IamA Hi Reddit! I'm a Competitive Pokemon TCG Player, and was in attendance of the Pokemon World Championships 2015 in Boston, MA. AMA!

How much unintentional ass crack did you see?

Over all the tournaments I've been to? More than I want to admit.

Are you yourself guilty of the unintentional ass crack?

I am very glad to answer this question with a no.

I'm a 30ish mom with a 6year old obsessed with Pokemon. I don't get it, but I want to. What is a good place for me to start learning? All the YouTube videos I search for are just too fast or teach with an assumption that I know what the fuck is going on (clearly I don't). I learn by doing so the instructions that come with it don't help me, believe me I tried. I just want to play a legit game of Pokemon with my kiddo.

UPDATE: thank you everyone for all the great suggestions!! I talked to him this morning and we are going to look into the online Pokemon TCG online, I have found the parental page on Pokemon.com, and then checking out a few comic book stores today. He was so excited to hear that we are going to further explore this together. What a wonderful community, thank you again for being so helpful.

UPDATE 2: we spent the whole morning playing Pokemon TCG online and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. We already know so much more! He's with the grandparents now, but I see a lot more games in our future.

UPDATE 3: GOLD?!?! Amazing!! It's my first ever, thank you u/LaraCroftWithBCups and really everyone for so much help. http://i.imgur.com/tOcMP2C.jpg

What an awesome story!

The best place to go is the official Pokemon website. They have the official rules sheet (it was easy for me to follow when I started), as well as online tutorials to teach you how to play.

I wish both your child and yourself the best of luck in this game. I want him to be getting that 25K school money next year!

Serious question have you ever been laid thanks to being a Pokemon pro?

Serious answer: no.

How has the TCG changed over the years? I haven't played since Base/Jungle/Fossil.

Not that much. A few new mechanics here and there, but you could pick up the game right now, and feel like it's still stayed the same.

But there must be so many more cards/pokemon right? That it would be overwhelming to get back into? Also, what are some of the best combos right now? Like I remember Sneasel/Dark Energy/Murkrow or something was banned because it was too good, is there anything like that currently?

Blastoise/Keldeo-EX/Archie's Ace In The Hole is a nightmare.

Wow, things sure have changed since the old TCG days when you had to Bill/Professor Oak/Energy Search the shit out of your deck to get enough Water energy for Blastoise's Rain Dance.

Oh, the game's absolutely exploded.

Remember that card Energy Search? Yeah, we have a card called Professor's Letter that put's that one to shame.

How would you compare Pokemon TCG to Magic/YGO (if you've played them)? What drew you to Pokemon over these?

I can't speak for Yu-Ghi-Oh!, but I've played a tiny bit of Magic, so I can talk on those terms.

There's 2 big differences between Magic and Pokemon; your hand and the way you attack. In Magic, your hand doesn't change over the game (you draw your cards, keep your hand), but in Pokemon, while you draw and have a hand, it is constantly being shuffled back into your deck, changed, etc. There's a lot more variants to change your hand and its size over Magic.

As far as attacking, in Magic, your Manna cost to attack can apply to anything. In Pokemon, your Energy (the equivalent of Manna), is attached and can only be used by 1 of your monsters in play. There' s a lot more management in that regard.

Pokemon is also quite passive. Magic turns happen to "overlap", but in Pokemon, when your turn is done, it's done.

Why Pokemon? The community is hands-down one of the best I've ever been a part of. It's niche to the point I know a lot of people and have quite a few friends, but big enough to still feel like theirs a lot of freedom. I love being in this awesome group.

Most of your points about magic are right, except your second. Mana doesn't actually let you attack directly, it just lets you summon things that can attack. In this way, it's more a game of resource management than resource allocation like in PKMN.

Yeah, It's been ages since I sat down and played Magic. Soy if I get a few things wrong about it.

Have you ever saved the world by playing a children's card game?

And what do you think of the seismitoad deck dominating the meta?

Nope. But one day, all the children in the world will thank my contributions to this game.

Oh wow! You actually follow the competitive scene! Personally, I don't mind Seismitoad too much. He's annoying, but he's really fun to play with.

You actually follow the competitive scene!

I wouldn't say I follow it so much as I watched the world championships on Twitch and save for a few people everybody was playing Seismitoad decks so it was an easy deduction.

A follow question: Why Pokemon? Why not other TCGs like Yu-Gi-Oh or Magic?

Oh, well I'm still glad you watched. Seismitoad has done a bit of damage, but he's been ironed out, and feels much more fair.

