D'you know why I keep predicting my own defeat?

Subject: D'you know why I keep predicting my own defeat?
Author: Scapegrace
Posted on: 2015-04-21 17:16:00 UTC

Because overconfidence is what gets you killed. I've been battling a hell of a lot with various people, and each time I expect to lose. Why? Because if I expect to lose, I turn my brain (what little of it there is) to thinking about situations in which I don't lose. I start really thinking about counters, about damage effectiveness, about what I can and cannot sacrifice, who I can and cannot let take some damage so that they can set up. It's all about tradeoffs and resource management, and if I think I'm coming crashing down, I might learn how to fly. =]

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And another PokÃ©mon Tournament thread! by Iximaz on 2015-04-19 21:53:00 UTC Reply

Once again, here is the doc for those who want to see it.

I am also pleased to announce that foofooman3 and Voyd have had their battle for the semifinals, and we are just waiting on Fasoula and Scapegrace!

At long last by foofooman3 on 2015-04-25 15:14:00 UTC Reply

Scape and I were finally able to get together and fight it out. Here is the long awaited final battle.

And just in time: the Silver and Gold Trophies by Huinesoron on 2015-04-27 09:34:00 UTC Reply

Photobucket would like to sell you a framed print from the low, low price of $46.99. XD

And one final picture, for posterity if nothing else:

The Sunflower Cups, as they will appear once the most recent name has darkened a little (so that next year's stands out).

A hearty congratulations to all participants in the tournament!

hS

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Should these certificates be added to the Doc? (nm) by Iximaz on 2015-04-27 20:02:00 UTC Reply

I'd assume so. by Huinesoron on 2015-04-28 06:30:00 UTC Reply

Certainly the set of all four trophies should be on there.

hS, slumming on the second page

GG, everyone! by Fasoula on 2015-04-27 12:51:00 UTC Reply

GG, indeed.

Wow, that tournament was quite a ride. Hearty thanks go out to everyone who participated (either by competing or just observing and comenting; you all made this a blast!), hS for making our lovely shinies for us and Ix for putting this whole thing together in the first place.

I'm so looking forward to next year. ~~Next time, I will have my silver cup.~~

On a side note: I mentioned near the beginning of this thing that I'd like to have the tournament written up in a somewhat similar vein to the All-HQ Australian Indoor-Rules Quiddich League. Is that something anyone else would be interested in seeing?

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Dang! That was fast! by eatpraylove on 2015-04-25 22:28:00 UTC Reply

Do you play in tournaments a lot? Cause you've been basically unstoppable this whole time, even when you weren't wiping the floor with your opponent.

Seriously, though, congratulations! *tosses confetti*

Well... by foofooman3 on 2015-04-25 23:17:00 UTC Reply

I have never actually been in a Pokemon tournament before. However, I did build my team for just that and I'm so glad it did so well. I lost quite a few battles outside of the tournament. The battles I won were thankfully the ones that counted.

It's worth mentioning this: by Scapegrace on 2015-07-10 12:55:00 UTC Reply

I threw in the last match. I threw hard. This is because A) I wanted Best Trophy, and B) I... really didn't feel comfortable winning this tourney. I'm the only one who played competitive on anything close to a regular basis, so it felt like I was cheating a bit.

Congratulations! by SeaTurtle on 2015-04-25 21:11:00 UTC Reply

And well done to both participants for their performances all throughout this tournament. It was a blast to watch!

~~and considering that I defeated foo's team in an unofficial, unrecorded match that means that I am the actual champion here~~
Whoa. That was... whoa. by Huinesoron on 2015-04-25 18:07:00 UTC Reply

Impressive? Scary? I'm not sure.

Well played, both of you! And well done on finally finishing the championship! Sunflower Cups will be handed out... mm... probably Monday.

hS

Another try? by foofooman3 on 2015-04-22 22:13:00 UTC Reply

Scapegrace, is tomorrow good for the champaionship? Same time as last attempt.

Yeah, prolly. =] (nm) by Scapegrace on 2015-04-23 01:36:00 UTC Reply

*sigh* Let's try this again. by Iximaz on 2015-04-22 02:53:00 UTC Reply

*clears throat* The championship fight will take place sometime tomorrow, assuming neither side has any unforseen schedule changes. *gives Scape and foo the Hairy Eyeball*

*ties it to a ping-pong paddle and bounces it* (nm) by Scapegrace on 2015-04-22 11:32:00 UTC Reply

The Championship Match will be fought... by Iximaz on 2015-04-21 00:37:00 UTC Reply

Tomorrow, sometime between 3:00 and 4:00 EST in the Writing room. Best of luck to ~~foofooman3~~ both sides!

The players are set. by Fasoula on 2015-04-21 01:21:00 UTC Reply

Let's have a good, clean fight.

