Welcome to the Lake Valor Draft League (LVDL). This is a competitive Pokémon Draft League, similar in fashion to the UCL if you are aware of that format. In this format, players will draft 3 Pokémon from each of the Smogon singles tiers (OU,UU,RU,NU), for a total of 12. From these drafted 12 Pokémon, each week the players will create a team of 6 and battle an opponent. They will battle each other player in the league for a place in the play-offs, where the 4 teams with the best record in terms of wins and losses will battle for the title of The LVDL Champion. ​Less Relevant Information: Spoiler Spoiler If are familiar with the UCL format, you will know that knowing the Pokémon that your opponent can use adds a very interesting counter-teaming dynamic to competitive battling. Being restricted to the 12 Pokémon and knowing your opponents possible team also encourages more creative sets, putting Pokémon in roles that they wouldn't normally be in. Knowing your opponents Pokémon leads to carrying specific coverage moves and invest certain amounts of EVs to KO certain Pokémon or survive certain hits. It also makes certain Pokémon more viable than others due to flexibility in movesets. While the league progresses, you may find a weakness in your team, or see a Pokémon in somebody elses team that you would like. You may trade a Pokémon in your team within the same tier for the Pokémon in that other person's team.The date of the draft will be determined after sign-up is complete. During the draft, every player will select 3 Pokémon from each tier, in the order OU,UU,RU then NU. The draft process will occur in the Lake Valor showdown chat (most likely in a private room), and a public google document will be available to all members to know which Pokémon have already been drafted and by whom. Once the draft process starts, I will ask each player for their pick, in a pre-determined order. This order will snake, meaning the member who was first in the order for a certain tier will be the first member to have their first pick, the last member to have their second pick and the first member to have their third pick for that tier. The order for each tier will be randomised. The participating members will be aware of the draft order before the draft process begins. All participating members will need to arrive at the specified time or you will need to wait until the draft process is over before drafting your 12 Pokémon from the Pokémon remaining.During the draft, you are allowed to secure a certain pick in a lower tier by postponing a pick in the current tier. An example of this would be that a player is able to secure a certain UU Pokémon during the UU tier picks. There is a certain Pokémon in RU that this player knows they will want to draft, as they know it will fit their team perfectly. That player is allowed to pick that RU Pokémon during the UU tier picks in order to secure that RU pick. Then during the RU tier picks, the player will select their final UU pick from the remaining UU Pokémon. Draft Rules: You will pick 3 Pokémon from each tier going in the order OU,UU,RU,NU. The order in which each player picks their Pokémon will be randomly generated for each tier. After each pick, the order in which the players picked their Pokémon is reversed (e.g. if a player was last to pick his first Pokémon for a tier, he will be the first to pick his second). All players will be aware of the draft order before the draft process begins. Players are allowed to secure a certain pick in a lower tier by postponing a pick in the current tier. An example of this would be that a player is able to secure a certain UU Pokémon during the UU tier picks. There is a certain Pokémon in RU that this player knows they will want to draft, as they know it will fit their team perfectly. That player is allowed to pick that RU Pokémon during the UU tier picks in order to secure that RU pick. Then during the RU tier picks, the player will select their final UU pick from the remaining