-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
RoAPL RoAPL XI - Commencement
- Thread starter Maia
- Start date
After 8 insanely fun weeks, the Dusketballers are out. I was hoping we would go all the way but Pokemon had other plans; congratulations to the Realm Ruination Reunicluses for making finals, you had a fantastic season as well. Shoutout to jam my eternal homie.
Before I launch into some shoutouts, I just want to thank Maia Vertigo and the other tour organizers for picking me to manage. I think I was a bit of a longshot; yes, I was managing with Dave, who has a manager pedigree I don't think can be found elsewhere. However, I myself was relatively unproven, and I appreciate the opportunity to prove myself. I really enjoyed planning for this year's auction and managing this tour.
Relatedly I would also like to push back strongly on the idea that this tour is declining. Its a narrative I don't particularly find compelling, not only because I thought the level of competition this year was pretty high, but also because I think there is an endemic problem with the way we treat high level players in this game. If opportunities are not given to mid-level up and coming players, they will never reach high level, and nearly anyone criticizing this tour has also said this tour is great for that caliber of player. I had 0 trouble planning for the auction, no pools felt thin and I was very proud of my squad all season.
Shoutouts:
Dave starting with you. You're one of my closest friends on the site since that time just last year where you took a chance on me for SCL hosting. I appreciate you every day brother, and I'm sorry we couldn't bring it home. Run it back next year?
Ruffles Dave told us we HAD to retain you, and I'll be honest that I hesitated a little bit, because we had already decided to retain Sceptross as well. But it was definitely worth it. I had a lot of fun planning for ORAS with you and watching you guys crush the prep every week. Looking forward to playing with you again sometime, and working closely with you on ORASPL!!
Sceptross I know this season didn't go how you wanted it to, but a huge motivation for me to even attempt to manage at all was you reaching out to me and being so excited for stuff. Everyone knows you're the GOAT man, and even if you don't play mons much anymore I still love hanging out with you. Root soon?
Monai Our auction plan was literally "get Monai, sort the rest out afterwards" and of course it worked out well. #1 BW Bo3 record in the tour? That's my GOAT Burpcock. Sorry we couldn't reward your effort with a ring, but I at the very least loved watching all of your games. Think your understanding of BW is incredibly next level and I look forward to the SPL 7-2 runback, lungman.
16bit I was deadset on retaining you this season, but you already knew that. You had some insane clutches for us; you already know you're a strong player and I think your matches and your mental all season showed it. Thank you for saving Dave's career.
SEA Someone in Mushi League (I believe Kollin7 ) said when you were nommed "Lets see how deep goldmason's pockets are". Tbf he was right, I woulda spent more if I had to. No matter what tier you're playing, you own. I get to hang with you IRL all the time so not much more needs to be said, but thanks for playing this season, I liked seeing your first dip into DPP.
Kristyl Everyone doubted you in RBY, never shoulda doubted you at all. Sceptross was so excited to team with you for RBY and I was too (mamos represent). We don't talk nearly as much as we should, but I've always appreciated how kind you've been to me, and how ridiculously good at the game you are. Thanks for carrying SEA every week.
Typical_bastard Here we are, straight outta the depths of meeting in ELPL to making playoffs of a high level tour together. Ruffles gave me a list of ORAS people he wanted to play with, and when I saw you on there I knew I had to pick you. Your team support on top of cool vibes was epic, and I hope I get to play another tour with you soon!!
BIG WILL I was excited to team up with you and watch your ADV games this season. That week 1 clutch lives in my memory rent free, set the tone for the entire season. You know you're the homie fr, hopefully we can chat shit about ADV and super sluggers again soon. Run it back in ADVWC?
Kaboom you approached me very early about being on the team, and I was impressed with your games in Invitational, so I was more than happy to have you aboard. Anglerfish teammates for life homie, and I will always remember how hype I was when you clutched up week 5. Next tour we'll do ADVPL 4 Anglers proud and bring it home.
melancholy0 After how well we vibed together last year, you were very high on my list this year. I appreciated you taking control of both GSC slots, as its my weakest gen by far. Think yours and Sean's records show the level of effort you put into the game, and while I don't know GSC spaces well I have to assume you're a household name over there now. Lets not let a year go by before we team up again hey?
