St. Louis (5th Place)
Lucario (Mega) / Salamence / Florges / Amoonguss / Rotom-W / Talonflame

This was probably my favorite team that I’ve ever used in a tournament this season. In my opinion, it was one of the best metagame calls at the moment with the lack of banded talonflame which could OHKO Mega Lucario, and the large increase in Kangaskhan. There really weren’t that many people that could beat the Talonflame+Mega Lucario+Salamence combo that I brought nearly every game. Lucario with Rock Slide was amazing for Charizards and Talonflames, as Jolly Mega Lucario outspeeds Adamant Talonflames trying to use Flare Blitz, which carried a lot of my matches during the tournament.

The biggest issue with this team was without a doubt aegislash. It could sub up against my Spores, it could King’s Shield against my Flare Blitz, and Lucario couldn’t touch it. The best way I had to defeat it was burning it with Rotom and stalling, Fire Blasting with Salamence, or calling the lack of King’s Shield from my opponent with Talonflame. I was in luck, however, as no Aegislash came in my path except against Collin Heier, who I gave the win in the last round of swiss, even though he likely would have beaten me anyways.


Important Battle(s):

Ashton Cox (3rd Place
Diggersby / Chesnaught / Weavile / Charizard / Clawitzer / Garchomp

I had already known his team going into it. I knew he was really weak to Lucario, especially with Rock Slide. I didn’t recognize that Scarf Salamence and Mega Lucario beat him 100% of the time and didn’t bring Salamence. Losing to Ashton was a bit of a wake up call. I figured going into my match that I had that game won 100%, but didn’t think about what actually made me win.


What I Learned From This Event:

There were two very important lessons that I learned about myself from this event:
I’m capable of calling the meta well enough to where my team carried me through my matches
Don’t underestimate an opponent

Overall, underestimating Ashton’s ability as a player was my ultimate downfall. He surprised me with his overwhelming offensive pressure and I did not prepare enough for him by not bringing my Salamence. However, I impressed myself that I was able to call the meta well enough to where all of my matches were fairly auto pilot. I learned a lot about myself as a player from this event and used this information in future events, which payed off in Kansas City.