UU Pokémon. Pokémon only allowed in LV OU (Blaze Blaziken, Aegislash, Deoxys Speed and Defence and Greninja without Gunk Shot and Low Kick) are considered OU picks. During the draft, a Pokémon whose ability can only be used in a particular tier counts as a pick from that tier (e.g. Drizzle Politoed counts as an OU pick). Each team is restricted to one Mega Evolution. You must explicitly state which Pokémon will be your Mega as you draft it. Note: You do not necessarily need to bring your Mega Evolution to a battle, nor do you necessarily need to draft a Mega Evolution. If you want to join the league, after you sign up make sure to PM me with the phrase 'LVDL FTW' as proof that you have read these rules. If you intend to use a Pokémon as your Mega evolution, it counts as a pick from the tier in which the Mega stone is allowed. However, if you intend to use the Pokémon in its regular form, it counts as a pick from the tier in which the regular form is allowed. (E.g. Mega Heracross is an OU pick, Regular Heracross is a UU pick). If one player drafted a Pokémon as their Mega Evolution, other players are not allowed to draft that Pokémon's regular form. Separate versions of Pokémon (e.g Rotom formes, Kyurem and Kyurem-B etc.) count as separate Pokémon. This means one player is allowed to draft Rotom-W, while another is allowed to draft Rotom-H. Pokémon in the PU and NFE tiers are considered NU picks. Once the draft date has been organised, if you know that you will be unable to attend, you must PM me letting me know this, with a list of Pokémon in order of preference that you would like to draft your Pokémon in each tier. There is an absolute minimum of 5 Pokémon per tier for this list, but more is highly recommended. If all Pokémon on this list are already drafted, you will have to draft these Pokémon after the draft process is over. The battles will all occur on Pokémon Showdown. Once the draft is over, you will be expected to organise a date and time between you and you first opponent. If you do not arrive to the battle on time (within 15 minutes of the organised time), you will be awarded a loss for that week. If this occurs once or more a week, you will be excluded from the league. If your opponent does not arrive to the battle within 15 minutes of the organised time, please private message me with screenshot evidence of your opponent agreeing to the time. Once your battle is over, please provide me with the battle replay. To do this, click 'Share replay' and copy and paste the link into a PM to me. General Rules: All other Lake Valor rules apply Team names must follow the following format: 'Place name' 'Pokémon'. These two words must be an alliteration (The two words must start with the same letter) E.g. Bronx Beartics You may only use Pokémon which you have drafted/traded for. You must organise a time with your opponent for your battle. Do not expect me to do this for you. If you fail to do this by the end of the week the battle will be considered a draw. If this happens multiple times throughout the league, you run the risk of being excluded from the league. If your opponent does not respond to your PMs or refuses to organise a time, you must send me a PM with a screenshot of your conversation. You must arrive to your battle within 15 minutes of the organised time. Otherwise you will be given a forfeit loss. If your opponent doesn't arrive to the battle within 15 minutes you must send me a PM with a screenshot showing both players agreeing to the time. If this PM is not provided, the battle will b considered a draw. After each battle, one of the players must send me a PM with the link to the battle replay. To do this click 'Share Replay' at the end of the battle and copy and paste the link in to a PM to me. If there is an error with the replay sharing, send a screenshot of the last turn with a copy of the battle log to me via PM. Replays of all previous battles will be available to all members. Battle Rules: All battles will be played