⚠️ VOD is unavailable.
pokemon VODs on twitchBroadcasts 30+ hours are truncated. View the Raw Transcript VTT for the full version.
I
I
I
Welcome everyone to the 2026 Pokemon World Championships here in San Francisco.
Competitors have been competing all weekend long preparing for exactly this day.
Championship Sunday and we are here in the Chase Center Arena.
We are going to be starting with Pokemon Unite, but we got all the Pokemon titles here, and
we are going to be crowning champion after champion on that stage.
Welcome everybody, this is your pre-show, I am Zoinks, joined by Wondershaft, Danly
and Sochan.
We're going to be talking all things world championships as the crowd starts pouring
in.
What's going on?
It's early in the morning, but we have incredible Pokemon action to be breaking
down what a weekend it's been wonder chef how fun has this world championship
spin it's been amazing and there's so much to go today first we're starting off
with Pokemon unites of course we all here on the best for fairy excited about
that the grand finals and then we're going over to Pokemon go grand finals
right after that followed of course by the three different spots for TCG and then
BGC a little bit later on for some genius senior and
Masters so lots of action throughout the entire day. I know that so it's you and I both love all of the games
And I know we're very excited for oh, yeah championship Sunday
You can't miss a single moment. I mean that's been the case for the Pokemon Unite Championship series as well
Art Tournament has been
Unbelievable it has been a lot of fun in the landscape of Pokemon unite has been changing quite a bit this
year leading up to this championship Sunday moment,
Vanly, about this tournament, any favorite moments
that you can think of that happen overall?
Look, I think we have to be completely realistic here.
The entire tournament has been my favorite experience.
And this is the grand finale of Pokemon Unite
because for anyone that is unaware,
this is our last ever championship at World.
After this, we will no longer be around.
So the crowning our last champion,
we're basically experiencing the best of the best
We couldn't ever have a Pokemon Unite and so, I mean, we've had incredible weekend.
We have had so many upsets.
We assume our top teams are going to be making it to the grand final, but time and time again,
our underdogs coming in and surprising us with some incredible plays.
Yes, that is so true, Danily, because we saw earlier in the tournament, Fano, one
of the highest contenders that we had before going into Worlds, getting eliminated.
Then we saw Rujignitas, number one for North America, getting eliminated, and then
we saw it seems like exist climbing up to the division of course they were our
second place last year in 2025 but they won performing as great in their own
region in Japan but completely stacked up when it came to championship Sunday
right now as they got themselves to of course Kamai has been so incredibly
powerful being the first seed in Europe did incredibly well almost time
defeated in groups going into the bracket stage. They defeated
Gremory Sports in the semis, much like Zeta Division, defeated
exist. And here we are now, Zoinks. Yeah, we got our two
finalists set on the bracket there. Zeta Division from Japan
versus Komai from EU. And let's start breaking down these
teams. Zeta Division are going to be the first of our
competitors to take the stage. Bidobu, Nomu, Rom, Mizutama
and rest of and fans of the Pokemon United championship series specifically at Worlds will recognize a couple of those names
Zeta division the runner-ups from last year's world championships
Two of those players are the same as that last year roster and they have a second chance to take a world championship title
The final one available. That's right. You know, I feel like we're gonna hear a little bit something similar to that
For the next team after this but I've got to talk about this
I said so much on broadcast yesterday, but of course for anybody out there who is this familiar with Pokemon Unite
The story of Zedah is ridiculous not only are they returning into this arena. This is grand champion potential spot
But they only qualified out of Japan in the fifth place spot, but normally there would only be three places
There were two teams that were extremely strong that qualified through the other qualifier for everybody kind of a last-chance
qualifier called the ACL that qualified in first and second place. They both took
their spots and moved them down because they're both Japanese teams and then
both of those teams lost. One of them too is that. So the only reason that's even
here is because the entire region was so strong and then they fought up through
that region from the final place to make it into our top two potentially
our final will champion. Right. I kind of want to add on to this as well. We did
have an opportunity to talk to the Japanese casters right. They're very
passionate about their region and apparently even the Japanese community was surprised that Zeta was
able to make it so far in the tournament. Everyone thought it was going to be fennel, everyone thought
it was going to be reject but after these two teams got knocked out and all of a sudden Zeta
coming into the grand finals this wasn't something that the community originally anticipated
and knowing Japan they rallied behind their teams as they make it into the grand final so
you know Zeta is going to have huge community support especially coming into such an important
match up in their entire Korea. So true and honestly when we talk to Shinohara
one of the Japanese cast is such a great person and incredible crew that they have
there with TPC the Pokemon Company in Japan. Honestly it was incredible to
hear from them just the storylines that Japan has really built all
throughout 2026 and like you said so many strong teams that five teams made
it into Worlds just as strong as that they made it into the bracket
stage as well. And there were so many Japanese teams that had to face each other in multiple
moments of this bracket stage. And I'm mistaken. Quattus and then Semis as well.
Yeah, it was our long road for them. But same for that other roster that we want to
be talking about on that world stage out of EU will be KOMI Esport. Gatlu, Toast,
Gek, Narami, and Adesu. We can hear the crowd going wild for this roster all
bracket day long in day number two. And Gatlou and a desu two players were members of Nounds
eSports in year one who had a chance at a world championship ended up being runners
up in London in 2022. Amazing that we now have two teams that both have players on them
that were runners up the first world and now the last one. So I should say the
second the last world, you know, getting that opportunity now for the final worlds
they will be facing off. One of them will finally achieve that dream revenge
match of being able to become the world champion. We'll see which of those two can be my favorite
moment of the tournament right there. Gatlu and Adesu, I love it so much. The storyline
though of course of combined as well, really interesting. I kind of felt like they didn't
have, they weren't bad the entire time but they, the rest of the season maybe they
weren't quite as strong as they're showing in the world. So which obviously has been
incredible.
Yeah, I mean, look, they have to be driven now. They're here. They're going into
Grand Finals. We are going to be going for a complete reset. There is no advantage
for anybody. And knowing Edesu, I saw one of Edesu's tweets last night and he said he's
broken the top eight curse. He's motivated. He's got that energy. He has Gatlou to also
be there to back him up. I had a quick chat with Gatlou right after the show yesterday
and I saw the fire in his eyes. That instinct, that killer look to say that that title
is mine. And to know that this is his last chance to claim that title, I think they're
just going to go all out in today's grand final.
to see that fire. What are you thinking about Komai so? Well honestly I think they have been so
consistent. Right. First seed in regional league they did incredibly well but we know as well that
the competition when it comes to regional going into international going into world stage is a
completely different beast and the way that Komai has been handling all of these team fights has
been just so so focused determined and they have a strategy that works and their strategy is
We have so much available in our options the Pokemon pool and everything that they can use that they can adapt really well
And I believe that when I spoke to them they were saying well
It's very interesting because this meta is so versatile. It's just so wide
That when you prepare you're like wow
There's so many options you need to be completely confident that you can deal with any threat
Exactly prepare for everything prepare for every opponent
Well, there's only one more to prepare for on this grand final stage.
We want to give a bit of a heads up to everybody in the crowd as well.
World Championships is going to be going on all day.
Has some very exciting announcements for Pokemon coming up throughout the event.
So make sure to stay tuned for every title all day long.
But for those of you here in the arena, remember, we love to cheer on our
competitors and get them started at the beginning of every match in Pokemon
We hit a ready go before every single game.
You'll see it on screen.
We would love to get you to join in karaoke style.
Hit the ready, hit the go,
and encourage our players to start the match.
You can see here, we got a screen right now
of the crowd predicting who is gonna come away.
The champion currently is Zeta Division leading,
but feel free to use that QR code
and join the conversation.
I think it might be time for us
to start beginning that conversation.
We got a grand finals up and coming and we are on the analyst desk
Which sometimes makes means we have to make some difficult decisions
So it's time for us to do our predictions. We will begin
I mean, I just introduced the segment so I may as well start. I'm agreeing with the crowd
I am going say to the vision along with Dan Lee and the rest of the crew is going with co-mai from EU
You know, current chef, it's so torn right current chef is so torn Zeta is amazing.
Kami is so good and both of their pulling up upsets entire weekend.
But as you can see on there, the picture of 2022 chef that hasn't been updated in five years really likes Kami really loves Gatloo really loves a desu.
I mean, just such a fun team and I do feel like we've got to be a little bit biases.
I would just love to see you finally take a spot at world's Japan has won the world's top five.
I would just love to see you finally take a spot at Worlds Japan has one world championship
And I do absolutely love Zeta love the entire Japanese scene, but it would just be such an amazing story
All right, and then let's defend our pick of Zeta division. I thought it was gonna be at Numbin
I was told originally like hey everybody's pick come on. I was like
Do I save Zeta division? So I had to say it, you know, but ultimately I would have loved to have supported both teams
But I think at the end of the day, my heart is telling me Zeta Division because as much as I love Komae,
I kind of feel like between the two teams, Zeta, they seem to be a lot more composed in these very high-stress situations.
I think yesterday was a really great example of Zeta testing that resolve.
They were about to get knocked down with a tournament. They dropped two games.
It was a best of five, and they came back with a three-game reverse sweep.
A lot of teams might have collapsed under the pressure, losing two games back-to-back in the best of five.
But they said, that's okay, we reset, going into game number three, they get that one,
and things start to pick up the momentum, picks up, they start to look really good, they're very quick with the draft,
so you can tell that Zayna, once they have that momentum, this team is deadly.
The power of the reverse sweep is so incredible, head-on-the-championship Sunday.
So, yesterday, you had the opportunity to talk to so many of our players on that stage with interviews.
you've caught a little bit of a vibe from a lot of these players, I'm sure you'd go out with Coman.
So what is leading you in that prediction?
So funnily enough, I would say that my position here for Kamai Zoinks is more towards what I watched
on in-game, more than it is even from talking to them, because these are players that we have
been knowing them for so many years now through a championship series that I was trying to,
you know, try to get the bias away because I'm usually very unbiased, right? No region
whatsoever that I am you know preferring during tournaments but I decided to be a little more
unbiased than usual so trying to look more objectively onto just the games the drafts I
totally agree with you Danily I've been torn as well chef in regards to these two teams and who
would I choose because they are incredibly strong on their own the way they fought through group
stage and bracket was impressive and that three vs three was amazing but Kamai just felt more
Um, cohesive, I would say.
All right, well, I mean, that's a good breakdown.
I think both these teams have so much to offer
on this grand final stage.
If you are watching this event, you are in for a treat.
The final Pokemon Unite World Championships
are about to begin, and what follows after that
is also gonna be incredible.
Finals for every single game here in the Chase Center.
So exciting.
The stage behind me is remarkable.
Absolutely incredible. We have a wonderful wonderful event set up for you and these competitors are getting set as well
This grand final is going to be so exciting. We're split on our predictions. So is the crowd
This is going to be so
Unbelievably fun. I can't wait to get into this one. Thank you to our analyst desk of one more fist pound down the line
Let's send it over
Take us, ready, set, cuz now it's time to go
Maybe we can finally see who we're meant to be
Let me step away from the glory
Every journey, show us who we are
Money buys off a side to glory
Together you and I will touch the stars
And then, if you and I'll overreact
Cuz even if we lose our way
Yeah, you know what we say
Here we go
Here we go again
And even better than last time
Here we go
Here we go again
Every class that I taught
Every day, we all get
With our hands
Here we go again
Corrupts the mood of faces
All of us on the path to the unknown
Still talk of the edge of the rages
See when we're walking the truth
And then, we'll do it all over again
You see that every day in the day
You always say
Here we go
Here we go again
There is last ever day
It is the end, the end comes
Come on, take it away
Here we go again
My fans, we go
We go
We go again
Welcome to the Pokemon World
Championships.
Trainers from across the globe
have spent the past year in
relentless pursuit of one goal,
becoming a Pokemon World
Champion.
It all comes down to this.
of more than 2000 trainers only 24 remain each with one final opportunity to claim the
most coveted title in all of competitive Pokemon world champion broadcasting to you live from
from San Francisco, California, who's ready for championship Sunday.
Take a look above you and witness the banners featuring champions from last year.
And this year's finalists hope to achieve the same honor across Pokémon Champions.
the Pokemon trading card game Pokemon go and Pokemon unite it's time for us to
stop talking history and start making it let's get this show on the road with
our first featured title of the day, Pokemon Unites.
Undeterred, undeniable!
Evil geniuses need to take a buck
as all five members of the Zeta Division are glowin' red!
Mephid, stop stressin' with the Hector Tom!
Holy macaroni!
What an insane final stretch!
No, it doesn't go in!
You're too hard!
You're too hard!
You're too hard to go back!
What just happened?
I'm a burner going in as if you'd clean!
But that was such a fast fight!
Xayah Division runs the back three game straight for the two left
and that won't be enough with 23 seconds left.
Xayah Division is a critical one.
Make the sound out of the way and play a man to turn by the day suit.
And this is going to be the last show to finish this thing up.
No one takes a massive bite of the word for win.
Unleash the weak in our semi-finals.
The
past five years, the world's best Pokemon Unite teams have battled for one goal, becoming
world champions.
We saw the introduction of a league format this year in the Pokemon Unite Championship
series. The most demanding competitive format in the game's history. Now only two teams remain.
With this marking the final Pokemon Unite World Championship, the stakes have never been higher.
One last title. One final champion. One team will close this chapter of Pokemon Unite history
forever. Zeta Division left last year's World Championship with a second place trophy.
At Worlds this year, Zeta Division proved that they have leveled up,
starting off strong in the group stage and then dominating the bracket stage.
Zeta Division will return to the championship stage for another chance at the greatest prize in Pokemon Unite,
a World Champion title.
Komai led the way in the group stage with a flawless 3-0 result,
including a win against defending World Champs, Peru Unite.
KOMI found even greater heights in day two.
A star-studded lineup of opponents
fell to KOMI in epic matches,
including a 3-0 victory in the semi-finals.
A Desu and Gatlu returned to the championship stage
for the first time since 2022,
this time with a brand-new roster
with the same goal, to become world champions.
Two teams who have felt the sting of second place
now have a chance to rewrite history,
But only one can become the final Pokemon Unite World Champions.
Whether they pulled off a reverse sweep or a clean 3-0 to get here,
both of our teams share a competitive spirit.
It is time to meet our finalists for Pokemon Unite.
First up, welcome to the stage.
Come on!
Give it up for Nerovi!
Post, Gattu, Adesu, and Deck.
And for the opposition, we have Zeta Division.
Get loud from Izutama, Noru, Rong, Resta, and Vitojo!
Before we get into the matches, we have to get a word from the players themselves.
Over on the side of Formae, this is the first appearance on the stage for Europe since the
first World Championship.
What does it mean to represent your region in such a fashion?
It means a lot.
I hope it means a lot for everyone in Europe.
But right now, today, it's just me and my teammates.
And Zeta Division is no stranger to the final stage.
How have you and your team been preparing to ensure it's a championship finish this time around?
We've been doing our best to win.
And with that, it takes the best of the best to get us ready for this matchup.
Let's hear from our casters for Pokemon Unites.
It's taken us five years to get to this point, and here we are, KOMI, once again looking
to become a world champion.
We have Gotlu and Adesu, the two-time runner-up on the side of Zeta Division.
We have the Toppo and Rome, the two-time runners-up.
We will have a grand final with a brand new champion.
Hello, everybody.
Welcome to the final, Pokemon Unite Grand Finals.
I'm Jake, your resident content cowboy.
Yee to the ha.
Joined by the one and only Dupesnacks.
Hello, Dupesnacks.
Hello, cowboy.
Whether you've been watching Unite from day number one
This is the first time you're tuning in for Pokemon United the world champions. It's our world championship
It's our last time. So let's have a good time
Showtime. Yeah, it's showtime. This is the last one
We will crown our final champion and it means no matter what we're leaving here today
So we can kind of do whatever we want. We could pop up again if we want
We'll do that a lot. It's gonna be how far off can we get?
Am I off? No? You're off. We're good. We figured that. We're just testing the range here. It's going to be important because United has a ton of energy to it.
We bring a lot of energy to it because that's what it deserves and we need a lot of real estate to move as you can see.
That's right. If this is your first time watching United, it's a five versus five competitive battler action packed matches.
That is what you are going to see the entirety of Championship Sunday with again two teams who are looking to become the first time champion
with multiple members who have come this close.
Last year, Zeta Division loses in the grand finals in Anaheim.
In our first year of competition,
two members of KOMI come this close,
but they go down to North America.
And now one of them will get that final moment,
that final trophy.
They will become our final champion.
They get to finish writing their story
for one of these teams.
They leave in shambles.
and the other one, they're going to be crowned champion.
But of course, these teams don't get as far as they do
without the support of their friends and family.
So we have a friends and family interview for you right now.
Take it away.
And hello there, everybody.
We are here to ask some questions.
We have Sari, the coach of Sader Division,
and Zara, a fan of my eSports.
So, Sari, first question to you.
What's it been like watching Zeta Division perform this weekend?
They've been so strong. I feel really confident watching them play.
Thank you so much for that and thank you Zara. I know we have seen you out in the crowd cheering
Kokomari each time they are playing on the stage. What's it been like getting to watch them perform?
This is just a dream come true. I think this is a very very happy moment for us. I think we're
clearly really proud of that. Let's go. Hi. Let's go Kamii. Feeling proud. Now back to you, Sari.
This is Zeta Division's second chance to play in the Grand Finals with the Potopah and Rom being
on that safe last year. Have to feel seeing them up there once again to have a second chance
at that world championship position.
So last year they ended up second place but they didn't get comfortable and they worked really hard to get back here so I'm really excited to see them.
Yeah, it's hard work. They have definitely worked hard indeed. Now, back to you again.
You have been there supporting EU region for quite some time. How has it been feeling seeing
Gatlu and Adesu have that second chance spot at getting that world champions title alongside
Kamai? It's absolutely amazing. I mean, I was there to watch some of the worlds in
London when they were in the finals and unfortunately they couldn't make it but I think this
time they can definitely make it. I have a lot of faith in them. They've worked so hard. I've seen it
like with myself and I just I believe in them. They can do it. Thank you. It's been wonderful to
hear from both of you here today. Any final words of encouragement you'd like to give to the team?
I just really want them to have fun and play hard.
And same for you, Zara, any words of encouragement you'd like to give to my Esports?
We're all proud of you, Kermai. We know you can do it. Let's go, Kermai wins.
Thank you so much, Zari and Zara. We're going to go throw it back to the casters to get this action started.
Thank you very much, Kello. It is almost time. The stage is set. The two-time
runner-ups on both sides. For Zeta Division, they were the fifth seed team
out of Japan. Count it out, even though they are the strongest region in our
game. It looks like there were many Japanese teams that were going to go
deeper in this tournament, but Zeta would not quit. They fought the entire
way through, coming back to secure their spot in the grand finals on a reverse
sweep after losing the first two games. And on the other side, Duke Snacks, we
have Komei. Yeah, players have been around the game for a very long time, of
course, in a day suit datloo and their captain Gek. And then they got the two
young upstarts there, Narami and Toast really bringing and
throwing life and energy into this team. Both of these squads on what I
I like to consider a Cinderella run here.
Nobody really put all their money on them
to be the final two teams to make it,
but here we are.
All these teams needed with it was a chance,
and they absolutely snatched that opportunity.
No question about it.
There were so many amazing teams showing up
to this competition.
Huge teams like the top squad out of Japan
getting eliminated first in day two.
Our former world champions going down
first match of day two as well on their side.
just incredible the entire way through.
A story you would never expect,
but a perfect ending for Pokemon Unite.
Two teams that were so close to hoisting
that championship trophy,
one of them will now walk away
as the final Pokemon Unite champion.
That is without a doubt.
Just one best of five separates five players
from their championship title
that they've been yearning for.
Again, Zeta Division on the doorstep last year,
two of their players, Votopo and Rome,
just falling short against Peru Unite.
And on the other side, you have Colmai and Adesu
and Gatlu in London, falling just shy
in the World Championship chase of that year.
Everybody has the opportunity to correct the record
and again, stamp themselves,
not only as a Pokemon Unite World Champion,
but the final Pokemon Unite World Champion.
You know, I think a lot of what happens here
is going to be decided early on in these matches.
In fact, it's going to be decided before the match.
In this draft screen, we're going to find out what Pokemon
they're going to be bringing into battle.
And I have a feeling that the team that outdrafts the other,
outpicks the other, outskills the other
in what they are bringing to Thaia Skyruins
will be the team that wins the entire thing.
Yeah, typically when you draft better, play better,
execute better, you tend to win.
So that strategy makes a lot of sense.
Well, that's the kind of analysis people go through.
You know, if you play better, you end up winning.
And I've always said that.
Yeah, you know, if you want to play, not good.
That is not the way to get yourself
across that finish line.
If your goal is to be champion, which I'm pretty sure
that's the goal of both these teams.
Take a look at our crowd here in San Francisco.
The Chase Center is going to be filled throughout this day
for all of our incredible competition
from our multiple titles.
And we have a ton of people here ready to crown
our final Unite Champion.
Something we do here for Pokemon Unite that let's be honest,
we stole from the Japanese casters is the ready go.
At the start of our match, we see the ready go
at the beginning, and we are all going to do that here
together.
So in just a moment, we are going to test it here
and get a little energy from you in San Francisco.
We're going to have a fly through of the Thea Sky
Ruins.
It's going to cut to a screen with the 10 minute timer
clocked up, and then it goes into the ready go.
We're going to have a couple, at least one practice round
here.
We're getting told it's ready.
So let's get into it.
We'll do this together.
Again, we'll have the flyover.
As soon as you see the 10 minute timer, it's ready go.
Let's get into it.
Let's give it a whirl.
Little test run here.
Beautiful Fea Sky Ruins.
Ready, go!
That's right, San Francisco.
That's what we're going to be doing the entire time.
Oh, and it looks like they were playing for a second there.
I thought it was a real match.
I was freaking out.
I was hearing my voice and I was like, am I?
Am I off the stage?
What is going on here?
I know I have all the faith in the world that the fans and the
stands are going to be able to deliver the energy that these
teams want to hear and feel being in the Chase Center.
And of course, let's give a little pep in that step by being
active participants. That's right bringing the energy to this and we can see our players right now
practicing getting ready for this match here. Zorak is a Pokemon that I'm going to have my eye on.
I really do feel like if Komae allows this Pokemon onto the battlefield it will be a huge problem.
Vetopo qualified basically because of this Pokemon. The high skill level of that player
and the top level play on that Pokemon. Without a doubt I mean when you're looking at Zeta
division. It's really tough to say that their run was not absolutely anchored by Votopo going into
that hyper carry mode. You mentioned Zorak. We've also seen them do it on Urshifu, the rapid strike
Urshifuers. We like to call it the Blue Shifu, getting those crazy combos with the Unite move.
I've never seen Atali as high as Votopo yesterday on this Blue Bear, getting 49 hits
off that Unite move.
Yeah, this is going to be quite a match up here.
And then on the other side, you know, when you take a look at Comite,
they've had some incredible plays throughout the day.
Some heroes saved last night by Adesu on their team.
Adesu playing in that attacker role.
A lot of Pokemon we've seen throughout this tournament.
Espeon has been a huge one.
But Adesu bringing up the Mewtwo.
Why this Pokemon?
Incredibly strong, but not seen as much in the competition lately.
A Desu, however, making huge hero plays on the Mega Mewtwo.
Yeah, I mean, just the mobility or escape ability that Mewtwo Waii has, especially through those two dashes, right?
It can dash and dash again, and of course, it goes into that unstoppable mode when it's gliding up that big side strike,
which deals damage and has a stun associated with it.
So it's a great engagement tool. It's a great disengagement tool.
and overall it's Unite move that infinite cyber from space that just reigns supreme on the heads of the opponent
is a great way to start or end a battle.
Yeah, so many powerful picks that these two teams are going to be fighting over.
A Pokemon that has gotten so much priority lately in the United Championship series is Surfetched.
Played in that top half, got Lou on it most of the day yesterday for Komai having some incredible games.
but when you recognize your opponent has a strength in a Pokemon there are a couple things you can do you could ban it away from them and you
Can also pick it for yourself as no two Pokemon will be the same in our matches
Yeah, of course as we go through our band phase here
There's going to be three bands per side and then we go into the snake draft order
So it'll be one pick two two and two two one and that's gonna round out your teams of five
To make sure that these teams are able to square away a lot of teams prefer that first pick
On the other hand, a lot of the best teams like that last pick, where they've got as much information as possible
that they can make that big, big counter pick to counter punch inside that 10 minute game.
That's right, there are so many different strategies when it comes to the Pokemon you are picking
and the order you want to play them in, and it also is based on which map you are playing.
It depends if you're on theas sky ruins with groudon in the middle, Kyoga, Rayquaza.
Each one lends itself to a different strategy.
map you might be seeing Pokemon that are a little tankier than others something
really high HP because if you get that Kyogre buff it's incredibly difficult to
take them down meanwhile proud on giving you all of that crazy attack damage some
of the more powerful carry Pokemon maybe played on that map without a doubt
and again we will see all our maps here because it is a best of five and
we'll be cruising through those as we are watching again these players warm
up as they get ready to battle in a best of five for the world
championship title. It's going to be incredible when they get to face off. Obviously the nerves
between these two squads must be intense with everything on the line here. Not only is everything
on the line looking for the championship but this is our final championship series
match. This will be the last time Pokemon Unite grounds a champion here at Worlds.
You want to be the final champion. You don't want to miss your final shot. As we have
another pan of the crowd here. They're getting anxious. I know I'm getting a
little anxious. I want to see these teams scrap it out and get into the action
and we will be in there shortly until then though. We've got some stats. Take a look
at the top Pokemon by Bandrake throughout this tournament. So these are
things that both teams say, okay it's not coming out onto the battlefield. No
shocker here. One of the recent releases to our game, the Feraligator.
Getting our top band followed by Kumpfe. Feraligator incredibly powerful.
crazy amounts of burst damage especially with its unite move and its attack crunch and then come pay one of the most
Difficult supporters to shut down it can just hop onto a Pokemon and and basically
Act as if another version of it just giving it more HP giving it more speed huge shield
It's so tough to fight on down the line
Blissey Zashan Snorlax and you for alligator worth mentioning so strong that the only game that loop didn't play surfetched
is because Feraligator was available, and at that point, he was pretty much no-lifing that Surfetched.
That's just how strong Feraligator is when it's allowed into that draft screen.
Yeah.
Powerful Pokemon that neither team wants to see here.
Snorlax being a real top defender, and now we're going to see the Pokemon that make it through.
So even though Snorlax view top-banned Zashin as well, also when they are not banned,
they are picked almost every time they can be.
Blastoise has been an absolute menace this weekend.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Blastoise has been the top Pokemon by pick rate on this screen for every year, for the last, like, three years.
It is so strong. I mean, both kits, right? You can wrap it, spin it, hydro pump, and you can have those big surfs if you're playing a more true defender style.
And, of course, that big swirling unite, that hydro typhoon, which has the capacity to get big knock-ups on multiple members on the opposing team,
and often is curtains if you hit multiple parties.
Yeah, you'll notice that our top Pokemon by pick right here,
three of them are in that sort of defender support core,
Blastoise, Snorlax, and Psyduck, all incredibly powerful
and all sort of filling more of that tanky defender role,
even though Psyduck is a support.
These are playmaker Pokemon.
They're so difficult to fight.
They're not the ones in there doing the damage.
We do see a few of those here too.
Mew from long range.
long range. Espeon is one of the best attackers in that bottom path. Then we have Sashien,
incredibly powerful, not shocked at all that is one of our top encounter rates. Almost
every top path player in our game has this in their repertoire.
Without a doubt. So encounter rate, if you're new again to Pokemon Unite, means it was
either picked or banned, which means it showed up in the draft screen in some
capacity. So for Alligator, leading the charge unsurprising, if it's not banned,
Better believe it's getting picked, it is just so strong.
Yeah, and down the line, last one Snorlax, Mew and Sida.
Mew is one of those attackers that it is getting some bans,
especially when you know that there's a powerful Mew player
on the other side.
But with only three bans per team,
it's sometimes hard to target ban
exactly what's on the other side.
For instance, Zeta Division, so many powerful choices.
They have the Zorak yesterday,
Ladeos and Ladeus on their side,
especially played in tandem so difficult to deal with,
and they were bringing that out.
But you can only ban so many things.
You can only take away their plassoys
and their Zora edges.
There's so many options right now.
The meta feels incredibly diverse.
It really does, right?
Deck actually said it in an interview yesterday.
The game is so balanced right now
that a team can bring a strategy
that you never even considered,
and you just go, oh no, that can actually work,
and we're not ready for that.
And a perfect example is the Galarian Rapidash they had to face down.
It gave them so many problems, they ended up just having to ban it
because in their book of strategies, they didn't have anything to combat that.
That's right. Komai almost knocked out of our tournament, I believe in our top 8
as they were running into C2 from Japan playing Galarian Rapidash, and they had no answer for it.
One answer that you do have, of course, is that draft screen, and they were able to get rid of it
and they were able to beat that team.
But if you could just find the Pokemon that your opponents can't counter,
if they don't have time to figure out exactly what they're going to do about it,
and they don't ban it, that could be a way that you win these things.
Without a doubt. I mean, you have to not be afraid to just take the tough thing off the table.
You know, sometimes it feels bad to use a ban on a Pokemon that's not considered S tier or the best thing going.
But hey, if your team can't deal with it, just get it out of there and then face the next problem head on.
Yeah, absolutely, and that's what these teams are going to have to decide as they start to head for these matches.
As we mentioned, so many powerful picks that you really only get to pick a few things that you don't want to see.
You can ban it, you can steal it away from your opponents, but at the end of the day, you're going to have to face something powerful by a top level player.
And as we've mentioned, so many of these players with so much to prove here, some of them their first time on a world stage like this.
And again, others, this is their second time,
not a single champion amongst them yet.
But there will be, just a short best of five.
We're taking a look at Komei, you know.
Their Achilles heel has always been that top eight.
They finally broke through that ceiling
and then breezed through the top four
into this grand finals.
Can they keep up that pace?
And it's really tough to contend
with the momentum of a reverse sweep, too,
on the side of Zeta Division.
So both of these teams,
really finishing yesterday strong and in a commanding fashion,
leading them to this moment and set up for success.
And now it all boils down to execution.
Yeah, I wonder which you'd rather have,
walking through on a 3-0 victory feeling strong
or recognizing that your team is the kind of team
that can adjust and pull out a victory
when you absolutely need it by winning the reverse sweep.
Well, that is what Saida Division out of Japan did.
They were down 2-0.
It looks like they were going to be heading home.
I think most people thought they were the weaker team,
but they found another level.
They changed their strategy.
They went in there with what they played best,
and they absolutely crushed the next three games.
Without a doubt.
When you think about Zeta Division and Comi,
we keep saying they've both been runner-ups before.
That being said, Zeta Division's finals run,
grand finals run, was a much stronger showing
than the last time Comi's players made the world stage.
They got absolutely rinsed in 2022.
Straight up 3-0.
Curtains pack them up, send them home.
Zeta Division, on the other hand, took Peru to the limit.
And yes, they went down in four games, three to one.
However, every single one of those games
was balanced on a knife's edge.
The thing I worry about for both of these squads
is what happens to the team who loses that first game.
You know, for Zeta Division, they
won their first game against Peru.
And then Peru came back and figured them out
and were able to take them down.
If they start to lose their first game are they going to fall back into that fall back into that year one?
What happened there where they just seem to?
Fall into this quicksand and not be able to pull themselves out
We're gonna have to see but both of them approved through this tournament that they can win when they are behind
It's one of the most exciting things that you can see and unite a reverse sweep
Happens all the time and there's nothing I'd rather see in these grand finals than a game five
We have never had one on championship Sunday.
All right, you can go ahead and scan that QR code
to see yourself on the video board.
Go ahead and get your phone out there, cowboy.
I'll scan it. Maybe I'll get on the video board.
I'm concerned that we haven't been on camera enough.
Been looking at all our graphics.
There we go. Oh, wow.
That's actually really cool.
I did not anticipate that.
Are we on? Are we going in?
That would be so great.
Instead of getting in right now,
Now, can you imagine the ego on the two of us?
Can we get on the video board that we're already on?
It's loading up.
We'll get there in a moment.
It is loading up.
It's something that we actually do care a lot about.
Well, it's our last go here at the Pokemon Univeral
Championships.
Let's have a little fun.
What do you think?
The camera is on.
But are we on the screen?
Just leave it open.
I'll keep talking.
Or you can talk.
Take a look at our crowd here in San Francisco.
I know we are all excited and hyped to get into our matches.
Our players getting ready on the big stage.
Once you get started, it goes pretty fast, guys.
With 10-minute matches, extremely fast pace,
all leading to this big fight in the middle over that groud
on Kyogre or Rayquaza.
And now I love that people are having their camera up,
having their camera up, and just finding themselves
on the jump outron is a very excellent thing.
I'm glad we did that.
Especially for you and I who are going to try and pepper that thing with our own presence all day long
I think is what everybody at home is asking I think that's what everybody's ultimately asking. Oh
They looked at us and they're like listen we know it's an arena and what you guys are thinking is obviously bigger cakes
Right, but we said no use that on Pikachu
It's gonna make for great key art for our 30th anniversary of the game of Pokemon
So shout out to us for being so kind shout out to Pikachu for wearing that cape so darn well
Yep, Pikachu looks great on it. Obviously we inspired that and no you are not seeing double unless you're seeing four of us
Then yes, you are seeing double. You might be concussed. You might be concussed, but we do look like the same person
We often get confused for each other. It's great. The very first interaction I had here in San Francisco was
Spriggles and I was like no I'm the other guy and then we both went oh to be fair
when someone says hey Spriggles and I'm like hey they go oh so it happens to me
too well I'd like to think that at least somebody cares about us somewhere I
think they're out there somewhere I don't know how we get confused we only
look alike sound alike dress alike stand next to each other all the time have the
exact same takes on everything we don't do is ourselves any favors to be
We haven't like really like taken it to heart like well, let's differentiate a little bit
We just kind of I don't want to say lean into it
We're not course-correcting either no question about it
You know something I'd like to do as our players to get ready is get a little energy here in this stadium in San Francisco
How you feeling chase arena?
It's pretty good. That's pretty good, but I think we could do a little bit better
I think we can let's try this. All right. Oh, whoa, they're getting loud
now. Beautiful. All right, let's see. Do we, we have a get loud up there on the Jumbo
Tron. I love it. Do we have a get quiet? Do we have a B sign? Do we have one of those?
Yeah, let's try and get everybody as quiet as possible. Yeah. And on cue we'll just
erupt, right? I want to see if we don't get it. So, I want to see everyone not
a sound. I want to be able to hear a pin drop in the arena. Nothing. And now, we're just
a moment. We're going to start with a light flap. A little something. Like, oh, okay. A
little bit of a golf flap. Oh, that was something kind of neat. All right. Oh, now something
a little more interesting happened. Kind of get a little more energy going a little
bit. Oh my gosh, one of your favorite players is on stage playing something you absolutely
love. And then here we go. We're heading to the grand finals. Let's hear it.
It locks in Francisco!
Not bad.
Not bad at all, and that's a way to lead into our draft here.
Our bans are locked in a day-suit grabbing espion off rip.
Thorark bans the topos.
Just prime kick.
Blissey Zaschen and then Feraligator serve fetched Mimikyu.
Toast on Mimikyu was going crazy yesterday.
Now Nomu locking in the Crustler,
something that Gett, as their defender player, loves to play.
This phase of the game, so important, Duke's next.
We're stealing things away from our opponents.
We are banning things away from them.
Geck was amazing on Crestle.
And now Zeta Division has that.
Using the priority for that Espeon,
it has been a power pick all weekend,
especially when paired with Machamp,
which is not currently banned.
No, and it's been terrific.
So we'll see where Kamae wants to invest.
Gatlou going with the Quagmogl.
Geck on the Snorlax has been a presence to contend with.
I absolutely love this Quagmogl pick.
a recent addition to the game.
And when a player gets a head on this Pokemon,
it is so difficult to shut down.
Ooh, Vitopo on the other side,
playing my absolute favorite, the three-headed bird,
Doudrio.
This speedster is incredibly powerful,
especially when it comes to harassing your opponents,
invading their central area,
putting pressure on them all game.
So you're gonna look for that from Zeta.
Resta, again, on the Latios,
worth mentioning, Rom, immediately to Latios.
going to take those planes to battle as Toast grabs there.
It shows Scizor, but you can either be Scizor or Scyther.
And Toast is most likely going to be Scyther here.
Worth mentioning, Mizutama on this Mega Lucario.
Great, great secure, great rip on objectives.
It's really, truly the meaning of an all-rounder
and can help take over a game.
Tell me about this Lodias-Lodios combination.
Yeah, they are powerful Pokemon.
They won the Attacker, Lodious, and won the Supporter, the Lodious, but both of them do incredible damage.
They work even better when they're together, getting increased move speed, the ability to fly to each other across the map,
and a Unite move that combos together, dealing extra damage on the same target.
We saw Zeta use this yesterday perfectly. We're going to see if Komai has an answer for it.
One Pokemon they did not want to see, and I'm not shocked, is that first ban.
That is Zorak.
Zorak from Pitopo was so incredibly powerful
as our players are now loading in
for our first match here of our grand finals.
You can see the Pokemon selection up on the stage.
What a time to be alive, News Next.
All right, we've got our flyover.
We're gonna see that 10th minute.
We're gonna get our ready go.
Everybody, let's do it.
Here we go, Zeta Division.
Oh my, our first match.
Ready, go!
Oh my, your purple team.
Say it in the vision, your orange team.
We are getting this thing started here in just one moment.
You know, better to pause when everybody's in base, right?
Before things actually develop.
You know, make sure it's all sorted out.
I'm not going to say the production did that to us
on purpose because I yelled ready, go,
with a lot of energy, but I think they might have.
You know what, just for the sake of the ready go, let's just remake the whole thing.
Right?
Let's get it started from the top.
Yeah, let's just do a re-show again.
Yeah, all the way back out here.
Let's do warm up.
Let's do the practice.
Let's get into our first game and hit up with another ready go.
And I promise you, production will get us to that 10 minute thing that we said was going to happen.
So we can all get into the ready go together.
You know, I'll tell you this, when this show goes live and not this rehearsal that we're having right now.
Right.
Everything.
It's going to be so good.
I'm sorry, production.
What?
How long this is live?
OK.
OK.
You know what, I can't like I am feeling.
Yes anxiety right now.
I can't imagine being in the seats of those players
who are now at this point been waiting all night all morning
gearing up for this moment.
And just when they think they're
going to get into the Fayette Sky ruins and start rock
and rolling, we've got a quick hit pause.
That being said, I'd much rather have it happen when
both teams are in home base.
than in some pivotal critical moment in the middle of the game.
So let's get this sorted to make sure that we are keeping this competition above board
and we can crown our true champion with no asterisks.
No question about it. We want to make sure that these matches are perfect
as we are taking a look at our stage right there.
I absolutely love it and that is going to be changing throughout the day for all of our titles.
This is going to be a very special day of competition.
The most incredible stage set here for Pokemon's 30th anniversary
in San Francisco and they really have gone all out.
They absolutely have.
I want you all to know that in that middle table
with the two chairs Spriggles and I tried to allow them
for us to cast from there.
And they said, absolutely not.
There's no way we are doing that.
I can't believe you even asked.
I said, what percent chance do we have?
They said an absolute 0%.
The negative, we'd give it to you.
It's a 0%.
That's what they say.
Well, according to our stats team,
you can round to 0 and you can round to 100.
We'll see if we can get that shake out for our final Pokemon Unite competition match right now.
This is one of those tough moments where of course these players getting into this game, they're ready for it,
but they are now put on ice here for a second.
This does give you the opportunity to refocus, really discuss what happened in your draft screen,
and recognize some mistakes that you may have made outside of the pressure of running right back into another game.
So before we have the information about what happened, you could say we really didn't expect them to immediately steal Crustle from us.
That's something we're going to have to prepare for.
Yeah, I mean, especially something that I don't think Komai has scrapped up against this tournament too much, which is the Ladias-Ladios combination.
Now obviously these high level players are familiar with what all these characters can do.
However, this is a great opportunity to use this pause and look, hey, we might be on ice for a second,
But we can use this to gain momentum, at least strategically,
getting into this game and making sure that we're checking all those early game boxes
so that we can execute on our game plan.
You know, we talked a little bit about some of these team compositions.
I love that you can see them up on the stage right there.
As we're looking at the composition here from Zeta, the Dodrio,
the Megalucario, Crustle, and the Lodious.
Lodious back to the other side.
Espeon, Gokbal, Snorlax, the Scizor,
which will probably be Scythor and Psyduck.
When you look at these two teams, it feels like Komei needs to win fights, right?
Yes.
But we have opportunities on the side of Zeta Division to not necessarily win a fight, but win a huge objective.
You have crazy burst damage from this Ladeo.
So you have Doudreo that can be extremely aggressive, surprising with all of its mobility.
And then of course, Mega Lucario, probably the scariest thing on their side.
Because if you leave Mega Lucario alone for just a moment on an objective,
It will use its Unite move, go Mega, and then rip through it
before there is much you can do about it.
If Komae is not careful, even if they're playing well
and they take their eye off the ball for just a moment,
Zeta can steal the match.
Without a doubt.
So when you think about Dodrio,
it actually plays the game in a much different way
compared to a lot of other characters.
It has high, high mobility.
The way it scores is actually in pieces.
It's split up into three, one for each head, of course.
And because of that, it scores incredibly quick.
Yep, and it can really flank easily because it has such high speed so it's one of those things if you take your eye off the ball
You can lose track of that Doudreo
And then it's right behind you're dealing massive damage on a flank and then Megalucario is in your face with that close combat
That big power up punch you mentioned quavo is incredibly strong if it gets ahead
But if you look at the side of Zeta division Doudreo can give it fits and soak in that Megalucca
So just a small investment on the side of Zeta to make sure one of those characters is higher than Propobo.
It could just become a 1v1 for the rest of the game.
Like, my only goal is to make sure Gatlou does not get this thing online, and I think we'll find some success with that.
Well, with how well Gatlou was playing yesterday, there is a question as to who you're kind of trying to target on the other side, right?
What player do you want to shut down the post?
And if this Propobo gets online, gets its Unite move, starts dancing through some of these battles, it could be very, very tough.
for the side of Zeta. So that would be a good player to shut down.
One that's going to be extremely hard is going to be a Desu on this Espeon. Espeon
evolving at level 4, all of our EVs do in this game. They're so strong early. Espeon
probably the strongest with the ability to secure easily with SciShop.
Yeah and not to mention it could also go into that stored power which we saw yesterday as well
which is pretty solid against Dothria right because stored power has that sure hit
and can really track a Dodrio so it helps at least mitigate some of that crazy mobility that Dodrio has to escape fights that it doesn't want to be in.
So I'm going to be looking to a Desu to see how they cover.
Let's talk about the support core of Komae which has been critical.
Debt, the captain of a team on that Snorlax, and very quietly the Kit Narami on this side-up has been having crazy, crazy psychic pulls.
You put the disc down and then you yank somebody out of the tall grass.
and they've been setting up great KO's for their squad by doing that.
You know, you and I love to talk about the support cores of these teams
because while all of these, you know, carry Pokemon are flashy,
they're picking up huge KO streaks,
sometimes wiping out the entire enemy team,
none of that happens without these Playmaker Pokemon on their side.
And we've seen huge plays from both of these teams.
Gek in particular, on Komai, I feel like has made some hero plays for the squad.
Absolutely has, right?
And we keep talking about Gatlou, Adesu, Gek, Nandarami, but also there is Toast.
And Toast, most primarily on the Mimikyu, we've seen them go across a couple things,
of course going to be on the Scyther this game.
Also is a great shutdown player. Like they can make huge plays.
They're always pacing the other team as well and stressing them by attacking from different angles.
So amazing seeing this hype crowd here in the chase center,
the arena filling up throughout our day. I've been told it seats almost 300 people. Wait,
nope, get something else. 18,000 people. It was way off. Yeah, you don't know numbers,
my friend. Here's the good news. We might be game pause, but all that's doing is allowing
for more people to file in and enjoy the experience of Pokemon Unite live here in
the Chase Center. And it's experience unlike any other that you will get today
Because this game is fast paced action.
No turn based action here.
We're all about the smoke once we get into the Fea Sky Ruins.
That's right.
The texture of all of our games here on Championship Sunday
is so interesting, exciting.
Each one having their own flavor and Unite, no question
about it, is the most high energy of our titles.
Non-stop action and battling throughout in our 10 minute
matches here, Duke Snacks.
We're taking a look at our hype crowd.
I love how the plushies were brought.
Of course, there's Pikachu who's using our capes from last year.
We are representing our teams here.
Zeta Division got the jacket on, got the jersey on,
dripped out of control to support the squad
as they make their run to championship gold.
Man, I absolutely love this stage.
It's awesome.
It's so cool what they were able to do with this.
It's an even bigger step up from last year,
which was already an amazing stage in the arena.
This is just incredible.
What's that production?
You do want us to cast from the table in the middle.
Amazing, are we sure it's set up?
Should we run down there right now?
Right now?
Okay, what's that we're lying?
There, there.
Our game is being remade here
to make sure that all of our players can get in.
And then as soon as it is ready to go,
we are going to head down to Thea Sky Ruins
and watch them battle it out here
in our first game of the Pest of Five.
Got one of the greatest signs.
You have to bless the old me and only me
set by the legendary two-time world champion, Overlord.
I will secure also a great, great sign.
And I love, I've been watching those signs pop up
throughout the fans all weekend long.
And the energy commitment and passion
that these fans have for this game cannot be denied.
And you know what, I asked for the game to be remade
so we can hit a hard ready go.
We did it.
So let's make sure that we are now getting
a second fight at this game one ready go.
Apple, let's make it a big one.
Because our players are getting ready to head into the match right now.
I always wonder with moments like these, you know, whether it's a technical issue,
a player needs a moment or something like that, how that changes the mental state
of these competitors as you're getting ready for this match.
There's so much on the line here, and I don't know about you, Dupesnacks,
but I know for me, I would just want to be thrown into the defend right away.
Yeah, 100%. And I don't want to bring up, you know, past history or old wounds,
But if you recall, the same EU team with a lot of these players got stuck on ice on stage in the World Championships
and fell apart afterwards.
If you recall that, I'm hoping the mental fortitude is there and they are ready to go.
And I'm hoping that Gek, again, is keeping this team from tearing apart at the seams.
Because they did the vision. Again, we know their resilience.
The question is really still up in the air because we've seen this team have some bizarre bizarre missteps
But if their focus is there and their intensity is there they can deliver in a big way
What you'll notice about Unite is it's often a game of momentum
It seems like a team that's winning keeps winning here
But both of these squads with the reverse sweep yesterday really shows you that they can pull it out when it counts, change everything
And there is something about a team that's been losing and then they start to win
It's just so hard to defeat them at that point
It's like they figured something out and then once they hit that their opponents can do nothing about it
That's without a doubt. You know
Is this production? Is this an opportunity where you can put me in the cowboy back on screen? Oh?
What's your plan? Oh, no. No. Oh, you have no plan and what so well right like at all
Actually, I just feel like we're dressed nice and you know, I'd like to be seen. He's not wrong
The fact that this is our last day
I mean it sounds like it with how we're acting doesn't it it really does seem like it listen I
Feel like production is minimizing amount of time on camera because they don't know if we actually have tapes or not
Yeah, they're wondering if we're gonna like like are they gonna
up on fronting a key back there big crowns they have those it pull that's those gold shoulder
things with hassles nobody knows I love that you're bringing up all the things that we asked
if we could bring in they said out no to all they said no to all but I'm you know you just
you put positive out maybe we get something back surely if someone in the audience had
a crown they would brought it to it I could not wear it I mean I can't wear it.
What's that? You're gonna get rid of us before the end of the show.
Sure, that makes sense. Yeah.
That's where we always thought we would be.
We're gonna head to here.
Stadia filling in too.
Great.
I love this ripple effect.
I love seeing myself in the Jumbotron.
That's terrific. I'm a big fan of that.
I cannot deny.
It's a great experience for those of you in the arena, of course.
Great experience for our players on stage.
phenomenal experience for me to
calculate selfishly for us.
This is a great day.
It's just so good.
Yeah, we're absolutely loving it
right here.
And this is our final Pokemon
Unite cast.
It really is the most amazing
way to send this game off.
You know, last year in the
arena, it was absolutely
electric.
And this is even bigger,
dude, snacks.
Yeah, exactly.
That's again why everybody
at home assumed larger capes.
But now look, just look how
sharp we look.
And here.
And here.
Well done. Let's talk about these teams again.
Zeta Division on that reverse sweep, you talked about momentum and how critical that is,
but we've seen time and time again.
The momentum not necessarily carrying into the next day.
We've seen teams go on miracle runs through day two of a bracket,
hit grand finals and fall apart.
Is this going to be the case for Zeta Division?
That's a question that remains unanswered.
Yeah, it really is.
I mean, can these teams keep that momentum?
Can Zeta keep that huge win going from being behind to now
winning, or are they shaken by the fact
that the team on the other side three owed their opponents
as we're getting set up for our match right now?
And it sounds like we will be soon heading into our game.
Once we do, 10-minute time on the screen, ready, go.
We're all going to do it together.
I want to show everybody at home what they're missing out
as they're watching through their screen,
we're going to have a raucous crowd here to get loud and deliver the energy to
these players on stage. You can see the screens. Our players are loading in now
for our first match of our grand finals here in San Francisco. I need to take a
deep breath. I want to get into it. Here we go. Ready? Go! Koma Esports, your purple
Team Zeta Division, your Orange Team, the first game of our Grand Finals begins now.
We see the players on their mini map cruising towards their path.
We'd love to see the characters for this game.
Oh, there we go.
Because NoMu is immediately going crosstown shootout, and they're going to go for an
invade to slow down the progress of Toast, Narani sussing it out quickly, and going
to A, press him down.
Yeah, this play right here is taking one of your Pokemon, especially with an experienced
across the map trying to steal away some experience
from their powerful central area Pokemon.
Nobu looking to see if they can secure this buff for their squad.
And no, it goes over to Toast.
Resta and Rom downstairs there with the Snarlax
and Adesu moving through the Eskimo.
Already evolved and Toast decides to collapse in the bottom path.
But Toppo now peeling back up top, trying to see where all the action is.
Yeah, here we go. Adesu seeing the side here of Zeta.
Vitopo throwing some of that try attack at them as we head to our top path here.
Mega Lucario starting off extremely strong almost already level five.
Yeah meanwhile the other side look we are struggling to get our evolutions.
Toast and Nourami have to pull up for get a little support on Gatlou.
Swablu and Altair here, big dual wing beat.
We do have our evolution for Gatlou that's a start.
Meanwhile we have a fight in the bottom path that looks like Dodrio was there for just a moment.
And we might have a scrap in the center of the map here as Scyther and Dodrio are very close to each other.
Vitopo moving in now, Duke Snacks.
Yeah, Vitopo actually seeing.
Whoa!
There's two players there, the K-Opener going to go to Koai.
Narami gets the credit, but the damage done by Gatlu and Toast.
And now Nobu struggling to evolve,
but they're losing sight of Mizutama,
who is getting now matching parity with Gatlu on the levels.
And Gatlu quickly caught out.
The pressure's on, but Tri-Attack's going to seal the deal.
And Gatlu overstanding his welcome in the central area there of Zeta Division,
kind of giving up a lot of the experience lead
that they got from KOing that central area Pokemon.
Unfortunately, those are some of the plays
you have to make though.
If you could extend that victory even further,
it would be incredible.
Adesu, they are on the stored power build,
which is gonna be tough for the bird.
It is gonna be very difficult.
Nomu finally hitting the crustal,
is gonna be able to space out,
you see that big rock tomb,
shelling toast away,
which means Zeta Division
is gonna grab the first Reggie Drago.
Right, secure from Zeta Division,
giving their entire team some team-wide experience
and a buff that allows Nomu to score faster.
And it looks like we have two members of Zeta hiding in the tall grass, trying to take down Toast.
Oh, they know when those timers are going to be on the respawn.
But Toppo and Nobu are going to put pressure on Toast.
Toast is actually bailing into the bottom path, which means once these things spawn back up,
if Zeta Division wants to hang out long enough, they can take them all.
And that's how aggressive that Dodrio can be.
Toast just had to leave here and see what they can secure in the bottom path.
Here comes Nobu.
Meanwhile, Dodrio taking all the experience on the side of Komae.
Yeah, Nomu coming down from the central area, giving Zeta Division the rest of the information they need,
which means Vitopo knows that they're pretty safe to grab all the experience from the side of Komai.
Meanwhile, up top, it looks like Narami and Gautler are doing a good job. We do have Kupoval on line.
We do, yeah, and it looks like they did pretty well into this Lucario,
but Gautler's gonna need to be careful right here. Lucario has incredible secure potential.
Kupoval does not. They're moving forward, looking for a fight.
4v3, big heavy slam. Kupoval closed it out. They're all over Nomu.
Nobu getting shredded, Big X scissor with the block.
Eject button out of the cross to get back on the back side.
Rested to Ladias is trying to make it happen.
Toast secures the red dice, and they might look for a push here.
They got a 4v2.
They're going to get the cheat and scores,
and now they're going to go for the big 36 over.
And now the points lead, but gone.
Belongs to Komai.
That's right.
159-53.
Komai ahead.
We have a Desu trying to fight Bitopu on this goal
zone, but they are not able to take them down.
Even the Unite move could not save them.
We now have Utopo scoring, stacking up their attack weight
in this bottom path, making them more and more powerful
for all of these fights.
But here comes Kofi right back at him, looking for no move
and they pick up a KO.
Now they're moving forward.
Narami Jack going to be the security guards for Toast.
That's big Scyther.
Tons of burst damage, but incredibly fragile
when it comes to taking damage themselves.
Narami, nice little psychic.
Reposition's wrong.
Heavy slam there to separate rest up.
The block is back.
We're trying to put damage down.
Narami gets hit with a United.
They're low on HP, do a wing beat, knockout, pressure knock, heavy slam again.
And Kul Kwab was moving into the back line, Nomu's getting shredded.
Huge psychic reposition on Mizutama.
They're on the back side, they missed the close combat, and Adesu closes the door.
Nomu getting shredded, do a wing beat, and Espeon gets credit.
Holy smokes, Komai is here to play.
Komai is absolutely cooking in this bottom path right now,
but they're deciding not to break this gold dupes next.
I want to keep this bottom path open so they can continue securing some of this experience.
Meanwhile, Vito Puy trying to take everything away.
Big KO, and they're gonna be able to get out.
They're running away from the central area,
and that is the power of Dodrio.
That is the power of Vito Puy.
The Vito Puy up a level.
If Narami hits that psychic and drags,
Vito Puy will go down to toast.
They use, I believe, the full heal to cleanse that away
so they can get the knockout and escape.
And on top of all that, they got Narami's Unite move.
Let's talk about a quiet battle
that has been happening throughout this match.
And that is the battle that Latias and Latios
are playing. These two Pokemon are looking to continue stacking up their Aeon power.
They get stronger and stronger throughout this match and have crazy potential as the game goes on.
Komae looking good now, but these could turn into real problems for them later.
Big Kukwafl dunk downstairs. 240 round, 110.
Komae is there in the face of 4. No move goes down, now Gek can move forward.
Isutama peels back. Rom, using their United One at day 2. Prime target.
Half HP going. Rest is eviscerated. But Toast is going as well.
Dek is looking for Rammuzu Kama strikes down on the Rammuzu.
Close combat doesn't fit a damage.
But Toppo stressed the scoreboard downstairs.
Close combat is there, back on top of Adesu.
Nice heavy slamming.
Okay, we took care of the trash then.
And now Koma is pivoting to Registeel.
No move back into the action, but it's going to be tough.
Meanwhile, while this is happening,
Dodrio is scoring in the bottom half,
trying to even up the scoreline.
No moves, stopping the big time Rumble Rouser unite
and here come the Latios and Latias.
They took their eye off the Registeel
and since they took the fight,
No move, but enough time.
Now Gek is trapped in the wrong tune.
They have to slam back over the wall.
But now it's Sade Division that has control
of the Regi-Steel objective.
Absolute swings back and forth here.
Lucario back.
This is going to be very difficult for Komi
to stop at this point with the incredible secure potential
on the side of Zeta.
And they do take it there.
It is the Lodios getting them the Regi-Steel,
a huge buff that is going to give them extra attack
and special attack.
Somewhere off-screen, we had Potopo on the De Drillo,
Level 13, go down, tons of experience in the hands of Kamai.
Three minutes and 20 seconds left in this game,
and it is getting close.
It's getting very close.
You're less than 100 points separate these two teams.
And when Dodrio is on the side of Zeta,
you cannot feel good about that.
It can run away from our final fight in double time
and make some huge plays.
Reggie are lucky now, being taken by Zeta.
No one from Kamai in a position to deal with this.
In fact, they're just looking for experience
on their side of the map.
I think they recognize they have to win a huge fight.
We are at the three minute mark,
which means in one minute here,
we are going to have Groudon spawn in the center,
and these two teams are gonna need to decide
how they wanna play the final moments of this match.
Take a deep breath, 40 seconds,
and our boss monster here in our first map
is gonna materialize.
Meanwhile, these teams are waiting
to call before the storm,
getting their levels up and Zated Division
on the hunt, trying to get vision.
And you can see Zated Division right here
with some extremely aggressive positioning.
They decide to go in it looks like they're going to use the power-up punch fly backwards and throw some damage onto the Snorlax here
They know exactly where they are on the side of Komae. This makes it difficult for Komae to engage
Neurami's getting real close to that Dodrio on our mini map
Roman rest a no move moving forwards in the bottom path here. We've got five seconds brother. Yeah here
We have five seconds till our first. Oh
The huge KO. Rock Doom bubbles out to support Core and Adesu.
They're trying to put the store powered on NoMu.
Roudon's getting worked on.
We've got to make a Lucario going for the rip.
Roudon in the central area, all of Komae spaced out.
Gek in the back side, Toast Frenel using their U.N. move.
The S.P.A. U.N. pops up a couple,
but everybody's still standing.
The power nap is just on NoMu.
And there's only three players standing for Komae.
Gek does get the knockout when the rip is started.
Narami is there to make a hero play.
They can't get it. It's the Topo.
And Zeta Division secures the first objective in a grand final.
And here they go, rushing to score.
Here they just need one huge one to even this up.
241-248, but this match is incredibly close.
In just a moment here, these players
are about to find out how close it is.
When it says it is close battle,
that means no one knows which side exactly is up.
But with these grout on bus, Zeta Division
is in a perfect position to win.
They just have to have one player sneak off and score.
For Kolmai, they need to run to the other side
of the map, they need to KO members of Zeta, take these buffs for themselves, and make something
happen.
Komei now looking to figure out exactly how they are going to make that fight.
We have two members of Komei in the bottom path, and here comes Zeta Division, sneaking
from Tallgrass.
Get getting the information, but of course the Dodrio has a great capacity to score
and stretch this lead that Zeta Division have.
Gatlu has exposed themselves.
The Rock 2 forces out of Desu and Narami.
Backdoor!
Heavy slam by Gatlu!
They're trying to block and isolate!
Gatlou looking for a target and they're trying to pin down that big rest. The rest it gets out another trapped another
United move back from Rome and it's got pitch in the middle. Toast is using a United move, but it's a fruitless endeavor
They're getting absolutely
Efficerated meanwhile the Topos on a scoring mission they're up by over a hundred and Zeta Division is cruising in the next 10 seconds
Beautiful groud on fight perfectly played by Zeta Division as we mentioned earlier
You leave the megalocario alone and they are taking that objective
Oh my having the guquabal fly over on the jump pad getting absolutely caught
I don't think it's what they want to do at all
I think the rock tuned up and stuck in a crazy position that they did not expect and then everything started to go wrong
The beautiful unite move from Ladao's able to pick up the KO Ladao's and Ladao's
They both honed in on the right target
And you know what if you're you know if the other team gives you an inch should take a mile
And that's exactly what happened. I have no idea why Gatlou springboarded into the middle
They landed in an absolute blender and Zeta division made them pay in the biggest way
We're gonna have to take a look at some of those moments in a replay here in a second
But that is something that I want to watch back as well
I think it was a rock tube that ended up forcing them over the wall as we take a look at some of these moments here
So the nice early fight here from come on, but they did end up paying for it
They could not get no more in this situation. Gatlou does go down
Again, great early, early game action out of pomai.
And if they were sticking with their game plan in the final stretch,
I think they would have been fine.
Here we have a great little fight here on the red dice.
Going to be able to lock it down as well.
Yeah, red dice here being taken.
We have Gotlu getting extremely aggressive, pushing forward towards the side of Zeta.
Very aggressive plays from them. They knew they needed to win a fight as a team.
They were not able to do it.
before, Latios and Latios getting stronger and stronger and stronger throughout the match.
By the end there, they were able to use that unite move as a delete button on Gottlieb.
Oh, without a doubt.
And now you're seeing when Komae is taking agency in these fights and not on the back
foot, they're doing very well.
Unfortunately for them, Gottlieb over the wall, I can't wait to see it so we can really
analyze how that went down.
Yeah, here we go.
Look at some of the scores.
Izutama moving forward right here.
Rome, our player of the game.
I mean, are you shocked there?
The damage just starts going up and up and up.
And I really do think that catch on Gottlieu
from the side of Zeta Division entirely,
but especially the United Moves that finished them off,
really was what set up Zeta to win.
Yeah, one thing I want to talk about.
We mentioned a lot at the top of the show,
Votopo being a critical member of the Zeta Division team,
getting them to the finals here.
However, Gotopo a very quiet game, in game number one.
So if you look at what Komei was putting together,
and if their plan was shut down,
Gotopo, they succeeded.
However, they kind of lost sight
on every other player in the game.
Here we go, right back into draft.
Now, Komei is going to need to deal
with what just happened there.
Adesu, picking the Espion here first.
They liked their strategy.
It really was going well for Komei.
They just went catastrophically bad there at the end when Gatlu got caught.
As we're seeing the next couple of picks over to the side of Zedah Division,
are we going to see the same Pokemon?
They did just win with it, so you might not need to change much up.
Suicune on the grip, and they are one of the few teams that have been playing a Suicune.
And I talk about the Suicune Unite move, how devastating it can be.
If it tracks and sprees as multiple targets,
when you have the skill set on the rest of your team, like Zedah Division does,
it is curtains for you, son.
Yeah, and what they're really setting up here with these bands and the Feraligato, the Surfetch, the Mimikyu,
they're targeting out a lot of these all-rounders.
We're seeing exactly what Gatlu wants to play here.
Kokwavl looked pretty good last match, but Kokwavl into Suikun sounds like a nightmare, Dupesnacks.
He wants to fight at close range. It does not want to be stunned by this Pokémon.
Worth noting that Izutama went with base model Lucario.
Komefe enters the game here, one of the most banned Pokémon all tournament long.
Rome on the Zorina will see how Comaia reacts and now they're gonna get them a champ espion combination
So you're gonna see a pig submission and then that scych off bam stun
I was wondering what the final pick was gonna be here for Comaia
The reason I was wondering is because what Pokemon would they want to play into this sweet coon?
I don't think it would be the Scyther
We've got a slightly tankier Pokemon with the mega Charizard X and if they can pick something up
especially something that already has a compé on it and deleted fast you're
kind of getting two ko's for the price of one one combination that we have on
co-mai that has been absolutely brutal throughout this entire tournament is the
machamp and the espion machamp with submission making themselves unstoppable
running towards the enemy side grabbing one of their opponents throwing
them over their shoulders and then letting a desu on this espion hit them
with the side shock and side beam it's kind of a one-two punch that
knocks out most things in the game.
The question is, does Adesu want to play that build
or is he still feeling the stored power?
I think without the do-drio around,
we're probably seeing the Sci-Shock.
I think you want to go Sci-Shock 100%, right?
Especially because Rome or Votopo
is going to be carrying the Compe.
So doing the suplex stun right there
is going to get you that, what I called,
that little Vogo deal.
You get the big guy down and the Compe comes for free.
Here we go.
Heading into game number two in the Chase Arena, our final Pokemon Unite world championship
as our teams are loading in.
Ready?
No!
Pretty good, Doomsnakes.
You saved that well.
You think?
Yeah, I think you did great.
Thanks, brother.
Unite, staying true to itself, bell to bell here, save the thing.
Here we go.
your purple team Zeta division your orange team up one game now in our
Vesta 5 GECK running across the map looking to see what they can take away
from Zeta. When you have an Urshithu on the other side you want to be very
aggressive because this is one of the toughest early game Pokemon. Kuffu
really struggles to get online. Struggles in a big way GECK doing a great
job of invasion you think hey is are they gonna get knocked out what are
they actually trying to accomplish here and it's the waste time yeah and GECK
is being incredibly successful right now and now they're you know pulling
the slows folks for rest of the topo still that couple does get both buff but
slowed down immensely yeah and you want to slow this down right because you do
not slow down this her she foo is going to enter the battle very quickly with
that rapid strike it can be a real problem here no move trying to skid up
it looks like got Lou was able to take that in the bottom half couple now
looking for their moment looking for their level five they have it they
have a ball this is a scary place especially with the come fake collar
They're gonna need to be very careful on the side of Komae right there right in the middle looking for their opportunity is a
Little muchop saying I just want to get my points and can I know they're gonna get frozen for absolutely no value here
We'll see if they get knocked out rest of the topo cruising through the central area here
It's Komae is committing to the top pack. Yeah, beautiful stuff from Komae there, right?
They recognize that that fight was not going to go well for them
However, they put a lot of pressure at top
But we do have the urshifu making their way to the top pass seeing if they can punish some of the players
There's no move here.
In the bottom path, just trying to attack them on this gold zone.
Rom now already level six.
Giving them fits here.
Rom with so much mobility.
You see that big stomp out of this arena.
And just gliding in.
Queenly Majesty takes going up as they're about the action.
And now they're just wasting time
because they're able to prevent Gatlu from evolving
as Toast is getting bullied in his own central.
And look at this here.
Here comes Vito Poo.
This is the power of some of these Pokemon,
like Hershipu the Dodrio.
really moved through the enemy central area.
Look how aggressive Zeta is being never letting up here.
They've already taken game one.
They want to finish this.
They absolutely do.
And look at that quick little freeze from NoMu,
Rome as well.
I mean, everything is moving for Zeta Division.
They have complete control of Reggie Drago.
Narami trying to move forward as a little Duxie
when they can do.
Wow!
Narami, honestly, you don't know the value
that that just brought to a struggling Komi team.
And sometimes all you need is a cheeky objective steel
to get yourself back in it.
Yeah, there's something about just taking something
that you shouldn't have gotten from your opponents.
Your team can kind of get the energy they need back
in this match.
Nourami heading to the bottom path here.
The Chards are toast heading to the bottom.
Adesu as well with the Unite move,
making their way to the bottom path, looking for a fight.
Consistent freezes from Nourami,
always getting at least one target, sometimes multiple.
Very impressive.
You've got the moral pool down, pushing forward.
Ice beam lined up.
No, Reddy Ruck's working.
Rahul is stomping.
Nourami trying to give cover.
Nomu with the support, and here comes Mizutama.
Power up, punch close to the door, moving forward.
Nomu getting credit, with the pressure's on.
Toast is pinned against the wall,
his charge art there knocked out,
and running away his roam,
rest of hopping off as the comfy jumps right back on,
and the Regirock belongs to Zeta Division.
Regirock being ripped apart right here.
The Serena playing so well for the side of Zeta,
and also the fact that it has the comfey on it
just makes it more difficult to fight.
You don't realize it when you're fighting it all the time,
but you are fighting two Pokemon at the same time.
Good little psychic pull from the Romican.
Come on, do anything with it.
Have you seen him over Suplex?
Four step, earth spoo, unite.
11 hits down, blocked.
It's separate Mizutama from the team.
On the backside, we're getting Adesu knocked out.
But Toko's still going.
Mizutama's right there, and they get Suplex into path.
Debt looking for cover, but the goal zone is closed.
Kao's streak of three.
Gatlu keeps trying to hold it down,
but they're going to be dispatched.
And now it's the Romian Adesu.
Toast isn't even paying attention.
complete control for Zeta Division.
Toast with the Unite move coming right back,
trying to stop the rider,
but gets taken back up into the-
Hore!
The Ice Age freezes, come on!
And that allows Zeta Division to keep pushing.
KO Shriega too for the legendary dog,
as they're gonna peel back.
And it's finally a Machanth,
Gek steps up, block back,
suplex, but is there enough in the tank?
Here we go, Machanth Unite move,
looking to get a KO right here.
Destu coming in with missing the shot,
side shock and side beam,
because VTOPU was able to move out beautiful plays there.
Zeta Division, dominating game two.
Holy brother, you take your eyes off of Tocpo
when you're getting arranged by Visutama.
You take your eyes off Visutama
and it's no move but Kalinja with the ice flocks.
Zeta Division in complete control.
Zeta Division in control, KOMI struggling here.
There are a few bright lights.
They finally have their levels
where they can have Unite moves,
especially that Charizard.
Unfortunately for them, they were absolutely shut down
the last time they used it.
They need to get a great fight online
and isolate some big targets.
Good suplex, block there to ensure at least vision.
Tampa, here comes the Tobon Kofi,
snatched into the air, we're gonna try and burn him down.
Orchard for you guys, the combo hits him 36.
They're looking to more suplex, can they convert?
No, 42, 45, the numbers keep climbing.
No move with the huge freeze on the backside
and it's Rome looking to stomp through the rest
Come on, Rome might be a water type.
Nope, they're a grass type.
They're burning it down for sure.
Don't worry, we make a lot of mistakes here.
No one will notice that one.
Snorlax in the top half.
We have the side up moving with it.
But here comes Vitopo once again in this central area
looking to make something happen.
Doop Snacks like they have been all game.
Just take over the map.
Take all the experience from Comey.
This is such a difficult match.
If they were able to get a huge pick,
a submission into the SciShock,
into the Charizard Unite.
They can take down one of these huge targets,
but Zeta has been playing so well.
They've got to make sure.
Oh!
Thank the Championite for three.
Mizutama is there, though.
Pressure on Gatlu, Fruitslitz, and never gone.
Here we go, Bitopu, heading back towards their side.
Gek now in the top path.
Rome, level 12 up here, as we have Toast.
Also level 12, but you would really
hope that your central area Pokemon would be out
leveling this right here, as we have 13 on the other side
for Zeta Division.