Why Pokemon? The community. It's one of the best I've ever been a part of. Everyone cares about the other person, and I've met some of the nicest, funniest people playing this game.

I swear every single one of your posts raises more questions than it answers.

Why was Seismitoad OP? How did it get nerfed?

Seismitoad stopped you from using items. You couldn't use them. They would slam you with Poison and Sleep from Hypnotoxic Laser, and it would create a dull game where all they would do is use Seismitoad's Quaking Punch attack.

They nerfed him slightly after they banned a card called Lysandre's Trump Card.

In your opinion, what is the best or maybe 3 best pokemon out of them all?

1. Lucario
2. Genesect
3. Porygon-Z

These are just some of my personal favorites.

I appreciate the answer, but instead of your favorites. What are your objective best. In your opinion?

The best? That's a constantly shifting answer. The metagame wheels around, and cards we thought were no good turn out to be some of the best the game has ever seen (this happened this last season with a Donphan card).

If you want the best cards currently... M-Rayquaza-EX Raichu Seismitoad-EX Blastoise Crobat Line (This is one that needs to be paired with its pre-evolutions Zubat and Golbat)

Wow, I haven't played pokemon tcg since I was 12, those cards look insane!
Post some more!

Sure! Just give me a sec, and I'll put in some!

Have you ever used the pick up line: "Let me get a Pikachu,"?

No, but I have used what is the best joke to all of humankind.

"How do you get a Pikachu on a bus? You POKE HIM ON!

Why do you prefer trading card games over video games, is it the game itself or the people?

I prefer the TCG mainly because I'm more versed in it, and it helps create a more physical, real atmosphere. I'll always pick an actual match between a friend in mine with cards over the video games.

The people themselves, regardless which side you pick, are incredible. I've met some of the nicest, closest friends through this game.

Do you follow the VGC at all? I know the events for both are held together.

Not really. I can understand the games in progress, but I know very little about the metagame besides the clear favorites (like Mega Kangaskhan).

Um, who is this? We probably know each other. I'm Dustin Zimmerman.

Uh...how do I put this without saying my actual name...

Dustin, feel free to PM me. You know me for sure. :D

Is Raindance still the best deck on the scene? Used to crush with it waaaaaaaaay back when the cards still came out. Just sold a bunch of shadowless and 1st editions on here recently.

Funny you say that, because YES! Very recently, the surprise winner of the World Championships in the Masters division (helmed by a guy named Jacob Van Wagner), was a Blastoise deck that has the same ability as the vintage Blastoise. Keep in mind, that Bastoise was rotated out the game a long time ago, but they made a pseudo-reprint of the card. And it's really effective!

Edit: Words

Did you ever play the old Pokemon Trading Card Game on the gameboy? If so, how did it stack up to the actual game?

I am actually looking at a copy of the game right here, but I haven't played it yet. I can assure you, however, that the actual card game back then is pretty much the same now. Just higher HP and damage output, along with new mechanics.

My friends call me Snorlax. I googled it and all I found out is that he/she is blue and huge. I have no idea why they call me such because I'm not fat (and obviously not blue). What are the basic, human-like characteristics of Snorlax?

He sleeps a lot. Do you sleep a lot? :D

[SERIOUS] Have you ever showed up to a Pokémon tournament with Digimon cards?

Edit: Added "serious"

No. But golly, I now have a prank I should pull sometime...

Let's assume people have a bunch of old cards from growing up. Should we throw them away or send them to you?

No, don't throw it away! Send them to me! :)

Just an F.Y.I." Most of the old cards you might have at your parent's house, or under your bed, aren't worth all that much. If their 1st Edition, or the occasional collectible, they may be worth something, but not that many are worth more than a couple pennies.

How much is that "ancient mew" card I got from I think BK years ago?

$5. Sorry man.

How much is a borderless charzard worth if its not first edition? Any idea?

If you took some pictures, I might be able to get an idea.

How about a normal first edition charizard

About $20, as long as it's in good shape.

Simply untrue. Pokemon "bad card" prices have never been higher. Excepting energy (and shipping), every card is worth at least 6 cents. Rares are 10 cents, holo rares more than that. Prices for low end cards have never been better.

6 cents an energy isn't what I call breaking the bank. And good luck trying to find anybody at a tournament/in the community willing to buy bulk energy like that. You'd be lucky to make $10 off a large box of energies, and that's if you find a buyer.

Since I have no idea what happened with the championship, what is your favorite Pokemon?

Lucario!

