Kev
Part of the journey is the end
Approved by Eien , Acast & Vid
Based off of OU PotW and Gen 6 Mono PotW
Based off of OU PotW and Gen 6 Mono PotW
Welcome to fifth edition of Monotype Player of the Week!
(credits to Seo. for the banner)
During this project, I will be interviewing some of the most influential players in Monotype today whether it be based on their exceptional contribution to the metagame or their outstanding performance in tours. If anyone has suggestions on who should be interviewed next, feel free to PM me your ideas.
This week I have Mono Old Gen's expert, Monotype room and forum Moderator, Council member and overall an incredible contributor to the metagame.
Vid
Can you tell us a bit about your life outside of Smogon?
- Outside of Smogon I play Games such as Competitive Overwatch (PC and Console) and Fate Go. I also love to play basketball (pick up games) and have recently joined a competitive league to hone my skills. I also love to listen to music mostly Hip Hop / Rap/ Rnb.
Where did you get your username from?
- When I was younger I came up username videogambeas101 I chose this because I just loved to video games a lot as a kid playing games such as Mario Kart Double Dash and Mario Party 5 and 7. Gradually I shortened the name to Vid.
What are you most known for?
- I guess being the go to Old Gen Monotype player, Monotype Room Mod, Council, and Project Mod.
What made you play Pokemon competitively? What got you into Monotype and made you want to stay?
- I was watching TheFlamingSpade on Youtube in (BW) and I just got hooked instantly. I joined Monotype because of strong presence of leagues in Gen 5, but then I left showdown for a while and came back, played a game of Monotype and it just brought me back.
What is your favorite Pokemon in general and favorite one to use competitively?
- I love using Mega Gardevoir and Suicune a lot. With Gardevoir I love the idea of an offensive Pokemon being able to cripple physical attackers with Wil-O-Wisp, while also being able to deal a massive damage. For Suicune I really enjoy using Vincune with Toxic Spikes Toxapex because it is outside of my normal comfort zone of using offense.
(credits to Seo. for the banner)
During this project, I will be interviewing some of the most influential players in Monotype today whether it be based on their exceptional contribution to the metagame or their outstanding performance in tours. If anyone has suggestions on who should be interviewed next, feel free to PM me your ideas.
This week I have Mono Old Gen's expert, Monotype room and forum Moderator, Council member and overall an incredible contributor to the metagame.
Vid
Can you tell us a bit about your life outside of Smogon?
- Outside of Smogon I play Games such as Competitive Overwatch (PC and Console) and Fate Go. I also love to play basketball (pick up games) and have recently joined a competitive league to hone my skills. I also love to listen to music mostly Hip Hop / Rap/ Rnb.
Where did you get your username from?
- When I was younger I came up username videogambeas101 I chose this because I just loved to video games a lot as a kid playing games such as Mario Kart Double Dash and Mario Party 5 and 7. Gradually I shortened the name to Vid.
What are you most known for?
- I guess being the go to Old Gen Monotype player, Monotype Room Mod, Council, and Project Mod.
What made you play Pokemon competitively? What got you into Monotype and made you want to stay?
- I was watching TheFlamingSpade on Youtube in (BW) and I just got hooked instantly. I joined Monotype because of strong presence of leagues in Gen 5, but then I left showdown for a while and came back, played a game of Monotype and it just brought me back.
What is your favorite Pokemon in general and favorite one to use competitively?
- I love using Mega Gardevoir and Suicune a lot. With Gardevoir I love the idea of an offensive Pokemon being able to cripple physical attackers with Wil-O-Wisp, while also being able to deal a massive damage. For Suicune I really enjoy using Vincune with Toxic Spikes Toxapex because it is outside of my normal comfort zone of using offense.
What is your favorite type?
- My favorite type has to be Water because of versatility it has when building being able to run so many different archetypes SS, Bulky Offense, Balance, Stall, etc
How about your favorite play style?
- My favorite playstyle is offense because I love the idea of constantly applying pressure to win by being aggressive rather than playing safe.
As an expert on Mono Old Gens, what is your favorite meta and which is the best? What are your thoughts on the current SM Monotype metagame? Are there things you think deserve a suspect, to be banned or unbanned?