Koma is not out of this, but the fights are looking grim for them.
Listen, this is exactly how some of their matches went yesterday,
getting bullied most of the game and finding it in the final moments.
No one was very low, there's a quality knockout opportunity.
Chards are united, does lock down the sweetcoon.
Now, Rome has to step away right back in as the blue sheathoo,
getting combos up to 45, 47, 56, 57.
We keep punching, Megan, 60.
Wow, unbelievable from Zeta.
You just see the level that this player is playing at
as they score another 50 points, 75 to 312 from Zeta,
and they are dominating all of these fights.
You can see why Kumpfe is one of the most banned Pokemon
in our entire tournament.
It is so difficult to shut down a player
that has this on them, especially people
that are playing at this level like Pitopo.
Okay, take a deep breath, Koma.
Just like I did, figure out the typing of your Pokemon.
So apparently I'm still learning that.
Let's see what you can come up together in the next 40 seconds
because you've got a big fight to win.
Reggie, like you now being taken down by Kamai,
they have to deal with this,
whereas Zeta gets to do whatever they want on the map.
What they're gonna do is hide in this tall grass,
and see if they can catch a member of Komae early
before this fight.
30 seconds until Kyogre makes their way to the center.
Naravi hitting a psychic.
Galu moving in, they might take the fight early
as they grab the sweet goon.
Duplex over the whole Rome is due.
Nomu's low, Nomu's knocked out.
Ice Age gets three.
The block is there to protect the team.
Votopo looking for a flank right back
into the middle is Mitsuzama.
Rome on the backside looking for the Toppo eyes down gags.
We finally have the Charizard tonight with their punch.
Their shield with their back.
Finally, Mr. Sampson goes down.
Rome is on the chopper, bucks two, flexes on.
Wow!
Sampson on the heavy slam.
Gallo needs to use a move.
But we have a huge jersey for you, man, again.
Megan's 60 and counting.
They're pushing back.
And it's just two players on Zaynah Division,
but they're fighting.
Oh, so well.
The Toppo somehow making their way
through the relentless assault from Koumai,
the Charizard Unite who picked up multiple members and now for just a moment
the calm before another storm Kyogre in the middle Zeta coming back we now have
Charizard coming back in just five seconds but will Zeta start this
before Charizard is ready to fight here comes Lucario looking for Gaki the
block right now no one wants to make a mistake here but Zeta wants to scrap
so the Topo getting straight in the middle a little bit of a freeze follow
up suplex the Topo is split the Topo goes down Neuromi's getting chased
They're snuffed out and snuffed, just two players for Komae.
Toast is on the chase, singular Unite move from Rome.
And Rome is in fact burning for Komae here in game two.
They're not going to worry about Kyogre.
They're going to assault those goal zones.
They are heading towards the central area goal here of Komae.
And this is going to increase their points lead considerably.
There's still time on the clock,
but now Komae's only shot is going to be able
to quickly get that central area objective
and make something happen.
171, 528 and we can see Rome attacking multiple members here of Komae fighting them on their own
goal zone. It doesn't look like there's going to be enough time for Komae as Charizard finally hits
the map. Gattu working on Kyogre in the center. And meanwhile the rest of Komae getting snuffed
out as the scores keep going in. Zeta Division with an exclamation point on the line that
that was game one, they hammer home game two,
and they're up by so many points,
with 13 seconds left, it's gonna be tough.
And you see Zeta Division right here,
look at how smart they are deciding.
There's no reason to fight near this tier one goal zone.
They just have to stop them from scoring in here
and in the home goal zone.
Beautiful plays from Zeta.
An absolutely dominant performance here in game two,
and they are now one game away
from being your final Pokemon Unite World Champions.
You said the team that would win the first game
would gain the momentum and carry it through.
And right now we have Zeta Division
with all the momentum in the world.
But Zeta Division knows what being down O2 means
because they did the reverse sweep yesterday
and they have to keep the pedal to the floor.
You could not let a team with the skill level of Comai
scratch and claw their way back into this.
You got to snuff them out now.
Just like we saw yesterday,
both of these teams have been in a position
to reverse sweep, so this is not over by any means.
But if you're Zeta,
you have to feel good about how that match went.
Game one was very close.
Game two, they were in control the entire time.
Nomu on this sweetcoon was a problem, brother.
And you can see why Zeta Division committed a first pick to it.
A Pokemon that has been quiet all weekend long, and now surging onto the scene
with the surging strikes from Blue Shifu.
And really, blue is a good color on Zeta Division.
Look at that, 95,000 damage from Rome on the Zerina.
This is a Pokemon that's received a lot of bans throughout our tournament
because if a team plays it, they are incredible.
You are pretty big number there Vito 18 knockouts 18 knockouts to assist one faint and that gives you a KO plus a over F
a off of 20 91 K damage out of Vito I mean every one of these characters was a problem. Yeah, real problem
toast not coming online as fast as they needed to on the side of Koma was also a real issue
Mega Charizard had some huge moments throughout that match, but you want it early and you want them often
You want to be megging and a lot of these fights picking up huge chaos
They only had a few that went their way and even when they did Zeta played so incredibly well that they were able to
Stem the tide get right back in there and win the refight
Look at that heat map brother everywhere once Rome got online
They were skating all over the map finding targets and taking them down as we have our crowd right there
primed up, ready to go for game number three.
Oh, I'm getting word from our production team, Snacks.
This is actually a huge deal.
Your mistake in the last match, that is our 10,000th mistake.
Whoa!
Let's hear it!
We did it, everybody!
Look how excited they are about our 10,000th mistake.
Big deal.
A big deal for us.
A lot of us said we couldn't do it before we shut the game down.
But you know what?
Yes, we can.
Never give up on your dreams.
Just catastrophic mistakes on the biggest stage.
You'll love to see it from the boys.
We won't be back tomorrow.
Ha ha ha.
As we're getting ready for what could be our final match,
Dupesnacks, between these two squads.
Comey, they're really getting to figure something out.
There is something about a loss that huge
that gets you to recalibrate everything.
Go back to what you know.
Go back to what you know is going to win.
Stop trying to play better than what you are.
Play the Comey that got you here in the first place.
But they need to make it happen right now
as Zeta Division could become your champion
in just 10 short minutes.
Again, Comfay available for one of these teams.
Blastoise is the first pick.
The band's the exact same.
And Zeta Division has been navigating their draft
after these bands incredibly well.
They feel confident.
Comai feels like they're just going with the flow.
Here we go.
Next couple of picks over to Zeta.
They are going to take that crustal.
And they are going to take Lodious,
which we saw in game number one.
Obviously, this could easily lead to Rome once again
being on that lot of use, which was incredibly powerful,
difficult for Komi to shut down, especially towards the late game
when the burst damage was just so high
that Gottlieu went down immediately.
They're back on the Kawawe, which for Komi,
their early game in game number one
has been their strongest showing
throughout this entire tournament.
So I understand heading back towards this.
Yeah, absolutely.
They have to make sure that whatever toast picks
isn't super duper susceptible to an invade,
because you really want Narami to be sticking in path
with Gatlu to get them unlocked.
And this has been the Achilles' heel of Komai on Saturday.
The games they have lost in rough fashion
have been because, across the way,
was the horse, the Galarian, Rapidash.
This pick right here from Zeta Division
is the most targeted pick that we've
seen throughout this entire series,
recognizing that Komai had a very difficult time
into this Pokemon yesterday so much so that they needed to ban it.
This could be the ace in the hole for Zeta right now
and how they win the entire tournament.
Adesu back on their hero Pokemon from day two.
Mewtwo Y and Toast on the Talonflame incredibly fast.
So we have a very quick speedster on both sides.
Yeah, and I mean Talonflame does a decent job holding its own
in the early stages as well.
It has some decent secure in its kit.
Rome is going to Lodios and this Lodios-Lodios combination
in game one we saw was incredibly strong.
So, come on, with their back against the wall,
they are fighting with Blastoise,
Bokwawbel, Side-Up, Mewtwo, Lai, and Talon, Flay.
Zeta Division with everything on the line,
the championship one game away, stealing away the crustal,
which had some huge place for them in game one.
The Ladius, Ladius coming back out,
and now two speedsters on the side of Zeta.
as we're taking a look at our crowd here in San Francisco.
Hopefully we do the flyover right.
We can brace this game with a team ready go.
There are battlefield.
They are sky ruins with Ray Quaza in the center.
This could be your final match of Pokemon Unite
in the championship series.
One more game for Zeta Division
and they will become your champion.
Komei needs to win three in a row.
It's been done before.
Members of Komei have done it before,
but Komei, this is tough.
Ready, go!
Komei, your purple team, Zeta Division,
your orange team as we are one game away
from crowning Zeta the champion.
But standing in the way is Komei.
You are down, but you are not out yet.
Keep your eye on the prize and keep on fighting
and make your story happen.
Narami immediately sussing out.
Nomu putting a press pressure on,
which means auto attacks on your opponent.
That's right, you're looking to shut this thing down
before it can really do something
towards the central area.
We have Toast right now,
looking to see if they can get some of this experience.
Nomu trying to steal it right here,
but that does go over to the side of Komae.
Not only is Toast trying to get this experience right here,
but they're also trying to shut down
that Dwebble if they can.
Yeah, I mean, just the little rocks
peppering you on the top of the head
for that miniature stun is so annoying
and Toast actually getting surprisingly low
does close out with the knockout.
So Toast's gonna hit path, but not quite level five.
Yeah, you can see the red buff was taken there
by the Dwebble and that's why getting that KO,
they get the buff back, but they're still not yet level five.
They're gonna take some of this experience right here
and Talonflame is getting closer and closer.
It does evolve at level seven to its final evolution.
These Utama, I hang down the Swablu in Altaria,
great presence from Komae, Roftum is there,
not actually isolated Gottlo very quickly,
and something they need to watch out for.
VTOPO is now something they're gonna need to watch out for,
as Dodrio really gets to decide how they wanna play this.
Looking for the talent flame in the center
as we're fighting over some experience right here.
VTOPO moving forward, seeing a thing at the Kaon Toast.
Toast actually has to run away from their own central area,
and this has been the story of all of these matches.
Zeta Division doesn't look at my half of the map,
your half of the map, it's all their map.
And it's working.
It's working great.
We see toast behind on levels.
We see Fetopo doing whatever it is they want.
The Galarian Rapidash, the horse with the sharp stuff
coming out the top of its head is looking good now
because they just hit their evolution.
Narami's headache ticks over after a rock tomb from Nomu.
And really, Koma is just kind of turtling up
all over the map.
Yeah, Koma, not up on levels.
So they're going to need to fight together
if they can make something happen here.
But say to the vision with Fetopo already at seven,
really taking over the map and stealing
everything they can from the side of Komae.
Rome now getting the blue buff here in the bottom path,
while Dodrio is going to clean up some of the experience.
Calm for a moment as we have a huge objective
spawning in 40 seconds at the top and bottom path,
but before that, we have a fight
over some Altaria as well.
Desu doing a decent job trying to keep pace
on these levels, but being left alone
as the Mewtwo Y is difficult.
Rome and Resta, seeing that they can put some pressure
on and they do indeed.
You see the life bar of Adesu just getting clunked every single time.
Here comes Gek for a little bit of support on the Warthorne.
Yeah, now we have the block there of the side strike.
They're looking to make something happen in the bottom path,
but they are behind in levels and that is a really tough place to be.
Blastoise desperately needing their level seven.
Toast is still not Talonflame.
Level six is vicious.
Ticking over to seven is at least something.
Nice reposition.
Rome getting knocked out by Adesu.
Adesu's going to have to anchor this team for a bit
because Toast is so far behind.
Here comes Nomu and Votopu.
Rock, two, pins, Geck, Adesu slides back,
Reggie Rock getting worked on,
Tri is in there, Geck secures,
and this is great opportunity for Koumai now.
This is a huge moment for Koumai.
Koumai, Koumai alone in the top path,
and moving as a unit here,
we actually have something happening from Koumai,
Zeta Division in control of this match
up until this point,
but that was a huge swing of momentum
and experience towards the side of EU.
Comey, Poquaval, just super, super quietly level 9.
And Potopo going down is kind of huge.
Adesu getting big now.
They're getting credit for a lot of these big-time knockouts.
Yeah, this is actually getting kind of tough for Zeta Division.
All of a sudden, we're seeing a lot of cracks
in the armor of this squad in control for a while.
But Comey gets together.
They poke him on Unite, if you will.
And now they are winning this game.
Deccan trying to hold down this pad in the face of three players from Zeta Division and doing a pretty good job
Stimying that push in the top path. We've got Kwokwaba working on Reggie Alecchi
Narami's there for the support and we'll see where Komai's next move is as the talent flame secures
The surf is gonna get the surf gonna pin back that ulterior and the unite move from Rome does hit
Yeah, yeah, and you can see the Rome use this not to get a huge KO
But just to charge up those a on stacks is here comes
Comey in the top path looking for a fight.
Talonflame in the air.
Big time flame sweep.
That's NoMu and that's a knockout.
Dojrio unite back to pad to get with the team.
You see that big triangle gap.
Glaring Rapidash unite.
Toast takes the skies again.
Big Mew2Y unite.
Could have disjoint Sader Division.
Good fight from Comey.
Reggie Alecki hits and the scoreboard belongs to EU.
Good morning, Comey.
Welcome to the World Championships Grand Finals.
Where have you been this entire time?
They just needed a little bit of a wake-up call, and it turns out their alarms were set to five minutes left in game three.
205 to four. Komai in commanding position here. Zeta actually, for the first time, getting beaten in this series.
Komai looking incredible. It must have been the switch over to the new 2Y. You gotta believe in Adesu.
You gotta believe in Adesu. There's a little headache ticking off from Side Ux. It's enough to slow down Zeta Division at least for now.
And what I'm impressed by is how far behind Komai was and how far ahead they are now.
Regi Rock now, just being taken by Zeta.
No one on Komai really ready to do much about this, and Talonflame actually taking as much experience as they can in the top half.
Got a little bit of a fight breaking out here.
Rome looking for a unite move at Deso.
Mega, Mewtwo wise, and peels out with Teleport.
Yeah, Teleport using that to just escape there, not overextend as good.
Here comes Mizutama, their own team's Roptoom, keeping them from pushing forward.
Here comes Rome lining up a target.
Mizutama can't use that smart strike to get a blind target,
so they peel back for just an instant.
Gek on half HP, Narami as well,
but they're holding pretty strong.
We talked about this when we saw the Ladeos earlier,
but there is another game happening here
that really only Rome is playing.
They're trying to get as much A on power as they can,
and they get that by hitting that dragon pulse
on their opponents, or KOing wild Pokemon.
The more times this happens,
the stronger it's gonna be in the late game,
and we saw the power of that.
Without quickly, they were able to do Spatch of Gatlu on the Kupvalva last time.
Big fight starting.
Here comes the glaring Rapidash with a flank.
Kotoko forced out Narami, gonna put a bubble beam on them.
We do have the Rapidash United move into the middle.
Toast gets the knockout on Doudrio.
Mitsutama push back as Kupvalva secures.
They do grab a bury, the chase is on, nice stun.
We take to the sky with Fly, and the door is closed on the Rapidash finally.
And here we go.
They have the Regiolechi walking towards the side of Zeta Division.
And Koma is going to use this opportunity to make something happen in the bottom path already up on the scoreboard 250 now
260 303 to 79 no booing trouble right here X
Scissor back on deck for topo peppering and some damage with the tri attack there it goes back to the skies fly toast gets credit
For another ejects into the bush
But the topo predicts and gets a big charge in knockout get goes down and now Koma has over extended their welcome
and Zeta Division is more than happy to show them the door.
And here comes Kupwabl.
Do they decide to fight?
No, Gottlieu intelligently brought the way.
Get out of there.
You know there's a part of Gottlieu that's thinking,
I am going to fight everyone from Zeta right now.
What I'm going to do, I'm going to springboard
in the middle of their entire team.
Not a good look.
Gottlieu just get out of there for now.
That's very heads up play here by Koumai,
intelligently moving away from that fight,
because in 23 seconds we have Ray Quaza hitting the map.
This could be our final objective
of our world championships.
Zeta just needs to win one more game.
Comey playing incredibly, but everything is on the line.
10 seconds left.
The question is who is going to start this fight.
Can they stop Rome and the crazy amount of damage
from this Ladeos?
And at the same time, can Zeta kind of get this match back
under control?
Gek hiding in the tall grass on the side of Zeta Division,
possibly looking to make a big flank here,
as Blastoise is now moving doob snacks around on the mini
map.
We see Zeta getting extremely aggressive.
Here comes Gotlow.
Gotlow, United move right in the middle.
to why you'd like to stomp them down.
Hydro Typhoon hits a bunch.
Votopo's taking care of Mr. Thomas, y'all low,
putting the triangle down, they're knocked out.
Everybody on stage of vision is getting scrubbed.
Gatloosa crowd is sacrificing themselves
and the team converging to Rayquaza.
No one who's looking for a way in,
but Rayquaza's getting low.
We've got Resta stepping up.
Can we have a hero play?
Rock Tomb's too early.
Can we get a secure?
The whole team's gone.
Koma is gonna take Rayquaza.
And Komae is looking to take game number three.
Komae coming back in this, but it is not over.
They have their Rayquaza shields a minute 12 on the clock.
Toast was knocked out in that final moment.
I think by Rayquaza itself,
possibly helping Zeta Division secure a win here.
But with a minute left, Zeta needs to make a huge play.
And unlike our other objectives,
they cannot steal these buffs away from Komae.
All they can do is simply break these Rayquaza shields.
Komae in a great position here,
but it is not over.
All right, getting pinched a little bit,
going to surf towards a pad and going
to create the chase onto them, waste some of that time.
They're going to go for the score.
They're going to get pinned, isolated, and knocked out.
Zeta Division eyeing up what a comeback looks like.
Yeah, Zeta Division looking to make something happen here.
Here comes VTOPU with Desu.
It's a couple right now.
Multiple members of Kalliw are in the cut.
That's two down.
Oh, my.
You can't go down here.
Gotlu is in a blender.
They have just a shrivel HP.
Oh, no.
Three players down.
We got to cover the pads.
Toast is sitting there, rest on Votopo, looking to make a move.
And here we go with the Sight-X scrambling across the map
with Reston not able to score with a double KO
from Talonflame.
10 seconds left.
Komai can breathe a sigh of relief.
They are still in this tournament.
We're heading to game number four.
What a bounce back from Komai.
That beginning of that game felt in shambles.
Just a couple cheeky plays.
nice little secures and all of a sudden the team has life.
This is very scary for Zeta Division.
Now obviously they're up in this series,
but this has been happening time and time again.
Zeta Division reverse sweeping to get here.
Komei reverse sweeping to move on through their bracket.
Zeta is also a team that was up
in the grand finals that they lost to a team coming back.
They have to be worried about how this is going
after game number three.
We're watching some great plays from this game specifically and right around that five-minute mark
Is when the Khomei alarms were set to wake up because they showed up and really
Close this game out in a meaningful and powerful way
Yeah, and this is exactly what you're hoping for of course in our grand finals if you're a Khomei fan
This is exactly what you want to see this team does not shrivel when they are behind
behind. They instead get big head on in there and fight their opponents. Look the
aggression here from the Blastoise. The flank unite move taking every KO they can
and the patience here of this fight so impressive ripping through rake ways that
then once their opponents come back in knocking them out before the secure.
Great stuff from Komae. I'll tell you what whatever studying Komae did
overnight about this Galarian Rapidash they certainly snuffed out that
problem, zero knockouts, five faints, one assist, Mizutama, an absolute non-factor here
in game number three.
Yeah, I would say the Galarian Rapidash was a completely useless Pokemon for them and
I know the reason they picked it because they recognized that it was the Kryptonite
yesterday for Komai, but they did not have the strategy behind it that C2 had.
Komai wins the game and now they're slowing down and potentially snatching back the
the momentum from Zeta Division.
I am shocked that Zeta Division didn't go back
into the well of game number two for game number three
because all of those Pokemon were still available
and they could have easily just ran it back
and said, you couldn't deal with it once.
Let's see if you can deal with it now.
Yeah.
The question is, how does Zeta want to react
to a moment like this?
Once you lose a match, it can shake a team.
We've seen it many times.
You've seen teams that are almost unbeatable,
throw an entire season of Unite and then something happens,
a bad match happens, and their mental falls apart.
We'll have to see if Zedak can bounce back
from a game like that.
After being so dominant in game two,
you have to wonder where they went.
Yeah, I mean, they just took their foot off the gas belt,
right?
I mean, we've seen it time and time again.
You're like, oh, we've got some games to give.
Maybe they're cheekily thinking, well,
if we win this game, what Pokemon
Do I want to be represented by as being champion?
When in reality, you gotta win first
before you get represented by something.
And we've got the Zorina band,
the Zorak band, Zashian has been unleashed
from this band section
and Gek is still grabbing Blastoise first.
I think it's a great call, a huge playmaker here.
We do have Zashian from Mizutama
and given how he played the last game,
I'm excited to see them on a Pokemon
that they're more willing to play
or that they have more experience
I should say. With that a doubt how do we react here from the side of Komae? Nomu on the tree
Pryo is crazy. Yeah, they are prioritizing Nomu's pick every single game and clearly they are working
through that player. Gatlou, Narami, Kwakwawol, Saida, we're keeping it with the birds over there.
All water types as well. Interesting, we're looking at the Umbreon here from Zeta and we have a
Mew from the side of Zeta Division. So obviously we're moving away from the Lodios and Lodius
that we've been seeing for a few games out of Zedah.
They're deciding that strategy is not working the way they wanted to.
Komai here, now getting some late picks that are extremely powerful.
Adesu does get the SP on all the way at the bottom of the draft basically.
That was the fastest lock in on Lurshi War.
Yeah, it was the fastest Lurshi Foo we've seen.
But the real question is, is this going to be as powerful
without the comeback as an accelerant for these Pokemon, right?
That's a huge deal.
Toast now with the talent flame. They had a great talent flame game. The best we've seen from them
I'd say throughout this series here a desk who very comfortable here on this espion and got Lou had an amazing game
Especially in that top half all the loan with copper. Yeah
Well, they got to have a good game and because they were left alone in the top half and if I'm stated division
I'm just not letting him be unbaby sad like you don't let him take over taking a look at our crowd here
Getting hyped for game
Number four between these two squad Zeta, still one game away from becoming your champions
and there is our battleground.
Thaya Sky Ruins, Groudon will be our map here, Zeta Division 2, Colmai 1.
Colmai needs to win 2 in a row right now, Dupesnacks.
Let's get ready as we're getting into game.
A good ready go.
Ready? Go!
Go, Maya! Purple Team Zeta Division,
your Orange Team Zeta, one game away from becoming the final
Pokemon Unite Grand Finals World Champion.
All right, Narami, Galu, heading to the top half.
The birds of a feather flock together here,
as they're going to see what they can do in the face of Mizutama,
Zashin, an early game.
Manus quickly stunned, good secure.
Here we go. Gotlu looking to stop Resta right here.
Gak in the bottom half, in some trouble.
Few incredibly difficult fights, especially early with that electro ball.
Yeah, absolutely. It puts so much pressure on.
Of course, it has so many tools in its toolkit,
and that makes it difficult overall.
Nomu trying to out-secure, going to grab a parry.
As really, Komai doesn't care.
They just want to make sure they're getting their wild Pokemon down.
And they do here, and that means Adesu does evolve
as they are moving forward right here.
They can evolve. They can try to out-secure the Mew,
which is the plan.
Toast level five they want level five last game until seven minutes in so doing a lot better already boosted auto
Step up a day suit that on the chin so gap doesn't go down
You can see the power of that Psy shock right an incredible amount of damage while at the same time a huge stun
Here we come vote to be topo back down to the bottom half toast baiting in the topo the Psy shock misses
Butopo decides to peel back and that's what they were setting up
Present toast allow them to retreat hit a Psy shock and maybe take a big fight
The topo actually in the spot of path. They did not expect it right here
They pick up a kale a decimates of trouble right now deciding whether or not they want to stay here to fight if you
Topo decides to dash forward they pick up a huge bit
But we do have members of from my here to counter it and it looks like you tell who suss that out
They say yeah, this feels too good to be true. Yeah, I mean the topo really hiding out
They got their prize right they got a knockout right over extend and give up that value
You just picked up that loop now doing pretty good job keeping pace actually outpacing Mizutama and they haven't been helped though
Here comes rest of for this is court on this Umbreon. Yeah rest now up in the top path is it's Umbreon
I'm not sure which Umbreon we're gonna be looking at here
Whether it is going to be mean look or it is going to be foul play more often
We see the mean look so shut down your opponents keep them in an area where you can tail them as a team
Yeah, Umbreon a mean look on the talent flame would go pretty hard right now
No more getting chunked rest on the top of moving forward.
Are they eyeing up a combat?
No, no more going to leash everybody along fly to the skies.
That's a knockout.
But Reggie Drago is going to go to Zeta Division.
Zeta Division takes Reggie Drago,
but they do lose their Trevenant for that fight
as now we're now moving back down to the bottom path
that looks like Trevenant is going to be here
for the spawn of the Swablu Altaria at 7 minutes, 20 seconds.
Resta, instant trouble right now.
Yeah, tons of damage down,
but the wish from the Umbreon
They're going to keep their HP topped off so that they don't get burst down by the big talent flank.
Here we go, Deck, Adesu, in this bottom path, seeing what they can secure.
Obviously we want to get as much experience as we can over to Adesu, but Deck only level 6 here, still a war-tortle.
We need level 7 before we get served.
Yeah, look at the swap. Kupval going down, the rest of Komai going up.
They're showing a different look here, and Mizutama thinks they've got it free.
Nice pull by Narame. The fly to the skies is going to fall just short.
They can't land on their target.
E-ball eaten by Gek on the front line.
Reg-Ice stepping up.
We've got the side shot, but it's Narami that gets credit.
Snatched is that Reggie.
Reg-Ice over to the side of Ko-Vai.
Beautiful, secure right here.
They're actually moving forward despite another psychic catch.
They're looking for Resta.
Guadalamo gets the KO.
Time, a KO here on Zashian.
Looking for it with Toast, but no, they just barely miss.
Solar Beam does hit a Day-Soo,
but that's enough for Narami and Gottlood
to flip the script and get a knockout on that 151.
And now Comai fading back, and they've got this slightest score
lead.
Zashi is way behind here in the top half.
Only level 7 right now compared to the guava already
at level 9 for Comai.
This match incredibly close between these two squads.
No one dominating early.
All right, nice pull on Nomu.
But I don't think they know that they are outgunned
right now.
Big solar beam on Jack trying to figure out
our position and our way in.
And here we go. Five members of Zeta hiding in the tall grass right here.
Not letting them know that Vitopo is there, but it looks like Koumai is pretty aware that they don't see this Hershipu anywhere on the map.
We've got the Koukwable flank attempt, Vitopo susses it out, and now Gatlu just has to run away.
Yeah, Gatlu has to run away because multiple members of Zeta could collapse on this Pokemon.
As you see Rome heading to the top path with Mizutama, seeing what they can make happen.
Gatlu all alone here right now.
Scyduck is on the way, but here comes VTOPL looking for the KO and they get it.
That's absolutely Fisher-Price. Sigh-ya-nye coming out from the Scyduck and it'll lower the damage that's going to be dealt.
Fly to the sky and that's a big knockout for Toast. Flames sweep, it's a wall. That's the only target it ever gets, 100% of the time.
Here we go, VTOPL. Oh, nice! Oh, nice! Scyduck and they're looking for the KO here on the Zashiyan.
It does go down, but right back the other way they take Talon playing.
What an exchange there. What a pull by Narami. Horde leaves back into the gut.
Three position. Kaio Shigatou for Rome. Narami's on the back side.
Give credit to Resta. Three players in a heartbeat. Dispatched.
And now Zeta Division takes control in the top half because we've got a Reggie spawning.
Here we go. Gotlu looking for something right here, but incredible positioning from Zeta
and look at the talent flame. Seeing what they can do. It's a little too early.
They can't get the secure. Beautifully played by Zeta Division.
Reggie Rock to their side, giving them increased defenses.
Well, it wasn't enough for the Trevenant as they go down.
We saw on the left-hand side of your screen,
NoMu actually went in and hornly reached three players from Komei away,
giving them that window of opportunity to secure the top red team.
Well, Butoko wasn't even scrapping with them, scoring points downstairs.
See, ToFo, almost over 13 here.
ScottLew's trying to make something happen in this bottom half.
Looking for a big time.
Unite move, they go in!
Butoko went in the back side, right into Trevenant's big Unite move.
Picking up a bunch, hits her at 31.
The scales are continuing.
Koma is falling.
Fotopo's taking over.
They're taking that last performance personally
and they are putting the team in their backpack.
Look at this here from Zeta Division.
These fights are beautiful.
Koma taking this opportunity to score and keep this close.
103-128.
Mizutama, a bit of a non-factor this match as well,
but Sashin is now getting online.
Resta, peeling back towards their squad.
So aggressive this player from Zeta Division is Reggie Drago now just being ripped apart
This is something Zashin can do so well with metal claw and the increased attack speed they take that no problem
No moves gonna end this game with like
400,000 damage taken like 12 things but all they're doing for Zeta Division is buying time everywhere on the map
So that the topo can get huge so it's a Mitsuzama. Excuse me Zutama can catch up
It's a great look right now in trouble right here. Gack has to peel back the Gack also doing this job of getting a lot of
Information for the team. Got Lou right now fighting over this and look no stolen by the Umbreon
I mean what a look by Zeta division here. Come I had some moments
But so does Zeta Votopo almost level 14 getting caught here nice little pull. Mizutama with great cover
Here we go two minutes 45 seconds on the clock. We do have an objective in this top path
I don't know if come on wants to fight over to get some experience
It looks like they are sending talent fling back Reggie steel could be massive the increased attack in special attack
Could change your fight in a huge way, but are they able to get it toast eating a solar beam right there from the mu?
No one looking for this fight Zeta
However looking to set themselves up perfectly for the final moments here with such a high level or shifu
This is going to be difficult for Kamai.
Over the wall, we are looking for something.
No move. Just getting chipped a little bit right here,
but everyone from Zeta is ready to fight.
These could be your final Pokemon Unite moments
in our championship series.
The question is, how does this fight start?
Zeta Division chipping at the crowd on,
looking for their opportunity to move in.
Gotlu looking for a fight.
Toast on the other side.
Here comes Gek with the blasters,
peeling back the huge solar beam.
You went to the mist. Hydro Typhoon.
But doesn't get Votopo.
Got loot collapsed and surf is there, but Votopo gets out.
The rocks fall, we're looking for the move.
The forest on the top side curses their flames.
Sweep doesn't hit anybody, but does get a reposition.
Fly out of the back side, Rome is gone.
Votopo trying to work through the rest of the team.
Two players down for Saita Division.
Bichuzama waking up.
They crash, land dust, toast.
Looking for a couple more.
The rip is happening on ground on.
Bichuzama the whole way.
They're completely alone.
No one is with them.
Zeta Division is going to take ground on.
Zeta Division is running to score.
No bait is for Zeta.
They're looking to be half us today.
103, 228, one minute left on the clock.
Koumai is behind it.
It all comes down to this.
Zeta Division with the ground on buffs
and a beautiful fight.
The fly on toast just barely misses Vitopo.
And because of that, the entire fight goes sideways.
A beautiful rip there from Mizutama.
50 seconds left.
Komai is going to need a miracle play to stay in this tournament as they are looking for this fight.
Narami, Gotlu, Toast, Adesu, Gek, all positioned here, 40 seconds left, the Solar Beams fly, multiple members of Zeta looking to score, 30 seconds left.
Dupesnacks!
Surfing in, we're trying to make a play.
Gwakwavel in the backside getting roam.
Toast doesn't land on anybody.
The defense between Resta and Nomu.
They're anchoring it down.
They're standing tall.
They're peeling back, don't give up that gold zone
because they just counter scored.
A Hondo Burger, back the other way.
10 seconds left.
10 seconds left.
The defense, a huge hydro typhoon,
but it looks to be too little, too late
as the clock is counting down.
And Sada Division fights on their tier two gold zone.
Sada Division are your final Pokemon Unite World Champions!
The comeback story, Zeta, second place last year, the bottom seed out of Japan, and now
your final champion.
Japan, a region that loves this game, that supports this game, that invests all the time
into this game.
You want to talk about how strong a region is.
Japan is without a doubt the strongest.
Their fifth place team out of their whole region just crowned themselves world champion.
Amazing. Amazing stuff. What a story for this squad being counted out by their region and now here they are the victors.
You can see the excitement and well-earned, well-thought, well-deserved and what a set of games.
Unbelievable for these two squads both of them second place runners up Zeta
finally securing that victory and we're gonna take it down to the big stage
with Soics for your winners interview take it away all right the key
Congratulations again to your world champions, Zeta Division!
Pino Bo, you did it! The final Pokemon United World Champion!
You're doing on stage, you get a second chance after last year.
How good does it feel to win on the world stage?
This is the second time I've won the championship.
I'm looking forward to the last championship in Pokemon Unite.
Yes, right now, we won the last championship in Pokemon Unite.
I'm very proud to be able to win this, and it's been a long time since I've been here, so I'm very happy.
team of five looked incredible. How good does it feel to work together as a team and become the world champions?
It's incredible working together we were able to achieve our goal and we just overjoyed it.
All right, amazing. One final question. Anything to say to everyone who is supporting you here in America as well at home in Japan?
We're just so grateful for your support. Thank you so much.
All right, let's give it up one more time for Zeta Division!
Analysts, take it away.
What an incredible grand final set to close out Unite at World 2026.
I am so happy for Zeta Division, extremely well earned.
Of course, we've got the rest of our casters here on the desk.
He saw us all a little bit earlier in the pre-show,
but Kela will be joining us this time as well.
Hopefully we can see everybody else pretty soon.
But wow, what an amazing tournament.
A great way to close out what I think many would consider
the greatest Pokemon Unite tournament
that we have ever seen.
And Danly, of course, you got a chance too.
We were kind of watching together.
And I mean, how do you feel just in general
about how both of these seem to play?
I, okay, I put my Mali-Yanzeta division.
I knew coming into the Grand Finals
they looked so clean in yesterday's games. Like there were times where they kind of faulted but
I think it was especially that semi-final matchup where that that was where they solidified their
position at Worlds, their form, that perfection, their lineup, their Pokemon that they played.
Like we see there are definitely Pokemon that they can play at that top level and as soon as I saw
that drafting game 4 I thought that was it. This is the championship winning draft,
they got it, it was clean, it was smooth. Zeta Division just impressed at the last world
It's for you night. That's right. And it does seem like before I get to ask a few any more questions
I do think we are going to have an announcement for something that's coming up very soon in
Unite so I'm very excited to see what that is because to be honest
I don't think any of us have a chance to see it. So let's check out something new
I'm not sure if it's because of the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
It is perfect that we stopped right before Kelesaurus before we got to that video.
Kelo!
We've got all the Eevee!
All the Eevee!
All the Eevee!
All the Eevee!
All the Eevee!
I'm so happy and I can hear that the crowd is happy about that announcement as well.
the fact that we have the complete set of evolutions now, Flareon and Jolteon are going
to go and join Vaporeon. So that generation one is complete.
Genuinely, we didn't see this or know about it before this, to be honest. I didn't even
know I was going to throw an old spear on us, but that's a great way to surprise us.
So that's very, very exciting. I mean, we were all kind of hoping eventually we're
going to get everything, but what a great set of announcements. So if anything in there
you excited about? I'm a big fan of evolutions as well and I know everybody
much like myself and Kelly are so excited about Jolteon and Flareon.
Personally, Flareon. Which one are you guys from the two of them most excited
about? Flareon. Flareon is the same. Well, I like the player Flareons but
Jolteon is actually my favorite evolutions so I'm really excited we
finally got it. I mean Sylveon might be close there so I'm definitely a
Jolteon enjoyer. I'm gonna be excited about that one but three of
electric types as well. I haven't talked to you. It was an awesome choice. I mean, that's
what I really liked. Just lots of really cool picks within. Actually, it was a lot of electric
types. I know that I think about having that type of.
Exactly. Exactly. So I'll just, I mean, all of those are very exciting. I can't wait
to see how those play out. But I mean, wow, that was a little bit of a surprise.
That's the end of an amazing set. I mean, anybody have any fun thoughts on those
This will see announcements before we move on to the set.
You didn't say which one you were more excited about.
Oh, you can't make me choose.
You cannot.
But no, I think I'm sorry.
It wasn't you.
But I'm excited for both.
All right.
Well, it's all it's all for it for Kelo.
If anybody out there goes Kelo, it's definitely all.
But OK, going back to it, of course,
I mean, we've got to give so much love to set a division.
I mean, what of ending to an incredible story and the story?
I mean, it's the entirety of the Pokemon Unite at the World
championship series. I mean truly the fact that we got a second chance for
some of these players on Zedda Division who have been playing for such a long
time and also a second chance of course to Gumi who did an amazing job with him.
So much love to them. They played their hearts out on stage this entire weekend.
They made it not an easy fight right? They definitely didn't go down without a
fight. Didn't get swept so it's great to be able to see that but okay I
can ask you already your thoughts on some of this set but any thoughts
on these teams and their their paths throughout this weekend fellow I honestly
are having it been sorry their coach a little bit earlier I know that they must
be feeling really proud of them right now but just you know not only this
weekend but it's this whole season the fact that you know they didn't exactly
place the highest in terms of the Pokemon Japanese Championship in order to
make it here right the fact that they have actually put in the work put in
the effort it has clearly been demonstrated here just that that hard
work and honestly I'm feeling proud of them I'm sure as I said everybody there
supporting in this feeling proud of them and I'm hoping they are feeling very
proud of themselves oh yeah I mean it's such an incredible showing especially
from Europe in general this year and just to kind of actually step away from
the arena for a moment so I want to ask you of course you had a chance to
see Brazil you know reason that you are very familiar with plays extremely
well as well in this final thing. Well you know what, real quick, real real quick, just a little bit of love to them.
A lot of love for all of the regions in Pokemon United, a lot of love for Japan. And shout out to the Japanese fans that are here in the arena today and everybody in the audience as well at home.
And of course, I'm always going to be a crazy Brazil region fan, but that's about it for me for now.
me for that. All right. Well, we've all got our thoughts in. Let's end up to our
champions, of course, on the stage to receive their awards.
The tenacity of these teams was terrifically tested across four full
games. And now we must recognize our finalists in Pokemon Unite and
crown our first champions of the 2026 Pokemon World Champions.
Let's get into it.
First up, we have our runner-up team, the pride of Europe.
But they can stride onto this stage with their heads held high.
Give it up for Komal!
Congratulations to Nurami!
We have toast!
it's got you
And a desu.
And finally, Jack.
Our next team not only pulled off back-to-back stage appearances, but can now add champions to their resume.
Everybody give it up for Zeta Division!
First, it's Wizu Taha!
We've got Nomo!
Come on down a raw.
It's Resta!
And finally, VITOPOL!
Everyone in the Chase Center, give it up one more time for your Pokemon Unite finalist!
and we want to thank every one of you that has supported the world's journey, whether
Here it is our devoted developers, staff, competitors, and all of you trainers in the arena.
This may be the end of Pokemon Unite's tenure on the world championship stage, but it is
not the end of our journey.
Our analysts are prepared to reminisce upon the wonderful memories we have created throughout
these years.
memories they have been indeed. These last five years has absolutely blown by and that
cannot go understated from the fans to the players to the energy that is just brought
to the broadcast and passion exists throughout all of those categories. I think our mark
has been undeniably left on the World Championship Series in one way or another. It is the
30th anniversary and if Pokemon has taught me anything in the last 30 years it's that a trainer's
adventure never truly ends and with that cowboy take us into the sunset brother. Yeah uh this is a
huge moment for all of us we love the Unite Championship series and what we've been able to
bring you so just a final bit of gratitude from all of us here at Unite thank you so much for
Thank you to the players for competing at the highest level and showing us what that looks like up on the big stage in front of thousands of people here and an arena with everything on the line.
Thank you so much to my fellow casters who are amazing and care deeply about this game and making something that you enjoy.
Thank you so much to our crew that puts up with us when they definitely probably shouldn't have.
Thank you so much to Pokemon and TPC Eye for putting on this tournament right away
It really feels like Unite came at the perfect time for so many of us in this community
So it means a lot that they created this series for us
Thank you to our incredible producer Will who is an amazing leader and an even better person and most importantly
Thank you. Thank you for watching. Thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up live to events like this and cheering on these players
Thank you for every comment for every like for every time you shared it stop to take a picture just reminisce about this game in this community
It means a lot. Thank you so much everyone
I had the privilege of welcoming you to the Pokemon Unite Championship Series just a few short years ago
And now I have the honor of saying goodbye to all of you
So this has been the Pokemon Unite Championship Series
Goodbye
Hello everyone, welcome back to the Pokemon Unite Championship Series.
Here we are, this is the final stretch.
Ready, go!
Another player for extra 100!
I think they did it!
They did it!
They did it!
That's a bad idea!
You're black!
And it's your work!
Champion!
I'm pumped up on you now!
Oh!
Oh, it went out!
Are you kidding me?
This could be our day of scouting!
Oh!
Oh, it went out!
Oh, it went out!
Oh, it's gone!
And it drops the score!
But it went down!
And it's the end of the play!
It's over!
It's over!
It's over!
It's over!
It's over!
It's over!
The best team in the world.
Two years in a row.
That's a banter!
That's a banter!
Our champion is Spaddle!
I get a score!
Whoa!
It's a tie!
They're going in!
Wait! Look at these builds!
They're gonna get a snorkel!
I don't know if it's just you and me, Natalie.
With ten seconds to go, now they're clear and they've been on the team.
They haven't done it. They have broken through with a school call.
They hide their way in. Great clean does low.
It's the third! It's the third!
Both of you guys are your worlds in the air!
It feels like you're going to be so bad at a slow beam of a charger.
It's the eighth! It's back the other way!
The other way!
And the legendary dog does it!
And the legendary dog does it!
And the legendary dog does it!
The Asian champion, Shane!
Yeah!
I'm gonna win!
I'm gonna win!
I'm gonna beat up this Galeon!
I'm gonna beat up this Galeon!
Oh, we're so gonna slay.
Okay, delicious.
Let's find out.
Oh, never.
Who is it?
Who's over there?
It's K.U.B. Potatoes!
I don't know.
You don't know!
K.U.B. Potatoes! Yeah!
I wonder if you made it.
I am a primary enthusiast, so that it does work.
Enthusiast is not capitalized, so it's not my title.
It's just a description.
I don't know.
Zoinks now currently erasing his power rankings behind him.
You can see how difficult this is for him,
not only apparently physically, but also emotionally.
I'm too pleased.
He's a little more dead later.
The coin is here.
Oh!
Something exciting for you right now.
We have an interview lined up.
Thank you so much, Nessie, for nouns, everybody.
Grace, I think he's scared, so sometimes I just
It's scared it right but it's just because I don't have a light on oh hey, so why don't you bring us home here?
I'm always about to share the stage with you
I think I learned a lot through this tournament
Finoza is a play that performed at the big the big moments when it really matters. It's definitely a special feeling
I learned to be new friends and I trust my teammates a lot
There's nothing else to be said you and I are gonna lock in lock eyes right here as we send it back to the booth take it away
Goodbye everybody a final yeehaw to you and yours
What a wild ride
Again to everyone who helped build the Pokemon Unite community and give it your all. Thank you so much
While this may be the end of our Pokemon Unite world championships the action don't stop won't stop
We've got another title another opportunity for glory. It's time for Pokemon go
Trainers from around the world have come together
together for an incredible weekend filled with Pokemon Go competition.
And now everything comes down to this.
After we've seen so many incredible plays, unforgettable moments,
and trainers making their name on the stage,
we still have so much more to come.
And this stage is ready.
Our trainers have been preparing for this exact moment
and in just a few moments from now,
our Pokemon Go finals will be underway.
Wait.
I apologize, I'm getting something,
something seems to be happening.
Getting an alert, oh.
Okay, yeah, so I think we need to go over to the desk
for some more information.
Analysts, you got us covered?
Attention trainers, we have a Pokemon emergency.
We've just detected a very powerful psychic type presence in this very arena.
It's Mega Mewtwo X.
It's an unexpected challenger has entered the arena and it's standing between the Pokemon
Gold Grand Finals and us.
There's only one way we're taking it down.
Every trainer in here, we have one Gold together.
the feet Mega Mewtwo X. Take out your phones, launch Pokemon Go and get ready to join the
fight. Bring your strongest Pokemon. We need every single trainer here to stand together.
Let's show Mega Mewtwo X what happens when trainers stand side by side in battle. And
take a look at that countdown. We've got just a couple of minutes until it attacks.
only one way we're stopping it every trainer one goal one battle take out
your phones launch Pokemon go and get ready to join the fight we are going to
need every trainer we have trainers this is mega mutual ex we're talking about
one of the most powerful book when we face has just taken over our arena it's
It's going to take all of us working together to bring it down.
So if you haven't already, get those phones out, open Pokemon Go because we need you for
this fight.
And that clock is still ticking.
Look around this arena.
We've got trainers here from all over the world, all here for Championship Sundays.
No matter if you're team mystic, team instinct, team baller, we need you to band
together and be on the same side to defeat Mega Mewtwo X because it picked the wrong arena to
challenge so get ready trainers bring your strongest Pokemon bring your best strategy and most
importantly bring everything you've got because taking down Mega Mewtwo X isn't going to be easy
We're getting closer. If you've got Pokemon Go open, you're exactly where we need you.
Keep your eyes on the big screen and get ready for your next instructions.
This arena is about to become one giant battlefield. Thousands of trainers,
one Mega Mewtwo, and one chance to take it down. Trainers, get ready to enter that
raid lobby now make sure that you get into the battle select your team and
prepare to take on Mega Mutu X wait wait hold on hold on we're getting another
alert there isn't just one Mega Mutu X there is multiple Mega Mutu X have been
detected and with battle taking place across the arena inciting near
Moscow so trainers your battle may not match what we're seeing on the
I guess that's because there's multiple Mega Mewtwo X raids happening simultaneously.
Don't worry, you're in the right fight. Every battle counts. Every victory matters.
Select your strongest Pokemon and get ready.
It's almost time. Thousands of trainers, multiple Mega Mewtwo X. One goal.
Take them all down. And who knows? Maybe we'll even get the chance to catch one.
Get ready Trainers, win that clock, hit zero, we take back the arena!
Alright Trainers, it's time to battle Mega, Mewtwo, X, everybody together, give it everything you've got!
Let's go, Pokemon Trainers!
The timer is ticking down if you are in one of those original raid lobbies.
You might have 40 seconds, 50 seconds on the clock until we take on this Mega Mewtwo
X.
Anticipation is building, we are moments away from taking on this challenge, but if
Everybody bottles together we can do it
19 18 17 16 15 14 13
It's time to battle mega mu2 x
Make sure to work together and take down this Pokemon.
It is not going down easy, make sure you are not your strongest Pokemon to take it down.
Over 240 traitors are trying to go for this single task.
We're over halfway there, traitors. We've got this. Keep up the pressure.
Give up, yes. It is starting to go into the red health bar. We need to keep on pushing.
How are we doing, casters? We're nearly there.
We are so close to taking back this arena.
We are so close to taking back this arena.
Little more trainers, don't give up now. We can do this. Mega Mewtwo X is ours for the taking.
We are almost there, Mega Mewtwo. It's almost been defeated. Sending your strongest Pokemon fight to the very last victory will be ours.
Now we have to band together for our unity attack.
Hold your devices into the air. Do it together.
There we go. It's amazing seeing everybody in this arena get involved.
Last moment here to take down the Mega Mewtwo X.
Charging is complete.
hold up those phones trainers charge off your unity attack make a new 2x must be
defeated we're so close now we've just got a little bit more to go over the
finish line this shield is wearing down we are almost there one more time hold
those devices up trainer we have to save this arena and the Pokemon go grand
finals for a third unity attack it is an excellent one as we take down the final
shield for Mega Mewtwo X
Let's go. You did it, Trainers. Together, you defeated Mega Mewtwo X and saved Championship
Sunday. Give yourself a huge round of applause. What an incredible sight. Trainers across the
arena and beyond all battling together to take down Mega Mewtwo X and trainers the battle
might be over but don't put those phones away just yet. It's time to catch that Mega Mewtwo
X. Wow what an incredible moment seeing everybody with their hands in the air in this beautiful
arena joining together to catch Mega Mewtwo X. What a moment. I even got the shot.
Let's go.
Let's go, Caleb.
Woo!
Let's go.
What an awesome time.
And thank you all for being a part of it.
Because trainers, we have now defeated Mega Mewtwo X together.
And hopefully you made the catch because now it's time to turn our attention back to the stage.
We just had thousands of trainers band together to take down Mega Mewtwo X in an epic battle.
And we have our top two trainers in the entire world
about to face off on the biggest stage in Championship Sunday.
And it finally comes down to this.
Butters, how you feeling about this Grand Finals?
I am feeling amazing.
This is a Grand Finals rematch.
They played each other in the Winners Finals just yesterday.
Of course, Hiro Maru did win that decisive game number five
to come in on that Winnerside of the Bracket.
That means our former Pokemon Go World Champion,
Amy Weedle, is on that loser's side of the bracket.
And what's most fascinating to me, home size Henry,
is how about Hiromaru using the exact same line of three
for four straight battles?
And it was a spicy line of three at that.
What I really like about Hiromaru is,
Hiromaru has chosen to try and break the meta rather than
bring a Pokemon like Shadow of the Pound on that,
maybe not necessarily every trainer believed in,
But take a look across the most used Pokemon, this Pokemon, like the Tantor Ninetales and
the Eweedle used in that finals, and Pound on Dip very well there. Now, Hiromaru was able to
emerge victorious there. It was a traumatic Best of Five series, but at the 2025 World
Championships, you will remember, Pato Man entered from the winner's side, and Billsaboy won
two Best of Fives. Getting that bracket reset and becoming World Champion, will history repeat
itself or will Hiromaru become the first Pokemon Go world champion for Japan?
There's so much incredible history to be made and we're only a few moments away from seeing
which of those two incredible trainers will be our world champion at the end of the day.
If the winners finals was anything to go by, this is certainly going to be a treat.
It's a great point because it did come down to the decisive game number five.
It was incredibly close.
Emi Wiedel said it yesterday in his interview
that he had four elite battles,
and after that it was tied two to two.
He said he had a rare misstep in that game number five,
but he had the entire night to think about it
to adjust his strategy.
And it is time for the Pokemon Go Grand Finals.
It's 2026, you too has fallen.
Hundreds of trainers entered the battlefield.
Now two remain and only one will be crowned the 2026 Pokemon Go World Champion.
We are finalists, shall we?
First up, making a run for the record books.
We will be getting ready to be introduced to our finalists
soon enough.
We've got one coming for the record books.
And now we are going to be throwing
to get us set up for the match ahead.
It goes for the acrobatics, it is land, it's a clash,
what's like a test, why is it so easy to win?
An endcost with no takes, it's too easy.
He's, he's definitely trying to go for the swan.
Oh man!
Beautiful, he's waved by King Ode of Seeps,
he wants to hang out and watch out for possible,
but the disarming voice is dares.
He is one of the Pokemon Joe,
he indeed goes for a reason.
It's got nothing left,
but an incredibly well piloted game.
What a series from her.
It's up, it's gonna go for it, it doesn't go!
I'm trying to find the captain, but the ball is absolutely huge from the world's end.
But it survives, Jens can't believe it.
PBP David, he's full, I don't even know how he found that with God.
And it knocks out, let's do it, oh my God, look at that.
Even Marshall Baldwin is absolutely in shock.
Hero Marvel is in sub-attach position, does he thwomp?
No, he throws the energy ball.
You Moe has changed the script and he is making to the grand final!
Kill and one not charge away and Heavy Weedle will secure his fight!
Get again and he's done the win!
Across the globe, our trainers have been battling all season, using new and exciting
Pokémon in ever-changing and unique matters.
But all of those journeys ultimately came down to this.
Pokemon Go enters a new chapter next season with the introduction of 3v3 battles at Worlds.
This final 1v1 match will crown the last Pokemon Go World Champion of the current era.
History is a remake.
From hundreds of Worlds competitors, only two remain, GGs489 Hiromaru and M.E.
going for his second ever World Championship title.
The first in the planet you ever possibly achieve that impossible.
2022 Senior World Champion is back on the big stage,
with the opportunity to not only become the first ever two-time Pokémon Go World Champion,
but also the first and last World Champion of the current 1v1 era.
Any Weedle has everything to play for here on Championship Sunday.
Qualifying for his first ever World Championships after a top 12 finish in the Japan Championships,
Hiromaru was one of a number of talented Japanese players looking to make their mark in San Francisco.
Having played and beaten Any Weedle on day two,
This grand final is a rematch to Ranish.
Hiramaru cemented his place in Championship Sunday on the winner's side of the bracket.
Kovarol on the boss.
However, Pokemon Go is no stranger to a bracket reset,
and Emmy Weedle is ready to write history.
Your hip is still going to be hungry after our battles.
But for my trainers, this show's just getting started.
Now we are right and ready to get going with our Pokemon Go World Championship.
Let's go ahead and meet our finalists.
First up, making his first Worlds run, he's already taken down champions to get here.
Let's give it up for Hero Maru!
up next. He's already gotten a taste of world championship caliber in 2022 and now looking
to do the same thing in 2026. Welcome to the stage, M.E. Weedall.
is that your Hisune Electro has been putting in work. What do you think your greatest
strength as a player has been in this tournament so far?
It's the power of... yeah, let's keep saying it again.
He wanted to trust his might he powered on
The trust is real the trust is real now Emmy Veedle
I know you were saying in your post game interview yesterday, but you felt like you had four strong games
What are you doing to make sure you have full confidence going into every single game today?
Nothing different to be honest. I feel like if I yeah keep up the performance that I
had in those four games that you mentioned then I
I have the potential to flip the bracket, win the whole thing, so I'll give it my all.
I know you'll both give it your all. Thank you so much.
Go ahead and sit down at your battle stations, and we'll be getting into your match soon enough.
Alright, passers, I know we're ready to get into this match up. Take it away.
going ahead these two Titans in our game they started out with 16 different
groups on day one of Worlds now it's down to the final two here in the chase
arena we're about to see who's gonna become the 2026 San Francisco World
Champion. The elite talent perfect plays and not just over a single day but two
long grueling days of competition these trainers have shown us they have
Everything it takes to be on this stage, and Amanda, as Mewtwo once said,
the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant.
It is what you choose to do with the gift of life that truly defines you.
And what transpires here in this arena will be remembered forever.
From the first Pokestops spawn, the first egg hatched, and the first legendary raid boss defeated.
For 10 years, Pokemon Go Trainers have been chasing Pokemon around the globe.
And now, two Trainers will be chasing their dream of being the world champion.
Yurumaru, the heart and the hope of Japan is in search of his first title.
Meanwhile, Emile Riddle.
Yeah, well, Emile Riddle, our 2022 Senior Worlds Division champion, is searching for his second crown.
They were able to take it to Game 5 in their first best of five matchup.
ME Weedle's getting knocked down to that loser's side of the bracket,
coming back up to be able to play here.
And the real question is going to be who will take it all?
Yudemaru seems so calm, cool, and collected.
ME Weedle with a bit of a stumble.
We came very close to an all Japan Grand Finals,
but Kanto no could not hold off ME Weedle's determination,
Defeating him in game five another incredible series that we capped off yesterday with you know
It all comes down to this Emmy Weedle has fought so hard to best of fives coming up just short
Kiro Maru needs to win two sets
Excuse me. I mean we don't need to win two more sets straight
Whereas Kiro Maru only needs to win one. Absolutely if you're a model can take this first game of five
He will be immediately crowned that champion Emmy
we will have to flip that bracket.
But if anyone could do so, it's someone who has that amount of receipts,
that amount of clout behind his name.
He has been someone who has been on this stage before.
He has what we call the gauntlet.
He is a world champion.
He was our Stuttgart regional champion, and he was also the EUIC champion.
One trainer in search of another crown, another trainer in search of their first.
And maybe that dream is a pie in the sky, but they're going to fight as hard
as possible to turn it into a reality. Such fascinating Pokemon we've seen over the weekend.
Again, Kudomaru with the Shadow Hapaldon and Fasuin Electrode has been absolutely electric
all weekend long. But does he have what it takes to bring down
Emi-Wido again? Absolutely, some of these Pokemon we saw
all weekend. That Tinkatun was everywhere. That Shadow Cantor, Ninetales, everywhere.
Licky, Licky, but Shadow, Hip-Hodon,
trusting in the Hip-Hodon to take everything you heard
in his interview, I have no doubt that we're gonna see it
in some of these games.
And don't forget about Jealousy,
either a Water and Ghost type Pokemon
that was largely overshadowed by picks like Galarian Corsola,
but it has such unique coverage
and it really helps Miro Miro to shore up
some of those matchups and address the corebreakers
that Amy Weedle's trying to bring.
Going ahead, taking a look at these teams yesterday,
he really relied on a certain three.
We have to wonder if he's had some time to think about that, if he's recognizing that those three will still be his strongest against the opponent that he played in the Winner's Finals, or if he's going to do a little bit of a mix-up change of his plan now that we're here in the arena.
Everything comes down to refinement. When you watch the Winner's Finals yesterday, you probably noticed a lot of similar Pokémon being used, match in and match out.
each of these trainers through their five battles actually used the same team
four times these Pokemon are absolutely instrumental and for Emmy Weedle he
relied so heavily on the Shadow Kento Ninetales Shadow Quack Sire and
Licky Licky. What Emmie Weedle told us a little bit earlier on was that actually
up until the first game that he played against you know he actually used
Empolion for every single battle to get him into those winners finals
However, that was not a Pokemon that he's really relying on against your model team relying more on a Pokemon like that Shadow Flag Sire
It's one of the more fascinating things about show six pick three and the championship series for competitive Pokemon go
Because you can bring different tools to address different opponents
But it kind of makes you predictable if you keep running the same picks over and over
So let's see which trainer made the best adjustments and who has the best plan going into the most
those important games they've ever played in their careers.
And we saw that taking a look around the arena, taking it all in as this is the largest Pokemon
Go tournament 30 years of Pokemon, 10 years of Pokemon Go and five years on the competitive
circuit.
And we would with such a fascinating opportunity here could be our first Pokemon Go senior
world champion and the last individual Pokemon Go world champion before we switched
to a team format next year.
What a legacy that would be.
He is coming in from that loser side of the bracket
in our double elimination tournament.
That means he's going to have to win this first best of five
to be able to play one more time with a bracket reset.
But as we've known, as we've seen,
this man is no stranger to a bracket reset.
He's had plenty of time to be playing this game.
No mental mistakes.
Perfect execution.
Our trainer's got a lot of rest last night.
I'm sure that they're ready for a big heated competition.
This could go three battles or could go the distance all the way to 10 games.
Hiromaru is going to be tested by a former world champion.
And again, this is just his first world championships event ever.
And he's done so well.
Hiromaru calm and collected throughout this entire tournament.
While his expression might not be so much his skill expression in the game has
been absolutely top notch.
If the go in sweep his bracket day number one stay on that winners side and now we're going to see what he can do here on
Championship Sunday
The mighty hip-hound on going to be taking on M.E. wheels shadow canto nine tails. It's gonna be dynamic
It's gonna be fiery. There's gonna be fireworks galore as you take one more look at the teams
Just compare the accolades and me we though with so much hardware metals trophies and beyond
Meanwhile, Hiromaru, the heart and hope of Japan trying to bring that trophy home.
And I know that you just see these teams of six, but actually Hiromaru is bringing some unique things that we didn't see very often in that tournament.
Not only that Shadow of the Pond, but also that Jellicent was something that we really didn't get an opportunity to see very much.
Exactly. Jellicent. Such an interesting Pokemon. We piloted it briefly before, but I think it's going to come out pretty much every game in this series.
in this series it's too good to leave on the bench. It's up to Emmy Weedle to
address that and find ways around it.
Both of these trainers looks like they're getting locked in. We're getting ready to make surprise for Gage.
Never lock in the World Championships!
Licky Licky lead from Hiramaru into Emmy Weedle's Shadow Quack Sire.
Le Bonk is going to get same type of tech bonus as does the Aqua Tail,
but this Shadow Ball does hurt quite a bit and the Shadow Quack Sire cannot absorb two.
Bung ahead and actually taking that first from Hiramaru has noticeably gone for that Shadow Ball.
Licky, Licky, when she does have the body slam already loaded,
M.E. Riddle, one of the few people wondering a shattered flag
star with mud bomb and it actually does a little bit more damage
to the Licky, Licky, no protect shield used by hero Maro.
These trainers know their damage calculations inside and out.
Second mud bomb going to connect here.
If I got to be honest, I think M.E. Riddle needs a few more
mud shots to get the job done because this Licky, Licky
is so bulky, meanwhile the second shadow ball is ready to go.
Not fooling around here going for the big attack each time.
Each time, no potential used by Emmy Weedle, and this Shadow Park Sire is going down.
That's the first knockout of our World Championship Finals here in 2026.
Out comes the Shadow who bowed on the key Pokemon for Huromaru in his first two days of competition.
This hippo might be hungry, but he is not going to be able to take this energy ball very well
at all. He will have to put up protection, and then he doesn't. Last second great
protection there, recognizing how much damage that could do while he continues to sort
up extra energy, throwing his first attack now. Such a great call.
I think any widow could have made it the weather ball fire there, but chooses not to me
Well, whether ball rock firing back the other direction that would definitely knock out the canton eye tail
So any widow eyes he protects it here comes another charge that going talking about that bait
How the bait call has not been called as a second shield is used in this med game matchup here tomorrow has no protection
So a quick bit of it out by any widow into the licky licky switch timer not yet up for you tomorrow
You can't go expect trusty his serene electros. He's gonna throw the earth power big shield go for any widow
Let's it through so much damage each time
Going through
He's starting to throw back some attacks of his own and with no protect shields remaining for here
Marla's going to have to take the front of it all
I think the hero Marla wants to preserve his switch and he thinks he can get
Maybe one more charge sack in comes the Missouina electrode to start gathering up that energy
Then definitely absorb a one shadow ball and a couple of body slams
But the first charge sack will be energy ball here
This is all about pacing.
Emmy Weedle does have one protection,
but he's using it on the licky-licky here
because he's got quite a bit of energy,
and now he's going to go for an attack.
No, actually, Swap is coming to his side with Kento Naito's,
and he's going to be able to take this attack.
This is so critical because Yidamaru throws the wild charge.
This is going to deep up his Hizuin electrode,
and to get much more susceptible to any charge
attack to any Weedle possession throw,
he needed a helping hand, and the Kento Naito's
offered just that.
Great timing by Emmy Weedle.
He knew that that charge attack was thrown,
and the suing Electro would need to build back up energy
before throwing anything else.
Since its attack was lowered,
it's essentially knocked out right there,
but the Hapaldon already has an attack.
One spite of all his heroic,
Kieromaru with the rocked weather ball,
able to pick up the KO.
And with that, he takes game number one.
Really relying on that Hapaldon.
He warned Emmy Weedle in the beginning.
He said, this Hapaldon's gonna take you down.
If game one is any reflection of this,
I think that Emmy Weedle should have been taking notes.
So creative.
I really like how Emmy Weedle forced that Cantalini Tales
back into the battle to absorb the wild charge.
It definitely gave him a bit of ground,
but it just wasn't enough.
It was a road too far for him to travel
because they had Paladon stored that energy,
thanks to that weather ball rock.
He was able to come right back out and fire it off.
Now, in a typical game for Pokemon Go,
we play best of threes.
But here on this big stage in the chase screen,
we are going for a best of five.
So this first game is a good fact finding mission for them.
I know they played yesterday in the winners finals,
but it's gonna be a little bit different
on this main stage with all eyes on them.
Here, Marl has a great lead here with that 1-0 victory.
If he gets two more, we will crown him that champion.
But M.E. Wiedel said that he knew
that he played great before.
He just needed to do a little bit of refinement,
and it wouldn't surprise me to see him
start putting on some points on the board.
No, exactly.
Emmy Weedle has been under the bright lights
our first senior division world champion.
We're going to try to bring it to game number two, everybody.
This time, Flor just takes the field for Emmy Weedle
leading into that jealousy.
Now, Emmy Weedle said once before that he actually
has been tact-related for this
because at first, better or really, really,
coverage, take a peek at here, Marston.
There's no really, really to be found this game.
Although you have, using that trusty jealousy
and already throwing his first charge attack.
This gorgeous actually is very close.
There goes this army boys getting fired off here.
It's gonna need two charge stacks to bring down the Jellison,
but the pacing is slightly in the fortress' favor as well
as this army boys number one connects.
And number two is ready to go.
You have outpace the Tiramoros to the Zip.
He wants to put up a protection
as this next charge attack will be able to go.
Looks like it's going to connect,
knocking that Jellison very down low, but still.
Jellison has a little more gas in the tank.
Gonna go for one more serve.
Yeah, Tiramoros waiting the turn
He does not want to get caught on,
so he expects the Jellies to be a floor just to stay
so he can fire off the surf of the Jellies.
And now he's taking control of Switcherbann.
His outpouring is going to be nice.
He's going to head back up again
to go back to shout out Hapaldon.
Hapaldon did so well for him game number one last time,
and he knew to work for the energy ball.
Will he be able to call it here?
He calls the bait.
This is huge for him.
Yes, it does a tough damage,
but it doesn't break enough like that energy ball.
And now the Paldon's going to start chulking away.
Insane call out in the most important battle
of his life, pep out on me while throwing back the earth power.
Galarian Corsair protects shields up.
No defense fall either.
So Galarian Corsair might be able to establish all of a down.
It's going to be so close.
Everybody, no, he doesn't get there.
Oh, you see how hurt he is by this.
He lived in the burning to throw a weather ball just
for a little bit of chip damage,
but decided a little too late.
This Corsair is standing strong.
And I don't know if this is through an electric.
He's afraid for the ghosts.
Galarian Corsair is weighing down on Hiromaru.
He has the gel set in the back, yes, but it's got very little HP.
It's nothing more than a sacrificial shield, a third shield that he can swap into a throw-to-charge attack.
So he's got to be very careful how he plays that pokemuff here on out.
Already throwing yet another Nightshade into the Sassou Electro,
getting the protection up with the Hero of Morrow's side.
He's really been lying on the Sassou Electro for these past couple games,
now going for an energy ball.
He's going to do a little less damage, but it also doesn't lower its own defenses.
And he will feel so safe no protection here on his coast side Pokemon makes a pivot out in the chat of Kanto nine tails
This is a little bit curious, but I think the Kanto nine tails
Energy on the electro and it goes for a bait of his own with this energy ball
No, she's this is huge massive call by any wheel. Oh, he is not
stumbling whatsoever as he's able to call the energy ball just to the
finstrop but the embers and the weather fireballs are coming through we're gonna
see another charge set connect here.
Emmy Weedle stumbles but doesn't fall down,
weather ball connects, he takes out a suing record and he ties up the series.
What an insane turn of events, the swap into the jealous, if we call that out as being one of the only win cons there for Kira Maru,
but calling the energy ball and the Kanto Ninetales when you were at risk of losing your most important Pokemon?
Emile Wiedel is playing so well.
You saw it on his face.
He kind of gave a shrug like, well, if this is it, this is it.
But what a call to make and what a time to make it starting out strong.
Emile Wiedel was really in the driver's seat for most of this game.
But here on Marl, doing everything he possibly could to get back in that matchup
with a great catch onto that jealous and to soak up some of that energy.
These trainers are taking mental snapshots throughout the game.
They're trying to project forward.
What is my wing condition?
How do I execute to get another win on the board?
And right now, everybody, we are tied up one to one in this best of five.
So you can, on the board, take a look at that stage as we zoom down.
We get to see that whole team of six for each of these.
This arena is absolutely incredible.
We just took down Mewtwo X, and one of these trainers is about to take down
the other to be the first San Francisco world champion.
The stage is bigger than ever.
The lights are brighter than ever.
Again, Emmy Weedle with so much experience, but here tomorrow, the challenger, we're gonna see a Hissui Electro lead into the Shadow Kits of Nytos for game number three, and a Swap into the Licky Licky.
Licky Licky was that top-use Pokemon for this whole weekend, and it has this freak and a lead also in that safe Swap position, being able to soak up energy will also be able to deal out energy quite quickly.
Me, it could now bite Emmy Weedle, and he was all Licky Licky. They're gonna be sticking their tongues out at each other for quite a while, Will.
We like to call that the chip and dip, right?
Emmy Weedle knows the mirror matchup is going to be closed.
So he fires that weather ball, connects the damage,
and then makes the pivot out.
Now, his Ibi-Liki has an advantage.
But keep an eye on the switch timers, everybody.
Kuromaru will be able to switch his Pokemon out first.
Now, should they try to do an attack at the same time,
it could be a charge attack priority.
The one with a higher attack will win that first Emmy Weedle.
Those straight for the body slam
doesn't want to let Pyromo get off any more damage first.
This is not enough to knock out.
So we could see a quick pivot, all that's exactly what's gonna happen is I'm going through now, I'm going back in with the Hapaldon.
Yeah, maybe a little indecisive there, reach for the can to the nine tails, but decided to defer to Hapaldon.
He needs protection of the Shadow Ball, but he doesn't, that's a lot of damage coming through.
Half of Hapaldon's health is already gone.
This is a dance. Quick, quick swaps by both of these rooms,
in the minute that the timer is up, the Hapaldon is going for an attack,
and look at AmiRio, he's closing his eyes, he doesn't put on the shield, this doesn't do much damage at all.
Absolutely insane definitely could have been an earth power there and she tomorrow trying to get to one here
And he fails again unable to get to the charge
Sort of the thing when you've been in the arena before when you've been playing on the big stage
You know that sometimes you can make a mistake with bounce back does hero Maro have this in him being the first time
The editor here might say will connect into his suena electro
But the options are starting to dwindle down for him
that Kanto Ninetales and Licky Licky in the back are still relatively healthy and the
Guleric Force Law has been so problematic for him.
This is the big thing with the shielding electorate, you have to go for these energy
balls a lot of times because if you can't slip, swap out, those fall charges would
really lower your own defense.
It's still enough to knock out the Force Law, but there's still two shields to
hide behind on the sides of any Weedle.
I mean you've got the shields, but you don't have HP, right?
