Who is the greatest Pokémon TCG player of all time?

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[@Boopadoop]

Just remember Jason left the competitive scene and started analysing every era of the Pokemon tcg starting with base set… 25 years after the world just accepted haymaker as the best deck, Jason came along and showed what a master of the tcg could make of it and showed us that there are stronger decks hidden and previously undiscovered within the history of the game.

[@josephchambers4509]

Is there somewhere to read/watch this these analysis?

[@austinmeeks3253]

@@josephchambers4509 you can read it on his blog. just type jason kal pokemon into google and his blogs comes right up.

[@KiddReige]

@@josephchambers4509his blog

[@RandomInteractions]

Just google or look for TCG Argentina they innovated wotc format since they actually still play. Or if you want to see Jason’s decks just google him and wotc and it will take you to his blog.

[@DelinquentVideo]

@@josephchambers4509 Google "Jason Klaczynski Blog" and it should be the first result! It's a fantastic resource that I think every Pokemon TCG player aught to give a read at some point.

[@beelzebozo]

This video is important. I’m glad someone is documenting the competitive history of our game, and I look forward to more.

[@ForTheWinTCG]

The best player is clearly the friends we made along the way

[@LUMBEEPHENOM2012]

Gay

[@spadez7892]

@@LUMBEEPHENOM2012being called gay by a “My Hero Academia” fan girl is a nothing burger. Go back to watching anime aimed at children, you fraud.

[@ArlesiGames]

Lul ​@@LUMBEEPHENOM2012

[@thunderstruck560]

There may be debates about who is the true GOAT but The US Nats Wailord game featured at the beginning is the greatest series of ptcg ever played. But great shoutout to Pooka at the end, i don't think the game would be the same today without the Top Cut and the tireless dedication he put into the game.

[@jimmyeatsbrains8407]

Y’all didn’t live if you were around for the Gino Jason rivalry in 2000’s. Surprise Gino appearance made my year. Hope you are well Gino!

[@deannezam9642]

As someone who has been playing the Pokémon TCG for more than a decade, this is the best video I’ve ever seen when it comes to Pokémon TCG content

[@420glaze2]

I know the kyle pooka at the end was a bit of a joke, but pooka is genuinely one of the most influential pokemon players of all time. His influence can still be seen in the way the game is viewed to this day and thank god he works for tpci

[@TrickyGym]

I was really happy Gino said pooka for this reason

[@emmethurley6128]

Gino at the end 😂😂 The production value in this video is crazy

[@DannyMatrix]

People forget that back in the day we had very little resources to work with in order to improve as a player. And it just so happens that Jason and his team were some of the best deck crafter's and players around. If you ever do a follow up and are able to I'd see if Sami Sekkoum was available to talk. He was part of Jason's circle and is part of the select group that played at the world level then and now

[@TrickyGym]

He would be a great player to talk to! You’re right

[@hboettcherrhs]

What an awesome video from start to finish. And the restraint to not even tease the Tord interview (or use it as clickbait), how can you not love this? Top tier storytelling.

[@pkmnmasterryans5890]

I agree with the guy who said Andrew Mahone. Successful player AND community cultivator, no contest. Thanks for this and all the other wonderful content you bring to the Pokémon Community Mr. Gym!

[@GazerBeam2k]

@@pkmnmasterryans5890 Mahone is OUR goat

[@pabloleiva8568]

There's one critisism that Andrew makes about Tord's wins, regarding that they dont consider the huge amount of asian players that dont play in ICs, that I feel you could do for Jason's worlds wins as well, because back then organized play was not as good as now, so there was less countries competing in worlds unlike today. Both accomplishmets are huge deals and takes a lot of talent and work but I just wanted to say that you can apply that critisism to both sides. To me, the funniest pair of people that you could ask who is the greatest PTCG player ever are Tord and Jason's equivalents (sort of): Wolfe Glick and Ray Rizzo. Maybe one day we can get their takes on this.

[@SggnNova]

I think this is a similar conversation to the Pokemon VGC. Ray Rizzo (3x world champ) vs Wolfe Glick (most decorated player in the modern era)

[@KnotchiGaming]

Wolfe has a world championship tho unlike Tord

[@aaronjosephs2560]

Agreed. I think Ray is the VGC GOAT tbh. I love Wolfe, but Ray just was so dominant at the time. I think if Wolfe won worlds again he'd take that title though.

[@DevynPlaysGames]

I think from azul's perspective, he'd need a world's win to consider himself having won similar amounts to tord's 5 IC wins

[@TrickyGym]

So then a worlds is worth 3 IC wins?

