Baltimore, MD Regionals 2024: Finding My Place In Pokemon

2024年9月17日 08:20

I'mWelcome to my report on the Baltimore 2024 Re gional Championships. Let's see how this goes compared to when I was here 2 years ago. Also be warned this is my largest report yet. Way more photos and a bit more stuff going on. Hope you enjoy. Let's get into it.

The drive this time was much easier than a 14 hour drive to WI for Brawl City so no issues there.

I'm very familiar with the convention center as I've been here for multiple reasons over the last 20-ish years. Visually the outside have this great unique architecture surrounding it but other than that it's just a big convention center. Works well and does what it's supposed to.

Players waiting minutes before opening at 10:00 am (1 of 3)

Let's go DAY 0

Also special thanks to Little River for the shirts for this weekend. I love them and for those who know the meme you know. Also got many compliments and people asking where I got the shirt.

Registration was smoother than 2022. In 2022 they had 2 tables at the end of a loooooong hallway where the line when onto a set of stairs. That was wild. This time things seem to be structured better.

Special Appearance from Professor Pokedad if you read my report on my autograph collection.

Check in line for the early bird players.

Also you'll see guest appearance from 2 of brightest minds in the Senior division. This is Pokedad's 2 sons.

Judges lining up for their event confirmation.

Event registration was faster and smoother than 2022 Baltimore so great job staff on that one. After getting checked in, the event takes place on the lower level of the building.

Buuuut can't go into the venue yet. Wristband pickup was an hour before the event halls opened up.

The boys playing against another senior who ended up in Top 8 in the Senior division at this event.

Players starting to get downstairs (1 of 2)

Players starting to get downstairs (2 of 2)

After being told doors will delay opening for another 30 minutes Pokemon players do what Pokemon players do. They play cards of course.

Almost everyone sits down to play the time away.

Jason (One of my testing buddies I've known for almost 10 years) playing against RJ.

Luckily while waiting out here I ran into-

The YouTuber King Dre C1out(Top 16 Fresno Regionals 2023). One of the nicest people I met. Ran into him multiple times during the event checking up on his run. Would love to play against him in the future. This will be the first of many many autographs. This event I got the most autographs to date.

Players are now allowed in.

Looks like I'm not the only one taking photos.

Before getting in the area the tournament took place in let's talk about the displays. If you read my Baltimore 2022 report you'll know I noted that the Pokemon being used on the advertisements and banners were not the most era accurate to what was being played at the time. This time though…..

TCG Match Slip drop off center with the cool Arceus display.

I think this was one of the most popular displays. Saw plenty of people getting a photo with Sableyes.

One of my personal favorites. Love this Medicham

Welcome Kit table with a classic Mr.Mime

Bannette a personal favorite of mine. Love the mega

As you can see they upped the Pokemon theme game. Way better than 2 years ago. Great variety of Pokemon used.

Now let's get into the space itself.

This is the set up for the stream games for anyone to watch. We will be here plenty this weekend.

As I was getting photos a kid and his dad came up wanting to look at the medals and that kid is…..

Jose Galindo (NAIC 2024 Junior Division Champion)

Jose with the NAIC vistory hold the trophy high

Very nice and polite. Met him and his dad here and I wished him the best of luck and hope he gets more accomplishments under his belt in the future.

Showing the scale of how big this venue is

VG area and people lining up for event swag

Swag pickup table. Excited to talk about the promo and playmat later

The chairs for people to watch the stream games

TCG set up right side angle. Not fully set up yet

Vendors at this event and people swarmed to them …….. maybe including myself a little

Look ok I needed the Dusknoir. I bought out the last of them at one booth. Thought that was funny. Grabbed some Hydrapples since I'm debating playing that. Reminds me of good old Darkrai Ex. Also playmat review fantastic. I'm debating between 9-10/10. Great Pokemon to use, great color, vibrant and the corner art first the scene well. One of my personal favorites now. Debating if I like this or the Alolan Ninetales more.

Also right before getting in RJ guessed Kieran as the promo and right after I guessed Carmine. Big brain 🧠

Got myself with the medal. We will see some of these out of the case later.

Also for the first time I saw a women exclusive side events.

I asked around about this side event and this is a recent addition to the regional circuit from about 2023. I was personally exited when Piper won 2022 Baltimore Regionals so seeing this addition is a nice change to see.

One problem occured on my end. At 1:45 I signed up for a Ditto pack draft. 4:00 pm rolls around.

