Lot of interesting questions there!In my opinion, competitive Pokemon is extremely hard to start off in; 99% of the time you end up learning stuff the hard way, like the fact that X isn't a gimmick but standard, and that Y isn't good even though you're been using it for the last 2 months. What's the easiest way to start out in the competitive pokemon scene, other than reading analyses for two months prior?
Is there a balance that should be struck between knowledge and experience?
How do you manage your time on Pokemon with real life? I know I have a really hard time finding time to play, and I'm not even in college yet -_-
How good is the ladder for learning purposes, due to the general gimmicky/cancerous nature of half of it, minus the OLT guys?
What should you do if you're in the void between "I'm #1 in the ladder" and "I get wrecked in tournaments"? Battle with friends better than you?
The easiest way to start is probably a combination of learning through reading and experiencing and having some friends/knowledgable players to answer your questions. I'm very thankful to some people who didn't mind answering every questions I came up with when I got back into the game in Black and White. Don't be afraid to ask; if you're polite and show desire to learn, there is a strong chance you'll get the answers you're seeking.
Knowledge and experience go hand in hand, both are importants in their own right. There is nothing to lose by being "too knowledgable" anyway. I realize this is kind of a useless answer, but at the same time, I don't have much else to say here.
Time managing is useful for everything and not only Pokemon, so try to get better at it I guess? We always find time for our passions and what truely matters for us. I would be lying if I'd say Pokemon wasn't a passion for me, so I naturally find time to play it. If I can use an example: say you have to fill an empty bucket with sand and rocks. If you put the sand first and then the rocks, you might not have enough room to fit everything. If you put the rocks first and then the sand, it'll fill the gaps and there will be room for everything. In the same way, if you reserve yourself some time to do what you consider the most important, you will likely find time to fit in the less important activities you want to accomplish.
I think the ladder is really good to learn. It also helps to quickly figure out some weaknesses of your team you might have forgotten after you've built it. You will also get a good grip on your team and will know how to play it against pretty much every playstyle and every threats.
As for your last question: keep trying, watch other people play and try to learn from their games, discuss with them, play with them. Don't be afraid to ask, there are many people willing to share their knowledge and watch other players grow enough to put up some good fights and impose themselves in the Tour Scene, myself included ;]
1) My top5: R&C 2 > R&C Crack In Time > R&C 1 > R&C 3 > R&C Tools of Destruction1) rank the ratchet&clank games from best to worst
2) will you definetly come to german vgc nationals or arnheim regionals?
3) are there any other games you like to play? (on console)
4) what do you think seperates the best players from normal/solid/good players?
5) which things did you learn by analyzing your battles?
2) I'll see at the moment. It'll likely depends on how much the travel would cost. What's sure is I'd genuinely love to attend one.
3) As you know, I'm a huge fan of the Ratchet & Clank serie. I also am an avid Smash Bros player. I played and still play competitive Melee, even tho the Smash scene is pretty small here. I just can't stop once I start. I played a bit of Brawl and am enjoying Smash 3DS atm (anyone willing to play can VM me their Friend Code!). I also like Minecraft a lot. I often come back to it when they release a new update or when my favorite multiplayer servers launch a new game (mainly Hypixel and The Hive).
Other than them, I play a lot of Animal Crossing when a new one comes out and I like pretty much every Kirby game. Used to be a huge Crash Bandicoot and Spyro fan in my young years.
4) Their ability to consistently succeed on a long period of time. Their ability to put up a fight in pretty much every tier and generations despite not having a lot of knowledge of said tier, but instead relying on their "general Pokemon knowledge". Their composure too, they usually don't let hax get on their nerves to the point where they'll start playing worse.
5) A ton. In general, I'd say considering every options, better end-game planning, keeping an advantage to the point where you can safely close a game, reach conclusions based on team consitution/informations I gain through the battle. To be more specific, I learn a lot just by watching how a game got played.
Once again, I'll use an example: by playing a lot of ADV, you can quickly notice that Metagross and DD Mence are common partners. When you play a team with Swampert as your sole Metagross and Salamence counter, you will quickly realize that you're weak to Salamence. Even if in theory, you're fine against Mence with Pert, in practise, Metagross will boom and Salamence will then sweep you. What I gained from that? If Swampert is your Mence check, you need to pair it with something that can check Metagross and doesn't mind taking the Boom against physical offense.
This kind of learning process pretty much works in every tier, that's the kind of thing I learn from analysing my losses. I could mention more examples in different tier to give you (or other people) maybe a better idea of what I'm trying to explain here. Just ask away if it's the case.
As shameful as it'll sound for a Belgian dude: I don't drink. I can't really recommend you anything then :(I want to try belgian beer, which one would you recommend? :o
I asked Alf tho and he mentionned Orval, Pécheresse and Hoegaarden. I hope they will fit your tastes!
._. ben ownswhy you left me for ben gay? ;_;
I only played on the french server. We were very close minded and had our own vision of how the tier should be. We had a lot of different "official rules" compared to Smogon, which created a totally different metagame. I would sometimes venture to Smogon, but it was a pretty rare case. I went by the name Roro 97 but there is a good chance you haven't heard of me since I stayed on the french server most of the time.where did you play on netbattle? only on smogon or other servers? with what nick?