We've got to manage our HP and keep our Pokemon in the battle.
will pull the shield away here but Eniwido realizes he's applying so much pressure with the Kanto Ninetales,
a little bit of energy on the Liki and the cameras flop into the mirror.
Huge hoping to land that on the Kanto Ninetales,
unsuccessful as that Liki-Liki pops into the battle to absorb it all on the chin.
Hiromara going up just a little bit more, trying to get off as much energy as possible
before throwing his Netsubatisen right at the last second.
Yeah, it reaches the double up here. If Eniwido shields he will get the knockout
but instead officer led his licky licky go put it all in the cantonine tails
that Pokemon comes out right away and the ember will knock out but the body
same was chewed up first.
Going ahead using that last protect shield here real question is how much
of a thing for that ensuing electrode will it be able to get farmed down to West Falls already?
Well it doesn't even throw them goes for that fast attack farmed down taken game number three.
Three embers was enough.
Emmy Weedle now up to one in this grand finals one final reminder everybody this
is a best of five and if Emmy Weedle wins this next battle he will force a
bracket reset and a fresh best of five coming in from that losers side of the
bracket Emmy Weedle had quite a run in this tournament so far in the group stage
day number one he to owed everyone except for one player and then in the
final stages of day two he took out so many well known and talented trainers
getting up to this place where he went to three to hear a mara to be here on the main stage.
Both of these trainers carrying the torches for their region I feel like whenever you beat a
trainer from your region you have to take their energy take their skill and win it for them win
it for your friends and these trainers have so much riding on this series here at the world
championships, Kanto Naitals and Glaring Corsal. Such a problematic duo for Hiromaru. Let's go
into the next game here everyone as soon as our trainers are locked in and we are ready.
This is more of a better lead for Hiromaru at this part as the energy ball is only a thing that
really just going to start threatening the HP of it and the paces will go a little bit slower
and actually me and Miro going straight for at the very beginning part of the matchup
and Pieramoro puts up a protect shield.
Yeah, such a great call out early.
Do not want to take a lot of super effective damage
from a shadow Pokemon on your first go around,
but the swapping to catch, this is actually fine
because you want to throw serve into the Licky Licky,
not the purple-resistant shadow ball.
I think Pieramoro is like, okay, you know what?
That's fine. I'll take that.
Licky Licky usually has a great matchup against the Jelts.
So Jelts goes for one more fast attack
before swapping into its own Licky Licky.
We saw this in game number three,
going for a chip and then going ahead and dipping out,
Absorbing the energy of the Licky Licky onto the other.
I will say that the weather ball from Amy Lido's Cantonite Tows last game did a bit more damage
and made this Miramatch a bit more comfortable for him.
So, he tomorrow has a lot to work through as he fires off yet another body slam.
These two trainers have probably had this Miramatch quite a few times in the games that they have played against each other.
I wonder if they do know who wins Chargedetek Verity because that does change how you play out these matchups here.
here. Body slam still coming through. A lot more energy here throwing the next one
inside of here tomorrow. I don't think Emmy Wiedl's gonna protect you with this up.
No I don't think so either. He can withstand this body slam plus a couple
more rollouts even though he's deep into the ring. These trainers know
their Pokemon so well. Another body slam getting fired off here and we're
getting very close to ending this fair match. Truly welcome to the slam as we
see it over and over again. Looks like Emmy Wiedl actually throws that body
and catches here alongside here tomorrow.
This is a not very effective attack against a ghost type
Pokemon.
I'm going to be able to just get a little bit more energy.
And Ami-Wido actually says, this is fine.
I'm coming in with my other jealous encounter
with my Galarian Corsula.
In Pokemon, ghost type Pokemon can learn so many different fast
and charge attacks.
And the difference you're going to see here
is the hex-jealousen versus the damage-oriented
astonished Galarian Corsula.
Look at it just chipping down that HP
with every fast attack.
Now going ahead using that first protection on that bait of the surf and actually using both
protection now on this Malarian Corsola, correctly shielding up that Shadow Ball and just continuing
the fast attack completely down. This Corsola is loaded with energy. This is very nice. We do
have that Hussain Electro that is healthy. The Licky Licky is very weak. Waiting down that
switch timer so he can make the swap out. Oh my goodness fires off the nightshade into the
electric and brass type. He fires it off immediately. It takes a look up. We're
hoping that it didn't go into that licky-licky.
But no, this is doing a little, it has to take it.
It has to start trying to ramp up energy.
Quick pivot by both of these trainers.
Blink and you miss it.
And this night tails comes back in.
You swap, I swap, Lee swap.
Shadow ball into that shadow kento.
Night tails takes it deep into the run.
But it will eventually take this
after the licky-licky.
This is huge coming out with so much energy.
And he's already pumping his fist in the air
as he gets that last potential
with that first fire.
Weather ball.
He's got a second one ready to go.
It's super effective damage.
Emmy Weedle thinks he's got this game in the bag.
And with it, he will force the bracket reset.
You want a bracket reset?
You got a bracket reset.
Emmy Weedle takes the first get-match of my matchup.
Shaken.
But a stumble doesn't have to mean a fall.
Kudomaru and Emmy Weedle are now
locked in a fresh best of five, everybody.
No more research from here on out. This is it. Whoever wins the next three battles will be your Pokemon go world
Champion. It's so great to see these true trainers playing off against each other
If you take a look at the lines that they brought in this third game or this fifth game
I think
Jealousy was a Pokemon that here tomorrow really relied on but there were two
Heavy jealousy counters in the back for any little with that glaring force a lot and also that licky licky
So as long as he got the Ninetales off of it, he was completely fine throughout this matchup.
Exactly, and speaking to the point of alignment, I think Ami Wido also found that he was in the right spot at the right time.
So often his Kanto Ninetales was lined up against an ensuing Electro, and I think that really the only way that Hiro Moro can absolutely reign in that glaring Corsula is to put his Licky Licky on the field against it.
And I don't think Ami Wido wants that to happen.
to happen. Well, I mean we don't did say that he built his board just specifically to counter
Licky Licky so he definitely has a plan to be able to outmaneuver the top used Pokemon
in the world championships. Hiromara is a trainer that we have not had the opportunity
to see play very often. This is his first world's competition. He was managed to be able to
qualify for worlds getting in the top 12 of the Japanese qualifier. So I think a lot of
of trainers recognize that he's a very good trainer,
but they haven't got to see him very often.
It's so cool to see him on the main stage,
but a little fun fact about these trainers
is although they've never played against each other
in an official competitive circuit,
they battle against each other and go battle league
all the time as they fight for that number one spot
on the leaderboard.
It's incredible, right?
You can queue up against anyone else in the world
and try your skills.
They picked up on some tendencies
and notice what each other like to do in critical moments.
But here tomorrow is no stranger to taking down
world champions, having beaten Bielzeboy
in round one of day two, and Emmy Weedle to end the day.
He's got to beat a world champion three times
if he wants to win the crown this weekend.
He says, okay, I see that crown that was on your head.
It looks pretty nice up there.
I'm trying to take it for myself.
De-throning champions, after champions,
he's got to be able to take three games to do so.
But even so, this is the first time Japan has at anyone in the finals absolutely incredible place by all the region.
I believe eight of them were in the top of the 32.
I mean, that's absolutely incredible.
I think that Hiromaru needs to get more value out of his Shadow of Hapaldon, not once, but twice.
We saw it get astonished down, farmed down by Enmi-Wido and that Pokemon that is so instrumental to his success thus far just came up flat.
he needs to find a way to get it more involved, to fire off more charged attacks,
maybe even shield it more often, and try to get more value,
because that is the Pokemon that he believes is the key for his success.
See, both of these trainers take in a moment to mull it over,
but now it is time to go to the grand finals.
Reset, we have the Jellison again in the lead by Hiromaru Upakins.
Shadow Clash are on the side of Emmy Weedle.
Water types on both sides, and competitive Pokemon go.
Water typing has always been very strong,
and the Mudbong here helps the Shadowclawside in the matchup so much,
he's gonna barge the first one here and this will connect.
I know that the Hiromaru that his Poudon was going to be able to take it all,
he's actually offering a good home advantage for the first game of this bracket recent,
going for the serve against the Shadowclawside, no protect shield by Emu Wido.
I think you need two charge stacks regardless if you're playing Jellison like Hiromaru is
and Emu Wido is unafraid of either one of them.
Second Mudbong will connect, Hiromaru knows his damage calculations,
his Jellison can hang in there.
He knows it, no problem going ahead, taking that, and I think we're going to try and go for another one.
Now, going for surf, does Andy Weedle let this go down? This is actually the perfect opportunity for a farm down.
Hiramon seems to recognize it as well, as he feels ahead, undercharges the thing and pokes in to get a couple of energy advantage of his own with his nine tails.
Wow, what a great undercharge going into the shadow kit tonight. This is also good news for him, because that catch of nine tails for Andy Weedle keeps finding his assuring an electrode, and right now it's on the field in the mirror match.
match. Going ahead now just going to fireball as you can see fire and fire
game is not going to be doing too much overall both of them charging up a little
bit at your Emmy Wheel actually opts to go for the energy ball. It hits a little bit
harder and has a potential for a defense default on the opponent's Pokemon.
Also very valuable information Emmy Wheel did win the charge attack priority
tie so if he's can't can't do nine tails pace at the same time again he
will go first in that exchange every single time he looks like he's very
far ahead in terms of energy, so maybe he doesn't need to worry about that yet.
Looks like he didn't even bother to opt for any more,
going straight for that charge attack here, hoping maybe to get the thorn down at the end.
You can see that didn't do as much damage as he was hoping for it.
Actually, Hiromoro can take this mid game matchup if Enri-Lito doesn't show up,
and that's exactly what happens.
And do you see the trend here? Enri-Lito led his quag-circuit wiki,
led his Kintonites last week.
He wants to farm down Hiromoro's Pokemon,
and Hiromoro is not allowing him to do that.
He pivots immediately into his electrode.
This is Corsola against the World.
No protectionals used for the quad-side.
No protectionals used for that camp of nine-tales.
And no protectionals on the first attack
from the soon-electrode.
Recognizing he is most likely not going
to be that wild towards that heavier-hitting attack,
letting the first one go through.
But he's going to do the shield.
This one, if he doesn't want his Corsola to go down.
And trying to think about win conditions here.
And the Lido might just double shield his Glaring Corsola
and try to fast-attack all the way through.
It's going to be really tough,
because if he throws Charged Stacks,
He needs to throw two night shades plus a third.
Here comes another energy ball, and Emilito thinks he won't win the pacing battle.
Well, the big problem is when you only have one Pokemon left,
you don't know what a switch timer is that.
I think Emilito is very reluctant.
He doesn't want any of his attacks to get caught on anything else.
Now he's giving a little bit more energy.
He's not going to throw an attack.
He's coming in.
He's trying to fasten that down everything, but he's not able to do so.
Just by a hair, the Sicilian Electro gets to the energy ball,
And that is the final charge attack that Hidomaru needs to bring down that Galarian Corsula and win that battle.
Now Will, I think maybe some people at home or maybe aren't super familiar with our game are wondering why?
Why did Emi Riddle not throw any of his charge attacks? He had so much energy.
He was at the most energy that he could possibly have. There were three Pokemon left on the field. What gives?
So every time you use a charge attack in the Pokemon Go PvP, it takes a turn
and that allows your opponent to also take that turn.
So if any Weedles biggest priority
is not allowing that vicinity electorate
to get to another charge stack,
he's not gonna throw a charge stack of his own
because that just means another Thunder Shock
piling on to that energy that's already accumulating.
So these two Ninetales being able to take down each other
right at the very end there.
And I mean, at this point,
he knew exactly what he needed to do.
Here in Marano exactly what he needed
to be able to win this matchup
and that was get to enough energy
to knock out the Corsula.
Exactly. This Pokemon has been so problematic for Kuromaru.
Personally, I'm shocked that we didn't see the Licky from him,
but he still found a way to get past the Ghost-type Pokemon even without it.
Going ahead, Kuromaru took game number one of the first game of this Championship Sunday.
He ended up taking this game as well.
Will any wheel have a repeat of what he did before being able to take back that series
winning the next three games?
It's so hard to say, right?
Currently we are taking a look back at that matchup that just occurred.
Everybody, a turn in Pokemon GO PDP is just a half second.
Just a half second, and if you miss one of those, it can totally derail your plans,
your pacing, and your ability to execute on your win condition.
So we have an incredible judging team here.
They're taking a closer look at how that last game went down,
trying to see if anything was a ride.
You did see Emmy Weedle kind of throw up his hand at the very end.
they're recognizing that he believed that he missed some attacks and that is very big when you have the strategy
That you need to be able to get all of your damage into a certain Pokemon to get it off the field
Not being able to get even one of those attacks could be absolutely detrimental to your game
Yeah, and just look at how close that game was right the glare Corsair
Almost able to farm down all three of the remaining Pokemon because the jealousy that a here tomorrow had in the back
Didn't have any energy and he was deep deep into the red
He might have absorbed maybe one, maybe two astonishes, and it would have been over.
So, Clary Corsola came very close to sweeping that game.
Yes. So, while this match is under review, let's go ahead and review how Kiro Maro did in the Championship Series so far.
Keeping in mind that this was his first ever tournament on the group stage, he too won all of his opponents to be able to make it into day number two.
where he then took down our former champion, Bielze Boy,
also brought Emmy Weedle down to that lower side of the bracket.
And unfortunately for him,
had to bring, you know, knock down another one of his fellow Japanese trainers
at Dunebug 97, a very, very popular trainer within the North American circuit.
Yeah, our third place finisher, Kanto No,
with his Shadow Glyce for a Shadow Polito team
was so much fun to watch yesterday.
And we came very close to having a all Japanese grand finals,
but M.E. Wiedel just would not be denied,
fought so hard that Losers decided to bracket
and he is here on the main stage.
Yet again, as our judges continue to debate that previous game.
So I know we kind of talked about it briefly.
A lot of people haven't had the opportunity
to see it before, but Licky Licky
has been the most popular Pokemon
of day one and day two usage.
It is also on the team up here tomorrow
and on the side of M.E. Wiedel.
So it doesn't surprise me that we've seen it quite a few games so far.
Little nuance here.
I don't know if you know this is Amanda, but that's Licky Licky from Kudo Maru is an extra, extra large.
He a big boy.
Yeah, it's a lot taller than any weedle.
It's not that that makes a big difference in terms of combat, but I just want trainers out there to know that if you're out catching Pokemon and you find it extra small or an extra large, when you bring that Pokemon into the battle, it does visually, I guess, show that in the games.
Another Pokémon that has been very popular so far in the series is once that we actually saw a new matchup look in that middle matchup where we learned that any Lidl wins that Charger Tech priority with a Shadow Pantel 9 tails.
It's the main reason there's been quite a few different shifts in the meta, and it's the main reason that I think that Hiramaru is keeping his Ticket Time on the bench.
We talked earlier about how these trainers were running the same teams of three in most of their matchups yesterday.
Amy Lido had one deviation though. That was a Shadow Quacksire, Licky Licky and Galerion Corsula team.
And maybe he said, you know what, there's something to that.
Maybe that Galerion Corsula is the key and I believe he's brought it to every single game thus far.
He's doing quite well for himself being able to flip that bracket, coming from the losers side of the bracket.
They're losing game number one in a huge stadium could do a lot to shake your nerves.
But any way to look unshakable there, he knew from the get-go,
he knew from game two that he was rock solid.
You saw him look at his face, you saw him looking around saying,
I know that I have what it takes to be a champion.
He's so dialed in, if you watch his eyes,
he'll look across the stage at his opponent to finish for any reaction.
He wants to know if you're bothered, if you're frustrated,
if you're feeling confident, he's trying to feel out the player
just as much as he's killing his way through the matchups on the screen.
Well, a lot of people are here tomorrow.
He looks unshakable as he plays these matchups.
You barely see him having any sort of a doubt in his eyes or any type
that he's making any sort of misplay.
Yeah, exactly. Very confident.
And he's got a lot of reasons to be.
We talked about his record so far this weekend.
I mean, when you come to your first World Championships
and you not only beat the reigning World Champion,
the also boy, but you also take down the first World Champion.
any real that's that's a pretty good resume to start things off right both of
these trainers have some interesting resumes making a lot of firsts for the
hero model is the first Japanese trainer to be able to make it into the finals
the world championships and any real is this is the first time a previous world
champion has been back up here on this main stage you're exactly right and
given how competitive Pokemon go PDP is in the championship series a lot of
trainers think that that would never happen right you never have a repeat
world champion because the best trainers are lined up against each other constantly and
eventually one of them will be eliminated. So this is definitely a fascinating story
and I don't know if Emmy Wiedel was on a lot of trainers radars coming to this weekend
either. I think Emmy Wiedel has always been a very
powerful trainer. He has a lot of different facets to his name. People know that he has
a lot of titles but he hasn't really had those top conventions this season that he's
been looking for, but I think that he would definitely take that trade off, be like, okay,
maybe they're regional competitions, maybe some of the other things I did perform as well as I
hoped, but now on the big stage, he gets a chance to shine. As our judges take a closer look at this
matchup, we will defer over to the bracket. Let's take a trip down memory lane and see where
these trainers have come from and the talented competitors that they have faced over the
weekend because, I mean, my goodness, I really feel that metaphor, right? If you defeat a
trainer from your region, you have to carry on that legacy. You know how talented PVP David is.
If you're M.E. Weedle, you have to say, I have to do what he would do in this situation. I have to
fight as hard as possible and try my best to win. Absolutely, not even before that M.E. Weedle played
against Boom20, who is actually running the same team as PVP David, so maybe giving him a little
bit of a leg up to be able to do so. Going for a two-one there, playing against Marjo Galday,
one of our most decorated trainers from Latin America before he played off against
Yudemaru. Yudemaru started off that top eight by defeating Dunebug from the
North America region and then took on and Contano, and that was such a fun series
to watch. The ground types came out to play in the Shadow of Haldon and Shadow
Gliscor and another nail fighter finish that Yudemaru was able to walk
away from victorious. So it's really funny because for Pokemon Go it's not
that there's unnecessarily big rivalry, but of course people like to cheer for their regions to win.
This would be the first time someone from Japan has been able to call themselves a world champion,
but any medal has a completely different story. There has been EU winners already,
and I was gonna say that but I'm like he's with him, and he is the EU winner.
It's him, he's him literally. Well, we're gonna get back to those games as soon as our
judging team reaches a decision everybody, but I just want to thank you all for joining us
in that Mega Mewtwo x-ray here in the venue.
That was so much fun.
I hope everyone got Shinies and maybe some good stats as well.
But the background, you got that regardless.
Absolutely.
I know that Caleb said that he got the Shinie Mewtwo.
I would just love to let him know that I also
got the Shinie Mewtwo and also took some really fun photos.
Because if you looked around the arena,
you saw everyone raising their phones at the same time.
Everyone working together to catch that Mewtwo x.
It was such an amazing experience.
I mean this relates back to what you're saying about these trainers matching in the go battle league
We have such a tight-knit community and even though you might be an ocean away a lot of trainers are familiar with each other
They have battled against each other
They kind of have that like second tier of knowing before they actually meet so the world championships are such a great place
For everyone to come together to put a face to a name as they say you know that trainer that beat you with Vasidon
That's them right there. Okay. Yeah, and not only are they competing for the prestige for the crown
These trainers are also competing for some fan
Fantastic prizes here first place is gonna go home with $20,000. That's a nice chunk of change
But I would even take that 15,000 for a second if
Whatever doesn't want to think you give it to me. Are you a settle for that? I suppose I suppose
So much on the line not just the title we talked about that quite often
But I mean this could be life-changing for a lot of trainers, especially if they traveled far to come and compete here
And look at this gorgeous venue and our gorgeous fans. Let's hear it everybody in the stadium. Let's wake up
Competitive Pokemon Go World Championships 2026. You just gotta be there. Yeah, we see you pumping your fists. We're pumping our fists as well
Thank you for coming out. See who's gonna be our champion
We are so excited to be crowned in one.
These two trainers have performed well all weekend,
and they conserved all the praise that they
are getting here on stage.
Such talent on the stage right now.
And Emmy Weedle made those corrections,
ran that Galarian course lie, and it's
been so hard for Kudo Maru to weather that storm.
Can't wait to get into the next bat on, to be honest.
I hear you, everyone.
While we're still looking through this,
a match under review means that even though one person
may have won that first match up group could have been something
within that matchup that maybe didn't go according to plan.
So the judges will decide if it is going to be favorable
for any reedle, that first game will essentially
be a race from the leaderboard.
And we are starting over with a fresh new game.
I mean, this is literally the biggest competition
of these trainers' lives.
We want to get everything right.
We want to have an equal and fair playing field
for all of our competitors, and especially our two finalists
here at the World Championships.
Hi everybody, how's it going?
It's good to see you all, you're looking good.
Now real question, we were talking a little bit earlier
as casters, they were asking for some cast or predictions.
And I know that you said that you were really impressed
with Furo Maro's gameplay throughout the weekend
and you think that he potentially has what it takes
to take the series.
Exactly, just so decisive, especially his,
assuming Electro played just was outstanding
and I felt like Kenny Needle, you know,
fought really hard in their series yesterday
but kind of ran out of answers.
The moment that sticks in my mind, Amanda,
was that game five when Emmy Weedle
was just completely out of shields
and that Pistone Electrode from Hiro Maru
was able to land the energy ball in it
to the Shadow Faxi.
You could see Emmy Weedle grimacing on stage.
It was so painful to watch that.
And I think on his mind, right,
he's thinking, I just can't allow that to happen.
I can't allow myself to be out of options,
especially in the biggest series here
at the World Championships.
Well, at the first best of five,
he was put on the back foot there
on the side of Emmy Weedle, as hero Marl took game number one,
but Emmy Weedle took his foot, put it forward,
and won the next three matchups to be here
in the grand finals reset.
I have Emmy Weedle as my prediction
to be able to take it all, because this man has done
quite a bit.
Not only has he been a regional champion,
not only has he been an international champion,
he has been a previous world champion.
He wants to do it again for our last year
of individual world champions.
I mean, and he's adored by the community, right?
We remember at EUIC, the crowd surfing, kind of lifting up to the air.
Emmy Wiedel has had such a story, career for such a young trainer.
And the talent doesn't lie. We see it in every single performance.
And like you pointed out earlier, might not have had the strongest individual season,
but I think in my mind, a lot of it comes down to peeking at the right moment.
You can have a great start to your season, but if there's a meta change,
or a new Pokemon comes along and it doesn't quite click for you,
And I think you want to be firing on all cylinders when you get to the end of the season.
A lot of trainers have said that, you know, this was a quite open meta.
A lot of different Pokemon to choose from, as we can see from what the trainers have brought.
And we actually can see that the highlight of what the dispute is going to be here.
We see the energy boat going through here.
Now, keep in mind there's a bunch of shields in play.
Yeah, we're going to take a closer look.
So this is what the judges are reviewing right now, everybody.
I've been curious to see which moment is being called into question.
But I think it's got to come down to the fast attacks and how that damage is applying
Astonishes coming down again this speed thunder shock on that history electrode is two turns
Which is one second whereas the astonish is 1.5 turns
Or excuse me 1.5 seconds and three turns so in that regard, you know
It really comes down to the slimmest of margins a half second difference really makes a world of difference in competitive Pokemon go
So as a refresher there
we saw two shields for both opponents.
Emmy Wiel did not want to throw that energy
into the Assuming Electrode,
because he did want the Assuming Electrode
to be able to get extra fast attacks through
while he threw, because he recognized that Assuming Electrode,
if it had enough energy, would be able to knock out
his only remaining Pokemon.
Absolutely, right?
Only two shields to spare.
He spent both of them on that glaring course.
We saw just how close that match up got.
He was able to fast attack down one of Hidromaru's
three Pokemon, and the Jealousy was not far behind.
So if you would have gotten past the student electrode,
it's being likely we would have had a different outcome.
So as our team continues to look at it.
Also, thank you, production, for allowing our fans to see just
a bit more closely at what we were taking a look at.
And again, like you pointed out, well,
the turns in Pokemon Go are so quick, 0.5 seconds
that every literal, not even second, 0.5 seconds matters.
So it does, you know, I take no fault for them
taking a little extra time to figure out exactly what
went on in the matchup and make sure that everything
fair before we award a game right. Wow Amanda you've you mentioned this book
let's put it in writing we had some cast of predictions about which trainer we
thought would win I would love to see everyone in the chat get involved as
well who do you think has the momentum in the series right now who do you think
is going to become your next Pokemonico world champion just like the
hardware looks like I mean we know side of the scales a little bit heavier
well I will say that I think butters is missing from this and to all
butters also believe that here tomorrow was going to be winning so making it a
little bit more even overall I truly think it could be anyone's game every
single game between these two trainers have come down to the absolute wire
here tomorrow only winning with the 3-2 victory it wasn't like a solid sweep
against me weedle in day number one and now I mean weedle taking up that second
game in the grand finals and winning 3-1 it's still anyone's game yeah
definitely a dominant series I would argue for any weedle so far today and
Keep those predictions coming in the chat and remember as well as your last chance to get all those sweet drops
That we've been offering this weekend during the world championships sweet sweet drops
One more thing I wanted to mention Amanda's that we have our judging team on the floor
But we also have a head judge that's available and this is the world championships the biggest stage for the championship series
But even if you're at a local car shop or a regional event
You do have a judging team that is there to help if you feel like something didn't quite go right
You do have that ability to reach out to them to ask questions and never feel like you're inconveniencing anyone because again
The most important thing is a fair and equal playing field for all of our trainers. Absolutely and go is an extremely fast-paced game
So sometimes like this when a match is actually under review
We actually get a little bit of time to pause and think and reflect about everything that has happened so far in not
not only the world championships, but this competitive season.
Well, I know that you've been casting in North America.
We've got a chance to cast together
at the European International Championships this season.
Is there anything that's really stood out to you this year,
which is a big year for Pokemon Go?
So this is a big anniversary year, right?
10 years for Pokemon Go, 30 years for Pokemon,
and five years for Pokemon Go and the championship series.
We have every year, right?
We have some trainers that are new.
maybe they're a bit younger, they come on into onto the scene and they absolutely crush it.
But one thing that stood out to me are some of the old-timers still winning competitions, right?
We had Arrow win in Los Angeles and we had Stone Collection win in Seattle.
Those are trainers that competed at over 40 events without a title until this year.
So all of our elderly Pokemon Go players, you can still win.
I'm feeling really, my back's hurt already.
I know that Arrow ended up performing at the World Championship.
So these are the top Pokemon used for day one, but this was really what we saw for the
bigger field.
The top 32 players for day two.
Licky, Licky in that number one spot like we talked about in day one and day two, but
Shadowcantor Ninetales in that top second spot, Glaring Horse Look in the third.
Exactly.
Such a unique meta.
I know a lot of trainers in the video game, the training card gamer in Pokemon Unite,
they say, what's going on with the Pokemon Go meta?
All you need to know is that Fondoso was top 10 on day number two, which is pretty cool.
We also have an update for everyone about the action down on the stage.
We did have a rematch ruled, there was an appeal, and the rematch was upheld.
So we're going to start fresh here, everybody, on another series between these two titans.
tomorrow on that left-hand side up against Andy Weedle.
This is now officially game number one
of the grand finals recent.
Both of these trainers have had a little bit of time
on stage to think about and reflect
how they played that first game,
happened immediately into this now,
going up with a suit of electro.
It gets of course low.
What evidence that other one is now starting this game?
And in the lead, it's typically the position
where we see Pokemon like this suit of electro,
because that wild charge does double debuff
your Pokemon's defense.
So you can throw a charge stack like that
failout but this time the energy ball is used by Kuro Maru. Kuro Maru going for the energy ball could have
opted for a wild charge and immediately popped out but energy ball still does a decent chunk of damage
as we see no protection will be removed by any weedle either way just gaining up a ton of energy
now throwing its first night shade in the soon electric. Both trainers willing to let those
initial charge attacks through now they're pitted into the lucky licking a little bit early
not in time quite yet to catch a night shade but now we're in the mirror matchup and
Honestly, Amanda, this is the closest near-match up between these two Pokemon that we've seen so far.
I actually really like that play by Eni-Riegel because it's not the fast attacks of the Licky-Licky
that threaten the glaring force with it. It's that shot-up ball potential,
and so if you just go ahead and stay in, yes, your assumptions aren't going to be doing too much,
but now he's got some energy that he paid before he popped out into his own Licky-Licky
to be able to start soaking up some of this damage.
Exactly. We are now in the mid-game, and controlling Switch advantage does matter
quite a bit in this game for one of our bracket reset.
Another body stand getting fired up here by any veto,
but I think that a theater Maru looks like he's a little bit ahead.
Going ahead now, just keep rolling out here and now here.
We're going for another check.
We know that any veto's shadow continental wins that charge tech priority.
We still haven't seen it despising so many licky, licky mid game matchups here.
Exactly right. Another charge tech yet again as these two Pokemon will down each other's HP.
So many fast charge stacks back and forth neither trader willing to swap out
Actually, she's going immediately for another attack doesn't even bother going for another rollout first
We wanted make sure he'd be able to get that off should hear him all broke his attack first both of these down this
Hello, let me get pop out here by the paladon and now
Sponsor time with this shadow hit on them kills. Yeah, and the pacing is just so fast that weather balls only eight turns
Meanwhile the shadow paladon is a little bit slower to reach the weather what weather ball of its own
Although, we'll tell them to perfect the damage and like the knockout that Kento 9 tails.
I mean, these weather balls are going to be thrown back and forth here as that first one goes through.
And here, well, puts up a shield because again, that energy ball will threaten the knockout.
But even a weather ball does 500 damage to the Shadow Pokemon.
Now going out and just charging up, throwing right before the next one is available.
Yeah, I really like to swap out there to get a couple sand attacks in
and try to match the pacing of the Shadow Kento 9 tails.
Another weather ball pulls with a final shield for any Weedle.
And you've got to remember they're still in a certain electro on the other side and any needle is now exposed to all incoming charge attacks
I said as well maybe not the enemy leader was hoping for his
Catching this brother ball on to the low-health lookie-lookie looks like you're almost completely
Untapping hoping maybe he could get a sense ever to unfortunately unable to do so now out of energy and now out of shield
Switch Timer is now locked for Emmie Weedle for probably another 40 seconds or so.
He cannot swap out, but he does get to the Knight Shade against him out.
This is the final healthiest Pokemon for him tomorrow.
This is why Emmie Weedle didn't immediately pivot from that Licky Licky came in.
He went and got one more Astana Shperz because now it put him ahead on energy
and was able to put that half on down quite low.
Licky Licky on the side of Hero Marl coming in going for that heavy hit and shadow ball
trying to knock out the first flip and again with another charge
But he was kind of shaking his head.
No, it was still a number, no, no.
He's at the body slam.
Yeah, one more roll out.
And the body slam is there.
Cue the moros.
Able to KO, just catch on nine tails.
And take back game one from Emmy Weedle.
He says, hell, you need to help on the Pokemon.
That one with what we call a three ball flex there.
All three Pokemon remaining in that game number one
as he takes it away from Emmy Weedle.
There's always upsides and downsides, right?
We saw Emil Vidal make that inspired catch of the rock weather ball from that shadow out on and we thought oh
It was a genius play. It was so clever, right?
But then he shook his head and a lot of traders probably wondering why the reason was because that switch timer because after he makes that swap out
That switch timers is going to tick down for 45 seconds
And at that point any needle really was out of options. He kind of exposed himself there
It was a good catch. All the energy had to go somewhere.
If it was anywhere, he wanted it to be on that low-health Pokemon.
But in the end, Feral Mono being able to hang on after knocking out that course.
So, one more rollout to knock out that kind.
Tells what the body slam secures him.
Game number one in this grand finals reset.
Keeping in mind, he also won game number one of the regular grand finals.
So, Amy Weedle has the opportunity to once again pull it back and win the next three.
Exactly, but it's gonna be tough right? I feel like Kudo Maru in his grand finals reset has made so many adjustments
I think he's playing better than ever. Led that Hissuin electrode usually likes to keep that Pokemon in the back
And kind of spring it on any leader when it finds an opening
But just throwing it out there in the lead and saying you know what deal with it deal with the wild charges and energy balls
That's definitely tough for any leader to contend with that's true
We've been also quite often seeing that have out on coming in when there's just a little bit of help
Yes, he seems to fight for switch advantage then completely give it up as a problem comes in trying to get a little bit of an energy
advantage because that
Outpaced his opponents Pokemon. Well, I think the number one
Pokemon that you tomorrow is worried about maybe it is a little spooky that
Horseslaw because that Pokemon all of us fast attack through his entire team in a previous game
And if he leaves a week into pout honor a week in jealousy and out on the field
just one or two astonishings and that very course less suddenly not only KO the Pokemon
But it's now ahead on energy. So these two trainers have been playing against each other quite a while not only in this championship series
But also in the go battle league have to see how they want to do now that they've had this opportunity to see each other face-to-face
Battle against each other one more time. We have a match under review for this game number one
production has it we would love to take a closer look at the situation that is
currently being looked at but again it's the world championship stage want to get
everything right for our competitors the best fairest shots at who wins the
title and this is a big moment for both of these trainers right a lot is on the
line here a model coming in his first ever competition making it all the way
to championship Sunday is absolutely a huge feat.
Meanwhile, Emmy Weedle, someone very decorated
within this circuit, knows what it takes to become a champion.
He's done it once before, he wants to do it again.
Both of these trainers deserve their time
to shine in the spotlight.
Exactly, I think the argument again
has been kind of like, you know,
the newcomer versus the experienced trainer.
One of the most inspiring things about Pokemon GO PDP
is that it is relatively simple to pick up, right?
You've got three Pokemon on each team
and your fast attacks move at the same pace
and you're able to learn your counts.
And as much as it seems like a tap tap game,
there's actually quite a bit of math
and calculations that go into this
and knowing your charge attack party ties
and knowing what's super effective
and when you can swap out.
Those are all critical parts.
There's definitely a lot of strategy within the game.
If you've been watching throughout the weekend
and you've been able to get a chance
to win specific Pokemon,
I know sometimes people are like,
oh, but I don't have a good Timberton
or I don't have a good Pokemon
I would like to play with. Well, they gave away Bielsevoer's actual Tinkerton that he used last year in Anheim to help him win the series with the exact same attack spread.
Exactly. Our team is just always upping the ante and trying to give our trainers the best rewards. And I think that adding a strong Pokemon like that to your roster is very valuable.
You don't want to miss out on that. Make sure to capture every single Pokemon. Review them later. It keeps on the strong ones.
Even if I don't think I'm in a battle with something most Pokemon are just one or two updates away from being meta relative
That's true. We just had a moveset update that will be viable quite soon for Pokemon go
It's very engaging it changes every couple of months
So it's not that you're always using the same Pokemon over and over not only that we've had international championships in
Limited metas with different Pokemon that you've been seeing on this main stage our wonderful partners at scope
Hopefully always keep things exciting, moveset updates, damage adjustments, a lot of Pokemon
coming in and out of the meta, but these two trainers have mastered the current format to
the T. There's some sheer picks on each side.
I think that's definitely something to take away, but the story, as in with most competitive
Pokemon, is defined by those Outlier Picks.
And definitely that one of those Outlier Picks is one that has been really taking
hero Mario far.
Shadow of the Pound was something that a few trainers did bring to Earth.
We saw it on a couple of teams, but it definitely wasn't a top meta pick.
So if I could ask you, right in terms of team reading for show 6 pick 3, if Tinkerton is
so good and we keep talking about it in the drops, why are we not bringing it against
Emmy Weedle?
Well, Emmy Weedle, the other Pokémon that is almost everywhere is that Shadow Canto Ninetales.
Tinkerton was in the third spot for day one.
You just dropped down to the fifth.
It hits so heavy with its charge attack, you can turn hammer, but it doesn't like
those fire type Pokémon.
definitely doesn't like the ground type Pokemon with that shadow quagsire or the
Impoleon that any needle has on his side and and any needle had said before he
used Impoleon in every single matchup up until these winners finals. Another
obstacle to take a time for Hidomaru is that shadow quagsire this was one of
the more fascinating moveset choices to me the fact that any needle opted
for Aqua Tail Mud Bomb when man team was like what top 5 top 6 usage they
They weren't everywhere all over the tournament.
And if you're shadowclack sire,
I think one of the most depressing things
is to be paired up against a man team,
because there's really no way you can hit it
with your double-resistant mud bomb
or your resisted off the table.
Well, Emmy Weedle definitely had a plan to play around that
as he is sitting here on the seat on Championship Sunday,
wondering if he can do it once again,
as he did in London.
This is really a test of these trainers' fortitude,
because maybe you expected to go out
and you felt confident.
Maybe three games I'll win it. I'll take the trophy home and audios, right?
But these trainers are having to sit through this to figure out the
Game-state situation and try to reach an amicable conclusion
I think we might have just arrived the one based on the body language we're seeing.
Yeah, we're giving this information. Same time you guys are we're gonna let you know as soon as we know
What is going on between these two trainers, but agreeing with you will look like there was a thumbs up there
So we'll have to see what will be going on if we're going to keep that game number one or if we're going once again into a grand finals reset
I want everyone at home to take in this arena
Close your eyes imagine yourself on this stage. So we sorry started here up
So we're just getting some information here
There is not going to be a rematch for that game number one
So we're gonna have keep that score number one game going there for hero model in the grand finals
he's got two more to go to become the world champion.
Two games away, but it might as well be miles away because Emilito is so formidable.
And in particular, his Galarian Corsola has been very difficult for Hidomaru to deal with.
He's not been able to find that alignment he wants.
Hidomaru's Licky Licky, I think he's squared up against the Galarian Corsola.
Maybe once in this entire series so far.
Well, I'll have to see how they want to play out these matches.
Normally when trainers start to lock in, you know, you can only pick three Pokémon on this list of six.
So a lot of times the trainers will run through a bit of a matrix in their head, right?
Okay, so if I lead that Licky Licky, what am I going to do if it's that porcelain leaf?
What am I going to do if it's the forage's leaf?
You just do it for every single one of the Pokemon until you have a formula for it.
Let's see.
Looks like we predict that right away.
We got that Licky Licky up against the porcelain.
All of a sudden, here, Maru!
And it looks like immediate pivot out to the Shadow Quacks are on the side of Emmy Hudo.
To be met now with that Hissui and Electrode.
What an insane lead for Hissui and Maru there.
And he swaps immediately to the Hissui and Electrode.
If a single energy ball connects, it might kill a trio of Shadow Quagsires.
This is how much damage it actually does.
He's got it ready.
He could fire it at any moment, but he wants to overcharge and fire on the charge attack priority tie.
But here's the big deal.
Yes, wild charge is going to deep up yourself in no situation would he be throwing the wild charge into the ground and fire or water type Pokemon there.
So now forcing himself to throw this energy ball.
any weedle knows that it's not a bit he has to protect up no matter what if he wants to keep that
quacksire around potential going up on the sui intellectual and he's got a ton of energy to form
it up a little bit more threatening that second shield from any weedle. Any weedle is for to
scratch claw and fight as hard as he can to win control switch advantage because he does not
on his glaring course up up against the opposing licky licky meanwhile kiro maru continues to
apply the pressure but quacksire is just so fast here comes the knock-and-tale. On that floor
or hard counter city there in the lead,
getting that second protection,
this game matchup is going to help decide,
oh, trying to go for a catcher,
see here while I'm fighting,
and actually gives up what he potentially had
with the Galarian course,
with the Licky Licky coming in with his own Licky Licky,
kind of the game, the whole Licky matchup.
This might be a catastrophic misplay here,
but he's gonna make the best of it.
Here tomorrow, kind of shook his head,
he said, oh no, I should have sent out
my shadow-herp out on his stand,
but you can't slow down,
You can't stop, you have to keep on battling.
Gonna throw the body slam there
and try to even up the spear master.
Every single second matters.
Yes, he might have brought in the Pokemon
that he didn't want to, but it's too late now.
We'll see how he recovers in this matchup
as his licky-licky is starting to put damage
into any riddles or sticking out its tongue,
throwing the slams, seeing how low that it can go.
Body slam back and forth as these two normal type titans
whittle down each other's HP.
Switch members are up,
but neither trainer wants to risk swapping out
and giving away Switch advantage, especially Emmy Weedle.
This game got much more dynamic now,
but at this point, he had a great time now.
He's got a ton of energy on that.
Licky, Licky, he's got two body slams loaded,
but he's going to need two to be able to knock out
Emmy Weedle's, as the first one just isn't enough,
doesn't want to throw it right away.
We're seeing actually no touchdown priority.
It's going to be on the side of here tomorrow.
Absolutely critical to try to wrestle back control
switch advantage but he tomorrow even though he's going to double resist any
type of ghost attacks he doesn't have that much HP he might lose the licky
licky regardless it's so close getting into the shadow mode no!
It's astonishing as the glare and porcelain stashes down the Pokemon
calling in with a very nice wave and energy here going to throw the night
shape before the earth power is available but everyone keep in mind the
shields are gone there is an energy ball loaded on the Hissui electric and
And it wins charge attack priority over both of Emmy Weedle's Pokemon.
Oh, you're exactly right.
I think Kirovara needs to hang on to the energy for the Quagsire matchup in the back.
It's very critical that he doesn't make another mental mistake here.
Nightshade number two getting fired off, and this might be a game two win for Emmy Weedle.
This Yasui Electro is quite low.
It has a ton of energy, but it's got two Pokemon to go through.
It might not happen, but he throws his first one to get that Clawr Slot out
of the way.
Energy ball will connect.
Delirium course will will faint, but Emmy Weedle
looks like he already knows he won this battle.
Out comes the shadow, Quagsire,
that's a farm down, Emmy Weedle with the equalizer.
Going ahead, taking that mid game,
both of those shields knocked down.
Emmy Weedle knew his back was against the wall.
That energy ball lurking into that Quagsire
would have been absolutely destroying the Quagsire.
He fails on the swap, but he kept playing.
And you know what happened, Will?
What?
a fumble on the side of here tomorrow sending in that looky looky you see I'm
kind of shaking it off right now recognizing I have that game I maybe
had that game I gotta settle down here I gotta focus to be at the win game
number three gotta shake the nerves gotta zoom in don't think about the
crowd don't think about the magnitude of this moment focus on what you do
best which is competitive Pokemon go PvP these trainers either one I'm
serious either one could take this they are about as evenly matched as we have
ever seen in a Pokemon Go Grand Finals and it's just gonna see-saw back and
forth. And this is a big thing again I know that we keep saying it but it
deserves to be said this is Hero Marl's first time to play live in this huge
setting with everyone he's won the championships on this stage of course
your nerves are gonna be doing a little bit to you you're not used to
this sort of thing but I hope that he can shake it for this game number three
We'll see as Jelous takes a field up against that Shadow Quack Sire.
We have seen this matchup before. I do think that two Charge Stacks on either side is the recipe for success.
But any wheel has been a lot more willing to give away control switch advantage.
Especially if he doesn't think there's a Licky Licky back there. But at this point, he might even think twice.
Going ahead now, going for that first attack, the Surf does land.
We've seen any wheel in the past couple of games can tend to let Pokemon go as soon as they've done their damage, right?
So they say, OK, Clagsart, you're getting that jealous at low.
I can potentially use you.
The next one comes in to farm now through into second.
My bomb, as we saw in the other game,
is not going to be enough to knock out.
And I don't know if we will see a protection
use on the side of every needle.
Yeah, this is nice.
The force in that charge attack priority is high.
Kudomaru might be able to kill the shadow Clagsart here.
Goes for an under charge as well.
He likes to do this, allowing minimal farm.
Simultaneous swap.
Oh my goodness, that'll get the 9-Sail Spines
at Licky-Licky.
What a read.
Amy Riedel says, I know no matter what he's going to swap.
If this doesn't knock out, I need to be quick here,
coming in with that Kanto Ninetales
to get off as much energy and damage as possible,
as quickly as possible.
Moving the pieces around and the pieces fell
in a place that cuto Mario might not like in hindsight,
but he's going to fire off the body stand here
to try to deal some damage to that Shadow Kanto Ninetales.
The shield comes up, Amy Riedel.
That's the first step back into this game.
Go ahead, first the body slam bait,
now the Shadow Kanto Ninetales,
real deal getting both protect shields in this mid game after. And Guido has a ton of energy on the
ShadowCampion 9-tels. It's up to him where he wants to deploy because there's still two protection
upflips on the side. Miramar trying to go for a catch. Unsuccessful as Horsesley comes in to sweep
off that jealousy in the back. And Guido is not shaken here. He anticipated the swap. He knew
he had so much energy on the Kampion 9-tels and then Kudo Mara was going to try to waste it.
But again he switched off his Galerian Corsa. Kudo Mara went fishing and he reeled in
course on the other side. He said, okay, I'll wait even if you don't throw, I'm gonna get that
course look out of the way with this Licky Licky. Coming back in, Emmy Weedle has a choice to throw.
Now he definitely wants to throw the not gross attack to power him. It is enough to knock out the Licky Licky,
but Emmy Weedle has zero shields left. There's an ensuing electrocute coming in, and Hiramaro has two to hide behind.
Yeah, that Canton Eye Tales has so much energy as well, so I would not be surprised to see Hiramaro let this
Nightshade through he's got a big threat and it's lurking in the back on the bench
But he's got to overcharge a ton of energy avoid a catch. It's gonna be real real tough from here on out
Yeah, before you know you see the way to try to go ahead and do that blood
The quacks are going down, but look how low this is suing the lecturers. There's two shields left, but guess what?
They'll catch a tent and any we don't know. He knows that this is the end for game number three
The wild charges are not gonna slow down. They're gonna plug in and power up. That's one KO
He's doing a lecture looking for another one in there's another
This is doing a lecture looks angry once a bit up the bench once game number three. Wild Church for you
Wild Church for you game three for Hero Barrow
Well done
Well done
In spite of the stumble, Yudemaru finds his way in that battle number three and now he stands on the absolute precipice
of becoming your Pokemon Go World Champion.
That's a mentality of a champion, right?
Do you recognize, okay, maybe I could have won
that previous game.
I can't let that shake me.
I have to put that in my past
because I need to focus on the future
and the future is me winning this game.
I mean, Weedle needs to win two battles here
to become your World Champion,
but he's no stranger to equalizing things
just when it feels like he's out of it.
So in this next battle, he's looking to make some adjustments.
That swap out right there, that's so instrumental to him tomorrow.
He's able to pull that glaring course left back onto the field and get that alignment.
Even though he didn't have it earlier on in the game.
He's not going to do that again, I'm sure, in this next battle.
It's so dangerous, right?
And I think a lot of times trainers opt for so many different opportunities
while they're playing this game.
Do I want to go for a switch advantage?
Do I want to go for shield advantage?
The most secure amount is definitely going for that shield advantage there.
as you saw he had two shields too high behind at the end. We're hopping into this game. If
Piramar takes this he is our San Francisco World Champion. A lot is on the line. Both of these
trainers. If you look in the lead, Shadowhawk on the history in the lecture of Piramar. Meanwhile,
Shadow Quack Slayer again in the lead for Amy Needle of the Shadowpins and I-Tales and
Polar Encoursel of Kindet. Shadowball number one connects. Going through we've seen quite a
few times by Amy Needle knowing that neither one of the attacks that were thrown is
going to threaten the knockout and what he wants to do is get a ton of energy this
first mudbomb goes through he'll win that charge attack by already throwing right
before the body slam is available. If Emilito is worried about his galeric
torso being trapped he's got to feel a huge sense of relief because the
licky-licky on the field right now means he can see the problem he can
address it he can do something about it and it looks like he's been
allowed to shatter the outside to absorb another body slam.
Body slam number one going through the first that shadow ball actually in a
And maybe Pippin, because he recognized that that's exactly what Hiramaru's gonna do time
after time, he lets a little bit of help be closer to the Huda Maru, and then Emiwino says
okay, big course to the counter out of the way, it's coming in, show me what you got,
Earth Power coming through.
Shadow Huda Maru has been the most valuable Pokemon for Hiramaru, and that Earth Power
is unable to trigger the defense drop, but it does a heap of damage, and if
this juncture, Hiramaru will likely protect Huda Maru, but he decides to it the
last second.
because if we take a peek at those back lines there,
this is actually one of the few times
that Kato Amaro has put up a shield in the making
and not saving it, at least in the electrode in the back.
But any needle has that Kanto Ninetales,
and let me tell you one thing,
well, Grass doesn't really like fire.
No, it does not.
Next Night's Sade will connect
into the Shadow Hapodon.
This won't likely KO that Pokemon
and force Kato Amaro to choose his next.
But look at the swap.
I mean, we don't already going for the Kanto Ninetales
and it eats the electrode.
This is going to be very close.
Why don't you look for both of these trainers?
Going for that weather ball number one.
You see Emilio kind of shaking his head.
No, he thinks he really has to concentrate on this moment
while George would be enough to do it
and have a frail way or not to do this.
And then if you ball bait, it would also
be enough to strip that shield.
Wow, does Emilio touches it up?
He thinks that's the play that he needed to make.
He's doubled up on the weather balls.
Here's the first knockout.
And Emilio is almost at the equalizer for the series.
Not knowing that Weatherball is huge for us,
and we're only just getting more energy.
Yes, he's going to be able to have to use the shield
for the Wild Church, but he's got a weather ball of his own.
Already, it's live up to go there,
getting that first protect shield.
Weatherball, tell it to move.
No protect shield by here tomorrow.
Pants shaking, palms are sweaty.
That is a game for win for Emmy Weedow
and our grand finals reset.
We'll go the distance, everybody.
We're heading into a decisive game number five.
I mean, we will set us all that free ball flex you did a little bit early on.
Don't look fun.
Let me go ahead and try it too, as all three Pokemon remain on the field to take that game number four.
And this is the grand finals reset.
We have one more game to decide who will be the 2026 San Francisco World Champion.
Season of effort, a career of accomplishments,
And it all hinges on the next four minutes.
This is the peak.
This is the summit that these trainers have dreamed up their entire lives.
And they are standing here feet on the ground, eyes to the sky.
Game five is on the horizon.
But only one of these trainers will be your world champion.
Here, Maro came in from that winner's side of the bracket.
defeating N. E. Wiedel in a 3-2 victory on day two of championship.
However, N. E. Wiedel ended up snatching that victory back in the grand finals here
on the main stage here on Championship Sunday.
All eyes are on these two trainers in the next few moments,
both of them taking a breath, taking a moment to realize, this could be me.
I could be next.
We're hopping in to game number five.
Charleston in the lead versus the Shadow Clikes after Emmy Weedle.
It all comes down to this, everyone.
The suing electrode and leaky leaky purgatory motor on the bench.
Meanwhile, Shadow Pins and Rine Tails and Glarey Corsola for Emmy Weedle.
We've seen this quite a few times and we've seen a lot of simultaneous squawks.
So we'll have to see if either one of these trainers are going to do anything a little bit different
now that this is truly the moment that will define their careers.
Surf number one, come through from that, Charleston.
No protection of use by Emmy Weedle.
It looks so, you know, by the pulse so far.
Yeah, exactly.
You've seen a very similar song and dance before,
but will it change up here at the finale?
Mudbomb number two connects.
Gelsen hangs on as expected.
It's already got the serve, not waiting a turn,
actually throwing the charge deck here.
I mean, Beatles, his Shadow Plex
would be the first Pokemon care.
Going ahead, letting that get knocked out,
keeping the protect shields in the back,
keeping in mind what could be coming in,
just getting a ton of water with this gander.
No, that is a crushing KO there as he's unable to get to the certain outcomes of Licky and Licky as well, and Enny Vito knows this is a good sign. His glaring torso, his most valuable Pokemon is still in the back.
This was huge. Even though Karamo ended up having the Pokemon that remained at the end, Enny Vito got to dictate the Pokemon that are coming in. If that Licky and Licky was on that point of course, it would have been devastating.
I'm devastating if that Kanto Nytales was on the suit.
Let's do the same story here.
It's going to be a very engaging by the very end
of this tournament.
And Iwido just wants all the energy.
His shadow Kanto Nytales can muster.
What the ball coming through, I've got to be honest.
I don't know if this is enough.
Licky Licky does hang on.
It's got to charge that credit.
Firing the shadow ball, and Iwido force the shield.
Oh boy, no protection now.
My empty Wittle's shadow ball would do a ton of damage.
And Iwido has such an energy advantage
at the beginning, throwing this first buzzer ball
as he sees his Sulu in the electrode coming in,
giving the first protection up here on the side.
That's only the first protect shield
and it looks like you tomorrow might have an advantage,
but there's such a long road still to go
and any needle takes those shields right back
away from his opponent.
Going ahead, just taking them.
I have to wonder if you're any needle
if there's gonna stay in
or if you're gonna make them throw energy.
No, swapping a bead into that gap
over there in force flow here.
Energy ball number one coming through here.
This is Sulu in the electrode.
Try everything again to take out two Pokemon.
Going on good timing.
A defense drop here would be absolutely massive.
Just get it.
Does that mean the second energy ball is enough?
Doesn't throw the charge check priority.
I think you know, Mara's trying to double up her charge
stats, but his Assuming Electrode needs to hang on.
And the thing about Assuming Electrode is it needs,
it's available to take out of that red here.
Going for two.
Looks like he is almost there.
He's at the Wild Charge.
He's on a sliver of health here, going for the attack.
wild charge number one, getting fired off,
Galeria carves for a face,
out comes the final Pokemon,
shout it out to my death, but the Ember connects.
Going ahead now, look at the Ember with people
before the charge attack went through here,
and Ember put his head in the stands
and he recognizes what a horrible situation it is
to even still win in this type of scenario.
Oh my goodness everyone, what just happened on stage?
I think we all need to take a moment take a breath because this is huge for both of these trainers this came down to the wire
And I think a lot of us recognize that he had two
Charge techs stored first one for the first look to be able to knock out second one for the ninetales
Ninetales energy went through first knock out the ensuing electro
Exactly, I mean you've got the double charge techs, right?
It's as simple as just tapping the button and swiping the bubbles, but in a moment like this when the emotions are so high
The peak of a career the moment of a lifetime
Sometimes things just don't go your way. Yeah, I mean everything was in the driver's seat there for here
I'll regardless of how this last game is going down
These trainers have been playing absolutely incredible all week and long on the stage giving us such an amazing
performance in such a show. I mean they've given everything right the sweat the tears the effort
not only this weekend but also all season every single motion every single poker stop
spun every pokemon captured every egg hatched every friend made along the way it all has built up
to this very moment as our two worlds finalists are going to have a discussion with the judges
Now this was the best of five matchup we've ridden to all the way to game number five here
and even so absolutely down to the wire.
It was anyone's matchup until the end here.
And so I have to believe I don't blame them for taking a moment here to look over what's
been happening.
Exactly.
I mean facing his hands.
I don't think any leader has moved from that position as he tomorrow talks with
his translator there.
My goodness.
I'm gobsmacked.
Honestly.
Yeah.
What have you ever been in a situation quite like this?
And especially when there's so much online, right?
We have Piro Morrow coming in, first championship,
first Japanese trainer to be able to make it to the finals
here.
Emmy Weedle, our only ever senior world division champion,
looking for his second title, already breaking so many records,
being the only other world champion
to be able to make it back to championship Sunday.
What storylines we have for both of these trainers?
but in the end there can only be one.
I mean just think of the accolades, right?
Being able to bookend competitive Pokemon Go,
first every senior division world champion
and finishing as the world champion
and that's what's really on the line here
as these two trainers have given everything to the series.
They've given everything to this event
and I'm sure their hearts are absolutely beating
out of their chest.
We're getting some word here.
It looks like there will be a rematch for this match up there.
So that means we are getting a brand new mess of five.
The match rules, game five.
Well, everyone, that was pretty fun the first time.
Why don't we do it again?
Both of these trainers here.
I know that they made me look a little bit defeated at this point.
They've been on stage for quite a while.
The nerves are so high between these trainers.
You still see Emmy Riedel's head in his hand a little bit.
He knows it was going to be another game.
And I can't imagine, right?
I can't imagine the whirlwind of feelings
that both of these trainers are feeling.
They thought it was over.
They thought that was the end.
But there's one more challenge ahead of both of them.
And this is the real test, right?
Can you put those feelings aside?
Can you return back to baseline?
Can you walk in one last time when it matters the most?
I don't blame, I mean there's a lot of emotions going on in this very moment.
If there is something that doesn't play out correctly within the game, it's automatically
guaranteed as a rematch. So that means that we are going into a new decisive game number five
for this moment. My goodness, what a photo finish it would have been but history will show
that this next battle is the true final battle of the 2026 competitive season. A lot of discussion
on the table there. We don't have any insight into that. We can't hear what the judges or the
trainers are saying, so we trust them to make the right decision and get this next game on the
road. Yeah, and you know what? I mean, there's a lot of emotions on the field here, but it
just means more Pokemon Go games for us. And as I know, a lot of people in the audience,
A lot of people at home love to watch all these matches.
So while we maybe have played a few of our games
and was expected, well, I'm here for it.
I'm here for it, too.
I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
And this is a hard moment, especially for our competitors,
but they have to push through.
They have to pull the pieces together one more time,
even though you thought the plan was perfect.
You thought the team was excellent
and the execution was immaculate.
This is it. There's one more round to go here in our Best of Five Grand Finals reset.
Here tomorrow, winners finals up against Enny Weedle took it down to the line here.
Best of Five matchups 2-2 at the end, ended up being able to take game number three to put him in this seat on the winner side of the bracket championship Sunday.
However, Enny Weedle coming back here lost game number one of the Grand Finals, but while the next three they've been neck and neck.
this entire time, taking it down to almost game five every single time.
I said it and I wasn't being hyperbolic.
This is absolutely the closest we've had in terms of our skill levels for our grand finals
competitors and the competitive Pokemon Go.
It's been five years, five years of champions.
And this has to be, I mean, I can't even see the dividing line between these two trainers.
Yeah, truthfully, it could be anyone's game at this moment.
these two trainers are getting ready for their next battle.
As we will see who will become the 2026 San Francisco world champion.
Tensions are high.
I think a lot of things are on the line for both of these trainers.
Nerves gotta be really, really shaken up at this point, but my goodness,
they gotta settle it down to see.
Any read all talking with his opponent.
There's so much shared respect on the stage there between these two young
talented trainers, so much on the line, but I cannot wait to see how it plays out.
It's tough, right? Because, I mean, if you're any regal, you probably felt like, you know,
you had the right team and if you're here tomorrow, you feel like you made the right
plays. You've got to do it one more time. When it matters the most and when your
energy is already peaked and you're, you know, trying to calm down, this is difficult.
That game after game here, these two trainers have proved time and time again why they
are here on Championship Sunday, showing you all what they have.
They've been going back and forth.
They've been bringing unique Pokemon.
They've been having fantastic catches, great team calls.
Saving Shield's still the very end,
and this is getting to the point
where we're going to find out who will be the champion.
Shadow Kento Ninetales, as well as that Shadow Bagsire
and Glaren Corsa have been very valuable
for Emmy Weedle meanwhile.
That Shadow Hapaldon has started to find some light.
It's looked as impressive as it did yesterday
when Hiromaru was using it on the main stage.
I guess the Suin Electro has really stolen the show.
It almost took the whole thing.
Yeah, that's what I wanted to say earlier on.
I mean, I know that he said his Shadow of Haldon
was going to be his MVP, but I think that the Suin Electro
has really helped pilot his success so far here
on Sunday.
These games have been so, so close.
Good to meet you, Rito.
Trying to focus in.
Scanning the battle codes.
are going to get started here shortly, everyone.
I see more and more fans piling into the arena as well.
If you're new here, you are in for an absolute treat
because this is about to be cinema.
Now, see both of these trainers,
they've been out here for a while.
They've gone through the gauntlet of trainers.
So many different people who could have been named champion.
There have been so many good competitors
throughout the weekend.
It's boiled down in two.
We are really at the point we're about to have
one more game to see who will be that champion.
But it's so tough wrenching for both of these trainers at this moment.
As you can see, I mean, Will, his head is in his hands.
Hiramaru really looking like quite tired and devastated himself.
I'm telling you, I don't know.
I've never been in the situation, right?
I don't know if any of us have, but you have to find a way to push those
emotions to the side and do what you came here to do.
do what you've been doing all weekend long, which is playing incredibly good
competitive Pokemon. Our two worlds finalists are looking to do exactly that.
So much on the line, and they've already given so much, but they have to give a
little bit more one last time. Both of them have their phones in their hands.
They're looking at the screens. We're thinking that we might be getting into
these battles fairly, fairly soon as they just take a moment to decide what
they're going to lock in for this matchup. If you're just tuning in now,
It's been a male fighter through this entire series.
We are at the game five of a best of five matchup in the grand finals.
Reset, see who will be this champion.
Both of these trainers doing so incredibly well throughout, but the motions,
the tension, everything is so high.
Jumping out into game number five.
Jealousy from Yurimaru versus that shadow Quacks are from Amy Weedle.
This is probably the fourth or fifth time we've seen this matchup play out.
We know just about exactly how it goes.
This time though, can you read all over charge to the mudbomb?
Drawing that first mudbomb, if there's been anything like the past couple of things that we have seen,
we're not going to see any protection used on this first Pokemon from either side here.
You're now charging up a little bit extra.
Throw out the Shadow Bomb here for a system duel.
A little bit more hemp than that swift one.
Shaking things up a little bit, no protection used by any read all.
I really like the adjustment there. It brings that Shadow Bagsage down deep into the red,
and second mudbomb is ready to go.
And if he tomorrow is actually sticking to the script outside of that Shadow Hall,
he's going to no shield both of the charge attacks from the Shadow Fax side.
It gets the Jealousy low, and he ends up staying in for a little bit more,
charging up a little bit more energy, and swapping out some energy at both ends,
and now swapping in the Sweet Electroch, into that Shadow Pantry 9-Tails on the side of M.E. Reedle.
Got a couple of Thunder Shots off the swap, so he is going to be able to equalize the pacing,
just slightly more closely than he would from a dead heat.
He's going to go ahead and fire the first wild charge.
And at this point, the Cantonites will use the first protect shield.
The shield was over because this is charge tech.
He's going to be in the front with a higher tech.
He'll go first.
That was the electrode.
Now the weather ball is going to be fired up, giving a shield back in time.
There's going to be some more energy being thrown here.
And the weather ball number two goes through.
Just here at my all-in-these cold protect shields in this mid-game matchup.
Absolutely.
Wow, in spite of the slight head start,
he's still not able to beat that shadow.
Cantonites goes to the punch on the second weather ball.
wild charge will command the second shield though from Emuelito.
Coming now through, no protections left for inter-training the end of the game,
but the switch time is also back, but Emuelito actually swaps out first,
anticipates the swap of the year well,
here Amaro actually stays in a little bit more,
gets a twang of energy on his suing Electro
before swapping in to silk that damage on his own giant clicky-licky.
I think that's incredible, right?
You tomorrow saw the swap coming, did not fall for it,
didn't even blink in comes the near-match up that we've seen several times today.
But this is the last time you'll see it this season, traders.
So, let's fettle in.
We know that Hiromaru's Licky Licky does win that Charge Check priority if it comes down to it.
So both of these trainers are not only keeping eye on the health and energy of their Licky Licky,
they're also keeping an eye on that Switch Timer because every time an attack is thrown,
a little bit of that timer gets eaten up.
If you have a Pokemon that has stick like this, they can take a body slam after body slam.
Look at this, and we need a Switch Timer already up.
Exactly, and as you called out earlier, the Charge Check Party tie will go to Hiromaru's
Licky Licky each and every time as that charge attack connects, Switch Timber is also up for
Ami Lito and it's likely up for Hito Maru as well. This is when things start to get serious because
Egor Trader could swap at any half second. And you don't want the tax penalty lost on anything
that's actually Ami Lito opting to go first. There was quite a bit of energy onto that
Licky Licky, swaps into that flag sire and ends up taking it out but there's a little bit
of help left on it and there's no potential. It comes into the Suryu Electro and completely
Arm it down. Now, no matter what comes in, it's going to have to take a charge attack.
That was massive. I mean, this is Suni Lecturer. He's almost at the double.
There are two Pokemon remaining.
Emmy Lido will likely have to send out his Licky.
Licky loses the charge attack priority tie. Here comes the wild charge.
How much energy is on that Shadowcatcher Ninetales?
Huda Mario needs to recall now.
There was a blind wild charge there, and then the media pivoted to smoke.
Going in with a surfboard, this Jellison had saved up all that energy earlier on.
This is a shadow damage here. This serve connects with the nightels.
It came up and that is it!
Hiromaru, let the emotions watch over you.
You are a Pokemon Go World Champion!
Heroes rise and heroes fall, but Hiromaru takes it all!
So well done.
So many battles fought in spite of the rematches
in spite of the stumbles both these trainers gave everything they could to
this grand finals and we thought if he'd be pursuing a electro show but jealous
they came in there to steal the spotlight
You see him bumping his fist, this is a trainer, it's the first time he's competed at the world championships
this is the first time a Japanese trainer has been on the main stage and this is the first time that he is taking it all home
Tomorrow is going to bring that trophy back home to his region and could not be more proud.
What a series.
What a fracking really good.
Oh my goodness.
You see Emmy Weedle's mom, they're clapping and they crowd proud for her son who did such an amazing job throughout this tournament, throughout this whole competitive series.
Emmy Weedle, fantastic trainer, but here tomorrow took it all.
What a series.
What a time.
What a step for a lifetime of memories as we head down to Fareed on the floor for an interview with your new world champion.
Hiromaru, you are the world champion. Can you share what's going through your mind right now?
Hiromaru-san, I'm the winner of the Pokemon World Championships.
I'm going to tell you what I'm thinking and what I'm thinking about.
There were a lot of things, but I'm really happy.
The number of games that you had to play shows a level of mentality that is amazing.
How did you fight through that entire set after the bracket reset?
In the last round, we had a lot of battles, and we also had a bracket reset.
How did you manage to make a skin reset?
Even though I lost, I was able to restrain myself.
Even though I lost, we said that the back kicker we see here, I was able to restrain the guys and was able to come back through.
You are representing Japan here in San Francisco and you have won. What does that mean to represent your nation?
Mr. Hiromaru came from Japan and won the first Pokemon Go in Japan.
Can you tell us how you feel about being in Japan now?
I can't believe I'm standing here.
I'm really happy to be the first champion in Japan.
Thank you for your end game.
So, as world champion, you get a special pose, you get a special outfit and these should
now have been added to your account.
So I'd like you to go onto your trainer account, into your style and you can click onto the
outfits just here.
Hiramaru, that is your world champion outfit.
That is your world champion pose.
Jay Center, give it up!
It's Hiramaru!
What an incredible grand final that was for Pokemon Go.
There is so much to digest,
and we have some brilliant analysts
who've loved to take you through everything that's happened here
this weekend in San Francisco.
Thank you for it.
And what an incredible grand finals and performance
in Hiramawa throughout the entire week.
He fought so badly and had so much grit throughout
in his first ever World Championship.
And probably not going to be his last two of butters.
How do you feel now for that one?
I'm not sure if I've seen a Pokemon go trainer
with the belief in his Pokemon as Hiramawa
just demonstrated not only yesterday but today to become your Pokemon Go world champion. How about
closing it off with back-to-back charge attacks two times in a row to seal the deal. The anticipation
to call a counter swap after four shields went down. An incredible world champion.
I really felt like we were doing a dance the whole time between the Corsair and the Licky
Licky and seeing where that alignment was going to stack up and then at the same time you
we had the electrode versus the nine tails as well. There were just so many components
that were so incremental in this victory. Honestly, every single second was just spectacular.
And what had mattered the most, it felt like the defining lead match of that series was
the jealous enter versus the quagsire. So often was jealous of taking the knockout
there. However, the reveal at the end, the adjustment in game number five to throw the shadow
ball, bank the serve and almost flip assuming electrodes were matching against it. Electrode
was trying to dodge the Kanto Ninetales all set, but he ends up safe switching it with the
Bangtorch attack. Weedle has to try and predict the switch out, but he stays on the field,
and at the end, the Surf connects. Ninetales fell, and hero Maru was crowned champion.
It's such a great point because the shift from yesterday to today for
Emmy Weedle was the Glaring Corsula, right? He didn't bring that early on in the Winners
Finals. He brought that in the Grand Finals, and that was the problem Pokemon. I believe he
He got three or four crucial fast attacks down
with the astonish and able to do that.
And as you see, these are your top three here.
Of course, we have two trainers
from the Japan region in your top three.
Amy Weedle is your finalist as well.
And we got Kanto No in that third place.
Four years ago in London,
in Poponko's first ever world championship,
we had Crescent Angels from Japan
get that third in the highest finish from Japan.
and since then they haven't eclipsed that until this year,
four years later, Contono getting that third place,
and then we do another Grand Finals
in a World Championships in Hero Mall,
taking the crown and taking the title to Japan
on the 30th anniversary of Pokemon.
And I wanna talk about some of these Pokemon as well.
We have so many familiar faces in the form
of Licky Licky, the Tinkerton,
also Dondozo really making a splash here
at the Pokemon World Championships,
But the unsung hero, and I cannot believe I'm actually saying this, is that Hippowdon is a world champion.
Not only that, but in that final, we had so many other interesting choices.
Of course, the Flauja's doing incredibly well. The Electrode too.
What I like as we take a look across Hiro Marus's team is,
if you take a look at the Hippowdon and the Electrode, and you take a look across the other seven teams,
you don't see a Hippowdon, you don't see an Electrode.
Sometimes to be crowned champion, you have to take a risk,
You have to choose Pokemon you believe in, even if others don't believe in them as well.
And it pays off as Hiromaru is our new world champion.
We see so many of our decorated players in that top eight.
Of course, there's the prize money as well, the $20,000 in that first place
that will go to Hiromaru as well as the trophy and all the athletes.
But more importantly, he has Etch's name in the history books of Pokemon Go.
And of course, you get a trophy if you're in the top four.
in the previous seasons where if you got top four
at the World Championships, you do qualify
for the next season Pokemon Go World Championships as well.
So congratulations to all of our trainers
that got in the prize and here
at the Pokemon Go World Championships.
All right, trainers, are you ready?
Let's crown our world champion.
The best of the best delivered a bracket reset.
And now, we must deliver the props our finalists deserve.
Join me in celebrating our 2026 Pokemon Go World Championship finalists.
First, we have our runner-up, M. E. Weedle!
And our next finalist.
First World Championship run, first world championship title.
Everybody, get wild for here tomorrow!
