NBA Season Report #1: Week 1 thru Week 3
Preview: The following is a summarized week-by-week version of PFA/NBA Season for the first three weeks of the league during the span. I've decided to recount the weekly experience in team preparation, matchups analysis, and of course the actual battles in a brief setting. Given the magnitude of essentially writing for a good quarter of the season it be best to work on a few individual season-reports before dissecting possible playoffs battles. Won't go extremely overboard in the write-ups, but give insight into how I prepare for each week, the battles itself, and the outcomes. With all that said, here is the report.
Season Thoughts:
Initial LA Nidoking Roster: Manaphy, Zapdos, Entei, Kyurem, Nidoqueen, Metagross, Umbreon, Ribombee, Type:Null, Gourgeist, Cryogonal
After serving a year and a half break from the PFA, the LA Nidokings return to to the draft league format in pursuit of another title. Did take a minor break from league from August just before the eventual start of the new NBA season by the end of 2017 with interest in Ultra Sun/Moon high. By the time everyone had drafted, I looked at my team and noticed some issues with it, but didn't look far past them aside the initial strengths. Once again, we are paired with a strong core of Manaphy, Kyurem, Entei and Zapdos after all which in of itself is the best offensive cores early season. Both Nidoqueen and Metagross were amazing bulky offensive Pokemon in their own right with access to the team's hazard support. Pokemon such as Ribombee and Type: Null provided their niche roles as a Eviolite wall or Sticky Web support. Cryogonal and Gourgeist were interesting Pokemon given how they both have astonishing special or physical bulk with good recovery options and semi good walling capabilities . Umbreon was the team's cleric Pokemon which at first seems like a strong pickup thanks to that insane bulk and pivot options.
So with those traits...why did I blow up my team at the start of week 3?
If anyone wants to review the LA Nidokings Draft Analysis, might be best to start here to get an idea on what happen with certain changes to the team, however I'll touch on some important points. The main core issues with the initial team was 1) team synergy, 2) lack of "good" walls and support Pokemon, 3) overall costs, and lastly 4) lack of clear roles. Could tackle down all these points in a separate post, but might as well briefly discuss them. Like you see, a good draft team has a team that allows Pokemon to perform a multitude of roles whether it be play as a bulky pivots, offensive options, cleric support, or a good wall cores. The team has an amazing offensive core yes, but most of those Pokemon are extremely weak to Rock-typing (or Stealth Rocks), Fighting-types, Dark-types, and Ghost-types. This point will be emphasis in weeks 1 and 2 given what were the battles outcomes.
As mentioned, the lack of clear roles and synergy was an important issue for the team given how there wasn't a clear defensive options or pivots. Like Umbreon was at least decent from Season 4, but at the time, it felt like the only good wall which has limited offensive capabilities. As later discovered, Gourgeist, Type:Null, and Cryogonal are good makeshift walls, but that's about it. Aside their STAB options, they don't really have a good movepools to abuse their bulk, especially Type: Null whose movepool was really atrocious. What really drives this point is they are only niche Pokemon which can do one good role and that's it. Gourgeist doesn't have the best Ghost-type moves, Type:Null has to rely on Wish support or Rest for recovery, and Cryogonal, though a good Water check and hazard removal, has a limiting movepool with only strong Ice STABs.
In short, these Pokemon don't synergize well with the other type Pokemon and certainly was erroneous of me to selecting them in the first place. Speaking of the team, the costs of maintaining Manaphy into the overall team was rather taxing and felt it was best to part ways with our beloved captain this time (see you in CIL lol). By removing the 100 point tax for selecting an S Tier, this open the team up for new Pokemon to select from the B, C, and D Tier mons which weren't drafted. In the end at the cost of dropping Manaphy, Type: Null, Umbreon, Cryogonal, and Rimbombee the team ended up selecting a overall strong pairings of Mega Lopunny, Primarina, Florges, Miltank, and Spiritomb. As mention I'd go into why I'd selected or picked up these Pokemon in free agency so read here.