Judges are being briefed on what will be happening next. Pairings we're supposed to be sent to use once pairings started but that never came. Instead they were told that everyone who hasnt gotten their pairing to get in line and they'll manually set up tables.

And a loooooong line came and it was moving very slow so I bailed on side events that day. I understand there will be issues with the first event from a new company running these events now so hopefully this will be worked out in the future.

On the way out I ran into THE Ross Cawthon (2 time Worlds Finalist and only player to compete in every world championship. Also my all time favorite player) Since Ross is THE Bombtar guy I wanted the main basics from that deck signed and this will be well loved in my RSPK / EX Block decks

Also got to meet the Legendary Tord Reklev (5 time International Champion Master Division, 2019 Worlds Top 4, 2nd Place 2023 Worlds and just got 10th at 2024 Worlds) and he just came off his Stambler Open win and congratulated him on that. He looked at the cards I had him sign and he said "Oooooh good choices" Pigeot since he was a big LBS player, Garbodor since he used that to get his first NAIC win and Gardie since that's what got him his 2nd place finish in 2023.

Overall mostly a good first day here. Doesn't feel as cramped in the venue and everything is very clean looking. Hyped for day 1. Oh what I fool I was.

DAY 1 with 2767 players at this tournament

Imagibe sitting around that

Before I do more photos of what happened around me during the event I'll go over my deck list and how my run went.

So what am I playing?

Ancient Box Baby

I tried to be maybe a little too "spicy" with this deck list. Also shout out to the Mana Vault. Got this playmat from them and used it at the event and got plenty of compliments because of it. I'll got over changes to the list later.

Ancient Box just felt really good into this meta. I'm not sure if I was wrong about that or just had a bad run. Time will tell.

Also the playmat I used is the Mana Vault playmat with art from a Magic The Gathering artist. How dare I

Also wanted to point out the notebook I'm using is from the prize Wall from 2022 Baltimore Regionals. What a funny full circle kinda thing. You can see it's been well loved the last two years.

Love this notebook. Perfect size and so cute.

Let's get to the games

Round 1: Banette EX/Dusknoir - Ian Hunter

I enjoy this card and debated testing to play it at this event.

For Ancient Box this is an easy win unless Banette pops off like turn 2 and even then Pokestop and my supporters if I'm prepped right can still keep me going. Game 1 I set up fine but he just kept missing Dusknoir and Banette EX for 3 or 4 turns so he scooped after I got 3 or 4 prizes to his one. Game 2 he tried to turn 2 item lock me but had no other resources and I had a Roaring Moons ready to strike but I also had no secondary attacker ready but he couldn't keep up and I just took over again. I said to Ian after game one that I was hoping not to see Banette. This match up I was afraid of at first but now I understand this is free on weakness alone.

I have officially broken a curse of mine. Last two regionals I got a round 1 one loss but not this time. I'm feeling good.

Game 2: Raging Bolt - Alexander Remick

Didn't test against Bolt much since I thought I won this match up.

This one has a story. So Alex is an experienced Senior division player who just got back from playing at 2024 Worlds and just aged into the master division. This naturally puts me at a disadvantage in my head. Experienced younger people play the game with a natural flow that I just don't have since I wasn't a competitive player when I was young so a lot of what I have to do I manually have to think in real time about where as they just automatically know. This is something as a player I know I personally lack. Game 1 I won. He had a slow start and could keep up the prize trade at that point. Game 2 I start with Greninja and he starts Squakabilly. Very close game but he was able to win this one. I offer the Gentleman's agreement here since I know I can get early KO's and he declines which makes sense in his position. I wouldn't if I were him. Time was just about to end so Alex asked a nearby judge how much time is left in the round and the judge said "Not much left. That's all I'll say" He kinda had an attitude and Alex goes "Your supposed to tell us. Can I get another judge on this?" The judge responded "There's less than one minute in the round." and then left. That was one of the strangest judge interactions I've seen in my life. That was just a rude interaction overall and doesn't live up to the standards of being a judge. As someone who did customer service for almost 10 years I understand there can be situations where no matter what it will be a frustrating interaction but this was not one of those times. Anyway we play our 3 turns and Alex's jokes on the last turn "So cool with the Gentleman's Agreement now?" since his turn was lit. He had all the gas for game 3. I know I would have lost that game. Tie is better than a loss.

Round 3: Charizard EX/Dusknoir - Noah Tremblett

So glad to have a top tier Charizard deck in the format.

