I recently got a chance to sit down with xxpatgxx and -lloD- for an interview about the recently complete AiB Singles Ladder season. For those who are unaware, xxpatgxx took 4th place in the last ladder season, and -lloD- ended the season with a 3rd place finish. With the intro aside, on to the interview!

Sumer: Greetings to both of you, and congrats on your recent success on the AiB Spring Singles Ladder ’10. Let's kick off this interview off by getting to know you two. Who are you on AiB and what character(s) do you main?

xxpatgxx: I'm Patg and I main Lucario and ZSS.

-lloD-: My name is lloD and I main Peach.

Sumer: Cool.
So, what do you think you’ve gained from being a part of the All is Brawl ladder, and what do you enjoy about it?

xxpatgxx: AiB ladder is basically basic brawl training. I enjoy being consistent on it I guess.

-lloD-: In my opinion, the All is Brawl ladder is a chance for people who lack the ability to go to offline tournaments to still participate in competitive play. I myself don't attend many tournaments, but I still have gained a lot of experience through participating in this ladder.

Sumer: Both good answers.
I bet a lot of people are wondering how you two got as far as you did to make it to the top of Singles Ladder, and how you became as good as you are now. Any special training methods, techniques, or strategies we should know about?

xxpatgxx: I'm known for having this amazing connection so I host all the games. I try to win using as little wifi gimmicks as possible, and then I win.

-lloD-: My advice is to learn how to play all characters. This allows you to learn every matchup both ways, and have a much easier time with matches.

xxpatgxx: I agree with llod too on that.

Sumer: Learning match ups in a good connection is definitely a good way to train. Lol
Do you think the characters you main limit how well you do on the ladder? For instance, have you ever thought to yourself, “Maybe if I picked up Meta Knight or Snake I’d probably be doing better”?

xxpatgxx: Nah it really doesn't matter. You're able to choose who you wanna fight anyway, so just use your favorite character to win, duh
:d

-lloD-: I have to say that maining Peach has advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, Peach is limited on wifi, but I have a unique style, which means not many people know how to counter it. If I mained MK or Snake, then most people already know this matchup, which means I would do a lot worse in competitive play.

xxpatgxx: Wifi is wifi, you have to be campy.

Sumer: Both true statements.
What would you say your favorite match up(s) would be, as well as your least favorite, and why?

xxpatgxx: I hated snake because I was one of those people that johned about tiers, when it was I who didn’t know how to fight snake. After playing Bizkit, Fatal, and Mikeray4, I was able to learn the matchup through trial and error. Honestly if the connection is good then anyone is fine, but I'd rather not fight wifi oli.

-lloD-: My favorite matchup is Peach vs. Metaknight, actually. Even though it is her worst matchup, MK keeps me on my feet and keeps me thinking. I have to try hardest against MK, so naturally its my favorite. My least favorite is definitely Peach vs. Toon Link, because I cannot stand people who camp more than me lol.

Sumer: Nice. XD
Who do you think your toughest matches were with this ladder season and how did you do?

xxpatgxx: Ok the call out. Kennispam host lagged me, which was the only reason why it was hard to fight him, but I still won so it didn't affect me. I just dislike cheaters of any sought.

-lloD-: My toughest matches this season were definitely against Anti. His Metaknight is one of the best I have ever played, and he can read me like a book. Although I get close each time we play, especially on Yoshi's Island, he always manages to get that last kill. Whatever happens, playing Anti is always extremely entertaining.

Sumer: It's definitely nice to enjoy a tough set with someone without much lag.
You're both obviously successful players online, but do you also have any offline achievements or goals you'd like us to know about?

xxpatgxx: Many people know how I do offline. I'd describe myself as extremely inconsistent.

Sumer: Any future goals for you, pat? I know you have APEX coming up soon.

xxpatgxx: I wanna place top 3 at one of the events idc. I obviously know this will be extremely hard, but it is what I would like to do.

-lloD-: Like I said before, I lack the ability to go to many offline tournaments because 1) my brother and I can't drive, and 2) my parents aren't very into us going to tournaments. But, my brother and I do well in doubles (I believe we placed 17th at Pound 4), and I placed 9th at my most recent tournament.

Sumer: Good luck with that pat, I'm sure you can do it, and I hope you can make it to more offline tournaments in the future. -lloD-.

-lloD-:
My most recent tournament was like 5 months ago xD

Sumer: lol
Guess you're overdue for one soon then.

-lloD-: Going to one next weekend
Aiming for top 3 in singles, and first in doubles

Sumer: Best of luck to you too.

-lloD-: Thank you.

 Sumer: Alright, last question. Do you have any advice or tips you would like to share with new smashers to the ladder or anyone wishing to improve?

xxpatgxx: Yea, you complainers need to change your mindset, that is all.

-lloD-: My biggest advice to anyone is to practice, practice, practice. No one can get good unless they spend time learning matchups, developing their own style, and improving their technical skill. Mew2King himself trained relentlessly for MLG, and look at how good he is. Whether you practice with CPUs, friends, online, or in tournaments, practice will make you better.

Sumer: Sounds like some good advice.
Well, that’s about it for this interview. Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this, and good luck to both of you in your upcoming play off matches. ^^

-lloD-: Thank you very much

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Well, there you have it. An interview with two great players. I’ve also include matches from both of these players so you can see just how good they are, and how they played to make it to the top of the ladder this season:

xxpatgxx: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pXt8nxi19M

-lloD-: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGBsZ_73bYQ