DPL is always a blast, but this year takes the cake. It was incredible to be a part of the Storms this year and I’m so incredibly proud to call each and every one of you my teammate. You guys gave it your all, and the results show it. If there was an option to lock in this team again for next year I would do it in an instant
stax - I’m convinced beyond doubt that you’re the most naturally gifted player in the tier. Your ability to walk up to any opponent with any team and outplay them at every point is nuts. Selfishly I’m very thankful that you didn’t manage this year which gave me the chance to have you on my team
and because if you were managing you probably would have won
shadow - building teams with you is what I looked forward to most every week. Finding ways to make stuff like spider, goltres, double cb (and entei?) work was such a fun and refreshing divergence from building standard goodstuffs teams, and the fact that you kept on winning with them should erase anyone’s doubts about how good you are as a player. Go win this ssnl my dude :)
zee - I want you to play Don’t Stop Believin’ over and over again any time you start to doubt your playing or building skills. You’re really fuckin good at this game - the way you clawed yourself back into a game that seemed all but lost in the finals should really tell you something. I’m so happy our paths crossed for this tourney and I really hope you stick around dou for a while longer
atmosphere - another criminally underrated player that I expect to go for much higher next DPL. You started in a tier that nobody else on the team mained and played very solidly every week. We did our best to help, but really you were on your own here and going 2-3 in a tier with SMB is solid af and well earned
london - it’s rare to find a player that’s so eager to help in so many different slots. You were always on discord critiquing teams and suggesting ideas, and even though you didn’t get to play much you contributed a ton to everything we did. Being in a mainly support role can be tough but you always showed up with a positive attitude and made the team a better place for everyone
wob - you’re incredibly knowledgeable about the game, but I knew that before DPL and I’m sure everyone else did too. What amazes me about you is how tightly you’re able to dissect every game that you play. After winning, most players like to get carried away and celebrate, and after losing, most players like to take time off from the game. You’re an exception - after every single game, you looked back and broke down what you did well, what you didn’t, where luck could have helped you, where luck could have screwed you. I’m constantly in awe of everything you do and I’m sure that you’re going to be one of the best players around for as long as you choose to be
laptops - I wish we could have slotted you in during the season, but regardless it’s always great having more Storms vets on the team. You were part of the crew that got me started playing competitively in the first place and I’m still very thankful for that
qsns - you were on every single draft plan I made and I don’t know what I would have done without you on the team. You’re insanely good at building, even better at playing, you understand the metagame way deeper than I could ever hope to, and you’re an amazingly fun person to work with. You’re the complete package of everything I could ever want in a teammate and I’m so lucky to have you as a teammate. Hope you like the Storms cuz there's no way I'm letting anyone else have you next year ;)
arctic - we both know that I wouldn’t be anywhere close to here if not for you. You took a chance on me by drafting me in DPL 4, and an even bigger chance offering me a team that you’ve run for so many years. You’re the reason I play competitive mons and even all these years later I still come to you first whenever I need to bounce ideas off of anyone. I have nothing but gratitude towards you <3
zstrats - our playoff messiah. You gave us everything you had throughout the playoffs and expected nothing in return. Everyone should already know how good of a player and builder you are, but your dedication to helping others and perseverance to keep building and building until something incredible emerges is inspiring. I’m so thankful for the help you gave us and hope that some day I'm in a position to return the favor
Final shoutouts to leadership for consistently maintaining a healthy community, to the five other teams and Sunrose for a great DPL, to Yoda and GenOne for keeping me sane, to Lunar for the predix and support, and to croven for nothing ;)
See y'all back on the court next year and GO STORMS