Making It Look Easy

How much have you been playing Pokémon in competitions?

This is my first time at Nationals, but I went to the Regional Championships in Virginia earlier this year. I’m a little disappointed because I lost in the second round there—I didn’t really have a good idea about a team to bring. Overall, I’ve been playing competitively about three years.

What do you think of the whole National Championships experience?

It’s really nice. I love being around people who I can just talk to about Pokémon. Back at home I don’t really know a lot of players. It’s just so easy to talk to people here.

You’re the highest ranked female at this point in the tournament.

That’s really cool. But it doesn’t really change the way I play—I know so many of the guys I’ve faced from online and at events. I even know their teams, for the most part, too.

How long have you been working on your Pokémon party?

I locked it down about three weeks ago and I’ve just been playing it a lot. I started on the idea for it around February.

Do you think your team is constructed differently than a lot of the teams here?

Yes. It actually works really well against people that know what they’re doing. It utilizes a lot of bluffing, so I do better when people think they’re doing the right thing.

But you said you know what everyone else is playing. Don’t they know your tricks, too?

Well, I helped all these guys put their team together before I came up with my team. Then I crafted a team that could beat them!

That’s brilliant!

I think I also have the advantage of this being my first Nationals. They know who I am but they don’t know exactly what Pokémon are in my party. And I think that my team is strong enough to win even if my opponent knows what I’m doing.

You’re 4-0 and halfway through the Swiss rounds. How do you feel about your chances at this point?

I’m pretty confident that I’ll do well. But I’m not really looking forward to playing against my friends and the people I’ve met.

How has the expanded field of Pokémon changed the game as you’ve seen it?

Well, I’ve seen a lot of different Pokémon. My team has only one Unova Pokémon, but there are teams that have a lot more. Pokémon with Dream World Abilities have been really good, too. One of my Pokémon really depends on its Ability.