under the LV OU ruleset. This means that Blaze Blaziken, Aegislash, Deoxys Speed and Defence and Greninja without Gunk Shot and Low Kick are allowed. For the standard OU ruleset, click here. All battles will take place on the Lake Valor Showdown Server. Do not drag out a game for no reason. This does not mean you cannot use stall or spam recovery moves on your win condition, but if there is no way for you to win don't for example click Protect for no reason. If you draft a Pokémon for their Mega Evolution, you do not necessarily need to run their Mega stone. For example, if you draft Mega Venusaur, you are allowed to bring Life Orb Chlorophyll Venusaur one week. Trade Rules: You may only trade a Pokémon from your team for a Pokémon from another member's team if they are both in the same tier (e.g. an OU Pokémon for an OU Pokémon). If you want to trade Mega Evolutions, you must trade your Mega Evolution for another player's Mega Evolution, regardless of tiers. If you would like to trade, you must first arrange a trade with another member and provide screenshot evidence to me of both players agreeing via PM. The trade will then take place for next week. I will inform the opponents of the players who traded for the next week of the Pokémon who had been traded. Tradebacks are not allowed. If you are trading a Pokémon, you should be trading with the intention to make that Pokémon a permanent member of your team. You are however allowed to trade that Pokémon off with another member. Towards the end of the league (3 weeks prior to play-offs), trading will no longer be allowed. This is to prevent players from speculating the players who will make it to play-offs and trading for a team to counter team them. Team Name: The Birmingham BlastoiseLake Valor Name: RebornShowdown Name: rebornFXTimezone: GMT+0 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Charizard X, 2. Tornadus-T, 3. Kyurem-B, 4. Forretress, 5. Feraligatr, 6. Reuniclus, 7. Aromatisse, 8. Alomomola, 9. Golbat, 10. Rhydon, 11. Gurdurr, 12. Garbodor Team Name: The Sea Isle SeakingsLake Valor Name: GentlemenianShowdown Name: PIG ARMYTimezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Altaria, 2. Hoopa-Unbound, 3. Hippowdon, 4. Milotic, 5. Goodra, 6. Heliolisk, 7. Hitmontop, 8. Houndoom, 9. Braviary, 10. Cryogonal, 11. Ferroseed, 12. Lickilicky Team Name: The Arizona AbsolsLake Valor Name: FilibusterShowdown Name: PhableTimezone: GMT-7 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Aegislash, 2. Mega Venusaur, 3. Latios, 4. Arcanine, 5. Zapdos, 6. Blissey, 7. Granbull, 8. Sharpedo, 9. Scrafty, 10. Lanturn, 11. Liepard, 12. Xatu Team Name: The Melbourne MawilesLake Valor Name: Sachi_ShimazuShowdown Name: Sachi_ShimazuTimezone: GMT+100 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Lopunny, 2. Weavile, 3. Ferrothorn, 4. Roserade, 5. Infernape, 6. Crobat, 7. Meloetta, 8. Uxie, 9. Jellicent, 10. Mawile, 11. Sandlash, 12. Floette Team Name: The Philadelphia FlygonsLake Valor Name: UltraHaxorusShowdown Name: UltraHaxorusLVTimezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Landorus-T, 2. Mega Manectric, 3. Scizor, 4. Rotom-H, 5. Haxorus, 6. Empoleon, 7. Tangrowth, 8. Sneasel, 9. Drapion, 10. Mesprit, 11. Combusken, 12. Haunter Team Name: The Adelaide AmoongussLake Valor Name: Dextarr513Showdown Name: Dextarr513Timezone: GMT+100 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Gallade, 2. Manaphy, 3. Bisharp, 4. Entei, 5. Gligar, 6. Vaporeon, 7. Gastrodon, 8. Jolteon, 9. Cincinno, 10. Sawk, 11. Primeape, 12. Slaking Team Name: The Texas TaurosLake Valor Name: Raptor98Showdown Name: RaptorPoogieTimezone: GMT-6 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Volcarona, 2. Terrakion, 3. Starmie, 4. Mega Ampharos, 5. Krookodile, 6. Gardevoir, 7. Amoonguss, 8. Dugtrio, 9. Aggron, 10. Quagsire, 11. Articuno, 12. Mismagius Team Name: The Houghton HeatransLake Valor Name: Gengar's GrinShowdown Name: Gengar's GrinTimezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Victini, 