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Welcome to OU's Player of the week, a project
where I interview well known players to gain insight on how they battle, as well as get to know some things about them. The goal of this thread is to have these high level players give insight to other players in this community in hopes of creating a better overall experience in the OU environment. As always, if there's someone you'd like to see interviewed, feel free to shoot me a PM. So without further ado, lets get to it!
Reverb
Being a global PS moderator, OU room RO, OU forum moderator.
Favorite Pokémon:
I'd have to say Slowbro. He just looks cool.
Most used Pokémon:
Probably Empoleon. It's really just an elegant entity. It's also vastly underrated. You can EV it to always live a Lando-T EQ, and it can set rocks, phase, and Defog. It should be at least B+ on viability rankings.
Where did you get your name from?
I was originally Rhybomb14 on Purplesurge IRC (this was circa 2008). I was admitted into a clan, but was subsequently banned from the room for advertising the clan in the Serebii wifi chat. I changed to this name on a whim (styled ReVeRb) in order to conceal my identity and reenter the clan channel.
How and when did you get into competitive battling?
I've also enjoyed competition. When I was a child, my mother sent me to a special counselor for sportsmanship issues because I was incredibly boastful when I won and vitriolic when I lost. To be honest, to this day I still hate losing, especially to no-name players. In fact, whenever one of those players pulls an upset on the ladder, they almost certainly saved a replay. Hence, I save a lot of my wins to conceal my losses to ladder randoms, even though most of those losses are based on hax/me laddering while distracted (as you can see, my sportsmanship is great now!).
Anyway, I started on Serebii IRC and was in a punch of clans. I've met a number of users there who are now active in the Smogon community. For example, I met reyscarface in 2008. He actually was really into his burgeoning YT channel back then (link:
In February of 2009, after months of lurking, I finally joined Smogon. I was quite active during gen 4, but took a hiatus during much of gen 5, as I did not enjoy playing that generation. When XY came along, Game Freak addressed many of the aspects of the game that I did not like. They reverted sleep mechanics and removed permanent weather. Additionally, the crit and Steel nerfs, along with the introduction of Fairy types, helped the game.
How do you feel about how ORAS plays compared to XY?
I actually prefer it because it feels more offensively oriented (despite the proliferation of -Mega-Sableye stall). I don't like slow games...lol.
Anything that stands out as being banworthy?
Baton Pass. I've been harassing Haunter for months to ban it from OU. Geopass is absolute cancer that takes no skill to use. Every time I lose to someone who uses that team I am filled with intense acrimony. I really just want to flame them, but I can't because I'm a global mod and that would be gauche.
Reverb EDIT:
Mega Metagross is also borked af
Favorite Generation of OU?
I actually like this generation the most. My style always involved a lot of switching, and in previous gens that meant revealing my team. With team preview, that is no longer such a big deal. Also, before team preview, one was much more vulnerable to bad lead match-ups. Moreover, Fairy types and the Steel nerf has led a less centralized game. Part of the reason I hated gen 5 was because it was so weather-centralized. With the weather nerf, there are more opportunities to be creative with teams.
What’s your favorite playstyle and why?
I likely bulky offense or balance. I can play a fast game with them. At the same time, I'm able to utilize switching. HO isn't really conducive to switching, and I get so bored playing stall that I invariably make some inaccurate moves.
What tips do you have for people who want to become "Ladder Heroes"?
Just play a lot. Through hard work, you'll become a strong enough player to get to the top of the ladder. That being said, you'll need a strong fundamental knowledge of the game. So make sure to read germane threads on Smogon and watch high level battlers.
How do you feel about how ladder games compare to tournament games?
I mean once you get to the top of the ladder, you'll be able to get some good games. That being said, tournament players tend to be stronger as a group. Of course, I think there's a certain degree of negative bias toward ladder players. A lot of people call ben gay or C05ta ladder heroes, but I think they're just as good as anyone else.
Do you have any advice for newer players, and for Smogon in general?
You'll get the game eventually, just make sure to play a lot and don't be discouraged by failure. Also, definitely sign up for a tutor if you're serious about improving. If you want to participate on the forums, avail yourself to the rules, so you don't get in trouble. Also, think before you post. One salient and cogent post is infinitely better than twenty mediocre posts.
What players do you look up to / are good friends with?
I definitely look up to Haunter (who's also a fren), who definitely personifies a strong contributor. He's also highly accessible to the commoners, which is a plus. In terms of other friends, I don't like to rank people, but I've known Prankster. StarkGod and Squirrel. for roughly six years, and they're definitely cool people. Steven Snype is dope too, although I don't see him as much. I also definitely like my French frens, like Gros Orteil, who help me improve my French proficiency. If you aren't mentioned, it doesn't mean we aren't frens, it just means I don't feel like going through a list lol.
Finally, can you provide us a team that’s a good fit for this metagame and reflects your playstyle?
Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Return
- Ice Punch
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 220 SpD / 36 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Baton Pass
- Giga Drain
- Recover
- Substitute
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Secret Sword
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Explosion
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 52 SpD / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Roar
- Defog
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Return
- Ice Punch
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 220 SpD / 36 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Baton Pass
- Giga Drain
- Recover
- Substitute
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Secret Sword
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Explosion
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 52 SpD / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Roar
- Defog
Lopunny is a dope af. Fake Out pretty much means I'll also be in a decent position leading with it. Celebi is used to tank special hits and pass bulky subs (I don't actually hate BP by itself, but stat-passing is lame). Tyranitar is an excellent trapper and CB means it scores plenty of surprise kills. Keldeo checks Bisharp and is just a lord. Lando-T is for U-turn momentum and revenging. Finally, Empoleon is the epitome of a utility poke.
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So there it is. If you have any questions for Reverb, leave them down below. I'd like to thank him once again for doing this, and see you next week!
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