[@Hexic101]

@@TrickyGym lol this reply proves how passionate you are about this

[@js_a92]

@@TrickyGymI’m here just thinking Azul is being humble; having to accomplish something so amazing ( e.g., literally achieving the title of world’s best) before thinking of yourself as, “yes I’m one of the best.”

[@TrickyGym]

@@js_a92 exactly. and i think in that moment of humility he subconsciously let on that the worlds title means everything

[@KnotchiGaming]

@@TrickyGymFrom a prize payout perspective, 1 Worlds = 2 ICs. But the prize cards and the exposure you get as a player definitely pushes it close to three ICs.

[@Gray8277]

that alexander holtz guy is pretty handsome, he looks like he has a playset of hgss rare candies

[@lakehouse1607]

NHL player Alexander holtz?

[@calebnelson4932]

Azul gets points for being one of the most consistent players in the current era, that man is always hitting top 8s. I respect the grind

[@DKong1026]

I really like Jon Eng's point about Tord creating broken decks. He pioneered a few different variants of Lost Box (which is a really hard deck to play), made the top Zard build that everyone copied, etc. I have recency bias because I didn't play when Jason played. So I'll just say once Tord wins his 1 or more World championships before he retires, he'll be the GOAT.

[@RubexCube1]

Zoroark gardy is one of the most creative decks of all time. Probably my favorite deck creation I've seen

[@yyy-ul3sb]

I don't think it's even that close. Jason has accomplished far more than those prestigious titles. He's not only a grandmaster vituoso player but also huge contributor to community, historian and ambassador of the hobby at the same time; his blog alone is hands down the best site dedicated to WotC era of competitive play.

[@MythicTheMystic]

Only one person was right. And it was Grant Manley. 🎉

[@carvelle7314]

Man Andrew I have legitimately waited years for you to make this style of content, you are literally tailor made for it, awesome. Really hope to see more my dude.

[@DotSick]

Jason is like Jordan Tord is like LeBron

[@L3thalShad0ws7]

Woah

[@raipanda133]

My immediate thought when he was doing the interviews. Let Tord win a World’s, then I’d say it’s 51-49 in Jason’s favor. But if Tord wins two, there is no longer a debate.

[@thatcreativeguy999]

I thought Tord would be Kobe

[@adamkareem]

It’s a solo event so tennis is more apt Jason = Federer Tord = Djokovic

[@chriscobi634]

You do realize that more and more people are starting to put LBJ outside the top 10, as they should. He has too many weaknesses to be put in the top 10. So that's an insult to Tord.

[@RobinFReba]

We really need a PTCG documentary

[@Zwanzig92]

There’s a channel called Retro Ruby that has released a couple of episodes on the history of the TCG. Check them out. Very interesting.

[@wallyssonlima2705]

One of the best Pokémon TCG videos I’ve watched! Please, continue making videos like this. 👏🏻

[@TCGGrading]

The access to information/decklists is readily available raising The overall skill/power level in a vaster pool of players. This is the difference between Tord and jasons Era of competing. I started playing in 2007 and there was almost zero sharing of decklists and tournament results/lists

[@ZapdosTCG]

This video was so entertaining, more historic videos like these mate 😄👌

[@MegaBlitzz]

This was so incredible to watch!! Interviewing many well known and talented players was so incredible to see! Can’t wait for more content like this in the future!!

[@MorrisLevy]

This had a lot of footage that I had never seen before, and is a very concise and unbiased video. I was very impressed with the quality of this video instead of cranking out multiple videos with no credible evidence nor explanation of their thoughts. Superb video and great quality content overall. Always impressed. Thank you Andrew.

[@GymLeaderJosh_]

Exceptional video, Andrew! Well put together and interview/documentary style was nice. I can't say much since I haven't gotten to see Jason play as much as I've seen Tord, but with 3 worlds titles, regardless of size, is undoubtedly a feat we won't see for a while or won't ever see again.However, Tord winning 5 different ICs from around the world with 1000+ players could be considered just as exceptional as Jason's in a different way. What we need to do is take the 2 different eras and have a conquest charity match. Would be kind of cool.

[@sirmurford2737]

Oh also, the video starting with JWittz commentating is nostalgic for me. I didn't play during that era, but he was the first Poketuber I started watching regularly. Great video!

[@Purpski]

Wish there was some way we could see them play against each other in each years TCG format. They both pick their favorite/best decks and then play each other for every year or something. That would be incredible

[@HopUpOutDaBed]

Jason is my GOAT, but there's no denying that winning in the modern era is MUCH more difficult than during Jason's reign. Not because the top players are necessarily any better, but just the sheer amount of people playing competitively. Back in the day I could hop out of bed and reasonably expect to top cut a regionals just because I'd only expect to face a handful of skilled players playing the BDIF out of 100 or so people. But in todays tournaments with 1000+ people there's no way you're winning unless you're REALLY good or a little bit lucky.