I
Everybody give it up one last time here's 2026 Pokemon go world championship runner-up and champion
We'll get things going with the Pokemon trading card game, but for now, let's wrap up Pokemon
Go at the analyst desk.
30 years of Pokemon, 10 years of Pokemon Go and for us in Championship Series, it's
our fifth world championships and you cannot talk about Pokemon Go championship series history
without mentioning the legendary chapters of any Weedle in Hiromaru.
And that is it was such an incredible road getting to the world championships even qualifying
is a feat in itself and Hiromaru has tried three separate times in his in his third
time this year he made it and it just shows how far he can take it the moment
makes this big station that any trainer truly could take it all and I love that
we got the bracket reset as well you know at the end of the day the best of
the best qualified to be here at the Pokemon World Championships and then we
ended up with two trainers remaining we wanted to make sure that we had as
much action as possible and to be able to reset that bracket just meant
that every single moment was more instrumental to that victory a lot
of incredible memories and I think as we take a look back across our top
12th Pokemon from day number two. We're gonna see quite a few Pokemon on screen,
but also the Pokemon that are missing are the ones that are interesting to be no
hip-hop on it, no Electro-Hiromaru, forging his own path and he did so
incredibly. And even the Jealousy as well. And we saw in the winners finals, he
used that trio in every single battle for four straight games to get on that
winners side of the bracket. If he didn't do so, he could have lost the
World Championships by being on that loser's side, but he had that cushion and it reset and he was able to take championships
And that's something so impressive out here tomorrow and
Contoso last one got third place. They didn't go with the flow of all the other place
They went against the meta
They went against the grain and they did it their way and they made it so far into this tournament because of it
That's a beautiful part about Pokemon go and Pokemon in general is that yes
There's certain Pokemon that a lot of people use a lot people love to use but you can also make your signature Pokemon your MVP
Dicks work in the right moments. I love that sentiment
You know you can indeed sometimes win with your favorites
And then maybe a Pokemon favor is still yet to be conjured up if you do have great success with it
I know you've enjoyed those oh throughout this tournament having your home slides
Three don't doze is the top eight is more than I ever could have hoped for it just seems so many trainers go against the grain
have incredible success has been really fun to see even as those top Pokemon are
revealed Pokemon like the Licky Licky and the Kanto Ninetales the choice to
run that have out on a sudden and clear out on the resistive rollout it has
super effective pressure into that Kanto Ninetales and honestly it was a really
tough Pokemon for any middle to try and play around because he's in pressure
from that out on and in the end the most meaningful Pokemon was the
Hissumi and Electrode it is 12th on the usage here and it's countered by
the shadow kanto night sales that's probably the strongest pokemon in the entire meta right now
so to be able to do that the belief as we talked about before it really is the story of pokemon
definitely and you know some of these pics it takes a brilliant mind to free it was convinced
others that these pokemon can't even be usable can't even win it all and we can take a look
at some of the cast predictions too hey uh i see a couple wait hold on there's a hup out on
on your side too as well, Henry, so we got all, you know,
winners here on this one, a lot of his team are electro there.
You know, I appreciate this place from Fareed
and maybe those Pokemon didn't necessarily make it
to the grand finals, but maybe in his hands,
he would have done it.
I'm not gonna lie, feeling pretty good
with this Asuna Electro here.
I told you not to ask, there we go.
I think, I mean, obviously I was gonna pick
my boy Gastrodon, but there was a lot of great
utility from Pokemon like the Fludges and the Thiebel
as well that we got to see throughout the competition
the broadcast but of course the superstar really is that nine tells as
well we saw it time and time again it was a popular choice amongst those
classes so I do think I was on something that even if I didn't necessarily have the
winning numbers there I had some good good scores I'd say. I feel it pretty
okay with mine about on the only about on on the bracket ends up taking
home the world championship three Dandozos in the top eight we saw quite
a few Manteens but the Manteens they kind of fizzle out towards the end of
day two and annihilate it appears it won back-to-back regionals sorry back
World Championships, but it was unable to get the 3P.
Yeah, Annihilator, of course, one of the strongest Pokemon ever.
I had that in my predictions as well, but we actually did pretty good, which isn't always the case.
It's always the trainers that are doing awesome, but it's nice to see the caster predictions go kind of well for us as well.
And definitely, and that's, you know, just a really cool part here of Pokemon Go,
because you can just build a team however you would like to and try to make the Simshi's work.
They might not make sense on their own, but paired with certain Pokemon, you've got the
history of the show, paired with the Shadow of the Shadow, making something no one ever
thought of.
And maybe the only team with those specific two Pokemon combinations is what makes certain
Pokemon unleash their true potential.
I think as well throughout this 20-26 season, we've seen so many different archetypes
rise to the top as different meta evolutions come through.
We are in that forever forward meta, and this is kind of the end point that we've
been able to achieve.
got a glimpse of the Turin event very at the end of the summer.
And now to be able to be here at Worlds and see how it has evolved over time
has been incredible.
Going into the next season, things are completely going to change.
The end of the 2026 season, I think, was a very special one,
because we had a lot of trainers being able to win first-time events.
We had Arrow winning in Los Angeles,
Caspian Pike who had a great performance at Worlds,
winning in Indianapolis,
and then the crowning jewel of the 2026 season,
Hero Maru in his first ever Worlds,
able to take on the ground.
it be crowned our 2026 World Champion.
I think 2026, the story has been ascension,
just as it was in the regional championships,
in some international championships as well.
We're won by some dominant trainers,
but here in the world championships,
a trainer that we haven't seen before.
From a region we're not as familiar with,
but these Japanese trainers pulled off two of the top three
of the Pokemon World Championships
and had eight of the remaining 32 in day number two.
And speaking of regions we're not very familiar with,
that makes it, including this year's World Championships,
three years in a row that APAC as the whole
has taken a while.
Oh wow, okay, let's go, let's go.
And you've got Yikai in 2024 in Hong Kong, Hawaii,
from Hong Kong, and we've got Fields of War
from India, last year in Anaheim,
and this year we have Hiromaru from Japan.
They have way less tournaments,
way less chances to qualify,
but that means that everyone that comes out
of those regions are absolute monsters at the game,
and definitely a region that if you didn't respect it for,
you better respect it.
I feel like you've just thrown the challenge
caught in the downfall of the other regions
going into the 2020.
Yeah, we got figured out.
Yeah, like, come on guys, step up your game.
What are you doing over here?
I think that's one of the nice things though,
is that the end of the season,
yes, it's the end of one era,
but it's the start of a new one as well.
And for a lot of trainers watching that particular game
in the tournament all weekend long,
they're gonna be inspired.
Whether they're a veteran of the competition
or maybe a new viewer tuning into Pokemon Go
for the very first time,
hopefully we're gonna see the game grow and grow.
Well, to that point, we are ending the era a little bit
for Pokemon Go Championship Series,
where we've had five of the individual World Championships.
But next year, we're gonna have some
Team Pokemon Go World Championships.
And I believe we are ready to head over to TCG.
So let's get on to the stage.
Two titles down, two more to go.
Our next title has challenged our trainers to adapt, innovate, and outplay the competition.
And now three more names will join the ranks of those imprinted upon the banners above.
Everybody, it is time for our Pokemon trading card game finalists.
And that is too much!
A punk helmet, because why not?
That's the KO on Azorlock!
We retreat, we guff, we KO, we win!
He's going to take out his armor!
That's the boss!
He's in the KO with Moltres!
He's heavily stopped!
It seemed like she had no way back.
This is so hard to get to this point.
We headed to a third and deciding gate.
He's gonna extend the hand here.
Here a miracle run continues and seems to be inevitable is coming. That's it bosses orders
KOs. We are going to a game-free since Esprit Blastat. That's the hop-set. I'm the A-buck up the auger is back!
If future Hedrick finds bosses orders, he will win the game.
Now an opportunity to become a world champion.
Everyone at home, everyone in the Chase Center, are you ready to meet your TCG Junior finalists?
First up, you saw him rocking the pillar at NAIC and now he's come to make his mark on
the world championship stage.
Next up, you've seen him as the victor of the Japan Championship Series.
Now looking to take off against a new rival.
Everybody give a warm welcome to Araki Yuta.
All right, Luke.
It wasn't that long ago that we saw you competing at NAIC,
getting that victory.
How have things changed for you as a competitor
from then until now?
Not much.
I've just found a new deck and played it a lot.
Reps are very important, and a new deck,
something to look forward to.
All right, Utah.
You've been playing for about four years now.
You're coming to us after winning the JCS.
How have you been preparing to make your debut
on a stage like this?
I'm going to play with my friends and practice a lot of raps, practice, practice, practice.
That's what it takes to make it here on the world championship stage, but it is time for you to make your way to your battle stations and get
RTCG finals started
two of the world's best competitors in the junior's division fighting to see who will be this year's world champion
cannot stress enough how big this match is and what is on the line for both of
these competitors. And one thing is for certain even it is going to be a good
old classic Dragapult mirror match as you can see on your screen but of course
with anything about Dragapult it is always about which variant you are
going to bring to the tournament that seems that both of our competitors have
decided to go two separate separate ways. That is the versatility of course
of Dragapult EX, the most powerful EX Pokemon many would consider in the format.
It's all about that phantom dive attack. You'll leave damage to the active
Pokemon while spreading damage counters on to the bench. Welcome in, ladies and
gentlemen, to the TCG portion of tonight's championship Sunday. My name is
Ethan Hegge, Emily Foreman is joining me. What a match and what a plethora of
matches we have in store for you all today. If it's one thing that is for
You just never know what you're going to sit across from in the Pokemon trading parking over the past season
We've seen plenty of decks take home the gold and especially across different divisions
We've seen different decks really kind of price at the top
So I'm interested to see two of our competitors four champions in their own right who is going to come out on top of the world
It is a battle of North America up against Japan two
national champions paid their way through the opposite sides of the bracket. As you
see a lot of Dragapult in this year, excuse me, in this bracket, Luke advancing
into the semi-finals to hit down Michael in that mirror match, Yuta doing the same
against Bo Sen Chang they need now in the finals. It's so interesting to see
which variants of Dragapult really come to the top of the meta at a time
because there are so many micro decisions if Michael thinking that you
really do. I mean technically they all kind of counter each other in some sort of way here.
So I'm excited to see Luke return to the stage here, but of course Utah as well, a very well-known
junior in Japan. Otev put a lot of time into this deck. Talk to him a little bit before the match
today. Essentially playing Dragonfall for the end of the season. Those repetitions are going to
to come in extremely important for this year match. You can see who is predicting
on each side and it looks like Team USA not the most representative family. You
are one of Luke's supporters here. Well I gotta tell you why Ethan it's because
I'm back on Luke's tournament and I did see that Utah had actually taken a boss
to drag approach to Dunn's horse a little bit earlier in the round so I am
I'm going off of that knowledge, but I think for you, Ethan, you're going to go based off of the match-up,
and Dusknoor is going to have a lot to say about the Duns cars.
It's so hard to pick one of these trainers. I wish I could put that logo right in the middle, say,
either champion is fine, and that is definitely the case.
That Dusknoor's first blast ability, 100% something to keep in mind in this match-up.
Players get ready, get down to the table.
We are going to be seeing that Dragon Pulse mirror match,
a lot of key factors going into this matchup.
And truly it is champion versus champion.
As you can check out the accomplishments here on the stream,
I mean, LAIC champion and MAIC champion Luke is on a roll
to claim his third champion title within the same season.
Still looking on over to Utah as well, the JCS champion.
The champion of Japan is here.
It is a star studded finals even.
on a direct collision course to see who will become this year's champion.
As you mentioned, Dragapult EX and both players death.
Using that the Dunsparce runaway draw to provide a bit of consistency
and there are some cool combos you can do by benching that Pokemon repeatedly throughout the course of the game.
One of the Pokemon that I think everybody in the trading card game really truly loves to see
hit the bench is going to be that Purdue and starting to use itchy pollen to lock
off a lot of these items. So it's really about who wants to go first, who wants to
go second, who essentially has the better setup here because once a Purdue comes
into play even a lot of engines stop running. Definitely an important factor.
Lily's determination a supporter car that since its release has worked the
to be a popular and heavily relied on inclusion.
That's another card that if either of those players
can consistently evolve into their tri-cloak
and cycle through their deck with that card,
they're going to have a lot easier of a time setting up.
And while these players are definitely playing different archetypes
in Dragonfall, I'm not going to talk about it just yet,
but things like Ace-Bag, that one of cards in the deck
that you can play to really turn the tides,
has been different for both players.
So I am very excited to see when certain things are going to drop down.
Two similar decks, but two very different backgrounds for these players,
testing in different regions, playing different formats,
different tournament structures, those differences,
and the advantages for both players given the circumstance.
So excited to see who again here up on the stage massively won grand finals in NAIC.
just a couple months ago and not to mention even there's been a whole expansion set that has been released between NAIC and
World and that is pitch black and it seems to just not have too much of a meta term at least on our junior's division here.
Talked about the A-Spec as we're setting up definitely an important thing to mention. Most of these Dragonhold BXX
consistently playing that unfair stamp card. It's an excellent disruption tool.
Run me through the A-Spec that Luke has decided to play this weekend.
Well, Luke has definitely gotten a little bit tricky with his A-Spec,
and it is going to be the Hero's Cave.
Now, Dragofall already has above 300 hit points,
but Hero's Cave is actually going to give an extra 100 HP to this Dragofall.
And especially within the Dragofall Mirror even,
When there are damage counters flying left and right, both players are going to be starting to set up
Multi-Prize Knockout turns. It's really important for Blue to protect these Multi-Prize Knockouts from happening.
No tool disruption over on Utsuside. Nothing like a tool scrapper or jamming tower.
So once that hero's pit comes down, it may make things tricky for you to be able to deal with that Pokemon.
so much damage that flies back and forth,
speaking of which we cannot go without talking about Monkey Dory's Adrenaline.
Yeah, I've already talked about Blood Ooze.
Why not mention Blood Ooze's best friend,
and that is Monkey Dory who has been meta ever since the card has come into our game,
essentially can take these damage counters that you receive from Dragapult's Phantom Dog
and send them back, not only can you use it a little bit more defensively,
but Dragapult's ex-players tend to use it a little bit more offensively.
Once again, we want to see these players set up multi-prize dom-dots
and then use something like an unfair scam to try and stick their hands to the can't draw anymore cards.
Did talk about the pitch black expansion.
No, you know, super important archetypes, of course.
Some decks emerge, some decks got better.
One big major card that we are seeing in Yuta's list.
Looking through, it is that special red card.
In fact, both players playing that extra form of hand disruption.
It's going to be even more important on Luke's side since he does not have that unfair scan.
We did have rotation as we'd like to call it in the training part game this season.
We did lose a very popular supporter card of Iono, which shuffles your player's hands
to the bottom of the deck, and then you draw as many prize cards remaining.
It's a little bit different with that special red card here, so I'm excited to see when
those are going to come into play because once again it is very, very important to mine.
Talk about the coin flip. These first couple of turns are so crucial for the settle.
Does the player find that the do on turn 1? How consistently do the energy cards come into play?
And one more fact to always think about. How does the energy stick in play?
Neither of these players are playing a card like the crushing camera.
We see how impactful that card can be in the mirror match.
match, these players are going to be feeling a little bit more comfortable
spreading their energy out, maybe committing to that monkey Dory a bit
earlier than usual. On a normal day, drivable players would love to go second.
Even though, while very popular in the Pokemon trading card game, you want to
go first to evolve up, but just in case your hand doesn't have too many options,
you still want to be able to use a supporter like that early determination
that you mentioned to refresh the hand to try and find those buddy buddy
poppins, but most importantly, to use that Purdue to get itchy pollen into play.
This player is eager and anxious to set up, draw their opening hands,
and the basic Pokemon to put into play to start. There's like a few options for Luke.
We've got a way to put those prize cards out. We have a prize game for a reason, ladies and
gentlemen see those prize cards see what pieces are unavailable there is a
buddy in the prizes and that's the only copy of what you or you and double
trickle both players struggling right off the gate those are the consistency
cards that even Meyer talking about better key to this dragon pool deck when
the inevitable hand of disruption decides to hit and everyone there are
Pokemon trainers from all over the world today and whether you just left the
professor's lap with your first partner Pokemon or you've taken your first steps
onto Victory Road, you are about to be a part of history. So San Francisco, are you
ready to grab your training card game champion?
Shin underway game number one in our two years division. You're talking things off with the
poke pad and immediately going to get the bad news that itchy pollen will not be
an option for him in game one. That's definitely going to be something that Luke
is taking into account right away here. As that opening fry step is very
important here and get to see the rest in the hand Ethan but as long as there
is at least that energy attachment of that fire energy can't be too bad.
Have you reliance in the list for Yuta on that dawn supporter card? You've seen
that in Alakazam as a consistent way to get Pokemon into play. It's great
in this Pragapult deck.
Those 3B, get the Draclokov vault
using recon directive to add some consistency to the plan.
See this PokePat, grab 3B, put it into play
and start to develop the ball.
Well, Utah has done a great job of grabbing the 3B.
You have to talk about the secondary engine
that this deck is technically playing
and that is going to be this Duskmore line
that's cursed glass.
And Utah not showing it already means
that may not have an opportunity
to go and get these dustballs ready to go.
The energy attachment is key, but the problem is
that is a great sign for Luke that his done sparse
when he puts them into play
are actually going to be safe for quite some time.
Action on Luke.
See that done sparse.
Top deck, four turn.
Pokey pad, excuse me.
Not yet available, the buddy, buddy puffin'
to kick turned off.
Start to see some tree becoming to play
and even considering immediately
but do has a disruptive option.
A lot of the times players really want to conserve their energy attachments.
Different variations of Dragon Bolt really love to have that energy acceleration with something like a Blaziken EX,
but none of these Pokemon are actually in the deck here.
So these energy attachments are actually very important.
But the thing is for Lukey, then the moment that he sees that there is nobody on Utah's side,
he really just wants to stop the engine before it keeps going.
Item cards, such a heavy reliance for this deck.
Hokey Pat finds Dracloak, Dracloak finds more cards, and once that ball starts rolling, it's really hard to stop.
But if you can get in the way, disrupt the set up even just a little bit, the tides start to turn and the floodgates can easily open.
The only problem with this sex search for Luke here is that, as a reminder, there are two drag cloaks within the prizes,
and because of this variation of drag poke, there are no rare candies to get straight into drag poke from here.
So it's going to be energy attachment on to Monkey Dory and the Poké Pad as well to find that one of two copies of Dracloak in the deck.
Bearing Ichi Pollen as an option wants to play those item cards before they are potentially shut off, but no supporter card in hand for Luke.
The hand is looking pretty weak, otherwise Fezendipity can't use that until a knockout is taken.
We will see the first Ichi Pollen of many in this series.
It's going to be a really weird turn for Luke if he's unable to find the dedunce card
to use that runaway draw and draw a couple of more cards here.
Pass me back on over to Yuta's turn, and there's that dawn that you were talking about, Ethan.
And I'd finally be able to at least set up a little bit of a part of the Duskville line,
but also brought that key to Clipcare.
And immediately thinking towards the next turn,
no supporter card in the hand, energy, items, stadium,
None of those super impactful wants to grab that Meowthie X, so you can use that last stitch catch ability on the following turn to find a supporter like Lily's Determination.
And eight cards is definitely what Yuto wants to find. I mean granted off of this recon directive, another energy card like a fire energy, so at least Dragapult could potentially get into play next turn feels pretty good.
The problem is with this Meowthie X, it is a very good card, you are able to go find a supporter,
but the problem is it only has 170 hit points.
It is very susceptible to a Dragapult Phantom die that is going to stay on the bench for the rest of the game if he puts it down.
Recon directive, not a great choice note, very good options.
Buddy buddy poppin cannot be played, thanks to items being shut off.
See the fire energy attached to your cloak, so it's almost ready to go for the following turn.
Risky Ruins comes down, meaning any Pokemon that are put into play from this point will have two damage counters placed on them.
See what the rest of the hand looks like. Big recon director for Luke, and he finds some sort of help,
and immediately finds Lily's determination, a huge fine, off these two cards.
That's exactly what you want to see if you are blue, but let's talk about that Risky Ruins, Ethan.
is a very important key card here in this matchup.
If you have any Pokemon that you place onto the field,
if it is not a Dark-type Pokemon, it gets two damage counters.
And the thing is we already talked about this in our kind of pre-match conversation.
Monkey Dory loves to see those damage counters already to go to send them back to the other side.
Dark energy already in play means those counters can be moved over to another Pokemon.
You kind of get into this weird spot where Monkey Dory moves the damage counters over one turn,
and then the other players, Monkey Dory moves it back and forth.
There's that to Dunsparse you were talking about, Emily, looking for energy cards,
which cannot evolve that Treepee since it came into play this turn,
and immediately evolving into the Dunsparse, using that runaway draw, looking for some help.
The pin cards are online for Luke. There was not an itchy paw and played back.
Now we'll see Buddy Buddy pop in, where he grabbed Dunsparse and potentially another Treepee.
This is exactly what you want to do if you are leaky.
You have to look on the side of Utah here
and know that there's only going to be one that drag a pulse and play.
So why not get every single engine that you have in the deck
up and running right now here?
But the question is, Ethan, I mean,
Luke has prized two drag floats here.
Wouldn't he want to find at least one more?
Definitely an option for the following turn.
See energy play down.
See the monkey Dory use that Adrenal Brain to start two damage counters
from Drippi moved onto the opposing track loak.
Just considering how else to play the turn,
preemptively playing Pokey Pad,
preparing for potential itchy pollen shenanigans
for the future, as things stand,
Utah will have the option to strike first
with that trackable EX and energy
already being in the hand.
What's really unfortunate for Luke here
is that there are two damage counters very peely
on that Drippi that came down on this turn.
So Phantom Dive not only doesn't do 200 damage to the active, but it does six damage counters to the bench as well
so
Utah can very well either take the next 3B or even that draw engine of the Ducs or the Ducs bars
Excuse me for next turn. This is a big decision with me out the X
Does Utah want to set up the board for place something like the Lily's determination or get
aggressive used boss's orders KO that your cloak as well as the Treepe on the
bench and immediately you see put to the top of the deck Utah wants to get
aggressive in this mirror match. Part of the reason why Utah is playing this
Dusk Moor line is to get aggressive most of the time when you have Dusk Balls
and Dusk Moors you use them to spread these damage counters so you can just
destroy your opponent's side of the board and while yes I mean not much
else to go with alongside on Utahside here taking at least the big draw engine off the board and
leaving Luke having to find a way to get these creepy bad it's the only way for him to go.
And importantly will not be threatened on the following turns from a phantom dive. Luke is
not playing any cards like rare candy to evolve Pokemon up and skip that stage of evolution.
Here we go. He's playing the boss's orders rings up to cloak phantom dive taking two prize
cards knocking out the Drakloak,
Treepie and leaving Luke with a poor board.
Women has one blood to a done sparse and a tree to go,
and you can imagine even that that Drakloak might be seeing
a boss's orders next at this point for Utah can absolutely
forget a breath of as well while being under item lock
for short this turn.
It might be the fact that he's already really far ahead.
So unless Luke I was about to say evolves this done sparse,
we could potentially see another two prize knockout
This is so risky to use itchy pollen on the active. It would bring Dragapult EX up to three damage counters on it.
And if Utah can find a Monkey Dory plus Dark Energy of his own, that Benster Cloak is in a world of hurt.
It's not exactly what you want to see if you're Luke, and let's go back a couple turns, Ethan.
I mean, Utah was very, very far behind, had only half of the Pokemon he wants to see out on the field,
and now Luke only having one Dragapult to really work with now.
Will my buddy buddy pop and look through the deck?
There is one dreamy remaining so place that down and this risky ruin from Utah is putting in so much work.
Exactly what you want to see if you are on Utah's side here, but okay from the top rope,
Cerosix vacations comes down, now forces Utah to only keep three cards in his hand and discard
but the rest does get to choose.
Look at this spot.
Luke can discard some resources.
Now if Yuta wanted to try and play a supporter card
to find the Monkey Dory Dark Energy,
it may become a little bit too difficult.
And doesn't also very clearly have a draft cloak
in play just yet either.
So that draw engine that draft cloak provides
with Recon Directive is actually not in play just yet.
So the question is what is going to be prioritized?
Just keeping the consistency cards
we're finding a way to get that truck loop for next turn.
Now Yuta did take two prize cards on the previous turn,
so we'll have access to those cards taken out of the prize card.
You see a lot of item cards,
and that's what Yuta may be thinking about in this spot.
What cards will I be able to play on the following turn?
Is my opponent going to use Ichi Pollen on my active?
Are they going to try and play around Monkey Dory?
But even if you don't use Ichi Pollen,
there is still two damage counters on that active.
You'd have to use your own monkey Dory to move that counteroff.
Like you had said, Ethan, there are a ton of item parts within this hand for Utah to get those dusk goals set up.
And the problem is, I feel like Luke is just going to have to itchy pollen again, unfortunately, as you pointed out already.
Now, the thing is, Monkey Dory with that energy onto it is now going to finally come into play.
We are going to see some mind-bending shenanigans.
If Utah wants to attack next turn, it's just going to have to flip heads for it.
needs to buy some time and this is a great way to do so.
Mind bends 60 damage to the active,
but more importantly, confusing this dragon pull EX.
If Yuta wants to use Phantom Dive this turn,
we'll have to flip a coin.
It heads, it will go through as normal,
but if he flips tails, not only does the attack fail,
but he'll deal 30 damage to itself.
And Yuta holding onto the very key card of Pokepad here
is going to be able to get this drag folk out
from the deck to use Recon Directive.
I don't believe Yuta kept a supporter in hand,
so ideally this recon directive should give him
potentially Abe Lillie's determination to refresh the hand.
But more importantly, Ethan, where are these Duskles?
Currently missing in action.
Yuta would love to see those come down.
Now having Duskles in play early on in the game
is a huge advantage.
60 HP means a phantom dive can directly take a KO
on that Pokemon.
Always gotta be careful about how many prize cards
giving up compared to the threat. So here we go two cards and look at that Lily's determination
two options for both players now off of these crucial recon directive abilities.
Got to feel good if you're Utah especially because Utah is not under item lock anymore at this point
so a very fresh six cards unfortunately for Utah because has already taken surprise cards so
Lily's determination will only give him six instead of eight but still I'm sure that is a
very welcome six cards just thinking about how to approach the turn it's
going to be an energy attachment to the active you are seeing that correct
ladies and gentlemen dragapult does only need two energy cards to use phantom
dive however you to very scared of what this confusion could do to dragapult
EX if he goes for a powerful attack wants to play safe and maybe retreat
this Pokemon to the bench but what do you retreat into even you have your
draw engine up and running finally, but you also have a Pokemon that gives over two prizes and
that would even up the prize grace for Luke. So I'm interested to see what Yuta is going to retreat
into. Maybe his own monkey Dory if he were able to find it. But it could definitely be valuable,
but it's in the prize cards. It's unavailable. We'll have to go into the tank and think a bit
about what is the best grab. Six cards from Lily's determination drawn off of the top of the
deck. We have seen the energy attachment for turn, looking potentially for the
Duskull as you mentioned, an Elf or Treepee. I'm going to take a look at the
discard pile, see what resources have been played on Luke's side. It's like a
night stretcher, that's of course a powerful recovery card. There are three
in Luke's deck which is slightly above the average especially without playing
Duskull. And what's really important about Luke and his deck list from what
we were talking about a little bit earlier. Luke has not revealed that heroes cape yet.
Traditionally in Dragapult, Dragapults love to play that unfair stamp as an A-Spec, but
Luke actually still concealing it here. Maybe once again into Dragapult first and use something
like a Crispin to accelerate energy before slapping the heroes cape onto his Dragapult
and having over 400 hit points.
That is the difficulty of both A-Specs in the deck. Super powerful, but also
very difficult to find. You need to get a bit lucky at times, draw into them off
Lily's determination, something like flip the script or of course recon directive.
There are games that can happen in the Pokemon TZG where you look through so
much of your deck but you're unable to find that powerful A-Spec and it can
definitely change the tides of battle.
Risky Ruins still in play as well and this
risky ruins has been here essentially I believe since turn one or two even so
these damage counters are still very much down here but finally a dust
found for Yuta can absolutely line up a Cursed Blast turn.
That is now the question at hand. What does Yuta want to retreat into?
That Duskull does seem like a decent option of course, Cursed Blast KO's itself to put damage counters on the opponent's Pokémon,
but it also would be in range of an easy prize thanks to Mind Bend.
It looks like the Dreamy will be promoted.
That also would be KO'd for Mind Ben.
Really just thinking that Dusk Glops or Dusk North
down the line could be a key to victory.
This is a massive turn for Luke
if he is able to fire off all of these cards.
Just as a reminder, everybody,
there is still two draft looks in the prizes for Luke.
So he's really kind of needing to work
with the Dunsparse and the Dunsparse
as much as possible.
These are the only two draft looks.
The problem is if you were to evolve up
into Dragapult EX, you're essentially losing one of those draw engines, but still see what
Lily's determination is going to give Luke, because that's a massive eight cards.
Luke now with a lot of options at his disposal, what is the best approach do you think for
him to end this turn?
What attack or Pokemon should be up in that active spot?
Just doesn't feel comfortable, right?
Because the supporter for turn was the Lily's determination instead of Crispin.
So while, yes, Luke is able to use Mindbend to have another knockout, essentially, onto
Utah's side, maybe it's okay to put the dupe on at this point, it's really hard to say.
That monkey door is just so valuable once it has a dark energy on it.
See recon directive number one and number two.
Already a dragon pull EX in the hand, so we'll see that psychic energy crap.
No, just wants to get double dragon pull.
is an important thing in this match of Recon Directive.
While so valuable,
Dragcloak is so frail compared to that Dragapult EX.
What I am worried about, Ethan, going into this next turn,
while yes, itchy pollen is a great attack here,
you have to wonder if Luke is considering evolving up
into the Dragapult EX to try and protect the draw engine,
but still itchy pollen here.
Let's see if Yuta's gonna at least have an energy
to retreat to start launching the Phantom Dive
once more.
released a termination found yet again.
The rest of the hand very weak.
Just going to use the recon directive and that assist
from release determination will draw Utah another six cards,
those cards being shuffled back in randomized to the deck.
See if there are some key pieces found for Utah on this turn.
And you want to talk about key pieces.
That dust goal is now ready to evolve.
I believe Utah showed just a little bit earlier
that he does play a rare candy and does play two
in the list here. So if he were to be evolving up into the dust globs could potentially take
one of the draft cloaks onto the bench, give a knockout here, and then taking two more prizes
would be down to the final two that he would need to win this game. Dust globs with 90 HP would
require something like Monkey Dory to put it in range, which we do already see in play. And
dust globs really wants to get into the fray, says hello from the shadows,
Onto the top of the deck, we'll see everything get re-randomized again and get ourselves back on their way.
Yeah, it's a flying out of the deck, right? I mean, Utah did not have that in the beginning of the game, no dust goals down.
And now actually has a full board ready to go to start sifting through here, so Recon Directive and the rest of the hand, like we said even, wasn't giving him much before, but I don't think it's giving him much now either.
They'd find that Dusk Lops was able to be kept into the hand.
Revolving it up still has those two damage counters on it.
And now the consideration for Utah.
What is the attack of choice? Is there an energy card in hand?
This Dragon Pull EX with 200 HP Remain is in perfect range
of a boss's orders KO and after a slow start
Luke has an opportunity to capitalize. This needs to be a massive turn for Luke
especially because of that one damage counter sitting on the Dragapult Ethan.
Dusk Blobs is currently sitting at 70 hit points, so if Luke is able to get into Dragapult EX,
finding psychic energy, not only can he knock out this active Drippy with Phantom Dive,
he can also take that looming threat of Dusk Blobs off the board as well.
There's the Crispin. Does also have the Hero's Cave is the final piece of Dragapult there.
Crispin definitely an option, and this is where the Crossroads can feel overwhelming for
Dragapult EX. A knockout always nice on to multiple Pokemon. You've got to be thinking
about the energy cards in play. That Dragapult EX is the immediate threat. What should Luke
do in this spot? Should he go after that Dragapult or should he just take the guaranteed two prize
cards? You might just be, you're already a little bit far behind. You mentioned this a
little bit earlier, Ethan, that the spots technically does give you a prize card here,
but the prize mapping is also really important as well. Double checking that he wants to take
that boss's orders. Like you alluded to just a little bit earlier, could potentially take a
Draklok as well. There's a lot of Pokemon on the bench with 70 hit points here, but like you said,
Zanzan Monkey Dory has a dark energy onto it. You can get anything done, but there's that
Crisp in here, finds that missing energy piece here. Let's see if he's going to be able to
get it done. Two different energy types found from the deck. One attached directly to a Pokemon,
that does not count as your energy attachment for turn, it can only play one from your hand,
And this is how the deck is able to fire off phantom dive attacks from essentially out of nowhere
I think what Luke has done also really well is keep that draggable DX on Utah side in line
It does have 200 hit points remaining
But this is the board that you love to see even with that risky ruins in play
There's some automatic damage counters that are already now in play for monkey Dory to send back over onto
onto Utah side and there it is the big reveal heroes game that is a very very brave dragonport
brings dragapult ex up to essentially 420 hit points dragapult ex strikes back with phantom dive
chaos the trippy chaos the cursed blast dust globs and leaves utah in a spot where he has to work
to get himself back in this game and what luke has done extremely well is he set up that dragapult
that's about to come into the active spot and be the attacker already has 200
hit points remaining here and that draft look as well with the 30 hit points on it
too both of them actually have some damage onto it but still I mean Luke has
set up double monkey Dory this is exactly what you want to see and thanks
to Chris been making it all possible. So double recon directive at Utah's disposal
decent amount of cards in hand from that Lily's determination on the
previous turn. We are seeing the impact of Monkey Dory with Luke having
Double Monkey Dory set up and a bit of support from Dunsparse and Recloc. We
now get into the middle to late game where stability is the number one factor.
Let's talk about the prize map here especially if Utah were to use Phantom
Dive into this active Dragapult here. Double Monkey Dory means that at
At least six damage counters are able to be thrown back to the other side of the board.
You got to look at it here, right?
Dragapult only has 190 hit points remaining.
Then double monkey Dory adrenapering, send six damage counters already over to the damaged
draft cloak.
And then those six remaining damage counters that Phantom Dive has yet to use will go
on the final one.
That could be a 4 price earn.
Time will tell.
So we get into this game immediately.
and Dippity EX placed into play.
We'll see that flip descriptability drawn three cards
because one of Yuta's Pokemon were knocked out
on the previous turn.
Now just deciding how to sequence this turn.
Do you play item cards to find Pokemon out of the deck?
But that would shuffle the deck,
meaning those cards placed on the bottom
from previous recon directive abilities
would be shuffled back
and the order of the deck would change.
Thing is both players are still also at four prize cards
here and I feel like now that special red card has been brought into our game.
A lot of players are playing very masterfully around it.
Special red card only turns on if your opponent does have three prize cards left.
So honestly, Utah just using it as ultra ball fodder at this point
because Luke still sitting at four prizes with a very, very set up for.
And Utah has a solid response on deck.
Monkey Dory from the ultra ball put into hand has yet to attach
an energy card for turn and I see what is maybe the most powerful card in the
game right now unfair stamp in the hand will this be the turn that Utah wants to
play that powerful aspect you might have to but still though what I really want to
see you to target down is going to be that done sparse on Luke's side here we
talked about draw engines a little bit earlier and while having track cloak is
great having to done sparse and run away draw is even better sift into three
more cards here, so Yuta has a very big decision, right?
He moves some of these damage counters over to the DRAC cloak,
get that out of a play, but even I might think the DUNS sparse
might be a little bit better.
It's tough, but the DUNS sparse draws more cards,
but you have to reset it up every turn,
and once that DRAC cloak evolves into Dragapult EX,
it becomes even more difficult to KO.
We see the end game for the stack lots of time,
looks like Monkey Dory, as many as possible,
and two Dragapult EX to force your opponent to take difficult prize cards.
It does feel that your cloak just is a looming threat down the line
and something that needs to be taken care of this turn.
It is so hard to say what Utah should do.
There are tons of paths and that is the big thing about the Pokemon trading card game.
We call it sequencing, making sure that you're doing things in the correct order
because certain decisions on turn two, for example,
can really affect you even in those final tense moments.
Looks like everything is back in order.
Recon directive number one, choose one card.
One of those was the Dawn.
It is going to be the psychic energy.
That's not quite the dark energy that Utah is looking for.
But instead, going to commit to a dragopult EX down the line.
So you just not need to rely off of a supporter card
like Crispin or Rosa's encouragement.
little bit worried about these Dragapult sitting on the bench for Utah as well does at least have a
Dragapult EX in hand so if Utah wants to get out of Phantom Dive range with that Dragapult on the
bench can at least evolve up into the Dragapult EX giving a little bit more help to work with.
It's a tough spot for Utah. Luke is threatening game in two turns with a knockout on Dragapult
EX and I knocked out on that Meowth or Fezendipity.
So you may have to ask himself, what Pokemon assists my opponent the most to getting to
that winning board state?
Going to a full-footed Dragapult EX to protect that Pokemon, give it a bit more HP, and
there is the Team Rocket's Watchtower.
Now all Coalists Pokemon in play do not have abilities, bosses order to combo with
that.
Truffloke is going to be KO'd and there is a timed unfair stamp forcing Luke to
just two cards in his hand.
This is exactly what you want to see.
If you are Utah shutting off this engine
and Ethan, this Team Rocket's watch tower
has become a very big favorite for a lot of decks.
A lot of the times players are really thinking
about shutting something off like Mega Kang has gone,
but it actually also not only shut offs me out the X,
but it also does shut off that full engine of Dunspar.
So one big thing is Monkey Dory was pulled,
but it wasn't actually benched here.
So I'm wondering if Utah is really respecting
Double Monkey Dory on the left side.
Five cards drawn.
Of course, I've seen the supporter card played for turn and that bosses orders.
There is Monkey Dory for future turns.
Let's not have a way to accelerate another energy to it this turn,
since that Dragonbolt EX was evolved as well as energy attached to it.
But all things considered for Utah is setting up a wing potentially down the line.
Take two prize cards this turn that Padoo with just 30 HP can be knocked out from Phantom Dive.
And on the following turn, if you can use an Adrenaline of your own, plus a boss's orders,
Dunsparse not evolving could be the Difference Maker.
And that beautiful line that we talked about a little bit earlier with Dumple Monkey Dory taking away both drag cloaks,
that is essentially now gone and shut because of the evolution up into Dragapult here,
but another two prizes for Utah.
And smartly placing all of the damage counters on the do this not want to give Luke any option to Adrena brain
Action over Luke. What did he find off of that unfair stamp?
Just three cards at hand. Okie pad can find it done sparse a
Minimum giving it that extra HP would prevent Utah from winning the game on the following turn
I was surprised for you even I think Luke has the answer to that team rockets watch tower
It is going to be the risky ruins.
Usually in the trading card games,
sometimes we say unfair step is aligned.
It certainly is right now giving Luke
a ton of options back that he really, really needed.
Three great cards drawn.
Night stretcher, psychic energy,
and Lily's determination.
The knockout is lined up immediately
and it looks like Utah understands
the writing is on the wall.
Luke Giffen is going to take game number one.
Masterful play from Luke setting up
not only the Dragapult EX, but what can't Double Monkey Dory do?
Even if Utah were to attack back into Luke next turn,
Utah still has those six damage counters to throw around.
Traditionally, they tend to go on Pokemon like
Pheasant Dipity EX and all Luke would have to do is find
bosses orders to take the game home.
Why not for Utah to give himself a little bit more time to
really work with here and I believe
you'll probably be wanting to go second this time.
We saw in game number one these two different Dragapult EX decks
clash in their own unique style for Utah.
Going into game number two, what does he
need to do differently, or what cards
may he need to have access to to fight back in Forza game three?
Maybe a dust goal, Ethan.
I mean, let's talk about it.
I mean, Utah had access to, I mean,
the attacking part of the deck,
but truly did not have access to the other parts.
but here are some of those key moments from our game number one.
I mean, that unfair Sam did its job.
I mean, it stopped Luke for just one turn,
but still when you're able to just find the Pokey pad
that you have in your hand and the risky ruins,
everything back online.
A perfect board for Luke at the end of the game.
Dragapult EX guaranteed to not be knocked out in two attacks.
Thanks to that Monkey Dory healing damage off,
that was just too much for you to handle
As we get into game number two,
you see the starting Pokemon for both players.
Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages
for going first or second in the mirror match.
A lot of it comes down to what resources
you have at your disposal.
Well, Utah is giving us a show of what a mulligan is.
When you don't have a basic Pokemon to start in your hand,
you do get to refresh the hand,
shuffle it back into the deck,
but you have to give your opponent a card,
or, you know, one card, and, you know, sometimes you know again four or five times,
you've got to give your opponent four or five cards,
but now I'm sure Luke loves to see another card in his hand for that early setup.
That is the big factor in this matchup.
Cannot stress it enough.
We saw Ichi Pollan do its job in that first game.
You did not have access to it, and it feels like there were a couple moments
where a good timed Ichi Pollan could have gotten you to back in that game.
Yeah, absolutely. The problem is, it's just that Luke was way too far ahead.
In fact, just had the freedom to continue to set up Monkey Dory.
See if Yuta's going to have a basic Pokemon to show, and he will,
but even the rest of the hand wasn't looking exactly too good.
There is a supporter card in the hand, so it does seem manageable.
A lot will come down to who goes first in this second game.
It looks like Yuta will... Oh, looks like Luke is starting.
So Yuta, opting to go second in game number two
and look at that start for Luke,
put him in the active spot
and buddy, buddy coffin to find these Dripi
and put them into play.
We gotta get fired up here, everyone in San Fran.
If you are cheering for Yuta,
give him your energy now.
But if you're cheering for Luke,
what are these prize cards, Emily?
All of the energy acceleration
and double Dripi in the prizes.
Are you kidding me?
Not exactly what you wanna see.
I mean, I'm sure Luke was really happy to open that buddy body ball fence and okay
I can freely get my two Drebio little does he know or maybe he just had that wake-up call now
Those two Drebis he's going to have access to so Utah is going to realize when these monkey Dory start coming down
That might be the way to go here
But don't look at the rest of Luke's hand even already has the two draft cloak in hand
So even if Utah were to retreat into but doing use itchy pollen Luke still at least has an energy and an
a engine online.
Big turn for you to item cards.
Certainly going to be shut off on the following turn.
Let's define those powerful Pokemon searching cards.
Not as bad as Luke's prizes.
Let's make sure we get that straight.
But unfair stamp in the prizes.
Definitely a big deal, especially towards the top.
And this is the only copy of Risky Ruins in the list
as in the prizes like you had mentioned.
But you called me out really good.
there is at least a lily's determination in the hand and hopefully Utah's going to be able to either find those
Treby or find a buddy buddy Pothin to start filling up the bench not only with Treby but hopefully with Duskville this time
Really looking for those item cards and Pokemon more importantly as well
Tricloak for the following turn just to look through the deck board draw more cards and put together these combo turns on the following turns
And without energy acceleration for Luke is going to have to play very very carefully here, too
Might have to be the one that's attacking early this time to try and sift out those Crispin from the prizes
Or at least get something going so that he can find double monkey Dory again
That is a great eight cards for you to almost as good as it gets maybe missing a trick cloak
Guaranteed for the following turn, but we will see the full bench build up double buddy buddy poppin
Double Treepee coming into play and now the question Emily, how do you want to fill these last two bench spots?
Might have to be at least one for Duskall or going double Duskall
I mean your opponent only showed it to Treepee
So there is a very strong possibility because Utah does play Rare Candy that Rare Candy Dragapool TX
And Rare Candy Dusknor could even wipe the board.
would have to be on a future turn that itchy pollen shutting off those options the whole squad is here for you to
Coming into play itchy pollen will strike first and now Luke the first player to be unable to play item cards in this match
As we mentioned though a little bit earlier Ethan Luke does at least have double dry cloaking
And so that tends to help you quite a lot here
But see those recon directives going through that centipedes usually the one that you want to take off
That's the Dumpstar CX is actually a really great card for those big basic boxes
But in the mirror you want to have at least all of the access to the card draw you can find
Looking at the hand. It's not super strong. No fire energy
No other Pokemon put to play and more importantly no supporter card
It's just gonna be an itchy pollen now Yuta allowing himself to start powering up
creepy and we'll see another Lily's determination. No ability to use Poke pad or cards like Ultra Ball
needs to directly draw into these drake cloak on this turn. This is exactly why so many players play
four copies of this Lily's determination within their list because it's really the main supporter
that you want to see between turns one and three right. A fresh eight cards especially because
Dragapul really can take its time setting up all these damage counters for itself here. So
No, Yuta, can you find Draklo with no item access?
Big 8 cards, Ethan.
Making sure everything is clear.
Let's take a look at the hand,
and I see one immediately,
using that Re-Contirective right away.
No other Draklo in the hand.
See Ultra Ball go to the bottom of the deck.
Another of the least determination
for the following turn.
Will just be another itchy pollen,
but do slowly making work on the opposing but do.
And here we go, Luke needs to help find fire energy.
That means the option is available to use Phantom Dive.
We'll decide to keep it Monkey Dory to the bottom of the deck.
Two more cards from Recon Directive.
It's just a buddy buddy poppin'
that cannot be played on this turn.
And now Emily, do you stay disruptive or go aggressive?
It looks like the disruption is preferred in this spot.
You just can't.
And the problem is while Luke is playing Heroes Cave,
which does at least buff the hit points
for the Dragonbolt Yegs.
You never want your Dragonbolt
to be taking the first Phantom Dive damage to itself.
We saw how Luke utilized that a little bit earlier
to set up those combo turns.
So now Utah is going to be able
to find another Lily's Determination.
That's three out of the four in the deck
to find another fresh eight cards.
Still looking for Turcloak as well as those dust globs
to evolve and threaten Dusknor on the following turns.
When the position to be able to wipe your opponent's attackers
off the board is present,
the game can get scary very quickly.
You'll see, of course, the recon directive
available for you to find huge recloak
and a Duskblot, an incredible draw for you to,
as well as a boss's orders for the following turn.
Not just that.
I mean, you have the whole suite available to you
as you so choose to.
And while granted, yes, you're under,
item lock, you can't imagine that Luke is going to keep him under item lock for much longer now that Yuta is essentially going to get all three drag cloak online this turn and a dust blocks as well.
Finds Dragapult EX as well, can evolve the rightmost drag cloak into that Dragapult EX to protect it from being KOed from bosses orders.
And like you mentioned, there is going to be no ability to item lock on Luke's side since Night Structure cannot recover the only Purdue available.
That is going to be forcing Luke into a position where he has to get aggressive, but as we've
talked about practically this entire set, Ethan, the target is sometimes a little bit
more difficult to say.
There's the boss's orders just about to talk about it.
You definitely want to get those Dusk Blobs and the Dusk Goal out of there, but still
that Dragapult is going to be the first one taking some damage.
No more basic Pokémon found, all of the Lily's determination being summoned to
the hand bosses orders and decides to target down the dust blocks and this
dust goal on the bench to wipe out curse blast as a potential option yeah I mean
this is what curse blast does that essentially weakens down the hit points
and allows for Dragapult to be taken out essentially in one turn granted that
heroes cape is now on the Dragapult EX but you have to be wondering even what
is loop point to do about this damage I see a monkey Dorian hand but where's
the energy to go along. Time will tell on the following turn as Yuta kicks things off with a
Recon Directive. Ken now play those item cards previously shut off. See Monkey Dory brought
to the hand. There's a Pokébad boss's orders kept instead. Do we see a Psychic Energy and
Dragapult EX? There's the Psychic Energy Roses encouragement as well. Banned into the discard
while not quite enough energy to get full value from that supporter.
So now with it being to the point in the game where Dragapult EX is powered up,
Duskull just becomes a lot less attractive of a Pokemon to put in play.
Yeah, I definitely don't want to at this point here, but as Yuta did in game one,
maybe it's worth just evolving all of these draft cloaks up to avoid those multi-combo turns.
The thing is what I'm very curious about is I'm wondering if Yuta's going to try and get Monkey Dory into play
He doesn't only play one copy of it, but at least he knows that there's going to be some damage counters sent back.
And that festin-dipity is always a target for that one damage counter for bosses orders down the line and a free two prize.
It would have to be in a future turn. We've seen the supporter card being played and no energy card attached just yet.
Looks like Badoo has done its job, Yuta, planning out a phantom dive on this turn, and now the question becomes hit points.
How much is Luke able to protect this dragapult EX? Essentially his boss Pokemon from being KO'd over the least amount of turns.
And what's unfortunate for Luke is that all of that energy acceleration that we had talked about even is all prized.
So it's unable to get Double Monkey Dory completely in play unless he were to find that Crispin off of a prize in a future turn.
So he at most will only be able to send one or three damage counters back, excuse me.
That's not going to be enough to protect this dragonful for more than one turn.
You see protecting these Pokemon from easy KO's, shutting off that recon directive ability
at the advantage of giving your Pokemon more HP.
But do, doing its job, retreating to the bench, phantom dive being used.
Now the question is, where do you put these damage counters?
And I like this choice here from Utah to put six damage counters on this trickloak
Yeah, this lines up perfectly to have monkey Dory take that track flip down at the line with
Adrenaline as well here Luke gonna draw at least into the risky ruins
So now the question is what was off of the recon directive?
He's still grabbing the Meowthi eggs. Is it too late to put it down?
Not sure if Luke knows that both Crispin are apprised that would be an ideal supporter card this turn just to power up
Monkey Dory, we'll check the deck with Pokeypad and see the bad news that those
cards are prized. The Sector Cloak will get the choice. The supporter card played
yet no energy attached. With this aggressive thinning I wonder what the
supporter of choice will be. The only issue is even because Luke has prized
both Crispin, this draft cloak on the bench is going to be in range of a
Phantom Dive knockout no matter which way you put it. Can only move three
damage counters back over onto Utahside here. So it's unfortunate for Luke but
this is kind of what he has to do here. He has to set up the Dunsparse to try to
get things going. Now granted he's at least guaranteed a prize card if he were
to attack the do here but then it goes back to does Luke want to use that
combo turn. Believe no dark energy in the discard pile that would be an easy
way to access that card for Adrenaline. Let's see this Monkey
door come down, 3P number three hitting the board. It looks like just
considering pinning as many cards out of the hand and relying off of a
Lily's determination for six cards to find this dark energy. It's just so
unfortunate not exactly what you want to see from Luke, but to be fair both
competitors have been back against the wall because of prize cards at some
point here. So Luke forced to evolve this track look into a driver
bolt again playing a little bit more defensive and here we go Ethan,
Lily's Determination. Can Dark Energy be found?
Takes that Dragapult EX out of range thanks to the evolution.
The bigger question becomes this active Dragapult EX.
As it stands, would not be KO'd from a Phantom Dive.
However, a Monkey Dory on Utah's side puts it in range.
That Dark Energy is so important.
Yeah, and the question is, does Bluegiven retreat into something like the Dunsparse and let it go?
But still, you absolutely want to use these damage counters to your advantage
when you're throwing them with Phantom Dive.
That's a big miss, Ethan.
No energy, not even a fire energy
to power up that bench.
Dragapult EX and the doors are wide open for Yuta
to take care of this powerful EX Pokemon.
The only thing that Luke can really do
is send the deck for next turn.
And like you had mentioned,
I mean, there's already two damage counters on that budu.
So Yuta is going to be able to take the knockout
onto the active Dragapult with that Hero's Cave.
If the ace bet going down, you just don't want to see it.
Luke needs to announce Phantom Dive this turn.
It's the only way he could stay in this match,
present a threat, deal damage to this Pokemon,
and maybe down the line, try and provide some disruption.
So there we go.
Phantom Dive onto the opposing Dragonfall EX,
six damage counters on the Turcloak,
taking a little bit of a page out of Yuta's book
on the previous turn to try and get back in this game.
I'm wondering if there's going to be a line down
a couple more turns from now where that but who is going to at least get one
and or one damage counter excuse me to take the knockout still woman gives up
one prize card but Luke had checkmate last game with a four prize knockout
here so I'm wondering if Utah is going to try and find monkey Dory this turn
to try and start sending these damage counters back. Monkey Dory already in
the hand ultra ball found from the recon directive there is the pokey
pad to search out another non-moolbox Pokemon, just finding Pokemon that can be taken out of the deck.
For Cloak, most likely not going to come into play in this game. We've seen how beneficial it's been early on.
That will be shuffled. So that does signal that Yuta may be reliant off of a different supporter
outside of Crispin or Lily's Determination, which almost all of them are gone at this point.
Yeah, I mean that's the thing with Lily's Determination is that it's great in those
opening turns when you can't really find your Pokemon off of items because you're under item lock here
Consider pitching the dark energy Ethan. I know that's kind of key for monkey Dory here
Question is what is Utah looking for it?
It's just gonna have to be the dragon ball TX to try and protect the track look on the bench
There is a world where they're not in a rush to take the KO on this dragon ball EX by taking a KO
You do activate a couple of cards that could be scary a lot of them being hand disruption cards
Special red card as we talked about it just a little bit earlier would bring Luke down
or Utah down to three prizes, excuse me.
So still both players really trying to play around these crazy turns of just trying to
set up these multi prize knockouts here.
Both players checking the discard.
Resource management is a very key skill you learn in the Pokemon trading card game.
So that darkness energy being discarded doesn't signal you to
may want to attach a different energy card.
This Dragon Pull EX on the bench, if six damage counters are placed onto it,
thanks to Phantom Dive would spell disaster, but there we go.
We're going to see Paus's orders onto the opposing Dragon Pull EX,
bringing it into the active spot, dealing damage with Phantom Dive,
and this presents an issue for Luke.
If he wants to attack this turn, he'll need to retreat
or commit a fire energy, both of which is not a darkest energy on Monkey Dory.
Now Yuta essentially setting up Checkmate once again here on both Dragapult EXs in play,
putting them in Phantom Dive range and Monkey Dory range as well here.
Besendipity always can receive one damage counter as well,
so that could even equal a six prize turn for Yuta.
What does Luke have access to?
You'll of course check the damage, make sure everything is correct.
There is of course all of the energy acceleration, so that is off the table.
Starts off evolving, drippy, integer cloak, recon directive, keeps the night stretcher in the hand.
There is the done sparse as well, Lily's determination.
So at minimum, Luke can see nine cards from his deck, six off the Lily's determination,
and another three from that runaway draw ability.
draw ability, which just so unfortunate is that that monkey Dory on the bench just doesn't have a dark energy
We saw in game number one hugged up a monkey Dory essentially set up checkmate for Luke and it was so
useful in those moments here, but now both dragapults can be knocked out essentially next turn the one in the active from
Just a very quick adrenaline over here. Will Luke use runaway draw to keep seeing cars?
I mean you have to take Pokemon off your bench at this point.
It's Rowsick making an appearance yet again.
No energy cards. So big, pre from Runaway Draw.
Is there a way to get energy? I believe there's none in the discard pile for Luke.
No energy cards immediately.
Just gonna check and see how many cards are in the hand.
I believe there were...
How many cards were drawn? Just have to double check.
We did see six cards in the hand plus the recon,
excuse me, plus the dunce sparse ability.
Here we go, night stretcher now.
Is there an option to bring an energy back?
Of course, you can retreat the Dragapult EX
if you'd like to then get that energy back into play,
but it does seem like Luke is really up against the wall
and doesn't have a play that seems great
at the end of the day.
Well, here's the problem, Ethan.
You retreat this Dragapult with 30 hit points remaining.
That goes to the bench and that Dragapult
is going to get knocked out from a monkey Dory Adrenal Brain with 3 damage counters already
on the Bench Dragopul on Yuta's side, so it's really if Luke wants to just keep trying to
find ways to stay in this game.
So close to a 5 prize turn, just a couple of damage counters short, a Dragopul EX on
the bench with no energy and so many damage counters on it.
You may even wonder if you're Yuta, do you ignore that Pokemon and just go after
the energy cards?
You might as well. I mean you've seen Luke struggle to find energy this entire game here launching all six damage counters
I believe the signal was over to monkey Dory that I could be wrong
Yeah, monkey Dory taking six damage counters from that a truck excuse me from phantom dive
Do you promote it into the active spot? How you to does not have access to that?
Recondirective ability really relying off of the carts in his hand or with the assist of a Fezendipity EX
to draw the Crispin for turn.
Unfortunately for Utah's list,
he doesn't play to Monkey Dory.
He does only play one,
so wasn't going to find double
adrenabrine action here,
but there is the line to get the
drag bolt on the bench and the
dragon pulse in the active here.
But what do you do about the
track look on the bench that
can evolve next turn to go
back up into a drag a pole?
This is scary.
It may get scarier for Luke as
card comes into play forcing Luke to shuffle his hand place it on the bottom
of the deck and draw just three cards there are so many factors at play
mainly those energy cards left if your cloak goes down from an Adrenal Brain
plus phantom dive damage that draggable EX is hanging on with just 30 HP
remaining and we know for Luke his energy acceleration is so limited the
problem is too I mean while Luke yes is going to lose a couple of Pokemon
this turn. If that Draclox stays up, which I don't think it will for much
longer, that Fessendipity will be able to draw him some more cards. There's the
Phantom Dive, but still launching one onto Fess here. Here comes Draclox, boss's
orders. Deeds to find something off of these four cards. Is there energy? Flip
the script. Drawing three cards. There's a fire energy. Needs some way to
disrupt Yuta and it feels like no matter where Luke is able to retreat,
his Pokemon will be knocked out.
Yuta ties things up at one game apiece.
It is so unfortunate for Luke to have prized
every single energy acceleration within the deck.
So Yuta had free range to get completely set up
in the way he knows how.
Now granted, Luke did such a good job
of targeting down at the dust blocks
and the dust gold to prevent those combination turns.
But the problem is when you leave it up
to chance to find your energy,
not a supporter which automatically grabs it for you, you can't with it.
And unfortunately for Luke, not finding Monkey Dory Adrenaline led to an unfortunate loss.
Game 2.
As we look back on that second game, like you mentioned, going after Dustbox was a piece
that Yuda was able to establish in this second game.
And at the end of the day, Luke just was not able to deal with the constant onslaught
of pressure thanks to Phantom Dive, thanks to Monkey Dory.
That piece just so valuable, really put on display in the second game.
And here we are, I mean, Yuta able to fire back here.
I mean, Ethan, these players are champions within their own right.
We just saw Luke not too long ago win NAIC.
And Yuta as well, the Japan national champion as well here.
Both of these players are so ready to take home game three.
attention's building just under 30 minutes left in this round.
These players shuffle up and find those seven cards to start the game off and your heart
has to be beating in this spot.
These may be the most important opening seven cards of your Pokemon TCG career up to this
point.
Many players kind of dread the Dragapult mirror here, but as we have shown you, there
There are many intricacies of this matchup, many things that are so important here.
But you know what else is really important, Ethan?
The people that have supported these players along the way, as we're going to resolve some
mulligans, I think somebody's on the floor with some friends and family.
Of our competitors to ask them a couple of questions about how they're feeling right
now.
So, Luke up there on the big stage.
How does it feel to be in this situation?
We're going to a game three,
and you've supported him all of this way.
Oh yeah, I mean, he's my young and so like,
whatever he wants to do, so like,
we're just gonna do it.
But game three, this last game, as a junior, here it comes.
That's pretty big.
How are you feeling?
What do you think about the world's game?
Well, I'd like to see the world's Pokemon card player
playing with all his might.
In my opinion, in now that he's here battling like this,
I want him to do his best to win.
Well, you've heard it here from the fathers of our competitors.
Let's jump right back into the action with the boys to see who will be our champion
Well into game number three poke pad to start things off
Usually a sign when your opponent plays that first item searching card
And it's not buddy buddy puffing that they struggle to get a lot of those basic Pokemon into play
And well as we are looking at the prizes Ethan that special red card
That always seems to be looming in the background is going to be at the top of the prizes
But for Utah still going to have full access to the entire deck, but look at what Utah is doing already saying
You know what? I'm going first so that means Luke is going to put me under item lock next turn
I might as well burn all these items right now, but the problem is look at what he's burning
He's burning a night stretcher here doesn't play at least three in the deck
But when it comes down to finding those energies back, especially when you retreat
Really want to make sure you're keeping track of what you're thrown away
Could have grabbed many different Pokemon off the Ultra Ball.
What do you think is the thought process behind grabbing Monkey Dory as opposed to a Duskull or a Tree Peep?
Well, while Badoo is in the active, you know that these 10 damage counters are going to and from your Badoo here.
So this is actually Utah taking a very aggressive line, going to be sending these damage counters back.
But speaking of items here, it is going to be the Ultra Ball going into play.
Hey crowd, how we feeling about this game number three?
I think everyone's hyped up to crown their champion, but while, yes, Luke is going to
have access to that energy acceleration, he's sorely missed that heroes cape is now offline.
Powerful A-Spec unavailable, especially due to it being at the top of the prize cards
that Meow, EX also unavailable, we've seen how crucial a well-timed Crispin or Rosa's
encouragement can be, as well as, of course, the boss himself coming into play.
So here we go. Eight cards off the least determination.
The Badoo already in play, guaranteeing
Ichi Pollen is an attacking option.
Now just looking to find more Pokemon, some energy cards,
and more importantly, to cloak for the following turn.
As we said, these eight cards in this opening turn
are so important here even.
Eight to go, ideally an energy, as you mentioned,
does also find not only just an energy,
but I believe that's also another buddy, buddy,
Poffin as well here.
So, at least three Drapey are online, so Luke, definitely finding what he needs here,
does also have a Lily's determination for next turn as well.
Excellent setup and a crucial game number three.
Just asked to now make the decision of which two basic Pokemon to grab,
really valuing Dunsparse in this matchup along with a second copy of Drapey.
So, that's the energy attachment for turn two here.
So, now it is going to be the buttoot, the itchy pollen here.
And now the thing is, I mean, with Monkey Dory already with an energy on it, Ethan,
it's going to time soon for you to use those damage counters against Luke, forcing Luke to
promote Pokemon that don't exactly want to take damage, or even just one here would set it up for
a Phantom Time down the line. And more importantly, being strong in the Budu War. If this Budu
takes another itchy pollen head on, Monkey Dory can move those two damage counters to take
a KO on Purdue and force Luke to make a decision on which Pokemon to promote on that same turn.
Last stitch catch with Meowth here. Finds that Lily's determination as we've seen now for all three
games. It really depends on what you find off of this Lily's determination. Ideally,
another energy. The Monkey Dory already has the energy on it, but unless you're using
Mindbend, you really want to start getting at least a couple of more Trepey into play as well.
Well, that's the only one on Utah's bench.
For cloak of dire importance for Utah,
opening up so many doors.
The support, of course, from the recon directive,
but also, drag a full EX down the line with Phantom Dive.
So here we go, the tension building,
just under 20 minutes left in this game.
Looks like we are just getting a little bit of confirmation
on what's going on down at the table.
It's a high stakes match.
There is a lot of pressure.
Things do happen in the Pokemon TCG.
People make mistakes, and especially when you are surrounded by this beautiful crowd,
you are playing on a stage that is lighting up below you.
There is a ton of pressure.
So Luke, going to give Yuta's deck a shuffle before eight cards here.
Like you had mentioned, Ethan, this Buddy War now coming into play is very important.
Looking for energy, looking for your cloak.
That's just a couple of your cloak, you know, nice three to find on that.
but no treatment and no energy.
See if this recon directive can assist Utah in any way.
There is a dust goal.
Ultra ball, of course, cannot be played.
So can at least threaten something.
And here we go.
Risky ruins.
Monkey Dory to move those two damage counters.
And Purdue goes down on the first turn,
rather the second turn of the game,
not going to allow Luke to use that itchy pollen
on the following turn.
And the thing is, the difference between Utah's list
and Luke's list is that there's no automatic acceleration to get into Dragapult EX, so now
Luke is just going to have to sift through the deck once more to find these Dragloaks
here. He's severely far behind. I'm really granted the Dragloak doesn't have the energy
on the bench, but there is still Crispin available to Utah. And now that there is
a Dustball in play, Luke could see both of these streets be gone next turn if he
doesn't evolve.
Going to see a ton of cards this turn, despite being under item lock, eight from the Lily's
Determination, and I guaranteed three cards from the Dunsparse.
Looking for Dracloak to evolve, the imminent threat of that Phantom Dive on the following
turn, definitely an option we see Wondercloak found.
There's another Dunsparse, not a lot of energy cards that seem so, two cards from
Recon Directive does find Bosses orders for down the line trying to take a look at this hand. No energy cards
So here we go benching that done sparse three cards from the done sparse psychic energy
Buddy buddy poppin does not find a second your cloak
But at least getting that energy attachment for the future turns
It just feels unfortunate for Luke because I feel like he's forced to promote this done sparse here up into the active
I mean, there's only one Drako can one drapey to essentially protect here
I don't believe there's anything else that he can really do at this point
He is still technically under item lock even though but dude were to take the knockout here
But maybe committing this energy of course over to the drako to try and find an attack for next turn
But still I mean even the threat of dusk nor and dusk lops is coming
This is a huge opportunity for you to if he can find a dusk lops or dusk door
He can take out your cloak who needs phantom dive rare candy a card that has not come into play in this matchup
Now you just finds an opportune time to skip that stage of evolution trade one for one
But it's had a great advantage for you to taking out the main attacker looming on the board for Luke on the following turn
Does also have the buddy buddy Poffin as well to get another drapey set up as well
does also still have the Monkey Dory with the energy attachment so those two
damage counters can't be sent over as well. There's the Curse Blast on the
Dragloat. Will this creepy survive until next turn? It's so close. Yuta can win the
game this turn. There is a combination of cards. Crispin plus Dragapult EX
plus then that's actually just it. You could use the Crispin to power up
Dragapult EX and then use Monkey Dory. All the pieces are there! Yuta has
absolutely popped off in this third game. Two energies accelerated. Monkey Dory,
Adrenal Brains to move the two damage counters from Duskull onto the bench
Treepee and as long as there's a Dragapult EX in the hand, Yuta can knock
out the only two remaining Pokemon in play. We'll see him go through the
motions. Energy Attached, Dragapult EX in the hand, Adrenal Brains to put the
damage counters onto the Dracloak, the Treepee on the bench and there it is!
new to Iraqi emerges victorious and becomes your junior's division 2026
world champion
a
Smile to the camera a champion already of
Japan
But why not take the world to?
Utah masterfully playing around not having access to dust bowl in game of number one and
and bringing it all the way back.
And thanks to a very early attachment, Ethan,
onto this monkey Dory,
making this explosive game number three possible.
But, Luke, his father said it,
it is his final year in the Junior's division,
but he is still leaving a world finalist
and NAIC champion.
Both of these players so accomplished in their right.
So young and so talented.
We rarely see matchups like this played to perfection as almost from these two young
competitors, absolutely a treat to watch.
We had an incredible three game set.
Emily, that is just a glimpse of what today will bring us here in for a treat on Championship Sunday.
It wouldn't be the trading card game without a dragapult mirror to start us off for the day.
And like you had said, Ethan, we are just at the junior's division.
There are still plenty of games to be played.
I cannot be more excited to see what our seniors and
what our master's division is going to give us.
Thinking it all in, I'm sure, Utah is a world champion.
He has done everything this season, winning a champion's league.
The Japan championships, and now what anyone would consider the most
the world's most prestigious event of the year,
the World Championships for the Trading Card Game.
One of the things that Utah had mentioned
that I think really kind of drives it home
is the fact that he is always playing with his friends
and I always have to say it,
the best way to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game
is at your locals with your friends in person.
Those are your future best friends,
your future trading partners
and the people that you are going to travel around the world with.
to both of these competitors. One thing's for certain, you can see how powerful Dragapult
EX is, with the many different ways to build the deck is why it has done so well this weekend
across multiple age divisions. I mean, it has been dominant since the day it was printed.
It was used as an attacker in one deck, and now the way that you can actually build it
is so creative. We've seen lists with Dragapult EX, without a Dragapult EX, using
can just track look in that recount directive
to really keep sifting through the deck.
I mean, it has it all, right?
It has a built-in draw engine.
You can spread damage counters.
And it feels like every single deck
in the Pokemon trading card game has one question to answer.
Can it beat Dragapult TX?
And maybe not.
Maybe not.
Maybe so.
Of course, building up to our master's division finals
where Diego Casiraga sees if he can become
Dragapult's hired to take down one of the best representatives,
so much more Pokemon TZG action to come today on Championship Sunday.
And of course that master's finals not only with Diego who is gunning to be
a two-time world champion, Andrew Hedrick,
kind of who feels realistically even the king
of Dragapult EX himself looking to take home
his first world title. I mean the action for the master's division was
absolutely explosive over the past couple days.
We've seen a variety of decks to make it through,
but for Diego to play a very, I would say, you know,
secret Alakazam deck, we don't want to give it all away.
We just want to hear from our champion himself.
Hello, everyone.
I am beyond honored to be here on the stage
with our first official TCG champion.
What a match that was.
Yuta, first, I wanna know,
what was it like competing on this stage?
How did that impact your performance?
I'm very happy.
I can imagine, I can imagine.
Now you did start this series in a deficit with that initial loss.
Can you walk me through game 2 and how you were able to turn things around?
You lost the first round, but what did you think of the second round?
I lost the first round and felt bad.
But I won the second round and I'm really excited.
out when it comes to this victory.
So I want to thank all the friends and people that practiced with me and most of all my
parents. What a deserved victory here today everyone in the arena give it up
one more time for your TCG Junior World Champion. We have Yuta Anaki.
We'll let you go and bask in the glory of your victory.
Like I said, that was just one of our TCG world champions we have dubbed today.
And now we have two more to go.
Are you ready to find out how the finalists in the senior division are going to show
Go out on this stage.
It sounds like it.
All right.
It is time for your seniors.
First, we're going to welcome out nice and loud.
Give it up for Coffee Hut.
Next up, keep it going for J.N.D.
You are no stranger to competition, but this is a very unique venue.
Can you walk me through what the experience has been like for your first couple of days
of competition to get here?
It feels amazing to be here and just to get an opportunity to win or final.
The opportunity has arrived, but not just for you.
You're looking to make a name for yourself on this stage.
What has it been like these past couple of days as you have prepared yourself for
a stage like this?
To be honest, it hasn't really synced in yet, but I'm sure it will once I win.
Okay, I think we need a letting simmer on the stage of it.