Game 1 was close. We both started slow but Turo in his favor. That hurt. Game 2 I prize 2 moons and he just sets up perfect. This seems like a bad match up for me since I can't one shot Zard. Pretty straight forward and the start of the decline.

Round 4: Chien-Pao EX - Chad James

Chien-Pao is pretty easy for me. They just can't keep up the prize trade. 2-0 game 1 was close but game 2 he just didn't have what he needed.

Round 5: Raging Bolt - Fransico Lopez

Game 1 he had all the gas and attacked turn one. I couldn't keep up the tempo. Game 2 I thought early on I had this game on lock and I was correct. Game 3 starts and I have a slow slow start. He has what he needs and just over takes me. The day 2 window is closed. Round 5 at a regionals is typically my end. I get 2 loses in at that point and then I'm out. This will need to be worked on in the future. Also made a new friend. Fransico was very nice and we exchanged info. He is from CT would love to check out their TCG scene. Will definitely visit in the future.

Round 6: Palafin EX - Robert Meyers

I call this set "Rubbing salt in a wound". So this is the weird deck of the event for me. I think I misplayed this match. Early on I should have heavies Flutter Mane to counter Morpeko but the strategy is smart. I lost both games. Palafin is just tank like I noted with Charizard earlier. Can't one shot it. Fun deck ideas though.

Round 7: Chien-Pao EX - Alex Rafala

First off he said he lives in NY but grew up in the town in VA I live in now. What a coincidence. Also second coincidence is that his favorite Pokemon is Kabutops. Truly a man of taste. Made a new friend and would love to do some reports on the New York TCG scene in the future. Anywho this is a 2-0 game. I win this matchup usually. Prize trade and all. Either way always cool to make another new friend.

Round 8: Lugia V Star - Zane Mihalko

Maaaaaaaan Ancient Box doesn't like this guy.

Prior to this game I was still on track to get my classic 5-3-1. I've ridden the wave before and I can do it again………..unless Iron Hands appears. Lugia I just auto lose to. Lugia was a good meta call for this event I feel. First game I won because they had a slow tempo. Game 2 and 3 I lost. GAME 3 WAS HORRIBLE. For 5 turns 0 energies and 0 Earthen Vessel. No energies. I just kept passing over and over. I was crushed after that game.

Round 9: Regidrago V Star - Juan Caberera

Juan walks up to the table and says "Are you cool with just agreeing to a tie?" I stop and think. I agree. I'm emotionally exhausted at that point. I don't care about the run anymore. Anything lower than 5-3-1 than I don't care anymore. I need time to relax after a rough day.

Final Score: 3-4-2 My worst Regional Preformance yet.

How do I feel? Well I didn't meet any of my goals. I was upset at first. After taking a step back I was salty but what could I do better?

1) Don't be afraid of using a top tier deck. I typically avoid the "obvious" or S-Tier choices but I think I need to not automatically dismiss those options.

2)Build the deck better. Could have had a better version of this build. Needs more consistency.

3)Test play all the decks in the format instead of picking one and trying to build it around the format. You have to understand what is the best by playing it.

After some reflection I know I just should have played a better deck. Didn't misplay too much except with maybe Palafin just because I was not at all expecting that. It's not that deep and you can't let it get to you when things get rough like that. All you need to think is "Grant Manley got 1-3 and dropped" It can happen to anyone. Even Worlds level competitors.

Sept 21 2024 addition: After having a wider perspective on the meta I'd say the only mistake made was that I should have played a different deck. I should have played Lugia. I only didn't because I was expecting more Miridon than there actually was. My run was only this bad becaude I made a bad meta call.

Speaking of other players let's see what autographs I got so far.

First ran into Jesse Parker (Top 4 Worlds 2024). Was rooting for him to make it to the end but so close. Very happy to see Jesse out here and he was playing the dreaded Lugia this time around. Blasphemy. Glad to see he is still grinding it out but also I know he already has his Worlds invite so he doesn't have to stress too much.

Ian Robb (Top 8 Worlds 2024) since he was a Lost Box player for a bit and I had no other Drago's on me. He also ends up in Top 8 at this event as well.

Rahul Reddy (9th Worlds 2024) Very excited to see him post Worlds and since he is one of my local top level players he was nice to meet. Also had him sign the Decidueye since he played that at Roanoke Regionals 2017

Ahh good to meet Christian/SneakertalkTCG in person. I showed him the Zacian he signed for me And was like "Oh yeah woah" it was full circle. We chatted for a good bit. Very nice to meet and hope to run into him again in the future.