[@fideljok]

Mahone is the GOAT for producing this piece. Also seeing both Diego and Andrew looking good on camera makes me think we need more hat wearing in the PTCG scene. Being serious though, the argument about western circuit bias, World's importance and the fact Jason has left a mark over the decades, formats and eras of the game are what really make him the GOAT. I do hope to see the game continue to develop, and more players like Tord to surpass those achievements.

[@fideljok]

PS: Gino's hat too!

[@pokerams]

i learnt history of Pokemon TCG right here. thanks for making this video and keep making more for the love of this game.

[@JohnMyers-gt3xy]

Jason. Winning a WC is tough. But winning 3 is heavy. He even won the pre-cursor to the WC. The game was different too… regionals were not such a feature as now (still there but slower to pick up speed in importance). The money was not there… so travel would have been different. When Tord wins at least 4 WC’s he will be the best. Jason.

[@kXngsMain]

I wholeheartedly agree with Grant Manley's opinion, he deserves a win.

[@GeraintGough1989]

That was a really good video Andrew. Like you said it's interesting to see how different people from different eras perceive this answer. I'm a new era player and Tord is amazing but as he himself said until he wins a worlds a ton of regionals and ICs as well as his consistency isn't the same as 3 worlds. I wish I could have seen more of Jason's play but Tord is still amazing. Roll on Worlds 2023.

[@EPTCG]

I’ve been in this game since Majestic Dawn and it’s so cool to just remember the names I’ve seen through out the years. Including players in my locals/general areas I’d travel to for Battle Roads, Cities, States, etc. As far as competitive goes, Jason K, Pooka, Tord, and so many more come to mind. Being in this game for so long has allowed me to just watch the competitive scene change and adapt. New faces, new ideas, etc. Also being able to say I’ve faced some names that have placed well at large events is really cool to look back and think about This is such a cool concept to look at and a video I can really appreciate.

[@jporgel]

Feel similarly about Jason K as Tord does. He was an inspiration to me as a player getting into the game. Would always find a way to win even if it was not straightforward or easy grasped. I have a mew prime signed by him and use it as my vstar marker for inspiration. Wild Geno spot at the end. 🤯🤯🤯

[@smileswithriles]

The greatest Pokémon player of all time is Andrew "TRICKYGYM" Mahone! There's only one player who not only could top 8 a regional with Snorlax VMAX Naganadel GX, but could also almost make day 2 of NAIC with Gholdengo. Living legend.

[@miso306]

i’m glad you added the point about western bias. here in japan we have many large tournaments that are somewhat ignored by much of the player base, but winning them can be just as difficult as a regional or IC.

[@TrickyGym]

Exactly. I feel like too many players just ignore the Asia player base when thinking about these things. Worlds is the only tournament that measures your strength vs both player bases.

[@SilverWingTCG]

The people need the bonus Jason K interview

[@ProtoJoeGG]

This was a really great watch! Kudos to you Mahone for all of the effort you put into making this. For me Jason is the GOAT, but honestly Tord could take that title in just a couple years. Time will tell.

[@pokemonger3045]

Me: Shintaro, Tord, Azul My wife: Gesundheit!

[@mkartbox]

3:46 my bro spittin facts 😂

[@GazerBeam2k]

😂

[@Oldbanananose]

Love this style of content, it suits you! Hope to see more

[@themichaelheredia_PTCG]

This is a masterclass in phenomenal PTCG content! Thanks for working so diligently to put this together. Stoked to see what you put out in the future! Also, as a 30-something, I’m team Jason. Dude is a legend!

[@PokeMalware404]

What an amazing video!!! Times are definitely have changed , but I think everyone in that video was a GOAT and I think at least half of are here because of all of you. In addition to all of the TOs out there !

[@fideljok]

Absolutely! I was grinning the whole video, watching so many stars together

[@jack0lantrn]

It's crazy seeing so many content creators and channel guests in person and together in a video. So cool

[@YvernsBox]

Jason takes it, if you ask tord if he'd trade some of his other wins for a single worlds win, he'd say yes in a heartbeat

[@petergabbert3192]

Incredible debate. Thank you for gathering so many well-informed opinions, especially the penultimate interview!