If you were wondering what exactly happened at the Championship, I suggest reading through some of these news outlets (thought they happen to twist it far from the truth).

Lucario is pretty freakin awesome. My favorite is Feraligatr.

Crazy to think that a couple guys would shoot up a Pokemon competition. But as you said, news outlets definitely just want to spice it up.

Trust me; they did not come to shoot everyone up. This was a big fabrication from the media.

If people are interested, I can try to give the un-edited version.

Edit: Words

Yes that would be preferable.

Alright, here we go.

The media happened to lie/casually look over a few things that happened at the event.

1. Stumbo and his accomplice came to shoot everyone This is a pretty jacked up statement for multiple reasons. I don't believe Stumbo had the intent on going out and killing people.

He was respected in his craft, as he not only had an invitation to compete in the World Championships (something that requires multiple good showings at tournaments, which also requires extensive travel), but won a State Championship. I don't know how large his particular State's was, but it's not easy to win one from my personal experience.

My point? You'd have to be a massive idiot to go to the trouble of getting your invite (the hundreds of dollars spent on competitive cards and hotel stays, the man-hours behind testing your decks strategy and skill using it, etc.) to throw it all away at the last minute and say you want to shoot up a convention center.

I'd also like to mention how difficult it would be to actually go about doing this in a physical sense. Read any news article talking about the event. Notice how not one of them talk about the architecture of the convention center?

The tournament itself was on the 3rd floor, while registration, security, and side events took place on the 2nd. Had Stumbo went in to kill, there would be no way he'd get to any of these area's without breaking through the front doors, or somehow managing to smuggle his AR-15 and shotgun through security.

Was the Facebook post incredibly stupid and hurtful? Yes. Were the weapons he had in his car illegal? Yes. Did he go all the way from Iowa to Boston to ruin this event? No.

2. They made a complete debacle of our community None of the interviewers focused on the typical, 16-25 age Pokemon players. Nope. They focused there efforts on parents who know extremely little about the competitive scene. Or complete idiots wearing Pikachu hats acting like they're life was in danger that entire weekend.

A large group of what I would call actual players happened to be near a local TV news broadcast about the event, and we were all laughing and in tears at the end of the report. They completely twisted the facts, made us look like idiots, and couldn't even get there "easy" facts correct (one lady from pre-recorded video happened to call The Pokemon Company International, the head of Tournament Organization in the US, the "Pokemon Organization".)

There's a whole lot more I could get into, but I think this is long enough as it is.

Edit: Words

So, it sounds like these guys were trying to be "cool," and didn't realize how stupid they were actually being? Did I get the gist of it right?

Pretty much. They thought it was a big ol' joke, and didn't realize the mess they had got themselves into.

They really thought they'd get away with this? As someone who was trying to move during the lockdown after the Marathon Bombing, I believe those guys should not have brought guns to the city if they didn't want trouble.

Once again, I'm not saying what they did was smart. Bringing weapons of that kind to this event (permit or no permit) is incredibly stupid.

That's shitty. I can totally see that happening, and I just feel bad for the kids. Yeah, it was stupid, but I really doubt they had any intention to use them. I hope they don't get too fucked over for this.

Throw them in jail for a few months, give them some community service hours. They'll learn a lot more that way than locking them up for the next 10 years.

Do you want to be the very best?

Like no one ever was!

In all seriousness, I've grown a bit dis-interested in becoming the World Champion, or winning loads of tournaments. I've instead started to gravitate toward wanting to be a judge, as well as helping out at the Pokemon card site I work at. I want to focus my efforts there ATM, but who knows. Maybe I'll have a real good 2015-2016 year.

Are certain pokemon considered overpowered? Are any pokemon banned?

They're are certain overpowered Pokemon that lot's of people use, but lately, they're trying to even out the game and not make a certain card to OP.

They have banned cards. Recently, a card called Lysandre's Trump Card, and Shiftry from a set called Next Destinies, were banned for being too powerful.

Do older generation pokemon still compete with new generations?

As far as cards? No, not at all. The game has hit WAY higher numbers in HP and damage output since the first few sets.

But like, could someone play a card from older generation sets if they really wanted to?

If it's been reprinted in a newer set, yes. If it isn't, you cannot. It's against the rules.

Ah, okay! I was just dreaming of someone ending the tense moment before they draw by slamming down an original series jigglypuff or somethin'. The rules against that happening prove that cooler heads than mine prevail xD

Anyway, thanks for this AMA, it's all very interesting!

No problem!