Grant Manley (11th Worlds 2022) he coached me and got second at my first regionals so he has always stuck out to me but I will say this man is the unluckiest player in existence it seems.

This one is another grail for the collection. Robin Schultz (2018 World Champion) I was not expecting to see him here. Robin is easily one of the best players of all time. It was an honor to meet him in person.

JW Kriewall (Toronto Regional Champion 2023) glad to see JW. One of the most positive and honest people in the competitive scene. Hope to see him get more wins in the future.

Loc Nguyen (12th place Milwaukee Regionals 2023) seems as though his high placements come from this nice old Arceus. We played each other at a league challenge right before he got 17th at Los Angeles Regionals with the same deck.

Andrew Hedrick (NAIC 2024 Champion) I walked up to him and went "Are you Reagan Retzloff?" No he isn't. Reagan is shorter and with glasses and didn't win NAIC. Glad to meet him. Felt like an idiot.

Players watching stream after Round 4 (1 of 3)

Players watching stream after Round 4 (2 of 3)

Players watch stream after Round 4 (3 of 3)

Piper Lepine (2022 Baltimore Regional Champion) being interviewed. Glad to see her back with a vengeance to reclaim her throne.

Got some cards signed by him (Top 8 Worlds 2024, 2nd 2022 NAIC, 2nd EUIC 2024) since he used these two to get some high accomplishments. Nice to chat with him about Baltimore 2922 since I met him first there b

Got some photos of some high level players during their matches

Got to see Ross Cawthon run his Shaymin VStar deck again. Cool and unique ideas.

Tord Reklev also piloting a very Tord deck

Tord's Baltimore 2024 deck list. He is a mad man

George Illidge is a player you should never doubt. George is a local player from my area I met in 2016 and we played in the same locals at that time. I didn't play him too often back then. I only remember playing one game against each other and I won that game but only because he was playing Mega Ray and I was playing Turbo Darkrai EX with 2 Parallel Cities at the time so that would just stall Ray players pretty often. Other than that I stopped playing 2 years later because of my job where as George has kept up the grind. I saw him again in 2022 I believe. Glad to see he is still around and the work has clearly paid off. Hope to see big vidyories in his future.

Had time to check out a stream game this time.

Get to see Alex Schemanske play. A seasoned veteran at this point.

Alex Schemanske (EUIC 2023 Champions and multiple times regionals finalist) since he was playing dark box this weekend.

Liam Halliburton (2024 Orlando Regional Champions) I knew I recognized this guy from somewhere.

Pokedad once again and judging the Junior Division. Never under estimate them just because they're young.

Since I took the immediate tie round 9 I just got players during their games of the final round.

Now onto the stream game

After a long exhausting day of playing I head upstairs to get some air.

After a long day I had to sit and think about what I want to do within this community. Do I want to be a standard competitor? Not really

I play just to keep up with the game as someone who is a certified judge and organizer. I personally love retro and cubing and docunenting TCG events the most. Standard has been very meh to me but at one point the Scarlet and Violet era was great. When Dialga VStar was a top tier contender I was loving the game. That's when there wasn't an auto attic BDIF. Anything could win a regional. Plus with how agro the format is it's just not fun to me. There's not much skill there I feel. I left knowing that standard hasn't been my main vibe since 2018 I'd say. I left this event knowing more about myself and what makes me happy in Pokemon.

DAY 2

Now on with the games

Master Day 2 and George Illidge appears once again.

I got to have a little bit of fun this weekend as after doing this I went to cube with one of my buddies Ben and later a couple other people conveniently including Ross Cawthon

This was I believe this was Pooka's Chaos cube. I didn't know the cards in it prior but was surprised I was able to make something cohesive. It was a little lackluster since I missed some vital pieces but overall satisfied and excited to try the cube again.

I saw this Golduck early in the cube and liked it. Plus I grabbed the Holos Castform and Holons Magneton early to be safe and it paid off here because I got……

Along with the HP buff the ability will help me with set up long term. I can combo this ability, Aquafall and.….

Matrons Anger. Remember those Holon Pokemon we grabbed earlier? Well we can use that to our advantage. If you discard the Holon Pokemon with Golducka Aquafall it hits for 90 and makes Wormadam stronger for that late game.

I was one card away from having this in my deck. I had the Froakie and Greninja but someone grabbed the Frigidaire. Ugh my damage spread plan failed.

