Lucas Xing Interview - Top 8 from Pittsburgh Regionals

Lucas Xing Interview - Top 8 from Pittsburgh Regionals

What remarkable journeys have people faced head-on against addiction? Here, that competitive spark gets channelled into something a bit different: high-level Pokémon trading card battles. This chat centres on Lucas Jing, a Canadian player who hit Top 8 at the record-breaking Pittsburgh Regionals while piloting Chien-Pao. Hosts Cory and Jared keep things relaxed and funny, but the aim is clear: help you get better at the Pokémon TCG by picking the brains of serious competitors.

Lucas shares how his older brother pulled him into card games and how hockey eventually gave way to strategy-based play. He jokes about being “hooked” since 2016, yet there’s a serious edge underneath, especially when he talks about Pokémon as “a great outlet for my competitiveness since I quit playing sports.” If you’re someone who used to lean on high-intensity habits, you’ll probably relate to that shift into a healthier obsession.

You’ll hear how he chose Chien-Pao for Pittsburgh after a hectic move to university, leaning on trusted friends and their deck choices rather than endless solo testing. Lucas breaks down his prep routine: figure out the likely meta, talk to top players, and test in person as much as possible. There’s a surprisingly detailed look at sequencing too, including a moment where he misplayed a Super Rod–into–Chien-Pao ability and lost a vital draw.

A standout story comes from his match against world-class player Tord Reklev. Lucas admits he “had to dig deep” and got a bit lucky with key combo pieces, but what shines most is his calm mindset and hunger to face the best. Whether you’re a newer player, a returning fan dusting off old decks, or someone channelling competitive energy into safer hobbies, this conversation offers a smart, down-to-earth look at what it takes to climb the rankings.

What might your own “healthier outlet” for that competitive streak look like?