Players, please go to your battle stations. Caster has taken away.
Thank you, Gaby, and congratulations to these two finalists on getting to this point.
to this point. What a journey it has been for the pair of them.
Koby Ha from the United States, Jake NG from Australia,
quite the journey, quite the season.
And they have one final match to play.
Absolutely, Chip.
What an exciting moment here at the Chase Center.
We're in the big arena here at the 2026 Pokemon World
Championships.
And we're here to crown a senior division world
champion.
We have an interesting matchup.
We'll say we'll get into that as we go along.
But what an opportunity, what a moment for both these players.
A chance to be etched into Pokemon trading card game history.
There comes but one opportunity every single year
to become the world champion.
And these opportunities do not come easily.
Such a tough field to get through
for both of the trainers up to this point.
And it's one more match to see who will come away
the champion.
Absolutely.
It's amazing to see how we got here.
But let's take a quick second to check in with some friends and family that may have helped these players on their journey to get here.
Hello everybody, of course we're back on the stage with the fathers of our senior competitors.
How does it feel for your sons to have got into the finals in these anticipation?
Sorry, I couldn't even hear because of the noise.
I did very nervous, very anxious.
Yeah, how about yourself?
Yeah, very excited.
Thankful for all our friends and family back home from Australia.
It's a pleasure to see you. Thanks.
Incredible. Who do you think is more nervous?
The boys or you guys?
Probably me.
Yeah.
You think yourself amazing.
What really inspired that competitive streak?
I'm sorry, what was it? What inspired that competitive streak?
I think he's just competitive in nature. Anything we play, whether it's basketball or golf, or any four games at home, he never wants to lose.
A competitor through and through, how about?
It's a lot of Pokemon from a little kid, and I think that just drives him the whole way, just to love the game.
Honestly, the love of the game is a lot of the reason that most of us are here.
Now if you had any final words that you could say to them before they draw that very first
card of this finals of the world championship, what would that last thing you want to say to them be?
I think he's just put in the work and he deserves to win and I just hope he does the best he can
because this was a celebration on his own. Very well said. I like the way I say just smile and
have fun. That's why we're here. True words through and through but I shall hold you no longer
As we have a riveting game to get to, let's jump straight into the action.
The boys are ready on the stage.
Great to hear from those who have supported these two young trainers the most
on their journey to get to this point. And speaking of that journey, we've got to take
a look at the bracket to see what the fight looked like to get through top eight up to this
point. Yeah, Kobe did have to go through Prince Williams in the top four, close friend,
and even testing partner in the past.
So maybe a bittersweet moment there,
taking down Prince to advance to the finals.
Jake, you know, did have to go up against Jones.
Diaz in the top four.
I believe it's like a mega Lucario deck tends to be very favorable
for this Alakazam deck that Jake is bringing to this tournament.
But it's always a difficult road to make it
to the finals of the World Championships.
Both these players have fought hard,
practiced so long to get here, and now it's just one more match to go.
And let's take a look at that matchup that we will be featuring.
It will be Kobe with that big basics deck featuring mega
Kengisgani X and the Willys Clefairy X up against Jake
and his Alakazam to Dunsparce. And you can see our predictions here.
I think very emblematic of what we tend to see in this matchup.
Alakazam is very strong against this kind of deck with big basic Pokemon EX that give up multiple prize cards, but
We'll see chip anything can happen in the Pokemon TCG. We've seen a time-in time again
Even bad matchups can be won
Anything can happen indeed and if there is a time for some sort of miracle perhaps it would be this stage this moment
Inside the chase center with this incredible crowd cheering these two trainers on
Shuffling up the decks, getting ready to draw those opening hands.
This matchup is an interesting one, very much so favored by the Alakazam player,
but Kobe's got some tricks. There are some things he could potentially do to give himself a fighting chance.
Absolutely, and both these players very accomplished. Kobe is no stranger to the world stage,
made top four in Honolulu in the junior division.
to be more comfortable in this kind of a situation where Jake has made the finals of a special
championship, some top four regional events, but this is such a huge moment for both these
players.
Kobe's dad did mention loves basketball, and I think very fitting to be playing a world's
finals match in the arena like this.
Just getting things all squared away for these opening hands to be drawn.
I want to hear from our crowd out there supporting these players.
If you're excited for this senior finals match, make some noise.
We're getting fired up here in San Francisco.
These two players, they've been waiting all day for this moment.
Probably running all different simulations, thoughts, situations
through their heads on how this could play out.
Will one of them be able to manifest their dream
of being a world champion?
What they are playing for, so much glory,
so much recognition, respect from their peers
and fans alike, that incredible Pikachu trophy,
that first place trophy card.
Words cannot describe what must be going through
these young men's minds as we see those
Opening hands being drawn, just getting everything squared away.
And we'll get right into the action here shortly.
Yeah, absolutely. And again, you got to imagine the nerves running through you at this point.
This is a huge crowd here in the Chase Center and so many people here to watch the finals.
Plus, I mean, I think you got a no going into this on both sides.
Alakazam tends to be very favored into this matchup, so I think if you're Jake, it's
pretty simple.
You just want to execute your game plan, get that Alakazam up and running, get those
big one hit knockouts.
If you're Kobe, trying to find ways to, you know, find a way, some sort of opening
to get an advantage in this matchup.
It's going to be tough, not impossible though.
Looking perhaps for spots where Jake has stumbled,
maybe a slower setup.
Chances for Kobe to pounce, attack.
That draw engine of the didun sparse, the Alakazam,
whichever piece seems most suitable at any given time.
Of course, wellspring mask, ogre pawn,
that's a potential, of course worth noting these players
have had an opportunity to review one another's
depth lists we are at this top-cut phase of the tournament so both players have a chance to see the other players list get very familiar with their unique tech counts they're
different inclusions and sometimes more importantly exclusions for a given tournament weekend
Sure both players are well aware of what the other is playing at this stage
Sure, no both players probably have support group testing group helping them theorize the right way to approach this matchup
And we're gonna throw this poll up here scan this if you're in the arena right now to participate
Take a little scan and see what we are asking here
Figure out which of these competitors is gonna come out on top. Who do you think will win this grand finals cast your vote now?
now. Here we go. Chippa live pole. It's pretty close here.
Fuka 50 50. Perhaps a little bit of a hometown favoritism
being here from the U. S. I do believe Kobe has the support
of the tabletop village. That big group of players who
travels all across the country as well. Big following
here. I'm sure big support groups for both of these
players. We have to call out. This is a big moment
both of them, but just reaching the finals of the World Championships is such an incredible
accomplishment, a lifetime memory being formed here. This is just what you dream of. You play an
entire season to qualify for the World Championships. Your hope, you know, how many players went into
this thinking this is how I'm gonna do it. This is how I'm gonna make it to the finals. I'm
I'm gonna play on that stage. He's the two players that made it happen and look at this poll dead on about 50 50
Pretty split here in the audience on who they are going to be rooting for who they believe to be our soon to crown
world champion
Jake
NG versus Kobe huh get this match sorted and get underway very soon once again
Alakazam from Jake up against the mega Kangaskhan big basic toolbox deck of Kobe
which one of them will claim their glory to become the world champion celebrating
30 years of Pokemon chip and over 20 years at the world championship since
brought us here to the arena as we take a look at these prize cards players
setting out those six cards off to the side or energy cars in the prize
cards for Kobe. That is potentially offered. Also, Ladiowsky X, he does play
two copies. That is a very important card for this archetype. And over on Jake's
side, he's prized that peasant deputy. And it looks like our players are ready.
Our judges are ready. Production is ready. I hope our crowd is ready here in
the Chase Center. And there's the fifth bump. We're getting in to the
the senior division final match is going to be an opening up the mega Kanga scone ex
on the side of Kobe Huck kicks it off right away with that run air and ability drawing
two cars from the top of his deck attaching a lightning energy for turn and it is the
relor in the active spot for Jake but not much working for Kobe on his opening turn
just that attachment and now a pass over to Jake a little bit of a David vs. Goliath
situation to start off here. Chip the 300 HP mega Kangaskhan EX, staring down the 50 HP
Relor. Of course, Jake's deck is Alakazam. You're trying to start off small and work your way up
big. Start with Abra. Evolve up into Kadabra Alakazam and build up cards in your hand to use that
powerful hand attack does more damage for each card in your hand.
So the whole strategy here is draw as many cards as you can.
We see Jake taking a moment to check his prize cards, making note of what Pokemon he does
and does not have available.
And a key one that he's just found out was that Genesect.
Looks like he's brought that to the front to make sure that is available.
Coby's aspect of choice is the unfair stamp something you do not see very often from these be big basic decks
It's what Coby's chosen to run so Jake wants to make sure Genesect is potentially available
And here is that telepathic psychic energy bringing out a pair of psychic Pokemon two more Abra join the party
Crucial opening telepathic psychic energy there your big goal on the first turn of the game
Just get a lot of basic Pokemon into play in the Pokemon TCG
Your Pokemon need to be in play for a full turn before you can evolve to the next stage of evolution
So the sooner you get down these Abra and done sparse the sooner you can evolve them up and sooner
You can start attack and there is one of those done sparse joining the party on the bench
Played down by Jake before passing it over to Kobe
Who does have a till mask ogre pony X and attaches a grass energy through the use of that excellent teal dance ability?
Accelerating and energy into play and also drawing himself one card of course run air and still available
But not before the use of the Meowthie X and that excellent last-ditch catch
You know Kobe's deck all about basic Pokemon no
Evolutions at all in this deck. It's kind of what we call a toolbox deck lots of different types of Pokemon for different
situations
and one
That could come up early on in the game is Wellspring Mask over Pond EX.
It has an attack that allows you to hit a benched Pokemon as well as the active Pokemon and take multiple prize cards in a turn.
If Kobe's able to do this early in the game,
he could establish enough of a lead to put pressure on Jake.
That's really going to be necessary because once Jake's Elixam is fully set up,
the prize trade is fully in his favor.
Alec Zamelec is up one prize card,
whereas things like Meowth EX or Mega Kangas Count EX
give up two or three prize cards,
and it's a race to see who can get all six first.
Kobe may be going aggressive here
with the grab of Crispin from this Meowth EX.
He'll be able to search out two basic energies
of differing types and accelerate one into play,
put the other one into his hand,
a psychic and a grass energy offered up for him
off of this search, and is he just going to go in with this mega Kangaskhan, get aggressive?
Sure, seems like it. I think this is a valid strategy at the start of the game.
Again, mega Kangaskhan EX has 300 HP. That means 15 cards in hand for Alakazam to knock it out.
That's not easy to do on the second turn of the game. One of the ways you can maybe
throw the prize trade back in your favorite finding spots where your opponent can't
knock you out in one attack and then you have some tricks to take advantage of that later.
And there's the attachment of the basic water energy to the mega kengaskhan and a rapid fire
combo. Kobe huss strikes first, taking the opening prize card in this final match.
Jake will promote his done sparse and immediately goes into the Katabra using psychic draw number
one and here comes psychic draw number two. This is how this deck operates. Katabra and
Alakazam both have abilities that when you play them from your hand to evolve one
of your Pokemon you get to draw cards it ever gives you two Alakazam gives three
one card we want to find in this situation if your Jake is the rare candy
to skip the stage of evolution and go right into Alakazam but we also see an
aspect card here Chip. There it is that enriching energy grabbed off of the
Hilda alongside the Dunsparse.
Such a powerful card just for your energy attachment.
You get to draw four additional cards
and he can cycle this card back into the deck
thanks to the run away draw ability.
Now Puka, if Jake can piece together
a rare candy and an Alcazam
and manage to get up to 15 cards in his hand,
he could take down this Kangaskhan
on the second turn of the game.
And if that happens, that means three prize cards are taken, that's half way to taking
all six of your prize cards.
Rare candy is the thing that still needs to be found here.
There is the runaway draw, three cards added to his hand, and no, Puka, I do not see that
rare candy just yet, so it does look like he has missed out on an Alakazam attack
this turn.
He's expended all of his potential draw power.
It doesn't dip any EX once again, not available in the prize card.
So just a push of this Abra in the pocket pad to find out one more piece, grabbing a Cadabra.
And for Kobe, that's exactly what you were hoping to see.
The opponent unable to get an Alakazam out on this turn, your Mega Kangaskhan EX, makes
it through the turn without getting knocked out.
You need every possible turn you can get in this matchup to do attacks without seeing
a response from your opponent. And here is a unique inclusion from Jake this weekend,
that Forest of Vitality alongside Rabska, evolving Rellore up as soon as it comes into
play and then protecting the bench with that spherical shield ability. Yeah, Forest of
Vitality, a stadium card that allows you to break that rule of evolution and evolve
your grass-type Pokemon immediately. We see Shaman a lot in these sorts of decks.
opting to go for the Rapsca since it provides a bit more protection compared to the Shaman.
Run air in for Kobe on his turn, draws a couple of cards. Ladias getting a little bit of mobility
into the mix, that excellent skyliner ability allowing him to move his Pokemon around freely.
And here comes the Crispin. Once again, two turns in a row, Kobe will get an extra energy
card into play. This is what this deck aims to do.
Absolutely. But one of the reasons this Rapsca is so important in this situation is, again,
Kobe can only take one prize card at a time. All of these Pokemon on Jake's side only
give up a single prize card when knocked out. One way you can swing that is with
the Wellspring Mask Booger Pond EX Torential Pump. Rapsca blocks that play from happening
since it protects your benched Pokémon from being damaged by attacks.
Fighting energy attached from that Crispin onto a second Mega-Kangaskhan.
And that's a bit of a risky Pokémon to power up, Puka.
You called it out. If one Mega-Kangaskhan gets KOed, that's half of the game.
So in theory, Jake could close out this game only attacking two times.
That's true, but for now, we see another rapid-fire combo.
Kobe putting on the pressure.
And here comes Alakazam.
Psychic draw, three cards from the top.
If Jake NG can increase his hand size up to 15,
he'll be able to topple the mighty mega Kangaskhan EX
and don an excellent supporter to see in a position like this,
searching the deck for a basic Pokemon,
a stage one Pokemon and a stage two Pokemon,
adding them all to hand.
I think it's almost a foregone conclusion.
Jake's going to get to 15 cards on this turn, Chip,
But one thing he needs to find as well is Genesect.
Need to find that Pokemon that can use this ace nullifier ability.
One weakness of Alakazam is the popular ace-back card, Unfair Stamp.
It makes you shuffle your hand in and draw two cards,
which of course resets your whole strategy for Alakazam.
Genesect is the main way of counterplay for that big ace-back card.
an energy attached to Kadabra,
preparing for a second attacker in the future of this game.
And he did not grab the Genesect off the dawn,
perhaps already waiting in the hand.
That certainly will be a big piece, but no, Puka.
He misses the Genesect.
He takes this KO.
Half of the prize cards, he'll jump ahead,
but this is a huge opening for Kobe.
If he can find his A-Spec card, unfair stamp,
he will be able to reset Jake's hand
and leave him with only two cards.
Pink opportunity for Koby, but a huge knockoff for Jake.
That's three prize cards on this third turn for Jake.
Can Koby respond if he doesn't find the unfair stamp?
I mean, there's so many cards in Jake's hand.
It's really gotta be on fair stamp this turn.
It's all about finding that pink card.
If he can see unfair stamp here, he's got a real chance.
He's got this second mega King of Skawne X ready to go and energy attached and look at that in the hand.
It is there, Puka.
He's got that unfair stamp going to play Sereno first, searching the deck for three Pokemon EX, adding them into his hand.
You see the Sereno as well, finding three Pokemon EX, putting them into the hand.
When you see the area zero under depths come into play as well, potentially.
And there is that Fezendipity hitting the board with that flip the script ability.
And since Jake did take a KO on the previous turn,
Kobe would be able to use that to draw three more cards,
perhaps saving it for the other side of his A-spec use.
But not seeing the Genesect is perhaps curious from the perspective of Kobe.
Could he ever key in on maybe that hook on being prized
and try to save his unfair stance for next turn, Puka?
He may not get another turn.
Exactly. You're not going to get another turn
If you don't use that this turn your opponent can just boss his orders up your mega Kanga scouting ex and win the game
What is he digging for here flip the script once again using this before the use of his a spec?
Don't see a stadium card in that massive hand for Kobe may have been looking for that but there it is chip unfair stamp both players
Sending their hands into the deck. Kobe will get five still a solid bit to work with and Jake will be left with only two
This is a huge moment for Kobe in this game.
This is the one opening that he has to disrupt Jake's strategy,
putting his opponent down to just two cards in hand.
Intentionally going with the mega Kangaskhan EX,
once again, it's gonna be really challenging
to get up to 15 cards again after being reset down to two.
We have spoken about the difficulty of this matchup
from the perspective of Kobe,
but if there is an opening for him, this perhaps is it.
He'll take this KO with rapid fire combo
and leave Jake with just a couple of cards.
Jake could win this coming turn.
Should he get to 15, that seems so, so difficult.
There is the KO.
Kobe will tie this game back up.
Three prize cards apiece,
Jake promoting that, the done sparse,
and draws for his turn.
Alakazam right away.
Psychic draw three cards from the top.
Let's see what he can chain together here.
It's a long road ahead and those aren't actually
very good cards, Chip.
And not much help off of this, the dumb sparse either.
There's three more cards available,
but he is going to miss this KO.
He cannot win the game this turn any longer.
I don't think he has any additional dig
and he's going to just promote this Rapsca.
The unfair stamp bite of worked.
There's just not a whole lot going on in Jake's hands.
found the Alakazam at first to draw a couple cards, but I don't think there's
any supporter cards. Wasn't able to redraw the enriching energy. I wasn't able
to find another way to get an Alakazam. Seems like there's so many ways that
Jake could have found to draw more cards, but somehow didn't get any other
ones.
Helipathic psychic energy as well being used and not finding any Abras, so
that will be no future psychic draws on cadaveras this turn. This opening
for Kobe here. Seems to be piecing together. Both Abra's there in the
discard pile for Jake, so no viable targets from that telepathic psychic
energy in just a pass. Let's see what Kobe can do with this opening as he draws
for turn. Mega Kangaskhan in the active position.
Now Kobe's gonna have to make some big decisions. Does finally find area zero
under depths. If that's something he wants to go with this turn. Teal Dance
Attaches a grass energy drawing him one more card perhaps if he could find that
Chin pal he would be able to put that area zero into play and then get rid of mega Kangaskhan as a liability
Thank you for Kobe. You're kind of hoping that mega Kangaskhan can tank the hit this turn
Ideally you may be finding a boss's orders to go after either Alakazam or maybe even cadabra
Honestly the way to draw more cards that is an interesting choice here
Alakazam obviously the threats the Pokemon that can attack you but if you take
Kadabra away that
Remove some of Jake's Alts to draw more cards. So the last ditch catch does find bosses orders
Which Pokemon will Kobe go after is it Alakazam or Kadabra?
Clearly, you need to go after one of these, knocking out Rapska.
Not going to be enough here.
It is not a clear cut choice, and Kobe is still thinking through what the best option will be.
He'll bench another mega-Kangaskan and use this glass trumpet.
Item card allowing him to put some energy cards into play onto his colorless Pokemon,
thanks to their being that Terra Tealmasco-Grapan-EX on the bench.
Looks like the Meowth gets a water energy.
Kangus got a psychic in there as Bosses orders and he is going to chase after this Kadabra take away the draw engine
And this is huge
Jakes really go alone only gonna have one turn to try to respond to this
There's only gonna be one Alec Kazam left after this a
Lot of the Abra are in the discard pile at this stage as well
Looks like Kobe's gonna switch it up and go into the teal mask over pun
understanding my opponent might be out of Abra using that myriad leaf shower
Kobe will jump back ahead here just two more prize cards and he will win game
one of this final match Jake here with a question of what to promote and is
going to concede the fact with this promotion that if it's going to be
very difficult for him to get a knockout this turn and I think that
hand is completely dead. He has absolutely nothing to work with.
Unbelievable, the unfair stamp really giving Kobe an opportunity in this game. Jake does
have the sacred ash able to shuffle in five Pokemon from the discard pile back into the
deck. Would have loved to play that before using a telepathic psychic energy on a previous
turn to find another Abra. One of the issues is there's just not any of those
to support Pokemon in play to help Jake draw cards.
Five Pokemon going back in,
but another boss's orders from Kobe on his next turn
would basically spell checkmate.
Jake would be left with just a Rapsca.
He has no way to put an Abra into play this turn.
And that would mean he would be unable to attack
on the following turn.
Kobe has just two turns away from winning game one.
So brilliant tactics from Kobe.
Can he find the boss's orders to essentially close out this first game?
It wouldn't win him the game on the spot, but it would spell checkmate if he can find the boss's orders here.
Only one in the discard pile.
There are three me out in his list.
He's got two in play, so still the potential of a last-ditch catch.
See some energy being moved around with these energy switch.
Powering up the Latias EX, not a very common attacker.
Got to think at this point though, even if Kobe just...
Oh! And is able to clear out all of the mega king is gone
and make it so that Jake has no three prize card targets.
Huka, I think this is it. I think this is checkmate.
Kobe can take a knockout on this Rapskut.
Rapska Jake has no way to take three prize cards on the next turn and then Kobe can attack with the Laodios KO anything in Jake's deck and
That will mean Kobe will win this game one
I don't know if Jake has a response to this play
What a masterful setup in this very challenging matchup
It seems like Kobe is figured out a way to attack some of the weak points of this Alec Kazam deck just using these big
basic Pokemon EX and mega evolution Pokemon EX sometimes simply attacking with big
Pokemon gets the job done. Cyrano played to fin the deck a bit getting a few of
those Pokemon EX out and taking a KO now is Kobe huh with that teal mask Ogre
Pawnee X Jake will draw to kick off his turn it is just a done sparse I
don't even think he's doing enough damage to knock out Ogre Pawnee and Jake's
gonna pack it up Kobe wins game one.
A stunner to kick things off here in our senior division finals really all
about that unfair stamp that was the game changer here. Jake got off to a big
lead with that Alakazam knocking out the mega kengis gone EX but unfair
stamp it's got unfair in the nameship sometimes that happens. That's what it
feels like coming out of this game Jake just did nothing after that unfair
stamp happened and the setup was so good for Jake I mean look at this board three
cadavera done sparse rapsca he's prepared for all of Coby's tricks and it just
wasn't enough yeah one area that remain look back on here is yes the rapsco was
nice makes you feel safe not having that potential at the wellspring mask
over upon EX to target your bench put one down but the bench was a little bit
constrained not a lot of done sparse and so when it came time for that unfair
stamp there wasn't a lot of draw support there readily available and
crucially did not have the Genesect either we'll see if there's any
adjustments here from Jake in game two yeah of course you need both the
Genesect and a tool card we know he had access to Genesect could have
grabbed it off the dawn but I'm assuming he did have it in his hand and he just
missed out on one of his four tool cards to activate that ace nullifier ability.
Crazy and that's sometimes what can happen when you take a knockout that
appears in front of you without fully setting up yourself for the remainder of
the game that is where unfair stamp can come in and cut off all of your
momentum. I think Kobe, we've seen here has practiced this match up quite a bit,
has a clear plan of attack and we'll see if Jake can figure out a way to play
around it now and make some crucial adjustments. Jake was exuding confidence
walking up to that final table. Said he's gonna win. He did indeed claim
himself the champion but Kobe has put a wrench in that plan winning game
number one and now just one more game separates Koby from becoming the world champion now in
this situation feels like you may have to recompose yourself right it was maybe a shocking way to lose
the first game if you're Jake I think Koby has to be feeling great about how that all played out
but again this is a big stage there's a lot going on there's a lot of pressure
here will these players be able to stay focused here with so much on the line
Kobe is gonna get an extra card to work with here Jake did not find a basic
Pokemon in his first attempt at an opening hand of course when setting up
for the Pokemon TCG you do draw seven cards and one of those seven must be a
basic Pokemon for the game to begin. Since Jake did not find one, he's forced to take what we call
a mulligan, shuffle and draw again, and Kobe is awarded with an additional card for that.
Looks like a basic Pokemon was found off of this one. We'll set out those six prize cards.
Those ones you set to the side at the beginning of the game. You don't have access to until
your opponent's Pokemon is knocked off a game to getting started. Here we go. Jake is going
going to kick things off with the draw for turn,
benching up an Abra and a telepathic psychic energy
right away.
And similarly to game one in the active spot,
Puka, Megatangaskhan facing off against Relor.
Have a deja vu, Chip, Megatangaskhan, Relor,
and Abra with a telepathic psychic energy.
I think this is just the first game again.
And look at these prize cards as Jake
is doing his opening search.
A couple of Kadabra, psychic draw,
very important for fueling his engine.
And crucially, that Erie is in the prize cards as well.
That's one of your defenses against unfair stamp.
You can just discard it from your opponent's hand
before they get an opportunity to use it.
This might be tough for Jake.
Now, it doesn't have all the resources at his disposal
that he may want.
Still searching off this telepathic psychic,
It will be a couple more Abra brought down, and it is a Buddy Buddy Poppin as well, searching the deck for two Pokemon,
with 70 HP or less, putting them into play.
Looks like two Dunsparse brought to the front of the deck immediately.
You mentioned the clogging of the bench in game one.
Not really a problem when you're putting out Dunsparse as he can clear those spots up.
Yeah, it's one of the great parts about this support line.
Of course, great combo with that enriching energy.
draws you more cards, but you need to have those in play later on in the game.
Kobe is going to open up with the use of a run errand to draw a couple of cards from the top of the deck.
It looks like he's got Cyrano and Crispin in his hand. No Tilt Mask Ogre Palm though,
so I don't think we're going to see the potential of a turn one attack.
Cyrano will be his choice here to search his deck for three Pokemon EX, reveal them, and put them into his hands.
Trying to see if there are any energy cards in that hand.
Could be an issue if not.
Really want to get an energy in play on the first turn,
so you can set up for an attack on the second turn.
You can see the prize cards for Kobe here.
Again, a lot of different types of energy.
I think not overly relevant,
but the water energy will make it so he cannot use
the wellspring mask over on EX in this game.
It does cut him out of that potential play.
Of course, Jake does have that, Rapska, which also cuts Kobe out of that play.
It seemed like Kobe wasn't even keeping that line open very much in game number one,
as he attached the water very, very early, recognizing that Rapska is very easy to establish for his opponents.
And one of those just two bosses orders in the prize cards as well.
We saw that was a crucial card in the first game, being able to target down some Pokemon at the right moments.
Overall, I think should have a clean game here
See what Kobe decides to go with on this first turn and you really do want to establish some sort of offense in the first couple turns
And a part of that offense is finding an energy attachment and if he's gonna miss an energy attachment here
That is gonna put him effectively a turn behind he can make it up a little bit through the use of Crispin in the future and
Some teal dances so it's not necessarily the end of this game, but it is definitely a big miss
He's going to use the Sierra note to find out Ladiasi X, give that
Chunky Megacangus gone a little bit of movement. Of course the hefty three retreat cost brought down to zero
Thanks to Skyliner, Tealmasco Grapani X and Lily's Pufferi also a part of this equation
So as Kobe looks through the deck does see that the unfair stamp is in there
That'll be a crucial part of this equation as well
Well, big basic Pokemon EX coming down onto the bench, including a second mega Kangaskhan.
But where's the energy?
It's the same thing we saw from Kobe in game number one.
Getting that second Kangaskhan established, respecting the potential of a big play from
his opponent of taking out this Pokemon.
He wants to be able to promote it should his active go down.
And here it is, Jake's second turn.
HokaPata immediately fetches out the Dunsparce,
ready to go with a runaway draw.
In the first game, we saw Jake miss finding rare candy
on the second turn of the game.
That's gonna be even more important in game number two
with those two Kadabra and the prize cards.
You wanna see that rare candy
so that you can skip from Abra to Alakazam right away.
Will Jake be able to find it in the second game?
Yeah, again, possible here for this mega-kengaskon to go down.
Jake needs to get into an Alakazam and get 15 cards, and there is the Alakazam, Rare Candy
bringing it out, drawing himself three cards.
He does also have that enriching energy so he can attach and draw some more, though
he would lose out on his Rellore unless he retreated off Rellore, unless he was
to find an air balloon.
Here comes a cadabra from this Pokepad.
He'll be able to draw himself a couple of more cards.
You know, this situation,
I think it's always very tempting
to take three prize cards, right?
It's, again, halfway to getting to all six.
So it's always when you have that knockout in front of you,
we're like, ah, I could just do it.
But this may be a situation
where Jake wants to be a little more patient,
You know, wasting that enriching energy could backfire later
and doesn't seem to be under a lot of pressure
from Kobe after the missed energy attachment
on the first turn.
So we could see a situation where Jake is just content
to pass the turn, evolve up some of these Pokemon
and set himself up for a longer game.
We'll see if he chooses to remain patient
and he is going to attach this enriching to his active.
Drawing four more cards
He does have that Dundsparse he fetched off of the Poképad, getting a count of like 10 cards in his hand currently.
Still a long way to go to get to 15.
And there is the Dundsparse coming out.
The second Dundsparse hits the board as well.
Seems so unlikely for him to reach to a one hit KO.
So he is going to retreat into this Alakazam and not take a one hit knockout, still lay
a bunch of damage into this mega kangaskhan, but so often we are used to seeing just knockout
after knockout after knockout when piloting Alakazam.
Do you see the runaway draw?
So Dunspar's going into the deck and you have to see that the air balloon was drawn
off of that.
That could have potentially been used to retreat the Reller without having to use that enriching energy
Gotta wonder if that's gonna come back later for Jake not having access to that powerful a spec card
You only get to play one a spec in your deck. There are so many powerful ones to choose from
And for Jake this weekend it has been the enriching energy, but for him now it is in his discard pile
He has no access to it
but he's got boss's orders to bring up the Ladiost EX,
and if he has enough cards in hand,
he can still take a two prize KO this turn.
Sure seems like he was in that awkward middle ground,
having enough to knock out a regular Pokemon EX,
but not enough to knock out Mega Tenghis Gun.
So still a huge turn here,
but it's a fragile feeling here, Chip.
You get a knockout, but once again,
Don't have the Genesect.
And this is another opening for Kobe.
If he can find that unfair stamp,
he could leave Jake susceptible to being stuck
with a low hand size.
Kobe does play a couple copies
of the Cypher Maniac's code breaking.
That's a way he could guarantee himself this card draw.
We'd love to pair the unfair stamp with an attack though.
And right now, I need to probably play Crispin to get an attack unless you can find multiple energy switch in combination with a Teal Mask over on EX.
Could potentially attack with something like Lily's Clefairy EX instead if you wanted to go that route.
Another card Kobe does play as well is the Fun Lily's Pearl, so he could make the Clefairy worth just one prize card.
Here comes that Meowthie X using that last ditch catch.
Of course, that Lily's Pearl, only when knocked out by damage
from an attack, powerful hands, is an effect of an attack.
So he's going to look through here and search out
any supporter from this last ditch catch.
And it does look like it is Cypher Maniac's code
breaking, being lined up.
Any two cards placed on top of the deck
in whatever order he pleases.
Are we going to see the unfair stamp once again?
Of course, you can put unfair stamp plus one more card on top of your deck.
You'll draw them both with the run errand, so you could both draw the unfair stamp
and set up a combo for an attack here.
Does look like that Cypher Maniacs will be the choice,
and we know unfair stamp will be one piece of this equation.
Question now, what will his second card grab be?
That one's pretty easy.
Sure enough, needs the unfair stamp for this play.
Could get that energy switch to guarantee an energy over to the Clefairy.
Looks like he landed on a basic psychic energy puka.
That signals an attack with Lily's Clefairy EX.
I believe there's an energy switch in hand already.
Kobe going to try the energy once more.
Unfair stamp, knock out your Alakazam and let's see what happens.
run errand drawing the two cards that Kobe just placed on top of the deck.
He's going to use an ultra ball to discard a couple more cards from a hand,
fetching out any Pokemon he would like, adding that to his hand,
and also thinning some cards out of his deck if he doesn't want to draw any more.
Wellspring Mask Ogre Pawn, one of those cards going to the discard pile.
He's going to thin just one more Pokemon out of his deck.
If he's got area zero, he could put more Pokemon into play, of course.
If he would like to, or just discard them, Raging Bolt.
Not super necessary whenever you're dealing with Alakazam, which only has 140 hit points.
Really nice to knock out high HP Pokemon, perhaps some of those mega Pokemon we've seen in the format.
like opposing mega King of Scans, like mega Exca Drill EX,
but not useful in this matchup at all.
That's exactly what you can do here.
Discard those cards with Ultra Balls so that you don't draw into them off of this unfair stamp.
There's the basic psychic onto the Clefairy and an Energy Switch off of the Teal Mask Ogre Pawn and unfair stamp.
We'll give him five cards refreshed and leave Jake with just two cards.
He's already got the attack lined up.
Kobe will take down this Alakazam.
And these two cards here for Jake Enchi are massive to keep him and his hopes of becoming
world champion alive.
Chip, there's just one problem.
There's no Latias EX in play currently and the bench is full.
Coby needs to find Area 0 under depth and Latias EX to even retreat.
We're so used to seeing those cards just automatically being in play.
That is not the case in this game and in this situation and off these five cards.
It does not look like he has been able to draw into them.
That's why he was debating so long on that Cypher Maniac Spoonka.
He just has to pass now.
And it's over to Jake on his turn and he's got Alakazam.
A crucial miss for Kobe on that turn.
When you can't combine the unfair stamp with a knockout,
your opponent gets more time,
and time is not something you can afford to give
to Alakazam in this situation,
and Jake draws a wonderful hand off of that unfair stamp.
He's gonna be drawing all sorts of cards.
Alakazam into the dawn, dawn into Alakazam,
the Dunsparse and Fezendipity EX,
runaway draw, three more cards from the top,
Buddy, buddy, pawfin' to replenish the board.
If Jake can get to 15, he'll be able to take this knockout.
He'll go down to just one prize card remaining.
Let's see if he can piece it all together.
And even with no knockout here,
I think the damage has been done.
Jake has so many cards in hand now,
has the opportunity to set up those Dunsparce
for future Dunsparce and a rare candy.
It's third, Alakazam, all three Alakazam into play now for Jake, and I don't think he's
going to get to 15, but like you said, Puka the damage has been done.
Kobe's one trick, his one chance in this matchup is the use of that unfair stamp.
He's already expended that resource, and it was for not enough of a payoff.
Yeah, let's not forget, Jake is ahead on price cards.
He's already taken the first two.
still has to take six knockouts to win this game and there's no other way for
Kobe to disrupt that hand work if we keep seeing those runaway draws with the
Dunsparce filling up the hand every turn there's no way to set it back down to a
low enough number where Al Kazame won't be able to knock out these bookbots EX and
Jake can just feel free to replenish this board with the Dunsparce over and
over and over again. There's no reason to worry about getting the Genesect
established now. Unfair Stamped has been utilized. No way to recover that A-Spec.
Kobe's gonna continue to draw here and see what else he could possibly do, but if
he doesn't get off an attack here, I fail to see a real path. There's an
attachment to his active. Looks like an energy switch, so he's going to attack
with this heavily damaged mega Kangaskhan EX.
Not a good feeling if you're Kobe.
Oh, is he going to retreat it?
That's not a good feeling either.
He is going to manually retreat that hefty mega Kangaskhan
into the Lily's Clefairy EX.
It will be able to attack.
It will take the KO on Alakazam.
Kobe's going to put a couple energy cards into play
with this glass trumpet.
But Jake is just two attacks away from closing this out.
He's already got the two Alakazam on his board, and his hand is no longer in danger.
There is the KO. Lily's Clefairy takes down Alakazam, that handheld fan on Jake's hand will bounce the
psychic energy over to Teal Mask Ogre Pawn on the bench. Kobe finally taking a prize-guarding game
to, and let's just see if Jake can stream together a couple of attacks in a row.
We did see in the first game Jake got to a spot where he kind of ran out of steam
and let's remember there's no enriching energy anymore. That was discarded early on in this game.
So it might be a little more difficult to build up the hand than it would be normally.
But there's still a pretty healthy number of cards in that hand.
And Alakazam did 180 damage, and there's the flip of the script to add more.
As in Deputy EX, using its powerful ability as a KO was taken on the previous turn by Kobe.
Jake, should he have an energy card which is attached now?
He'll be able to KO this Lily's Clefairy, a couple of the Dunsparce put into play as well.
I don't think he even has to use these runaway draws to get this KO.
There is the powerful hand.
Jake down to just two prize cards remaining.
You can see how powerful that hand really is,
knocking out that Pokemon EX for just a single energy card.
And what can Kobe do from here?
The pressure is on, and you can see why this Alakazam deck
is so difficult for Kobe to deal with.
Here is Flip the script of the Pheasantipity EX
to draw himself three more cards.
If nothing else, he'll be able to draw through quite a bit more of his deck this game.
You see that teal dance of Teal Mask Ogre Pawn EX to get an extra energy out.
And here is that run air and ability to draw himself two more cards.
Not much else here for Kobe. The options feeling so limited.
There's no one prize Pokemon he can really efficiently attack with.
And Jake's already got so many cards in hand, perhaps the one hope here for Kobe would just be
if some energies were prized for Jake, but no, Kobe's gonna concede this one and send us to gain three.
3.
The unfair stamp, not enough that time.
Obi set up was not as robust as it was in the first game.
And Jake was able to draw out of it this time.
CY, this single prize, Alakazam, for just a single energy
favors, trades so favorably with these Pokemon EX,
Even just knocking out something like a Latias EX, like we saw here, that's two prize cards.
It basically means you just have to knock out two more Pokemon to win the game.
I mean, and that knockout was huge.
It's what prevented Kobe from getting into his attacker on the following turn,
getting rid of that pivot ability.
It was a really heads-up move from Jake,
and it ensured that he would cruise to a game to win.
Alright everyone here, let's hear from Pablo.
Pablo what are you seeing in this match and what can we expect to see as we go into this crucial game 3?
I mean obviously the fans against the on first down is going to be the key thing, having that Genesect down
and we saw that very smart play taking out Latias in order to remove the mobility right so we'll have to see what they can do
what they can do, but Genesect, I think, is going to be key in game three and could be defining.
Yeah, waiting for knockouts, 100% huge.
Not playing a way to take a KO until you can establish that ace-nullifier ability.
That is the main way in this matchup that Alakazam struggles.
Just not building up a large hand that it can keep later on in the game.
I think what's so interesting about this list is the forest of vitality
and the Rapsca actually coming into the fray at this point
to use that spherical shield to actually prevent the bench from being damaged here.
It's unfortunate that the Sacred Ash was prized, but that's the thing.
When the unfair scam gives you so many cards to drop back into that opening beautiful hand,
anything is possible.
Thank you so much Pablo, Ethan, and Emily appreciate your insight and thoughts as always,
as these players are setting up for game number three.
3. And Kobe will have the opportunity here to choose Buka first or second. Give himself
a chance to get established. And here it is, game 3 of the senior division final match.
Let's hear it for these trainers. Because Kobe is going to kick off this opening turn.
Ladiath's EX in the after spot. A Lewis Laferre, an energy attached in just up
past. No mega Kangaskhan. And Jake NG has started that crucial Genesact.
We're off to the races here in the third game.
A world champion will be crowned after this one.
Okay, Pat, the first card being played for Jake
needs to set up those Abra once again.
And we heard our analysts talking about that.
Genesect finally hitting the board in the third game.
We thought this was going to be a crucial part
of this matchup.
There's actually some tricky stuff
that can happen on Kobe's side as well.
Will we finally see this ace nullifier come into play?
It's gonna almost be forced at this point,
since Jake has had to start it.
He'll most likely be able to move it with an air balloon,
which will just naturally get a tool card onto this Pokemon.
Jake's opening play here is just that Pokepad
to get out the Abra and a Dawn
to search the deck for three different Pokemon,
a basic stage one and stage two.
And it looks like right away,
Fezendipity being potentially tied up is his hand that week that Fezendipity was considered Puka?
I don't love that. Unless there's a lot more good stuff in that hand. That is a bad signal.
Oh my goodness, Fezendipity EX being taken off the dawn right away. Unless there's more like Buddy Buddy Poffins, things like that.
This could be some trouble.
It does look like it was a Fezendipity, ultimately, as the choice, because Abra can be fetched with that Pokepad.
And that will be so put onto the board in just a past note energy on the side of Jake.
And as we see this hand here for Kobe, there's also not much going on.
His only bailout being, I think this Cypher Maniac's code-breaking.
I don't think he has anything else.
And I don't think there's enough Pokemon in play for Full Moon Run, it would even knock
out this Genesect.
What does Kobe have here?
Going to search through the deck and of course check those prize cards.
Kangaskhan, Khufari, a couple Pokemon there, a couple of supporters.
Also prized away.
I'll have to think about what to stack up on top of his deck.
And he has the mobility with Ladias in play right now so he could retreat into
the Kofarian attack, but yes, Puka, there's nowhere near enough Pokemon in play here.
We're so used to this full moon rondo being almost automatic to KO whatever you want,
especially when that Pokemon only has 110 hit points, but it's not going to happen here this turn.
Things are getting weird in the third game here to decide our world champion.
Not optimal starts for either player.
Who can adapt and figure out a strategy on the fly?
When things don't go completely according to plan,
let's see, these are the adjustments you have to make
when you're playing at a high level like this.
Teal Mask, go for Pony X, and Cyrano played on top of the deck,
and it makes a lot of sense when you look at the hand here for Kobe.
He'll be able to teal dance into that Cyrano on the next turn
and fill his board with a bunch of powerful Pokemon EX.
He will retreat, and he's going to deal just 80 damage
with this full moon rondo.
To hit KOing a Genesect, I don't think that's how you draw it up, Puka.
Definitely not. Big two cards off the psychic draw here, though.
Does find an energy card. It is that enriching energy, his A-spec of choice.
He's going to attach, draw himself four cards.
And continue to fuel forward this position.
It's not going to be possible now to attack.
There's no wondrous patch in this list from Jake, so no KO potential,
but a second Dawn played. We'll search out a bunch of Pokemon and continue to help him get his board established.
It was seeming a little scary at first for Jake, but I think he's become destabilized.
Yeah, the key was just kind of survival in this situation.
Only two cards found off the Dawn. No stage two Pokemon found.
Yeah, that means no Alakazam remaining in the deck. They're hiding out between the hand and the prize cards.
We're going to see another psychic draw here of the Kadabra, two more cards, there is a
basic psychic, Dunsparse will hit the board, and it does look like just one Alec, no two
Alecas am in the hand, so one is hiding out in the prizes, he's got Battle Cage in his
hand, thinking about just playing that card out, and he will do just that, and passes
Now over to Kobe.
We see Jake once again not valuing the Genesect in this matchup.
Could have retreated it to try to protect it
and save that ace nullifier for later, but deciding no,
this is the least important Pokemon I have in play right now.
And this is the play Kobe set up last turn with his cipher maniac.
He uses his teal dance draws that one other card he put on top
and it is going to be the Sereno. Searching the deck for three powerful Pokemon EX, adding them into his hand.
Bezendipity, Mega-King of Stun EX, and then Meowth EX as well.
One of the things I love about this Sereno, being able to chain supporters thanks to Meowth EX.
Kobe will certainly get a knockout on this turn.
The question is, will he be able to set up for a big follow-up after that?
The opening turn has been fairly weak at this point.
Not a lot of acceleration.
You really feel like he's got to be gearing up for that unfair stamp in the next couple turns.
What's going on here? Looks like just the full moon round though.
Could have been an awkward situation there with a cruel arrow from Fezzendipiti with the right mix of cards.
But now Jake has a golden opportunity.
if he's able to capitalize, he'll lead off with that telepathic psychic energy,
searching out two basic psychic Pokemon, putting two more Abra into play on his bench.
We know he has Alakazam waiting in hand and he already has so many cards available.
The only ways to get back that Genesect that just got knocked out, there's one
Sacred Ash in one of Lana's eight, and those are both kind of difficult to find
early on in the game. So once again, we might be headed for a situation where Genesect is just not
a factor. Came into this thinking that was going to be one of the main interactions in this
matchup. It just hasn't come up yet, but Jake has still been able to find a way to get this
Alakazam up and running. Certainly has enough cards to get a knockout here.
And he's going to use the eerie trying to perhaps catch that unfair stamp unable to do that, but
does get two energy switch. Wow. Two energy switch. That will definitely limit Kobe's options
on the following turn.
Flip the script, Fezzendipity EX drawing a few more cards.
Here is that, Forest of Vitality.
Getting rid of that battle cage, putting this stadium into play now.
And as long as he's got 10 cards in his hand, powerful hand will take the KO.
Jake NG strikes, two prizes down, four more to go.
go. How will Kobe respond here? The pressure is mounting. The hand is built up for Jake.
Alakazam is up and running. Is this the time to find unfair stamp? Starts off with just
three cards off of this. Flip the script to draw those first three. Kobe's used one
Cypher Maniac's code breaking. He does play two copies, so he could piece it all together with his
Meowth that he grabbed the last turn off of the Serino. Gonna draw with a few of his other abilities
first to see if he can perhaps find it naturally. Of course, not only does he want to play the
Unfair Stamp, he wants to pair it with an attack with a KO, which is what he missed out on in
game number two and here comes that Meowth.
So one major difference in this third game is Jake was able to put down Fesendipity EX
before this unfair stamp is potentially coming.
It's going to weaken the effectiveness of that.
I have to wonder if there's even an opportunity for Kobe to take advantage of the fact that
Fesendipity is down, could potentially use things like Saab with the wellspring mask
over pond EX to trap it for a little bit so you can set up a bigger play later.
But no, Cypher Maniac is the choice here.
He's going to grab a grass energy and the unfair stamp here.
He's lined up this K.O.
Going to play a few more cards out of his hand to thin as much as possible.
And there it is unfair stamp.
Kobe will get five cards leaving Jake with just two.
But Jake has prepared his board well for this situation.
Not only that, Fezendipity, but there's also a done sparse already in play.
Will the third time be the charm for Kobe's unfair stamp?
It worked the first time.
Wasn't as effective the second time.
He needs it to stick one more time to have a chance to become world champion here.
This A-Spec card is the game changer that could decide
This tournament for these two players here are the cards being drawn Kobe's already
Expended everything he really needs to this turn. He's used all of his draw abilities
He's got that teal mask over upon EX set up and ready to fire off a myriad leaf shower
Taking down the alakazam
Tying this game up two prize cards taking a piece
Let's see what Jake has off of this draw promoting his the done sparse ready to use that runaway draw ability
and he's going to kick it off with a
Decendipity EX and flip the scripts.
Do you see a Hilda and a Dawn in the hand?
That's going to represent so many additional cards on this turn.
A Kadabra and Alakazam. That's going to end up drawing five
additional cards. You have the runaway draw with
Dunsparse available as well. Things are looking
great for our Australian player Jake, lining up all these cards for this Alakazam.
Plenty of cards still to draw this turn. The Dunsparse available in the active spot needs to
make sure he can find an energy card. There are so many cards for him to draw to C1.
There are two found from the psychic draw of Kadabra. There are three coming in from this
Alakazam and still three more to draw with the Dunsparse available. He only needs 11 in his hand to get this KO.
Yeah, crucial difference between this and the first game as well.
Mega Kangaskhan was the one following up after the unfair stamp. Now a much smaller Pokemon that's much easier to knock out.
Much easier to get to 11 cards compared to the 15 required to KO a Mega Kangaskhan.
And should Jake have an energy card which he does this powerful hands will take down this teal mask ogre prawn ex
Taking Kobe's only Tara Pokemon out of play taking all of Kobe's energy cards out of play and leaving him with a board
Simply full of Pokemon
Jake setting things up
To just secure a victory if possible
possible, improve the odds where you can, put more Kadabra and Alakazam for you to draw on your future turns.
There is that KO. And just one more knockout separates Jake NG and this champion title. Kobe will promote his mega Kangaskan EX.
Let's see what he can piece together. So much card draw available as Indipity EX and the use of flip the script.
three cards right here killing him one at a time still more to find with the
mega kengis gone and it's run air and ability what could Kobe possibly attack
with here to to give him a chance to get reestablished that's the question and
that's the question Kobe's gonna be asking himself as well give a couple
different options here obviously you can't just leave things the way they
You'll lose immediately if nothing changes on this board,
whether that means attacking the active Pokémon,
knocking it out, or trying to get a little crafty,
maybe using something like boss's orders
to bring out Fezzendipity EX and try to trap it.
I don't know if that'll even be enough at this stage,
but you gotta try something.
This is the last game of this Seniors Division Tournament,
the last couple of turns.
Kobe's gonna see it out and try to find some path here
Perhaps through the use of a Meowth EX which is found off of the ultra ball
Gonna put down a lilies Clefairy gonna. Oh, he cannot bench that Meowth puka there
There are no Terra Pokemon in play he put down that lilies Clefairy first of course area zero under depths expands your bench to eight Pokemon
But only if you have a Terra Pokemon in play
something we've probably all done at some point just assuming you have a
tarot Pokemon in play in that area zero under depths is always expanding your
bench to a Pokemon but the Tumask Ogrebon EX was knocked out on the
previous turn you can't fulfill that condition for the area zero under depths
and the first card that Kobe played down was the lilies Clefairy now won't
be able to bench the Meowth E.X. or anything else in this situation.
What can he do here?
He has to find Crispin if he wants to attack this turn.
That's now his only path with no Teal Mask Ogre Pond in play, no opportunity to get extra
energies out through the use of a Teal Dance.
So if he does not find a Crispin here, he's gonna miss an attack.
Psychic Energy will come down onto the Lily's Clefairy, E.X., gonna take stock
of the discard pile on Jake's end, looking for any way out of this situation, he will
use a boss's orders to bring something into the active spot, banking perhaps on lack of
energy cards available for his opponent, hoping that maybe a couple of energy cards are prized.
It is entirely possible. If that were the case, Jake may have a hard time moving
this Fezendipity he will draw for turn. There is that air balloon. There is the
boss's orders and Jake. NG is the 2026 Pestimon TCG World Champion.
Congratulations to Jake taking it all with Alec Dazan and that powerful hand was able
to draw enough cards to become our champion well played by both players such an amazing
match to watch. At the end of the day, Jake will be taking home the crowd. Congratulations.
Congratulations to of course to Kobe as well to get to this point to be able to play on this stage.
What an incredible memory. What is something he'll be able to cherish for the rest of his life?
It feels unfortunate to come up just short but what a run it has been for both our players.
congratulations Jake MG the world champion. He said at the beginning he was
gonna be the champion and he followed through on his promise. Congratulations to
Jake on getting the job done. Very competent player and I kind of think
there was a moment he may have been questioning himself after that first
game and how that match started off but Alakazam just too powerful against
this big basic stretch.
And we are standing by with Jake for an interview.
We've got to see how he's feeling fresh off of his plan.
Oh, my goodness.
What a match we just witnessed, and we officially
have our world champion for the TCG senior division.
All right, Jake and G, many were
talking about the fact that the Alec-Azam deck was
favored in this matchup, but this did go the distance.
Can you give me the breakdown of this match from your perspective?
Uh, so, game one, I just drew nothing off the stand, which like, just lost me the game pretty much.
I think I might have made a slight misplay. I didn't like, sacred ash back-abras into my death, which probably lost me the game.
But in game two and three, they were pretty clean. I just drew a supporter off-stand that I won.
the senior division offers a unique opportunity to start building your
reputation as a player nice and early as you continue down your competitive career
how would you like for people to describe you as a player I hope they view me
as a top player ultimately that's just my goal to feel like I'm good I don't
really care that much about winning as long as I feel I'm at the top of the
current player base I mean there's nothing like a world championship title to
people that you're good. Before I let you go, would you like to give any shout-outs to?
I'd like to shout out my dad first for bringing me to all the events that I go
to. It takes a lot of time of work just to come up with me. I'd also like to thank
our Yuichi and Addison for playing the same list as me to the worlds
and as well as everyone who's tested with me and helped me build my dad. Truly is
a team effort. Well thank you so much Jake for joining me right here and
And everyone here in the Chase Center, give it up one more time for your TCG Senior Ball Champion, Jack G!
We have had some very interesting matches so far today, but I do think we have one more matchup when it comes to TCG, am I right?
There's something else we have to do.
That's right.
The TCG Masters Division is on the way, so let's get you set up for our final match-up.
For nearly 30 years, the Pokemon Trading Card game has continued to evolve.
New cards, new strategies, and new generations of trainers.
But the dream of becoming world champion has remained all the same.
The best trainers of the 2026 season earned their place in San Francisco, and after countless
hard-fought battles, clutch plays and crucial top decks, only two remain.
One final match will decide the next Pokemon trading card game, World Champion.
Diego Casiraga is one of the most storied players in the game's history, having three
prior top-cup finishes, including his World Champion title in 2017.
His run this year has been fueled by the powerful hands of Alakazake.
I'm Diego Casaragar and back!
We'll see him in the chase this morning!
After defeating Henry Chow in top four, Diego proved that he is still one of this game's
top competitors as he battles for a chance to become a two-time champ.
He will be facing off against Andrew Hedrick, who has dominated the Pokemon TCG for the
last few seasons.
is playing draga potex with crushing hammers. This is an archetype that he popularized after
winning the Los Angeles regional championships earlier this season.
He defeated former number one ranked player Brent Tonneson in top four to punch his ticket into
championship Sunday. This finals match is a story of the experienced veteran versus the young
superstar. Only one of them can leave this stage as our champion.
This time, it's my turn.
One of our trainers is looking to become the first two-time world champion in the TCG Masters division.
The other has already rocked this deck towards victory in a regional this very season.
Everybody, it is time to meet our TCG Masters finalists.
First up, we have Andrew Kettbraak!
And on the opposite side, give it up for Diego Casieraga!
I know I'm still for this matchup. I know everyone in the audience is. Andrew, five regional victories, an NAIC title. This would mean the Tri-Fecta. What is he going to take to actually achieve that?
Yeah, I didn't know I was gonna try to treat this mess like you would any other, right?
I'm gonna try to play the best you can, do what you can with the card you draw and to see if it works out.
And Diego, the last time we saw you on this stage, your wife was seven months pregnant with your first child.
Now you have returned as a father of two.
Walk me through the journey back in 2017 till now.
I'm really proud to have them here with me supporting me here in the sidelines
We appreciate the support of everyone that is in the audience right now
He's been cheering how we send our trainers off to your battle stations
All right, what do you got to say about that?
Oh, we got a lot to say about that, Gabby, but we're hopefully gonna have time to say it all
We've got Andrew Hedrick, Diego Casaraga, we have crowd, our junior division world champion,
we have crowd, our senior division world champion, now just a master's division left,
I'm Ross Gilbert and I'm here with the lovely Joe Vanard. Joe, how good is this final gonna be?
Oh, this is Goliath versus Goliath. Absolutely Ross. This is a combination of modern era versus
veteran. We have the mastermind of the modern era in Andrew Hedrick, looking to complete
the Pokemon Gauntlet. He's already a regional champion. He's already an international champion.
What a maze! The world championships is just one set away, but he faces down a veteran of over 20
years of experience at the very highest level. Kiyoha Kassuraga, he has a resume better than
anyone in the orange racing club at the world's level. He's already got two top eight finishes.
his dream came true in 2017 with Guarded by GX and he's hoping to do it again today.
Well back in 2013 we saw Jason Klazynski won the world championships for the third time,
but since then the play of Ace has grown immeasurably. Tournaments have gone infinitely harder
when we ask that question. Will we ever see another player repeat as the Masters Division
world champion? Well Diego's coming here, said look I want him in 2017, nine years later
I'm back and he has got an excellent chance just one more hurdle to get over but he's proven he
could navigate this he's been a dragaport along the way just one more game to go and he could do
what people thought might no longer be possible. If anyone can it could be Diego and we've got
the Friends and Family standing by so let's hear from them. Thank you so much guys of course
I'm here with the Friends and Family of our competitors and I've got a couple of
posting questions to ask them.
How does it feel having supported them towards this point
and now they're on the world stage?
I mean, to me, it's no surprise.
I think Andrew Hadric is on a different level
from every other player in the world.
And it's pretty rare that the best players get to actually
make it to the finals of Worlds.
So I really wanted to bring this one home
because he's a great friend of mine.
Sorry.
That's it.
I mean, it's really, I've been seeing you playing on my life and being here is really crazy.
I'm so proud of you.
I'd love hearing that.
I think we're all so proud as well.
It feels like we've all become family, watching both players grow and now get to this point.
How much preparation goes into events like this that people just might not understand
from home?
I mean, I have spent countless hours just sitting in call with Andrew playing,
sharing screens, playing, you know, the PCCG Live ladder.
He gets to the highest elotes I've ever seen.
He it's incredible.
He's put in so much work and he really deserves this.
And I read.
I mean, seeing him practicing and practicing
and being with his family is really nice.
I love that.
they're so good still makes plenty of time for the family and if you could give
just one final breath of support what would you say to them right now if you
were over there. We will support him no matter what. Use Phantom Dive to knock out all his
our present win again. Good advice! Well let's go see if that's going to be what
unfolds. Good luck to our players as we embark on this journey together. Well it's
hard to argue with that advice, huge funds and vibe, not our Abra. Ladies and
gentlemen, we have Matt the players. Give me a cheer if you're cheering for Andrew!
I don't think I'm a star. If you don't want to see Diego Castigarca take a home, make some noise!
I think they're very pretty popular, Joe.
And who can blame them? They've had such historic placements.
Andrew, more recent success.
Diego for the many years, such a strong competitor.
As we see how they made it to the finals,
actually quite similar runs from both players.
You'll notice that both Andrew and Diego
were able to take out Crostal in their top eight matches.
And then, we're both able to defeat Dragapult
in their top four matches.
It was really amazing to see Diego
up against Henry Chow in that previous game
while I was far-dumbing up against Dragapult
again in these finals.
So you know that he's got a lot of experience
this matchup actually throughout the tournament he has four wins and one loss
his only loss of the entire tournament so far has been Dragapot that is a little
bit awkward but there are a lot of Dragapot out there he has beaten a lot of
them let's see what the casters think about this particular matchup where
did we come down in terms of our predictions who do we think is going to
take this home I know Joe we ended up on different sides of this bracket I'm
in Team Diego but you think Andrew's bringing it home well it's a dead
between the cast is that you can see why it's hard to back against the previous
world champion. I'm feeling that from what I've seen from Andrew he's just such a
phenomenal competitor and I do happen to think that his build of Dragapod DX will
have enough answers to this single prize Alakazam archetype. Diego does have a
lot of defensive cards that can help out against the dangerous Phantom Dive
attacks against the Adrenal Brain from Monkey Dory but I think that Andrew
just about has the edge here with his list. I've been looking at recent
tournaments and Dragapult has been the best deck for a while. No one's arguing
that but it didn't win the last European regional this season and it didn't win
the last North American regional this season and it didn't win North American
internationals and it didn't win Japan championships and it was the best deck
in all of those tournaments going in and I just think sooner or later
Dragapult gets got and I think this is the game where Dragapult gets got
but I do think it's gonna be close I think it could go either way and I do
might be a pretty good matchup we're gonna watch. Well if the casters can't decide who's
gonna win it's gonna come down to these players. Let's have a look and remind
ourselves that some of the accomplishments from both sides here. Andrew
Hedrick a five-time regional champion, NAIC champion, his best world's finished
today has only been top 32 he's absolutely a clipped stat right now but
another great snap for Andrew is that he's only come second in the seven
finals that he's attended in. He is so locked into these finals. He has lost one final out of seven.
That is a pretty good record as you go in and Diego a whole bunch of results there,
but the one that really stands above all of them is that world championships final that
was titled over in 2017 with that Gardevoir GX. Let's take a look at some prizes. Anything
coming down that terrifies you Joe? Not too much. Richard Energy's not great.
night stretcher and the A-Spectre Diego not ideal either so both players are going to have to
navigate their prizes in this situation. Okay looks like we are getting ready to start people
in the chase center it's time to get loud!
That's exciting!
That's exciting!
And it's going to be your turn to run this way.
The players have the fist month we are off in the Masters division.
This is game one out of the best of three, and it looks like we're starting off with Andrew Hedrick.
We're paper two in the active. Diego has got an Abra.
It is a buddy buddy popping for Andrew.
That is going to allow him to go and grab two basic Pokemon.
Come on, Joe, give us a quick rundown
on his Dragapult deck while he searches.
Well, it may not be the first time
you've seen it this weekend.
We even saw it in the Juniors division.
But this archetype is built all around the Stage 2
Dragapult EX, meaning that Andrew's priority will
be finding, first of all, early Dreepee,
and then working his way into Drakloak.
Having that recon directive ability
grants you so much access to the deck
that you'll be able to string together
all sorts of combos.
And it's no bad thing that the Dragapult itself
a phenomenal attack in Phantom Dive, dishing out 200 damage to the active, but also crucially
placing six counters on your opponent's benched Pokemon in any way that you like. And it's
how creative Andrew can be where he's going to find his edges in this set.
Yeah, you're looking to take multiple KO, set up Pokemon, three, four turns down the road.
You need to be able to see the future if you're playing this Dragonbolt deck. Well,
the buddy buddy Poffit is going to go out and do a couple of 3D down onto the bench.
That is going to evolve into Dragon Ball and a second Buddy Buddy Poppin turn one double Poppin
That is a dream of many a Pokemon player
So we can start seeing even more basics here if you want to get an army of 3p down on the bench
This is a good way to start
But we are weaving in a Duns boss there which of course evolves into Duns boss
There is going to be your draw engine both of our players here are utilizing this as a sort of secondary engine within their main evolution line
So it's an amazing start for Andrew here to have access to 3 3p in addition to the Duns
Bass opening up all sorts of opportunities for him to draw on that second turn of the
game as he evolves up into his Pokemon.
So all things considered, this is a phenomenal turn one for him.
It's everything you're looking for.
Turn one going first, you're not allowed to attack, you're not allowed to play a
supporter.
What you really want to do is establish a whole bunch of basic Pokemon.
You'd like an energy, does not look like we're going to see that.
Andrew, that is the...
Well, could you see one in the hand there, Joe?
All I can see is Drakloak for next turn and Meowth EX possibly for next turn as well. That's all I'm seeing here right now
Well, at least you got your basic Pokemon. You don't get your energy
But you can pass over to Diego knowing you're in a pretty good position
And we do pass over Diego's first turn of these finals Aberrin the active decent start
What do we have? We're looking for Pokemon search and it's only one buddy buddy puffin
Yeah, we do have a buddy buddy puffin one seems to be enough
I think there's also a poker pad in this hand as well.
So Diego will start to sift through his cards.
Once again, his evolution line,
not only a great attacking threat,
but also he can draw cards throughout the game
as he evolves up.
The Kadabra allows you to draw two
when it comes into play with that psychic draw ability.
Alakazam gets you one additional card,
a great bonus and that powerful hand attack as well,
dishing out more damage counters
for the number of cards in your hand.
So throughout this set,
we're gonna be looking at Diego's hand,
not just for what it contains, but also the raw size of the hand
is what's required to reach knockouts.
And that's something we're going to be tracking throughout the game.
We're going to be looking at Andrew's opportunities to disrupt the hand.
We're going to be looking for things like the special red card,
things like the unfair stat.
These cards that can lower Diego's hand size,
trying to make it as difficult as possible to rebuild it.
You need 16 cards in hand to get a KO on a clean Dragonpole EX.
It's absolutely possible, we've seen it plenty of times this weekend,
but Andrew's job is to make it as difficult as possible for Diego to pull that off.
And a dunce pass off his own for Diego.
And just having a little bit of a look.
Now it is worth noting we have six cards that go down as your prizes to begin the game.
Those cards are inaccessible until you draw them as prize cards by taking knockouts.
So the reason you see these players doing long searches in the early game,
they are just looking for which cards are missing
so that they know what they don't have access to.
Diego right now is thinking,
ah, that enriching energy, hope I draw that soon.
Yeah, absolutely. Especially important as Hilda
is one of the crucial supporter cards he will look towards throughout this game.
The enriching energy would be a way to unlock some draw out of this supporter,
but instead he's just going to have to rely on the telepathic psychic energy
to not only attack, but also to get additional Abra into play
because it can search out basic psychic Pokemon.
Part of the reason why this archetype is so consistent
is the four copies of this telepathic energy.
Yeah, perfect order coming in with that.
Really did give a power spike to this deck.
We've gone and grabbed a Kadabra for next turn.
Of course, we know that the do with that itchy pollen attack
is going to be turning off the use of item cards.
So it is in your best interest when you're playing against Purdue
to proactively play your items, maybe even a turn early,
because you can poke a pad now and get your Kadabra.
Next turn, that poke pad will not be available,
but you will have the Kadabra ready to evolve.
draw two cards and hopefully work towards your main attacker. A battle cage goes down,
that's going to be big in this match up, right Joe? This is going to be a crucial war that
we have during the entire series where the stadiums land because Diego wants to keep
this battle cage in play for as long as possible, preventing the damage counters from
being placed on benched Pokemon by effects of attacks or abilities, which is essentially
everything Andrew is trying to construct. So whenever you can find those stadium
That's really important. But look at this.
Recon directive into Recon directive.
Andrew is flowing right now.
All three, drag cloak, come down nice and easily.
You had three turn, one 3P, three turn, two drag cloak.
Absolutely what you're looking for.
Each of those, let's look at the top two cars of your deck.
One to your hand, one to the bottom of your deck.
And that gives you your draw engine as you keep rolling.
This is what you want to do.
Slow the game down with the do.
Build up your dragon army on the bench.
And it is going beautifully for Andrew.
Andrew, the Crispin is the supporter for the turn here, so Andrew can begin to power up multiple
drakeloak. He could likely put two energy onto one benchmark on all, spread out his attachments,
just to save him the headache later on in the game, but no, we are seeing two energy
onto one drakeloak here. It may not indicate that we could get aggressive this turn with
the dragon headbutt, but he's certainly eyeing up on attack on the next turn.
He absolutely is. One of the things you've got to watch with drakeloak, it is
two energy attack so cards like Crispin and cards like roses encouragement they
are played in the deck so you can just a tiny bit by getting two energy
attachments in your turn rather than one so that you can get this Pokemon up and
rolling a little bit faster especially if you say miss an energy attachment on
turn one there is that tiny chance that Diego could potentially go
Rehachan the Alakazam energy bosses orders KO Dragloak is that something
And who's worried about not so much especially if you can use the itchy pollen here
I feel like that has to be the line of play this turn
Yeah, it's just gonna go for itchy pollen and hope that this item destruction can pretty slow down
No, oh, it is not active joey's going for it
It is a headbutt headbutt onto the Agra first KO goes to Andrew Hedrick no more to do no more item lock
It is a proactive first KO here, and it's not what most people would have been expecting
Things get really odd already.
In this final, there's a dawn top-deck from Diego Casarago.
Perhaps the only reason Andrew went for this line of play
was there was no supporter from Diego
on his first turn of the game.
But now we're gonna see the runaway draw.
If we can find a rare candy from these three cards, Ross,
things could get explosive.
You don't need quite,
but we do find the Fesendipity EX.
That's gonna be three more cards.
It's got the ability, flip the script.
If you had a Pokemon code last turn,
get to draw three more cards, so you're going to have access to more cards, and now you don't
even need to use something like a boss's orders if you just get RareCand, the Alakazam energy.
You not only knock out the Drag Cloak, but more importantly, you remove all the energy
from the board.
There's your telepathic psychic energy.
That's going to go and get a couple more Abra if you want to, if they're available.
Yep, absolutely.
This is a really disay-ar choice from Diego.
Make sure you pull these Pokemon out of the deck before you use your Flip the
script from Vesendipity EX. Possibly you might even think to use the Dawn supporter as well
before committing to this draw three because you can continue to pull Pokemon out.
Oh well, we are going to see the Dawn supporter. So the Alakazam will be a crucial,
the stage two is a no-brainer. What else is he going to cherry pick here? Already has access
to the Genesect in hand. There's your Kadabra, that's going to be able to evolve next turn,
draw a couple of cards, and then you get to get a basic as well. Presumably I think a
to evolve into the Dunspass, there we go.
So that's going to essentially reset your draw
and into Dunspass draws three cards that goes back into your deck.
So one of the things you need to do is to just keep resetting it.
Try and make sure you always end your term of a Dunspass on the bench
so that next turn you can evolve, use runaway draw,
and then round and round we go.
You don't need many cards in hand.
You only need five to KO at Drakloak,
so I'm not worried about hand size.
It's just rare candy now, that's all we need.
And there are three copies within Diego's list.
And here we go. Three cards from Feds and Dipty.
Joe, me, no action.
No, no, no. Oh, that's a bit sad.
That would have been great. That would have been such a huge turn.
Because you get rid of all the energy. You get rid of the jocloak.
You even up the prizes.
Instead, you just don't really have a great response.
And that's gonna allow Andrew to really go as the aggressor.
Draw two cards here.
And we've got a buddy, buddy, Poffin and a Dedenne.
We're going to bench that dunce-buster potentially evolve and draw cars next term, but a real missed opportunity here, the lack of rare candy, not through lack of trying, I might add, but the lack of rare candy means no evolution here, no real attack.
You can super CyBot for 30, that's a safe go.
I don't think we're going to see that.
Looks like Diego is a convention Dedenne or Genesect here,
because he wants to retreat out of this Kadabra,
could also use this body body pop-in,
while he has the opportunity to possibly even put
another Dunspassing to play here.
That would be a decent sacrificial Pokemon,
expecting a Phantom Dive to come back your way next turn.
And hoping that that battle cage sticks,
that battle cage will stop the residual damage
counters from Phantom Dive, KOing and Abracze. Abracze only got like 50 HP. It's very, very,
very low HP for an evolving basic. So that will just be cleanly taken out by a Dragapult,
but Battle Cage is stopping it right now. It means there's a single KO coming from the,
well, from what we assume is going to be a Dragapult next turn, rather than a double.
If you're Diego, you are hoping that Battle Cage stays in play,
and you just have two copies of Risky Ruins. That is going to be target number one next
Well, after a Dragapult.
No doubt it's going to be the retreat from Diego
so that he doesn't have to find the Wreck and beyond the next turn,
it's a big sigh of relief.
Andrew took a gamble in this game number one with the Dragon Headbutt,
but it's really worked out.
It really did. That could have absolutely been punished by Wreck and the Alakazam.
It wasn't, and now Andrew gets the potential to just keep taking prizes.
We've got an Ultra Ball in hand, so the Dragapult isn't going to be an issue.
It is a stadium we're really looking for at this point.
