On Sunday, Mar. 29, the Pokémon League at Michigan Tech hosted a casual Pokémon VGC tournament in Dillman 101. The tournament format followed the official Video Game Championships (VGC) Regulation Set I, and was played on the free, web-based Pokémon battle simulator, Pokémon Showdown.
First-year Nelson was crowned champion of the tournament, with second-year Software Engineer Neoh Strekow getting second, and first-year Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer Parker Van Hill getting third.
When asked what a casual Pokémon VGC tournament is, the Pokémon League at Michigan Tech Treasurer Evan Erspamer explained, “It is a way to play the game of Pokémon using the Pokémon that you catch in the games… This casual tournament is playing this game mode at a very friendly level. We are just here to have some fun.”
When asked why someone may be interested in events like these, Erspamer said, “[It’s] a great way to have some fun. They can come and meet some other people that like and know a lot about Pokémon. They can learn a thing or two about the VGC format, and they can see what we are all about.”
The Pokémon League at Michigan Tech meets weekly to get together and enjoy all things Pokémon. This includes playing and talking about the trading card game, the video games, and anime.
More information on the specifics of the official VCG Regulation Set I can be found at scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-au/events/regulation-i/.
Information on joining the Pokémon League at Michigan Tech or their future events can be found by attending their weekly meetings in Dillman 204 on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., checking out their page on Involvement Link, or by reaching out via email to either Club Treasurer Evan Erspamer at elerspam@mtu.edu or Club President Noah Strekow at nrstreko@mtu.edu.
