Final Day
And that was the day that was. 2 months of work from 5 players had built up to this moment on Monday 4th June. What a dramatic day it was.
The drama began before the players had even convened with the news that Richard would not be attending. An alleged game wipe being the reason for this late withdrawal. The 'Pokéboss' Richard would not be.
Then came the news that Spanish Dave could not immediately arrive with the other players but would have to arrive later in the day. After much deliberation, the boys decided to play on without him and then he would have to play 3 games back to back when he arrived.
And so the tournament began!
Game 1
Ben vs Andy
The first game was a terribly one sided affair with Ben laying down a marker for other players to try and reach. A level 65 Haunter was Ben's starter Pokémon and he took down in short order Andy's Pikachu, Gyarados, Haunter and Tony the Blastoise! Things were looking grim for Andy until Mr Pickles, the worlds most famous Kadabra, made his first appearance of the day. Kadabra unleashed his first attack, Hypnosis, and both Ben and Andy watched Haunters life bar rapidly decrease. And keep decreasing. And decrease further still. But it stopped. With perhaps 20% health remaining Haunter cleaned up. Mr Pickles was put to sleep and soon enough his dreams were eaten. Game over. Hitmonsteve the Hitmonlee was sent out but had no chance. Haunter had ruined Andy's team. Ben showed his potential to be Pokéboss, Mr Pickles had showed his potential to upset.
Game 2
Jim vs Andy
Jim swaggered into this game looking to add further punishment to the crestfallen Andy. However, a surprise lay in wait. First up Jim's Lapras beat Andy's Pikachu. The mighty Lapras was soon cutdown though - Andy's Haunter putting it to sleep and finishing the job. Jim's Charizard recovered the situation by beating Haunter but was soon beaten himself by Tony the Blastoise. Jim's Gyarados then beat Tony, Hitmonsteve and Andy's Gyarados. Andy had one Pokémon left; Mr Pickles. Pickles unleashed the beast! Gyarados was taken down and was followed by Jim's Hypno after a long headbutt vs recover struggle. Mr Pickles then put Pikachu and Haunter down and put the game to bed. The upset of the day was complete. Mr Pickles showed his class and sealed his legend.
Game 3
Ben vs Jim
This was expected to be the game that would decide the Pokéboss title but after the previous upset it was now more a case of Jim trying to save his chances. Ben began as he did against Andy, Haunter beating Jim's Gyarados. However, Haunter was soon taken out by Jim's mighty Hypno. Ben recovered with his Jolteon who took out Jim's Hypno and Haunter before falling to Charizard. Ben then unleashed his suprise entry Persian who beat Charizard but lost to Jims Lapras. Ben onto his 4th Pokémon and the game was even. His Kadabra finished the job though beating both Lapras (surviving a hit from Blizzard without being frozen) and Pikachu; finishing with a one hit kill against Pikachu. Ben moved to 2 wins and 0 losses. Jim had lost 2 and won 0.
Game 4
Dave vs Jim
Dave enters the building and surveys the battlefield. He's nonchalant and confident. Jim throws out his level 50's Gyarados, Dave throws out his level 27 Dratini. The crowd gasps. Jim's Gyarados takes out Dratini and then Dave's Raichu and Haunter before losing to Dave's Gyarados. Jim's Haunter then beat Gyarados but goes on to lose to Dave's Charizard. Jim's Lapras returned to action at this point and Dave withdrew his Charizard replacing him with a Marowak who quickly fell followed by Charizard. Jim wins and saves face. Gyarados looked mighty.
Game 5
Dave vs Andy
With Jim having played all 3 games and winning 1 and losing 2, a win for Andy would seal second place in the Pokéfest for him. Dave had other ideas, he wanted his first win. First up Dave's Dratini was beaten by Pikachu but following some withdrawing his Raichu would beat Hitmonsteve. Raichu then lost to Mr Pickles. Some more withdrawing and Dave's Gyarados beat Andy's Pikachu, Gyarados and then, surprisingly, Mr Pickles. Gyarados would lose to Tony the Blastoise but Dave's Haunter would save the win beating both Tony and Andy's Haunter. Dave got his first win and Andy joined Jim on 1 win and 2 defeats.
Game 6
Ben vs Dave
A win for Dave would leave these two players tied on 2 wins a piece. Some discussions were held as to what would happen if this were the case. It didn't matter, it wasn't to be. Ben opened as normal with his Haunter beating Dave's Charizard but he would lose his Haunter to Raichu. Ben then took the opportunity to unleash his as yet unseen level 70 Charizard. Game over. Charizard beat Gyarados, Haunter, Raichu, Dratini and finally Marowak. Charizard went wild. Ben celebrated. 3 wins. He was the Pokéboss! Dave joined Andy and Jim on 1 win 2 losses.
And there we have it. Ben was the Pokéboss 2012 and well deserved it was too. And what a great time everyone had. The original Pokémon games cannot be praised enough. They are still utterly compelling and I may have to write a piece on them at some point in the future.
For now I can say, congratulations Ben! Next year onto Gold and Silver!
Keep it Johto! Keep it OMG!
Misty: Oh no, Staryu's in real pain!
Ash: How can you tell? It doesn't even have a face!
Misty: It's because I'm sensitive to others feelings!
Ash: Oh yeah, like I'm not!
