The Final Tourney for Mew with Top 8 Finisher at Vancouver, Collin Merli-MatthewsThe Final Tourney for Mew with Top 8 Finisher at Vancouver, Collin Merli-Matthews
The Payoff with Pete
Collin Merli‑Matthews recounts his near‑storybook farewell run with Mew VMAX at Vancouver Regionals, from a 12‑0 Swiss start to a heartbreaking top 8 exit. The conversation blends detailed deck talk with honest reflections on community, emotion and specialising in one deck over several seasons.
41:08•29 Mar 2024
Mew’s Last Stand: Collin Merli‑Matthews’ Wild Vancouver Run
Episode Overview
- Specialising in a single deck over years can lead to strong, consistent results, as shown by Collin’s 12‑0 Swiss run with Mew VMAX.
- Tech choices like running triple Path to the Peak and four Vacuum can swing key matchups against popular decks such as Gardevoir, Miraidon and Roaring Moon.
- Even elite performances can be decided by a single topdeck or a rough opening hand, reminding players that variance is always part of competitive play.
- Community support, friendships and shared hype around a deck or player can make a deep tournament run feel meaningful even without the trophy.
- Focusing on one strategy you genuinely enjoy, rather than constantly switching decks, is a valid path to improvement and long‑term success.
“I know I won in people’s hearts. That’s how I know.”
How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction to a single deck choice and push it as far as it can go? This episode of Teach Me Pokémon Podcast follows Collin Merli‑Matthews’ emotional farewell run with Mew VMAX at the Vancouver Regionals, framed as a mix of high‑level strategy chat and heartfelt story. Host Corey brings Collin back just one week after he boldly said he was going to win the last regional where Mew was legal.
Collin came heartbreakingly close, cruising to a staggering 12‑0 start in Swiss and locking first seed going into top cut. He walks through his entire tournament, round by round, explaining how triple Path to the Peak and four Vacuum shaped his game plan against Gardevoir, Roaring Moon, Miraidon and Giratina.
Collin describes support from friends, fellow Mew players and even opponents, joking that by the end, “you play so much you become a Mew.” He talks about finally achieving his goal of finishing as the number one Fusion Mew player on Limitless and even tearfully thanking Mew VMAX for “these wonderful two years of just complete techno blasting people and judge pathing.” Anyone who’s ever committed hard to one deck, one strategy, or one big goal will relate to this mix of tech talk, near‑miss heartbreak and genuine affection for the game.
You’ll hear how specific choices—like cutting Lost City, upping the Path count, and prioritising quad fusion Melodious Echo plays—turned matchups in his favour, and where tiny missteps or prize issues hurt. One of the most gut‑punching moments comes when he recalls the top 8 match where “the top deck of Raichu ended my dreams” and a Game 2 donk ended his run after just 22 minutes. Beyond the cards, the episode is about community and legacy.
How many times can you get that close to a dream and still walk away proud?
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