Seanobiwan Tbh Sean, I knew nothing about you before the season started. Both mela and Jester recommended you highly though, so picking you up was a no brainer. And you put up a staggering 5-2 regular season! Massive return on investment, and your cheery demeanor in the team chat was just icing on the cake. Thank you so much for holding down the fort in GSC, I expect some great things from you in the future!!
feen I know you didn't get to play as much as you wanted, but you were fire when you did, my canadian brother. You were a massive help with support and vibes, and I appreciated your willingness to take a backseat when needed and step up when needed. Should be apparent by now how strong a player you are, considering I've never seen you go undrafted in anything ever, but I'll say it nonetheless.
phoopes my biggest regret for this entire tour is not getting you a game in. You advertised yourself at the 11th hour of the draft as a Vibe Captain, and you delivered. You were always willing to hang, give support, and whatever was necessary to ensure the team was operating well. 12/10, would last second buy again.
mixnite my god man you are a WORKHORSE. Ruffles and Typ can attest to your carrying our scouts and prep in ORAS, and you were also just incredibly nice to be around. I regret not getting you a game in as well, but I think the hard work you put in will pay off soon.
Ming549 Special shoutout to ming, who was supposed to be on the team but I fucked up our budget. Your hype manning was super appreciated.
NoName6293 Endill Cow extra special shoutout to yall for joining near the end and trying to help us in Week 7 and playoffs, I appreciate you three as friends so much.
Huge massive shoutout to all the people who helped in the cord: eden Vermillion Gangsta John Madden Colteor Zacpz harshest sterkpl babyyyyyyy
Last but certainly not least I have to give a shoutout to Dababy2. This team was not captained by just Dave and I; Mr. Big far and away did the absolute most work for this team, and I am absolutely crushed we couldn't deliver a win for him. Love you bro, cannot think of anyone I'd wanna be on a team with again more than you.
That's it from me! Sorry to be the guy who posts shoutouts for a team that loses in Semis but I genuinely loved this team so much. I will be rooting for the Slowpokes to win it all, but both teams are awesome. Ciao!
Before I launch into some shoutouts, I just want to thank Maia Vertigo and the other tour organizers for picking me to manage. I think I was a bit of a longshot; yes, I was managing with Dave, who has a manager pedigree I don't think can be found elsewhere. However, I myself was relatively unproven, and I appreciate the opportunity to prove myself. I really enjoyed planning for this year's auction and managing this tour.
Relatedly I would also like to push back strongly on the idea that this tour is declining. Its a narrative I don't particularly find compelling, not only because I thought the level of competition this year was pretty high, but also because I think there is an endemic problem with the way we treat high level players in this game. If opportunities are not given to mid-level up and coming players, they will never reach high level, and nearly anyone criticizing this tour has also said this tour is great for that caliber of player. I had 0 trouble planning for the auction, no pools felt thin and I was very proud of my squad all season.
Shoutouts:
Dave starting with you. You're one of my closest friends on the site since that time just last year where you took a chance on me for SCL hosting. I appreciate you every day brother, and I'm sorry we couldn't bring it home. Run it back next year?
Ruffles Dave told us we HAD to retain you, and I'll be honest that I hesitated a little bit, because we had already decided to retain Sceptross as well. But it was definitely worth it. I had a lot of fun planning for ORAS with you and watching you guys crush the prep every week. Looking forward to playing with you again sometime, and working closely with you on ORASPL!!
Sceptross I know this season didn't go how you wanted it to, but a huge motivation for me to even attempt to manage at all was you reaching out to me and being so excited for stuff. Everyone knows you're the GOAT man, and even if you don't play mons much anymore I still love hanging out with you. Root soon?
Monai Our auction plan was literally "get Monai, sort the rest out afterwards" and of course it worked out well. #1 BW Bo3 record in the tour? That's my GOAT Burpcock. Sorry we couldn't reward your effort with a ring, but I at the very least loved watching all of your games. Think your understanding of BW is incredibly next level and I look forward to the SPL 7-2 runback, lungman.
