Art by NicoReaper
Welcome everyone to Ubers Player of the Week! This'll be a weekly project where Arii Stella & I alternatively interview well known players every week to try to get to know them better. If anyone has suggestions on who we should interview next, feel free to shoot Arii / me a PM. Anyways, lets get to it!
Lacus Clyne
Favorite Pokemon(s):
Mewtwo
Most Known For:
Winner of ORAS Ubers Winter Seasonal
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 20 year old engineering student; my hobbies are playing Pokémon and other strategic games like Fire Emblem.
How did you come up with the name 'Lacus Clyne'?
Well Lacus Clyne is the name of an Anime character from Mobile Suit Gundam Seed. Back when I was a bit younger, I used to watch many Animes and I was simply amazed about the Lacus Clyne character and her ambitions. I literally had no idea what to use as my alt name when I started with Pokémon, so I picked her name. People call me just Lacus though.
How and when did you get in Ubers?
I started with Ubers back in 2013. That's also the same year when I first joined a Pokémon server. When logged in, I met this user named 'Imagend', and I was really interested in the way he fought his battles. He peaked so many ladders, and was well known in the German community, which is why I asked him to tutor me. I also began picking up some anticipation techniques and other stuff that which enhanced my skill as a player. After a while, I realized that I was constantly winning my battles in Ubers, as opposed to the other tiers I've played, which is also the reason why I mainly focused on Ubers only and ignored every other tier.
What is your favorite generation in Ubers, and why?
My favorite generation is definitely Gen 6 XY Ubers. I've always enjoyed laddering with friends and building teams. The addition of Defog in the metagame was really healthy for the tier since everyone used to rely on Magic Bounce or simply had to leave the hazards on their field back in BW2. XY Ubers had so much stuff to uncover, since everyone was really new to that tier. It was always really cool when someone innovated new stuff which made everything a bit more interesting.
What's your favorite playstyle and why?
In XY, I really loved Semi-Stall. Analyzing your opponent's playing habits while waiting for the perfect chance to strike was always the stuff that made the game really enjoyable. I used to spam a team which I named 'Remastered'; it was really known on ladder.
In ORAS, I tend to use more offensive teams. Although, I would say that Balance is probably my favourite playstyle in ORAS. It's just annoying that there are so many strong threats out there which limit teambuilding.
Since you're coming off a big tournament win, can you tell us how you prepared for big matches and what was your thought process behind the teams you elected?
I don't mentally prepare for anything. When the battle is about to start, I just tell SparksBlade to shut up and get right into the business. Jokes aside, I just keep a piece of paper and a pen ready, open the Pokémon calculator, play my favourite music and think rationally. In big tournaments, I like to double check everything which is why the piece of paper can come handy. I'll just write everything down and see how the situation goes on while considering the stuff I wrote down.
There isn't a big thought process behind the teams I elect, but I prefere to built new teams whenever I play in an important match. That reduces the chances of getting counter-teamed. Also shoutouts to sin and victimization fom teambuilding with me for the seasonal finals.
What was the most memorable moment of your Winter Seasonal run?
The most memorable moment of my seasonal run was when I predicted Lord Outrage in game 2 from our second BO3; no one expected me to stay in with Rayquaza and click Dragon Ascent five times in a row. To be fair, I had a Plan B in case something went wrong. The worst moment of my seasonal run also happened against Lord Outrage in game 3 from our first BO3, where, I misclicked my Wish from Jirachi against his Xerneas. I could've regained some health with the combination of Protect + Wish before finishing that Xerneas off, and had a chance to win. Anyways, our series was overall the best series I've ever had and we are also good friends since 2014 so I wasn't really mad when I lost.
What are you most looking forward to in gen 7, Pokemon Sun & Moon?
I want more checks against the current Ubers titans. Also balancing the tier would also be great since literally everyone is running offense. I'm also looking forward to some new moves; a recovery move for steel types would be awesome. Can't wait for Solgaleo and Magiana. Let's see if they can function as our new Xerneas check.
Who are some of your favorite people in the Smogon/Ubers community?
Well my idol was Imagend, but there are obviously some other people I find really interesting. Astounded is in my opinion one of the best players out there and it's always fun to watch his replays and predict what's going to happen. Although we don't really know each other, I really like the way Kebabe fights. He just uses stuff he likes and doesn't give a damn what everyone thinks. There is also ShadowQuinn; he has really evolved as a player. I still remember when he always annoyed me and sent me challenges two years ago only. James Jimmy and Albert are also quite skilled. The funniest people are hyw and Sparksblade.
