Tournament DPL XI - Finals [Won by Paldea Cratermakers]

After winning DPL X last year I really thought I'd skip this edition. Usually DPL overlaps with SPL and as time goes on I've found it harder to put in proper effort for DOU tours while juggling officials so it felt right to sit out after getting my runback with the Sp_nda's. As we all know now though Derby and DPL swapped this year, I still had no intentions of playing initially but the possibility was opened up. I was feeling surprisingly good about DOU earlier in the year after finishing OSDT swiss as the #1 seed and sweeping my Kunal Invite pool, but I felt like my play declined sharply in playoffs of both tours and I was ready to go back to singles for a bit after a heartbreaking OSDT semis loss. Unfortunately WCOP was a disaster for both myself individually and South as a team, and ROAPL was similarly awful. Hungry for a tour that doesn't suck ass and seeing that DPL signups were open for an extra week I caved in and signed up for not SV, looking to just have fun in an old gen. zee had messaged me weeks prior asking if I had DPL plans so I wasn't too surprised to land there in auction, although 20.5k for me locked out of SV was a surprise LOL.

To be honest I immediately had doubts about our roster, especially hearing that zee would be quite busy throughout the tour since it felt like the team was drafted with the intention of us two raising up our cheap slots. I wasn't really looking to do much outside of my own slot when I signed up but we had drafted a few of my good friends so I wanted to at least make an effort. Despite thinking it was over like three times during the regular seasons we made it to the playoffs and from there I really felt like it was just meant to be, even if the playoffs series were still really difficult.

Looking back I'd say my play was shakier than usual this tour and at times my prep was too, not quite reaching the level of quality I try to aim for. My own record didn't suffer too badly but my support definitely wasn't able to achieve the results it did last year despite me being much more active overall. Fortunately for us we had just enough players step up whenever necessary that I (or anyone else for that matter) didn't have to be perfect. Incredibly stressful, incredibly fun season for me and I'm glad to have shared it with y'all!


zee - It was clear from the start that this team was primarily your project, so props for assembling a winning squadron. Undoubtedly one of the most successful managers in DOU already. You really gave it your all to making this rag tag roster work despite being busy with VGC and other real life commitments throughout the season. I may have had moments of doubt but no question that you were great overall. Thank you so much for picking me up as well as a number of my good friends, whether intentional or not. Happy to help get the Cratermakers over the line after last year.

Arcticblast - GRAAAAH uncs still got it with a massive 9-1 holy moly. There may have been some shenanigans and good fortune along the way but a wins a win and you gotta be doing something right to scoop up 9. Your pop off absolutely helped keep us above water in moments where the rest of us were struggling, so you picked a great time to pull off this run. I am so sorry for ever doubting that picking XY for you was correct.

Ann - Been a fan of yours for a couple years now so it was exciting to get to team up with you here. May not have been your best run but you were a crucial part of our success nonetheless. The SM to SV swap would prove to be season saving and your prep contributions, especially in the finals, were amazing. Looking forward to SCL with you!!

SEA - It'll always mean a lot to me to be able to win with you and this really felt like our first proper win. No pet mods bs or me getting carried in ADVPL. I knew you'd at least be able to hold your own in SV but you truly exceeded expectations. I'm sorry and a bit sad that I didn't actually get to work too closely with you this tour, zee's support seemed to work well and my own attention was pretty divided. I'm sure we'll get more chances in the future though.Try not to beat yourself up about how it ended, you were still a life saver for us this tour and with time you'll get even better at DOU/VGC. love ya forever <##

Mako - Much like SEA it's always a joy to get to team with you. I think we played 4 different tiers together this tour and it seems like beating each other up in their own tier is a blessing..? idk girl but tyvm for always being there. The SV stint was unfortunate with the matchups we kept making you play and I know the SM switch was abrupt but you really made it work. We don't win the tour without that turnaround, so thanks for putting in the effort even when I know you were feeling down.