With that out of the way, lets get into the weeks 1 thru 3 games.
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Artist: All0412
WEEK 1: Toronto Staraptors (Gamma) - Replay
My Team: Zapdos, Entei (Z), Kyurem (Z), Metagross (Z), Ribombee, Gourgeist, Manaphy, Nidoqueen, Umbreon, Type: Null
CryogonalHis Team: Excadrill, Reuniclus (Z), Heliolisk, Gigalith, Gligar, Gurdurr, Tapu Bulu, Terrakion, Mimikyu (Z), Blastoise
Oricorio-G (Z)
If there was one week where I noticed most of the issues with the team, it was with our week 1 battle against Gamma. For those who don't know, Gamma was one of the newest players from Season 5 who made strong run with a 8-4 record. Looking at the matchup, it seemed like a typical sand based team with Excadrill, Gigalith, Heliolisk, and Reuniclus, paired with offensive Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Terrakion, and Mimikyu. Already the Sand Rush Excadrill and the Terrakion where a huge pain to team build for, however I felt he had the tools to win this game. Looking at the team, Manaphy, Life Orb hazards Nidoqueen, and Scarf Metagross can play good offensive roles for this game, especially if I can at least setup Tail Glow. Zapdos was brought here to mainly to deal with the Blastoise and gain momentum for the team with Volt Switch, and of course Reflect to cut the damage of all physical moves in half. Gourgeist had an interesting set in Bullet Seed to break Mimikyu's Disguise and Sludge Bomb to handle Tapu Bulu more efficiently. Lastly Specs Rimbombee was a last minute choice but felt ok at the time since it can 2HKO most of his team and can provide Sticky Web support.
In terms of the actual battle, I had a good amount of momentum up until turn 11 when I decided to "sack" Zapdos for setuping screens. Honestly felt at the time this was a terrible play for what's to come later on that game since Zapdos had Roost, but at the time I felt there wasn't any usefulness aside to setup the Reflect. What it really came down to was most my team getting picked chipped initially from the likes of Mimikyu, Gigalith, and the apparent scarf Heliolisk. Scarf Metagross really wasn't the best Pokemon to utilize for this game and it getting hit by 50% from Mimikyu wasn't the best trade either. As mentioned, this battle did seem as is we were doing well up until turn 11, which at that point didn't realize my opponent was setting up for a Reunclus sweep.
When it was Nidoqueen v Reuniclus, I thought about going for Earth Power but decided it was best to save it for Metagross instead to try an Explode or Trick it, but once it setup Trick Room, I realized it was too late. By that point I was practically forced to try and sack my Pokemon here and there. As a result of this onslaught, the I wasn't able to recover and didn't have the resources needed to win out as Gamma can just sack mons for a Reuniclus endgame. If there was one teambuilding mistake I'd made, it was not considering a 50% berry on one of my mons or the possibility of Light Screen on Zapdos. Umbreon might have been a better call over Ribombee, but it open a door to Terrakion to setup with any Justified boosts.