We've got a poker pad that's going to go and get a non-rubots Pokemon generally a non ex nowadays
And it is going to be that the dunce pass to go and draw more cards
This this could go really really well for Andrew on turn two. What's being three cards already from runaway draw?
We also have a seven cards dig in total if we're looking with our recon directors for key pieces
There's already bosses orders in the hand for Andrew as well that he might look to use
either on the Kadabra, once again forcing Rare Candy,
or even trying to bring that Fezzendipity EX can be such a nuisance for Diego.
It's a Pokemon that he would rather not put into play, but you can see why he opted for it.
Trying to find that Rare Candy would have been massive.
The fact that it's Whifed and now that there's this Liability EX in play,
things could get even more awkward for him.
So one of these huge swing turns, had Diego hit the Rare Candy,
you get to take all the energy off the board, get rid of it and cloak,
But by missing it you give your opponent the opportunity to potentially have a huge swing turn of their own
It's the stadium card risky ruins
That's what we're really looking for here remove the battlecade allow a double KO second recon directive comes down
Oh, and it is a risky ruins that he's drawn off the top that is gonna allow a double KO here with that dragon ball
Absolutely huge hit off of that three gone directive for Andrew
This game is already looking so incredible for Andrew with the ult ball already in hand
and he can find a Dragapult EX.
And now that he finds the stadium,
it's a no-brainer to bring up that Kadabra.
Being able to knock out both a Kadabra and Abra,
leaving Diego with just one of those vulnerable basic Pokemon
and forcing him to find more throughout the game
will also open up even more opportunities for Andrew
to take those cheap prize cards.
Absolutely. We see an ultimordus guarding two,
crushing Hammer, because why get rid of energy?
You're doing very well and there is no energy.
The Dragapult comes down,
So all we need now is to replace the stadium, the double KO is there, but I agree with you, Joe.
We're looking to see a boss's orders.
That is what Andrew is probably going to be playing here. Bring up that Kadabra,
and then go and get the double KO.
Get the Kadabra, get one of the Abra, and really put Diego in a really bad position.
Not just Dowel-free prizes, but Dowel-free prizes with just one of that evolution line,
one Abra and nothing else on the board.
Andrew even gets to stay top-top on attachments.
Everything is going flawlessly for him in this game number one
You have to see the bosses orders coming into play. No, it is going to be the festin Dippity
EX coming out and this is not too shabby now just 200 damage
Absolutely, and the thing here is you then leave it with 10 HP remaining at some point
There's going to be a fountain diving in a drop of damage counter on there
Interestingly chose not to play the risky ruins didn't go for the double KO
Now one thing that is worth noting now if there is an Abra left
And that's a big if five damage counters on an Abra one damage counter on a pheasant if we could get a triple
KO next turn, but now we're over to Diego drawing a whole bunch of cards. We've already got the Alakazam
Do we have could we is there any way we could get this dragon bolt this time?
We absolutely can there's already the air balloon in hand
So Diego could retreat the active Pokemon and still have a manual attachment to the Alakazam
that he's just evolved into and with a flurry of more psychic draws and potential runaway draw
There's no doubt that we can reach here with Diego already has a lot of cards in the hand
We just drew two more with Kadabra that psychic draw
We're now drawing three more with the runaway draw of the the done sparse
You get two cards when you evolve with the Kadabra free when you evolve into Alakazam
Now it is worth noting that Andrew didn't take a KO last turn
So PheasantDipty will not be able to flip this grip and draw three cards
That was probably part of his thinking when he chose not to take the KO and Diego here. The magic number is 16
16 cards in hand you need to play the Avalu
You need to play an energy and you need 16 cards in hand to pull this off
I counted 17 in the hand you have to play two from here
But you still have your supporter that can plus you cards, but crucially it means he can't play every this turn and
There's currently the special red card in Andrew Hedrits hand from early on in this game
I was a double air balloon, but the second one comes down onto a Genesect
Which means the ace nullifier is active, which means Andrew is not allowed to play his ace spec
Which in this case will be the unfair staff which would put the egg in answer to God hand
Which is very very bad
But now we play dawn you get one card out of your hand you search free Pokemon
That is a plus two in hand in total and I think if I followed your math that might put us on to 16
I'm hoping so. If not, there is still the final runaway draw that's available to Diego
He would much rather hold off of this if he can to have some sort of springboard back on potential disruption
We're gonna have to wait and see in a moment
We unfortunately do not have a live count of card in hand if nothing else
We know that Diego is very close to having 16 cards in hand and getting this KO
This one is 15 and you can rare candy into Alakazam that would minus two
But you're getting the plus one back from the psychic draw
So Diego would be able to really bolster up his hit points of lots of his Pokemon here
You can see he's eyeing up that rare candy in hand. I just got a note in my ear. We've got 15 cards in hand
That's what we're seeing right now
So we rare candy Alakazam that goes down to 13 but the psychic draw draws free puts you up to 16
And that would be the magic number and that would be an absolutely gigantic KO from Diego
That would be a huge point in the it feels like every turn so far Joe has been a huge turning point in the game
But I'm sorry. We're not exaggerating. That's just what's happening
And here's gonna have one final check, but he has already counted a couple of times
I count with him is 16. It is definitely 16 cars
We retreat the best of deputy the Alakazam goes into the active and we are gonna see a powerful hand
dropping 32 damage counters and getting a fresh one-hit KO on an
undamaged dragapult. There's three, six, nine, 12, 15, 16. That's the KO! Diego
Catheraga takes his first KO of the game and it is a gigantic one! Even
clucking the enriching energy from those prizes might end up being
influential as well. It wasn't just that we were able to take the knockout
But Diego was also able to do it with the ace-nullifier Genesect
coming into play with a tool attached as well.
So Diego is thinking, from this position,
he can't be hand-structured this turn.
Diego is going to be able to sit on this large hand size.
Special Red Card only comes in if you've taken free prizes,
which you haven't.
Unfair Stap can't be played if there's a Genesect with a tool,
which there is.
And there's no judge in Andrew's list
like we've seen on other games this weekend on the stream.
So right now, Diego's hand is safe
with an enriching energy as well for the next turn.
And now Andrew's in a really awkward position
because it now feels a little bit like your prize-raising,
but after that, Jark KO.
Well, he still has a decent amount of draw to help him get there,
and he does already have a drakloak powered up with one psychic energy,
so I feel like he's going to be still working towards at least the Phantom Dive,
and we've seen the risky ruins come down as well.
So Andrew had the opportunity on the previous turn
to take out a Kadabra and an Abra,
but he's been holding off on this stadium card.
There's no doubt that he has a plan in mind,
because from where I was standing,
it seemed like an obvious play,
but Andrew has something else cooked up.
And Andrew knew that that was a possibility,
when he took that chance last term,
where he hit the first and dipped, he didn't KO it.
He knew that this could have been the plan.
He is planning for this.
Let's see what he's got.
I can see why he's holding the
Rosa's encouragement supporter cards.
You need to have a Stage 2 program in play,
but crucially, you also need to be behind
on prize cards to gain access to the acceleration effect here, as you can see a psychic energy
and fire energy that was just removed from play, instantly backed into the equation.
So Andrew is being able to chain these Phantom Dives, no problem.
Now he has a really strong opportunity here.
Can't even weave in a Monkey Dory attachment from this position
to take advantage of his own risky ruins. Doesn't look like it, so he's just going to
have to come into the active with his Dragapult EX. This is going to be free prizes.
KO on the Alakazam is easy. One damage counter on the pheasant dipty for a 2 price KO is easy
And there it's just where does the other five go?
You could put five on a Genesect to leave its six damage counter away from being KO'd or you could spread it around some of the
Pokemon on the bench if you prefer. Here comes a KO and it is one onto the pheasant dipty, five onto the Genesect
And that means that Genesect is now a sitting duck at any point and you can just go six damage counters. Yay, extra KO
Andro has put himself in a position where, as long as he's able to bounce a battle cage that we've just seen Anta Diego draw into and will certainly reestablish, it will just be one phantom dive to close the game on the next turn.
What can Diego do to respond in that instance? We know his hand size is colossal.
There needs to be a KO on the dragapult and he needs to get this battle cage back down. There is the battle cage. There is an energy.
The attack is here. You've got the free retreat with the air balloon on the Genesect.
You've got your Alex Ambulance Energy. That's fine.
Cards in hand. I mean, he's just counting it here just to make sure there are 16 cards in the deck.
That's why you're confused, because they're about the same size right now.
I keep seeing Alex Ambulance. They pick up their hand in their deck and it's a pretty even ripple shuffle.
They're even pulling off.
I actually think Diego has more cards in the hand right now.
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 by my count.
That is going to be enough to get a KO on that dragapult.
And then you're just asking questions of Andrew at that point.
That's what Diego is going to be doing, asking these questions.
Do you have a fire energy? Do you have a dragapult?
Do you have a risky ruins?
The answer to all three is yes.
It might not matter what Diego does.
So here we have a look at the hand.
What do we get?
Oh, special red card is being selected and a night stretcher as well.
Big hits, honestly, Ross. That night stretcher might be even more impactful,
because all Andrew has to construct next turn is a knockout with Phantom Dive,
as long as you can find a stadium. And Diego has already now got the information.
There's no draw supporter in Andrew's hand, and there's also not that second stadium yet.
It would need to be a meowth, search for a supporter, and then try and hit everything you need off of that.
Look at Andrew's hand, there's no energy, there's no dragapult, there's no risky ruins,
there's three things Andrew needs right now, he has none, Diego knows he doesn't have any
of them.
So here we are going to this retreat, the Genesect, Alakazam is going to go into the
active and it is going to be, I mean this literally and figuratively, a powerful hand
which is going to take a KO, but first it is just going to be that runaway draw,
drawing three cards from the D'odun's Pass.
Yeah, forcing that eerie,
meant that we had to use Runaway Draw here
to still have a critical mass of cards in hand.
So here we're just gonna shuffle up the D'odun's Pass
that was just back into the deck.
Looks like we are now topped up back into the critical mass
for a care with powerful hand here.
The good news for Andrew is
after this Dragaport is knocked out,
it's only a single prize board.
So he may have a couple of turns.
He may not even go for a Meowpiax next turn.
He may just try and go for a few turns,
trying to recondirect and use the Dunsparse over multiple turns
to close out this victory.
That could be a plan.
We have a couple of Dunsparse hitting the bench there for Diego,
and it is just going to be a powerful hand.
There's a big KO on Dragonpole.
Diego goes down to just two prize cards remaining.
One more Dragonpole KO,
and Diego will take this first game,
but Andrew has something to say about it.
The few goes into the active, it's got free retreat.
It can pivot really easily. That's why we see that.
And now the question is, what does Andrew have? Big top deck here, it's an unfair stab which isn't allowed to be played,
but we've got a runaway draw and that is going to be used immediately. Fire energy gets hit.
That's right up already. That means we're just a stadium away from closing the game here.
Genesect on the bench has 60 hit points remaining. That's perfect for Phantom Dive.
It could all be over here after a couple of recon directive.
I'd want to go back a couple of turns when Andrew hit that pheasant dipty for 200,
which meant he only needed to put one damage counter on Fez and Dipty,
which meant he could put five on Genesect,
which means he can now put six on Genesect and take the game.
That is what Dragapult players like Andrew do.
They are setting up these, you know, three turns ahead.
So there we see a second recon directive.
We're looking for risky ruins.
If we see that, Andrew should be taking this first game.
It's a psychic energy. It's not a risky ruin, Joe.
That's not, it's not what you're looking for,
but it might be enough.
Now you can attach Psychic Energy to your other trochloak.
And even just go for an itchy pollen this turn.
This gives you another chance at it,
because Diego still has two prize cards left.
Yep, that's what we're going to see,
the safe line of play from Andrew Hedrick,
just having two threats online.
And it's worth noting that Genesect isn't going anywhere.
It can't evolve out of it.
Nothing is moving.
We do see a boss's orders played by Andrew.
That is going to grab a Dunce Pass into the active.
Really just trying to make things a little bit more awkward.
There is an itchy pollen.
There will be no item cards for Diego next turn and Andrew just says look, I don't have it this turn. Give me a minute
I'll find it
Just one stadium and still a fairly sizable deck for Andrew to sit through on the next turn as for Diego
It's really easy to get this single prize knockout. We can already move our active dud on sparse whilst drawing additional cards here
He's used his only destruction the eerie supporter is all Diego has
as otherwise he tries to be an aggressive deck
in every situation.
One cool play Diego could look for
is the knockout with Kadabra here,
rather than Alakazam.
Seeing as though it's just a 30 hit point buddhu,
alternatively, Diego could go through bosses or orders play
to limit the recont directive
or the potential of runaway draw from Andrew.
That's probably his highest impact support at this turn.
I would think so.
I think you really need to try and do this
if you have the option, which absolutely Diego does.
Dracula comes into the active
This is going to be one fewer recon directive because all the CDA does winning this next turn
That is not an issue that Diego is going to get the victory next turn
The issue is can Andrew get it one turn earlier
Can he get the dragapult the fire energy the risky ruins and get this double KO?
Diego has to make it as difficult as possible while keeping up with this prize race
There is a KO on the track flow easily enough cars in hand. He needed five you had I don't know like 15
I'm not even counting, it's too many. Now, this really is the turn.
Andrew has to have it this turn. Diego is one knockout,
one prize away from winning game one.
Andrew has to piece it together right now, or it will be too late.
We need Dragonbolt, we need Fire Energy, we need a rescue ruins.
Two of those pieces already in the hand.
Andrew already has access to Meowthiax and Ultra Ball as well.
So it could be a flip the script, getting involved,
could also be a Duns pass once again helping him out here.
The Fire Energy is always going to be committed as we are getting down to the final turn of the game,
and we are always evolving up into our Dragon Bolt EX as well.
Will we simply, well, we're going to try and thin the deck with Buddy Buddy Poppin if there is anything?
Is there that final budu even in the deck? Yes, there is.
This is something you see a lot of players do.
You take cards you don't need out of the deck so that when you're blind drawing, like just to draw free,
your chance of hitting what you want is slightly higher
because there are fewer cards that you don't want to hit in the deck.
We're going to see an ultra will get played here Andrew is going to be searching for something you think pheasant dipty Joe
I think you might be right it draws free cards and Andrew is spinning the deck beautifully
While we see this now we are going to see them
We have come down first because we need to take the supporter out
Before we draw with pheasant dipty it is going to be a lily's determination
Which the question is are you you're gonna hit it better when you lily and then fairs or fairs and then lily
You absolutely, Lily first of this instance there we go
We're gonna be shuffling up and Andrew is trying to give himself potentially 12 draws out of this deck
He's actually doing a full count of his deck right now. There's 13
I just think 13 and 13. The reason to go for Fezzendipity in this instance before getting the Dunspars is that now
He also has outs to the poker pad that remain in his deck
So he will be able to see six cards from this Lily's determination
In addition to potentially six more from his abilities and it is all down to the risky ruins right now
Dragapult is KO'ing that active Alakazam. That is not an issue, but you need to be able to drop six damage counters on that bench
Genesect to get the KO take your sixth prize and win the game right now
Battlecage is stopping those damage counters being placed because it is an effective an attack
So Andrew is searching for the risky ruin stadium card
That will get rid of the battle cage and that will allow the damage to go through show me risky
There it is! In the hand!
And Andrew is going to get rid of the path of the K.
Dragonbolt comes active.
K.O. on the Alakazam.
K.O. on the Benz Genesis.
And Andrew Hedrick is going to take game number one.
Just one game away now for being crowned the world champion.
What a thrilling game number one here in the Masters Division finals.
Andrey Hedrick taking things slow on those final couple turns.
so well identified to take a turn off while he had a single prize board
stage but Ross I'm most interested in that turn number two when we got
aggressive with the dragon head cut. Absolutely well let's go back to the
whole of game one let's have a little bit of a look how we got there we see
the retreat for the Badoo here to drop this towards that turn number two the
aggressive KO on the Abra starting the prize trade saying I don't need to do
right now Diego Diego's deck did what Diego's deck does draw in a whole
bunch of cards, but it was the grip of the rare candy on that second turn so you didn't get the
Alakazam attack. That put Diego one turn behind which turned absolutely crucial. Here we see the
Dragapop putting one damage on the Featherdip team for the KO, five on the Genesis setting it up
for what would be the turn later. Diego takes a second KO on the Dragapop, but it's irrelevant
in the end, Andrew hits a risky ruin. The Dragapop gets a double KO on the Alakazam
and on the Genesect, and that was enough for Andrew today.
A victory.
Jager was one prize away.
One turn away. It didn't matter.
Andrew got to six prize cards first,
and is one game up in our World Championship final.
What an impressive display from both players so far
in this Masters final.
They both put themselves in the best position possible.
Jager was almost certainly winning on the next turn.
Andrew was able to find those pieces
and really fit together a nice combination.
Diego has been in these tough positions before. He's been on this stage before nine years ago.
He's not going to be put under too much pressure. He's seen it all in the Pokemon TCG.
And you can see that he's not even sweating out there, Ross, despite having that beating on his head.
I mean, he's already got one of these trophies at home. He's just trying to add to his trophy cabinet.
Andrew might have to make one, although to be fair, he's got a few victories of his own.
Now, what we see happening here is a mulligan. When you start the Pokemon TCG,
you need to have a basic Pokemon to begin the game.
If you don't have a basic Pokemon, you shuffle your hand into your deck,
you draw a new opening hand,
and then if you've got a basic Pokemon, you carry on, if not, you repeat.
For every time you mulligan your opponent has the opportunity to draw one extra card,
almost like an apology.
Sorry you had to wait for me to go and get a basic.
Have an extra card, and then we go.
So, getting into this game number two then.
Will it be Hedrix, Hammers, or Kassaraga's cutlery?
The fifth spot from our players.
And one big advantage for Diego in this game number two,
he should have the advantage of going first.
As we saw, Andrew took full advantage of his Evolution Pokemon early in that game number one.
In this case, Diego could be the aggressor.
Absolutely, Kurt. We see the first Buddy Buddy profit, ladies and gentlemen,
and Chase said that we've been a bit quiet.
We are in the Masters final. Make some noise!
CHEERING
It makes these guys, it makes noise when we ask them to.
It makes me very happy.
Having a look at Diego's prizes here, there is an Abra, Anakadabra, and a Genesax.
He plays two, but that enriching energy is somehow there again, Joe.
The only good news is that it's towards the top of those prize cards,
so in theory Diego could access them once again.
Let's move one spot over to the right.
Yes, absolutely. Oh, look at that.
Two Badoo and the Risky Ruins, and the only copy of the Duns pass for Andrew.
That's bad prizes. The early game is Purdue.
ruins the Durant of the Battle Cage, and like you say, there's only one to dance past in the deck.
That is genuinely horrible prizes! That's one of the worst we've seen all weekend.
That is far from ideal. So often the Dragapult EX archetype relies on itchy pollen in the opening turns
to sort of stem the setup of other decks so that you can pick apart lower hit point Pokemon
that won't be available to Andrew. But also, we know that the stadium is such a key card
in this instance, that Diego will try and lock that battle cage in play for as long as possible.
Game of One was decided exactly because of the risky ruins, so...
Andrew, without having immediate access to that card, they have far less options.
Absolutely. And the thing is, Diego's playing four battle cakes, so you don't think when do I play it.
You just play it. It just hits the board. You don't worry about it.
And it's then down to when your opponent can bump it and how often they can, and then when you can re-establish.
If our risky ruins takes a while to come out the prize cards,
and Diego could just get rid of the first risky ruins,
that is going to be absolutely huge.
So we do see Diego doing this first deck search here,
trying to figure out which of those six cards are in the prizes.
So far we've got an Abra in the active,
we've got an Abra on the bench,
and a Dance Fast on the bench.
Decent start.
And it's worth noting that because Diego has a single prize attacker,
this turn one energy attachment so much less important than it is for Andrew.
Yeah, all things considered, this is already a very decent start for Diego.
We'll also get to peek his hand at this stage.
Looks like he's holding on to a decent chunk of supporters there as well for the next turn.
So action over to Andrew then. Let's see how Elise's opening hand has treated him.
I see an Ultra Ball. You might be trying to find a Meowth EX to save us here.
And otherwise he's pretty poor.
Yeah, that is not a great opening.
having what eyeing up a Drakloak and a Drippy to be discarded with old trouble.
You can't really get rid of your special red card because that's one of only two
hand disruption cards you've got and they're absolutely crucial in this matchup.
But you see Andrew changing his mind a little bit. It's a really horrible decision here.
It is a Drakloak and it's like a Drippy or Darkness energy. That's the decision he's
making right now and he is changing his mind. It's so unorthodox. I think about getting rid
of your key evolution line, Andrew. Andrew is playing three copies of Nightstretcher in his
deck. That might be part of the reason why we're seeing him be so liberal discarding these Pokemon
in many ways. It actually gives you more outs towards your trochloak during the game. So
Andrew might be doing the unorthodox play that may pay off. And the reason why he was valuing
that darkness energy so much was to try and get an early buddy. But it's not there, Ross.
It's not there, unfortunately. Both Badoo are in the prizes, and that energy was going to give
give a nice way to retreat your active treatment,
put the new active, he's got a zero energy attack,
and just just figured out his prizes
are absolutely horrible.
His opening hand is to put it lightly, far from ideal,
so Meowth comes down, searches out a supporter card,
that is gonna be Lily's determination,
you shuffle your hand into your deck, you draw six cards.
But if you haven't taken a prize yet,
if you've got exactly six remaining,
you get to draw eight cards instead,
and hopefully this lot of eight cards
is going to be better than the 7 with which Andrew began the game.
But I really hear is that Andrew may still just use this night stretcher
and get back to Reaper before using this least determination.
Yeah, I think now that the Darkness Energy is just far less useful,
he may just grab back this basic.
Yeah, it's coming back into play.
That was always an option from the hand,
and now he will see eight fresh cards,
choosing, of course, not to attach to the Darkness Energy.
That would have been so handy with access to Budu.
That's what he already had in mind.
That's not available to him in this position.
So instead he's going to look to try and find the psychic or fire energy possibly to stash on the bench somewhere
And the difference here is essentially you're setting up like you would normally, but you don't have itchy ball
And you're still setting up your drink. You're still trying to get your energy down
You're just not able to turn off items while you do so
But Andrew does have free dripping out turn one which is not too shabby
We're gonna be looking for a bunch of your cloak next turn. Let's see how these eight cards from Lily's determination treat him
There is another 3V, so we can go up to 4 if we wish.
There is a Dunsparce, although by now Andrew knows the only Dunsparce is prized.
Look at that case and point, he's drawn into a Nightstretcher.
That's his only way to get a Cloak next turn, so that discard from Ultra Ball is really saving him right now.
Absolutely, you can draw into it, you can draw into an Ultra Ball,
or you can draw into a Nightstretcher.
There is a Nightstretcher and it is just going to be straight for that Cloak.
That will be evolving up next turn.
All things considered, you've got 4-Drieper, you've got your energy attachment, not 2-Shabby.
We pass on over to Diego, we get the Evolution into Cadabra.
Psychic Draw gets 2 cards, it's a Psychic Energy and a Telepathic Energy,
which is lovely for getting more Abra if you need them,
and we've got some options in hand if we're Diego.
Yeah, already the Telepathic Energy in hand, so some more Abra can flood onto this board,
and with a Dawn supporter there's still the opportunity to run away, draw,
and see a rare candy if that could come together once again Diego could be in such a powerful position
A reminder three copies within the deck for Diego to currently not in the hand
We would have three draws to help him get there and he's already fitting the deck quite nicely of these basic pokemon
That is the goal early doors get your basic pokemon fin your deck and then draw as many cards as you can afterwards
When you evolve into the dabra you get cards when you evolve into alakazam
You get cards when you evolve into the dunce pass you get cards as a dip he goes down
what does that do? It gets card. That is most of what the deck does.
Genesect is the outlier, but we like him. He turns off A-Specs and he can stay.
Yeah, he keeps your hand large, especially against the unfair stamp A-Spec from Andrew Hedrick.
So far, Andrew's just discarded his A-Spec in game number one because of the safety net of that
Genesect. In this instance, we're seeing Diego grab that runaway draw to Dunsparse and we'll
end this search on an Alakazam, no doubt. But will he opt to draw these three cards? There's
opportunities for Rare Candy, even finding that Air Balloon could be so vital for him.
Oftentimes, you've seen Diego opt to not take prize cards until he has the Ace Nullifier developed.
That is sometimes what we are going to see. Well, it is going to be an Alakazam,
a Dunspart and a Genesect coming out from dorm. That is your stage one, your basic,
and your stage 2 such a good supporter in a deck like this where you are playing a stage 2 line.
Here is your first runaway draw of this game 2, drawing 3 cards with the Dunsworths,
popping it back into the deck. What were you in, Joe?
A candy action. Oh, I like the red candy.
Booty getting into an early attack.
Now there is the threat of the unfairst out that can sometimes be scary, but
you've not been item locked, so you give yourself a huge amount of outs even after going
going down to a two-card hand, and that's even if in the hypothetical situation, Andrew has access to it.
That's why we feel like getting the pressure in early could be amazing for Diego here.
Any chance Diego might have a tool to attach to a Genesect turn-off, you know, turn on ace nullifier, turn off unfair stab?
I've not seen one myself. No, I don't think it was there in the hand.
I think that's the only thing holding us back from an obvious play.
I still feel like we're going to use rare candy, and of course Alakazam can also help us see more cards.
So there's still a chance for one of Diego's three tools to make their way into the hand.
It does feel like, stop me if I'm wrong here Joe, it feels like Unfair Stamp is way better when you're established.
When you've got 4 3P and no evolutions, it does feel like Unfair Stamp isn't as good.
It's a lot of Pokemon draw, 2 Pokepad and a Buddy Buddy Poffin.
Yeah, I don't see a tool in there, but you can at least try and establish maybe another Dunsparce
with this final Buddy Buddy Poffin that's come into the hand.
Having a board of two Duns Pass already feels pretty reasonable to get aggressive.
I feel like Diego's gonna do it here.
I mean, I would, but you know I always do, Joe.
I'm like, well, there's a KO, you know I'm going for it!
Diego's not one of a more careful player than I,
but I do agree with your reasoning there.
You've got three Duns Pass on the bench.
You are set up as well as you can.
So if you draw a Kanabra, you evolve and draw.
You draw an Alakazam, you evolve and draw.
If he draws the Duns Pass, he evolves and draws.
He's got so many outs next turn if an unfair stamp does come down that it feels like he's protected as well as he can
Without playing a Genesect and in the best case scenario Andrew would want to use unfair stamp alongside chaos
And right now his board is just basic Pokemon and he does not play rare candy of his own in the deck
So I think that's also something playing on Diego's mind that he would quite welcome an unfair stamp
If he could still just announce an attack on the next turn and still do some reasonable damage
damage. Yeah, that sounds like it might be pretty gosh darn nice. We have two to Duns
Pass in hand for Diego here. That means that potential draw of six more cards next turn.
Yep. We need four in hand. I feel confident there is at least four in hand. It's not
going to be a KO. It is just a pass. Does not want to run into the threat of unfair
stamp. So of course you start here from Diego. See if it pays off in the end.
We've seen some unexpected plays here in the final, Joe.
Well, that's why they're there, and we're here, Ross.
Let's see the second Draklok now come onto the board for Andrew.
Already holding onto a couple of Crispin,
does have his one stadium card that he has available to him in hand right now.
Of course, this will be a building turn.
There's not much else going on, so it will be a Crispin coming into play
to start accelerating these energy.
He can stash a fire energy to hand this turn,
maybe even attach the dance energy to the active position.
There's been an option for him.
Diego's gonna keep waiting until he can find his tool.
He may still want to attach to the 3P, just in case.
Well, we're gonna be having a little bit of a search here
with our Crispin.
And, you know, whenever you play these cards
like Crispin, it is another opportunity
to just look through your deck.
Yes, you did your first-hand search.
It's always nice to have a quick look again.
Just double-check.
The deck is private information.
No one's allowed to look, not even yourself,
but any time you get a chance to look in your deck,
you can have a good look and just remind yourself
what's there, especially when you're in a high-pressure
situation like a world championship final.
So we do see a psychic energy coming down
onto that Dracloak, two Dracloak, each with psychic energy.
It's a decent setup for Andrew,
but it does feel like Diego has had a great start.
Do you think you might regret not taking that KO last time?
The more I justify it, I can see exactly why Diego has gone for this approach.
You naturally play around the special red card much better by not taking a single prize
KO, but also, crucially, unlike in that game number one, as we do see it crashing hammer
heads, the first of the set, the big difference from game number one is that there is also
a Meowth EX in play.
So Andrew can't do that sort of slow single prize board that he attempted to do in
game number one.
Diego knows that if he's firing on all cylinders, he should be able to find
a position to take three two prize knockouts.
Well, there we go. If you can take 3-2 prize knockout, who worries about a little single prize knockout here or there?
It is an evolution into a Katabra, drawing a couple of cards. We see an evolution into the Dunsparse, going back into the deck and drawing three more cards.
So, are you telling me, Joe, we might see your boss' orders coming and bringing that Meow Popper, or is that something for later in the game?
You can certainly use the boss' orders now if you would like to. If you have access to that option, I think his priority really is getting this battle gauge into play, but also trying to find a tool desperately.
I imagine that there will be no knockout unless there's the Ace Nullifier developed.
Well we just saw three cards drawn from that runaway draw run to Dunce Pass and I had a good look.
I did not see a Pokemon tool coming out in there, so right now that Ace Nullifier is not online.
We know Genesis in hand, but without a tool it doesn't do very much.
Alec his arm comes down, that's three more cards drawn off of that psychic draw.
But still, no tall car being drawn.
Diego's got a monster hand of cards,
but I am not seeing any Pokemon tools in there whatsoever.
Almost everything else has got energy, actually.
Yes, there is a telepathic.
Crushing hammerheads is actually pretty impactful
because we can't even use enriching energy
to draw any additional cards
because you have to attach a psychic energy this turn
to attack.
Well, that's something we didn't hear earlier
and it is worth pointing out.
Generally speaking, single prize deck, a single energy deck.
You don't mind too much about crushing hammer,
but if you've got crushing hammer down,
big deal, no tool.
But if you've got an energy already on the board,
that means that you can weave in that
and enriching energy to draw four more cards.
If you don't have an energy down,
then you really can't use it on the same turn.
But seriously, how has he not hit a Pokemon tool yet?
So unfortunate for Diego.
I think I've seen three runaway draws and some psychic draw.
Doesn't that change the complexion of this game?
Diego now thinking that there is a genuine threat of Phantom Dive once again sort of taking over the board
if he's not careful.
He's not been the aggressor so far because he thought he was a shoo-in for,
most likely a two-price knockout this turn whilst developing Genesect,
but you can see him shift through the deck.
There's the three tools all still there.
The board here is it's fine. You've got two guns passed down. You've got a cadavera down
You don't have an abra so cadavera turns not into an out right now
But there's still if you get an unfair stamp hit the board
Diego still in a decent position to potentially draw a draw out of it
But you're absolutely right. We wanted to see that genocide Diego especially we see an energy coming down on
To the Alakazam are we gonna see a boss's orders? Yes, Diego's put it right to the front of his hand the cards there
I think you said this out Joe we need to see a KO this turn there comes a battle
cage it's actually onto the two energy to a cloak instead so hunting energy
rather than prizes here yeah he really wanted to not be forced into this
position but you know like you sort of had to in this case you know that Andrew
was only on a four-card hand you've limited one of those recon directive
on the previous turn Andrew just used a crisp in so in this case Diego trying
attack Andrew's hand and his draw options.
So it is just one Recon Directive.
Andrew doesn't have much right now.
Well, let's see what the Recon Directive gives him
an option for a hand like a pole TX.
Okay, so that does give a dragapult.
Is there a fire energy in hand?
Because you're going to need a fire energy if you're Andrew,
if you're going to be attacking it.
But this is the worry.
Again, with no rare candy in the list,
for Andrew, having to attack with this dragapult
feels so awkward,
because then it can easily get knocked out with no hand disruptors for Andrew in his hand.
And in game one, every time Andrew phantom dives, the damage counter's had a really nice place to go.
Onto the first and dipty, onto the Genesect, then KOing the Genesect.
Look at this board, Joe. Do you see where did the damage counters go? Where's the best place?
It's tough right now. I feel like even attacking with phantom dive is just such a trap.
I feel like we have to get out of here, but again it's so intimidating when Diego sat on a
the catalogue of cards. I have to expect there's more bosses orders in there even though there's only
two copies within his deck list. Absolutely and that could punish. Well we do see a Drogloak in
the active. There are two energy on so Dragon Headbutt's going to be there. There's the darkness
energy to retreat. Andrew doesn't want to leave it in harm's way. Puts the Meowth EX into the
active. Oh is he? He's just giving Diego the opportunity to care this Meowth for two prizes.
That cannot be Andrew's plan A, but unfortunately the draws are put in there.
Here comes Enriching Energy for four more cards, and we've got Boss's orders as well.
It could be the Declope with all the energy, but we don't have it. It's in the prizes!
This retreat from Andrew is going to work out.
Again, such a situation where Diego normally can access so much of the deck it would never
even be a consideration. Finally a tool though for Diego, so that's a good break for him.
That's going to be awesome. That means that Diego can put down that Genesect,
attacks at all, their nice nullifier is turned on, so there will be no unfair spam coming down.
That's a bit of a win. Of course, if you care the Meowth, that does potentially open up special red cards.
It does. Because Diego will have three prize cards remaining,
which is probably another thing that Andrew was thinking when he put the Meowth into the active.
That's 100% what he's trying to go for here.
I need to force more thought out of Diego at the very least.
Is there any chance Jager has the eerie ready?
No, I don't see it in this hand either.
And that's really the only draw that we have outside of other supporter cards.
So grant us access to Hilda or Dawn.
Well, there is one psychic draw.
Eerie here would be kind of awesome.
No, there's a dawn, but no other supporter scene.
Off of that Alakazam psychic draw for free.
There's a buddy buddy pop in.
Jager's going to be able to search for some more low HP based cards.
Oh, it was literally the last card in the deck.
And you would much prefer to put an air balloon onto a Geneset than a Lucky Helmet
because of those crushing hammers that Andrew still has access to.
Yes.
In random situations, if Andrew can bring up a one-retreat cost Pokemon,
then get a Hammerhead on the Alakazam.
That could be another potential turn of reprieve for Andrew,
especially on a Pokemon that has a tool other than air balloon already committed to it.
We do see an evolution into the Dunce Pass.
That's another f**k hard to draw.
Finally, an air balloon comes into the hand.
And there is another Deduncebass.
I feel like in this position you'd want to just evolve into a Deduncebass,
finally establish that Genesect crucially with Air Balloon.
And then you will launch this attack.
You have to be still so scared, though, of that special red card.
The only good news for Diego is that Andrew hasn't really drawn many cards,
hasn't played a vital supporter over the last couple of turns,
just a couple of Crispin.
So Diego knows that Andrew's basically sat on nothing,
and he's really just banking on a recon directive.
That airy does like sticking to the bottom of the deck twice. We saw twice it was there
Now we're going to see that dunce bus coming ahead the dunce boss
It is more draw could he be searching for that airy
It does come in the hand to be want to go hunting for that special red card
It is going to be in there and if you can put down the the Genisector Diego does that with the
Balloon yeah, it's a miss just the buddy buddy poppin
But there's no there's no draw in that as one recon directive and that is it if you look at the special red card
He already knew that really from the last couple of turns
Yeah, he has definitely been keeping track of these things
But no doubt dear has done his best to discard that special red card didn't quite come off for him
So there's still an option for Andrew now. We've seen the elix Nellifier come down. So there's no opportunity for Andrew
Just thinking about that. Lucky. He's the truck to be guarded. He is getting hit by certain attacks
But we're seeing a big count here inevitably this is going to be enough to deal with this Meowth EX
So Diego will be going down to three prize cards remaining
Yes, absolutely. He will we have goes down Diego takes two prizes free away from evening up this set
Reminded that if it's your beginning of your what have we always read call that the special red card
Everything he could he played the area so if it was that he could get rid of it
Andrew Topsepte about even needing Recon Directive to go and get it.
This could be absolutely devastating for Diego.
Andrew Hedrick in the Masters Division Finals.
I think he's just picked up.
Ooh, was that a Lily in the hand?
Yes, it is. Those two Recon Directive were crazy.
They were absolutely what you need there,
and that means that Andrew is going to be in a great position.
Look at Diego's hand. He's got four cards left in deck.
He literally counted his deck to make sure he wasn't going to deck out from a lucky helmet draw.
Hold on, Andrew's thinking about not launching Phantom Dive at all here.
He's thinking about not using a special red card either.
What are we missing, Ross?
Oh, here's an awful lot of plays in Game 1.
Absolutely work.
Choose is not to play special red card to reset Diego's hand.
Choose is not to evolve up into Dragapult.
Just plays a Lily's Determination.
Getting a new hand of eight cards. No prizes having been taken. This is an unusual line of play joke. Tell me
I'm not I'm not seeing things here. This is unusual Andrews up to something it might involve that lucky helmet
But Diego was just attached to his Pokemon
forcing draw when you get damaged
Andrew may be trying to deck out Diego in this game number two
That's gonna be an interesting thing to see special red card is in hand
And if Andrew's changed his mind, he is going to be able to go ahead and use it.
I don't think he's changed his mind.
No.
Dunspots comes down, Treepe goes up into Trecloak, and that is going to give an option for another
recon directive here to maybe see a few more cards.
Lucky helmet, by the way, if you attack into it, draws two cards.
But it's worth noting that when you use the Dunspots, it goes back into your deck,
So Diego can use that to essentially reset.
That is something to consider.
Of course, you need to have cards remaining in the deck
to be able to use the runaway draw.
You do indeed.
There we go, it's gonna be 70 damage.
Flocking the lucky helmet in this instance
brings Diego down to just two cards remaining in the deck
and he will have to draw for the turn here, Ross.
And I think he might,
I'm trying to work through
how these next couple of turns go.
I think Andrew might have done the maths here
and gone, even when you run away draw,
I think I'm gonna be able to deck you out
using your own lucky helmet.
Here we go, you draw a card, two go down.
Now if you can't use any more runaway draw
to put any more cards in there.
If you've got two cards, if Andrew attacks,
you draw two, it goes to your turn, you draw the turn,
there's no card there and you deck out.
It's how what we might be seeing here.
Andrew Hedrick going to be using
Duns Master Ram his way to a World Championship title.
Have you seen anything like this, folks?
And Andrew's already won Game Up.
If he wins this second game,
he will be your Pokemon training card game,
2026 Masters Division World Champion.
Diego's just having a little bit of a luck.
He's counting.
He's realized what Andrew is doing at this point.
And now Diego's thinking, how is this gonna work?
Playing the next few turns in his head,
trying to figure out if he is going to deck out
or if he's got a way around it.
This is absolutely incredible scenes.
Andrew Hedrick has not taken a prize card in the second game.
There are no Pokemon in the discard pile for Diego
to use any of his Pokemon recovery
to increase the size of his deck.
Diego just figuring things out here.
I'm gonna see the retreat on Alakazam.
He can't allow this lucky helmet to proc again.
But that just means all Adjunis to do
is gust it into the active and attack,
and deck Diego out.
He's got a box of orders already in hand, Joe,
And that might be all that we need, any attack.
Andrew has been around for a long time at this point.
He's been a regional champion five times.
He is a North American champion.
He won the North American International Championships in 2024.
He got a top 32 finish at the World Championships
in the same year.
Now he's trying to add the World Championships.
He's got to, he's not done it fast,
that's about the orders, he attacked Diego Dekta,
Andrew Hedrick is your 20-26 possible trading card game world champion!
Can you believe it?
A Duns boss round!
Just concluded the Masters Division finals!
Andrew Hedrick, take a bow!
You have just entered the Hall of Fame!
The bastard behind the Dragapons Hammers archetype takes it all the way.
This man eats Pokemon, he sleeps Pokemon, he breathes Pokemon.
Already a five-time regional champion, already an international champion, and now a world champion.
Well, let's hear from our world champion. Let's go down to the stage and talk to Andrew Hedrick, your world champion.
Hey everybody, we just finished our TCG Masters Division Grand Finals, and I am now joined
by your world champion Andrew Hendricks.
We spoke before your match about your existing accolades, and now you can add world championship
to your NAIC and regional titles.
Tell me what it means to actually achieve the Tribeca.
Yeah, I don't know.
It's pretty unbelievable.
I mean, I never imagined I would actually be up here
winning World Cup.
I mean, I thought it was possible,
but it's just insane to actually get
not the opportunity to do this.
And it's not like this is the first time this year
that you've won with this bet.
How have you been prepping and just continuing
to commit to your strategy that you approve
in time to time again?
Yeah, I don't know.
Throughout the last couple months,
I've tried some different decks, but I really found that this draggable deck is just too good,
it's just too consistent, and I can kind of have so many options with it.
So the last few weeks I just played as many games as I could with it to get ready for the tournament and it worked out.
I don't know if you know this, but the hat that Diego was wearing is older than you are.
You wore it on the stage when he won the previous World Championship in 2017.
While you have your own experience, were you ever intimidated by the veterans on the opposite side?
Yeah, I know playing against a great player in the finals, obviously it's pretty scary,
but all you can do is focus on the game in front of you
and that's what I tried to do and try not to think too much about my opponent or how good they were.
And to give you the opportunity to think of some loved ones, go ahead and give a shout out to whoever you'd like to address.
Yeah, I mean shout out to all my friends who you know I talk to every day, I test with.
There's so many, you can't name them all. Shout out to my parents, my mom, and my dad for always supporting me.
And my dad was the one who actually forced me to play in the CCG at first.
I just wanted to collect when I was in LLXU school, but you know,
it kind of made me want to play the game, and I would say it worked out.
And I shout out to Poki Color for the support too.
A family affair indeed.
Congratulations once again on your victory,
and everyone here in the stadium and at home,
give it up one more time for your world champion,
Edd Brue!
and we're going to have a
great show and our analysts have
something to say about it. So
let's hear it. Thank you, Gabby,
and congratulations once again to
the 2026 World Champion Andrew
Hedrick. What an iconic moment
decking out his opponent with
Don Spars. Thanks to the Lucky
Helmet that Diego put into play.
An incredible moment and an
an incredible player. I can't think of anyone more deserving than Andrew Hendrick at this moment.
Absolutely. That lucky helmet turned into an unlucky helmet for Diego. Ended up costing him.
But you have to admire the ability to just be flexible and adapt to situations.
Andrew's showing why he's worthy of being world champion this weekend.
Honestly, an amazing play by Andrew finding that line.
trying to prevent every possibility of being able to recover his hand and all
sudden the lucky helmet ends up working out against him. Yeah absolutely well
deserved from Andrew. He eats, sleeps and breathes Pokemon, always practicing,
always thinking about the game and it's great to see that at her bail. We have
now crowned three world champions in the trading card game. Let's take a look
at that junior division bracket as Yuta Araki became our world champion
winning a close three game set against Luke Yipin.
Yeah, absolute pleasure to see two young players do so well
in the Dragapult mirror match, a matchup that is still being
explored, still being played.
Congratulations to you to completely well deserved.
And in the seniors division, we of course saw Jake in G
defeating Ms. Koby Ha, that incredible Alec
because they am able to take them in.
Yeah, Kobe came in with a clear game plan to how to attack this very challenging matchup.
Was able to take the first game of the series, but at the end of the day,
Jake's advantage with that Alakazam was just too much for Kobe to overcome.
And in the Masters division, after an entire season spent with Tragapult EX,
after a regional championship win, after defining the meta game with Crushing Hammer,
a 2-0 victory, Andrew Hedrick over Diego Casiraga.
Amazing final we had, very exciting game came down to that draw off the stadium
and then the lucky helmet, nobody could have seen that coming too.
Incredible foresight from Andrew Hedrick to recognize that line.
Once that lucky helmet came into play, immediately checking through
what Diego had still available knowing that if he went this route
He would have the safe bet out option and it makes him the world champion.
A player who has had so much success the last few years of the game.
Five time regional champion and international champion
and he will now add that iconic Pikachu trophy to his extensive trophy collection.
And another shout out to this incredible top eight, specifically the top four.
This may be the most stacked top four we have ever had at a world championship.
We have international champions.
We have world champions.
We have players who have won multiple regionals
in the same season.
So much talent this year at Worlds.
It was certainly a global affair with players
from across the world competing,
but it is a huge re-hedric from the United States,
taking home that $50,000 first place prize.
Gotta feel good to take home that prize, I'm sure.
This will sink in later for Andrew,
but do you want to take a moment
knowledge Diego's accomplishment as well Pablo I know he's been friends with Diego for a very long
time what does it mean to see him so many years later make a back to the finals for world championships
and have another great accomplishment. Generally extra special I mean he defeated me on his run to
the comic world champion in 2017 watching him in the final seeing him be the closest person to
get to a potential two-time world championship since Jason Klitsinski really, really amazing.
It means a lot to me. I'm sure it's a lot to him as well. And he was really pumped to make it all the way.
And of course with his family here supporting him as well, you know, when he won the 2017 World
Championships, his partner is still pregnant with their eldest son. And now their eldest son here
to see dad up on the big stage. I mean, what a special memory for that family.
Yeah, and Pablo, you did mention Jason Klitsky, of course, only three-time
world champion in the Pocon TCG. I do see a lot of similarities between him and
Andrew Hedrick. You know, both very calculated players tend to go for very
consistent streamlined strategies and just try to outplay, outwork their
opponents in order to get victories. Could this be the start of the reign of
a new legacy with Andrew Hedrick? And I do believe we are ready to crown all
All three champions out on the stage, Gabby, take it away.
That's what I'd like to hear.
The Pokemon Dragon Marquume is one of the oldest pillars in competitive Pokemon.
Yet our trainers continue to innovate, keep the competition fresh,
and awe-inspiring across every single age division.
Today, we've done six more names to the Ruppert books,
as we celebrate our mindless and proud, our world champions.
Let's get into it.
Starting with our two year division, in the running position, we have Luke Giffen.
And your champion, Utah Monty.
Welcome to Seniors, the runner-up position, Kofi Ha!
And your Senior Division TCT World Champion, Jake N. G.
Last but not least, in our Masters Division, in the runner-up position, we have Diego Castillaga!
And your final TCG World Champion in the Masters Division, give it up for Andrew Henry!
Six fantastic trainers and buddy, one last time, give it up for your TCG Vitalists!
It's fantastic to have new names to speak up.
And I know our analysts have something to say about that.
So I think that you have to say.
Thanks a bunch, Gabby.
Yes, congratulations again to these finalists and our newest world champions.
We're not done.
We of course have our video game competitions still to come while we get set up.
Just talk a little bit about this whole event, how we got to this point and continue to congratulate all of these champions.
Yeah, it's such an amazing moment to be here in the Chase Center to experience this.
Pablo, you and I have both been attending the World Championship since the 2004 over 20 years at this point.
And to see where it's started, to where it's grown to today, it's just amazing to be a part of this with, you know,
you all of us here at the desk and everyone here in the arena thanks so much for making
this such a special moment all these years for Pokemon TCG leading up to this.
Over two decades of world championships from hotel, underground, facility, ballroom,
and the chase center.
It's really the pleasure to be here with you guys and with everyone here right now.
And the competition just continues to get more intense every year.
Players get better, decks become innovated at a higher level.
It just shows that the future of the game is so, so bright.
Talking back to that Masters Division finals, I don't know if there's anyone more experienced
in Dragapult than Andrew Hedrick.
I mean, even back to before the rotation when all the talk was about Gardevoir, Goldingo,
Charizard EX, Andrew remained true to this Dragapult EX archetype.
He of course popularized this crushing hammer build after the rotation and became the standard
way to play this deck.
And all that led to his title.
I mean you have to imagine that that experience is really what backed this moment.
I experienced practice putting in the time and you know there's something to be said
for just continuing to use the same thing, identifying what the most powerful strategies
are.
And if you can on your craft perfect your skills, you can find yourself overcoming
even disadvantageous situations by simply identifying things that other players maybe couldn't.
I mean, we all knew Dragapult had a very, very big target on its back heading into the event.
Maybe the biggest attack has ever had, I would say.
And to still come out on top, to still remain faithful to that archetype,
even what, before rotation, Garmory X was dominating Dragapult
and was still faithful and found a lot of success.
And you know, that was like kind of a point of contention coming into the world championships, right?
A lot of people said, Dragapult EX can't win.
It's gonna have too big of a target on its back.
Sure, you could make top cut with it, but surely when you get into top cut,
you'll run into one of those counter decks and just won't be able to close it out.
But Andrew proved everybody wrong.
And he did not have an easy path to this championship title.
In top eight, he played against Crustle, and if you saw his list,
he does not have any countercards besides crushing Hammer.
still played through every single option that's what he does so well you can
clearly see it in that top match in our finals match he found a way through
lots of heartfelt matches and wellness if there's going to be a line to find
Andrew Hedrick is going to take it and that has proven by the lucky helping
play that we just saw upon that they say I don't know if I'm going to get
over that anytime soon yeah and that's going to be one for the ages of
course we had so many amazing memorable matches this weekend but that's one
We're not going to forget. And I do want to mention I believe it was a clean sweep for Andrew Hedrick in the top cut winning 2-0 over and over and over against such high quality opponents as well.
So he came prepared for this weekend and you know there's a lot to be said for preparation but also staying focused throughout as the pressure keeps building through all these matches as well.
I mean why don't we relive the moment of the lucky hell that we have it right here.
Let's jump into it that lucky helmet the crucial attachment even Diego have doubts right and probably in his mind
We are thinking about the special red card which coincidentally was Andrew's top deck next turn
But turns out that ultimately was his demise. Yeah as soon as Andrew didn't play the special red card
We knew something was up. He had other plans
And he wasn't wanting to KO this alakazam something that seems so counter into your general Pokemon TCG strategy
what a pivot to see this line.
Yeah, absolutely.
You know, seeing the line,
playing as safe as possible,
drawing into that dark energy,
and putting it onto the Dunsparse
to make sure he could claim
the World Championship title
in as much style as you can.
You know, Dunsparse is not a Pokemon known
for really getting in there
and dealing a lot of damage.
It assisted his opponent in drawing the cards
that eventually led to Andrew's victory.
I think Diego may have thought this through
a little bit and thought,
Thought, well, even if I get hit by Dragapult EX, my Alakazam will get knocked out.
I have to done sparse to go ahead and make sure I don't deck out.
But didn't account for the fact that Andrew does not have to knock out Alakazam.
Can just attack it multiple times without doing enough damage and
that slight oversight may have cost him the world championships.
Yeah, I think we were definitely all perplexed about Andrew's line of choosing not to evolve into Dragapult.
You know the whole crowd were like oh my gosh and then he didn't draw drag-up again out of the lily.
It wasn't that clear line right it's a very unexpected decision or unlikely decision but ultimately
these four cards is what led to this amazing amazing play. I don't think we're ever going to
see something like this again in a finals. Also Andrew had not taken a knockout this entire
game and that is why this play works. Diego plays sacred ash in his deck but he doesn't have
Ultra ball there's no way to put the discard pile for him to shuffle these Pokemon back into the deck to replint ish
And since Andrew had not taken a single KO there were no live targets for sacred ash to refuel his deck
Yeah, not the line you typically see to end the game off and you could see immediately take Diego
Just trying to figure out a way out thinking can I shuffle in one to done sparse?
Maybe multiple to done sparse to change things up
But just slowly realize that the writing was on the wall and that is how one small decision can snowball so quickly against somebody who can identify alternate win conditions.
Now the Dunsvars does of course shuffle attached cards back in. He had a lot of cards in hand. Was there perhaps an opportunity to put an energy onto a Dunsvars?
Put a tool card onto it to put even more cards back into his deck.
now we did have that option right I do believe we had drawn our whole deck there
was an Irvalu there definitely were energies as we retreated trying to
prevent this play and ultimately I mean with the pressure the moment everything
on the line I feel like it's not an easy thing to realize I think that
Andrews play caught Diego off-guard I think that's pretty safe for sure yeah
and I think it goes to show you even the best of the best sometimes can get
caught off guard and have a hard time adapting and seeing every single possible play. Sometimes
you know it's not your day. Sometimes you're really locked in and you could find those things but
Diego is so focused on other things he may not have seen that in front of him. Now who's to say
how this game would have ended anyway but that wasn't an immediate way to perhaps not duck out.
What an epic moment that Doddspar is coming up. They're rammed for a game with the passes,
orders that was not in anyone's uh that one was not a part of the script
not a part of the after that the deputy could not have flipped this
incredible floor site from Andrew Hedrick and he becomes the 2026 world champion he is a five-time
regional champion he is a singular time international champion he got top 32 at
worlds a couple of seasons ago. He's had tons of other great international and regional successes.
You know we spend so much time at these events talking about quick greatest Pokemon players.
Of course, Jason Klazinski, his three world champion titles.
Tord Recklett, his five international titles, two incredible runs at world championships for him.
Andrew Hedrick does not have the time in the game that those two players have.
He's still very, very young, but I think it's time he starts making his way into those
conversations. It's definitely making a case at this point. If he keeps this up like you said,
Jim, it's only been a few years of racking up all of those accomplishments. The future is pretty
bright for him. Yeah, I mean, even the fact that he has accomplished so much in so little time,
I think he speaks volumes of he should be in this conversation because the other players,
right, how long did it take Diego to get that world championship and how many years did he
try so yeah Andrew definitely on another level at this moment. Yeah and he and his
friends who prepare and play consistently finishing at the top level this
season whether it be championship points or regional wins or international
placements that is scary when the top lines are together and working towards
every event you know that when you show up there is a group that is
prepared and ready to take down the best. It doesn't feel fair to the rest of you trying to play right? All of the best players working together how are we supposed to compete?
They're dominating up at the top of the game and it is a really fun thing to be able to watch.
Yeah and I do think we've seen a trend in the last several years of kind of these young
up-and-coming players being the ones to dominate at this level. I think it is inspirational though
for some of our older folks that Diego was able to make a run as well,
proving that you know it doesn't matter what your age is when you're playing the Pokemon TCG
skill players are skilled players the best or the best and anybody can compete in it's always
a great time to jump in and learn how to play the game. 43 years old the oldest player to grace
this world championship stage and I wouldn't be surprised if he improved that in future years as
well. Best line I heard on the weekend is Diego could have been the oldest player to a
Wonder World Championship since Diego. I was amazing. I believe 35 whenever he won the
the 2017 World Championships and still doing it now nine years later.
Well, it's been an excellent journey to trading card game
Pokemon go and Pokemon unite so many world champions already
crowned, but we are not done yet.
It is time to kick off Pokemon Champions, where we will
crown three first time Pokemon Champions World Champions.
We are in San Francisco, the land of the Golden Gate Bridge, and now this bridge is
hangry.
Vasco leads in with the Aqua Jet to take the final KO, and it's going to be Hiroshi Onishi
to take the set 2-0.
And with the live-respect connecting onto Whimsical, brings it down to Fokusai, but
that is it.
Drowel, Selete, Leite is moving on to our top 8.
Triggered one shot onto the Sneezed Blood!
It's the whole house!
Joao is gonna be moving on to the top four.
The damage is done, Sneezed Blood's at 33%.
And the forth it comes through!
That weed moves on to the top four of the World Championships!
He waves following up in the Sun into both targets!
It is not for Roshi to get the double KO!
Two turns and with that,
Here, Roche! OTG moves on to Championship Sunday!
We are just watching a boxing match between these two,
and they are truly trading blow-for-blow.
ScarChomp Earthquake is going to deliver the finishing blow,
and Takamaw will be moving on to the finals here at the Pokémon World Championships!
and I'll see you guys next time.
Shader Trainers, are you ready to get started with Pokemon VGC?
Here on Championship Sunday, starting with your junior's final.
Kazuki Kage going up against Kazutaka Kataori.
Here's that moment, the culmination of all that hard work, the determination
this season. It all comes to
a close here. One more match to
go for both of our trainers, but
one of them will be walking away
a world champion. Here to take you
through the action, be kicking off
BGC, Sierra Dawn, lead provost, it
is an honor to be here at such an
incredible stage, an incredible
arena to be crowning your first
Pokemon champion, world champion.
That is the most exciting thing.
The champions has just come around. It's been the first world champion of the Champions
Era. What a title to take away with you. And yeah, it's been an incredible weekend so far.
But starting off with the juniors, it's always so exciting. It gives us open a bright future
ahead for the BG. Seeing them, we know we can get to see these talents rise up and
become these new heroes of past.
This is the next generation of Pokemon trainers and the opportunity to earn a world championship
title to date to be cementing their spot as one of the best so early on in their journey
and for it to start in an arena like this, a stage like this is truly incredible.
Two trainers that have battled it out all weekend and have shown that they are amongst
the best.
One more battle for our world champion.
Yeah, just suck it in, take up the moment.
The trainers are going to get themselves ready.
The teams are very interesting going into this match.
We can take a look at Kazuki's team here.
The Frozlas, which has that megaston.
Some megafrozlas, megaston village.
We've got the Basque Illusion, the King Gambit,
the Lightning Rock, and the Sneasler.
Very familiar set of Pokemon we've seen.
You're extremely well.
This one making it to the finals.
Can it get Kazuki over the line?
This Lycanroc team, this variant, has been so popular
and so strong with how dominant Charizard has been.
And we've seen this team, this variation take down
those big bad Charizard teams over and over.
But of course, having the other powerful options here
with the Sneaseler and the Vasculation and the King Gambit,
one of the most powerful Pokemon we have
in this current regulation,
no matter what other team is on the opposing end,
you have options.
The fact that you have the setup King Gambit as well and options to really be able to pivot around to allow this King Gambit to try and set up, if you can get a sword stance, that could be momentum completely shifted in your favor.
Yeah, you've got the Sneezer to help out with that fake out there to get that King Gambit set up, whether it comes in the early game to soften things up for that Basque Legion or in the late game to close out is a formidable threat.
and something that has a factor is going to have to consider when approaching their game plan.
Of course, we've got that Charizard wide, the Swampert, the Archalagon, the Grimmsnall,
Pelipher and the Venusaur. The common trend here is that double weather. The options,
you've got the Charizard bringing the Sun to speed boost the Chlorophyll ability on that Venusaur.
You've got the Pelipher bringing the rain that powers up the speed on that Swampert,
giving it that swift swim ability when it does never evolve and becomes a formidable
threat that it feels to handle a lot of those issues on the opposite side of the field, the
like and rock that might come to check the Charizard, the Sneasler, the King Ammon as
well, and that wave crash under the rain is so, so powerful.
This is the Charizard team with the mention having this dual weather mode, which gives
Hazataka so many options in how he wants to approach this matchup.
You can try and just go all in on one of your weather modes, or you can bring
a couple of options that you think would fare really well into Kazuki's team, and
if you're so interested to see how he wants to play this because if you lead your rather right
that could be everything for you but as well having the dual weather going up against the single
weather mode of Suzuki gives you twice as much potential to get ahead. Yeah it makes it very
difficult to bring that cross last to get that Aurora veil set up that you want to support
the rest of your team. The Grimstone makes things even more difficult because it's got
got that prankster parting shot so you can lead it next to maybe one of those
Pokemon like the Swampert or the Venus other take advantage of the weather
and especially in the Swampert scenario you can't pivot out first before
anything moves after a mega evolution and override that weather get in your
favor and get that Swampert in that profile.
Yeah, the swamp it's in a nice position. It does have to worry about the makeup from
the sneezer. Of course I could slow it down. You know, Charlotte on pretty free here to
just get the attack off. But is it pressuring and knockout? That's the question. Probably
not on this stage again you probably don't want to fake that out because it
will activate that stamina ability and give it a free defense boost but the
king gamut does feel like it's in a great position to get that sword stance
off if the sneezer goes to the fake out into the swamp, stop it in the track
system it's not much being able to stop that we've already talked about how
impactful that sword stance could be once that is set up it's already
boosted by that light bulb that will be starting to really take Pokemon on
the opposite side of the field. A Swamper, our Taladon is out, Helper joins the fray and
with it setting up the rain. This is going to enable the Swamper with this mega evolution.
It's going to be oh so speedy and dealing oh so much damage. Looking right away to start
dealing out powerful attacks onto the two Pokemon on the opposing end. Potentially,
but will just be a protect on this turn. With potential of the fake out on the opposing
end you do have to make sure the Pokemon stays safe and correctly pulling that protect
is big, but when you have to protect, there's always the opportunity to set up already a
sword sent to support the King Gambit to deal so much attack on this next turn.
Yeah, that's a huge lift, has the attack there, he's got that King Gambit in the perfect position.
Now it offers support with that sucker punch. It's going to be able to go before anything
can attack on the opposite side of the field, it needs to be damaged to that
spot, but the question is, can it take a plus two sucker punch? That is what
we're gonna find out probably very soon the question is though is it gonna be
enough just soften this one put up maybe a basket agents coming later in this
game take advantage of that rain and then pick up a knockout with that I
could get the hardship protected sort of sitting target now but sort of think
the Pelipus as well is wrecked in that hurricane damage on this easler it does
threaten a knockout there super effective damage it's also the
weather ball in stacking gamma if the cover comes out with the earthquake it
could be detrimental. Take that Pokemon down.
Plus two Sucker Punch from the King, and it's not enough!
For a Kale into the Swamper, holding on 7% HP can go ahead and attack and return.
These are no damage done, but Earthquake into the King Gambit is going to deal a lot.
Kale doesn't normally freeze anything, and will be brought down to 26%.
Follow-up here from the Helper, no attack, but making sure you're set up for success going on forward.
Tailwind for the speed.
Yeah, the tailwind is really useful because once that Swampirk does leave the field, then the Swampswim goes with it.
You need to support the remaining Pokemon in the back when they do come onto the field.
Especially because the Sneezer won't threaten our Jaladon with those big fighting type attacks.
Now, what you do here, do you attack with the Swampirk? It's in a great position.
You can go for another Earthwick. It wouldn't be enough to get that King Amber,
but it is threatened by that Supple Punch.
Do you maybe switch it out?
So, for later in use, that Pelipper leveraged that into the King Amber.
That is the biggest threat, you need to go after that, all the way to the king at the closing target at Elephant.
A little swap around, a double swap around actually, as Brimstall and Archalodon come back out.
Archalodon's club's being in the rain and of course double swap means he won't take any damage if there was a potential suck a bunch on the opposing end.
And the switch with Archalodon catches that return, that a gunk shot.
Fantastic switch here from Kazuki, but themselves in a great position now.
Got that Grimstone on the field and once again wants to set up next to you, Pokemon,
if that source has been activated on the King Gambit.
It is a reflect. You've got the Prancer reflect you can set up now.
It's going to be perfect protection and put that much element on it.
It's in its perfect environment. The Grimstone set up, it's got access to a left-hand shot.
You can go after that King Gambit now.
Get a plus one-foot special attack and start getting some momentum back
back and get them back into the game because right now this King Gambit is still a big threat
but not plus two to its attack.
Going into this next turn, Grinch and Earl joining in as you're worried about one of
the damage from this King Gambit or even the scissor, you could go ahead and set up
some screens where luck is going to mitigate a lot of expensive pressure from fear
on out.
It's like a bunch in the Artaladon though, plus two, but also showing how big this
reflect was in defense to help it later on.
They force slowly chipping away at King Gambit's own help.
Follow up from Sneezer.
Thanks for right now.
It's a lecture shot.
Of course, in the rain, this will be a one-to-one shootout move.
You get the special attack.
You don't have to wait for next turn.
Go ahead and fire off a powerful attack.
Sneezer down to about a third.
Gumstod going into this Grim Snarl instead.
Such a powerful attack, but again, reflect pain on huge.
Yeah, that reflects so valuable here.
with the poison as well that's put that Grimstone on a timer there's a matter of
time before it will fall down. The fellas coming in really handy for this Archaladon
he's cutting it out of arm's reach especially when you've got that reflect kind of force
for in those defenses. Now for that electric shot off where's your target
going? You can't be careless with it. You can't have a shot out if you've gone with the Grimstone
maybe you've lowered the attack on that scissor. Remember you can't go for an instant king gambit. There is also the option of going for a spirit break
made in protecting the Archuladon. Just getting a little bit extra health, getting into a better scenario
for the Monoan turns to hopefully get a big swing with it going into the last turn of this game.
Rimsaral on its time are wet and at poison, already such low health. Setting up the screens was
certainly nice, but how can you make the most of this Rimsaral while it's still sticking around?
And of course with King Gambit, you have those boots, but you got to make sure these
attacks count the lay part is revealing so much damage to yourself. Our Taladon with
protect won't be hitting him by a sucker punch as the will fail. Now close combat
already such low health on the Grim Snarl will take it down. Yeah it's a really nice
thing to get back post combat into Grim Snarl. You can go for it on the dune
shower it's quite risky it's not the best accuracy here but the main thing is
it activates that white herb. That is doubling the speed on the snooze list
so even in a tailwind, even if the rain set up to support that, swap her
If you come back onto the field, you're gonna match speed, you're gonna be actually out speeding those.
And with the damage this one has already taken, the speeds are gonna be in that position where it can be picked up off.
Now the Pelopon though, good timing to bring it back onto the field.
It is gonna set that reign up again for another five turns so that the electric shot is now enabled.
It is gonna be able to stop hiring up that archalagon a little bit more each and every turn.
And the big threat now is the Pelopon alongside it, but it does offer a little bit more offense than that Grimmsnall was the previous turn.
10. The perfect timing with the Grimmsnarl going down to Pelipper,
steadying the reign up perfectly and offering so much offensive pressure within
itself too. You get that full five turns that remains of reign going on
forward, but you still have to be also careful of your eye up and attacking
move with this Pelipper. This King Gambit still puts so much pressure on
the board. There has been a lot done to really being able to mitigate what
this King Gambit's been able to do with his swap. It would be well timed
for attack, but we'll have to see if it can make a little bit more use of
No sector punch though, these are the first to act close combat for those drops and another fence
boost on the opposing end. Now a lack of shock in retaliation, boosting up a special attack once
again into either one of these hook ones that's already taken quite a bit. Special attack
boost, now going for the attack into this knee-slur, we'll take it down. Yeah, and that
And after us two now on the ball for our Chaladon, it's been hitting extremely hard, each of you turning those passes is acquiring a little bit more health.
Now the follower from the Pelipa, that weather ball, finally taking that team gambit down, but the Zuki got a lot of value out of that Pokemon after getting that sword transfer and greed, clenching holes, softening up the opposite side of the field.
This rain mode has put in so much work.
When in battle, though, we have highlighted Lycanroc's hand crosslap, the two really big key pieces to this.
Lycanroc, though, not necessarily in the scene where we'll suggest you want to see, but with crosslap, what about that weather?
Yeah, this is the perfect scenario for the Zuki. Now you can mega evolve, override the rain, take away the electric shot from a one turn attack to a two turn attack.
On top of that, you put your Lycanroc on the field.
Yes, it might be threatened by the pellet, but you aren't taking away the rain, so that weather won't become an ice type attack.
I've got something that Black Rock has to worry about too much.
The more important thing is that offensive, right, that it's got not access to post-combat,
you know, after that, I'll tell it on its sole or half-up minute as well,
if it does land even through a reflective, auto-expect, silly cross-picking up a knockout,
if it's double-e2 with potential shadowballs of Lizard.
First on the turn, though, if you want to override the weather,
you have to go ahead and mega-evolve for our class.
I mean, with this, no warning.
You can't rely on those one-turn electric shots anymore,
And if you do want to get that weather back, Peloton has to swap out, protect from Archialodon and Tharok in the Pelover.
This is going to be great for dealing a little bit of damage here, which could add up going on forward.
To protect Archialodon, though, won't be any damage, but Kha'Zix is looking to keep going, pushing on forward with that tailwind.
Yeah, it's a pretty calm paper, Kha'Zix, just to protect Archialodon this turn.
I don't think it's threat over the special attack because of the defense boost that is required, but now with that tailwind activated, everything that ArchEllidon is going to be ahead of the crosslash, and I like the Rock.
The Light Knock does have a little bit of security on that proper side, so it can go after either of these targets, but we've seen the damage already.
Is that Rockwell could be enough to get the Pelopon?
Or do you focus all your attention down at the arch-elidon?
And now is a swap that is going to be run with all the classes protected to be not likely to go for it again.
And it is in a position where it will attack.
Which target to go on for though?
The light rock to break the sash?
Or that crosslash?
If you can get the protect right on,
particularly side of the field, you could really kick yourself back into this game.
If you want to look at overriding the weather,
they get your own out as well.
You need the swap with the Pelopon.
And arguably only the last opportunity to do so.
For Megaswamper, it comes out with a well-timed protect
on the opposing end.
But it's Leica Rock that targets up towards Flash Cannon.
Leica Rock brought all the way down to its focus sash.
Yeah, and we'll see what it's like in what goes.
It's got the Pelleburgan, or is it the close combat?
It looks like it's gazed into the Alcaladon.
Is it enough?
It's not a one.
It's on.
There was the best boost up added up at Alcaladon,
who had 4%.
And another one, it's going to stick around for one more
turn and get a little bit of recovery and back and now slumpers out on the field
both of the Pokemon have such low health but you can switch in the Pelopter and
have this slumpers really be able to touch her. Yeah and that's good to be mean. That's how well
you can attack her. He's controlling this board right now. Yes you might have to
fold all the Archialidon at least you can think, but is it cutting this one? But in a really
advantageous position. Gotta be careful about that. Acceleron, both Pokemon very low health.
The Archelagon will definitely be able to take one, so maybe the preferred switch here is the Swamper out Pelopurian and then utilize the Archelagon.
Plus, to the Swamper though, it's got that spread attack, so it can go for an earthquake, so throttle's hard to protect it.
It is going to be run over now to a flash cannon though, so the choice is probably better to keep the Archelagon.
Maybe Swamper go out, but it is sticking around.
No swap and a priority move from this Lighten Rock slumber already at such low HPs, no chance of sticking around.
Follow-up slash damage, so almost special attack, and a frog hop that has absolute ease.
No chance of treating Kaleid on this turn.
But now, for Kazuki, it's only a Lighten Rock with one HP!
Yeah, and I mean, a fantastic thing there, saying,
Okay, well, I can utilize the tailwind as still an effect.
I don't need to risk my pellet for coming on that.
I sell a rock and that's exactly what we saw there.
Now coming in, getting weather control.
We talked about how important this weather control was.
Hell's attack I do extremely well in this match.
To keep control of that for the majority of the time.
We'll turn the tailwind, let's take a fast jump.
