The Top 16 of OST 11
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Introduction
The Official Smogon Tournament 11 has been jam-packed this year with upsets and new blood taking over, dropping big names from the tournament left and right. Historically strong tournament favorites like McMeghan, Ojama, FLCL, and CrashinBoomBang lost in the first few rounds, while up-and-coming OU players like Living So Zambian, Tokyo Tom, and Tesung didn't quite live up to expectations.
Coming into the top 16 of OST 11, only four big names are left with a chance to hoist the gold trophy. But since I'm writing this article literally on Sunday morning rather than on the Monday it was due, the majority of these top 16 matchups have been decided. Floppy and -Tsunami- both lost their Round 6 matches, leaving only the "Queen of OST" WhiteQueen, and the "only SPL player remaining" Thunderblunder777 to fend for themselves.
Rarely do we ever see a top 8 that only has two notable tournament veterans and six fresh faces, so let's hope that this OST closes on a few fantastic games rather than newbie nerves!
A quick look over some upsets throughout the earlier rounds:
Round 1
Round 1 naturally held some of the most absurd upsets, with many players coming out of left field to pop some of Smogon's best. Polywrath over aim was one of the rare publically posted matches (nobody wants to reveal teams in Round 1...) and easily one of the most amusing, at the expense of poor pokeaimMD. At least he finally uploaded a loss!
Cronenberg over FLCL Polywrath over aim Robert. over reyscarface Hinamaru Pines over Destiny Device
Round 2
This round is where the current quarterfinalists really started to gain some traction for themselves. Style's Tail Glow + HP Fire Manaphy walked all over the squad that CBB brought, to the point that he can't even truly be mad over it (which is an incredible feat in and of itself). c0mp aka DOGE EBINEST's upset over M Dragon was one of the biggest by a huge margin - in the predictions tour that runs alongside OST, c0mp only received victory nods from Haruno, Bedschibaer, and BLINGAS out of a possible 70+ votes.
Style over CrashinBoomBang ArchPhantom over Aqualouis el poeta over Living So Zambian etaoi over Conflict blarajan over Ojama c0mp (DOGE EBINEST) over M Dragon
Round 3
Round 3 was relatively quiet. zzz
Fruitdealer over badabing z0mOG over Stathakis
Round 4
This tends to be the point where underdogs start to trickle away and the consistent tour players really shine... but naturally, the bracket busters continue to roll in. McMeghan's loss here really cemented the fact that this was going to be a newcomer's tourney to win.
lighthouses over Ginku FURORE DEI MICETTI over McMeghan Style over BKC (does this really count as an upset anymore?) BLOOD TOTEM over TheEnder daftmau5 over Lowgock
Round 5
Remaining tournament favorites and Alpha Ruiners SoulWind and PDC both fell in Round 5, with PDC covering up all of his replays in an apparent attempt to mask the cause of his loss. Zebraiken falls to the Spanish prodigy Doppelsoldner in a NICE TRY, while sub-10 post wonder etaoi takes it over Wepwn, leaving us where we stand with the top 16.
Fantasy over SoulWind Doppelsoldner over Zebraiken lily over PDC etaoi over FAJI
Highlights / Post-match writeups
I sent out brief polls to every participant in OST 11's top 16, to some pretty interesting answers. I hope you enjoy the ones that we do have answers from, and we'll have a few short writeups on some matches themselves immediately afterwards.
Floppy vs c0mp
Mystery memer c0mp, who refuses to actually answer brief questionnaires about playing Pokemon (http://i.imgur.com/8Mfj86l.png), blasted the underdog gorgie 2-0 late Saturday night, in part to some unfortunate luck in their first game. gorgie's loss actually breaks the unfortunate curse of the Circus Maximus Tigers, who have had a player reach OST finals in three consecutive years (Thatsjustpeachy, DestinyUnknown, Valentine) only to lose every single year. He lost in the Sweet Sixteen, so that doesn't really count!
A warning to all future opponents, though: DOGE EBINEST is not to be underestimated, winning every single game through his OST run thus far. Not a single dropped game in any set. A finals set between c0mp and Style would be a match to behold - how would they both manage to 6-0 each other at the same time?
Floppy
Round 1: Red vs Blue Round 2: horyzhnz Round 3: Vohlt Round 4: Mael Round 5: TewMew
"afraid". no comprendo.
My ideal finals opponent would be Style though. I admire her approach to the game from the little I've seen, and I get a kick from stopping hype trains in their tracks...so it'd be like the perfect encounter for me.
lighthouses vs etaoi
Both players have been quietly making their way through every round... quietly enough that I don't even know what to say or who to predict here. ETAOI, a member of the Capitalized Meme Enthusiast clan along with fellow Top 8 players DOGE EBINEST and BLOOD TOTEM (and 0-4 Indie Scooter HENRIE), has a very slightly more impressive resume with notable wins over Conflict and FAJI, while lighthouses' major claim to fame is a win over 8-2 BIGS player Ginku. They play on alts apparently, so I can't even look up their matches and tell you how they played. I guess we'll find out when they play tonight...
lighthouses
Round 1: PanureMenthol Round 2: Azumarill Round 3: Arcticblast Round 4: Ginku Round 5: reiku
Started competitive in black and white 2, stoped playing when xy came out and came back recently~ish, my biggest achievement is probably making it to top 16 here, although i don't really deserve it since i haxed my opponent in round 4 out of a 100% loss in game 2.