[@hunterpasson8374]

bro getting gino the champ is legendary

[@hunterpasson8374]

unban the legend 🗣️

[@sh1nypantsgaming661]

It’s Jason, Anyone that says Tord never saw Jason actually play outside that one nationals. Game was also MUCH harder back when Jason played

[@cioccorita]

Honest question: un what ways it was harder? Ti what era are you referring to? 2000-2015 is a pretty long timespan

[@moneybags133]

We need a Jason vs tord exhibition match maybe give them 6 months to prepare. Gives Jason time to get rust knocked off

[@henryr-c9965]

Beat Jason in a regionals win and in in Texas. Felt like I won the tournament lol. Matchup was virizion genesect vs seismatoad so it was an near auto win for me but I was terrified the entire time. GOAT

[@munigarg3771]

One big point to consider is that the tcg was considerably smaller in Jason's reign, while now in Tord's time it has grown to more than two thousand players at every regional.

[@fatmonkeydude]

Amazing video wow. Blown away by story telling and production

[@FathomRival]

The Gino cameo 👌👌

[@Pidgey95]

Since I was only a child in the 90s/early 00s, I would only play TCG with my own rules and just got into it a bit more in 2013-2014 but learned how to play it properly just last year. Competitively speaking I mean. Was the original era more difficult than the current era? I reckon back in the day Pokemon had few HPs and attacks would not deal much damage (like there was no 330 damage from Zard) so it was probably much more strategic than aggressive.

[@henryzhang464]

Look at Andrew man, that’s my humble GOAT

[@morsemakes]

Great video and storytelling. My mind has been changed 😮

[@oliverhill792]

Fantastic Video. Hoping we can continue to create more TCG Competitive videos and be able to bring back TCGs into esports fashion. Pokemons community and game structure makes for better content than hearthstone

[@duoriep]

12:00 from my pov, it’s easier to win a tournament in a more skill format if you are the best player in the room, since your skill have to compensate less luck. If there is more space for the skill, and you have more skill, then you will win more often

[@UlisesHammett]

This is all very cute but the Hedrick era has just begun 😎

[@chasehuelsmann5911]

Pretty on brand for Azull to contradict himself 😂

[@thomasvlekke5365]

900 players back then was insane. We're looking at 2k players lately and I'm just proud and happy with the hobby space we're in atm

[@TylerNewman-m8s]

WOW WHAT AN AMAZING VIDEO MADE BY MY FAVORITE CONTENT CREATOR I SURE HOPE HE MAKES MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS I LOVE yoU ANDREW MAHONE

[@ImDJVA]

The Gino Lombardi cameo at the end was Prefect!

[@albertomaldonado4714]

TORD REKLEV all the way. Old school Pokémon TCG, yes they we're Great and Respectful players. But in modern era seeing Azul Garcia Griego (2 IC Winner), Gustavo Wada (2 IC Winner & World Champion SR), Stephane Ivanoff (2 IC Winner), Shintaro Ito (World Champion & 2nd Place World Champion) are very scary players, which means to train harder. In times of Jason Klaczynski, yes, they we're Admirable Competitors but not as today's

[@austinmeeks3253]

The only sport i can think of where someone could be considered "the goat" without winning its biggest championship is probably baseball. so ill just leave it at that.

[@stevenrussell6920]

The GOAT is Andrew Mahone, obviously. But seriously, this is an incredible video. I'd watch this style of video all day.

[@zacharylongston199]

This was a great video. Loved the documentary style and it gave some good insight into the rivalry between Tord and Jason for someone like me who doesn't keep up with the competitive scene. Keep up the great work!

[@robertcrist6059]

Sincerily curious, I didn't grow up playing the game, but Chris Fulop hinted at how the TCG is different (8:10 - 8:35) from the early era when Jason played (and yes he played into the modern era) and how it is today for Tord. Yes, Tord could do just find playing old styles, but looking purely at the game, from a tactical and complexity standpoint (other aspects if necessary) was the early TCG game more difficult, challenging, and/or requiring of more skill, than the game today? Are there more levers to pull with styles of play or routes to go with card abilities today? Is it easier to KO an EX and take 2 prizes, over single prize only KO back then? Is the damage/hp bloat today OHKOs easier, compared to needing 2-3 hits before a KO?

[@theFerraridkid]

"The Top Cut" and Pooka was one of the biggest help at the time for Competitive Pokemon players

[@kademclaney689]

We deff need more of this Mahomie🫶🏼

[@MrTurtleMob]

Great video! Excellent job all around-editing, flow, pacing, and narrating were all solid. More Please!

[@kylemadison1296]

I can definitely say, the last person I expected was Gino Lombardi.