Overall, this battle exposed my teams issues with speed tiers and special bulk as there was few ways I'd be able to respond to an offensive cores, especially if they were powerful special attackers. Surprisingly was able to handle the sand core of Gigalith, Excadrill, and Heliolisk, however Reuniclus just cleaned my team. Speaking of Reuniclus, I had only two ways to beat in Heart Swap Manaphy and Trick Explosion Metagross, but again didn't prepared for a possible Trick Room route. This was essentially one of those battles that was rather eye opening to see the strengths and weakness of the team as well as spark and possible movements. Despite these calls for change, do give my opponent Gamma credit for beating me down the way it happen. Goes to show how much planning and battle experience is needed to be on your toes in a draft league
My Team: Zapdos, Entei (Z), Kyurem (Z), Metagross (Z), Ribombee, Gourgeist, Manaphy, Nidoqueen, Umbreon, Type: Null, Cryogonal
His Team: Hydreigon, Zygarde 50% (Z), Roserade, Mantine, Swellow (Z), Magmar, Mega Steelix, Florges, Lucario (Z), Vikivolt Toxapex
At this point I was convinced the upcoming schedule for the Nidokings was one the hardest after losing to Gamma and now facing Wenwuk who's rather experience in the draft league format. The team Wenwuk drafted might seem rather unorthodox but I felt there was strong potential from both his defensive, and even offensive options to beating me. The wall core of Mantine, Florges, Toxapex, and of course Mega Steelix was by far going to be difficult to break What annoyed me the most when teambuilding was the prospect of facing both Toxapex and Mantine who both had Haze to remove the boosts from Manaphy while they recover or toxic stall. Even offensive threats such as Swellow, Hydreigon, Zygarde, and Lucario to me had the potential to sweep my team if given the chance. The way I'd approached this battle was to bring Tail Glow Manaphy with Psychic (expecting no Mantine), offensive Zapdos to deal heavy damage to most of his mons, and Kyurem to setup Substitute in prime positions when Mantine or Toxapex were in. Metagross and Nidoqueen were brought given they at least can pressure his wall core with the appropriate coverage and had good bulk (or in Nido's case Shuca Berry) to revenge Zygarde. Lastly Cryogonal was added as my scarfer given the lack of revenge options for Swellow, Scarf Hydreigon, and again Zygarde.
To be frank, this battle wasn't clean as I'd hope given the amount of misses and crits on both sides. If there was one thing I regret, its that I didn't have HP Electric Manaphy to break thru Mantine, otherwise it was actually good game from there. Instead the battle is sluggish on my end as I attempt to halt Wenwuk offense while breaking his walls. Despite missing some Heat Waves, Zapdos manages to deal some considerable damage to most of Wen's team, however it eventually falls to Zygarde as it tanks the HP Ice with a Yache Berry. In a swing of momentum, Cryogonal manages to scare off the Zygarde, however am faced with a Lucario instead with the possibility of setup. With most of my team taken some damage, Kyurem remains as the last major Pokemon that poses a serious threat to Wenwuk, and of course it does. After gaining a Sub on Mantine, Kyurem is able to kill Roserade on a sack and a Lucario as it broke the Substitute. However Hydreigon is able to put a stop Kyurem's slight bout, so Nidoqueen is sacked.
In a three v three situation, Metagross, Kyurem, and Manaphy were my best chances to win the game and knew it probably come down to prediction. In one instance, Wenwuk correctly predicts my switchout to my Kyurem to kill it off, however in an unfortunate twist misses his Draco Meteor. This alone shatters the momentum from the prediction to my favor as it dies to the Ice Beam. With a weaken Mantine and Zygarde, Metagross is able to pick off the remaining Pokemon with its bulk and thus steal a win here. Will like to mention this one of the best games I had in awhile especially come off from an extended break. Didn't expect to win this game, and rightfully so given the actual outcome, though Wenwuk did say I did have a better matchup.
As for the Draco Meteor miss, it did matter since at that point all what Wenwuk had to do was sack Hydreigon via doing chip damage to Metagross via Dark Pulse and then revenge with Zygarde to win the game. Then again given his fear of a potential Shuca Berry on Metagross, he might have saved Hydeigon, which ironically gives me a chance to win assuming Mantine is sacked and him immediately bringing in Hyderigon. It would come down to Manaphy tanking an Extreme Speed from Zygarde but it be close. Either way, this doesn't excuse the fact both my play and to a degree preparation wasn't on point. I know its rather unfortunate for Wenwuk since he now had a 0-2 start via bad hax, but its one of those things we can't prepare for anyways. We'll take the win no doubt as it helps for the next batch of strong opponents.