Monai - The MOAT. Whenever we've teamed in the past its been pretty fucking awful so happy to break the curse. Really appreciate everything you put into picking up BW and while your record might not look the prettiest you still grabbed a couple for us. You made me spend a week learning BW but ITS OK IT ALL WORKS OUT IN THE END

veti - The first victim of the Cratermakers not drafting a SS DOU player... Sadly you didn't get to play too many real games but your Week 6 Beagle Drago game was super funny and impactful so thanks for blessing us with that. Best of luck with both DOU and OU going forward, I know juggling can be tricky.

churrojr - Man I love you bro the vibes were immaculate all tour with you around. Appreciate that you were always down to test no matter the format, such a big help. When we called you back into the lineup for finals we gave you a pretty difficult task to overcome and you sure did rise to the occasion bro, beautiful stuff. Very promising player, if you stick around I believe you'll be great.

Jazz721 - Another fantastic guy for the vibes, was amazing to have your genuine positivity and kindness around. Similar to churro we thrust you into a rough spot in DUU and you did your best to pick it up. Great win in the regular season but I'm sorry we weren't able to properly set you up for success in playoffs. Hope you enjoyed officially being part of a team after Derby!

rovbmc - Three in a row cause U AMAZING for the vibes. Second victim of the Cratermakers not drafting a SS DOU player and to make it worse we had you debut against Nails, tough scene. The Tanner game might've been bottom 3 all time but from our test games I could tell you're a legit player and under different circumstances I feel like you could've cooked this tour. Carry me in VGCPL then we go for the triple in DWCOP?

Smudge - The early weeks didn't go your way but thanks for sticking around once Monai took over. With most of our bench being relatively inexperienced it was nice to have at least one guy there who can help out across the board, especially in BW. AND you got on the board Week 7 so good shit.

Staraptor - It's clear you're a great player, just wasn't your tour unfortunately. You put the Ice Riders on your back in Derby though so it's no problem for us to carry more of the load this time. I know you'll be able to bounce back the next chance you get.

Cao Jie - Sorry that you weren't able to get any games in but thanks for still popping in every now and then. We couldn't do it in Pet Mods but we did it here baby..

umbry - You messaged me post draft about joining the server and it was truly a pleasure to have you around all tour. I wanna say you helped out just about everywhere at some point, even fuckin DUU when I was in those mines, but your contributions in SS/SM were especially important. I can safely say I would've done worse in SS without being able to rely on your teams. Here's to SCL sis o7

Kunal bagel eragon laptops emforbes DaAwesomeDude1 - Y'all came in at various points in the playoffs and had nice contributions. Whether it was helping out with prep and testing, or just yapping in the chat. Thanks for joining up!

Hasayo - My partner in crime for the past 2 years now.. You weren't in the server but when it was time for me to BW in tiebreak you were there for whatever I needed. Even if I know you'll say you did nothing I gotta continue thanking you for the test games and advice you provided. Much love forever brother.

Daily Sudoku Together - the missing piece that brought it all together.


cya around!
 
Last edited:
This was a rollercoaster of a season, but this has genuinely been some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing Pokémon. I originally wasn’t gonna do a shout-out post, but Xrn’s got me sentimental and god I really love being sentimental it’s so great

zee (and Arcticblast!) Thank you so much for drafting me, I really do mean it when I say that even getting the opportunity to play means a lot. And zee, gigantic thank you to you for all the help you gave me this season. It was a lot of fun working through different teams and ideas (even if most of the test games were me getting railed LOL), and I’m super grateful I got to have you as my manager. Especially after derby, it really feels like we’ve come full circle at this point. It’s been an absolute joy teaming with you, ily dearly and I’LL SEE YOU AT PITTSBURGH

churrojr Jazz721 Really big thanks to you two for grinding games with me so often! Y’all were really fun to be around, and you know I needed all the practice I could get LOL. I hope to see you both around in more tours in the future :D

Ann you're a really impressive player, and whenever I watch your games I always feel like I’m learning something new. It was great to team with such a strong player and have somebody I could look at and try to learn from! Best of luck in SCL :D

Mako I feel like we don’t really get to team that often! You’re way too expensive because you’re way too good at Pokemon, but I’m happy I got you into Bloons this season at least :P Always a pleasure whenever we get the chance to talk or team, and I hope you’re ready to win SCL >:D

Xrn my fucking goat. I think you put it well when you said this really felt like our first “real” win together, and besides that time we teamed in SPL, it has felt like our most “real” tour together period. This is probably the corniest shit I’ll ever type, but I look up to you so much. We’ve been through so much bullshit throughout life together, and you’re just about the only person who’s really been through it all with me. This definitely won’t be the last time we team for something (see you next year???), so I won’t ramble on much more, but you’re the fucking goat, and I’m somehow always amazed when I see you play.

