I won't spend too much time talking about week 3 here, I've done a few of the play by plays, and will probably hit them all by Wednesday at the latest. But I went 6-3 in my predictions, keeping me in 4th place but locking me up to only 2 games behind first.
I will have a post game writeup about Sam's in that play by play. Spoiler, I lost. I could have won, but I didn't, Sam played much better than I did that day, but next time I won't let him get the win.
As we look at the league after the Divisional weeks, we only have two undefeated teams. The Brooklyn Bulbasaurs led by Santoro, and the East Sea Gastrodons led by Emerson. Half of the teams are sitting at a 2-1 record after 3 weeks.
We did have a few transactions going into play this week.
Gastrodons
Drop Oricorio(T5)
Add Armaldo(T5)
Kingdras
Drop Komala(T4)
Add Magmortar(T4)
Klinks
Drop Carracosta(T5)
Add Zebstrika(T5)
Dracos
Drop Cryogonal(T5)
Azelf(T2)
Add Persian-Alola(T4)
Nihilego(T2)
Ponytas
Drop Mismagius(T4)
Add Druddigon(T4)
The Gastros switched out of Oricorio because it didn't add enough to the team to validate a spot, whereas Armaldo is a Utility monster, with access to Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin, Knock Off, Brick Break, and Priority. Overall I highly approve of this transaction, one of the best teams just got better.
The Kingdras lose their spinner but gain a dedicated fire type, and one of my personal favorites being a PU player at heart. This thing has excellent coverage on both the special and physical sides. This is a good pick up for the Kingdras, allowing them to have fire STAB in other ways than Silvally.
The Klinks switch was also a good one. Prior to this change, they had 4 water types. Carracosta is pretty decent for a tier 5 with Stealth Rocks, Knock Off, STAB priority, Scald, Shell Smash sets. But it was far and away the worst Water on the Klinks. Zebstrika does give them a second Electric type, but another synergy with Bulu, Gyarados, Rotom-W, and Flygon. With the potential of going physical or special, Zebra is a new speed tier for the Klinks, I'm expecting good things from this addition.
The Dracos dropped two of their Ground immune team members for one that's quad weak to it and another that's more of a support. For those of you keeping track, that's still 3 immune by type, 1 immune by type after Mega evolving, one immune by ability, and one that's resistant to it. So ground is still not a great type against them. Which makes Nihilego a great add. In addition to that, Nihi is another special attacker so that Hydra isn't as necessary in each match. Persian adds a lot of utility with Parting Shot, Switcheroo, Torment, Taunt. Both of these can be pretty good for the rest of the team.
The Ponytas dropped their spin blocker and one of the only things that could utilize their Z Crystal. But they traded to another Rock setter and another crazy Versatile Mon adding to their already versatile team. Druddigon can utilize RockZ or be heavily offensive with Sheer Force.
Going into the Week 4 Match ups:
This week is going to be one step down in importance than the divisional ones. For playoff circumstances, if you're in first place, these don't matter that much.
Akron Alakazams(1-2) V Ohio Ninetales(2-1)
This match is a must win for both teams. Akron cannot go 1-3. They can't change anything on their team, and they really don't need to. The two games they've lost both came down to the late game play. And Adam knows it. And it's the thing he's focusing on this week. The Ninetales should be 3-0 if they had done slightly different planning. But after this week, both teams have a back to back of the Roggs and the Tauros. This is my pick for Match of the Week. Probably at least. There's two other ones that stands out later.
Key things for this match:
Late Game. Both teams can attribute losses to late game. Both teams will want to finalize this match up.
But since both teams have struggled at the end of the match, the Early game is important too. if you get a big enough advantage, the late game doesn't matter.
Prediction: Ohio Win.
Detroit Lairons(0-3) V Brooklyn Bulbasaurs(3-0)
I can't explain how much I feel for the Lairons. They have the hardest first 7 matches by far. The "worst" team of the seven is Akron at 1-2. And two of them are undefeated still. 4 of his first 7 were the playoff teams from season 1. 4 of his first 7 were the 2-0 teams to start the season. and the other one is the Klinks, currently tied for first in their division. I feel for them so much.