16bit I was deadset on retaining you this season, but you already knew that. You had some insane clutches for us; you already know you're a strong player and I think your matches and your mental all season showed it. Thank you for saving Dave's career.
SEA Someone in Mushi League (I believe Kollin7 ) said when you were nommed "Lets see how deep goldmason's pockets are". Tbf he was right, I woulda spent more if I had to. No matter what tier you're playing, you own. I get to hang with you IRL all the time so not much more needs to be said, but thanks for playing this season, I liked seeing your first dip into DPP.
Kristyl Everyone doubted you in RBY, never shoulda doubted you at all. Sceptross was so excited to team with you for RBY and I was too (mamos represent). We don't talk nearly as much as we should, but I've always appreciated how kind you've been to me, and how ridiculously good at the game you are. Thanks for carrying SEA every week.
Typical_bastard Here we are, straight outta the depths of meeting in ELPL to making playoffs of a high level tour together. Ruffles gave me a list of ORAS people he wanted to play with, and when I saw you on there I knew I had to pick you. Your team support on top of cool vibes was epic, and I hope I get to play another tour with you soon!!
BIG WILL I was excited to team up with you and watch your ADV games this season. That week 1 clutch lives in my memory rent free, set the tone for the entire season. You know you're the homie fr, hopefully we can chat shit about ADV and super sluggers again soon. Run it back in ADVWC?
Kaboom you approached me very early about being on the team, and I was impressed with your games in Invitational, so I was more than happy to have you aboard. Anglerfish teammates for life homie, and I will always remember how hype I was when you clutched up week 5. Next tour we'll do ADVPL 4 Anglers proud and bring it home.
melancholy0 After how well we vibed together last year, you were very high on my list this year. I appreciated you taking control of both GSC slots, as its my weakest gen by far. Think yours and Sean's records show the level of effort you put into the game, and while I don't know GSC spaces well I have to assume you're a household name over there now. Lets not let a year go by before we team up again hey?
Seanobiwan Tbh Sean, I knew nothing about you before the season started. Both mela and Jester recommended you highly though, so picking you up was a no brainer. And you put up a staggering 5-2 regular season! Massive return on investment, and your cheery demeanor in the team chat was just icing on the cake. Thank you so much for holding down the fort in GSC, I expect some great things from you in the future!!
feen I know you didn't get to play as much as you wanted, but you were fire when you did, my canadian brother. You were a massive help with support and vibes, and I appreciated your willingness to take a backseat when needed and step up when needed. Should be apparent by now how strong a player you are, considering I've never seen you go undrafted in anything ever, but I'll say it nonetheless.
phoopes my biggest regret for this entire tour is not getting you a game in. You advertised yourself at the 11th hour of the draft as a Vibe Captain, and you delivered. You were always willing to hang, give support, and whatever was necessary to ensure the team was operating well. 12/10, would last second buy again.
mixnite my god man you are a WORKHORSE. Ruffles and Typ can attest to your carrying our scouts and prep in ORAS, and you were also just incredibly nice to be around. I regret not getting you a game in as well, but I think the hard work you put in will pay off soon.
Ming549 Special shoutout to ming, who was supposed to be on the team but I fucked up our budget. Your hype manning was super appreciated.
NoName6293 Endill Cow extra special shoutout to yall for joining near the end and trying to help us in Week 7 and playoffs, I appreciate you three as friends so much.
Huge massive shoutout to all the people who helped in the cord: eden Vermillion Gangsta John Madden Colteor Zacpz harshest sterkpl babyyyyyyy
Last but certainly not least I have to give a shoutout to Dababy2. This team was not captained by just Dave and I; Mr. Big far and away did the absolute most work for this team, and I am absolutely crushed we couldn't deliver a win for him. Love you bro, cannot think of anyone I'd wanna be on a team with again more than you.
That's it from me! Sorry to be the guy who posts shoutouts for a team that loses in Semis but I genuinely loved this team so much. I will be rooting for the Slowpokes to win it all, but both teams are awesome. Ciao!