Name              Jack Savage

Ranking            # 93  (as of 08/09/2000)

                  Also the Grand Master Trainer for the 11-14 age group at the West Coast Super Trainer Showdown held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach CA on 07/22/2000 

City/State        Burbank, California

Age                14

                  King's Comics

 

[POJO]    What do you like best about the PokeMon TCG?

[JS]      Deck construction and tuning.  I find it extremely fun testing a deck, tuning it to perfection, and then seeing something better come along and having to start over.

[POJO]    What do you dislike about the PokeMon TCG?

[JS]      The overpowering nature of Wiggly and Haymaker style decks.  There is very little room for other types of decks to do well, as was shown by the results

of the STS. The entire top eight of both the 11-14 and 15+ were composed of Haymakers or Wigglys.  Obviously, Wizards needs to do something about this... I honestly don't know what though.

[POJO]    Do you find casual play or organized competition to be more fun?  Why?

[JS]      Organized competition.  I'd much rather be playing for something, even if it's just a promo card or bragging rights.  Having something riding on the game is very big motivator, and extremely enjoyable for me.  Casual play has it's place though, and I doubt I'd still be playing Pokemon if I couldn't bust out my Venomoth deck every once in a while :)

[POJO]    Where do you usually play?

[JS]      Kings Comics

[POJO]    How often do you participate in organized tournaments?

[JS]      I play DCI tournaments once a week, and play in some form of organized tournament at least twice a week.

[POJO]    What was you most thrilling victory?

[JS]      Probably winning the finals of the STS against Kody Barret.  The early game wasn't in my favor, and I only barely got by with Energy Removals.

[POJO]    What was your most crushing defeat?

[JS]      Probably a game against Dean Dusi a few months ago.  We were both playing very similar Electabuzz / Hitmonchan / Scyther / Ditto Haymakers, and it was a very close game. We were both at one prize, and I lost by decking because I miscounted the number of energies in my discard pile and played an electric energy on a benched Ditto instead of saving it for the Electabuzz that was active.  I lost because of a very lame mistake, and it really bugged me.

[POJO]    Who is your toughest competition?  Why?

[JS]      This seems to change every week, right now I'm pretty confident that no one around here can beat me reliably.  And no, I don't mean I'm the best player

ever, I'm just saying everyone I know I'll have to play in the next few weeks I can beat.

[POJO]    What is your favorite card?  Why?

[JS]      Tie between Electabuzz, Promo Mewtwo, and Prof. Oak.  Electabuzz is simply the best basic in the game, 2 energies for 40 damage is insane.  Mewtwo is fast, heavy hitting, and has real game ending power. And as for Oak.... come on, who doesn't love 7 extra cards?

[POJO]    What kind of deck to you dread having to play

against?

[JS]      Probably stall.  I can beat it, but it's still annoying knowing the game could drag out for more than an hour (unless of course there is a time limit).  I also don't like facing any deck with Wiggly, it's just sooooooo overplayed.  Wiggly is a great pokemon, but it's not like everyone has to play it to win!

[POJO]    What does it mean to you to be ranked as one of the best PokeMon TCG players in the world? 

[JS]      Not a whole lot, it's neat but it doesn't really apply to any part of my day to day life.

[POJO]    Do you play the PokeMon video game?

[JS]      Not much anymore. I am looking forward to Gold and Silver though.

[POJO]    Do you watch the PokeMon Animated Series?

[JS]      Not anymore, I miss Brock :(

[POJO]    Do you have a collection of PokeMon toys? 
[JS]      Sort of, I own some.  I got some of the 2 and 3 packs, and I have this awesome mew that sits on top of my computer.

[POJO]    Do you have a favorite character card? Favorite video game character?  Favorite animated series character?

Venomoth or Gengar.  Not really.  Ryoko!!!!!!! Clearly

the best Tenchi girl.