- If I had to make a list it would go like this BW>DPP>ORAS. BW is my favorite because whenever I decide to play BW whether it's roomtour, MPL, or with friends I always come up with something minor that either enhances "generic teams" or I come up with a very innovative team. I feel like with other Past-Gen metas (ORAS specifically) I can't do that and I'm extremely restricted because the metagame revolves around a few types instead of 10-12 types. Obviously we currently have the Magearna suspect test atm, but one thing that was recently brought to my attention was Shadow Tag and how it isn't really competitive. I personally think Shadow Tag takes a lot of skill out of certain matchups because Gothitelle can chose what it beats and Wobbuffet is surprisingly effective this generation. After the Magearna suspect, it'll be a wait and see type of approach because Magearna was been holding some possibly broken Pokemon back (Greninja specifically).
You are one of the biggest contributors to Monotype’s development, what motivates you to take such a big role within the community?
- My motivation comes from remembering myself as a lost user without proper resources, which made it extremely hard to become a decent Monotype player without trial and error.
Are you involved in anything besides Monotype? Whether it be a tier/metagame you enjoy playing or involvement in projects, etc…
- I love to play Gen 5 Ubers and Gen 6 NU once in a while, but outside of that I haven't really had the motivation to play other tiers.
Why did you decide to contribute to Smogon Media?
- Well I love to write and writing articles for The Flying Press helped me improve my writing style in such a short amount of time, while also presenting Monotype metagame to a bigger audience.
Many people have been comparing Monotype to children’s games like “rock, paper, scissors” and “tic-tac-toe”. What do you think about that bold claim? Is it a gross exaggeration of the type mechanics of monotype or an accurate description?
- Certain aspects of that statement are true such as an Ice team won't likely beat a Steel team, but the above statement is untrue a majority of the time because well-equipped types can beat disadvantages by making smart plays and being aggressive when necessary most people who don't win matchups were playing too safe and decided not to take necessary risks to win. Most people who argue this use a type that doesn't have the tools to properly succeed in the metagame.
Do you have any advice for people new to Monotype or people who are trying to improve?
- Sign up for tournaments because even if lose you gain experience and hopefully know why you lost; Was it because you played terribly? Was your team sub-optimal? Was luck involved? etc.
What are your thoughts on Monotype OMs? Do you think they deserve a presence in competitive monotype or do they simply belong in occasional room tours?
- I think they are best in a roomtour setting or a Monotype forum tour, but outside of that I feel like they aren't competitive enough to be taken too seriously.
Are there any up and coming players that have impressed you or that you think will be able to make a mark in the community?
- Torkool is someone who I still think is up and coming already putting his mark on community being very knowledgeable in Monotype LC one of more popular Monotype OMs. He's improved a a lot from when I first picked him up in BLT and he only keeps impressing and improving.
How do you feel about the last MPL as a whole? How did it compare to previous renditions and how was the team experience for you?
- I liked the metagames that were chosen for MPL III although I didn't really take this MPL as seriously toward the end because I was on a losing team which made it extremely hard to want to win. Overall I thought MPL III was a major improvement from train-wreck that was MPL II, since no OMs (Monotype UU was voted in by a room poll in MPL II which made me and other players very angry).
Who are some of your favorite people that you met on Pokemon Showdown?
- Omega and Dirpz because these guys are just so cool to talk to because they don't take the game too seriously and are just amazing people (Best memers on PS). Other people such Eien, TheThorn, Paleo, Kaiser, Dak, etc. have really taught me a lot more about battling by simply just watching them or by just showing me where I went wrong in the game so that I don't keep making the same mistake.
Finally, can you showcase a team that you think represents your style as a player and provide an explanation on how to use it?
- My favorite type has to be Water because of versatility it has when building being able to run so many different archetypes SS, Bulky Offense, Balance, Stall, etc
How about your favorite play style?
- My favorite playstyle is offense because I love the idea of constantly applying pressure to win by being aggressive rather than playing safe.
As an expert on Mono Old Gens, what is your favorite meta and which is the best? What are your thoughts on the current SM Monotype metagame? Are there things you think deserve a suspect, to be banned or unbanned?
- If I had to make a list it would go like this BW>DPP>ORAS. BW is my favorite because whenever I decide to play BW whether it's roomtour, MPL, or with friends I always come up with something minor that either enhances "generic teams" or I come up with a very innovative team. I feel like with other Past-Gen metas (ORAS specifically) I can't do that and I'm extremely restricted because the metagame revolves around a few types instead of 10-12 types. Obviously we currently have the Magearna suspect test atm, but one thing that was recently brought to my attention was Shadow Tag and how it isn't really competitive. I personally think Shadow Tag takes a lot of skill out of certain matchups because Gothitelle can chose what it beats and Wobbuffet is surprisingly effective this generation. After the Magearna suspect, it'll be a wait and see type of approach because Magearna was been holding some possibly broken Pokemon back (Greninja specifically).
