Finals Smogon Premier League XVII - Finals [Won by Team Raiders]

Oh wow, never did I think I'd be here. After getting snubbed last year, I was frankly pretty down in the dumps, and I languished around for a bit. I know it might seem a little crazy, but I staked a lot emotionally on getting in for my first time ever, and I was disappointed. I spent the entire year just waiting, waiting for 2026 to roll around and finally get my shot on the big stage. I poured everything I had into RBY, and while I still came short a few times, I really think it paid off overall. I'm extraordinarily happy with how this season went for me. I've always been extremely confident in my abilities, and it feels amazing to see that reflected in my performance, especially as a rookie, where almost nobody else was expecting anything.

I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and was friends with me along the way.

To my very best friends on Smogon, the people I've been talking to every single day for a long time:
DAWNBUSTER Without you, I wouldn't be who I am right now. Without you, I never would've gotten so into GSC, never would've gotten so invested into this game, never would've had that spark lit to try to become the very best. You've made me laugh so many times and you helped me discover my forever favorite tier, GSC NU. Words can't express how much I appreciate the time I've spent talking and playing with you. I'd like to see you in SPL for GSC OU one day.

第二十五夜 To the man who has with me in RBY OU since almost the very start, finding me after I debuted in pre-Smogon ADPL in RBY OU with zero prior experience, who offered to help me out: without you, I'm not the player I am now. You've been the best helper and friend I could've ever asked for. You constantly pushed me to be better, to see the mistakes in the games and builds of others and myself, gave me a fresh perspective that nobody else in the entire community could've offered, worked with me even when you should've been sleeping. I truly feel that my success is a mutual victory for the two of us. There have been many others I've come into contact with that have helped advance my game for sure, and I'm grateful to them, but I'll always come back to you. Thank you for supporting me this season JVG.

MrSoup My fellow GSC NU enjoyer. You helped keep my passion alive for this tier. I've spent so much time talking with you about it, feeding my interest and always trying to craft some grand new meta-defining technology. I could talk and build out stuff with you all day long, even if it's complete bullshit. I always enjoy having you both as my greatest rival and ally, and I look forward to trying to defeat you every time. Maybe one day I'll surpass you there as well aha.

To my friends in the Ruins of Alph Community:
susciety Links TPH BluBirD Zerkas Waves Tranquility TDR TGA SEA RichardMillePlain Rage Monai you guys are all goobers.

To all the Pampu Primeapes that have teamed with me across 3 RBYPLs:
1775429352603.png

Free ping gastlies The Strap Acetylaldehyde TyCarter Ctown6 Deezcastforms Maris Bonibell Shitrock enjoyer Egor Tree69420

To the RBY superstars I've talked to more than anyone else:
Amaranth You took a chance on me in RoAPL and worked with me the whole way through. I dragged you along back with me in the RBYPL immediately following. I've been talking to you ever since, including a couple times this season. You've helped me advance my game a ton, really nailing in on refining my prep and my lines even further. You've been instrumental to my growth as a player, and I appreciate all the times you vouched for me, trying to get others to see what you saw in me. I'm eternally grateful. I'd like to finally play you in a serious setting one day and really put our skills to the test against one another in an all-out mind game.

Serpi The boogeyman. I've played you a LOT in RBY, and you were always the one to beat. I failed a lot, and I succeeded a few crucial times. I didn't think I'd end up on your side ever, until I got the opportunity in RBYPL this past year. You really helped enlighten me on a lot of things. I love getting a fresh new perspective and genuinely see it come to fruition. Your sense for the game is unmatched. I've loved working alongside you. Thanks for coming along to support me and the Raiders in playoffs after your team got eliminated, it was immensely useful. All that's left now is to get my revenge for Week 3 next time I see you, heh. I'm coming for your throne.

Sceptross Even though you've always been on the opposite side of the battlefield from me, I've still ended up talking to you a lot. I know life's busy for you, and I appreciate the time you've made to discuss the game with me. Frankly, I didn't think I'd learn too much from you when we first came into contact considering how different so many of your perspectives are, but I really have. I really enjoyed facing you at both the very beginning and very end of this tournament - you were not at all an easy opponent. You're a great player and a great guy, and I hope to see you again next year in SPL.

