TJ
Banned deucer.
LordST
Favorite Pokemon: Altaria
Most used Pokemon: Togedemaru, Eelektross, Qwilfish
Most known for: PU Room Voice, Shitty Chat Presence, PU Teambuilder, WEEB
LST: Doing good just chilling at home until I have to go to work.
TJ: Could you tell us more about yourself outside of Smogon? What are your hobbies and things you enjoy?
LST: I'm a college student living in the Bay Area, California. I play Ultimate Frisbee competitively with my school as well as with a semi pro team. I've also been an avid Skier since I was a toddler and try to go whenever I can. I also play an unhealthy amount of other video games like Overwatch and Rocket League.
TJ: How and when did you get into competitive battling?
LST: I've been playing the cartridge games ever since Gen2 and always loved it, but I didn't know a lot about competitive pokemon. About 3 years ago I saw a random youtuber make a Pokemon Showdown Live. After I saw that video I hopped on the website and just lurked for 2 or so years playing mostly just randbats and taking OU sample teams off Smogon without actually making an account on the site. Eventually I was drawn to PU around late XY when it became official and decided to properly learn a tier for the first time. From there i slowly assimilated into the community and the rest is history.
TJ: What’s your favorite PU metagame / generation, and why?
LST: I really enjoyed ORAS a lot despite the bad rap people usually put on it. But I think the current metagame we have is quite enjoyable and balanced. A lot of things are viable and there's still a lot of experimentation that can be done which is exciting. Shoutouts to the goat pu gen ADV tho.
TJ: What is your favorite playstyle and why?
LST: In the current meta I'd say Spikes Offense builds are the most consistent to use simply because there are too many offensive threats for more defensive or Balance builds to properly cover. However in any meta Balance has always been my favorite archetype to use. It fits my playstyle the best.
TJ: Who do you look up to / admire most as a player and as a person in the PU scene?
LST: I've always looked up to Dundies as a player because his building and playstyle is so fundamentally and strategically sound. Every play he makes has purpose and watching his battles was one of the best ways I learned. I also have a lot of respect for Taskr. We both joined the community around the same time and have both grown as players at about the same rate. My battles with him are always intense and he's just a genuinely great friend. I also strive to be as good at shitposting in PU discord as Haund and Anty. Those two are truly an inspiration.
TJ: Can you name any up and coming players showing good potential?
LST: Insert obligatory jklioe mention here but tbh after beating Dundies he isn't up and coming anymore he's a great player to be reckoned with. drumstick /allstarapology is also a solid player and contributes a ton. I'd love to see what they can do in some seasonals and other stuff.
TJ: Do you have any advice for newer players in the tier?
LST: Don't be afraid to just ask for advice either in the chat on PS or in the PU Discord. The people in our community are quite friendly( If you are friendly in turn) and are eager to help new players learn. Other than that just grind in PU room tours and in test games vs any established PU players. You'll probably get smashed a lot but it's the fastest way to learn and if you stay persistent you'll eventually become a great PU player.
TJ: How much time to you spend watching anime, and what is your favorite anime?
LST: The amount of anime I watch changes fluidly depending on how busy I am with school and how much I play video games at a given time. But I usually end up watching about 8-10 shows a season + watch some non current stuff. So yea a lot and it's probably unhealthy. My favorite anime also changes a bit depending but I have a firm 3 way tie between The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Durarara, and the Monogatari Series. I highly recommend any of these series to any budding weebs out there.
TJ: Lastly, could you provide a team that reflects you and explain it?
LST:
Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Miltank @ Normalium Z
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Milk Drink
- Fire Punch
Jynx @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Trick
Misdreavus @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Dazzling Gleam
Qwilfish @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Explosion
Eelektross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 25 Spe
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
- Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Miltank @ Normalium Z
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Milk Drink
- Fire Punch
Jynx @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Trick
Misdreavus @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Dazzling Gleam
Qwilfish @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Explosion
Eelektross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 25 Spe
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
- Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
This is a recent team I built that reflects a lot about my building/playstyle. It's Bulky Offense built around Pawniard which was relatively undiscovered at the time. Offensive Normalium Cow pressures common removal really well and offers offense a solid fire resist. Misdreavus + Fast Taunt Qwil stop Fighting types and prevent hazards + set them. Eel provides great glue as a blanket check to most special attackers, Archeops, and gives me a good way of pressuring bulky grounds like Gastro and fat Eviolite shit like Type: Null and Clef. Jynx is the RKer of choice to cover Lilligant and Carracosta.
Thanks for your time! As always, if you guys have any questions feel free to ask them!