Oceania Regionals Perth Recap: Hilarious Hijinks

Greetings, fellow Pokémon aficionados! Strap yourselves in for a wild ride through the latest shenanigans from the Team Raptor Poké-verse. So, last weekend our intrepid band of battlers embarked on a journey to Perth, Western Australia, for the final showdown of the Oceania Regionals 2024 season. Picture this 2 full days of battles: 257 Masters, 36 Seniors, and 27 Juniors all converging for a Pokémon extravaganza that would make even Milotic blush at a Pokémon Beauty Contest.

Day 1 was a marathon with rounds stretching on like a Komala’s never ending afternoon nap, our Masters battled through a gruelling nine rounds, while the Seniors and Juniors valiantly endured six and five rounds respectively. It was like the Pokémon League meets the Ironman challenge, but with fewer protein shakes and more Rare Candies.

Now, let’s talk matchups, shall we? It seems like Charizard and Baby Roaring Moon were more common than a Rattata in the tall grass, with a staggering 99% of our team facing off against these fiery fiends more than once. Lost Tina, Turbo Hands, and Chien Pao made appearances too but at a rate of 50% less than the other 2. They were like the side dishes to Charizard’s main course. Then there were the decks like Ancient Box and Great Tusk Mill sitting on the fringes of the bell curve.

Our Juniors, bless their Pokémon-loving hearts, danced with the meta decks like seasoned Jigglypuffs at a Master Ball, moving from dance partner to dance partner.  Let’s give a round of applause to Gus and Lucan for making it to Day 2! They battled through the ranks, dodging attacks like Pikachu dodges Poké Balls, but alas, only Gus made it to the semi-finals finishing 3rd and Lucan finishing 5th! That’s a feat worthy of a victory lap around Victory Road.

 Oh, what about Gus’s jaunt to the European International Championships in London! While he may not have snagged the gold, finishing 69th in a sea of Pokémon pros is no small feat. Plus, he probably got to see Big Ben and drink tea with Sinistea and Polteageist, so really, who’s the true winner here?

Ah, how could I forget about our esteemed Masters, the seasoned veterans of the Pokémon TCG battlefield? Let’s give a round of applause for these titans of strategy and skill!

First up, we have Ida, who was touched by the Iron Hands of god, pulling off some jaw-dropping maneuvers that left opponents shaking in their Poké Balls. Montana, ever the resilient contender, bounced back through the Mist Energy with tactical finesse, executing checkmate plays like a grandmaster chess champion. Cody, with nerves of Steel and a deck giving his giving his opponents more than a Shivery Chill . And Edin, well, let’s just say he was as Comfey as a cozy afternoon nap in a Snorlax’s embrace, cruising through the day with calm confidence. Josie, on the other hand, didn’t make it rain –but she made it pour with perseverance! And then there's Carmela, the comeback kid, finishing 128th! Putting her Coin Bonus into that sweet sweet last Championship Points slot. 

But hey, amidst the chaos and camaraderie, our Brisbane crew shone like a shiny Blastoise. They were there for each other, cheering, strategizing, and occasionally lamenting some questionable deck choices (cough Manaphy cough). Kye’s post-coin flip quip about skipping Manaphy? Classic. You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you flip a coin and end up with a Magikarp instead of a Gyarados. Such is life.

And let’s not forget our dear friend Hayden from the Card House, who soared to 10th place on Day 2 like a Pidgeot riding a gust of wind. His skill and determination deserve a standing ovation and a round of high-fives all around!

That’s all for now, Poké-pals! Stay tuned for more electrifying updates from the world of Pokémon TCG, where the battles are fierce, the decks are stacked, and the puns are as plentiful as Poké Balls in Professor Oak’s backyard. Until next time, catch ‘em all and keep on Pokémon-ing!

Placings and Championship Points Standings