With the Regionals over, and Gym Challenge ahead, let's look at the results from Pokemon TCG Regionals within the US, and see what we can learn from it together:

 

Courtesy from www.pokegym.net:

 

~~~Mississippi Valley~~~

15+
1st Chris Fulop (LBS)
2nd Ness (Mew-Trick)
3rd Alex Brosseau (Queendom)
4th Carlos Maldanado (Flariados)

11-14
1st: Quinn D. (LBS)
2nd: Kevin W. (Meganium ex)
3rd: Matt S. (Arcanine ex)
4th: James V. (Dark Slowking)

10-
1st: James Ballard (LBS)
2nd: Benny Vi (LBS)
3rd: ??? (???)
4th: ??? (???)

~~~Southern [FL]~~~
15+:
1st: Kyle Sabelhaus (Tyranibomb)
2nd: Jin Wang (LBS)
3rd: Eric Craig (Jynx)
4th: Dave Hubbs (Banette ex/Deoxys)


11-14:
1st: Miranda C. (LBS)
2nd: ???
3rd: ???
4th: ???


10-:
1st: Grafton (Flariados)
2nd: ???
3rd: ???
4th: ???

~~~Southeast~~~

15+:
1st: Jacob Burt (Politoed ex)
2nd: Brent Siebenkettel ("Crappy" Ludicolo)
3rd: Erik Nance (Flariados)
4th: Jim Ferrel (Queendom)

11-14:
1st: Dylan L. (Flariados)
2nd: Curran H. (Queendom)
3rd: Branson P. (Jynx)
4th: Hunter J. (Flygon)

10-:
1st: Michael D (LBS)
2nd: TAD M (LBS)
3rd: Demi (Medicham ex)
4th: Drake (Tyranitar ex)



~~~Southern California~~~

15+:
1st: Jaime Guerro (Rock-Lock)
2nd: Sharif (LBS)
3rd: Matt Dunford (Queendom)
4th: Big Kevin (LBS)

11-14:
1st: ???
2nd: ???
3rd: ???
4th: ???

10-:
1st: ???
2nd: ???
3rd: ???
4th: ???



~~~Great Lakes~~~

15+:
1st: Adam Vernola (Dark Slowking)
2nd: Jimmy Ballard (Eeveelutions)
3rd: Mewchou (Banette ex)
4tth: Robert Downs (Lunatone/Solrock)

11-14:
1st: Dan R. (Dustox ex/Muk)
2nd: Nick K. (Medicham)
3rd: Jeff D. (LBS)
4th: Sam (Typhlosion/Weezing)

10-:
1st: Dave R. (Dustox ex/Muk)
2nd: Jason D. (Arcanine ex/Ninetales)
3rd: James B. (Mew-Trick)
4th: Alex D. (Queendom)

~~~Northeast~~~

15+:
1st: Christian Ortiz (Mew-Trick)
2nd: D. M. (Metanite)
3rd: Magnechu (Muk)
4th: Ben K. (Le Metro)

11-14:
1st: Joe (Medicham)
2nd: ??? (Politoed)
3rd: Jesus (Flygon ex
4th: Magnechu's brother (Typhlosion)

10-:
1st: Geoff S. (LBS)
2nd: Michael D (LBS)
3rd: Ben Cap (Machamp)
4th: ??? (???)

~~~New England~~~

15+:
1st: Chris G.(Queendom)
2nd: Ben K. (Metro)
3rd: Johnny C. (Dragtrode)
4th: Richard (Espeon ex/Mime ex's)

11-14
1st: Nick C. (Metanite)
2nd: Alex M. (Queendom)
3rd: Magnechu's brother (Typhlosion)
4th: Rich (Metanite)

10-:
1st: Someone (Espycham)
2nd: Duncan (LBS)
3rd: Someone (Arcanine ex)
4th: Magnechu's brother (Dragonite)

~~~Mountain West~~~

15+:
1st: Michael Perucca (Medicham/Shuckle)
2nd: Josh Ross (Metagross/Mew ex/Deoxys ex)
3rd: Kevin Horn (ZapDOS)
4th: Ryan Robinson (Politoed ex)

11-14:
1st: Brett (Ludicolo)
2nd: Chris (Tyranibomb)
3rd: ??? (???)
4th: ??? (???)

10-:
1st: Pablo K (ZRE)
2nd: Tristan (???)
3rd: ??? (???)
4th: ??? (???)

~~~Northwest~~~

15+:
1st: Tyler N (Muk/Weezing)
2nd: Andrew W(Blastoise/Arcanine ex)
3rd: Ross Cawthon (LBS)
4th: Robert R (Dark Slowking)

11-14 and 10-:
???