If you could change one thing in Ubers, what would it be?
There is actually nothing I want to change. Ubers is playable and that's the most important thing. We should only change something when we really need to; Mega Rayquaza is the best example. It was way too broken and everyone knew, hence it was banned. Some Ubers generations are more fun and some are not really enjoyable, that's quite normal.
Favorite UPL/Seasonal/Ubers Open game(s)?
This is my favourite game from Ubers Winter Seasonal, game three of my second set vs Lord Outrage in the grand finals.
I really liked all the plays we made and he predicted me on some turns. Turn 2, he stayed in on my Darkrai, even though I was dead sure that he wanted to switch out since he needed that Landorus-T for my Deoxys-A, albeit, he stayed in and predicted my Thunder which was really amazing. That was really risky on his part though. Another predict which happened was the switch into Arceus. I guess he predicted an Icy Wind since I revealed that set in an earlier game but instead he got 2HKO by Focus Blast. I didn't Mega Evolve Gengar, since it was the only Pokemon immune to ground moves and that forced him to play a bit more carefully with his Primal-Groudon and Landorus-T. The game changing point was when I took out his Primal-Groudon with the combination of Taunt and Destiny Bond. I guess no one really expected me to use non-protect Mega-Gengar, but people use Adamant Arceus nowadays so I had no real reason to use Protect. At that point, it was just me waiting again for Deoxys-A to sweep. After he let his Landorus-T get weakened it was pretty much game.
I am a 20 year old engineering student; my hobbies are playing Pokémon and other strategic games like Fire Emblem.
How did you come up with the name 'Lacus Clyne'?
Well Lacus Clyne is the name of an Anime character from Mobile Suit Gundam Seed. Back when I was a bit younger, I used to watch many Animes and I was simply amazed about the Lacus Clyne character and her ambitions. I literally had no idea what to use as my alt name when I started with Pokémon, so I picked her name. People call me just Lacus though.
How and when did you get in Ubers?
I started with Ubers back in 2013. That's also the same year when I first joined a Pokémon server. When logged in, I met this user named 'Imagend', and I was really interested in the way he fought his battles. He peaked so many ladders, and was well known in the German community, which is why I asked him to tutor me. I also began picking up some anticipation techniques and other stuff that which enhanced my skill as a player. After a while, I realized that I was constantly winning my battles in Ubers, as opposed to the other tiers I've played, which is also the reason why I mainly focused on Ubers only and ignored every other tier.
What is your favorite generation in Ubers, and why?
My favorite generation is definitely Gen 6 XY Ubers. I've always enjoyed laddering with friends and building teams. The addition of Defog in the metagame was really healthy for the tier since everyone used to rely on Magic Bounce or simply had to leave the hazards on their field back in BW2. XY Ubers had so much stuff to uncover, since everyone was really new to that tier. It was always really cool when someone innovated new stuff which made everything a bit more interesting.
What's your favorite playstyle and why?
In XY, I really loved Semi-Stall. Analyzing your opponent's playing habits while waiting for the perfect chance to strike was always the stuff that made the game really enjoyable. I used to spam a team which I named 'Remastered'; it was really known on ladder.
In ORAS, I tend to use more offensive teams. Although, I would say that Balance is probably my favourite playstyle in ORAS. It's just annoying that there are so many strong threats out there which limit teambuilding.
Since you're coming off a big tournament win, can you tell us how you prepared for big matches and what was your thought process behind the teams you elected?
I don't mentally prepare for anything. When the battle is about to start, I just tell SparksBlade to shut up and get right into the business. Jokes aside, I just keep a piece of paper and a pen ready, open the Pokémon calculator, play my favourite music and think rationally. In big tournaments, I like to double check everything which is why the piece of paper can come handy. I'll just write everything down and see how the situation goes on while considering the stuff I wrote down.
There isn't a big thought process behind the teams I elect, but I prefere to built new teams whenever I play in an important match. That reduces the chances of getting counter-teamed. Also shoutouts to sin and victimization fom teambuilding with me for the seasonal finals.
What was the most memorable moment of your Winter Seasonal run?