Since I already answered the first question in my previous post (ADV OU), I'll just post a little ranking of my favorite tiers to play:In your opinion, which Smogon tier (from any generation) is the best? (If you have the time, if you could even do a ranking of your favorite tiers I'd really appreciate it.)
OU Only
- ADV OU
- DPP OU
- XY OU
- BW OU
- RBY OU
- GSC OU
Now, if I'd have to mention some other tiers I genuinely like to play, I'll add: BW UU, ADV Ubers, ADV NU and RBY UU, especially ADV Ubers.
There are many players I like(d) watching and I could make a pretty huge list of them if I wanted to. I'll try to keep it close:Definitely feel like my depth of understanding of Pokémon has improved just by reading your insight. Thread bookmarked, screened and saved as my computer background. Printed out a copy too while I was at it; thanks, McGOAT.
On a more serious note though, who are (or were) some of your favorite players to watch? Whether it's because of the teams they use, how aggressively they play, and so on, what is it that makes them your favorite to spectate?
- wilson46, he was a great player and would often include underrated sets into his teams and make them work wonder, something I can appreciate.
- CrashinBoomBang, even tho you probably know this one and why, I just love how aggressive he can be when he plays (without making dumb or useless risky predictions). I actually feel like I learned a ton when I discovered him, one of the person who influenced me the most.
- c0mp, just a fun guy to follow on the ladder. Play a ton of tier pretty well with interesting teams. I enjoy watching him play, just that simple.
- Earthworm and yourself. Now, I don't wanna make it seem like I'm circlejerking here, but I just appreciate how you both make good decisions throughout the battle. You can always feel there are some options left by the end of the game (if isn't won already by then). Every great players, especially when they're in their prime, leave me this impression (ToF, reyscarface, Ojama, BKC, gr8astard, etc), but I feel like mentionning you and Earthworm maybe because they're some games where you impressed me in particular.
- Finally, how could I not include my little favorite, the one I felt in love at first sight: ben gay. I realize I fancy him a lot everywhere so I'll explain why I particulary love watching him play. Ben basically does on a consistent basis what I always aimed to do (but with much less success): consider every possible options when teambuilding and the desire to explore a tier as much as possible. I wish I could do it as well and as easily as him, but I just can't. I just always fall back in my comfort zone. Ben can realize how well will work a Pokemon or a combination of them, or a totally new brand set in OU and you can bet your ass he's not wrong. He doesn't follow any "formula" (I always found formula to be dumb anyway) when he builds. To top it off, ben is actually a good player. His stuff works on a consistent basis (he often picks #1 or close to it on the ladder and won a Smogon Tour recently). Finally, he doesn't use gimmicks for the sake of it, he isn't a tryhard, he uses exactly what he needs for his team and consider unexplored options for the job, something a very little amount of player can do successfully (I'd also mention that WhiteQueen can be pretty good at pulling this kind of stuff and win with them).
I would, but I'm just not confortable enough with them to "risk" it. As you said, they feel too matchup reliant for me, at least TR and Sticky Web. Geo Pass (and Baton Pass in general) is different because they are even less unwinnable match-up when using it, and even If I considered using this playstyle in the past, it just isn't how I want to win. I play Pokemon to have fun and to win, and I wanna feel like I was better than my opponent if possible. I wouldn't feel like it was the case if I'd use Baton Pass, as it removes a ton of variables of a game and just aim to win effortlessly.Would you consider using one of the 'riskier' team archetypes, such as Trick Room, Sticky Web or even Geomancy Pass in an important tournament game, or do you think those playstyles are a bit too matchup reliant?
I realize that if you'd want to win at all cost, Baton Pass would be a really good option, but there is nothing to gain in competitive Pokemon except some kind of pride and feeling of accomplishment, so why bother with a playstyle that doesn't require you to be better than your opponent (or at least, I don't feel better than him if I win thanks to Baton Pass, and I know what I'm talking about since I've used it on the ladder sometimes).
Not gonna lie, I often overlook Rain when I teambuild in XY OU. Thanks for the reminder ;]Why do you never have a Kingdra switchin ._.
How good/bad is ADV Swampert in your opinion and why n_n
Swampert is pretty amazing in ADV, although it's easy to wear down. I just think it's a really great Pokemon when you pair him with an another defensive glue to alleviate some pressure from it.
I don't prepare for ladder. I very rarely ladder anyway and when I do it, it's always for a reason (OLT, Suspect Test or team testing). As for Tournament, it depends on how much I care about it.McM you'll have to help out with the spelling; but barbar? (monks beer) is really awesome beer that I had when I visited Belgium.
In terms of questions; How do you prepare for a serious ladder session? Same with a tournament match. Is there anything you do differently?
also i am heading to see rhino about November time again. Be awesome to see you about Belgium
Most of the time, I just quickly build a team (if the tournament requires me to build a new one) and go with it without any testing. If I care, I'll think through my team a lot more. I will eventually test or at least make a threatlist which will be my way to test it. I'll spend some time playing game scenario in my head against various playstyles and threats to see if I feel confident using that team. I will also try to avoid being weak to what I assume my opponent likes to use. Pokemon is such a wide game that your teams are always weak to something, but at least, I can chose my weaknesses, and that's what I mean when I say I try to avoid being weak to the assumed preferences of my opponent.
That's as far as I go preparation-wise, then it comes down to playing better than my opponent once the game starts.
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