That's obviously not the same that we take on the Lightning Rock.
It might get one more turn, but on the double attack,
it looks like it's getting closer and closer to being wrapped up.
Well, if you're eyeing up trying to go for something like this rock slide pellet for
me floating in, how's the wide guard?
You won't be able to stop it, so like a rock, you stay safe for now, you can run out the
tailwind, but beyond that, if you go ahead and click the rock slide and there is a wide
guard on me floating in, that is still just a walk.
Yeah, and that's the problem with these three-spread attacks.
If you impact us on the field, or as it is always told, and it's the mind game
for the phase there, forcing your opponent to choose any alternate options.
Of course combat does feel like a preferred option into the Archallelond,
but again, is it gonna be enough?
It is the Rockslight that will go on through those mind games, though why God gonna connect?
Gonna connect into both, no KO's, but if you can, go for a flinch instead!
It could be your way to try and make something happen here.
Two Pokemon remaining, a single attack will be enough to take you down if you only have one HP!
And no flinch is going to spell your doom archaladon another electroshot for the road 180 is all you have to do in Kazutaka take the first game in the set.
Wow, what a first game so explosive and great game plans from both pairs coming into this game but Kazutaka really taking advantage of the weather on their side of the field and some of the tools are really leaning into that archaladon in particular.
Doing so well to just get damaged, stuff the things up on the opposite side of the field while kind of setting up that special attack and being overall in the end with that timed tailwind just so perfectly to just overcome all those threats on how to get that out of the field.
Even looking at earlier on in the match, this king gamut with the sword's damn boots
becomes so scary. But there's a great job done by switching around Pokemon well, time for techs.
To really make sure this king gamut never got out of control, and once you take that threat down,
get your pelfer in quickly later on, you can tailwind, you have the speed,
and you just do so much damage to these remaining Pokemon.
And I mean, the Grimstone was so pivotal there, we really do much offensively, but what it did provide the team was that defensive support with the reflect.
We hadn't seen that, I think the Lycanron would have easily been able to take down the Archele on that spot, the game would have turned out a little bit different maybe, but
The Zutake are just using those tools so perfectly at the right time and not panicking too much either when that King Gamma got that sword stand set up.
I think controlling the game and keeping calm and composed was such a great thing to see.
But all for Kazuga Pete to do coming into this next game.
So tie it up. Does have options. Did we see maybe the Vasco Legion coming?
Because he's thinking that the rain is going to be the optimal mode.
I feel like that is going to give a lot of problems to things like that Swampert.
it will get the boost in the range with wave crashes and it can be an end game
Pokemon with that last respects as well it can really cut through and get the
damage you require on those remaining Pokemon.
Kazutaka having so many ways to pilot this team but now Kazuki knows that
rain was the answer for game number one giving you so much information on how
you want to handle this game number two maybe like the rocket left at home
try and switch up the Pokemon just a little bit or override that weather just
a little bit sooner. So many questions in mind down again in the set with the
world championship title on the line. Yeah it's really difficult to set up
against this Sun Rain team as well because you think you're going down
one route because the Taka might be conditioning their opponent as well in a
lot of ways where they might switch it up to bring that Charizard instead of the Rain.
Getting into game number two, it's time to see if there could be a bounce back. What a big twist from the get-go.
Rainbow's left at home. Cows are talking to bring out the Sun instead.
Venusaur and Charizard going up against the Caesar and King Gambit.
Yeah, now there's Charizard in prime position to mega evolve.
Of course, both Pokemon here are going to be susceptible to that big out.
But can you risk being passive here? I think although you don't want to be in a still sash screen broken,
Yes, can you protect the front of a King Abbot that can potentially set up a soul stance
and then become that big threat once again?
Because Charizard and Venusaur aren't as good defensively as the Pokemon we saw in the morning.
Not anything like the Ultralid or all that's won, but then if I'd be able to take those priority situations as well,
so do you just hope for two attacking options here in Guffa?
Could he wait and maybe even a seat power against the back?
The Abbot just slowed it down.
Mega Evolution with Charizard from
And it was not a problem in game number one to let this King Amit set up as long as you have an answer later down the road.
Charizard doesn't protect, will just eat that fake out instead.
As it actually just eats double up fake out, Charizard doesn't move but was still eyeing up in a tap,
which means King Amit can still get the Thunder Punch off.
Sleep out of those in return.
King Amit does your one move, you bring the Charizard down low.
But on the next turn, you have to take that mandatory turn of sleep.
Yeah, that's the advantage of actually the circle punch coming out of the seat how they're going after it now
There is a guaranteed turn the game down it is gonna move this term and now that seems like it's susceptible to the seat
Hunter as well this chores out pretty free now to go for a new way or a weather ball
It's a key to one of these targets and now you can start building that momentum the penis or a big part of why this is working has
Because if you've got a way to get around this it's maybe the skull building in the back
If it is, you could maybe switch it in if you have the immunity to shoot that Sneasler, but of course, you're going to take Superbowl.
Now, what you call that, Charizard, on your way in, you just fly that Sun as well.
No swap seems really too strong at this point, so Sneasler stays in and will protect.
So, Venusaur will still fail to sleep powder for that reason.
You can't, King Gambit will take that first turn of sleep.
He waits from the Charizard, so you have the Sun on your side.
It's super effective hit.
And King Ebbett has no chance at waking up the first fail taken in this match.
Yeah, what a way to handle that threat in King Ebbett without taking any damage.
Really, on your side, the Charizard has been softened up so it won't be susceptible to bounce later on.
But with this Venusaur on the side of your field, in the Sun you're in a great spot to keep that pressure on.
The problem now is, of course, last few months, the build will be under overwrite that Sun with its snow.
and the Venus all links at the farthrope.
It all becomes susceptible to all sort of two dust
and it threatens from that farthrace at the same time.
If you want to get the weather back, four crowds of talk,
you have to swap the Charizard back out and in again
as snow with the mega evolution.
Charizard will protect on this turn.
You've already taken a lot of damage.
And if you want that weather back,
you can't afford to get KOed.
Double protect on the board.
Now we get an opportunity to see what Christine
And Blizzard is going to do nothing, and same with Caesar's attack.
Yeah, now, the double protector scour we've put in Frank's deuce.
Of course, combat going into that Venusol, maybe expecting to switch there, but it's not too bad,
because all you need to do is shit Venusol slightly if it stays on the field.
Break that bumper slash, and the blade that will be enough to get back, and that law of Charizard as well.
So, Kazuki in a really commanding position now, it's all on his tactics.
We respond in this scenario. They need to get that Charizard up the field, and they want to take weather control again.
Problem is, we should protect the B install. So are we gonna see maybe a double switch? The big question is, is the Paladon lift in the back?
Is it a great performance to bring in now? I get rid of that snow and it's really starting to stop. I think it's gonna work.
Charles are needing to swap out our Paladon to join the field instead, as it will be that double swap.
Is it the two boats of weather? It is! Paladon comes out and visits the rain green. Both weather boats to this match intend up against the snow.
Not the most accurate, but we'll neck in both target palpher and our paladon taking some damage.
That's why we're going to be freeing the bottom to the palpher!
That's it, we have so much to let this end this match!
It will be a close combat as well, just follow us!
But on this next turn palpher has the opportunity to just not move!
And with that close combat, you can just be burned down so much damage
and you're going to be so fast on this next turn with the unburdened!
Yeah, now there is a scenario where you go Blizzard and then close combat into the Archallon
and that combination will probably be enough to get the Archallon right here.
There's no reflex helping it out this time, that white herb activating as well when it's
Sneezler and really, really difficult scenario. Can the Pelopetal go out? Can it take another
Blizzard? It might be a roll, so Valsos does have to connect though. The accuracy isn't the
most reliable when the reins on the field, so it's a preferred environment, but you could
the babies which are out to get regain control of that, but are you the kind of
thing on the field that's expressing that kind of pressure that you've got right now?
For Frog Class, if you stick around going for those inaccurate hats and knowing that
there's an arch-halodon that could go for that flash cannon into you to start
making sure that Fuzz Attacker has all of the momentum in the match, you need
to swap, like and rock, yet again, rock into this match, follow up close
combat and see our child on it already have one of those defense boosts so it will take this hit
even though it's getting oh so low on damage the pelfer though frozen is it going to stop coming up
next it's gonna be like they get staying because our child on still looking to get those boosts
and really be able to kind of take more momentum into this match but if pelfer keeps staying frozen
pretty sure that's where you can really get slowed down as measler will hold on frozen
So you can't shovel up and paste it down.
Yeah, I'm really careful now.
The Pelopon there, you would think maybe it's ill,
but it could fail as an attacker into a more commanded position.
Now you've got the Fossilas to bring it to an end point
and override the weather,
but I think you've got to plan it and time it so well
because you know the Charizard in the back.
It has Attacker.
Now you can utilize your close combat
although our Charalones has a defensive use
that is going to be susceptible to going down to that powerful attack.
And the Lycanroc, the perfect Pokemon here,
sell-off into that helipad. There is no reflect we talked about that already so
the seller off probably will be enough to pick up the knockout there force one of
those remaining Pokemon in the backpack out onto the field. With your
charlotons already having taken so much damage it's forced into a protect as
helipad goes down with that as sell-off so now one of your modes of weather is
gone. You still do have the Charizard to be able to contend but again if
If you bring it out here, Kazuki can go ahead and bring the Fraffus back in.
So maybe you just have to go for the Venusaur, swap Charizard into the other spot.
But again, if you get that turn wrong, you might never get control of the weather again.
No, and that's a big problem. The one plus that Kazutaga has right now is the Venusaur does have its focus action.
It does have a little bit of room to maneuver.
And he's going to threaten, seem proud of it both for that, but it doesn't threaten to make the damage into that like in Robb as well.
Pretty much any of those options, even the resisted one, but with this laser, probably enough to take it down, so you have to be very careful not to lose your shot and then reuse your resource as well.
Close combat, yet again into our Traladon. Turn after turn has really stacked up, and another KO taken in Kazuki's favor.
Now just down to the two. Rock slide to break this focus sash onto Venus Orb and deal a lot of damage, and play rather than be a mess!
Light Rocks stay the way, stick around and Charizard gets forced out onto the field, doesn't appreciate that at all.
It's a huge mess now and now in a position, doesn't matter what the sun's coming onto the field because you've got that straight switch.
From Snazily, you would imagine, into the Frostlass, overwrite that sun and then the light and rock is enabled.
That four availability is taken away, the rock's light will come out if it does connect.
Will it be enough to get the Charizard? Will it be enough to get the Venus Holdout? That is the question.
Sneezer walks out, Suzuki has won the weather war as snow set up once again.
Venusaur is going back to being slow and stars are so pressured by this like in Rock.
Rock's side can again not be tricked into going for the single target
so you can get some damage into the Venusaur, take the KO, and only one Pokemon remaining
in your quest to get this to a game number three.
Yeah, it doesn't miss its target.
it takes down the Venusole and that Charizard just waiting in the wings. We all go into the
game three, Sierra, like you say, and a well played match with Gizaki to get him to back
into this game, the adjustments here, and doing it in such a great fashion. You can
sell her off into the Charizard, the target that it's after all this time, right at
the end of the game, to lock it up, take us to a game three.
A seriously going, the distance, so expertly played coming out from Kazuki, contending
up against not one but two weather modes, you have to be so careful with that
drop-off and those pieces and the perfect preservation of that lichen rock to
make sure you can force the Charizard out onto the field, put so much pressure
onto it to really be able to clean up that match. Something like the sleet
powder is quite important but at the same time when you look at the
snazor allowed to keep doing all the damage turn after turn, you are
You're able to get so much pressure from the get-go to force that.
Yeah, and the freezes take care. This prevents maybe a tailwind being set up.
But I don't really know if it really changed the outcome overall.
I think the big thing we've got to point out here is that Licky wasn't really conditioned to not bring the lycrock.
But it would have been easy to say. I expect the rain mode again.
So I'm not going to bring the lycrock. I'm going to replace it with Abastu Eji.
If we'd done that there, then the Venus would have been even bigger problem in this game.
I think bringing it to this game was a huge, huge play and it really paid off.
And now they're back in contention to lift the trophy.
One game is gonna decide this year which trainer will be able to overcome the other.
Two very deserving trainers, both with a win under their belt with one more match to determine
who our world champion is going to be.
Whether it's gonna be Kazuki Kage or Kazutaka Hadaori.
One more match for who is going to be starting off their Pokemon journey in the junior submission
with the highest title of them all.
Only one more match and so much pressure. Pressure that no trainers really get to face on a stage
like this. They can always see who's going to come out on top. Trainers, everyone here at the
Chase Center got to make some noise for these two young trainers. Let's give them that energy
Determine our future world champions
Well, it just fits so we're gonna see from both trainers coming into this game three
That is the question on everyone's mind that we're gonna see the rain more because attack
That was so successful in that round one came on
We're going to see the Charizard mode again. The Venusil was very potent.
You can land those sleep powders and it's in the right position and you can keep control of your weather.
It's going to be hard for Kazuki to control that, keep that contained.
Or we're going to see the Vascular Legion finally come to the game.
Is that going to be the Pokemon that could be used to soften up some of these targets on the opposite side of the field?
If you're expecting the rain, it makes a lot of sense if that Pokemon to come.
It can cause a lot of issues for that swamp, but if you're expecting that thing,
So this is what makes this matchup so beautiful.
I think why the intricacies of it are all dependent on the leads.
Getting into the game, it's time to see where the trainer's minds are.
Why did Justin's will be made at Swamper?
Joins the break next to our child on the opposing end, King Gambit and Sneasler.
If we tell you this fake out and the set up source as once again,
King Gambit can put on so much pressure.
But do we get to see a swamp and just a swamp with that cry to go on the offensive?
And do we see a switch up from that takeout sword stance play from Kuzushik?
Yeah, I love the lead here from the enemy team.
They've caught the option where they can take advantage of the range with the fear of their leads.
He's got the Archaladon with that Electro shot.
It's not likely to get takeout because of that stamina activation only so that's long.
But we've got this one for both of them.
Takeout into that and the Archaladon switches out to the Pelopel
and he's got the instant ability to mega hold, get access to Swift Blinn.
To get the jump from both of these targets, we need to background type Earthquake attack.
That is going to be a huge, huge detriment, even if you get a full-time set up,
the mag is taking you. You do have your perfect heart and rescue.
You have that fake-out that's left.
Sword stance is required to get the damage you need on the opposing side of the PA.
And we have the Swampert on the field before us.
We're going to see a mega evolution and a power surge coming all out to bring that brain.
The question is, will it be a fake-out from the Sneasler to make sure no damage is there?
Sure enough, Flopper will flinch and no Earthquake.
Now towards that plus two for this King Gambit, it digs under one's next turn.
What happened?
Yeah, and you think if the chip damage really continues on that Spongebob,
now plus two to flinch, there is the question where is it enough
with that chip damage to get this Spongebob?
You might be just out of range that Flopper if it is out of range,
It will be a scenario where you can't get an earthquake and you sort of think,
Celepa is going to be able to follow up but not want to get in on his way.
If we stay together, we'll flex it, but we're so on that game more to protect everything
and that's exactly what we're seeing.
Kazataka in game number one had no fear of letting that King Gambit set up with weather time switches
and another one there.
Dreams are coming on out, no damage from King Gambit.
Now, these are early on, Wilka that white herb activation,
That brought back to normal and speed, so important with tailing from the Telepter.
You want to make sure that this measurer can continue to pressure with potentially a gunshot onto this Grimtsnarl.
Yeah, and either into the Telepter as well, that simply hasn't been activated.
This is probably not going to be enough to get the Telepter before it can attack.
This measurer in a great position, even despite the tailwind don't have it.
But the problem is that Grimtsnarl now on the field, it is going to have that fine durability.
Two seconds of that match is going to reflect it was so so vital in that first game to get around the threat of that King Gambit.
The difference in this game is that King Gambit hasn't taken any damage so far, so it's all health.
It's getting in the perfect scenario, it can constantly fight pressure, but you start going to that counter clean rather than that Sucker Punch.
We've got your punch, but it will be enough free plus for Bringshaw, he's going to get the damage, but the plus two can gambit without life or still is so significant.
He's there with the follow up, Gunshaw will connect.
Bringshaw is at full health, it will survive the hit, but it's brought real low.
Yeah, real low and probably in range of even a resisted, except for to the next turn.
Just decide to go for an attack, of course it has got access to an up in the panhardic, but it seems like weak in that slot.
slot. You still got the scenario here, the slumber comes in a bit of a better place now.
It can hurt, but it will be hitting the Grimstall, which is an ideal you've not got your preferred
part of heliport has been taken down. So Grimstall is going to be susceptible, you've not got
the option to switch either because you can't bring your Alcaladon into an earthquake.
You rely then on the wave crash, and if that can be enough to get the king
down, but that has to be your target. You've got to be careful going all the
to that smoke bomb, but if there's a protect there, it all gets it off the scissor to get some
more damage on the bomb. A light train set us for later on, Sackler punch into Swampert,
not enough for the KO. But again, if we seize this wave punch, you're going to do
so much free throw potential to yourself. We're going to put it all on the line, though.
First wave, hit everything on the field, two KO's. One of Suzuki's folks on going down,
but all do their own rip-star. Yeah, it's a really big may be a huge
What's really scary though is earlier on game number one you're able to take
I think it's really good. I think the swamper in a pinch here where it needs to protect. I think it's beyond this target to go after the 7th punch.
It really could, I think, just one put in a push here where it leads to the tech.
I think it's the obvious target to go after this as a bunch, even if it's by the tailwind.
That's what it's saying, but it does, because we can see that going after that Archaladon instead.
And they do!
They do! Spongebob can answer the Archaladon, bringing it down to less than half of its health.
He gambit is on his liver, but if this is follow-up, Archaladon takes so much flash cannon into the light.
The Rock Focus Dash still in fact needs it's does hold on for at least one more turn to
fire off a powerful attack of its own.
Low-small back, at least with the difference, it did turn it into the Swampert instead.
Ah, you were hoping there that the Close Combat might be into the Arch-Aledon, but
a really small protect there, but the one thing that doesn't have a asking able to
do is to meet that threatening King Garment, now it's still threatening another second
punch.
to the life of re-fall damage here, but it's still so much worth already missing.
Your Taladon now is not in the rain, not in its preferred environment, the same with its
bumper as well.
You do have a tailwind effect, but is that really going to help you against the priority
attacks from the King Gambit?
Those were the double, but the fail means that Bunkerbunch still isn't going to do
anything, so no damage.
If Leica has those up there, it could get the tail sent into the Archaladon instead.
Wauver sticks around, our child monster fights the hit with that defense boost, and now you still have two Pokemon for Pazotaka to contend with.
Flash fan is into like a knock-on. One AP is enough to claim the KO.
And Twa- It's still a very long- You still have to worry about picking Gambit on the next turn, but you can go for Puppet again, and this archile monster does so much work.
The problem is, for Kazuki, there is still another Pokemon to join the field, and with it, he and the frog laugh.
You can go and think, yes, let's make it evolution. You are at full health.
Yeah, this is a great time for cross-laster to join the party.
It is going to be able to get the snow on the field,
and it is going to be able to pressure our talent on with those Shadow Balls, a single target.
It will be into that slot. It doesn't care about that reflect on the field.
It's only got one turn remaining as well.
But like you say, the Swampirk is going to be susceptible to the sun,
but she's got her protect again.
Time to exactly call it, maybe, and say,
is it worth going for it? How does that speak to that?
So I would probably argue not I could just keep it checked with that set of points
Remember the light screen is still in effect, but I don't think it could be enough to allow that
I'll tell it on the roof to get some of that off
That's the problem, the health bar for 2,000 Pokemon are so low
And draw class with the mega evolution with this note can offer so much damage
I'll tell it on with the protect, and if it is a sufferbunch, it's not going to do much
Which does get you right, a failed sucker punch.
Swampert on the other side, unfortunately, with the V&A Blizzard a dual target attack.
Swampert is not safe, and it's enough to take another pale.
Only one, both of them left, in Kazuki's journey to becoming a champion,
with only Arch-Heladon remaining on the opposing end.
Yeah, that's the first-last, I'm the king gamut.
I have this pin now, the sucker punch.
The Occelli run cannot attack without taking that sucker punch damage first.
even if that's not enough for both of us there to be able to just follow up and
close things out. Can y'all tell it or do it? It's looking slimmer and slimmer each tick of the clock.
Attempt of the double protect, but it will fail. Such punch does no damage,
but the strong class has this opportunity to attack. And with the
It is enough. Congratulations to your junior world champion, Kazuki Shaki!
The nominal, phenomenal player there from Tsuki.
Well, they got the king of it in the right positions at the right time.
They got the maximum value out of that Pokemon.
Incredible trainer, the talent showing through the testament.
The dedication, it's all come to a combination here and
they are a junior world champion.
Absolutely fantastic.
To be a trainer so young and achieve a feat unlike any other company Pokemon world champion
is incredible.
And being down the game in this set but never wavering.
Founcing back in game number two and of course that incredible game three.
I'm so excited for his Pokemon journey going on board because he has a very, very bright
future.
Yeah, I mean the way that they managed the ball position throughout those games.
They looked a little bit shaky after the game won, when you saw this one kind of dominating the way that control hit.
But I think keeping the crosslash so key until the last moment, the right time to get it onto the field,
and maybe leading with that King Gambit with the Sneezer, it's perfect partner, right?
A fake-out game room for that soul stance, and you think, well, that's the softer things up.
We talked about that, something like a crosslash can come in late game, and then do the damage,
knockouts are applied to close things up but it turned out if you just play that
King Gambit so so well and it stuck around longer and longer and longer and that
pressure applied with openings and it meant that if you get into those positions
swing that momentum and then clinch those wins they were all important then
taking this promise again just phenomenal phenomenal play.
That's what makes him such a strong trainer and what makes this team so incredible because if you don't
target down the King Gambit. There's other options on the team to be able to just sweep the entire thing.
It's not so expertly played, such a well done job, but it's time to go here for our newest World Champion.
Thank you so much. Let's hear it for our first ever Cocoa Month Champion, World Champion,
Kazuki Kazuki!
Kazuki, congratulations. How does it feel to be the first ever Pokemon Champion's World Champion?
Who was the most valuable Pokemon on your team throughout this competition?
Definitely for us.
Of course, there were many family and friends who helped you throughout your journey to become our first ever world champion here today.
Do you have any shout-outs or any messages you want to give to anybody watching at home?
Thank you for my family for bringing me here.
Let's hear it one more time for our Junior 2026 World Champion, Kazuki Kansei!
Alright, that is one world champion down to the video game division.
Two more to go.
Caster's back to you.
Let's turn our attention to the senior division world championship finals between Carlos,
Fadasaki and Vikram the Garajan.
My name is Rosemary Kelly and I'm so honored and excited to be here next to Aaron's
to bring you through the next Grand Finals.
San Francisco! Let's do this!
It is so exciting to be here with you, Rosemary.
My name is Aaron Cybertron-Zeg,
and I have been waiting a long, long time to be here.
The 30th anniversary of Pokemon,
Pokemon Champion's first ever World Championships,
and we are here in a legendary arena in Chase Center.
We're about to crown a brand new World Champion as well.
It's already off to such a great start on this championship Sunday that we got to crown our world
champion and the Junior's division but now we move our way up to the seniors and these are two
competitors that are so ready to take the stage both regional champions but they still miss out
on that elusive title can they claim that final crown the world championship to add to that
trophy case. I want to hear you all scream right now!
I actually feel the crowd under my feet, Erin.
That's how bad this stadium is getting.
It is unbelievable.
You all are here as part of Pokemon History.
The senior division in particular is an age group
that many of the game's best players
initially started their careers in.
I think about 2014 World Champion, St. John Park.
He finished second at the World Championships
in the seniors division a few years before that.
There are so many of the game's greats
who start their Pokemon journey here
and of course evolve to become the Pokemon master
that they eventually turned into.
And it's a big opportunity for our two players here.
Especially because you don't get too many years either
to be able to try to grab this crown.
And it's an amazing proving ground
before you do age up into the master's vision
and see if you can continue the legacy that way.
But for both of these competitors,
one comes from Europe, one comes from Latin America.
It's very exciting to see them both
be able to clash here on this global stage.
And we're going to get a chance to see them do it for the first time in this world championships.
What's also exciting is we just saw the school weather team win, right?
Hell of a hour, Chaladon, Charizard, Enisor.
That is one of the two teams left will be represented in the finals here.
Staring down, actually, the very first team left was crowned champion in football champions over the Indianapolis regionals
with Charizard and Tom Mimega-Flewett.
So it is the tale of a brand new team that has popped up leading into the world championships
versus one of the strongest teams coming out right when we started this game as we take a look at our players' accomplishments.
Both regional champions, Carlos getting that title at the special championships in Lima just this year as Vikram took home that accomplishment in Lille in 2025.
But for both of them, this is one of their greatest achievements to be able to be here in the final two at the World Championships.
What an incredible experience to have.
And it's going to be a potential battle between the Charizard here, of course, one of the most crucial Pokemon in this format.
This Pokemon has been dominant ever since we started in Pokemon Champions, only fitting to see it here, B-Crown World Champion.
But, Rosemary, the question is, which partner, Mega Evolution, will B-Crown World Champion alongside it?
Is it going to be that Flovet, or is it going to be Swampert?
Both of them very powerful Mega Evolutions in their own right.
Floette looked at as we started out our journey in Pokemon champions because of the immense offense that it can dish out with those very type attacks.
But with a Pokemon like Swampert, when you do have this dual weather option that gives you another mega evolution just to keep your opponent guessing.
Let's take a deeper look at Carlos Merasviggy's team as you do see that Charizard and Floette at the top that can both mega evolve.
dual team here with my devolutions and the Charizard is the ancient power so
that means that it can have a big edge against the opposing Charizard and one
of the things that I want to stress in this matchup is which Charizard is going
to be faster because both of these Charizards can actually hit each other
for super effective damage right and so ancient power being a really powerful
attack four times super effective the Venus door is a really big blue on the
team but is able to hit a super disruptive can thread it with sweet
powder can be led with that Charizard. A big question I have for you, Rosemary, in this
matchup is which mega evolution do you want to commit to if you're Carlos? Bringing Charizard
in a matchup when you seed out rain on the opposing side often can feel really tricky.
So you might want to think about going with a calm mind, Floette. Try to get a boost
up. Once it gets calm mind, if you get that special attack and special defense boost,
it's difficult to knock out. If you pair it with the Incineroar, Cinnation, Venusaur
and protect it well, Floette often can't just overwhelm the opposing side. But
is staring down a very big physical threat on the opposing team, which is going to be the Mega Swampert.
Mega Swampert can do a lot to every piece on Carlos' team and that damage can add up really quickly.
That's one of the key differences between these two team compositions is that Carlos may take a couple of turns to actually get that engine started
and then be able to press the go button. But for Vikram, there's damage all over the place.
over the place, whether or not you wanted to come from this mega swamper that's evolving
immediately, getting that Swift Swim activated with the Pelopter to work with the rain, or
you could just go on the offense with something like the Charizard or even the Archialodon in the
rain. Exactly. For the viewers, I think that Pelopter, Archialodon, and Venusaur is going to
be a trio that we will see a lot of throughout the course of this set. Now, what really makes
the Vickerance team unique is your ability to flex your mega evolution. You pick Charizard,
go with the Sun. You can also bring Swamper and Venusaur outside of the Sun is still really threatening.
That is one of the key Pokemon I'm looking at for Vikrum in this matchup and it can be really
disrupted with Sleep powder but also don't discount it defensively into that Floette.
Floette can take a lot of damage from sludge bomb and Venusaur can be used to slow down
its offensive pressure. The main question though is how comfortable do you feel bringing
Swamper in a matchup when you're staring down not one but two different grass type
Pokemon on the opposing team.
Right, you've got the super effective damage
from Wachidacha and Sinistra
and then the Venusaur from Carlos can threaten
with a one-hit knockout
with the Leafsaur. And so there's a lot
of different threats that you have to think about
when choosing your Pokemon to bring to this
first game. And is that actually going to be
something where you have to think a couple steps ahead
and try to bring some counterpits?
I expect this to be a Venusaur
heavy set. I think Venusaur
can be led on either ends, for example,
For example, Incineroar and Venusaur on Carlos's end is a defensive lead.
You get an Intimidate off which can neuter the opposing Swamper.
The Venusaur can also immediately go for Sleep Powder.
And for Big Room, you have a lot of different options.
For example, you can leave a Charizard Venusaur, set up the Sun,
immediately start going for Sleep Powder.
You can consider something like Venusaur and Swamper,
where the Swamper exerts a lot of offensive pressure.
While Venusaur says, hey, you have to respect my Sleep Powder.
So it is a big decision on which mega evolution to commit to.
And I think there's also maybe a world where you see Charizard and Swapper in the same battle with Swapper, not Mega-Volving, although I think that is probably the less likely path that they're going to take.
And I think Grim Snarl is a really difficult Pokémon for him to bring into this matchup because you're staring down, make out for Incideror, and a set-up Pokémon in Calm Mine Floette.
Something to call out on both of these team sheets is going to be the stat alignments of both of these Venusaur.
One, for Carlos, is going to be Timid.
So that's going to be a stat increase to its speed.
On the other hand, for Vikram's Venusaur,
that is a modest stat alignment.
That's going to mean more power and special attack.
I think that's a really good point.
And another thing to pay attention to
is going to be how these Charizard's interact with each other
should we see Charizard come out as a mega evolution pig.
And this is because you have ancient power on one side.
You have Weather Ball on the other side.
A Weather Ball in rain is one of the ways
that this Charizard can deal with dressed like
opposing Charizard and opposing Incineroar.
and so whoever has the faster Charizard has a big advantage
and here we go folks, game one of the Cedar Division World Championship finals.
For Vikram it is going to be the Skulper and the Grimstarl
and the card is going to be the sign Charizard of the Insaur hit the field.
It's going to be the Grimstarl, not a pick I actually expected to see here
and so the Grimstarl immensely helpful in setting up those screens
but right now the Insaur is starting so much offensive pressure into Swamper.
If you are Vikram you know that the Swamper can just get
knocked out by leaves were immediately so swamper may consider going for a protect
you may consider switching out into your own arch island on for example but right
now carlos is all of the offense with this duo and if you switch out and
carlos calls you and goes for a sleep powder it can be a disastrous sleep
powder would put a pokemon to sleep and stop them from moving on this turn
to swap it on the weather would also be able to stop something but the mega evolution on the charizard
First up though, it is going to be the mega evolution of the Swampert, and Charizard just protects itself, hoping to down out whether or not a sneaky Pelloper in the back can be as weathered as it overrides later, but Swampert also willing to protect itself in the face of a leaf storm from this opposing dinosaur as Grimstone gets up a light screen.
That's going to be great against both of these special attackers.
Oh, and the first leaf powder comes out and it will miss, like I said folks, expect to see a lot of Venusaur in this set.
That means Carlos is not able to accomplish anything this turn.
However, of course, Venusaur still breadings that leaf storm onto the opposing swamper.
So, if you are Vickro, Prince Nero here could go for a parting shot, right?
And of course, neutralize damage on foot. If Charizard mega-balls, well, if Charizard will set up the sun,
parting shot will come out, teleporting from it, immediately changing the lever back into rain.
And so, the big mist is far enough.
Charizard does not want to get risk knocked out immediately.
So, we'll switch it to Incineroar,
a really big Intimidate here.
Intimidate's going to neuter the damage output
of this Swapper who likes to be a physical attacker,
but that Swapper's going to shed that drop immediately
as it switches out for the Archialodon,
a Pokémon that would handle the...
Oh!
That was going to say the Leafs are a little bit better.
We are going to see that Partix out sale
because as Grosaral is a breaks for Pokémon
and then Incineroar is a Dark Psych,
you cannot use those support groups into it.
Our Chalodon switches into that leaf star,
take the stamina boost,
and that's going to help increase its defenses.
Really nice defensive play there.
If Swampert just gets one hit killed by Leafs,
or it's a disaster,
Swampert is such an important Pokemon
to thread in one hit,
knock out on some things like Incineroar and Charizard.
For Vikram right now,
his goal is to start getting a little bit of damage
onto the Venusaur.
Then, ideally,
you put in an Ice Punch kill range from the Swampert.
For Carlos,
your goal is,
right now, it don't have a lot of damage on the board.
We also saw the commitment to Charizard.
It's not going to get that set up to the left, right?
And so, Prim's throw right now is going to pivot out.
This does leave a vulnerable to a sweep
power for the Switchman Peliper.
But the Peliper is at least going to set their brain.
So you turn.
Oh, it does hit.
It's going to hit set the brain.
And for the Archialodon that is sitting next to it,
you're going to have those one turn electric shots now.
But as we see this in center, who
are still waiting with Ada Frank,
that has not gone for a fake out on this turn,
There's likely some type of attack going to come out in a moment.
The first, the special attack boost, our lecture shot gets unleashed
and you're going to start to stack up damage against the Consideror.
Not enough to put it in range of being able to consume its citrus fairy,
but then our Chaladon is immediately going to get that special attack
increased, taken away with the parting shot as Carlos gets a nice pivot out.
And it goes with really big defensive turn by Carlos.
While she has not done any damage there, putting Peloper to sleep
and Pelican not taking any sleep turns means that it's incredibly vulnerable right now and the question is would you really want to switch out right?
Swap are obviously an incredibly powerful Pokemon
But if you switch it in and he keeps up something like the sleep outer relief score while you're throwing away
What might be your biggest wing condition? Party shot into our child on also neutralizes its damage output
So I think Carlos has found a really good position to charge those in Venus were to do a lot of damage right now
Pelican switch out Rift or I think being the safest defense to switch here
Charizard's going to find a mega vault and crucially, now, the Crimsonar is going to be shot out once again bringing the rain.
But, where is Carlos targeting right now with the Venusaur? Could it be a sweep counter to our Charizard or even the Crimsonar will switch in?
You've got to get through this next turn first and it's going to be the lead storm.
Venusaur has already taken a special attack drop and with the light spring up, it's going to be even less damage to this Crimsonar.
A great defensive switch.
So it will be the weather ball also targeted towards that slot, so our child on gets out of these first couple of attacks spot free
Means it can go for a dragon pulse into the Venus or start to win a little way
And that's going to be 56% left
You can see Vikram celebrating there knew that there was a potential sleep powder like to go in for a child on or a key waver
Weather ball sleep powder neutralizing her child on key waver weather ball doing so much damage
Right now though big room does not have the heavy damage dealer which is swamper, right?
The lightsaber is also slowly expiring. I think if you're Carlos, it's so important to try to conserve this Venusort for the end game against Wampir.
And similar is going to come back in for yet another defensive commitment here, saying, I don't want to base a party shot with Pelipherr coming out.
Grimstar actually says, look, I saw you switching a little earlier. Party shot doesn't work against our types.
We should have manually switched to Pelipherr instead.
Oh, that's not good. Next to more Chaladon.
That's going to be two sleepy Pokemon on Grimstar with the Pelipherr.
something and still a sleep our child on now going to take a nap on the field and
feel like a moment of my swung into Carlos's favor it's really back and forth
because the main thing is for Carlos how are you going to deal damage into our
child on the answer is Charizard you have the position about we also want to
conserve the Venus or right because Venus or of course it's going to be such an
important deal tool to deal with Swampert so Carlos play really nice
defensively it's not an okay damage obviously gotten the sleeves off won't
much damage right now so looking to pivot into something a little bit stronger
and charlotte's maybe the perfect answer here. Very safe to get this in because you
do see the pellet fur and archaladon asleep on the other side. As archaladon is
going to take its first turn, parting shot from the sinceros, going to drop the
special attack again and let Carlos get the sincero out to keep it with
these intimidate drops for later when that swapper makes a reappearance but
now we actually get some valuable information maybe we see this fourth
Pokemon that Carlson brought to the game or Venus sword comes back out. Yeah, you know what's interesting
It is I think both innocent guard chump provide a lot of options, right?
It is going to be the guard chump here, okay
And you see they've been mentioning maybe a little bit surprised to see the scarf bar chump
Heliport takes a turn to sleep here
And so now you have basically what is her strongest offensive duo on the team right you have a lot of damage pressure
Heliport though of course with potentially wake up has that wide garden
So you have to be cautious of quickier spread moves like earthquake or T-wave.
I think if you're Carlos, you might expect Big Room to make a switch with that Palo Verde right now.
So if you anticipate a switch, it's an opportunity to do a lot of damage.
I think for Big Room, Prince Carlos of Hohklang Lab is not super important at this point in the game.
But the Swamper is so important to try to cancel an endgame, right?
So Palo Verde is going to switch out right now.
But this is Carlos' opportunity to burst down in terms of damage.
Swamper has to switch into these attacks.
and the first dragon claw is going to do a good chunk.
A key wave now connects onto both.
Our Chaladon is also going to take
a considerable amount of damage,
but these stamina boosts can start to stack up
against this Garchon.
Our Chaladon wakes up though and gets a super effective
dragon bolt into the Garchon on the other side.
But this Garchon will still be around for the next turn.
This has been a really defensive game back and forth.
You can see the screens, the parting shots,
they just really add up.
And so both players are slowly doing damage 20 to 30% here and there, but no big knockout yet
Right now though, of course Vikram is threatening a big play
They are chowing on all the swamper can switch into palipers and then the other four bunkers target down the Charizard, right?
Swamper, they heat up a lot of damage on that switch in
Charizard on Carlos's end feels like kind of need to conserve it, right?
And so of course if Vikram predicts that and targets the Garchomp then you just get it immediate knockout onto the Garchomp
And so now it grew up once again going with this weather war being able to pressure and set up the reins
Got in his main ace in swamper in on the field, but it's taken a lot of damage
And so he dynamic this turn is do we see a pellet first which it is either spot and yet the stars are switched
Let's make them call it and knock up the garch off
Charizard has the ability to protect itself
But garch off does not with that choice spark as the zero comes in
It's hoping to get that intimidating drop down onto the swamper that maybe garch off or
Parker can come in on the next one
But Pelibur decides to switch in for this block with a chef and a intimidating drop.
Also set up the raid now for that partner, Archaladon.
And Pelibur is also going to be able to take that Dragon Claw.
As Archaladon gets set up, another Electro Shot to boost back up its special attack
that can only go in one direction, and that is going to be the end-server on the receiving end.
A great defensive switch by both parties here.
For Carlos recognizing, I think if I lose Charizard, I actually cannot eat the Archaladon.
This is what makes our child on feel like the final raid boss and so Carlos recognizes
I need to get to an empty where I can basically have Charizard even to sign against our child on I'm gonna switch out
Our jumps dragon claws are doing okay damage, but lab dragon plans with heliport get under 50%
So another one is likely not going to knock it out can activate that citrus fairy as well
Incinerator on the field right now of course does pressure with faith out normally
You don't really want to give stand that moves over to our child
But you might be okay with that saying, look, my goal to deal with this is going to be Charizard anyway.
Another defensive switch here, it's just constant rotation for us in battle.
Charizard's going to hit the field once again in a battle versus Sun and Rain.
Feels like just a matter of time before we're going to see the first knockout,
but both competitors being methodical about how they get there are chaladon free to go for another Dragon Pulse.
We'd love to be able to see the Garchok there, but they'll still take some good damage onto the Charizard.
As in Sinnerworld, another parting shot helps reduce the damage output of the Sir Chaladhan and get another switch.
Really beautiful defensive play by both here. You can see how much both players are looking to have weather control.
We've seen the sun, we've seen the rain, we've seen the sun, we've seen the rain.
And this tension is so crucible about it because if you lose your weather center,
it will just be a huge advantage given to your opponent.
over Charizard and Venus right now out on the field.
Pressuring Sleep Houter once again.
You can go for something like Sleep Houter
into our child on and a key wave.
The Grim Star of course could go for a burning shock.
Bring that Pelliper in and of course the rain is up.
Charizard and Venus which just don't have offense
really to deal with the Archild on.
So for Vikram likely makes sense
to try to get that Pelliper back in on the field
once again but Rose, how many times
have you seen the weather change
at this point in the game?
Too many to count right now
with the pressure coaster has continued to mount and intensify.
Venusaur is going to swap out again
for another defensive pivot into this incinerator,
meaning that it will take one of the attacks
from these Pokemon a little bit better,
but our child on his option to protect itself instead
knows that the threat of the Charizard
in the opposition is just a little bit too scary.
Waiting for the Grimstar to set up the light screen
so that the special attacks
are not going to be as powerful.
Charizard though still can't connect onto the Spirit Snarrow and there's been a lot of damage stacked up onto it
that that would be the first trade-off of this game number one.
Spirit Snarrow goes down and a fresh switch in with this light screen that was just set up for the big room.
I want to explain that dynamic because I think that Venusaur obviously for many
would be burning a lot of offense before I should say sleep powder pressure there.
The Incineroar switch in there was hoping to see a parting chop go into Venusaur potentially
blocked it by being Dark-type and saying, now I just get a knockout onto you.
still accomplishes a KO and now is out on the field with big out pressure
but once again you've got our talent on in reign so it feels like the Charizard
needs to pivot back out and so I do think that getting that first KO is a big deal
Carlos is inching this advantage just a little bit more but I feel like the
ties can turn so quickly once again though I'm serving the Charizard say
look Garchar here can switch into an Electro shot.
Garchar's ground typing will make it a new to the Electro shot but there's also no
Who thought of that if you just fake out the Archaladon and stop it from moving on this turn?
The Compellifer finally wakes up and is then asleep this entire game after that first sleep powder.
Bruce Lee does stay asleep there, so that Pellifer had it woken up,
could have gone through something like a weather ball to knock out either of these Pokemon detailing as well.
Now he will be able to wake up on the following turn.
Archaladon is not actually exerting that much offensive pressure.
The Archaladon has these defense boots.
You go for a dragon claw into the Pelipper slot and maybe swap back out into Charizard once again
It is this cool leather going back and forth
And I think Darcha has gotten in decent damage on a Pelipper for Carlos
You really want to just get one more knockout and just win the weather war right if Pelipper falls that's it
It's gonna be really difficult for swamper and our challenge off to beat your Charizard inside
So in general, once again, Pippets out, uses his make-out
And it's gonna be Charizard coming back in but this might open the door for Vickers to finally get some type of knockout
As Garchomp goes first, Pelopter is going to survive with just a sliver of HP and the
citrus spear is going to help him recover some, but her talent, let's lose a dragon
pulse of KO now secured here for Vikram as Garchomp falls.
Garchomp will fall, but I think that it actually did a decent job in this game.
Pelopter wakes up now, gets that tail end up as well, so speed over in Vikram's
favor.
However, their now is a free switching and Denisor is a very strong footballer
on this field.
Another thing to consider, Halifor cannot protect throws and so as a result, that means that you can always target that slot.
For example, a Leastore into that slot would knock out Halifor or the incoming Swamper.
So, even though Tailwind is up on the opposing end, Harlow's does have a Venusaur inside, which of course doubles the speed.
And the Archialidon has even so many parting shots where it don't think it'll get a knockout onto either of these pokeballs with its damage right now.
You would like, if you were the Swamper, to have the reign to activate the switch to mobility.
But at least you have a tailwind to try to make up some of that deficit you're not going to be able to have.
You have to switch out the pelliper.
Either way, though, to get the rain back, it's going to require two turns.
You're going to manually switch out this pelliper,
but then you don't want to give up too much damage from this plumber either.
Right now, Carlos has a great position in this game.
Running the sleeves from loose means that the pelliper is going to get knocked out.
And weather control firmly in Carlos' hands.
And this is what I would say, Talibor can't protect.
If you stay in, you get knocked out.
If you push in a slumber, you get knocked out.
Dragonforce doesn't do enough either.
And now it feels like Carlos is full control of this game.
Even though Talibor is up on the opposing end,
look how much damage that Leatherball does.
Like I said, this charge is our user win condition
into our Talibon.
And Carlos has certainly perfectly
dropped the course of this game.
So, big room now.
We'll be able to bring in that slumber.
Talibor is up, but it is going to expire soon.
And like you said, Rose, that's Leather.
has completely gotten in Carlos's favor.
Right now, if you're Carlos,
you are probably looking to stall out this fail
when there's only two turns left.
So you can consider something like protecting one Pokemon,
switching it in Sinnera for the other slot.
Then you have fake out pressure the following turn
and so Carlos is getting very, very close
to winning this first game.
Still some speed control turns that Vikram can use
to try to get back into this one.
And Swapper protects itself for the first one.
Doesn't want to give up too much damage
over to the Venusaur,
and maybe is hoping that it will switch out here
so that Swampert could have something to do on the next one.
Our child on though is hoping to make up the difference
that Dragonforce does knock out a big threat on the field
to the Swampert.
And so we are down to a 2v2 in this first game.
But hey, that's a 2v1.
As Charm's art lets reach the water ball,
another knockout secured.
And Swampert is going to have to do the work
of three more Pokemon.
And Carla's saying, you know what?
I'm OK, actually, just staying in,
because I have that core of the water.
My Venus sword, basically, with its boost of speed
will neutralize the tailwind on the opposing end.
And because Swamper has actually already taken a lot of damage,
I can close out this game with the Incimera
and the Charizard combination.
So now you can go for something, of course, like a big doubt.
Firstly, this Charizard does not have Solar Beam, right?
So we'll have to go for Weather Ball.
He goes for the Double Protect.
That's actually a big fail because it needs now.
There's a lot of free damage coming out of Swamper.
Swamper with three of his allies fallen
has a lot of work cut out for it,
but the Weather Ball is going to do enough
that if you get one big wave crash down into 0 or Tarsar, you are going to end up falling to the recoil damage.
And that should be game over. Carlos should take this first game. Have a double protect come out.
You don't take the fake out chip. You don't take that first weather ball.
And then you can retaliate that with a wave crash. That being said, Intimidate was already activated.
While 3rd day is going to go for a protect now, but this is Carlos's game.
And I think both players are already probably thinking about their game plans for the second match.
In the second match, then, what do you consider?
You brought your rainbow if you're a Vipram to this battle,
so do you actually consider bringing Charizard instead?
It's a really good question, yeah.
I think the game is sore, is actually a Pokemon I'm looking at.
For instance, there was something I mentioned coming into this game
where it was nice defensively, right?
It was able to set up screens,
but I think the problem is that Vipram did not have any opportunities
to get big swings.
Our childhood, when it does not have any special attack moves,
it won't do very much damage,
So, Leatherball will find it from out, and Carlos is the perfect giving of Tarzan.
Woo!
Swampert will survive, so he'll take himself out, and actually knock out the Charizard
as well, showcasing how powerful it can be, but still not enough obviously a little
thing for three points.
You gotta give Swampert the effort though for not going down without a fight.
But it's too far.
The final Pokémon left standing in its first game is that Carlos wins, game number
one.
So, if we head into the second game, I think part of what makes this team so
scary and flexible is how many different modes that you can lead into, right? I think if you are
in different shoes, you can consider like you said Rose going into the sun mode instead, maybe going
for Charizard and Venusaur. I think that the Venusaur in particular is a really valuable pick for
Vikram because you can use it to sleep powder the opposing threats, right? Landing a sleep
powder into the Charizard, big deal. We take a look at this first game, big sleep powder
missed right away, but the Venusaur otherwise is quite clutch hitting basically all of its
other sleep powders and also getting some two-turn sleeves along the way.
Now the Pelopurse, the majority of that first game asleep with all of the
methodical pivots that were made. You had to make sure the positioning and the
timing was just right for this Charizard for Carlos to finally start dishing out
damage, but once the damage was mounted it was impossible to melt the combat as
Vifram watched one by one his Pokemon falling to the hands of these
Venusaur and Charizard duo. Yeah I think if you are now in Vikram's shoes and you're thinking about
adaptations you can run it back with the same four both one but it felt like Carlos just was one
step ahead in terms of pivoting right so Charizard Venusaur is one adaptation you can match the opposing
Charizard Venusaur and like I said Venusaur's swamper coming into this game is also an interesting
one where you do pressure with sleep powder while kind of protecting the swamper. I think the
goal ideally if you're gonna bring the swamper is you have to knock out that Venusaur on the
on the opposing side.
Swampert, as you saw at the end of that first game,
is a big damage dealer,
but it only basically got one big attack
in that entire game.
The reason for it is it never found the opportunity
to hit the field very safely.
It's just very typical to pilot.
So I do think, like you said, Rose,
that Charizard might be the adaptation.
Maybe you bring it and the Venus sword together.
Sometimes I wonder if you can't be
to maybe join and try to just help those sleep powders.
And since it was such an effective strategy
for Carlos, you might want to consider doing it.
But as you have called out to just the offense on the Charizard,
you don't want your Venusaur to be on the opposing end of that.
And so it's also still a tricky position in game, no matter how you slice it.
Could it be a Charizard Venusaur versus Charizard Venusaur Mirror?
I think when I was looking at this matchup coming into today,
I thought that the Sleep Powder and the Venusaur is just so strong on both teams.
It is a very scary move to click.
We saw the finals start with that miss, of course, 25% chance to miss.
but it can swing things so heavily in your favor,
especially when both players are looking to switch
so frequently, right?
We saw Pelop or Switch in to immediately get put to sleep.
Well, if you take a look, of course,
on Carlos's team, there's also no protect on Incineroar,
so landing a sleep powder into that
or whatever Switch is in would be a big deal.
And so, I wouldn't be shocked to see
Charizard Venus or now come out from both leads.
And I think if you are Carlos,
you can also consider maybe saying,
now I actually reveal the Charizard strategy,
I'm gonna go with Floette
and try to go with a calm mind-based strategy, right?
If you want to go with Floette, you can lead something like Incinera and the Floette immediately,
which of course allows you to pressure with Bake Out into Calm Mind.
You can also play more defensively, leading something like Incinera and Venusaur,
which allows you to go for something like Bake Out, sleep powder early, neutralize the big threads,
then bring in the Floette and start setting up.
And so the options are endless for both players here, but Carlos has that game advantage.
And I wonder how much more the Vermeer will lead on this Archaldon.
That was a Pokemon that I feel like had a lot of potential in that first game,
but you still have a stamina boost not mounting to anything particularly effective.
There's a lot of the damage from Carlos's team actually was coming from special attackers.
I really like that point because if our Chalonon is able to be in the rain,
well, it can keep clicking Electroshot, right?
But the problem for big women that last game was the rain was not up for half the battle
because Charizard was just swapping out and in and out and in.
So as a result of our child I can only click electroshot every other turn it's damage off
But it's just way lower and you saw I was able to chip away right maybe do 30% 40%
But it's just not enough and here we go folks game to Carlos one game away from becoming world champion
The difference is still hold up. And like I said charge our penis or there it is folks
That's the on the field and a mirror really
pointing at each other right now as the Charizard and Venusaur stare down
across you from each other. Rose, I'm scared. I'm scared for both players right now
because both players have the pressure of Sleephunter, right? This person already
is really interesting because you can protect your Charizard, both let Sleephunter
go into that spot and go for something like slug-plum and heatwave to
try to knock out the opposing Venusaur, right? So mega evolution is
going to come out and of course this allows Venus to now move first on
basically both players end.
I have to worry though again and keep in mind that Carlos's Venusaur is timid so it is likely to be the faster between the two
even though we haven't seen them up against each other in this match just yet.
But it's a mega evolution for both as they have hit the field.
So now what comes next? Which Venusaur will move first?
And so I think Carlos is getting to sleep better.
It's a big Prince Charizard to stop it, his tracks for this first turn.
But Vickricks Vs Orc can respond as well, wait and see how they're at the start, and so both of these Charzards will not get involved and be asleep at the job!
Well, like you can see Vickricks Charzards by the way mega evolving first and also taking the sleep turns first.
So unless there's speed tying, might just be an indication that Vickricks Charzard is faster.
Like I said, coming into this battle, whoever Charzard is faster will have a pretty big advantage there.
and so now lots of things like it happened right?
Peloport can switch in on the opposing side,
then you can go for a leather ball
like the Charizard, but as you pointed out,
it is going to be timid Venusaur's here.
A lot of Charizard on the opposing side as well.
And so Venusaur is going to keep it out.
Is it going to be the Peloport
or change the weather and terrain?
It is.
I suspect the Venusaur on Carlos's census,
I still move first here.
Could it be a sleep pattern to that slot?
If it is, that would be a great call out.
Of course you cannot put the opposing Venusaur
sleep, but you could put either the Pelipper or the Archalodon to sleep, but it's just a sluzzbomb,
so that's steal time for Chalodon coming in and not taking any damage.
Okay, so turn 2 of sleep, now gone. Archalodon has now been positioned in the range. If you are
Carlos, you're probably looking to get a sleep powder off, maybe put the Archalodon to sleep
and pivot that Charizard out. It's the same dynamic that we saw from the first game,
but I do like the adaptation from Vikram. I think Charizard also just poses decent
damage drop the force of this game and so the big question I have right now is what is Venusaur able
to accomplish. It likely wants to go for Sweet Powder into either slot but if this would be absolutely
devastating. It is too bad that this Venusaur doesn't have Earth Power in this particular case
because you would love to get some damage down onto the opposing Archalodon but you will take
another Sweet Powder connecting onto the opposing Pelopur. Archalodon though now has this
opportunity to get the Electro Shot, get that special attack increase. Maybe it will be useful
for these subsequent turns, but is this going to be an electroshot into the Garchon that's
which is once the Vyasaur, Vyasaur is the one on the receiving end and that's just going to be some chip.
It's a fantastic call there and unlike last time where Incinera was able to neutralize the
Archialodon early, this time there is no parting shot. And so an Archialodon at plus one is
so much stronger than a neutral Archialodon, right? You're pressuring that dragon pulse
into the Garchon. Venusaur now maybe wants to angle for a sleep powder into Archialodon,
But Carlos does not have that much damage and that's the thing with this choice part bar chop
Like we saw earlier what dragon called this under 50% to Pelopter
You go for a power type attack to the archile launch is going to stack up those stamina for you
So bar chop once again kind of in an awkward position, which is why I was thinking sinister makes sense in this matchup
And okay, you know who needs damage you go for rocks like that gives you a flinch chance
Actually still does a decent amount of Pelopter as well
But of course will start stacking up that stamina
Let's take it 703 hit knockout from the rock slide onto the Pelopon, but we're not gonna find out whether or not this or Chalm and Oval flanked because of the rock slide because Venusaur has said you're just gonna go to sleep.
But Pelopon wakes up, so that is a dead end.
So that's parking on to the opponent, Venusaur. Super effective, knockout. And that is going to be our huge Pokemon out of the way.
An absolutely huge trade there. Now Venusaur, no longer Sleephouter.
And I think this is what's really awkward about Toys Spark Burntrop as a pick in this map drop, right?
Yes, it's fast, but he's not necessarily threatening what hit knockouts.
And once you commit to a move, now you're just locked into that rock stack, right?
Charizard, of course, over does hit the field.
And so you pressure a Leatherball into the opposing or child off.
That'll obviously do a lot of damage.
And so I think they've got a really great turn there.
Unlimited in Venusaur meaning no more sleep powder is big, but Charizard now regains weather control the big princess
Okay, I want to reset for rain time to bring out Venusaur
But this is so risky because what it is and just going to be a weather ball into that slot
You also have to worry about the block slide switching your Venusaur that focus after now no longer going to be able to keep this
Venusaur in this if it does take a super effective attack
How does it count? How does it count? It's a lucky start for that survival!
So intense right now, our child on does manage to hang on to save offense to transfer Carlos,
but now Vikram once again has the ability to either pivot in Pelopter,
I actually don't think you want to do it right now because you've got the Venusaur out in the field,
so you might want to angle for something like a sleep powder into Charizard,
and it is going to be that, and it does connect Vikram inching closer and closer to taking us to game three.
Garchomp can still go for Rocks like though, which could stop this Archald on from moving
if it does manage to wake up on this turn, but the stamina boosts are starting to really
add up here against the physical offense of this Garchomp.
But Archald wakes up, drags and pulls down, gets the first player to watch this Garchomp.
And so two open lines left here for Carlos as we enter into the latter parts of
the second game.
And that is the difference between getting that special attack with our child on a happy with being at neutral or even minus one
Huge knockout there. That's two ko's and now that is leather control over in big remsaber
Carlos of course still does have Charizard and it is sleeping. It's just so so scary
I think the incendiary right now obviously has make up pressure into either hope one or you take out the
the store Charizard hook to wake up, go for Keywave right? I think that's
basically the best bet but it is still so tough because Vickrum of course can
pivot in at the Pelopter and of course change the weather.
Wonder if you can go for an ancient power though with this Charizard? It's the
one attack that I'm thinking of. Can Carlos keep himself in this game if you
get a big call right? That I think is a really great point. Venusaur is going to
swap out here. It's going to be the Pelopter. So the weather now is burning
once again, back into rain.
Rain active is our Charizard protect itself.
This doesn't want to be on the receiving end of a fake out
and double up.
Even if this is going to end up being a water type
weather ball from this Charizard,
that could be enough to knock out the Archalodons
on the other side.
You also afford yourself some time
to get some leftovers for recovery.
For big room there, maybe there
was an opportunity to actually get some attack
for the Archalodon, knowing that the Charizard wasn't
guaranteed to wake up there, one in three chance.
It was a throw chop.
wasn't a fake on a lecture shot that actually would have probably knocked out
Charizard and just won the game from saying look I rather just guarantee
black I get the earth pelliper is safely of course did risk an ancient power
Charizard now guarantee to wake up those wake up gonna be the one that's not
gonna count on but that means the pellet will be able to get a weather
ball or a tail cleanup right now tail went for speed control but a weather
ball would be super effective into either of these fire type mocha mod and
in general goes for the parting shot to limit some of this pellet for a
special attack output so might not save itself from the partner coming in and
trying to get some damage down. Tailwind to set up that speed control and let's
see what Vikram brings in next. So it's going to be a detail and as you saw
actually crucially Carlos is the same or faster than that Pelopter so being able
to drop that special attack immediately it's going to be Venusaur and Vikram put it
all together. The Pelopter's offense right now is quite good as you
mentioned Rosler is that ancient power on Charizard that is super
effect of damage into a Pelopter. Right now Incinero and Carlos is then cannot protect itself
and so it is very vulnerable to a Weather Ball. Sweet powder, target the Charizard and
is going to find its mark there. That's a big connect. Will Pelopter follow up with a
Dumpel up to the Weather Ball?
So Angel Power is off the board but the Weather Ball is hoping to secure some big
damage into the Charizard. At minus one special attack though, it is not going
to be enough to get the knockout now but you should be able to follow that
up on the next turn as Road Chalk will knock out this Pelopter here.
You can just see the strength of the rain, right? Of course, Carlos has that flare blitz, could have gone for it potentially onto the Venusaur slot, but he doesn't want to take that much recoil either, maybe predicting Venusaur's potential to go for a protect.
Either way though, right now, Vikram just stays in the driver seat. Charizard coverup has taken turn to sleep, so it can go for something like a protect cover, even if you protect, what are you going to accomplish right in center?
to maybe party Johnny developer maybe you've learned let's be disorganized don't want to turn a tail and laugh it so
Carlos right now back against the wall and this caliber showing how to get huge office the tool in this matchup
The damage is gonna start to add up and Charizard stays asleep
So now really nothing that it can do in this turn as blood ball comes out
That's gonna be damaged down on the insular as weather ball finishes off this Charizard and now it's shot
Let's see a thrower. The last Pokemon standing in Giga for one has to make up for its allies here.
Another parting shot to drop this Telepher Special Attack down to minus two, but a 3v1 is too much for this cat to handle.
Man, there's just no way to close out the game in terms of damage for Carlos.
So, Vikram decides I'm going to drop Swamper, I'm going to bring Charizard,
Bowl players the Charizard Minasaur, but it is big room but strikes back here in the second game
And I think now both players are likely are ready looking towards game three, of course
They're not over yet in the sense that the incident was standing on the field
But there is no way for it truly to deal with all of it drums remaining both on if you are Carlos then you've got to start thinking about
Maybe that car comes up. I'm gonna come out. Can you switch it away at the incident or it's got that sister's very but it is just
Slowly going to paint and of course the weather ball not comes out in the rain
I've even have a couple special tack drops, but we'll still be and we're going to get game three folks
What an exciting series so far between these two incredible trainers Carlos and big rough evening off the game count
And it will be the decisive game three that determines the world champion in seniors division
So tense here. What do you do if you are Carlos?
You went with the same Pokemon and I think the Garchomp is something like, who
does not like a liability? The question though is, well what do you replace the
Garchomp with? It's not like Cynishine necessarily feels better, right? And so,
is there a mode where you potentially consider going into Flowette? We haven't
seen Flowette hit the field once throughout the course of this battle so
far. The thing about Flowette though, that's very awkward, is obviously
into Charizard and Venusaur, those are two Pokemon that resist very tight
damage. So, it might feel tricky to weave in, but if you're able to
to get a free Paul line boost with it and have sinister healing in the back.
So, a boat bomb that can be very difficult to deal with. Carlos might also just say,
look, I'm going to run it back and I'm just going to change how I play those
opening turns. We're both going to go Charizard, Venusaur. But I think for
Carlos now seeing what Charizard is likely slower than Vikram is a really big deal.
Speed interaction is super important. We confirmed that Carlos' Venusaur is faster
and Vikram's Charizard is faster. So now do you think about going back,
maybe hoping that maybe some of the sleep turns are a little bit luckier for you.
Is it one clean powder the difference that might make you a world champion?
Thousands of fans here in the crowd as we get into game three here the senior division world
championships. It has been a back and forth battle honestly incredible play by bold players here
and I'm really excited to see what the mix-ups are for game three. I think there's a world where
or a Vikram also could maybe say I'm actually going to go back to Swampert.
Do you think that it feels more unlikely that the Venusaur Swampert is one of the mixups
that you can go with on that side of the field?
Otherwise, I think the Charizard Venusaur lead with Pelobar or Chaldon is very scary.
And knowing that you are faster with Charizard is a big deal.
If you're Carlos though, and you say you want to bring the Choice Guard
Garchup, you can consider leading it immediately because, of course,
the Garchup is actually quite nice defensively into most of the moves.
You pressure with Rock Slide.
If a Venus were just misses sleep powder on Garchomp on turn one, well Garchomp's like,
okay cool, I'm just gonna rock side, I'm gonna break your focus hash, I'm gonna do a lot of damage,
maybe even potentially knock out the Charizard depending on how it is trained.
And so if Karla says, I don't want to go with the Floette mode, I am looking at Garchomp as a lead potentially.
Garchomp and Cideror, you have fake out as well to guarantee that you could potentially get a Rockside off on that first turn.
But the dual weather mode has definitely made this a more exciting match up between these two trainers.
Pelopter and Chargers are both available to try to command the weather from each other.
But I do wonder whether or not we will see either of the other mega-evolutions in this game.
One way's for sure though, it's going to be an exciting game three finish
to crown our world champion in the senior division. Everybody get ready, Carlos,
but I'm thinking and Vikram, Dianne Ramaja are almost going to get into this final game.
And for our competitors you can see they're playing on this grand grand stage the largest stage that we've ever had in
Competitive Pokemon game three everything on the line a world championship title on the line. Let's see what the mix-ups are
Well for now
The char's are so we do see Carlos which things up
Chars are hitting the field and Garchomp with that choice card.
There's that Garchomp I was talking about.
If you were expecting Chars or Venusaur, now you say,
look, I'm going to put the odds a little bit more in my favor.
The way that the Chars or Venusaur
normally wants to deal with this is I'm going to mega vault.
I'm going to sleep powder your Garchomp.
I'm going to go for something like a key wave or a weather ball.
And first, because it's leaf storm on Venusaur,
you can angle for a knockout immediately
on the Garchomp following turn.
However, if sleep powder misses Garchomp,
it's an absolute disaster.
I think that's what we're going to see here once we're going to start the game.
Mega Evolution first though, as we wait with beta practice to see what will happen next.
As Charizard for Vikram, Mega Evolve.
Oh!
Not a mega evolution for Carlos.
It's just going to be a protect of Vikram's Venusaur and a double protect here.
Scouts out what this guard chop is going to lock into with his choice guard.
We get confirmation it will be the rock slide, so that makes this next turn even more important.
And officially, Carlos' Charizard did not mega-ball there, right?
That's for two potential reasons.
One, if you think Vikram's not gonna mega-ball Charizard,
you don't want to set up a Sun allowing Venus to deny outpaste to Snarkar and Chomp.
The other thing that I think is unlikely, but I do want to bring up,
is there ever a world in which it's Flo-Wet there in the back?
I think unlikely. Vikram says, look, I do not want to play with the potential sweetheart or miss.
Let me switch in our Chaladon, and Charizard now is going to mega-ball.
So it's not gonna be the flaw in the back.
Carlos just said, I don't want to give you the speed advantage early on third one.
What's interesting here is Venusaur could actually sleep under the Charizard and take
A at both the rocks, but give me a deep end boost.
It would be quite nice, and that's exactly what's going to happen.
So, if we don't get that first part correct, a sleeping Charizard and that Garchomp
crossing the rocks slide is going to get that Samurai to be set up on your Chaladon
and buy this Chaladon some valuable time if that Palper is waiting in the wind.
Charizard will firstly take its first turn of sleep here.
Now, if you're vicarious, you have to play to switch Venusaur out into Pelipur.
Set up that rain, and immediately launch Electroshot into the Charizard slot.
The darts up is blocked into rocks, so it will not really deal any damage to our child on.
We'll do around 40% of Pelipur, but that's not the most,
you see how good this defensive Pelipur is.
And I think Carlos feels forced to switch out the Charizard, right?
Because you don't want to just take a lot of damage from a peaceful Electroshot.
It's going to be incinerator coming in here,
so the Intimidate not really making anything different,
difference. It actually just leaves one here, nods to the switch in, and the guard chop
takes so much damage. Vikram saying, look, I'm going to prioritize knocking out your guard
chop, which can be at the top here, my car is armed.
There's no way to stop your child from attacking on this turret unless you're able to get the
rock slide glitch. There's a 30% chance to do so. So is it going to be this time
that gives Carlos a favorable turn? Not this one! Dragon Balls is going to knock
out the guard chop here as we get that second attack into that Pokemon.
And I think it is a perfect opening here for Vikram, really well done.
I think, you know, one approach to nothing out of Garchomp is, like I said, sweet powder
and then leafs form it, right?
But with that, you know that you might miss the sweet powder.
So basically Vikram says, I'm going to make your choice card work against you.
You're locked in the Rockside now.
My Archaladon basically completely walls you, finds an amazing position for the Archaladon
and knocks out Garchomp without getting a Rockside and a Charizard.
I think a whole point of bringing Garchomp in a matchup like this is ideally to
get that Charizard.
and so I would say the advantage of heavily goes in Vikram's favor,
but of course there is a sleep powder on both sides right now.
Carlos's sleep powder would be able to connect first onto the opposing Archalodon since this
Venusaur had been confirmed to be faster, but there's also a takeout in place in fact
and Xenomorph largely switched in so there's a waiver you to be able to stop the opposing
Venusaur from doing something off this turn, that's why we're going to end up seeing a
protect here. Xarra could also just fire off some offense. So we see a double protect from this
Unisort and is our Chalonon to make sure there's no funny business on this turn.
Sleep powder not going to do anything. Butterblood's also not going to do anything.
The main question for Carlos is how are you going to deal enough damage?
The our Chalonon on the opposing side right now still sitting fully healthy.
The answer of course is going to be the Charizard in the back, but that is still a
of sleep. I've only taken one friend of sleep as well. It's over make room now. Okay sleep
better comes out and it's gonna be a mess of our Charizard! That's buying the valuable
time here for a big room, Spinosaur, to actually get some damage out with that Clospon. Dragon
Pulse as well is just going to help to riddle away the Spinosaur's HP. But at least it's our
Charizard to have to eat a parting shot to drop its special attack. But with all
3 Pokemon remaining Carlos has to bring back out this sleeping Charizard
Charizard comes out, but it is such a difficult position right now
Sunlight also fades and so that means that you don't even necessarily have to switch in Pelipper, right?
The risk of switching in Pelipper is it comes out and then it gets hit by a sleep powder
And then you just can't wake up with it in the following for have to take that one for a guaranteed sweep
Right now though, of course if you're Carlos, I think you still want to shut down that archal
So if you go for a sleepover onto it once again,
Charzarch here, AP just says, you know what?
I'm going to stay in and I'm happy to just click key wave.
I want to try to knock out through a Venusaur.
Vikram of course can pivot it that power first.
He's got the Pope on advantage right now.
The momentum is definitely on his side and no switches here.
You can see Vikram saying, I don't know about this one.
Charzarch stays asleep though,
so maybe we do get to see some damage go in that direction,
but right now it is a slug clock fell by the protect,
as it was a double up as well with that dragon pulse.
not much accomplished that turn but Charizard does stay asleep have that
woken up if I did just in a key way knock out the opposing Venus or make
up the side I don't want to switch in Pelopter there maybe out of respect for
a sleep powder or leafs fork into that slot now to city Carlos is being a store
let us switching out into a similar Carlos retaliate back to get a knockout
right now are we gonna see Venus work potentially switch out into Pelopter
there's the swap right so we do have one under the opponent in the back
And now we know it is the Pelipur coming to set the rain here and that's going to be weather control for Vikram
Charizard is taking all the way back up
But it does get the double connect the key wave on to both Pokemon
But look at how little damage that's going to do with the brain and neutralizing that fire type damage
And it's the electro shot coming out from our Chalodon no sleep powder Venus we're giving out
This is such a powerful attack you have to imagine it was part of down that Charizard
And he didn't get a landing spark into Charizard.
It's not gonna get the knockout, but it gets picked from one inch closer to becoming world champion.
This game was already difficult for Carlos, but now it feels nearly impossible to win.
It's really tough when that Charizard doesn't have a lot of HP left to play with,
and you have to rely on your opponent to step back up the Sun with their own Charizard
so that your Venus work can come back out with that speed advantage.
From right now, Teleporter and Archaladon
are greatly looking top tier for Carlos to take down.
It is so tricky, especially with Sleephounder missing.
The first thing you have to do with your Carlos
is you need to find a way to get Venusaur back out on Slowfield
to get a Sleephounder off.
And so, Charizard is going to protect you.
You would think he wants to switch up, but he can switch out.
But Venusaur is just vulnerable.
Electroshot comes out once again.
And folks, this is Archaladon, a Pokemon that often feels like it is as strong as not stronger than Mega Evolution
the Lucius in both my champions will target Charizard here as Incinera won't be able to
pivot out so this is what I was saying. Number one for Carlos is get Minasaur out on the field.
