Archaludon Wins Champions League Osaka + Update to Pokémon Live LeaderboardArchaludon Wins Champions League Osaka + Update to Pokémon Live Leaderboard
The Payoff with Pete
Corey and Jared break down the huge Champions League Osaka event, highlight unusual successful decks like Archaludon Dialga, and chat about a fan-made Pokémon Live Elo leaderboard. They finish with a festive reminder to share joy by gifting Pokémon card packs to others.
16:14•27 Dec 2024
Champions League Osaka Chaos, Archaludon’s Big Win and a Pokémon Live Ladder
Episode Overview
- Champions League Osaka drew around 5,000 players and produced a surprising Ancient Box versus Archaludon Dialga final.
- Item lock strategies centred on Bidoof pushed success towards decks less dependent on item cards, such as Archaludon and Ancient Box.
- Offbeat builds like a Golden Go–Dragapult list with tech choices such as Bidoof and Radiant Alakazam show how flexible the format can be.
- Player Ryoto is highlighted for repeated strong finishes at massive events, earning respect despite not yet having a major win.
- Corey is building an unofficial Pokémon Live Elo leaderboard and invites players to share their ratings so the community can see how they compare.
“"5,000 people at The Champions League in Osaka. Insane, Jared."”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? For fans of The Payoff with Pete, this instalment takes a detour into pure hobby joy, following Corey and Jared as they geek out over competitive Pokémon rather than cravings and recovery. Recorded on Christmas Eve, the pair keep things "short, sweet, and to the point" while breaking down the massive Champions League Osaka tournament. With "5,000 people at The Champions League in Osaka.
Insane, Jared," they marvel at the sheer scale of the event and the unique quirks of the Japanese metagame. You’ll hear them puzzle over the absence of Regidrago from the top 16, debate how item lock from Bidoof-style strategies shapes deck choices, and get genuinely excited about unlikely finalists like Ancient Box versus Archaludon Dialga.
Deckbuilders will enjoy the way they pick apart why Archaludon did so well, how certain lists dodge item lock, and why cards like Ceruledge and Golden Go shine in this format. There’s also a shout-out to standout player Ryoto, whose consistent high finishes at huge events earn serious respect from both hosts.
Away from the tournament tables, Corey shares his work-in-progress Pokémon Live leaderboard project, tracking Elo ratings so players can see how they stack up once they hit Arceus League. He’s logging names, updating ratings, and clearly hoping the effort catches Pokémon’s attention. To wrap up, they lean into the holiday spirit with a simple suggestion: share the joy.
Their “education moment” is all about gifting a pack of cards to someone you care about – even someone who doesn’t yet play – just for the fun and mystery of opening it together. If you like strategy talk, friendly banter, and a dash of seasonal kindness, this one might leave you asking: who could you brighten up with a surprise pack today?
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