Top of the World - Interview with James Ferrell (Gymbo)

Ah cool, my first interview is with the totally awesome Gymbo! How cool is that? Here is Revealed with Jules Asner... err the Top of the World:

Phil: Howdy Gymbo, thanks for being my guinea pig today, what is your name, how old are you, where do you reside, and where do you play?

Gymbo: My name is James Russell Ferrell. I am 18 years old. I live in Akron, Ohio, and I play at Parma, Ohio's York Comic & Cards.

Phil: Oh also, what is your social security number, your current bank account statement... er forget that one. How did you discover the Pokemon TCG?

Gymbo: 274-...ohhh. I live near a hobby store and had been an avid basketball card collector. So one day I saw the new card game, bought some packs, became addicted, began playing in a local league, and the GymboMania has evolved from there.

Phil: GymboMania? Does that have a meaning to it?

Gymbo: GymboMania is a state of mind. It's kind of like a mix between Rogue thinking and pure ownage. Besides, I was one of the hottest deck mechanics since french toast.

Phil: You probably meant Freedom Toast. I'll change that later. Anyways, what aspect of the game do you savor?

Gymbo: Oh man. That's easy dude. It's all about the people you meet online and in real life. You make decks and tweak decks with people. Share ideas, create new archetypes. It's all about the interactions. Good times.

Phil: What about the not so good times?

Gymbo: I've had quite a few of those. Not so good times would be like when you work really hard on a deck and it explodes in your face. Or when you really doubt yourself. Not so good times also include frustration on the same old archetypes. But luckily, I've got plenty of people who support me. Great people make up for the not so good times.

Phil: That's great to hear. Speaking of decks, which ones do you enjoy, hate, and despise?

Gymbo: My favorite deck to play is Solo Metal EX Feraligatr. It's a friggin' tank that just mows through nearly anything. I think everyone knows I like Espeon as well. Espeon/Light Golduck is my deck. Gatr/Sect is a joke. It's so overplayed and it's just ridiculous. Scizor/Muk/Furret is also overHYPED like whoa. I specifically despise Gatr/Sect though. I despise all decks that require no skill, and can just be cookie-cut and used to own. It takes away from the meaning of testing and trial and error.

Phil: Play much unlimited or any other formats besides Modified?

Gymbo: Modified is my area of expertise. It's were I spend all of my testing. I used to be a god in Unlimited, but I don't play it, so it's become rusty for me. But when I did play Unlimited, I did own with a nice Electric Beatdown Haymaker. More good times...

Phil: What are you having for lunch?

Gymbo: Man...my Atkin's Diet is rough. NO carbohydrates. So I'm having a nice romaine lettuce salad with ranch dressing and sliced chicken. I'll also drink two glasses of water. Good stuff man.

Phil: Mmmm, sounds tasty. Though I'd probably have some lemon in that water. Do you have a rival player that makes you sour? (eww bad puns)

Gymbo: Man. I'm a fairly mellow guy. I don't care much about rivalries and such. But there is one person that I think that could be my "rival." He's Chris Fulop. He's a friggin beast that always beats me...somehow. I think I'm cursed or something. *shrugs*

Phil: How good of a job has Wizards of the Coast done with the game?

Gymbo: Hmm. This is a really tough question. I don't think they've done THAT bad. They've done a lot more than other companies prolly would have. Although it never was that right to friggin dangle trips and stuff in front of us and never give us cash prizes as they do for M:TG. Some of the prizes for Magic are INSANE. But they did a nice maintenance job and kept up with rulings. They tried to please their gamers, which is admirable.

Phil: What's your opinion on what Nintendo/Pokemon USA should do with the game now?

Gymbo: Organized Play is an ABSOLUTE MUST. No organized play and Leagues = death for the game. It's not about "collecting" or "catching them all," it's about the thrill to play and meet friends. If they provide stellar organized play, nice tourneys (national levels) and decent prizes, I'd be cool.

Phil: What is it like to be a top ranked player? Are the ladies all over you?