To my other great friends, Amity Dababy2 pp's splash town Ainzcrad evakiyama! NoName6293 LHF JensenDale and too many more to list:
Thank you guys. I wish you all the best.

To my managers, Laurel twash and MAVERICK SHOOTERS, who believed in me enough to pay fucking 10.5k for a rookie, who believed in me enough to let me continue playing after starting off 2-3 with Vileman on the bench, who believed in me enough to genuinely consider giving the go-ahead on an RBY tiebreaker pick in fucking SPL Finals: thank you. I will truly cherish this opportunity that you guys gave me forever. You guys embody the spirit of Team Raiders.

And of course, to Team Raiders:
Star zS Skyrio Ash KetchumGamer Endill JJ09LIE tier Ruffles Eternal Spirit Underlying Fc Charmflash, and yes, even you, Vileman and MANNAT, every single one of you are fucking amazing. Every single win mattered. Every drop of blood, sweat, and tears mattered. We fucking did it. WE'RE SMOGON PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

I don't intend to stop at all. It's only up from here. We're just getting started. I intend to prove this was not a fluke.
GO TEAM RAIDERS!
1775429335993.png
 
Oh wow, never did I think I'd be here. After getting snubbed last year, I was frankly pretty down in the dumps, and I languished around for a bit. I know it might seem a little crazy, but I staked a lot emotionally on getting in for my first time ever, and I was disappointed. I spent the entire year just waiting, waiting for 2026 to roll around and finally get my shot on the big stage. I poured everything I had into RBY, and while I still came short a few times, I really think it paid off overall. I'm extraordinarily happy with how this season went for me. I've always been extremely confident in my abilities, and it feels amazing to see that reflected in my performance, especially as a rookie, where almost nobody else was expecting anything.

I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and was friends with me along the way.

To my very best friends on Smogon, the people I've been talking to every single day for a long time:
DAWNBUSTER Without you, I wouldn't be who I am right now. Without you, I never would've gotten so into GSC, never would've gotten so invested into this game, never would've had that spark lit to try to become the very best. You've made me laugh so many times and you helped me discover my forever favorite tier, GSC NU.

第二十五夜 To the man who has with me in RBY OU since almost the very start, finding me after I debuted in pre-Smogon ADPL in RBY OU with zero prior experience, who offered to help me out: without you, I'm not the player I am now. You've been the best helper and friend I could've ever asked for. You constantly pushed me to be better, to see the mistakes in the games and builds of others and myself, gave me a fresh perspective that nobody else in the entire community could've offered, worked with me even when you should've been sleeping. I truly feel that my success is a mutual victory for the two of us. There have been many others I've come into contact with that have helped advance my game for sure, and I'm grateful to them, but I'll always come back to you. Thank you for supporting me this season JVG.

MrSoup My fellow GSC NU enjoyer. You helped keep my passion alive for this tier. I've spent so much time talking with you about it, feeding my interest and always trying to craft some grand new meta-defining technology. I could talk and build out stuff with you all day long, even if it's complete bullshit. I always enjoy having you both as my greatest rival and ally, and I look forward to trying to defeat you every time. Maybe one day I'll surpass you there as well aha.
To my friends in the Ruins of Alph Community:
susciety Links TPH BluBirD Zerkas Waves Tranquility TDR TGA SEA RichardMillePlain Rage Monai you guys are all goobers.

To all the Pampu Primeapes that have teamed with me across 3 RBYPLs:
View attachment 821328
Free ping gastlies The Strap Acetylaldehyde TyCarter Ctown6 Deezcastforms Maris Bonibell Shitrock enjoyer Egor Tree69420

To the RBY superstars I've talked to more than anyone else:
Amaranth You took a chance on me in RoAPL and worked with me the whole way through. I dragged you along back with me in the RBYPL immediately following. I've been talking to you ever since, including a couple times this season. You've helped me advance my game a ton, really nailing in on refining my prep and my lines even further. You've been instrumental to my growth as a player, and I appreciate all the times you vouched for me, trying to get others to see what you saw in me. I'm eternally grateful. I'd like to finally play you in a serious setting one day and really put our skills to the test against one another in an all-out mind game.

