, and miaruh123 for getting me the Pokemon and everyone that made this regional a fun time! See you next time (whenever that is lol)