-Tsunami- vs Doppelsoldner
In one of the most entertaining Bo3's in recent memory, Doppel ousted VoD Leader Ravenn in a couple of matches filled with gimmicks, Baton Pass, loads of salt, and a team from OU Player of the Week #20 Living So Zambian for good measure. Personally, I am flabbergasted that none of the 30+ people watching the matches made an attempt to save the replays, but I'll do my best from memory (shoutouts to Spirit for keeping logs). ShakeItUp brought a Gorebyss SmashPass team to game 1, clearly frustrating Doppelsoldner as he could do nothing in return.
★DOPPELSOLDNER: even if I lose ★DOPPELSOLDNER: you are so bad ★DOPPELSOLDNER: why would you talk shit ★DOPPELSOLDNER: if you are one of the WORST players ★DOPPELSOLDNER: I have EVER played
Spectators guffawed over DOPPELSOLDNER spouting truths that everyone acquainted with Hax Lord Tsunami already knew. "Tell 'em again, DOPPELSOLDNER", they said.
★DOPPELSOLDNER: ok ★DOPPELSOLDNER: you are SO bad ★DOPPELSOLDNER: SO SO SO SO SO ★DOPPELSOLDNER: BAD ★DOPPELSOLDNER: seriously ★DOPPELSOLDNER: how can you be that bad
D0PP3L won game two on a flinch with his Mega Gyarados, leaving us at game three. In the main lobby:
+DOPPELSOLDNER: tsunami +DOPPELSOLDNER: are u smashpassing again? +DOPPELSOLDNER: I know its your ONLY chance +DOPPELSOLDNER: but it would be ugly :/
After about a half-hour wait where -Tsunami- kept whining about Doppelsoldner not accepting his challenge, game three started and they both brought the teams they had won with prior. Doppelsoldner was still steaming over Shake's BP victory in game one, and seeing the same team again...
★VoD Leader Ravenn: unloseable matchup ★DOPPELSOLDNER: even if I lose, now seriously and not trolling. You SUCK. ★DOPPELSOLDNER: ★VoD Leader Ravenn: unloseable matchup ★DOPPELSOLDNER: I save this ★DOPPELSOLDNER: just in case :)
Shake's SmashPass had a difficult time getting rolling against Doppel's team with Taunt Thundurus, Taunt Aerodactyl, and Wobbuffet, but the play of the game was made with Doppel bringing in Intimidate Gyarados to burn up Gorebyss's White Herb, letting him take out the BP recipient and clinch the game.
★DOPPELSOLDNER: VoD lost again. Classic
-Tsunami-
Round 1: Fran17 Round 2: RyuKai Round 3: lukw1010 Round 4: Chirac Round 5: PROBLEMS
"The only reason I'm even really playing now is because the game allowed me to make a lot of friends on this site. I guess my biggest achievement was going 15-1 in SPL + World Cup 2 years ago; I demolished all of these sacks of aids like it was nothing, and even took down the Bluff God and Ubers legend pi face in one season despite having no knowledge of Ubers...call me the second best Ubers player of all time, only second to king Blimlax obv."
Doppelsoldner
Round 1: Kevin Garrett Round 2: LiberalLucario Round 3: Ee Ohgh Ah Han Round 4: Void Round 5: Zebraiken
I am a veteran spanish player who stopped playing when BW2 arrived, I played a world cup here when it was BW. I wanted to play when XY was the new metagame but I could not buy the game so I started play the Omega Ruby and I am here! I am friend and neighbour of known spanish players here ( Malekith, Tyrano and k12 the madchine )
Style vs z0mOG
One of only two matches remaining at the time of writing, Style vs z0mOG is easily one of the biggest must-see matches in recent memory, if only because everyone deserves a chance to see a true mastermind of ORAS OU at work. Style quickly became the hottest celebrity on the block after a clean 6-0 in the second round over CrashinBoomBang, and followed that up with an impressive string of success. She won her next six tournament matches 35-0 thanks to a host of bulky boosters, losing only a single Pokemon to radianthero156 in their first match and proving that she's winning by more than just "team matchup".
On the other hand, z0mOG has been quietly racking up some impressive wins of his own after being carried by a 6.25% chance to win in Round 2 according to !lavoscalc. Wins over OST 10 quarter-finalist Stathakis and hyper offense innovator xtra$hine are no small victories, and adding a third one to the list is definitely on z0mOG's radar. That said, Style is bound to be the most challenging opponent yet for z0mOG, who needs to bring more than parlor tricks and publically conceived counterteams to top the metagame mistress herself.