Serpi The boogeyman. I've played you a LOT in RBY, and you were always the one to beat. I failed a lot, and I succeeded a few crucial times. I didn't think I'd end up on your side ever, until I got the opportunity in RBYPL this past year. You really helped enlighten me on a lot of things. I love getting a fresh new perspective and genuinely see it come to fruition. Your sense for the game is unmatched. I've loved working alongside you. Thanks for coming along to support me and the Raiders in playoffs after your team got eliminated, it was immensely useful. All that's left now is to get my revenge for Week 3 next time I see you, heh. I'm coming for your throne.

Sceptross Even though you've always been on the opposite side of the battlefield from me, I've still ended up talking to you a lot. I know life's busy for you, and I appreciate the time you've made to discuss the game with me. Frankly, I didn't think I'd learn too much from you when we first came into contact considering how different so many of your perspectives are, but I really have. I really enjoyed facing you at both the very beginning and very end of this tournament - you were not at all an easy opponent. You're a great player and a great guy, and I hope to see you again next year in SPL.

To my other great friends, Amity Dababy2 pp's splash town Ainzcrad evakiyama! NoName6293 LHF JensenDale and too many more to list:
Thank you guys. I wish you all the best.

To my managers, Laurel twash and MAVERICK SHOOTERS, who believed in me enough to pay fucking 10.5k for a rookie, who believed in me enough to let me continue playing after starting off 2-3 with Vileman on the bench, who believed in me enough to genuinely consider giving the go-ahead on an RBY tiebreaker pick in fucking SPL Finals: thank you. I will truly cherish this opportunity that you guys gave me forever. You guys embody the spirit of Team Raiders.

And of course, to Team Raiders:
Star zS Skyrio Ash KetchumGamer Endill JJ09LIE tier Ruffles Eternal Spirit Underlying Fc Charmflash, and yes, even you, Vileman and MANNAT, every single one of you are fucking amazing. Every single win mattered. Every drop of blood, sweat, and tears mattered. We fucking did it. WE'RE SMOGON PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

I don't intend to stop at all. It's only up from here. We're just getting started. I intend to prove this was not a fluke.
GO TEAM RAIDERS!
View attachment 821327
We dont care
abd7f6bc-7c4c-4429-b2da-2a2e0c6bc695.jpg

Gj buddy now eat up
 
What an insane rollercoster SPL. On paper we were never the favorites, and we struggled all season. Even the weeks we won, never more than 7-5, and our kda was negative despite being 3rd seed. I have genuinely no clue how we managed to not only get this far but even win the whole thing. Massive BIG respects and s/o to Skyrio, BeeOrSomething zS, and tier for incredible consistent performances and carrying us all season. S/o to Eternal Spirit O MAGO and great friend for the insane clutch wins at the end, prepping with you SM was really fun. An honor to team up with some genuinely great players like Star Skyrio JJ09LIE (we did it bro, after losing last year in finals) Fc Underlying. A huuuuge s/o to my forever comrades and companinions BeeOrSomething zS Endill Vileman. S/o to all my teammates man, Ash KetchumGamer and MANNAT and everyone else if i forgot. S/o to MAVERICK SHOOTERS twash and Laurel too. I think they made genuinely good decisions throughout the season, esp considering its their first time managing. And thank you for believing in me despite the shaky start.

For my ORAS slot, s/o to MANNAT Paprikaflow NoName6293 Zaza for helping me prep, esp Noname, always fun building/testing with you. I'm happy you finally got yourself on sheet tours lil bro, you did good.

Genuinely special s/o to Typical_bastard. I'm ngl this guy was our secret weapon and he's just a helper. This guy provided tests for at least 5+ slots including SM (gama pinged games thrice a day minimum). Games were requested and pinged early in the week or 1 hour before the game, typical was there. He helped SV, SM, SS, and many more. This guy is geuninely top tier try hard support.