massive thank you to my friends who Exist in the DOU community and have sorta always kept me around and interested in the tier, especially zoe and Hasayo I love you both

If I didn’t type anything for u that means I hate you don’t talk to me ever again (especially Monai)

I love DOU and I really hope I get to play more of it :)

umbry free ping
 
GRATS CRATERMAKERS LFG I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN YOU DESPITE PREDICTING AGAINST YOU EVERY WEEK IT WAS ALL PART OF THE PLAN TO PUSH YOU FORWARD TRUST. (in fact I take full accountability for the victory)

Wow that was a great season of DPL as a first time spectator, every week was insane to watch, I made some new friends, had way too much fun writing cringey predicts that only I laughed at, started a meme, and most of all actually learned half a shit about the players and tiers. But it's not about me, its about the players, managers and staff who actually put in the work to make this insane season happen so thank you all. This was truly a season to remember, and once again massive congrats to the cratermakers, the ducks, and every team (even you the kingdras you're the winners in my heart <3 particularly 5ft5) and looking forward to next season if it is even half the fun this one was to watch.
 
Last edited:
This tournament really worked in a funny way. I was the least involved I've ever been in an auction tour (I'd like to think I was still helpful, but that's up to the players of course...), yet found myself probably the most emotionally invested I've ever been in one of these. Maybe it's the fact that I wanted it so bad after losing 3-5 in finals last year, maybe it's the fact that I had to rely on my faith in the lineup since I wasn't playing to contribute wins, or maybe it's the fact that everyone predicting us to fail constantly got to my head. Whatever it is, this tournament was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I could not be more thrilled and proud that we ended up taking it.

Arcticblast thank you for stepping up to the plate and handling the playing while I couldn't this season. I know I got a little frustrated that our XY ideas didn't jive at times, but it's pretty important for growth that there's challenge to my opinions, and clearly your thoughts served you well. Still pretty happy I got to pass you a few squads that contributed to the big 9-1. See ya in a few weeks unc.

Ann I think retaining you was correct and I was so glad to have you around for another season. Your knowledge of SM, my biggest weakness, was absolutely vital to this team's success, both as a player and as a support for Mako. I hope you aren't too beat up about your record, you had the toughest games out of anyone on this team, and it seems like we whiffed the matchup quite a few times. You're a great friend and incredible player, I wish you the best of luck in all the future tournaments except for the part where we have to fight (like SCL next week)!!!

Xrn I know I've already apologized to you a few times but I have to say it again, you were just looking to take it easy in the tour playing DUU and hang out with SEA and instead found yourself in the shadow manager position. In the most literal sense, this is not possible without you, but it goes deeper than the wins. You have a great energy that makes it enjoyable to chat with you, and your advice and hype to the rest of the team kept morale high constantly. I knew that, if possible, I would spend any $ amount to grab you after how fun it was having you around in the derby chat, and I'm glad it worked out this way. You're truly a beast man. World Cup it's so up!!!

SEA I was really excited when you came to me asking to learn SV after derby. With how your run went there, I was sure you would make a smooth transition to current gen doubles, and it seems I was right!! I can't believe this was your first DPL, but I'm so happy that you were able to do it with me and several other friends and put up a great performance all the while. There are several people on Smogon that I've made friends with and lost touch with throughout the years, but somehow my oldest friend is still someone I talk to all the time, and now I'm getting to compete alongside her in VGC?? Crazy. I love ya!

Mako Ann floated the idea of drafting you during planning and I was instantly a fan of the idea. One thing about team tours is that I love picking up players that have previously knocked me on my ass, and you checked that box! The SV run was pretty unfortunate, you were actively prepping but the matchups were tough and the games just kinda slipped away. However, shoving you into SM proved to be season saving, and it was there that I got to truly see your full power on display again. Hope you come back for another one, really enjoyed having you around and chatting with you these past few months.

churrojr Arctic sent me your tryout pitch something like a day before the draft, and out of all the PMs I got and such this was the one that really stuck out to me as someone I want to pick up. Glad my intuition was right, you're chill as hell and had some pretty nice games, especially stepping up in finals was huge. More than that, your activity with tests was carrying all the slots where you could help. Your contributions to this team's success go far beyond record. If you stick around you're gonna be a pretty dominant name in time.

veti iirc you reached out to me for derby and it wasn't really in the cards for me to grab you there, but after we played in seasonal I realized you can play ball a little and I hoped in picking you up I could bring out even more potential. Real life got in the way of me wanting to prep you as much as I wanted, and you got your start in SS hell which I do apologize for. You play a hell of a lot of Pokemon but I'm sure you'll be back for more Doubles, so I wish you success in the future.

