By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

In July, we reported on the sensation of Pokémon Go, an augmented reality app that lets users catch creatures from the popular Pokémon franchise in their own communities. The Messenger caught up with Brady Guy, one of the top junior Pokémon Trading Card Game players in the United States. Brady, who turns 12 on Aug. 31, gave us his take on his favorite franchise’s latest surge in popularity.

Fantastic beasts and where to find them

Brady’s parents, Marcus and Vicki Guy, purchased him a smartphone two or three weeks after Pokémon Go was released. Brady got to try out the app while competing in the Pokémon TCG World Championship in San Francisco in August.

“In San Francisco, I evolved a lot of things and caught a lot of things,” Brady said. “It was kind of cool in San Francisco to see … Pokémon that were only in Australia.”

Pokémon players from around the world were gathered to play the card game, but many of them played Pokémon Go on their phones as well, bringing their countries’ rare Pokémon with them.

Brady noted that San Francisco had far more Pokéstops — real world places where players can stock up on Pokéballs, eggs, “Razz Berries” for bait and other virtual supplies. He said there are more water-type Pokémon in San Francisco, and he added more than 20 creatures to his collection.

Brady and his family have been frequenting the Camillus Erie Canal Park and local cemeteries, which are rife with Pokéstops.

“The game’s been a good way to get some exercise,” Marcus Guy said, adding that the family has explored their community more. “We’ve only lived in Baldwinsville for a couple of years … we’ve gone to places we haven’t gone before.”

The Guy family all belong to Team Instinct. “It’s his fault. We wanted Valor,” Brady said, blaming his dad for choosing Team Instinct over Brady and Vicki’s choice.

Which is better?

While Pokémon Go has become a family affair for the Guys, the card game remains Brady’s favorite iteration of the game.

“I think that the card game’s more fun because there’s more skill involved,” Brady said. “You can have a strategy heading into the card game. Pokémon Go is luck based on what you run into.”

There is more variety in Pokémon Go, Brady conceded. He said a typical deck of Pokémon cards will only have so many Pokémon, so while playing the app, you might stumble across something different.

Brady said he has no particular strategy for catching virtual Pokémon — “just hope for the best.” Marcus said his son gives his prey “the care package:” Brady baits his catch with Razz Berries and uses his strongest Pokéballs to catch the creature.

The future of Pokémon Go

Since he heads back to school next week, Brady is curious to see how the Pokémon Go frenzy will affect his classmates’ focus. He’s allowed to use his phone between classes and in some study halls. He wondered if some students might risk detention to catch a rare creature.

“There’s a Snorlax here — might as well go for it,” he joked.

Brady’s next TCG tournament is a regional competition in Philadelphia in October, but he’s looking forward to Worlds next year. Niantic, the company that puts out the app, is working on updates for the game.

“They say they’re going to have trading, so that will be cool for Worlds next year,” he said. “You can trade with foreign players and get rare Pokémon.”

Brady said Niantic should update the game so players don’t get bored.

“I think it’d be cool if they had updates where they switched around what Pokémon are common in your area,” Brady said.

While Brady liked Pokémon before it was cool (again), he said he hopes the app craze will inspire other players to branch out.

“Stick with it,” he advised, “and see if you want to play other Pokémon games.”