The “underestimated eSport” was our headline in 2018, and the card game is also more popular than ever with card prices up to 300 euros. Where does the fascination lie? We got to the bottom of it at the European Pokémon Championships.
It’s the first time in many years that a major Pokémon tournament is coming to Germany and, according to the participants, also the first offline tournament in two years. eSport has accepted Nintendo’s invitation: 2018 we have already titled “the underrated eSport” and take the opportunity to watch Pokémon at the highest level. How does the event work, what’s different from FIFA?
Participants from 8 to 60 years old
The first thing that strikes you is that there is probably no other fantasy-based competitive event that brings so many different people together. The hall is full of players from 8 to 60 years old, women as well as men, from the most diverse nations, although here in Frankfurt the focus is clearly on Europe. And it is integrative. Only the skill counts, even the 10-year-olds easily beat adults. Nowhere is there a bad word exchanged, as competitive as the players are during their games, as cordial they are before and after and sometimes congratulate them on good actions.
Attending the International Championship is actually sobering. There is not much more than an exhibition hall with endless tables and a stage for the stream – two shops, the possibility to participate in side events, and a few food trucks in the courtyard.
You could also say: Everything is there that’s necessary, the focus is on the fights. And the battles are a real challenge, because Pokémon is highly complex in every way. Even the youngest players know every card and every attack of the Pokémon. In the video game, opponents have to plan several moves ahead, just like in chess, and only have a chance if they can counter their opponent’s strategy.
“Otherwise the chaos would be too great” says World Champion Schulz
With the cards, you always have to choose from countless possibilities that your own deck offers. The difference to other trading card games: In Pokémon, players draw a lot and search their deck. This means that even complex strategies can be implemented, as long as the opponent doesn’t interfere.
And in this respect, Pokémon is no different from other trading card games: There are a handful of meta decks that are particularly strong. Against them, strategies have to be thought up and included in one’s own composition. And you have to do this beforehand, because one of the rules of Pokémon is that you are not allowed to change your deck during the tournament.
“Otherwise the chaos would be too big,” says world champion Robin Schulz in our interview. Some decks can be countered with only one card, and if you were to add it later, the tournament would be over for many players immediately.
2018 the student won his trophy but was eliminated early this time, underlining the two points: Deck building and preparation are essential. To win a tournament, he says, you have to “invest time, find the right deck and practice a lot.” For a fortnight before the upcoming World Championships, he wants to meet with friends and practise for several hours every day – He is already qualified. In Frankfurt, on the other hand, Schulz was “honestly not really well prepared. “
Pokémon is special
The positive energy and sense of community that I experience during the tournament weekend is what makes Pokémon so special. All the players I speak to stress how happy they are to meet their friends and acquaintances again
This is where relationships are formed that last a lifetime: Baris Akcos, for example, is a referee, or in German Pokémon-speak: Professor. He is engaged to one of the tournament’s casters and has known Markus Stadter for a long time from events all over the world. “You get around a lot,” he says.
All the referees are here on a voluntary basis, watching the games, paying attention to rules, being open to questions. The further the participants get, the more “professors” observe the games. The temptation to cheat also increases as the prize money rises. “It’s about more money, more prestige, more World Cup points, so every decision counts.”
If you do a good job, you will be invited back, even to other countries, because there are many international players at the tournaments. For Akcos, it’s a home game this time, he lives in Frankfurt.
Anybody can take part – but the level is high
Everybody I talk to sees themselves as part of a big family and that feeling spills through the whole hall again in the finals. While there are fewer spectators here than at an ESL One or in Katowice, they are no less loud or invested. The atmosphere gives the fights on stage a very special charm once again.
The number of participants is still limited because of the pandemic, Akcos reveals. But even here you can sense what a big party Nintendo is organising around the little monsters. In principle, anyone can take part, but only really good players have a chance at the international championships. But that doesn’t stop the many parents from playing in some discipline themselves. This is rare in other eSports.
Three days are played in Frankfurt, on the first the opponents have to fight nine matches. Then it’s on to the knockout system with best-of-three. In terms of competitions, Pokémon is on a par with FIFA, LoL and co.
Pokémon is not only an underestimated eSport of great complexity, but also the entry hurdles are extremely low and toxicity is not to be observed. So if you’re still looking for an inclusive, international and yet highly competitive eSport, the world of pocket monsters is likely to be the place to be.