Gymbo: Uh. What the heck is wrong with you? You think that ladies would be all over me because I play Pokemon? Come on dude, be reasonable! OF COURSE they are! God. I'm a friggin chick MAGNET. I use my powerful influence in the game to the absolute most.

Phil: I heard that you were going to quit the game. What will the ladies say? Think of the children.

Gymbo: That ship has sailed. I was frustrated with the game for several factors. I'm not quitting until after the summer and after I meet all my peeps from online. Besides, I have college and life and more things to do after the summer. The children can still IM me and chat. It's all good. I'll worry more about that later.

Phil: Okay, listen carefully on this one: If you could go back in time and kill one employee at TCG Research and Development that created a card you dislike, which card would that be and why?

Gymbo: Hmm...there's so friggin many. My assassins always failed me in the past. Note: Don't ever use eBay to get assassins for hire, just don't. I would say Genesis Feraligatr. That card has ALWAYS been so overpowered. I mean the ability to OHKO any Pokemon, including your weakness just isn't cool. It comboes with too many Pokemon as well. It's just wrong...

Phil: Have a favorite card to abuse?

Gymbo: In Unlimited it was Lass. I just LOVED ruining the opponent's day. Hand disruption is my THANG. In Modified I like to use Expedition Feraligatr's Major Tsunami to just mess with people. I'm also enjoying the new Desert Shaman card in Pidgeot decks. More testing will be needed of course...

Phil: Of course. Got any interesting game stories that you would tell your offspring? Thrilling Victory? Topdecking? Biggest Mistake Ever?

Gymbo: Well. In this game and especially in the place I play, making mistakes just isn't good. I don't make them very often. I would say any win over a great opponent is an absolute mizefest. Topdecking is ALWAYS a joy dude, you don't need a specific time for that. However last weekend I pulled a Suicide Gatr on my opponent's Scizor with Memory Berry and pulled an incredible comeback. I also took 6 prizes in 10 minutes being down 1-6 in prizes with 30 seconds left. Scary times.

Phil: Are you a closet Pokemon player? Or do you tell the world about the game you love?

Gymbo: Closet Pokemon Player? *closet door closes slowly behind him* I don't know what you mean...really...*coughs* But seriously, if anyone at my school knew I played the game I would have to move to like Luxembourg or something.

Phil: You mentioned earlier that you would be meeting up with your buddies you met online, would you be heading out to Origins/GenCon?

Gymbo: Dude, I am going to own Origins and GenCon. It's gonna be party time when I hit those events. Any event with me in it, just instantly becomes ownage. I can't explain it. I'm like Hercule from DBZ, people just have fun. Besides I will have lots of people to meet and lots of memories to make and lots of pictures to take, and lots of signatures to get...

Phil: Hercule from Dragonball Z eh? Speaking of Hercule... how well do you do in tournaments?

Gymbo: Hmm. Well I guess I do alright. I do okay at local tourneys when I play. Work, school, life gets in my way so I can't compete as much as I'd like. But something obviously must be clicking if you're interviewing me for Top of the World. *rubs chin while pondering*

Phil: Anything else you like to do besides Pokemon when life isnt bothering you?

Gymbo: Well. I'm an avid reader. I read a lot. I am not artistically inclined by any way. So music and artwork is out. I like to write poetry though, and I'm not too shabby at it. I also like sports. In particular basketball and football. I was a beast in rebounding and have a mean tackle. So I'm a "jack of all trades" I guess. I also have a job...but that SUCKS. Don't get me into that, please. =/

Phil: Anything else you would like to add to this interview?

Gymbo: Sure, why not? I am a lucky joe that people online seem to have taken to. If you need a deck fixed, sent it to my email address XGymbo01X@cs.com and I will try to fix it for you. I also would like to thank my best friends online, thank Pojo, and thank you for reading this. If you want to have a good time, meet me at Origins or GenCon. Peace out j0!

Phil: Thanks for letting me take you hostage from life. Now go eat your salad, you chick magnet.

Gymbo: With pleasure. XD This interview was fun.

Phil: I try.

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