Time for the most awaited interview and it is...
s/o to Ransei for the sprite
Dream Eater Gengar
Why are you a Gengar who eats dreams?
A lot of people have asked me this question and expecting to get a meaningful answer full of metaphors and deep words, but the truth is; it is a result of a comic that can be found
here. Damnit DEG! You're such a meme.
What was your first ever Pokemon experience? How did you get into competitive Pokemon and more specifically Monotype?
Oh boy, I still remember it like it was yesterday. When I was like 6? I was at my uncle house and some kids from the US came in with his gameboy playing a Pokemon game which was Fire Red. I watched eagerly and eventually played a little bit then asked my parents if I could get a Pokemon game. Long story short, I got Fire Red on Christmas with a Pikachu Gameboy. Ever since that day, I stayed loyal to the Pokemon franchise. Everyone in real really knows how I spend my days at home, on PS! The question that is asked between my friends ''Where is DEG?'' gets a quick response ''Probably playing Pokemon''. How I got into competitive Pokemon and into Monotype in particular? Hmm, if I recall correctly I was browsing Pokemon facebook pages which were quite popular in 2013 and I happen to find a replay coming from Pokemon Showdown so I said "Wow, a Pokemon simulator where I can battle others? Let's give it a try". First hours were catastrophic as a competitive player with triple mega and Tyrantrum team lmfao. In the next few days, I joined a room called ''The League'' or something like that, well "Here you go DEG boy its your future, go become a Gym Leader!" I built a Dragon team, tested and got in a league (Tbh idk what it's even called). I quit for a while, and came back some months later ''The League" room was dead, but there was the Monotype room. I was like "Oh maybe it got a name change" so I joined and relaxed around in Monotype and here I am. I'd have to let you know I peaked at #11 in Monotype with a Dragon team without knowing the different between Special Attack, Special Defense, Physical Attack, Physical Defense so it was just me clicking Fusion Bolt on Skarmory and raging why isn't it dying. I got used to competitive Pokemon after a month or so and decided it was the time to talk in Monotype, then I got into Smogon to discuss Swift Swim suspect, then after it Viability Rankings. It was a fun and bumpy ride!
How does it feel to have the Monotype "OM" itself branch off to be such a success all on its own as well as being the head of such an amazing metagame?
I wasn't really around when Monotype first off got its room but I understand now why it was pretty much a success. It's really a fun OM that started to develop since of lately due to the perseverance of our Room Owners at that time. The Monotype metagame in the beginning of XY was drowning in a dark pit, but then Nani Man initiated some stuff in the room such as Official Tours, but the state was still dull as suspect were so slow and decided by one man which lead to controversy. Ever since Scp took control, it directed the spotlight to its stadium, suspects are faster, and there's a council that are doing a great job. This proves that Monotype is on a way full of development with more to come, and we got our Sub-Forum some months ago which I was appointed Project Moderator in it, and now C&C, additionally we started appearing in The Flying Press due to Monotype authors. This feels really great to see such a metagame carving its name on Smogon, we have much more responsibility now as contributors, as auth, as player to really keep Monotype in the lights and not let it drift away in the darkness. I'd like to give a shoutout to everyone that contributed and is contributing to Monotype which helps us achieving our goals.
What is your most favorite type and why? What is your least favorite type and why?
My most favorite type is Dark, it really has to do with my nature. I love the darkness in real, night has to be my favorite moment of the day but if we're talking in a competitive way it probably has to do with it being a solid type for Balance which is my favorite playstyle, it also has a lot of Pokemon to toy with which is always fun. Poison comes as a solid second even though I haven't really played a lot with it. As for my least favorite type it has to be Flying, yup NOT fairy but flying. I don't really know why, it just didn't grow up in me even though it's a solid type in Monotype. Eh, I guess if my heart says no I say no also :^).
What are your thoughts on the Sablenite ban and how did it affect the Monotype meta overall?
