WORLDS BOIS
So... At the time of writing this it's nearly 10pm August 9th and it's just over a week until the World Championships arrive. I myself will be attending along with a large chunk of my friends with the remaining being temporary cheerleaders from back home sending energy our way. It's a hard thing to write about given the massive amount of variables involved but I'll try my best to cover what to expect and what this huge adventure will be like. Focusing more on the personal side since mons is a bit more boring than I am at the moment.
I'll start with the mons part since that's the more interesting part for most. The metagame right now from my perspective is a bit of a mess. With some desperately trying to find 'the play' and others just accepting Xdon as the lord and saviour. Who can blame them? It's super solid if played well and relatively easy to pilot. Xdon with Bronzong or 'Big B/Dong' is the popular choice at the moment although the sixth slot seems relatively interchangeable with choices ranging from Cresselia and Thundurus to Exeggutor and Meowstic. Whilst I personally don't like Xdon or more specifically Xerneas. I do respect the sheer power behind the combination with +2 Xerneas being the end of the game for a lot of teams and Groudon just being really damn good.
Double Primal seems to of disappeared off the face of the earth for some reason. Since I don't play the archetype myself I don't have too much experience with it and am not really sure what has changed for it to be seldom used. I think Double Primal Bronzong is still a solid answer to a lot of common threats in the format. Just might need some innovation to get around as easily as it did earlier in the year in the same fashion that Xdon upgraded to beat down on it.
Rayogre is just doing Rayogre things and being weird. Its a ruthless archetype if played correctly assuming Dialga is dealt with. I can see quite a few Rayogre teams doing well in day 1 and day 2, potentially even Scarf Kyogre variants. It might struggle in bo3 but as Italian Nats showed, its strong enough to get past that.
Everything else is just kinda doing its thing. I don't actually think there's a 'play' this year as much as there is a weird janky mon to slot in the sixth slot of a strong archetype. In every iteration of the team I've used this year the sixth slot has been relatively filler and I think finding a solid choice in that last slot is absolutely key to success. To anyone unsure of what to use at this late juncture I suggest just using the archetype you're most comfortable with. Be that Xdon, Xray,Dub primal or even Ydon, just use what you have the most experience in and play it to the best of your ability.
I've got my team fairly locked in with just some EV's to mess with and finalise. My confidence is utterly low however despite winning a horribly stacked tournament a few days ago. I shall be fine on the day. I play better when I'm a crushed mess anyways :^)
As for the actual holiday, I have a tiny fear of flying so it should be really fun times actually getting there aha. But when we all get there it's going to be absolutely amazing, I have no doubts about that. San Francisco looks like a lovely place and I plan to see all the things it has to offer. Especially oversized portions of cheesecake. No matter what happens at worlds. Whether I or anyone makes day 2 or not. It matters not, we're all gonna have a **** blast regardless. Making day 2 would be a literal dream come true, I've worked so so hard over the past year to get better and to be the best I can be. Not making it would be pretty upsetting but at least I'll be on holiday in America with my frens instead of being stuck in dingy old Liverpool :^)
Sorry for the shorter piece especially after a general lack of content.(I've been very busy with things)
I get into San Fran on Wednesday 17th about midday. If anyone wants to hang then I'm easy to find. I'll be the (babe) nerd in the massively cool shades and a terrible sense of dress.Its gonna be a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to meeting new people and improving further. And to everyone staying at home, you're all amazing still. Just show me how good you are at cheer leading :] #TeamChat #TeamMatt #TeamPeen #TeamShades etc etc.
I'll see you all on the other side... Wish me luck :D
PS: <333333333333
PSS: See ya in the Tiki Bars :]
Matt