[@randomeffekt5013]

Grant Manley "Hasn't won a regional" LUL

[@LucasRiffe-ut2ly]

I’ve been playing for a year, and before this video I would have said Tord. After watching and learning, and hearing Tord admit himself that Jason is the best, I 100% agree.

[@owenbennett-gibbs615]

So sick! Love this style!

[@kahunakoala]

We have this debate every now and again in our testing group. And its 50/50 split down the middle. The one thing that we can all agree on though is how more accessible the game is now compared to back then. As well as the resources available for decklists, deck testing, card prices are lower than ever. The fact that Tord comes through with inovation after inovation in an era that is STACKED with very high level players, makes me believe he is the GOAT. If he wins worlds, I dont think this even a debate anymore. Not discrediting Jason and his unmatched dominance. But the game is a completely different beast now. Much love from South Africa! ❤

[@ohmyjoshx12]

Awesome video essay! This is top notch content that I hope will get support. For me, I think it’s fair to leave it as Jason is the GOAT and Tord is the best player of the modern era. WHEN Tord gets a Worlds under his belt, then I think we can start the conversation of passing the torch. But I definitely think it’d be a whole other conversation if Pooka had been playing the whole time!

[@DoctersUnited]

I stopped playing 10 years ago, but played in the era before then, Jason was definitely a big name during then lol

[@sirmurford2737]

The point about Jason's era having smaller events but higher quality competition lends credence to Pokemon having a hard cutoff for World's going forward. I know there was at least one fairly prominent influencer this year who demonstrated you could qualify for World's under the current format without having to make day 2 at a regional or higher. A top X cutoff should be better about weeding out the slightly above average players who just went to enough events to squeak in.

[@DragonMastersFinds]

So for me I started in 2016 so to me Tord is my favorite championship level player and who I get most excited to see. But there’s so many to love in this community. For players I’ve actually gotten to meet irl. It’s a toss up between Andrew and Pablo. And players I’ve only had a chat with online and was just an amazing sweet person would have to be for me personally Jimmy Pendarvis. So I think to me it’s more about who these players are as people even more so than their accomplishments

[@IAmCacturneJack]

We’ve been waiting for this one!!

[@Jam_Jon07]

The only ptcg clip I still rewatch is Jason vs Wailord cuz that is when I still played the game.

[@jamiechesnut6110]

I've been around this game for a very long time and seeing how both players have played I believe Jason actually is the GOAT. Only 2 people have won 3 world titles in Pokemon Jason in TCG and Regan in VGC. 5 IC titles is impressive and I don't think anyone will ever touch that stat. In order for Tord to truly be considered the GOAT he has to win a world title but once he does its undisputed.

[@Stexen92]

Playing Devils Advocate: Ross Cawthon has been consistent across the full history of the World Championships. He has seen success both in Jason’s era and in Tord’s era. I think that puts him ahead of both as the Greatest of ALL Time because he’s seen all the time.

[@GustavoSanchez-ic3ok]

Finally somebody said it thanks

[@dellstudio10]

Jason is the man hands down. Also gotta mention his website with all the great retro formats and deck list.

[@yourpenguins8739]

People forget a player is only the best because everyone else was worse. Jason played when the TCG was small and was winning. Tord is playing when the TCG has much more competition and the meta is much easier to learn now then back then.

[@blockchiken]

Its Wolfey. The world Champ difference permeates into the TCG as well

[@thedustylocket8466]

As a player who started in 2017, I see both arguments but agree that one needs to catch the w at worlds to cement that GOAT title so atm it’s Jason Klaczynski

[@alexj0409]

I've been watching Jason since i was a young adult. I turn 32 this month. Jason will always be considered the best, but that shouldn't take away from Tord. They are both giants amongst regulars.

[@JordonVW]

I think we all beleive Tord could be the next person to win Worlds, could win next year and probably win the year after that too, but so far he's narrowly fallen short of winning one. Three worlds titles speaks for itself. If Tord matches that in this current era he'll overtake Jason maybe, but so far we're working on the belief that Tord will overtake him.

[@dhuntertodd]

This is the take. Playing ultra modern is just so vastly different than the early days and the ex era. Also the availability of information today makes everything instantly accessible. Just two different worlds.

[@colinmoon9315]

Thank you for this video it was a fantastic watch!

[@unaswered]

Old school players: Jason. Sun and moon on players: Tord

[@Zutang777]

This was fun to watch!

[@GazerBeam2k]

Mr. Mahone, Moar of these videos please. Maybe a deep dive into different metas or indept player analysis.... idk... but moar!

[@dxtr]

Andrew Mahone is the actual GOAT.