And also reducing the special attack. That stays our child on the thing, getting from those
Electroshots. No, you didn't get the damage down to the Charizard, but you did make
that our child on a lot more threatening by adding plus one to his special attack.
So the Partixon coming in very handy there from that Incinera. But now that the
the thing is, there's all the heals. You don't really have a lot of HP to play with
for either of these Pokemon on Carlos's side.
And what's tricky is, well, you have Sleep Powder, but what is the Charizard slot going
to do, right? It does not have the sun for it. It feels like it wants to switch out.
All of its moves basically will just dent the arch-allon on Pelopur. And so, I think
Carlos probably wants to look for a Sleep Powder. Maybe if you go for something like
a Protect and switch it in Cineros, the problem is then you just get doubled
up into. It's just going to be staying in. So it's going to be Sleep Powder
It does land on our child, but if this means Peloport can get a lot of damage, you will get a knockout onto either of these Pokemon.
Ancient Power though, super effective damage, does not do that much, and will Peloport retaliate back and just knock out Charizard, it's so that she feels like it's game over.
Our child is going to take its first hit and for it to turn asleep though, and it alters fires off the hurricane.
That is going to be a knockout onto the Venusaur, just two Pokemon remaining here for Carlos.
I just see Incinamore and the Mega Charsard that have to go up against the world!
They're from so high-pore Pokemon to play with!
And with Venusaur going down, I mean, this Charsard now cannot beat the Archald on her.
Archald on it itself is such a strong wing condition.
Ancient Power does okay damage to the Pelothur, but now that the rain is up,
Vikrum basically just has to say,
look, I'm just gonna keep Archald on in rain.
You are not going to be able to handle it.
And I think we're gonna see Archald on claim another World Championship here, Rosemary.
I think you're right where you feel like we're just moments away from being able to see that and Vikram being the world champion
But you can't give up here Carlos. You still have to fight like a Pokemon on the board
As you play out the rest of this positioning game, we see the Pelopon leave the field towards Venusaur on the other side
So that is going to be the Pokemon that takes that ancient power. Our child all wakes up though
so Electroshot is ready to get fired off.
And if that's into these Charizard,
that's gonna be a knockout and leaving
Incineroar on an island.
Vickrum has come so close on this stage before.
Top four after World Championship.
Charizard is going to faint,
and he has won Pokemon away.
Incineroar, one of the most classic iconic Pokemon
staring down our Chaladon.
It's not gonna have enough damage.
Vickrum now feels it.
He knows that the title is his.
What an incredible season to predict from the top four
at the turn of a special event earlier this year.
How did they get past that in this season?
Don't imagine being able to get to the finals
of the World Championship and take home the World Championship
title, just to look at an incredible season.
Venusaur, let's loose a slug bomb.
Poison is this incinerator to put it even more on a timer.
So there's our Chalon.
Get this Electro Shot ready to go.
And to fire off into this Incineroar,
this could just be the final attack
to get this group the World Championships.
But we're going to have to wait one more turn
as this Incineroar does not fall to that one Electro Shot.
So go for a player blip into the Venusaur,
get one more knockout on the world stage.
You have to give so much credit to Carlos here.
Such a phenomenal player.
And this matchup I think was quite tricky right when you are a team I've only had son the rain is so tough for the opposing side the ability to flex between cool weather.
There's a reason why this is one of the top teams coming into the world championships.
We saw a win in the junior division.
I think we're about to see a win in the senior division.
Pelipper coming back out and it's going to be the final turn of the battle now.
instead of where it cannot help but look across at this pellet for our childhood I wonder
how it could even stand tall to this offense as we do see the board come through that's going to
confirm Zick Rose, the S.R.O.A. show us as your world champion for the seniors division.
An absolute treat to watch both of these players you can see the sportsmanship there
They're absolutely amazing for these incredible, incredible
senior division players to be able to play on this stage.
That first came, I think, with the master class by both.
So much constant pivoting and switching.
Take a look at that crowd, Vikram.
That is your world championship-winning crowd.
You can see the fans celebrating there in the seats.
And wow, the Charizard and Venusaur are plushy.
That was the adjustment that Vikram needed.
And I love how he baited out the Garchomp in in free,
switching in our child on what a treat it was
to watch these two players go up against each other.
It was just an incredible positioning battle.
Even going back, I'll quit it that first game
where Carlos is able to take that style.
So methodical thinking several turns ahead about
how did he get my Charizard into a position
to really put this Wumper into a bad spot.
And so Carlos really setting the pace and the mental
for how the rest of the series was going to go.
And that was a marathon.
Like that first game, it was just constant switching back
and forth, the mental fortitude that you need to have
to be able to play this game at the highest level.
Not through just one game, but through three games.
It was incredibly taxing.
And I think like Carlos put up an amazing fight.
Of course, Sleep Powder with Venusaur.
Coming into the match, we're saying we expect
to see a lot of Sleep powders.
It's going to hit.
It's also going to miss.
And I think that the positioning battle
in that third game, Vikram, just knocking out
from so quickly giving him a huge huge advantage and just absolutely amazing by both of these players and once again
They're playing at the freaking chase
Center that is a memory that they were for the rest of their lives and what a great display and
We can really see why both of these competitors came into this world championship as regional champions
But only one gets to walk away at the world champion. So let's hear from our newest world champion
Let's hear it for the time being, Senior World Champion, Vikram D.Garaja!
Vikram, you just said you can't believe it, but I have to ask you, if you have to describe it, how does it feel?
It's absolutely amazing. I've been dreaming this for about three, four years, ever since I started playing for Pokemon.
So they finally get the achievement.
It feels absolutely amazing.
I mean, tell me about that team.
Dual leather.
That was such an innovation coming into the World Championships.
How did you pilot it throughout the weekend?
Uh, so, just, most, most games you used to try that being a soul.
And then, uh, well, yeah, switchpelling in, arch, yeah.
Being a soul was not very good in the tournament.
But in this game, it would have to be amazing.
So, it's a tough game.
Should have heard counted for sure right yeah
And I'm sure you have a lot of friends and family who helped you make it to this incredible moment. Yeah, we shout out
Do you want to get to them?
Shallow my well playing my family bring me here take the all the tournaments across the world
Well, thank you. Thank you community the Indian community
I'm going to make you with a plan. So it's time to everyone help you along the way
Let's hear it one more time for your 2026 senior world champion
We have crowned two of our video game world champions.
We have one more title to go.
Let's go ahead and take it to our casters for our master's division title match.
Wow, that was an incredible set.
We have had two incredible finals already here in the J center to kick off our champions era of the video game championships.
My name is Evan Latin. I have the distinct privilege of being joined by my good friend Scott Glauze here to take you through the Masters Division finals coming up.
It's going to be an incredible match here. Two really impressive players and two players very different stories.
On the one hand, we have the champion for the PJCS,
and they're considered by most trainers to be
the most difficult tournament,
other than the world championships to win.
On the other hand, we have a player with fewer accomplishments
that is really surprising from a game at this point,
and proven that he's just as equal of a threat.
Absolutely, this is going to be an incredible matchup
between two highly skilled players from Japan,
like you mentioned.
Hiroshi Onishi is our current PJCS champion out of Japan,
And that is a title that comes with a lot of pressure behind it and a lot of history.
In fact, two of our former PJCS champions have gone on to then win the world
championships in the very same year that they won that tournament.
And now, Hiroshi Onishi is going to try to put his name right next to those legends.
Yeah, I think it's worth noting too, there have also been two champions who have
made it to the finals and fallen just short at this final step.
So don't count his opponent out either.
may not have that decorated resume yet, but having world championships there really changes
how it looks and it's just a few games away.
Absolutely.
His opponent, Takumo Yamazaki, is also a very strong trainer who has gotten hot at exactly
the right moment.
This is a competitor who has been competing since 2009 and finally has a big finish
to put on his resume.
I know this is something that he has worked so hard for.
Even when the results weren't there, he kept at it, he kept going forward and that persistence,
dedication and hard work have landed him a spot here in the finals.
Yeah, I think that's really impressive.
It's gonna be a very frustrating game when things aren't going your way.
Some four matches kind of don't use a trainer, maybe you know, kind of just doesn't play
to your strengths, maybe it's more offensive than you want, maybe it's more defensive
than you want.
You know, maybe your favorite strategy is to start good, maybe just for unlucky,
right?
It happens to all trainers sometimes and they can be really hard to push through
those situations of this game where it just doesn't seem like anything that you do works
and I think to stick with it for so long, it's a really deserved achievement to do so well
at this tournament.
Absolutely, and I am so excited to be getting into this match.
Let's go ahead and take a quick preview of this finals.
Over a season of furious competition, which saw the introduction of Pokemon Champions
to the competitive scene, over 390 of the best trainers in the world battled their way through
the year to make it to the game's premier event. The culmination of their effort brought
them to San Francisco, each trainer chasing the same dream, becoming the first ever Pokemon
Champions World Champion. Now, after days of unforgettable battles, only two trainers
One match, one champion, history begins here.
Hiroshi Onishi came into the 2026 World Championship as the reigning Japan Championship Series Champion.
Winning after making an incredibly bold play.
This could be disastrous. Earthquake first, heat wave following up for Hiroshi to get the double KO!
Throughout his run at the World Champs, Hiroshi continued making these bold plays
these bold plays and for catching his opponents off-guard and earning him the opportunity to
compete for the biggest title of his career. Sakuma Yamazaki on the other hand is competing
for the first time at the World Championships, making it through phase one of Swiss with
a strong seven-in-one record. But after losing in the first round of phase two, he had to
win every single match from then on to find his way into the first ever finals matchup
of his career.
Their paths couldn't have been more different,
but on this stage, they now collide with a World Championship
title on the line.
And while they both enter as competitors,
only one trainer can leave as the first World Champion
of BGC in Pokemon Champions.
Oh man, I am so ready for this matchup. Hiroshi Onishi vs. Takabe Yamazaki. Scott, are you ready
for this matchup? I'm so ready, Evan. Chase Center, are you ready for this matchup? That's
That's right, in just a few moments, we will know who our first
Master's World Champion is going to be of this Pokemon Champion's era.
And I could not be more excited to have these two strong competitors on stage.
We're going to see some incredible action out of both of them.
I think it should be a lot of fun here.
A little bit different sort of a matchup than maybe we saw in the junior
and the senior divisions where the teams we saw in those divisions
maybe a little bit built more on the chemistry of the Pokemon, right?
and how the abilities interact with one another.
These teams are much more about power.
On one side with Rosh, we have the big six team
that's kind of been dominating this format so far,
built around the strongest attackers in the format.
Charizard and Mega Flowat,
largely considered to be the strongest
Mega Evolve Pokemon in this format.
Garchomp, King Gambit, Vaskalige, and so scary,
and both trainers have those Pokemon in common.
On the other side of the field,
we have just six, right?
Critically missing that Charizard
that's gonna be the most used Mega Evolve Pokemon
throughout the entirety of this Pokemon Champions Era.
I said that Dragon Art that we saw hanging out with Takuma
during the video, a really cool adjustment here.
So two fun approaches to trying to make the strongest team
you can in order to defeat the strongest trainers
in the world.
Absolutely, that is exactly what you need
to defeat the strongest trainers in the world.
You need the strongest Pokemon.
And Hiroshi Onishi knows exactly what it takes to do that.
Of course, he is our defending PJCS champion.
And like you mentioned, this is a classic VGC team here in the Champions
era with that dual mega Charizard Y and the flow at Eternal Flower.
It's a little bit different coming from Hiroshi, though.
I think it was incredibly impressive watching him play his matches earlier
in this tournament on stream.
I think a lot of the players maybe thought, Hey, you know, I have to deal
with this team, but I can skill my way around it.
I'm experienced against this composition.
And it just felt so different coming from him.
Approximately that semi-files match we made a really aggressive read to pick up a big double knockout
It's not a move that most other trainers would have been willing to go for and you see why he's probably the favorite in this match
Absolutely, and you have to take note of these small little adjustments here
I'm looking specifically at this King Gambit King Gambit has been one of the most dominant Pokemon in the
MV
Regulation here and you can see Hiroshige is opted for the four attack variants are not sword stance
No protect here and also critically using the aqua berry instead of the chopper berry to reduce fire instead of fighting
Yeah, did the poker that team to keep in mind too is that whimsicott be very important as it emerged between those teams
You're one of the two Pokemon that's unique on his team on that tail
It could be very important the Pokemon on his team kind of would naturally be a little bit slower perhaps
That is bonus Pokemon because he doesn't have that speed control option
So it's able to get tail with active going to have a pretty big advantage
with my moving first to kind of have more stat points because his Pokemon are trained a little bit differently
It'd be very important this matchup to keep ones that got mine if his opponent able to stop a second talent from going up
They could be very important for him, but we see on his side of the field
There's some fun tricks as well. Absolutely and the big difference of course is that dragonite over the Charizard
This is a Pokemon that was added to this team specifically for opposing Charizard and Venusaur matchup
So no Venusaur on the other side, but the Charizard does not like looking at this probably enough to scare that Pokemon away
Yeah, I think it's very likely and said we get the mega flow out which then makes things a little bit tricky here
Right where the mega dragon ID choice got marching up
That was so impactful of the Swiss stage and in the top cut round eight
I'm gonna give a little bit more difficult of a match up here again
Very important that rooms that got to get the tail and active with these front of that devastating rock slide is weakened a little bit
But hey, you know if there's a flow at centric strategy that sneeze lure is also a Pokemon that differ between these two teams
I think very likely that sneeze was going to be an important Pokemon in this matchup
I think how much sneeze lurking it done is going to be very important
Well, I can do a lot of damage to any of the Pokemon on his opponent's team
You can't attack both Pokemon at the same time. It's a bunch of single target attacks
So I think targeting wisely is going to be very important for Takama where on the other side of the field
I think trying not to let sneeze lurk get too much punishing at any time attacks making sure
It doesn't get three or four super effective attacks off, which would be devastating.
Absolutely. Keep your eyes on that Sneasler. If you are cheering for Takuma out in the crowd,
you are going to want to see that Pokemon go to work.
Our trainers now have exchanged team sheets. That means that they are in team preview
and getting ready to hop into game one.
Let's hear it for both of our finalists here as they head into their first game of our finals.
the ground is shaking up here at our desk as we are headed right into game one Hiroshi
Onishi rocking his PJCS champion title up against Akira Yamazaki as just the competitor title
But that's going to be Floette and King Gambit led from Takuma alongside the Vascular Legion and Floette from Hiroshi.
So as expected that Floette, a central Pokemon for both of these competitors.
Yeah, I think folks are likely choosing as their mega-volve Pokemon that we don't know that for a certain, certainly.
You can choose to bring one of these other Pokemon in the back and pull the mega-velession evolution on Floette.
I think Dragonite much more likely to appear as regular Dragonite than your Charizard who in this matchup I think is going to struggle a little bit more.
And then initially, you next to the Floette, the Boat Runner,
import King Gavin at the type advantage
because the basketball is just right.
Any very powerful sucker punch can do it.
Or an iron head into the Floette.
So what will happen here?
A double target for these Boat Hunters
will quickly King Gavin up as well.
So if Floette about leaves, we'll
have to see what Floette the Traders decided
to do at this first turn.
Well, let's see if they've been studying their opponents.
Takuma will be the first to mega-evolve his Floette.
Now, Mega Floette on the field for Takuma
immediately matched by Hiroshi Onishi as well.
So both of these competitors have opted to activate their big power modes.
Flow up both on the field next to two strong partners.
Vasky Legion gets the Aqua Jet out to avoid any sucker punch coming out from that King Gambit.
That's some important chip and does catch the sucker punch.
King Gambit is not able to use its priority attack and instead just takes some chip.
However, Takamo is able to fire back with a Dazzling Glingba.
here comes the light of ruin just blasting into that king gambit and eliminating erasing it off
off the field king gambit the number one threat of this meta is down but flowette taking an immense
amount of free foil in return now a lot of damage going down both directions if they first knock
out going to the Roshi and that's a very important Pokemon you deal with in this matchup
you know if you can't give the tail end up another option with these slower pokemons try to
moves his increased priority instead such as the sucker punch such as the
extreme speed turn the way this team gets around now having speed control and
that's now one powerful means of dodging being slower taken out and what a smart
line there from Hiroshi with the aqua jet and the life of Rui
guaranteeing the KO on that King Dammit in turn one however Takuma now is able
to match Vasco legion bringing out his own and of course what we know and love
about Baskalige and is it just loves when it's partner's fangs?
Yeah, there's even more damage that laster specs in, but you might even need the laster
specs here, right?
I think it's kind of using it if you're calling a switch.
You're potentially a big advantage here in the board state, even though there's an
disadvantage in the KO count.
Both these pokemots are weak and I'll throw it easily in the range of an aqua jet here,
so you can't do whatever you want.
Maybe that's why Baskalige is being threatened by a knockout from either of the opposing
pokemots now.
And again, we gotta assume the Pokemon on top of us that are likely quicker because
there is no speed control here, so these pokemots are probably both pinned.
Okay, well, just trying to use that Vasculigent to pressure the fin on Floette and Vasculigent,
and Pocomot gets the Protect out of the Floette, does not get it out of Vasculigent, which
fires an Aquagent into Floette, healing just over 40% of its health.
Takes a little bit of recoil back, which will allow Pocomot to clean up the Vasculigent
with this Dazzling Glee.
And critically, that Pokemon that you shouted out from the very jump, Sneasler,
gets in 4-3.
Yeah, loving that situation especially.
The opposing flow-out is just loaded to protect,
so very vulnerable on this turn.
And also, Pasqualeetian escaping the battlefield
safely is a big deal too,
but loves to be the last Pokemon remaining.
After three Pokemon, I see this with Mach-Dale.
Last two-perks, which have almost every Pokemon
to form, easily every Pokemon's particular matchup
other than King Gambit.
So, great thing to have in the back here.
And you'll look very good.
From Roshi's, this battle started up.
Now, how come I look like he had the big advantage?
Well, Hiroshi has now been able to bring in the Whimsicot with that major priority threat, King Gambit, off the field.
So there is the opportunity for Hiroshi to go for Tailwind. However, like you mentioned, Floette just whipped it's protect.
Yeah, so it was really complicated. And it freaked out the Whimsicot, the backfiends get the tailwind,
and this for a likely last for the remainder of the game. But how do you have enough Pokemon remaining for it to matter?
Officially both these Pokemon being threatened for damage or a potential fakeout.
So, can I have to guess what slot a potential fakeout's going in, or maybe just a double up to knock it out of this poke finder?
Do you risk sacrificing this flow out that's already been weakened very much, and trust that final poke-on?
Or do you try to get the flow out out of dodge here, and maybe try to use it to deal some damage into the tailwind?
I think it's going to be difficult to run this flow out from here, because there still is that vasculage in the back.
We could check it with Aqua Jet later, so, maybe that unrevealed poke-on's going to have to win this one.
Okay, Whimsicott here is now forced to protect a fakeout into the Whimsicott, and a dazzling gleam would have been devastating,
and Hiroshi knows he's on the back foot,
tries to go for a double protect on the flowet,
but does not get it.
Instead, Hakuma will be able to clean up the flowet
on Hiroshi's side with another dazzling gleam.
And now, all of a sudden, Hiroshi is on the back foot.
Two Pokemon remain.
Yeah, Hiroshi's gonna have to do a lot here now.
There's a lot of action that's still gonna be taken.
The focus session, Sneasler hasn't been broken.
It's going to have to be attacked
at least twice, while threatening a lot of damage.
so it could be very difficult to throw a double target.
Then you still have to wait at the vasculation back.
Even if Wimps got to be able to use a tailwind here,
I'm sure Sneasler's going to survive the turn
with that focus at this step,
certainly enough to manage it.
And that final pokeline is King Gambit.
Pookwind is often a little bit slower,
even in the tailwind.
Yeah, this is really rough for Hiroshi staring down
the Sneasler with that King Gambit.
This is, again, the four-attack variant,
and it has the Aka Berry, not the Chuffle Berry,
so it cannot take a close combat from that Sneasler.
So how do you deal with the situation?
Like, you have to hit the Sneasler twice first,
and you'll get that sucker punch and a moon blast
might not be enough, right?
So is there a path out of this game one for Hiroshi?
Well, Hiroshi has to hope there is,
or come up with something else in game two,
because right now it is Takamayama Zaki,
who is in complete control of this finals.
The Sneasler and the Flow-F exerted
so much pressure onto both these Pokemon.
I would have been to play a little bit for Kailin
and try to iron it and flinch the Sneasler
That might be the only out here. Yeah, if you can get the iron head flinch here
That could be helpful there is the king gambit going for the iron head this time into just the flow at so getting that
Pokemon off the field and trusting in wins the cop with the focus out to maybe be able to close this out
But like I mentioned no truffleberry king gambit is knocked out in a one hit from that sneeze there
Which still has its focus set
likely able to close the game on its own, but it won't need to.
The Masculisional will be able to come in and help out.
There's not really anything Wims can do here about the combination of
you're an aqua jet and a close comment.
I guess you could try and onboard to still fix a little bit,
but I just don't think there's a problem with Hiroshi in this first game.
He's going to have to think about how he's going to recover and win
game two and game three in order to keep this chance of becoming world champion alive.
Yeah, time to start planning for game two if you are Hiroshi Onishi.
If you are out there cheering for him,
He is going to need your energy because Takuma Yamazaki, despite not having a finish to his
name, his resume is blank except for this finals appearance here at the World Championships.
And he is about to be one game away from being the World Champion.
Nice, the right time to get high.
Nobody cares about a tournament win more than this one.
This is the one everyone plays all year to try to win.
The greatest prizes, and I think critically for these trainers, the greatest prestige.
Everyone wants to be able to call themselves a World Champion.
All right, and Wimpsacott will just protect.
That is Hiroshi, stalling out for a little bit more time.
You can see it on his face, trying to think through these lines,
trying to understand where things went wrong for him in this game one,
and time to go back to the drawing board for game two.
Yeah, I think one thing important to keep in mind here
as the training is prepared for the next game
is you've got to keep preview of the subsequent game, right?
Hula's going to come down.
You're not going to be nearly enough for the basket legion.
But, you know, what can you lead, right?
It's so difficult.
This format you've hidden out of bad lead matchups,
as we saw in this game where there's not a whole lot
you can do with how difficult it is
to make good defensive switches.
Winsicott focused actually going to be active in here,
but Moise touch going to finish it off
as if, how did he chance it, fortunately, either way?
Well, that's okay.
Basketball Legion sends its last respects
and Winsicott will go down.
Hakama Yamazaki with the game win,
won win away from becoming a world champion,
being from nowhere to the top. And that's just how this set is going to go. A little bit
different pacing than we saw in the Senior Division finals, right? No pivoting here,
no parting shots. It's going to be all about these big blows. And because of that, again,
the lead matchup is so important where there's just no pivoting. There was that huge trade
on the first turn here where there was a big knockout picked up that light of ruin,
but the damage in return was a huge problem. And because of that, there was no
speed control puller in the game. By the time Gloomzika was able to come in and
and set up a kill when it was just too late.
The game had already been lost,
and I think both of you can do the second game.
But we're just gonna have to be careful
about making that sort of trade.
If Pokemon are naturally slower,
all of these Pokemon do a huge amount of damage
to one another.
You can't afford to take a trade,
especially picking up a knockout,
which can be really dangerous in this situation, right?
Where you have one Pokemon,
your opponent's team is threatening yours,
and the other one isn't so threatened,
you pick up a knockout.
You can just bring the perfect Pokemon in there
to continue to push that advantage.
You know, get to be careful.
You take knockouts at the right time.
You need to win by packing out four Pokemon,
not by getting the first knockout.
Absolutely.
And while that was a very cool line,
like you mentioned, just so much damage taken in return.
And you have to wonder, of course,
these players do not know everything about each other's
teams.
I think Hiroshi probably got some very important information
about the speeds of his Pokemon relative to Takuma
and recognizing, OK, maybe I definitely
need that tailwind and speed control much earlier on.
Yeah.
I'm gonna be really interested to see how Roshi adjusts as well.
Now I think one of the advantage I was kind of expecting,
on behalf of the more established players,
you'd think, hey, you know, these players have had
24 hours to prepare for this event.
But probably is a bigger network of players
to help them prepare.
I think the biggest advantage of that is in game one,
when both sides are kind of playing blind,
they don't know how their opponent
is going to approach this matchup.
However, game one went to the underdog here,
and from that point, you kind of think that,
hey, things are more even.
So Roshi may be in trouble here,
but I'll show you as a plan for the second game,
And he's been very good at the complexity of this tournament
and throughout the PGACS.
So definitely don't count him out yet.
Absolutely.
And as our players are getting ready to hop into game two,
let me hear you.
If you are out there cheering for Hiroshi Onishi,
because he needs your support right now.
Needs this second game in order
to force a third game decisive game here at the finals.
But of course, Takamayamazaki is so close.
He can taste it, I am sure.
He has stuck with it.
He has worked so hard year after year after year
to be ready for this championship.
Yeah, such a tense moment for these trainers again.
The lead matchup is so important in these matchups.
I think we often speak about, you know,
turn zero team preview being the most important turn
of most games, but it's so true in this regulation MB
where there's so few Pokemon who are great in pivoting,
Neither of these teams are especially good at it, right?
They're really strong because of their offensive power because once you get this adventation port position
It's so good at pushing those advantage
You kind of can't afford to get on the back foot in this matchup because it's so difficult to recover
Here this game 2 and Dragonite out on the field for Tokima Yamazaki
This crowd is going crazy for Dragonite. Fun fact, this would be Dragonite's first ever world championship
Should it win here but up against blow up and basket lesion to devastating Pokemon?
Yeah dragon appropriately trying to claim the tour trophy with its own hands, but
Here both sides kind of have some advantages
I think it's important to keep this dragonite options in mind as well
It is holding that mega so it can become mega dragonite
But it's much stronger than some of the other poke that can mega ball this regular fun
It doesn't have to make it of all so well for what being shown on one side of fields a good indication that Charles
I think especially because there's a difficult match up here anyway.
Tragic is nearly as strong as I'm going to tell.
It may mega evolve here, but there may also still be that Floette in the back.
So Verocia is going to have to try to solve the puzzle here, figure out the way Takuma is opted to approach this matchup.
Okay, talking about it again, just trying to show a damaged threat and then retreat it.
But also, what you're going to see, Mega Dragonite on the field at the finals of the World Championship.
And Floette will respond by Mega Evolving as well.
So Mega Dragonite on popping aside,
next to that Vascular Legion that has switched in
for the Stezer, next to the Floette
and Vascular Legion for Hiroshi.
That's just going to be a protect, a Mega Protect,
if you will, from that Floette.
Afraid of the Stezer,
Dragonite makes the call,
Dragon Pauls into Vascular Legion over 50% health.
That is going to be a true hit KO,
but Hiroshi catches the Vasculation on the switch!
Vasculation does nothing! One hit KO for Hiroshi!
Oh, it's a huge knockout. I was kind of wondering if maybe he was going to get caught there with
what protecting in front of that dragon-type Pokemon, but I think he'll be very happy with
that trade to end use the Vasculation for the rest of the game.
Still winding up in a fairly good position here.
Dryinich's multi-scale is intact, but it's going to be a tricky turn to play.
You're going to have to commit a mega evolution to provide the information
that probably we're not going to see.
Not to go as well as this game.
You just have to threaten something like an aqua jet
to break the multi-scale on top of a fairy-tale attack
to try to pick up the Dragonite.
So it's going to need some help from its partner here,
maybe to end up in a safer position.
We have seen these things already.
It is going to come back in to try to dissuade
a double target of this line.
Did you really want to ignore me while I'm sitting in front
of that flouette that's just protected,
much like we saw in the previous game?
Yeah, I'm going to say if Dragonite wants to rely on one
of its partners, I think they're a pretty good partner
to have in this moment right now. Not only threatening fake-out pressure into the toilet,
but also big damage from Direclaw.
Yeah, an interesting spot here for the Vastilligian as well. You already see it's slower than the
Dragonite. It would be knocked up by Dragon Pulse, but as soon as I can't deal with it quite so well,
I'm actually just immune to a close combat as a Ghost-type Pokemon, and that Direclaw's not
going to do enough to pick it up. So Dragonite would need to deal with it itself at once if
it could knock up this turn, but I think it's also relatively likely to rush like,
hey, your Vastilligian you've done good enough, you've knocked out your opposite number.
Maybe I'll save you for later in the battle, but instead, it's blowouts that can switch out for now.
Well, Optimus Kneasler has been exerting so much pressure on this Chloet,
forcing a protect, and now forcing a switch in huge damage coming out from that life-or-basket
legion onto Kneasler with Aqua Jet. Direclaw will whiff into the key damage, but the
Dragon Claw will follow it up the field. Pretty decent damage for a resisted hit.
Yeah, I didn't see him that resisted there, but kind of an interesting call. The combination
is attacking, hey, you know, if you leave Flo went to get in, I will pick up the knockout with
Direclaw and then, you know, the Dragon Fools would move over to Bat's Collegiate, and if you make a
switch to something else, the combination of those two attacks is difficult for most of the
Pokemon on this team to resist, but skin damage would be the best possible option to switch in
there. Immune to one attack for this, the other. It takes some pretty important damage there,
but pretty quickly, skins are taking a ton of damage now, but we mentioned before, it's a very
important Pokemon to smash at, especially because maybe you don't have to deal with Dragonite
just yet, right? It's a big of all pokemots, very powerful, I get it, but we'll
easily win that one if you want it. The two pokemots are left together at the end,
so poking down to Sneasler makes a lot of sense. If you can knock that out as a
final pokemots, Floor can finish the game and send us to a game three.
Yeah, we were talking about four attack King Gambit. We also have to talk about four attacks.
Sneasler, no protect available for Kakamon, which means Sneasler will retreat for King Gambit.
Vascular Legion fires off another Aqua Gen dealing good damage into the King Gambit on to Switchen,
running out of time to deal damage though with that Life Orb.
Here comes the Heat Wave, Aqua Berry proving itself to be extremely useful here,
allowing it to not take super effective damage in Vascular Legion.
One hit point and a dream.
Critical sort of eyeball there.
There's the Couch-Out fleet from King Gambit.
That's going to connect onto the Mega Dragonite,
feeling a decent amount of damage, but even more importantly, multi-scale has been broken.
Yeah, that could be very critical later in the game, but that multi-scale active,
the opponent has to use something like a light-up rune to pick up the knockout.
Now, any of the carries have attacks would easily knock it out,
and this port, I think, you have to do weak and pretty significantly on the opposing side as well.
It's far from being in the end, and Dazzling and Lee Reigns,
but that could be kind of the wicked issue now, right?
You could somehow keep Baskalige in alive to check the speeds like everything else we can
enough to pick up the Dazzler and believe that could be a way to win too.
And there's still an unrevealed Pokemon in Hiroshi's side to feel.
He has a huge advantage here both in terms of the health of the Pokemon and also
information where he was most difficult for talking about you.
Plan his endgame not knowing what that final Pokemon is.
Absolutely I was just noticing that at the same time not all Pokemon are
revealed from Hiroshi. Still has plenty of options while
Nakama is trying to find a way back in.
Sneasler in fourth the Mega Dragonite and another Aqua Gem from
Vasco Legion on its way out.
My board will take some damage that Vasco Legion needs
to face here, and a sucker punch from the King Gambit
on Hiroshi's side will also connect on to Takuma's King Gambit.
And you have to go for that because the low kick
is plenty to pick up that little bit of hit point
remaining.
The thing's getting much closer now,
where two knockups getting picked up in that turn.
Potentially, Takuma's now only two knockouts away
for becoming a world champion.
But not so simple where, well,
What's going to be able to re-enter the battle as well as the unrevealed final Pokemon lock to see if they can do enough to keep us in this game, send us to a game 3?
Yeah, we are still missing a Pokemon on Hiroshi's side that has not come out.
Who's that Pokemon if it wins the cut?
Tailwind plus Dazzling Gleam goes crazy right now.
Absolutely, and a very interesting spot here as well, where Hoshige is just thinking through this turn, where, hey, I know what my last Pokemon is.
You don't know, I can think about what we're doing in the next turn with full information.
You can't use that with Zakat.
So, we wind up in a very interesting situation here.
The fairy aura from Megaflux going to boost the damage of Pokemon, as you say.
You know, a tailwing would be very critical here, allowing the flow at you speed up
and knock out the Sneasler before they get a big direct wall off.
You know, a sucker puncher can't get it.
It would be great and all, but just not nearly enough.
Especially because we know that final Pokemon in the back is a dragon item.
Certainly not going to be able to deal with these two fairy type Pokemon in tailwing.
Absolutely, Whimzacot and Flowat, best friends forever,
ready to help Hiroshi force a game three here
in our Masters Division finals.
Both of these players, you can feel how important
this game is to them as they are taking their time
to figure out what to do.
Hail win from Whimzacot, allowing Hiroshi's Pokemon
to be the fastest on the field.
Sucker Punch will win.
Here is that dazzling gleam connects
onto both Sneasler and King Gambit.
That's a double K.
Oh, and with just Dragonite in the back, Hiroshi Onishi is about to force our third game three of our champion two.
One in front of a play.
And this time you see how the strategy is meant to work, able to make a much better trick early in the game,
picking up that big knockout on Takuma's Vasco Legion and then get the late tailwind in order to ensure this game state
where there's not really anything Takuma can do.
No way Dragonite can be able to beat these two very tight Pokemon.
Uh, Wimsicott in the back isn't something we often see.
I think it makes a lot of sense in the Spatia.
Well, I mentioned during team preview, hey, you know,
you see the idea of a second tailwind up,
you're gonna win for sure, but I think it's very difficult
to realistically do that, the Spatia.
Instead of trying to trade a little bit early
in order to get that delayed tailwind,
or you don't need a second tailwind to win.
Well, talk about just checking his pal stairs
and make sure he knows exactly how much damage
that extreme speed could do into Floette
as Wimsicott cleans up Game 2
for Hiroshi Onishi.
and now all comes down to this one game for all the marvels.
Yeah, I mean, it's the right way for this to end, right?
Who would have wanted any other way, these first Pokemon
champions, Pokemon video game championship, world
championship, going to come down to this final game here.
I have to see what both trainers opt to do.
We've seen both trainers path to winning this game,
right, where there's a way that they can do it.
I think the switch up for Pokemon
is very interesting to talk about there.
We've been looking at the match and we think, oh, it's really difficult to bring Mega Dragonite here, right?
And it looked pretty good early in the game. I don't think it's impossible by any means to win a Mega Dragonite game.
I think that switching to Vasco Legion was really the problem there, not necessarily Mega Dragonite itself,
but Floette was hugely impactful in that battle, and I think the opposing Floette could check that maybe it would have been a little bit easier there.
I'll be very excited to see what halfway does there, and possibly he was expecting a difference,
which approach you ultimately try to do the same sort of thing in the second game.
Well, here it is, game three of your Masters Division finals.
Get loud for our two finalists!
Yeah, Garchoff hasn't come to any of these games, but he is in the arena for sure.
I can't imagine what's going through these trainers' minds right now.
It's such a critical decision.
Again, this is not a format where you can do a whole lot of defensive switching, right?
You saw what happened in that second game where one bad switch really made things difficult for Takamon,
and that makes this position so important. You have to get your lead Pokemon correct,
and you have to select the best negative evolving Pokemon as well.
Neither side forced to do it in the previous game, but they both shown some of their hands now.
They both trainers have a good idea of how their opponent would like to approach this matchup,
and now you have to make that read, right?
my opponent do the same thing as they got in my head they figured out what I'm
going to do and you know they've also had 24 hours of preparation they spent a
lot of time thinking what they believe the best path through this matchup was
you know how is this working in real life you know still think that hey the
way that I looked at the matchup before it was right or are you making a last
bit of adjustment here I try to improvise your win to get the
world championships in this final game of the season gosh it's such a
spooky position to be in in this game three scenario potentially having to
improvised a solution to this matchup but these are two players who have proven time and time again throughout the course of this tournament
They are more than capable of doing so Hiroshi Onishi of course as the JCS champion has excelled at this highest level
Throughout the entire season Takuma Yamazaki has been dreaming of this day where he could become a world champion
Hasn't gotten there in the past and now finally one game away from pulling it off
I can't imagine how nervous these trainers must be one game away either from the biggest accomplishment
They'll probably ever have in their Pokemon careers or a loss that they'll consider for the rest of your lives
What could have been?
Game three it all comes down to this the flowette and Charizard team versus the flowette and mega dragonite
I am so thrilled to be seeing this third game here
I really want to see how these two players are going to adapt because it looked like I
I was so shocked at how good Mega Dragonite looked at the end until Floette had full health the whole time.
Yeah, Boomsikon is going to continue to be that staggered hook on the back.
I think it's really difficult for Dragonite to handle it, right, where maybe not the rest of the time.
Oh, no!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, talk to us not afraid, say, I'm going to bring the Dragonite!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Maybe we'll have to get what he wanted.
It's the Charizard on the other side of the field.
The whole point of bringing Dragonite to the scene, rather than Charizard.
It helped you against opposing Charizard, and here it is in this third game.
Perhaps Dragonite's caught Charizard right where it wants it.
What a call out from Takuma Yamazaki.
I showed Mega Dragonite it didn't work in game two,
so you must think that I am...
You're free to bring the Charizard, but no.
Takuma believes in that Mega Dragonite
and catches the Garchomp and Charizard a classic lead.
Still a lot of potential trading back and forth.
You know, that's something we see so often.
One side, maybe the most iconic lead combination
of Hupachi and Fyut so far.
The other side, Mega Dragonite,
anything's a little bit weird,
But particularly particularly this keep in mind that our job is going to be pretty bulky
That's it's very probably going to be able to take a single attack pretty well here
So I'll put some estimate to read I want to see what they do
Yeah, that's going to be the mega evolution right away from the Charizard
That means that flow at is most likely left at home here
Which is exactly what you want if you are mega
There it is out on the field now both Charizard and Dragonite mega evolving fun fact
This will be their first world champion for either Charizard or Dragonite.
That's just going to be a protect coming out from Dragonite as King Gambit fires off a sucker punch into the Charizard.
Feels a decent amount of damage.
Charjump goes for the Rock Slide to try to break that moldy skin and deals super effective damage onto Dragonite.
It's a little bit of chip onto King Gambit and it's going to come down to this Charizard.
It gets the Heat Wave off and will miss into the protect of Dragonite but connect onto King Gambit.
No Okavari, the 1% health remaining.
King Gambit gets to threaten on another sucker punch at whatever it wants.
Yeah, no Okavari, no problem, and that creates a really fun situation this turn.
I may not want to go for a sucker punch on that guard chop where you knock yourself out of rutsk
and get an image, but El Charles are the one being threatened.
A combination of a sucker punch at an extreme speed would knock it out.
So do you want to risk losing your mega of all Pokemon so early in the game?
And this Mega Dragonite is so happy to be facing down Tark-Tomp and Charizard.
With its multi-scale still intact, it can easily survive a Rock Slide and a Heat Wave level up from Charizard.
And another awesome thing to keep in mind, Mega Tark-Tomp and Mega Charizard, same speed.
So, it's easy to help this Pokémon on their trains, but we made that even though this turn is going to play out,
you could have both that Pokémon out to attack.
Oh, Rock Slide from Tark-Tomp connects onto Vasculation and Dragonite, super effective damage,
breaks the multi-scale heat wave from Charizard.
We'll connect onto both the Dragonite and Vasco Legion.
Does Dragonite get to move on this turn?
It does!
Dragon pulse connects onto Garchomp.
One hit, four hit, oh, and Mega Dragonite.
And let me see why the Mega Dragonite's so powerful.
It gets led against that combination of both,
but it's so iconic, and it shows the advantage.
It has hit the face, Garchomp gets one knockout.
It's a little great spot against Charizard.
What is Charizard really going to do in return?
Now these fire type attacks looking not quite so dominant as they normally do with two-book one that resist them.
Yeah, absolutely devastating for Hiroshi Onishi not being able to pick up the KO onto the King Gambit means that Takumi still has that resource in the back
and got the basket legion in without getting burned by the Heat Wave, threatening big damage onto that Charizard by itself.
Yeah, I think a sort of a fun spot here too, you know,
within the ancient power of these chars
are being so impactful in the past,
but, you know, I had a great nice type of matchup
a little bit differently.
However, it's very fun here.
We get the Basquilligen facing off
against its opposite Nufferin.
We've seen this interaction before,
but really there's so much of them
attacking in the same turn, right?
In the second game, we saw the Basquilligen
touch the opposing Basquilligen and a switch.
So, we're going to see this,
he's both on face-off, but again,
you would expect in a team matchup like this one.
The team with whom to cut usually have less speed,
training in the Vascular Legion, so perhaps the Vascular Legion on Takama's side will be faster here.
A goodie very critical of our Roshi to take this turn of life. Already a little bit down in Greece where he can't afford to lose Vascular Legion for nothing.
But an awkward position for Takama to be in with that King Gambit sitting on one hit point would have loved that additional hit point to be gone.
So King Gambit could paint and boost the power of last respects instead just base power on that attack.
Which means that Takuma is going to double protect to see what Hiroshi is thinking into this matchup
See that ancient power at Dragonite going to take it a lot better than a Charizard would but finding out what his opponent is doing
And yes, so we see the last respects targeted to his own basketball
Agent ancient power which would have been super effective into the Dragonite and now we see an interesting solution
Okay, well we're seeing what one player wants to do on the top of the field
How do you adjust to the right view try to sacrifice to give it maybe as you said
I think it's going to be difficult to do now with both these Pokemon having to use their protects
They're both vulnerable to make the sacrifice it works. You want to double switch
So how are you trying to talk about these Pokemon down often when you're going for a double protector try to fish for a protect
On the other side of the field to allow you to double-target
Especially if you believe your basket religion is faster
But doesn't find it there and now Roach you can predict either of these Pokemon
potentially baiting Taco Bell to a game losing mistake. Oh, it is so tense right now
Now these players are on a razor's edge.
Charizard gets the Ancient Power, connects on to Dragonite.
Not enough to pick up the KO.
Dragonite is holding on no boost for Charizard either,
and he drags it close into Basque Allegiant,
dealing just over 50%.
But that means that Haka-ma gets the fire off
the last respects and pick up the KO on Basque Allegiant
before it can move.
And now, the Roshi Onishi, the JCS champion,
down to his final two Pokemon. Charizard stuck on the field as well. That drought's
not going to last forever. It could greatly reduce Charizard's ability to
have the impact in this game. We'll have to see what this final Pokemon is. But
where is similar position in the previous game? Roshi was able to turn
things around. We'll have to see again what that final Pokemon is. Has it really done
as much damage in this third game as the second? Is there still some way he
can break this one back? Well if there is, Roshi is going to need to
find it out of Whimzacot, Focus Ash and TAC has the ability to set Tailwind but
Vascular Legion has priority so does Dragonite Tailwind doesn't matter as much
to these Pokemon. Yeah, but it's still all going to be about making a read. Again
there's still that King Gammon in the back, you know what HP and a Dream but
can still get a Sucker Punch off regardless of the speed condition and
then once again there's still another Pokemon we aren't sure what is a
Roshi probably going to want to at some point get a Tailwind. Maybe not
Here we here ready has the speed advantage
Most of these players are making their decision. They know that each and every turn right now could spell victory
Could spell defeat and they have to make their moves exactly correct
That's because you can get a dodge. You're gonna bring it some problems later
I am an aqua jet. So just check the charge after the remainder of the game
Well, there's the extreme speed coming out from dragonite into whimsicott making sure that whimsicott no longer has its focus
and here is the power of one hit point King Gambit able to switch in for the
Vascular Legion protect that Pokemon and allow Tom to have a new switches next
to Dragonite unfortunately Dragonite will go down to a single target heat wave
critical hit but that means that is now down to 2v2.
Well, that's easy to get enough of, but the harsh sunlight does fade if Vascular
Legion could lob that one. At some point in the game now an Aqua Jet would
cause those two Pokemon remaining to be a world champion for Takuma.
All he has to do now is find a way to knock out this Winsicott.
And Sneaselor is a fantastic Pokemon to do it with.
However, will I knock out this Winsicott with my Sneaselor?
Yeah, well, it could be a big advantage there.
Still, it hits the protect put.
Takuma is so close now.
He hit exactly the right final Pokemon,
and he can taste the world championship.
Takuma Yamazaki has worked so hard.
He has blinded at this year after year after year to just have an opportunity to compete at the world championships.
And he has taken the most out of it possible, getting here to his decisive finals.
Wimzacop will protect itself.
Charizard will protect itself, trying to catch something from Takuma here.
But that's going to be the fate for Steve!
Takuma showing his tax!
Charizard falls for the fate, breaks through, protects, and the Oslo jet bleeds!
And he's going up and straight up for Takuma calling out the double for Takuma.
What a huge knockup. We almost never see fate in this level of play.
It's so difficult to get in situations where it makes a difference,
but there's just nothing Hiroshi could do. He had the perfect hook by Takuma.
There's no counter play to that.
Picked up the big knockup. I don't think there's anything Winsicott could do.
There's nothing remaining for Winsicott but to go back home and try again next year.
Takuma Yamazaki with the Diagon knocked out win the top and with that, Takuma Yamazaki is your world champion!
What an incredible moment.
Takuma Yamazaki has worked so hard.
So many thankless years grinding away competing in this game that he loves.
And after all of that work all of that dedication he gets to stand tall in the center of the chase center as our world
Champion I think he should be inspiration for all trainers
He shows that you stick to it if you're dedicated if you keep battling through those struggles are worth something
He has earned that world championship
He has worked so hard for for so many years an impressive style to flashy fake play to win that
The CICES back out.
Such a flashy way to become a world champion.
We almost never get to see faint work.
But when it does, oh boy, it feels so good.
And oh man, Scott.
I'm tearing up a little bit back here
because seeing someone like Takuma out there competing
still after all these years, competing at the highest level
and becoming now the world champion,
if you haven't won a regional, it's fine.
If you haven't won an international championship,
It's fine. You can still come to the world championships and be a world champion.
Yeah, if you haven't started playing yet, start now.
You know, he proves the dedication is what matters.
He did everything he had to do. He put all of that work in.
It's just so awesome to see a trainer put that work in.
I think definitely the underdog had poured it to most trainers coming into this match.
And I said, hey, it doesn't matter if people don't believe it.
You have to believe in yourself.
And he did. What an impressive way to play.
Again, I just love how things worked out, probably just how he drew them up, right?
The combination of fakes and all these quick poke-let, all these increased priority moves.
You're dreaming of situations like that one where there's nothing your opponent can do.
You've set up this perfect pin. Usually try and practice.
This quick poke-let worked out that way, but he had such a great plan for this one.
I think it's just such a cool way to win.
Absolutely, an incredibly well-deserved from Takuma to be our world champion.
And of course, congratulations to Hiroshi Onishi.
Our finalist here at the World Championships.
No small feat to go all the way at the JCS
and now make it to the finals.
But it was Takuma Yamazaki who just had a little bit
of a better plan there in the end and came out on top.
And you know what?
Congratulations to Dragonite on your first World Championship.
Same favorite post-mortem on there.
Great that it gets pulled off.
And great that it earned it.
I was kind of wondering if we were going to see you
for having this patch up.
But I wonder if they're pretty pivotal there since the stage
for its friends to finish it off.
All right.
Well, it is time to go back down to stage.
Gaby, introduce our new world champion to the world.
Let's hear it for our top champion,
first world champion in the National Division,
third personal champion,
top of the house of Zaki!
You are our first world champion in the Masters Division for Pokemon Champions.
How do you feel?
Pokemon Champions Masters category's future world champion.
How do you feel now?
I can't believe it.
I absolutely cannot believe this. I am over the moon right now.
The casters were talking about how you started competing in 2009 and you never gave up to make it to the stage today.
Do you have any advice for anybody who is on their own Pokemon journey and who dreams of becoming a world champion?
I think the result of this tournament is something that I have never given up on.
So, let's enjoy this together without giving up.
That's why I was able to make this far, so just don't give up. Keep going.
And of course, do you have any shout outs you want to give to anybody who might be watching?
Thank you very much.
Yes, so many people practiced with me from me to be able to make it this far.
People in America, that's why I was able to come all the way here.
People who practiced along with me. Thank you all so, so much.
Let's hear it one more time for a 2026 Masters Division World Champion, Takuma Yatatsaki!
All right, analysts, take it away.
Fifteen years of playing the Pokemon video game, culminating to this moment.
I know you've all cheered once, but let's cheer one more time for our world champion, Takuma Yamazaki!
What an amazing grand final that we have had here for all three of our video game divisions.
It has been just so inspiring to watch everybody to take the stage and to claim that title.
15 years. I was there at the very first Pokemon video game showdown when VGC officially became
a part of the competitive Pokemon circuit. We were playing Diamond and Pearl. There were
32 players. We were in a small ballroom in a hotel. And here we are in 2026, so many
years later making Pokemon history. I cannot tell you guys what it feels like to be
a part of this. And you all are all a part of history as well. So give yourself
out of applause our in those ballrooms they were a magical magical experience
way back then and to be here now is truly unbelievable Kazuki Kage our
juniors finalists both of our finalists here showed us such an incredible match
we were watching here backstage along with all of you in the crowd and I
said just then if you hadn't told me that these were our juniors I would
not have had any clue that they weren't our Masters Division players such a bright future
for these two champion competitors and I cannot wait to see what else we have in store for them.
It was just such a fun matchup as well featuring four different mega evolutions
and both of them playing their hearts out. It was such a thrilling three game set.
And to see two of the most popular team compositions go up against each other this
weather war three different weathers represented as well with the frost last the Charizard and the swamper
It was just such a good set and the fact that all three went to three games just made it that much more intense
Now i'm gonna have to have a little bit of personal bias here because vikram is coming from the uk as as do i
And i could not be prouder to see just how far our community has come and vikram
just showed us all the way through that game that was back and forth all the way
Carlos played it so so well but they would just toe-to-toe in the end in that
game three I couldn't believe how well Vikram positioned his archaladon just
to take it to that final placing and both of them were on the precipice of
history for their perspective regions right Vikram being the second world
champion from the UK but of course Carlos had a chance to do something
amazing for Latin America as well coming in as the top points leader it was very
impressive no full bar brawl and what a master's final right I think coming into
this tournament the big question is are we going to see Charizard dethroned by
another Pokemon for mega dragonite to come out in game 2 and game 3 I cannot
tell you the cheers in this stadium the Roars when it mega evolved every
time it got a knockout every time it took a survival just unbelievable and to stick with
Dragonite right this classic gambit of Dragonite's really good in a Charizard it's not that great
in a Floette and to stick with it in games 2 even after losing to it and then bringing
it in game 3 just absolutely phenomenal and you couldn't have asked for a better picture
finish.
For all three of our champions here at the World Championships let's throw it over
to the stage. We're going to be crowning our champions here in San Francisco.
Championship Sunday, baby. Once again, living up to our expectations shaped by
an entire year of an anticipation. Granting us the brand year this community deserves.
Thank you again to everyone here in the Chase Center and all of you watching
at home from all around the world for supporting these extraordinary titles and these tenacious
trainers who showed everything they have to offer on this stage.
As amazing as today was, we're not done yet.
Let's go ahead and proud our final world champion of the 2026th competitive season.
Let's celebrate our finalists for the Pokemon video game championships.
Starting off with the junior division, your runner up, Kazutaga Kazutori!
and the world champion of the junior division, Kazuki Kage.
Moving on to the senior division, we have in the runner up position, Carlos Verastegui.
And your senior division world champion, Vikram Sinha-Gharakar.
And for our BCC Masters division, your runner-up, Hiroshi Omishi.
And your final world champion of the 2026 Pokemon World Championships, we have Tokama
Yanazaki!
And with that, the 2026 competitive season has come to a close.
With everything that our trainers have showed us, and all of you watching from home, what work did we really ask for?
Well, there is one thing.
Soon enough, our closing ceremony will begin.
But, as we prepare for what's to come, let's head back to our analysts and they recap these matches and all of the tremendous fun we have had throughout this weekend.
Hello, everybody!
Of course, we've had a riveting day, so much action, and honestly, that finals in BGC just
but the icing on the cake was beyond phenomenal.
I wasn't expecting Mega Dragonite, I don't know about you guys at home.
My heart's still racing, honestly.
Yeah.
I'm a big fan of BGC, Mega Dragonite, pulling through with this first Champions, how
I mean, you know, it wasn't really any of our radars coming in. The question was, is which, which Dragon-esque Pokemon was going to be making it all the way, right? We thought it was going to be Charizard. The question was, is it going to be dethroned?
Well, Tsukuma just showed that actually there was a different path to victory here. And not only that, another Dragonite made it through Top 8 as well. So it's not even just like this was a one-off.
This was a miracle run. It happened twice in this world championship.
And not only that, they didn't even work together on that team.
Like, two people independently decided that Dragonite was the call for this tournament, which is super exciting.
So, Mega Dragonite fans, I know there's a lot of you out here in the arena. Make some noise, yeah?
Yeah? Yeah!
I had to do that once, forgive me.
Alright, I'll let you off this time.
Let's jump back in time. Just a
smidge and let's celebrate those
Pokemon go finalists once more
and take a look at how the day
wrapped up out with Pokemon go
because really it was something
special. We had so much fun
and honestly there were plays
that I had never expected to
see before on Pokemon go either.
and the matters changed so much in such a short span of time.
And what's really cool too is that we've been getting new meta games
for each of the international championships.
So coming into the world championships,
I also wasn't sure what we were going to see,
but it was really exciting.
I'm always looking forward to those brackets resets.
Yes!
Yes!
Watching someone's journey from the losers bracket
all the way to the grand finals,
being able to take that set away
and just bringing everything down to
opportunity to be a close-up game with three-year everything on the line at very
time to watch. Exactly that I mean it's just that those close finishes that
exactly what you want on Championship Sunday you you want to be thinking about
like hey how can I do everything that I can in that moment I wasn't just Pokemon
Go of course Pokemon TCG. Yeah. Such a roaring finals we were watching backstage
in the green room and even though you know those games were so tight our
play showed so much skill. I mean I was watching these juniors play and their sequencing was
absolutely incredible like I mean Pablo you're our like TCG analyst. I mean surely you must have been
like taking notes and just breaking the game down mentally like they were playing what looked to me
flawlessly. Absolutely I mean master's level play for sure for both from both of them uh
Dragonfall tierers Dragonfall tier matches are always very hard to navigate correctly
players playing different lists
having different options at
their disposal, knowing when to
go aggressive, when not to, both
players played absolutely amazing
this weekend. It really goes to
show that we truly are at the
world championships when players
of this level just shine and
that really showed in our TCG
seniors bracket as well where
one might have thought it might
have been a one sided affair
of these decks you would say oh easy peasy level squeezie's i know who's going to win
however kovie put up such a fantastic fight even winning game one of the set by a landslide
and that's the point isn't it when you win game one you get that leg up and if you've
got a disadvantage in the matchup and you're thinking like hey i've got one chance to get
a game off of my opponent and then maybe just maybe in the next two games like i can take
it all the way. Maybe find some
opportunity, but I mean, it came
back the other way. One sided
matchup reared its head in the
end in that series finals and
honestly, the TCG Masters
Finals was one of the most
exhilarating games of TCG I
have ever had the pleasure of
was phenomenal. I could watch that again and again. Honestly that ending of the match, the
lucky helmet finding that incredible line by Andrew Hedrick, you know having the option
to possibly re-vindicate from that moment but not seeing the way out of that situation
just amazing play between a veteran of the game and a brand new name that is, well not
brand new anymore but really someone who's been in the game for a bit less but making
our big main players. Absolutely. Andrew has had so many fantastic finishes winning regional after
regional and now finally converting that into a world championship title. Such a great way to do
it as well and what a great way to also crown some more young players in VGC that have been able to
show us an absolute masterclass like looking at this matchup, looking at all the matchups that
we had over the finals. This was one of the most technical between all three of our sets of finalists
and to see it in juniors is not only a credit to the way that they're approaching it, they're using
the same sort of teams that we're used to seeing in the Masters division with all of their quirks,
all of their game plans, all of their flowcharts and seeing the way that both of these trainers
piloted those teams it was it was honestly unbelievable. I think it was Scott who said
that he thought this was honestly like a master's finals if you just didn't show the
player cameras. It was so well played by both Kazuki and Kazutaka. I really can't wait to
see more from these trainers as they continue to grow in the video game championship series,
but our seniors finals as well, I mean again another technical match between both Vikram
and Carlos. It just felt neck and neck the entire time.
They were trading blow for blow all the way through that game one.
I don't think it was a KO until turn eight or nine, which is almost unheard of in this
meta game where players are making trades, they're trying to get in the right position,
especially when you've got a team like Vikram's where you're using the sun and using the
rain and you've got to try to get in the right position.
In this case, it was about getting that rain up against the sun that Carlos was
and he was able to do that so so masterfully and then in game three. I mean just both game one and two
They were so close. They were so tight. They were neck and neck all the way then game three
Vikram just turned something on and was able to just take it by storm and become our world champion. I
Was watching down here with Ben and we were both just in awe at the players
and then I learned a little bit about these two from Ben as well and my goodness. I was
Flawed with some of the information. You know what Ben? Why don't you go over what you told me back here?
You know, this is this is crazy. I really did think looking at this matchup. No, no way
No way
No way are we gonna see that dragonite coming out?
right. It comes out to Kuma doesn't win that game you know Hiroshi finds a way
through using the double fairy the wins the caught the flow at boosted by the
fairy order it's putting so much pressure on you had the basket legions
battling a quickensi chub the two live orbs battling it down as well the two
king gambits facing so many things in common but so many things different
between these two teams and then game-free Charizard Dragonite.
I feel like this is the ultimate way to dethrone a Charizard in the finals, right?
In the 30th year of Pokémon as a player, the two OGs from Red and Green and Blue.
We've been waiting 30 years to see whether or not it's Charizard or Dragonite
and we've got at least some evidence as to the answer.
And of course we have to save the best for last at least for this year
We have to talk about Pokemon Unite as they were able to finally our final crown their final world champion here this year
But let's talk about some usage stats first and what I find really interesting about Unite is just how different their
Medi came up compared to some of the other titles present here
I mean if you would have told me that there would have been 86% usage on for alligator only
I mean, this is this is also like picks and bands, right exactly. Yeah comes up in the draft. How many times has that happened all the way through the tournament? I mean, I'm sure VGC is a little jealous that they get to use you because we haven't had physicals available.
I'm looking at the side up. I'm looking at the side up. The side up looking pretty juicy
right now. I mean it's mega for alligator as well. Probably a little jealous of it.
Not mega counter for it. We'll get you eventually. We just got to find it first. Maybe go on
an adventure to some rain forest. I saw a trope outside. I don't know if. Yeah, that's
a good shout. I'll tell you where else for alligator tends to come up. It's actually
and Pokemon Go, but it's dropped off the meta recently.
And actually we've seen a higher percentage of Don Dozo
kind of taking that top spot.
And I was really pleased to see his sweet and electrode
because that's a Pokemon that I haven't managed
to get on my team yet,
but I'm really anticipating that it's going to continue
to do well.
But you did just finish using your golden bottle cap
on your Corsula this weekend.
And there it is, number three in usage.
Really cool to see all the variety. I love Leaky Leaky, Tick-A-Tot, and Polion.
A story that doesn't usually feature in other games. I mean, I love the variety in all the games that the gameplay allows.
I think it's some of the exciting thing about the different formats in different games.
Like, you talk to players from TCG vs. VGC vs. Go, and the different Pokémon that are available,
available the different Pokemon that we're like hey that's the strongest thing in our game right it
always varies across the board and seeing Pokemon go playing in the great league of course it has
to bring some creativity the stronger the Pokemon overall the kind of weaker that it is in the
competition you have to balance that between using some Pokemon that aren't necessarily as strong
on paper but actually become a lot stronger. Licky-licky at 62.5% usage is absolutely crazy
to see. You'd never see it in the video game, right? Well, not yet, but maybe someday. Maybe someday.
So I can't surprise these two with this question, but I can surprise you. Who do you think is
number one in usage in TCG this weekend? I mean, I would go for Dragaport. Okay, well let's roll
that graphic. And Survey says you were right by Ipica and Margin.
But I mean when we're talking about scary Pokemon have you read what Vodiu does?
Everyone's got this big bad mega evolution Pokemon. Vodiu stops half of your opponent's
act from being... Oh that's the itchy pollen! That's the itchy pollen!
They've been words in TTQ. That's probably eyes have actually been itching all day.
Now I tell you what, although it says obviously we have 29.4% dragapult, that's actually quite a
lower version rate from our initial pool of dragapult where it was much larger. So the players
really did some great innovating to be able to bring these other decks really far much
further up on the graphic, especially Crustle, but we were seeing really dominate those top tables.
I feel like, and Slo-King as well was a subjective conversation going into some of our
like NAIC and some of the regional competitions as well as like hey maybe
this is a little bit more technical like you've got to solve a puzzle every turn
yeah but actually seeing it come in and be favored coming into the world
championships something I really like to see it like players looking and seeing
hey right I'm meant to be at the top of my game I want to use something that
can express that skill that's looking definitely broad like a shame in
continent drum to the whole meta game in terms of what it was shame into
counter slow game to respect it or not. So many things that play out like you said
but a lot of puzzles to be solved each and every turn but I mean BGC has its own
puzzles every turn so many possibilities such a variety in the meta game as well
King Gambit at the very top that's very surprising to me. It is and it is it I
mean if you've been paying attention to the meta games MA and MB as we've been
calling him in Pokemon Champions I think King Gambit up at the top is it
What jumps out at me the most honestly is Megasparaptor down at number nine or presumably
Megasparaptor at least and Megascovillain at number 12.
I mean I was expecting to see Staraptor maybe a little bit higher for a day two conversion
or phase two conversion and I wasn't expecting to see Megascovillain make the graphic at
all to be quite frank.
Yeah there was a lot of conversion for Megascovillain and Megafrost last the team that
won in the juniors division.
only two of them made it into top cut, but those two Scovilla and Frostlass also made it to top four,
so they converted so well across the tournament, almost the perfect position for that sort of
position. That's what's been happening in our grassroots tournaments, right? But now we've got
a little bit of fun that we can have with everyone in the audience. We've got a little QR code
that we're going to be able to show you. You can scan it, you can get up here on the
graphics see if you can be up here on the big stage and join us here on camera so get
out your cameras scan that QR code there we go that's it show us all of your plushy
I want to see your video flush, please
I love you. What a beautiful, what a beautiful close-up. What a beautiful close-up.
That's a nice teeth.
Hey, very nice. This is so cool. I love it when arenas have that little bit of interactive
element to it. Oh, technology's incredible.
All right, well, I mean, what a world championships this has been right top to tail it's been such an amazing event across all of our games
We've had so much action Friday. We've had so much action Saturday coming into here on championship Sunday
I don't think anyone could be disappointed of what we've seen at all. This has been such an amazing championship
I just want to thank everyone here, our players, everyone that's turned up to support all of
our champions this weekend, but not only that, support Pokemon XP, support all of the competitors
that maybe you've travelled with as well.
This has just been the perfect storm, this has been the biggest world championship
we've ever had and we couldn't have done it without you.
But that's enough for a month.
Let's go and let's kick it to closing ceremonies!
Hey, this is our time right now, have no fear, no doubt, and we'll walk back down.
We could be champions, side by side, we'll be unstoppable.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
Remember. Remember.
We are, we are, we are.
Together, together.
I'll get my best life, don't have a doubt about the other child, turn me right, son
And I know how to put my mind to the test
I love this feeling of making last without a reason
Show off every season and maybe I'll love it this time
I wonder what you're gonna be thinking about
Putting all on the line
You told me there's a way up to all the love of the game
Run for the break, never go down the way
You know my tears play my tune
For the love of the game
We've got to keep and fix all the problems
Who knows just when the sun's gonna rise
I'm on the horizon, when they turn up, my soul will shine
I'm on the horizon, I'm on the horizon
You, you know I'm gonna give it my all
Cause even when we trip, we don't fall
We always enter the corner, baby, don't you
And you don't wait for me, baby
I'm on the horizon, I'm on the horizon
I'm gonna come home tonight, never give up the fight
Don't need to ask me why, I'm doing it for the love of faith
But you want to be, never put out the play
No one can hear me believe I'm doing it for the love of faith
I'm getting back from home party, we, we, we
I'm standing on the ocean, on the cross
Standing on the ocean, yeah
I'm living in a wild country
I'm living in a wild country
I'm living in a wild country
I'm living in a wild country
I'm living in a wild country
I'm turning on the light
I'm never gonna go back
It's only that's why I do
For the love of my gang
And to the bottom of the gate
And to the far end of the land
We will reach the land
And to the bottom of the gate
I want to be the very best that no one ever was.
Yet, then it's my little test to train them in my car.
I will travel across the land of space.
And I'll change my mind.
She's Pokemon to understand, how it helps inside.
Pokemon!
Pokemon!
And now it's way down to the...
Pokemon!
Oh, you're the best friend in the world.
Pokemon!
Pokemon!
Pokemon!
Pokemon!
Oh, that's so true.
And there is no point to...
You teach me how to teach you how to look at the ball
I'm a catcher ball
I'm a catcher ball
Every challenge I'm on the way
Courage and I don't play
I won't battle everything
To make my life go away
Come with me, the time has come to tell
There's no better time than I've ever been
I'm a mom for him, we've got our lives always in our dreams
Pokémon, Pokémon
Can't know what my dad's gonna be
Pokémon, Pokémon
In a world we must live
Pokémon, Pokémon
I told you, my courage will pass through
And teach me, I'll teach you
Come get my
I'm gonna catch you no more
I'm gonna catch you no more
I'm gonna catch you no more
I'm gonna catch you no more
No!
Gotta catch up more!
You are my world to be
I've got to catch up to my heart
and there's no point in not staying in the same space
I've seen you come and beg me
I've got to catch up to my heart
I've got to catch up to my heart
Now that's what I'm talking about!
Give it up one more time for our dancers, orchestra,
acquire Pokemon and learn all red you are so wonderful I'm not thinking here
anyway oh welcome to this is how the community comes together
And if anyone knows how to do it, it's the Pokemon community.
As we continue with our celebration, it is important for us to take a moment to recognize what brought us all here.
No matter where you journeyed from, at some point in our lives, we all fell in love with Pokemon.
And that shared affection brought us here under one route to celebrate, compete, and support one another in the way only trainers can.
And that is something we should truly cherish.
This community is truly remarkable.
And I'd love it if you could join me in thanking all of the people that make it a bet like this possible
So please give a wonderful. Thank you to our judges developers
production crew partners
We've witnessed breathtaking competition.
We've still seen a captivating performance.
And now, friends, let's get loud, stop your feet, put your hands together, make some noise,
and give your warmest welcome of the weekend to the president and CEO of the Pokemon
company Mr. Sunitaizu Ishihara.
Thank you very much!
Happy New Year to all the world champions!
Congratulations to all of our new Pokemon World Champions.
The final matches were incredible to watch.
Once again...
I would like to thank all of you who made this wonderful event possible.
And of course I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff
that helped make this incredible event possible.
And now, I would like to share the latest Pokemon news with you all.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pokemon Go, and since its release in 2016, it has
many pokemon and features have been added to the game and of course that
evolution will continue into the future. Let's take a look.
Now, as you just saw, for the first time in Pokemon Go,
Mega Ball Pokemon will be eligible to compete in the Go Battle.
I'm really excited to see what new strategies will emerge.
Trainers battle with their thrones and rivals alike,
and I hope you'll discover your own unique team combinations and battleshows.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And next, Aitian's event will also mark the return of Armored Niu-Chu for the first time in six years.
Please look forward to that as well.
And to all the trainers joining us here in San Francisco, following this closing ceremony,
special mega raids will be taking place throughout the city.
Please enjoy the later stage of the game.
We hope you'll continue to enjoy raids after the show.
We look forward to the special encounters that await you at the new Mega-Hall Pokemon.
I would like to share news about the Pokemon card game.
Next, I'd like to share news about the Pokemon Trading Card Game.
Pokemon cards are supported by everyone around the world, and this year is the 30th anniversary of the game.
Today, the future of such a Pokemon card is a bit difficult, but it's over.
Thanks to the support of fans around the world, the Pokemon Trading Card Game has also reached its 30th anniversary.
And today, we've prepared a video which offers a sneak peek into its future.
Let's take a look.
What did you think?
A long-glass Z Mega Evolutions will soon be appearing in the Pokemon trading card game as well.
You will also see the addition of a new Mega Attack Rare card in the launch of what's
next following the Pokemon T-Shirt Mega other easing series.
So please stay tuned for future announcements.
Next, we have a very special video that we'd like to share with everyone around
the world.
This is the project of revealing to the world for the very first time.
Please take a look.
For the first time in seven years, a new Pokemon movie is on its way.
The protagonist of this new story is a Pokemon TCG player who is battling and striving to
become a champion, like many of you here today.
And this film aims to showcase the competitive spirit for battles shared by trainers around
the world.
We're hard at work on production and we're really looking forward to bringing it to audiences
everywhere soon.
Pokemon Wild Card is expected to be released in 2020.
Please wait for the information.
So the film Pokemon Wild Card will be released starting in 2027.
Please look forward to future updates.
This year also marks the first time that Pokemon Champions has joined the World Championship stage.
We're really excited that so many of you fans have enjoyed the game so far and the evolution of the iconic battle systems.
So now I'd like to share some of the latest news about Pokemon Champion 2.
As you can see, a variety of new Pokemon including Z Mega Voluctions will be coming to Pokemon
champions starting September 9th in Japan standard time and we'll hope you also enjoy the thrilling
about they bring to the battles. Thank you.
So while our time together here in San Francisco is drawing as we close, we can already look forward to more adventures together next year.
But where are we at the destination again?
I'll take over on the traffic.
I'll take over.
in Japan.
So the 2027 Pokemon World Championships will return to Asia for the first time since 2023
when we had the event in Japan.
We look forward to welcoming all of you to the beautiful city of Singapore.
Congratulations on the world championship!
And I would like to thank all the fans who supported us this week.
Congratulations once again to our newly crowned world champions, and thanks to all the Pokemon
community for showing up in full force this weekend to cheer them on.
And to all of you watching us online from around the world, thank you for joining us.
And now, that brings us to the end of our broadcast.
We'll see you again in 2027.
You
I'm gonna kill you, I'm gonna kill you, I'm gonna kill you
Oh
You
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
We go again
You
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you
you