Monai I was looking at who all was in the BW pool mid auction and saw your name, I've liked the interactions we've had together, I was aware of your BW singles prowess, and I had Xrn and SEA on the team so grabbing you felt like a no brainer. BW can definitely be a punishing tier to learn but I think you gave it a much better attempt than several people with your resume would, and netted us some really exciting wins. I apologize if the post-finals game reactions were too bitter, those are the type of games you have to lose to get better, and if you wanna run it back another year I think this experience will serve you well.

Smudge I know you were looking for more this season, but you were an excellent guy in the chair for Monai after we had you take a backseat. In the end, BW was what got us the chip and we don't get there without your knowledge of this tier, as we learned throughout the tour I clearly have much more to learn. Glad we could redeem our DPL 9 effort and walk away with a ring this time.

Staraptor Brother I'm sorry we couldn't recapture that same magic we had in derby. Sometimes it's just hard to have successful tournaments back to back, and I know you've got a pretty busy irl schedule so I just felt like it was best to let you rest up. I still have hella respect for you as a player and I know you'll be back with another killer run sometime soon.

Jazz721 Really glad we got to play this tournament together man. I know you said this to me once but you really are like an older brother to me, and you're just such an enjoyable person to talk to, be it about games or movies or just whatever. I knew you had been grinding a lot of SV and I was so happy to get you some DUU games. Your help in tests, especially against SEA's night owl ass, was huge, another slot whose contributions go far beyond record. I know you expressed feeling a little bit of mons burnout, but I hope you take a little break and hop back in, team tours are really awesome as you've now gotten to witness.

rovbmc I always feel weird writing shoutouts for people I've seen for years irl but I think I know what I wanna say here: I will give you shit for the tanner game for the rest of your life. On the real, DOU is a different environment for several reasons, but I think it's as rewarding as it is challenging, and I hope you stick with it, you'll see the difference in your poke-muscles for sure.

Cao Jie I expressed this last night but sorry to not get you a spot in the stage, my goal was to work you in sometime mid season but the season quickly became so do or die that I had to rely on a fairly static roster. Will try to make it up to you in a future tour.

umbry My other shadow manager. Obviously I didn't count on your support but I was thrilled when you offered to join up. Your support in SM and SS was vital and you were an excellent contributor to the overall vibes of the team. Rillaboom fucking sucks.

bagel eragon Kunal DaAwesomeDude1 thank you and anyone else who joined us during playoffs to add extra input and provide more test games etc. Much appreciated, give me a buzz anytime the roles are flipped and I'll hop right in your teamcords.

goldmason Thank you for being an incredible host, this tour was easily the most smoothly operated teamtour I've been a part of, you've really got it locked down. Not sure if you're also joining the VGC train but hopefully I'll bump into you again somewhere.

SMB I know we butted heads sometimes when I was newer to the scene, but I've come to respect you as a legitimate rival in this game. You and Akaru Kokuyo put together an incredibly strong team, and going 3/3 on playoffs since the creation of your team is a huge feat. The simplest thing could've gone differently in finals and you guys would be writing this post right now. Trust me I know being in this position is heartbreaking, but I hope you guys are proud of your season as well. See you in the next finals.

Finally I want to give a shoutout to fespy for picking me up for my first DPL over 4 years ago. That tournament I put up a 2-3 with some really questionable games, but without it I wouldn't be here competing still, and DOU has done so much for me as a player and person.

This marks my third straight auction tour win, and following the finals defeat in DPL X I must say again that I could not be happier. I wish I could tell you all what the secret is for this level of success in team tours, but I think it's just a combination of building a squad with good vibes, putting faith in a few less proven players, and getting lucky enough that it all comes together. Irl will continue to get busier for me in the next year or so as I'm finishing up school and preparing to enter the Real World but hope I can still make time for these.

Congratulations Cratermakers, I'm so proud of you all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top