From the beginning I vouched for a Mega Sableye ban. This pokemon was disgusting to play against (and with). It really put a lot of types into tight spots such as Electric, Ice, Dark, and Poison. The ban affects the Monotype metagame in a positive way, it frees up a lot of slots and encourage the usage of types that were in an disadvantage against Mega Sableye. Dark users also now can experience newer builds and stop being so dependent on Mega Sableye (Please stop using Sableye also, it's also a disgusting Pokemon). The only negative trait was for Ghost which goes back to the XY era, but I do believe Ghost can simply do okay in the metagame even without Sableye. Good riddance, sorry if I hurt your feelings Sableye :(.
Do you have anything to tell players, new and old, about how to learn or get into Monotype?
I'm not an expert in giving tips nor the best at Monotype in general. But I guess, I can say please don't use good types for the sake of them being good, use something you really do enjoy using even though it's not top tier. A lot of users are expert in low tiered types and have peaked several time the ladder such as Tylacto for Electric. Another advice is, don't let anyone discourage you, you're probably going to get a "You suck", "LOL YOU'RE SO BAD" lines resonating in your ears from some players but don't listen to them, we all were beginners at some points and that's the point of being humans. We are born to do mistakes, repeat them, to stop doing them. Afterall, this is just a game of Pokemon, it's your happiness that counts after all not what other people think, and humans do seek after happiness afterall. If you want help in Monotype, don't be shy and hit up the Monotype room, we will be always available for help, and if the chat isn't responding to your questions ask an auth.
What are you most known for (doesn't have to be Pokemon related but can be)?
It really depends on the view, I'm known for a lot of things. But the best one has to be "The guy that is hated for no reasons :^)" some people will get it. For the people that don't, I'm known for being an Expert in 1v1 and a poet.
What players do you look up to or are really good friends with within the Monotype (or OM) community?
The only player that I admire has to be one of my friends in this game which
rnbs, this dude is phenomenal, he doesn't only concentrate skills in him, he's also a very nice user which I really enjoy talking to the most to, "Where did I go wrong?" my man rnbs. On another hand, in 1v1 I really do like
Rumplestiltskin and
The Official Glyx skills, and them being so unpredictable. I'm going to really name some of my really close friends in both communities, sorry if I don't really name everyone. In Monotype, my most close friend has to be
Cjl1 we talk for hours without getting bored, he's a great company in dead hours, and a nice user.
Sarii and
Mia Risi are also cool people that I enjoy talking to.
Articuno, how can I forget the one and only DEATH ON WINGS, that guy is the first guy that approached me in Monotype, it's always really fun to talk with him and joke around :^) Also shoutout to
terrors, bad user, bad meme, great guy. And my anime guy
Blank Expression aka Hazey ;] stop spoiling me from Mangas / Light Novels. Some others are
Bondie,
Tylacto,
Chras,
Bushtush and my whole MONOPL squad. Some of my friends in OM are
Uselesscrab,
Ransei, and
nv which are really cool people that I do enjoy talking to. Shoutout to
The Immortal.
imas and
ManU 11b sucks.
ihateyourpancreas is cool. Zangooser doesn't count as a friend right?
What are you looking forward to the most from Sun and Moon for Monotype?
The thing that I'm looking out for Monotype Sun and Moon are the new Pokemon that will help out types in need, and what will be the new ranking of types. After recent trailers, I feel like Electric going to get a buff thanks to Tapu Koko, and if the speculations are right there will be more Pokemon like Tapu Koko. Can't wait how types will far in Sun and Moon, will Flying still be a top type? Will Electric still be a low tier type? So many questions that are waiting answers.
When are you and Zangooser getting married? Also am I invited to the bachelor party despite being Gooser's butler of honor, right? ;)
That's the kind of question that can't be discussed in public ;) It will happens when we're ready and ofc you're going to be invited
Ok back to being serious. Can you post a team within a type of your favorite playstyle with a brief explanation on how it works?
The only team I have to share is a team that I already posted an RMT for, it's my best team so far that feature Mega Houndoom balance.
Here's the full team.