2. Dragonite, 3. Mega Gyarados, 4. Nidoqueen, 5. Pangoro, 6. Shaymin, 7. Exploud, 8. Durant, 9. Escavalier, 10. Aurorus, 11. Tauros, 12. Kabutops Team Name: The Santa Fe ScizorsLake Valor Name: NateShowdown Name: Red ScizorTimezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Talonflame, 2. Azumarill, 3. Garchomp, 4. Mega Sceptile, 5. Galvantula, 6. Porygon 2, 7. Cofagrigus, 8. Slowking, 9. Accelgor, 10. Claydol, 11. Weezing, 12. Hitmonchan Team Name: The Alajuela AggronsLake Valor Name: FantasmaShowdown Name: Fantasma PerdidoTimezone: (EST) GMT-6 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Heatran, 2. Zygarde, 3. Mega Pinsir, 4. Machamp, 5. Doublade, 6. Cloyster, 7. Magneton, 8. Smeargle, 9. Sigilyph, 10. Reigirock, 11. Banette, 12. Steelix Team Name: The Helsinki HydreigonsLake Valor Name: VepsisShowdown Name: VepsisTimezone: (EST) GMT+2 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Metagross, 2. Rotom-W, 3. Mew, 4. Florges, 5. Mamoswine, 6. Mandibuzz, 7. Emboar, 8. Druddigon, 9. Eelektross, 10. Miltank, 11. Armaldo, 12. Hariyama Team Name: The Castricum ClefairysLake Valor Name: BlastShowdown Name: ZenononTimezone: (EST) GMT+1 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Clefable, 2. Skarmory, 3. Greninja, 4. Azelf, 5. Mega Blastoise, 6. Toxicroak, 7. Ambipom, 8. Virizion, 9. Bronzong, 10. Ludicolo, 11. Electivire, 12. Rotom Team Name: The Tokyo TorkoalsLake Valor Name: Bryce DShowdown Name: KouhaiTimezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Sableye, 2. Conkeldurr, 3. Deoxys-S, 4. Suicune, 5. Chandelure, 6. Salamence, 7. Abomasnow, 8. Hitmonlee, 9. Rhyperior, 10. Muk, 11. Cradily, 12. Regice Team Name: The Warren WeedlesLake Valor Name: Endrew SwiftwindShowdown Name: EndrewTimezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Thundurus-I, 2. Mega Latias, 3. Jirachi, 4. Hydreigon, 5. Lucario, 6. Dragalge, 7. Fletchinder, 8. Registeel, 9. Clawitzer, 10. Golem, 11. Pyroar, 12. Shiftry Team Name: The Luxembourg LeavannysLake Valor Name: AzureShowdown Name: AzureEdge7Timezone: (EST) GMT-5 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Diancie, 2. Sylveon, 3. Gengar, 4. Cobalion, 5. Porygon-Z, 6. Mienshao, 7. Omastar, 8. Tyrantrum, 9. Delphox, 10. Vivillon, 11. Shedinja, 12. Leavanny Team Name: The Hampshire HoopasLake Valor Name: Bionic PuppyShowdown Name: Bionic PuppyTimezone: (EST) GMT+0 Drafted Pokémon: 1. Mega Medicham, 2. Klefki, 3. Keldeo, 4. Darmanitan, 5. Cresselia, 6. Tentacruel, 7. Togetic, 8. Rotom-C, 9. Aerodactyl, 10. Lilligant, 11. Rotom-F, 12. Skuntank Spoiler In Progress: Spoiler The Birmingham Blastoise - Wins: 2 Losses: 0The Sea Isle Seakings - Wins: 2 Losses: 1 The Arizona Absols - Wins: 2 Losses: 1The Melbourne Mawiles - Wins: 1 Losses: 2 The Philadelphia Flygons - Wins: 2 Losses: 1 The Adelaide Amoonguss - Wins: 0 Losses: 2 The Texas Tauros - Wins: 1 Losses: 2 The Houghton Heatrans - Wins: 0 Losses: 0 The Santa Fe Scizors - Wins: 2 Losses: 1 The Alajuela Aggrons - Wins: 2 Losses: 0The Helsinki Hydreigons - Wins: 2 Losses: 1 The Castricum Clefairys - Wins: 0 Losses: 2 The Tokyo Torkoals - Wins: 2 Losses: 1 The Warren Weedles - Wins: 1 Losses: 1 The Luxembourg Leavannys - Wins: 0 Losses: 3 The Hampshire Hoopas - Wins: 1 Losses: 1 Round 1:The Santa Fe Scizors vs The Texas TaurosThe Philadelphia Flygons vs The Adelaide AmoongussThe Sea Isle Seakings vs The Castricum ClefairysThe Birmingham Blastoise vs The Helsinki HydreigonsThe Melbourne Mawiles vs The Warren WeedlesThe Arizona Absols vs The Alajuela AggronsThe Houghton Heatrans vs The Hampshire HoopasThe Tokyo Torkoals vs The Luxembourg Leavannys Round 2:The Hampshire Hoopas vs The Helsinki HydreigonsThe Adelaide Amoonguss vs The Melbourne MawilesThe Alajuela Aggrons vs The Sea Isle SeakingsThe Texas Tauros vs The Arizona AbsolsThe Tokyo Torkoals vs The Philadelphia FlygonsThe Santa Fe Scizors vs The Luxembourg LeavannysThe Birmingham Blastoise vs The Warren WeedlesThe Castricum Clefairys vs The Houghton Heatrans