Ravens Claw would create the mid game smash if Golduck or Greninja wasn't available but now that damage spread isn't going to happen now this card was just half baked in this deck.

Plus I had the Curse Breath again ready for the spread but oh well.

In this cube Trainer Oak is treated as a trainer and this showed up in my first pack.

So let's get in the games

I had game in the prize race but I lose from deck out but fun close game.

Then I got to play against Ross. Clearly Ross's deck had more cohesion than mine. Seems like he got the piece he needed for Flaffy to excellerate energies to his tanky Pokemon. He had Garchomp C Lv.X, Magmortar and even Electavire Lv.X. I wouldn't be surprised if he had Magmortar Lv.X in the deck too but I never saw one.

He has the Flaffy and Morpeko but doesn't have any of the big attackers ready yet.

I know he wasn't expecting a Conversion I right now.

Fun back and forth but I misplayed at the very end. So I thought I already had lost in this position. I Conversion I the Electavire to make its weakness water so Golduck can one shot it next turn. Ross manual retreated and then forced retreat (I don't remember how) it back as the active. I mistakenly just gave up and attacked with Aquafall. Ross pointed out to me that he had one card in deck left and could have Amnesia to stall him out because he has on card left in deck. I just assumed that he had the out already but to be fair I should have gone for all the possible win cons here. This is a good memorable game. The best kind of games are the ones you learn from. This reminds me of a game I played in 2016 when I first started learning about competitive Pokemon and I played Vespiqueen VS my Yanmegas Break/Circle Circuit Raichu with Octillary for the draw support. Bursting Balloon, Forest of Giant Plants, Bursting Balloon, Trainers Mail, Judge, Sycamore. Good old days. Cubing is Pokemon at its finest.

Juniors and Seniors Top 4 with unexpectedly an appearance from……

Vance Kelley (2023 World Champions) another grail for the collection. I congratulated him on his Top 8 finish in the Stambler. He said he got lucky. He knows one game he played against Gardie and they misplayed the match up. Very nice chatting with another legend.

These are the only ones I have in my collection that I didn't get signed in person. Someone hard cards signed by the YouTuber Leonhart. Sure I'll bite. Add them to the collection.

Let's check out the Top 8 stream

Fans even sitting on the ground so people in the back can see.

Ian Robb VS Emmett Hurley still playing out their top 8 game

Rahul Reddy VS Stephen Varesko Top 8 game

As the other Top 8 stream game is going on the winner of the Junior Division is decided to be…..

I had kept in touch with the family thoughtout the tournament convenient enough. I'll typically talk to parents of Junior and Senior division players to hear the unique journeys these players have and how families are involved. Well deserved by Liam. Glad he got his Worlds invite early in the season so he doesn't have to stress throughout the season.

His dad and sibling watching his interview on the stream afterwards. Watch it. One of the best Champion interviews out there.

Congratulations Liam. Taking the whole thing down with Raging Bolt.

Also a little after Liam claimed his victory the Senior division champion was crowned.

His family was brimming with excitement over his victory with Lugia. Smart meta choice. Congratulations Landon.

Ian and Hunter continue to grind out their game.

After Rahul took his win-

Stephen Varesko (4th place Baltimore 2024) we've encountered each other in the past briefly but he is a clearly accomplished player. He was beating himself up about his stream game but I told him he did great this weekend.

Top 4

Cairan getting the win. Moon just couldn't keep up.

FINALS

I'm the first one to hop on for an autograph

Henry Chao (Baltimore 2024 Champion) I mean he just won with Gardie.

Also………

One of my most cherished cards in my collection. This is signed by all 3 champions from this event. Henry Chao (Masters Division champion-top signature), Liam Stuntz (Junior Division Champion-middle signature) and Landan Ellison (Senior Division Champion-bottom signiture). Had them sign my promo card for playing at the event. Landon I had sign after this interview and his mom was so excited say "Oh my gosh his first autograph!"

Overall an exciting event overall. I got to make new friends, met plenty of the best players in the game, created great memories and got to document a TON from this event. I learned that I think I do best in areas other than being a Standard competitor but I love Organizing/Judging and documenting these events. I want to be happy with Pokemon and if I stay in my lane with what I enjoy my love for this game will never die.

Song of the event

This song gives me the energy to keep pushing forward. This was one of my hype songs Saturday morning before playing. Just gotta keep a positive mindset.

I'm glad I came out and hope I can cover more of these in the future. Thank you for reading.

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