How do they balance the game? In video games they release patches fairly quickly....that seems a lot more difficult to do with trading cards. Basically it seems like once they decide to fix something, every card that came out before it would be obsolete. Is this the case?

No. TPCi has actually gotten to a point were they're giving out bans to cards that are far to powerful, and are ironing out the game considerably. The competitive scene is rocked every once in awhile, but we still manage between TPCi and clever rouge decks.

Is it frustrating when you buy new cards only to have them banned? I guess this would be less of a problem for professionals if they get their cards for free, etc.

Not really, since Pokemon is a pretty cheap as far as TCG's go. The 2 recent banned cards (Lysandre's Last Resort and Shiftry) didn't go higher than $5 (so long as you knew where to look).

Squirtle, Charmander or Bulbasaur?

Charmander! (In the best Super Smash bros 64 voice I can muster.)

Can you explain to me how the competitive side of it works please?

For example, is it a case of using a move that causes damage such as tackle over leer? and why would anyone use leer?

In competitive games, we have things called "archetypes". Basically, it's a well-known, widely used, effective strategy. It is a system used by both the TCG and the Video Game competitive scene.

You happen to be asking a question, however, about the Video Game scene, which I don't know a lot about. But I can answer your question by saying there are moves like Tackle and Leer that everybody uses; offensive and non-offensive moves. There's a place for both of those kinds of attacks.

How much money have you spent for competitive pokemon?

How much money have you made off of it?

Spent? Between purchases, and hotel costs (and all the gas money I've used off other people)...maybe around $2,000?

That sounds like a lot, but I could sell most of the stuff I have for Pokemon and make around $500 if I need the money.

I've don't make money. Any packs I win I just tear open or try to trade with other people.

how much would your deck cost if you sold it? (or just your best cards)

I could sell my current deck for around $175.

I played a lot when I was a kid. I was in a league, and I remember being pretty good. I believe I played until around the time Team Rocket and Gym Heroes was released.

I still have my old decks. If I were to show up at any kind of competitive play would I have a chance? Or has there just been so much power drift that I would get wiped out?

The power has drifted very far from the old days. You would have to build all-new decks. Not to mention a lot of those cards in those decks have long rotated out of competitive play.

However, the games barely changed in rules since the early days, so it would be pretty easy to pick up again if you have a burning desire to get back in.

What was it like to be at such a large, world-famous event?

While I wouldn't call it "World-Famous", it was continually exciting, because I was around people who all cared about the same thing I was. They announced the new Pokemon Wii U game in front of everyone (the biggest part of the whole event), and I didn't shake off this sense of childlike giddiness during my time there.

Do all of the competitors have exactly the decks they want, or are there super rare cards that only some have?

Assuming the former, is there much of a variation in decks, or is there an accepted "best" deck?

I haven't given thought to pokemon TCG in about 15 years, but this thread has given me flashes to the same people always winning simply because they had the best cards.

There are no super rare cards in the game anymore, because competitors will pay any price for any card if it means creating a powerful deck.

We have what we call "archetypes" (powerful, widely accepted strategies), and these devolve into common decks in competitions; Blastoise decks, Seismitoad decks, etc. Some lists come close to each other in what they play, but even within one archetype, there is a whole lot of variants and different ways to play something. Changing as little as 2-3 cards can create a different deck in it's style of play.

So, in other words, yes, we do have standard decks people play, but they include plenty of variation suited to different playstyles, and what the current metagame is looking like.

I'm a Magic player and have been for a long time (mid 90s).

Recently, my son got interested in Pokemon so we learned to play together. We have fun with it and it's nice to take a break from Magic, where I'm super competitive, and just enjoy kitchen table fun with my son.

My question: So I've noticed that in each pack of Pokemon cards there is a code for a virtual pack for Pokemon Online. I use MTGO (Magic Online) to test for tournaments and try out new decks. Do you do this with Pokemon Online, or do you just play in person?

I've been wanting to use the online program for awhile, but I haven't got around to using it enough.

It's a fantastic resource for a budding player though, so let your son run wild on it and see where it takes him.

I prefer testing physically with other people. I also test with myself form time to time.

What's your opinion of Hearthstone? Have you played it?

I heaven't played Hearthstone a single bit. I'm so involved in Pokemon I'd rather not try to start getting into other TCG's. I'll get around to playing it one of these days.

I wish I had been here earlier so I could have given a shutout from /r/Pkmntcg!

I guess I'm a bit late, but my question is what region are you from, and what do you think the most competitive region in the country is?