Round 3:The Castricum Clefairys vs The Helsinki HydreigonsThe Arizona Absols vs The Luxembourg LeavannysThe Birmingham Blastoise vs The Adelaide Amoonguss*The Texas Tauros vs The Sea Isle SeakingsThe Melbourne Mawiles vs The Philadelphia FlygonsThe Tokyo Torkoals vs The Santa Fe ScizorsThe Warren Weedles vs The Hampshire Hoopas* Round 4:Seakings vs LeavannysBlastoise vs FlygonsHydreigons vs AggronsWeedles vs ClefairysMawiles vs TorkoalsAbsols vs ScizorsHoopas vs AmoongussHeatrans vs Tauros Round 5:Weedles vs AggronsTauros vs HydreigonsTorkoals vs AbsolsMawiles vs BlastoiseScizors vs SeakingsFlygons vs HoopasLeavanys vs HeatransAmoonguss vs Clefairys Bionic Puppy's analysis on these battles to be posted on this thread. Trade between The Birmingham Blastoise and The Ardeer Arcanines on the 15th DecemberMantine for RhydonTrade between The Helsinki Hydreigons and The Hampshire Hoopas on the 25th DecemberLilligant for HariyamaIf you choose to sign up for this league, you will be expected to attend certain times. The first of these is the Draft. This will be a group conversation where each player drafts which Pokémon they want on their team. The date will be announced when all the seats have been filled. After the draft, you will need to be available to battle once a week for a minimum of 9 weeks excluding play-offs (how long the league lasts depends on how many players sign-up). Because of this, players who are reliable and have a somewhat flexible time schedule (due to differing timezones) are needed. If you know that there are weeks where you will be simply unavailable, please DO NOT sign up. The league relies on ALL members turning up for their battles. It is understandable that the occasional member will not be able to make a battle for a week, but if this is the case it is important that you let me know. Please fill out the following form: Code: Showdown Name: Team Name: Timezone:
Ladies and gentlemen, IT'S TIME TO GET THIS THING STARTED! Showdown name: PIG ARMY Team Name: The Sea Isle Seakings Timezone: Eastern Standard Time
I might as well post my form as well haha. Showdown Name: rebornfx Team Name: The Birmingham Blastoise Timezone: GMT Make sure to read all of the information of the thread to be included in the league.
Showdown Name: Sachi_ShimazuTeam Name: Melbourne MawilesTimezone: GMT +100 (ACDT) Why would I not.
II'm going to have fun in this league, even though I'm certainly gonna get destroyed every single week lol. Showdown Name: UltraHaxorusLV Team Name: Philadelphia Flygons Timezone: GMT-5 (Eastern)
Okay almost everybody so far has been accepted. Remember guys make sure to read through all of the rules to make sure you are accepted. If it's obvious somebody hasn't read the rules I won't be accepting them.
Name: Adelaide Amoonguss Pokémon Showdown name: Dextarr513 Time Zone: Australian Central Daylight Time I am so excited
Please read the rules to be accepted in to the league. I spent a long time trying to make sure they are all inclusive and I need to make sure that everybody is happy with them before agreeing to join something for at least 9 weeks and deciding they don't want to be a part of it half way through. If that's too much to ask then this isn't the right league for you.
Can't wait to be a part of this! Showdown Name: AzureEdge7 Team Name: The Luxembourg Leavannys Timezone: GMT-5
LVDL FTW Team Name: Adelaide Amoonguss Showdown Name: Dextarr513 Time Zone: Australian Central Daylight Time
Nice, Kind of a bow-out for me Showdown Name: Bionic Puppy Team Name: Hampshire Hoopas Timezone: GMT +0 (G
@[member="Reborn"], I love this idea. Thank you for bringing it to fruition here Showdown name: Kouhai Team Name: Tokyo Torkoal Timezone: EST (GMT - 5)
I recommend you all read the rules fully. Edit: Including these guys who need to read the rules, we have 16 teams! That is unfortunately the maximum we can have, since every member will need to battle every other member and having more than 16 would make the league ridiculously long.