The most memorable moment of my seasonal run was when I predicted Lord Outrage in game 2 from our second BO3; no one expected me to stay in with Rayquaza and click Dragon Ascent five times in a row. To be fair, I had a Plan B in case something went wrong. The worst moment of my seasonal run also happened against Lord Outrage in game 3 from our first BO3, where, I misclicked my Wish from Jirachi against his Xerneas. I could've regained some health with the combination of Protect + Wish before finishing that Xerneas off, and had a chance to win. Anyways, our series was overall the best series I've ever had and we are also good friends since 2014 so I wasn't really mad when I lost.
What are you most looking forward to in gen 7, Pokemon Sun & Moon?
I want more checks against the current Ubers titans. Also balancing the tier would also be great since literally everyone is running offense. I'm also looking forward to some new moves; a recovery move for steel types would be awesome. Can't wait for Solgaleo and Magiana. Let's see if they can function as our new Xerneas check.
Who are some of your favorite people in the Smogon/Ubers community?
Well my idol was Imagend, but there are obviously some other people I find really interesting. Astounded is in my opinion one of the best players out there and it's always fun to watch his replays and predict what's going to happen. Although we don't really know each other, I really like the way Kebabe fights. He just uses stuff he likes and doesn't give a damn what everyone thinks. There is also ShadowQuinn; he has really evolved as a player. I still remember when he always annoyed me and sent me challenges two years ago only. James Jimmy and Albert are also quite skilled. The funniest people are hyw and Sparksblade.
If you could change one thing in Ubers, what would it be?
There is actually nothing I want to change. Ubers is playable and that's the most important thing. We should only change something when we really need to; Mega Rayquaza is the best example. It was way too broken and everyone knew, hence it was banned. Some Ubers generations are more fun and some are not really enjoyable, that's quite normal.
Favorite UPL/Seasonal/Ubers Open game(s)?
This is my favourite game from Ubers Winter Seasonal, game three of my second set vs Lord Outrage in the grand finals.
I really liked all the plays we made and he predicted me on some turns. Turn 2, he stayed in on my Darkrai, even though I was dead sure that he wanted to switch out since he needed that Landorus-T for my Deoxys-A, albeit, he stayed in and predicted my Thunder which was really amazing. That was really risky on his part though. Another predict which happened was the switch into Arceus. I guess he predicted an Icy Wind since I revealed that set in an earlier game but instead he got 2HKO by Focus Blast. I didn't Mega Evolve Gengar, since it was the only Pokemon immune to ground moves and that forced him to play a bit more carefully with his Primal-Groudon and Landorus-T. The game changing point was when I took out his Primal-Groudon with the combination of Taunt and Destiny Bond. I guess no one really expected me to use non-protect Mega-Gengar, but people use Adamant Arceus nowadays so I had no real reason to use Protect. At that point, it was just me waiting again for Deoxys-A to sweep. After he let his Landorus-T get weakened it was pretty much game.
Do you have any tips for newer players trying to establish themselves in the community?
Well, some people can easily immerse themselves into the community, while other people struggle to fall in. My advice is to try the tutor program on Smogon. You could try to learn from a veteran or use the ladder for some experience. You can also go ahead and ask the Ubers auth. I'm sure that they will help newer players. Well every person has their own ways to get known in the Ubers scene.
Finally, can you provide us a team with a brief explanation on how it works?
Dialga @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Thunder Wave
Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 SpD / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
Rayquaza @ Choice Band
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Ascent
- Extreme Speed
- Waterfall
- V-create
Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 68 HP / 252 Atk / 188 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Facade
- Roost
- Dragon Dance
Arceus @ Life Orb
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake
Darkrai @ Life Orb
Ability: Bad Dreams
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Dark Void
- Thunder
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Thunder Wave
Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 SpD / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
Rayquaza @ Choice Band
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Ascent
- Extreme Speed
- Waterfall
- V-create
Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 68 HP / 252 Atk / 188 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Facade
- Roost
- Dragon Dance
Arceus @ Life Orb
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake
Darkrai @ Life Orb
Ability: Bad Dreams
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Dark Void
- Thunder
Albert and I built this team for my Seasonal run. The double dragon core is known for its monstrous power and ablility to break down walls quite easily. Combine this with stealth rocks, and there shouldn't be a defensive obstacle you can't deal with. Darkrai is there for some speed control and is also able to put something to sleep which reduces the offensive pressure from your opponent. Arceus is a strong revenge killer and cleaner if possible, while Primal-Groudon is just mandatory.
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Big thanks to Lacus for taking out time to complete this interview.
Make sure you ask her any (respectful) questions below!
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