S/o to my general friends on this site that I haven't mentioned elsewhere alrdy, c0mp kingofking Proftreez Dababy2 thajester and many many more

For general ORAS, this season I decided to go about it differently. No more gatekeeping techs and prep. Decided to just help whenver asked, and I was PM'd quite a bit haha. But I'm more than happy to help, always keeps me sharp, and I get help and get my own feedback back, or at least get to bounce ideas around. So was fun xray BluBirD Metallica126 NoName6293 Spitfire Persephone

For my season overall, ending 6-5 is the exact record I got from last year. But it was different, it felt different. In his predicts, blunder mentioned that I objectively threw some games, which is 100% right. There were 3 games that were objectively thrown, 2 (vs. Poek and King) in game and 1 in prep (w1 vs. comp bringing serp slower than manaphy with a slowking wtf bro). And then my other 2 losses vs. santu were also winnable if i played better. But there's something empowering about knowing that all my losses were my own fault. I didnt really get outprepped or outplayed, and i got neutral or even good luck overall. I just shot myself in the foot 5 times. I have no one to blame but myself, and there are objective things I can work on to improve. That feels good in an odd way. The other empowering thing for me is that this SPL felt different mainly because of my mental. My rookie year last year I was nervous all the time and kept doubting myself. This year, even though I had less time to prep and test, I was more confident (sometimes too confident lol) I trusted my gut more, and even though I played 1 terrible game and choked another good game, I probably played my two best career sheet games (vs. london and metallica), getting haxed throughout the game but keeping composure and utilizing every resource i had, down to a 4% burnt mega aerodactyl. I probably had the toughest schedule of everyone in ORAS, having to play comp santu xray in my first 3 weeks and santu twice, and for the first time, I started a tour 0-2 and then 1-3. But I never wavered or doubted myself. In Semis, we won the week, and I could have easily deadgamed my game vs. Santu, someone who I'm currently 0-6 against (fuck you man). But despite me being 0-5 at that point into him, and despite the week being over and I can just coast and save my record, I wasnt going to back down from a fight. I was proud of that. Overall, even though my time, raw gameplay, and overall committment to this SPL (more down below) was inconsistent, the momentum of my mental fortitute this SPL felt great actually.

As for my personal life, I was incredibly stressed because as a 4th year medical student i was in match season. The period of time where I do interviews and then hope to get picked, for my entire hard work in the past 8+ years to be judged. I even considered taking a break from SPL this year for it (Thank God I didn't!). Sorry to my SPL teammates that I couldn't be fully engaged in this SPL, and the stress is absolutely the reason why both my piloting and prep was inconsistent. But, all that is naught. I could have went 0-11 and lost SPL and I would still be happy, because I made it in. Starting July, I will finally start training in Psychiatry, something I've wanted to do forever now.

I feel truly blessed, and all I can say is one word and one word only: ALHAMDULILLAH

I will make a couple post-SPL posts in the ORAS subforums including personal game analysis and dropping some pastes. Once im back from vacation

BTW @ TDs yo can we make SPL start 1 week earlier?! I played my SPL finals game both this year and last while im on vacation. It's spring break time late march/early april. Please consider starting next SPL a week earlier
 
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Congratulations Raiders, you have demonstrated that the predictions before week 1 indicate nothing about the season, you totally deserved this victory. I'm particularly happy for skyrio and zs who have been very solid this season, bravo les gars.

Strong run cryos, you almost managed to bring the first victory to a very old franchise, I respect that. I hope you will come back strong next year.
 
Oh wow, never did I think I'd be here. After getting snubbed last year, I was frankly pretty down in the dumps, and I languished around for a bit. I know it might seem a little crazy, but I staked a lot emotionally on getting in for my first time ever, and I was disappointed. I spent the entire year just waiting, waiting for 2026 to roll around and finally get my shot on the big stage. I poured everything I had into RBY, and while I still came short a few times, I really think it paid off overall. I'm extraordinarily happy with how this season went for me. I've always been extremely confident in my abilities, and it feels amazing to see that reflected in my performance, especially as a rookie, where almost nobody else was expecting anything.

I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and was friends with me along the way.