Style
Round 1: UltiMario Round 2: CrashinBoomBang Round 3: Bluwing Round 4: BKC Round 5: radianthero156
When I signed up for OST 11, I didn't have any serious expectations and only went in with the intention to enjoy myself because the main reason I decided to play Pokémon a few months ago was for fun! I would say I've mostly enjoyed the experience thus far. Admittedly, however, the later rounds have become less enjoyable. The fun of it all started dwindling after becoming the recipient of continuous accusations and jabs directed at me in the OST 11 threads, but I won’t let any of it get to me. I am, however, very much grateful for the people who have shown me support in spite of that, although I will definitely say I wasn't expecting the degree of attention I've gotten so far whatsoever.
z0mOG
Round 1: srinator Round 2: DarkDiglett Round 3: Stathakis Round 4: BlackBloodz Round 5: xtra$hine
Greatest achievement was when I got #1 in Ubers (no screenshots ;_;) and also when I beat Stathakis in r3 when completely favored against.
Miscellaneous
The following matches didn't receive write-ups, but I still requested a brief comment from each player.
ArchPhantom vs daftmau5 WhiteQueen vs Fantasy Fruitdealer vs blunder
ArchPhantom
Round 1: birdetta Round 2: Aqualouis Round 3: Laga Round 4: Nails Round 5: Leftiez
Most interesting game was my second R3 game vs Laga. I decided to bring BD Chesnaught hoping it would sweep. Anyways, both of us had nb match ups and I was confident in my ability to pull through. Was planning on winning with Sciz but things didn't work out. Long story short, I got bopped (he played his Diancie extremely well) losing Scizor, and when I thought I had lost, a miracle happened allowing Chesnaught to seal the game.
daftmau5
Round 1: Steve Angello Round 2: TheSuperSaiyanBreloom Round 3: Korby Round 4: Lowgock Round 5: FlamingVictini
I'd say my R2 game 3 battle vs TheSuperSaiyanBreloom was the hardest battle so far. I put myself in a very poor position by trying to Encore a CM RP Mega Diancie without realising it has Magic Bounce and then all of a sudden i was looking down the barrel of a +1 SpA / +1 SpD / +2 Spe Modest Mega Diancie. Fortunately my Hippowdon was SpDef (ty Reverb and Escavalier for the suggestion) and tanked the +1 Moonblast to live with around 35% and KO back with Earthquake. I then realised that Hippowdon was my win condition (vs Thundurus, Talonflame, Excadrill and Tyranitar) so I then decided to bring in Metagross on Thundurus' Focus Blast and then double back into Hippowdon on the Tbolt to get the 6.25% Leftovers recovery to put me out of KO range. From there i was able to heal back up and slowly grind out the rest of his team with Hippo.
WhiteQueen
Round 1: soulraiser Round 2: HNA Round 3: malefic Round 4: Kefka Round 5: ben gay
Yes. I have always done well in the OST because I prepare for it more so than any other tournaments on here. Hard work does pay off. I have a tendency to choke on dicks when I play in big matches. At the same time, playing with a purpose, also makes me a better player. Hopefully I'll choke a little less and play a little better, then I can definitely give myself the best shot at winning this. Style has been impressive, so I'd root for her.
Fantasy
Round 1: GrimoireGod Round 2: Ninety Nine Round 3: cosine180 Round 4: jacob Round 5: SoulWind
Well, I had just made a few teams I was really happy with when I signed up, so I was expecting to go farther than I usually do. After winning vs Cosine180 I became really motivated and started spending a lot more time preparing my games. Surprisingly, I felt pretty confident about being paired with SoulWind, even though I’m usually quite defeatist in these situations and winning vs him even gave me even more confidence. I just hope I can finish the tournament without losing on a choke because that would really make me beat myself ._.
blunder
Round 1: metmaver Round 2: dice Round 3: New Attitude Round 4: Floushaide Round 5: Rozykli
The most interesting game I played was my game 2 vs Floushaide, mainly because I had to work around his Magnezone / Altaria core as my ferrothorn was my only check to a DD Altaria. Unfortunately I made a garbage play turn 16 predicting reflect type haha and died to a critical hit scald which set me back a bit. From then on, working around breloom/magnezone/altaria was the main focus as those 3 were the most threatening, and towards the end my Slowking ended up getting 4 kills with a bit of luck and a misplay on my opponents part allowing me to finish the game with scarf landorus-t http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-216520648
lily
Round 1: The_Killer99 Round 2: kokoloko (activity) Round 3: -Clone- Round 4: snagaa Round 5: PDC
I have only had to play a game 3 once in this tournament so far, and that round 4 against snagaa. I had played terrible game 1 then was able to have a good victory game 2. Game 3 of that series was probably my most difficult/challenging game to date. I remember he had a Tornadus T and if there was one thing my team was weak to it was Tornadus T. I knew that it was going to be a difficult game, my opponent played very well but I was able to secure a 1-0 victory.
BLOOD TOTEM
Round 1: Anty Round 2: Luckstard. Round 3: Raseri Round 4: TheEnder Round 5: Mike Fenix
I've never really been involved in a big tournament like this before, and I certainly don't have any big achievements to my name. Like most players I found out about showdown from a third party and hit the ladder with bad teams and strove to improve my teams, as well as myself as a player. I'm most relevant for my contributions to Smogon Doubles, a tier which I've really improved at and think more people should play because it's so fun :]
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