It promised to be one of the most important tournaments in the history of competitive Pokémon, but more than a dozen players have been disqualified or sanctioned during its course. A new disaster for the collectible monster franchise that has arrived at the worst possible time. There was enormous expectation, especially in Spain, after Ibai Llanos decided to sign two of the most prominent players on the national scene for his esports club. This had generated interest in many new viewers who joined the stream only to discover that the players they were rooting for were absurdly disqualified.
Pokémon has a problem, but it doesn’t want to accept it
More than a dozen players, including both Alejandro “PokéAlex” Gómez and Eric “riopaser” Ríos, have been sanctioned for using illegally obtained Pokémon. This is common practice in tournaments: many players use external programs or abuse in-game bugs to create creatures with the best possible stats and moves. This is done to avoid ‘wasted’ hours using the Pokémon Scarlet and Purple breeding system. In the case of Alejandro and Eric Rios, they took advantage of this method since, in the words of PokeAlex: “we didn’t decide which team to play until yesterday (the day before the tournament) night.”
The use of creatures obtained illegitimately is a serious violation according to The Pokémon Company’s competitive rules. However, it is a rule imposed against the will of the players. There is no difference between a Pokémon obtained illegitimately and one obtained using the breeding (or farming) systems of the original games. In this sense, it is just a shortcut that most players use to save time, allowing them to dedicate more hours to analysis or combat training. The logic with which this position is defended is difficult to refute: no type of skill is needed, only time, for parenting.
When it comes to combat, there is no difference between an artificially generated Pokémon and one raised in official games.
The sanctions imposed by those responsible for the tournament have led to embarrassing moments. In addition to disqualifying several players, there have been players who have been sanctioned with the elimination of some of the Pokémon from their team. This caused us, in the official live broadcast of the championship, to see a quarterfinal showdown between a player who had four creatures on his team versus another who had six. “They have disqualified another Spaniard from the tournament and several players continue playing with 4 Pokémon instead of 6. They are destroying their own game,” said Eric Rios.
Guillermo Castilla, Spanish player and Pokémon SamaGame world runner-up in 2022, I didn’t agree with the situation either.. Although he did not commit any infraction, he said the following through his social networks: “Very sad about what happened to Alex, Eric, Albert and Trosko. Pokémon has just shot itself in the foot. And personally they have just ruin the tournament. I want to win this regional with the best playing and tomorrow (in reference to the decisive day of the tournament) they will not be there.”
Despite being sanctioned and having only four Pokémon available, Davide Cognetta reached the quarterfinals.
As if that were not enough, some players could have been unfairly punished. Davide Cognetta, who reached the quarterfinals, explained that two of his Pokémon had been banned – he could continue playing because he still had four legal ones – despite having been obtained through legitimate methods. Both the situation and the handling that those responsible for the tournament have made of it have reinforced that feeling of amateurism in official Pokémon tournaments. The organization, which did not communicate the punishments effectively to the public, is nowhere near up to par with a franchise as popular and with as much potential as Game Freak.
In terms of results, the reading is positive. Antonio “Rahxen” Sánchez has been proclaimed champion of the tournament, Guillermo “Kasty” Castilla reached the semis and Joan Perelló slipped into the Top 8, falling in the quarterfinals. In general, very good feelings for the Spanish players, who in recent years have become some of the most renowned in Europe. In two weeks, let’s hope that this time without controversy, the competition will continue with the Dortmund Regional.