~~Try not to beat him too badly, Scape.~~

Hahaha no. by Scapegrace on 2015-04-21 10:29:00 UTC Reply

Seriously, I am extremely dubious of my chances here. Foofooman's good and has good 'mons. I'm good and don't have 'mons that are anywhere near as good. I got lucky to 2HKO his lead, and I don't think I'm going to get that luck again. =]

You've been predicting your defeat... by SeaTurtle on 2015-04-21 13:28:00 UTC Reply

...since the start of the Tournament and now you're in the grand finals.

Will you please wake up and realize that you're at the helm of the Little Band of Misfits That Could?

You can do it!

Nah, I know foo can do it. by Iximaz on 2015-04-21 15:22:00 UTC Reply

Not to mention he's had his eye on the prize since the beginning.

If my ragtag gang can pose a threat to foo... by SeaTurtle on 2015-04-21 15:56:00 UTC Reply

...then Scapegrace can too.

He's beaten her before and he can do it again! (nm) by Iximaz on 2015-04-21 16:01:00 UTC Reply

D'you know why I keep predicting my own defeat? by Scapegrace on 2015-04-21 17:16:00 UTC Reply

Because overconfidence is what gets you killed. I've been battling a hell of a lot with various people, and each time I expect to lose. Why? Because if I expect to lose, I turn my brain (what little of it there is) to thinking about situations in which I don't lose. I start really thinking about counters, about damage effectiveness, about what I can and cannot sacrifice, who I can and cannot let take some damage so that they can set up. It's all about tradeoffs and resource management, and if I think I'm coming crashing down, I might learn how to fly. =]

Good, good. by SeaTurtle on 2015-04-21 18:10:00 UTC Reply

From the Art of War:

"In ancient times, those who are skilled in warfare gained victory where victory was easily gained. Therefore, the victories from those skilled in warfare are not considered of great wisdom or courage, because their victories have no complications.

No miscalculations mean the victories are certain, achieving victory over those who have already lost.

Therefore, those skilled in warfare establish positions that make them invincible and do not miss opportunities to attack the enemy.

Therefore, a victorious army first obtains conditions for victory, then seeks to do battle. A defeated army first seeks to do battle, then obtains conditions for victory."

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I've a better (if irrelevant to the topic at hand) quote! by Desdendelle on 2015-04-22 03:52:00 UTC Reply

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death."

I cannot stress how true this is.

Last semi-final match is complete! by Fasoula on 2015-04-20 22:01:00 UTC Reply

I've gotta say, this battle was intense. Thanks for a good match, Scape.

Congratulations to the Bronze Trophy winner! by Huinesoron on 2015-04-21 09:45:00 UTC Reply

Well fought.

hS
Just realized Scape posted this first. by Fasoula on 2015-04-20 22:35:00 UTC Reply

Whoops. Sorry.
And Fas beat me to a pulp. by Voyd on 2015-04-20 22:05:00 UTC Reply

Oh well, can't win 'em all.

Er, wrong link. by Voyd on 2015-04-20 22:06:00 UTC Reply

This is the one!

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/anythinggoes-226578610

The final matches are beginning! by Fasoula on 2015-04-20 21:26:00 UTC Reply

First up Me vs Scapegrace. The battle for the championship!

After that, the third place round, then when foofoo makes it in, the Championship battle! Get pumped everyone!

Gogo gadget Gyro Ball! by Scapegrace on 2015-04-20 22:00:00 UTC Reply

It goes poink.

ggwp Fasbear, you were a great opponent. =]

For the records... by Huinesoron on 2015-04-20 23:16:00 UTC Reply

... precisely how many of your Pokemon are shiny, Scapegrace? I'm pretty confident of Von BOOM and Stabby, and moderately sure of Fabulous - anyone else?

hS

I actually changed it! by Scapegrace on 2015-04-21 00:08:00 UTC Reply

Doublade's normal form is more pink, so I switched Doktor Stabby back. Aside from that, it's Professor Von BOOM, Doktor Fabulous, Doktor Grabbyhands, and Doktor Trollenfisch. =]

I like pink, okay? =]

In musical news... by Scapegrace on 2015-04-19 23:12:00 UTC Reply

I made a tournament playlist on YouTube

They're in alphabetical order, with a Main Theme at the start and a Battle Theme and Grand Final Theme at the end. Enjoy! =]
yoyoyo fasbear fite me in writing room. =] (nm) by Scapegrace on 2015-04-19 22:14:00 UTC Reply

Challenge accepted! by Fasoula on 2015-04-20 02:47:00 UTC Reply

Unfortunately not tonight. Tired from work and all. I'll fight you tomorrow, though! Writing Room after 4 PM EDT, unless there are any interruptions.

I look forward to facing you. It'll be one heck of a battle.

If Voyd wants to meet there... by Iximaz on 2015-04-20 17:36:00 UTC Reply

Then the third place fight and the championship fight could happen right afterwards. ;)

Voyd and I are there now. by Fasoula on 2015-04-20 20:33:00 UTC Reply

Just have to wait for Foofoo and Scape, then we can finish this thing.

Whoops, link isn't working. by Iximaz on 2015-04-19 22:02:00 UTC Reply

Okay, here is the doc.