But on to this match. The Liposuction that was the first few weeks of transactions definitely helped the Lairons, but it might take another week or two to get fully acquainted to the new team and new body. Can The Lairons give the Bulbas their first loss, and get their first victory? I don't know, but it'll be tough. They don't match up too poorly but they also don't seem to dominate.
Key things for the match:
DET: Don't worry about any pressure, if you're expected to lose, go all out and surprise things.
BKN: Milotic only struggles against a little of the Lairons and applies pressure to the rest.
Prediction: Brooklyn Win.
Atlanta Rowlets(0-3) V New York Klinks(2-1)
The Klinks are coming off a great win against the Ponytas and the Rowlets coming off a hard loss to the Bulbasaurs. This match is bigger for the Rowlets than for the Klinks, but I don't know if it'll be easy. Mamoswine can start a big sweep if the time is right, but if not, it'll be difficult.
Keys to the match up:
ATL: Planning. The Rowlets have Everything they need to win this. It's all about how they build it and plan it out.
NYK: Gyarados. This is partially so Sam doesn't get mad at me for saying Bulu is super important. But I hear Intimidate is pretty good.
Prediction: NY Win.
Detroit Dracos(2-1) V Indianapolis Ponytas(2-1)
Coming off a close win, the Dracos are trying to extend their streak to 3, easily proving themselves to be one of the top teams, they're up against the Ponytas, who are coming off a hard loss. It brings up the discussion of if the Ponytas are overrated in comparison to some of the other teams. Both teams have had some transactions since last week. Those moves could cause some inertial problems for both teams.
Keys to the match:
DD: Outplan and outdo the Ponytas.
IND: Think ahead more than 1 turn, plan out the late game.
Prediction: Dracos Win.
Rochester Roggenrolas(1-2) V Michigan Magcargos(0-3)
This match could be interesting. It can all come down to the planning process here. Mew is always driving that. Neither team should really look at this as a high pressure match but both teams really need to win.
Keys to the match:
PLAN. Take a little extra time than usual on the planning process. Michigan has been just slightly behind each match, but Rochester has been wavy.
Prediction: Rochester win.
Kansas City Kingdras(2-1) V Galesburg Gliscors(2-1)
This is match 2 of the MotW series. This one does seem to advantage one team over the other, but the one that it doesn't favor can easily overcome that by correctly building and planning things out. The Gliscors have yet to bring 3 of their mons, in only two matches though. Either team could pull this one off, which makes the prediction process difficult.
Keys to the match:
GBG: Expect anything. Clutch isn't known for making treasure out of trash for nothing.
KCK: Plan correctly and execute. Know your coverage and plan out most of the possible options.
Prediction: KC Win.
East Sea Gastrodons(3-0) V Los Angeles Charjabugs(2-1)
This is match 3 of the MotW series. This one will be good. I hope. LA is at twojabugs in a row, but has quite a few hard matches in a row. The Gastros are still flying just under the radar of some people in the league. I know the Charjas have what it takes to hand the Gastros their first loss. But I know the Gastros won't let that be easy.
Keys to the Match:
Gastros: Marv. Hands down this one mon can take out the big 4 heavy hitters on the Charjas.
Charjas: Araquanid. STAB Super Effective against many of the Gastros, including double against Krookodile.
Prediction: ES Win.
Chicago Tauros(2-1) V Kennesaw Noctowls(0-3)
Chicago is coming off a close win to the Gliscors with a streak of hard matches following this week. And Kennesaw coming off 3 fairly close matches, all in losses. This match is going to come down to mind games. Both teams seem to struggle at coming back when they get down. So while the late game and coming back is important for both teams,
Key to the match:
Early game. If you get far enough ahead, this should be a fairly easy win.
My prediction: Chicago Win.
That'll be a wrap for going into week 4, so far it's been a fairly close season. No one is out of playoff contention yet, obviously, but some teams are at a disadvantage to making it. The big thing I recommend for those teams struggling to win; practice, practice, practice. Don't let yourself lose because you lose focus. A few of these matches have definitely been losses because of poor play rather than wins because of good play. I'll touch more on this later this week in how to play the game like a gamer.
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