Let’s Talk Competitions!
Hey trainers! I figured I’d discuss what the different competitions are that you’re sure to find online and out in the world. There’s three main types, two of which I’ve competed in and the third I still haven’t had the gumption to try. We’ll also go into why I think it’s important to go to these events, even with a loss record like mine.
League
League or Local is a weekly event, usually at a FLGS or retailer that’s registered with Pokemon.com. This is also where you ended up searching for these events. League is ideally free, or a few bucks. The local spots by me, including Flipside East Greenbush, are around five dollars, and you get a free Prize Pack for showing up.
League is great to test a new deck and get an idea for the local meta (if you care about that kind of thing), as well as to meet the community. It is also a great place to trade cards for building decks, and to learn from more experienced players.
Professor tip: There’s also events called Locals, which are events that aren’t usually sanctioned by the Pokemon company. These will be off-season tournaments, fun alternate formats, etc.
Challenges
These are tournaments local to your area, usually monthly or done regularly by an active League group. Definitely more competitive and serious play. Typically there will be prizes on the line, such as packs of the current set or even a booster box!
Cups
The big show, at least as far as a local scene is concerned. Cups are where you earn Championship Points, the “currency” you need for invitationals and national events put on by Pokemon directly. Definitely the most competitive events for your local area, lots of meta players and people with eyes on going to regional or national tournaments in the year.
I participate in league most weeks, and have been to a few Challenges, and have yet to compete in a Cup. Being honest with y’all, a Cup still seems daunting to me. I’d like to be winning matches more consistently than I am before I step up. I go into league night, and Challenges, with two specific goals as a beginner:
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Learn from my loss
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As long as I understand why I lost the match, more specifically than not drawing energy or bad luck, I still got something out of the match.
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Do better than the time before.
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Even if it’s a rough league night where I went 0-3, I hope to either make it closer to beating rough matchups, or remember misplays from previous matches and avoid them.
Of course, this all comes after making sure I’m still having fun and enjoying the game. There’s a lot of articles and books on sports psychology out there that go into great detail on how being stressed and not enjoying the game physically prevents you from performing at your peak level.
So get out there and hit up a league night, have fun playing a GLC format at a local, and stay calm at a Challenge.
Let’s have fun,
Josh