To my very best friends on Smogon, the people I've been talking to every single day for a long time:
DAWNBUSTER Without you, I wouldn't be who I am right now. Without you, I never would've gotten so into GSC, never would've gotten so invested into this game, never would've had that spark lit to try to become the very best. You've made me laugh so many times and you helped me discover my forever favorite tier, GSC NU. Words can't express how much I appreciate the time I've spent talking and playing with you. I'd like to see you in SPL for GSC OU one day.

第二十五夜 To the man who has with me in RBY OU since almost the very start, finding me after I debuted in pre-Smogon ADPL in RBY OU with zero prior experience, who offered to help me out: without you, I'm not the player I am now. You've been the best helper and friend I could've ever asked for. You constantly pushed me to be better, to see the mistakes in the games and builds of others and myself, gave me a fresh perspective that nobody else in the entire community could've offered, worked with me even when you should've been sleeping. I truly feel that my success is a mutual victory for the two of us. There have been many others I've come into contact with that have helped advance my game for sure, and I'm grateful to them, but I'll always come back to you. Thank you for supporting me this season JVG.

MrSoup My fellow GSC NU enjoyer. You helped keep my passion alive for this tier. I've spent so much time talking with you about it, feeding my interest and always trying to craft some grand new meta-defining technology. I could talk and build out stuff with you all day long, even if it's complete bullshit. I always enjoy having you both as my greatest rival and ally, and I look forward to trying to defeat you every time. Maybe one day I'll surpass you there as well aha.

To my friends in the Ruins of Alph Community:
susciety Links TPH BluBirD Zerkas Waves Tranquility TDR TGA SEA RichardMillePlain Rage Monai you guys are all goobers.

To all the Pampu Primeapes that have teamed with me across 3 RBYPLs:
View attachment 821328
Free ping gastlies The Strap Acetylaldehyde TyCarter Ctown6 Deezcastforms Maris Bonibell Shitrock enjoyer Egor Tree69420

To the RBY superstars I've talked to more than anyone else:
Amaranth You took a chance on me in RoAPL and worked with me the whole way through. I dragged you along back with me in the RBYPL immediately following. I've been talking to you ever since, including a couple times this season. You've helped me advance my game a ton, really nailing in on refining my prep and my lines even further. You've been instrumental to my growth as a player, and I appreciate all the times you vouched for me, trying to get others to see what you saw in me. I'm eternally grateful. I'd like to finally play you in a serious setting one day and really put our skills to the test against one another in an all-out mind game.

Serpi The boogeyman. I've played you a LOT in RBY, and you were always the one to beat. I failed a lot, and I succeeded a few crucial times. I didn't think I'd end up on your side ever, until I got the opportunity in RBYPL this past year. You really helped enlighten me on a lot of things. I love getting a fresh new perspective and genuinely see it come to fruition. Your sense for the game is unmatched. I've loved working alongside you. Thanks for coming along to support me and the Raiders in playoffs after your team got eliminated, it was immensely useful. All that's left now is to get my revenge for Week 3 next time I see you, heh. I'm coming for your throne.

Sceptross Even though you've always been on the opposite side of the battlefield from me, I've still ended up talking to you a lot. I know life's busy for you, and I appreciate the time you've made to discuss the game with me. Frankly, I didn't think I'd learn too much from you when we first came into contact considering how different so many of your perspectives are, but I really have. I really enjoyed facing you at both the very beginning and very end of this tournament - you were not at all an easy opponent. You're a great player and a great guy, and I hope to see you again next year in SPL.

To my other great friends, Amity Dababy2 pp's splash town Ainzcrad evakiyama! NoName6293 LHF JensenDale and too many more to list:
Thank you guys. I wish you all the best.

To my managers, Laurel twash and MAVERICK SHOOTERS, who believed in me enough to pay fucking 10.5k for a rookie, who believed in me enough to let me continue playing after starting off 2-3 with Vileman on the bench, who believed in me enough to genuinely consider giving the go-ahead on an RBY tiebreaker pick in fucking SPL Finals: thank you. I will truly cherish this opportunity that you guys gave me forever. You guys embody the spirit of Team Raiders.