~~~Sierra Nevada~~~

15+:
1st: Martin Moreno (Medicham EX/Espeon EX)
2nd: Kevin Nguyen (Medicham EX/Muk/Houndoom)
3rd: Jaime Guerro (Rock Lock)
4th: Chris Silver (LBS)

11-14
1st: Murat G. (Ho-Oh ex)
2nd: Alexander T. (ZRE w/ Raichu)
3rd: Wesley B. (LBS)
4th: Sean B. (Muk/Ariados/Lunasol)

10-
1st: Michael G. (Machamp)
2nd: Matt M. (???)
3rd: Jason C. (Ludicolo)
4th: Eric W. (Medicham ex)


~~~Southern Plains~~~

15+:
1st: John Silvestro (Flariados)
2nd: Brent Siebenkettel (Ludicolo)
3rd: John Kettler (Typhlosion)
4th: Shane Potter (Flygon ex)

11-14:
1st Tatiana M (LBS)
2nd: Taylor D (Machamp)
3rd: Orion C (Bannette Ex)
4th: Zach G (???)

10-:
1st: Dale L. (Medicham/Houndoom)
2nd: Kaelyn S (Hariyama Ex Manectric Ex)
3rd: Tad M (???)
4th: Mathew S (Dragtrode)


~~~Midwest~~~

15+:
1st: Seena Ghaziaskar (Mew ex/Manetric ex)
2nd: Ness (Medicham/Espeon)
3rd: Anthony/Stl Stealth (LBS)
4th Psycodad (Lunatone/Solrock)

11-14:
1st: Jeff Vernola (Rock-Lock)
2nd: Matt S. (Arcanine ex)
3rd: Mason H. (Venubliss)
4th: Nicolas (Dark Steelix)

10-:
1st: Andrew K. (LBS)
2nd: James B. (LBS)
3rd: Ben D (Arcanine/Flareon ex)
4th: ??? (Dustox ex/Muk)

~~~Mid-Atlantic~~~

15+:
1st: Luke R (Hariyama ex)
2nd: Jonny R. (Arcanine ex)
3rd: Michael P. (LBS)
4th: Adam C. (LBS)


11-14:
1st: Elyssa H. (Queendom)
2nd: Curran H. (LBS)
3rd: ??? (Scizor ex/Quagsire)
4th: ??? (Salamence Delta)

10-:
1st: Ultra Upaa (Rock-Lock)
2nd: ???
3rd: Michael D. (LBS)
4th: ???
 

~~~METAGAME INFORMATION (15+)~~~

[[[Thanks to Superwooper for adding to this!!!]]]

1st:
2 Medicham ex
2 Mew/Manectric ex
1 LBS
1 Rock-Lock
1 Politoed ex
1 Tyranibomb
1 Nidoqueen
1 Dark Slowking
1 Hariyama ex
1 Flariados
1 Muk/Weezing

2nd:
2 Medicham ex
2 LBS
2 Ludicargo
1 Mew-Trick
1 Arcanine ex
1 Eeveelutions
1 Blastoise/Arcanine ex
1 Metro
1 Metanite
1 Metattack w/ Mew ex


3rd:
3 LBS
2 Queendom
1 Jynx
1 Flariados
1 Typhlosion/Weezing
1 Rock-Lock
1 Zapdos ex
1 Dragtrode
1 Muk/Weezing
1 Lunatone/Solrock

4th:
3 LBS
1 Flariados
1 Deoxys???!?!?!?!
1 Queendom
1 Lunatone/Solrock
1 Banette ex
1 Metro
1 Espeon ex/Mr. Mime exs
1 Dark Slowking
1 Politoed ex
1 Flygon ex

1st thru 4th:

9 LBS
4 Nidoqueen
4 Medicham ex
3 Flariados
3 Mew/Manectric ex
2 Rock-Lock
2 Politoed ex
2 Ludicolo
2 Dark Slowking
2 Muk/Weezing
2 Metro
2 Lunarock
2 Banette ex (one with deoxys)
1 Tyranibomb
1 Hariyama ex
1 Arcanine ex
1 Eeveelutions
1 Blastoise/Arcanine ex
1 Metanite
1 Metattack w/ Mew ex
1 Jynx
1 Typhlosion/Weezing
1 Zapdos ex
1 Dragtrode
1 Espeon ex/Mr. Mime exs
1 Flygon ex

 

Well, it's really obvious that the metagame is very diverse, and anything can win, with both combination of skill and luck.  However, it's also obvious that what won 1st place for a given region, might not make even top cuts in another region.  Overall, the 1st place decks are, for the most part, not the best overall deck, but for the most part, probably the best deck for a given metagame.

 

I know from inside sources and deck reports that some 1st place decks should probably lose to the 2nd place decks, and during some of the playoff matches as well.  There is some luck involved.

 

With luck aside, I believe preparing for the top decks in your region is most important.  It is apprently obvious that LBS, Lugia ex/Steelix ex/Blastoise ex, is simply a very dangerous deck to deal with.  Espycham, Rock Lock, Nidoqueen, etc., all have their place as expected, just like State Championships.

 

This is plenty of information for all of you to absorb.  If you're still chartering where your 10- or 11-14 child should go for a GC, I think for parents out there planning to travel out of your region, doing some research will help tremendously.

 

As usual, please write comments/suggestions, or discuss at wilhung53@aim.com.

 

Best Wishes,