Overall, this battle exposed my teams issues with speed tiers and special bulk as there was few ways I'd be able to respond to an offensive cores, especially if they were powerful special attackers. Surprisingly was able to handle the sand core of Gigalith, Excadrill, and Heliolisk, however Reuniclus just cleaned my team. Speaking of Reuniclus, I had only two ways to beat in Heart Swap Manaphy and Trick Explosion Metagross, but again didn't prepared for a possible Trick Room route. This was essentially one of those battles that was rather eye opening to see the strengths and weakness of the team as well as spark and possible movements. Despite these calls for change, do give my opponent Gamma credit for beating me down the way it happen. Goes to show how much planning and battle experience is needed to be on your toes in a draft league
Artist: Mark331
WEEK 2: St. Louis Swablus (Wenwuk) - Replay
His Team: Hydreigon, Zygarde 50% (Z), Roserade, Mantine, Swellow (Z), Magmar, Mega Steelix, Florges, Lucario (Z), Vikivolt Toxapex
At this point I was convinced the upcoming schedule for the Nidokings was one the hardest after losing to Gamma and now facing Wenwuk who's rather experience in the draft league format. The team Wenwuk drafted might seem rather unorthodox but I felt there was strong potential from both his defensive, and even offensive options to beating me. The wall core of Mantine, Florges, Toxapex, and of course Mega Steelix was by far going to be difficult to break What annoyed me the most when teambuilding was the prospect of facing both Toxapex and Mantine who both had Haze to remove the boosts from Manaphy while they recover or toxic stall. Even offensive threats such as Swellow, Hydreigon, Zygarde, and Lucario to me had the potential to sweep my team if given the chance. The way I'd approached this battle was to bring Tail Glow Manaphy with Psychic (expecting no Mantine), offensive Zapdos to deal heavy damage to most of his mons, and Kyurem to setup Substitute in prime positions when Mantine or Toxapex were in. Metagross and Nidoqueen were brought given they at least can pressure his wall core with the appropriate coverage and had good bulk (or in Nido's case Shuca Berry) to revenge Zygarde. Lastly Cryogonal was added as my scarfer given the lack of revenge options for Swellow, Scarf Hydreigon, and again Zygarde.
To be frank, this battle wasn't clean as I'd hope given the amount of misses and crits on both sides. If there was one thing I regret, its that I didn't have HP Electric Manaphy to break thru Mantine, otherwise it was actually good game from there. Instead the battle is sluggish on my end as I attempt to halt Wenwuk offense while breaking his walls. Despite missing some Heat Waves, Zapdos manages to deal some considerable damage to most of Wen's team, however it eventually falls to Zygarde as it tanks the HP Ice with a Yache Berry. In a swing of momentum, Cryogonal manages to scare off the Zygarde, however am faced with a Lucario instead with the possibility of setup. With most of my team taken some damage, Kyurem remains as the last major Pokemon that poses a serious threat to Wenwuk, and of course it does. After gaining a Sub on Mantine, Kyurem is able to kill Roserade on a sack and a Lucario as it broke the Substitute. However Hydreigon is able to put a stop Kyurem's slight bout, so Nidoqueen is sacked.
In a three v three situation, Metagross, Kyurem, and Manaphy were my best chances to win the game and knew it probably come down to prediction. In one instance, Wenwuk correctly predicts my switchout to my Kyurem to kill it off, however in an unfortunate twist misses his Draco Meteor. This alone shatters the momentum from the prediction to my favor as it dies to the Ice Beam. With a weaken Mantine and Zygarde, Metagross is able to pick off the remaining Pokemon with its bulk and thus steal a win here. Will like to mention this one of the best games I had in awhile especially come off from an extended break. Didn't expect to win this game, and rightfully so given the actual outcome, though Wenwuk did say I did have a better matchup.