You are one of the biggest contributors to Monotype’s development, what motivates you to take such a big role within the community?
- My motivation comes from remembering myself as a lost user without proper resources, which made it extremely hard to become a decent Monotype player without trial and error.
Are you involved in anything besides Monotype? Whether it be a tier/metagame you enjoy playing or involvement in projects, etc…
- I love to play Gen 5 Ubers and Gen 6 NU once in a while, but outside of that I haven't really had the motivation to play other tiers.
Why did you decide to contribute to Smogon Media?
- Well I love to write and writing articles for The Flying Press helped me improve my writing style in such a short amount of time, while also presenting Monotype metagame to a bigger audience.
Many people have been comparing Monotype to children’s games like “rock, paper, scissors” and “tic-tac-toe”. What do you think about that bold claim? Is it a gross exaggeration of the type mechanics of monotype or an accurate description?
- Certain aspects of that statement are true such as an Ice team won't likely beat a Steel team, but the above statement is untrue a majority of the time because well-equipped types can beat disadvantages by making smart plays and being aggressive when necessary most people who don't win matchups were playing too safe and decided not to take necessary risks to win. Most people who argue this use a type that doesn't have the tools to properly succeed in the metagame.
Do you have any advice for people new to Monotype or people who are trying to improve?
- Sign up for tournaments because even if lose you gain experience and hopefully know why you lost; Was it because you played terribly? Was your team sub-optimal? Was luck involved? etc.
What are your thoughts on Monotype OMs? Do you think they deserve a presence in competitive monotype or do they simply belong in occasional room tours?
- I think they are best in a roomtour setting or a Monotype forum tour, but outside of that I feel like they aren't competitive enough to be taken too seriously.
Are there any up and coming players that have impressed you or that you think will be able to make a mark in the community?
- Torkool is someone who I still think is up and coming already putting his mark on community being very knowledgeable in Monotype LC one of more popular Monotype OMs. He's improved a a lot from when I first picked him up in BLT and he only keeps impressing and improving.
How do you feel about the last MPL as a whole? How did it compare to previous renditions and how was the team experience for you?
- I liked the metagames that were chosen for MPL III although I didn't really take this MPL as seriously toward the end because I was on a losing team which made it extremely hard to want to win. Overall I thought MPL III was a major improvement from train-wreck that was MPL II, since no OMs (Monotype UU was voted in by a room poll in MPL II which made me and other players very angry).
Who are some of your favorite people that you met on Pokemon Showdown?
- Omega and Dirpz because these guys are just so cool to talk to because they don't take the game too seriously and are just amazing people (Best memers on PS). Other people such Eien, TheThorn, Paleo, Kaiser, Dak, etc. have really taught me a lot more about battling by simply just watching them or by just showing me where I went wrong in the game so that I don't keep making the same mistake.
Finally, can you showcase a team that you think represents your style as a player and provide an explanation on how to use it?
Gyarados @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Taunt
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
Toxapex @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
Gastrodon-East @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 60 SpA / 68 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Recover
Greninja @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Roar
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Taunt
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
Toxapex @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
Gastrodon-East @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 60 SpA / 68 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Recover
Greninja @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Roar
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
- Here's a modified version of one of Leru's Vincune teams so credit goes to him for the basic team structure. Basically this team represents what I love to use on the ladder because I just find using Vincune to be very satisfying. The team is a bulkier build designed to have switch-ins to almost every threat in metagame with Vincune and Gyarados both being wincons along Toxic Spikes Toxapex to apply pressure. This team represents me trying to get outside of my comfort zone playing a bulkier build instead of a more offensive build.
Any last words you want to leave us with?
- For anyone trying to get into Monotype it is never a bad idea to lurk so that you can build up metagame knowledge before making a post. I know Smogon is usually not friendly to people who make mistakes on forums, but making mistakes is totally fine. The most important thing to understand is how can you learn from that mistake so that you do not make that same mistake again.
This concludes my interview with Vid. A huge thanks to him for taking time out of his day and replying all my questions! Feel free to now ask your own questions to our Player of the Week.
Any last words you want to leave us with?
- For anyone trying to get into Monotype it is never a bad idea to lurk so that you can build up metagame knowledge before making a post. I know Smogon is usually not friendly to people who make mistakes on forums, but making mistakes is totally fine. The most important thing to understand is how can you learn from that mistake so that you do not make that same mistake again.
This concludes my interview with Vid. A huge thanks to him for taking time out of his day and replying all my questions! Feel free to now ask your own questions to our Player of the Week.
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