I'm from the Midwest area (Indianapolis, IN), but in the US, Flordia is very competitive. Lot's of good players in that area.

Best Meta so far?

Best year of play, or best deck in the metagame?

Both

I'd say the current champ in this metagame (saying were still Boundaries Crossed forward) would be the recent winner of the World Championships, Blastoise/Keldeo-EX/Archie's Ace In The Hole.

Best year I've played was the nationals format last year. I loved the mixture between Virizion/Genesect, Yveltal, and Plasma, with little touches of other smaller decks. Plus, I really enjoyed playing Yveltal.

Hey, I filmed the event! I was in charge of the Pokken Sizzle reels. My proof.

Did you get to try out Pokken? What were your thoughts on it? How do you feel about Pokemon trying to separate themselves from that project completely, although having to advertise it at the event? Congrats on the invite to World Championships. Ill see you at the next. :)

Wait a minute..wait a minute...

I saw you there! And I played Pokken! Yes, I loved it. Very easy to pick up for a fighting game. They did a good job of respecting Namco without putting too much forefront to it.

If you remember a tall guy heading in there with a The Last of Us Ellie T-Shirt, or a tall guy with a big "Indy Eleven" scarf, that was me.

What did you play and what did you place?

I didn't play in the main event (as I posted in my description).

What is your rarest card? What is your most expensive card?

I have a Pichu stamped with Nintendo World 2005 I was given when I went to Nintendo World in New York years ago. It's not valuable, but I've yet to find somebody in person with a copy.

Hey,

I have a friend who goes to these tournaments occasionally, and has told me some wild stories about some of the people there. Two who come up often are Jason Klysinsky(sp?) and Tomas Medina. Any stories about the two of them, or other characters that show up often?

I believe you mean to say Jason Klaczynski.

Jason is pretty much the best Pokemon TCG player ever. He's won 3 World Championships (2006,2008,2013) as well as the US National Championships (this year,2015). He's a lovable guy, and a goofball at tournaments. He plays spyball with an inflatable Pokeball, does jokes, runs drafts, etc. ' He's an incredible fellow, and I still remember being very excited when I first got to talk to him awhile back.

As for Thomas Medina...I've never heard of that name. It's possible I've heard of hiim, but maybe you just have the spelling wrong. Are you sure it wasn't Tom Doezel?

I don't follow the tgc scene too much, (I stick more to vgc) but enough to know about the top tier decks per year. My questions are: what's your favorite replacement for N (is Birch's observation good enough or is there something else I'm unaware of) and I made Pooka's Medicham deck, how would that fare in the current meta? Are there any cards from ancient origins you'd recommend I look out for to add to it?

The replacement for N is still up in the air. I don't like Shauna or Birch, and while I could put up with Ace Trainer, I still would prefer N. My decks will probably devolve into 3 Ace Trainers, and a Birch for good measure during testing. I'll be testing and listening to what other people have to say before I make any final calls.

IMO, Medicham is too inconsistent for the current Meta. It also doesn't stand much of a chance against Colorless M-Rayquaza-EX, so I'm not sure if it will be competitively viable in the next few months. As from what to add from Ancient Origins; fool around with Ace Trainer and see where it takes you.

i wish they stayed with, the original 151 pokemon

what are you're thoughts on the ever growing, list of pokemon?

and how many pokemon are there now?

I've gone through the same phase when they announced Generation 5 and 6 and added more Pokemon. Hated the new designs, played the games and cards, found myself getting attached to the new designs, and eventually "accepting" them into the universe.

After the shock of a new generation, I get used to them and eventually find myself liking the new designs (though I still prefer the designs before Gen 5).

Oh, there are currently 721 confirmed Pokemon in existence.

Best Machamp EX deck for standard? A Crawdaunt Toad deck wrecked me this past week...

I'll break the bad news to you; Machamp EX isn't that good. I'd count your losses and start from scratch. :(

How did you feel about the threats of violence over the event?

If you scroll up, I happen to answer that in a very long text post.

Has the amount of players joining the community slowed down over the years or is the community still growing at quite a pace?

It's grown a whole lot these last 2 years, and I still feel like were getting bigger. Anybody who says Nintendo is dead needs to be shown into the Pokemon US Nationals hall.

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I need more proof you are actually a bot.

I need more proof: Are you actually a troll?

Why would anyone use leer?

Because it lowers a defending Pokemon's defense by 1 you dummy! :)

Is there a medication for autism, or do you find it interferes with your game?

How much money do you save on condoms?

Sorry, my mommy told me not to feed the trolls.