As for the Draco Meteor miss, it did matter since at that point all what Wenwuk had to do was sack Hydreigon via doing chip damage to Metagross via Dark Pulse and then revenge with Zygarde to win the game. Then again given his fear of a potential Shuca Berry on Metagross, he might have saved Hydeigon, which ironically gives me a chance to win assuming Mantine is sacked and him immediately bringing in Hyderigon. It would come down to Manaphy tanking an Extreme Speed from Zygarde but it be close. Either way, this doesn't excuse the fact both my play and to a degree preparation wasn't on point. I know its rather unfortunate for Wenwuk since he now had a 0-2 start via bad hax, but its one of those things we can't prepare for anyways. We'll take the win no doubt as it helps for the next batch of strong opponents.
Artist: Ishman
WEEK 3: Mesa Macargos (GingerxPug - "Ryan") - Replay
His Team: Dragonite, Chansey, Golisopod (Z),Gardevoir (Z), Aggron, Tangela, Mega Pidgeot, Infernape (Z), Ditto, Lanturn
Gengar
Going in this battle, I'd already made some important transactions to take advantage of the upcoming free agency for these Pokemon and as mention will be the last games for a couple members, even Bloo included. Don't want to dive on the topic further, just know by now we made key moves that will help long-term for the team's success. Getting back to the battle, GingerxPug, or Ryan is one of the original members of PFA who has stick out throughout the this time and he's one of the best battlers from our group. If there was any who can possible beat me, it was Ryan with his rather interesting strong offensive core of Dragonite, Gardevoir, Infernape, Gengar and Mega Pidgeot. There were some ubiquitous threats such as the Chansey and Ditto who practically can halt any potential setup from Manaphy. Lanturn was another Pokemon that can give Ryan momentum with the Volt Switch, but can deal with both Zapdos and Manaphy which I intended on bringing. Golisopod, Aggron, and Tangela were Ryan's last selection, though didn't expect them to come since they fair poorly against my team, though Golisopod can setup Spikes at least.
Given the matchup, I decided it be best for Manaphy to play the role as a Choice Scarfer along with bringing Extreme Speed Entei to pick off his team. Given the opportunity, both Kyurem and Entei had Substitute to able to take a Seismic Toss from Chansey without breaking, and possible setup or lure is other mons in. Kyurem's case in particular was actually a mono attacking set with Z-Ice Beam as an option to blast thru Gardevoir or Dragonite with its Multiscale. The main draw was the move Endeavor, which might sound weird for a Pokemon with High HP like Kyurem, but I get to about 50% of my HP total, Endeavor would deal up to 75% to no special bulk Eviolite Chansey, thus allowing me to nuke it with Z Ice Beam. Entei was a similar set with Howl to attempt to setup its Attack stat enough where Sacred Fire and E-Speed can pick off most of his team. The last mons I selected were Assault Vest Metagross, Defensive Zapdos, and Poison Point Nidoqueen with Stealth Rocks...which I did ran to 1) not let Gardevoir trace Sheer Force, and 2) poison stuff.
In terms of the battle, it really came down to who was best prepared, and judging by Ryan's play and even sets midway, I can already tell he used the same team and sets as last week. The momentum of the battle when to my favor the moment Gardevoir went down to a Z-Ice Beam as Kyurem was able to deal with a huge threat. Nidoqueen deserves some mention here as it was able to deal with the rather annoying Infernape. From there Zapdos, Nidoqueen, and eventually Entei manage to pick apart the team slowly but surely. There was a brief scare when Zapdos was almost knocked out by the Golisopod, who I recognized as a Choice Band set. The endgame was basically Entei setting up a Substitute and using Sacred Fire to beat the Golisopod and the Chansey having both been severely weaken. Overall 4-0 win in the Nidokings favor.
Likewise I didn't went to in-depth here since Ryan was too busy with irl stuff mostly school and work so he didn't prep or play as well as he told. Do think there was some good play from Ryan via using Shadow Ball on the predicted Metagross and the Choice Band Liquidation on Zapdos which narrowly got the kill. If Ryan had time to prepare for the following battles, think he might have made a good run in dealing Zapdos or Entei which both had good matchups, In the end, I won't harp my opponent down since the match shouldn't be taken seriously after all.
Conclusion