And of course, to Team Raiders:
Star zS Skyrio Ash KetchumGamer Endill JJ09LIE tier Ruffles Eternal Spirit Underlying Fc Charmflash, and yes, even you, Vileman and MANNAT, every single one of you are fucking amazing. Every single win mattered. Every drop of blood, sweat, and tears mattered. We fucking did it. WE'RE SMOGON PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

I don't intend to stop at all. It's only up from here. We're just getting started. I intend to prove this was not a fluke.
GO TEAM RAIDERS!
View attachment 821327
There are very few people on this website who deserve it more than you - working hard to keep a sector of lower tiers alive that very few people even give a passing thought, managing multiple teamtours on end and doing your best to be a positive presence in the RBY/GSC communities, and so on.

You and the rest of the Raiders should be very proud, and to everyone else who worked so hard to put on a show fighting for the trophy, thank you for putting on high level games for our enjoyment and for the thrill of competition. Smogon's got its issues, but SPL is one of the best things the site has to offer and I hope the prestige and talent that comes in this tour continues to shine bright for a long time to come.

There really is nothing like competitive Pokemon on the planet, for better or for worse.

Third year in a row where the winning team has a 3k DPP player that managed to get 6+ wins. Crazy...View attachment 821357
View attachment 821359View attachment 821358

OK this doesn't match the tone of what I just wrote before but since double posting is something I'd rather avoid - that's actually such a cool statistic. Wonder who the breakout 3K could be next year.
 
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Hey I felt like writing something here because this experience really meant a lot to me and I'm hitting insomnia again..

First of all congratulations to the Raiders, especially Fc, Gama (well deserved trophy for all those years), zS and of course my brother Skyrio for putting arguably one of the best (if not the best?) dpp run of all time.

What a way to go out man. My last official tournament was 3 years ago in a finals and it did not end quite well either.

As I was in a call in december with my friend Akali talking about irl stuff, he convinced me to join this year and I was a bit tempted so I felt like stars were aligned for me to give this tournament a final shot and break a curse : I was 0-8 all time in SPL, which was in my opinion such an undeserved record considering I’ve achieved things a billion times harder than winning a game in this tournament.

Prior to this finals, I was 4-6 and yet was still very very happy about how I played and prepared my games. Most of my losses were either due to misfortune or absolutely terrible matchup, and I promised myself as long as I felt good ingame, It’s all good. That was really the spirit entering this tournament no matter how things would go.

However this finals hurts. It hurts because it’s a thing I would never expect from me. It hurts because this time, the playing was the problem, despite doing well for 95% of the game. Not only choking a game, but doing it in finals because you tunnel vision’d something but it doesn’t work as you get misfortune in the way yet again (not an excuse but still frustrating considering some of the past games again).

It hurts because I wanna say « there is still room to grow and learn from this » but I’m sad there is hardly a room for all of this anymore, and that’s what pity me the most. I’ve put my soul into this tournament because as we get older it’s harder and harder to dedicate time for this now than it was years ago (biggest difference from 2022 is probably working full time now, not a student anymore).

I wanna say a huge huge thank you to my team but above all PDC gorgie and Sam for getting me in the first place and trusting me until the very end this year, I'll be honest I was quite unfamiliar with 90% of the managers (as you don't really see me often in SPL/SCL anymore) + as I said above my last showing in officials was years ago so I was a bit worried about how things would go. All in all I'm glad to have stepped in and took the challenge given the context : hiatus + past records, because I truly believe it takes some courage to do so and I like to think it can hold you back in some ways.

As Ruffles very well said, Al Hamdoulillah no matter what is happening, good or bad, real life or gaming.
 
congrats zS tier. seeing your development over the years has been a treat & im happy that you got your "competitive auction tour" season down, momo


seeing someone ive technically known since like, mid natdex days also have their own total reinvention tour by tour (i still remember your uu open semis run a couple of years ago) into becoming one of the top dogs of cg sv has been real sweet. kdca, you're a great competitor and i'm sure you'll continue to perform as well as you did here and in ost. whatever the yappers say don't mean shit king. also good try too nick

sv has been a generation full of rlly cool rises of new players with some older players finding new light in it as well so if this is the last sv spl then ill say the spectator experience was heat & i imagine world cup will be more of the same
 
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